"Who took action? Is there any news?"
Fang Wang frowned as he asked, hearing about Zhao Zhen's unfortunate encounter, he didn't feel elated; instinctively, something felt amiss.
Fang Hanyu shook his head, saying, "It's precisely because there's absolutely no clue that it could only be the work of the Cultivation Sects, and currently, the Nine Great Sects are planning to transform Grand Qi into a Cultivation Dynasty, needing stability in the kingdom. Why would they commit such an act? It can only be the work of Cultivation Sects from other kingdoms."
"If we really have to say it's the work of someone from within Grand Qi, then it could only be the Jin Xiao Sect; the Jin Xiao Sect has a mysterious origin, moves unpredictably, and it's hard to discern between its righteousness and evil."
The Jin Xiao Sect?
Fang Wang suddenly felt it was possible. Could it be that Zhou Xue made a move?
That's right, previously Zhou Xue said that once she returned, she would deal with Zhao Zhen.
Fang Wang then asked, "What about Zhao Zhen?"
"He's fine; he's been staying inside Great Abyss Gate, avoiding this calamity. I reckon he's not feeling great right now. Ah, who would have thought when we were young that the Duke's Mansion and the royal family would suffer such a disaster." Fang Hanyu sighed, expressing sympathy for Zhao Zhen.
If it weren't for Fang Wang concealing his strength and turning the tides that night, the Fang State Duke's Mansion would have been no more, and he would have met his death.
Upon hearing this, Fang Wang felt even more that something wasn't right.
Should someone truly want to annihilate a dynasty, why not kill the emperor, why not attack cities and seize territories?
What's the point in killing royal relatives and dignitaries?
Fang Hanyu sat down, saying, "Regardless, Great Abyss Gate will definitely intervene, so you don't need to worry too much. I asked Zhou Xue, and more and more disciples from the Fang Residence are heading to the Fang Realm for cultivation, and she's hired two cultivators at the Spiritual Refinement Realm to guard the Fang Residence."
Fang Wang gave him a look and said, "I'm not worried, you're the one who rushed over to find me."
Fang Hanyu, unembarrassed, began to ask about his experiences in the Great Saint's Grotto-Heaven.
Fang Wang briefly recounted it, focusing on the enemies and perils he encountered, which made Fang Hanyu yearn for such adventures.
He was adventurous by nature, or he wouldn't have lost an eye and nearly died; however, after experiencing that calamity, he realized the importance of cultivation and had been diligently practicing without rashly seeking danger again.
"Regarding the Great Saint's Grotto-Heaven, many rumors have been circulating within the sect; now all branches hold high expectations of you. Ye Xiang, Yan Feiyue, Xu Lang – they're all praising your strength, saying your Lifespirit Treasure is definitely not a Mysterious Origin, it must be even higher," Fang Hanyu remarked with admiration.
Fang Wang didn't expect these three to be so appreciative; it wasn't in vain that he saved them.
As his cultivation continued to improve, it was time to also enhance the rank of his Lifespirit Treasure, to at least make sure the branches of the sect could not ignore him, and even possibly surpass Lu Yuanjun in talent.
Fang Wang advised, "Your Absolute Heart Evil Eye, as well as the secret techniques you carry on your back, are not simple. As long as you cultivate them wholeheartedly, you'll eventually make a name for yourself across the world. From what I understand, those geniuses of the sect are nothing special; at least in my eyes, they are not your equals, including Lu Yuanjun."
"How can that be? My talents can't be that exaggerated."
"You don't trust me, or do you also not trust your own eyes?"
Fang Hanyu fell silent, his heartbeat quickening.
Could it be that I've really underestimated myself?
He involuntarily reached for his eyes.
Fang Wang changed the subject, asking, "Have you encountered any difficulties with the secret techniques on your back lately?"
Having reached Great Perfection in his Nine Dragons Divine Transformation Art, Fang Wang was more than capable of guiding Fang Hanyu.
Without hesitation, Fang Hanyu stated that this was his main reason for coming, and the brothers began to exchange insights on the Nine Dragons Divine Transformation Art.
Xiao Zi sat quietly by their side, occasionally flicking her tongue.
...
The cave dwelling was shrouded in silence with green vines crawling up the walls and a small waterfall beside which the water fell silently into a pool, stirring up splashes yet making no sound at all, quite eerie.
Next to the small pool, Lu Yuanjun sat at a stone table with his right arm pressing on the tabletop. His face was incredibly dark, while Emperor Zhao Zhen of Grand Qi sat opposite him, his expression calm.
Lu Yuanjun said in a deep voice, "Is it necessary to go to such lengths? Those are your flesh and blood relatives, and even your two sons!"
Without changing expression, Zhao Zhen retorted, "If I don't do this, should I wait for death? When Fang Wang learns the truth and wants to kill me, will you oppose him for my sake?"
"It hasn't come to that. He survived, didn't he? Most of those who died in the Fang Residence were house servants. Our hatred hasn't reached the point of life and death. Moreover, my actions were not aimed at him. I will compensate him, mend our relationship, and dissolve the hatred.
Why the rush?" Lu Yuanjun asked with an icy voice, his eyes no longer filled with their usual warmth, but brimming with murderous intent.
Zhao Zhen replied with self-derision, "He survived on his own merit. If you were him, could you tolerate it? Besides, you cannot understand his sense of family loyalty. After all, you've been an orphan since childhood."
