Zhang Fei - The Abandoned Son

Chapter 682: Darkness

Lei Ting and Xian Jinglan were already sitting opposite Xian Lianghua and Xue Jingling, informing them about Zhang Feiʼs results in the Fairy Glades.

Xian Lianghua nodded in understanding before posing the question. ”Do you think Zhang Fei is capable of going to the top of Cyanwood Mountain, Lei Ting?”

”Not now, but maybe in the future.” Lei Ting let out a soft sigh before continuing. ”Emperor, you are aware of the power of my lightning, yet my attack on Zhang Fei resulted in no injuries whatsoever. I havenʼt inquired further, but itʼs evident that he has learned a lightning body cultivation technique. He used his lightning tribulations to temper his body; otherwise, he wouldnʼt have been able to visit the Guo Clanʼs lightning pond.”

”Is it possible to learn a lightning body cultivation technique without the lightning element?” Xue Jingling asked.

”In fact, the difference between a lightning body cultivation technique and an ordinary one is only in the elements, Empress.” Lei Ting replied with a nod. ”Zhang Fei can still learn a lightning body cultivation technique, but he cannot use any lightning techniques within it. The techniqueʼs effect is beneficial to his body, enabling him to withstand lightning attacks.”

”I see.” Xue Jingling then turned to her husband and inquired. ”Will you grant Zhang Fei permission to visit Cyanwood Mountain?”

”I will wait to see Zhang Feiʼs progress before making a decision.” Xian Lianghua answered his wife before asking both women, ”Is there anything else about him that you two havenʼt told us?”

”Father, Zhang Fei has only cultivated for eight months, but his cultivation has already reached the Earth Realm.” Xian Jinglanʼs revelation shocked Xian Lianghua and Xue Jingling. ”He is a genius among geniuses, and his potential is limitless, especially with his three identities. Everything about him makes me feel inferior, and he will definitely surpass me in the next few years. Anyway, Iʼm going into seclusion now, and I wonʼt be getting out any time soon.”

After she said that, Xian Jinglan took Lang away with her. Xue Jingling wanted to follow her daughter to comfort her, but Xian Lianghua stopped her. ”Our daughterʼs competitive nature has always been strong, and she is not weak-minded, so Iʼm sure she will be fine. Instead, her feelings of inferiority to Zhang Fei will spur her spirit on, and she will be overall stronger when she comes out.”

”Yeah, youʼre right.”

After she discussed some other matters with Xian Lianghua and Xue Jingling, Lei Ting immediately left the capital and returned to the Fairy Forest.

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.

.

Xian Jinglan had already reached her room, but she didnʼt immediately begin her cultivation. Instead, she lay down on her bed with Lang by her side, hugging the brown wolfʼs neck. ”Do you think I can catch up with Zhang Fei?”

”Howl...” Lang howled softly and licked Xian Jinglanʼs face.

”Do you really believe I can do it?”

”Howl... howl...” Lang howled again while nodding his head again and again.

”Hehe.” Xian Jinglan giggled at Langʼs reaction. ”Iʼm always grateful to have you by my side, Lang. Weʼve been together since we were little, and youʼve always accompanied me through my joyful and sad times. If only you could turn into a human, I would be even happier. Normally, beasts can become humans after they break through to the sovereign realm. Your cultivation has reached the seven divine realms, but you canʼt turn into humans yet.”

After hearing that, Lang made a disappointed face, let out a low howl, and snuggled into Xian Jinglanʼs embrace. ”Howl... howl...”

”I know.” Xian Jinglan nodded and rubbed the wolfʼs head. ”I will continue to help you; I believe you will be able to transform into a human one day. After you become a human, you must not leave me, or I will definitely be sad.”

”Howl...”

Xian Jinglan then sat on her bed with the brown wolf lying beside her. ”Letʼs get started, Lang. We wonʼt be leaving this room for a few years, and I hope we can both become very strong by then.”

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===

[Ding]

[Daily Quest: Absorb 100,000 Qi.]

[Status: Done.]

[Reward: 1,000 bronze coins sent to the inventory.]

===

[Daily Quest: Killing 500 beasts or demon beasts in the Earth realm or above.]

[Status: Done.]

[Reward: Daily gift pack x1 sent to the inventory.]

===

Three hours had passed since Zhang Fei had soaked in the Fairy Mountain, but he had yet to receive any reaction from the fairy ancestors.

Lei Ting, Xin Xianzi, and Zefyr waited a little way away from the Fairy Fountain. They repeatedly let out soft sighs, believing that Zhang Fei did not have the qualifications to summon the fairy ancestors.

Things suddenly changed in the next hour as a dark aura began to appear and envelop the Fairy Fountain, which shocked the three female fairies. Moreover, the dark aura became increasingly thick and dense, giving them goosebumps.

”What happened, Big Sis? Where did this dark aura come from?” Xin Xianzi asked with a frown, especially since such a phenomenon had never happened before.

Lei Ting thought for a few moments before responding. ”Zhang Fei succeeded in summoning one of the fairy ancestors.”

