Chapter 60: The White Flash in the Sky is the Heroic Spirit of the Wang Clan's Previous Generation Genius |
Was Wang Xianzhou slapping Gao Jian?
No, he was slapping Mu Changze in the face!
Strangely enough, even as Wang Xianzhou slapped him relentlessly, the Town Guardian Cultivator, Mu Changze, simply did not appear.
Given his Foundation Establishment stage cultivation base and his status as a disciple of a Purple Palace sect, Wang Xianzhou would have been doomed if he had intervened.
Clear Stream Market operated under the banner of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect. By violating the market's rules, Wang Xianzhou was actively challenging the sect's order.
This was not an exaggeration.
For example, Wang Xianzhou violating the rules was just like the Wang Clan gaining leverage over the Che Clan. Once placed on the scale, whether it weighed hundreds or thousands of kilograms was entirely up to the one doing the weighing.
If Mu Changze had the slightest intention of punishing him, Wang Xianzhou would lose a layer of skin even if he managed to survive!
Yet, even with Clear Stream Market in an uproar over Wang Xianzhou's domineering display, Mu Changze still did not show himself.
"Clan Uncle Xianzhou, what are you doing?" Wang Rongsheng was somewhat dumbfounded.
He looked at Gao Jian, who lay there like a dead dog, and then up at Wang Xianzhou in the sky, panicking internally.
Wang Xianzhou stowed his flying chariot. Stepping on the air, he walked down from the sky step by step.
The unassisted flight of a Foundation Establishment cultivator!
Many rogue cultivators watching the commotion did not realize this was a spell. Assuming Wang Xianzhou was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, they hurriedly called out to him as a senior, terrified of being targeted by this overbearing expert for showing disrespect.
"Just playing a little joke with Xiao Gao, no need to worry. Where are Yulou and Yu'an?"
Wang Xianzhou was truly domineering. Mu Changze was clearly sitting right there in the Prefecture Cultivator's Manor, yet Wang Xianzhou gave the Town Guardian Cultivator absolutely no face. Amplifying his voice with spiritual energy, he let it echo throughout Clear Stream Market.
"Go on, this clan uncle of yours is far from ordinary,"
Hongmei said sourly, feeling a bitter pang in his heart.
"Old Ancestor, what is the meaning of this?"
Yulou trotted over to Wang Xianzhou. Looking at the tightly packed crowd and Gao Jian on the ground, he was momentarily bewildered.
"Haha, just playing a little joke with Xiao Gao.
"Let's go. You've been in Clear Stream Market for three years; today, I'm taking you home.
"By the way, has anyone in Clear Stream Market bullied you?"
In Wang Xianzhou's eyes, he really was just playing a small joke on the half-dead Gao Jian.
Since Gao Jian had no objections, the others naturally dared not have any either.
Those with any sense had already figured it out—the Town Guardian Cultivator had not made a single peep this entire time!
When Gao Jian's lackeys heard Wang Xianzhou's words, their legs trembled in fear.
They had never bullied Yulou and his brother, but they were still terrified.
Calling Gao Jian 'Xiao Gao', hailing from the Wang Clan, and casually disregarding the Town Guardian Cultivator's face...
This person was undoubtedly the Wang Clan's legendary god of slaughter, Wang Xianzhou.
"Naturally, no one bullies us, Old Ancestor. We strictly observe the clan rules and only treat others with kindness,"
Yulou replied obediently, not nervous in the slightest. Of course he was familiar with his family's Old Ancestor Xianzhou.
Famous as a young genius, he had become a major sect's disciple after reaching the Qi Refining stage. He had passed the magical combat selections to become an Immortal Alliance Emissary, and during his tenure, he had slain two Foundation Establishment cultivators.
If his Dao foundation had not been damaged during magical combat, he would have reached Foundation Establishment long ago, and might have even had a chance to open his Purple Palace.
Both Wang Xianhe and Wang Xianzhou had been unable to progress further due to damaging their Dao foundations.
Wang Xianhe had passed away prematurely after reaching Foundation Establishment, while Wang Xianzhou was trapped in the Qi Refining stage for the rest of his life.
Of course, Wang Xianmao had also been a young genius, and Wang Yulou was currently one as well.
The Wang Clan never lacked geniuses because they understood how to cultivate their descendants. Those laughable yet admirable clan rules had step by step refined Yu'an from being impulsive to being steady.
