Chapter 299 - 117: Exposed

Chapter 299: Chapter 117: Exposed

Though the Fang Family had departed, the impact of their farewell outside the gates spread through Huaiyin Prefecture City like a hurricane.

He was gone, but legends about him continued to spread.

His farewell poem, in particular, spread by Niu Bajin and Xun Buhe, became the talk of the town within a single day.

"To think such a great talent was driven away by rumors that he was a Rabbit Lord. Such behavior is truly a sin!"

"Isn’t that the truth? They wronged an innocent man! With a personality like his, it’s no wonder the Director of the Divine Capture Bureau was willing to overlook his status and befriend him."

"A fascinating man! Truly fascinating! It’s a shame the rumors weren’t true, that he isn’t one of us. What a pity!"

"So what? I just can’t stand that Fang fellow. Just because he wrote one good poem, you think I’m going to stop spreading rumors about him? Not a chance."

"Heh, let’s see if you’re still saying that in a couple of days."

...

「Three days later.」

The Divine Capture Bureau, in conjunction with the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office, launched a major cleanup campaign. Countless officials fell from power, filled with regret, and the entire political atmosphere of Huaiyin Prefecture was swept clean.

...

CREAAAK!

Under a blood-red setting sun, the Fang Family’s carriage headed toward a county town within Huaiyin Prefecture.

Inside the carriage.

Fang Rui held the secret tome on ancient traditions that Qing Yan Little Child had lent him. His expression was serious as he read every word: ’As the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi waned, Martial Arts rose to take its place... Beyond Martial Arts First Grade lies the ’Seed Path,’ where a Spirit Seed is planted within the body... If the Spirit Seed is detonated, the individual suffers grievous injuries, and their Realm plummets.’

’Daoist Ge’s sect truly lives up to its reputation as a lineage stretching back to antiquity, to possess such secrets. But, if what Daoist Ge said is true, does that mean Martial Arts is a dead end?!’

’Going from Ninth Grade to First Grade is one thing, but to break through beyond First Grade, is the only way to let the Court bestow a Spirit Seed and embark on the Seed Path with one’s own body?’

That was not what Fang Rui wanted.

’No! There can’t be only the Seed Path beyond Martial Arts First Grade. The Seed Path is likely just the most convenient option for the Great Yu Court—after all, it makes people easier to control!’

A glint appeared in Fang Rui’s eyes. ’I wonder if my panel can force the Nourishing Body Skill to break through beyond First Grade?’

’Probably not.’

The moment the thought arose, he shook his head. ’The theoretical limit of the Nourishing Body Skill is First Grade. My panel and Tribulation Points, as miraculous as they are, can’t defy all logic.’

As the saying goes: no matter how big the pancake, it can’t be bigger than the pan. ℴ

The only reason the Nourishing Body Skill could reach First Grade was because it had a theoretically complete foundational framework. Each breakthrough using Tribulation Points was a process of digging deeper, using inference to flesh out that skeleton.

Only someone like Fang Rui could have done it. For anyone else, cultivating such an absurdly difficult Cultivation Technique would be nearly impossible—its ’Unparalleled in the World’ difficulty Level was a testament to that.

’Compared to others, I still have an advantage. My panel won’t even register a Cultivation Technique if its logic is flawed or its theory is incomplete. And my Tribulation Points can force an upgrade.’

’This is the foundation of my confidence, that I can forge my own path in Martial Arts in the future. But that’s still a long way off.’

’For now, I should focus on breaking through to First Grade!’

Fang Rui shook his head, closed his eyes, and summoned his panel.

[Tribulation Points: 19239]

The Nanshan Garden incident, the Yin Corpse, Zhou Changfa’s early departure from office, shaking up the city’s power dynamics, the destruction of the Zheng Family, several secret clashes with Zhen Daoji—it was like dancing on the edge of a knife...

During this period, not only had Fang Rui faced his own Tribulation and narrowly escaped death, but he had also become the Tribulation of the Zheng Family, and even of Huaiyin Prefecture itself.

—At least, compared to the original timeline without him, the situation in Huaiyin Prefecture was now completely unrecognizable.

’The ’+’ hasn’t appeared next to the Nourishing Body Skill yet. I’m still a little short of breaking through to First Grade. I’m missing over seven hundred Tribulation Points, which would normally take one or two months to accumulate.’

’It would be great if I could get a sudden burst of Tribulation Points.’

’No, wait. A burst of Tribulation Points would mean some major event is happening. Compared to that, I’d rather have slow and steady growth.’

Fang Rui thought to himself.

"Master, we’ve arrived at Qishui County!" came the coachman’s voice from outside.

"Alright, let’s enter the city."

Once inside the city, Fang Rui dismissed the coachman. He then used his Disguise Technique, which was at the Minor Success Level, to alter his group’s appearances, change their bags and clothes, and even switch out their carriage...

It was a complete transformation.

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family, the Third Lady, Fang Ling, and Nannan were all accustomed to Fang Rui’s caution. Only a few of the maids were surprised.

The head maid, Qing Yun, asked, "Master, is all this really necessary? It’s as if you expect someone to come after us."

"Who knows?"

Fang Rui smiled. "I just figure it’s better to be safe than sorry."

...

「Half a month later.」

Outside Huaiyin Prefecture City, at Nanshan Garden.

"This is a place of baleful yin. It’s the perfect location to set up the Eight-Nine Origin Tracking Extreme Yin Array. We’ll achieve twice the results with half the effort,"

Zhen Yi said, stroking his beard.

Zhen Daoji remained silent, merely gazing down below.

Below, trusted confidants of the Zhen Family carried young boys and girls, one by one, into the Grand Array.

With their level of Cultivation, Zhen Daoji and Zhen Yi could still hear their voices clearly.

"Mister, when can I go home?" asked a little girl in a red dress with her hair in two buns.

"There are so many people! It’s so lively! Are we here to play a game?" a child giggled, clapping their hands.

"Mister," a more sensible child whispered, "after I die, can you send me home? My mommy will be very worried if she can’t find me."

...

Before this moment, the captured children had not been mistreated. On the contrary, they had been entertained and treated to delicious food and drinks.

Of course, this wasn’t an act of mercy. It was to ensure the quality of the sacrifices.

—Only by keeping their hearts pure and happy could they, at the moment of death, erupt with the most pure and extreme negative emotions.