Chapter Forty-One: The Taoist Has Gone Mad

“Daoist Master!”

Fang Xiao’s call jolted Daoist Pang abruptly from his stupor.

He forced an awkward smile, letting out two hoarse chuckles.

His throat was terribly dry.

The Veil of Lawlessness was a rare and special constitution, though not to the point of being one in a million. Daoist Pang had read about it in Daoist texts before—while it was said to be immune to all spells, in reality, it had its limits.

Ordinary cultivators, even those at the Foundation Establishment stage, could not harm someone with this constitution using common spells. But if a cultivator at the Golden Core rank made a move, the situation would be quite different.

Indeed, there were many methods to deal with someone possessing the Veil of Lawlessness. With the right technique, even a Qi Refining cultivator could handle them with ease!

This time, Daoist Pang had brought Fang Xiao along to explore a Golden Core cave abode, hoping only to use Fang Xiao’s special constitution to probe for weaknesses in the restrictions within. He hadn't pinned high hopes on success and was mentally prepared for failure.

But whatever the outcome, Daoist Pang was determined to ensure Fang Xiao’s safety!

He never expected Fang Xiao to be so recklessly bold, charging straight at the barrier without a word.

Did he think a Golden Core level restriction was mere decoration?

Daoist Pang’s soul nearly left his body from fright!

Yet something even more astonishing occurred.

Fang Xiao actually broke through the restriction and unveiled the final secret of this Golden Core cave abode!

He walked in, dazed, his legs still trembling as if his Daoist boots tread upon clouds.

“Daoist Master, are you all right?” Fang Xiao noticed Daoist Pang’s pallor and the cold sweat on his brow, so he asked with concern.

Daoist Pang forced a bitter smile. “Fang Xiao, to be honest, I’m not very brave. Please don’t scare me like that again. It’s really enough to frighten someone to death!”

Fang Xiao scratched his head sheepishly. “I understand.”

Judging by the Daoist Master’s expression, he truly had been terrified.

Fang Xiao knew Daoist Pang was worried for his safety. He subconsciously pressed his hand to his chest, feeling the medal pinned beneath his clothes.

[Commemorative Medal]
[Intimidation, Courage, and Unyielding Spirit]
[All demons and evil spirits are but paper tigers!]

In fact, Fang Xiao had long since noticed he possessed an instinctive sense for danger. For example, when Elder Xuan An appeared in the temple today, he distinctly felt the threat emanating from him. However, the water curtain barrier sealing this secret chamber aroused no sense of peril.

So, his actions were not recklessly impulsive.

He simply followed his intuition.

“This mustn’t happen again,” Daoist Pang said, wiping the cold sweat from his brow and turning his gaze to the Daoist seated cross-legged on the jade couch.

The middle-aged Daoist, clad in a pale blue robe, had a handsome, gentle countenance. He appeared merely to be in deep meditation.

But Daoist Pang could tell at a glance that this man had been in seated death for countless years. Only a shell of a body remained.

A Golden Core Remnant!

Four words flashed through Daoist Pang’s mind.

He drew a deep breath and immediately bowed respectfully to the seated Daoist. “Junior Xuan Pingzi, apologizes for intruding upon Senior’s abode. If I have offended, I beg forgiveness.”

Even when faced with a mere corpse, proper respect and reverence must be maintained.

Daoist Pang was usually irreverent, but at this moment his heart harbored no stray thoughts.

No sooner had his words fallen than the middle-aged Daoist on the jade couch suddenly opened his eyes. Twin golden lights flashed!

In the next instant, this long-deceased Golden Core master dissolved into a flurry of ash.

Ding!

With a clear ring, a dark silver ring rolled off the jade couch, coming to rest right at Fang Xiao’s feet.

Fang Xiao bent to pick it up, examined it curiously, and then handed it to Daoist Pang.

Daoist Pang didn’t take it straight away. His beady eyes spun like mosquito coils.

“A Su…Sumiru Ring!”

Those few words were squeezed from between clenched teeth.

This simple, unadorned ring was no stranger to him. He had seen it many times before—on the hands of sect masters.

The Sumiru Ring!

A precious treasure capable of containing all things!

Cultivators typically used storage pouches for carrying items. These pouches varied in size and quality.

Daoist Pang himself had one tucked inside his sleeve, capable of holding objects roughly ten feet square—a fine specimen, and not something an ordinary cultivator could afford.

But even the best storage pouch was trash compared to a Sumiru Ring!

The Sumiru Ring was of a far higher grade, with storage capacity vastly superior. Some special items or rare treasures could not be kept in a pouch—doing so might even ruin them. But place them in a Sumiru Ring, and they would remain safe and sound.

Moreover, the “shelf life” of items in a Sumiru Ring far exceeded those in a pouch!

Of course, for all its virtues, a Sumiru Ring was not something a Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment cultivator could possess. Only Golden Core adepts and those above could dare wear it openly!

And this ring confirmed the identity of the former master of this place.

Daoist Pang was overjoyed, turning the Sumiru Ring over in his hands, nearly shouting with excitement. In his exhilaration, he injected a sliver of spiritual power into it.

Amazingly, the treasure opened!

Daoist Pang’s expression changed at once—shock, bewilderment, wild joy, disbelief...

His eyes flickered rapidly, his whole body frozen as if struck dumb by a stupidity spell.

Sensing something was amiss, Fang Xiao nudged him. “Daoist Master?”

“Wahahaha!”

Daoist Pang seemed to have had a switch flipped. He plunged into a state of manic delirium, laughing wildly as he leapt and capered around the chamber.

“Heavens, you’re my real father!”

“Hahaha, so many mid-grade spirit stones!”

“Foundation Establishment Pills!”

“Wow, look what else I found!”

“Elixir of Rejuvenation!”

“What’s this?”

“Oh, longevity pills!”

“Flying swords!!”

Fang Xiao quietly took two steps back, putting some distance between himself and Daoist Pang.

The Daoist Master had lost his mind.

He’d seen Daoist Pang act crazily before, but nothing compared to this!

Daoist Pang was oblivious to Fang Xiao’s movements, still howling and raving, “This time, I’m going to defy the heavens and change my fate!”

Unable to bear it any longer, Fang Xiao deftly unfastened the combat belt at his waist.

[Combat Belt]
[Pain, Fear, Broken Bones]
[A weapon for censure, but not a substitute for the censure of weapons!]

Fang Xiao considered. This weapon should be enough to restore the Daoist Master’s calm.

Without hesitation, he lashed out.

Crack!

A perfect hit.

“Ahhh—”