Lu Yusheng and the seven youths looked at the words floating in the air dazedly. They knew that the only possible explanation was that Fang Zhengzhi was already in the Heavenly Reflection State. However, they did not dare to believe it.
"He... is really in the Heavenly Reflection State?!"
"How is that possible?"
"He is only 15 years old. If I recall correctly, other than Chi Guyan, he is the only person who managed to attain this state below 15 years old..."
The seven youths looked at each other. They remembered the scene at the banquet the previous night, the deal between Fang Zhengzhi and Chi Guyan in two years time.
If Fang Zhengzhi was really in the Heavenly Reflection State?!
Then, the deal would not be as hopeless as it looked!
A notion flashed by the minds of the eight of them. Before this, no one believed that Fang Zhengzhi could defeat Chi Guyan.
But now...
Their confidence was wavering.
The difference between the Star Conglomerate State and the Heavenly Reflection State was too great. So many youths were stuck at this door, unable to breakthrough.
But...
Once the breakthrough was successful, the transition from elementary to advanced Heavenly Reflection State was a smooth one. The probability of attaining the pinnacle of the Heavenly Reflection State in two years was at least 20%!
Even so, no one would seriously think that Fang Zhengzhi could defeat Chi Guyan in two years. After all, Chi Guyan was the 'Xuan Heavenly Dao Body'. She had special abilities that would allow her to easily defeat people of the same level as her.
However, this battle was not as hopeless as it seemed before.
Even if it was just a shred...
It was still hope!
"Now, you all have two choices, one is death, one is life, which do you choose?" Fang Zhengzhi spoke, breaking the train of thought of the eight of them.
"Of course we choose to live!" One of the youths shouted. As a disciple of a renowned clan, he was used to a cultured life. He did not have much experience with blood and battle.
As such, he had a natural fear of death.
"But you all have been pursuing us from the Spring Garden, don't you all think you should pay a price?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at them sinisterly.
"Price? What price?"
"I would like to rob!" Fang Zhengzhi said calmly.
"Rob?!"
Lu Yusheng and the seven youths stiffened when they heard Fang Zhengzhi. They had thought of many possibilities, but they did not expect that Fang Zhengzhi wanted to rob them.
What a low price to pay?
As long as they could live...
Money was a peripheral item!
"Of course you can! Master Fang is such a great person, I will give you all of my silver!"
"I do not have much silver with me, but I can give you all of my equipment. I also have a head dress. Don't look down on it, the pearl is one of the best pearls harvested from the deep ocean!"
"Master Fang, my bracelet is not bad. When you wear it, you can smell a faint aroma when you study and it will help you concentrate!"
The youths immediately took out everything valuable from their bodies and obediently handed them over. They also thanked Fang Zhengzhi.
Fang Zhengzhi sneered.
He loved robbing people and having them thank him!
"Then, what about Master Lu?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Lu Yusheng.
"You really won't kill me?" Lu Yusheng could not believe it. Just like he had said, Fang Zhengzhi
"I didn't say that, all I said was I will rob you first, but if you have nothing valuable, then..."
"I... I do!" Lu Yusheng grit his teeth. He retrieved a purple gold box, then opened it. A strong aroma wafted out of the box.
"The Hundred Battle Pill of the Battle Constabulary!" Yan Xiu's eyes flashed with awe when he saw the pills inside.
Fang Zhengzhi did not think much of the broken box. However, Yan Xiu was clearly the most discerning. When the other youths took out their items, his expression did not even chance.
However, when Lu Yusheng retrieved this box, his jaw dropped.
What did this mean?
The Hundred Battle Pill was an exceptional item!
Who cares? Take it first.
Fang Zhengzhi snatched the purple gold box over and stuffed it in his pocket.
"There are three inside, I spent many years... please leave one for me..." Lu Yusheng painfully stretched out a hand as he looked at Fang Zhengzhi snatch the box away.
"Go go go, say any more and I will kill you first before I rob!" Fang Zhengzhi snorted icily.
Lu Yusheng shut up immediately. Yet, his expression was incredibly pained, almost as if he had suffered a huge blow.
...
After robbing everyone, Fang Zhengzhi spoke once again.
