Fang Wang hadn't expected Zhou Xue to be so straightforward, he gave a fake cough and said, "I can only help you if I become stronger, just like in the crisis when our clan was nearly exterminated."
Zhou Xue stared into his eyes, making his heart feel hairy.
But thinking that it would be years before they could meet again, Fang Wang had no choice but to steel himself and meet Zhou Xue's gaze.
After a few moments of eye contact, Zhou Xue smiled and said, "I can only give you one chance, tell me, what kind of ultimate art do you want?"
One chance?
Fang Wang felt a slight disappointment in his heart but he could understand Zhou Xue, after all, you never know what's in people's hearts, let alone for Zhou Xue as a reborn person, she knew best how many times she had been betrayed in her previous life.
From the Sword Control Technique to the Solaris Scripture, and now, Fang Wang owed Zhou Xue even more.
As for the debt of saving a life, wasn't it Zhou Xue who saved Fang Wang? Without the Sword Control Technique, had Fang Wang met that cultivator, he would have been surely doomed. With his backbone, there was no way he would abandon his clansmen to escape. After all, he had already died once; in this matter, the two of them had redeemed each other.
How could Fang Wang directly tell Zhou Xue, "I possess the Heavenly Palace, you help me be invincible, and I will ensure your absolute safety forevermore?"
That's too far-fetched!
No one is the absolute protagonist of the world, even if Zhou Xue believed he had the Heavenly Palace, Fang Wang still had to consider whether the other party would harbor evil intentions.
In the end, one can only rely on oneself!
After much thought, Fang Wang felt that he wasn't lacking in cultivation techniques or spells for combat, what he needed was an ultimate art related to speed, for example, one that would allow him to run faster when facing an unbeatable enemy, so he shared his thoughts.
"The Sword Control Technique is just a basic spell in the Cultivation World, indeed, you need a technique for evasion. I'll pass on the White Rainbow Evasion Technique to you," Zhou Xue pondered and said. Seeing Fang Wang's desire to ask further, she glanced at him and said, "Don't ask me whether this technique is strong or not, you'll know once you've practiced it!"
Fang Wang felt awkward and could only nod his head.
Zhou Xue began to teach the cultivation method for the White Rainbow Evasion Technique, and Fang Wang listened intently.
Once Zhou Xue finished speaking, Fang Wang entered the Heavenly Palace without any room for refusal, looking at the magnificent inner palace, he couldn't help but sigh.
He had only been out for less than half an hour after being stifled for two hundred years, and he was back again.
There was nothing he could do about it, after all, Zhou Xue was about to leave.
He started to cultivate the White Rainbow Evasion Technique, a flying technique that allowed him to transform into a white rainbow, streaking across the sky at extreme speed, with Great Perfection he could be as fast as a white rainbow, soaring tens of thousands of miles.
The White Rainbow Evasion Technique wasn't categorized into levels like the Solaris Scripture or Jinghong Divine Sword Art, so as Fang Wang practiced, he couldn't see how far he was from achieving Great Perfection.
After sixty-three years of diligent practice, Fang Wang finally mastered the White Rainbow Evasion Technique to Great Perfection, and he was very satisfied with the final result. Indeed, he was fast as a white rainbow streaking across the sky. Moreover, as his cultivation level continued to rise, this technique would only become faster.
At least the speed he had demonstrated so far had exceeded all the flying speeds he had seen since joining the Great Abyss Gate.
Fang Wang's consciousness returned to reality, his vision cleared just in time to see Zhou Xue looking at him.
Zhou Xue asked jokingly, "How is it, little genius, was the technique difficult?"
Fang Wang raised an eyebrow and smiled, "It was so-so, I've got it now."
"Heh heh!"
Zhou Xue couldn't help but roll her eyes, not believing him, she didn't force Fang Wang to demonstrate but instead stood up and said, "Well, I should be going. When I return, I hope you have successfully completed your Spiritual Refinement."
"Stay in touch with the other Fang Family Disciples when you have time. I have arranged for you to be dispersed across the various branches as part of a plan. Even as a one-in-a-million talent, you may still face suppression. Even the most upright sects have their struggles, and no sect is purely based on talent. Relationships and interests are the true foundation of everything," Zhou Xue advised, fearing that Fang Wang would follow the same path as her in her previous life.
