Chapter 161: A Seasoned Move

Young Sect Master Xu’s eyes went wide as he heard Fang Cun’s words and plans.

A faint unease stirred inside him, yet he couldn’t think how to protest. So he simply pretended not to hear, keeping his head down.

Fang Cun didn’t linger on the matter. After a few brief instructions, he shifted his gaze to Young Sect Master Xu with a smile. “This Old Master Fan clearly cares deeply for the people. Urging immortal sects to accumulate Merit is also a good thing. But I understand hunting Ghost Officials and killing Demon Hounds. This ‘Spirit Well’ matter is less familiar. Might you explain?”

“Spirit Well?”

Relief washed over Young Sect Master Xu as Fang Cun steered back to business. He took a deep breath and sighed. “Very few outside the major County Sects know of this. Young Master Fang Cun must be aware of the Dragon Veins beneath our lands?”

Fang Cun smiled. “That much, I know.”

Young Sect Master Xu explained, “These Dragon Veins, it’s said, were captured by our Great Xia ancestors from the Eternal Night Wasteland. Each one planted within Great Xia nourishes many Spiritual Veins. Mortals dwelling near them gain robust health and keen senses. Qi Refiners nearby cultivate far faster. Ordinary folk live longer, sickness rarely touches them!”

“These Spiritual Veins weave across the land like nets. And just as dragons have their eyes… each Spiritual Vein has its focal point, its Spirit Well.”

“That Spirit Well is what Old Master Fan spoke of.”

“Within our Yuan Nation, every great county or city possesses these Spiritual Veins. Thus, each boasts a Spirit Well. Within bubbles a Spirit Spring, whose water ebbs and flows. The highest duty of every Prefect is guarding this well. When the well overflows and Qi surges, every Spiritual Vein in our entire Qingjiang Prefecture thrives and expands. But if its power wanes… if it dries… monstrous creatures rise, bringing calamity to the people! That’s why all Sect Leaders regard the Spirit Well with such gravity!”

Fang Cun listened, then abruptly asked, “Earlier, you mentioned countless demons plague Qingjiang Prefecture, impossible to eradicate. Is this, too, tied to the Spirit Well’s dwindling power? But how can one well influence the rise of ghosts and fiends?”

“This…” Young Sect Master Xu looked awkward. He laughed bitterly, “Second Young Master Fang, truth is… I’ve not been Sect Leader of Shoushan Sect long. Since taking the seat, I’ve hardly participated in Qingjiang Prefecture’s great affairs. Regarding the Spirit Well…”

Fang Cun paused briefly, then chuckled, waving a hand. “Understood, understood!”

Young Sect Master Xu sighed deeply. “Still, Old Master Fan has had rotten luck. A diligent man, ever guarding that Spirit Well. Yet… ever since his appointment, its power has steadily diminished. Qingjiang’s Qi Refiners and common folk often murmur that only his tireless stewardship has slowed the decline…”

“Imagine a less virtuous person in charge! It would have dried up long ago!”

Noticing Young Sect Master Xu’s earnest expression, Fang Cun regarded him with a faintly amused glint.

“Oh! I only repeat what I’ve heard! Heard…” Young Sect Master Xu stammered, suddenly self-conscious under Fang Cun’s gaze.

Fang Cun smiled. “That being so… this trio of challenges set by Old Master Fan… How does our Shoushan Sect intend to solve them?”

Young Sect Master Xu pondered heavily. “Foundationally… Shoushan Sect remains too shallow. Years of accumulation are needed. But the old master forced this chance upon us, overriding all opposition. If we fail to strive… we’ll squander this opportunity and invite shame. It will be… truly difficult.”

Fang Cun laughed easily. “I’m rather curious what befell Shoushan Sect, should we refuse…”

Before he could finish, Xiao Qingliu turned. “Young Master, Sect Leader Xu… Qingjiang City lies ahead…”

Fang Cun and Young Sect Master Xu fell silent and stood. The Dharma Ship was already settling near the outskirts. Before them rose Great Qingjiang City, looming vast on the open plain. Even from the ship’s height, the city sprawled endlessly — an ocean of high pavilions and layered rooftops shining with prosperous life.

“Who dares approach? Such insolence—!”

A furious roar erupted from the city after mere moments of observation.

Looking up, they saw two Qi Refiners soar skyward on Soaring Clouds. One wore black armor, the other a blue robe. Both radiated powerful auras. Their brows furrowed as they glared menacingly at the ship. “By Old Master Fan’s decree! No Qi Refiner’s Dharma Ship or Magic Treasure disturbs this city! How dare you act so brazenly?”

“Oh?” Fang Cun heard the shouts from outside the ship. He chuckled, “We’re still hundreds of yards away. Is Qingjiang Prefecture so strict?”

Beside him, Young Sect Master Xu jolted slightly. He whispered urgently, “Stay aboard! I’ll handle this!”

…

Across the city, countless commoners stared up at the flying colossus. Like children witnessing their first aeroplane in Fang Cun’s former life, they chattered excitedly about how such a huge thing stayed airborne. Then came the sight of the Chief Warden and Secretary appearing mid-air, shouting at the vessel.

A collective gasp from the citizens was followed by even greater excitement. Some clapped, others cheered.

Praise rippled through the crowd: “Old Master Fan maintains strict order! Who dares defy Qingjiang City?”

“See? Trouble finds the reckless!”

