"Can I learn them all?"
Fang Wang made his choice, causing Zhou Xue's mouth to twitch slightly, unable to help rolling her eyes.
Too arrogant!
Zhou Xue explained with some patience, "Different cultivation techniques cultivate different kinds of Spiritual Power. Learning a mishmash of them can easily lead to chaotic Spiritual Power. Moreover, specializing in one technique is easier than practicing several."
Fang Wang, unabashed, asked, "If I choose one and can't learn it, can I switch to another?"
"Fine, you did save me after all."
Zhou Xue couldn't help but chuckle softly, a laugh that aggravated her injuries, prompting a fit of coughing.
Fang Wang couldn't bring himself to touch her, so he could only watch from the sidelines.
"Which one do you want to learn first?" Zhou Xue asked, her voice weaker after coughing.
After some thought, Fang Wang said, "Then let's try the most difficult one, the Solaris Scripture. If I start with the hardest one, other techniques will seem easier later on."
Zhou Xue didn't waste words and began to relay the mental method and incantations of the Solaris Scripture, including the Qi Gathering Method.
Fang Wang listened intently, filled with anticipation. Only by mastering a cultivation technique would he truly step onto the path of cultivation.
As Zhou Xue imparted the technique, she observed him with a sense of poignancy in her heart.
"I never thought I'd treat someone this way. Is this what family feels like? Ruo Lan, you were right. Relying on others is useless. One must cultivate a trustworthy force. Perhaps my rebirth is a sign from the heavens, guiding me to embark on a different path."
Watching Fang Wang, who bore no recollection from her previous life, seriously listening to her teachings, Zhou Xue truly felt reborn.
Since she had the chance to live again, she aimed not just to become an Immortal!
A myriad of thoughts arose in Zhou Xue's mind. The crisis of the Fang Residence's destruction had passed, and now she needed to plan for a new life.
Unaware of her thoughts, Fang Wang was wholly focused on the Solaris Scripture.
Once Zhou Xue finished explaining the entire Solaris Scripture, Fang Wang felt his mind explode, his vision blurring.
The next second, he found himself within the Heavenly Palace. When he opened his eyes and clearly saw his surroundings, he immediately punched the air, lifting his arms and shouting triumphantly.
"I did it!"
Overcome with excitement, Fang Wang knew that being able to enter the Heavenly Palace meant he could cultivate the Solaris Scripture!
While the Heavenly Palace could only aid him in comprehending supreme techniques, if he could bring the Solaris Scripture to Great Perfection and then practice Qi Gathering, his efforts would be much more effective.
This was a technique that even Zhou Xue couldn't master before her ascension!
Right there, Fang Wang sat down cross-legged and began to cultivate the Solaris Scripture.
The Solaris Scripture had nine levels. Reaching the third level, one's Spiritual Power would contain the Solaris Flame, capable of incinerating the soul. At the sixth level, one would be invulnerable to all flames. At the ninth level, one could condense Solaris True Fire, incinerating everything!
Fang Wang started with the most basic Qi Gathering Method. The Heavenly Palace began to change, producing natural spiritual energy needed by cultivators, which was illusory and meant to aid his practice. This so-called natural spiritual energy, born from nature, nurtures all beings. However, there are many types of energy in the world, and Qi Gathering for cultivation involves extracting and refining nature's spiritual energy.
However, just to cultivate the first layer of the Solaris Scripture, Fang Wang felt as if ten years had passed. Ten years just to master the first layer?
Could my talent for cultivation be so poor?
Fang Wang refused to be discouraged and continued his practice. To verify the time of his cultivation, he willed a large clock to appear within the Heavenly Palace, much like a modern device from Earth but with an ancient appearance and a base recording years, to keep track of time.
Yet, the time taken to cultivate the second layer was twice that of the first. Fang Wang had no choice but to put aside his concerns about his talent and concentrate on his practice.
And so, Fang Wang continued to cultivate the Solaris Scripture, gradually becoming numb, forgetting everything outside.
As if years flowed by and stars shifted.
By the time he brought the Solaris Scripture to Great Perfection, flames spontaneously ignited behind his head, condensing into orbs of fire that resembled miniature suns, creating a halo of these suns behind him, the very essence of Solaris True Fire.
Solaris True Fire may appear similar to ordinary flames, but it can absorb sunlight. The longer it burns during daylight, the more terrifying its power becomes.
