Chapter 113 |
Heaven Cauldron Cave Abode.
“Hahaha, Junior Brother Fang, for this batch of lifespan extension pills I must have your help. There is simply no other way.”
Elder Tianding’s voice rang out like a great bell as he produced a jade box.
He opened it to reveal a single verdant spiritual fruit inside. Just one sniff sent a surge of vitality coursing through Fang Qing’s body.
“Not bad at all. Although this lifespan extension fruit is second-rank superior, they have nearly vanished from the Minor Huan Sea. It is impressive that Senior Brother managed to obtain even one.”
Fang Qing smiled faintly. He knew that second-rank lifespan extension fruits had almost no effect on Core Formation cultivators, which was precisely why this one had fallen into Elder Tianding’s hands.
If it had been a third-rank fruit capable of extending a Core Formation cultivator’s life by several decades, he doubted Elder Tianding would have caught even a whiff of it.
“Hahaha. This pill refinement will involve only this old man and you, Junior Brother. Once we succeed, how about I give you one lifespan extension pill?”
Elder Tianding’s eyes shone brightly.
Fang Qing felt a trace of caution rise in his heart. ‘No one offers favors without reason. It is either a trap or they want something in return.’
“Speaking of which, this old man only managed to obtain the fruit thanks to you, Junior Brother.”
Elder Tianding spoke words that left Fang Qing slightly puzzled, then suddenly shouted, “Come out already!”
From deeper inside the cave dwelling stepped a Qi Refining disciple. It was none other than Miao Yifan.
The moment he saw Fang Qing, he dropped to his knees. “Martial Uncle, please forgive me! This disciple was momentarily greedy and offered the lifespan extension fruit to Martial Uncle Tianding…”
In his heart he was already wailing in regret. ‘I thought I had found a powerful backer, but who knew he was working together with Martial Uncle Fang…’
After all, Miao Yifan was only a Qi Refining disciple with no Foundation Establishment backing. His understanding of the sect’s upper echelons was limited.
To outsiders it had looked like this: after Elder Tianding ran into trouble, Fang Qing had seized control of the Pill Hall and begun squeezing everyone dry. Once public anger boiled over and Elder Tianding recovered slightly from his injuries, he had stepped forward and impatiently taken back Fang Qing’s authority. The two of them truly appeared to harbor some grudge.
That was exactly what Miao Yifan had believed. So he had offered the hard-earned lifespan extension fruit to Elder Tianding, thinking the elder’s influence would be enough to suppress Fang Qing and spare him future trouble over pill matters.
He never imagined the two were actually on the same side.
If Fang Qing had known what the man was thinking, he would have simply scoffed.
He smiled. “I already told you before, investments carry risks. The longevity fruit goes to the highest bidder. I have nothing to complain about.”
“Even so, I still insist on giving you one, Junior Brother.”
Elder Tianding made the decision final, then barked, “What are you still standing here for? Scram!”
“Yes, yes!”
Miao Yifan nearly soiled himself in terror. He scrambled out of the cave in a pathetic, rolling escape.
In his heart he wanted to cry but had no tears left. ‘Now I have offended both major power factions on Pill Island at once… My Foundation Establishment pill…’
Although the sect would grant a genuine Foundation Establishment pill, even genuine ones had subtle differences in quality.
Having offended both giants of Pill Island, he feared he would receive the lowest-quality batch. Sometimes whether one succeeded in reaching Foundation Establishment came down to that tiny margin.
Seeing this scene, Fang Qing chuckled. “Senior Brother, by stepping in to punish him yourself, you have left me with no room for any follow-up actions.”
“You are a magnanimous man, Junior Brother.”
Elder Tianding smiled faintly. “After all, he did present the spiritual fruit. I could not do much more than give him a good scare.”
Fang Qing nodded. He had never truly intended to pursue the matter further.
With the mindset Miao Yifan now carried, his chances of successful Foundation Establishment would drop by at least ten percent. That punishment was more than enough.
A single longevity fruit truly was not worth much.
Inwardly disdainful, he put on a serious expression. “One lifespan extension pill is not enough.”
“Hmm? Then what does Junior Brother want?”
Elder Tianding looked at him with some suspicion. He had never thought Fang Qing was the type to bargain like this before.
