Chapter 404 - 36: Divine Soul Formation
Fang Cheng waved his sleeve, releasing a streak of Profound Light that enveloped his two sons. He flew straight into the distant sky, only stopping his Escape Light after traveling for hundreds of miles.
"Yuan’Er, Xuan’Er, tell me in detail what you just experienced," he said, his voice grave.
The two boys didn’t dare to delay. Taking turns, they recounted what had just happened.
Jingyuan was normally carefree but surprisingly sharp. This time, however, he couldn’t contain himself and blurted out most of the story in one breath. The ever-unhurried Jingxuan then added a few details.
According to their account, while they were studying the Bodhisattva statue, their souls were suddenly drawn from their bodies the moment they looked into its eyes. They found themselves in a wondrous realm suffused with Buddha Light.
Then, a "Fang Cheng" emerged from the Buddha Light.
This "Fang Cheng" only had a Seventh-Layer Sensing Cultivation, and without a word of warning, he began to fight Jingyuan.
Perhaps because Fang Cheng had often trained the two in this manner over the past few days, Jingyuan wasn’t surprised and immediately began to fight back.
To his surprise, his opponent’s sword light was unbelievably fast, crackling with the sound of thunder. His Sword Technique was at the Peak of Profound Skill, utterly sublime. Jingyuan was cut down in just two or three strikes.
Afterward, Jingyuan reappeared in that space and once again fought his opponent.
Over and over he failed and fell, and over and over he began anew. Jingyuan went from being defeated in two or three moves to lasting more than ten before he fell.
He also began to realize something was off about this "father." His real father never used such domineering and vicious moves when they sparred.
However, the more he fought, the braver he became. He was not the least bit discouraged. In his perception, it felt as though more than ten days had passed.
It wasn’t until the ring of a sword echoed and the Buddha Light dispersed that he returned to his own body.
Yet, in the outside world, it seemed only a few breaths had passed!
Jingxuan, on the other hand, had not rushed blindly into battle. Instead, he had tried to use his spiritual sense to communicate with and perceive the mysterious space.
When he subconsciously pictured an unbeatable opponent in his mind, the opponent in the mysterious space changed to match.
He tried it several times. The opponents he summoned included various Tier Two Fierce Beasts he had encountered recently, as well as the illusory opponents his mother, Mu Xuanyu, had created to spar with him while teaching him techniques on Primordial Qi Celestial Island.
"That Bodhisattva statue must contain a Divine Soul Formation..." Jingxuan said with certainty, his gaze clear.
Fang Cheng nodded. "The Buddhist Sect does indeed have many Divine Secret Skills related to the soul. Xuan’Er, it’s quite impressive that you were able to see that."
"Dad, is it because your soul is so powerful that you weren’t pulled in?" Jingyuan asked, slapping his thigh as it dawned on him.
Fang Cheng mused, "This Bodhisattva statue is unusually sturdy. If it also contains this Divine Soul Formation, it certainly qualifies as a rare treasure. It would be of great use for you and your siblings to temper yourselves in that Array. It will greatly improve your combat experience and adaptability."
Jingxuan said, "Father, that Array must have many other mysteries. It’s a pity there wasn’t enough time to figure them out. When we return home, may I have your permission to study it thoroughly?"
Fang Cheng smiled faintly and said in a lecturing tone, "Xuan’Er, I don’t object to you studying Arrays, but you must always remember that your Cultivation is the foundation. Only with a high enough Cultivation will you have the time, energy, and resources to research Arrays. Without a foundation, how can you expect to build a skyscraper?"
Jingxuan’s expression shifted. He pondered for a moment before saying solemnly, "Xuan’Er understands."
Fang Cheng said, "It’s getting late. We should be heading to the Celestial Traveling Immortal Pavilion."
...
The azure sky was as if washed clean.
High in the firmament, a vast expanse of clouds cascaded like a waterfall. The boundless sea of clouds churned and roiled, resembling an Immortal Realm.
A Flame Lion pulled a massive, luxurious carriage as it sped across the sea of clouds.
A small mountain of clouds was smashed apart by the carriage, dissolving into wisps that scattered across the sky and leaving a trail in their wake.
Aboard the carriage, Fang Cheng sat serenely. Jingyuan and Jingxuan, dressed in fine robes, gazed into the distance, admiring the scenery.