Fang Wang opened his eyes, his gaze now seasoned. This was not the world-weariness from traversing Hong Chen, but a tiredness that stemmed from within.
He turned and saw that he had spent a total of two hundred thirteen years cultivating the Solaris Scripture!
This was nearly as long as the lifespan of an entire dynasty!
Fang Wang was downcast and could only blame the difficulty of the Solaris Scripture.
Well, better to blame the goal than to worry about oneself.
No wonder Zhou Xue couldn't master it before her ascension; who could spend two hundred years practicing a single technique?
Collecting himself, Fang Wang willed himself out of the Heavenly Palace.
His gaze cleared, and Zhou Xue's face appeared before him. She lay in bed, looking frail.
He had experienced centuries, but in reality, only a moment had passed.
"This month, you focus on cultivating the Solaris Scripture. Once my injury is healed, we'll set off. The Great Abyss Gate recruits disciples once every five years, and if we miss it this year, we'll have to wait another five," Zhou Xue said softly, a strange look in her eyes.
For some reason, after finishing her explanation of the Solaris Scripture, she felt that Fang Wang had changed. She couldn't put her finger on it, but the feeling was subtle.
"Being an Immortal Venerable reborn, why not create your own sect?" Fang Wang asked, puzzled.
Zhou Xue smiled helplessly, "Cultivation isn't that simple. The Blessed Lands of Grotto-Heaven and various resources in Grand Qi have long been divided by the Nine Great Sects. Moreover, after my rebirth, I must walk the path of cultivation once again. By joining a sect, I can not only obtain resources for cultivation but also ensure my protection."
Fang Wang nodded, seeing her complexion grow paler, then said, "You focus on recovering. We can talk more after you're better."
After speaking, he stood up, ready to leave.
"Oh yes, last night that cultivator left behind two Magic Artifacts. Since he was killed by you, they rightfully belong to you. Once my wounds are healed, I'll give them to you and teach you how to control them, to start your cultivation journey on a higher level than others," Zhou Xue mentioned.
Fang Wang didn't turn around but simply raised his hand, saying, "Keep them for yourself. You introduced me to the path of cultivation, so consider this a token of thanks. In the future, just teach me some more spells."
Without pausing, he quickly left the room.
After the door closed, Zhou Xue's face broke into a smile, and she muttered to herself, "Taking him as a disciple is not a bad idea, after all. Oh well, since we are one family, there's no need to be stubborn about formalities."
Having been reborn, she had decided that it was not enough for her to cultivate alone – she intended to lead the Fang Residence in cultivation too. The betrayal she had experienced in her previous life made her realize that no matter how powerful one was, without a trustworthy force, one could still end up dead and dissolved into nothingness.
Putting aside the nurturing kindness the Fang Residence had shown her, with a genius like Fang Wang, it was worth her effort to cultivate him.
Zhou Xue closed her eyes, taking the time to heal her injuries and intending to sort out her thoughts.
She had realized that being reborn was not as simple as changing her regrets; she could also take a path stronger than she had in her past life. Those missed opportunities in her memory could be hers with careful planning!
Moreover, she couldn't let the secret of her rebirth slip—this would be her greatest secret.
Before her rebirth, even in the Upper Realm, she had never heard of a rebirth experience as bizarre as hers. Putting herself in others' shoes, if she really believed someone had been reborn, she would probably scheme against them.
...
Back in his room, Fang Wang sat cross-legged next to a table, cultivating the Solaris Scripture and absorbing nature's spiritual energy.
Without any obstacles, nor needing any adaptation, it was almost instant: a whirlpool formed around him, and the colorless, invisible spiritual energy poured into his body, leaving him feeling refreshed and clear-headed.
He had felt this way while cultivating in the Heavenly Palace, but it was nowhere as intense as it was in the flesh.
He was so caught up in the exhilarating sensation of the Qi Gathering that he couldn't extricate himself.
The strength of the Solaris Scripture at the Ninth Level of Great Perfection was astounding. Fang Wang had no clue about the pace of cultivation for others, but as for himself, he was thoroughly enjoying it, having already gathered Solaris Spiritual Power within his Dantian.
An hour later, he successfully stepped into the first level of the Qi Cultivation Realm.
After one day and one night, he forcefully achieved the second level of the Qi Cultivation Realm.
In the days that followed, Fang Wang did not leave his house and focused solely on Qi Gathering. At first, his parents came to visit, but when they heard he was cultivating, they dared not disturb him and only had a maid deliver meals every day.
