Chapter 205: A Fish Surmounting the Dragon’s Gate


    Grar!


    It had been a long time since the bat faest sustained an injury. It shrieked in anger upon having its wing pierced by the little sword, releasing a terrifying sonic pulse.


    Pu!


    Fang Chen felt his innards jolt. He was protecting his body with his spirit ki, but the impact still made him spew blood.


    Just a single shriek from the bat fae was enough to injure him!


    The martial artists that were scattering all around halted their footsteps and looked over with looks of fear. That howl had been terrifying for them too. Despite being far away, they still felt their blood being jolted into disarray. Some of them even suffered injuries as a result!


    Continue, dont stop! Ji Junhua roared. Dont forget what our goal here is. Leave the rest to young master Fang and our Old Master!


    Yes, master!


    The bat fae screeched ceaselessly in hopes of pushing the little sword back via its sonic pulses, but each time it screeched, the little sword would pierce through its body once.


    Fang Chen continuously channeled his spirit ki to protect himself. Initially, each sonic pulse would cause a crack in his protectiveyer of spirit ki, but he quickly noticed that the bat faes sonic pulse was weakening over time.


    This meant that little swords attacks were working!


    Little sword, attack its vitals! Fang Chen ordered.


    Pu!


    Boom!


    The bat faes giant body fell heavily on the ground, creating a pit over ten meters deep. Its forehead had been punctured, and fresh blood and brain matter spurted out from the wound.


    The little sword remained pristine without the slightest blood on it. It happily surged over to Fang Chens side as if asking for a reward.


    Hungry, eat, hungry, eat


    This fae is not bad. You dont want to eat it? Fang Chen tried asking.


    Uweh Disgusting The little sword shook sidewards.


    You dont take organic food. Got it.


    Fang Chen shot a thumbs up, as the final sliver of his doubt vanished. This was an expensive child to raise, given how it only ate artifacts, but it wouldnt do for him to starve his own kid.


    Dont worry. Ill try to find some artifacts here for you to eat. If that doesnt work, Ill buy some for you in the market, Fang Chen consoled it.


    The little sword vibrated in satisfaction. The battle seemed to have exhausted it. It flew around for a while longer and probably felt bored, so it returned to Fang Chens body and dozed off.


    Meanwhile, Fang Chen scavenged the bat faes corpse. Momentster, he pulled out a blood-red bead from its head. It was around the size of a fingernail.


    Is this the faes inner core? Fang Chens interest was piqued, so he examined it.


    He noticed that the inner core released a peculiar pulsation whenever his spirit ki came into contact with it. After some fiddling, the inner core suddenly released a piercing screech.


    Boom!


    The pit further expanded as a result of the sonic pulse!


    The abilities of a fae are centered in its inner core, and it can be triggered via spirit ki This would make inner cores an ideal material for forging artifacts, right? Fang Chen widened his eyes in realization.


    The inner cores aura noticeably weakened after releasing the sonic pulse. It was likely that the inner cores energy could still be replenished while it was inside the faes body, but it turned into an expendable after it was torn away from it.


    The sonic pulse is strong enough to take down seventh or eighth stage Ki Refinement cultivators. I should be able to get a good price out of it, Fang Chen murmured.


    All of a sudden, he shook his head bitterly.


    All this while, he had never been concerned about ki stones and artifacts as he didnt have much need in that regard, but now that he had a little sword that preyed solely on artifacts, he needed to pay more heed in that direction.


    Days slowly passed.


    On the fifth day, Fang Chen stumbled upon an unkempt Ji Congyun. The stone fae was relentlessly chasing after him.


    Wait a moment, why is he so rxed?!


    Ji Congyun saw Fang Chen seated on the ground, leisurely brewing tea with a proper tea set. His face immediately darkened.


    <em>Wheres the bat fae? Shouldnt Fang Chen be in worse shape than me?</em>


    Fang Chen poured two cups of steaming tea before beckoning Ji Congyun over. Elder Ji,e here and have a cup of tea.


    Ji Congyun flitted up to Fang Chen with a conflicted expression. He turned around to look at the stone fae, only to see thetter halting a distance away, reluctant to approach as if it had sensed danger.


    This Ji Congyun was baffled.


    There was only one exnation for this situationFang Chen was much stronger than he had expected. To think that even the faes feared him!


    He still remembered how Immortal Zuo had been put in a difficult spot when he entered this ce back then, such that he dared not enter it a second time. <em>It looks like there can be a huge gap even among immortals. </em>


    The stone fae spent several seconds staring deeply at Fang Chen before taking its leave.


    Ji Congyuns lips quivered. It took a few moments before he bitterly remarked, I see that even the faes here fear young master Fang.


    Try my tea. Fang Chen pushed the teacup over.


    Ji Congyun sat down and downed the tea. He didnt hesitate despite the tea being steaming hot. He drank several cups consecutively before finally exhaling deeply.


    Elder Ji, theres something Id like to discuss with you, Fang Chen said.


    Speak your mind, young master Fang, Ji Congyun replied.


    Why dont your Ji n switch over to serving our Great Xias imperial family? Fang Chen smiled. Your Chillwaters imperial family iscking, be it their potential or foundation.


    Ji Congyun maintained an impassive face, but a storm was brewing in his heart. <em>Is Fang Chen coveting our Chillwater? </em>


    Sweat dripped from his forehead. He secretly eyed Fang Chen in his peripheral vision, but thetter seemed more focused on brewing his tea.


    It was momentster before Ji Congyun finally replied, Young master Fang, Chillwater has a long history behind it. The Ji n might have its conflicts with the imperial family, but those are still internal matters. It would be a different story if Great Xia joins the picture. It would spell the end of Chillwater. I dont think our popce can ept that.


    Isnt it up to Ji n to decide what the popce thinks? Fang Chen chuckled. Chillwater will be a vassal to our Great Xia in name, but itll be under your Ji ns rule. Our Great Xia wont interfere in your internal affairs. All you need to do is pay us annual tribute.


    Young master Fang, what if I refuse? Ji Congyunsplexion didnt look too good.


    Elder Ji, you have lived for a long time. Your eyes might have turned turbid, but your heart is clearer than ever. Perhaps, in the near future, your Ji n might be blessed with cultivators, Fang Chen replied with a smile.


    Boom!


    Those words raised tsunamis in Ji Congyuns heart. Irrepressible greed shed across his eyes.


    Young master Fang, will you bestow our Ji nsmen with a fortuitous encounter if I ept your request? Ji Congyun tried his best to maintain hisposure, but his voice wouldnt stop quivering.


    Chillwater meant nothing at allpared to a chance to pursue immortality. If Ji n could nurture a few cultivators, they could transcend the limitations of a grade-8 state and perhaps even tower above grade-7 states too.


    It was an opportunity to rise to greatness! He had to carefully think things through.


    Fang Chen nodded with a smile. As long as you agree, Ill choose a few decent ones from your younger nsmen and impart them with a cultivation method.


    I fear my agreement wont be enough. Chillwater is backed by the grade-7 White Tiger Empire. They wont allow such a thing to happen, Ji Congyun replied.


    Fang Chen smiled. Ji Congyun had started thinking on Great Xias behalf.