“My heart…”
Descending from Yuanhe Mountain, Fang Xi employed his movement techniques to swiftly head towards Three Origins City.
As he traveled, his thoughts remained focused on the recent confrontation with Linghu Shan.
No, it was less of a duel and more a one-sided thrashing.
The might of a True Astral Martial Saint was overwhelming; Linghu Shan dominated throughout, with his projected Astral Qi exceptionally potent.
Several times, Fang Xi nearly couldn’t resist the urge to unleash a magical artifact and directly take down that old fool!
Most crucially, even after the battle, his understanding of how to condense true astral energy and break through to Zongshi remained shrouded in confusion.
Upon entering Three Origins City, Fang Xi initially planned to return to the Interspace Dojo.
Suddenly, a thought struck him. He found a secluded spot, transformed back from Fang Leng’s guise, and resumed his original appearance as Fang Xi.
In the Outer City, near a modest dojo with two rows of swaying willow trees outside, its signboard gleamed anew. Inscribed on it were the words ‘Baiyun Dojo’, adorned with cloud patterns at the edges.
Within the practice field,
Zhang Mingding, his expression resolute, was immersing his hands in boiling venom from a metal pot to strengthen them.
Following Fang Xi’s recommendation, he had become a disciple under Mu Canglong at Baiyun Dojo, making him Mu Piaomiao’s little shidi.
Currently, he was diligently practicing the White Cloud Palm and had already reached the dark cloud stage!
He stood just a step away from achieving True Force as a black cloud level practitioner.
“Excellent!”
Mu Canglong, sipping tea from his cherished purple clay teapot nearby, nodded approvingly. “Among Three Origins City’s eighteen rising stars now, only a couple can consistently outmatch you… This year, Mingding, you have a strong chance in the Martial Union’s eight steeds selection… cough cough…”
“Dad, your health isn’t fully recovered; you shouldn’t be wandering around.”
Mu Piaomiao hurried over to support him. Years ago, her father narrowly escaped death in Blackstone City, saved by one of Fang Xi’s spirit pills. However, residual toxins persisted, causing his health to deteriorate steadily despite numerous consultations with healers, all to no avail.
Mu Canglong’s evident joy likely stemmed from witnessing the dojo finally gaining a promising successor.
Unbeknownst to them, a pair of eyes silently observed from atop the wall.
“Mu Canglong won’t last much longer…” Fang Xi sighed inwardly and swiftly entered the dojo with a flutter of his robes, displaying remarkable agility that went unnoticed by any passing disciples.
In one of the finest private rooms, Lily was diligently embroidering a garment. The dense stitching revealed her meticulous attention and dedication.
“Gongzi…”
As she embroidered, Lily gazed at the clothing, seemingly entranced.
“Ah…” Fang Xi let out another sigh but chose not to enter the room, instead departing quietly.
His visit today had been driven by a desire from within, simply to check on the Baiyun Dojo members. Seeing they were doing well brought him peace of mind.
“My heart… My Zongshi’s heart… is focused on becoming stronger! Stronger!”
“This isn’t the southern wilderness’s cultivation realm; as long as my power grows sufficiently, strong enough… I can overcome anything!”
“Even if I break through to Zongshi level, there would be far fewer concerns… No need for hiding or concealing my identity.”
Fang Xi’s expression gradually hardened: “Unrestricted freedom… grounded in immense strength, this must be… my martial heart!”
Naturally, Three Origins City had its own black market, and it was significantly larger than Blackstone City’s.
At the end of a bustling commercial street within the Inner City, if introduced by a familiar patron, one could pass through several discreet walls to enter another thriving avenue.
“Is this the black market of Three Origins City?” Fang Xi walked amidst the stalls, glancing at rare weapons, secret manuals, precious medicines… Anything found here typically had questionable origins.
Moreover, there were numerous counterfeit goods!
Fang Xi knew this black market well, having purchased some mythical beast materials from it before. However, his visit today wasn’t for shopping.
After passing several small booths, Fang Xi approached a particular building.
“Thousand Golds Building?” Smirking, Fang Xi remarked, “Shouldn’t it be Thousand Pounds instead?”
He promptly entered.
“What can I get you, sir?” A waiter greeted him with a wide grin.
“I’m looking for someone! Is Fatty Han around?” Fang Xi scanned the area, noticing it was a meat shop.
Despite losing his tai sui, Fatty Han had returned to his old trade, staying true to his roots.
“Fatty Han, the shopkeeper? Right away, sir!” The waiter, taken aback by Fang Xi’s confident demeanor, assumed they were acquaintances and hurriedly went to inform Fatty Han.
The waiter jumped in surprise, sensing from Fang Xi’s confident demeanor that they must be acquaintances. He hastily went inside to relay the message.
Soon, he returned to escort Fang Xi into a private room.
“Fang Xiong… Fatty Han has missed you terribly!”
As expected, within the room stood a mountain of meat.
Fatty Han sat on the floor surrounded by large bowls filled with roasted chicken, duck, suckling pig… Various succulent meats piled high like miniature hills, awaiting his voracious consumption.
Upon seeing Fang Xi enter, he promptly dropped the chicken leg in hand and warmly greeted him.
“Fatty Han, you’ve gotten even fatter than before!” Fang Xi couldn’t help but tease, noticing the increased bulk since their last encounter.
It was indeed their first meeting since arriving in Three Origins City.
