Chapter 143 |
Inside the seclusion chamber.
Fang Qing had obtained the Miraculous Spring Pure Vase. After consuming numerous pills and spiritual items that boosted his mana, his [Ji Water] mana surged forward at once.
The profundities of his [Wind-Positioned] Dao Foundation grew even more profound.
He had thoroughly studied the Listening to the Mysterious Cavern Spring Scripture and knew he had reached a bottleneck. Without hesitation he took out the Life Spring Pill, swallowed it, and entered a deeper state of secluded breakthrough.
Inside the cave residence, strong winds stirred and spring water gushed forth.
Outside the cave residence, water began to bubble up across the red-tiled roofs without anyone noticing.
Fang Qing opened his eyes, raised his hand slightly, and a surge of blue-green spring water appeared, enveloping his entire body.
"Mid-stage Dao Foundation. Success!"
He calculated on his fingers. "It has been over a year of seclusion without me realizing. I am already sixty-five years old this year."
Fang Qing smiled and continued his calculations.
He had formed his Dao Foundation around the age of fifty. Breaking through to the mid stage had taken him only fifteen short years!
Even among the direct-line disciples of major sects, that speed was remarkably fast.
Of course it was inseparable from the large quantities of mana-enhancing pills and spiritual materials he had consumed, not to mention the small assistance from his golden finger. But the main reason was still his own diligent and bitter cultivation!
"After reaching mid-stage Dao Foundation, my [Wind-Positioned] seems to have gained additional profundities. Why does everything revolve around wind attributes?"
Fang Qing's heart stirred. His figure flashed and vanished into thin air!
In the next instant he reappeared in another part of the cave residence.
Although the distance was short, it was almost indistinguishable from the legendary Nascent Soul instant shift.
"The Windless Shadow Escape of Xun Wind. All seven layers completed. The wind movement technique has reached great success."
"Clearly I possess the [Ji Water] Dao Foundation, so why does it feel exactly like a Xun Wind Dao Foundation?"
Fang Qing felt somewhat puzzled. He then tested the Long-Awaited Sweet Rain Dao Foundation. This time the full profundities of spring water manifested. The healing effects of the sweet rain water and the speed at which the spirit rain technique promoted plant growth had both improved noticeably.
He continued switching through the Sharp Edge Chapter, the White Bone Contemplation, and the [Perched at the Abyss]...
He discovered that each of these Dao Foundations possessed its own unique profundities, allowing him to comprehend and elevate his own attainment.
"Only my [Ji Water] attainment has truly reached mid-stage Dao Foundation. The others are actually quite shallow."
"Ordinary cultivators first deepen their attainment and then expand the profundities of their Dao Foundation to break through realms. My [Ji Water] follows this path, while the other lineages outside of [Ji Water] have been forcibly elevated by the Dao-Genesis Pearl. I then gain comprehension by pondering the profundities of those Dao Foundations."
"But it is no great issue. As long as they are usable in battle, that is enough. They are not my main path to attaining the Dao."
After familiarizing himself with his mana, Fang Qing used the Dao-Genesis Pearl to check the situations on Taibai Island, in the Blue Sea Sect, and on Tianxin Island.
With these three eyes and ears, he could keep a firm grasp on the overall situation in the Minor Huan Sea even during long absences.
The Minor Huan Sea had remained relatively peaceful in recent years. Although some Qi Refining disciples had died or been injured, neither the Blue Sea Sect nor the Sea-Destroying Alliance took it to heart. The mid- and high-level members actually felt a faint sense of relief.
According to Xiang Dahu's observations, however, the Sancai Market on Sanyuan Island was thriving and had gradually earned the nickname "holy land for rogue cultivators."
Several days later.
As usual, Fang Qing converted the majority of his mana into origin stream vapor for storage and left seclusion with only a layer of [Nu Earth] mana that was slightly weaker than early Dao Foundation.
"I wonder how the Fang Family is doing. It would be just my luck if I came out of seclusion after a few years only to find they had been wiped out."