”Are you kidding me? Since when do we have ancestors who possess the darkness element?” Xin Xianzi inquired in a raised voice, filled with astonishment.

Lei Ting released a heavy sigh. ”Xianzi, our race actually has many members with the darkness element, and they call themselves dark fairies. However, they donʼt live on this island, and they live on the demon island close to the Ximen Demon Kingdom.”

”Why were I and the others unaware of their existence?”

”Like the demons, our ancestors considered the dark fairies as heretics, and they banished them from this island. After that, they concealed their existence from our members and never discussed them again. Only a small handful of people of our race know about them, including me.” Lei Ting paused briefly, gazing at Zhang Fei. ”Even though they donʼt live on this island, they are still members of our fairy race, and their souls will return to this fountain after their death. None of our members have the darkness element, so they have never appeared before.”

”Then—”

*Swoosh... Swoosh... Swoosh...*

Four old fairies suddenly appeared in front of them, and one of them asked directly. ”What the hell is going on here? How could this dark aura appear in our fountain?”

”How could that male fox summon this dark aura?” Another person posed this question, pointing at Zhang Fei.

The other three immediately looked toward Zhang Fei, but they were confused because he was still in his white half-fox form. Furthermore, they could feel a strong light element radiating from his body, yet he managed to summon the dark aura.

”His name is Zhang Fei, a heavenly fox.” The four old fairies turned to Lei Ting directly. ”Apart from his identity as a heavenly fox, he still has two other identities, which are a human and a demon.”

”What? Are you serious about that?”

”Emperor Lianghua told me and the leaders of the other races about Zhang Feiʼs three identities about a month ago, and he learned of them when he and Empress Jingling witnessed him breaking through to the Earth Realm.” Lei Ting then rubbed the wind fairyʼs head. ”Zefyr told me that the ten-tailed fox left a statue in their home realm, and he wrote a prophecy about him on it.”

”A prophecy?” The four old fairies looked at Zefyr with questioning looks.

Zefyr immediately informed them about the prophecy the ten-tailed fox had left behind. ”He wrote: One day in the future, the ten-tailed fox will return to this realm once again. However, he is more than a heavenly fox; he is also a human and a demon. He is the one who will bring peace to humans, demons, and natural races. Since Zhang Fei has all three forms, my grandfather and the others believe that he will become the next ten-tailed fox in the future. Therefore, they decided to follow him, especially since the old ten-tailed fox was our savior and leader.”

”The ten-tailed fox is the protector of the natural races, and he has greatly aided our races from all realms.” As seniors, the four old fairies naturally knew about the legend, so they were not surprised by Lei Tingʼs words. ”If the prophecy is true that Zhang Fei is the next ten-tailed fox, then we donʼt need to make a big deal about his darkness element. Furthermore, he still possesses the elements of light, wind, and fire.”

After hearing Lei Tingʼs last sentence, the four old fairies took a deep breath. All these years, they had always believed that Xian Lianghua was unmatched with his three elements. However, suddenly, someone with four elements appeared before them, and Zhang Fei also possessed three identities.

”Hmm?” All of them shifted their focus back to the Fairy Mountain as a dark female figure with red eyes suddenly appeared before Zhang Fei. ”She must be one of the dark fairy race.”

”Thatʼs right.” The four old fairies nodded at Lei Ting.

The dark female figure immediately grabbed Zhang Feiʼs head and pressed their foreheads together, but another dark creature appeared above them. Its form was similar to a fairy, but its entire body was black, and only its blue eyes were visible.

Zhang Fei could naturally feel the presence of the dark female figure and the dark creature, but he did not sense any evil intentions from either of them. Suddenly, something appeared in his mind, which excited him.

After that, the dark female figure disappeared into Zhang Feiʼs body, and the dark aura quickly dispersed. However, the dark creature didnʼt disappear and hovered in front of him, seemingly waiting for something to happen.

Zhang Fei remained still and learned the information the dark female figure had given him, especially since it was the method for mastering the darkness elemental law.

To make it easier, Zhang Fei [1] and Feltia [2] rushed into the training space and studied the method using the comprehension feature. Zhang Xiaolong [3] and Zhang Fei [5] also studied it from their respective places, except for Zhang Fei [4], who was still busy with alchemy.

”What is he doing? Why is he still meditating there?” The situation at the Fairy Fountain had returned to normal, leaving Xin Xianzi confused.

”See that?” Lei Ting pointed to the dark creature. ”That thing is the darkness elemental spirit, and it is waiting for Zhang Fei to master the darkness elemental law.”

”Oh?” Xin Xianzi was surprised for a moment before shouting. ”Zhang Fei is really lucky! Not only did he obtain the method to master the dark elemental law, but he also obtained the recognition of a dark elemental spirit.”

”In fact, Zhang Fei had already received recognition as a fire elemental spirit at the Star Tower, and his fire element power has now become extremely strong.”

Xin Xianzi sulked immediately after Zefyrʼs statement. ”Apart from the divine-grade technique, I didnʼt find anything else interesting.”

