Chapter 114: A Three-Year Agreement (To celebrate the Silver Alliance! )
Chapter 114: A Three-Year Agreement (To celebrate the Silver Alliance! )
By Mirror Moon Lake.
The Hundred Birds Pavilion.
This was where Peach Blossom Island cultivators held their exchange fairs on the first and fifteenth day of each lunar month.
It was currently the fifteenth.
Fang Xi, clad in a green robe, with a wooden hairpin in his hair, his wide sleeves billowing, arrived at the stall area, an elegant and distinguished figure.
“Who is this person? ”
Many of the newly arrived rogue cultivators and recruited immortal seedlings exchanged bewildered glances; none recognized him!
This man was like a jade tree or an orchid, with extraordinary grace and bearing; if they had seen him before, they would surely have remembered.
“So it’s the old. . . one from Emerald Cliff! ”
A young girl murmured to herself, as if remembering something, then clamped a hand over her mouth at the crucial word.
Whispering behind someone's back was one thing, but openly discussing a peak mid-stage Qi Refinement cultivator to their face? She didn't have that courage!
Among the Thirty-Six Islands, a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator could firmly hold the position of an island master, while a sixth-level Qi Refinement cultivator could at least secure a middle-level position, or even that of an elder!
After all, they were just one step away from the late-stage; though that one step might be a lifelong barrier for some.
Fang Xi ignored these people, setting up his stall. On display were his latest batch of Blood-Stopping Pills, some low-grade Detoxification Pills, and a large quantity of Grain Abstention Pills.
Due to their low prices, cultivators quickly approached to inquire about them.
During their conversations, Fang Xi also revealed his identity as an alchemist and offered to accept commissions for alchemy.
Unfortunately, few cultivators trusted his alchemy skills, resulting in sparse business.
But Fang Xi didn't care. As long as he established his reputation, anyone wishing to commission him in the future could simply go directly to Emerald Cliff.
“This old one, Mu Zhong, greets Uncle-Master. Congratulations on your profound achievements in alchemy, Uncle-Master! ”
At this moment, another elderly cultivator approached Fang Xi, cupping his hands in a respectful salute.
His hair was white, his face and hands were covered in wrinkles, but his knuckles were thick and gnarled—a clear sign of an old spirit farmer accustomed to years of labor.
“Hmm, you’re from the Mu family? ”
A cultivator's photographic memory allowed Fang Xi to recall that this person had been one of those following the withered old Daoist back then, though he had been younger at the time.
Mu Zhong chuckled self-deprecatingly. “Uncle-Master still remembers this old one? What an honor. . . Alas, back then, our Old Ancestor earnestly exhorted us to learn from your steady approach, and his voice, appearance, and smiles still vivid in my mind. Who would have thought a decade has passed since then. . . ”
After a few more exchanges, Fang Xi learned that Mu Zhong was from the branch that had argued with Mu Wen and split off from the family back then.
Now, they had two spirit fields, and their family of five meticulously cultivated their plots, living an unremarkable but stable life.
Though they didn’t earn many Spirit Stones, their lives were full and, more importantly, safe!
Mu Zhong sighed with emotion, “This time, something happened to the island’s team heading to the market. Two Mu family members were among them. The second and third branches are wailing and tearing their hair out, but the family head is still scheming over his meager Spirit Stone business! ”
His words carried a strong note of indignation.
Fang Xi’s purpose in coming out this time, besides simply getting out after a long period of quiet cultivation, was to inquire about the 'silver-armored man'.
Hearing this, he sighed, “Mu Wen has his difficulties too. He has to repay large amounts of Spirit Stones every year, and the pressure is immense. . . If the business at Spirit Sky Island market’s shops takes a turn for the worse, then it could be. . . ”
“Alas. . . this old one should have persuaded the family head back then. If anything goes wrong, and the family’s foundation is damaged, how will I have the face to meet our Old Ancestor a hundred years from now. . . ”
Mu Zhong wiped the corner of his eye with a grimy sleeve, clenching his fist. “It’s all that damned 'silver-armored man'’s fault! ”
“Indeed, it’s all that villain’s fault! ”
Fang Xi, sharing a common hatred, rubbed his cheek. “I wonder, who exactly is that person? What’s his background? ”
“I don’t know, but after this incident, Spirit Sky Island market issued a wanted order. Only then did we learn that the man not only injured cultivators like the Golden Tooth Old Freak back then, but he also committed a heinous crime outside the Treasure Ship Market, killing five late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators! It’s estimated he was already injured then, otherwise, the Ancestors of the Feng and Mo families might not have escaped with their lives. . . ”
When Mu Zhong spoke of this person, he was practically gnashing his teeth.
