Cultivators Are So Weak in This World-Chapter 321 - 297 Stirring Up, Part 1
Regarding Zhang Rongfang’s layout.
Previously, the Thousand Stone Sect was quite mysterious and somewhat reserved.
Later, Zhang Rongfang invited several reclusive experts, ostensibly to help sit in, but in reality to enjoy abundant resources.
Suddenly, these experts from the Thousand Stone Sect were reluctantly obliged at first, but more and more of them started to emerge.
Gradually, more than half of the experts were tied to the Agarwood Palace’s great ship, making it difficult to disembark.
The combination of Rebel Sect, Thousand Stone Sect, and Agarwood Palace has now become Zhang Rongfang’s stronghold in Citong.
Agarwood Palace represents the guardians, extensively drawing support from the provincial overseers, while the Rebel Sect and Thousand Stone Sect are respectively responsible for handling the troublemakers who dare to defy.
With this overt and covert maneuver, no one in Citong can suppress Zhang Rongfang.
"Speaking of which, the True Buddha Temple on the Western Sect’s side seems to have found clues about the Eastern Sect’s bloodlines.
There are already two bloodlines that are being hunted down. It’s said that soon, there’ll be news of a third bloodline," Xue Chengsi said with a smile.
"Previously, I heard that Kongxiang from Wanghai Temple also had the task of squatting in Citong to guard against the Rebel Sect and investigate the bloodlines. Unexpectedly, not long after arriving, he lost his life. Truly...."
His gaze was deep, with hidden implications.
"What a pity for Grandmaster Kongxiang," Zhang Rongfang nodded regretfully, "The Grandmaster was too self-confident. Had he cooperated with me early on, even if he couldn’t find the bloodlines, he wouldn’t have ended up disappearing."
"Ultimately, Citong is too dangerous... Previously, the Commandery Princess lost her life here, and now even Grandmaster Kongxiang... This place is truly perilous...," Xue Chengsi laughed.
He looked at Zhang Rongfang.
"However, the Great Dao Teaching here seems to be steadily developing."
Zhang Rongfang narrowed his eyes.
Originally, it was just attending a meeting casually, but Xue Chengsi seemed to have hidden meanings in his words.
"Lord Xue may not know. My Great Dao Teaching focuses on the Cultivation of Literature, many Daoists are frail and susceptible to cold and chills, so within the palace, they excel in medical arts.
They also have a medical hall open in Citong, perhaps this is the fundamental reason for their stability here."
Xue Chengsi smiled and did not speak immediately.
At this moment, a group of young men and women came up the stairs of the loft.
Their attire was rich and their demeanor fierce, clearly martial artists.
One robust man with an impeccable physique stood behind Xue Chengsi.
He snorted coldly.
"Father, before coming here, you made Citong sound like a den of dragons and tigers, but now it seems quite ordinary.
I went down to spar with friends, and most of the martial artists here are like chickens and dogs, easily crushed. It’s quite disappointing."
"Nonsense!" Xue Chengsi frowned and looked at the young man.
"Citong is Great Spirit’s largest port, with hidden masters. How can you, a junior, comprehend it by just wandering around?"
"No matter, Princess Yongxiang disappeared here! I came to find out the reason for the Princess’s disappearance!" The young man remained stoic, indifferent to his father’s reprimand.
He scanned the crowd, looking at the provincial overseer, prefect, and Zhang Rongfang, the guardian.
"You must be Zhang Ying, Guardian Zhang, right? I heard the Princess was with you before her disappearance. Could Guardian Zhang explain what happened back then?"
The young man stared at Zhang Rongfang, face cold.
"This is my son, Xue Ji. Raised in luxury, he’s somewhat lacking in courtesy. Please forgive him." Xue Chengsi quickly intervened.
"No matter, Young Master Xue is indeed straightforward. As for the Princess’s incident, I was helpless too. Upon arriving in Citong, the Princess frequently vanished mysteriously, what truly transpired, I am unaware." Zhang Rongfang was not angered, responding calmly.
