Chapter 112: Chapter 110: Yellow Smoke, Ghost Face, Thunder Pill

Inside the manor.

After hearing his disciple’s report, Xie Ming said in a low voice, "The Dragon-embroidered Golden Wutong Tree is of utmost importance. We cannot let him destroy it. Have the island’s Loose Cultivators act together and force him off Mist Island."

The disciple’s expression turned grim. He immediately accepted the order and departed.

Not long after, the Loose Cultivators who had received the Island Lord’s command gathered near the Dragon-embroidered Golden Wutong Tree. From a distance, they watched as Fang Cheng directed his Vajra Gu to gnaw away at the Spirit Wood.

Xie Ming’s disciple blended into the crowd, scanning his surroundings. Seeing no fewer than fifty Mist Island Loose Cultivators gathered around, he felt a bit more at ease and shouted, "Don’t think that just because you’re an Outer Disciple of the Yinluo Sect, you can do as you please on Mist Island! If you stop now, there’s still room for negotiation. But if you insist on this course of action, then you’ll only have yourself to blame for what happens next!"

Fang Cheng turned his head to look at him and smiled. "And who might you be?"

Xie Ming’s disciple said flatly, "I am but a humble Loose Cultivator of this island. A nobody."

Fang Cheng paid him no mind and said nonchalantly, "This tree looks rather nice. I’d like to borrow it for a few days to plant in front of my home for decoration. When your Island Lord returns, just have him come find me on Xiaocang Island."

’You call that borrowing a tree?’

Watching the marks left by the Vajra Gu on the tree trunk grow larger and larger, Xie Ming’s disciple felt his eye twitch.

He ultimately had his master’s orders to follow and dared not delay any longer. He bellowed, "Fellow cultivators! The Dragon-embroidered Golden Wutong Tree is tied to Mist Island’s Spirit Vein! If this man destroys the Spirit Wood, the Spiritual Qi on the island will surely diminish! Why are you not attacking together to drive this unwelcome guest from Mist Island?!"

"If anything happens, the Island Lord will take full responsibility! I promise to request a three-year rent exemption from the Island Lord for anyone who can injure him!"

With that, he shot a meaningful look at a few people in the crowd.

In an instant, five or six people attacked in unison, each summoning their Magical Artifacts and unleashing Divine Techniques as they charged toward Fang Cheng!

With someone taking the lead, the other spectating Cultivators seemed to see an opportunity. More than ten of them immediately joined the attack.

In Fang Cheng’s perception, the flow of time seemed to slow down.

He saw flashes of multi-colored light flickering throughout the forest. Spiritual Qi surged toward him like a tidal wave, its aura as heavy and oppressive as stone.

Faced with this ferocious assault, he was not only unafraid but felt his fighting spirit surge. He let out a long cry, and with a flick of his finger, the Purple Brilliance Flying Sword shot out!

The few Cultivators at the very front suddenly saw a blinding white light flash before them, so bright they couldn’t look at it directly.

In a daze, they vaguely perceived a thunderous Sword Light streak past. Before they even knew what had happened, their heads slid from their necks!

Xie Ming’s disciple, who had been hiding stealthily behind the others, saw an incomparably sharp Sword Light flash past, decapitating several people. Horrified, he quickly halted his advance.

Looking up, he saw Fang Cheng standing leisurely beneath the Dragon-embroidered Golden Wutong Tree, his wide sleeves fluttering in the wind. The Sword Intent radiating from his body filled the air, so sharp it made one’s eyes ache.

Seeing this, one of the Loose Cultivators couldn’t help but feel a surge of fear. "This man’s Flying Sword is terrifyingly powerful," he said. "I’m afraid we’re no match for him."

As soon as these words were spoken, hesitation appeared on the faces of many.

Seeing that some were about to back down, Xie Ming’s disciple immediately shouted, "Fellow cultivators, he is only one man! How can he possibly stand against dozens of us? Don’t panic! As long as we surround him and attack together, what can he possibly do?!"

With that, he clutched a Tier One Top Grade Protective Talisman, summoned an Escape Light, and steeled himself to charge at Fang Cheng.

When the Mist Island Cultivators saw the Island Lord’s head disciple take action, many were instantly emboldened. Some of the Loose Cultivators who were hoping to profit from the situation also found their courage and charged at Fang Cheng once more.