Under the Wang Clan's grooming, a seven-out-of-ten talent had the chance to become a ten-out-of-ten genius.
A five-out-of-ten mediocrity, such as Wang Rongsheng or Chen Luwan, Yu'an's mother, could also exhibit the effectiveness of a seven-out-of-ten talent.
The regrets of those two senior clan members were the necessary price the Wang Clan had to pay to survive and develop in this cruel cultivation world.
Such a price seemed like it could be avoided, but in truth, it was inevitable.
Without Wang Xianhe, Wang Xianmao might have been the price.
Without Wang Xianzhou, the price might have been yet another son of the Wang Clan.
After all, wherever there were people and interests, there would never be a lack of struggle.
Upon hearing Yulou's answer, Wang Xianzhou did not comment, but instead swept his gaze over the circle of cultivators surrounding him.
Everyone who met his eyes lowered their heads in submission.
"Hahaha, good. Let's go then."
As he spoke, he gave Gao Jian a kick and scolded with a laugh.
"Xiao Gao, stop playing dead. I'm not going to kill you!"
Sitting in Wang Xianzhou's flying chariot, Yu'an's face was a bit flushed.
Old Ancestor Xianzhou's show of dominance really resonated with him. To be a cultivator meant becoming an existence just like Old Ancestor Xianzhou!
Yulou, on the other hand, was very calm. He knew that the Patriarch had already received his letter.
In the end, Xiao Gao did not get up. Wang Xianzhou nodded to Wang Rongsheng, cast a glance toward the Prefecture Cultivator's Manor, and then drove the flying chariot away.
His Mirror-Silver Orchidwood Flying Chariot was a high-grade magical artifact. It possessed an inherent spiritual light that interfered with divine sense. Once activated, it was incredibly fast and fierce, making it a top-tier high-grade magical artifact capable of breaking through formations.
Looking at the brilliant spiritual light in the sky, Wang Rongsheng smiled helplessly.
He stepped forward to help Gao Jian up and opened his mouth to speak, but Gao Jian walked away without even looking back.
Humiliating!
Too humiliating!
How could he be humiliated like this!
Despite both being at the Peak Qi Condensation realm, Wang Xianzhou had dealt with him as easily as slaughtering a chicken.
The fact that Gao Jian didn't cry showed he was already very strong-willed.
Meanwhile, over at the Prefecture Cultivator's Manor.
Mu Changze was savoring tea with his daughter.
The Gu Family was very tactful; they had sent over some new eighth-grade tea.
"Father, is the Wang Clan probing us?"
The young girl reached out her jade-like hand and gently lifted the purple clay teapot. The pristine Clear Stream spiritual water traced a transparent arc through the air as it poured into the purple clay cups.
As the spiritual water and spiritual tea blended, the clear fragrance of the tea filled the entire room.
"Unlikely. Wang Xianmao wouldn't resort to such probing."
Neither of them felt they had lost any face. Face was something you earned yourself; once earned, it couldn't simply be stripped away just because someone else wanted to.
Moreover, even if the Wang Clan truly intended to slap his face, Mu Changze wouldn't immediately cry out.
They were all people with deep foundations. Tearing off all pretenses would only lead to mutual embarrassment; no one would truly win.
Therefore, turning a blind eye was the best strategy.
"Is this person very special?"
The girl was the same age as Yulou, but since she wasn't a member of the Wang Clan and had cultivated in a grotto-heaven since childhood, she naturally knew nothing about Wang Xianzhou.
Mu Changze set down his teacup and explained.
"Several of his life-and-death brothers from his time serving in the Immortal Alliance have either become Core Disciples of major sects or been promoted to Foundation Establishment Emissaries. All of them are existences with hope of reaching the Purple Palace.
"That is why he isn't afraid of me. Of course, I don't care either. He won't live much longer anyway, so let him run wild!"
No matter how arrogant and domineering Wang Xianzhou was, his era was almost at an end.
Lifespan was an unavoidable destiny bestowed by heaven and earth upon every living creature. Cultivators defied the heavens, bitterly climbing the path of cultivation.
Wang Xianzhou no longer had any possibility of advancing further. His era was about to draw its curtains.
Meanwhile, Mu Changze still had over two hundred years of lifespan. Why would he let his emotions be swayed by a dying man?
