Chapter 70: Chapter 69: Aftermath (Congratulations to the Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Emperor and Taoist Master!) _1 Chapter 70: Chapter 69: Aftermath (Congratulations to the Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Emperor and Taoist Master!) _1 “Haha… As they say, no fight means no friendship. Come, gentlemen, let’s have a drink!”
At the Thunder Extreme Peak.
Fang Xi had just defeated Yan Jue and promptly had Linghu Shan host a banquet.
He was acting as if nothing had happened, holding up his wine cup to toast with Yan Jue, whose chest was still wrapped in bandages, “Come on, Old Master Yan, have another drink!”
Yan Jue had bitterness in his mouth but dared not offend this young, talented powerhouse and took a sip from his wine cup.
“That’s more like it, we’re all one of us,” Fang Xi laughed heartily and then asked Zhou Tong, “I joined the Grandmaster Conference, naturally for the realm above Grandmasters. Do you know how far the Conference has researched?”
“We’ve made some progress…”
Zhou Tong’s expression turned serious.
The Grandmaster Conference was an organization established by a group of Grandmasters for the purpose of breakthroughs. If other people knew of a Grandmaster as prodigiously talented and powerful as Fang Leng, they would undoubtedly provide all their knowledge.
Everything was to find the path forward!
“I would like to hear the details,” Fang Xi set down his wine cup and listened intently.
“Actually… The Martial Saint has reached the pinnacle of Martial Arts,” Zhou Tong organized his words before continuing, “Our Grandmaster Conference has collected various top martial arts techniques, learning from their strengths to cover our weaknesses, and ultimately created several supreme secret techniques, known as the ‘Seven Unmatched Martial Arts.’ We then seek talented disciples to start cultivation from a young age, but in the end, they only manage to suffuse their bodies with True Gang, reaching just the stage of ‘Gang Qi pervading the body’…”
“Having True Gang suffuse the body is already quite impressive,” Fang Xi mused.
The True Gang of Grandmasters is finite, similar to his and Linghu Shan’s, used in critical moments for external defense, akin to a part of armor.
If Gang Qi could fill the whole body and continuously emanate, it would be like wearing full-body armor, and the defensive power would be incomparable to anything else.
“So the peak of a Martial Saint is to have Gang Qi pervade the body?” Fang Xi murmured to himself.
“Perhaps it is, perhaps it isn’t… The head of the Conference once speculated that after Gang Qi pervades the body, the next stage is ‘True Gang transforming into form’!”
Yan Jue chimed in, “Unfortunately… known as True Gang transforming into form, no Grandmaster in the Conference has achieved it. After all, the qi and blood of the human body are limited. No matter how one is endowed with exceptional talent, astonishing qi and blood, or even consuming rare and exotic treasures, it’s difficult to condense True Gang to the point of transforming into form…”
“That is unfortunate…”
Fang Xi pursed his lips, considering whether he could buy a second-tier Qi and Blood replenishing elixir in the Cultivation World.
If he consumed it when he had reached the stage of Gang Qi pervading his body, perhaps he could achieve ‘True Gang transforming into form’?
“Actually, True Gang transforming into form is just one path,” Zhou Tong said, “Currently, there are two factions within the Conference. One advocates digging deeper into the potential of True Gang to ultimately breakthrough. The other is researching various secret skills, advocating to learn from the Demon.”
Fang Xi thought of the Demon Seed technique from Yuanhe Mountain and nodded, “If one could possess the abilities of a Demon, then indeed, that would also be considered a breakthrough from Grandmaster.”
“It’s not that simple. There have been many experiments within the Conference that all ended in failure… The curse power of Demons is too terrible, and even Grandmasters can only resist it a little longer than ordinary people.”
Zhou Tong gave a wry smile, “Those in the Conference studying the curse power of Demons mainly rely on their own qi and blood to simulate and form various secret skills… Those mad enough to actually plant a Demon Seed inside themselves are extremely rare!”
“You’re studying secret skills of Demons?” Fang Xi’s interest peaked, “Have there been any results?”
