443 Flying Star (1/2)
From the air, it seemed like the whole Huiming City had become an army camp.
Most of the structures were lined up in rows. The layout of the buildings reminded one of collective dormitories. The living conditions were probably not the best.
But this organisation made the most sense, considering that there were millions gathered in the city.
The good thing was that the hierarchy remained intact.
Xing Hezi was a Calamity-grade cultivator of the 4th tier, and was also appointed as one of the national consultants. Thus, he was given a villa to stay in.
Outside, a small stream gurgled underneath a little bridge.
”Please take a seat!”
Xing Hezi showed Fang Yuan to a stone chair underneath a pine tree, and poured a cup of clear tea for him.
”My friend, would you care for some of the Cloudy Mountain Tea that I've brewed?”
”Many thanks!”
Fang Yuan picked up his patterned teacup and took a small sip. His eyes lit up instantly.
”Fragrant and refreshing. The aftertaste lingers and carries a sort of worldliness…”
”Worldliness...well said!”
Xiang Hezi stared at the pond, and suddenly laughed bitterly.
”A dream that lasts a thousand years. The next time I wake up, I will be the only person left in the whole Flying Star Sect. Even now, in this country, I've managed to contact only a few...sigh, friends and enemies of the past are long gone. This feels so strange! But I'm thankful for you. I am heartened to know that I have a successor…”
He was experienced enough to tell that Fang Yuan was not simply a talented chap, but a legend who attained all that he had through hard work.
Fang Yuan achieved the unthinkable without proper guidance and in an environment lacking in spiritual energy. He was one of a kind, a prodigy that only appeared once in a hundred thousand years.
”You flatter me…”
Fang Yuan took another sip of the spiritual tea and exchanged more niceties with Xing Hezi. Through conversation, he managed to learn more about Xing Hezi's background.
Xing Hezi was the founder of the Flying Star Sect. In the last thousand year cycle where spiritual energy ceased to flow, he sealed himself up in ice and moved to his Sect's Prosperous Land.
The Flying Star Sect's external influence had not declined and was developing even up till the present. It was still a force to be reckoned with.
Through his social connections, he was able to communicate with the government hierarchs and was given the position of national consultant.
Of course, it was but a case of mutual benefits.
”Are there many people like you in the Chinese country, my friend?”
Fang Yuan asked his question after a moment of silence.
”To unlock the Prosperous Land, one has to be able to expend an enormous amount of energy. During my time, not many people could do that...of all the factions and organisations in the pugilistic world, there was only a handful. Even among those who did make it to the Prosperous Land, only a few made it…”
Xing Hezi looked slightly lonely.
”Only about three to five individuals are truly formidable in the Middle Continent...it's the same for the West.”
He went on to explain in great detail the layout of the world.
True experts of the Divine Refining Grade were Area Beings with mutations of the 5th Grade.
As for Fang Yuan and Xing Hezi, they were both at the peak of Divine Returning Grade, the 4th Calamity Grade.
The layout of the Western world was no different to that of he Middle Continent. Common deities were of 4th grade, and more powerful deities were of the 5th!
'So it seems that Farquhar was once of the 5th grade...but his faith suffered a declined after having been sealed up for years, and now, he has barely made it into the 4th grade…'
There was a glint in Fang Yuan's eye as he turned to look at Xing Hezi.
Who knew, but Xing Hezi might actually be concealing his true abilities. He could have been a master of the Divine Refining Grade once, but fell to the Divine Returning Grade because he had been weakened by his seal.
In this world, there were only theoretical realms that will remain myths forever.
”Right...have you obtained the array techniques of the Jade Palace faction?
Xing Hezi breached the question in the middle of their hearty conversation.
”Yes...Farquhar told you?”
Fang Yuan glanced at him.
”In terms of maintaining the world order, we share a common objective with him!”
Xing Hezi replied blandly, which made him hard to read.
”Of course, we are in charge of operations over here in the Middle Continent! The Jade Palace Faction is one of the most prominent sects around. How can its succession fall into the hands of an outsider. If you take over, it would be your destiny.”
”Oh, so this is how it is.”
Fang Yuan gave a flicker of a smile.
”Of course, this is the only arrangement. We need your help!”
Xing Hezi snapped his fingers, and an array that enveloped everything materialised in the courtyard.
Fang Yuan became more serious after seeing this secretive attitude from Xing Hezi.