"Are you provoking me?" Lu Yuanjun narrowed his eyes.
Zhao Zhen took a deep breath and said, "Lu Yuanjun, let me repeat, I'm not trying to frame you. When you ordered soul snatching, there was already evidence, although it couldn't be traced back to you. But having my own family members' souls snatched made things easier. I share the same plight as the Fang Residence, facing the same enemy. Fang Wang won't suspect me, and besides, I didn't trouble you.
I dealt with it myself. Aren't you the one who benefits the most?"
"Ridiculous. The matter has escalated so much that not only will the Great Abyss Gate investigate, but the other eight sects will too. Do you really think the truth won't come out?" Lu Yuanjun, unable to contain his anger, said and even involuntarily slapped the table, causing cracks to form on its surface.
Zhao Zhen's gaze was distant as he spoke, "Cultivation is supposed to sever mundane ties. It solves potential calamities and purifies the six senses. What's wrong with that?
From now on, the karma of the mortal realm has nothing to do with me, and to prevent the Grand Qi Kingdom from instability which could affect the unlocking of the Nine Great Sects' fate, the Great Abyss Gate will value me even more. They fear something might happen to me. Even if Fang Wang uncovers the truth, he wouldn't dare to touch me."
Lu Yuanjun stared coldly at him, unable to contain his intent to kill.
No matter how eloquently Zhao Zhen spoke, Lu Yuanjun knew the other party was deliberately slinging mud at him. The demonic cultivator who slaughtered entire cities was his man, and now the demonic cultivator accused of massacring the royal family was also suspected to be his man. If he was exposed one day, wouldn't his crimes be greater?
Clearly, Zhao Zhen was dissatisfied with his attempts to please Fang Wang.
Lu Yuanjun genuinely wanted to kill Zhao Zhen at this moment. In his view, his karmic hatred with Fang Wang hadn't reached an irreconcilable level. In the Cultivation World, the pursuit of immortality was paramount. As long as he could assist Fang Wang in his cultivation, even if Fang Wang learned the truth, he would give up on revenge.
What could be more important than pursuing immortality through cultivation?
This was what he thought, and coincidentally, Zhao Zhen thought the same way. For the sake of immortality, Zhao Zhen sacrificed his own flesh and blood, their positions merely different.
Lu Yuanjun looked at Zhao Zhen and saw him calmly pouring a cup of tea for himself and suddenly felt that if he were to grow in power, he would definitely stir up the world.
"Enough about my concerns. You need not worry. You just need to make those disciples who did your bidding disappear. Let's talk about Fang Wang. You have invited him multiple times. Has he ever visited you?" Zhao Zhen looked at Lu Yuanjun and asked, mentioning Fang Wang without a hint of emotion in his tone.
Lu Yuanjun frowned.
With a smile that was not quite a smile, Zhao Zhen said, "Perhaps he already knows the truth. How could his growth rate simply be from the Mysterious Origin Treasure Spirit? I heard that the year Fang Wang entered the Great Abyss Gate, all the disciples' Lifespirit Treasures showed abnormalities on the same day.
Afterward, the peak masters and elders approached the Sect Leader about it, and he dismissed it under the guise of crafting a magic artifact. What kind of artifact do you think could cause such a disturbance?"
Upon hearing these words, Lu Yuanjun's brow furrowed even tighter as he asked coldly, "What do you mean?"
"What if there's a possibility that Fang Wang's treasure spirit ranking has surpassed the Earth Origin and reached the legendary Heaven Yuan Spirit Treasure ranking? Each ranking has different manifestations during their formation, but no one knows what kind of phenomena a Heaven Yuan Spirit Treasure would cause.
Thinking about it now, the Heavens are so high, overlooking all living beings, causing their treasures to tremble, it's quite reasonable, don't you think?" Zhao Zhen spoke in a voice so calm it was almost devoid of emotion, except his hand holding the teacup was shaking.
"Don't be too quick to deny it. Think about it, could the Earth Origin Spirit Treasure defeat someone at the Spirit Elixir Realm Ninth Level after just three years of cultivation? Maybe the Sect Leader feared the news would leak, attracting an attack from the other eight sects, and deliberately concealed his true ranking."
With his face growing ever darker, Lu Yuanjun's right hand clenched into a fist on the table.
Zhao Zhen continued, "With his talent, within twenty years, no, perhaps within just ten years, he could surpass you. And if he becomes the strongest in the Great Abyss Gate after another ten years and learns the truth by then, do you think he will definitely forgive you? If he wants to kill you, who could stop him?"
Lu Yuanjun's eyes flickered as he recalled his interactions with Fang Wang.
Although Fang Wang greeted him with a smile, there was indeed a sense of distancing.
For instance, half a year ago, he wanted to win Fang Wang over with the Yin Yang Xuan Ming Zhen Gong and told the other disciples that Fang Wang was the one he valued, but Fang Wang declined in another way. He had thought it was because Fang Wang feared the other disciples would gossip, but now it seemed Fang Wang may have intended to make him lose face.
In fact, ever since he knew that the Fang Family had been slaughtered by his own people, Lu Yuanjun had harbored the thought of killing Fang Wang. However, by then Fang Wang had already become a disciple of Yang Yuanzi, so he dared not act. He could only think positively, trying his best to win Fang Wang over and compensate him.
The thought that Fang Wang could potentially surpass him left Lu Yuanjun's heart unable to calm down.