Chapter Thirty-Two: Within the Gates

When Wang Changsheng saw that Fang Qing not only persisted until the end but also broke through his cultivation after comprehending the teachings, he couldn't help but admit that he had underestimated Fang Qing before. Wang Changsheng had witnessed Fang Qing reach the Opening Vein stage, and in such a short time, Fang Qing had already advanced to the second layer of Opening Vein. For Wang Changsheng, his current realm was achieved by constantly relying on spirit stones for his cultivation.

But what about Fang Qing?

He possessed nothing, spent most of his time busy assisting the Fourth Prince, hardly had time to cultivate, and his cultivation was often delayed. Yet, under such circumstances, Fang Qing managed to break through to the second layer of Opening Vein in such a short period.

Fang Qing’s talent had far surpassed Wang Changsheng’s expectations.

Fang Qing slowly opened his eyes, feeling his new realm and immediately revealed an expression of excitement. Once the excitement settled, Fang Qing realized all the cultivators present were staring at him. Not knowing what had happened, Fang Qing showed a hint of embarrassment.

Under so many gazes, Fang Qing felt rather timid.

After saluting the cultivators of Cloud Palace Peak with a clasped fist, Fang Qing hurried back to Wang Changsheng’s side.

“Senior Brother…” Fang Qing was still a little excited.

“It seems you’ve made quite the gain!” Wang Changsheng teased.

“Just lucky, just lucky!” Fang Qing replied with some embarrassment. “I never expected I could comprehend a spell!”

Wang Changsheng then explained to Fang Qing what had happened, especially how he was the last to awaken. Upon hearing it, Fang Qing himself showed an incredulous expression.

“So, this was your destined chance!” Wang Changsheng said with a gentle smile. “Among all these people, not even Li Fusheng and the other experts compare to you. This is your fate!”

After Wang Changsheng’s words, Fang Qing lost all excitement over comprehending the spell, and his brows furrowed deeply.

Wang Changsheng naturally understood why Fang Qing was troubled but did not point it out.

“All right, everyone disperse. The Dao Conference ends here!” Cai Ling’s voice echoed across the entire platform. Soon, cultivators from Cloud Palace Peak began guiding everyone down the mountain, but a maid from Cloud Palace Peak approached Fang Qing.

“Young Master, please wait a moment. My mistress wishes to speak with you,” the maid said.

After a moment of consideration, Fang Qing nodded.

He didn’t need to guess the reason for being asked to stay and looked to Wang Changsheng, “Senior Brother… this…”

“Stay and see what happens,” Wang Changsheng replied.

Seeing his senior brother say so, Fang Qing could only nod. After all, it was thanks to the Spell Hall of Cloud Palace Peak that he could comprehend a spell. If he were to just leave without heeding their invitation, it might not be easy to depart.

Once most of the cultivators had left the platform, Cai Ling brought the Cloud Palace Peak cultivators before Fang Qing.

Cai Ling did not directly question Fang Qing, but instead looked at Wang Changsheng and said, “So Fellow Daoist Wang is Senior Brother to Fellow Daoist Fang?”

Wang Changsheng nodded.

“So this means Fellow Daoist Fang already has a master?” Cai Ling asked Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng was momentarily stunned, but then understood and replied, “Strictly speaking, hardly a master. My second uncle saw his talent and accepted Fang Qing as a registered disciple, teaching him some basic techniques. It’s not a formal apprenticeship.”

Indeed, Fang Qing was not a direct disciple of his second uncle. By the strict standards of the cultivation world, it was not a formal master-disciple relationship.

“Senior Brother…” Fang Qing’s voice sounded, clearly understanding Wang Changsheng’s meaning.

“That’s good!” Cai Ling said softly.

She then turned to Fang Qing and asked, “Fellow Daoist Fang, since you do not have a master, are you willing to join Cloud Palace Peak as an outer disciple?”

After speaking, Cai Ling did not press Fang Qing, but waited for his reply.

Li Fusheng came over at this moment and asked, “Kid, what exactly did you comprehend? After that, you even broke through your realm?”

Fang Qing glanced at Cai Ling, clearly asking if he could answer.

“It’s fine. In fact, I’m curious too!” Cai Ling said, “The Spell Hall is a treasure left by our predecessors of Cloud Palace Peak, and even our sect does not know how many spells lie within.”

“I comprehended a spell and a technique,” Fang Qing replied solemnly.

He fell silent, not specifying exactly what he had comprehended.

“What?” Cai Ling looked at Fang Qing in shock.

“A spell and a technique?” Li Fusheng was equally astonished.

Even the Cloud Palace Peak disciples and Gong Yu both showed expressions of surprise.

Wang Changsheng and Fang Qing, however, were confused about why everyone was so shocked, for neither knew what it meant to comprehend both spell and technique at once.