Suddenly, the cry of a crane echoed in the distance. The brothers followed the sound with their eyes and saw a giant Immortal Crane, dozens of feet tall, ascend from below into the sea of clouds. It was a beautiful sight, wreathed in iridescent mist.
The giant Immortal Crane carried a quaint, octagonal pavilion on its back. A man and a woman sat within, looking over at them with curiosity.
"Might that be Fellow Daoist Fang of Yinluo Villa ahead? I am Qiu Chaohuan of the Taiyi Sword Sect. Greetings, Fellow Daoist."
The speaker was a dashing Daoist in green robes, and he gave Fang Cheng a deep bow from a distance.
Beside him stood a beautiful Female Cultivator in a white Daoist Robe. She had a gentle, quiet air about her and also rose to give Fang Cheng a curtsy.
Fang Cheng had the Flame Lion slow its pace. He smiled. "Ah, Fellow Daoist Qiu. It’s been a while. Is all well with your esteemed sect these days?"
This green-robed Daoist was a Life Soul Realm Elder from the Taiyi Sword Sect, a neighbor of Yinluo Villa.
The two sects were only separated by a few hundred miles, which was considered extremely close in the vast Cultivation Realm.
However, the two sects had a relatively amicable relationship and had both kept a low profile in recent years.
The Taiyi Sword Sect had become even more courteous toward Yinluo Villa, especially after Fang Cheng slew several long-famous Life Soul Cultivators from the Wilderness Domain at Taiyue Mountain, causing the Rakshasa Sect to fall from its peak and begin to decline.
This Qiu Chaohuan was one of the Five Elders of the Taiyi Sword Sect, ranked third among the sect’s five Life Soul Realm Elders.
He had been the main representative during Yinluo Villa’s founding ceremony, as well as in subsequent interactions between the two sects.
The quiet Female Cultivator beside him was, surprisingly, also in the Life Soul Realm, though her face was unfamiliar to Fang Cheng.
Qiu Chaohuan laughed heartily. "We have been fortunate, Fellow Daoist. Our sect recently appointed a new Supreme Elder—the very one beside me."
The female cultivator gave a timely, light laugh. "I have long heard of your great name, Fellow Daoist Fang. I am Jin Yue Nu. It is an honor."
As she spoke, her eyes sparkled, as clear and bright as autumn pools.
Fang Cheng clasped his hands in a salute and asked, "Are you two also headed to the Celestial Traveling Immortal Pavilion?"
Qiu Chaohuan replied, "Indeed. It seems you are headed there as well, Fellow Daoist. Why don’t we travel together?"
Fang Cheng nodded. "Very well."
Jin Yue Nu’s gaze fell upon Jingyuan and Jingxuan. "Fellow Daoist Fang, these two young gentlemen are...?"
"These are my sons, Jingyuan and Jingxuan," Fang Cheng introduced.
The two brothers also stood up and paid their respects.
The giant Immortal Crane and the Flame Lion flew side by side. Fang Cheng and Daoist Qiu chatted jovially along the way, with Jin Yue Nu occasionally chiming in. The atmosphere was quite harmonious.
Before long, the sea of clouds ahead parted, revealing several majestic, towering mountains.
A magnificent pavilion ship was suspended over a great chasm between the mountains.
The ship was hundreds of yards long and wide, and upon it sat a magnificent grand hall that emanated a bright, ethereal celestial light. It hung in the air, perfectly still.
The ship was backed by a lofty mountain and faced a verdant cliff. Below lay a great chasm where clouds drifted low over an unfathomable depth, with slender bamboos and flowing springs adorning its sides.
On the opposite cliff was an even grander sight: a waterfall, about a hundred feet wide, spilling from a gap at the summit. It cascaded down the cliff’s contours in several tiers of varying lengths, like a bolt of pure silk hanging in the air or a jade dragon in flight, before plunging into the clouds and mist below.
The faint, sonorous roar from the chasm’s depths mingled with the gurgling of springs and the sighing of pines above, creating a rich symphony. It was as if great bells were harmonizing with reed pipes—a sound so clear and sublime it washed away all worldly cares.
The group recalled the carriage and the Immortal Crane, landed on the pavilion ship, and walked toward the grand hall.