With a wave of his hand, Fatty Han dismissed the waiter. Turning serious, he looked at Fang Xi and declared, “Fang Xiong, your visit to the black market surely means there’s something you need old Han to handle. Be it scaling mountains of blades or enduring seas of boiling oil, just say the word!”
“No need for such drastic measures involving your hefty thousand pounds,” Fang Xi shook his head. “I simply want you to keep an eye out for mythical beast materials in the black market. I’m willing to pay top prices…”
With that, he tossed Fatty Han a heavy pouch filled with gold.
“Mythical beast materials? No problem… Although rare, they do surface periodically!” As Fatty Han accepted the pouch, his smile became even more genuine. “By the way, Fang Xiong, after our last meeting, where did you go?”
“Just wandered around here and there… Once you receive the materials, store them here, and I’ll collect them every so often.”
After giving these instructions, Fang Xi prepared to leave.
“Wait, Fang Xiong…” Fatty Han called out to stop him. “Are you aware… that Baiyun Dojo has recently gotten into trouble?”
“Oh?” Unaware of this development, Fang Xi halted immediately. “Please enlighten me…”
“It’s related to the Martial Union affairs again. Since the Huang Family’s downfall, their covertly controlled ‘Flying Rainbow Dojo’ and ‘Yellow Jade Dojo’ have faced consecutive setbacks, significantly weakening their influence. They were forced to withdraw from the core circle of the Martial Union. Coincidentally, over the past two years, several smaller dojos have rapidly risen in prominence… This sparked a power struggle! And just at this time, with the recent eight steeds selection underway, Zhang Mingding from Baiyun Dojo got entangled in it as well…”
Fatty Han swiftly provided the intelligence.
“It seems… some people don’t want smaller dojos gaining prominence and challenging their position,” Fang Xi’s eyes darkened thoughtfully.
This wasn’t just about Zhang Mingding’s situation; his own Interspace Dojo might be at risk as well!
‘Hmph, those individuals likely underestimate the prowess of Ghostweary Fang Leng!’ Fang Xi muttered to himself before asking, “Do you know which specific dojos?”
“Savage Wind Dojo’s patriarch, Old Master Ximen, was once hailed as the Martial Union’s top martial artist. However, he was consistently suppressed by the Huang Family. Now, it appears he harbors ambitions to consolidate power within the Martial Union…” Fatty Han promptly replied.
“Many thanks.”
Fang Xi bowed with clasped hands and turned to leave.
Of course, he wouldn’t take Fatty Han’s word blindly, but further investigation would reveal the truth.
Watching Fang Xi depart, Fatty Han immediately summoned a waiter, “I recall…the Ximen Clan secretly lends money at high interest rates, right? Quickly send more people to borrow from them, don’t worry about the high interest… Wait!”
As the waiter nodded and prepared to exit, Fatty Han called out again, “Never mind, forget this matter!”
He still felt an inexplicable unease around Fang Xi.
Even though it seemed like taking advantage of the situation, Fatty Han wanted to avoid any actions that might displease Fang Xi…
“Savage Wind Dojo, Ximen Clan?”
After leaving the black market, Fang Xi pondered and decided against immediately transforming into Ghostweary to carry out the killings.
Otherwise, by tomorrow, rumors would spread throughout Three Origins City that the entire Ximen Clan met their tragic end due to stepping out with their left foot first.
‘Would anyone believe such a tale? Unless they could prove Ghostweary was mentally deranged…’
‘If I follow Linghu Shan’s advice to act like an ordinary person, wouldn’t I just be allowing myself to be slaughtered? How frustrating!’
‘His path of experiencing worldly life to temper his heart is not mine!’
‘My heart… My heart…’
Deep in thought, Fang Xi entered a dim alleyway.
Upon emerging from it, he was no longer Fang Xi but had taken on the appearance of Fang Leng!
At the Interspace Dojo.
Qing Sang emerged with a gentle smile on his face, ready to return home.
Snap!
In the next instant, a pebble whizzed towards him, but he swiftly caught it. “Who’s there?”
A fleeting shadow flashed and vanished.
Qing Sang immediately gave chase.
The pursuit led them quickly into an empty alleyway.
“Qing Sang… seeing Qing Mu surpass you day by day must be quite unsettling, isn’t it?” The figure turned around, wearing a mask that concealed all but his eyes.
“Hmph, such a tiresome trick!” Qing Sang assumed a fighting stance.
His bond with Qing Mu was unbreakable, forged through life-and-death experiences!
“Chuckle… Your master never truly favored you; it was always Qing Mu… One day, he will pass everything onto Qing Mu, not you!” The masked man laughed. “Moreover… impending doom awaits the Interspace Dojo, did you know?”
“Haha… trying to scare me with empty threats? When I was risking my life on the streets against wild dogs, who knows where you were hiding!”
Qing Sang roared furiously and threw a powerful punch.
Having diligently practiced the Primordial True Art for years, his cultivation base was quite advanced. He concentrated most of his strength into this single strike, generating an awe-inspiring force!
However, in the blink of an eye, the masked man effortlessly dodged the punch, moving like a spectral apparition!
As Qing Sang’s punch missed, he felt a sharp pain in his back, causing him to lurch forward and collapse onto the ground, struggling to get up for several moments.
“A True Force martial artist?” Qing Sang stared at the masked man, almost disbelievingly.
Since when had dojo masters become so commonplace?
“Heh heh… I’m merely a vanguard; behind me lies the true authority, a grand martial artist… And your Interspace Dojo only has two measly fighters…”
The masked man spoke calmly, “Whether you perish with the dojo or find a path to survival depends solely on your choice!”
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