Chapter 271: Fourth-Turns Gather at Guiyun Peak [(33) Ten-Thousand-Word Chapter Today]

【This is utterly absurd…】

Inside the Suxin Studio, Yan Chuqing watched the touching scene of master and disciple before her and found it equally surreal.

In just three days, he had converted these Suxin Studio demonesses into this state.

These Suxin Studio buses hadn't even been driven yet, and Fang Can had already locked them up.

Earlier she had wanted to copy him a hundred billion times, but now watching this group clinging to Fang Can's thigh, crying for their fathers and mothers, it was simply embarrassing beyond words.

Even as a bystander throughout, she was still drenched in cold sweat, unable to bear looking directly at it.

She couldn't even imagine if she, in first person, received Fang Can's guidance, whether her Fourth-Turn perseverance and pride could hold up her consciousness intact.

Terrifying!

Terrifying to such a degree!

A top-grade weapon!

And over these past few days, she, watching from the sidelines the whole time, naturally understood Fang Can's terror clearly.

Fang Can's entire body was practically a great medicine, every part of him a treasure!

There was no need for in-depth guidance at all; merely skin contact was enough to slowly raise one's cultivation.

Of course, the speed of improvement this way was also very slow.

Next was the evil dragon gelatin; every drop was an excellent medicine for raising cultivation.

If one wanted to maximize its use, a single drop taken internally or added to a medicinal bath would last an entire day.

These days, twenty-plus jin used sparingly should be enough for these core disciples to use for quite a while.

It should be enough to last until Fang Can's next visit to Suxin Studio.

At this moment, watching these disciples and elders' reluctant attitude toward Fang Can, Yan Chuqing said coldly:

"Still not embarrassed enough? All of you, get off Fang Can right now."

Facing the Studio Master's interrogation, over fifty grief-stricken female cultivators clung like vines, their crimson skirts weaving into a scarlet web across the ground.

"Master Fang Can's 'Heartbreak Palm' hasn't been fully used yet."

The young girl with a tear mole at the corner of her eye buried her face in her lapel, feeling Fang Can's lingering fragrance, her voice trembling unconsciously.

The twin sisters knelt on the floor tiles, sobbing in unison; the telepathic pair now even shed tears in identical arcs:

"The master said he'd show us the supreme essence of 'Orchid Point-Striking Hand'"

"Enough!"

Yan Chuqing's rebuke was deafening; veins bulging as she watched these namby-pamby disciples, she gave a light shake of her jade hand and forcibly separated these useless things from Fang Can's side.

Where the gust passed, her fiery red gauze skirt billowed violently in the cross-wind.

With a cold smile, she looked at Fang Can, who had bull-horned his way through all of Suxin Studio from top to bottom, and said in an unfriendly tone: "Let's go, let me see what you want to do to the Fourth-Turns."

As the words fell, the two vanished from the Yongle Dadian as if by teleportation, leaving only the reluctant disciples wailing behind:

"Master Fang Can, you must take care of yourself, come guide me again next time."

……

In the sky, a rainbow streak of light carried the two westward.

Looking at the youth's solemn expression, Yan Chuqing chuckled: "What, now you know fear?"

What answered her was the youth's silence.

Ever since he said he would provoke the Fourth-Turns, this woman had always been passive-aggressive, making Fang Can find her somewhat annoying.

Probably because she thought the Fourth-Turns were not to be insulted or something like that.

Due to Fang Can's silence, Yan Chuqing knew it was pointless and stopped bothering him; the rest of the journey passed in silence.

In just half an incense stick's time, the two had traversed over ten thousand kilometers, arriving at their destination—Guiyun Peak!

Guiyun Peak lay deep within the Lietian Gorge at the border of the various nations; a solitary peak of a thousand fathoms thrust into the clouds like a broken sword, shrouded year-round in chaotic mist, rarely visited by anyone.

Every year, only some warriors seeking to challenge themselves came to these deep mountains for training, struggling against nature.

The reason for choosing this place was also that the various nations didn't want to expose the unseemly matter of distributing Fang Can to the outside world.

Those who could attend were all Third-Turn warriors and above; ordinary people didn't even have the right to come—all were warriors of great renown from every faction.

A warrior present made a remark that if all these warriors on Guiyun Peak were to die, the political situation of the various nations would change, affecting billions of lives.

And as the grand prize of this meeting, enjoyed only by the strong, Fang Can naturally had to come here of his own accord.

"Do you need to put shackles or manacles on me?" Fang Can looked at Yan Chuqing beside him and said.

"What manacles could hold a First-Turn? A group of Fourth-Turns watching, and you want them to specially make a sacrificial manacle for you?"

Yan Chuqing lazily rolled her eyes: "When the time comes, you just need to kneel obediently, so as to avoid hot-tempered Fourth-Turns coming to make trouble for you."

