Upon entering the town, Fang Wang and Zhou Xing Shi did not immediately ask around for Fang Hanyu's whereabouts; instead, they decided to take a look around first.
Fang Wang had previously asked Zhou Xing Shi how to distinguish the Demonic Cultivators, and Zhou Xing Shi's answer was not to judge based on appearance or aura, but rather to consider the environment and actions.
The cultivators in this town were a mixed bunch, and for the moment, it was unclear where the town's allegiances lay.
As they proceeded, Fang Wang heard the names of many sects and noble families; this place seemed truly to be a market bustling with Loose Cultivators, with shops everywhere trading Cultivation resources, and without any dedicated patrols.
"You find a place to stay, and I'll go investigate alone," Zhou Xing Shi conveyed to Fang Wang using the Sound Transmission Technique.
Fang Wang replied using the Sound Transmission Technique, "How can that be acceptable? You are here to assist me, how can I not do anything?"
"Although I come from a Cultivation family, I have been roaming the world since the age of ten and have long been exposed to the Cultivation World. I am confident I can find clues about Fang Hanyu. You are stronger than me, and if danger arises, you'll surely need to intervene. With so many cultivators in this town, fearing a significant event might occur, it's actually better for us to act separately," Zhou Xing Shi explained using the Sound Transmission Technique.
After thinking it over, Fang Wang agreed, as he indeed knew less about the Cultivation World than Zhou Xing Shi.
Afterward, the two found an inn; once they had reserved rooms, Fang Wang went upstairs while Zhou Xing Shi left the inn to continue the investigation.
Once inside his room, Fang Wang closed the door and then sat on the bed to begin his cultivation.
Although he was only at the third level of the Soul Sculpting Realm, he was confident he could sweep through the Soul Sculpting Realm, especially since he had mastered so many Great Perfection techniques and possessed what seemed to be the Heaven Yuan Spirit Treasure—the Heavenly Palace Halberd.
Even though he was full of confidence, he didn't want to waste time, since even the strongest Inner Strength required time to accumulate cultivation.
Dusk fell, and the moon rose.
After nightfall, the town grew quiet, and Fang Wang occasionally sensed auras sweeping past his window. It seemed the night would not be peaceful.
As long as no one disturbed him, he was too lazy to go out and see for himself.
The night passed.
With the sunrise, the small town became lively again, the streets were very noisy, and with Fang Wang's keen hearing, he could pick up some conversations.
"Disciples of Green Cicada Valley have been found dead on the eastern bridge."
"Who did it? Could it be Huangyu Mountain?"
"These two major sects have been increasingly active recently, as if they're searching for something."
"It's said that relics of a Great Cultivator from Ji Hao Sect were found in a demon-infested area five hundred li to the west."
"That person died so miserably, even their eyes were gouged out."
In his room, Fang Wang slowly opened his eyes, realizing that news had spread, making finding Fang Hanyu even more troublesome.
The cultivation of the Heavenly Gang Saint Body Technique would have to wait; it couldn't be rushed.
Fang Wang pondered in his heart, deciding to leave once he found Fang Hanyu.
But Zhou Xing Shi hadn't returned all night—could he have run into trouble?
Fang Wang's gaze flickered, his mind wary of Zhou Xing Shi, worried that Guang Qiuxian and Yang Yuanzi were planning something against him. But then, on second thought, he was only in the Spiritual Refinement Realm now. If Guang Qiuxian and the others truly wanted to take his treasure spirit, why go through all this trouble?
Suppressing the suspicions in his heart, he decided to wait a little longer. If Zhou Xing Shi did not return by noon, then he would have to act on his own.
Fortunately, things did not turn out as badly as he imagined; Zhou Xing Shi returned after an hour.
Once inside the room, Zhou Xing Shi closed all the doors and windows.
"The situation is dire; it's possible that our disciple really acquired a legacy. Both Green Cicada Valley and Huangyu Mountain are searching for the whereabouts of the Tai Yuan Sect Disciples," Zhou Xing Shi sat in front of Fang Wang, still communicating via the Sound Transmission Technique.
Fang Wang also inquired with the Sound Transmission Technique, "Then, do you have any trace of Fang Hanyu?"
