Chapter Sixty-Six: Dual Golden Body Technique

These four objects were not familiar to him because of the places they had come from, but because of their specific forms. A butcher’s knife, a slender spike, a mask, and a golden human figure.

Fang Mu gazed at the four distinct shapes, a thought surfacing in his mind. The butcher’s knife clearly symbolized the Butcher’s Blade technique; the spike represented the Hairpin Stabbing method—both were self-evident. The golden human figure was obvious as well; gold naturally brought to mind the Golden Body Technique. As for the mask, Fang Mu thought of a skill he had scarcely ever used—Disguise Art.

Four shapes, perfectly corresponding to Fang Mu’s four skills.

He pondered, “But what does this mean? What does it have to do with the eerie energy?”

As these thoughts flickered through his mind, Fang Mu’s attention instinctively shifted to the golden human figure. The golden color was striking, drawing his eye without effort. The moment his focus landed on it, a wisp of that mysterious energy lurking in his body surged forth, merging seamlessly into the golden figure.

Fang Mu was left speechless.

I only glanced at it subconsciously—how could it react so quickly?

“You have infused the Golden Body Technique with eerie energy. Golden Body Technique +1.”

A prompt echoed in his mind, and suddenly the function of the eerie energy became clear. It seemed to be a means of enhancing skills—each dose strengthening them further.

Yet, after using that wisp, there was no noticeable effect apart from the message, “Golden Body Technique +1.”

Fang Mu considered for a moment, then again directed his attention to the Golden Body Technique. Since he had already used up a wisp without meaning to, he might as well use another.

Instantly, the energy merged into the Golden Body Technique, and once more, a voice resounded in his thoughts.

“You have infused the Golden Body Technique with eerie energy and gained a new skill—Double Golden Body Technique.”

A surge of information flooded his mind, and Fang Mu understood the properties of this new ability. As the name implied, “Double” meant an additional layer of protection: a second Golden Body shrouding the first, doubling his defensive strength.

With a single thought, two layers of golden light, thin as cicada wings, enveloped Fang Mu. Though delicate in appearance, their defense was not diminished but rather increased. If not for the current circumstances, he would have liked to test it out.

“Um… Brother Fang?” the Iron Abacus Immortal called out from behind, reminding him, “Is everything sorted out?”

Fang Mu returned to his senses and dismissed the Double Golden Body Technique. By now, the lakeshore was deserted. Yu Youde was dead, the abomination he had become destroyed. The matter was settled.

“It’s over,” Fang Mu said, returning the butcher’s knife to its sheath. “Let’s go.”

The Iron Abacus Immortal nodded, stowing away his bronze compass and preparing to follow Fang Mu. Just as they were about to depart, two voices drifted from afar.

Fang Mu halted, looking toward the source of the voices.

One belonged to Qing Ruowu; the other was unfamiliar. Both hurried over as fast as they could, stopping before Fang Mu and the Iron Abacus Immortal.

Now that they were close, Fang Mu could see the stranger clearly—a man in his thirties by appearance. A long spear rested on his back, its tip faintly gleaming with a red glow.

“Fang Mu, you’re all right!” Qing Ruowu breathed a long sigh of relief at the sight of Fang Mu unharmed.

Fang Mu nodded. “No serious problems.”

He turned his gaze to the middle-aged man at Qing Ruowu’s side, curiosity in his voice. “And this is?”

Qing Ruowu quickly introduced him. “I forgot to mention—this is Commander Li Gun from the Bureau of Celestial Oversight.”

As she spoke, she glanced around. “By the way, where’s Yu Youde?”

After arriving in Wildlands Village, they had followed the traces to this spot—only to find Fang Mu alone.

“He’s dead.” Fang Mu shrugged nonchalantly. “You’re late. Yu Youde is already dust in the wind.”

Qing Ruowu’s face went blank. “Dead? You killed him?”

The cunning mastermind, assuredly formidable, vanquished by Fang Mu—this was utterly beyond her expectations. And by the looks of him, aside from some exhaustion, Fang Mu bore no visible wounds.

Since when had Fang Mu reached this level of strength?

The middle-aged man, Li Gun, frowned and produced an oval stone, waving it toward the sky. Instantly, the stone turned blood-red. The color gradually faded, dissipating completely.

“He’s truly dead.” Li Gun put the stone away. Whatever method he’d used, he now looked at Fang Mu and asked, “Was it you who killed him?”

Fang Mu nodded, offering no denial.

“Young man, you are truly a candidate worth cultivating!” Li Gun clapped his hands and laughed in approval. “I have met many young talents, but one who, while still at the Dragon Gate stage, can slay a Fiend at the Fish Leaps level—such people are rare indeed.”

“Fish Leaps level?” Fang Mu mused. “You know his rank?”

“Indeed,” Li Gun replied with a smile. “That stone was a fortune of my youth; it can reveal certain things.”

“Brother Fang, we should be going,” the Iron Abacus Immortal interjected, eager to avoid further entanglement with the Bureau of Celestial Oversight. After all, he managed a shop in the Ghost Market—discretion was vital.

Fang Mu nodded. “Yes, it’s time.”

“Where do you two intend to go?” Li Gun inquired.

“I have my own plans,” Fang Mu replied curtly.

It was their first meeting; he saw no reason to share too much.

Li Gun laughed heartily. “A misunderstanding, nothing more! You two catch up; I’ll take my leave. Oh, and Qing Ruowu—since you witnessed the incident, I’ll wait for you in Jinglong County. Come find me there, and we’ll write a report together.”

With that, Li Gun left the mountain without further delay.

Once he was gone, Qing Ruowu let out a sigh of relief.

Fang Mu asked, “A commander is one rank above you. How strong is he?”

Qing Ruowu shook her head. “No one can say. In the Bureau of Celestial Oversight, rank is only the minimum requirement; what truly matters is one’s contributions. After meeting the requirement, enough merit is needed for promotion. However…”

“However what?” Fang Mu pressed.

“Commander Li Gun is notorious for his eccentricity, yet he regards you highly,” Qing Ruowu whispered. “Among commanders, he’s one of the best. His supernatural ability is spearmanship—he can, at the cost of a day’s weakness, slay an abomination a whole level above himself. But only abominations.”

“And why are you telling me all this?” Fang Mu was puzzled.

Qing Ruowu urged, “Even a strange-tempered man like Li Gun thinks highly of you. Are you truly not considering joining the Five Trials? The next one isn’t far off.”

Fang Mu waved her off. “I’ll think about it later. For now, I’m just a lone wolf, free and untamed.”

So that’s what you’ve been waiting for… Does your Bureau of Celestial Oversight truly lack manpower so desperately?