Immortality Cultivation

Chapter 244: Alone Once Again

Mu Fenghua, accompanied by Fang Hao and two guards, found an even more secluded underground cavern deep within the Savage Secret Realm, where the Spiritual Qi was relatively dense.

The terrain here was complex with numerous branching paths, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack—an excellent place to hide.

For the next half month, Fang Hao was practically racing against death.

He declined Mu Fenghua’s continued company (as she had already given him most of her Medicinal Pill supply) and carved out a simple Immortal Cave in the deepest part of the cavern.

He set up layers of Restriction and began his near-manic healing and Cultivate process.

The medicinal effects of the Jade Dew Returning Heaven Pill and the Soul Nourishing Pill, combined with the inclusive nourishment of the Chaos Derivation Art, yielded significant results.

His fractured bones, damaged internal organs, and cracked Meridians were healing and repairing at an astonishing speed.

The most difficult injury, that to his Divine Soul, was also slowly stabilizing and recovering under the nourishment of the trace of Battle Intent brought by the foundational section of the War Heaven Scripture, supported by his own tenacious will.

Half a month later, Fang Hao’s injuries were finally mostly healed.

Although he was still some distance from his Peak state and his Divine Soul had not fully recovered to its original condition, he at least possessed the ability to protect himself and fight.

More importantly, during this half month, not only had he healed, but he had also initially begun to Cultivate the opening section of the War Heaven Scripture’s foundational part.

This Cultivation Technique was indeed the Legacy of the ancient War Heaven Clan; its method of Cultivate was domineering and direct.

It did not involve sitting in meditation to absorb Spiritual Qi, but rather used specific postures, breathing, and intent, combined with the circulation of Qi and blood within the body, to stimulate, temper, and develop the potential of the Physical Body.

Every time he practiced, it felt like his body was being forged by an invisible giant hammer, causing extreme pain, but the results were immediate.

Fang Hao could clearly feel that his flesh, blood, and bones were becoming denser and tougher, and his strength, speed, and endurance were steadily increasing, especially his minute control over his strength, which had improved significantly.

He felt that now, purely in a contest of Physical Body strength, he would absolutely not lose to a Body Cultivator of the same stage, and might even surpass them.

"Unfortunately, time is too short; I’ve only practiced the beginning.

If I were given a year or six months to complete this foundational part, even without relying on the golden puppet, I could go head-to-head with a Great Perfection of Golden Core Stage, or even attempt to challenge an Early Nascent Soul Stage!"

Fang Hao clenched his fists, feeling the surging, more solid power within his body, his heart filled with confidence.

But right now, the most pressing matter was not Cultivate, but... a way out.

He knew that once Sun Tianlin died, the nature of the situation had completely changed.

Sun Tianqi was heavily injured, perhaps there was still room for maneuver (though the possibility was minimal), but Sun Tianlin was dead, and he was a direct lineage Genius that the Sun Family had pinned high hopes on.

This enmity was truly life-and-death, with no possibility of reconciliation.

The Sun Family would absolutely use all their power to hunt him down across the entire Mingling Empire, and even within the Western Regions.

As for the Imperial family, even if the Emperor Mu Tianlong had appreciated him a little before, under the tearful pleas of Empress Sun (the Crown Prince’s biological mother), the pressure from the Sun Family, and the charge of "murdering a royal relative" (Sun Tianlin and Sun Tianqi were the Crown Prince’s cousins), it was absolutely impossible for them to protect him again.

They might even be forced by pressure to issue orders to capture him.

Ninth Princess Mu Fenghua... She might still hold onto old feelings and want to speak up for him, but her power was too weak in front of the behemoths that were the Imperial family and the Sun Family.

Moreover, continuing to stay with her would only implicate her and drag her into this vortex of certain death.

It was time... to part ways.

That day, Fang Hao finished his Cultivate, walked out of the Restriction he had set up, and came to the outer area of the cavern.

Mu Fenghua and the two guards were sitting there, whispering about something, their expressions somewhat grave.

Seeing Fang Hao come out, Mu Fenghua’s eyes lit up, and she walked up to him.

"Fellow Daoist Ning, how are your injuries? You look much better!"

Mu Fenghua looked Fang Hao up and down, and seeing that although his face was still a bit pale, his eyes were bright and his aura was steady, showing significant recovery, she felt relieved.

"Many thanks to Your Highness for your concern; it is no longer a major issue."

Fang Hao bowed deeply to Mu Fenghua.

This time, he performed a grand gesture, his attitude more solemn than ever before.

Mu Fenghua was taken aback by his solemn attitude: "Fellow Daoist Ning, what is this..."

"Your Highness’s grace in saving my life and your protection is something Ning will never forget."

Fang Hao raised his head, looking at Mu Fenghua, his eyes clear and firm.

"But now, Ning has become a target for everyone.

The hatred between me and the Sun Family is as deep as the sea, a life-and-death struggle.

As for the Imperial family... I am afraid they can no longer tolerate me.

Continuing to stay by Your Highness’s side will only bring endless trouble to Your Highness and drag you into this desperate situation."

"You... you want to leave?"

Mu Fenghua’s expression changed, and she immediately understood what Fang Hao meant.

"Yes."

Fang Hao nodded.

"The Sun Family must have set up a dragnet inside and outside the Secret Realm at this moment, searching for me with all their might.

