Chapter 104 |
"Little Friend Anzhuzi."
Fang Qing returned the greeting with a smile. "I merely took one step ahead. Back then I was too eager for quick success in Qi Ingestion, and now that I have forged my Dao Foundation, Purple Mansion remains forever out of reach. What can one do but sigh in vain?"
"No wonder you seek a [Ji Water] Purple Mansion technique. But as I said before, your Qi Ingestion path is already fixed. Without the innate birth of water, you have no hope of breaking through to Purple Mansion in this lifetime."
The old fox shook his head repeatedly, then hurriedly made introductions. "This is our demon race senior—Qingling Demon General!"
"So it is Miss Qingling."
Fang Qing had stepped forward precisely because he sensed that this woman also possessed a Dao Foundation. She did not pose an especially great danger.
Moreover, after his earlier divination, he still very much wanted to complete this transaction.
"Fang Shui—you are quite interesting."
Qingling fixed her gaze on Fang Qing as if she had spotted something amusing. She suddenly smiled. "As for a storage artifact, I do happen to have one spare. It is called the Mystical Wood Ring—crafted from eastern profound wood as the base, then carved and imbued with wonders by a [Kui Wood] cultivator. [Kui Wood] excels at containment and concealment; it is known as the Arsenal Wood. The profound wonders attached to it can last about ten years, hiding the aura of stored items so thoroughly that even an early Purple Mansion cultivator would be deceived. If paired with a flesh-and-blood storage technique, it becomes flawless. However… what do you have to offer in exchange?"
"How about this?"
Fang Qing tossed out a jade bottle.
Anzhuzi hurriedly caught it. When he opened the bottle and poured out a single second-rank Spirit-Nourishing Pill, his reaction was immediate.
"This…"
He could not help sniffing, then drooled openly. "Good stuff, excellent stuff! This old man feels that one pill could help me break through my current realm. If I take them continuously—promotion to Demon General is within reach!"
"This pill… actually aids demon beasts in advancing?"
Qingling looked at Fang Qing in surprise. "Truly, the human race possesses boundless spiritual ingenuity. In the Dao of alchemy, your race's spiritual wisdom far surpasses that of us demons."
In the Blue Sea Sect, this pill was specially made for feeding snakes.
'I originally thought this woman had considerable knowledge, but now it seems she is only so-so.'
Fang Qing kept his expression unchanged while thinking to himself. "Will this bottle of pills be enough to exchange for that Mystical Wood Ring and the wondrous technique?"
"Not enough!"
Qingling gave a slight smile. "At least one more bottle."
"Deal!"
Fang Qing agreed at once and tossed out an identical jade bottle with a flick of his hand.
The old fox held both bottles and seemed momentarily stunned.
The young woman was also slightly taken aback, but the corners of her mouth curved upward. With a casual lift of her hand, a dark-yellow ring and a single book page appeared and floated down before Fang Qing.
"Much appreciated!"
Fang Qing cupped his fists in salute and prepared to take his leave directly.
Before departing, curiosity got the better of him. "May I ask why the young lady has come to this Pu Family mountain city?"
"You wish to know, Fellow Daoist?"
The corners of Qingling's mouth curved into an even wider smile.
"Never mind. I no longer wish to know."
Fang Qing waved his hand dismissively, then promptly summoned waves of water beneath his feet and departed with Xu Hei in tow.
"Princess—"
In the desolate mountains, the old fox Anzhuzi gazed in the direction Fang Qing had vanished, a trace of regret in his voice. "Our asking price earlier was still too low. I never expected this person's wealth to be so astonishing."
"And he achieved Dao Foundation at such a young age, as a rogue cultivator no less. There is clearly something off about him. Should we investigate?"
In the lands of Ancient Shu, achieving Dao Foundation without any discernible background or backing would naturally draw attention.
