Chapter 219: World’s Number One Expert (1)

Just moments ago, the roc was like an unstoppable force of nature, soaring through the air in hot pursuit of Fang Xia. Yet, Fang Xia managed to create a miracle, piercing the roc with his Golden Sword Art!

The sight of the colossal creature's body getting spliced apart and plummeting to the ground left the spectators completely stunned. How could a ninth-stage Qi Sea cultivator unleash such power?

When six out of the seven Heavenly Rankers from Great Jin were swatted like flies, the spectators didn’t even bat an eye. With the purple roc array in tatters, all of them understood that a slaughterfest was inevitable.

However, the four words spoken by the Arctic King sent shivers down their spines.

The world's number one expert? Both martial artists and qi refiners alike were driven by the pursuit of longevity and fame. Who could resist the allure of titles? Even the Heavenly Rankers, whose lifespans reached up to 500 years, who stood at the pinnacle of the Middle Land and were capable of determining the fate of millions with a single comment, were still enticed by the title of ‘world's number one expert’.

"More than 200 years ago, Wan Xing was hailed as the world's number one expert," boomed the voice of the enormous jiaolong.

"200 years ago, Jin Quan rose to prominence. The two clashed in the Stellar Province, and ultimately, Jin Quan emerged victorious, claiming the title of the world's number one expert for the past two centuries. For over 200 years, be it Daoist Arctic King or Daoist Dong Pan, none one has been able to shake his position."

"Today, Daoist Fang Xia faced seven opponents. Though he had the help of an array, he confronted them alone. He shattered his opponents’ array and slayed six Heavenly Rankers. This battle shall be recorded in the annals of history. Is it not fitting to call him the world’s number one expert?"

The crowd fell silent. The Heavenly Rankers from various factions exchanged glances, not voicing their thoughts. They didn’t think that the taciturn jiaolong would voluntarily acknowledge Fang Xia’s supremacy.

The world's number one expert! When the Arctic King had made the claim, some were still a little skeptical. But when the old jiaolong spoke, few dared to question him.

For one, the power Fang Xia displayed was undeniably terrifying. Secondly, the old jiaolong had lived for an incomprehensible length of time. He was rumored to have lived for over 800 years, making him the most ancient being in existence. In terms of perspective and wisdom, few could rival this jiaolong.

"The world's number expert, Fang Xia?"

"Fang Xia!" Numerous Heavenly Rankers couldn't help but turn to the figure clad in armor, standing in the air. The sharpness in his eyes compelled many to avert their gaze instinctively.

The period of Fang Xia's rise to fame was indeed short, but the outcome of the battle meant he was destined to claim the title of the strongest in the Middle Land. Killing six Heavenly Rankers in a single battle? It had been countless years since such a momentous event had unfolded in the Middle Land.

...

Within the confines of the jade chamber beneath Cloudhill.

"He shattered the array with such ease?"

"Amazing!" Huan Jian and Bu Yu were simultaneously astonished and elated. Too many changes had taken place too quickly.

Merely moments ago, worry had gripped their hearts, and they feared for Fang Xia's life. Yet in the blink of an eye, the Great Jin Empire suffered a devastating defeat, as six of the seven Heavenly Rankers met their swift demise. He was like a war deity.

He dismantled the array just like that?

Wu Yuan forgot to breathe as he watched everything unfold.

Just now, he had inflicted severe damage on the seven Heavenly Rankers with the Soulquake Art. Soulquake Art was essentially a technique to concentrate Soul Force and manipulate it to explode upon impact, targeting the enemy's soul.

The potency of its effect depended on the disparity in strength between the souls. While Wu Yuan possessed a formidable soul, it fell short of the Golden Core level. Thus, he relied on the intricate patterns of the array to augment his power.

However, it was important to acknowledge that Soulquake Art was different from Soulshatter Art; it was only effective the first time it was employed, and its purpose was to disrupt the enemy’s focus and, at best, momentarily confuse them. It was a supportive measure.

Ultimately, it was Fang Xia's strategy of pinpointing the enemy array's weakness and delivering a decisive blow that led to their defeat.