"Even if that were the case, it would merely be the fickleness of worldly affairs."
"I should still observe them a while longer."
Fang Qing went to the archives room and went through the records as usual. He found nothing of major concern.
Of course, that was only in regard to Xituo Commandery. In the rest of Ancient Shu, the southern borderlands, and the eastern regions, the situation was far more turbulent, with upheaval everywhere.
"The image of 'chaos engulfing the world' is becoming clearer and clearer."
He murmured to himself.
"The Bright Son has finally come out of seclusion."
The moment Fang Qing stepped out of the archives room, he saw Miaoshui Wisdom Consort waiting for him.
"What happened?"
Fang Qing asked casually. He noticed that Miaoshui Wisdom Consort's gaze toward him seemed a little strange.
"It concerns the Azure Bird Tribe. They have sent another envoy bearing an invitation."
Miaoshui Wisdom Consort quickly composed herself and replied softly.
"Oh? What invitation?"
Fang Qing's heart stirred. He already had a guess.
"It is an invitation asking Guru Sangji to visit the Azure Bird Tribe and witness a great demon ascension to Golden Rank."
Miaoshui Wisdom Consort said.
"It has finally arrived?"
Fang Qing replied, "Where is the envoy? Guru is in seclusion and cannot be disturbed lightly. I will receive him personally."
He followed Miaoshui Wisdom Consort to a side hall within the temple and saw a single figure. No, it was a half-demon!
Golden scales covered its body, two horns rose from its head, and its demonic qi had already reached the late-stage Dao Foundation level!
Merely by standing there, the half-demon caused clouds and mist to gather around him, as if they were about to condense into fine rain.
Clouds follow the dragon!
Fang Qing guessed that if he had left seclusion while maintaining his mid-stage [Ji Water] mana, gentle winds would have followed his every movement, resonating with this scene and forming the phenomenon of “Ji wind and Bi rain.”
“It is Li Rulong?! He has already reached late-stage Dao Foundation? So fast!”
Fang Qing’s heart tightened the moment he recognized the visitor.
Although Li Rulong had formed his Dao Foundation earlier than Fang Qing, advancing to the late stage this quickly meant he must have swallowed no small number of spiritual materials and received special secret techniques. Only with resources poured in to the absolute limit could such speed be possible.
“Greetings, Fang Shui Bright Son. My princess has ordered me to deliver this invitation!”
Li Rulong handed over a silver invitation card that actually seemed forged from pure silver.
Fang Qing accepted it, glanced at the contents, and understood at once. “One year from now?”
He instructed Miaoshui Wisdom Consort to serve tea and began chatting with Li Rulong. “Brother Rulong, your cultivation progress is astonishing. You have already reached late-stage Dao Foundation?”
Li Rulong had not concealed his cultivation, so Fang Qing asked the question naturally.
“All thanks to the help of benefactors. It cannot compare to you. Once Guru Sangji advances to Dharma King, you will rise straight to the heavens with him.”
Li Rulong offered a polite reply, then his expression grew faintly complicated. “When I return this time, I will also enter seclusion to prepare for breaking through to Purple Mansion.”
“What?”
Fang Qing was genuinely shocked. “Brother Rulong, you are attempting the breakthrough already? Has your immortal foundation been polished to perfection? Have you prepared a suitable spiritual land? What about the Purple Mansion spiritual items and auxiliary pills?”
From Li Rulong’s aura, Fang Qing could tell the man was still far from the perfect stage of Dao Foundation that Sangji had reached.
Attempting Purple Mansion now would be no different from courting death.
“It is not only me. The Azure Bird Tribe has also selected several veteran late-stage Dao Foundation demon generals. We are all preparing to break through. The resources are only average, but with heavenly timing on our side, a desperate gamble may still succeed.”
Li Rulong sighed. “If I continue step by step, Purple Mansion will remain forever beyond my reach in this life. I have no choice but to risk everything.”
“Heavenly timing? Could it be… the Great Demon attaining the Dao?”
