198 The Journey (1/2)
”Are there any changes to my stats window?”
After successfully breaking through the 1st Refining Stage, Fang Yuan looked at his stats window:
”Name: Fang Yuan
Essence: 36
Spirit: 30
Magic: 9.9
Profession: Dream Master
Cultivation: [Dream-building Master (Peak of Elemental Gathering Realm)], Wu Zong (Third Meridian)
Technique: [Giant Eagle Metal Body Technique (Grade 4) (1%)], Bewildering Spell, Shadowstep, Hundred Poison Golden Body (1st Refining)
Skill: [Medicine (Level 3)], [Botany (Level 5)]”
”Hundred Poison Golden Body - A secret form of martial art, and is based on using extreme poison to trigger the body's potential, increasing physical strength. Currently at the 1st Refining Stage, and gained one elemental power level. The physical condition of the body is strengthened, and body is now resistant to all types of poison!”
”Resistant to all types of poison...”
Fang Yuan rubbed his chin. ”I'm afraid the 'all types' of poison only include the common types of poison. If I encounter spiritual poison or deadly poison... I might still succumb to it, even if I'm at the 10th Refining Stage or 100th Refining Stage!”
He looked at his own body.
After successfully breaking through the refining stage, his became slightly taller and his muscles were more defined. His skin was tight and had a bronze hue.
With any movement, his joints crackled, releasing an immense amount of energy.
”It seems that I will no longer need to use my elemental force and just use my physical body to be still able to defeat a Wu Zong!”
Fang Yuan clenched his fists tightly, and there was satisfaction in his eyes.
”I can leave the affairs of the country and the sect to the ministers and elders...”
He walked out of the palace and passed down a message to the ministers and elders, reminding them to behave in his absence. After which, he called for the Red-Eyed White King Bird and flew back to Qingye City.
This was where he started all of it, and therefore felt different from other places.
The secluded valley gave him the most memorable memories.
He slowly walked to the opening of the valley.
”Who's that? Eh? King!?”
A few martial artists carrying long swords came out. As they saw Fang Yuan, they were all in shock and quickly knelt down.
”Rumble!”
As the news of Fang Yuan's arrival spread, the entire secluded valley was in chaos. From housekeepers to the servants, everyone paid their respects to Fang Yuan.
”So much time has passed since I was here!”
The secluded valley appeared the same as before but had its differences now. Fang Yuan shook his head. He turned around and left.
The old secluded valley would forever be a memory and would never come back.
”Those that are stuck in the past will never have a future!”
Fang Yuan rubbed the Red-Eyed White King Bird's head. ”Old White, I'll see you!”
The secluded valley, secluded country and the entire mainland, was but a small part of his life's journey.
He had to start on his new journey.
”In my life, I must live spectacularly and find the path to eternity, as well as... the path to the past!”
He was still longing for the world he once lived in his past life.
”Chirp! Chirp!”
The bird seemingly understood Fang Yuan's determination. As it flew up, it circled the sky and let out a sorrowful chirp...
...
The plains in Yuan territory.
Since three years ago when Fang Yuan split up the 8 kings, Yuan Country was left in internal conflict and turmoil from that day onwards.
The countries from the South worked together to sow discord among the 8 of them and constantly kept each of their influence in check.
Although there might be instances of accidents, like the death of the 1st Prince Ba Tu, generally speaking, everything was rather stable.
The people living in the North finally enjoyed a period of peace.
The land and sky were vast.
Fang Yuan quietly came to the North without picking up too much attention. He bought a white horse and galloped straight through Yuan Country, arriving at the Northern Territories. He came to the rift valley near the Sunset Division.
As he walked in, he lit up a purple incense.
A mild fragrance of sandalwood filled the air. There was a hint of spirituality which slowly dissipated.
This was a present he had received from Purple Dream. She had told him that if he ever lit this incense, she would be able to detect it and would appear to meet him.
”Where did she go in the past 3 years...”
Fang Yuan tied the horse and started to pitch his tent. As he prepared dinner, he thought of Purple Dream's face and let out a smile. ”Her seductiveness would bring trouble to whichever city she may visit...”
With the Mountain River Pearl, travelling had become much more convenient for him.
Since he had decided to go on a long journey, he had to prepare enough food.
Slowly, he started to retrieve charcoal, a metal wok and a structure as he started to cook rice.
He was using premium Flame Jade Rice and the rice grains were huge. As he cooked, the fragrance of the rice filled the air.
His horse started to sniff the air and stared at Fang Yuan, as it started to salivate.
Although it was only a normal horse, it knew that if it could eat spiritual food, it would be beneficial to it, and it might even give it spiritual awareness.
”What a clever beast!”
Fang Yuan jokingly chided.