Chapter 113: Chapter 111: Sword Qi Thunder Sound, An Elder’s Summons

A Sword Cultivator kills in the space of a single thought!

Only a few breaths had passed from the moment Xie Ming flew out of the manor to when the Vajra Gu invaded his body.

Inside the Floating Cloud Immortal Residence, the crowd was waiting to observe this "Junior Brother Fang’s" abilities and analyze them in detail. They never expected that in just a few short moments, Xie Ming, the Island Lord of Mist Island, would be subdued.

Those with a discerning eye, like Wang Yuntian, Feng Ling, Ye Junxian, and Dong Fangyu, saw that Fang Cheng’s control over the battle’s timing was at the Peak of Profound Skill. He hadn’t given Xie Ming the slightest opportunity to strike.

In other words, despite possessing his Life Talisman Cultivation and various Divine Power Magical Artifacts, Xie Ming was defeated before he even had a chance to use them.

Even someone as powerful as Wang Yuntian couldn’t help but frown, sizing Fang Cheng up as if he were seeing him for the first time.

The crowd in the Immortal Residence looked at one another, momentarily stunned into silence.

Fang Cheng flew up to Xie Ming and asked coolly, "Where is Xie Xida?"

Xie Ming’s face was ashen. He gave a wretched smile. "I still underestimated you..."

With that, he glanced down at the manor below, a hint of hatred in his eyes. "He’s in there."

As soon as he finished speaking, a blood-stained Vajra Gu, savage and fierce, burrowed out from his heart.

A few muffled sounds escaped Xie Ming’s throat as he plummeted downwards, all signs of life extinguished.

The Vajra Gu held Xie Ming’s storage bag in its mandibles and delivered it to Fang Cheng. It then returned to Xie Ming’s corpse, burrowed back into his body, and began to feast.

Fang Cheng took the storage bag of the Island Lord of Mist Island and unleashed a Li Hen Demon Light toward the manor, demanding, "Where is Xie Xida?"

The Li Hen Demon Light swept across the manor’s buildings, instantly igniting raging black flames that spread with terrifying speed.

A disheveled figure fled from the blaze. The moment he was airborne, he turned in one direction and activated a Talisman in his hand.

His figure flickered and vanished, reappearing an instant later in the sky over the edge of Mist Island!

A Shifting Shadow Talisman!

A Tier Two Talisman, no less!

This Talisman could teleport him several miles at a time and could be used a hundred times in succession. It was one of the few life-saving treasures he possessed.

At that moment, he had been cultivating a Secret Technique with two of Xie Ming’s beautiful Disciples.

Who would have thought that just after leaving the manor, Xie Ming’s life force would be snuffed out like a candle flame!

Only then did terror seize Xie Xida.

Then came the raging Demon Fire. Its demonic intent washed over him like a tide, battering his soul. He was so terrified he didn’t dare to even touch the black flames.

He shot into the sky, got his bearings, and fled without making a sound.

Once he was clear of Mist Island, he relaxed slightly. He turned to glance back at the island’s Cold Moon Pond, a vicious look crossing his face as an intense desire for revenge swelled within him.

Then, he noticed the Floating Cloud Immortal Residence suspended in the sky and couldn’t help but stare at it curiously for a few moments.

’Who are they?’

The thought flickered through Xie Xida’s mind, but he didn’t have time to dwell on it. Terrified that Fang Cheng was in pursuit, he hurriedly activated the Shifting Shadow Talisman to escape again.

Suddenly!

A beam of Thunder Sword Light flashed through the air. It instantly pierced his Protective Spiritual Light, entered between his eyebrows, and shot out the back of his head, streaking away into the boundless azure sky.

It was followed by a dull, thunderous boom.

Xie Xida’s face went slack. In that instant, he vaguely realized something.

The sound was a sonic boom, caused by a Flying Sword breaking the sound barrier.

’Sword Qi Thunder Sound...’

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but his eyes dimmed. Filled with despair and indignation, his consciousness plunged into darkness.

...

Fang Cheng had long since noticed the Floating Cloud Immortal Residence, but he hadn’t dared to let his focus waver during the battle.

