Naked Sword Art-Chapter 377: Absence of Nourishment

The investigator bandaged himself up then headed straight to the Royal Court to report his findings.

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Meanwhile, Xiao Fang rode on Xiao Hei's back as she moved in her feline form, following behind Luo Biya and the hooded figures accompanying her. Though he was capable of running on his own, he chose to conserve his strength—just in case the Investigator caught up.

They traveled for a day and a half in silence, crossing out of Jadepeak City's influence, winding through misty valleys and natural Qi-rich mountain passes. Eventually, the surrounding terrain grew darker. Wilder. Untamed spirit beasts occasionally watched from the edges of the road. The trees grew twisted, as though shaped by the resentment of the earth itself.

This was a battle ground, but it was currently empty. Xiao Fang assumed it was due to the truce the Divine Sword sect made with the Chaos sect. There wasn't a soul in sight.

Finally, they crossed the desolate land.

The moment Xiao Fang entered Chaos Sect's territory, he could feel the shift—like the air was heavier, saturated with unrestrained, unfamiliar Qi. His instincts went on high alert. He was now in enemy territory.

For now, he decided it was best to conceal his swordsmanship. If anyone discovered he was a Divine Sword cultivator, it could end badly for him.

Their journey led them down a winding path hugged by ancient trees and flowering vines. Birdsong echoed through the canopy, and the occasional spirit beast peeked out from the underbrush, but they were quickly dealt with.

Eventually, the path opened into a wide, sunlit valley nestled between two gentle mountain ridges. In the center of it was a small village built from stone, clay, and timber, arranged in a loose circle around a large, clear pond. The houses were modest but sturdy, with moss growing on rooftops and vegetable gardens lining the paths. White and pink trees bloomed near the edges of the village, their leaves shimmering with traces of natural Qi.

"This is it," Luo Biya said, her voice softer now. "Our Soul Devouring Clan."

Xiao Fang dismounted from Xiao Hei and let her rest on his back in her human form. The air was crisp and sweet, like early spring after a long winter. The land here didn't feel hostile. If anything, it felt… healing.

The Soul Devouring Clan was less than half the size of Jadepeak city, but the natural Qi here was much more abundant.

Xiao Fang was confused.

Although a land rich with natural Qi was almost always a good place to base a clan on, for a cultivation method like the Soul Devouring method, it should've had the opposite effect.

"Young Master, I don't mean to be rude, but what should we call you," one of the hooded figures said as he took off his hood.

"You can just call me Fang," Xiao Fang replied.

"Fang…" the man said awkwardly. "Luo Biya told us that she gave you our cultivation method a couple days ago. Have you had the opportunity to go through it all yet."

"Mn, I have. The method book wasn't very large. I assumed she gave me an incomplete version?"

"That… was the completed version. Although our method is relatively new—only a few hundred years old—we haven't had much luck in developing the cultivation method any further."

"Feeling the natural Qi in this place I can understand why," Xiao Fang replied carelessly.

"What do you mean by that?" another asked.

"The Qi here is too abundant. At least what I noticed while cultivating the method myself, I progressed much faster in an environment where no Qi was present at all."

The men and women in the group looked at each other in confusion.

"I don't mean to be rude, but you've only recently acquired our cultivation book. What experience could you have with our cultivation method," one of them asked.

Xiao Fang paused for a moment then decided it wouldn't hurt to show them.

Removing his blindfold and putting it away, Xiao Fang opened his eyes and it immediately caught everyone's attention by how bright and violet they were. Not only that, but they were shocked by his presence, suddenly Xiao Fang no longer seemed like an inexperienced young man, but a seasoned cultivator that had made several breakthroughs into higher realms.

In the next moment, he showed them his progress with the [ Soul Devouring ] method. A single layer of aura appeared, but it radiated with an intensity they were all familiar with.

"Isn't that the Core realm—"

"What!? He's already in the Core realm!"

"That's impossible."

"Let me see."

"No way,"

"But how—"

Even Luo Biya couldn't believe it, but her eyes didn't deceive her.

"How in the world are you already in the Core Realm with our cultivation method? It hasn't even been a week since I gave you our cultivation method. Even with a different method, it would be unheard of to reach the Core Realm so quickly—but with our Soul Devouring method? It's inconceivable."

"Young man," another woman added, stepping forward with narrowed eyes, "do you understand what this means? Elders of our clan have spent decades cultivating that method to reach the stage you're at now. How did you do it?"

What Xiao Fang didn't know himself was that his being in the Profound realm played a big part in his rapid progress with their cultivation method.

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Xiao Fang closed his eyes and replied cryptically.

[ "Devouring something doesn't always require hunger. Sometimes, the absence of nourishment teaches you how to feast." ]

Xiao Fang recited a line from the [ Soul Devouring ] book. They all recognized it, but they didn't understand what it meant. If Xiao Fang hadn't been restrained by Lady Xu's inscription formation in the Divine Sword sect for a few days, he likely wouldn't have understood what it meant either.

The others in the group fell silent. Even the wind seemed to pause, as though listening.

Luo Biya stared at him, uncertain whether she should be impressed or afraid. There was something strange about him. Xiao Fang wasn't like any other cultivator she'd met. He didn't force his presence on others, yet when he stood still, he commanded the space around him like an ancient mountain.

"Come," Luo Biya finally said, breaking the silence. "Let us take you to the others."

Xiao Fang nodded and followed as they led him deeper into the village, past fields of herbs and training circles drawn into the earth, toward a secluded stone hall built into the foot of the mountain.

Along the way, villagers paused in their tasks to watch him, their gazes a mix of awe and caution. Most had never seen a Dual Cultivator before—only heard whispers and rumors passed around like ghost stories.

Xiao Fang met their stares without hesitation. He was curious. Were their eyes filled with fear? Reverence? Disdain? Each reaction told him something new about how Dual Cultivators were viewed within the Chaos Sect—and how the Soul Devouring Clan fit into that equation.

At the same time, he took the chance to observe the clan for himself. In secluded corners of the village, cultivators trained in quiet pairs. Their movements were fluid, graceful—less like martial techniques and more like synchronized dances. There was power in the rhythm, but also intimacy. It was a strange blend of elegance and lethality, and it left Xiao Fang thoughtful.

"Many clans in the outer court look down on us," Luo Biya said as they walked. "They think we're weak because we live simply. But that's fine. We cultivate what the land gives us—and we protect what's ours."

Xiao Fang nodded slowly, taking it all in. Despite the village's humble appearance, there was strength here. A different kind of strength. Not forged through glory or war—but through harmony. However, Xiao Fang couldn't help but feel like it was all wasted potential.

Eventually, they arrived at a stone pavilion beside the pond. It was open to the wind, shaded by a tree with pink-gold leaves. Several figures sat inside—clan elders, judging by their age and presence.

Luo Biya gestured toward them. "The council is waiting."

Xiao Fang exhaled slowly and stepped forward, Xiao Hei padding quietly beside him.

For the first time since the Investigator attacked… he felt like he could breathe.

Inside the hall, incense burned with a faint blue smoke, and drawings were etched along the walls in chaotic, swirling patterns. This was where they taught their techniques, passed on ancestral knowledge—and passed law and judgement on the clansmen.

"You've shown us progress we could only dream of," Luo Biya said, "Sit, we have lots to discuss."

Outside, the sun dipped beneath the ridgeline, casting the valley in a warm, golden hue. Somewhere distant, a bell tolled once, and the trees shivered. The Soul Devouring Clan had unknowingly welcomed someone who would redefine the path they walked.