“I wish to be stationed as guardian of Taibai Island. When the time comes, I hope Senior Brother can lend me a hand.”
Fang Qing stated his true request.
“Stationed outside? As a guardian?”
Elder Tianding stroked his stubbled beard and seemed to understand. “Junior Brother has good foresight. A guardian post may not carry as much authority as a hall master within the sect, yet it still makes one a local emperor. One could even call it island lord. Although Taibai Island’s spiritual vein is damaged, it still maintains third-rank status. It is the best among all the outer islands.”
‘If it weren’t, I would not even consider it.’
Fang Qing complained inwardly, but then heard Elder Tianding continue, “It is not that I refuse to help you. Being stationed as guardian of an island carries strict requirements on cultivation. Otherwise it would only harm others and oneself.”
“To tell you the truth, I recently reached the peak of early Foundation Establishment and have already sensed the opportunity to break through the bottleneck.”
Fang Qing smiled faintly and released a portion of his aura.
“Hmm?”
Sensing that pressure, Elder Tianding’s expression changed. “Junior Brother, how many years has it been since you broke through to Foundation Establishment? You are already advancing to mid-stage?”
“Let’s calculate. It has been nearly twenty years. After all, I am still an alchemist. I can refine pills that accelerate mana cultivation, such as the Water Essence Pill.”
Fang Qing shook his head.
“That is true…”
Elder Tianding suddenly understood. Plenty of people in the sect had advanced faster than Fang Qing, such as Cui Zhe, Hall Master of Punishing Evil.
Of course, when one factored in Fang Qing’s aptitude, the speed became quite impressive.
Now that he possessed Core Formation combat strength, mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation was no longer a trump card. He could reveal it openly to achieve a decisive effect.
“If you reach mid Foundation Establishment, being stationed as a guardian should not be a problem. After all, you previously served as acting head of Pill Island. I believe you would be suitable as the guardian of Taibai Island.”
Elder Tianding nodded firmly, then asked with clear curiosity, “Junior Brother, why exactly have you taken a fancy to Taibai Island? Could it be… for that third-rank cold spring?”
“Correct. Junior Brother wants to push his pill-refining skills further, yet he has no wish to compete with Senior Brother over the sect’s sole third-rank spiritual spring. I can only rely on my own strength.”
Fang Qing’s faint smile actually stirred a touch of emotion in Elder Tianding. “Rest easy, Junior Brother. When you take up the post as guardian of Taibai Island, Senior Brother will give full support. The Array Island side will back you as well. Mid Foundation Establishment cultivation is just enough. After all, we have Cui Zhe’s precedent.”
‘Besides, Cui Zhe and I have a decent relationship. He might even put in a good word for me.’
Fang Qing thought to himself.
“Hmm. The matter should go through without much trouble. But to make it nine parts certain, Junior Brother should pay the Linghu Clan another visit. Aren’t you on good terms with Linghu Zhong? If you win the support of the former sect master’s faction, there will be no obstacles at all.”
Elder Tianding offered the advice.
Fang Qing nodded. He knew that although Linghu Zhong kept an extremely low profile these days and played it safe, a centipede did not die even when stepped on. Moreover, the Linghu Clan were direct descendants of the Blue Sea Ancestor. The sect had always shown them special care, and their hidden influence remained immense.
Feeling that Elder Tianding’s words carried weight, Fang Qing left the Heaven Cauldron Cave Abode, picked up a basket of spiritual fruits, and headed straight for Linghu Zhong’s waterside pavilion cave dwelling.
Compared to before, the pavilion and towers now appeared quiet and forlorn, carrying the desolate chill of autumn wind through withered leaves.
Whether that was deliberate or not, he could not tell.
“Junior Brother Fang.”
The moment Linghu Zhong saw him arrive, he personally stepped out to welcome him.
“Senior Brother Linghu, how have you been lately?”
Fang Qing entered the cave dwelling. After tea was served and a few polite exchanges, “Sigh. Honestly, not well at all.”
Linghu Zhong wore a face full of worry. “Especially this time, when a junior from my clan was selected for the secret realm, only to be schemed against. He came out completely clean, without even qualifying for the Foundation Establishment pill quota…”
Fang Qing touched his cheek, confirming that Linghu Zhong was truly lamenting and not subtly mocking him.