Now, he flew to the edge of Mist Island, located Xie Xida’s corpse in the lake, and retrieved the Second-Order Magical Artifact—the Dragon and Phoenix Jade Bed—from the man’s storage bag. Only then did he leisurely ascend, riding a beam of Profound Light to stand upon a cloud and gaze at the Floating Cloud Immortal Residence.

Dong Fangyu, sitting inside the Immortal Residence, smiled. "Junior Brother, why not come in for a chat?"

Fang Cheng’s gaze swept over the young masters and ladies of the great families. His eyes met Feng Ling’s for a moment, and she seemed slightly uncomfortable, though no one else noticed.

He took in all their expressions and gazes in that one moment.

Most were filled with fear and awe, while others were shocked or curious...

...including his acquaintances Feng Mo, Wang Pan, and Dong Qing.

He smiled slightly and cupped his hands. "Thank you for the invitation, Senior Brother, but I have urgent business to attend to. I will call on you another time!"

Dong Fangyu nodded with a smile. "We have plenty of time. Please, Junior Brother, go about your business."

Fang Cheng bowed. "Farewell."

With that, he turned, flicked his sleeve, and summoned an Escape Light. He soared into the sky, plunged into the Gang Clouds, and flew off to the west.

Cultivator Feng watched him leave, clucking his tongue. "This Junior Brother Fang certainly has a murderous streak."

More than half of the Loose Cultivators on Mist Island were dead, the Dragon-embroidered Golden Wutong Tree was nearly destroyed, and both Island Lord Xie Ming and Young Island Lord Xie Xida had been mercilessly slain.

What was even more shocking was that he had already mastered Sword Qi Thunder Sound while only at the Late-stage Sensing Realm!

It was truly unbelievable.

How many years had it been since the Abyssal Marsh had seen such a breathtakingly talented Sword Cultivator?

"Congratulations, Brother Ye. It seems your Ye Family has produced a true prodigy!"

someone said to Ye Junxian with a laugh.

Ye Junxian gave a hollow laugh, his thoughts elsewhere.

...

「Xiaocang Island. Cangwu Mountain. Star-picking Platform.」

On a stone jetty by the lake.

Fang Cheng sat with Ye Yan and her mother before a jade table, leisurely sipping tea.

The Dragon and Phoenix Jade Bed had been given to Madam Ye.

He briefly recounted what had happened to the mother and daughter. After listening, Madam Ye didn’t say much, only reminded him to be mindful of restraining his murderous intent while cultivating.

Sword Cultivators already had strong murderous tendencies. Combined with the several Demon Skills he practiced, demonic thoughts were bound to erode his soul, and he could fall to the demonic path without even realizing it.

Fang Cheng, of course, accepted her guidance with humility.

He could clearly feel that Madam Ye was much warmer toward him now, no longer wearing her previous icy, stern expression.

"Ye Huang’s faction wants to seize power... Aside from my people and the Grand Elder’s, the other branches have all agreed."

Madam Ye said coolly.

Perhaps the only people she truly trusted were her daughter and son-in-law standing before her.

Therefore, it was time for the young couple to know certain things.

Ye Yan’s lovely eyes sparkled. "The Grand Elder’s life is almost at its end. Mother, why don’t you support Ye Huang?"

Madam Ye replied, "Ye Huang has always been tyrannical and arrogant, looking down on everyone. He wants to consolidate all the family branches to ’revitalize’ the Ye Family. Furthermore, he’s never considered me a true member of the Ye Family. If I were to support him, he’d surely use me as a pawn and discard me once my usefulness is spent."

Ye Yan was taken aback. She knew that great families always had dangerous and troublesome affairs to handle. Ye Huang would only need to dispatch Madam Ye to deal with every one of them to wear his opponent down.

She asked curiously, "Then which Elder do you support, Mother?"

With the Ye Family’s Grand Elder’s life coming to an end, Ye Huang now had the highest Cultivation in the Clan Elders Council!

The other Ye Family Elders likely lacked the power to challenge him.

A flash of insight struck Fang Cheng. "Mother," he said, "you intend to take the position yourself."

Madam Ye glanced at him and nodded slowly.

"The Grand Elder has more than a decade of life left. If I can break through to the Late Stage Realm during that time, his faction will fully support my rise to power. They want a Ye Family where the branches are balanced and engage in healthy competition, not one that is despotic and decaying."

