Chapter 61

In the small space of the West Suburb Zoo, Fang Ling held a golden long knife that was five feet long and five inches wide in his hand.

Although there was no sunlight in the small space, the golden knife still gave a blinding feeling when looked at.

"Pu"

Fang Ling swung the knife and slashed at a rock. The rock, which was three feet thick, was instantly split into two pieces under the blade.

Seeing the still sharp edge of the golden knife, a satisfied smile appeared on Fang Ling's face.

Next to him, there were also thirty-five identical golden long knives.

After a moment of contemplation, Fang Ling took out a jade slip from his storage bag and slowly read it.

He frowned at times and smiled at others, as if he had gained some understanding.

Three days later, in the space a hundred feet below the Monkey Mountain of the West Suburb Zoo, thirty-six golden long knives were arranged in a strange pattern on the ground. Under each knife, there was a rune that looked the same but actually had significant differences.

Embedded in each rune were ten spirit stones.

"Combine"

After checking the runes for any flaws one last time, Fang Ling pinched his fingers and shouted in a deep voice.

Beams of light rose from the thirty-six golden knives, becoming brighter and brighter until they merged into a golden pillar of light.

The light pillar gradually intensified and finally dissipated in the space.

However, the thirty-six golden knives had disappeared.

In the mist, a sharp and deadly aura could be faintly sensed.

A smile appeared on Fang Ling's face.

He stepped into the formation, pinched his fingers, and directed a stream of spiritual energy toward the west side of the golden knife formation.

"Swish, swish, swish"

Three beams of golden light suddenly appeared three feet away from him.

These beams of light were ten feet long and exuded a sky-piercing killing aura!

The golden light flashed quickly and disappeared into the mist in an instant.

Fang Ling continued to pinch his fingers, and the golden light increased from three to six, nine, eighteen...

"Invoke"

Biting his teeth, Fang Ling instantly formed a complex finger gesture. Under this gesture, the thirty-six beams of light formed a sea of knives, directly enveloping a ten-foot radius.

After half a moment, the golden light dissipated.

Fang Ling sat down on the ground.

Controlling the golden knife formation had exhausted all the spiritual energy in his body.

However, he was now filled with joy. The power of the golden knife formation did not disappoint him, especially the sea of knives formed by the thirty-six golden lights. Even if a peak Qi Practitioner entered the formation, they would have no way out.

"Crack"

Just as Fang Ling was about to rest and recover his energy, a light cracking sound echoed. This was just the beginning, followed by a series of dense cracking sounds.

When the surroundings returned to silence, the mist had completely dissipated, and the thirty-six golden knives, now gleaming with a cold light, reappeared in the space.

Fang Ling looked at the three hundred and sixty shattered spirit stones under the thirty-six golden knives and shook his head helplessly.

This golden knife formation really consumed a lot of spirit stones!

"Roar!"

The white tiger was led to the position of the golden knife formation by Fang Ling. Although it was already familiar with Fang Ling, it was awakened by his underhanded tactics, and its white fur was slightly scorched.

This made the white tiger furious!

It was determined to give Fang Ling a good lesson to show him that the tiger master was not to be trifled with.

When Fang Ling disappeared into the mist of the golden knife formation, the white tiger stopped. Fang Ling, standing in the formation, showed a smile to the white tiger.

A smile designed to provoke the white tiger's anger.

The white tiger took a few steps outside the formation and then let out a loud roar.

This roar made the entire space tremble!

Then, it flew away.

Fang Ling, who was preparing to use the white tiger to test the power of his formation, felt a mix of amusement and frustration.

The white tiger clearly sensed the danger of the formation and did not enter.

No wonder Master Zhao rarely used formations in battle. Although this method could defeat enemies of higher levels, the restrictions were too great.

However, these restrictions were not a big problem for Fang Ling.

He had the West Suburb Dust Map and the Jingyang Dust Map. By setting up the golden knife formation in these two maps, he could directly draw people into the formation...

Three days later, Fang Ling walked out of the West Suburb Zoo, satisfied.

"Master, someone from the Zuo family has come and requests to see you!" Skinny Monkey respectfully approached Fang Ling and reported softly.

After killing the Zuo family's messenger, Fang Ling had dismissed most of the servants, leaving only a few loyal ones like Skinny Monkey.

Fang Ling touched his face and said in surprise, "Request to see me?"

"Yes, they also left a visiting card." As Skinny Monkey spoke, he presented a beautifully crafted card.

The card was not large, but it was encircled by a ring of pearls. If one didn't know it was a visiting card, many might mistake it for a piece of art.

Opening the card, he saw the words: "Zuo Tingyun requests to see Master Fang!"

Zuo Tingyun, the head of the Zuo family, should be Zuo Tingyun.

Thoughts flashed through Fang Ling's mind, and he said in a deep voice, "Where are they now?"

