Chapter 149: Negotiation (For the Platinum Grand Alliance Leader! )
Chapter 149: Negotiation (For the Platinum Grand Alliance Leader! )
“What. . . what’s going on? ”
Still in the South Barrens Cultivation World, within the underground cave abode.
Fang Xi sat cross-legged.
His Divine Consciousness, however, could perceive another perspective through the bronze mirror.
Water gurgled, shimmering. . .
Pebbles covered the streambed, with water weeds growing, fish and shrimp swimming about. . .
Looking further, Fang Xi found his Divine Consciousness insufficient.
“After my Foundation Establishment, my Divine Consciousness can probe a radius of fifty zhang, so why is it only five zhang here? ”
It seemed that the consumption of traversing worlds, or rather, the link across a world, had resulted in terrifying suppression of his Divine Consciousness over there!
“Wait, who is ‘I’? ”
Fang Xi’s Divine Consciousness swept over his own being, and he saw a half-piece of a bronze mirror-like object, lying quietly at the bottom of the river.
The edges of this bronze mirror fragment showed jagged cracks, and its surface bore indistinct, roughly carved patterns, as if naturally formed.
“This fragment seems to be part of the bronze mirror in my Sea of Consciousness? ”
“Am I using it as a focal point to spread my Divine Consciousness outwards? ”
“Darn it. . . only Divine Consciousness, I can’t move! ”
“How do I retrieve this fragment? ”
...
Fang Xi felt a headache brewing.
Furthermore, maintaining the Divine Consciousness connection continuously also gradually led to fatigue.
Thus, he retracted his Divine Consciousness, severing the link with the bronze mirror fragment in that world.
“Known. . . I can connect with a fragment in another world through the bronze mirror, and use that fragment as an anchor point to project my Divine Consciousness. . . ”
“Other than that, I seemingly can’t do anything else. ”
“Of course, I know the spirit treasure’s instinct is pushing me to reassemble the fragments, but how am I supposed to collect them. . . I can’t even go over there. . . ”
Fang Xi was speechless for a moment.
He had hoped that opening the door would lead directly to the Immortal World, where he would never lack cultivation methods, treasures, or pills, allowing him to easily achieve Soul Transformation and ascend to immortality!
And this was the result?
“This cheat code is broken! ”
“Forget it, I’ll just go back and dutifully work for another fifty years! ”
...
White Peace Immortal City.
Outer City.
Mingqing Pavilion.
The pavilion was elegantly furnished, and as Fang Xi entered, musicians were playing.
“Senior, you. . . ”
A middle-aged beauty greeted him, and upon seeing Fang Xi, a hint of suspicion flashed in her eyes: “Are you perhaps surnamed Fang? ”
“Indeed, has Daoist Friend Lu Zhi already booked a private room? Lead the way. . . ”
Fang Xi nodded, then swept his gaze over the middle-aged beauty: “Wisteria Fairy, long time no see. . . It was thanks to Daoist Friend Chen Ping that we met back then. ”
“Yes. . . ”
This beautiful woman was none other than Wisteria Fairy. At the mention of Chen Ping, a trace of unnaturalness flickered across her face.
She recalled how short-sighted they had been back then, actually expelling the current Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator for the sake of some so-called distinguished guests. Her heart felt uneasy, fearing that he might hold a grudge against her.
After all, she had failed her Foundation Establishment breakthrough years ago, and was later assigned to manage the family’s business, having gradually been excluded from the family’s core.
With a creak!
The private room door opened, revealing several people seated inside.
Lu Zhi was there, accompanied by a white-haired, emaciated old man, his face covered in age spots, yet faintly resembling Chen Ping from back then.
Besides them, there was a burly man in purple robes, with a broad forehead and large eyes, a formidable appearance, and a cultivation level around early-stage Foundation Establishment.
The purple-robed man smiled upon seeing Fang Xi: “Are you Daoist Friend Fang Xi? I am Xu Shuolei, Grand Elder of the Qingye Xu family. ”
“Greetings, Daoist Friend Xu! ”
Fang Xi sat down. Seeing Wisteria Fairy about to leave, he said, “This matter concerns you too; why not stay and chat? ”
Wisteria Fairy’s delicate body trembled instantly, and she cast a pleading look at her own Ancestor.
