Little Prince

Lu Xiyun replied with a friendly "next time for sure" and then asked directly: "What did you just do?! Why did you resort to violence in the martial arts forbidden area?!"

Fang Che was calm and collected. He raised his hand to wipe the blood off his face and said loudly, "Prince, don't be so honest. To burn your soul and burn your life, you must first borrow your own body. This is the rule. But the rules are not set in stone."

The young man smiled suddenly, his eyes reflecting the fire of war, his edge exposed: "Human power has its limits, but the endless flow is like the rivers and seas. Right now, soul energy is more abundant than earth energy. If this beast can borrow it, so can we! First borrow soul energy, then borrow earth energy, and then draw on self-power."

As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Che swung the sword in his hand, and the monster's other leg was cut off, and a bloody mist rolled up.

Lu Xiyun remained silent, lost in thought. Seeing this, Fang Che simply traced a path for the soul energy in the air with his fingertips, sketching a rough outline. He added, "The movement of soul energy and earth energy is actually somewhat similar. Try it—the way I just circled it is like this..."

Lu Xiyun's eyes darkened slightly, his mind still, and he fine-tuned his Qi along that path. In an instant, the world resonated, and the sword's edge roared and vibrated.

The sword light suddenly appeared and pierced through the monster's eyes. The monster's body stopped suddenly and smoke and dust rose again.

Fang Che laughed and clapped his hands in approval, "Right, right—that's it! Haha, Prince, you really are a fast learner! Chenglie and the others, I couldn't understand them even after explaining them for ages."

Fang Che's method of dismantling it on the spot actually worked. Lu Xiyun retracted his sword and sighed sincerely, "The ultimate in martial arts is to borrow the energy of heaven and earth. Young Prince, has no one ever told you that you are a genius?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Che did not stop and jumped towards the ferocious beast again.

Moving at breakneck speed, the wind whistling in his ears, Fang Che killed with flying colors while shouting indignantly, "Prince, you need to talk to my sister and Jing Yuan about this! Every time I use Blazing Life Sealing Heaven, they both get terrified and say I'm burning my life essence."

The young man curled his lips and said, "Actually, as long as I don't use my Dharma form, I won't be able to burn my vital essence at the root."

Lu Xiyun and Fang Che's two figures intertwined in the air, making it almost impossible to distinguish them.

He helped Fang Che finish off the blow, looking a little surprised: "They don't believe you?"

Fang Che shrugged his shoulders, his movements casual, but his tone was filled with a sense of righteous helplessness: "It's mainly because of my elder sister. As for Jing Yuan, it was all instigated by her."

The young man's tone faded, a sigh unintentionally uttered on the wind: "I can't blame her. From what Chenglie said, in my last life...it seems like I deceived her and burned away all my life essence."

Fang Che didn't elaborate. The young man's eyes curved slightly, a hint of amusement in them. He glanced at Lu Xiyun and changed the subject: "Prince, to be honest, it's not me who's a genius. It's that thing of yours that's really hindering your performance."

As he killed people with blood flying everywhere, he shook his head and said, "When the earth's energy was changed just now, my heart almost jumped out of my throat. When I was thinking that I would be finished if I didn't fight hard, you suddenly summoned a heavenly-level craftsmanship. How can you say that you are improving?"

Lu Xiyun smiled and turned the sword slightly: "Then I won't make any progress. I still like craftsmanship."

Fang Che's sighs became even louder, his eyes full of criticism of "Lu Xiyun, you are a warrior but you have fallen into depravity."

Lu Xiyun raised an eyebrow and said casually, "I have quite a few of these tools in stock, all of which I've used before. Anything inferior to this is Heavenly Grade. Do you want one? I'll give you one when I get back."

Young Prince Fang's stubbornness lasted only two seconds before his eyes lit up and he rebelled on the spot, his voice resounding: "Prince! You're quite considerate! I'll take note of this! I'll take you on a trip back home! I'll arrange for all the gambling houses and karaoke halls in the Southern Mansion!"

After saying that, he even made a sound of clicking his tongue, and secretly affirmed to himself in his heart - it's more comfortable to lie down.

Fang Che's sword kept moving, and his complaints continued, "I can't kill all of these things. I chop down a bunch, and then another bunch pops up..."

Lu Xiyun sealed the beast's claws with a sword, his expression unchanged. He said calmly, "It is using soul energy, and we are also using soul energy. How can we not kill it all?"

Fang Che was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized, "If the soul energy here is exhausted, it will be over! But can soul energy be exhausted?"