“…”

“… ”

Meanwhile, Young Sect Master Xu hastily smoothed his robes and stepped onto the deck. He cupped his hands in greeting from afar. “Esteemed Sirs, forgive our offense! I am Xu Wenxin, Sect Leader of Shoushan Sect. Visiting Qingjiang Prefecture is rare for me; I was unaware of this rule. We dock immediately!”

“Shoushan Sect?”

The Qingjiang City commander knew the name among the Six Great Sects, but indifference remained. With a cold snort, he gave a perfunctory salute. “Sect Leader Xu. Greetings. Do not blame our vigilance. Old Master Fan’s orders are explicit – no disturbances from Qi Refiners. Even Divine Palace emissaries would obey. Your sect is no exception!”

Young Sect Master Xu remained placid as dough, utterly agreeable. “Indeed! Understood!”

Suddenly, the nearby Secretary peered intently at the ship. “Sect Leader Xu… are you alone aboard?”

Young Sect Master Xu hurriedly beamed, “Naturally not, or the ship would crash! Fear not, Lord Secretary. We dock at once…”

He frantically waved at Xiao Qingliu inside the cabin, signaling retreat.

“Quite a trick, Young Master!” Xiao Qingliu grinned, turning to Fang Cun inside the cabin.

Fang Cun nodded with a smile. “Had I stepped out earlier… every soul in Qingjiang City would soon recount: “Immortal Master Fang Chi’s younger brother arrived aboard a Dharma Ship! Tried to force entry into Great Qingjiang City! But Old Master Fan’s strict rules barred disturbance! Second Young Master Fang left crestfallen, retreating a thousand yards! A lesson learned!” Gossip spreads. Old Master Fan using rules to instruct a junior becomes legend… while the lectured junior? Merely the clown with a painted nose.”

Xiao Qingliu chuckled. “Lucky Sect Leader Xu grasped the play instantly!”

“A Sect Leader this young, steering Shoushan Sect’s hollowed grandeur for decades… he’s no fool.”

Young Sect Master Xu catching the ploy early wasn’t surprising. What proved his mettle was instantly deciding to exit alone, effortlessly diffusing the implied attack. One couldn’t help but admire it.

Always during their talk, he’d played the role of the simple, oblivious man.

But a truly slow mind wouldn’t react this swiftly!

Outside the ship, the Chief Warden and Secretary seemed faintly dissatisfied. Seeing the retreating ship, they had little recourse. It felt like punching air. How could they demand an inspection now?

…

“Truly seasoned moves by the old master…” Fang Cun mused silently aboard the ship. “The other Sect Leaders left swiftly for their meeting, avoiding any appearance outside… anticipating this move and dodging it entirely?”

He smiled inwardly. “Fools truly are rare in this world.”

“All’s fine, all’s fine…” Young Sect Master Xu prepared to re-enter the cabin, smiling broadly.

His words choked as an immense spiritual pressure slammed into the ship. The vessel lurched violently with a CRACK, nearly sending him sprawling.

Young Sect Master Xu gasped in shock. “They dare strike?!”

Whirling around, he saw Fang Cun already advancing to the deck. A glance skyward wiped the smile from his face.

Above Great Qingjiang City’s walls… roiled clouds the color of crimson fire.

Their appearance was violently abrupt. Like a waterfall, they cascaded from the heavens.

Instantly, the sky above the city became a churning ocean of flame.

The Chief Warden and Secretary hovering mid-air, the guards on the walls, and throngs of citizens below… all felt their hearts leap into their throats. They gaped, faces tilted upward, at the extraordinary scene.

“WHAT DEMON DARES SORCERY HERE?!”

The Secretary and Chief Warden reacted first. Mere moments after dismissing the Shoushan Sect ship, sorcery ignited within the city! Fury warred with terror as they roared. Their auras surged, blazing trails through the air as they charged the fire-cloud.

Simultaneously, bellows echoed within the city – Divine Generals and guards detected the anomaly and raced toward its source. From somewhere near the city heart, likely a tavern, several potent auras erupted violently, clawing for the Yunxiao.

Fang Cun watched coldly from the deck. He knew not who summoned the fire-cloud, but its timing felt deliberate. Moments after the Chief Warden invoked Old Master Fan’s rules, forbidding even the ship’s proximity… this inferno draped itself over the city. An unmistakable challenge. Yet, for the caster… escape seemed impossible.

The Chief Warden stood witness. The five Sect Leaders of Qingjiang happened to be present. Had the caster flown straight into a hornet’s nest?

…

Hmph…

As these thoughts raced through minds, a cold laugh pierced the sky.

Like a hammer-blow, the sound slammed against every heart.

“Call me a wicked Demon?” A light, feminine voice drifted from the heart of the inferno. All eyes froze.

Within the blazing cloud… a figure descended. She trod the flames as stepping stones. A long crimson robe adorned with embroidered phoenixes flowed behind her. Her frame was alluring, legs impossibly long. Her presence materialized… and the world dimmed. The raging flames themselves seemed to dull, humbled. All Creation seemed to hold its breath. Silence deeper than the grave swallowed the city.

Her cold eyes swept across the scene. The heavens, the very void… thickened, heavy as mountains.

The charging Secretary and Chief Warden… halted dead. Momentum vanished. Their gathered Qi melted like spring snow. Shock rooted them in place. The Divine Generals and guards frozen mid-flight, equally paralyzed.

The five terrifying auras rising from the city… abruptly shrank away. Snuffed out as if they had never been.