บท 17: Chapter 15: Illusionary Realm Examination
"Not yet, I didn't expect Miss Gu's cave to be right next to mine."
Fang Wang looked at Gu Li, who was standing at the entrance of the cave, and replied with a smile. Under the sunlight, without her veil, the Gu Li clad in the Great Abyss Gate's Dao robe looked particularly charming, just like an immortal descended to the mortal realm.
There was a set of Sect Leader Dao robes in Fang Wang's cave, which looked nearly identical to the one Gu Li wore. Could it be that Gu Li had also become a Direct Disciple?
Gu Li fixed her gaze on Fang Wang and said softly, "I chose to be next to you on purpose. I have already succeeded in Spiritual Refinement and have become a Direct Disciple; from now on, you are my senior brother."
Direct Disciple?
So quickly?
Fang Wang was surprised inside, but he maintained his composure on the surface.
Seeing his indifferent reaction, Gu Li's hand inside her sleeve clenched slightly. She tried to stabilize her emotions, reminding herself not to rush.
"Master told me that when you were admitted, you were only at the seventh layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm. It's only been a few months, and now you've reached the ninth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm. It seems that you'll be undergoing Spiritual Refinement soon. Before that, could we spar again?" By the end of her words, Gu Li's face had flushed a bit.
Fang Wang looked at her skeptically.
Soul Sculpting Realm against Qi Cultivation Realm?
What a joke!
So shameless?
Fang Wang was about to refuse when he heard Gu Li continue, "I won't use my Lifespirit Treasure, it's just that I've made a breakthrough in my Five Saints Sword Technique, and I would like to spar with you. Don't worry, we'll find a secluded place to spar, and it won't be spread around."
Fang Wang had originally found it a hassle, but now he suddenly wanted to witness the power of the Soul Sculpting Realm firsthand; within the Great Abyss Gate, they wouldn't have to worry about murderous intent.
"Where to?" Fang Wang asked.
Gu Li's eyes brightened as she said, "Let's go to the forest at the foot of the mountain. Sparring is a common occurrence, and as long as we don't develop hatred, the Great Abyss Gate won't forbid it. We won't use magic swords, just spar with wooden ones."
Fang Wang wanted to say that both wooden swords and magic swords can kill, but he wasn't in the mood for idle talk. This was a good opportunity to try out the Jinghong Divine Sword Art!
"Let's go, to the forest!"
"Okay!"
They immediately set off toward the mountain's base, with Gu Li leading the way. They didn't fly with their swords, and from high above, the two walking side by side on the mountain trail looked like a pair of immortal lovers.
On the way, Gu Li chatted with Fang Wang. Hearing that Fang Wang had been cultivating since joining the sect, she started talking about recent amusing events within the Great Abyss Gate.
Fang Wang had just experienced two hundred years of darkness, so he was also interested in these fun stories, listening to her go on, occasionally interjecting with questions.
"By the way, is Zhou Xue a member of your clan?" Gu Li suddenly asked.
Fang Wang nodded and said, "Yes, what about her?"
He wasn't worried about Zhou Xue getting into trouble; this lady was a reborn individual, and it would already be good if she didn't trouble others.
"She passed the sect's Illusionary Realm test and received the inheritance of the previous Sect Leader. Her fame has skyrocketed, and once she goes through Spiritual Refinement, even if her Lifespirit Treasure is of average quality, she would still be able to become a Direct Disciple," remarked Gu Li.
Illusionary Realm test?
Fang Wang hadn't heard Zhou Xue mention it, but it was within reason that Zhou Xue could get such an opportunity. Her rebirth was her greatest reliance; with so many chances recorded in her mind, she would surely choose a stronger path than in her former life.
Since entering the Great Abyss Gate, they had lost contact, but Fang Wang remembered that she had chosen the first lineage for herself.
Thus, Fang Wang and Gu Li continued to chat leisurely as they headed to the forest.
After a stick of incense had burned.
The two entered the forest, where the trees were sparse, making it convenient for a duel. The dense foliage above also shielded them from the prying eyes of passing disciples.
