"Haha... They say you don't truly know someone until you've fought them. Come, let's have a drink!"
On the peak of Thunder Extreme Peak,
After defeating Yan Jun, Fang Xi immediately arranged a banquet hosted by Linghu Mountain.
He raised his wine cup like nothing had happened and toasted Yan Jun, who still had bandages around his chest, "Come, Old Master Yan, have another drink!"
Yan Jun's mouth was filled with bitterness, but he didn't dare offend this young and talented powerhouse. He raised his cup and took a sip.
"That's more like it, we're all on the same side." Fang Xi laughed and then asked Zhou Tong, "I joined the Grandmaster Association naturally for the realm above the Grandmaster. I wonder how far we've progressed in our studies?"
"We've gained some insights..." Zhou Tong's expression turned serious.
The Grandmaster Association was originally an organization established by a group of grandmasters to break through. If others knew about a genius like Fang Leng, a talented and powerful grandmaster, they would surely share their knowledge.
Everything was for finding the path forward!
"I'd like to hear more about it." Fang Xi put down his wine cup and listened attentively.
"In fact... the Martial Saint has reached the pinnacle of martial arts." Zhou Tong organized his words and continued, "Our association collects various top-notch martial arts, supplements each other's strengths, and ultimately creates several top-notch supreme skills known as the 'Seven Supreme Martial Arts.' We then seek out talented disciples to cultivate from a young age, ultimately covering their bodies with true energy, reaching the state of 'Qi Permeating the Body'..."
"If true energy can cover the entire body, that's already impressive." Fang Xi pondered.
Grandmaster's true energy was limited, like the one he and Linghu Mountain used only in critical moments to block attacks, like a part of their armor.
If true energy could fill the entire body and be continuously released, it would be like wearing full-body armor, with defense capabilities beyond comparison.
"Is reaching the state of 'Qi Permeating the Body' the pinnacle of a Martial Saint?" Fang Xi muttered to himself.
"Perhaps, perhaps not... the leader once speculated that after 'Qi Permeating the Body,' it would be 'True Energy Manifestation'!" Yan Jun added, "Unfortunately... no grandmaster in the association has been able to achieve what is known as True Energy Manifestation. After all, the human body's blood and energy are limited, no matter how talented or powerful one is, even with the consumption of rare treasures, it's difficult to make true energy dense enough to manifest..."
"That's a pity..." Fang Xi pursed his lips, thinking about whether he could buy second-tier elixirs that enhance blood and energy in the cultivation world.
Perhaps when he reached the state of 'Qi Permeating the Body,' he could achieve 'True Energy Manifestation'?
"In fact, True Energy Manifestation is just one path." Zhou Tong said, "Currently, the association is divided into two factions. One advocates digging deeper into the potential of true energy to ultimately break through... while the other studies various secret techniques and advocates learning magic!"
Thinking of the demonic techniques at Yuanhe Mountain, Fang Xi nodded, "Having the ability of magic could indeed be considered a breakthrough for a grandmaster."
"It's not that simple. Many experiments within the association have all ended in failure... the power of magic is too terrifying. Even grandmasters can only resist for a limited time compared to ordinary people."
Zhou Tong sighed, "The study of magic within the association mainly relies on simulating one's own blood and energy to form various secret techniques... Those who truly implant magic into themselves are a rare few!"
"Studying magical secret techniques?" Fang Xi became interested, "Any results?"
Zhou Tong and Yan Jun exchanged glances, and Zhou Tong stepped forward, "Allow me to demonstrate!"
With a loud shout, black patterns suddenly appeared on his body.
"Spell seal?" Fang Xi's pupils constricted, then shook his head, "Seems like it, but the foundation is still based on simulating blood and energy!"
"We have researched several secret techniques within the association that can be simulated at the micro-level of a grandmaster's blood and energy. This one here is called the 'Return to Origin Technique'!" Zhou Tong's voice resonated as he suddenly picked up a dagger and made a cut on his arm.
After removing the true energy defense, a blood mark appeared on his hand.
But soon, the blood mark quickly healed.
The black patterns on Zhou Tong's body dissipated, and he sat back down, "This Return to Origin Technique can stimulate blood and energy, accelerating the body's recovery... as long as it's not a fatal blow to the head, even severed limbs can be reattached."
"Great technique!" Fang Xi's eyes lit up, "I wonder if I could have a look?"
Yan Jun chuckled, "Master Fang is a brother in the association, of course you can, but you must follow the association's rules... Our association is usually lenient, but we regularly issue tasks. As long as Master Fang completes the tasks, you can earn contributions and exchange them for various top-notch skills and secret techniques!"
"I see." Fang Xi felt somewhat disappointed.
However, considering the tradition of masters keeping some skills hidden from their disciples, the fact that the association allowed the exchange of various skills and techniques based on contributions was quite progressive.
Nevertheless, there was still no path above the grandmaster level...
"At least there's a direction. I don't actually need those imagined breakthrough skills... I'll go to the cultivation world to find the inheritance of the Fourfold Body Refinement technique."
He hadn't practiced the body refinement techniques of the cultivation world before due to a lack of spirit stones and insufficient strength.
But times had changed.
"However... I might exchange for information on studying magical techniques and research on magic..." Fang Xi's interest was piqued, and he found himself increasingly engaged in conversation with these two grandmasters.
...
