65 The Death Gate (1/2)
”Things are constantly changing in this world. Who can predict what is the next move?”
Fang Yuan had caused the Five Ghosts Sect Sect Master and the Blood Killer to be dead one after another. He managed to obtain pieces of the treasure map and was very happy with it.
With such treasure in his hand, he was naturally happy about it. However, he had only gotten two pieces and one last piece of the map was still missing. He was worried.
”No matter what, a treasure map that could cause the Five Ghosts Sect and a spiritual disciple to be so obsessed with would lead to a treasure that is extraordinary…..”
”Of course, the most important issue is not this…..”
Fang Yuan murmured and kept the pieces of the treasure map safely. His right hand touched a piece of jadeite and he kept silent.
That piece of jadeite was clear and shiny. It seemed that there were streaks of gold lines circulating in it, making it special.
Also, the Blood Killer had the treasure map sewn on his clothes but he hid the jadeite in his body, which clearly showed that the piece of jadeite was very precious.
”Just that…..I wonder what mystery this piece of jadeite holds!”
He stared at the square-shaped jadeite for a long time. He couldn't find any handwritings or symbols on it. It could reflect light when placed in water under sunlight.
”This is strange!”
Fang Yuan shook his head and kept the jadeite safely. He then continued on his journey.
During this trip outside the Qingye City, he battled in the jungle and killed Gui Wusheng and the Blood Killer. He also obtained a few treasures like the Ying Yang Jade, pieces of the treasure map and the mysterious jadeite. He even got to observe a battle between Wu Zong and the spiritual disciple. Thus, he gained quite a lot through this trip and was very satisfied.
The only thing that he wanted to do now was to cut off any relations between him and these incidents.
This was fairly simple.
After all, Fang Yuan didn't even reveal his face before.
Even though back in Shaoyang City, someone witnessed him leaving together with Gui Wusheng, nobody knew the outcome of the duel between the both of them. Fang Yuan could say that both of them were on par with each other and they fought till exhaustion.
But what about Gui Wusheng? The Five Ghosts Sect was crumbling and it would be normal for him to hide now, wouldn't it?
If it still looked suspicious, the rest could find the ghost of Gui Wusheng to testify.
”Next, if I were to remove all the traces I left behind here, that would be sufficient!”
Fang Yuan trekked through the forest and walked a big circle. He then exited the Xuanyan Mountain by another way and reached a nearby county. He then boarded a carriage and quickly went back to Qingye City.
...…..
Days after, back at the inn where Fang Yuan was living in.
Fang Yuan, who was lying down, opened his eyes and was welcomed by a bright light.
”Hoo…..”
Fang Yuan exhaled out a long breath and stretched himself.
”Once I have broken through the Death Gate, I will be reborn...I have finally attained [Martial Artist (8th Gate)], which is the Death Gate!”
He was not really surprised that he attained it.
After all, he was already in a state which he could attain a new level anytime.
In addition to the previous battles and the lessons learnt from the duel between Wu Zong and the spiritual disciple, his attainment was a matter of time.
Of course, the main contribution to his attainment was his daily intake of spiritual food, which allowed his foundations to become stronger and thus able to break through the Death Gate successfully!
Ever since he felt that he was ready to break through, Fang Yuan immediately found an inn and got the best room in the inn for him to prepare to break through.
This time, the breakthrough of the Death Gate was different for him as it felt as if he went for a nap.
Correct! He went for a nap!
If he was able to wake up from the nap, it meant that he broke through successfully. However, if he did not wake up, it meant he was dead!
Even though the concept was simple, it also had a possible scary outcome!
”Hmm?”
Fang Yuan got up and felt that both of his hands were sticky. It felt very uncomfortable and he rubbed his hands. A layer of dead skin then dropped off and it revealed a new layer of clear and bright skin.
”Reborn? I am really reborn!!!”
He looked at his hands happily and tore away the dead skin which was on his arm.
”Piak!”
It was as if a snake had changed its skin. On his arm, a layer of skin which contained traces of dirt and blood dropped off, revealing a smooth layer of new skin, perfect and without any scars on it.
”The cultivation of martial arts is actually considered a tough training. With a bit of talent, one can train his elemental force when he has attained Wu Zong…..”
Fang Yuan gradually understood.
Under normal circumstances, most people would not be able to reach the lowest gate of a spiritual knight.
However, martial arts is different!
From the start, there were 3 gates, namely the Initial, Rest and Life. One who did not have prior experience would be able to break through and attain them in 3 years with hard work.
If one had prior experience, one could try to break through the Restriction Gate and strengthen one's inner power.
After the Pain Gate, one would have gained inner force and could improve his essence and spirit naturally. After the Death Gate, one's inner force would reach its peak.
Next, whether to take in both Yin and Yang or to combine them together, was part of the preparation needed to break through the Heaven Gate and train one's elemental force.
”This process is one step at a time and consists of 12 steps, which is different from the process which involves the spiritual disciple breaking through to become the spiritual knight. Hence, the former process is considered to be more favourable…..”
At that moment, Fang Yuan did not look down on martial arts but felt full of respect for the creation of the 12 Golden Gates in martial arts.
The creator had given many who did not have prior experience a straight pathway to attain the Heaven Gate!