"Unaware? You’re surely aware of it! Maybe you’re the one who caused the Princess’s demise!!" Xue Ji suddenly accused Zhang Rongfang.
"Enough." Xue Chengsi raised his voice.
"Not enough! Before coming, I heard about you, Zhang Ying, Guardian Zhang, you were originally the Golden Wing Pavilion’s henchman and then defected to the Great Dao Teaching, inexplicably becoming a Daoist.
Before you came, Citong was alright. Once you arrived, it faced a series of troubles, yet you’re the one who profited the most. Do you think no one sees that?" Xue Ji lashed out.
"Go down! Get lost!" Xue Chengsi’s face hardened as he pointed at his son.
"You can’t control me!" Xue Ji defiantly confronted his father, pointing belligerently at Zhang Rongfang.
"Don’t think no one can deal with you! I’m telling you, within three days, you must give me an explanation. Otherwise....."
"Young Master Xue seems drunk, speaking nonsense." Zhang Rongfang remained calm, smiling gently.
"Indeed, indeed, Young Master Xue just went to challenge the martial hall, maybe he’s tired from the exertion...." Provincial Overseer Zhao Yanting chuckled to smooth the situation.
"Nonsense? You better remember this. In three days, if there’s no movement, I’ll personally investigate.
If then I discover you’re involved, I’ll eliminate you!!"
Xue Ji’s demeanor was arrogant, unabashedly malevolent.
Beside him, Xue Chengsi attempted to restrain him, but to no avail, displaying helplessness.
Leaving these words, Xue Ji turned and left.
Leaving behind a crowd with varied expressions.
Provincial Overseer Zhao Yanting continued to smooth things over, but Zhang Rongfang’s heart sank.
The inevitable confrontation was finally approaching.
On the surface, Xue Ji appeared as a pursuer of Princess Yongxiang, now with Yongxiang gone, this person likely became a probe against him.
Behind this probe, God knows how many are watching, waiting to strike.
Earlier, during Xue Ji’s threats, Zhang Rongfang faintly sensed three powerful eyes covertly targeting him from within the crowd.
These were military martial experts accompanying the Xue family.
This group of killers, each at least of high grade, with personal guards adept in encirclement techniques, far superior to any so-called martial arts experts.
Coupled with the Xue family’s Snow Rainbow Pavilion guarding the Spiritual Veins.
With just one order from Xue Chengsi, the troops stationed outside the city could mobilize at least dozens of high-grade experts.
In coordinated warfare, even a Grandmaster in empty space might be ground down to death.
In such a situation, Xue Ji’s insolent provocation was evidently not so simple.
Soon, the banquet ended amidst Xue Chengsi’s continuous apologies.
Everyone boarded their respective carriages to return.
Zhang Rongfang also entered the carriage of the Agarwood Palace.
Inside the carriage, Chen Han frowned slightly, kneeling to one side.
"Daoist, today that son of Xue Chengsi, Xue Ji, is probably just a tool used for probing. You must be extremely cautious."
"Oh? Just a mere playboy, and I still need to be cautious?" Zhang Rongfang retorted, wanting to see what Chen Han knew.
"This Xue Ji is not just any playboy." Chen Han shook his head. "He has been a martial arts prodigy since childhood, and how could someone without qualifications dare to pursue the former Princess Yongxiang, who is a master of Three Emptiness?"
"Actually, on the surface, it appears to be a matter concerning Xue Ji, but such events wouldn’t happen without Xue Chengsi’s instigation.
Xue Chengsi pretended to dissuade a few times, then allowed his son to insult me. Who would believe there’s no problem in this?" Zhang Rongfang nodded.
"So Daoist, be extremely careful. Xue Chengsi himself may not be significant, but his wife, Xue Ji’s mother, is a true princess of the royal family. Therefore... this person is likely specially used to force you to act, to probe the depths." Chen Han seriously reminded.
