Seated upon the blood lotus, Tianbo awaited the restoration of his injuries, plotting to find an opportunity to kill Xu Fang!
Meanwhile, Li Jing and his companions sensed that with Xu Fang's current strength, it would be nearly impossible for him to shake the blood lotus, and they felt a growing sense of urgency.
“Your Majesty, the situation is dire. Perhaps we should send someone back to the Heavenly Court to inform the Jade Emperor…”
One of Li Jing's heavenly generals suggested.
Li Jing sighed helplessly and replied, “Given the gravity of the situation, we have no choice but to do so…”
However, before he could finish his sentence, his voice was abruptly cut off!
At the same time, all the heavenly soldiers and the Asura clan warriors under Tianbo’s command turned their gazes toward the battlefield!
Unbeknownst to them, Xu Fang had already sheathed his sword and stood still, ceasing his attack!
He had realized that with his current early-stage Golden Immortal strength, shattering Tianbo's blood lotus was indeed an arduous task!
If that was the case, he would have to resort to using a magical artifact!
“Even a Supreme Golden Immortal cannot break your blood lotus? I shall put that to the test!”
Xu Fang's voice was icy as he flicked his hand, summoning forth a red gourd!
Then, the Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade appeared with a brilliant flash!
The brilliance dazzled everyone present, leaving them in shock!
“What? Is that the Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade?”
“How could he possess the Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade?”
“Indeed, isn’t that the property of Lu Ya? Could it be just a fake?”
It wasn’t surprising for some to suspect it was a counterfeit. After all, when Tianbo had summoned the blood lotus earlier, Xu Fang had nearly mistaken it for the Twelve-Petal Karma Fire Red Lotus!
Now, a nameless Golden Immortal was able to summon the Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade, which naturally raised doubts!
“Where did you get that flying blade? It looks well-forged, but it's a pity it's a fake!”
Tianbo was initially startled but soon burst into laughter.
Yet Xu Fang merely scoffed, ignoring Tianbo as he formed a spell with his hands!
The Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade locked onto Tianbo with a deadly gaze!
“Turn, my treasure!”
As his cold voice fell, Tianbo’s pupils suddenly constricted, and he felt a wave of weakness wash over his spirit!
Then, with a flash of brilliance, a perfect head was sent soaring into the sky!
……
The scene erupted into chaos!
No one had expected that Tianbo had truly been killed!
Although it was merely a projection, it still possessed the power of a Supreme Golden Immortal, yet it had been so easily slain!
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In Xu Fang's hand was, indeed, the authentic Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade!
“In the Three Realms, this person’s brilliance is about to be revealed!”
Li Jing gazed at Xu Fang’s figure, feeling a tumult of emotions: “This individual possesses vast abilities and wields the Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade. If he could be recruited to serve the Heavenly Court…”
Thinking of this, Li Jing promptly ordered the nearby heavenly generals to eliminate the remaining Asura clan remnants, while he approached Xu Fang and smiled, “Thank you, esteemed immortal, for your intervention. I wonder if you…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Xu Fang had already sheathed the Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade and turned to smile, “Heavenly King Li, I am here on the orders of my master. The rest shall be determined by fate; we will speak of it later.”
He could guess what Li Jing intended to say, but Xu Fang had no intention of agreeing to anything at that moment.
“With the demon leader vanquished, I must take my leave. Until we meet again, Heavenly King Li!”
With that, Xu Fang cupped his hands and transformed into a streak of light, piercing through the heavens.
Li Jing nodded, understanding that this matter could not be rushed, and everything awaited the Emperor's decision.
Indeed, after Li Jing led his men to eradicate the remaining Asura clan remnants and returned to the Heavenly Court to report Xu Fang's slaying of Tianbo, the Jade Emperor displayed keen interest in Xu Fang.
After all, the Asura clan was wreaking havoc across the Three Realms. Though many deities resided in the Heavenly Court, those capable of fighting… were few and far between.
The most renowned and powerful among them was undoubtedly the Immortal Master of Illustrious Sagacity Erlang, Yang Jian. However, Yang Jian was notoriously rebellious, known for listening to his own whims rather than orders, and even the Jade Emperor could not compel him!
Upon hearing Li Jing's report, the Jade Emperor immediately recognized Xu Fang as a talent worth nurturing!
A disciple of Master Bodhi from Mount Fangcun, slaying a Supreme Golden Immortal with his Golden Immortal cultivation, and possessing the Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade, naturally linked him to Lu Ya!
All these factors made the Jade Emperor eager to bring Xu Fang under his wing!
While a Golden Immortal's cultivation was not particularly high, the Heavenly Court had abundant resources for cultivation, which would quickly elevate his strength!
Thus, the Jade Emperor issued a decree, appointing Xu Fang as the Demon-Slaying Divine General!
However, it was rather amusing that the Jade Emperor had yet to even lay eyes on Xu Fang, and this title was merely a nominal one!
“Li Jing, heed my command!”
The Jade Emperor, seated in the Hall of Divine Mists, declared, “I command you to immediately go to Mount Fangcun and ensure that the Demon-Slaying Divine General Xu Fang is brought to the heavens!”
After speaking, the Jade Emperor seemed concerned that Li Jing might handle things poorly, so he reminded him, “Make sure to persuade him with kind words—do not be overbearing!”
“Yes, I shall obey!”
Li Jing nodded, accepted the decree, and promptly took to the clouds, heading for Mount Fangcun.
……
At this moment, Xu Fang had returned to Mount Fangcun. Acting on Master Bodhi's orders, he had descended to slay demons and had already taken down Tianbo’s projection. To be honest, that was quite sufficient.
While he aimed to conclude his karmic ties, it was not necessary for Xu Fang to resolve the matter entirely!
Having slain Tianbo’s projection, the karmic debt was more or less settled.
Upon returning to Mount Fangcun, Xu Fang sensed a slight loosening of his internal cultivation and, without hesitation, entered seclusion!
After this battle, he recognized his shortcomings—his cultivation level was insufficient.
In this retreat, he was determined to enhance his strength and make further progress!
……
When Li Jing arrived at Mount Fangcun with the Heavenly Court's edict, he did not even catch a glimpse of Xu Fang. The other disciples informed him that Xu Fang was currently in seclusion and not receiving visitors.
Li Jing waited at Mount Fangcun for a full year without seeing Xu Fang, before reluctantly returning to the Heavenly Court. Of course, before leaving, he left the decree behind at Mount Fangcun.
……
Seventy years later.
Xu Fang sat in his cave dwelling, his cultivation reaching a critical juncture.
In seventy years, Xu Fang had utilized the merits he accumulated earlier to break through to the late stage of the Golden Immortal realm!
However, he had no intention of leaving seclusion, aiming to directly break through to the Supreme Golden Immortal level!
With the passage of seventy years.
Calculating his age, Xu Fang was now over ninety years old!
In the mortal realm, reaching ninety years of age meant one was already considered an old man.
Just as Xu Fang was on the verge of a breakthrough, two figures appeared, dragging iron chains as they made their way toward Mount Fangcun.
These two figures were quite peculiar; one was dressed in black with a fierce face, stout in build, and wore a tall black hat inscribed with four large characters: “World Peace!”
The other figure was thin, with a pale face, a long tongue, and dressed in white with a white hat that bore the words: “Wealth at First Sight!”
The Black Impermanence, Fan Wujiu!
The White Impermanence, Xie Bian!
