The valley was sunless, and the days passed by as placidly as still water.

Fang Cheng spent his days cultivating in the Cyan Bamboo Study. Occasionally, an Outer Celestial Demon would find its way outside, only to be dispatched with a single sword strike.

His five Vajra Gu were all at the late stage of Tier One. Their flight speed and sturdiness were on par with ordinary Celestial Demons of the same rank. As such, they roamed freely through the Demon Fog and had yet to encounter any real danger.

With the help of his Vajra Gu, Fang Cheng managed to acquire one stalk of Nightmare Grass per day on average.

The growth of this Magic Grass followed no discernible pattern.

Several stalks might sprout from the cracks in the rocks overnight, while other times, not a single one would appear for days.

Furthermore, according to Elder Lu Wei, the grass grew exceptionally fast. Once mature, it could sometimes survive for over ten days, while at other times it would wither within a few hours.

For the past ten-odd days since arriving at the Xiao Family estate, they knew there was Nightmare Grass at the bottom of the valley. But they were wary of the Nightmare Demon at the peak of the Life Talisman realm dwelling deep underground and dared not descend to harvest it rashly.

As Fang Cheng met with Elder Lu Wei more frequently, the two of them began to talk more.

Fang Cheng seized these opportunities to ask for advice on cultivation matters, hoping to build a better relationship with the elder.

During their casual conversations, Elder Lu Wei often brought up matters concerning Spirit Plants, seemingly trying to guide Fang Cheng into practicing the Spirit Plant Technique, but he politely declined for the time being.

He still hadn’t found a suitable opportunity to bring up the matter of the Two Realms Flower seed.

During this period, thanks to his diligent training, Fang Cheng’s two Demon Path Divine Techniques, the Li Hen Demon Light and the Red Nether Condensing Light, showed steady improvement.

「One day.」

Outside the Cyan Bamboo Study, a silvery-white rope descended from the sky, dangling not far from the building.

A quick-witted youth in fine robes slid down the rope. With a broad smile, he walked up to the study, cupped his fists, and called out, "Brother Fang, are you there? I’ve come to visit."

Fang Cheng walked out of the study and looked at the youth in surprise. "Xiao Ye," he asked curiously, "how did you find this place?"

The finely dressed youth was none other than Xiao Ye, the disciple from the Xiao Family assigned to accompany Fang Cheng.

He chuckled. "Brother Fang, my Xiao Family has served the Yinluo Sect for over one hundred and sixty years. We’ve naturally picked up a few tricks along the way. A tracking Talisman Seal was embedded in this Cyan Bamboo Study when it was refined. With that, and my Abyssal Rope, finding you wasn’t difficult."

Fang Cheng recognized the shimmering silver rope.

The Xiao Family had specifically refined this type of Magical Artifact to explore the caves and caverns in the valley. It could hang suspended in mid-air and extend or retract at will, making it the ideal tool for spelunking and descending into ravines.

However, the fact that someone could track his place of quiet cultivation left Fang Cheng quite displeased.

He said coolly, "The Xiao Family truly lives up to its name. I’ve been cultivating here for days and never even noticed the tracking Talisman Seal inside the study. It seems I’ve underestimated your family."

Hearing this, Xiao Ye quickly offered an apologetic smile. "Please don’t be upset, Brother Fang. This just makes it easier to find you. You’re all alone on a mission in this dark, sunless Demon Fog; it must be terribly boring. I just thought I could come down often to chat and keep you company..."

"Besides, I heard from my family’s elders that this is how they’ve always done things."

As he spoke the last part, an aggrieved look appeared on the young man’s face.

Fang Cheng’s expression softened slightly. "You people certainly go to a lot of trouble," he scoffed.

’Indeed, ever since arriving at the Xiao Family estate, he’d felt that this Cultivation Family was a little too fawning and obsequious toward everyone from the Yinluo Sect.’

Xiao Ye gave an awkward laugh and took an exquisite wooden box from his storage pouch. "It’s my fault," he said. "I should have come to visit you sooner, but I was delayed for a few days searching for these Dao Pattern Spirit Jades. I hope you’ll forgive me, Brother Fang!"

He opened the box as he spoke, revealing three pieces of beautiful jade neatly arranged inside, each with its own natural Spirit Patterns.

They were Dao Pattern Spirit Jades!

The three Dao Pattern Spirit Jades were only about the size of a fist. Their irregular shapes suggested they had been found in a Spirit Stone Mine.

As the saying goes, you don’t hit a smiling man.

Fang Cheng’s mood lifted the moment he saw the Dao Pattern Spirit Jades, and he couldn’t be bothered to bicker with the young man any longer.

