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Chapter 217 The Old Man's Terror, I Suggest Bringing an Extra Set of Clothes (2 words, Update 55)

A few days later.

The high-speed elevator doors leading from the blessed land to the underground teleportation hall slid open silently.

Fang Qingyu led Jiang Wei out onto the smooth floor.

As soon as I stepped out of the elevator and onto the plain, several familiar presences immediately greeted me.

"Aoko!"

"Fang Shen!"

Wei Banmeng, Chu Kuanglan, and Lu Jiuyuan were clearly already waiting there.

The moment their eyes met Fang Qingyu's, their expressions, which had been filled with concern and inquiry, froze instantly, turning into undisguised astonishment!
Chu Kuanglan, in particular, widened his large, round eyes in an instant.

It was as if I had witnessed something incredible.

He subconsciously circled Fang Qingyu a little, looking him up and down, and then let out a series of exclamations in a deep voice:

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"

"Fang Shen! You...your aura, your feeling...Holy crap!!"

"Martial Arts Grandmaster?! You...you've achieved that?!"

Although Lu Jiuyuan wasn't as exaggerated as Chu Kuanglan, his eyes still shone brightly as he stared intently at Fang Qingyu, as if trying to see right through him.

His tone was filled with disbelief and a hint of emotion: "It hasn't been that long, Fang Shen. I remember when you first joined the Hidden Dragon and entered the Dragon Abyss Pavilion, you had just broken through to the Profound Realm, right? It's only been a few months! You were at the peak of the Profound Realm, and now you've directly broken through to become a Grandmaster?! Your progress is terrifying! You've practically rubbed the rest of us into the ground!"

The cool demeanor on Wei Banmeng's face was replaced by extreme shock.

She sensed the profound and majestic aura emanating naturally from Fang Qingyu, a aura that was both deep and imposing, yet also possessed a restrained and domineering power.

That's a qualitative change brought about by a leap in the level of life, and it can't be faked!
"Grandmaster. He's truly achieved it."

Wei Banmeng murmured to herself, her clear, cold eyes flashing with a complex light—shock, relief, and a powerful fighting spirit that was deeply inspired!

Looking at the shocked expressions on the three people's faces, Fang Qingyu smiled faintly and said in a calm tone, "You're lucky to have found your rhythm. You're almost there too. You've accumulated enough experience, you just need that final push."

He spoke these words casually, but they sent a chill down the spines of Wei Banmeng and the other two.

"The final push... is easier said than done." Lu Jiuyuan shook his head with a wry smile, then his eyes hardened. "However, since you, Fang Shen, succeeded, we certainly can't fall too far behind! From now on, let's give it our all!"

Chu Kuanglan slapped his chest hard, making a deep, resounding sound: "That's right! Fang Shen has already paved the way, so we can't back down! Next time we enter the 'Abyss,' I'll definitely tear that membrane apart!"

Wei Banmeng took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in her heart, and looked at Fang Qingyu with extremely serious eyes, carrying a hint of seeking advice: "Qingzi, can you share your experience? Or do you have any suggestions? What's the key to that final step?"

She asked very directly.

Fang Qingyu had just personally experienced the extremely dangerous breakthrough process of "a mortal facing the might of heaven," and his experience was undoubtedly the most valuable and reference-worthy.

Chu Kuanglan and Lu Jiuyuan immediately perked up their ears, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Upon hearing this, Fang Qingyu's smile faded slightly.

He recalled being struck by countless bolts of lightning at the heart of the thunderstorm cloud, his skin torn open, his bones broken, struggling on the edge of lava, feeling the pain of his flesh being carbonized and peeled away.
That process of stripping away all power, embracing destruction with the purest flesh and blood, and touching the rhythm of nature on the edge of life and death.

It was both insane and extremely dangerous.

He looked into Wei Banmeng's clear, inquisitive eyes, then glanced at the two senior brothers beside him who were holding their breath in concentration.

He pondered for a moment.

Finally, in an extremely serious, even somewhat solemn tone, he slowly spoke, uttering words that instantly stunned Wei Banmeng and the other two:
"suggestion."

"Um"

"Make sure to bring an extra set of clothes."

"???"

The air solidified instantly.

Wei Banmeng: "."

Chu Kuanglan: "???"