Standing three yards apart, Fang Wang raised his right hand and said, "Come on, this time, I won't use Sword Control Technique."
Sword Control Technique!
When Gu Li heard these three words, her face visibly stiffened—it turned out that the technique that had defeated her last time was indeed the Sword Control Technique.
Being defeated by a sophisticated swordsmanship was acceptable to her, but by the Sword Control Technique...
And the opponent was only at the seventh layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm at the time!
Taking a deep breath, Gu Li immediately took out two wooden swords, tossing one to Fang Wang and gripping the other in her right hand.
Fang Wang caught the wooden sword and examined it. He intended to refuse to use it, but he did not want to insult her, thinking to himself, Oh well, I might as well play along.
It was actually not a bad idea; he had always pretended to be a sword adept, yet he did not need a sword to execute the Jinghong Divine Sword Art. This might save him at a critical moment in the future.
Grasping the wooden sword, Fang Wang raised it toward Gu Li. His left hand reached out with two fingers and traced on the sword blade, instantly conjuring three streams of Sword Qi along the blade and quickly forming three sword shapes floating before him.
This scene made Gu Li frown, wondering inwardly, What swordsmanship is this?
Gu Li took a deep breath and immediately executed her family's secret Five Saints Sword Technique. She swung her sword rapidly, with sharp moves and fast enough to create afterimages. In an instant, it seemed as though five people were swinging swords at once, and visible, domineering Sword Qi swept towards Fang Wang like a violent storm.
Trees along the way were sliced with countless fine cuts, extremely fierce.
Fang Wang held his sword in his right hand and twisted his wrist, then thrust it forward. The three sword shapes suddenly turned into three streaks of cyan light and shot out.
Boom!
The Sword Qi clashed, and the seemingly formidable Five Saints Sword Qi was instantly shredded by the cyan streaks. Gu Li's hair was whipped about, and she instinctively widened her eyes.
At that moment, she felt the same dread as she had during the competition to become a Direct Disciple.
Luckily, the three streaks of cyan light dissipated just as they reached her face, yet the powerful sword light still made her heart pound.
Fang Wang put away his sword and reflected inwardly, Fortunately, my Jinghong Divine Sword Art has reached Great Perfection; otherwise, I really would have had difficulty retracting the sword just now.
The surrounding trees shook violently, leaves falling like rain, and amidst this shower of leaves, Gu Li found herself in a daze.
Fearing she would make another request, Fang Wang quickly said, "Miss Gu, your swordsmanship is very strong, the strongest I've faced among sword cultivators so far. Let's spar again later; I need to go back to my cultivation."
After speaking, he leaped up, stepping onto a wooden sword and quickly flew out of the forest.
At the same time,
a male disciple flew over, noticing something unusual happening in the forest below. Just as he thought about checking it out, he saw Fang Wang flying out on his sword, and he was instantly overjoyed, hurrying to approach him.
"Brother Fang, it's rare to see you!" The male disciple intercepted Fang Wang and said with enthusiasm.
Fang Wang felt he looked somewhat familiar and politely responded, "I've been closed off for cultivation, just came out for a stroll today."
"Brother Fang, do you still remember me? I'm Zhou Bo!"
"Remember, remember..."
Inside the forest.
Gu Li took a deep breath. This wasn't the first time she had been defeated, and the blow didn't hit her as hard as before, especially since she had received Fang Wang's recognition.
Wait a minute!
That boy hasn't been cultivating for even a year. How could he have met so many sword cultivators?
Gu Li recalled her master Yang Yuanzi's lamentations, and her complexion instantly turned ugly. There was no anger in her heart, just endless confusion.
She took a deep breath and then flew off on her sword.
After Fang Wang hastily dealt with Zhou Bo, he left. Just as Zhou Bo was internally commending Brother Fang for being truly a dedicated cultivator, he saw Gu Li flying out from the forest.
With her hair slightly disheveled from the impact of the Jinghong Divine Sword Art, Zhou Bo stared in astonishment.
Gu Li didn't bother with him at all and quickly flew towards the mountain.
Zhou Bo withdrew his gaze, stood on his flying sword, and murmured with a sigh, "Brother Fang is really in good spirits."