Qingling, however, toyed idly with the jade bottle in her hand, looking somewhat bored. "No need to bother. I just used a secret art combined with a treasure to examine him. This person carries karma from the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain. His Dao Foundation was most likely achieved by borrowing fate from the Great Sun Esoteric Sect. Sooner or later, he will have to become a monk."
"So it really is from the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain."
The old fox's fur instantly stood on end. Clearly, even among the demon race, the reputation of the Great Snow Mountain was far from favorable. There was even a hint of fear mixed with revulsion, as if they had glimpsed something filthy.
"Hehe, no need to be afraid."
Qingling reached out and stroked the old fox's head. "Once this major affair concludes, the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain might very well become an ally of our Descending Phoenix Mountain."
"These demons harbor ill intentions. Their appearance here means they are surely preparing something big at the Pu Family Ancestor's four-hundredth birthday banquet."
Fang Qing had already fled far away with Xu Hei before he finally tossed the man aside and began examining the Mystical Wood Ring in his hand.
The ring's surface displayed faint wood-grain patterns. After refining it, he could sense the internal space. It was not particularly large.
Yet when swept with divine sense alone, it felt like scanning empty air—utterly unresponsive.
"Worthily crafted by [Kui Wood]. Truly excellent at concealment."
He studied the flesh-and-blood storage technique a while longer. In truth, it was quite crude: simply carve a cavity in the body, hide the item inside, then use an incantation to heal the wound. The stored object would merge with the flesh and blood, concealing it from divine sense as well.
"Once I comprehend this method, I can convert its format into a Qi Refining path incantation and pass it on to others."
While Fang Qing pondered, Xu Hei could not hold back any longer. "Young Master, since this place is dangerous, why don't we just… run?"
Having run merchant routes across various regions, Xu Hei had long developed the habit of fleeing at the first sign of trouble.
"Hm, you are right. I am going to run."
Fang Qing nodded, then glanced back toward the Pu Family mountain city. "As for you, act as my eyes and ears. Go pay respects at the Pu Family birthday banquet. I want to see exactly what medicine these demons are selling in their gourd this time."
In any case, he planned to hide away on Verdant Jade Island immediately and observe everything solely through Xu Hei as his informant.
Even if those existences on the golden rank made a move, at worst it would be like the last time he suffered backlash from the [Stomach Earth] divinity. They still could not kill him!
"Yes… Young Master."
Xu Hei pulled a long face, his expression full of grievance. He felt his good luck had finally run out this time.
On the day of Lord Pu Shan's birthday.
The main gates of Pu Family mountain city stood wide open. Lanterns and colorful banners hung everywhere, warmly welcoming guests from all directions.
In the sky above, streaks of flowing light flashed from time to time—Dao Foundation great cultivators personally arriving to offer congratulations and present generous gifts.
This was not limited to Yulin Commandery. Even Dao Foundation families and sects from Ba Commandery had hurried over eagerly.
The Pu Family had been established for only two hundred years, yet already claimed the title of Purple Mansion immortal clan. Their power was at its absolute peak—flowers added to brocade, oil poured on raging flames.
"Cloudcrag Sect Master has arrived—presenting as congratulatory gift one portion of Liwu Fire Essence!"
"Cangcui Pi Family's Pi Xiuyuan offers birthday congratulations to the Pu Family Ancestor—presenting as congratulatory gift one Horn Wood Sword!"
Xu Hei carried a gift box but could not enter through the main gate. He had to line up at the side entrance, gazing enviously toward the main gate. "As expected of a Dao Foundation power. Dao Foundation great cultivators have such honored status, they can walk through the main gate and are generous with their gifts. All Dao Foundation-grade spiritual items and artifacts…"
He watched the long line ahead with growing boredom when suddenly a sharp rebuke rang out. "[Kang Gold] Zhao Family? You think you are qualified to enter through the main gate? Go wait at the side entrance!"
The rogue cultivators around Xu Hei immediately perked up with expressions of delight at someone else's misfortune. They did not dare crowd forward but stole glances from the corners of their eyes, ears pricked.