The array and I were just supporting factors. The key to our victory was still Old Fang’s strength.

While Bu Yu, Huan Jian, and the countless Heavenly Rankers observing the battle might attribute their success to the power of the array, Wu Yuan saw things differently.

Through the array, he witnessed the terrifying eruption of Fang Xia's combat prowess and felt the overwhelming might of the purple roc. In truth, even without external help, Fang Xia would have easily emerged victorious in a direct confrontation. However, he decided to win the battle with Wu Yuan's assistance.

This is the might of the Domain stage.

Through the array, Wu Yuan sensed the power of the Domain stage more vividly than ever before.

Beyond Unity lies the Domain. My path to the Domain stage lies in the profundity of earth. In the next major conflict, I will no longer be a supporter, but a participant. Eliminating the three holy sanctuaries of Great Jin won’t be an easy task. Relying on Old Fang alone won’t be enough.

...

Jin Ji had fled without regard for his image and long disappeared from the area.

Meanwhile, after deliberating among themselves, several of the Heavenly Rankers who observed the battle began to depart as well, such as the old jiaolong from the Huang Temple who left after bidding farewell to Fang Xia.

However, the Heavenly Rankers from Min Continent, Nan Continent, and Yuan Continent swiftly converged at the periphery of the array after a quick discussion and began conversing with Fang Xia.

Throughout the past century, the three holy sanctuaries of Great Jin expanded their territory in every direction. They appeared formidable, but accrued many enemies along the way.

Following this battle, all major powers across the world came to realize that the likelihood of Great Jin annihilating the Cloudstride Sect was extremely slim.

Cloudstride Sect and Great Jin. If these two great forces were to collide, it was almost certain going to end up in a protracted war. Certain Heavenly Rankers who harbored grievances against Great Jin naturally sought to align themselves with Fang Xia.

"Haha. Don’t worry, the battle between myself and Great Jin has only just begun." Fang Xia laughed as he mingled with the Heavenly Rankers.

𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

He welcomed all who approached him and built connections with them. After all, there was no such thing as one man ruling over the world.

In the wake of the recent battle, Fang Xia realized that even though the revival of civilization in the Middle Land might have only begun a few thousand years ago, the qi refiners that inhabited the thirteen continents were far from weak. Before Great Jin fell, it would be unwise to make more enemies.

As time passed, Heavenly Rankers departed one after another. These individuals all represented the highest echelons of various factions within the Middle Land, and had to return to their factions to deliberate on how to navigate their relationships with Great Jin and the Cloudstride Sect.

Finally, only three top-tier major factions were left – the Wu Sect, the Arctic Alliance, and the Starcom Consortium. The air crackled as three figures made their way toward Fang Xia.

"Daoist Fang Xia, the prowess you displayed in today's battle has left us all in awe," said the Arctic King. "Without a doubt, you deserve the title of world's number one expert."

"Arctic King, you’ve flattered me. As a ninth-stage Qi Sea cultivator, the Golden Core phase is certainly within your reach," Fang Xia responded with a smile.

After being imprisoned in the Fourth Eldritch Realm for over a century, with nothing to do but cultivate in seclusion, he naturally yearned for recognition. What was the harm of claiming the title of the world's number one expert for a bit?

However, when speaking to cultivators like the Arctic King, who held no grudges or ill will toward him, Fang Xia found it more appropriate to show courtesy and respect.

"Daoist Fang Xia, your ambitions are grand," remarked the elderly man in black robes, standing the furthest from Fang Xia in the group. "But do you honestly believe you can confront Great Jin and my Starcom Consortium simultaneously?"

“Starcom Consortium? You are...Liu Junxing?” The smile on Fang Xia's face faded, his eyes narrowing slightly as a flicker of killing intent emerged.

Unease washed over the Arctic King and Emperor Dong Pan in response to Fang Xia's sudden shift in demeanor.

The black-robed elderly man paled as a hint of fear flashed through his eyes. He too was a seventh-stage Qi Sea cultivator, but it was only when he faced Fang Xia up close that he truly comprehended the extent of the man's power.

