He returned to the quiet bamboo yard in the secluded valley.
Ning Xian went straight to the kitchen to cook.
Fang Xuan went back into his room first and took out the spirit bone, as white and lustrous as jade, from his storage ring.
Cough, cough...
Since there was no path to invincibility, he would have to borrow his senior sister's bone...
After all, this spirit bone was far more complex than Shen Chen and Shen Qingqing believed.
He looked at it for a moment before putting it away.
Next, he checked Shen Qingqing's storage ring; there was indeed a lot of good stuff inside.
Spirit stones were piled up like a small hill, along with various high-quality pills—some for healing, some for cultivation, and even some with niche effects.
There were also several spirit artifacts of decent quality, along with a collection of miscellaneous materials and jade slips.
As expected, the fastest way to acquire wealth was through murder and arson...
......
He sorted and stored the useful items while setting aside the useless ones or those with obvious markings to be dealt with later.
After finishing this, he stood up, intending to practice his sword in the yard.
Just as he pushed open the door, he heard Ning Xian's voice coming from the kitchen. "Junior Brother, go to the shed and cut some meat."
Fang Xuan responded and turned toward the wood shed behind the house.
He pushed the door open. In the corner, a mass of pitch-black, slightly writhing meat was huddled in the shadows.
The black tai sui seemed to feel Fang Xuan’s approach, its entire body trembling even more violently.
Fang Xuan crouched down and patted its surface. "Relax, it won't hurt much... I'll only cut half."
The black tai sui: "......."
Fang Xuan ignored it and brought the knife down.
With one stroke, the pitch-black mass was neatly sliced in half.
The cut surface quickly secreted a black fluid and began to slowly repair itself.
The piece that had been cut off twisted in Fang Xuan's hand, gradually losing its vitality.
"Thanks."
Fang Xuan weighed the piece of meat in his hand and walked out of the shed.
Taking the opportunity to deliver the meat, he naturally wandered over to the kitchen entrance.
Ning Xian had her back to him as she stir-fried, the wok steaming hot.
Fang Xuan leaned against the door frame, watching her focused profile; it was time to tease his senior sister again.
"Senior Sister—" he drawled.
"Hmm?" Ning Xian didn't look back, her spatula flipping the food.
"I'm hungry."
Fang Xuan blinked. "Can I have a taste first?"
Ning Xian’s movements paused for a moment, appearing somewhat helpless.
She didn't speak, but used her chopsticks to pick up a small piece of the stir-fried meat and held it to Fang Xuan’s lips.
Fang Xuan was stunned; he hadn't expected her to actually feed him.
He looked at her cold face just inches away. Her eyes watched him calmly, as if this were the most normal thing in the world.
"How does it taste?" Ning Xian looked at him, the corners of her mouth seemingly curving upward—very slightly, but she was definitely smiling.
Fang Xuan felt his heart skip a beat and shifted his gaze away, mumbling, "It’s delicious..."
When Senior Sister smiled... it really was a bit too unfair.
He could only manage to say, "Senior Sister, I'm going to practice my sword," before fleeing the kitchen...
.......
A full day of rest followed.
The next day was the day the Qingyun Secret Realm was set to open.
The entrance to the secret realm was located in the back mountain of the Qingyun Sect, atop an ancient altar surrounded by mountains.
The two arrived there early.
Ning Xian said she had a way to get in and told him not to worry.
Fang Xuan was still wondering what method she would use to sneak in—disguise? Invisibility? Or...
As it turned out... she simply used her sword intent to slash open the entrance to the secret realm and walked right in?!
This...
Was Senior Sister this strong at this point in the original novel?
Had he read the original too quickly and missed some key setting?
Not wanting to overthink it, Fang Xuan followed the rules and went to the Main Hall to assemble first.
He stood in the crowd, watching the high platform where several elders with profound auras were working together to cast spells and open the entrance.
According to the procedure, all disciples who had secured a slot had to verify their identity token first and undergo a brief inspection by the elders before entering.
