21 Chapter 19: Body-protecting Divine Barrier, Great Celestial Thunder Technique

"Not for transmission to others? What if I transmit it to you?" Fang Wang looked at Zhou Xing Shi, smiling as he asked.

Zhou Xing Shi's face changed slightly, and he hurriedly said, "Brother Fang, please don't joke with me. How dare I entertain such a wild idea?"

Fang Wang shook his head and smiled, "I'm not joking. In the future, you belong to me, and naturally, I want you to be as strong as possible. Go back, and after seven days, come to get these two Jade Slips."

After hearing this, Zhou Xing Shi was pleasantly surprised, yet he did not dare to show his happiness. He could only comply and then stand up to leave.

After taking a few steps, he suddenly remembered something, turned around, and said, "Right, the Sect Leader asked me to remind you that you can still do the usual tasks of the third vein, as they can refine your combat experience and temper your Dao heart. If you have any needs, you can look for him, but the rewards for the tasks won't change outwardly."

Zhou Xing Shi felt a profound sense of emotion in his heart; now, whenever he thought of Fang Wang possessing the Heaven Yuan Spirit Treasure, he couldn't help but feel awe.

That was the legendary Heaven Yuan Spirit Treasure, after all!

In the Grand Qi Cultivation Realm, there had never been a Heaven Yuan Spirit Treasure since ancient times.

Zhou Xing Shi would not question Guang Qiuxian's judgment, for that day his Treasure Spirit truly felt fear, and afterward, he learned that all the Treasure Spirits of the Tai Yuan Sect were uncontrollable, revealing such a fierce presence just after being formed. Apart from the legendary Heaven Yuan Spirit Treasure, what other rank could it be?

Fang Wang nodded, then casually picked up one of the Jade Slips on the table.

Seeing this, Zhou Xing Shi did not bother any longer and quickly left.

Once the mountain gate of the cave dwelling closed, Fang Wang looked at the Jade Slip in his hand, thinking to himself, "Zhou Xing Shi, do you truly belong to me, or to the Sect Leader? Let's see how you perform."

Yang Yuanzi's words were indeed engraved in his memory. He would not fully trust anyone, at least not internally.

Regarding the so-called "Myriad Poison Spring Autumn Worm," Fang Wang always felt there was more than just reciting the incantation; the incantation was probably only to prevent Zhou Xing Shi from making a killing move, and Yang Yuanzi certainly had other means, at least the ability to control Zhou Xing Shi's life and death from afar.

This was interesting. Zhou Xing Shi's life and death were controlled by Yang Yuanzi, yet he acted on behalf of Guang Qiuxian, and now he was also assisting Fang Wang, holding three identities, which probably made him extremely uncomfortable.

Fang Wang began to read the content of the Jade Slip with his spiritual sense.

The first thing he saw were four large characters.

Body-protecting Divine Barrier!

...

Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

Zhou Xing Shi arrived as scheduled. Inside the cave dwelling, he held the two Jade Slips and hesitantly asked, "Are you really giving these to me? And in such a short time, you've completely memorized all the cultivation methods?"

Fang Wang nodded and said, "Remembering them is not difficult. Take them and cultivate."

For Zhou Xing Shi, it had only been seven days, but for Fang Wang, one hundred thirty-eight years had already passed.

In the Heavenly Palace, it took him forty years to cultivate the Body-protecting Divine Barrier and ninety-eight years to cultivate the Great Celestial Thunder Technique.

The Body-protecting Divine Barrier, as the name implies, was a defensive spell.

And the Great Celestial Thunder Technique was very domineering, summoning the thunder of the firmament to descend on the world and annihilate enemies, with infinite power.

Judging from the length of time spent on cultivation, Guang Qiuxian had indeed been genuine, and both were superior methods.

Ordinary cultivators spend most of their time every day gathering Qi, and the time allocated to cultivating spells hardly exceeds one-third. To master the Body-protecting Divine Barrier to the Great Perfection, it would probably take a hundred years, and that's under the condition that one's aptitude is comparable to Fang Wang's.