"Four months ago, Fang Hanyu was indeed seen in this town, but he was pursued by Green Cicada Valley and ran into the deep mountains. Many of the town's long-standing merchants witnessed this..." Zhou Xing Shi hesitated for a moment, then continued with the Sound Transmission Technique, "Being chased by Green Cicada Valley for four months without returning to the sect, he is likely..."
He did not finish his sentence, but Fang Wang understood the implication.
It was more likely bad news than good!
Fang Wang frowned. He and Fang Hanyu had been close in their childhood, and regardless of that, they shared the surname Fang, and he had promised Zhou Xue he would take care of the family members.
"By the way, Zhou Xue is related to you, isn't she? Can she be trusted?" Zhou Xing Shi suddenly asked through the Sound Transmission Technique.
Fang Wang raised an eyebrow and asked through the Sound Transmission Technique, "Why do you ask? Have you met her?"
"That's right, the person who killed the Green Cicada Valley disciple last night was her. Her methods are cruel, and she even used Green Cicada Valley's techniques, brutally gouging out that person's eyes..."
Zhou Xing Shi couldn't help shuddering as he spoke, his eyes filled with fear.
Upon hearing this, Fang Wang felt surprised and delighted; if Zhou Xue was here, then the chances of finding Fang Hanyu were even greater.
He responded through the Sound Transmission Technique, "She can be trusted. I've been through life and death with her. You've met her; did she not notice you?"
He was suspicious; could Zhou Xing Shi's experience in the Cultivation World really compare with Zhou Xue's?
Zhou Xing Shi shook his head and was about to respond through the Sound Transmission Technique when the door suddenly pushed open, startling them as they stood. They focused their attention and saw a red-clad woman wearing a Bamboo Hat enter the room. She tilted her head back, gazing at Fang Wang and Zhou Xing Shi with a superior smile.
If not Zhou Xue, then who?
"You..."
Zhou Xing Shi paled, instinctively stepping in front of Fang Wang.
Zhou Xue smiled and said, "I was wondering why the Tai Yuan Sect Disciples were investigating Fang Hanyu's whereabouts. The kid has talent alright, but he started late and needs time to accumulate experience. The Tai Yuan Sect shouldn't really care about him. So it turns out that you are the person behind this, kid. How did you two end up together?"
Having not seen her for several months, Zhou Xue's grace seemed even more pronounced. Fang Wang still couldn't see through her cultivation level.
No, he must learn her method for concealing her cultivation level!
Fang Wang said helplessly, "Could you close the door before saying that?"
Zhou Xue raised her hand and the door behind her shut through the air. She made herself comfortable and sat down at the table, saying irritably, "Everyone in the inn has gone out to watch the commotion. You call yourselves cautious, knowing how to use the Sound Transmission Technique to communicate. But the fact that you dare to come here is utterly brazen. The inheritance of the Ji Hao Sect has been leaked. Even though you've reached the Soul Sculpting Realm, it's still very dangerous."
Her gaze landed on Fang Wang, with an intensity that caused him to feel uneasy.
Fang Wang cleared his throat awkwardly and said, "If it weren't for Fang Hanyu going missing, I wouldn't have had to come. Who asked you to entrust their care to me?"
"Guarding them was within the sect, not running around outside. You haven't been in the Tai Yuan Sect for even a year and have already reached the third level of the Soul Sculpting Realm. You should be focusing on cultivation. Maybe in ten years, you could reach the Spirit Elixir Realm, and then you would have enough strength to traverse the Cultivation World," Zhou Xue glared at Fang Wang, her admonishment laced with a touch of exasperation, as if lamenting his wasted potential.
Zhou Xing Shi moved aside, curious about the closeness between Zhou Xue and Fang Wang, but even more astonished to find that Fang Wang had actually reached the third level of the Soul Sculpting Realm.
The two had started their Spiritual Refinement on the same day, yet he hadn't even broken through to the second level of the Soul Sculpting Realm...
Was this the difference between the Mysterious Origin Treasure Spirit and the Heaven Yuan Spirit Treasure?
Fang Wang, scolded by Zhou Xue, did not get angry. Instead, he felt a vague warmth in his heart.
In this foreign land, with the fate of his clan uncertain and himself caught between a rock and a hard place, Zhou Xue's arrival brought hope to him.