In Three Elements City,
In the Black Market, at the Golden Pavilion,
Han Fatty was happily devouring a golden roasted suckling pig, his mouth dripping with oil.
"You, fatty, sure know how to enjoy life."
Suddenly, a voice sounded beside him, causing Han Fatty to drop the roasted pig in his hand.
He quickly looked towards the source of the voice and saw Fang Xi.
"Ah, Brother Fang..." Han Fatty immediately put on a smile.
This Fang Xi had some mysterious methods. Previously, he had instructed Han Fatty to purchase materials from demonic beasts, and Han Fatty had made a big profit from it, considering him a god of wealth.
Of course, Han Fatty couldn't forget that not long after he mentioned changes in the Martial Alliance, news came that the Ximen family had perished for three generations...
Although rumors said that the Ximen family had bad luck and offended the Grim Reaper, the timing of Grim Reaper's appearances and Fang Xi's methods seemed somewhat similar. Whether they were master and disciple or not, they were definitely in cahoots!
But Han Fatty knew better than to dwell on this matter.
"Fatty Han, looking to rise up?" Fang Xi casually found a seat and teased.
"This... Fatty Han has limited abilities, not sure about rising up?" Han Fatty cautiously asked.
"How about becoming the manager of the Monster Hunting Pavilion?" Fang Xi replied with a smile that seemed to hold a deeper meaning.
With a clatter!
The mountain of meat collapsed, and Han Fatty struggled to get up, his face showing embarrassment, "Brother Fang, please don't joke with Fatty Han. The Monster Hunting Pavilion has the backing of the court, it's not something to be taken lightly... Fatty Han has over a thousand catties of meat here, and I don't want to leave it there."
"Don't worry, nothing will happen..." Fang Xi shook his head.
If Linghu Mountain, just an old grandmaster, dared to raise five hundred Wind Thunder Soldiers, he naturally had no qualms about reaching out to the Monster Hunting Pavilion...
Fortunately, the Grandmaster Association was not entirely useless, with Yan Jun seemingly having a background with the court.
After discussing this matter, Fang Xi immediately promised to handle it well.
After all, it was just a matter of inserting a person into the Monster Hunting Pavilion.
Even if that person was the manager!
Fang Xi simply wanted to have another source of materials from demonic beasts.
In reality, these martial artists and martial masters could only handle mid-grade first-tier demonic beasts. Dealing with high-grade Demon Kings was beyond their capabilities.
The Eight Great Demon Kings of Dingzhou, no, the Seven Great Demon Kings, still required Fang Xi to personally take action.
"Thanks to Brother Fang's trust, Fatty Han will become the manager!" After some consideration, Han Fatty finally agreed.
"Excellent!" Fang Xi laughed heartily and strode out.
...
At the White Cloud Martial Hall,
On this day, sudden cries were heard.
White lanterns and funeral couplets were hung at the entrance.
Many disciples of the martial hall were dressed in mourning clothes, their expressions solemn.
In the center of the martial hall, a memorial hall was set up, with a tablet bearing the name Mu Canglong.
This person had been poisoned in Blackstone City years ago. Although he had managed to survive with the help of elixirs, there were limits, and now he had finally passed away.
Mu Miaomiao seemed like a puppet without a soul, staring blankly at everything, while Zhang Mingding and Tang Xuan were busy handling the affairs.
The entire martial hall was filled with a somber atmosphere.
Fang Xi stood outside the martial hall, silently paid his respects, then turned and left.
"I am not a sentimental person, I only wish for a carefree life..."
...
In a certain martial hall,
"When do you think... Master will return?"
Qing Sang played with a white jade ruyi in his hand. The jade ruyi was warm and embedded with three night pearls, a priceless treasure.
But at this moment, he found it unsatisfactory for scratching an itch and casually threw it back into the box.
In the nearby boxes, there were piles of gold and silver, with precious gems almost overflowing.
These were all 'apologies' from the wealthy families in the city!
"I don't know..." Qing Mu still had a dull expression.
"Sigh... It's useless to tell you... Let me tell you, when Master broke through the encirclement that night, defeated four great martial masters with his fists, and finally killed with a flying sword, capturing the head of the chief general in the midst of a thousand troops, he frightened the powerful families in the city. Otherwise, how could we lie comfortably here?"
Qing Sang's face showed excitement, "I wonder where Master is now, will he come back to pass on our divine skills..."
Flying on a sword like an immortal, he also wanted that!
Qing Sang believed his loyalty was being tested, and now he hoped to serve his master well and be taught the art of flying on a sword!
"Cough... Forget about the divine skills, I practice the True Yuan Technique!" Fang Xi coughed and suddenly appeared in the martial hall.
"Master!" Qing Sang and Ah Dai called out in unison.
"Mm!" Fang Xi looked at Qing Sang, then at Ah Dai, and said, "Starting today, this martial hall will be passed on to you, Qing Sang..."
To be honest, this martial hall was just a house with some reputation, and Fang Xi had never paid much attention to it.
"Master... I don't want to inherit the martial hall. I want to stay by your side, serving you diligently!" Qing Sang knelt on the ground and declared loudly.
He also wanted to become a grandmaster in the future, dominating the martial world!
A man should be like this!
"This is not up for discussion!" Fang Xi waved his hand.
After dealing with these people and matters, he would focus on the 'Longevity Technique' in the cultivation world of the Southern Wilderness.
Only by achieving longevity could he accomplish the most important thing!
(End of this chapter)