Fang Wang nodded, he was not averse to social interactions, especially with his own clan members. For now, he simply wanted to become stronger.
Afterwards, Fang Wang escorted Zhou Xue out of his dwelling; she took off on her sword directly, transforming into a white rainbow, and disappeared in the blink of an eye amidst the clouds.
White Rainbow Evasion Technique!
Fang Wang secretly assessed the technique, achieving a minor success, truly worthy of a reborn person.
Suddenly, he heard a noise from the side and turned his head to look, only to see Gu Li walking out of her own dwelling. She looked at Fang Wang with a complex expression.
Fang Wang's scalp tingled under her gaze. He smiled and nodded slightly towards Gu Li.
Gu Li also nodded back, and then departed on her sword, which made Fang Wang heave a sigh of relief. He had indeed feared she might entangle him further.
Afterwards, Fang Wang returned to his dwelling to continue his cultivation.
...
Three months later, Fang Wang's Spiritual Power reached a state of fullness, feeling that he could no longer improve, he left his dwelling to visit his master, Yang Yuanzi.
Inside Qingxin Hall.
Yang Yuanzi looked at Fang Wang peculiarly and said, "Indeed, you have reached the state necessary for Spiritual Refinement. Have you been cultivating for a full year yet?"
Fang Wang replied, "Almost."
Yang Yuanzi's mouth twitched, and he sighed, "With such talent, you should be in the first vein. The Nine Heavens Azure Thunder Sword Formation is powerful but very difficult to learn. The heritage of the first vein is also very strong."
"Having joined the third vein, how could I be fickle-minded? Master, rest assured, I will devote myself to cultivating and bring honor to the third vein!" Fang Wang said earnestly.
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He made a deliberate statement, aiming to become the head disciple as soon as possible, and then to inherit the Nine Heavens Azure Thunder Sword Formation. Even if he stepped back, being the head disciple would also grant him more cultivation resources.
Relying on the Great Perfection's Solaris Scripture and the cave dwelling of a Direct Disciple, Fang Wang didn't immediately need resources, but he would not be complacent; he believed that the later stages would be even more difficult.
Even someone as strong as Zhou Xue had to scheme for opportunities everywhere.
Yang Yuanzi heard Fang Wang's words, but instead of smiling, he shook his head and followed up, "There are spirit molding grounds in all nine veins, but with your cultivation talent, which is rarely seen in a century, I will take you to meet the Sect Leader. The spirit molding ground at the main peak is even more effective."
Overjoyed, Fang Wang hastily thanked his master.
Thus, Fang Wang followed Yang Yuanzi to the main peak, and the master and disciple entered the Shiyuan Hall to meet the Sect Leader, Guang Qiuxian.
Guang Qiuxian, hearing that Fang Wang was about to undergo Spiritual Refinement, was not surprised, as he was well aware of Fang Wang's speed of cultivation. He stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Of course, you may. Come, there's someone undergoing Spiritual Refinement right now; you can go and take a look as well."
He stood up and led Yang Yuanzi and Fang Wang to a side hall.
Through winding corridors, they arrived deep within Shiyuan Hall, where a waterfall cascaded from the clouds into a pool. In this pool a shirtless man was undergoing Spiritual Refinement.
Standing on the corridor, Fang Wang saw a set of clothes and a book box beside the pool, immediately realizing that this man was the individual in black who had joined the Great Abyss Gate with him. Previously covered by a bamboo hat and clothed tightly, he did not recognize him at first glance.
"This young man is called Zhou Xing Shi, joined the Great Abyss Gate with you, has been defeated by you, and now has become a disciple of the second vein. Don't underestimate him; he is about to create a Mysterious Origin Treasure Spirit," Guang Qiuxian said with a smile and stroked his beard, feeling proud to see more and more talent emerging in the Great Abyss Gate.
With a snort, Yang Yuanzi said, "You brought him here for Spiritual Refinement, thinking he could create an Earth Origin Spirit Treasure, right?"
"Well, everyone should have their aspirations."