Unexpectedly, Xu Shuolei acted as if he hadn’t seen it: “Since that’s the case, Yun’er, you may stay and prepare tea. . . ”
“Yes! ”
Wisteria Fairy knelt before the tea table, bowed first, then began to delicately prepare tea with her slender hands. . .
A faint aroma of tea diffused. . .
Fang Xi first observed Wisteria Fairy, then looked at Lu Zhi, sighing inwardly.
Wisteria Fairy clearly looked like she had consumed age-preserving pills; despite being in her fifties or sixties, she still retained her beauty.
In contrast, Lu Zhi must have endured much hardship over the years.
Of course, the one who suffered even more was Chen Ping beside her. Upon seeing Fang Xi, the old man was so choked up he couldn’t speak, his eyes welling with tears.
Feeling the man’s life force flickering like a candle in the wind, Fang Xi sighed.
This sigh broke the silent atmosphere in the private room.
Xu Shuolei spoke, his tone righteous and stern: “My Qingye Xu family never engages in kidnapping. Daoist Friend Chen Ping was warmly invited by my Xu family to serve as a guest elder, and there has never been any confinement or coercion. . . Daoist Friend Chen, wouldn’t you agree? ”
Chen Ping was startled and quickly nodded: “Yes, yes. . . ”
Fang Xi smiled faintly: “So it was a misunderstanding, that’s excellent. However, Chen Ping is a friend from my youth, and he now wishes to live out his golden years peacefully in White Peace Immortal City. I wonder if the Xu family. . . ? ”
“My Xu family naturally supports this! Daoist Friend Chen Ping has worked hard and accomplished much; a residence in the outer city should be given to him for his retirement! ”
Xu Shuolei thumped his chest, assuring him.
“Since that’s the case, I have nothing more to say. . . But what about Wisteria Fairy here? ” Fang Xi probed.
Xu Shuolei raised an eyebrow: “Yun’er offended you greatly before; I apologize on her behalf. Later, the family will severely punish her and order her to compensate Guest Elder Chen with a sum of spirit stones. . . ”
“Daoist Friend Xu handles matters fairly and impartially; I admire that. . . ”
Fang Xi had nothing more to say. He clasped his hands, rose with Lu Zhi and Chen Ping, and bid them farewell.
...
After the three left, Wisteria Fairy looked uneasily at her Ancestor: “Old Ancestor. . . ”
“Yun’er, you want to ask why the Old Ancestor let Chen Ping go? ”
Xu Shuolei chuckled as he sipped his tea: “This man’s usefulness is exhausted, and his lifespan is but another month. Must he die in our home, confirming our reputation for mistreatment? ”
Wisteria Fairy suddenly understood: “So, the Old Ancestor was concerned about reputation? ”
“After all, we are an orthodox family; we must maintain some face. . . Besides, this person has already had a method planted on him by us, preventing him from leaving White Peace Immortal City by even a single step, and he cannot tarnish our family’s reputation. He also lives in our family’s residence, which means he’s still under our surveillance, just in a different location. The talisman inheritance has also been left behind. . . Now that a Foundation Establishment guest elder from White Peace Immortal City has interceded, we might as well give him some face. ”
“Furthermore, his Daoist Companion, Lu Zhi, has always been under our control. Even before his death, he wouldn’t dare to cause any trouble. . . unless he disregarded his family! ”
Foundation Establishment cultivators are all powerful Ancestors and high-ranking figures within their forces; there’s no need for them to engage in life-and-death struggles unless absolutely necessary.
After all, with a lifespan of two hundred years, why risk their lives? Enjoying life is what truly matters.
Xu Shuolei shook his head, then expressed a hint of regret: “It’s just a pity that this person was with my family for many years, yet he never produced any descendants with spirit roots or spirit bodies. . . It seems a forced melon is never sweet after all. ”
Upon hearing this, Wisteria Fairy’s face involuntarily blushed slightly.