Lu Jiuyuan: "???"

Three faces were neatly etched with huge question marks and bewilderment.

Should I bring an extra set of clothes?
What kind of ridiculous suggestion is this?!
What does this have to do with breaking through to the Martial Arts Grandmaster level?!
Is he implying that the breakthrough process will get your clothes dirty? But even if you're rolling around in the mud, would he really bring that up specifically?

Chu Kuanglan opened his mouth, as if to confirm whether he had misheard.

Lu Jiuyuan frowned, trying hard to find any trace of a joke on Fang Qingyu's calm face.

Wei Banmeng was completely stunned. For the first time, a blank expression appeared on her usually cold face. Her small mouth was slightly open, as if she wanted to say something, but she didn't know where to begin.

Fang Qingyu looked at the three of them, who were all in a state of complete paralysis, and a faint smile flashed across his eyes.

He certainly knew how outrageous those words sounded.

But that's the absolute truth!

His decent combat suit, worn during his breakthrough, turned to ashes in the dragon flames.

If I hadn't bought a new one at Ash Outpost, I would have had to go back to the Blessed Land shirtless.

This suggestion is absolutely useful!

"Ahem," Fang Qingyu coughed lightly, breaking the eerie silence, "Just remember this. You'll understand the rest once you're ready."

He said no more, nodded to the three of them, and then took Jiang Wei's hand and walked straight towards the direction of Zhuxi Courtyard.

Wei Banmeng, Chu Kuanglan, and Lu Jiuyuan were left standing there, bewildered, looking at each other, their minds still replaying Fang Qingyu's words.

Back at the Bamboo Creek Courtyard.

A gentle breeze rustles through the bamboo grove, bringing with it a familiar sound.

Fang Qingyu tidied himself up briefly and changed into a clean set of casual clothes.

"I'm going out."

Fang Qingyu said to Jiang Wei, who was sitting by the window holding a tablet.

Jiang Wei raised her head and glanced at him with her clear eyes. She seemed to have guessed where he was going, and simply hummed in agreement before lowering her head again.

Fang Qingyu stepped out of the blessed land and hailed a taxi.

"Master, to Chang'an Ancient Street."

The car started and merged into the city's traffic.

Fang Qingyu leaned back in his seat, watching the modern cityscape rushing past outside the window, yet his heart remained unusually calm.

Breaking through to the level of martial arts master brings a leap in life level, bringing not only power, but also a completely new perspective on the world.

Soon, the familiar entrance to the ancient street came into view.

Fang Qingyu paid and got out of the car, stepping into this tranquil place that was completely different from the bustling city.

The cobblestone path, the antique buildings, and the faint scent of sandalwood and ink in the air.

This time, I didn't see that familiar fishing figure at the street corner.

Fang Qingyu continued walking without stopping, heading straight for that familiar alley.

At the end of the alley, a simple and heavy wooden door with a plaque that reads "Longyuan Martial Arts School" stands quietly.

There was none of the hustle and bustle of the martial arts selection process; the gate was wide open, and the inside was unusually quiet.

Fang Qingyu stepped inside.

The open training ground was smooth and mirror-like, paved with bluestone.

On the enormous screen wall, the huge, powerful and vigorous "武" (Wu, meaning martial arts) character still exudes a sense of solemnity.

And beneath the screen wall, beside that familiar mahogany tea table.

Old man Hong Qitian was leisurely brewing tea all by himself.

The aroma of tea wafted through the open space.

Hearing footsteps, the old man did not look up, but continued to focus on fiddling with the purple clay teapot in his hands, as if he already knew who the visitor was.

Fang Qingyu walked to the tea table and, without any formalities, sat down on the stone bench opposite the old man.

Hong Qitian then slowly raised his head.

Those deep, ancient eyes calmly fell upon Fang Qingyu.

The moment his gaze fell upon Fang Qingyu, a subtle hint of surprise flickered in the depths of the old man's usually calm eyes.

Yes, I was surprised.

Although it was extremely brief and almost impossible to catch, Fang Qingyu clearly sensed it.

The old man seemed to have no idea that Fang Qingyu could not only successfully break through to the Martial Arts Grandmaster level in such a short time, but also that his foundation was so solid and his aura so deep and domineering that it far exceeded his expectations!
However, the turmoil in Fang Qingyu's heart was far more intense than the old man's slight surprise!

