Chapter 127: Fiftieth Birthday (For Silver Supporter! )
Chapter 127: Fiftieth Birthday (For Silver Supporter! )
Six years later.
Emerald Cliff.
“Uncle! ”
Wei Yi Xi stepped into the Small Cloud Rain Array, looking at Fang Xi, who still appeared like a youth. For some reason, a blush appeared on her face.
“Hmm, how is your Beast Manipulation Art cultivation progressing? ”
Fang Xi rose from his cross-legged posture, intending to give her some pointers.
Since Hua Chan Juan’s death, Wei Yi Xi was no longer restricted and could move freely in and out of Twin Peaks West.
However, her personality still favored tranquility, and she mostly confined herself to Emerald Cliff.
Hearing Fang Xi inquire about her Beast Manipulation Art, she couldn't help but pat the spirit beast pouch at her waist with a hint of dejection.
The spirit beast pouch was crafted to resemble a sachet. With a gentle tap, a large number of jade bees immediately flew out, clustering around one particular bee queen.
“Uncle. . . look, I've cultivated the bee queen to first-order mid-grade. Not only that, but I also broke through in cultivation last night! I'm now at the sixth layer of Qi Refinement. . . ”
Wei Yi Xi excitedly boasted, a touch of pride in her voice.
Lu Guo, who had just returned from tending the fields, felt a slight pang of sadness upon seeing this.
He was only a few years older than Wei Yi Xi, and both possessed mid-grade spiritual roots.
Yet now, this young girl had caught up to his cultivation level.
He, however, had suffered damage to his foundation and was facing the major bottleneck between the mid-Qi Refinement and late-stage Qi Refinement periods, failing to break through for several years.
“Not bad, not bad. . . ”
Fang Xi whistled, and a verdant green insect cloud flew over, revealing a first-order superior-grade Green-Spotted Golden Beetle King within!
Upon seeing the White Jade Bee Queen, the Golden Beetle King immediately met her gaze defiantly. The insect cloud formed by numerous Green Jade Golden Beetles twisted into a ghostly face, exuding a subtle intimidation.
“Uncle. . . your control over the insect swarm is so incredibly precise and subtle, have you perhaps completely contracted every single demonic insect? ”
Wei Yi Xi's eyes lit up.
Her Beast Manipulation Art also had related descriptions.
“No, this is just a minor application of spiritual sense. Today, I'll teach you. . . ”
Fang Xi smiled as he guided Wei Yi Xi's Beast Manipulation Art for a while, then the two returned together to the courtyard, under the peach blossom tree.
Splash!
In the pond, the Big Green Fish blew a bubble, trapping a plump Green Jade Carp inside.
“Since you've come today, Uncle will make some sour fish soup. ”
Fang Xi drew an ice-jade-like small knife and sliced the Green Jade Carp into thin pieces. Paired with sour pickled cabbage soup, the aroma was truly fresh and tantalizing.
And after the fish, there were fresh spirit peaches to enjoy.
“Mm-hmm. . . Uncle's cooking is simply delicious. . . ”
Wei Yi Xi praised, while secretly reaching for the jade pot on the table, only stopping when Fang Xi tapped her hand with a chopstick. “Uncle. . . I still want to drink the wine you brewed! Yi Xi isn't a child anymore. ”
“Hehe. . . ”
Upon hearing this, Fang Xi merely savored his ten-year-old Peach Blossom Brew, not pouring a glass for Wei Yi Xi.
This girl was quite the drunkard; once she got happily tipsy, his prized collection in the wine cellar would be in danger. . .
Furthermore, her drunken behavior wasn't great; she easily threw tantrums when drunk. . .
As the two laughed and joked, Widow Wang, now an old woman, walked in: “Master, Young Mistress. . . ”
“Auntie Wang! ”
Wei Yi Xi nodded politely.
“Speak your mind. . . ”
Fang Xi held his wine cup, feeling that the seven years of peace since the silver-armored demon incident were about to be broken once more.
“The Alliance has once again issued a conscription order, demanding thirty-six islands send people and supplies, and recruiting a large number of rogue cultivators. . . ”
Widow Wang said: “Little Hu came back saying that the Black Sand Island Mo family has already come to the Island Master to weep and complain. . . ”
Seven years ago, Ruan Xing Ling personally brought the corpse of the Kou family’s eldest brother to the Thirty-Six Islands Alliance to appeal.