"When the time comes, you'll be circulated as goods among the various factions; don't end up battered and broken when you reach my hands in a few days because of that stubborn temper of yours."

"Also, those who want you to serve won't only be women, there might also be a massive number of high-quality men; be careful yourself, and take your lumps when they come."

Yan Chuqing spoke while shaking her head, her eyes carrying deep pity, but she had no intention of interfering.

As they spoke, the two walked toward the peak; the Third-Turns of various factions they passed along the way all respectfully saluted the woman, then stared at Fang Can with pitiful gazes.

In their eyes, a male warrior falling into a place like Suxin Studio was simply too miserable.

Could one night of pleasure compare to one's realm slipping away like water?

If one likened cultivation realms to money, it would be like working hard every day to build a business and save up hundreds of millions, only to have it nearly drained by these Suxin Studio female cultivators in a single night.

Even those warriors who cultivated through the Dao of Lust dared not provoke Suxin Studio female cultivators.

After all, it was clear that one night of saturation beats every night of saturation; giving up an entire forest for a single tree was simply too miserable.

Facing these male cultivators' pitying gazes, Yan Chuqing smiled without speaking, and Fang Can couldn't be bothered to explain, walking all the way toward the thousand-zhang peak summit.

But halfway up, his footsteps paused slightly, because he saw a familiar person coming down from the peak.

On the descending staircase before him, a Gao Seng in spotless white monk's robes, with a serene countenance, walked slowly down.

The Gao Seng bore an air of compassion in his brow, clutching a simple string of ancient Buddhist beads; though a monk, he wore his jet-black hair cascading past his shoulders, exuding an otherworldly aura.

He was none other than Luo Yanmo, the Chan Master whom Fang Can had briefly met during the Great Competition among the kingdoms.

Due to his Heart-Reading ability, Fang Can sensed from him an untainted, transcendent quality.

Having always seen people climb upward, Yan Chuqing was curious: "Where is Chan Master Luo Yanmo going?"

Far off, Luo Yanmo also spotted the two, clasping his hands in reverence: "Greetings, both benefactors. The Abbot has instructed that as monks, we embrace compassion, remain unstained by worldly dust, and avoid profit and desire."

"Each person has their own karmic thread; thus, I have been sent to inform all factions that the Mantra Jewel Temple will not participate in this worldly conflict—let each sect decide for itself."

The Mantra Jewel Temple won't participate?

Yan Chuqing felt a flicker of amusement—this was exactly the attitude of those monks obsessed with chanting sutras.

But this was perfect; otherwise, the Mantra Jewel Temple, possessing a Fifth-Transformation ritual artifact, would have claimed a huge share of slots—this is good news for the Su Xin Zhai.

Thinking of this, the woman couldn't suppress her smile, feigning regret: "How unfortunate. We respectfully bid you farewell, Chan Master, and ask you to convey our regards to the Abbot."

"Amitabha." Luo Yanmo clasped his hands, then hesitated slightly as he looked toward Fang Can:

"Master Fang, have you lately felt emotionally constricted?"

As soon as he spoke, the Chan Master realized he'd said something foolish.

He was a prisoner of all major factions—how could his mood be good?

Fang Can was also puzzled why the monk said this; these past three days, he hadn't felt any depression—his gloom had been fully drained by the Su Xin Zhai.

"Why do you say that?"

"My Heart-Reading allows me to perceive surrounding emotions. To me, you now appear like a true dragon bound by chains, unable to break free."

"It may relate to your current situation. Prolonged exposure may lead you to cling to demonic obsessions."

Fang Can agreed with the monk's words; since his First Transformation, he'd indeed felt everything going against him.

And here, the Chan Master couldn't help adding more:

"If you are willing to take refuge in the Buddhist path, and vow never to step into the Fourth Transformation, the Jewel Temple will surely protect you completely."

"Chan Master… you're talking too much."

Yan Chuqing narrowed her eyes; had it not been for the Mantra Jewel Temple's influence, she'd have killed this Second-Transformation monk long ago.

"Thank you for your insight, Chan Master. This place will soon become a nest of strife—please leave swiftly." Fang Can spoke sincerely, then stepped aside to clear a path.

Seeing Fang Can's firmness, Luo Yanmo sighed softly and walked down the mountain.

After bidding farewell to the Chan Master, the two continued their journey and soon reached the peak.

To welcome the Fourth-Transformations, the peak had been sheared down by a hundred zhang and paved entirely with Glazed Qi-Suppressing bricks transported from the Wumo Sect.

Around the edge, thirty lotus platforms were arranged, clearly designated for Fourth-Transformations—yet only seven currently held occupants.

At the center stood a plain stone brick—the designated spot for Fang Can, the captured prize.

Immediately, Fang Can's expression shifted; he sensed something unusual, and a faint smile appeared in his eyes.