...
After landing, Fang Wang placed the wooden sword against the mountain gate of Gu Li's cave dwelling, then quickly returned to his own.
Having repeatedly shaken the pride of heaven's favored daughter, he feared endless troubles, but there was nothing he could do since Gu Li had sought him out first.
Sitting cross-legged on the white jade bed, Fang Wang reflected on the recent battle, feeling that there was nothing so remarkable about the Soul Sculpting Realm, at least not compared to the gap between him and it.
Perhaps the Lifespirit Treasure contributes significantly to combat power in the Soul Sculpting Realm.
Fang Wang stopped pondering and continued to gather Qi for cultivation. Reaching the ninth level of the Qi Cultivation Realm didn't mean he could immediately assault the Soul Sculpting Realm. Between Qi Cultivation Realm Nine and Soul Sculpting Realm lay a nameless level. This also existed in the martial path; some called it an opportunity, some called it Great Perfection. All in all, he just wanted to quickly advance to the Soul Sculpting Realm.
Outside the cave dwelling.
Gu Li looked at the wooden sword leaning against the mountain gate, bit her lip, picked up the sword, and then walked back to her own cave dwelling.
In the blink of an eye.
Another month had passed.
Fang Wang's spiritual power had doubled, and deep within, he faintly sensed the signs of a breakthrough. However, he found his cultivation could still improve, so he continued his practice. He wanted to wait until his cultivation could no longer grow before attempting the breakthrough.
One day, a voice came from outside the cave dwelling:
"Fang Wang, are you there?"
Upon hearing this, Fang Wang immediately got up to answer. He went to the mountain gate, opened it, and as the sunlight streamed in, he saw a familiar face.
Zhou Xue!
Months had passed and Zhou Xue, dressed in a Tai Yuan Sect disciple's robe, looked even more beautiful. The spirit and sharpness between her brows were something Gu Li didn't possess. Zhou Xue was spirited and fiercely shining, while Gu Li was merely cold in appearance.
Zhou Xue stepped directly into the cave dwelling, walked past Fang Wang, and, at the same time, waved her hand saying, "Close the door!"
Fang Wang immediately closed the door of the cave dwelling and then followed Zhou Xue's steps.
"Why are you here?" Fang Wang asked, puzzled.
Zhou Xue snorted, "You've been secluded in your cultivation, trying to cut ties with the Fang Family? Other disciples of the Fang Family have met and established connections, except for you who has never left the third vein. I had to come looking for you."
Fang Wang explained, "I just want to reach the Soul Sculpting Realm as soon as possible."
"Qi Cultivation Realm Nine? Not bad, looks like you haven't neglected your cultivation. I was just worried that the Gu girl would entangle you, and with your restless youthfulness, you'd be unable to resist and fall into it."
While speaking, Zhou Xue sat down at the stone table.
Fang Wang said helplessly, "How could that be? I am the Thirteenth Young Master of the Fang Family. If I were so easily moved, those beautiful maids at the mansion and the rich daughters in town would have already been tempted by me."
Zhou Xue snorted, "I hope so. I am here today to bid you farewell. I'm leaving and probably won't be back for three to five years."
"That long? What for?"
Fang Wang sat down and asked curiously, his mind figuring out how to gain some peerless skills.
Zhou Xue looked at him and said, "I'm going for a big opportunity, and along the way, investigate this Soul Burning Banner I have. I can't be at ease unless this matter is cleanly resolved."
"Take me with you?"
"With talent like yours, just focus on your cultivation. A genius like you should be earnest in practice. I've seen too many once-in-a-lifetime geniuses that thought they were strong enough, only to go out and get killed by old monsters and those favored by fate, becoming pitiable characters in other people's tales. Plus, I work better alone."
"Alright then..."
Fang Wang just made a token gesture of courtesy. He certainly couldn't thickly beg Zhou Xue to take him along, and he indeed did not wish to go. He wasn't yet at the stage where he needed to go out searching for opportunities.
Just...
How to express it?
Zhou Xue teased with a laugh, "What? You still want to get Cultivation Techniques or Spells from me?"
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