"What are you doing here? You're not his match!"
Zhou Xue said through gritted teeth. In the seven days since her rebirth, besides her adoptive parents, she had developed some affection for Fang Wang and didn't want to see him fall here tonight.
Fang Wang cradled Zhou Xue in one arm and used the Shadowless Step, deftly dodging the golden beams of light. He didn't flee directly but instead maneuvered back and forth in the area.
"I may not be, but are you certain you are now?"
Fang Wang didn't look at Zhou Xue but kept his gaze fixed on the Blue-Robed Daoist, calmly responding.
Zhou Xue fell silent, unable to respond.
At that moment, the Blue-Robed Daoist's attack ceased, and Fang Wang landed on a broken wall. Zhou Xue naturally slipped from his arm, maintaining a measured distance from him.
"Is this a spell? The bottom tier of the Cultivation World is this strong? You didn't deceive me?"
Fang Wang asked in a low voice, staring at the Blue-Robed Daoist.
The killing power of those golden beams was terrifying. While dodging, Fang Wang felt an unprecedented sense of danger and stayed highly alert, not daring to be careless.
Zhou Xue took a deep breath and said, "His realm is indeed the lowest in the Cultivation World, but wielding two magic artifacts makes him a first-rate expert within his realm. However, with his Spiritual Power, he can't continuously use the kind of attack you just saw."
Fang Wang immediately grasped the situation.
As the high and mighty Blue-Robed Daoist descended, it became clear that standing in the air, though impressive, was quite draining.
"Who are you?"
The Blue-Robed Daoist stared intently at Fang Wang and asked in a deep voice.
Fang Wang's swordplay was unlike any martial arts expert the Blue-Robed Daoist had encountered, even surpassing most Cultivators in the Qi Cultivation Realm. Though he couldn't discern Fang Wang's identity, Zhou Xue's poison confirmed she was a Cultivator.
Fang Wang raised his sword and said, "Shouldn't one introduce oneself first before inquiring about others' identities?"
The Blue-Robed Daoist, hearing this, showed a cold smile and said, "Then let me see what makes you dare to resist!"
He suddenly charged towards Fang Wang and Zhou Xue, his speed much faster than the black-clothed persons from before.
Fang Wang didn't retreat but advanced instead, bringing his sword down on the Blue-Robed Daoist.
The two moved rapidly, and in the blink of an eye, they were within seven steps of each other. Fang Wang swung his sword, while the Blue-Robed Daoist tilted his body and waved his horsetail whisk.
So fast!
Both thought this simultaneously. Fang Wang was amazed at the cultivator's quick reactions, while the Blue-Robed Daoist was astonished by Fang Wang's footwork. What level of Qi Cultivation Realm is this young man at?
Each avoided the other's techniques in a fierce and swift duel, stirring up dust and stones in the courtyard. In a short time, neither could injure the other.
Seeing Fang Wang and the Blue-Robed Daoist fighting evenly, Zhou Xue was deeply moved, realizing she had underestimated this young man.
"Such strength. He could match cultivators at the seventh or eighth level of Qi Cultivation Realm, yet he is merely a warrior. Could it be that he has reached the mythical realms of martial arts?"
Zhou Xue was secretly shocked, recognizing Fang Wang's age.
To be so powerful at sixteen...
Such comprehension and talent were extraordinary!
Though martial arts and cultivation paths are different, similarities exist, and a prodigy in martial arts is not too lacking in talent for cultivation, especially in comprehension.
Zhou Xue's appreciation for Fang Wang grew, and some of the Fang Residence's top experts quickly arrived. Seeing the battle between Fang Wang and the Blue-Robed Daoist, they instinctively stopped in their tracks.
Fang Wang, clad in white, moved like a specter with his sword gleaming coldly under the night sky, while the Blue-Robed Daoist, like a crane, seemed slower but always managed to evade Fang Wang's attacks with ease.
The Blue-Robed Daoist striked Fang Wang's treasured sword with his horsetail whisk and sent him sprawling backward with a tremendous force.