Following that night's great battle, Fang Wang's status within the Fang Residence soared dramatically, turning him into the pride of the entire household. Yet the matter of cultivation was not spread; Fang Meng even ordered a ban on talking about the existence of demonic cultivators, only telling that the Fang Residence had been attacked by a group of mysterious martial arts experts.
...
In a quiet study.
The Emperor of Grand Qi was seated, holding an ancient book. He appeared to be in his early twenties and was very young.
An elderly official entered, walked up to the desk, and bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty, the Southern Hills plan has failed, and the Immortal Master requested by your servant has died," the minister said softly. He was dressed in official robes, slightly portly, with graying temples, and his complexion didn't change as he spoke.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's right hand, which held the book, trembled. He slowly put the book down, staring emotionlessly at the official, and said, "Didn't you claim it was foolproof?"
The official sighed, "To kill an Immortal Master means the Fang Residence must have such a force hidden or that there is such a force protecting them. I indeed miscalculated, thinking it was foolproof. However, it's not an issue. I've already written to that person. Before this matter occurred, he assured me there would be no complications. Presumably, he will resolve this himself."
The Emperor of Grand Qi turned to look outside the window, murmuring to himself, "The power of cultivation, immortality... I wish to step through this gate. With so many sacrifices, I still haven't succeeded. What is the Fang Residence relying on to have the support of cultivation power?"
The official did not answer; he, too, was at a loss and didn't even dare to investigate the Fang Residence, fearing he might startle the snake in the grass.
After a long while.
The Emperor of Grand Qi withdrew his gaze, stared at the official, and said, "Let's leave it at that for now. I shouldn't know about this—take care of the matter cleanly."
The official nodded.
The Emperor waved his sleeve, and the official respectfully bowed before taking his leave.
"Everyone says it's good to have imperial power, but how can the greatest authority compare with immortality?"
The Emperor's deep sigh filled the study, his tone laced with helplessness.
...
After half a month in seclusion, news of the Fang Residence's slaughter spread throughout Grand Qi. All the states and counties were talking about it, and the Fang Residence even sent people into the Imperial City to proclaim their innocence, which sent chills down the spines of all the influential families. After all, the Fang Residence was the Duke's Mansion—who was bold enough to assault them like this?
That day.
Zhou Xue came to visit Fang Wang, who stood up to greet her. The two sat down at a table, and Fang Wang poured tea for her.
"You've recovered from your injuries far too quickly..."
Fang Wang inwardly marveled; Zhou Xue's injuries had been so severe that ordinary medical treatment would have required half a year to heal.
Zhou Xue had regained her striking presence, still in a bright red outfit that was dazzling to behold. Compared to half a month ago, her demeanor had become even more outstanding, her eyes sharp and piercing. She sized up Fang Wang and asked, "How goes your practice of the Solaris Scripture?"
Fang Wang thought to himself that it was quite good, reaching the Ninth Level of Great Perfection.
However, facing Zhou Xue, a reborn individual, he didn't dare reveal everything, especially since she was also a Demonic Cultivator. The two had fought side by side before, but only because the crisis facing the Fang Residence was so imminent that there had been no time for either side to guard against the other.
"Not bad, I feel like I can continue practicing," Fang Wang responded. After cultivating the Solaris Scripture, he had no immediate plans to practice techniques like the Spring Autumn Art or the Devouring Heaven Demonic Art.
The Solaris Scripture was too powerful; just half a month of cultivation had revolutionized his very being, propelling his cultivation realm to the sixth level of the Qi Cultivation Realm.
Moreover...
Spending a century in the Heavenly Palace was torture; only he knew just how dull and torturous it was.
Zhou Xue stared at him, her gaze enigmatic.
Fang Wang felt a jolt in his heart under her look; could it be that she had noticed something?
Zhou Xue looked away and spoke softly, "We will set out in thirteen days. I've made some choices, and together with you and me, there will be nine Fang Family Disciples heading to the Great Abyss Gate."
Fang Wang nodded, his eyes brimming with anticipation.
Merely mastering cultivation techniques wasn't enough; he wanted to learn powerful spells!
"Ahem, Zhou Xue, could you teach me a spell?" Fang Wang coughed deliberately, brazenly asking.
Zhou Xue looked at him with an amused and smiling gaze and replied, "Sure, you're so skilled with your Sword Control Technique that you must be talented in the Sword Dao. I have a set of sword techniques; if you master them, you'll be able to sweep through peers of the same realm."