Quite a few disciples had already gathered near the entrance, most of them direct disciples from various peaks, gathered in small groups and talking in low voices.
Fang Xuan’s appearance immediately attracted a lot of attention.
After all, a person like Fang Xuan—who had offended Martial Sister Shen within two days of joining, was punished to learn from a trash senior sister, yet was personally appointed a slot for the secret realm by the peak lord—was already a celebrity among the direct disciples.
......
"Look, is that Fang Xuan?"
"He’s handsome, but I heard he has a bad temper..."
"Shh, keep it down. He’s in the Void Core Realm..."
Low whispers drifted over.
Fang Xuan couldn't be bothered to care. He was about to find a direction to walk away when he saw someone walking toward him with a smile.
The newcomer was a young man who looked to be in his early twenties, handsome and with a gentle temperament.
He wore the robes of a direct disciple, but the patterns were slightly different—the style of the main peak line.
He was followed by several young men and women of similar age and distinguished bearing, who clearly deferred to him as their leader.
"Junior Brother Fang, a pleasure to meet you."
The young man walked up to Fang Xuan and cupped his hands in greeting, his attitude quite polite.
"I am Lu Mingxuan. I have heard much of your great name."
Lu Mingxuan? Fang Xuan’s heart stirred. The son of Lu Qingsong and the previously recognized first genius of the Qingyun Sect, with a cultivation at the Void Core Realm.
Judging by his aura, he was indeed at the Void Core Realm, and a very solid one at that; he was likely not far from the middle stage.
"So it is Senior Brother Lu. My apologies for the lack of greeting."
Fang Xuan also cupped his hands in return, neither humble nor arrogant.
"No need for such formality, Junior Brother Fang."
Lu Mingxuan’s smile remained unchanged as he offered sincere praise. "I often hear my father mention that Sword Peak has recruited an extraordinary talent who reached the Void Core Realm at only seventeen. Seeing you today, you certainly live up to the reputation."
As soon as these words were spoken, the young men and women behind him showed varying degrees of surprise.
A seventeen-year-old Void Core? This talent was indeed more exaggerated than Senior Brother Lu’s was back then!
Fang Xuan’s tone was flat. "Senior Brother Lu overpraises me. It was just luck."
"You are too modest. There is one more thing..." Lu Mingxuan smiled, wanting to say more.
But the loud voice of an elder nearby rang out:
"The entrance to the secret realm is about to open! Disciples, the secret realm will be open for three days. During this time, your life and death are in the hands of fate; find your own opportunities! Remember, disciples must not turn on one another. Violators will be severely punished!"
As the voice faded, the light at the secret realm’s entrance began to slowly expand.
"Excuse me," Fang Xuan said before turning and walking toward the entrance.
He left Lu Mingxuan behind with his unfinished words.
A youth behind Lu Mingxuan seemed a bit indignant and muttered in a low voice, "Why is Senior Brother Lu being so polite to him? He’s just a bit talented, but this is too arrogant. He left without even a proper goodbye..."
"Shut up." Lu Mingxuan didn't even turn his head, but his voice turned cold.
"He is not someone you can provoke."
.......
A seventeen-year-old middle-stage Void Core... what his father said was true.
This was a true genius... and only someone of this level was worthy of becoming his stepping stone to go further.
The corners of his mouth hooked up slightly as his figure also quickly disappeared onto the altar...
........
On the other side, Fang Xuan had already stepped through the light gate.
To him, things like being the 'first genius' or social interactions with fellow disciples were empty fluff; he couldn't be bothered with them.
After all, he really didn't enjoy the act of sucking up to others.
Besides, someone who appeared humble on the surface might not be the same behind one's back.
This entire Qingyun Sect was filled with villains from top to bottom.
Finding his senior sister, increasing his strength, and dealing with Shen Chen’s death trap were the real priorities.
Of course, if he could complete a few small training tasks along the way to earn some buns, that would be even better...
Rate on N.U.