"Without a trace of Spiritual Power, you are merely skilled in martial arts and specialize in techniques." the Blue-Robed Daoist said coldly.
Fang Wang hadn't employed True Qi but relied solely on his swordsmanship and footwork. This was his first time battling with such intensity, with his body and mind fully engaged.
He had underestimated Cultivators, assuming they spent most of their time in meditation and might have weaker physical attributes compared to warriors. Now, after exchanging blows, he had gained some understanding of the Blue-Robed Daoist's strength.
The Blue-Robed Daoist raised his left hand, and the Yellow Talisman released streaks of golden light towards Fang Wang, who immediately dodged.
More top experts from the Fang Residence arrived, including the previously injured Fang Hanyu.
They were all shocked by the Blue-Robed Daoist's magic artifacts and, witnessing the Yellow Talisman's effects up close, their fear intensified.
"Sorcerer..."
A middle-aged manservant holding a long stick said with a trembling voice.
Fang Hanyu wanted to support Fang Wang but was stopped by his father, Fang Zhe. With a solemn look, Fang Zhe said, "You can't participate in their battle."
Fang Zhe was overwhelmed. Despite his extensive travels and encounters with many great sects, he had never seen such malevolent arts. He recalled a legend about cultivators living deep in the mountains and sacred peaks, creators of the martial arts practiced by ordinary people.
Fang Hanyu watched as Fang Wang dodged the golden beams, his footwork and posture evoking a mix of admiration and reluctance.
Since childhood, he had admired his younger cousin for his vast knowledge and extraordinary talent. Even after years of training away from home, he often thought of Fang Wang and felt he would become exceptional. He had never imagined Fang Wang would reach such a remarkable level in martial arts.
What troubled him was not Fang Wang's superiority but his own inability to assist.
Fang Wang continued evading the golden beams, closing in on the Blue-Robed Daoist. Despite realizing that the Yellow Talisman could not harm Fang Wang, the Blue-Robed Daoist maintained his stern expression.
When Fang Wang was within eight steps of the Blue-Robed Daoist, he threw his treasured sword with such force that it nearly pierced the Blue-Robed Daoist. However, the sword was deflected with a clang.
A flash of yellow light appeared before Fang Wang's eyes. He saw that the Blue-Robed Daoist's body was enveloped in a golden glow, resembling light armor that deflected his sword.
The edge of a yellow talisman at the Blue-Robed Daoist's chest burned brightly, covering his entire body.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh...
Six silver darts whizzed past Fang Wang's ears, flying straight toward the Blue-Robed Daoist. This time, the Blue-Robed Daoist dodged with a swift movement.
Before touching the ground, he rapidly cast a spell, his horsetail whisk stirring up, creating snake-like bolts of lightning that relentlessly struck toward Fang Wang.
Fang Wang leaped to dodge as the lightning bolts shattered the silver darts and crashed into the ground with incredible destructive power.
He turned to see Zhou Xue joining the battle, confronting the Blue-Robed Daoist up close with a dagger. Her agile movements made it difficult for the Blue-Robed Daoist to shake her off.
"She has such skill after being reborn for just seven days..." Fang Wang was secretly astonished.
Before her rebirth, Zhou Xue was just a frail woman confined to her home. Now her skills surpassed those of ordinary top-notch experts.
Could it be that Zhou Xue, like him, had secretly trained in martial arts from a young age?
The Blue-Robed Daoist unleashed his lightning spell again. Due to their proximity, Zhou Xue, whose agility did not match Fang Wang's, was hit in the back while dodging, blood spurting out. Then, with a wave of her sleeve, a puff of light green powder spread out, instantly enveloping the Blue-Robed Daoist.
As Zhou Xue hit the ground, she immediately looked to Fang Wang.
Understanding her intention, Fang Wang executed the Shadowless Step and rapidly advanced. He raised his palm and struck forward, his surging True Qi carrying a dragon's roar, releasing a dragon-shaped True Qi with immense force that collided with the Blue-Robed Daoist, sending him flying. The Blue-Robed Daoist was flung like a broken kite, soaring tens of meters before crashing into the ruins.