"All of you, strip and tie him... to that pillar!" Fang Zhengzhi pointed at Lu Yusheng, then at a meter thick ice pillar nearby.
The seven youths raised their guards once again. They wanted to resist, but now that their lives were in his hands, they had to do as they were told.
After a brief hesitation, the seven youths got to work.
"If you don't get him completely naked, I will make sure you all are completely naked first!" Fang Zhengzhi said calmly as he saw the seven youths scurrying about.
In an instant, the seven youths turned from meek sheep to ferocious wolves.
Four youths grabbed Lu Yusheng's arms and legs. The other three ripped away at his clothes. This was too barbaric to be seen.
All that could be heard was the shredding. They clearly ignored the instruction of 'take off', they simply ripped.
"You all..." Lu Yusheng wanted to struggle. However, he was afraid that Fang Zhengzhi had other ideas. As such, he could only weep silently.
After Lu Yusheng was stripped, the seven youths used the ripped fabric as rope and tied him tightly to the pillar.
Throughout the entire process, Lu Yusheng grit his teeth. Only when his body touched the ice pillar did he grunt.
Because...
The ice was too cold.
"Now it's your turn!" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Lu Yusheng, then at the seven youths.
"Master Fang, didn't you tell us to tie one person only?" One of the youths retreated in fear.
"Did I say so?"
"..." The seven youths looked at each other and thought carefully. He really didn't say so.
"Do you want to do it yourselves or do you want me to do it for you?"
"We will do it ourselves!"
The seven youths stripped quickly. Then, they 'helped' tie each other up to the ice pillar with their clothes.
Before long, all seven of them were moaning and grunting...
...
After the eight of them were tied to the ice pillar, Yan Xiu spoke once again.
"Actually, I always knew that you could attain the Heavenly Reflection State, but I never expected you to attain it so quickly!" Yan Xiu said with surprise. As a friend, he was naturally happy for Fang Zhengzhi.
"Fast? I don't think so." Fang Zhengzhi shook his head.
"Is it not fast?" Yan Xiu asked curiously.
"If you attained Star Conglomerate at eight, would you still think this is fast?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Yan Xiu calmly.
"Conglomerate Star at eight, I am 16 this year. So I had eight years, naturally... hold up, you mean you attained Conglomerate Star at eight?!" Yan Xiu exclaimed just as he was about to answer Fang Zhengzhi's question.
Not only did Yan Xiu gasp at that revelation, the eight men on the pillars were also stunned by this fact.
"Conglomerate Star at eight?!"
"Humph, how is this possible?"
"Based on my knowledge, even though Chi Guyan accessed Dao at four, she was also Conglomerate Star at eight! He says he attained Conglomerate Star at eight? Is he lying?!"
Lu Yusheng and the seven youths could not believe their ears. If Fang Zhengzhi was really Conglomerate Star at eight, why did it take so long for him to breakthrough to Heavenly Reflection?
They felt that something was amiss...
No matter what, Fang Zhengzhi was already in the Heavenly Reflection State, at 15 no less!
Fang Zhengzhi saw the shock on Yan Xiu's face and sighed in exasperation, "Aish... Star Conglomerate at eight, but it took me seven years to get to Heavenly Reflection, how embarrassing!"
"Star Conglomerate at eight, Heavenly Reflection seven years later, embarrassing?"
"If this is embarrassing..."
The eight people tied to the ice pillar 'enjoying' the chill felt like they had just swallowed a fly when they heard Fang Zhengzhi's sighs.
Even though they were being tortured by the cold, their faces flushed.
Can you not be like that? Can't you let us retain some dignity? Yes, you may think that waiting seven years for Heavenly Reflection after attaining Star Conglomerate at eight is a disgrace...
But then...
What would that make us?
What would that make the talents of the various powerful clans in the empire?
Conglomerate Star at eight.
Heavenly Reflection at 15.
?
Yet, he was still sighing here, looking depressed. Could he possibly be more arrogant?
Lu Yusheng and the seven youths thought of the same thing. They would much rather hear Fang Zhengzhi shouting and laughing that he is a talent and a genius. They did not want to hear him sigh.
"Haish... I was Conglomerate Star at eight and waited seven years for my Heavenly Reflection, what a disgrace!"
How disgraceful could you be?
