I Became An Immortal On Mortal Realm - Chapter 37

Chapter 35: The Identity of the One in White, The Emperor’s Cultivation

Translator: 549690339

“Senior Brother Fang, you’ve come back to turn in your task?”

A surprised voice came from the side, prompting Fang Wang to turn his head and look.

Fang Wang gazed at the speaker, pondered for a moment, and nodded, “Yes, you’re here too—what a coincidence.”

This time, leaving the Great Abyss Gate seemed to have been but a few months, but when including the time spent cultivating the Nine Dragons Divine Transformation Art, he had actually been away for two hundred years. Apart from those close to him, he couldn’t remember the people he’d met only once or twice.

The other person came closer, warmly making conversation with him.

As they chatted, Fang Wang recalled who it was—wasn’t this Zhou Bo? Always so enthusiastic every time they met.

After chatting for a good while, Fang Wang finally found an opportunity to excuse himself. He glanced at the main pillar, where the name of Lu Yuanjun had already reached the top twenty. It’s worth noting that most names ahead belonged to figures like Peak Masters and Elders, who had lived for hundreds of years.

Fang Wang made his way to the fourth floor and found the study of the Elder of the Task Hall. As a Direct Disciple, he could meet with the Elder directly.

The study was large, filled with various Magic Artifacts, while against the wall stood bookshelves lined with countless books and Jade Slips.

“You’re Fang Wang, right, the first disciple in the history of the Great Abyss Gate to become a Direct Disciple upon joining. I’m quite curious about you; from now on, just call me Elder Zhang.”

Elder Zhang of the Task Hall said with a chuckle. He was chubby and appeared simple and honest, yet Fang Wang had seen his name among the top ten on the main pillar.

“Elder Zhang, I have a task to turn in, but I’m afraid the news might spread, putting me in danger. Can we just record it without making it known?” Fang Wang respectfully said.

Elder Zhang stroked his beard and smiled, “Don’t worry. The Task Hall only records contributions and doesn’t spread gossip. Besides, I’m here to handle your task personally, what’s there to worry about?”

Upon hearing this, Fang Wang immediately felt relieved and then took out a cloth bag from his storage bag, placing it on the table.

Elder Zhang wasn’t startled but watched him with a smile.

Fang Wang untied the cloth bag, revealing Li Hongshuang’s severed head. Apart from the blood being coagulated, it seemed as though she had died only a few days ago, with no signs of decomposition.

Elder Zhang glanced at it without much concern, but his eyes soon widened.

“Huh? Is this… Li Hongshuang?”

Elder Zhang was startled, quickly picked up Li Hongshuang’s head to examine it and then looked up at Fang Wang with shock in his voice, “Are you the White Garment Astonishing Swan?”

Seeing the White Garment Astonishing Swan wouldn’t have surprised him, except that this figure had only joined the sect a year ago…

A year ago, Fang Wang was merely in the seventh layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm!

With only the seventh layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm, he had swept through fifty-one cultivators of the same realm. This news had long been discussed among the elders, and every Peak Master was envious of Yang Yuanzi for his good fortune in having such a talented disciple. Although Elder Zhang was the Elder of the Task Hall, he too wished for a genius disciple like Fang Wang.

As they grow old, and their cultivation reaches its limit, their pursuits, besides defying fate, are to find a suitable successor to ensure their legacy endures within the sect.

A year ago, he had been at the seventh layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm and had executed Li Hongshuang, who was at the ninth layer of the Soul Sculpting Realm…

The most crucial part was that this event took place several months prior, and the latest feat of the White Garment Astonishing Swan was defeating Li Honggang of the Spirit Elixir Realm Third Layer…

Elder Zhang had been in his position for one hundred and fifty years; what kind of achievements hadn’t he heard of?

Yet he was still startled by Fang Wang…

His gaze towards Fang Wang was as if he were looking at a monster.

Fang Wang coughed artificially, interrupting Elder Zhang’s thoughts, and Elder Zhang exclaimed with a sigh, “Twenty-five years ago, the Li Family came to visit our sect and Li Hongshuang was among them. At that time, our Sect Leader had predicted that Li Hongshuang had the potential comparable to Lu Yuanjun. The Li Family also intended for her to join our sect, but to think that in the end, she joined the Green Cicada Valley and, more lamentably, met her demise at the hands of one of our disciples.”

Fang Wang didn’t know how to respond and could only nod with a smile.

Afterward, Elder Zhang requested his Disciple Token to record the contribution points. Li Hongshuang was a famous talent in the Demonic Dao, and the task involving her had always been available, meaning Fang Wang could turn it in directly, even if he had not previously accepted it.

Aside from that, Fang Wang also turned in the task of rescuing Fang Hanyu. When a disciple returns to the Great Abyss Gate, their Disciple Token is checked, with these tokens linked to a sect-defining Magic Artifact. All tasks within the main city’s halls connect to this Magic Artifact. In short, Elder Zhang could confirm whether Fang Hanyu had returned.

Fang Wang tried to turn in other identity tokens belonging to the disciples of the Green Cicada Valley, which Zhou Xue had selected.

After half an hour of administrative work, Fang Wang finally left.

Elder Zhang sat in his chair, unable to calm his emotions for a long time.