He was merely dry bones!
——
"Old Ancestor, are we heading in the wrong direction? Furthermore, isn't keeping this flying chariot constantly activated draining too much spiritual energy?"
Yulou reminded him cautiously.
The Wang Clan had a rule: Qi Refining disciples were not allowed to fly!
Although Wang Rongyuan didn't take this clan rule seriously, he had only done so back then to bait enemies.
"Haha, no need to be so nervous. Yulou, I heard you've been doing quite well in Clear Stream Market?"
Wang Xianzhou paid no mind to Yulou's warning. He was someone who had attempted Foundation Establishment four times. Although he hadn't successfully broken through, his spiritual energy capacity was more than three times that of an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator.
Moreover, he was a top-tier master of magical combat. Let alone flaunting it, even if an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator came after him, Wang Xianzhou wouldn't be afraid.
"Not at all, I merely did what I had to do."
In front of this Wang Clan legend, Yulou was as well-behaved as a newly weaned child.
"Alright, be modest if you like. But we have indeed taken a detour. Look to the west—that is Wondrous Peak Mountain."
Wondrous Peak Mountain was situated west of Clear Stream Market. More accurately, it was located between Clear Stream Market and Hidden Dragon Market.
Yulou turned his head and noticed the towering spiritual mountain on the horizon. Milky-white clouds drifted halfway up its slopes.
Above the clouds lay Wondrous Peak Mountain's sect grounds. Under the brilliant midday sun, the glazed tiles reflected a golden light.
From afar, the entire mountain seemed covered in golden pavilions.
A Purple Palace sect possessed such overwhelming majesty. It was truly worthy of being the powerful sect that crushed Huishan Prefecture.
If they hadn't ruthlessly exploited their own disciples, how could they have ended up in such a sorry state today?
"Clan Uncle, what are we doing here?" Yulou asked.
Wang Family Mountain was to the south of Clear Stream Market, while Wondrous Peak Mountain was to the west. Wang Xianzhou had traveled to these places countless times; it was impossible for him to go the wrong way.
"We're heading to the frontlines of the battle between the Valley Spirit Sect and Wondrous Peak Mountain to show off a little!
"Abbess Kongshan of Wondrous Peak Mountain has sought out the Patriarch several times, hoping our Wang Clan would help them hold the line, yet she refuses to offer anything good in return.
"Hmph. I'm dying soon anyway, so I might as well put my remaining strength to use and show them that the spirit of the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom cannot be dismissed with a few scraps!"
As he spoke, Wang Xianzhou applied slight pressure with the hand resting on the flying chariot's front shaft. The Mirror-Silver Orchidwood Flying Chariot sped up even further, creating a sonic boom in the air.
They flew like this for nearly three hundred miles until traces of magical combat gradually appeared on the ground below.
This was magical combat between Qi Refining stage cultivators; the Valley Spirit Sect and Wondrous Peak Mountain hadn't fully descended into bloodlust yet.
Someone noticed the white flash in the sky and shouted loudly.
"A Foundation Establishment senior from our Wondrous Peak Mountain has come to assist us! Fellow Daoists, follow me and counterattack!"
"Screw your eighteen generations of ancestors, Wondrous Peak Mountain is launching a sneak attack! We will report this to the Immortal Alliance!" came the furious roars of the Valley Spirit Sect members.
However, up in the sky, Wang Xianzhou had no intention of interfering.
He channeled his spiritual energy. The flying chariot's speed didn't increase any further, but the spiritual light it emitted surged, making him look even more like a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
A flash of insight hit Yulou, and he instantly understood.
The Old Ancestor was bluffing... no, he was just driving his flying chariot normally.
Of course, if any brainless Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Valley Spirit Sect dared to attack, they were definitely harboring malicious intent, trying to use their Foundation Establishment power to bully a Qi Refining cultivator!
Yes, that was exactly it.
"Old Ancestor, if a Foundation Establishment cultivator attacks, we'll be in danger!"
After thinking it over, Yulou still decided to warn him.
"There is no 'if.' It would be strange if they didn't attack, but you don't need to be afraid.
"Relax and treat this as me broadening your horizons. You can't stay trapped in Clear Stream Market every day!
"Besides, I may be old, but I'm not dead yet! Hahahaha."