Cai Ling and the others didn’t explain, but Li Fusheng laughed, “Fang kid, not bad, not bad! You’ve really made me, Li the Good Man, proud. Looks like you have great hope of becoming an inner disciple of Cloud Palace Peak!”

Wang Changsheng and Fang Qing immediately had dark lines on their foreheads.

They did not understand why Fang Qing’s comprehension had anything to do with Li Fusheng, or why it made him proud.

“Your face is already big enough, no need to make it bigger!” Wang Changsheng muttered.

“Senior elders…” Fang Qing seemed to have made a big decision, saluting Cloud Palace Peak’s cultivators.

Seeing this, Wang Changsheng stepped forward, placed his left hand on Fang Qing’s shoulder, and addressed the Cloud Palace Peak cultivators, “Esteemed seniors, my junior brother has only recently entered the cultivation world. After joining Cloud Palace Peak, I hope you will look after him.”

“Senior Brother…” Fang Qing tried to stop Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng instead looked at Fang Qing, saying solemnly, “Junior Brother, I have told you before—everyone’s fate is different. Since this opportunity has come, you must not let it slip by.”

“You should not waste your talent,” Wang Changsheng said gravely. “In the past, I did not have your opportunities, or else I would not have fallen to my current state.”

“Senior Brother…” Fang Qing’s eyes revealed a strange emotion.

“Mhm,” Wang Changsheng nodded.

Cai Ling and the other Cloud Palace Peak cultivators, seeing this, also smiled.

Now that they knew Fang Qing’s talent, they did not want to miss such a genius. With the talent Fang Qing had shown today, it was highly likely he could become an inner disciple in the future.

Every sect’s inner disciples are its mainstay.

“I believe with Junior Brother Fang’s talent, he will shine brightly at Cloud Palace Peak!” Cai Ling said with a smile.

At this moment, Fang Qing saluted them, “Greetings, senior sisters!”

With this, Fang Qing’s entry into Cloud Palace Peak was settled.

Fang Qing paused, then said, “Senior sisters, I have two requests.”

“Let’s hear them,” Cai Ling replied.

“Since childhood, I have lived in Yunfeng Empire, and have become the empire’s Great General…” Fang Qing continued, “I have always assisted the Fourth Prince. I sincerely hope he will ascend the throne. With his abilities, the empire will surely prosper and expand its territory!”

Cai Ling and the others were taken aback by Fang Qing’s words, but Cai Ling quickly said, “That’s a small matter!”

Then she instructed a woman behind her, “You handle this.”

Cai Ling then looked at Fang Qing, “Junior Brother Fang, is there anything else?”

Fang Qing thought for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, “I beg my senior sisters, could my senior brother also join Cloud Palace Peak?”

At his words, the Cloud Palace Peak cultivators immediately looked at Wang Changsheng.

Cai Ling also turned to Wang Changsheng, “Fellow Daoist Wang, did you gain anything from the Spell Hall?”

Wang Changsheng was stunned. He had not expected Fang Qing to make such a request.

Fang Qing’s first request, for the Fourth Prince to ascend the throne, was within Wang Changsheng’s expectations. But he never thought Fang Qing would want to help him join Cloud Palace Peak as well, which touched Wang deeply.

After some thought, Wang Changsheng replied helplessly, “I did not gain much.”

The Cloud Palace Peak cultivators, hearing this, showed thoughtful expressions.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, it seems your talent is far inferior to your junior brother’s!” Li Fusheng said boisterously, his face full of smiles.

Wang Changsheng ignored Li Fusheng and looked at Cloud Palace Peak’s cultivators.

If there were really such an opportunity, Wang Changsheng would definitely accept. Not only could he escape his current bottleneck, but entering Cloud Palace Peak would greatly benefit his cultivation.

More importantly, Cloud Palace Peak would provide many resources. This would not only accelerate his progress, but also resolve the hidden dangers of aging in his body. Most crucially, Wang Changsheng had no master.

In recent days, Wang Changsheng had deeply realized that, in the cultivation world, without background, one could hardly move forward!

Cloud Palace Peak was an excellent choice.

Unfortunately, Wang Changsheng saw Cai Ling gently shake her head.

“I’m very sorry,” Cai Ling said, “Cloud Palace Peak has its requirements for accepting disciples. Given your current situation, Fellow Daoist Wang, it would be difficult for you to join us.”

Cai Ling refused.

Fang Qing bowed and pleaded, “Senior sister, is there truly no room for negotiation?”

Cai Ling still shook her head.

Wang Changsheng’s eyes revealed helplessness. He forced a smile and said, “Junior Brother, it’s nothing to worry about. One can cultivate anywhere!”

He then showed a teasing expression, “But you, Junior Brother, when your strength becomes great, don’t forget your senior brother!”