Zhou Tong and Yan Jue exchanged glances, but it was Zhou Tong who stepped forward, “I’ll show but a modest example!”
With a loud shout, a series of pitch-black patterns emerged on his body.
“Curse marks?”
Fang Xi observed and his pupils constricted, but he quickly shook his head, “Not quite right, the foundation is still simulated with qi and blood.”
“Several secret skills have been researched by the Conference, which can be simulated by the nuanced qi and blood of Grandmasters. This technique of mine is called the ‘Return to Origin Secret Skills’!”
Zhou Tong’s voice thundered as he suddenly picked up a dagger and made a cut on his arm.
Intentionally retracting his True Gang defense, a bloody gash immediately appeared on his hand.
But quickly, the wound began to rapidly heal.
The pitch-black patterns on Zhou Tong’s body disappeared, and he went back to sitting, “This ‘Return to Origin Secret Skill’ can stimulate qi and blood and accelerate the body’s recovery… As long as it’s not a vital head injury, even severed limbs can be reattached.”
“Impressive secret skill!”
Fang Xi’s eyes lit up, “May I have the opportunity to observe it?”
Yan Jue laughed heartily, “Grandmaster Fang is a brother in the Conference, of course, you can. However, you must follow the rules of the Conference… The Grandmaster Conference has always been loose, but regularly publishes certain tasks. As long as Grandmaster Fang completes these tasks, you can earn contributions and exchange them for various supreme secret techniques and secret skills!”
“I see.”
Fang Xi was somewhat disappointed.
However, considering that ancient people would always hold back when teaching disciples, the fact that the Grandmaster Conference allowed the exchange of various cultivation secret skills based on contributions was already quite open-minded.
Alas, there was still no path above Grandmaster…
‘Fortunately, I have a lead. I don’t actually need those imagined breakthrough techniques… Going to the Cultivation World to find fourth-layer body refining inheritances is likely more accurate.’
He had previously refrained from cultivating the Cultivation World’s body refining techniques because he lacked Spirit Stones and was not powerful enough.
The times were changing.
‘Still… those secret skills learned from the Demon and the research on the Demon are worth exchanging for relevant materials to examine…’
Fang Xi’s interest was sparked as his conversation with the two Grandmasters became more congenial.
…
Tri-element City.
Black market, Thousand Gold Building.
Han Fatty was gnawing on a golden, succulent roasted suckling pig, with grease dripping down his chin.
“You, fatty, seem to be living quite the life.”
Suddenly, a voice next to him caused Han Fatty to jump, dropping his roasted pig.
He quickly looked towards the source of the voice and saw Fang Xi.
“It turns out to be Brother Fang…”
Han Fatty immediately squeezed out a smile.
This Fang Xi had some mysterious methods. Previously, he had made a tidy profit from the monster materials Fang Xi had tasked him to acquire, making him a veritable god of wealth.
Of course, Han Fatty hadn’t forgotten when he mentioned the changes in the Military Alliance, soon after which the news broke that the Ximen family died out in three generations…
Although the rumors claimed that the Ximen family was just unlucky to have offended the ghostly figure known as Sorrowful To A Ghost, the patterns in which Sorrowful To A Ghost and Fang Xi appeared and the methods they used were strikingly similar. If they were not master and disciple, they were certainly in cahoots!
However, Han Fatty was well aware of the dangers and decided to pretend he had forgotten the matter.
“Han Fatty, would you like a promotion?”
Fang Xi took a seat casually and asked with a teasing tone.
“This… old Han has limited abilities; I’m not sure what kind of promotion you’re referring to?” Han Fatty dared not refuse and asked cautiously.
“How about being the chief manager of the Demon Hunting Building?”
Fang Xi replied with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.
With a crash!
It was as if a mountain of flesh had fallen, Han Fatty struggled to his feet, his face wearing a sheepish expression: “Brother Fang, don’t tease old Han, the Demon Hunting Society has the imperial court’s support behind it, the waters are deep… I don’t want to lose this thousand pounds of flesh there.”
“Don’t worry, that won’t happen…”
Fang Xi shook his head.