Lu Xiyun nodded, his tone very steady: "Qin Shu said that even the earth energy can be exhausted, let alone the soul energy?"

Fang Che rolled his eyes, the tip of his sword almost tilted. "Alright, alright, that's enough—stop it—don't mention Qin Shu. I don't like him. I'm at odds with him!"

At the foot of Longyao Pass, sword energy is rampant and soul energy is gradually fading.

Finally, the speed at which the monster's broken limbs recovered slowed down significantly.

The soldiers on the city walls suddenly shouted loudly.

At the same time, in the barbarian king's tent outside Longyao Pass, Khan King Yao Qi sat quietly at the head, staring coldly at the projection of the array disk, and said slowly: "Senior Zuwang, it seems that your hidden beast was defeated the first time it was used."

The Barbarian King's face turned pale: "I will go and meet these two brats in person!"

He was about to stand up, but the gray-robed Yanshi raised his hand to stop him.

Yao Qi narrowed his eyes slightly and coldly regarded the gray-robed Yanshi. Although the gray robe remained unchanged, his appearance was different from a few days ago.

Yao Qi felt gloomy in his heart. Sure enough, it was not the real body.

The gray-robed Yanshi said calmly, "I've confirmed that Ren Xuan is a warrior and doesn't know how to use formations. The so-called restraining formation is nothing but a figment of the imagination."

His eyes darkened slightly as he slowly turned towards the battlefield. "The two men at Longyao Pass possess a forbidden technique called 'Blazing Life Sealing Heaven'. With a life-or-death struggle, they can transcend realms. If they join forces, they'll risk their lives to fight you. With the combined strength of the Gan Army formation, the outcome is uncertain."

Upon hearing this, the Barbarian King Yao Li's pupils shrank sharply and the blood in his body turned cold.

That haunting name from the past was like a shadow that could not be shaken off, weighing heavily on Yao Li's chest.

Unspeakable malice and fear surged from the bottom of my heart - Damn it, Fang Weian.

The gray-robed Yanshi saw through his misstep, but didn't point it out. His tone was calm but undeniable: "The art of war is to avoid the strong and attack the weak. Yao Li, your beast can be modified to its martial restrictions. That's all that's needed."

His eyes were fierce and his words were as sharp as steel: "Go do what you are good at."

···

Fang Cun led Ren Xuan straight to the Prince of Nan's Mansion.

Originally, after escorting Xiao Jingyuan to the capital, Fang Xingfei planned to take his senior brother back to Yinshu City.

But what can be done - the Fang family of Nanfu is indeed richer and more powerful.

With just one word from Princess Fang, rare medicinal herbs can be directly transferred from thousands of miles away.

For the sake of Bai Xiao and Zhu Yi, so that they don't have to worry about Xiao Wujiu's medicine every day, Fang Xingfei resolutely takes his senior brother with him to "be self-reliant" here with Fang Ci.

Of course, there are gains and losses in everything. The Nan Mansion is not a charity, and Fang Ci will not do business at a loss.

As Ren Xuan entered the courtyard, he could hear Fang Xingfei's exasperated voice from afar, "Brother, don't listen to Fang Ci's nonsense! It's not happening at all!"

Fang Xingfei paced around the room anxiously, completely losing his temper. "There's no custom of intermarriage between our Yinshu and Nanjiang families, their Fang family, and your Xiao family! She lied to you!"

Xiao Wujiu was bewildered, his face filled with so much memory loss. He hesitated for a moment, "But she said... Fang Lingluo and Xiao Zizhang... were a precedent."

Fang Xingfei's eyes widened instantly, his fury rising to the sky. He was practically mad with rage, slamming his fist on the table in frustration. "Don't listen to her nonsense! That's not a marriage alliance at all, it's just Fang Lingluo's mission!"

Xiao Wujiu was slightly stunned, and replied in a low voice, as if he understood, "Princess... has she always been like this?"

Fang Xingfei nodded immediately, his expression serious: "She has always been like this to you."

Xiao Wujiu seemed to subconsciously sense the danger and hesitated, "Then...should we go back to Yinshu?"

Fang Xingfei was very satisfied with this reaction and softened his tone a bit, "That's not necessary. She's always been like this. You don't have to take it to heart. Just ignore her."

Xiao Wujiu uttered another low "oh".

As he was speaking, footsteps were heard approaching outside the yard and the door was pushed open with a creaky sound.

Fang Cun stood at the threshold and said directly, "Second Master, are you free to chat?"

