Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

“Midnight strikes three, be careful with fire!”

The night watchman struck his bronze gong and clappers as he slowly walked down the streets.

All the gates of Three Origins City were tightly shut, even changing out their guards to deploy more formidable Dingzhou soldiers.

On this night, countless people lay awake unable to sleep.

A storm was coming.

At Intervale Dojo’s practice field, Fang Xi calmly practiced the Primordial True Art.

As for whether Qing Sang and Qing Mu could escape, he wasn’t too concerned. After all, if he was fine, they would be fine as well. If he couldn’t even protect himself, what use were they? And if they tried to capture him and threaten him? He never succumbed to threats.

“Harmony with Heaven and Earth, one with the cosmos?”

During movement training, Fang Xi felt his every strike burst forth from within him, overflowing with vigor. Just a little more, and the power would spew forth from his limbs and bones, transforming into something even more profound!

Whoosh!

At that moment, a figure seemed to emerge directly from the darkness, like a giant python bursting forth, muscles bulging on its arm, claws sharp as blades, veins stark against its skin, and Fang Xi’s assailant launched its attack.

Boom!

Fang Xi appeared to have anticipated this move; he held out his right hand and blocked the sneak attack, unleashing a burst of Primordial True Strength!

Crack!

In the darkness, it was as if lightning had struck, freezing the attacker mid-strike.

In a duel between masters, such a brief opening was more than enough for one side to secure victory or defeat!

Fang Xi brought his left hand’s fingers together, forming a fist, akin to how a mighty spirit god would brandish an axe, ready to cleave mountains apart—but then paused, swinging his fist around, and striking elsewhere.

Bang bang!

The courtyard wall was punched through, and a martial artist emerged: over three meters tall, covered in sinewy muscle, skin the color of black iron. As the man crossed his arms before his chest, he let out a roar like that of a wild beast:

“Secret Technique: Myriad Beasts’ Roar!”

Fang Xi’s changed direction just in time, blocking the man’s path.

The opponent’s expression flickered, and they crossed their arms protectively over their chest.

Immediately after, he let out a pained groan and was sent flying with his arms broken, white bones peeking through the faintly visible cracks, at even greater speed.

Yet during this opening, the shadowy figure who had ambushed Fang Xi leapt away to perch atop the wall, his movements astonishingly agile, though his stature was exceedingly short, like that of a dwarf.

“Ghostweary Fang Leng?” The dwarf’s eyes were emerald green as he emitted a venomous cry. “He’s gonna charge me extra… That intelligence from the prefectural capital is fucking inaccurate—how could they say this guy only has the strength of a third step martial arts master? Didn’t you see how the old lion’s arm got snapped off? This guy is a peak expert in the fourth step! Even saying he’s a half-step zongshi would be more believable!”

“I just knew it. After revealing my identity, I figured there’d be consequences.” Fang Xi withdrew his fist and stood straight, looking around. “Come on out, everyone!”

Whoosh!

Amidst billowing robes, figures emerged one after another.

Beside the dwarf appeared a tall silhouette covered in golden fur, its arms draped limply before its body—the ‘Iron Lion’ who had ambushed Fang Xi earlier!

In addition, standing atop the roof of the house was a woman dressed in a long violet gown, holding a mandarin duck pike in her hand.

A lone figure with silvery hair and a pipe in his mouth slowly walked through the main gate: “Ghostweary…you’ve committed countless offenses against the law, yet you dare to act so brazenly? Why not take one step back and swear never to set foot within Three Origins City’s borders? We old men will withdraw, how about it?”

Though every single assailant was at least a third-step martial artist, possessing steel-like bones, they were still people with families and livelihoods, and thus had no desire to recklessly throw their lives away.

If Fang Leng were only a third-step martial artist, this might be possible; however, the target of their attack far exceeded their expectations, naturally necessitating compromise.

“Haha…this is the imperial court, all bark and no bite!”

Fang Xi shook his head. “However…I must rely on each of you for my final move!”

As he spoke, his body rapidly expanded, bulging muscles swelling beneath his skin as veins snaked like pythons across his flesh. When he uttered his last word, Fang Xi arrived before the old man, a palm as large as a leaf fan coming down over his head.

“Reversing Big Dipper Stars!”

The one-eyed man smoked his pipe, but his movements were incredibly nimble, tapping points along Fang Xi’s meridians with lightning speed.

The pipe pierced the air with a terrifying hiss!

In the next instant, their figures crossed.

Shhhf! Shhhf!

Red dots appeared on Fang Xi’s skin, but his flesh rapidly writhed and healed itself.

The old man stumbled back several steps, coughing incessantly. “Cough…cough… Divine union with strength? As expected of a fourth-step martial scholar… Hurry, he’s gone mad trying to break through to Zongshi via a life-and-death battle. We can’t make it too easy for him—initiate Protocol B immediately and deploy the Dingzhou Army!”

As he spoke, he retreated at top speed.

But Fang Xi was faster still, his footsteps like slithering snakes as he arrived before the one-eyed old man.

“Good nerve!” The violet-robed woman cried out sweetly, and her mandarin duck pike arrived where she had been first, already behind Fang Xi.

The short dwarf and Iron Lion attacked from either side, unleashing incomparably powerful fists upon Fang Xi’s vital points.