Wang Xianzhou laughed heartily and gave a heroic reply.
His body had aged severely; he was no longer young.
His once-black hair had turned completely white.
His skin had begun to show the deep wrinkles characteristic of old age.
He had attempted Foundation Establishment four times and failed every single one.
It was deeply regrettable, yet at the same time, not entirely so.
In his lifetime, he had competed against the greatest geniuses in Wunan and emerged victorious.
Later, he joined the Immortal Alliance and traveled twenty thousand miles across Wunan, slaying two Foundation Establishment experts while still at the Qi Refining stage.
Therefore, he didn't have too many regrets.
Years and fate could not shatter his fearless spirit to roam the world.
His withered frame could not trap his lofty, proud soul.
The teenage genius of the Wang Clan, Wang Xianzhou, was not dead yet!
Even at this moment, as his life neared its end, he remained that same proud youth.
He stubbornly refused to give Mu Changze any face. Mu Changze might have understood, or perhaps he didn't, but Wang Xianzhou didn't care.
All he knew was that he wasn't dead yet, and he could still fight!
The flying chariot streaked across the frontline of the battlefield between the Valley Spirit Sect and Wondrous Peak Mountain, leaving a white trail in the sky.
That white flash in the sky was the pride of the Wang Clan's strongest genius from the previous generation!
Which Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Valley Spirit Sect would step up to claim their death?
Neither of them felt the slightest loss of face. Face was something you earned yourself; once earned, it could not be torn down just because someone else willed it.
Moreover, even if the Wang Clan truly intended to slap Mu Changze in the face, Mu Changze wouldn't immediately cry foul.
Everyone involved had deep foundations. Tearing away all pretense would only lead to an awkward stalemate where no one truly won.
Therefore, turning a blind eye was the best strategy.
"Is this person very special?"
The young girl was the same age as Yulou, but she was not a member of the Wang Clan. Having cultivated in a grotto-heaven since childhood, she naturally knew nothing of Wang Xianzhou.
Mu Changze set down his teacup and explained.
"Among the life-and-death brothers he made while serving in the Immortal Alliance, some are already Core Disciples of major sects, and others have been promoted to Foundation Establishment emissaries. All of them are existences with the hope of reaching the Purple Palace.
"That is why he does not fear me. Of course, I don't mind it either. He won't live much longer anyway, so let him run wild!"
No matter how arrogant and domineering Wang Xianzhou was, his era was nearing its end.
Lifespan was an unavoidable destiny bestowed upon every living creature by heaven and earth. Cultivators defied the heavens, bitterly climbing the path of cultivation.
Wang Xianzhou no longer had any possibility of progressing further. His era was drawing to a close.
Mu Changze, on the other hand, still had over two hundred years of lifespan remaining. Why would he be bothered by a dying man?
Merely dry bones!
——
"Old Ancestor, are we heading in the wrong direction? Furthermore, keeping this flying chariot constantly activated like this—isn't it too draining on your spiritual energy?"
Yulou reminded him cautiously.
The Wang Clan had a strict rule: Qi Refining descendants were not allowed to fly!
Although Wang Rongyuan hadn't taken this clan rule seriously either, he had only done so back then to bait enemies.
"Haha, there's no need to be so tense. Yulou, I heard you've been doing quite well in Clear Stream Market?"
Wang Xianzhou didn't care about Yulou's reminder in the slightest. He was someone who had attempted Foundation Establishment four times. Although he hadn't successfully broken through, his spiritual energy reserves were over three times that of an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator.
Moreover, he was a top-tier master of magical combat. Let alone flaunting it, even if an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator confronted him, Wang Xianzhou wouldn't be afraid at all.
"Not at all, not at all. I merely did what I was supposed to do."
In front of this legend of the Wang Clan, Yulou was as well-behaved as a toddler.
"Alright then, so you like to be modest. But we did indeed take a detour. Look to the west; that is Wondrous Peak Mountain."
Wondrous Peak Mountain was situated to the west of Clear Stream Market. To be precise, it was located between Clear Stream Market and Hidden Dragon Market.
Yulou turned his head and noticed the towering spiritual mountain on the horizon. Milky-white clouds drifted halfway up its slopes.
Above the sea of clouds lay the sect headquarters of Wondrous Peak Mountain. Under the midday sun, the glazed tiles refracted a golden brilliance.
