The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 444 - 562: Fang Chu Becomes a Saint

Chapter 562: Fang Chu Becomes a Saint

Though the battle between the Seven Kings City and the Azure Sky Guild had only lasted a little over two months, the losses on both sides were far from trivial. The warriors involved were all Saint Realm experts; even True Saints were not permitted to participate. Most of the combatants were Grand Saints and Saint Kings, the most elite ranks of the realm.

On the side of Seven Kings City, the core forces came from the direct lineage of the seven princes, supplemented by their loyal followers. The Azure Sky Guild, on the other hand, mobilized personnel from all its branch offices, primarily those consecrated in human or earth-level offerings. Both sides initially fought with the mentality of "kill or be killed," striking with brutal intensity. Injuries were often severe, and death was a constant threat.

When the fighting finally ceased, each side took stock of their losses. The Seven Kings City had lost twenty-three Grand Saints and left fifty-six gravely wounded. Eleven Saint Kings had fallen, while thirty more were seriously injured. The Azure Sky Guild had suffered even more severe losses. Unlike the battle-hardened warriors of Seven Kings City, many of the guild’s consecrated members lacked true combat experience, resulting in disproportionately higher casualties.

It’s easy to underestimate these numbers, but they represent some of the most powerful figures in the realm. On less developed continents, there might only be a handful of Grand Saints or Saint Kings in total. Even for these two powerful organizations, accumulating this many elite warriors had taken decades, if not centuries. Losing so many at once was a heavy blow, a true depletion of their hard-earned strength.

The gravely injured, despite their rank, faced a precarious future. In the Saint Realm, the label of "serious injury" is reserved for those whose core foundations—the spiritual veins, the essence of their cultivation—have been harmed. Mild cases might require centuries to recover fully, while severe cases could permanently cripple a cultivator’s potential, even shattering the possibility of reaching the Emperor Realm. Thus, this battle was not merely a skirmish but a devastating attrition that forced both sides into a lengthy period of recuperation.

For years to come, both Seven Kings City and the Azure Sky Guild would undoubtedly adopt a cautious stance, focusing on healing and restoring their lost power before engaging in any further large-scale conflicts.

The chaos of this war, naturally, extended even to Qingzhou, Fang Chu’s domain. But Fang Chu himself had long secluded himself, rarely seen by anyone. Even if a world-shaking war erupted, embroiling all major factions, Fang Chu would remain unperturbed in his hidden sanctuary, a silent observer to the turmoil around him.

Indeed, many of Qingzhou’s influential figures were aware that Wangyuelou had appointed a new master brewer and were keen to make Fang Chu’s acquaintance. But Fang Chu never left his domain. Even Qiu Zhanggui, the manager of Wangyuelou, could only meet him when collecting spiritual liquor; otherwise, Fang Chu remained a phantom in his own territory, unseen by anyone.

Of course, being unnoticed did not mean Fang Chu was ignorant. Occasionally, he would disguise himself, adopting various appearances to sit quietly in inconspicuous taverns or tea houses in the city. When he learned of the great battle between the two factions, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment that it hadn’t escalated further. Had he known that it was his younger cousin, Fang Qiufeng, orchestrating the chaos, he would have certainly toasted a few extra cups in recognition of the achievement.

Over the years, apart from the occasional task of brewing spiritual liquors for Wangyuelou, Fang Chu dedicated nearly all his time to the study of brewing. Though already recognized as a master brewer, he sought to elevate his craft even further, aiming to dominate the upcoming Wangyuelou assessment and ultimately challenge the position of Chief Brewer. He had long since realized that talent alone was insufficient; only relentless refinement and study could carry him to the heights he sought.

Countless days and nights passed in the company of wine vats, as Fang Chu poured over every ancient text he could find related to brewing. He neglected sleep and meals, consumed entirely by research and practice. Once something captured his interest, he devoted himself to it fully, without pause or compromise.

Unlike ordinary cultivators, who must prioritize cultivation as the foundation of their existence, Fang Chu’s situation was unique. As a long-lived immortal, he possessed boundless time. He did not need to obsessively train his body and spiritual essence at the expense of all else. A brief session of cultivation here and there sufficed, allowing him to dedicate most of his time to mastering other pursuits.

Even so, his cultivation did not stagnate. The combination of frequent tasting and refining of spiritual liquor, coupled with the inherent properties of his training methods, ensured that Fang Chu’s power continued to grow steadily, albeit slowly.

It was in a quiet tavern tucked away in a narrow alley of Wolong City that Fang Chu finally felt the subtle shift within his body. The moment was almost imperceptible, yet it resonated through every vein of his being.

"Hm? This... it’s time," Fang Chu muttered to himself, a trace of excitement in his calm demeanor.

He drained the last drop from his cup, stood, and leisurely paid the bill. Leaving the tavern, he did not hurry but instead made his way northward, flying for hundreds of thousands of miles, until he reached a remote, hidden mountain forest.

Fang Chu had long since reached the ninth level of the Conjunction Realm, yet he had lingered there deliberately. In others, this period of stagnation would have been intolerable. Even potential prodigies from the Fang family or members of the Hidden Dragon Guard would have ascended to the Saint Realm dozens of times by now. Fang Chu, however, preferred a measured approach, allowing his power to accumulate organically until the moment was right.

By now, his cultivation had reached its peak. Any further stagnation would have been a waste; he had no choice but to break through.

Fang Chu was fully prepared. The area he had chosen was equipped with intricate arrays, designed to guarantee the stability and success of his breakthrough. Once achieved, he could consolidate his power in peace, without fear of interruption.

Hundreds of texts on Saint Realm breakthroughs had already been studied. Combined with his solid foundation and accumulated power, Fang Chu’s ascension was inevitable, a natural result of his careful preparation and profound skill.

He drew a deep breath, feeling the surge of power building within. The next step would see him ascend to a level few mortals could comprehend, a realm that would forever change his place in the Tianyuan world.