Fang Cheng sneered. With just himself and his sword, he neither dodged nor evaded, charging straight into the crowd of Mist Island Cultivators.

This time, Xie Ming’s disciple was at the very front. He had already activated the Tier One Top Grade Talisman his master had given him, and his entire body was shielded by a radiant light. He waved his hand, sending a plume of yellow smoke toward Fang Cheng.

Within the yellow smoke, several hideous Ghost Faces materialized, roaring with their mouths wide open as if to devour someone whole.

The next moment, a Sword Light flickered nimbly, bypassing the yellow smoke and appearing right before him.

He surged his Magical Power, frantically activating the Defense Talisman. But in a blur, Thunder Light flashed past, and a single sword stroke took his head.

’What a sharp sword...’

That was his final thought.

The few people next to him hadn’t even had time to react before the Thunder Sword Light swept past them, slicing their bodies in two at the waist!

Seeing Fang Cheng slaughtering them as easily as chickens, the Mist Island Cultivators no longer dared to group together. They quickly scattered, hiding behind the large trees in the forest and launching sneak attacks from afar with Talismans and Magical Artifacts.

One of the Loose Cultivators, relying on his insidious and sharp Flying Needle Magical Artifact, hid in the canopy of a large tree, waiting for an opportunity to launch a sneak attack on Fang Cheng and earn that three-year rent exemption!

After all, the Island Lord’s head disciple had been the one to shout the offer, and so many people present had heard it. There was no way the Island Lord could deny it.

Suddenly, he saw Thunder Light erupt in the forest, and the sharp Sword Light in his field of vision vanished. A chill instantly crept into his heart.

The next moment, Thunder Light flickered in the canopy above his head. He looked up to see that terrifying Sword Light right before his eyes.

Before he could react, a flash of lightning-like brilliance swept past, and he was decapitated.

After achieving Sword Heart Clarity, Fang Cheng had become exceptionally skilled at sensing fluctuations in aura, especially the perception of killing intent, which was incomparably clear to him.

Coupled with the great improvement in his Divine Sense, only a handful of the Cultivators before him had a higher Cultivation level, yet none of them could match his Divine Sense, strength, or Magical Artifacts!

He wielded the Purple Brilliance Sword with abandon. The Sword Light danced and carved a path of destruction, leaving nothing but severed limbs in its wake.

This Flying Sword was a Tier One Top Grade item from the Xiao Family’s collection, originally intended to be used in a sneak attack against Fang Cheng. Who would have thought it would end up becoming such a deadly weapon in his hands?

...

The Floating Cloud Immortal Residence drifted leisurely and steadily through a sea of clouds.

Within the circle of Inner Sect Disciples from the four great families, such gatherings were often held on a rotating basis.

At these "alchemy banquets," everyone exchanged information, sparred to hone their skills, and occasionally held small trade fairs. The events were quite rich in content.

At that moment.

Two Inner Sect Disciples were sparring with Magic in the sea of clouds, blasting a floating cloud nearly an acre in size into scattered wisps.

Suddenly, someone inside the Immortal Residence looked down, their eyes glinting with a strange light. They were clearly using some kind of Pupil Technique.

"Hm?"

He let out a soft sound of surprise, a look of astonishment on his face.

"Brother Feng seems to have seen something. Why not share it with the rest of us?"

As the host of this banquet, Dong Fangyu was paying close attention to everyone’s words and actions. Seeing this, he asked with a smile.

Years ago, Cultivator Feng had exchanged for a powerful Pupil Technique in the Inner Sect’s Scripture Pavilion. He had since invested a great deal of resources and effort, using vast amounts of Spiritual Liquid to cultivate it, and had finally mastered the technique.

At that moment.

He turned his head toward Dong Fangyu and said, "There are people fighting below. I couldn’t help but take a closer look."

Dong Fangyu looked outside and chuckled. "This seems to be Mist Island. What’s so strange about a fight between Loose Cultivators?"

As he spoke, he glanced at Ye Junxian.

It was a well-known fact throughout the Abyssal Marsh that the Ye Family had always been the backer of Mist Island.

Cultivator Feng smiled. "A fight between Loose Cultivators is nothing special, but one person fighting against dozens of his peers, and slaughtering them so badly they’re fleeing in all directions... now that is quite interesting."

"Is that so?"

