Free Web NovelChapter 331: Chapter 267: Close But Far Away (Part 2)
In the world controlled by the Great Zhou Academy, He Yingqiong was not considered a beauty. Her sharp, severe features made it easy for people to forget she was a Female Cultivator.
However, at the Golden Core realm, appearance was irrelevant. In the face of immense power, one’s looks were the least important thing.
Only after Fang Qingyuan had taken his seat did He Yingqiong speak:
"I have taken the liberty of inviting Fellow Daoist Xiao here today because I have a favor to ask. I possess an object, and I would like to request your help in opening it."
Fang Qingyuan raised an eyebrow. ’He Yingqiong’s words are polite, but how can she be so sure I can open something that even she can’t?’
"I have heard that Fellow Daoist Xiao’s soul is profoundly deep, far surpassing that of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator. That is why I wished to ask you to try. Regardless of the outcome, I have prepared a token of my appreciation and will not let you expend your effort for nothing."
He Yingqiong’s attitude was very amicable. Fang Qingyuan wondered if his self-proclaimed affiliation with the Soul Hall had made her somewhat wary.
Hearing that he would be rewarded even if he failed, Fang Qingyuan’s interest was piqued. He didn’t rush to make excuses, instead saying with a smile: freēwēbnovel.com
"Since Senior asks, I am naturally willing to give it a try. However, my talents are limited. It would be best if Senior doesn’t get her hopes up too high."
As a Golden Core Cultivator, even if He Yingqiong didn’t specialize in the Soul Dao, the total sum of her soul was still many times his own. For something that she was powerless against, Fang Qingyuan didn’t have much confidence either. It was best to set expectations low from the start.
"Your best effort will suffice."
He Yingqiong gave a faint smile and pointed a finger at Fang Qingyuan. The next moment, an object materialized in front of him. fгeewebnovёl.com
It was a hollow sphere the size of a human head, seemingly crafted from some unknown metal. There were nine apertures on its surface, and its jet-black body looked as if it could absorb a person’s very soul.
The sphere floated in mid-air, perfectly still. Fang Qingyuan stood and circled it a few times. Once he confirmed it wasn’t dangerous, he pressed a finger against it.
A pulling force emanated from it. Fang Qingyuan was surprised to discover the sphere was absorbing his Soul Power.
’What the hell is this thing?’ Fang Qingyuan pulled his finger away and stared at the sphere, lost in thought.
Fang Qingyuan had never heard of such an object, but based on his experience, it seemed to be an external seal—a protective shell. The item inside was what He Yingqiong truly wanted.
He guessed that the sphere couldn’t be broken by brute force without also destroying whatever was inside.
He glanced over at He Yingqiong and saw that she had closed her eyes, seemingly unconcerned with whatever methods he might use.
’Is she being magnanimous, or does she just not care?’
Fang Qingyuan decided not to dwell on He Yingqiong’s motives. After all, she had sought him out and asked for his help. Even if he couldn’t open it, he had to at least make a convincing effort.
He tried infusing some Soul Power into the sphere. After it devoured the energy, there was not the slightest change.
Fang Qingyuan grew thoughtful. ’He Yingqiong must have already tried infusing a great deal of Soul Power into it. As a Golden Core Cultivator, her Soul Power is much stronger than mine. If even she failed, then my efforts are likely futile, even if my Soul Power surpasses that of other Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators.’
’The key must lie elsewhere.’ Looking at the nine apertures on the sphere, Fang Qingyuan tried probing one with a wisp of his Divine Sense.
As his Divine Sense entered, a complex star chart appeared in Fang Qingyuan’s mind. The constellations glittered, with over a thousand stars shining with particular brightness.
’A Star Atlas?’
Fang Qingyuan suddenly felt like he understood. He used his Divine Sense to try and move one of the stars in the atlas. As he willed it, the star moved to the position he designated.
Seeing this, Fang Qingyuan was sure of it. This Star Atlas must be what was known in the Cultivation Realm as an algorithmic puzzle lock.
To open the sphere, he would have to arrange these thousand-plus stars into the correct sequence. As for what that final pattern was supposed to be, he would have to uncover the underlying rules bit by bit to find any clues.
Furthermore, moving each star consumed a considerable amount of Soul Power. An ordinary Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator would likely exhaust their energy after only a thousand moves.
Once one’s Soul Power was depleted, the stars would likely reset to their original positions, forcing one to start all over again.