He reached out for the wooden box. As his fingers brushed against each Dao Pattern Spirit Jade, the mysterious Golden Talisman in his sea of consciousness trembled faintly, and his Creation Points increased by more than thirteen hundred.

[Talisman Master] Fang Cheng

[Divine Techniques & Cultivation Techniques]

Cyan Yuan Demon Tree Technique - Perfection (0/5000)

Cyan Profound Sword Technique·Great Success (3/1200)

Celestial Fire Body Forging Technique·Great Success (7/10,000)

Nameless Gu Technique·Great Success (0/900)

Li Hen Demon Light·Minor Achievement (5/5000)

Red Nether Condensing Light·Minor Achievement (0/3000)

Taiyi Thunder Pill·Minor Achievement (0/2600)

Void Ghost Market Observation Method (200/200)

Nine Heavens Cold Ice Technique·Beginner (1/2300)

Creation Points: 7681

Sensing the change in the characters on the Golden Talisman in his sea of consciousness, Fang Cheng was in a good mood. He put away the Dao Pattern Spirit Jades and said,

"Fine. Since you’re already here, come in for a cup of tea before you leave."

Seeing that he was no longer angry, the young man broke into a wide grin. He took the teapot with practiced ease, boiling the water and pouring the tea.

After a few cups of tea, the young man seized the opportunity to ask Fang Cheng for advice on his Swordsmanship.

Xiao Ye was at the Fifth Layer of Sensing Cultivation and had loved swordsmanship since he was a child. Unfortunately, the Xiao Family possessed no profound sword techniques, nor did it have anyone who excelled at Swordsmanship.

He had cultivated to his current level relying solely on his passion and innate talent, and was now just on the verge of reaching the threshold of Sword Heart Clarity.

It was fair to say his talent for the Sword Dao was quite impressive.

’The Xiao Family must have done their research before specifically assigning him to accompany me.’

’The disciples accompanying Feng Mo and Wang Pan, for example, were all young and beautiful girls from the Xiao Family...’

’The young man probably knew long ago that I’d comprehended Sword Heart Clarity. He’s likely trying to use the opportunity of my mission here to get my guidance and master the realm himself.’

Of course, Fang Cheng had no intention of teaching him for free, much less revealing all of his insights into swordsmanship at once.

The insights on sword techniques he had imparted to Xiao Ye during his time with the Xiao Family amounted to only ten or twenty percent of his own comprehension.

Besides, many of the crucial points could only be understood intuitively and could not be conveyed with words.

However, he also coveted the Xiao Family’s Dao Pattern Spirit Jades. If Xiao Ye could continue to bring him a steady supply, he wouldn’t mind giving him a few more pointers.

"Brother Fang, I have an older sister. She is not only as beautiful as a flower, but also well-read and skilled in song and dance. Next time, I’ll bring her to meet you..."

Besides seeking guidance, Xiao Ye changed the subject, intending to introduce a concubine to Fang Cheng.

Fang Cheng replied, "I appreciate the thought, but... women only slow down my sword. You should put that idea aside."

Xiao Ye’s expression instantly turned solemn. "I have been enlightened," he said seriously.

At that moment, a low rumble of thunder echoed from outside. A storm was imminent.

Xiao Ye stood up to take his leave. "Brother Fang, I won’t disturb you any longer today. I’ll come back to see you again."

Fang Cheng nodded. "Keep an eye out for more Dao Pattern Spirit Jades for me. I’ll make it worth your while."

Xiao Ye smiled. "Rest assured, Brother. As long as the Xiao Family has any Dao Pattern Spirit Jades, I’ll be sure to bring them all to you."

With that, he bowed to Fang Cheng, turned and walked outside, and grabbed the Abyssal Rope, ascending straight into the air.

RUMBLE!

Another earth-shattering clap of thunder echoed, followed by a torrential downpour that flooded from the heavens.

Within the Demon Fog, a strange fish about ten feet long and crackling with Thunder Light thrashed its head and tail. It leaped high into the air, charging toward the Cyan Bamboo Study.

This strange fish was also an Outer Celestial Demon, though of an unknown type. With its sharp fangs and a roar like thunder, it seemed even more ferocious than the Strong Demon Ape he had previously encountered.

Sitting inside, Fang Cheng simply pointed a finger. A beam of sword light dozens of feet long shot out and slashed toward the strange fish.

The sword light and the fish collided in mid-air. In a flash, the light swept past it!

The strange fish was instantly sliced in two, its dark blood splattering through the air.

’I hope Xiaoxiao doesn’t run into a Celestial Demon.’

Fang Cheng withdrew the sword light, a flicker of concern on his face.

...