“Sigh. Luckily his cultivation is still insufficient and he needs several more years of tempering. But within the clan there are a few other cultivators who have already reached Qi Refining ninth layer perfection and are nearing the sixty-year Foundation Establishment deadline…”
Linghu Zhong sighed repeatedly. “Our clan treasury does hold one treasured second-rank demon core, yet I do not know where to find a pill master who can guarantee at least two successful pills…”
“If Senior Brother trusts me, I am willing to take action and guarantee three successful pills, all of genuine quality.”
Fang Qing smiled faintly and spoke up.
“What?”
Linghu Zhong looked up, his face lighting with delight. “Junior Brother, has your alchemy skill already surpassed Elder Tianding?”
He had only meant to return a favor. Two genuine pills would have been enough to meet his goal.
He had never expected Fang Qing to give him such a massive surprise.
“I have been studying pill refinement lately and gained some small insights.”
Fang Qing deliberately revealed a portion of his pill dao attainment to raise his value. “Please keep it confidential, Senior Brother. I wish to charge toward third-rank alchemist and therefore need a third-rank spiritual spring. That is why I want to be stationed outside as guardian of Taibai Island.”
“Stationed outside?”
Linghu Zhong frowned. “At this moment… I fear it truly is not the best time to send someone out.”
“Oh? Why do you say that?”
Fang Qing showed genuine interest.
Linghu Zhong casually pointed, activating another sound-isolating barrier before lowering his voice. “From what I know, after Martial Aunt Ruan returned she flew into a rage. Heiyuan True Personage from Tianxin Island did the same. I fear a great war will erupt again before long.”
Fang Qing could not help touching his nose and thought inwardly, ‘Both sides feel they suffered a huge loss, with their treasures stolen by the other. Of course they would fight again. Wait… does that mean the third-rank spiritual contract only covered this joint exploration of the secret realm and did not include any after-sales service?’
Of course, he was not foolish enough to step forward and admit he had taken the benefits.
At this moment, Fang Qing’s expression grew even more resolute. “I should break through to mid Foundation Establishment very soon. It is the perfect time to contribute to the sect!”
“Junior Brother is truly loyal and devoted.”
Linghu Zhong was genuinely moved.
He had already shared inside information, yet Fang Qing still volunteered to be stationed outside as guardian. This showed real willingness to shoulder responsibility.
“In that case, I will write another letter to Cui Zhe. With both of us recommending you, Junior Brother will definitely get what you wish.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother.”
Fang Qing thanked him sincerely.
As his cultivation rose higher and the secrets on his body grew more numerous, staying on Verdant Jade Island had become increasingly inconvenient. Being stationed outside was actually far better.
Moreover, Taibai Island at least possessed a third-rank spiritual vein.
‘Who knows… perhaps I will reach Core Formation right there in the future?’
Several months later.
Summit of Cold Spring Peak.
“Combine!”
With Fang Qing and Elder Tianding working together, refining second-rank lifespan extension pills came as easily as turning over a hand.
As Elder Tianding executed the pill-collection hand seal, three verdant pills floated into view.
“Hahaha, the lifespan extension pills are complete. The first dose can extend life by ten years. Each subsequent dose halves the effect, and the third becomes almost negligible…”
Elder Tianding placed one lifespan extension pill into a jade bottle and handed it to Fang Qing. “With this pill, I congratulate you, fellow Daoist, on your appointment as guardian of Taibai Island.”
Half a month earlier, Sect Master Shi had already issued the decree appointing Fang Qing as guardian of Taibai Island.
Once the pills were finished, he could take up the post immediately.
At this moment, the fluctuations of his mana had already reached mid Foundation Establishment!
Naturally, he had chosen a day before the pill refinement to enter closed-door cultivation and break through. Upon emerging, he announced the successful breakthrough!
Because he had already been at mid Foundation Establishment, this so-called breakthrough was simply the release of the hidden portion of his mana.
Fang Qing accepted the lifespan extension pill yet smiled. “Senior Brother, there is no rush. Junior Brother still needs to refine Foundation Establishment pills once more for the Linghu Clan. I might as well borrow this third-rank spiritual spring while I am here.”