Cultivation: I Have a Golden Talisman

The two Tier Five Flying Swords that Xia Guming presented were of such high quality that they were no worse than Fang Cheng's own.

At first glance, the first Flying Sword looked like a dark iron ruler—thick, dull, and unsharpened, utterly unremarkable. But upon closer inspection, one would discover naturally formed Profound Patterns on the sword, with a Dao rhythm as heavy as a mountain, as vast as the earth itself, flowing within it.

The second Flying Sword was a Bone Sword. It was covered in crimson markings that spread across the blade like capillaries—dense, strange, and complex. It radiated a grim, chilling killing intent, marking it clearly as a Demonic Treasure.

Both Flying Swords had their own unique characteristics and were exceptionally precious. For a Sword Cultivator, they were undoubtedly treasures of extreme rarity.

If not for a Middle-Aged Noble Family like the Xia Family, with its profound heritage spanning tens of thousands of years, an ordinary faction would find it absolutely impossible to collect such items.

Fang Cheng carefully examined the two Flying Swords for a long time before finally refining and storing them away.

He now possessed five Tier Five Flying Swords, and the power of his Sword Array was set to leap to a new level.

Combined with the significant growth in his Cultivation, he estimated that if he were to fight Xia Guming again, he could win with ease.

After watching Fang Cheng put away the Flying Swords, Xia Guming suddenly felt a lightness in his body, as if something had left him. A sense of relief and ease spontaneously flooded his spirit.

He smiled faintly and then asked, "Fellow Daoist Fang, you obtained the Red Profound Order that day. I presume you've already visited the Heaven Crossing Hall?"

Fang Cheng didn't try to hide anything and nodded leisurely. "That's right. I've met the Heaven Crossing Hall Master and have officially become a member of the Red Profound Association."

Xia Guming's expression turned reverent. "Such an opportunity is truly enviable, even for someone like me. For you to be acquainted with a Great Power like the Heaven Crossing Hall Master, your future on the Great Dao is promising!"

Fang Cheng chuckled lightly and said, "The Hall Master and I have a bit of a connection, but let's not dwell on that. Doesn't your clan also have a Tribulation Realm ancestor? Why seek help from outsiders?"

Xia Guming gave a bitter smile, seemingly having some unspoken trouble, and offered no explanation.

Finally, he added, "Fellow Daoist Fang, our fight led to our friendship. The Xia Family is completely sincere in its desire to befriend you. If there is anything you need the Xia Family for in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."

Fang Cheng thought for a moment, then said thoughtfully, "Since you are being so frank, Fellow Daoist, I won't be secretive either. As it happens, there are two matters right now where I could use your clan's help."

Xia Guming said seriously, "Please speak freely, Fellow Daoist."

Fang Cheng said, "I've heard the Xia Family possesses an Ancient Profound Talisman. I would like to take a look at it."

Upon hearing this, Xia Guming fell silent for a moment before nodding. "That can be arranged. I will have someone bring the Profound Talisman here shortly for you to appreciate."

Fang Cheng clapped his hands and smiled. "You are indeed straightforward, Fellow Daoist. The second matter is a bit more complex. I wish to hunt two Tier Five Fierce Beasts, a Kui Ox and a Nine-headed Gu Snake. I'll need your clan's help in gathering information on their whereabouts."

This time, Xia Guming didn't hesitate and readily agreed after hearing the request.

「A short while later.」

Someone from the Xia Family arrived carrying an ancient scroll. After entering the Immortal Mansion, they unrolled it in front of Xia Guming and Fang Cheng.

On it was none other than the Ancient Profound Talisman treasured by the Xia Family!

This was a legacy personally left behind by one of the Seventy-Two Saints of the Ancient Times, and it was the very foundation of the Xia Family's rise to power.

The Xia Family's ancestor had obtained this treasure back then, created his own Cultivation Technique, and cultivated all the way to the Tribulation Realm, leaving a brilliant mark on the history of the Red Profound Realm.

Unfortunately, in the present day, their descendants tended to rely on the legacy left by their ancestor, lacking the courage, daring, and talent to forge their own path.

Fang Cheng vaguely guessed that the Xia Family's attitude was likely related to him having earned the favor of the Dragon Elephant Wanderer.

From this, one could also see the status the Dragon Elephant Wanderer held among the Tribulation Realm Great Powers of the Mingxiao Domain!

He quickly comprehended the Ancient Profound Talisman, then had the Xia Family Cultivator roll up the scroll and return it to the clan.

Over the next few days, Xia Guming stayed in the Immortal Mansion, chatting and discussing the Dao with Fang Cheng. They exchanged insights on cultivation and gradually grew more familiar with each other.

On this day, another Cultivator from the Xia Family arrived, delivering a jade slip. Inside was the very information Fang Cheng sought: the whereabouts of the Kui Ox and the Nine-headed Gu Snake.

"As expected of a Middle-Aged Noble Family, to have news so quickly." Fang Cheng took the jade slip and remarked in admiration.

With that, he pressed the jade slip to his forehead and began to inspect its contents.

Tier Five Kui Ox, a variant from recent antiquity. Active a century ago in the area of the Southern Domain Forbidden Fire Thunder Mountain Range. Has not appeared in a long time; its whereabouts are a mystery.

Tier Five Nine-headed Gu Snake, lying dormant in Starfall Abyss. Suspected to be under the control of the Cold Moon Lineage of the Ancient Evil Race...

Afterward, he handed the jade slip to Xia Guming.

After reading it, Xia Guming couldn't help but frown. "Fellow Daoist Fang, even if my clan's ancestor were to act personally, he might not be able to hunt down these two fierce beasts. I urge you to reconsider."

Fang Cheng said, "I have my own plans. Thank you, Fellow Daoist."

Xia Guming stood up to take his leave. "In that case, I will wish you success in your endeavor."

Fang Cheng smiled as he saw the Patriarch Xia off.

Not long after, the Qianhuan Immortal Mansion transformed into a streak of Profound Light and shot into the sky. Like a meteor streaking across the heavens, it headed straight for the Mingxiao Southern Domain.

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「Xia Family Immortal Mountain.」

「Deep within a secret chamber inside the mountain.」

Xia Guming walked into a massive cavern. The hard stone slabs under his feet had, at some unknown point, turned into soft flesh. Fleshy tendrils about a foot tall swayed like wild grass.

In the center of the cavern, countless fleshy tendrils intertwined, forming a humanoid monster about a hundred feet tall. It had no mouth or nose, only a pair of eyes that glinted with an eerie light, revealing a look of agony.

At first, the cavern seemed silent, but as he walked deeper, faint, ethereal whispers began to drift into his ears.

The sound grew clearer and louder, becoming pervasive and inescapable.

Xia Guming slowly halted, walking no further.

"He's gone?"

A gravelly, ancient voice, tinged with pain, asked.

Xia Guming nodded. Despite his high level of Cultivation, he dared not cast a second glance at the fleshy humanoid figure in the center of the cavern, as if mere eye contact risked demonic corruption.

"Ancestor, I have followed your instructions and done my best to satisfy him," Xia Guming said respectfully.

"What is your assessment of this person?"

The Xia Family Ancestor's voice seemed to come from nowhere, mixed in with the whispering murmurs that filled Xia Guming's ears.

He pondered for a moment before replying, "Since he dares to hunt Tier Five Fierce Beasts alone, his true strength is likely even greater than what he displayed at the Feathered Immortal Tree. Given the Xia Family's current situation, it would indeed be unwise to make an enemy of him."

However, in the entire, vast Xia Family, not a single other person besides him knew the true state of the clan.

"This person carries a terrifying aura, one I have only ever sensed on the Heaven Crossing Hall Master... It has the... flavor... of someone who has passed Six Tribulations or more..." the ancient voice said, trailing off intermittently.

"You must befriend him. Besides the Heaven Crossing Hall Master, there are other supreme experts behind him."

Xia Guming was shocked. He hadn't expected the ancestor to hold Fang Cheng in such high regard.

He quickly agreed.

'His background is truly far beyond my imagination...'

Only when one reached his level and circle did one truly understand how terrifying the Tribulation Realm was.

The Celestial Tribulations were difficult to overcome. Each one was a walk on the razor's edge between life and death. The slightest misstep would result in one's demise, both body and soul.

Even after passing a Celestial Tribulation, one could still be demonically corrupted by the Celestial Dao.

Just like the Xia Family Ancestor before him, who, after passing his Second Celestial Tribulation, had been demonically corrupted by the Celestial Dao Origin and transformed into a foul creature that was neither human nor demon.

Back then, he had searched for the Red Profound Order precisely to go to the Heaven Crossing Hall and obtain an item for the Xia Family Ancestor, something to suppress the power of his demonic transformation.

Unfortunately, he had failed at the last moment.

As for those who had passed three or four, or even five or Six Tribulations, they not only possessed vast Divine Techniques but also carried great destiny. They were already on a completely different level from the Xia Family Ancestor.

"The Demon Lord has broken free, and a great calamity is coming to the world. I cannot hold on for much longer. Pay close attention to this person's actions. He may be the way out for the Xia Family."

The Xia Family Ancestor said slowly.

Xia Guming seemed to only half-understand, but he didn't say or ask anything more.