Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

“A-Dai truly possesses extraordinary talent, to have mastered even my secret technique from the Primordial True Art!”

Fang Xi was delighted within his heart.

If A-Dai could already unleash this secret technique, it meant that he would have no problem cultivating future True Forces. The Primordial True Art had been thoroughly revised, and now it was a formidable martial art known as “Unbreakable.”

In contrast, Dojo Master Zhao, who sat nearby, had absolutely no idea what joy filled Fang Xi’s heart. His ass twitched slightly, moving away to keep distance between them.

As for the marriage proposal earlier? That must’ve been him having a seizure, spouting nonsense! This Intervale Dojo was home to lunatics both master and disciple—keeping one’s distance seemed prudent indeed!

“Insolent! You dare to kill my Zhong’er? Give me your life!”

Inside the private booth, Ximen He had been smiling as he watched the match from his seat, but upon seeing his son’s back explode and his organs spill out, his face first filled with disbelief, then exploded with fury.

With a furious roar, he smashed through the window, descending from above like a god of war, and struck out with his palm.

Qing Mu raised both arms high, using a posture similar to that of the legendary King of Qin lifting a heavy weight to block the attack head-on.

Bang!

He staggered backward seven steps, leaving deep footprints on the arena floor with each one, before his cheeks flushed red and he coughed up a mouthful of blood. “True strength?! How dare you kill my son—give me your life to pay for it! Not just you, your family, your teachers…everyone must die!”

Ximen He’s rage burned hot; he was already a martial artist by cultivation, and being unable to defeat Qing Mu with a single strike only fanned the flames of his fury. With another enraged shout, he unleashed two palms simultaneously, unleashing True Force like crashing waves.

Crack!

In the next moment, there was a flash of movement. Fang Xi had appeared beside Qing Mu, grabbing Ximen He’s wrist with his right hand. “You’re trying to kill me? I can’t pretend not to hear such words!”

“Hm?” Ximen He stared at Fang Xi in disbelief, feeling as if his years of painstakingly cultivated True Force had encountered an iron wall he could not break through no matter how he tried.

“A martial artist? How is that possible?”

Most dojos only taught third-rate martial arts; True Force cultivation was considered the limit! Only large, prestigious dojos like Fierce Wind Dojo offered second-rate training, which could help cultivators surpass the martial artist rank and cultivate True Force!

But weren’t all Intervale Dojo’s facilities dilapidated? How could they possibly…?

Before Ximen He could fully process this thought, he saw the smile on Fang Xi’s face gradually turn colder.

Crack!

Fang Xi forcefully crushed Ximen He’s wrist bone with a snap, then kicked out with his other foot to land squarely on Ximen He’s chest.

“Ugh!”

Ximen He’s chest caved in, blood mixed with viscera spraying from his mouth as his body flew off the arena floor and landed next to his son.

“Heyer?” A furious roar echoed from the VIP booth.

Old Gentleman Ximen looked at his dead son and grandson… His hand clenched so tightly around his pipe that it broke, his eyes flashing with a fury that could consume all in its path.

“Damn it!”

The martial arts master watching from below the arena felt cold sweat bead on his forehead as he took in those two corpses lying side by side.

“What happened? How did things suddenly turn out like this?”

Zhang Mingding was stunned.

“It was Ximen Zhong who made the first move, but he ended up being killed in retaliation… Ximen He couldn’t bear to let him get away with bullying, yet even he met a violent end… It seems they truly encountered someone formidable.”

Mu Canglong exhaled slowly. “But sometimes—no, most of the time—the Fierce Wind Dojo doesn’t play by the rules!”

“This young man has cultivated to become a martial artist, and Intervale Dojo actually carries on the legacy of such a master?”

“Uh-oh, Old Gentleman Ximen used to be the Martial Union’s top fighter; his cultivation base is already at the steel-boned level…”

“Heh, finally some good entertainment.”

The expressions of the spectators below varied greatly.

“Ximen old man, what are you yelping about?”

Facing Old Gentleman Ximen’s murderous gaze, Fang Xi merely scratched his ear. “Once they step onto this arena floor and sign that death certificate, no one can blame anyone else if they get beaten to death. Your son violated the rules by bullying someone smaller than him; getting beaten to death is actually quite lenient for him. I haven’t even settled accounts with you yet!”

“Hmph!”

Old Gentleman Ximen clenched his fists, seemingly ready to attack at any moment—but he never did jump onto the arena floor.

The young were quick on their feet, after all!

He was already old, and moreover, his eyesight was keen as ever. Despite being a third-step martial arts master with a steel-like body, this young fighter could easily beat his son to death, which meant that his cultivation base must be at least second step.

In a life-and-death battle, Old Gentleman Ximen had little confidence in victory.

Although martial artists could suppress blood qi to maintain physical function, age…had taken its toll on his heart.

This was his greatest weakness!

On top of that, Old Gentleman Ximen harbored another worry within himself.

Worst-case scenario…if this opponent was a master of the third step, then he absolutely could not afford to make a move today.

Otherwise, the entire Fierce Wind Dojo would be forfeit!

Fortunately, despite his age, the man had long since honed himself into a state of expertise—and thus had long since prepared for every contingency!

“Please, Young Master Qian, look at these two villains,” he said as he bowed before them. “They bullied this old man, who is weak and frail, and brutally beat him until they killed both his son and grandson…”

In an instant, tears welled up in his eyes, and he begged, “Please bring justice on behalf of this elder!”

Beside Old Gentleman Ximen stood a young man dressed in fine clothes, whose presence must have gone unnoticed by everyone else. He wore an jade crown atop his head, and his robes were embroidered with gold coins along the hem, while his smile was gentle, his eyes deep, and his bearing lofty, giving off the air of a descendant of a noble family.