After all, she was an Immortal Venerable reincarnated. Following her would surely increase his chances of survival.
"By the way, what grade of treasure spirit do you possess? Have you reached the Earth Origin Spirit Treasure?" Zhou Xue asked.
Lifespirit Treasures were special. Unless a cultivator revealed them, they were difficult for others to detect. It was said that Lifespirit Treasures were hidden within the soul, and even divine consciousness could not peer into them from the outside.
Fang Wang nodded. Before he took action in the Heavenly Palace, his sword-shaped treasure spirit indeed had the potential to reach the Earth Origin Spirit Treasure. It seemed Zhou Xue had an astute eye, accurately discerning this right away.
Zhou Xing Shi roared inside, "It's more than just an Earth Origin Spirit Treasure; it's a damn Heaven Yuan Spirit Treasure!"
It was precisely because Fang Wang's Lifespirit Treasure was a Heaven Yuan Spirit Treasure that he found himself in the current awkward predicament, beleaguered and indecisive under the pressure of three others.
"Talk about Fang Hanyu. Weren't you planning to leave for a few years? Find Fang Hanyu, and I'll take him back, then you can continue to make your way in the world," she said.
Fang Wang changed the subject, saying, "The longer we delay here, the greater the danger Fang Hanyu faces."
Zhou Xue's smile faded, and she said calmly, "He's not dead. As for how I know, I can't tell you for now. I'll go save him. You should return to the main territory and wait for me somewhere safe."
Fang Wang frowned and said, "Zhou Xue, I can help you. After all, we started on the path of cultivation at the same time; our strengths can't be that different."
With Zhou Xing Shi nearby, he could not speak more openly.
Zhou Xue couldn't help but recall the night her clan was wiped out. That night, she had indeed been careless, and if it weren't for Fang Wang's intervention, she would probably have had to abandon the Fang Residence and flee alone, then like in her previous life, enter the Cultivation World carrying the burden of a bloody vendetta, rather than with the ease she had now.
"Be mentally prepared; we might encounter masters at the ninth level of the Soul Sculpting Realm," Zhou Xue stated solemnly.
Zhou Xing Shi's eyelids twitched, his hands clenched tightly.
Fang Wang asked in surprise, "Are you saying there definitely won't be masters at the Spirit Elixir Realm?"
Zhou Xue shot him a glance and said, "According to my investigation, at least ninety percent certain."
Fang Wang immediately understood. Zhou Xue in her previous life must have been involved or knew about this matter, which is why she felt so confident. The remaining ten percent were variable factors since nothing in the world is absolute.
"Then let's go!" Fang Wang said with determination.
Masters at the ninth level of the Soul Sculpting Realm?
He wondered if they could withstand the Heaven Yuan Spirit Treasure, the Great Perfection Solaris Scripture, the Great Perfection Jinghong Divine Sword Art, the Great Perfection Great Celestial Thunder Technique...
Deep down, Fang Wang harbored a passion for pursuing the ultimate strength, so he was eager to know just how powerful he could be when going all out.
If they were at the Spirit Elixir Realm, then fleeing would be the best strategy, but if they were merely at the Soul Sculpting Realm, then, apologies, but his sword might prove efficient!
"There's no rush. Wait another five days. You two should cultivate here for now. I have something to do," Zhou Xue said, standing up and preparing to leave the room.
"Wait, can I..." Fang Wang quickly began to ask, but Zhou Xue didn't turn back and rapidly left the room.
She arrived quickly and left just as swiftly.
Fang Wang sighed. It seemed she had anticipated what he wanted to say.
Zhou Xing Shi closed the door and cautiously asked, "Did she really start cultivating with you? Why didn't we notice her approach before?"
Fang Wang thought to himself that the methods of an Immortal Venerable were beyond Zhou Xing Shi's imagination. He evaded the question, saying, "How should I know? Why don't you ask her?"
Zhou Xing Shi, recalling Zhou Xue's antics from the previous night, immediately shook his head.
Wait a minute!
Zhou Xue seemed like a Demonic Cultivator!
And Fang Wang...
Zhou Xing Shi felt a chill, and he dared not even look at Fang Wang anymore.