Lu Yusheng and the seven youths looked at the words floating in the air dazedly. They knew that the only possible explanation was that Fang Zhengzhi was already in the Heavenly Reflection State. However, they did not dare to believe it.
"He... is really in the Heavenly Reflection State?!"
"How is that possible?"
"He is only 15 years old. If I recall correctly, other than Chi Guyan, he is the only person who managed to attain this state below 15 years old..."
The seven youths looked at each other. They remembered the scene at the banquet the previous night, the deal between Fang Zhengzhi and Chi Guyan in two years time.
If Fang Zhengzhi was really in the Heavenly Reflection State?!
Then, the deal would not be as hopeless as it looked!
A notion flashed by the minds of the eight of them. Before this, no one believed that Fang Zhengzhi could defeat Chi Guyan.
But now...
Their confidence was wavering.
The difference between the Star Conglomerate State and the Heavenly Reflection State was too great. So many youths were stuck at this door, unable to breakthrough.
But...
Once the breakthrough was successful, the transition from elementary to advanced Heavenly Reflection State was a smooth one. The probability of attaining the pinnacle of the Heavenly Reflection State in two years was at least 20%!
Even so, no one would seriously think that Fang Zhengzhi could defeat Chi Guyan in two years. After all, Chi Guyan was the 'Xuan Heavenly Dao Body'. She had special abilities that would allow her to easily defeat people of the same level as her.
However, this battle was not as hopeless as it seemed before.
Even if it was just a shred...
It was still hope!
"Now, you all have two choices, one is death, one is life, which do you choose?" Fang Zhengzhi spoke, breaking the train of thought of the eight of them.
"Of course we choose to live!" One of the youths shouted. As a disciple of a renowned clan, he was used to a cultured life. He did not have much experience with blood and battle.
As such, he had a natural fear of death.
"But you all have been pursuing us from the Spring Garden, don't you all think you should pay a price?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at them sinisterly.
"Price? What price?"
"I would like to rob!" Fang Zhengzhi said calmly.
"Rob?!"
Lu Yusheng and the seven youths stiffened when they heard Fang Zhengzhi. They had thought of many possibilities, but they did not expect that Fang Zhengzhi wanted to rob them.
What a low price to pay?
As long as they could live...
Money was a peripheral item!
"Of course you can! Master Fang is such a great person, I will give you all of my silver!"
"I do not have much silver with me, but I can give you all of my equipment. I also have a head dress. Don't look down on it, the pearl is one of the best pearls harvested from the deep ocean!"
"Master Fang, my bracelet is not bad. When you wear it, you can smell a faint aroma when you study and it will help you concentrate!"
The youths immediately took out everything valuable from their bodies and obediently handed them over. They also thanked Fang Zhengzhi.
Fang Zhengzhi sneered.
He loved robbing people and having them thank him!
"Then, what about Master Lu?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Lu Yusheng.
"You really won't kill me?" Lu Yusheng could not believe it. Just like he had said, Fang Zhengzhi
"I didn't say that, all I said was I will rob you first, but if you have nothing valuable, then..."
"I... I do!" Lu Yusheng grit his teeth. He retrieved a purple gold box, then opened it. A strong aroma wafted out of the box.
"The Hundred Battle Pill of the Battle Constabulary!" Yan Xiu's eyes flashed with awe when he saw the pills inside.
Fang Zhengzhi did not think much of the broken box. However, Yan Xiu was clearly the most discerning. When the other youths took out their items, his expression did not even chance.
However, when Lu Yusheng retrieved this box, his jaw dropped.
What did this mean?
The Hundred Battle Pill was an exceptional item!
Who cares? Take it first.
Fang Zhengzhi snatched the purple gold box over and stuffed it in his pocket.
"There are three inside, I spent many years... please leave one for me..." Lu Yusheng painfully stretched out a hand as he looked at Fang Zhengzhi snatch the box away.
"Go go go, say any more and I will kill you first before I rob!" Fang Zhengzhi snorted icily.
Lu Yusheng shut up immediately. Yet, his expression was incredibly pained, almost as if he had suffered a huge blow.
...
After robbing everyone, Fang Zhengzhi spoke once again.