The final outcome was merely the disciplining of a few law enforcement cultivators and the 'rewarding' of a sum of Spirit Stones and supplies that were originally offered for the 'silver-armored demon'.
On the contrary, in recent years, the conflict between the Thirty-Six Islands Alliance and the Dragon Fish Zhong Clan had almost become overt, with a major war seemingly on the verge of breaking out at any moment.
As for the Black Sand Island Mo family?
Naturally, it was the main branch that Mo Qinghe from Peach Blossom Island went to rebuild, and he also summoned various sub-branches to return. The Mo family was indeed rebuilt, but their strength had weakened, gradually becoming a subordinate of Peach Blossom Island.
Coupled with the originally closer Feng family, Peach Blossom Island now counted as a major faction within the Thirty-Six Islands Alliance.
However. . . the multitude of affairs had perhaps distracted Ruan Xing Ling’s focus, causing her cultivation to stagnate and preventing her breakthrough.
This probably aligned with the interests of all parties, which was why Peach Blossom Island had been quite peaceful during this time.
But now, things were vastly different!
“We are, after all, residing on Peach Blossom Island. We don't need to send people, but we can certainly provide some supplies. . . ”
Fang Xi pondered, then said to Wei Yi Xi: “You don’t need to contribute from your side. I will personally assist the Island Master with some supplies, and that will be enough. . . ”
“Uncle is the best. . . ” Wei Yi Xi smiled sweetly: “But Uncle’s fiftieth milestone birthday is coming up soon. What gift would you like? I'll go prepare it. . . ”
Immortal cultivators generally don't pay much attention to birthdays, but a fiftieth milestone birthday still holds significant meaning.
Especially now that Fang Xi was the second strongest cultivator on the island and a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator, those who were secretly jealous or looked down on him would now vie to curry favor. Perhaps, under the guise of celebrating his birthday, he could even rake in a sum of Spirit Stones!“Unknowingly, I'm already fifty years old. . . ”
Fang Xi touched his smooth and supple face, a face even Wei Yi Xi envied, and suddenly smiled: “It's not a special occasion, no need to invite many guests. At that time, I'll open a few jars of twenty-year-old Peach Blossom Brew and invite a few close friends to have a drink together. . . ”
...
Several months later.
Inside the underground grotto.
Fang Xi opened his eyes, two inch-long azure lights flickering unsteadily within them.
“Twenty-seven years of cultivating the tree, and my body has reached fifty years of age. . . finally, Qi Refinement Perfected! ”
The tenth layer of Qi Refinement was a special realm. Upon breaking into this realm, one reached Qi Refinement Grand Completion! This presented the possibility of attempting Foundation Establishment!
Fang Xi even felt that his 'Everlasting Spring Art' cultivation base had reached a limit for the Qi Refinement stage and could no longer advance. To break through again, he would need to fully circulate his cultivation art and assault the Foundation Establishment bottleneck!
With his physical body's blood and qi being without leaks, and his Divine Consciousness extending up to ten zhang, he had a thirty to forty percent chance of success, even without consuming Foundation Establishment spiritual items or a Foundation Establishment Pill!
This was already a probability that many rogue cultivators could only dream of.
Unfortunately, the consequence of failing Foundation Establishment, which was either death or severe injury, made Fang Xi abandon such an impulsive thought.
“Foundation Establishment Pill! Once the Wood Spirit Body is achieved, I must put the matter of the Foundation Establishment Pill on the agenda! ”
Fang Xi now inwardly observed that the silver runes of his Wood Spirit Body were mostly complete. It would likely be perfected in another ten-odd years!
“Today is a joyous day; it calls for celebration! ”
A smile played on his lips as he exited his cultivation chamber.
Not long after, Widow Wang, Xiao Hu, Hai Da Gui, Lu Guo, and others came forward to respectfully bow: “Congratulations, Master, on your fiftieth birthday! May you soon achieve Foundation Establishment and your immortal path be eternal! ”
“Haha, rewards for all! ”
Fang Xi chuckled, handing each person a Spirit Stone red packet.
“Hehe, Yi Xi has specially come to congratulate Uncle on his fiftieth birthday! ”
At this moment, Wei Yi Xi also arrived, smiling as she presented a large red gift box.
Fang Xi took it and opened it, revealing an azure spiritual robe inside. Its surface shimmered with vibrant colors, embroidered with green bamboo patterns, and when unfolded, a powerful spiritual light emanated from it.