Dong Fangyu’s interest was piqued. "Everyone," he said, "would any of you be interested in going over with me to watch?"

Cultivator Feng’s words had sparked everyone’s curiosity, and they all nodded in agreement.

Dong Fangyu immediately channeled his Magical Power, causing the Floating Cloud Immortal Residence to descend from the clouds and drift toward the airspace above Mist Island.

In less time than it takes to drink a cup of tea, the Floating Cloud Immortal Residence arrived at the outskirts of Mist Island. Then, under Cultivator Feng’s guidance, it came to a stop above Cold Moon Pond.

An Inner Sect Disciple took out a fan-shaped Magical Artifact and activated it.

The fan-shaped Magical Artifact grew larger as it met the wind, and then with a powerful flap, it fanned downward!

A fierce gust of wind instantly appeared, like the breath of a Celestial God, completely blowing away the vast white mist before them in a moment.

In a flash, the situation around Cold Moon Pond was revealed to everyone.

Above the dense forest, a young Cultivator dressed in the Magical Robe of a Yinluo Sect Outer Disciple was wielding a Sword Light, darting back and forth as he forced a group of Cultivators who were trying to surround and kill him into a full retreat.

His Sword Light was nimble and ethereal, faster than a clap of thunder or a bolt of lightning. It gave off an indescribably sharp feeling, sending a chill through the hearts of all present and making them feel a flicker of instinctive fear.

Upon seeing this Sword Light, Feng Ling’s beautiful eyes lit up for a moment before she composed herself and continued to watch quietly from the Floating Cloud Immortal Residence.

Dong Fangyu was stunned at first, then smiled. "So it’s Junior Brother Fang!"

Expressions of surprise appeared on everyone’s faces. They all looked at Fang Cheng with varied gazes, their minds racing.

Cultivator Feng’s Pupil Technique was astonishing. He saw the state of the Dragon-embroidered Golden Wutong Tree with a single glance and couldn’t help but exclaim, "This Junior Brother Fang is quite the tyrant, trying to destroy the very foundation of Mist Island."

Ye Junxian’s expression changed. "Senior Brother Feng, what do you mean by that?"

Cultivator Feng then explained how the Vajra Gu were about to chew through the entire Spirit Wood.

Ye Junxian slammed his hand on the table in anger. "Is that Xie Ming dead? Why hasn’t he come out to stop him?!"

But as soon as the words left his mouth, an Escape Light shot out from the manor by Cold Moon Pond.

An aged voice boomed, "Fang Cheng, stop this at once! Don’t think for a moment that I wouldn’t dare to touch you!"

With that, a thick cloud of yellow smoke shot straight toward Fang Cheng.

This was the full-powered strike of a Life Talisman Cultivator. The yellow smoke was more than ten times more powerful than what his disciple had used earlier.

Dozens of hideous Ghost Faces appeared within the smoke, swarming down to bite at Fang Cheng.

Fang Cheng recalled his Sword Light and smiled. "Isle Lord Xie, I have been waiting for you for quite some time."

With a flick of his thumb, a Taiyi Thunder Pill shot out and exploded.

BOOM!

A deafening thunderclap echoed through the forest. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

In an instant, blinding Thunder Light filled a hundred-foot radius, engulfing Xie Ming.

The Thunder Light crackled, emitting a heart-stopping aura.

The surviving Loose Cultivators of Mist Island hastily fled into the distance, giving the area a wide berth.

「A moment later.」

The Thunder Light slowly dissipated.

The yellow smoke was gone. A golden Talisman had appeared around Xie Ming, forming a golden bell that enveloped him and blocked the Thunder Light’s assault.

However, several cracks had appeared on the Talisman, and it looked as if it could shatter at any moment.

At that moment, two golden glints shot out. They landed on the golden bell one after another, and with a series of CRUNCHING sounds, they bit through the Talisman’s protective light and landed on Xie Ming.

"Gu Insects!"

Xie Ming reacted instantly. The Protective Spiritual Light around him flared, and yellow smoke roiled across his body, forming a paper Ghost Face that lunged at the Vajra Gu.

In the next instant, however, a dark, bruised energy surged up his face. His expression froze, and the yellow smoke around him dissipated.

The Vajra Gu seized the opportunity to bite through his Protective Spiritual Light and burrowed into his back.

...