Although he didn't think highly of Mu Wen, seeing the Mu family’s investment suffer setbacks, he felt the same pain.
As a clan cultivator, one’s prosperity was tied to the clan’s prosperity, and one’s loss to the clan’s loss; this connection couldn't be severed simply by splitting from the family.
“Indeed. . . ”
Fang Xi muttered, never expecting that the events of yesteryear had been investigated to such an extent.
Fortunately, when he first went to the Treasure Ship Market, he had used a false identity.
‘The first two things were indeed my doing, but the recent ones truly weren’t. . . Someone must be impersonating me. What for? Fishing for someone? ’
‘Who cares who they’re fishing for? I’m definitely not going out, no matter what. ’
Fang Xi pondered for a moment, his heart settling. He decided to meet all changes with no change.
In the worst-case scenario, he would just abandon everything and cross through the lake.
His Wood Spirit Body had already been formed, and he had cultivated to the seventh level of Qi Refinement; he wouldn’t suffer too great a loss.
As long as he was alive, he had the capital to start over!
“The outside world is now abuzz with rumors that the silver-armored man possesses Qi Refinement Perfected strength, cultivates his body, and wields formidable combat power, slaughtering late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators as easily as chickens. . . Affected by this, foot traffic at Spirit Sky Island market has sharply decreased, and business has become much more dismal. ”
A single silver-armored man could only create chaos and widespread panic.
And if he couldn't be apprehended for a long time, it would draw other bandit cultivators and spark greed in the hearts of the original cultivators, leading to even greater chaos in the vicinity of Spirit Sky Island market, thus impacting business.
Ultimately, it would become a vicious cycle!
This familiar scent made Fang Xi come to a realization: ‘This feeling. . . it might actually be the Zhong Clan’s doing! ’
He didn’t need evidence to investigate a case; he just needed to see who ultimately benefited, and that person would be the prime suspect.
With Spirit Sky Island market’s business suffering, even if the Zhong Clan wasn't the primary beneficiary, they were definitely among the top three!
As for why the Zhong Clan would create this 'silver-armored man' scenario?
‘Damn it, this is just finding a scapegoat! After all, they can’t openly declare war. And the silver-armored man committed a major crime ten years ago, and also killed people near the Treasure Ship Market, so he definitely isn’t from the Zhong Clan. They can completely distance themselves! ’
Fang Xi knew this clearly, because he could confirm that silver-armored man was an impostor.
But other cultivators didn't know!
In their eyes, the silver-armored man's brutal actions, akin to a demonic cultivator, and his reappearance to commit more crimes after recovering from injuries for ten years, was a perfectly normal occurrence!
They wouldn't immediately connect it to the Zhong Clan!
‘Oh, you cunning Zhong Clan, using my name and even slandering me. . . I’ll make a note of this in my little book of grievances, and there will surely be retribution in the future! ’
Fang Xi inwardly gritted his teeth.
Outwardly, his expression remained as usual, and he continued his business.
When the time was about right, he prepared to pack up and return to Emerald Cliff.
Just then, a sudden clamor arose from the crowd. They parted to either side, bowing to a young girl, their faces all beaming with fawning smiles as they addressed her as 'Young Island Master'!
“Hm? ”
Fang Xi didn't lift his head, but his Divine Consciousness swept forth, and he immediately perceived a young girl clad in a red ruqun, with a graceful figure and a pair of phoenix eyes.
On the surface, her cultivation appeared to be only at the fourth level of Qi Refinement, but under his Divine Consciousness, everything she concealed was laid bare: she clearly possessed fifth-level Qi Refinement cultivation, having practiced a concealment art.
This was likely at Ruan Xing Ling's insistence; after all, a tall tree catches the wind, and standing out too much was never a good thing.
