Chapter 12: The Proud Senior Brother Fang - Young Noble Be Monster Slaying

**Chapter 12: The Proud Senior Brother Fang** "Sigh." Chu Liang let out a soft sigh as he sheathed his sword and stood still. The latter part of their journey yielded little; they only encountered two flower demons. Others might see the uneventful path as a blessing, but for someone intent on grinding out monsters, it was inevitably a bit disappointing. However, this faint disappointment was quickly overshadowed by the sight before them. As everyone emerged one by one from the narrow, oppressive forest path, they were immediately struck with awe. They were still within the dense forest, but here, the towering tree canopies soared tens of meters high like domed ceilings of a grand palace, creating a sense of spaciousness overhead. Ahead lay the entrance to a valley, with jagged, hanging stone cliffs, and vines and plants coiling around the dark stones, where exotic flowers bloomed abundantly. Glowing lights floated up and down, casting flickering illumination. It was truly a primordial and mysterious world, like a secluded demon realm. "This place..." Lin Bei opened his mouth, mumbling as if to say something, but the moment he spoke, his voice echoed through the vast valley, compelling him to hold his tongue. There was a sense of not daring to speak loudly, lest they disturb the heavenly beings above. Fang Ting spoke in a deep voice, "According to the guide, the Jade Essence Human-Faced Flower should be in the valley not far ahead. While there are no flower demons here, the danger is greater... be cautious." "Understood!" everyone nodded in agreement. The logic was simple: in a land full of demons, a patch of tranquility could only mean it's a larger demon's territory. As their human forms traversed this wild expanse, the vastness made them feel small. They entered the rugged, black stone valley, and soon, as expected, found a large flower cluster growing in an open area at the valley's edge. It was a single stem with two blossoms; each bud was as large as a human head, petals tightly covering the center, pure white, and surrounded by long, straight leaves, appearing pristine and abrupt in the valley. "So, this is the Jade Essence Human-Faced Flower... it looks just like in the illustrations," Lin Bei remarked. Fang Ting looked up at the strip of the cliff above, obstructed by stones, and said, "At this hour, it should just be night outside. When the moonlight shines on it at night, that's when it will bloom. Until then, do not touch it." Chu Liang already understood the process of picking the Jade Essence Human-Faced Flower on their journey here. The flower was quite mystical; picked at other times, it would lose its vitality. It must be harvested at the instant it matures, blooms, and absorbs the moonlight to retain its vital essence. However, everyone looking at it during that moment would fall into an illusion, perhaps a natural defense mechanism of the flower. Thus, one person must hold a bronze mirror in front of it at the moment of blooming, allowing the flower's illusion to confuse itself instead. At that time, another person can pick it from behind, successfully harvesting the flower. This only required two people, but the task needed five because three others had to form a Three-Talents Sword Array around the periphery to guard against any protective beasts lurking near the Jade Essence Human-Faced Flower. ... "Sister Xu, take the man position, Brother Chu the earth position, and I will take the sky position. Lu Ren will hold the mirror, and Lin Bei will pick the flower," Fang Ting commanded decisively. The Three-Talents Sword Array was not about simply guarding different directions. The man position covered one side, the earth position covered two, and the sky position covered one side while supporting others, ready to assist anywhere. This placed the greatest responsibility on the strongest point, compensating for any disparities in the participants' strength. Naturally, no one opposed, and they took their positions around the flower cluster. The wait wasn't long. Soon, a sliver of moonlight pierced through numerous obstacles, falling onto the open ground. In this secluded valley, perpetually shrouded from daylight, that thread of moonlight was incredibly precious. The line of moonlight gradually shifted, inch by inch, moving over to the Jade Essence Human-Faced Flower. "Stay vigilant!" Fang Ting suddenly shouted. Instantly, Chu Liang, Xu Ziqing, and Fang Ting, who formed the array, stood with their swords drawn, turning their backs to the flower cluster, no longer looking in that direction. Because... As the Human-Faced Flower ripened, rustling sounds emerged in the valley. Some creatures, coveting the flower for a long time, could no longer restrain themselves. "Roar!" The first to leap from the trees was a black-spotted vicious tiger, its thunderous roar shaking the forest! This beast, with its menacing patterns and wings under its ribs, had evidently cultivated for many years. These forest creatures were deceitful and cunning, naturally rushing toward Xu Ziqing's side to break through. The young girl bit her lip; though visibly terrified, she didn’t retreat. Instead, she stepped forward, ready to face the foe with her sword. Just then, a thunderous dragon-like sword aura sliced through from an angle! Boom— The turbulent sword aura had passed, leaving the tiger dissolving into ashes that drifted down. It was Fang Ting who had acted. Chu Liang, witnessing this, marveled at the formidable power of a Golden Core practitioner, yet he couldn’t help but inwardly sigh. What a waste. If only he’d had the chance to land a blow. Fang Ting, aware of Chu Liang’s sigh, commented, "Brother Chu, no need to be disheartened. With diligent cultivation and time, you too can achieve such strength." Ah... Did he think I was feeling inferior seeing his power? Chu Liang paused for a moment before nodding at Fang Ting. Yes, yes, sure... There was no time for idle chatter; the tiger’s emergence seemed a signal for other beasts. More came: massive pythons, luminous golden eagles, and wolves with three eyes... Beasts surged from all directions! Chu Liang’s eyes immediately gleamed. Yet just as quickly, another shout came from Fang Ting, "Wind and Thunder Sword Technique! Go!" With his left hand forming a seal and his right wielding the Jing Lei Sword, he summoned storm-like lightning, drawing a fierce circle. In an instant, winds howled, and thunder clouds rolled around him, sweeping out in a flash. Rumble— With one strike, several charging beasts were obliterated by wind and thunder, turning to dust in moments! A complete wipeout. "Hmph!" Fang Ting sheathed his sword, giving a cold snort, surveying the area with an imperious gaze radiating majestic presence. Glancing at both Xu Ziqing and Chu Liang, he straightened, his expression impassive yet filled with some kind of anticipation. Like a golden retriever that's caught a mouse, waiting for praise yet trying to act aloof. In stark contrast, the twinkle in Chu Liang’s eyes had vanished instantaneously. He was deflated... The more fiercely Fang Ting fought, the more his heart ached... Xu Ziqing, perhaps having become inured to her brother's prowess, showed no reaction—either that or she was too nervous to notice anything else. She didn’t express any admiration for Fang Ting’s heroic feats. The result was that, after holding his stance for some time, Fang Ting received no appreciation and finally blinked, muttering to himself, "Sister Xu, Brother Chu, with effort, the day will come when you, too, can wield such a strike." "Heh." Chu Liang smiled. While the perimeter battle proceeded smoothly, inside, the two responsible for the flower had finally waited for the moonlight to fall upon the first flower's heart. "It’s blooming!" Lin Bei shouted. Lu Ren hurriedly raised the large bronze mirror in his hand. As the moonlight cascaded, the massive Jade Essence Human-Faced Flower began to unfurl like a waking beauty, revealing a face as white as jade. Indeed, as the bud opened, the lower face bore an uncanny resemblance to a human face—porcelain skin, its gender indistinct—a beauty without compare. When first exposed, its eyes held alien vigilance, but soon, they fixed upon the large bronze mirror directly in front. In the reflection, it saw its own visage. Those eyes quickly showed a look of utter admiration…