Although the seven flying swords were extremely tempting, in his heart, Fang Han felt an instinctive discomfort towards the Demonic Marshal Ying Tianqing. He did not know if it was because of his relationship with Fang Qingxue or because this person was too overbearing and possessed an unparalleled birth.
The son of a generation's Demon Emperor, born with a golden spoon in his mouth. Compared to any prince or crown prince in the secular world, he was much more noble, and his cultivation path was definitely smooth sailing.
Fang Han was born of low and humble status. What he disliked the most were those people born with a golden spoon acting high and mighty toward him, emitting a flavor of giving alms. He did not need any alms, so no matter how great the Demonic Marshal's prestige or how vast his divine abilities were, he dared to push back a bit. On the other hand, he had figured out Fang Qingxue's personality and temper.
Fang Qingxue was cold and arrogant, with a very high sense of pride. Since he was now her person, she probably would not be pleased if he accepted someone else's alms. The stiffer his backbone, the more this woman would definitely appreciate and like it.
Sure enough, Fang Han made the right bet this time.
When Fang Qingxue stood up, Fang Han saw a high degree of appreciation and joy in her eyes, and a trace of a smile actually appeared on her face. This smile was unprecedented; having followed her for so long, Fang Han had never seen her smile.
"Very good, you are very good. People of our Fang family indeed do not need any alms. To even dare to contradict the grand Demonic Marshal, the son of the Connate Demon Emperor, that is truly a person of my Fang family. Compared to those younger brothers and sisters of mine, you are much better."
"Thank you, Senior Sister, for your praise." Fang Han retracted the wolf smoke and offered the Seven Malice Gourd with both hands.
This treasure artifact was no trivial matter; even authentic disciples did not have many.
"Originally, this gourd was not intended for you, but you guarded me, and your strength of character has won my appreciation. You will keep this gourd, and rely on it to get through the most difficult Physical Body Realm and strive for status in the Ascension Sect." Fang Qingxue waved her hand, officially giving the Seven Malice Gourd to Fang Han. In the path of cultivation, the most difficult period was the Physical Body Realm.
At the stage of the Physical Body Realm, everything relied entirely on the physical body. One could not fly, could not kill enemies in mid-air, and had many restrictions. Gaining experience outside was often fraught with extreme dangers. To protect one's life, one must possess protective magical treasures like spirit artifact dharma robes and flying swords.
Now that Fang Han had the Seven Malice Gourd, at least during the most difficult period of the Physical Body Realm, his life was guaranteed.
His Blood Cotton Demon Garment and Silver Snake Sword could not be exposed.
"Qingxue, are you still of this temper? You even dared to cross blows with the Demon God? You should know that even my father is somewhat apprehensive of the Demon God. If anything were to happen to you…" The Demonic Marshal Ying Tianqing looked at Fang Qingxue with eyes as gentle as water, speaking gently and with assurance, not angry at all. Even Fang Han could feel that he possessed a patience resilient enough to last until seas ran dry and rocks crumbled.
"You and I do not owe each other. Back then, when we met in the Return to Ruins of the Great Northern Ocean, we were besieged by the Water Gu Heavenly Demon. Forced by circumstances, you and I exchanged Dao arts. Immortals and demons united to slay the Water Gu Heavenly Demon and break open its bewildering array. This was a matter that benefited us both. Although you saved me just now, you also know that Shilongzi's Instant Kill Great Law fundamentally could not break my purple lightning body protection. Even if you hadn't come, I had foolproof plans."
Fang Qingxue said indifferently, "You and I, one of the immortal path, one of the demonic path, are as incompatible as water and fire. Now that the war between immortals and demons has flared up again. It is best not to be overly entangled, otherwise, the consequences will be unimaginable."
"What does that matter? I do not care about the war between immortals and demons." The Demonic Marshal Ying Tianqing shook his head. "I also do not want to divide immortal and demonic paths. Cultivating together between heaven and earth, seeking longevity and transcendence, what is wrong with that? Alright, seeing that you are unharmed, my heart is very comforted, and I will take my leave now."