"In a guesthouse in the west of the city," Skinny Monkey whispered. "I had people watch them for three days, and they showed no signs of any unusual behavior."

Fang Ling waved his hand and said, "I understand."

The next day, Fang Ling met Zuo Tingyun at home. Zuo Tingyun immediately apologized for the two deceased Zuo family elders, as if all the faults were their own.

As for the deaths of the two elders, they were considered well-deserved.

Zuo Tingyun spoke with a smile, giving a warm and pleasant feeling. However, after sending Zuo Tingyun away, a cold smile appeared on Fang Ling's face.

Turning the other cheek after being slapped on one was something only a saint could do. The Zuo family could be so domineering, so Zuo Tingyun was certainly not someone who repaid grievances with kindness. His visit and apology made Fang Ling think of two things.

The first was that the Zuo family had likely heard about the Zhenhuan Palace and was wary of it, so they did not dare to act against him openly.

The second was that this matter was not over.

Throwing the pile of gold and pearls from the Zuo family to Skinny Monkey, Fang Ling returned to the West Suburb Zoo to continue his seclusion.

Although he had advanced to the seventh level of Qi Practitioner, he was not yet familiar with some of the spells he could use at this level. He decided to take this time to practice.

Time passed quickly, and two months flew by.

When Fang Ling reappeared before Skinny Monkey, he gave Skinny Monkey a more ethereal feeling. This feeling was indescribable, but he sensed that Fang Ling had changed significantly compared to before.

"Master, the government office has sent a message saying that the Immortal Ascension Path will open in Mangqing Mountain in ten days."

The Immortal Ascension Path!

Fang Ling repeated these four words, his mind racing.

The one who remembered the Immortal Ascension Path most vividly should be the original Fang Ling. The selection for the Nine Lotus Sect, which he was to participate in, was actually part of the Immortal Ascension Path.

However, that was the least important part!

The selection was for outer disciples and miscellaneous disciples.

Now, the Immortal Ascension Path that Fang Ling was to participate in was a joint selection by the five major sects of the Lu Kingdom: the Nine Lotus Sect, Lishan Palace, Spring Rain Valley, Qingyuan Gate, and True Dao Sect. It was for cultivators aged twenty or younger and at the seventh level of Qi Practitioner or above.

Those selected would become inner disciples!

According to past rules, the major sects would activate a large formation in Mangqing Mountain. The cultivators participating in the selection, regardless of the methods they used, the first twenty to complete the Immortal Ascension Path would be accepted into the five major sects.

Some had questioned the fairness of the Immortal Ascension Path, but the five major sects' response was: the path of cultivation is against the heavens, and not only root bone and intelligence are important, but sometimes luck is equally important!

A cultivator without luck, even with the best root bone, might still accomplish nothing.

Although this explanation did not silence all criticism, the rules of the Immortal Ascension Path had been passed down year after year.

In the Immortal Ascension Path, the five major sects spoke of life and death being determined by fate, and many cultivators fell during each opening of the path.

Unfortunately, Mangqing Mountain was not on the tourist map, or it would have been much more convenient.

Fang Ling's mind raced, feeling a bit regretful.

Regarding the five major sects of the Lu Kingdom, Fang Ling had some understanding and had interacted with four of them, including the Nine Lotus Sect, Lishan Palace, and Spring Rain Valley.

Lin Mucheng was a disciple of Qingyuan Gate, and entering Qingyuan Gate would undoubtedly be a good thing for Fang Ling.

As for the True Dao Sect, Fang Ling had only occasionally heard from Li Mingli that it ranked last among the five major sects.

"I understand." Fang Ling refocused his gaze on Skinny Monkey and said, "Dazhuang, you've been busy with the family affairs these days!"

Skinny Monkey hurriedly replied, "Master, these are all my duties."

"Dazhuang, although some people say our Fang family is the first family of Dinging City, you know our family's situation. Whether I pass or not in the Immortal Ascension Path in Mangqing Mountain, the possibility of me returning to Dinging City is very small."

"The Fang family's assets are not much. If you are willing, help me manage them. As for the servants, they have shared hardships with me. Three hundred taels of gold for each should be enough for them to live on!"

Skinny Monkey quickly said, "Master, no matter what, I will not leave..."

Fang Ling waved his hand and said, "Skinny Monkey, I understand your heart, but I have made up my mind. Follow my instructions!"

...

Mangqing Mountain was located five hundred miles west of Dinging City. The mountain was not very high, but it was covered with strange rocks. For ten miles around, there was basically no human habitation.

However, with the ten-yearly Immortal Ascension Path of the five major sects, the closest town to Mangqing Mountain, Qinghe Town, was becoming increasingly crowded.

One day, a young man in a blue robe stepped into Qinghe Town!