It was clear that this was an attack meant to force Fang Xi to defend himself—the old man might have been able to defeat the one-eyed man, but even if he did, being struck by three great martial artists would likely mean death!

“Sssshh!”

Just then, all four heard Fang Xi’s breaths—like those of an ancient giant python, yet also akin to the thousand-year-old spirit turtle—as they filled the courtyard. It seemed as though Fang Xi sucked the very wind and clouds into his lungs, causing his chest to swell high.

“Ha!”

A sudden clap of thunder exploded within the courtyard.

Amidst this rumbling sound, carrying terrifying strength and force, all four were momentarily stunned, save for the old man.

This one narrow gap allowed Fang Xi to press his palm against the top of the old man’s head just before everyone else could react. “Secret Technique: Primordial Limitless!”

Wham!

His palm struck like the inverted Seal of Heaven, crushing down upon the old man as if Mount Tai had descended from above, inch by inch pressing him into the ground until his lower body was a bloody mess—clearly dead.

Only then did Fang Xi turn around, grabbing the violet-clothed woman’s mandarin duck pike.

“Die!”

But in the brief moment he’d bought, he could only block the woman’s weapon, leaving him vulnerable to the attacks of both the dwarf and Iron Lion.

Ka-pow!

The blows packed with the true force of a martial zongshi sounded like they were striking a copper bell when they landed on Fang Xi’s body.

“No…what is this?”

The dwarf stumbled backward, staring at its own hands, now covered in bloody holes. A wave of terror washed over it. “Astral Qi?”

Under the moonlight, Fang Xi’s clothing tore away where he’d been struck, revealing pure white skin. Upon that skin floated a faint layer of pale blood-colored true astral energy.

The true astral energy had lasted for only a moment before dissipating—but it was enough to prevent Fang Xi from sustaining severe injury.

“You’ve already broken through to Zongshi?!” The violet-robed woman’s shrill voice pierced through the night sky.

“Just short of…but I’ve found the path,” said Fang Xi with a faint smile, pointing once more.

The violet-clothed woman immediately withdrew her mandarin duck pike and returned to defense, her body shielded by countless crescent-shaped blades of light.

Even so, Fang Xi’s finger could only reach three inches from her forehead before pausing.

But that was enough! A strand of blood-red Astral Qi appeared on Fang Xi’s fingertip, piercing through the violet-clothed woman’s forehead in a flash.

A red dot appeared on the woman’s forehead; her body froze, and her vital energy instantly dissipated.

“Go!”

Iron Lion let out a furious roar as he stepped forward to block Fang Xi’s path.

The dwarf shrieked and turned tail to flee!

Ghostweary was far too terrifying! Not only did this team successfully surround and kill them, they even managed to break through to Zongshi during battle!

“Dingzhou Army orders: flatten this courtyard!”

Escaping from the small training hall, the dwarf looked at the elite Dingzhou Army soldiers arrayed along the streets, especially their bows, and felt somewhat relieved again. Even if one were a Zongshi, they would surely perish under the combined attacks of such a force!

Surrounded by the Dingzhou Army’s martial force, encircled with bows and crossbows, and under the pressure of skilled fighters, anyone would die!

The dwarf fled into the midst of the army, gasping for breath as sorrow washed over him once more—Iron Lion must have died at the hands of that vicious man while trying to buy him time to escape.

“Form the Wind Elephant Formation! Forward!” A military officer bearing golden armor on his left shoulder immediately relayed orders from atop the formation.

Wave after wave of soldiers surged forward, surrounding the entire dojo.

“Prepare your bows…fire!”

A series of whistles sounded as arrows shot forth from within the courtyard.

“By chance, a godly dart flies like dice, shattering the highest peak of Zhong Nan Mountain!”

A figure stepped out from the yard, a black iron shield floating beside them, holding a slender golden sword, their voice melodious.

In the next moment, a flash of swordlight flew from their hand, slicing through the armored soldiers like they were mere paper. With one swing, the dwarf and the elite officer disappeared beneath the light, never to be seen again.

The Dingzhou Army stared blankly at this scene, then let out terrified cries when the person finally departed. “Officer…the officer is dead!”

In the distant darkness, Fang Xi returned the Golden Flood Dragon Sword, feeling the majority of his remaining spiritual energy dissipate. He could only smile wryly. “High-grade magical artifacts should still be used only by those in Late Stage Qi Refinement; forcing use beyond one’s capabilities consumes too much energy…”

“Ah well, since I’ve already broken through, I can finally return home.”

With a flicker, the figure vanished without a trace.

Under the same night sky…

Wham!

Qing Mu’s A-Dai threw another punch, sending yet another cultivator flying.

Qing Sang hid behind Qing Mu, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth.

Ever since they arrived at this new world, they had been under constant attack by mysterious assailants, and now they were forced to the brink of despair!

But just as the situation seemed direst, a brilliant burst of fireworks exploded over the Outer City. The besiegers suddenly retreated.

As Qing Mu and Qing Sang exchanged puzzled glances, a carriage sped down the official road, and a kindly old gentleman emerged.

Seeing Qing Mu and his companion, he promptly smiled. “Young heroes…this elder is a representative of the provincial officials and local aristocracy. Rest assured, no one will harm you from here on out…”