In front of the grand hall stood more than twenty armored Life Talisman Cultivators. After politely inspecting the invitations held by Fang Cheng and Daoist Qiu, they ushered the group inside.
Inside the grand hall, a radiant, cloud-like light filled the air. Splendor bloomed from the void, and waves of spatial fluctuation emanated from within.
Jingyuan and Jingxuan were no strangers to Pocket World Spiritual Buildings, so they showed no surprise at the sight.
After passing through the cloud-like light, the view suddenly opened up before them. A vast, empty space, hundreds of miles across, appeared. In the sky above, a great sun made of Talismans illuminated the entire expanse as if it were day.
In the center of this space, a verdant Immortal Mountain hung motionless. Palaces and pavilions dotted the mountain, surrounded by lush trees. The Spiritual Qi was dense, and the scenery was breathtaking.
Beyond the Immortal Mountain were numerous Floating Cloud Immortal Residences, scattered at various heights all around.
These buildings came in various styles—palaces, Jade Towers, Treasure Pagodas, courtyards, and more. Each rested upon an auspicious cloud, its gentle, treasured light dotting the void. There were over a hundred in all.
Numerous Escape Lights danced back and forth between the Floating Cloud Immortal Residences and the Immortal Mountain, creating a bustling scene.
Several Female Cultivators with delicate features and enchanting figures, dressed in long, waist-cinching gowns, came forward to respectfully invite Fang Cheng and Daoist Qiu to find lodging on the Immortal Mountain.
All the invitees to this grand auction were Life Soul Cultivators from various regions. The master of the Immortal Pavilion had emptied all the Cave Mansions near the top of the Immortal Mountain to house the esteemed guests.
Fang Cheng’s Cave Mansion was located near the summit, while Daoist Qiu’s was slightly farther down.
The master of the Immortal Pavilion had clearly arranged the lodging according to the guests’ strength and prestige.
Daoist Qiu said, "Fellow Daoist Fang, please get some rest with your sons. I will come to visit later."
On the way there, Daoist Qiu had mentioned that someone was organizing an exchange meet exclusively for Life Soul Realm cultivators before the auction, and he had asked if Fang Cheng would be interested in attending.
Since he had come all this way, Fang Cheng naturally had no intention of missing it.
His purpose for this trip was simple. First, he needed to purchase and collect the Spiritual Medicines required to refine the White Tiger Divine Pill, as well as the Profound Iron Immortal Gold needed to repair his Feather Divine Soldiers.
Second, he needed to offload some Magical Treasures he no longer used.
Not long after he settled in, Daoist Qiu came looking for him.
Fang Cheng left two Resentment Celestial Demons to guard Jingyuan and Jingxuan, gave them a few instructions, and then departed with Daoist Qiu.
Inside the Cave Mansion, Jingyuan gazed at the dazzling array of Floating Cloud Immortal Residences beyond the Immortal Mountain and said excitedly, "Second Brother, should we go out and have a look around?"
He had promised to buy gifts for his many younger brothers and sisters back home, and he couldn’t go back on his word.
The Fang Family was not short on Spirit Stones these days, and Ye Yan had always doted on her eldest son. As a result, the number of Spirit Stones in Jingyuan’s storage pouch was comparable to that of a Life Talisman Elder from an ordinary sect.
Jingxuan replied, "We can look around, but think before you act. Let’s not cause any trouble."
"I know, I know. What trouble could I possibly cause with you here? Just make sure you keep a good eye on me," Jingyuan said with a chuckle.
With that, the two brothers left the Cave Mansion, flew off the Immortal Mountain, and descended toward the shops.
The two Resentment Celestial Demons concealed themselves in the void and followed after the brothers.
It would be difficult for anyone below the Mid-Life Soul Realm to detect these two Tier Three Mid Stage Celestial Demons.
The two brothers had been to Yinluo Marketplace before, but it was in a completely different league from this place, both in terms of scale and the sheer variety of treasures!
The two boys were dazzled by the stunning array of treasures and couldn’t resist going on a shopping spree. They soon discovered that their Spirit Stones were not, in fact, so plentiful after all.
As they wandered about, they came to a shop that sold Arrays. Out of curiosity, Jingxuan took a closer look and was immediately drawn to a notice posted outside.
...