Chapter 255: Preaching at the Small Tower

When Fang Cun and his companions arrived at Qingjiang City, they found it bustling with activity.

The Six Sects of Qingjiang had all dispatched their members to Qingjiang City.

Since every sect knew the matter of capturing the Ghost Official and treating the Spirit Well had become so significant, there was no choice but to send their people out to join in. Yet, given the situation, heading to Lingwu Sect was pointless. They might as well come to Qingjiang City to wait. Even the stingy Sect Leader of Duskblade Sect and three Elders were present.

Important figures among the Seven Clans, including at least four clan heads, as well as elderly gentlemen who rarely appeared publicly but possessed unexpectedly high seniority and cultivation, had arrived as well. Their presence added layers of unseen currents to the city.

However, they traveled either quietly or discreetly. Previously, Old Master Fan had forbidden Qi Refiners from recklessly using spells to disturb the civilians. Now, during this critical time, no one dared to anger him, so everyone slipped into the city silently and occupied favorable spots without causing much commotion.

Only when Second Young Master Fang arrived did he draw countless gazes.

Unlike those highly cultivated and lofty Great Qi Refiners, Second Young Master Fang made a highly flamboyant entry.

Not only did he not enter quietly, he directly piloted his Dharma Ship into the sky above Qingjiang City.

Like a massive black cloud, it hovered above the heads of the citizens.

…

“Heavens! Who’s this arrogant?”

“Audacious! Do they see no regard for Qingjiang City’s rules?”

The Divine Generals guarding the city and the Chief Wardens were startled when this airship appeared, instinctively stepping forward to question it. But they soon recognized the familiar vessel and saw the handsome young man in white robes standing at its bow. Instantly mute, they silently retreated to their stations… After the “Tongue-Pulling Incident,” they had learned where to look!

“What an impressive Dharma Ship…”

“Such a dashing young master…”

“Hang on — wasn’t Old Master Fan against flying ships inside the city before?”

The people of Qingjiang City were startled by the airship’s sudden arrival. They first gasped in awe — how could such a huge thing stay afloat? Then, realizing, they began asking who the young master at the helm was.

Upon learning he was the Second Young Master Fang, who has been the talk of the city, countless faces showed instant understanding. Shoushan Sect’s affairs were usually handled by its Elders, so the Second Young Master was not widely known among the populace. Yet, recent events had suddenly made him famous.

One reason was the tales circulating in the streets: visiting other sects, leaving writings on stone walls, Plucking Flowers as Swords…

The second, and perhaps more impactful, reason was how Old Master Fan, as the prefect, had personally lowered himself to implore this very Second Young Master to offer up the Dragon Stones to repair the Spirit Well. This was already common knowledge.

Especially the latter — intentionally pushed by certain people — had spread throughout the entire city.

“Old Master Fan and others haven’t returned to the city yet, yet the Second Young Master Fang has already arrived, bringing such a massive Dharma Ship…”

“Could the inside be full of… dragon descendants?”

“Pah! They’re Dragon Stones, not dragon descendants! My neighbor Old Wang told me they’re for filling the well. Once that well ‘feeds,’ everyone’s lives will improve… Don’t ask me what ‘improve’ means — they say the well water can heal illnesses!”

“Exactly, exactly! The bun seller said it too — once that well is fixed, drinking its water will fill one’s stomach. Draws water from the mountain spring, steam it in your kitchen pot for a day, and guess what? Craved some Five-Skin Herbal Wine? It tastes exactly like it! Wanted Bamboo Leaf Green? It becomes Bamboo Leaf Green! …Ah, Old Master Fan truly cares immensely for us, the people of Qingjiang.”

“This Second Young Master Fang isn’t bad either. When Old Master Fan asked for his treasures to fill the well, he agreed and came early — even earlier than the Seven Clans! So he seems reasonable… though who knows how many treasures he actually brought!”

“Hmph! He’s good my ass! If he truly were good, why did Old Master Fan have to beg him? Shouldn’t he have volunteered them for us? Ahh… just the thought of it — Old Master Fan, a sage-like figure, stooping to seek help from some rich boy… truly admirable!”

…

While Qingjiang City buzzed with discussion, Fang Cun, aboard the Dharma Ship, scanned the city.

Finally, his gaze settled on a seven-story tower in the city named ‘Washing Clouds Tower’.

In this world, structures were mostly wooden and exquisitely carved, yet rarely tall. A seven-story tower like this pierced the sky, offering an almost panoramic view of the city.

“This place is excellent…”

Fang Cun decided. Turning toward his cabin, he told the Little Fox beside him: “Go clean it up!”

“Yes!”

