Volume One: A Youth Enters the World Chapter Eighty-One: Defeating the Enemy

As he approached Starsea Harbor, Fang Tian noted that, unlike a city, the harbor did not occupy much space. After all, it merely served as a docking point for spirit ships and a hub for transporting goods. Ordinary people were not allowed near; besides the guards, those inside were all laborers toiling away.

Fang Tian was in no rush to enter. First, he used a suppression array to lower his spiritual cultivation to the fourth level of Spirit Channeling. With his growing mastery of this array, he could now freely conceal or reveal his cultivation as he wished. He had already inquired about Starsea Harbor’s protocols while in Winter’s End City.

From what he had learned, entry was strictly prohibited for those without official business, unless one was hired as a laborer. Thus, Fang Tian planned to pose as an ordinary man seeking work; if that failed, he would have to sneak in.

Once preparations were complete, Fang Tian walked toward the entrance. The guards, seeing someone approach, quickly halted him, ordering him to stop.

“What business do you have here? Don’t you know Starsea Harbor is off limits to outsiders?”

With a polite smile, Fang Tian replied, “Officer, I’m just looking for a job to earn a living. I hope you’ll allow me through.”

“I see you have some cultivation. Why not seek employment in Winter’s End City? The pay there is much better,” one guard remarked.

Fang Tian replied with a self-deprecating chuckle, “To tell you the truth, officer, I’m afraid of the cold. That place is freezing—I start shivering the moment I arrive. I’ve only just come from there.”

The guard nodded sympathetically. “It is rather cold there. When I was stationed in that city, I trembled from the chill every day—endured until I could finally transfer here.” He turned to his companion, reminiscing.

Seeing the guard’s softened attitude, Fang Tian quickly added, “Officer, rest assured. I may fear the cold, but I’m more than capable of hard labor.”

The guard smiled. “A grown man afraid of the cold—that’s quite the issue. Still, the harbor is busy and we are short-handed. I can’t make the decision myself, but I can take you to inquire. If they accept you, you may stay; if not, you’ll have to leave.”

“Understood. Please accept this as a token of my gratitude—my entire savings,” Fang Tian said with a smile, producing a few spirit crystals from his robe.

The guard waved him off. “Those few spirit crystals are of no use to us. Keep them. Come along, I’ll take you to register.”

“Thank you.” Fang Tian nodded.

He followed the guard inside, observing the laborers on the spirit ships, constantly moving cargo. After a while, the guard led him to an open area and stopped.

“We’re here,” the guard announced.

“Officer, this can’t be right—there’s nothing here,” Fang Tian remarked with a light laugh.

“You’ll find out soon enough.” The guard suddenly leapt back, and at once, a crowd emerged, surrounding Fang Tian.

Realizing he had been exposed, Fang Tian understood immediately—these were all agents of the Hall of Enforcement.

Two figures stepped from the crowd: the Third Prince and the Grand Elder. The prince wore a cold sneer, silently watching Fang Tian.

Fang Tian’s expression was blank; he met their gaze without a word.

A tense silence fell. After a moment, the Third Prince spoke icily, “Tianyu, I didn’t expect you to be skilled in disguise as well. You certainly made us work to find you.”

“What good did it do? You found me all the same,” Fang Tian replied indifferently.

“We have the Lin family to thank for that. If they hadn’t revealed your objective, we wouldn’t have thought to wait for you here,” the prince said with a mocking tone.

“So you’ve been lying in wait all along, bringing out such a force—truly flattering,” Fang Tian observed.

“Tianyu, you abducted me from the imperial city, shaming the entire dynasty. Today, you will be captured,” the prince declared.

“But I am curious—how did you confirm my identity just now?” Fang Tian asked.

“You think you hid so well? The Hall of Enforcement is not to be underestimated. After searching so long without finding you, of course we considered you might be in disguise. Appearance can change, but your build cannot.”

“By that logic, have you caught my brother too?” Fang Tian wanted to confirm Lang Qing’s safety.

“That fellow is good at hiding. But once you are taken, he will surely show himself.”

“So he’s not captured. That’s all I needed to know.” Fang Tian thought to himself.

He loosened his limbs and drew the Frostfeather Sword, preparing for battle.

The Third Prince, seeing Fang Tian ready himself, mocked him, “What, you still intend to resist? Besides the Grand Elder, there are several elders here—all at the eighth level of Spirit Gathering. How can you hope to stand against us with your sixth-level cultivation?”

“How will we know if I don’t try? Enough talk—aren’t you tired of standing there?” Fang Tian flicked his sword, retorting.

“How arrogant! Let me teach you a lesson.” One of the elders behind Fang Tian lunged at him.

