Chapter 618 - 425: Divine Puppet Technique

Inside the cave residence lay the Huo Family’s Qilin’Er. Once a heroic youth with a determined gaze who tamed the White Tiger, he could now only recline on the Jade Couch, his face gaunt and his expression aged.

A year ago, he had ventured alone into the Barbaric Wilderness in search of Huo Hu. But a month ago, he had fled back, gravely injured. When Di Qing and the others asked what had happened, he refused to say a word.

Given his grave injuries, it was not wise for Huo Bai to return to Zongshan immediately. Besides, he had no desire to go back. His original purpose for bringing Huo Yao’Er to the Southern Border was twofold: first, to search for Huo Hu, and second, to seek refuge.

This was because a Nascent Soul Cultivator at Zongshan had taken an interest in Huo Yao’Er, and the Huo Family was powerless to stop him. That was why they had come to the Southern Border to lie low for a while.

When Fang Qingyuan entered, Huo Bai struggled to sit up. His face registered surprise when he saw Fang Qingyuan.

"What are you doing here?"

After nearly sixty or seventy years, they were meeting again. However, the power dynamic between them from all those years ago had completely reversed.

"I heard you were injured. I happened to be in the area on some business, so I came to see how you were doing."

Fang Qingyuan gently placed a hand on Huo Bai’s shoulder, gesturing for him not to force himself up. Behind them, Huo Yao’Er’s eyes softened with tenderness as she watched Fang Qingyuan’s considerate action.

Huo Bai leaned back against the Jade Couch with a sigh of resignation. His qi and blood were both severely depleted, the Magical Power in his meridians was a chaotic mess, and he couldn’t even use a tenth of his Divine Techniques.

Still, he was lucky to be in this state. At least he had made it back alive. The Barbaric Land had always been fraught with danger.

"In just sixty or seventy years, you’ve not only reached Golden Core, but you’re already at the mid-stage. You’ve caught up to me. Fang Qingyuan, we all completely misjudged you back then."

A complex look filled Huo Bai’s eyes. The memory of Fang Qingyuan by his side, calling him ’Senior’ at every turn, seemed as clear as yesterday.

Back then, Huo Bai had taken Fang Qingyuan to Artifact Talisman City to find Huo Hu. On their way back, they were ambushed by the Spirit Wood Alliance. Fang Qingyuan had only managed to escape with his life thanks to Huo Bai’s protection.

But now, Fang Qingyuan’s cultivation level was nearly on par with his. In terms of status, the Huo Family had long since fallen into decline. And as for the purpose of Fang Qingyuan’s current trip, how could Huo Bai not be aware of it?

A Nascent Soul Ancient Beast... That was the very Clan Guardian Spirit Beast the Huo Family had dreamed of acquiring, and Fang Qingyuan had obtained one just like that. Huo Bai was filled with immense envy.

With this Nascent Soul Ancient Beast, Fang Qingyuan’s status could be considered transcendent—below Nascent Soul, yet above all other Golden Core Cultivators.

Within White Mountain, ever since the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect relocated, the title of the tenth great power could belong to none other than the Qingyuan Sect.

As for the other nine powers, even the one with the weakest foundation, the Pill Alliance, was the successor to a Golden Core Clan with a thousand-year heritage. And the Qingyuan Sect?

From its founding to the present day, it had only been a mere sixty years. Moreover, Fang Qingyuan was its first Sealed Sect Leader.

Huo Bai was aware that Fang Qingyuan’s Lifebound Talent was related to extending one’s lifespan. Taking that into account, Fang Qingyuan’s value was even higher.

’The daughter of a fallen noble family paired with a newly risen powerhouse—a perfect match!’

At this thought, Huo Bai’s gaze on Fang Qingyuan grew intense.

"Qingyuan, what do you think of my sister?"

Fang Qingyuan stared in astonishment at the suddenly radiant Huo Bai. ’Wait a minute,’ he thought. ’Your sister just said you were at death’s door. This can’t be a final burst of life, can it?’

Instinctively, Fang Qingyuan sent a sliver of Magical Power into Huo Bai’s body. He was immediately met with a wave of sinister, bloody qi.

’Blood Saber?’

’How could I not be familiar with this bloody qi? I still have a good amount of it stored in my Eight Sceneries Palace Lantern.’

’Could it be that Huo Bai’s injuries were caused by Blood Saber?’

In an instant, the strand of Magical Power Fang Qingyuan had sent into Huo Bai’s body was devoured by the immense bloody qi. Huo Bai then subtly flinched back, breaking contact with Fang Qingyuan’s finger.

Huo Yao’Er, standing beside Fang Qingyuan, did not notice this subtle exchange. After hearing her brother’s question, she simply watched Fang Qingyuan, eagerly awaiting his reply.

Fang Qingyuan suppressed his doubts and replied nonchalantly:

"Daoist Friend Huo Yao’Er is, of course, a peerless beauty. Flawless."

"Then, would you be willing to marry my sister? If she meets your approval, I, as her elder brother, will make the decision and marry Yao’Er to you. My word still carries weight in the Huo Family these days."

’Why is he trying to marry Huo Yao’Er off to me again? She already brought this up herself, and I turned her down. Hasn’t she told him?’

’Or do they think that I won’t be able to refuse out of respect for Huo Bai?’

"To be frank, Brother Huo, I have already taken five concubines. I fear it would be unfair to Daoist Friend Huo Yao’Er."

"That’s not an issue. Your concubines are all at the Qi Cultivation stage, are they not? How many years can they stay by your side? Not even fifty, I’d imagine. If you marry Yao’Er, she will be the one to accompany you for a lifetime."

’That’s even more terrifying!’ Fang Qingyuan thought, picturing that future and shaking his head internally.

’It’s the same old concern. My wife cannot be too capable, nor can her status be too high. Otherwise, with my Immortal Mansion constantly churning out supplies, she’d discover the truth sooner or later.’

Currently, within the Qingyuan Sect, Fang Qingyuan’s authority was absolute. His word was law, and each utterance carried immense weight. Under his complete control, even as a ceaseless supply of Spirit Wine and Spirit Rice flowed into the sect’s main storehouse, no one from Liu Xun on down dared to question the source.

But if he were to add a Golden Core mistress to the sect—one whose family included a group of Golden Core brothers—the situation would become far more complicated.