‘This must be Ruan Dan, right? Truly worthy of being a superior-grade spiritual root genius. That Lu Guo is still lingering in the early stage of Qi Refinement! ’
Fang Xi mused inwardly.
However, not only did Lu Guo's spiritual root aptitude fall short of hers, but the cultivation and medicinal resources he received were also vastly inferior. It was understandable that he had been left so far behind.
Ruan Dan’s expression was as cold as ten thousand years of ice. She walked up to Fang Xi's stall and asked, “You are Fang Xi? ”
“I am indeed Fang Xi. Greetings, Young Island Master! ”
Fang Xi rose and bowed, his demeanor and grace quite remarkable.
But as Ruan Dan watched him, the depths of her eyes grew even colder.
Even as a child, she had heard rumors of this man, wielding a single sword, being unrivaled beneath the Island Master.
Yet after she became the Island Master’s disciple, this man had turned into a shrinking turtle, remaining holed up on Emerald Cliff for ten years!
Then last year, when the Island Master challenged the Golden Tooth Old Freak—a matter of such grave importance—this person actually dared to refuse to come!
Ruan Dan, who had long considered herself the Young Island Master, naturally could not tolerate the existence of such an 'independent dominion' on her own territory!
What’s more, the subtle connection between her Master and this person only fueled the girl’s resentment.
Accumulated over the years, she naturally didn't show Fang Xi a pleasant expression.
Fang Xi, however, acted as if he hadn't noticed. “Young Island Master, do you require pills? If there’s anything on my stall that catches your eye, I’ll gift you a bottle! ”
“No need! ” Ruan Dan replied coldly.
“Then. . . Young Island Master, do you wish to commission alchemy? To be honest, my alchemy technique has reached the low-grade first-order, and the pill success rate. . . ”
Fang Xi was speaking voluminously when he was suddenly interrupted by Ruan Dan: “I’ve long heard of Fellow Daoist Fang’s sharp combat skills. . . This junior, Ruan Dan, is not untalented, and three years from now, I wish to visit Emerald Cliff and personally seek your guidance! ”
The young girl harbored strong confidence in her heart.
Her true cultivation had long since broken through to the fifth level of Qi Refinement. Three years from now, she would certainly be at the sixth level of Qi Refinement, perhaps even cultivating to the peak of the sixth level.
A mere mid-stage Qi Refinement rogue cultivator, even one also cultivating their body, she could certainly defeat!
“An invitation to a combat challenge? ! ”
“The Island Master’s disciple personally challenging Fang Xi. . . could it be that she’s quite displeased with Emerald Cliff? ”
The spectating rogue cultivators and disciples all wore expressions of eager anticipation for a good show.
They had long harbored secret dissatisfaction and jealousy regarding the special status of Emerald Cliff and Twin Peaks. . .
Now, seeing Fang Xi in trouble, it was already good enough that they weren't kicking him while he was down.
There were also a few more mature cultivators who were still worried: “Is the Young Island Master being too reckless? After all, this Fang Xi is at the peak mid-stage Qi Refinement, with cunning methods, and he also cultivates his body. . . ”
“Pah, what kind of celestial being is the Young Master? How could a mere rogue cultivator compare? ”
“Three years from now, the Young Master will surely win! ”
...
The group of spectating cultivators almost started arguing over it.
“Uh. . . perhaps we should just forget it? This humble one simply wishes to lead a healthy life now, and is not proficient in combat! ”
Fang Xi scratched his head, never expecting that merely stepping out would lead to such troublesome affairs.
“Even if Fellow Daoist insists on hiding away on Emerald Cliff, I will personally visit you in the future! ”
Ruan Dan had long made this resolve; encountering him today was merely a coincidence, allowing her to formalize the agreement.
“Sigh. . . Young Island Master, since you insist on pushing so hard, then this humble one. . . concedes! I concede! ”
Fang Xi, however, completely abandoned his dignity and directly admitted defeat.
Upon hearing this, Ruan Dan couldn't help but freeze. . .
She had considered many possibilities, but she had never anticipated that the other party would directly concede to her, a mere 'fourth-level Qi Refinement' cultivator on the surface!
Does this man have no shame? !
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