I Can Strengthen Everything

As he spoke, Venerable Ling Xu’s gaze suddenly shifted to Fang Xing, then back to Zhao Taichu. "Your Highness, could this young man be the Qing Province Demon Suppression Envoy, Fang Xing?"

Hm?

Fang Xing’s eyes flickered with surprise when he heard Venerable Ling Xu suddenly shift the topic to him.

Zhao Taichu smiled and nodded. "Indeed. This is the Qing Province Demon Suppression Envoy, Fang Xing."

Upon hearing this, Venerable Ling Xu smiled and stroked his white beard. "To possess such strength at such a young age... Truly a young hero."

Fang Xing’s expression remained impassive at Venerable Ling Xu’s praise. His gaze shifted to Hong Miaojin, then he rose to his feet and clasped his hands in a salute. "Fang Xing greets Venerable Ling Xu!"

’No matter his intentions, he is a Celestial Martial Saint. I have to show him some respect.’

Venerable Ling Xu smiled. "Lord Fang, you’re too kind. To hold such a high position at your age... Lord Fang’s future is truly limitless."

"The Venerable flatters me," Fang Xing replied politely before sitting back down.

Just then, Jiang Chuan suddenly spoke up, looking at Fang Xing. "I have heard that Lord Fang single-handedly slew the Eight Great Demon Kings, including a Top Level Great Demon. I am deeply impressed. I wonder if I might have the opportunity to ask Lord Fang for a pointer or two?"

Hm?

As Jiang Chuan spoke, Fang Xing looked at him, and all eyes in the hall simultaneously turned to the two of them.

’This guy... he must be doing this on purpose, right? Is this the Spirit Treasure Venerable’s idea?’

’That doesn’t seem likely.’

’Then this must be a way to test Hong Miaojin’s attitude.’

’The Spirit Treasure Upper Sect is aligned with the Crown Prince’s faction. Could this be the Crown Prince’s intention?’

’Or is the Crown Prince trying to test Hong Miaojin?’

One thought after another raced through his mind.

Fang Xing couldn’t be sure.

The Eastern Palace Crown Prince’s schemes and machinations were not something one could discern from his appearance.

Perhaps it was intentional.

Or perhaps it was a "coincidence"!

Fang Xing looked at Jiang Chuan, clearly sensing the Battle Intent radiating from him.

His gaze was scorching!

It seemed he genuinely wanted to fight him!

However, whether the Spirit Treasure Venerable was behind this remained to be seen.

At that moment, the Spirit Treasure Venerable shot Jiang Chuan an icy glare. "Insolent! Lord Fang is an important official of the Court. How can you challenge him so casually? And in front of the Crown Prince and all the other officials, no less! You are utterly lawless!"

Hearing this, Jiang Chuan immediately stood up and clasped his hands. "This disciple had no other intention. I have simply admired Lord Fang for a long time and wished to spar."

The Spirit Treasure Venerable turned to Zhao Taichu and saluted. "Your Highness, please forgive me. It is I who have been lax in my disciple’s instruction."

Zhao Taichu smiled. "Young men are full of passion and competitive spirit. This One can understand. A spar is no great matter, and it can even strengthen the friendship between young people."

"This One is actually looking forward to it. I just wonder what Lord Hong thinks?"

Zhao Taichu’s gaze fell upon Hong Miaojin.

’This is almost certainly a deliberate act...’

The thought flashed through Fang Xing’s mind.

With things having come to this, he’d be a fool to believe there wasn’t something fishy going on.

’Challenging me of his own volition? A dignified true disciple daring to speak out on such an occasion without a signal from a Celestial Venerable like Ling Xu?’

’Who is he trying to fool!’

Fang Xing remained silent, his expression as calm as still water, and looked toward Hong Miaojin.

All eyes turned to Hong Miaojin at the same time.

Hong Miaojin held her cup in one hand and took a quiet sip of hot tea, her face as tranquil as an old well.

"Since the Crown Prince wishes to see it, this subject naturally has no objection. However, this matter is still up to Fang Xing."

’Great.’

’She wants me to fight.’

Upon hearing Hong Miaojin’s words, Fang Xing instantly understood.

At her words, everyone’s gaze shifted back to Fang Xing.

Jiang Chuan clasped his hands. "I hope Lord Fang will not be stingy with his guidance!"

"..."

"What do you think, Lord Fang?" Crown Prince Chu asked, watching him with a beaming smile.

"I will follow Your Highness’s arrangements," Fang Xing replied, his face still devoid of any emotion.

Zhao Taichu smiled. "Then it seems we will be able to witness a splendid match today. Venerable, you don’t mind, do you?"

The Spirit Treasure Venerable chuckled. "Not at all. Since the Crown Prince has expressed his interest, there is naturally no problem. A friendly spar between young men can also deepen their bonds. As the saying goes, you can’t get to know someone without a fight."

Zhao Taichu then rose, holding out his hand. A brilliant Spirit Light materialized in his palm, revealing a simple, unadorned mirror.

The mirror’s surface was hazy, as if clouds and mist were churning within it, faintly revealing the silhouettes of mountains and rivers.

[Mountain and River Treasure Mirror, a Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure. Contains its own world of mountains and rivers. Reinforcement Cost: 40,000,000 points!]

’A Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure...’

Watching Zhao Taichu reveal the Mountain and River Treasure Mirror, Fang Xing wasn’t too surprised.

The Great Jing Crown Prince himself possessed a terrifying Cultivation at the Celestial Human Realm. It was only normal for him to carry a treasure like a Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure; it wouldn’t be surprising if he had several.

To a Martial Dao Grandmaster Level existence, it was a supreme treasure, but with the resources of the Eastern Palace Crown Prince, a single Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure was nothing remarkable.

"This mirror is the Mountain and River Treasure Mirror. It contains a world of beautiful mountains and rivers within it, and is an item This One acquired by chance many years ago."

"Since you are to spar, we might as well have a prize. Whoever wins, This One will bestow this mirror upon the victor."

The moment he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

Even Fang Xing was a little shaken.

A Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure as the prize.

This prize was no ordinary reward!

Besides the already crippled Netherworld Blood Lotus, he didn’t possess a single complete Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure.

His strongest Spiritual Treasure was just a single Top Grade Spiritual Treasure, the Blood Spirit Seal.

Although he rarely relied on Magical Treasures to fight his enemies, a powerful Magical Treasure still provided a huge boost to one’s strength.