The graceful, dignified woman gazed at the roiling sea of clouds below Cangwu Mountain. "I have built up my influence in the Ye Family for so many years," she said. "I will not simply hand over the fruits of my labor. That is why the two of you must refine your Life Talismans as soon as possible, so you can lend me your strength."

...

「Cyan Demon Cliff. Jade Tower.」

Fang Cheng and his wife Ye Yan leaned on a railing, gazing into the distance. They both felt the weight of Madam Ye’s words.

Die’Er set out a sumptuous and delicious spread of Spiritual Cuisine behind them and said softly, "Miss, Young Master, it is time to dine."

The two snapped out of their reverie and turned to sit at the table. Before each of them was a jade bowl filled with Spirit Rice.

This Spirit Rice was different from the Jade Crystal Rice they normally ate. The grains were rounder and plumper, translucent and sparkling, and gave off an overflowing fragrance.

Die’Er smiled. "This is the Primordial Yang Rice that Madam just sent over. It’s far more precious than Jade Crystal Rice. I heard the Ye Family can only produce a little over three hundred pounds of it a year, and most of that is claimed by the Peak Masters of the Yinluo Sect. The Ye Family itself doesn’t get to keep much."

As the fragrance of the rice entered Fang Cheng’s nose, he felt as if it were cleansing every pore in his body and seeping deep into his bones, making him feel utterly refreshed.

Ye Yan had a sudden realization. "Husband, Mother probably sent this Primordial Yang Rice as a thank you!"

Fang Cheng smiled. Madam Ye hadn’t delivered the rice in person, likely out of a sense of pride; some of her anger must still be lingering.

"Come, let’s see what’s so special about this Primordial Yang Rice!"

He picked up his chopsticks and took a bite. The rice was incredibly fragrant, soft, and delicious.

Once swallowed, the Primordial Yang Rice transformed into a stream of Pure Spiritual Qi that fused with his flesh, blood, and Magical Power, slowly refining and strengthening the very essence of his physical body!

"Huh?"

Fang Cheng’s expression shifted, a look of surprise on his face.

A single mouthful of Primordial Yang Rice contained far more Spiritual Qi than he could have ever imagined!

It was like swallowing a Spirit Stone. The vast and Pure Spiritual Qi also carried a mysterious, divine power that thoroughly nourished both his Magical Power and his physical body!

He took his time, eating the Primordial Yang Rice mouthful by mouthful along with the other Spiritual Cuisine, chewing slowly and savoring every bite.

Ye Yan and Die’Er ate alongside him.

After the meal, the three of them went to the bath on the second floor. They soaked and relaxed while circulating their Cultivation Techniques to refine the surging Spiritual Qi within their bodies.

The intimate and charming details of their time together have been described at length before, so they will not be repeated here.

Several more days passed. With the help of the Primordial Yang Rice, Fang Cheng, his beautiful wife, and his lovely concubine cultivated diligently, and their strength rose once more.

One day, he received a Flying Sword Communication. It was a message from Outer Elder Lu Wei.

The stunningly beautiful Elder had finally returned.

It seemed the time had come for her to deliver the reward she had promised him!

Fang Cheng left Cyan Demon Cliff alone and headed straight for the Dragon Spine Archipelago, the territory of the outer sect. He soon arrived at the entrance to Lu Wei’s Cave Mansion.

The one who opened the door was the same ten-year-old girl as before.

Fang Cheng followed her inside, only to find that Lu Wei’s Cave Mansion looked like a conservatory!

The walls and floor were covered in all manner of rare and exotic flowers and plants, all vying for attention and filling the air with a sweet fragrance.

The Cave Mansion was arranged with an exceptionally warm and elegant touch, giving off a feeling of comfort, tranquility, relaxation, and cleanliness.

Elder Lu Wei was waiting for him, seated at a stone table among the flowers. She wore a simple, elegant, and loose-fitting silk robe.

Although her robes were quite loose, they still failed to conceal the magnificent peaks of her chest; their full, rounded contours were impossible to miss.

Fang Cheng approached the stone table and bowed formally. "This Disciple greets the Elder."

Lu Wei graced him with a dazzling smile. "Sit. There’s no need to be so formal."

...