“A sneak attack?” Fang Tian turned, sword raised, spiritual energy surging around him. He unleashed Windstride combined with the third move of the Frost Mysterium Sword Technique, vanishing in an instant. The next moment, his sword pierced the chest of the eighth-level elder. Frost spread instantly—turning the man into an ice sculpture, still frozen in his charging posture. Fang Tian withdrew his sword, and the ice shattered, scattering across the ground.

One stroke—one life taken.

The Third Prince stared in disbelief. “Impossible! You’re only at the sixth level!”

“Who says strength is determined by cultivation alone?” Fang Tian laughed softly.

At this, the Grand Elder spoke. “I didn’t expect you to challenge those above your level. Clearly, we cannot let you live.”

Fang Tian tapped the blade with his fingers and looked at them. “Let me go safely, and I’ll spare you. Otherwise, don’t blame me for what comes next.”

The Grand Elder snorted, “Boastful words. I am at the ninth level, and there are many to attack you together.”

“Then stop wasting time. Come!” Fang Tian bellowed, his spiritual power surging. Frosty energy exploded from him, freezing the ground as his strength soared—he intended to end this in one move.

The Grand Elder was shaken by the aura Fang Tian released—it surpassed even his own. He sensed grave danger. “Quick, attack together! Don’t let him use his technique!”

“Yes!” they responded in unison, rushing at Fang Tian to stop him.

Fang Tian smiled faintly, unmoved. As their attacks neared, he murmured, “Frost Mysterium Sword Technique—new move, second form: Blooming Ice Lotus.”

Instantly, the temperature plummeted. The attackers felt their movements slow, as if a great weight held them back. Though only three feet separated them from Fang Tian, they could go no further.

A white storm of spiritual energy burst from Fang Tian, spreading outward. A giant flower bud unfurled; its icy petals opened, blanketing the clearing in a colossal ice lotus. All but the Grand Elder and Third Prince were frozen solid, unable to move.

To avoid being frozen himself, the Grand Elder severed his own arm and fled with the prince, barely escaping the blossom’s reach.

With a sweep of his sword, Fang Tian carved a path through the ice lotus and slowly approached the remaining two. He exhaled a breath of frosty air and spoke softly, “Your men are all frozen. I’ll ask again—will you let me leave unharmed?”

The Third Prince, struck with fear, could not answer. The chill seemed to penetrate his bones, and Fang Tian’s display of power reminded him of his own father’s terrifying might.

The Grand Elder, still reeling from his narrow escape, realized he was no match for Fang Tian. The young man’s abilities far exceeded any ordinary cultivator—he had never imagined that Fang Tian could become so formidable in just a month. Even he had nearly perished.

Seeing their silence, Fang Tian pointed his sword once more. “I’ll ask again. Will you let me leave in peace?”

The Grand Elder clutched his severed arm and glanced at the prince. Though he hated Fang Tian for killing his disciple, he was helpless now. For a talent like Fang Tian, he no longer wished to make an enemy.

Before overwhelming strength, everything else becomes meaningless—such was the Grand Elder’s true feeling.

The Third Prince gritted his teeth. With the Grand Elder crippled and Fang Tian holding their lives in his hands, he had no choice but to yield.

“If you spare us, you may do as you wish. No one will stop you.”

“Very well. Arrange a spirit ship for me—I want to leave,” Fang Tian said, sheathing his sword.

The Third Prince quickly agreed, escorting Fang Tian to the spirit ship dock. Fang Tian requested that the ship depart as usual, and that it return once he reached his destination.

The prince complied. After several hours, the ship was ready and Fang Tian boarded.

As it set sail, Fang Tian turned back. “Third Prince, let me warn you—don’t even think of targeting my brother. If I find out, I will wipe your imperial clan from existence. Try me if you doubt my words.”

With that, the spirit ship departed, fading from sight.

Once Fang Tian was gone, the Third Prince was finally able to breathe easily. He turned to the Grand Elder. “Do you think Father will be able to deal with Fang Tian when he emerges from seclusion?”

The Grand Elder shook his head. “Even if His Majesty can defeat Tianyu, killing him would be difficult. Besides, now that he’s gone, the next time we see him will likely be at the Hundred Isles Tournament. With his terrifying talent, it’s certain he’ll be chosen by one of the great powers.”

The Third Prince sighed. “I suppose we have no choice, then.”

The Grand Elder nodded. “His killing intent isn’t strong. Aside from one elder, the others are merely frozen. Best to leave it at that—pushing further may bring dire consequences.” Having suffered such a loss, he saw things more clearly. Even if he wished for revenge, he had to abandon the idea.

“Let’s follow your advice. But with such a soft heart, I doubt he’ll survive long in this world. People aren’t as simple as he imagines,” the Third Prince said, though grateful to be spared, he didn’t approve of Fang Tian’s way of handling matters.

“Indeed. To survive in this world, a soft heart brings only trouble,” the Grand Elder agreed.