Chapter 991

Chapter 991 A Worthy Opponent

 

Before using the Devouring Spirit Technique, he truly hadn’t expected that such a small piece of jade could transform into such a large amount of spiritual energy.

Although after breaking through the ten thousandth layer of Qi Condensation, advancing through layers became simpler.

But rising more than ten layers at once was not easily achievable, especially in today’s world where spiritual energy has become extremely scarce.

“The Three Sacred Treasures… I should have taken all three.” Fang Yu looked at the whitened jade in his hand with some regret.

His thoughts shifted to his current cultivation level.

Qi Condensation, ten thousand and twenty-three layers.

Since breaking through to above ten thousand layers, Fang Yu’s sensitivity to cultivation levels had diminished significantly.

This mental shift had occurred gradually and imperceptibly.

Initially, when he was at the twelfth layer of Qi Condensation and hadn’t broken through to Foundation Establishment, he had expected to break through by the twentieth layer.

When he reached the twentieth layer and still hadn’t broken through, he fantasized that at the fiftieth layer, there would definitely be a change, as he couldn’t possibly remain in Qi Condensation forever.

And so, Fang Yu’s expectations shifted from twenty layers, to fifty layers, to one hundred layers, to one thousand layers, and then to ten thousand layers…

He believed in his master’s teaching that quantitative changes would eventually lead to qualitative change.

Now, he had indeed broken through ten thousand layers.

Although Fang Yu could now initially connect with heaven and earth, his realm was still fundamentally at Qi Condensation.

Faced with this reality, to make himself feel better, Fang Yu gave his current realm a new name: the Heaven-Connecting Realm.

But in actuality… it was still Qi Condensation.

Perhaps different from other Qi Condensation cultivators, but in essence, still Qi Condensation.

It was precisely since breaking through the ten thousandth layer that Fang Yu’s desire for advancement had become less urgent than before.

Now, he had basically accepted reality.

He simply couldn’t break through Qi Condensation.

Even if his punch could shatter mountains and rivers, he couldn’t change this fact.

Of course, this feeling wasn’t one of despair.

Ascension was something Fang Yu had never even considered.

Remaining at Qi Condensation, life went on day by day.

Even if he broke through to Foundation Establishment or Core Formation, what difference would it make?

As long as he stayed on Earth, there wouldn’t be much difference.

Staying at Qi Condensation, being the strongest Qi Condensation cultivator, wasn’t so bad.

There’s a saying: better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix.

Though forced into this situation, Fang Yu had come to terms with it.

“Let it be, from now on I’ll cultivate as fate allows,” Fang Yu said to himself.

At this moment, footsteps sounded from behind.

“Mr. Fang.” Zheng Ze walked to Fang Yu’s side.

Seeing the whitened jade in Fang Yu’s hand, he was stunned.

The jade he had seen earlier was clearly emerald green.

How had it turned white now?

Fang Yu glanced at Zheng Ze, gripped the white jade in his right hand, and gently squeezed.

“Crack…”

The white jade shattered into powder, scattering with the sea breeze.

Witnessing this, Zheng Ze’s eyes widened.

This was one of the sacred treasures passed down from the East Island’s imperial era, and Fang Yu had just crushed it to dust…

“The useful elements in this jade have all been absorbed by me. What’s left is just an empty shell,” Fang Yu explained.

“…Oh.” Zheng Ze nodded, not fully understanding, and asked, “Mr. Fang, the Ghost Island mentioned by those imperial people… do you think it really exists? Or is it made up?”

“It should be real. Since he wanted to trick me into going there, there’s no need to lie about the location. Besides, Ghost Island is probably even more dangerous than he described,” Fang Yu replied.

“They wanted to lure you to a dangerous place, using the island’s dangers to eliminate you…” Zheng Ze’s eyes turned cold as he spoke.

“That’s about right,” Fang Yu said.

“These East Island imperial people… they appear dignified but are actually despicable,” Zheng Ze shook his head and said gravely.

“Their actions are normal, even understandable given their situation,” Fang Yu smiled. “If they didn’t do something, that would show a lack of backbone.”

Zheng Ze slowly nodded, not saying anything more.