“White Garment Astonishing Swan… Seventeen years old… Less than two years into cultivation and already able to kill someone in the third layer of the Spirit Elixir Realm… A monstrous talent… No wonder the Sect Leader values him so highly. It won’t do, I must do something for him…”

Elder Zhang silently thought, after the shock had passed, his heart filled with boundless anticipation.

Before his time was up, could he witness a Great Abyss Gate like none ever seen before?

Meanwhile.

Fang Wang arrived on the first floor, where he paused beside a main pillar, his gaze settling on the name of Lu Yuanjun. Following Lu Yuanjun’s name was a string of numbers, marking his contribution points, exceeding three million.

After completing his task, Fang Wang’s contribution points were just over nine hundred. Li Honggang was not considered an enemy of the Great Abyss Gate, so he did not fall within the scope of the task.

Fang Wang simply glanced at it and then withdrew his gaze, lifting his feet and walking away.

In the grand hall, amidst the hustle and bustle, Fang Wang was inconspicuous, much like the names below Lu Yuanjun’s, lost in the multitude of lives.

…

Upon returning to his cave dwelling, Fang Wang began his cultivation routine.

He was not lacking in spells now, so he focused on practicing and gathering Qi, aiming to reach the ninth layer of the Soul Sculpting Realm as soon as possible.

Time flew by.

Half a year passed.

Fang Wang reached the sixth layer of the Soul Sculpting Realm. Such a rate of breakthrough, if known, would surely cause a huge stir in the Great Abyss Gate.

One afternoon, Fang Hanyu, accompanied by six Fang Family disciples, came to visit Fang Wang, making the cave dwelling lively with their presence.

Seeing his clan members, Fang Wang was very happy. After sitting down, they began to share their experiences.

They were all Fang Family disciples selected by Zhou Xue. Now, the weakest among them had reached the third layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm. Compared to Fang Wang, they were like heaven and earth apart, but in reality, cultivation was difficult. Many outer sect disciples of the nine veins struggled for decades and could hardly surpass the fifth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm, let alone reach the Soul Sculpting Realm.

Fang Hanyu had succeeded in Spiritual Refinement, his Lifespirit Treasure being a top-grade Mysterious Origin Treasure Spirit, which made the Fang family extremely proud.

Fang Wang, however, felt somewhat disappointed. Anything less than an Earth Origin Spirit Treasure no longer caught his eye.

“Thirteenth brother, what grade is your treasure spirit?” Fang Xin asked curiously, the others looking at Fang Wang.

Fang Wang smiled, looking at Fang Hanyu, who immediately said, “Don’t ask anymore. It’s definitely higher than mine, but too high can be a bad thing. Attracting murderous disasters is easy. Remember, do not mention Fang Wang’s Lifespirit Treasure to outsiders.”

Upon hearing this, everyone quickly nodded in agreement.

Fang Hanyu had a serious expression, but internally he was as restless as if scratching at his heart. He was more curious than anyone about the grade of Fang Wang’s treasure spirit, yet the young man simply wouldn’t reveal it.

Fang Zigeng, who had reached the fifth layer of Qi Cultivation, spoke up, “By the way, do you know about the Emperor of Grand Qi entering the Great Abyss Gate to cultivate?”

The others joined in the discussion.

“I know. It has already spread to the seventh vein. They say that the Qi Dynasty is transforming into a Cultivation Dynasty, but who knows if it’s true.”

“With the emperor entering the sect, won’t he have to address us as senior brothers and sisters?”

“Tsk, I thought that after cultivating, we would be above imperial power. I didn’t expect the imperial power to start cultivating too.”

“It is said that the emperor gave up a lot to gain the agreement of the Great Abyss Gate. The Task Hall has seen a surge in tasks for mining spirit mines and searching for spirit veins. The emperor’s concessions must be behind this.”

Listening to their discussion, Fang Wang raised an eyebrow.

Zhou Xue had mentioned before that Grand Qi would become a Cultivation Dynasty. He did not expect it to come so quickly.

On second thought, it was now just the emperor embarking on cultivation. If the cultivation method were to be truly promoted to all the people, it would take at least decades of effort.

Zhou Xue suspected that the dealings between Prime Minister of Grand Qi and Lu Yuanjun might involve the shadow of the Emperor of Grand Qi. After all, in the predetermined future, the Emperor of Grand Qi and Lu Yuanjun had a very close private friendship and reached the pinnacle of the Grand Qi Cultivation Realm together.

Now hearing about the Emperor of Grand Qi’s induction into the Great Abyss Gate, Fang Wang suddenly thought of a possibility.

The cultivator who attacked the Fang Residence held a Soul Burning Banner, a Ghost Instrument that collected souls. Orthodox sects did not allow disciples to wantonly kill mortals. Could it be that the emperor was willing to sacrifice civilians to enter the Great Abyss Gate, in exchange for Lu Yuanjun’s recommendation?

As for why the Fang Residence was chosen, it was probably a matter of convenience. On the surface, it seemed to be a power struggle within the court, and at most, it would tarnish the reputation of the imperial power as cruel. If it were discovered that the emperor intended to sacrifice an entire city’s population for cultivation methods, the matter would become serious, and the world would surely be in turmoil!

Fang Wang remained silent, listening to the family conversation and sorting through his thoughts.