Chapter 10: Starting Cultivation Journey
"Really? Then I want to learn!" Fang Wang's eyes brightened as he spoke eagerly. Swordsmanship was his greatest strength, fueled by his desire to travel the world on the edge of a sword. Moreover, the sword was a perfect complement to any cultivator's path.
Zhou Xue promptly began teaching the sword technique, with Fang Wang listening intently.
After a while, Zhou Xue concluded her explanation and looked at Fang Wang. He, however, frowned, hesitating before speaking, "This sword technique doesn't seem right. Although I've never practiced a cultivator's sword technique, I know that all techniques share commonalities, especially within the Sword Dao. I feel that following the method you've described might not work effectively."
His inability to enter the Heavenly Palace suggested that this sword technique might be flawed.
Instead of reacting with anger, Zhou Xue's eyes revealed appreciation as she said, "Impressive. Your aptitude and intuitive understanding are exceptional. It's no wonder you mastered the Ariel Sword Art within seven days."
"Since you've already reached the sixth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm, focus on continuing your cultivation. Spells can wait. Once we're at the Great Abyss Gate, you'll need to endure rigorous training for the first two years, concentrating on your realm. The last three layers of the Qi Cultivation Realm are far more challenging, especially the transition into the Soul Sculpting Realm. If you can achieve Spiritual Refinement within five years, you can then choose any spell from the Great Abyss Gate."
Zhou Xue's accurate assessment of Fang Wang's level of cultivation didn't surprise him; her status as a reborn Immortal Venerable meant she was expected to have such discernment.
Fang Wang feigned disappointment and said, "If I hadn't noticed the issue, I would have wasted time practicing this sword technique."
Zhou Xue shook her head slightly, "I was testing you. Your talent and perception are truly remarkable. However, you're still a mortal with a limited lifespan. Focus on your cultivation rather than getting caught up in minor skills."
Fang Wang, accepting her advice, set aside his disappointment. The Solaris Scripture and its Solaris True Fire, combined with his Ariel Sword Art and other martial arts, provided him with sufficient power.
After sharing a few more pieces of advice, Zhou Xue rose to leave. Watching her retreating figure, Fang Wang suddenly became very curious about her level of cultivation. His intuition suggested that Zhou Xue had embarked on the path of cultivation and her cultivation was not weak, but she has concealed her energy through some method, making her difficult to gauge.
Once Zhou Xue closed the door, Fang Wang turned his attention back to his own cultivation. The tangible results of his efforts made cultivation increasingly addictive.
...
Under the blue sky and among the green mountains, three horse-drawn carriages moved forward, appearing tiny in the majestic landscape, indistinguishable from pebbles to the eagles soaring above.
Fang Wang leaned against the carriage door, holding the reins, and enjoyed the scenery along the way.
Although the past thirteen days had not brought a breakthrough to the seventh layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm, his spiritual power had increased significantly.
Recalling his parents' reluctance during their farewell, Fang Wang felt a touch of emotion, but more than that, he was excited. It wasn't that he was cold-hearted; he had memories of a past life. While he was fond of the Fang Residence, his attachment hadn't reached an inseparable extent yet.
He had longed to venture out, but in this world akin to ancient times, bandits often lurked outside the city. Having never left Southern Hills City from childhood to adulthood, everything along the way felt novel to him.
Zhou Xue stepped out of the carriage and sat beside him, and they both admired the landscape.
"How large do you think this world really is, and how much of it does Great Qi occupy?" Fang Wang suddenly asked.
Zhou Xue gazed into the distance and replied, "It's vast, very vast. Great Qi is just a tiny part of Canghai. I've heard from a senior that beyond Great Qi, there are even dynasties where everyone practices cultivation."
To maintain her authority and cover up her rebirth, all the Fang Family Disciples believed that a certain cultivator from her past was guiding her.
"Everyone practices cultivation? How formidable would that be?" Fang Wang mused eagerly.
Zhou Xue chuckled softly and said, "Perhaps Great Qi will also transform into a Cultivation Dynasty in the future."
Perhaps?
Then it must be true!
Since there were others in the carriage, Zhou Xue dared not reveal her knowledge directly, speaking only in conjectures. Fang Wang understood this.
The possibility of Qi Dynasty evolving from a mundane dynasty into a Cultivation Dynasty was astonishing. No wonder Zhou Xue was willing to support the Fang Residence. Was she planning to secure a position in the future Qi Dynasty?
Fang Wang thought that Zhou Xue might have other intentions, but he was not opposed to it. For an Immortal Venerable to support a power was easy. Zhou Xue had not failed the kindness of Uncle Fang Zhen in raising her, indicating she harbored some goodness and was not the Demonic Cultivator he had imagined.
He had always been curious about why Zhou Xue had been reborn. Surely, she didn't just reincarnate while meditating and practicing, right?
The two continued to chat idly as the sun gradually set.
At dusk, they stopped to rest by a river near the mountain road, and the Fang Family Disciples began gathering firewood. Fang Wang found a spot to sit; his responsibility was to protect the clansmen, not to engage in these tasks.
Including Fang Wang and Zhou Xue, there were nine people present, including Fang Hanyu, who, despite his young age, had achieved the status of a first-rate expert. The three of them didn't need to gather firewood, so it was up to the other six.
Fang Hanyu sat not far away, glancing at Fang Wang from time to time, seemingly hesitant about something.
After struggling for a while, Fang Hanyu clenched his teeth, stood up, and walked over to Fang Wang.
Fang Wang opened his eyes to look at him and asked with a smile, "Han Yu, is something on your mind?"
Although Fang Hanyu was two years older, Fang Wang had always had a mature mindset, so he addressed his peers by their names, and Fang Hanyu was used to it.
