NOVEL NEXT Chapter 630: I'm Not Led by Lust
"What's the matter?"
Fang Zhou didn't sit back down; he decided that if Qin Yunzhu still talked about trivial matters, he would turn and leave.
Qin Yunzhu didn't care about Fang Zhou's attitude anymore and said, "Find time to go to the Black Soul World and retrieve Zhao Feiyan's remains, lest she keeps haunting my dreams."
This was indeed the matter. But even if Qin Yunzhu hadn't mentioned it, Fang Zhou had already planned to complete the task.
This was a promise to Zhao Feiyan at the time, but Fang Zhou's strength was insufficient to fulfill it. Only now, after reaching the Golden Core Realm, did he have confidence.
He nodded to Qin Yunzhu, "I will go."
After Fang Zhou left, Qin Yunzhu immediately complained to Chang Kong, "Look at that brat's attitude, not respectful at all, tail almost up in the sky."
Chang Kong remarked coldly, "Then you have to show the tolerance of a Sect Master, not act like a little girl."
"What did you say?"
Qin Yunzhu bared her teeth at Chang Kong, "How am I like a little girl?"
Fang Zhou could hear Qin Yunzhu's quarrels as he walked out of the Thousand Swords Palace, shook his head, and turned to leave.
Thinking of Zhao Feiyan, Fang Zhou remembered another matter; he had promised Night Mouse to visit his daughter, but he forgot due to numerous things after returning.
However, Fang Zhou didn't have time to personally go himself. After returning to Moon Viewing Peak, he asked Lu Qiuling to visit in the name of the Male Right Association and help if there was trouble; if not, just deliver some cultivation materials.
Later, Fang Zhou spent some time without roaming around, continuing to consolidate his realm.
He had reached the Golden Core Realm with all three cultivation techniques: Ling Xiaoyue's self-created technique, Demon Suppression Saint's Yin Yang Treasure Book, and Heaven and Earth Qiankun Technique.
With the Yin Yang Treasure Book, Fang Zhou fused the Tree Demon Golden Core and his own Golden Core, forming a never-before-seen Yin Yang Golden Core.
At this moment, the Golden Core suspended within Fang Zhou emanated Yin and Yang Energy, providing tremendous benefits; even he didn't know how strong he had become.
During these six months, Fang Zhou immersed himself in cultivation, while Heaven and Earth Sect and Gu Caiwei were searching for the last material for the Nine Yang Marrow Cleansing Pill.
Unfortunately, they found nothing. Both major forces nearly searched the entire Cultivation World, even digging through ancient books, to no avail.
Occasionally, Fang Zhou would venture into Refining Immortal City and the Abyss Ancient Battlefield, also coming up empty-handed. During this time, he accrued ten thousand points, left unused.
Upon advancing to the Golden Core Realm and achieving a Leakless Golden Body, Fang Zhou's personal attributes received a wave of enhancements, with a roughly hundred-point increase in all three dimensions, solidified Divine Soul, and a fifty-point increase in spiritual power.
Simultaneously, the flow rate of time within the gourd space changed to 1:100; the higher his realm, the more potent the gourd's effect.
However, the task remained unfinished. Fang Zhou finally experienced the legendary difficulty's challenge, where two major forces exhausted resources across the Cultivation World with no results.
But upon returning from meeting with Qin Yunzhu, Fang Zhou developed a new idea for the last material.
He found time to meet with Aya privately.
Aya assumed Fang Zhou wanted something again and teased, "Yu Qing is right outside; aren't you afraid she'll find out?"
Throughout these six months, Fang Zhou occasionally secretly indulged in intimacy with Aya, always avoiding everyone's gaze, which was thrilling.
Fang Zhou felt wronged, "I'm not lust-driven, you think I only come looking for you for that every time?"
Aya laughed coldly, "Then what are you looking for?"
"Of course, for serious business!"
Fang Zhou spoke earnestly, then pulled Aya into his embrace, "But before discussing business, I must punish you for doubting me."
Aya rolled her eyes at him.
After an intense two-person exercise, Aya lay on Fang Zhou's chest, covered in sweat, golden hair spread wide.
She breathed heavily with closed eyes for a long time before softly asking, "What are you looking for me about?"
Fang Zhou was still savoring, the only downside of Aya's body couldn't conceive, yet it was a blessing for Fang Zhou; he didn't need any precautions.
Upon hearing Aya's question, Fang Zhou opened his eyes, gently stroking her smooth back with one hand, and answered, "Can you tell me about Hope's Fire?"
This was the idea he received after returning from the Thousand Swords Palace.
The flame Medicine Lady desired didn't exist anywhere in the entire Cultivation World, a pure flame full of Yang energy.
Qin Yunzhu mentioned Zhao Feiyan, and the Black Soul World, leading Fang Zhou to think of the Hope's Fire from the Black Soul World.
He recalled Medicine Lady's description of the last material— a flame full of hope.
The names seemed to relate, and Fang Zhou regretted not realizing it sooner.
"You think Hope's Fire is the last material?"
Aya exclaimed in surprise; she naturally knew Fang Zhou had been searching for this last item for half a year.
"I'm just speculating, tell me about it."
Aya could only describe Hope's Fire, a flame full of strength and life, maintaining the operation of all creatures across the world, akin to the sun.
As for whether Hope's Fire was the last material Fang Zhou sought, Aya was uncertain too.
"But someone definitely knows."
"Who?"
"The Fire Maiden, she's the Holy Daughter of the Fire Protection Sect, no one understands Hope's Fire better than her."
Fang Zhou remembered the silver-masked woman tending the bonfire.
He told Aya, "Looks like we need to venture into the Black Soul World again."
Aya shook her head, "She maintained life through Hope's Fire's remnants. After handing them over to you, she's likely already passed on."
Fang Zhou was shocked; Aya never mentioned this before.
Come to think of it, Hope's Fire had long been extinguished; even if it were the last material needed, it couldn't be found— unless...
Fang Zhou's eyes suddenly lit up, and he laughed heartily.
Aya curiously asked, "Why are you laughing?"
Fang Zhou didn't answer, held her tight, and flipped over, "Nothing, time's still early, let's keep exercising."
...
Days later, Fang Zhou arrived at the depths of the forbidden land within the Cloud Sea Mountains.
He had already spoken with the Heavenly Sword Sect, and Yun Zun guarding the forbidden area let him in smoothly.
Upon arriving, Fang Zhou directly took out the Heavenly Repair Stone and used Earth Escape Technique.
Heavenly Repair Stone and Earth Escape Technique carried Fang Zhou in place, time quickly reversing.
When he freed himself from Earth Escape Technique, although the position remained unchanged, time had nearly returned to a year ago.
During that time, Fang Zhou was almost ready to leave the Black Soul World.
In the sky, the mirage of Black Soul Mountain gradually emerged.