Wei Yi Xi laughed: “Uncle, this is a superior-grade spiritual robe I specially selected for you – the ‘Green Bamboo Spiritual Robe’! It has ‘Dust Repelling,’ ‘Protection,’ and ‘Spirit Gathering’ magical arrays permanently enchanted on it. It can even autonomously protect you if you encounter danger! ”
“A superior-grade spiritual robe, costing around two hundred Spirit Stones in the cultivation city. Yi Xi, you truly put thought into this. ”
Fang Xi felt a wave of emotion, but accepted the spiritual robe nonetheless.
Having received his guidance on Beast Manipulation Art, Wei Yi Xi’s methods for raising jade bees had greatly improved. Furthermore, she owned her private spiritual land, eliminating the need to purchase pills or rent cave dwellings. . . accumulated over time, she had truly become a little rich girl.
“Uncle, hurry and try it on! ” Wei Yi Xi urged, smiling.
“Hmm! ”
Seeing that Widow Wang and the others were also encouraging him, Fang Xi entered the inner chamber, changed into the Green Bamboo Spiritual Robe, and then reappeared.
Everyone saw a handsome youth, as elegant as a jade tree standing against the wind, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, appearing ethereal and otherworldly. His Green Bamboo Spiritual Robe complemented him perfectly, drawing shouts of admiration.
“Master, this outfit truly suits you. And Young Mistress chose it so well. ”
Widow Wang said, beaming.
“Indeed. . . Yi Xi is clever and skillful. The person who marries you someday will be truly blessed. ”
Fang Xi laughed heartily: “Today is a joyous occasion, so Uncle will make an exception and let you have an extra cup of twenty-year-old Peach Blossom Brew. . . ”
“Is that true? ! ” Wei Yi Xi's eyes brightened. Just as she was about to say more, a female voice drifted in from outside: “Ruan Dan of Mirror Moon Lake, on behalf of my master, respectfully wishes Uncle Fang eternal longevity and presents a congratulatory gift! ”
“It's her? ! ”
Fang Xi was slightly surprised. He waved his hand, dismissing the array, and saw a one-armed female cultivator gracefully approach. It was Ruan Dan!
The woman wore a black robe, her expression cold and distant. Her right sleeve hung empty, fluttering in the wind.
What was surprising was that her cultivation had actually advanced to the seventh layer of Qi Refinement!
“So it's Fellow Daoist Ruan! Congratulations on your breakthrough in cultivation! ”
Fang Xi smiled and invited her in. Since Ruan Dan lost her arm, her personality had become much colder and more reclusive, no longer as annoying as before.
Perhaps it was the lessons learned from the assassination that delayed her cultivation progress, and then having her cultivation path severed by the Kou family's eldest brother, that finally made her mature.
However, the cost was truly severe!
On the other hand, Lu Guo, seeing that Ruan Dan could still break through after several years of recovery, seemed to have his fighting spirit rekindled.
Both had damaged foundations. If Ruan Dan could break through the bottleneck between the mid- and late-stage Qi Refinement, why couldn't he?
“Congratulations, Uncle Fang. This is a congratulatory gift from my master! ”
Ruan Dan bowed and presented a long, rectangular gift box.
Upon opening it, a sharp aura immediately assailed them.
Fang Xi looked inside the gift box and saw an azure long sword artifact lying quietly within. It was shaped like a grain leaf, with a slender blade, and its style felt somewhat familiar: “This is. . . ”
“This is the ‘Green Reaping Sword’. After being reforged by my master, it has been promoted to a superior-grade artifact! ” Ruan Dan replied respectfully.
Since losing her arm, her sharp edges had been much more restrained. Even though she had now advanced to the seventh layer of Qi Refinement, she no longer possessed her former arrogance.
“Is this the Green Reaping Sword that made Uncle famous on Peach Blossom Island back then? ” Wei Yi Xi's eyes widened, as if she were gazing upon a legend.
And this particular legend had quite a connection to her own family, making her emotions incredibly complex.
“The Island Master is very thoughtful. . . ”
Fang Xi was currently ostensibly lacking a superior-grade artifact. He picked up the Green Reaping Sword and flicked it. The sword's hum suddenly rose, like a dragon's roar!
At such a special moment, Ruan Xing Ling reforging this sword held deep meaning indeed!
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