The Little Fox obediently nodded. She jumped down from the sky, looking oddly formal as she perched on a thin cloud that drifted atop the seven-story tower. The tower, shaped like a pagoda, widened at the base and tapered upwards. The top level was a mere thirty feet square, furnished with fine wooden tables and meditation mats, clearly intended for refined gatherings. Presently, it was occupied by wealthy gentlemen, with courtesans beside them.

“Young Master wishes to use this place. Could you please enjoy your drinks elsewhere?” the Little Fox addressed the group softly.

“Oho… a fox!”

“It talks!”

“So young, quite lovely…”

The gentlemen stared at her, slack-jawed for a moment, reflexively commenting.

She seemed too harmless, however, so none reacted immediately.

The Little Fox glanced around cautiously. She approached the foremost gentleman and picked up an inkstone from his table. Since this floor served refined gatherings, all tables held brush sets. The gentlemen might suddenly feel poetically inspired, needing to write. The Little Fox almost seemed to prepare for this — she lifted the inkstone with both paws.

Then…

Crunch!

She crushed the inkstone to powder in her small paws, turning her round, bright eyes onto the gentleman.

“Leave!”

A stunned silence fell over the gentlemen. Then, scrambling and tripping over themselves in panic, they fled downstairs.

Having cleared the space, the Little Fox busily tidied the leftover food and scattered wine cups, swept everything into a pile, and poured it out the window with a “splash.” Looking back at the now spotless space, she nodded happily.

“What exactly is Second Young Master Fang planning?”

Inside the ship’s cabin, Meng Zhixue, He Zhenzhang, and the others looked at Fang Cun with puzzled expressions.

They didn’t understand why Fang Cun rushed to Qingjiang City so early or why the Little Fox was cleaning that tower.

In that moment, countless Qi Refiners from various backgrounds— who had also arrived quietly— began shifting their gaze towards them. Standing off at a distance, they watched silently, perplexed by Second Young Master Fang’s intentions. Most chose to observe rather than interfere. Given the current situation, they understood the implications. It seemed unwise to associate closely with the Fang Family…

“Preaching,” Fang Cun answered, then inwardly winced. He had only recently broken through the Condensed Radiance Realm himself. To arrogantly claim ‘preaching’ was embarrassing. Casually, he amended: “Having just broken through this boundary, I gained a few insights. I sought somewhere to contemplate them… and perhaps it would benefit my fellow classmates as well…”

His gaze swept across the group: He Zhenzhang, Meng Qing’er, Yu Qingli, Meng Zhixue… adding lightly:

“Of course, if others wish to listen… they’re welcome too.”

The group’s expressions were varied, all thoughtful, as they followed him out from the Dharma Ship and drifted down below.

He Zhenzhang, seizing the chance, called out towards the scattered observers: “Second Young Master Fang shall be explaining scriptures today upon Washing Clouds Platform! Esteemed fellow practitioners interested may come contemplate with us… And relax! It’s free!”

Fang Cun glanced at He Zhenzhang. Why did he always feel the necessity to add those final six words…

…

Ignoring the surrounding gazes, Fang Cun entered the tower and seated himself at a low table at the innermost position. Once He Zhenzhang, Meng Zhixue, Yu Qingli, and Meng Qing’er had all settled in their own seats nearby, he began:

“I’ve heard fellow cultivators across immortal sects often convene celestial gatherings — discussing scriptures, debating the Path of Cultivation, exchanging insights. It is an elegant practice. But we have been entangled in worldly affairs, lacking such refinement. Since we arrived too early and the main matters are yet unresolved, we gained unexpected time.”

He paused, looking directly at Meng Zhixue.

“Sister Meng Zhixue. Back in Willow Lake City, you were renowned as a uniquely talented cultivator— unmatched among your peers, rapidly progressing with profoundly solid foundations. But why, possessing such base potential, did you encounter a bottleneck upon joining Nine Immortals Sect? Not only have you remained seemingly far from breaking into the Condensed Radiance Realm till now, but your cultivation base itself seems… unsettled?”

Meng Zhixue looked momentarily confused. Hadn’t she asked him about this before?

Fang Cun turned towards He Zhenzhang and Meng Qing’er, still smiling lightly.

“You two face the same situation, Old He and Sister Meng Qing’er. Don’t belittle yourself either. Your talents are also exceptional — you stood out as leaders among the three hundred disciples in Willow Lake City; otherwise, why would your sects choose you? Yet why, upon entering true sects, have you merged indistinguishably into the background, showing nothing particularly outstanding?”

Finally, his voice resonated softly in the quiet tower.

“Is cultivation progress truly solely tied to natural talent?”

“Long ago, I began considering this question. And now— I seem to begin grasping some insight!”