Linghu Shan, an aging Grandmaster, dared to keep a force of five hundred Wind Thunder Army troops; naturally, he became even more brazen and extended his demonic claws towards the Demon Hunting Society…
Fortunately, the Grandmaster Conference wasn’t entirely useless; at least, Yan Jue seemed to have backing from the imperial court.
After Fang Xi brought up the matter, Yan Jue immediately assured him, pounding on his chest, that he would take care of it.
It was, after all, just a matter of stuffing a person into the Demon Hunting Society.
Even if that person was the chief manager!
Fang Xi really only wanted an additional source for monster materials.
In truth, these martial artists and Martial Teachers could at most slay medium-grade first-order monster beasts; they were powerless against high-grade Monster Kings.
There were eight, no, seven Monster Kings in Ding State, and they would still have to rely on Fang Xi’s personal action.
“Since Brother Fang looks up to me, old Han is willing to take the risk with this body of fat and become the chief manager!”
After some thought, Han Fatty finally gritted his teeth and agreed.
“Good!”
Fang Xi laughed heartily and strode out.
…
White Cloud Martial Arts School.
This day, cries were suddenly heard.
The entrance was hung with white lanterns and elegiac couplets.
Many disciples of the martial arts school were dressed in mourning attire, their expressions filled with grief.
In the center of the martial arts school, a memorial hall had been set up, and on the spirit tablet, the name Mu Canglong was written strikingly.
This man had been cursed with a poison from his time in Black Stone City, and although he managed to cling to life with the help of medicinal pills, there was a limit, and now he had finally passed away.
Mu Piaomiao was like a soulless puppet, staring blankly at everything, while Zhang Mingding and Tang Xuan took charge of the affairs.
The entire martial arts school was pervaded with a mournful atmosphere.
Fang Xi stood outside the martial arts school, silently paid his respects, and then turned to leave.
“I am a heartless man, only wishing for carefree matters…”
…
Youjian Martial Arts School.
“When do you think… the master will return?”
Qing Sang toyed with a white jade ruyi in his hand, a piece of exquisite and invaluable beauty with three luminous pearls embedded within.
But at this moment, he held it carelessly, using it to scratch an itch, feeling somewhat dissatisfied, and casually tossed it back into the box.
In the several large boxes nearby, gold and silver treasures were piled up high, almost overflowing with brilliance.
All these were ‘apologies’ from the city’s prominent households!
“I don’t know…” Qing Mu still wore a dull expression.
“Sigh… It’s no use talking to you… Let me tell you, during that night, the master broke through the encirclement, killed four Martial Teachers with his fists, and later used his Flying Sword to slay from a thousand miles away, beheading generals amidst tens of thousands of troops, intimidating the city’s powerful families and nobles. Otherwise, how could we be lying here comfortably?”
Qing Sang’s face flushed with excitement: “I wonder where the master is now, and if he will return to pass on his secret skills to us…”
He too yearned to soar with the sword, flying like an immortal!
Qing Sang was convinced of his loyalty and now eagerly awaited the opportunity to serve the master, hoping to learn the art of the Flying Sword.
“Cough, cough… Forget about the secret skills, even the one I practice is Mixed Origin True Skill!”
Fang Xi coughed, and his figure suddenly appeared inside the martial arts school.
“Master!”
Qing Sang and Dai shouted in unison.
“Hmm!”
Fang Xi looked over at Qing Sang then at Dai and spoke, “From today onward, I will pass on this Youjian Martial Arts School to you, Qing Sang…”
To be honest, Fang Xi had never really cared about the martial arts school, which was nothing more than a house and a bit of reputation to him.
“Master… I don’t want to inherit the martial arts school, I want to follow you and serve loyally in any way I can!”
Qing Sang knelt on the ground, speaking loudly.
He too dreamed of becoming a Martial Arts Master, commanding respect across a city!
This is what a true man aspires to!
“There is no room for negotiation on this!”
Fang Xi gestured dismissively.
Once these affairs were sorted, he planned to focus primarily on the Longevity Skills of the Southern Wilderness Cultivation Realm.
Attaining Dao and long life was the most important matter of all!