Not to mention the Great Celestial Thunder Technique, it is surely a Dao method that the majority of the Tai Yuan Sect disciples would not even come into contact with in their lifetimes.

As a Direct Disciple, Fang Wang could also select three superior Dao methods from the Daofa Pavilion, but he had no intention of doing so at the moment. Currently, he had enough combat techniques, so it was better to focus his energy on accumulating his cultivation level.

Zhou Xing Shi looked at the two Jade Slips in his hands, deeply moved.

That he had survived was thanks to Fang Wang's word. Now, without having done anything for Fang Wang, he was bestowed two ultimate teachings—how could he not be moved?

However, he was not the type of person who liked to express his feelings.

"Good!"

Zhou Xing Shi affirmed with a single word, bowed, and then left. Once the mountain gate of the cave dwelling closed, Fang Wang could practice with peace of mind.

It was but a case of 'borrowing flowers to offer Buddha.' If he could win people's hearts, it was naturally a good thing; if not, he wouldn't lose anything.

...

As autumn passed and winter came, the end of the year brought snow. The peaks of the Great Abyss Gate were covered with pristine white snow, lending a vast and uniquely enchanting atmosphere.

A huge Flying Sword cut through the massive snowfall, landing in front of the city gate within the huge city of the Great Abyss Gate.

Two figures jumped down from the Flying Sword, one of them being the Emperor of Grand Qi; he was in disguise, looking like a scholar.

The Tai Yuan Sect Disciple standing on the Flying Sword looked down at him and said, "Your Token only allows you to stay for a month. After one month, leave on your own, or our Enforcement Hall won't show any kindness to you."

With that, the disciple controlled his sword and left.

Once he had disappeared into the vast snowfall, the young man behind the Emperor of Grand Qi sneered, "Your Majesty, he is truly arrogant. It's simply..."

"Shut up! Do not speak rashly!" the Emperor of Grand Qi hissed in a cold voice, frightening the young man into silence, not daring to speak anymore.

The heavy snow fell. The Emperor of Grand Qi patted the snow off his head and looked up at the towering city walls with eyes full of longing as he whispered, "Let's go, let's see this abode of immortals."

In the vast expanse of snow, a master and his servant walked towards the city gate; their figures were so tiny that they seemed as if they could be covered by the heavy snow at any moment.

Elsewhere.

Atop the third vein's peak, the cave abode's mountain gate opened, and Fang Wang emerged with six of his clansmen, all chatting and laughing.

"Brother Fang Wang, we'll head off first."

"Make sure to cultivate well once you're back."

"Hehe, with Thirteen's guidance, we'll definitely cultivate diligently."

"Fang Wang, don't worry, I'll definitely become an Inner Sect Disciple!"

Fang Wang paused, watching them descend the mountain.

Having joined the Great Abyss Gate for ten months, these Fang Residence Disciples, selected by Zhou Xue, had all developed their Spiritual Power and embarked on the path of cultivation. The highest among them had reached the third layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm. However, their Sword Control Technique was not yet perfected, and they couldn't use flying swords to leave the mountain, so they had to walk down on foot.

With heavy snow fluttering about, the sight of his clansmen gradually disappearing into the white expanse filled Fang Wang with warmth.

In his previous life, reading fantasy novels, he thought the path of cultivation was lonely, was desolate. Now, with these clansmen by his side, he felt a sense of reliance – the feeling was quite pleasant.

At this moment, Fang Wang suddenly understood why Zhou Xue wished to cultivate alongside the disciples of the Fang Residence; besides planning, companionship and support were equally crucial. Being alone might stimulate one's potential, but it could also be exhausting.

The neighboring cave abode's mountain gate suddenly opened, and Gu Li walked out. Upon seeing her, Fang Wang felt a headache coming on.

This girl really had her sights set on him.

Every time he emerged, she would follow him out if she was in her cave abode.

Gu Li naturally approached Fang Wang and asked, "Are they all your clansmen?"

Fang Wang could only respond politely, "Yeah, we grew up together."