What's going on?!
Fang Qingyu's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

He subconsciously looked at Hong Qitian again.

【？？？】！
Still, three cold question marks!

Last time, when he was still a Tongxuan martial artist, he looked at Elder Hong with a question mark.

He thought it was because his level of understanding was too low.

Now, he has stepped into the realm of martial arts grandmaster, a three-star Dragon Fist grandmaster, his life level has undergone a leap, and his perception is far superior to before. However...
The result remains the same!

It's still those three question marks that seem to mock you!

what does this mean?
This means that the seemingly ordinary old man in front of him possesses a level of profound understanding and terrifying strength that far exceeds his current comprehension!

Third-order? Fourth-order? Or higher?

Fang Qingyu couldn't imagine it!
This discovery was like a bucket of ice water poured over his heart, severely impacting the strong confidence he had just gained from his breakthrough.

Yan Shouzhen, the master of Longyuan Pavilion, is a Martial Saint at the peak of the third rank.

And the person in front of us is Hong Qitian, the master of Longyuan Martial Arts School and the originator of Longyuan Pavilion!
Just how incredibly high has his level of attainment reached?

This question lingered in Fang Qingyu's mind like a venomous snake, but he showed no sign of it on his face.

There's no way to ask this question.

After all, only the person holding the title can see it.

Fang Qingyu simply sat quietly, his gaze calmly meeting Hong Qitian's.

Hong Qitian seemed to have noticed Fang Qingyu's emotional fluctuations at that moment, but he did not point it out.

A subtle silence fell between the two.

Only the teapot on the small red clay stove was bubbling and steaming, filling the air with the aroma of tea.

In the end, it was Hong Qitian who broke the silence.

He slowly picked up the purple clay teapot and poured amber-colored tea into the empty cup in front of Fang Qingyu, filling it to about seven-tenths full.

The tea soup is clear and has a wonderful aroma.

The old man put down the teapot, rolled his eyes in annoyance, and spoke with a hint of mockery and helplessness:

"Hey kid, what are you doing here again?"

"How long has it been? You don't really think that divine weapons are like cabbages on the street, something an old man can just pull out whenever he wants, do you?"

Fang Qingyu was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

He quickly realized that the old man had misunderstood.

He shook his head, picked up the teacup in front of him, but didn't drink it, looking at Hong Qitian with honest eyes:
"No."

"This time, I'm not here for the divine armor."

Hong Qitian raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised: "Oh? What's the matter?"

Fang Qingyu put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and spoke in a serious tone:

"I've thought carefully about the task you gave me last time."

"Hunting 'Shadow Eclipse'."

He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

“With my current status, I’m too much of a target. The name ‘Fang Qingyu’ is probably already well-known in the eyes of the major powers, especially within ‘Yuan’. That guy is so cautious and cunning. Once he learns of my whereabouts and that I’m already a martial arts grandmaster, he’ll likely choose to continue to lie low or even avoid me.”

“So,” Fang Qingyu looked into Hong Qitian’s eyes and said, word by word, “If I want to hunt him down, I can’t expose my own identity. I need a new identity, one that can lower his guard and even make him come to me. I need your help with that.”

As Hong Qitian listened to Fang Qingyu's clear and logical analysis, a hint of appreciation flashed in his cloudy old eyes.

This kid not only improves his strength at an alarming rate, but he's also incredibly shrewd.

He picked up his teacup, gently blew on the steam, and didn't answer immediately, as if he was weighing something.

Fang Qingyu didn't urge him and waited patiently.

After a moment, Hong Qitian took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and finally spoke, his voice steady:

"Wait, then."

"I'll send someone to find you in a couple of days."

He will help you resolve your identity issue.

Fang Qingyu made up his mind and nodded: "Okay."

With the matter settled, Fang Qingyu picked up his teacup and took a sip.

The tea soup has a slightly astringent taste upon first sip, but then it transforms into a warm and soothing current that slides into the stomach, leaving a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth, with a subtle, refreshing coolness that nourishes the spirit.

Great tea!

A hint of surprise flashed in Fang Qingyu's eyes.