While speaking, the Demonic Marshal let out a long sigh, seemingly about to leave, but then paused. His eyes looked at Fang Han with a half-smile. "Your name is Fang Han? I will remember you. However, you are too weak; having a hard bone is not bad, but if your strength is weak and your bone is hard, disaster is imminent. In all my actions as the Demonic Marshal, no one has ever disobeyed me; whoever disobeys me must face a fatal disaster. However, today, for Qingxue's face, I will spare you. Do not let there be a next time."
While speaking, he turned into a white rainbow, soaring into the sky and disappearing.
"You…" Fang Han's eyebrows twitched, and he was about to speak, but was stopped by Fang Qingxue: "The Demonic Marshal has the dignity of the Demonic Marshal. Your strength is too weak; acting aggressively towards him is not a wise choice. If he wants to kill you, I cannot stop him. Wait until your strength is powerful before saying what you want to say."
"Understood."
Fang Han licked his lips.
"By killing the Shura, you have already obtained the quota for the inner disciple examination. The status of an inner disciple is vastly different. I can punish outer disciples and kill the vicious ones among them, suffering a little reprimand at most. But if an inner disciple is killed without reason, one will be imprisoned in the Immortal Prison for three years."
Fang Qingxue seemed to have become very patient with Fang Han, quite different from before.
"But I have no proof that I killed the Shura," Fang Han hesitated.
"It doesn't matter. I have already stripped a bone spike from that Shura. This bone spike is the essence of the Shura. When the bone spike falls off, it either evolves into a Great Asura or dies. Take this bone spike, go to the Ascension Sect's inner courtyard, and hand it to the examiner. You can then undergo the examination. Passing the examination to become an inner disciple is just around the corner."
Fang Qingxue took out a pitch-black, shiny bone spike three feet long and tossed it over. Fang Han caught it in his hands; it was extremely heavy, requiring both hands to hold steady, probably weighing hundreds of catties.
When Fang Han fought the Shura earlier, he had also seen a bone spike on that Shura's back. However, the Shura's entire body was hideous and covered with scales everywhere, so having a bone spike was not strange.
"Will Senior Sister be going back too?" Fang Han asked.
"Indeed. Since Jin Shitai and Shilongzi had an arm cut off by the Demonic Marshal, they will definitely go back crying to complain, begging the elders with profound magic power in the sect to reattach an arm for them using Sun and Moon Bone-Changing Pills. That Jin Shitai's father is an elder who holds real power, and I'm afraid he will fly into a thundering rage and act unfavorably towards me. I must go back to explain to the supreme master, and simultaneously report the situation with the Demon God to him." Fang Qingxue nodded.
"An arm that was cut off can still be reattached?" Fang Han shuddered.
"Indeed, but it will consume a great amount of power, and a reattached arm is not compatible with the physical body. It requires a lot of hard effort to refine it back to normal, greatly delaying cultivation. Alright, I will take you back to the Ascension Sect." Fang Qingxue waved her hand, and two giant purple lightning snakes appeared again, letting Fang Han ride on them. With a cry and a thunderous shock, they broke through the air and flew away.
Before long, the Ascension Mountain Range appeared in front of their eyes, and Fang Han returned to the Ascension Sect once again.
After returning to the Ascension Sect, Fang Qingxue retracted her divine abilities and flew straight toward the Ascension Heavenly Palace deep in the center. The Ascension Heavenly Palace was a massive palace suspended in the clouds and mist, a floating city. It was the place where the elders and the supreme master of the Ascension Sect cultivated.
Even authentic disciples could not intrude without being summoned. To enter temporarily, one had to undergo messaging.
Fang Han naturally would not go to the Ascension Heavenly Palace with Fang Qingxue, but directly went to the "Inner Immortal Courtyard" in the Ascension City, where outer disciples were examined to become inner disciples.