Fang Qingyuan calculated silently. Based on the Soul Power he had just consumed, he could probably afford nearly ten thousand moves. But without knowing the underlying pattern, ten thousand moves would only be enough to shift each of the thousand-plus stars around ten times.
He guessed this was where He Yingqiong was stuck, unable to make any progress. Without knowing the pattern, it would be useless even if her soul were ten times stronger.
Looking at the Star Atlas, Fang Qingyuan wisely decided to give up. For now, he would just wait to collect his gift from He Yingqiong.
’In the meantime,’ he thought, ’I’ll pretend to study it diligently for half an hour.’
Having made his decision, Fang Qingyuan’s brow furrowed in a convincing display of effort. He periodically used his Soul Power to shift a star, showing that he was working hard.
Half an hour later, Fang Qingyuan let out a sigh, drawing He Yingqiong’s gaze.
"My apologies. I am also powerless to help."
"No matter. It is enough that you tried your best, Fellow Daoist."
He Yingqiong retrieved the sphere and then laid out three items before Fang Qingyuan.
"You may choose one, Fellow Daoist, as a token of thanks for your efforts."
Fang Qingyuan’s eyes lit up at the sight of these three items. All three were Tier Three Spiritual Materials. Although they were only Lower Grade, burying them in his Immortal Mansion would be greatly beneficial for improving his Spirit Root aptitude.
’It’s a shame I can only take one,’ he thought. To be honest, Fang Qingyuan wanted all three.
In the end, Fang Qingyuan chose a wood-element spiritual material. His Wood Spirit Root aptitude was the only one that had not improved last time; perhaps this Tier Three Lower Grade Spiritual Material was exactly what he was missing.
He Yingqiong took back the remaining two spiritual materials and said to Fang Qingyuan:
"If you have any new insights in the future, Fellow Daoist, feel free to find me to test them. So long as there is progress, I will not be stingy with spiritual materials."
This was the grand promise He Yingqiong was dangling before him. Fang Qingyuan nodded, tucked the spiritual material into his storage bag, and saw that He Yingqiong had once again closed her eyes.
Then, the Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator who had guided him in before reappeared and led Fang Qingyuan directly out.
Once outside, Fang Qingyuan reined in his greed and flew swiftly toward Golden Turtle Island.
After Fang Qingyuan had gone, a ghostly shadow appeared at He Yingqiong’s side. It had been standing there the whole time, yet Fang Qingyuan hadn’t noticed it at all.
"He was just going through the motions. He didn’t put his heart into it."
"I know."
"Then let’s just capture him and force him to work for us. If he refuses, we’ll eat him."
"That won’t do. Without my permission, you may not eat anyone. This man is hiding his identity, and his ambitions are not small. He will surely try to get closer to me in the future, so there is no need to rush. We can afford to be patient. When it comes to lifespan, the advantage is mine.
Besides, I have a faint feeling that if we were to make a move, I might not be able to restrain him."
When He Yingqiong finished, the ghostly shadow let out an indignant roar. But the bloodcurdling sound was contained within a three-foot radius around it; not a whisper escaped beyond that boundary.
This was He Yingqiong’s Innate Divine Technique: Close But Far Away.
As a spatially-related Talent, its grade was extremely high. He Yingqiong’s own Golden Core thesis also focused on this aspect.
Picking up the pitch-black, nine-apertured sphere, a flicker of disappointment crossed He Yingqiong’s heart. She had said there was no rush, but the sphere contained something she desperately needed.
"Star-Picking Pavilion... Shadow Void... When will I ever be able to comprehend you?"
He Yingqiong murmured to herself, then closed her eyes and resumed tracing the star chart in her mind. If Fang Qingyuan could see the Star Atlas within her mind, he would be astounded, for her version contained tens of thousands of illuminated stars.
...
At the shores of Golden Turtle Island, Fang Qingyuan watched the He Family’s fleet depart, then waved a hand to Li Zhi.
The next moment, amid the heavy stench of blood, the heads of thirteen Qi Refining Cultivators soared into the air.
These were the Cultivators who had deserted their posts during the recent battle. Li Zhi had rooted them out, and now, with Fang Qingyuan’s permission, they were being publicly beheaded as an example.
As the heads hit the ground, some of the remaining Cultivators were secretly relieved, others were indifferent, and a few even licked their lips.
Fang Qingyuan tossed the dead Cultivators’ Magical Artifacts onto the ground before them and declared with a laugh:
"Fight over them! Plunder them! In half a month, we march on Nanla Island!"