”A divine-grade technique is already extraordinary, and not many people can obtain it.” Lei Ting said this with a shake of her head. ”You shouldnʼt be greedy, or it will harm you.”

”I know.” Xin Xianzi replied with pursed lips.

Time quickly passed, and another hour passed.

Zhang Feiʼs sudden transformation into his lustful demon lord form shocked Lei Ting, Xin Xianzi, and the four old fairies. A dark aura gradually enveloped his body, slowly forming a dark figure similar to his demon form, indicating that he had almost succeeded in mastering the darkness elemental aura.

Unlike Zefyr, who had grown accustomed to Zhang Fei, the six female fairies trembled upon seeing the dark figure, particularly due to its dense evil aura.

Sometime later, the dark figure has become thick and clear. Zhang Feiʼs darkness element covered the Fairy Fountain, blocking Lei Ting and the othersʼ vision.

After seeing that, the darkness elemental creature immediately entered the dark figure and merged with it, triggering two consecutive notifications in Zhang Feiʼs mind.

[Ding]

[Congratulations! The host has mastered the initial stage of the darkness law.]

[Congratulations! The hostʼs darkness element has been upgraded to the Advanced stage.]

[The host obtained approval from a darkness elemental spirit.]

Zhang Fei immediately withdrew the darkness that enveloped the place, returned to his white half-fox form, and opened his eyes. ”Phew! Iʼve heard of the dark fairy race, but I didnʼt expect to meet one here, and she helped me master the darkness elemental law. Moreover, she brought the darkness elemental spirit to me, so I have two elemental spirits in my body now.”

[Master, the woman did not leave after helping you, and she chose to stay in your soul space.]

Zhang Fei nodded in response, sensing the womanʼs presence in his soul space. He was curious about her reasons for doing so.

ʼKid, this womanʼs soul is truly strong, and she will be of great use to you. Maybe you can help her reshape her body, and she will become a valuable ally for you in the future.ʼ Ma Kuangyu suddenly spoke to him.

ʼIʼll see that woman later, Old Ma.ʼ

After that, Zhang Fei immediately jumped out of the fairy fountain, but his action provoked a yell from Lei Ting and Xin Xianzi. ”Shameless! Put on your clothes first!”

Upon seeing that, the four old fairies shook their heads, but they said nothing and immediately vanished.

”Hehe.” Zhang Fei chuckled, seeing Lei Ting and Xin Xianzi blush. He quickly put on his clothes and spoke to them. ”Anyway, thank you for bringing me here, and Iʼve made two big gains today.”

”Ugh! You make me jealous!” Xin Xianzi said as she flew towards Zhang Fei, sitting on his shoulder. ”I have long mastered the light elemental law, but no light elemental spirit chose me.”

Zhang Fei smiled and rubbed Xin Xianziʼs tiny head. ”Honestly, I did not expect that the fire and darkness elemental spirits would acknowledge me, so I did not know how to help you gain the recognition of the light elemental spirit. Perhaps you just need to try harder, and you might be able to gain recognition from one of them in the future.”

”Yeah, youʼre probably right, and Iʼll try harder to get one of them to recognize me.” Xin Xianzi then asked him. ”Are you going back to your residence now?”

”Yes.” Zhang Fei nodded at her. ”The sun is almost setting, and they will be back soon. Moreover, I have to prepare myself for my wedding with Xian Xianqin, so I should go back now.”

”I see.” Xin Xianzi seemed disappointed to hear that. ”Are you going into seclusion again after your wedding?”

Zhang Fei raised both hands and clenched his fists. ”My strength is still lacking, and many powerful enemies await me. Moreover, I want to challenge the second floor of the Star Tower soon, so I will bring them into seclusion after my wedding. If you wish, you can join us, and you will enjoy your time with us.”

Before Xin Xianzi answered Zhang Fei, Lei Ting spoke to her first. ”You can go with him and enter seclusion with them.”

”Huh?” Xin Xianzi looked at Lei Ting with surprise.

”Iʼve been raising you since you were little, so I know you very well, and I know you want to join them. Moreover, Princess Jinglan has also entered seclusion, so you can join them, or sheʼll leave you behind.” Xin Xianzi had a deep understanding of Xian Jinglanʼs character, which led her to understand the reason for her sudden retreat into seclusion. ”Zhang Fei, I understand your wishes, and I also acknowledge your strength, but I forbid you from going to Cyanwood Mountain before your cultivation breaks through to the Seven Divine Realms. Once your cultivation breaks through to that stage, I will accompany you there, and I will help you obtain that item.”

”So you already knew about the existence of the low-grade lightning elemental seed at the peak, huh?” Lei Ting nodded to Zhang Fei. ”All right, Iʼll wait for my cultivation to reach that stage first, and I hope you can help me get it in the future.”

”Yes.” After that, Zhang Fei brought Zefyr and Xin Xianzi back to his residence directly, leaving Lei Ting behind. ”I believe he will become truly powerful in the future, and he may succeed in bringing peace to all living beings.”

- To Be Continued -