The uninvited guest came suddenly, and Xiao Wujiu subconsciously pressed the hilt of the sword.

Fang Xingfei's expression changed slightly, but he didn't say much. He just raised his hand to calm Xiao Wujiu's guard, then turned around and followed the two out of the room.

The corridor is empty and the atmosphere is solemn.

Fang Cun turned around and stood still, his eyes lightly fixed on Fang Xingfei's hand holding the sword and pressing the hilt.

Even though the person before him could take his life at any time, Fang Cun didn't care. He just said calmly: "Second Master, does our previous agreement still stand? Help me kill one person, and I'll let you kill me."

Fang Xingfei stood up straight. He didn't ask for the man's name, but simply said two words: "Deal."

Fang Cun raised his eyes, his gaze sharp, and looked directly at Fang Xingfei: "Second Master, General Ren and I have a theory, I wonder if you would like to hear it?"

Fang Xingfei didn't say anything, just raised his chin, motioning them to continue.

Fang Cun spoke slowly, each word steady and composed: "Xiao Wujiu's technique is wood-related, and Brother Fang's technique is fire-related. This is not a coincidence."

His eyes narrowed slightly as he continued, "That day at Prince Nan's residence, the Second Master 'happened' to be able to interpret the dream manipulation technique. It was no coincidence."

Fang Cun's tone deepened as he got straight to the point: "The Yinshu Fang family is the descendant of Fang Weian. Moreover, it is the branch established to counter the art of rebirth, right?"

Fang Xingfei remained noncommittal, his tone calm, as if discussing an ordinary past event. "The Fang family's ancestral teachings are to look after the Xiao family of Yinshu. Those techniques specifically designed to counter the Xiao family have been passed down for countless generations."

He spoke lightly, "Every few generations, whenever the Xiao family produces a gifted individual, they will select someone with the same talent from our family. They will master the skills and methods, and use what they have learned to serve as a mentor."

Changing the subject, a sneer curled up at the corner of his lips. "Of course, there are always surprises. For example, back then, Xiao Zizhang was too strong, and the branch couldn't suppress him, so in the end, the main family had to send someone."

Fang Xingfei's expression was tinged with sarcasm. "That's why Fang Luoling traveled thousands of miles to Yinshu City to become his disciple. The city's history describes the two of them as being destined to be together, their fates intertwined. But in reality, it's just that the Yinshu Fang family of that generation was too useless."

Ren Xuan spoke quietly, his eyes like a deep pool: "So, in this generation, you are that person, right?"

Fang Xingfei did not deny it, but just slowly adjusted his cuffs, as if waiting for him to finish.

Ren Xuan continued in a deep voice, "Second Master, the person behind this is none other than Xiao Dingyuan's reincarnation. Your cultivation is the most capable of restraining him."

Fang Xingfei heard this and suddenly chuckled, "What if I don't?"

The air suddenly tightened.

Ren Xuan's expression remained unchanged, his tone calm, yet he got straight to the point: "You're worried that he'll take over Xiao Wujiu's body, right?"

Fang Xingfei paused, then said calmly, "So what if it is true? My senior brother has used the Rebirth Technique, and his soul has already been marked, making him a stepping stone at any time. I have no interest in attracting that person's attention."

Ren Xuan's eyes narrowed, and his voice deepened: "But Second Master, your senior brother has already become his prey."

On the side, Fang Cun said something shocking: "The art of rebirth is a contract. If it is a contract, it can be broken. This art does not necessarily lead to the success of taking over another's body. That person attacked Xiao Jingyuan, and because Xiao Jingyuan was seriously injured, he succeeded easily. That person attacked Xiao Wujiu and encountered resistance, so your brother lost his memory."

Fang Cun added faintly, "Xiao Wujiu's amnesia was not accidental, but was caused by the soul consciousness in his sea of ​​consciousness being disturbed during the confrontation."

The young man's eyes were steady, his voice as firm as a rock: "In this battle in the sea of ​​consciousness, will Xiao Wujiu definitely win in the end?"

Fang Xingfei's eyes hardened, and his tone was serious: "What do you mean?"

The young man's eyes were calm. "I mean—when the dust settles on Xiao Wujiu's sea of ​​consciousness, what will be left behind is a soul that remembers nothing. Even if you are the Second Master, can you be sure that it is your brother?"

Fang Xingfei's eyes narrowed, and he asked, "Do you have a solution?"

Fang Cun nodded slightly: "That depends on you, Second Master, whether you trust me or not."