"Fang Xia, your decision to kill Wu Jianzhong was morally righteous, for he was the one who provoked you first," declared Emperor Dong Pan as he stood before Fang Xia, clad in black armor. "However, the Starcom Consortium did not pursue the matter, and Daoist Liu has refrained from retaliation. There is no need for such aggression."

"Fang Xia, Daoist Liu harbors no ill intentions," the Arctic King laughed heartily.

"Haha, very well, since both of you have spoken, I have no choice but to give him face," Fang Xia chuckled. Abruptly, the tension in the air dissipated. "Daoist Liu, speak your mind. What is the matter?"

A flush of color returned to the elderly man’s face.

"Fang Xia." Liu Junxing forced a smile, "On behalf of Wan Xing, the Starcom Consortium promises that if the Cloudstride Sect does not expand any further into the Dong Continent, the Starcom Consortium is willing to let bygones be bygones."

"Oh? No revenge for the death of Wu Jianzhong?" Fang Xia teased.

"His death was of his own making, and we will handle the aftermath. There’s no need for you to concern yourself with this matter." Liu Junxing replied.

"Daoist Dong Pan and Daoist Arctic King will be witnesses to our treaty," Liu Junxing proposed, awaiting Fang Xia's decision.

In reality, the Starcom Consortium had dispatched four Heavenly Rankers on this trip. As per Wan Xing's instructions, if Fang Xia were to fall at the hands of the Great Jin, they would swiftly retaliate, obliterating the Cloudstride Sect in its entirety.

However, should Fang Xia successfully repel Great Jin's assault, the Starcom Consortium would be willing to make peace with the Cloudstride Sect, on the condition that they pledged to cease their expansion into the Dong Continent.

All this time, Starcom Consortium had been the force backing the eight major sects of the Dong Continent. It was practically their territory.

"Not expanding into the Dong Continent?" Fang Xia's eyes narrowed, his gaze sweeping over the Arctic King and Emperor Dong Pan.

His mind, sharp as a polished blade, understood the implications. This decision was not solely that of Wan Xing, but also endorsed by the Wu Sect and the Arctic Alliance. It was a collective agreement to prevent any single entity from wielding too much power.

Great Jin’s might had prompted various factions to unite against it.

Fang Xia, with his overwhelming strength, was also seen as a potential threat by these major factions. Thus, they sought to curb the Cloudstride Sect's expansion, for with territory and population growth came an increased probability of producing powerful qi refiners.

A moment of silence hung in the air.

"Agreed,” Fang Xia began softly, “I can assure you that, as long as I lead the Cloudstride Sect, it shall not expand into the Dong, Wu, Yan, and Min Continents."

The Arctic King, Emperor Dong Pan, and the others exchanged glances, all recognizing the loophole in Fang Xia's promise. It was contingent upon his leadership. Once he stepped down, the possibility of Cloudstride Sect's expansion into the Dong Continent remained open.

"Well said, Daoist Fang Xia is indeed a straightforward man," Liu Junxing replied with a smile. "On behalf of the Starcom Consortium, we pledge to abstain from interfering in the conflict between the Cloudstride Sect and Great Jin. Moreover, apart from business transactions, our Heavenly Rankers shall refrain from trespassing into the Cloudstride Sect's territory, barring any exceptional circumstances."

The Arctic King and Emperor Dong Pan watched in silence as the two parties sealed their treaty.

There was no need for Fang Xia to make any more promises. In the eyes of the trio, Fang Xia's leadership of the Cloudstride Sect would continue for at least another two centuries. Who could predict what would happen so far into the future?

A single treaty between Heavenly Rankers could maintain decades of peace between factions, which was good enough for them.

"Alright then, Fellow Daoists, I bid you farewell." Though Liu Junxing was a seventh-stage Qi Sea cultivator, he still felt pressured in the presence of these peak powerhouses and quickly departed.

Emperor Dong Pan smiled at Fang Xia and asked, "Have you heard of the Middle Land Immortal Hall?"

The Middle Land Immortal Hall?" Fang Xia had never heard of it.