"Is that... the True Dragon Palm that once made a formidable name for itself in the martial world?" Fang Zhe's eyes widened in incredulous exclamation, while Fang Hanyu beside him was equally moved.
The True Dragon Palm was not an exceedingly rare technique, easily obtainable for those willing to spend money, yet it was extremely difficult to master. In today's martial world, no one could cultivate the True Dragon Palm to Great Completion.
Fang Wang withdrew his palm and swiftly moved to Zhou Xue's side. Below her, a pool of blood formed, a sight most tragic.
Without waiting for Fang Wang to speak, Zhou Xue propped up her upper body and pulled out a small paper packet from her embrace, her voice trembling, "A martial artist's True Qi can't kill him. Use my specially made poison, sprinkle it on his wounds, and it can continuously dissipate the Spiritual Power within his body..."
Fang Wang didn't take the poison but instead asked, "If it can't kill him, can it injure him?"
Zhou Xue frowned and replied, "Of course it can. He is merely a cultivator from the Qi Cultivation Realm. It's just that, right now, it's very difficult for me..."
Boom!
Before she could finish, a deafening roar came from behind, followed by a rampaging wind.
Fang Wang squinted towards the noise, and Zhou Xue also turned her head, only to see rolling black qi emerging from the ruins while a black flag ascended, surrounded by floating debris like rocks and splinters, with the vague shapes of ghostly souls.
As the black flag soared into the sky, the Blue-Robed Daoist staggeringly rose to his feet. His hair was disheveled, his clothes torn to shreds, and he was covered in blood, looking utterly ragged. His wounds wept black blood and showed no sign of stopping. His gaze fixated on Fang Wang as he shouted angrily, "Mortal, how dare you injure me!"
After being struck by the True Dragon Palm, he had fully confirmed that Fang Wang was not a cultivator but just a warrior after all!
The fact that he was injured by a warrior filled the Blue-Robed Daoist with great shame. Burning with rage, he took a step forward, the black flag above him following closely. Waves of ghostly wails filled the air, plunging the Fang Residence into a night of terror.
"That's the Infernal Soul Flag. You must not come into contact with its Ghost Qi, or it will seize your mind and soul, leaving you at its mercy!" Zhou Xue gritted her teeth and spoke urgently, also racking her brain for a strategy.
"And you, you venomous girl, what poison did you sprinkle on me? I shall repay it a hundredfold!" The Blue-Robed Daoist, eyes filled with viciousness, glared at Zhou Xue. His body trembled with poison blood oozing from his wounds, evidently enduring pain beyond ordinary imagination.
Fang Wang watched as the Blue-Robed Daoist's unsteady gait became more pronounced and his expression grew exceedingly dangerous. He slowly raised his right hand.
"If you can be injured by a mortal, it proves you are nothing but a mortal yourself."
Fang Wang jeered, his voice ringing out clearly and fueling the killing intent in the Blue-Robed Daoist's eyes.
The Blue-Robed Daoist said icily, "I won't let you die so easily. I will flay your skin, draw your tendons, torment your soul, so that..."
As he spoke, he moved closer to Fang Wang and Zhou Xue. But before he could finish, Fang Wang's right hand suddenly raised his index and middle fingers together, using them as a sword, and pointed at the Blue-Robed Daoist from afar.
The Blue-Robed Daoist wore a mocking smile, but then his pupils suddenly contracted. He instinctively turned his head to see the treasured sword that had been knocked away earlier suddenly shooting up from the ground, turning into a streak of cold light that moved at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye.
The severely injured Blue-Robed Daoist had no time to evade.
Bang —
The treasured sword struck from behind the Blue-Robed Daoist, shattering his skull. The sword light sparkled before flying in front of Fang Wang and hovering in mid-air. It then swiftly turned around, the hilt facing Fang Wang's right hand, as if it were a living entity.
This scene left Zhou Xue stunned, and Fang Wang's kinsmen from a distance watched his treasured sword in awe, all wearing faces as if they'd seen a ghost, completely dumbfounded.
The Fang Residence fell into silence!