Fang Qing was no fool. He immediately grasped the implication and thought to himself, ‘So that is it. If the great demon successfully proves the [Bi Moon] path, it will bring enormous benefit to all demon cultivators across the world. Riding that tailwind would be even more effective than consuming Purple Mansion spiritual items. No wonder Li Rulong is willing to take such a shortcut…’
‘With this person’s status in the Azure Bird Tribe, he is doomed to remain a Dao Foundation thug for the rest of his life. He will never even touch the edge of a Purple Mansion spiritual item.’
‘This is a gamble. Success means becoming a Purple Mansion great demon in one leap, changing from a chess piece into a chess player. Failure means nothing more than death and the end of his Dao. With his temperament, he will definitely take the risk.’
Although Fang Qing did not think highly of Li Rulong’s choice, he understood that even if the man waited several hundred more years, he would never receive a Purple Mansion spiritual item. The decision was understandable.
He was even somewhat surprised that anyone was willing to support Li Rulong in such a desperate attempt.
After all, opportunities like this were usually seized by force!
‘Most likely it is that little princess of the Azure Bird Tribe, Qing Ha.’
The two continued their conversation. Fang Qing personally escorted Li Rulong out of the temple.
“Alas… You and I have both fallen to such circumstances. I hope this is not our final farewell.”
Li Rulong waved his hand, mounted a cloud, and departed.
Fang Qing’s expression remained unreadable.
Li Rulong seemed to feel a certain sympathy toward him, perhaps because they were both men adrift in the same harsh world.
‘But in truth I am living quite freely and happily. Never mind. There is no need to show off.’
Fang Qing recalled the subtle hints Li Rulong had let slip and narrowed his eyes. ‘He does not fully trust the Azure Bird Tribe either. That is why he gave those veiled warnings.’
‘The Azure Bird Tribe has more than one plan. In addition to sending these half-demon cannon fodder to charge at Purple Mansion, they have a second layer of preparation.’
‘Their true core elites will wait until after the great demon Golden Attainment before attempting their own breakthroughs. If the great demon succeeds, promoting a few Purple Mansion cultivators will be effortless.’
‘If it fails, whether it turns into a heavenly disaster or a spiritual land, several [Bi Moon] Purple Mansion spiritual items will still be produced. Consuming those would give a much higher chance of success.’
‘Combined with the cannon fodder sent first, they are guaranteed to produce at least one or two Purple Mansion cultivators. That way they will not lose everything.’
‘Unfortunately, Li Rulong is textbook cannon fodder. He will never receive the treatment reserved for the direct-line elites.’
‘Moreover, no one has succeeded in proving Golden Realm for over eight thousand years. The odds this time are equally slim. Li Rulong is almost certainly going to fail and perish.’
After seeing Li Rulong off, Fang Qing took the silver invitation and went to Sangji’s seclusion chamber.
“Greetings, Venerable One.”
Sangji pressed his palms together in greeting, then accepted the invitation and smiled. “One year from now this humble monk shall head north. Would Venerable One care to accompany me?”
Fang Qing naturally wanted to witness such a grand spectacle of a peak Purple Mansion cultivator attempting Golden Attainment. However, he carried far too many secrets and had no desire to meet numerous Purple Mansion experts and Dharma Kings face to face. Moreover, although Sangji had sworn that no Purple Mansion cultivator could detect the anomaly on him, it was still not entirely safe.
If Fang Qing were present at the scene, there would be nowhere to run.
It would be far safer to remain in the Minor Huan Sea and watch the live broadcast through his eyes and ears.
If Sangji met with the Dharma Kings and the abnormality on him was discovered, Fang Qing would immediately abandon the “Fang Shui” identity, switch to another, and flee across the Blissful Union Sect’s territory to start over in the orthodox lands of the Supreme Unity Mysterious Gate.
At that thought, Fang Qing’s heart stirred. ‘Could it be, that impulsive concern I felt for the Fang Family years ago was meant for this very moment?’