Since that night, they hadn't had a chance to speak. Even after leaving Southern Hills City for three days, Fang Hanyu and Fang Wang had merely nodded at each other without conversing.
"Fang Wang, Zhou Xue taught us the basic Qi Gathering Method, and after half a month of cultivation, I've barely managed to produce Spiritual Power. Could you teach me the Aerial Sword Art? I don't want to bother Zhou Xue..." Fang Hanyu said awkwardly, avoiding Fang Wang's gaze.
Fang Wang couldn't help but smile, stood up, and laughed, "All right, Hanyu, I've been waiting for you to ask, but it took you so long I thought you had forgotten about me. When you were little, you'd lie down if I told you to, but now that you've grown up, you've become rather aloof, haven't you?"
Aloof?
Fang Hanyu smiled, used to Fang Wang's quirky expressions from childhood, and said, "It's been many years since we last met. Let's not talk about when we were kids—when you made me crawl around pretending to be a dog searching for meat buns. I still remember that!"
The two brothers became more familiar with each other and began reminiscing about their childhood.
After chatting for a while, Fang Wang noticed that Fang Hanyu had completely relaxed, so he began teaching him the Aerial Sword Art.
It's worth mentioning that since their departure, Zhou Xue had spent every night alone in the woods, unseen by anyone. Fang Wang, aware of her rebirth, was not concerned about her safety.
This is why Zhou Xue maintained a great distance from the other Fang Family Disciples, and it was one of the reasons Fang Hanyu sought out Fang Wang for training in the Aerial Sword Art.
From that night on, Fang Wang taught Fang Hanyu the Aerial Sword Art every evening. Remarkably, after only three days, Hanyu could make the wooden sword float.
This wooden sword was not ordinary—it was the specially made Peach Wood Sword of the Blue-Robed Daoist, capable of being manipulated by Spiritual Power. Zhou Xue had taken possession of all the Blue-Robed Daoist's belongings and, upon learning that Fang Wang was teaching Fang Hanyu the Aerial Sword Art, she lent the wooden sword to him.
"Brother Hanyu is really amazing!"
"I haven't even managed to cultivate any Spiritual Power yet. The difference is so huge."
"Hahaha, Hanyu has always been a genius! Didn't Zhou Xue say that having a trace of Spiritual Power within six months qualifies one for Cultivation?"
"The more skilled Hanyu becomes, the more confident we will be when we reach the Great Abyss Gate, and we'll be able to look out for each other in the future."
Surrounded by his clan members, Fang Hanyu's usually stern face showed a rare smile. He wasn't being arrogant but was excited about his own achievements as he looked at Fang Wang, who stood not far away by the lake.
At dawn, Fang Wang and Zhou Xue stood by the lakeside, observing from a distance. The mist over the lake entwined, creating a scene that looked like a heavenly realm. The two standing together appeared as if they could ascend to immortality at any moment.
"Fang Hanyu's aptitude is indeed impressive, which surprises me," Zhou Xue praised. In her eyes, these Fang Family Disciples were not her peers but rather her own descendants, given her experience surpassing the oldest history of the Qi Dynasty's noble families.
Listening to her words, it seemed that, according to their original destinies, Fang Hanyu would have perished on the night the Fang Residence was annihilated.
Fang Wang watched Fang Hanyu, smiling and feeling happy for him.
"How much longer is the journey to the Great Abyss Gate?" Fang Wang asked.
Although he could already fly with his sword, seven other family members were traveling with him, including two young girls who found walking half a day tiresome. Thus, they had to travel by horse-drawn carriage.
Zhou Xue looked at the tender-faced youths and answered softly, "We will arrive in three more days."
She paused, then continued, "You must have noticed over the past two days that the number of villages we've encountered has dwindled. As we proceed, we are more likely to encounter malicious spirits and Spirit Demons, so be cautious."
Malicious spirits? Spirit Demons?
Fang Wang wasn't nervous; instead, he was excited.
This was the perfect opportunity to test his Solaris Scripture!
As the sun rose, the Fang Family Disciples excitedly packed their belongings to continue on their journey.
The mountain roads were rugged, with tall trees and lush vegetation. The foggy air gave the forest an enchanted appearance. The bumpy journey had even roused those Fang Family Disciples who had intended to sleep.
By noon, Zhou Xue reined in her horse and called back to the others, "Everyone, pack your belongings and disembark. We will continue on foot from here."
Each horse-drawn carriage had carried three people who would normally take turns: one to lead the horse, one to stay alert for danger, and the third to sleep inside the carriage.
Soon, all the Fang Family Disciples dismounted. Aside from Fang Wang, Zhou Xue, and Fang Hanyu, the remaining six members, including the two young girls, shouldered their baggage.
Fang Wang glanced at Zhou Xue, knowing she carried the Blue-Robed Daoist's storage bag, though he wondered about its size.
According to Zhou Xue, storage bags, Talisman Paper, and Flying Swords were standard equipment for a Cultivator.
Zhou Xue drew the Treasured Sword from Fang Wang's waist and cut all the reins of the horses from the three carriages in one stroke.
"What does this mean?" asked Fang Hanyu in surprise.
Zhou Xue replied, "We're heading to the Great Abyss Gate, and it will be difficult to return for several years. Even when we return, we won't need the carriages. Better to set them free than let them be consumed by the ghosts and demons in the mountains."
Ghosts and demons!
At these words, the two young Fang Family ladies turned pale, and so did the other four young men as well.
Zhou Xue tossed the sword with a flick of her wrist, and it flew three zhang away, accurately sliding into Fang Wang's scabbard. This smooth move caught the others off guard, their eyes widening in amazement.
Fang Wang squinted slightly, his right hand trembling slightly. He thought to himself that the force and speed were impressive, and he grew even more curious about Zhou Xue's current level of Cultivation.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone