I Can Strengthen Everything

Fang Xing: "..."

"Is Lord Nangong in a bad mood?" Hearing a roar from within, Fang Xing stopped at the entrance to the hall and looked at the steward beside him.

The steward’s expression froze for a moment before he quickly recovered. "Ahem, it’s nothing. His Lordship is probably just a little troubled. Please, go on in, Commander Fang."

Fang Xing nodded and stepped into the hall.

The moment he entered, two pairs of eyes landed on him.

"My lord, your subordinate pays his respects."

Fang Xing stepped forward and saluted.

Nangong Qing nodded slightly. "Mm, have a seat."

"Why are you back all of a sudden?" Shen Ye asked, looking at him curiously.

Fang Xing smiled faintly. "Lord Hong gave me some time off, so I came back for a visit."

Nangong Qing’s gaze swept over him. His pupils constricted slightly, and a peculiar expression crossed his face.

"You’ve already broken through to the Late Stage of the True Qi Realm?" Nangong Qing stared at him in astonishment.

Hearing this, Shen Ye carefully focused on Fang Xing’s aura. He stared, utterly speechless.

Fang Xing nodded slightly. "Yes, I just broke through a few days ago."

’This kid...’

Hearing this, Nangong Qing felt an inexplicable pang in his heart.

’True Qi Seventh Layer, entering the Late Stage of the True Qi Realm!’

’His aura is shockingly profound, and his vital energy is powerful beyond imagination.’

’Such a great talent, and yet I couldn’t keep him.’

’If it hadn’t been Hong Miaojin who asked for him—if it had been any other Marshal—he would have refused to let him go, even if it meant turning against them.’

’But unfortunately, it was Hong Miaojin who made the request.’

’Even if he didn’t want to let him go, he had to!’

’Though he had long been prepared for it, now that the moment had come, his heart was still filled with regret.’

’If not for that mission to Cang Province, he likely wouldn’t be facing this trouble now.’

’Such is life, such is fate...’

Nangong Qing sighed to himself and quickly adjusted his mindset. He looked at Fang Xing and said, "Your transfer is already being processed. Is there anything I can help you with on this trip back?"

’He may no longer be my subordinate, but it’s still a good idea to be on good terms with such a promising talent.’

Fang Xing shook his head. "Thank you for your kindness, Uncle Qing, but I’m just here for a visit. I don’t know when I’ll be back again."

Hearing this, Nangong Qing’s expression dimmed. He forced a smile and changed the subject. "You’re really something, kid. Getting on the Hidden Dragon List so quietly... Making the list while still in the True Qi Realm is extremely rare."

"It’s just a ranking list. It’s nothing more than a hollow title."

Fang Xing replied.

Nangong Qing laughed. "Hahaha, you certainly have a good perspective. If it were this kid, he’d be walking on air by now."

Shen Ye: "..."

"Uncle Qing, am I really as hopeless as you say?" Shen Ye asked Nangong Qing with a wounded look.

"You think I don’t know what you’re like?" Nangong Qing shot him a glance.

Watching this scene, Fang Xing couldn’t help but smile.

Shen Ye turned to Fang Xing. "Fang Xing, the Hidden Dragon List is a huge deal. It attracts the attention of all the top powers in the Great Jing. Have you run into any trouble?"

Fang Xing shook his head. "Not yet."

Nangong Qing’s smile faded, his expression turning serious. "Don’t get complacent just because nothing has happened yet. The chosen ones from those Martial Dao Upper Sects won’t acknowledge you so easily. They will definitely come looking for you."

Fang Xing smiled faintly. "It’s no problem. I’ll take on whatever comes my way."

Nangong Qing gave him a long, meaningful look, a hint of gratification on his face as he nodded slightly. "It’s good that you have such a mindset. Making the Hidden Dragon List is a good thing. Aside from you and Hong Miaojin, it’s been a long time since anyone else from our Observatory has been on it. It’s about time we showed those from the Upper Sects that the Observatory is also full of outstanding talent."

At this, Nangong Qing paused, his expression turning solemn. "But fame is a double-edged sword. There’s no shortage of people who become famous young. Some shine brilliantly, but many more suffer crushing defeat and fade into obscurity. This is a kind of trial in itself. Unpolished jade never shines. Only by enduring these trials can you truly mature and have a promising future. I hope you’ll remember that."

Fang Xing rose and clasped his hands in a formal salute. "I will take your words to heart, my lord."

"Sit, sit. There are no outsiders here; there’s no need for such ceremony." Nangong Qing gestured, and Fang Xing sat back down.

Looking at Fang Xing, Nangong Qing continued, "You’ve caused quite a stir in Qingshan County. I hear you killed an Elder from the Divine Martial Sect?"

Since the topic had been raised, Fang Xing did not hide anything and simply nodded.

"Uncle Qing, it’s true I killed the Divine Martial Sect’s Elder. Before I made a move, I gave him a chance. He didn’t value it, so I could only send him on his way."

"What was the cultivation of the Divine Martial Sect’s Elder?" Shen Ye couldn’t help but ask from the side.

"True Qi Perfection," Fang Xing said.

"What? True Qi Perfection?!"

Hearing Fang Xing’s answer, Shen Ye shot to his feet, his eyes wide as he stared.

"You can even kill a Martial Artist at the True Qi Perfect Realm?" Shen Ye asked, his face a picture of disbelief.

"I just had an advantage in terms of Martial Arts and won by a fluke," Fang Xing replied.

"A fluke..." Shen Ye rolled his eyes at him.

’Can you really call that a fluke?’

’Without overwhelming strength, no one would believe it if you told them you killed a Martial Artist at True Qi Realm Perfection.’

"It’s good to put these Martial Dao Sects in their place now and then," Nangong Qing said. "Teach them a lesson. This land isn’t theirs to rule."

Fang Xing nodded.

...

After chatting for nearly an hour, Fang Xing got up and left the Marshal’s Mansion, and Shen Ye left with him.