...
On the street.
Lu Zhi supported Chen Ping, walking slowly like an ordinary elderly rural couple.
Chen Ping, however, kept glancing around, taking in the surrounding scenery as if he could never see enough of it.
“Daoist Friend Fang. . . No, Senior Fang. . . words cannot express my gratitude! ”
Before the residence, he suddenly gave Fang Xi a solemn deep bow.
“We are friends after all; it was merely a small effort. . . ”
Fang Xi quickly helped him up, and then a blood-colored jade slip was slipped into his hand.
He discreetly put it away, watched Chen Ping and Lu Zhi enter their home, then turned and left.
...
“Daoist Friend’s kindness, Chen Ping will never forget, and can only repay with the entirety of my life’s effort. . . ”
“This Dao of Talismans inheritance, please examine it, Daoist Friend. Perhaps it can be passed on to Lu Zhi’s descendants in the future. . . ”
Willow Lane, building eighty-seven.
Fang Xi held the blood-colored jade slip and saw Chen Ping’s message at the very beginning.
“Left for Lu Zhi’s descendants? Aren’t those Talisman Master Zong’s children? ”
“Talisman Master Zong, back then, was very likely to have been used as a blood sacrifice material for activating a Blood Talisman Spirit Body. . . ”
He murmured to himself. What was Chen Ping’s intention with this act? Guilt and compensation?
“Human nature. . . is truly a complex thing. ”
Fang Xi continued reading, and discovered that the talisman inheritance within the jade slip had indeed reached superior-grade second-order!
It even subtly hinted at touching upon third-order!
“The Blood Talisman Spirit Body, truly favored by the Dao of Talismans. . . ”
“Too bad my talisman attainment is only mid-grade first-order. . . Do I really have to draw talismans to earn spirit stones again in the future? ”
Fang Xi pondered for a moment, then put away the jade slip.
Just then, Wisteria Fairy, clad in a sheer palace gown, elegantly walked in: “Senior. . . ”
Her voice was delicate and utterly enchanting.
“Wisteria Fairy. . . Thank you for your help these past few days. These spirit stones are your remuneration. ”
Fang Xi’s face was cold as he tossed out a few spirit stones.
Wisteria Fairy’s expression changed, her pretty face turning deathly pale: “Senior? ”
“You may leave! ”
Fang Xi, however, waved his hand, unwilling to say more.
Among mortals, the higher the esteemed family, the more important the greeters and gatekeepers; they are often trusted confidants. If used well, social interactions flow smoothly; if not, they can provoke enemies everywhere.
“Senior, what wrong have I committed? ” Wisteria Fairy cried out in alarm, bowing down.
“That hairpin on your head is nice, is it a newly bought artifact? ”
Fang Xi shook his head: “This Venerable One just met with Daoist Friend Yuan, and before I even agreed, the news was already flying everywhere. . . Just these two things alone are reason enough for this Venerable One to kill you without fault! ”
As he spoke the last words, his voice turned severe, and the terrifying killing intent sent Wisteria Fairy stumbling back repeatedly: “I was wrong, I was wrong. . . ”
“Still not getting out? ! ”
Fang Xi roared, sending Wisteria Fairy scrambling away, her figure utterly dishevelled.
He watched Wisteria Fairy’s retreating back, then stroked his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face.
In truth, he had long known this woman was vain and ambitious.
Previously, he had merely gone with the flow to create momentum for himself and prepare for Chen Ping’s rescue.
Now, however, she had little use left.
Even if he truly wanted to take a concubine, he wouldn’t choose such a tactless and imprudent woman.
“Senior. . . ”
At this moment, the delicate and lovely Jin Ling walked in: “Daoist Friend Wisteria seems quite frightened. . . ”
“Daoist Friend Jin Ling. . . ”
Fang Xi’s expression softened, and he sighed again: “These past few days, I truly owe you much. . . ”
This woman was indeed good; her handling of guests was proper and orderly, much to Fang Xi’s liking.
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