Naked Sword Art

Xiao Fang wanted to learn more, but it was clear to him that Zhen Lixuan didn't want to explain more than he already had.

"You should go now. I told you everything you needed to know. The rest you can figure out on your own," Zhen Lixuan said.

"Will I be seeing you again?" Xiao Fang asked.

"If you become an exceptional cultivator in the future… you might," Zhen Lixuan replied.

Xiao Fang felt time slipping away. He didn't want to miss the chance to ask something important, but all that came out was the first question on his mind.

"Are the rumors true? Did you really master every Dual Cultivation technique?"

Zhen Lixuan gave a faint, almost nostalgic smile. "Not all. There were definitely a few I didn't bother wasting time on. Looking back… if I could do it all over again, I wouldn't have spent so much time learning other people's techniques. I would've focused on developing my own—just like you are now."

Xiao Fang's thoughts briefly flickered to his [ Naked Sword Art ], and he realized Zhen Lixuan must've picked up on it. So far, he had created a handful of Foundation Realm techniques, and two at the Refinement Realm. His Naked Sword Art still had a long way to go before becoming anything legendary. But after hearing those words from someone like Zhen Lixuan, he suddenly felt more determined than ever to continue refining it.

…

Although not overly common, some powerful cultivators would dedicate their time to creating their own techniques. Rarer still were the true geniuses who went a step further—crafting entire cultivation manuals, like Xiao Fang's [ Naked Sword Art ], and even founding clans around them.

For example, in the Divine Sword Sect, it was a strict requirement that any cultivator aspiring to become a Core Court Elder must first create and master one technique of their own.

Among the powerful families within that sect—such as Chu Piao's Chu Clan—it was typical for each lineage to possess its own unique cultivation manual. These manuals were usually subtle deviations of the main Divine Sword method, created by exceptional ancestors of their bloodline.

Xiao Fang's grandmother, Wu Yue, was one such genius. In her youth, she had created her own cultivation manual, earning widespread fame and recognition long before marrying Xiao Kong, Xiao Fang's grandfather.

To date, the only disciples she had ever passed her cultivation manual on to were Lei Xinyi and Xun Wei. The [ Silver Lotus ] technique (Chapter 422) that Xun Wei displayed during the tournament was, in fact, one of the advanced techniques derived from Wu Yue's personal cultivation manual.

…

"Those girls… Li Lian and Xun Wei," Zhen Lixuan began, then paused for a moment. "They'll become extraordinary in time—especially with your help. But you mustn't grow too close to them right now. If you must see them, do so in secret. If the Royal Court learns of your connection with them, they may use it against you in the future."

Xiao Fang felt a flicker of irritation. This so-called threat—the Royal Court—felt distant, more rumor than reality. But after thinking on it a moment longer, he recalled an encounter that sent a chill down his spine.

"Grandfather…" Xiao Fang said, a bit awkwardly. "Not long ago, I was attacked by someone from the Royal Court."

He went on to recount the entire encounter—from being ambushed by Scavenger Guild members on his way to Jadepeak City, to annihilating their guild, the threats made by their patriarch before he died, his tense confrontation with the so-called "Investigator," and finally, the narrow escape he managed using his clones.

Zhen Lixuan's expression darkened. "If that's the case, then you have even less time than I thought. Considering the nature of the sect you destroyed, what you did to them will likely be swept under the rug. But the ones pulling the strings won't let it go. It's only a matter of time before the Royal Court takes notice. And escaping a Heavenly Realm cultivator… takes far more than luck."

Zhen Lixuan fell silent for a moment, then spoke again.

"Stay within the Black Paradise Sect's borders. Unless the Royal Court has official business there, the people you've angered won't be able to send anyone after you."

Xiao Fang didn't need further explanation. The unspoken truth hung in the air—until he could attempt to reach the Heavenly Realm, staying hidden wasn't a choice. It was survival.

"Do you understand what you need to do?" Zhen Lixuan asked.

Xiao Fang nodded. "I do."

"Then… I wish you luck. If all goes well, the next time we meet will be in the New World."

Xiao Fang's brows lifted slightly.

'The New World?'

He couldn't tell if it was another continent or an entirely different planet. Judging by the smirk on Zhen Lixuan's face, he knew the man clearly knew what Xiao Fang was wondering—he just wasn't going to tell him.

"Return to your sect now. No one will remember you being here, so when you go back—act as if you never were."

Xiao Fang hesitated. "What about Chu Piao… and the man that took him?"

"Don't worry, they won't remember this happening either."

Xiao Fang was surprised to hear that because the man that took Chu Piao was a Heavenly Realm cultivator from the Royal Court. Hearing that made Xiao Fang wonder just how strong Zhen Lixuan really was.

Xiao Fang looked at him for a long moment. Unlike his other grandfather, Zhen Lixuan wasn't trying to control him or shape him into something he wasn't. He was simply trying to help him succeed—and that sincerity, rare as it was in Xiao Fang's life, struck a chord.

He clasped his fists, then bowed deeply.

"Grandfather… thank you."

Zhen Lixuan blinked, a bit taken aback by the gesture and by being called 'Grandfather' again. But sensing the genuine respect behind the gesture, he let the moment pass without a word.

"It's a shame… there are many things I could've taught you if I'd been able to stay," Zhen Lixuan said, turning his gaze toward the horizon.

As he spoke, his body began to fade, dissolving into the air like mist.

"Grandson… I'll be sure to make up for lost time… when I see you in the New World."

Finally, Zhen Lixuan was gone.

Left alone, Xiao Fang didn't move from that spot for a long while. He had a lot to think about, but he knew exactly what he needed to do.

Xiao Fang stood in silence as the wind rustled through the trees. The sky above was still dark, but the faintest traces of dawn had begun to touch the horizon.

Zhen Lixuan was gone. No trace of his presence remained—no scent, no aura, no distortion in the air. As if he had never existed at all.

Xiao Fang took a deep breath.

"I need to get stronger."

Those words echoed in his mind—not as a vow of vengeance, not out of desperation, but as a quiet, sober truth. If he wanted to protect the people close to him, if he wanted to survive what was coming, there was no other choice.