If I continue to stay in the Secret Realm, I will be found sooner or later.

Moreover, some of my... secrets have already been exposed (referring to the golden puppet), which will attract even more greedy eyes.

I must leave the Secret Realm as soon as possible, and even... leave the Mingling Empire."

"But... it must be even more dangerous outside!

The Sun Family might have already sealed the exit!

You, alone..."

Mu Fenghua said anxiously, her eyes full of reluctance and worry.

Over the past half month, although Fang Hao had mostly been in seclusion, she could feel a unique tenacity and charm in this seemingly ordinary Loose Cultivator who actually harbored heaven-shaking secrets.

More importantly, she admired his courage and strength, and was grateful for his "righteous" move at the Azure Dragon Society (helping her obtain the star soul of the sword, although she did not know the truth herself).

She did not want to watch him go to his death.

"Your Highness, rest assured, Ning has his own ways."

Fang Hao smiled, a bitter smile, but more so, it was one of determination.

"The path of Cultivate is inherently a Heaven-Defying journey, filled with thorns at every step.

This calamity may also be a tempering for me.

Your Highness has a noble status and a limitless future; you must not ruin your future because of Ning’s affairs.

If Your Highness still remembers a bit of our friendship, if we meet again by fate in the future, Ning will definitely repay you."

He took out the "phoenix pattern pendant" given by the Grand Princess Mu Yijing from his bosom and handed it back to Mu Fenghua with both hands: "This item was bestowed by the Grand Princess, but now that Ning has become a source of trouble, it is inconvenient to hold it any longer.

Please return it on my behalf.

In addition, this Jade Slip records the foundational opening of an ancient Body Refining Cultivation Technique I obtained, the ’War Heaven Scripture’.

Although it is incomplete, it can be considered a miraculous technique, and it might be of some use to Your Highness.

Consider it a small token of my appreciation, thanking you for your help many times."

He handed the "phoenix pattern pendant" and a Jade Slip, which he had personally transcribed with the foundational opening of the War Heaven Scripture (having deleted the parts about the fragments and the core secrets of the War Heaven Clan), to Mu Fenghua.

Although this Cultivation Technique was precious to him, it was nothing compared to Mu Fenghua’s life-saving grace.

Moreover, this Cultivation Technique was extremely difficult to Cultivate, with very high requirements for talent and will.

Even if he gave it to Mu Fenghua, she might not be able to achieve much with it, so it was just a gesture.

Mu Fenghua looked at the pendant and Jade Slip that Fang Hao handed over, her eyes slightly reddening.

She knew that Fang Hao’s mind was made up and that what he said made sense.

She truly could not protect him; forcing him to stay would only harm both sides.

"You... you must survive and get out!"

Mu Fenghua took the pendant and Jade Slip, her voice choked with sobs.

"I will find a way to try and maneuver for you outside and delay time.

As for Father Emperor... I will try to speak to him.

You... you must be very careful!"

"Many thanks, Your Highness."

Fang Hao bowed again, a trace of warmth rising in his heart.

This willful yet kind-hearted princess was one of the few warmth he had encountered in this cold and cruel Cultivator world.

"Your Highness, please also be careful after leaving the Secret Realm.

The Sun Family acts domineeringly, and it is hard to say if they will vent their anger on others."

Having finished his instructions, Fang Hao did not hesitate.

He cupped his hands to Mu Fenghua and the two guards, turned around, and walked without hesitation toward another branch of the cavern.

That was the direction towards a deeper part of the Secret Realm, and also a point of spatial weakness that the "star evolution plate" faintly sensed (it might be another way out, or it might lead to some dangerous place).

He could no longer take the conventional exit; it was definitely a dragnet there.

"Fang Hao!"

Mu Fenghua couldn’t help but shout again.

Fang Hao paused, but did not look back.

"Take care!"

Mu Fenghua shouted with a crying voice.

Fang Hao’s figure finally disappeared into the depths of the dark branch, leaving only a resolute and lonely back.

Watching him leave, Mu Fenghua’s tears could finally no longer be held back.

She knew that this parting might be a permanent one.

Given the situation Fang Hao was facing now, the chance of survival was extremely slim.

"Princess, we should leave too.

This place is not suitable for a long stay; the Sun Family’s people might search over here at any time."

A guard reminded in a low voice.

Mu Fenghua wiped her tears, took a deep breath, and nodded.

She carefully put away the "phoenix pattern pendant" and the Jade Slip, took one last look at the direction where Fang Hao disappeared, and her eyes became determined.

"Fang Hao, I will definitely find a way to help you!

You must survive!"

She took the guards and quickly left the cavern, sneaking towards the direction of the Secret Realm exit.

She wanted to see her Father Emperor, she wanted to see her aunt; no matter what, she had to fight for a glimmer of hope for Fang Hao, even if the hope was slim.

And Fang Hao, who had embarked on an unknown path alone, felt cold and resolute in his heart at this moment.

He knew that from now on, he would truly be alone, facing the wrath and pursuit of the entire Sun Family, and perhaps even the entire Mingling Empire’s Imperial family.

The world is vast, where is home?

Only the sword in his hand and the unyielding Battle Intent in his heart would accompany him as he continued down this thorny path of Cultivate.

The adventure in the Savage Secret Realm might be coming to an end.

But the even more perilous, even more magnificent path of escape and resistance belonging to Fang Hao had just begun.