The sight of those golden coins made each of the other dojo masters’ expressions shift. “It’s the Qian Family!”

“The Qian Clan is one of the four great families—could it possibly reach its hand into our world of martial arts?”

“This Intervale Dojo is in trouble…”

“I am Qian Qiming! I have been invited to partake in this grand event.”

Qian Qiming’s smile was warm and genuine, devoid of any pretentiousness; his mannerisms were like a gentle spring breeze, putting everyone at ease. “It truly is unfortunate that two such skilled fighters should meet their demise…”

“What? Are you here for Fierce Wind Dojo?”

Fang Xi scoffed coldly, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

The smile on Qian Qiming’s face froze slightly—the man standing before him certainly didn’t play by the rules.

Or perhaps he was simply too direct!

How could someone rip off the band-aid like this, without a hint of fear for his own family legacy?

After a pause, Qian Qiming’s smile also turned frosty. “This humble servant is indeed unskilled, but it just so happens that I hold the position of judicial magistrate within the prefectural capital. This esteemed brother has engaged in mortal combat with one of my disciples, and according to reason, you ought to pay a visit to the official residence…”

In matters concerning life-and-death decrees, the principle was that unless civilians brought them up, officials would not pursue them. Were they to insist on being strict about these terms, it would be illegal! Qian Qiming was no fool—he knew how to leverage the power of the government against his opponent.

Of all the masters present, who dared defy the officials?

That was the irresistible tide of fate—no matter how powerful your martial prowess, if you were deemed guilty, you would be arrested and imprisoned, helpless to defend yourself.

Qian Qiming had seen many proud and unruly martial artists in his time.

But how did it end up going for him?

“Ah…what a pity,” Mu Canglong sighed quietly to himself; he felt that this Fang Leng would not have a good end.

“Officials, I’m so afraid!” Qian Qiming scoffed coldly, finally realizing what he truly desired at this moment. “Young Master Qian, do you know that stepping out with your left foot first is deeply offensive?”

“What are you talking about?” Qian Qiming frowned, but the expression on his face quickly changed from one of mirth to sorrow as his personal attendant whispered urgently into his ear.

Qian Qiming’s legs immediately went weak, and his smile turned into a pained expression, looking quite comical. “Dare…dare me to ask, sir…what kind of relationship…do you share with that…individual?”

“I am Fang Leng, who once walked the jianghu. The people of Three Origins City spared my life and bestowed upon me the nickname Ghostweary.”

Fang Xi sneered.

“Ghostweary!”

“So it was him?!”

A name lives on like a tree casts its shadow! In an instant, Tailwind Hall fell silent.

Why had the Huang Family, one of the four great clans, been annihilated back then? Wasn’t it because they angered this man? And now, the Qian Clan had done the same?

Qian Qiming’s complexion was stark white, as if he might faint at any moment.

“Ghostweary… Fang Leng?”

Old Gentleman Ximen felt his heart twist painfully, as if he had swallowed several kilograms of bitter medicine.

Why would you, Ding Province’s most infamous demon, open a martial arts school here for no reason? Are you just here to scam people?

In the next instant, Fang Xi had already reached him, standing almost nose-to-nose.

“Aah!”

Before Old Gentleman Ximen could activate his True Strength, he found himself suddenly devoid of energy, his body growing cold and cold…

As Ghostweary killed the Martial Union’s former number one expert with a single strike, the old servant behind Qian Qiming drew his weapon, a fierce gleam flashing through his eyes.

Klang!

A flash of white light followed.

“Ah!” Qian Qiming screamed, blood spraying from his left leg, which was now missing its lower half.

“Do you find this satisfactory, distinguished gentleman?” The old servant bowed deeply, asking with utmost humility.

As members of highborn families, they enjoyed the glory afforded by their status all the time—but during times of crisis, they must also be prepared to sacrifice themselves for the sake of their clans!

“Hahaha… The Qian Family is far more sensible than the Huangs; get lost!”

Fang Xi waved his hand.

“Disciple, let us leave!”

With that, he vanished from Tailwind Hall, appearing beside Qing Sang and Qing Mu before stepping out ahead of them.

The entire hall of martial masters fell silent.

“Master, you really…are Ghostweary, who destroyed the Huang Clan?”

On their journey, Qing Mu remained silent and absentminded.

In contrast, Qing Sang’s face was full of disbelief.

“Who is spreading these rumors? This master did not destroy the Huang Clan. I merely killed a few people and stole a handful of swords,” Fang Xi said as they walked.

Before long, they arrived at Intervale Dojo.

“But… Master, why must you break this peaceful life to admit that you are Ghostweary?” Qing Sang suddenly asked another question.

“Because your actions have given me an example… People should still confront their own hearts.”

Fang Xi laughed heartily. “This master seeks unrestrained freedom, so why hide? Tonight…you all leave first—yes, take Sun Hongdie’s family next door with you.”

Although the Qian Family had appeared to yield on the surface, it was unlikely that past events would be settled so easily. There would certainly be a great battle tonight! It wouldn’t do for any innocent flowers or grasses to get caught in the crossfire.

Fang Xi’s mind was brimming with excitement; he felt like his True Force was about to burst through his body. Naturally, he couldn’t pass up such an opportunity. And moreover, embracing one’s true self and acting without restraint wasn’t necessarily suicidal.

If he truly couldn’t defeat them tonight…well, then he’d just flee with the Black Cloud Purse!

As for gaining the title of zongshi, how could his own little life be less important?

This too stemmed from his true heart!