For he had faintly sensed that the Li Huowang had been waiting in the shadows for a long time.

This guy had held back so long without spouting his nonsense—how exhausting for him.

"Hey, this guy's calm, sees us and isn't afraid—still smiling, huh."

A sharp, acidic voice came from the side; Fang Can turned to see a thin, bony old man with a pointed face and beady eyes staring at him.

Fang Can recognized him: the Fourth-Transformation Thief Saint, Tuoba Yu.

Tuoba Yu had been rated by Bai Xiaosheng as the Fourth-Transformation posing the greatest threat to him.

At the time, Fang Can had asked Bai Xiaosheng his second question: "Of all the lineages, which one is most effective against multiple opponents like us?"

After thinking, Bai Xiaosheng replied: "Each Fourth-Transformation lineage has strengths and weaknesses, varied mechanisms and stats—but the one most dangerous to you is the lineage possessed by the Thief Saint Tuoba Yu."

"Because his Fourth-Transformation lineage is called 【Skillful Hands, Empty Pockets】."

"Within ten zhang, this lineage allows him to steal anything he desires."

"Yes, anything."

"First Transformation steals objects, Second Transformation steals people; by Fourth Transformation, he can even steal memories from a cultivator's mind."

"By Sixth Transformation, he might even steal another's lineage and use it for a time."

After Bai Xiaosheng's explanation, Fang Can understood just how troublesome this lineage was.

It was practically a natural counter to supernatural abilities.

All of Fang Can's and the other supernaturals' preparations relied on hiding within Ji Donglai's internal space.

But Tuoba Yu's lineage mechanism allowed him to steal anything within ten zhang.

Even through an unbreakable spatial barrier, Tuoba Yu could reach into Ji Donglai's body and pull Fang Can and the others out.

At that point, without Ji Donglai's defense, the other supernaturals couldn't even resist—they'd be crushed instantly.

So when battle began, the first one to eliminate would be Tuoba Yu.

Seeing Fang Can lost in thought, Tuoba Yu, his bony fingers stroking the jade gourd at his waist, grinned with his beady eyes:

"Madam Yan, I heard this boy spent three days in your Su Xin Zhai—how is he still so lively and spirited?"

Sitting on a jade lotus platform, Yan Chuqing coldly smiled: "What, are you, the Thief Saint, a lone wanderer with no sect, also here to claim a share of this cauldron?"

"Just here to watch the spectacle—seeing a bunch of Fourth-Transformations fight over a mere youth is quite entertaining."

"Is that so? I suspect you're not here to watch—your real goal is to sneak something off us Fourth-Transformations while the chaos unfolds," Sha Jing mocked.

"Shut your mouth, you body-cultivation beggar—I'd rather steal from a beggar than your Diandao Men."

Tuoba Yu sneered: "Years ago, I infiltrated your Diandao Men. I assumed the quiet cultivation grounds before a Fifth-Transformation's ascension must be overflowing with wealth—turns out you didn't even have twenty Third-Transformation ritual artifacts."

"I picked through everything and found not a single thing worth taking—you bunch of body-cultivation beggars, and you're proud of it?"

"You—" Sha Jing, enraged by the mockery, sneered back:

"I heard decades ago you sneaked into the Great Chu Imperial Palace to steal treasures—only to be caught by the former Chu Emperor, who slapped you several times, then hung you outside the city gate for three days before letting you go."

"It seems your stubborn ways haven't changed at all."

……

Seated comfortably in his own seat, Fang Can listened to the veiled barbs flying back and forth among this group of Fourth-Turns — it was nothing short of juicy gossip, and he enjoyed every bit of it.

Ever since Tuoba Yu had opened the topic, her behavior had apparently offended too many people, so quite a few Fourth-Turns had taken turns mocking her.

After that, no one focused their attention on him, which let him enjoy the leisure.

But this leisure did not last long.

As time went on, more and more Fourth-Turns entered the venue one after another.

Half an hour or so later, eighteen lotus pedestals already had their masters.

The number of Fourth-Turns present could be said to exceed half of the total number of Fourth-Turns across all the kingdoms, and the accompanying Third-Turn martial artists numbered well over a hundred.

And at this moment, everyone present seemed to sense something and looked toward the west.

They saw a fiery-red carriage on the horizon, like a great sun, coming toward them.

A dignified, imposing, and stalwart man stood upon the carriage, drawn by four Third-Turns as it rode the wind.

The current Emperor of Great Chu — Xiang Hongtu!

The moment he landed, his gaze ignored Fang Can at the center; after sweeping a full circle of the venue, he said coldly:

"It seems everyone has arrived. Those who haven't come needn't bother. Let the meeting begin now."

At this point, the meeting jointly presided over by the nineteen officially commenced!

(End of this chapter)