Seen from afar, the mountain appeared to be covered in golden pavilions.
For a Purple Palace sect to possess such imposing might, they truly lived up to their reputation as a powerful force capable of crushing Huishan Prefecture.
If they hadn't exploited their own sect disciples so ruthlessly, how could they have ended up in such a sorry state today?
"Clan Uncle, what are we doing here..." Yulou asked.
Wang Family Mountain was to the south of Clear Stream Market, while Wondrous Peak Mountain was to the west. Wang Xianzhou had traveled to these places many times and couldn't possibly have taken the wrong path.
"We're heading to the front lines where Valley Spirit Sect and Wondrous Peak Mountain are clashing to show them a thing or two!
"Nun Kongshan of Wondrous Peak Mountain has sought out the Patriarch multiple times, hoping our Wang Clan would help shoulder some of the pressure for Wondrous Peak Mountain, yet she was unwilling to offer anything good in return.
"Hmph. I'm dying soon anyway, so I might as well use the last of my heat to let them know that the spirit of the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom cannot be brushed off with a bit of scrap!"
Saying so, Wang Xianzhou applied a little pressure with the hand resting on the flying chariot's front shaft. The speed of the Mirror-Silver Orchidwood Flying Chariot increased by another notch, sending sonic booms echoing through the air.
In this manner, they flew for another hundred and fifty kilometers until the scars of magical combat gradually appeared on the ground below.
These were Qi Refining stage cultivators engaged in magical combat; Valley Spirit Sect and Wondrous Peak Mountain hadn't fully seen red yet.
Someone noticed the white flash soaring through the sky and shouted loudly.
"A Foundation Establishment senior from our Wondrous Peak Mountain has come to assist us! Fellow Daoists, follow me and counterattack!"
"Curse your eighteen generations of ancestors! You people from Wondrous Peak Mountain are launching a sneak attack! We are going to report this to the Immortal Alliance!" This was the furious roar of someone from Valley Spirit Sect.
However, up in the sky, Wang Xianzhou had no intention of striking at all.
He channeled his spiritual energy. The speed of the flying chariot did not increase any further, but the spiritual light it emitted surged dramatically, making him look even more like a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
A flash of insight suddenly struck Yulou, and he figured it out in an instant.
The Old Ancestor was tricking them... No, he was simply driving his flying chariot normally.
Of course, if some brainless Foundation Establishment expert from Valley Spirit Sect dared to attack, they would definitely be harboring malicious intentions, trying to use their Foundation Establishment power to bully a Qi Refining cultivator!
Yes, that was exactly it.
"Old Ancestor, if a Foundation Establishment cultivator attacks, we'll be in danger!"
Yulou thought for a moment before reminding him.
"There are no 'ifs'; it would be stranger if they didn't attack. But you boys have no need to fear.
"Relax, just treat it as me broadening your horizons. Being cooped up in Clear Stream Market every day is no good!
"Besides, I may be old, but I am not dead yet! Hahahaha!"
Wang Xianzhou burst into hearty laughter, his voice heroic.
He had aged terribly and was no longer young.
His head of black hair had turned into a mop of white.
His skin had begun to show the deep wrinkles of an old man.
He had attempted Foundation Establishment four times, failing every single time.
It was a great regret, but also not entirely a regret.
In his life, he had competed on the same stage against the most incredible geniuses of Wunan, and he had fought and defeated them.
Later, he entered the Immortal Alliance, traveling ten thousand kilometers across Wunan, and as a Qi Refining cultivator, he had decapitated two Foundation Establishment experts.
Therefore, he was not too regretful.
The years and destiny could not break his spirit to travel the world.
A withered body could not trap his lofty and proud soul.
That former teenage genius of the Wang Clan, Wang Xianzhou, was not dead yet!
Even at this moment, as his life neared its end, he remained that proud youth.
He stubbornly refused to give Mu Changze any face. Mu Changze might understand, or he might not, but Wang Xianzhou did not care.
He only knew that he was not dead yet, and that he could still fight!
The flying chariot streaked across the front lines of the battlefield between the Purple Palace sects, Valley Spirit Sect and Wondrous Peak Mountain, leaving a white trail in the sky.
That white flash in the sky was the pride of the strongest genius from the previous generation of the Wang Clan!
Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Valley Spirit Sect, who will come to claim their death?
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