Chapter Eleven : To the Sect of Dreams
Fang Ting led Fang Mu Ge back to his cultivation quarters. Once inside, he shut the door and activated a spirit-gathering array—one he usually couldn't bear to use.
Fang Ting didn't have enough experience to fully grasp the extent of Fang Mu Ge's talent. He didn't even know what kind of special physique the boy had. So, with a sincere tone, he said:
"Mu Ge, your talent is exceptional. But the Fang clan is too small—there's no one here who can guide you properly. Only a large sect like the Lingyue Sect can help you reach your full potential."
In truth, even the Lingyue Sect might not be enough.
But it was still far better than staying at home, and far safer too.
"Lingyue Sect?" Fang Mu Ge looked confused. "Didn't the group heading there already leave two days ago? Isn't it a bit late now?"
Fang Ting replied, "That was because they needed to leave early to travel by foot. The Lingyue Sect's entry trial is the day after tomorrow. If I personally take you, we'll easily make it in time."
Fang Mu Ge's eyes lit up. He had long heard many tales about the Lingyue Sect and yearned to join.
"You're going to escort me yourself? I feel ashamed to trouble you like this."
Fang Ting replied, "We're family. No need for courtesy."
"Then let's go right now!" Fang Mu Ge said, barely able to contain his excitement.
"I've always dreamed of setting foot in a true cultivation sanctuary… They say the Lingyue Sect has many beautiful immortal maidens—I wonder if that's true."
Several black lines appeared on Fang Ting's forehead.
You haven't even entered the sect yet, and you're already thinking about the girls there?!
He sighed and said weakly, "Go have lunch with your parents and say your goodbyes. We're not in a rush."
"Alright, Uncle."
Fang Mu Ge clasped his hands in salute and left.
Fang Ting quickly deactivated the spirit-gathering array—it burned through resources too fast.
—
After lunch at home, it was time to depart.
At the Fang clan gates, Fang Mu Ge's parents were filled with reluctance. When they first heard that their son had incredible talent and was going to the Lingyue Sect, they had been ecstatic. It meant his future was limitless.
But now, as the moment of parting arrived, sorrow crept into their hearts, and tears flowed uncontrollably.
Fang Mu Ge held his mother's hand and comforted her.
"Don't worry, Mother. I'll visit often."
In his heart, he vowed that once he was strong enough, he'd either relocate the Fang clan closer to the Lingyue Sect or give up the sect and return home once he had finished his training.
His mother gently reminded him, "When you get to the sect, make sure to train hard. Get along with your fellow disciples. Don't cause trouble."
"Mm, I'll remember."
"Be careful on the road."
His father added, "Ting is with him—no need to worry."
The scene reminded Fang Ting of parents sending their children off to university in his past life.
After a long round of farewells, Fang Ting took out a finely-crafted blue flying vessel.
It had belonged to the Wei Clan—a high-grade Yellow-tier treasure. The one from the Zou Clan had already been given to Fang Luo.
Fang Ting and Fang Mu Ge boarded the vessel, and in a blink, they became a streak of light across the sky.
—
As they soared, Fang Mu Ge quickly recovered from his sorrowful mood.
"This vessel is so pretty. Can I—?"
"No," Fang Ting cut him off flatly.
"I didn't even finish my sentence!" Fang Mu Ge grumbled, aggrieved.
Fang Ting gave him a sideways glance. I've watched you grow up—I know exactly what you're going to say just from your tone.
"This is the only decent flying treasure I have. I need to keep it for emergencies."
"Besides, the Lingyue Sect is overflowing with treasures. Once you become a disciple, your master will give you something far better. No need to worry about my broken old toy."
Fang Luo was different—he had just been reborn and needed resources to get started. Fang Ting spared no effort supporting him.
But Fang Mu Ge, with his top-tier talent, would definitely become a personal disciple of a powerful elder. He'd lack for nothing. Fang Ting had to be frugal.
After hearing that, Fang Mu Ge's eyes gleamed.
"Makes sense! I'll make sure to find a rich and generous master!"
Fang Ting had no pity for whoever that future master would be.
After all, receiving a disciple like Fang Mu Ge was more than worth the investment.
In a few hundred or thousand years, the entire Lingyue Sect might take pride in having raised Fang Mu Ge.
…If he could survive long enough to reach that point.
—
The Lingyue Sect was one of the three top-tier forces in the Great Qi Dynasty. It was also the closest one to Yunshan City—but still over thousands of miles away.
Along the way, Fang Ting had to detour around demonic beast territories and keep an eye out for bandit cultivators. He couldn't afford to fly in a straight line at full speed.
By noon the next day, they arrived at Lingyue City, located near the sect itself. They planned to rest there for the night.
Compared to Yunshan City, a minor town in Liangbei Prefecture, Lingyue City was like an elephant next to an ant.
The city brimmed with powerful cultivators. Any handful of them could wipe out Yunshan City on a whim.
Lingyue City was vast and majestic, protected by a massive defensive formation. It sat atop a top-grade spiritual vein, filling the air with energy comparable to that of many sects.
Its streets were hundred feet wide, crowded with cultivators. Occasionally, Core Formation cultivators passed by, many of them wearing the robes of Lingyue Sect disciples.
Some city residents were the families of Lingyue disciples.
Fang Mu Ge couldn't help exclaiming, "So many powerful cultivators!"
Cities on this scale were rare throughout the Great Qi Dynasty.
Most low-level cultivators lived in small cities where competition was lower and living costs more manageable.
"Lingyue City is rich in spiritual energy and very safe. Of course cultivators gather here," Fang Ting explained.
In a world ruled by strength, danger lurked everywhere. Bandits were common. Only cities backed by powerful sects offered real order and safety.
Not to mention, cultivating in a place like this yielded twice the results with half the effort.
All the shops here catered to cultivators. Fang Ting had even bought the poison that killed the Zou and Wei clan elders here—for a high price.
Naturally, property prices in Lingyue City were sky-high.
Most wandering cultivators were just passing through. Very few owned homes. Most rented. Some even shared cramped rentals with other cultivators.
Those who couldn't even afford shared housing had to live in the surrounding villages.
Many young cultivators came to Lingyue City hoping to build a life, but after years of struggle with no success and no savings, they had no choice but to return home.
As Fang Ting walked through the bustling streets, he thought to himself:
Someday, when the Fang clan has the strength and status, we'll move here too.
At that very moment, Fang Mu Ge was thinking the same thing.
"When I grow strong, I'll bring the Fang clan to Lingyue City. That way we'll be closer, and our cultivators can grow faster too."
If anyone else had said that, Fang Ting would have called it wishful thinking—naïve and idealistic, like his own dreams back when he first arrived in a big city.
But coming from Fang Mu Ge, the thought felt perfectly reasonable.