"Hehe, talents like Lu Yuanjun are rare to encounter even in a few hundred years; they aren't easily found."
"Oh, is that so? You have no confidence in your disciple?"
Listening to the conversation, Fang Wang felt something was off. Why did these two seem to have an undercurrent of rivalry? Could it be that they didn't get along?
No wonder the Sect Leader initially tried to prevent him from going to the third vein.
Damn, had he chosen the wrong side?
Was the third vein being marginalized by the Sect Leader?
Yang Yuanzi snorted, "You will soon find out!"
Fang Wang focused on Zhou Xing Shi, who appeared to be in his twenties or thirties, with a somewhat world-weary face. At the moment, streaks of black light swirled around him like a vortex, flowing towards the top of his head.
Above his head, a black fan slowly took shape and gradually solidified, even showing a metallic luster.
Is this a Spirit Treasure?
Fang Wang filled with anticipation. He was looking forward to his own Treasure Spirit.
Guang Qiuxian and Yang Yuanzi stopped bickering and watched intently.
After the time it took an incense stick to burn, the black fan above Zhou Xing Shi's head suddenly quivered, and waves of visible black Qi burst forth, sweeping across the pool's surface, even cutting off the waterfall. As it looked about to hit Shiyuan Hall, Guang Qiuxian raised his hand and warded it off with his Spiritual Energy.
Boom—
The black Qi wave hit an invisible wall and instantly scattered. Fang Wang's clothes billowed, and his hair was swept up; he couldn't help but look at Guang Qiuxian with internal shock.
What realm does the Sect Leader possess?
Merely this momentum made Fang Wang feel an undeniable sense of submission.
In the pool, Zhou Xing Shi slowly opened his eyes, raised his right hand, and the black fan quickly fell into his grip. Holding the fan, he showed a relieved smile.
"A Superior Mysterious Origin Spirit Treasure, impressive. It's enough to place him in the top ten among contemporary disciples," Guang Qiuxian praised.
Zhou Xing Shi got up and bowed to Guang Qiuxian, and also noticed Fang Wang's arrival.
Guang Qiuxian looked towards Fang Wang and said with a smile, "Go ahead, sit cross-legged in the pool, cultivate while visualizing the Treasure Spirit you want. The Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth here will help you shape your own Treasure Spirit."
Fang Wang nodded, immediately stepping towards the pool. Zhou Xing Shi followed, and both nodded to each other as a greeting.
Sitting cross-legged in the middle of the pool, Fang Wang took a deep breath and began to circulate his Cultivation Technique with his eyes closed.
Zhou Xing Shi did not leave after putting on his clothes but stayed to watch Fang Wang's Spiritual Refinement.
With the three onlookers, Fang Wang felt some pressure, but he quickly cast aside any distractions from the outside world.
According to the main tenets of cultivation, Lifespirit Treasures are categorized from low to high as Yellow Origin, Mysterious Origin, Earth Origin, and Heaven Yuan Spirit Treasures. Each level is further divided into Lower Grade, Middle Grade, Superior, and Supreme. The highest grade of Treasure Spirit ever seen in the history of the Great Abyss Gate is just a Lower Grade Earth Origin Spirit Treasure.
It is said that the Lifespirit Treasure of Lu Yuanjun reached the rank of a Middle Grade Earth Origin Spirit Treasure, breaking the historical limit of the Great Abyss Gate and being the cause of its current rise.
Shaping one's Lifespirit Treasure requires a special Heavenly Dao Spirit Stone. Only on such a stone can one sculpt their Lifespirit Treasure, and beneath the pool where Fang Wang was sitting was a massive Heavenly Dao Spirit Stone.
The reason why the Nine Great Sects dominate the Grand Qi Cultivation Realm is that they control the highest grade Heavenly Dao Spirit Stones, and not just one piece. Many Cultivation Families unable to undergo Spiritual Refinement can only send their family disciples to join one of the Nine Great Sects.
Fang Wang began to envision the form of his Lifespirit Treasure.
His first choice was a sword, as his strongest counter is currently the Jinghong Divine Sword Art.
Gradually, streaks of firelight emerged from his body, swirling around him, and then gathering above his head, much like Zhou Xing Shi before.
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