Gu Li lifted her right hand, gently arranging her hair, and said, "I'm really envious of you. In our Gu Family, only I came to the Great Abyss Gate, the others joined other sects."

Cultivating families, aiming for longevity, often spread their offspring to various sects. The Fang Family had just stepped into the cultivation world and did not yet have this foundation.

The two started to chat casually. Having cultivated for a long time, Fang Wang wished to enjoy the scenery, so he continued chatting with her.

Most of the time, it was Gu Li talking, while Fang Wang listened.

"By the way, have you already succeeded in Spiritual Refinement? Why can't I discern your cultivation level – have you surpassed me?" Gu Li asked curiously, her bright, sparkling eyes fixed on Fang Wang, with an unusual glint.

Unable to withstand her gaze, Fang Wang looked into the distance and said, "Yes, I've succeeded in Spiritual Refinement – a Superior Mysterious Origin Precious Spirit."

His cultivation had reached the third layer of the Soul Sculpting Realm, not far from the fourth, while Gu Li was still at the first layer of the Soul Sculpting Realm, naturally unable to see through his level.

"What do you think my Treasure Spirit's rank is?" Gu Li blinked and asked, covering her mouth with a laugh.

Fang Wang knew it was higher than his as soon as she asked. No wonder she could become a Direct Disciple so quickly. He had previously thought the Gu Family had used their influence, but now it seemed that her aptitude was key.

It appeared that Zhou Xue was right; even without him, the Great Abyss Gate would become the strongest sect in the Grand Qi Cultivation Realm.

"An Earth Origin Precious Spirit?" Fang Wang asked with ostensible caution.

"Mhm, a Lower Grade Earth Origin Precious Spirit. Although the rank of the Treasure Spirit is a little bit higher than yours, you've overtaken me in cultivation. Seems like your Cultivation Technique is stronger than mine. When we're about to break through to the Spirit Elixir Realm, shall we have a competition then?" Gu Li nodded, her face full of anticipation.

Well, that was her intention all along.

Fang Wang thought Gu Li had started to fancy him, but it turned out she merely didn't like to lose.

In that case, he felt unburdened and, raising his chin with a smile, he said, "Alright, you'll need to cultivate well. In the future, I'll wait for you to challenge me at each major realm boundary."

"It's a deal!"

"Mhm!"

The two of them exchanged smiles, and then Gu Li began to talk about the local customs and traditions of Northern Luo, introducing her family.

After about half an hour, a bell rang out from the third vein.

Fang Wang had heard this bell sound twice before. It signaled the arrival of a vein mission. He had previously paid no attention; a Direct Disciple could ignore these missions.

"Let's go, take a look together. Can't always be holed up in the cave abode," suggested Gu Li, and Fang Wang hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.

For some reason, he felt an inexplicable unease when he heard the bell, as though something unpleasant had happened.

The two flew towards the Qingxin Hall atop the mountain using their Flying Swords.

From various cave abodes on the third vein's peak, Disciples flew out, all heading toward the summit, finally gathering in front of the Qingxin Hall.

Seeing Fang Wang and Gu Li arrive, many Disciples immediately approached them with enthusiasm. Some of the male Disciples clenched their fists secretly, thinking the two had already established some relationship.

Some of the female Disciples, whose affections had been stirred, also felt secretly heartbroken – the admirable Brother Fang was taken, already having a favored consort in mind.

The eldest Disciple, Li Yu, stood on the steps, hands behind his back. Seeing Fang Wang come, he nodded towards him, his face breaking into a smile.

After a while, once most of the Disciples had arrived, Li Yu finally began to speak, "Today, I have called everyone here because a problem has arisen among the second vein's Disciples, and they need the assistance of our third vein. This mission is entirely voluntary, involving a journey into the territory of a Demonic Sect."

Second vein's Disciples in trouble?

Fang Wang's thoughts immediately turned to Fang Hanyu; he had left months ago and hadn't returned since. During a recent chat with their youngest, Fang Xin expressed her worries about him.

No sooner had Li Yu finished speaking than some Disciples questioned why the third vein should help with the second vein's problems.