“Next time I visit East Island, I really should check out that Ghost Island,” Fang Yu said. “And while I’m at it, visit the imperial palace again to take their remaining two sacred treasures.”

Zheng Ze turned his head, staring blankly at Fang Yu.

But Fang Yu had already turned and was walking back to the cabin.

…

In a void space.

Everything around was gray-white, every area seemed covered in thick fog, making it difficult to see clearly.

Yet through the layers of haziness, a ball of light could be seen.

Looking closer, one could see a figure sitting in meditation within the light ball.

This person remained motionless, the light ball surrounding his body was the true qi emanating from him.

All around was dead silence.

Along with the meditating figure, everything seemed frozen in stillness.

A moment later, two figures suddenly appeared from the fog, breaking the silence.

The two figures approached the light ball and knelt on one knee.

“Master, as you predicted, Fang Changsheng found the Half-Spirit Realm and wanted to use those half-source level beings to inquire about your whereabouts,” one of the figures said.

The figure within the light ball remained motionless.

“What happened after Fang Changsheng entered the Half-Spirit Realm also matched your predictions. The five half-source level beings were no match for him, and ultimately the Half-Spirit Realm was detonated…” the figure continued.

At this point, the light ball finally emitted a sound.

“The result… what was it?”

“The Half-Spirit Realm has disappeared… and Fang Changsheng is still alive,” the figure lowered his head and answered.

Inside the light ball, after a moment of silence, a faint laugh suddenly emerged.

Hearing this dry laughter, the two kneeling figures exchanged glances, not daring to speak.

Those who had followed Dao Kong from the beginning knew very well what the Half-Spirit Realm meant to him.

It was Immortal Dao Kong’s recreation of the immortal realm from his memories.

One could say that everything within the Half-Spirit Realm was Immortal Dao Kong’s life’s work.

The decision to sacrifice the Half-Spirit Realm to take Fang Yu’s life must have been made after much hesitation, as a last resort.

But unexpectedly… the Half-Spirit Realm was gone, yet Fang Yu was still alive!

This must be unacceptable to Immortal Dao Kong.

“Heh heh heh…”

Dao Kong continued to laugh.

But within his laughter, there was a hint of cold and chilling energy.

“…Not bad at all. In today’s Earth, among those inferior cultivators, there could emerge such an outstanding talent… as my opponent, truly impressive,” Dao Kong said to himself after laughing.

“Master, I already have a plan targeting Fang Changsheng,” said the kneeling figure.

“You may do whatever you wish. But I must tell you… the power Fang Yu has displayed is no longer on the same level as yours, even if you are true-source level,” Dao Kong said slowly. “Before I come out of seclusion, you’d better not directly confront him.”

“Master, my plan isn’t to confront Fang Yu directly… but to use the people around him as a breakthrough point,” the figure said.

“If you think it’s feasible, then proceed,” Dao Kong said. “At this point, I’ll say only one thing.”

“This young man is extremely dangerous.”

“Proceed with caution.”

…

At ten thirty the next morning, Fang Yu and Zheng Ze’s group successfully returned to North Capital.

Upon returning to North Capital, Fang Yu immediately gave Zheng Ze some instructions.

“I asked you to keep an eye on the Sky-Watching Bureau. Have you found anything?” Fang Yu asked.

“Nothing yet,” Zheng Ze replied. “My informants say Bai Konggu has been staying inside the Sky-Watching Bureau recently, never leaving.”

“I see. Keep watching him. Notify me immediately if anything happens,” Fang Yu said.

After that, Fang Yu and Zheng Ze parted ways.

Zheng Ze went to report to Huai Xu about their trip to East Island, while Fang Yu… returned home.

As Fang Yu approached the bamboo house, he saw a fiery red figure.

It was Hong Lian, who had been in seclusion for some time.

At that moment, Hong Lian was talking with Zhao Zinan about something.

Judging from Zhao Zinan’s blushing face, the two women weren’t very familiar with each other yet.

“Brother Fang Yu!” Zhao Zinan spotted Fang Yu immediately and called out from a distance.

Fang Yu smiled slightly and walked forward.

Hong Lian also turned her head, and seeing Fang Yu, a strange light flashed in her eyes.

“You’ve finished your seclusion?” Fang Yu looked at Hong Lian and asked.