"All of you, strip and tie him... to that pillar!" Fang Zhengzhi pointed at Lu Yusheng, then at a meter thick ice pillar nearby.
The seven youths raised their guards once again. They wanted to resist, but now that their lives were in his hands, they had to do as they were told.
After a brief hesitation, the seven youths got to work.
"If you don't get him completely naked, I will make sure you all are completely naked first!" Fang Zhengzhi said calmly as he saw the seven youths scurrying about.
In an instant, the seven youths turned from meek sheep to ferocious wolves.
Four youths grabbed Lu Yusheng's arms and legs. The other three ripped away at his clothes. This was too barbaric to be seen.
All that could be heard was the shredding. They clearly ignored the instruction of 'take off', they simply ripped.
"You all..." Lu Yusheng wanted to struggle. However, he was afraid that Fang Zhengzhi had other ideas. As such, he could only weep silently.
After Lu Yusheng was stripped, the seven youths used the ripped fabric as rope and tied him tightly to the pillar.
Throughout the entire process, Lu Yusheng grit his teeth. Only when his body touched the ice pillar did he grunt.
Because...
The ice was too cold.
"Now it's your turn!" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Lu Yusheng, then at the seven youths.
"Master Fang, didn't you tell us to tie one person only?" One of the youths retreated in fear.
"Did I say so?"
"..." The seven youths looked at each other and thought carefully. He really didn't say so.
"Do you want to do it yourselves or do you want me to do it for you?"
"We will do it ourselves!"
The seven youths stripped quickly. Then, they 'helped' tie each other up to the ice pillar with their clothes.
Before long, all seven of them were moaning and grunting...
...
After the eight of them were tied to the ice pillar, Yan Xiu spoke once again.
"Actually, I always knew that you could attain the Heavenly Reflection State, but I never expected you to attain it so quickly!" Yan Xiu said with surprise. As a friend, he was naturally happy for Fang Zhengzhi.
"Fast? I don't think so." Fang Zhengzhi shook his head.
"Is it not fast?" Yan Xiu asked curiously.
"If you attained Star Conglomerate at eight, would you still think this is fast?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Yan Xiu calmly.
"Conglomerate Star at eight, I am 16 this year. So I had eight years, naturally... hold up, you mean you attained Conglomerate Star at eight?!" Yan Xiu exclaimed just as he was about to answer Fang Zhengzhi's question.
Not only did Yan Xiu gasp at that revelation, the eight men on the pillars were also stunned by this fact.
"Conglomerate Star at eight?!"
"Humph, how is this possible?"
"Based on my knowledge, even though Chi Guyan accessed Dao at four, she was also Conglomerate Star at eight! He says he attained Conglomerate Star at eight? Is he lying?!"
Lu Yusheng and the seven youths could not believe their ears. If Fang Zhengzhi was really Conglomerate Star at eight, why did it take so long for him to breakthrough to Heavenly Reflection?
They felt that something was amiss...
No matter what, Fang Zhengzhi was already in the Heavenly Reflection State, at 15 no less!
Fang Zhengzhi saw the shock on Yan Xiu's face and sighed in exasperation, "Aish... Star Conglomerate at eight, but it took me seven years to get to Heavenly Reflection, how embarrassing!"
"Star Conglomerate at eight, Heavenly Reflection seven years later, embarrassing?"
"If this is embarrassing..."
The eight people tied to the ice pillar 'enjoying' the chill felt like they had just swallowed a fly when they heard Fang Zhengzhi's sighs.
Even though they were being tortured by the cold, their faces flushed.
Can you not be like that? Can't you let us retain some dignity? Yes, you may think that waiting seven years for Heavenly Reflection after attaining Star Conglomerate at eight is a disgrace...
But then...
What would that make us?
What would that make the talents of the various powerful clans in the empire?
Conglomerate Star at eight.
Heavenly Reflection at 15.
?
Yet, he was still sighing here, looking depressed. Could he possibly be more arrogant?
Lu Yusheng and the seven youths thought of the same thing. They would much rather hear Fang Zhengzhi shouting and laughing that he is a talent and a genius. They did not want to hear him sigh.
"Haish... I was Conglomerate Star at eight and waited seven years for my Heavenly Reflection, what a disgrace!"
How disgraceful could you be?