Hong Qitian watched Fang Qingyu drink tea, then looked at his calm yet powerful face, a hint of curiosity in his eyes, and asked:
"But you just broke through to the Martial Arts Grandmaster level, and you're already in such a hurry to find that guy? Aren't you afraid of something going wrong?"

"That guy is very cautious, to an outrageous degree, but that doesn't mean he's weak in combat."

"No god who can successfully reincarnate is simple. His spatial abilities are unpredictable and impossible to defend against. Normal martial artists of the same level would be instantly killed in front of him. Not to mention that you are currently a level below him."

Hong Qitian's tone carried a hint of reminder.

He admired Fang Qingyu's confidence and courage, but he was also well aware of the difficulty and danger of "You Shi".

Spatial abilities, combined with the foundation of a reincarnated deity, make it far more dangerous than ordinary third-tier beings.

Fang Qingyu put down his teacup, his expression unchanged, remaining as calm as still water.

He nodded, his tone calm, yet carrying an undeniable certainty:

"I'm sure."

He didn't explain where his confidence came from; the foundation of a Dragon Fist Grandmaster, the qualitative change of a three-star profession, the burst of Dragon Transformation, the armor-piercing power of Bone-Eating Thunder, and the fatal strike of Abyss Dragon Decree were all his sources of confidence.

But Fang Qingyu didn't need to say it.

Looking into Fang Qingyu's deep, calm eyes, devoid of any pretense or arrogance, Hong Qitian understood.

This kid isn't reckless; if he says he's confident, then he must really have something to rely on.

"Alright, as long as you know what you're doing." Hong Qitian said no more. He was confident in his judgment, and his trust in Fang Qingyu was not unfounded.

Fang Qingyu, on the other hand, was thinking that in another half month, the battle for the special team spots in Project Hidden Dragon would begin.

It's best to resolve this task before the battle begins, to avoid any unforeseen complications.

Having said that, I have said everything that needed to be said.

Seeing that Fang Qingyu was still sitting upright and showed no intention of getting up to leave, Hong Qitian leisurely poured himself another cup of tea.

The old man raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of understanding and wariness flashing in his eyes, and tentatively asked:

"Anything else?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Qingyu slowly curled a very "sincere" smile at the corners of his mouth, leaned forward slightly, looked at Hong Qitian, and said in a "you know what I mean" tone:
"Now."

"It's time to talk about divine martial arts."

The word "pretend" hasn't even been uttered yet!

A sudden change occurred!

Fang Qingyu felt the space in front of him suddenly distort and blur!
It was as if an invisible giant hand had forcefully "plucked" him out of this space!

Hong Qitian's slightly annoyed voice seemed to come from a great distance, clearly penetrating his mind:
"Someone will come to the blessed land to find you in a couple of days!"

"We'll talk about the divine armory after you finish your mission!"

The moment the sound fell.

The scene before my eyes was like a shattered mirror being reassembled!
The hustle and bustle of the commercial street outside the ancient street, mixed with the noise of car horns, shop music, and pedestrian conversations, rushed into my ears like a tide!

The blinding sunlight shone down on me.

Fang Qingyu looked closely.

He found himself standing right in the middle of the bustling commercial pedestrian street, outside the entrance to the ancient street!

The surrounding area was bustling with people, many of whom were looking at the young man who had suddenly appeared in the middle of the road with curiosity, doubt, or even a bit of disbelief, as if he were talking to someone.

Fang Qingyu: "."

He remained in that slightly forward-leaning posture, frozen in place for two seconds.

Feeling the various gazes cast upon him from all around, and the immense power within him befitting a three-star Dragon Fist Grandmaster, he...
Fang Qingyu slowly straightened up.

On that cold, hard face, the corner of his mouth twitched very slightly.

Immediately, the "sincere" smile that had just been shown to Hong Qitian did not disappear; instead, it slowly expanded.

Ultimately, it transformed into an extremely brilliant arc, carrying a hint of triumph.

If Hong Qitian's attitude last time was "hopeful", then...

So this time
"It's done."

Fang Qingyu muttered to himself, his tone resolute, with a hint of barely concealed pleasure.

One last look at that quiet alley deep in the ancient street.

Then, Fang Qingyu turned around and walked briskly.

They blended seamlessly into the bustling crowd.

(End of this chapter)