"Princess, huh?"
Zhang Rongfang closed his eyes.
He knew such a day would come sooner or later.
After a series of continuous incidents, forces would inevitably come to test him.
Yet he didn’t expect it to be in such a manner.
To have a hot-tempered playboy insult him to his face.
Ordinary people really wouldn’t be able to keep calm.
"How long will Xue Chengsi and his son stay here?" Zhang Rongfang suddenly asked,
"About ten days." Chen Han replied. "After ten days, they must escort resources and slaves to other places."
"Then don’t bother. They’ll naturally leave after ten days." Zhang Rongfang said calmly.
"Understood." Chen Han replied.
Zhang Rongfang then fell silent, merely blinking his eyes.
Immediately, the attributes panel regarding him appeared once again.
’Zhang Rongfang—Life 186-186.’
At this point, his life value had reached over one hundred eighty, just fourteen points short of reaching two hundred points.
According to his speculation, latent talent might unlock a new feature every one hundred points.
For him, who had reached the limit in every aspect, the only ways to develop further were two:
One was to put all effort into increasing his attribute point life value, aiming to reach the level of life evolution.
The other was to follow the path of the Grandmasters, taking the hard skill route, advancing forward, even reaching for the Extreme Realm.
"Chen Han, have you ever seen a true Grandmaster and the Extreme Realm?" Zhang Rongfang suddenly asked.
"I’ve seen Grandmasters. There are some in the Great Dao Teaching. But they’re few and far between, given that we prioritize harmony and mainly cultivate the path of literature." Chen Han replied.
"So, just how strong is a Grandmaster? Do you know?" Zhang Rongfang slightly frowned.
"A Grandmaster is more of a flawless and complete state. I have witnessed Grandmasters in combat, and it was like this.
The two exchanged blows for a long time without seeing a clear victory. They could only agree to fight again the next day." Chen Han responded.
"Anyway..." He paused, "Anyway, it seems like a realm of insight, a realm of understanding. It’s a powerful state able to handle any situation after the body opens to its limits."
"A realm of insight..." Zhang Rongfang seemed to comprehend, nodding slightly.
He wondered if he should ask the Thousand Stone Sect Leader to spar with him a bit.
But that Sect Leader is quite proud and elusive, not appearing unless absolutely necessary.
"Let’s not talk about that. How is the situation at Celestial Treasure Palace recently?" He changed topics, starting to ask about other matters.
Chen Han answered each question.
The carriage proceeded with the fragmented sound of horse hooves, neither fast nor slow, escorted by the guards towards the Agarwood Palace.
Zhang Rongfang simultaneously contemplated his future development direction.
In martial arts, only the top tier level of hard skills remain that can affect his current body.
And these top-tier hard skills are usually held by those major powers.
Without a hands-on teacher, it is basically impossible to learn.
So it must be temporarily shelved.
Powerful hard skills are the foundation for him to use extreme states and Limit-Breaking Skills without reservation.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to use multiple extreme states simultaneously; using just one type is already at the limit.
Just like other ordinary super grade martial artists.
Like Kongxiang, who can use two extreme states simultaneously and still use Limit-Breaking Skills.
That is possible only due to his strong body supported by Spiritual Veins.
Even so, he couldn’t support it for long, soon exhausting himself and revealing flaws.
Ordinary martial artists, even if they can use multiple extreme states simultaneously, probably won’t survive the attempt.
Coming back to his senses, Zhang Rongfang’s thoughts again fell to the Xue family father and son.
Knowing full well what occurred in Citong, they still dare to provoke so arrogantly....
Behind this, it is likely not the work of ordinary forces....
’No matter what, for the time being, endure slightly, as there are many skilled spiritual army experts escorting resources and slaves, making it unwise to act hastily.’
Zhang Rongfang set his plan.