After all, though the Zhao Family had lost its only Dao Foundation cultivator, even in decline it could easily crush them.
The Zhao Family head flushed crimson. Facing the Pu Family cultivator's deliberate humiliation, he did not dare retort. Covering his face with his sleeve, he slunk away to join the line at the side entrance.
"The Zhao Family has truly fallen now that their only Dao Foundation great cultivator is dead."
"I see the Zhao Family head wanted to cling to the Pu Family, but the Pu Family looks down on them completely."
The surrounding cultivators whispered among themselves.
Xu Hei secretly cheered inside. He had never held any fondness for these aristocratic families.
After waiting quite a while longer, it was finally his turn.
Behind the side entrance stood a table with a Pu Family cultivator in crimson robes seated there. A strong aura of [Tail Fire] emanated from him, and his temper seemed quite fiery.
Xu Hei bowed respectfully. "This lowly cultivator Xu Hei has specially come to offer congratulations. I present—"
"Enough, enough. Place the gift over there."
The Pu Family cultivator waved impatiently, then sniffed the air. "You cultivate the [Nu Earth] method? You reek of corpses. Normally you would not even be fit to step on the stone slabs of our Pu Family mountain city. Only because the Ancestor has given the word today do you get a seat. Go sit over there. Do not disturb the other guests—or you will regret it."
"Yes, yes."
Xu Hei nodded and bowed repeatedly. He discovered that the seat assigned to him was at the very corner of the banquet, far from the main table. Inwardly he cursed: ‘Do you think your grandfather wants to be here? If not for Young Master's orders, I would not bother coming at all. Let us see what spectacle your Pu Family puts on today.’
Once seated, he saw that his table companions were all miserable, down-on-their-luck rogue cultivators. Xu Hei did not hold back. He reached out with his dirty, withered old hand and began devouring fruits and spirit snacks as if trying to eat back his losses.
Not far away.
Li Rulong sat in a plain gray robe, looking like a down-and-out middle-aged man. He had used some treasure to completely conceal his demonic qi. He too was drinking and eating: ‘That great demon from Descending Phoenix Mountain had me infiltrate here for so long without giving any tasks, only insisting I must attend this Lord Pu Shan birthday banquet. What exactly is the purpose?’
The thought filled him with sorrow.
Even after escaping one great net, he had fallen into the demons' snare.
In this vast world, where could one possibly find peace?
"They're here, they're here!"
"Quick, look—that is the Pu Family's little princess, Pu Lingzhu. It is said she is greatly favored by the Pu Family Ancestor. He personally renamed her, keeps her by his side for personal instruction, and treasures her like the apple of his eye—"
At that moment, a stir arose among the nearby rogue cultivators.
Li Rulong looked over and saw a round-faced, slightly plump female cultivator approaching. Her hair was styled in a spirit-snake bun, her features plump and jade-smooth, her smile charming and radiant. He froze.
He naturally recognized this woman.
Back then, when the Seven Swords of Shu had rescued a Pu Family mother and daughter, this woman was the daughter of Pu Feiling.
Many years had passed. She had grown up somewhat, her temperament greatly changed. Clearly she had already entered the path through Qi Ingestion.
Thinking of the Pu Family mother and daughter inevitably brought his sworn brother to mind. Li Rulong's eyes dimmed as he raised his wine cup—
"Wait… something seems off…"
He took another sip of wine and watched as the Pu Family Ancestor appeared in a crimson ritual robe, basking in the worship of ten thousand cultivators. Yet an inexplicable sense of unease grew stronger and stronger in his heart.
"Why are the highest arrivals only Dao Foundation cultivators?"
"Pu Shanjun has centuries of connections. Could he truly have no Purple Mansion friends? Or… have they been blocked by something?"
The thought sent a chill through Li Rulong's entire body.
Xu Hei remained completely oblivious, still stuffing his face.
Outside Pu Family mountain city, that Purple Mansion grand array had, at some unknown moment, begun operating at full power.