Chapter 153: Luo Gong (Congratulations to Alliance Master Shen! )
Chapter 153: Luo Gong (Congratulations to Alliance Master Shen! )
Time flowed like water.
Unconsciously, three years had already passed.
White Peace Immortal City remained as bustling as ever, with a constant stream of cultivators entering and exiting daily, and business booming in all the major shops.
As for the rumors and gossip surrounding Fang Xi, they had long since died down, replaced by newer, more sensational news.
For instance, a certain rogue cultivator had luckily discovered an ancient predecessor's cave-dwelling and made a fortune.
Or perhaps someone else was fortunate enough to obtain a second-tier inner core from the Myriad Beast Mountain Range. . .
And so on, like a certain rogue cultivator successfully achieving Foundation Establishment. . .
Within Peach Blossom Pavilion, peach blossoms still filled the garden.
The next moment, within his Dantian Qi Sea, another drop of verdant, dripping liquid magic power formed, merging into the azure lake and causing its expanse to slightly widen.
"My magic power limit has increased to twenty-three drops!"
Fang Xi opened his eyes, silently calculating: "On average, that's a progress of about one drop per year. . ."
With the 'Green Wood Longevity Art' cultivation method, combined with his spiritual root and spiritual body aptitude, and cultivating atop a second-order mid-grade spiritual vein without consuming pills, his cultivation speed was still very fast!
"If I keep this up, it will only take about twenty to thirty years to advance my magic power to the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage, allowing me to attempt a breakthrough to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage!"
At this moment, Fang Xi couldn't help but marvel at the benefits of the new cultivation method system.
The peak of early Foundation Establishment, equivalent to the third layer of Foundation Establishment in the new system, was more intuitive and clear. Unlike himself, who had to rely entirely on guesswork.
Moreover, breaking through from the third layer to the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment was slightly less difficult than breaking through from early Foundation Establishment to mid-Foundation Establishment.
'Alas. . . I don't have the corresponding cultivation technique, never mind. . . '
'In fact, according to my progress, I could attempt a breakthrough in as little as seventeen years. . . '
'But that would mean my magic power is not solid, and my foundation would be unstable. . . it would be very easy to fail the advancement. '
'My lifespan is long now, so I can totally continue to temper my magic power and deepen my foundation. . . at the very least, I should wait until my Dantian Qi Sea and liquid magic power have expanded to their limits before attempting anything. '
Fang Xi felt that his cultivation speed was a bit too fast.
He could even compare to those geniuses in Core Formation sects who achieved Foundation Establishment in their twenties or thirties, and thus he decided to play it safe.
After finishing his daily cultivation, Fang Xi rose and went into the courtyard.
He thought for a moment, then formed a hand seal, and his aura immediately became indistinct, gradually fading. . . The pressure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator slowly vanished, making him seem like an ordinary Qi Refinement cultivator.
This was the 'Aura Concealment Art' that came with the Qi Refinement chapter of the 'Green Wood Longevity Art', which Fang Xi had picked up and cultivated diligently.
"The 'Green Wood Longevity Art' isn't strong in combat, and the spells it records are primarily for evasion, concealment, and self-preservation. . . With my current 'Aura Concealment Art' mastery, deceiving Qi Refinement cultivators is as easy as flipping a hand. Against mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators, it's about a fifty-fifty chance. . ."
"But no matter what, a single spell from a Foundation Establishment cultivator is enough to deal with a Qi Refinement cultivator."
Just then, Fang Xi happened to see a water arrow shoot out, landing on a peach branch.
A peach hanging from that branch immediately fell, dropping into the pond.
"Not yet advanced, and already eating peaches?"
He couldn't help but frown. A drop of liquid magic power rapidly depleted from his Dantian Qi Sea as he cast the Qi Refinement-level Entanglement spell!
Whoosh! Swish! Splash!
Strands of waterweed danced like frenzied green dragons, coiling like rooted hornless dragons, firmly binding a large green eel and lifting it out of the pond.
The large green fish looked utterly bewildered, unsure how it had offended its master again.
"With a casual Qi Refinement spell, even a first-tier peak demonic beast had no power to resist whatsoever. . ."
He withdrew his magic power, letting the large green fish drop back into the pond, splashing a large area of water.
Outside the door, a female cultivator in a pale golden dress entered. It was Jin Ling. She curtsied, revealing the graceful curves of her figure: "Young Master. . . it's been clarified. Three days ago, a rogue cultivator named 'Luo Gong' successfully achieved Foundation Establishment in the city. . ."
"Oh?"
Fang Xi showed some interest: "Did he perhaps consume the Foundation Establishment Pill refined from that demon core that's been circulating recently?"
Some time ago, there was a rogue cultivator who had fortunately obtained a second-tier inner core from the Myriad Beast Mountain Range, and the news spread like wildfire.
"Probably not. That rogue cultivator disappeared without a trace afterwards, I'm afraid they might have already. . ."
Jin Ling shook her head, deeply understanding the cruelty and darkness of the cultivation world: "This Luo Gong is said to be only forty-five years old, a genius who successfully broke through to Foundation Establishment on his own!"
"Breaking through to Foundation Establishment on his own? That is indeed rare. . ."
Fang Xi nodded, slightly moved.
So-called "self-Foundation Establishment" referred to cultivators who broke through the Foundation Establishment bottleneck entirely on their own merits, without using any Foundation Establishment Pills or spiritual items for Foundation Establishment!
According to legend, cultivators who achieved "self-Foundation Establishment" not only possessed magic power that was more profound and formidable than others of their rank, but also had unyielding characters, often achieving great accomplishments in the future!
He understood this well; a lunatic daring to gamble on a ten percent chance would be formidable in anything they did.
"Coincidentally, it's also time for me to pay a visit to this fellow Daoist. . ."
A smile appeared on Fang Xi's face. He went to the storage room to retrieve a few pills, then headed to the outer district.
...
Yu Long Lane, Building Thirty-Two.
This place was originally even less reputable than Willow Alley, but in the past few days, guests had flooded its doors, clearly drawn by the rogue cultivator Luo Gong, who had achieved Foundation Establishment on his own.
Clad in an azure magic robe, Fang Xi exuded the powerful magic power fluctuations of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. All Qi Refinement cultivators who saw him respectfully moved to the side of the road.
The cultivation world was rigidly hierarchical, with clear distinctions between the noble and the humble.
If one were to offend a high-tier cultivator, one might very well lose their life!
Therefore, even when rumors were at their peak, Fang Xi never saw a single Qi Refinement cultivator dare to babble or complain in front of him.
"Esteemed senior, may I ask for your esteemed name?"
An elderly late-Qi Refinement cultivator guarding the entrance, seeing Fang Xi arrive, dared not be negligent and hurriedly bowed in inquiry.
"Rogue cultivator Fang Xi. I've come specifically to congratulate Fellow Daoist Luo on his Foundation Establishment. My congratulatory gift is one second-tier low-grade 'Beast Blood Pill'!"
Fang Xi smiled faintly.
The old man's expression didn't change in the slightest. He announced loudly: "Senior Fang Xi is here to offer congratulations, presenting one second-tier low-grade 'Beast Blood Pill'!"
Not long after, a middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator hastily arrived at the entrance. This person was powerfully built, with a formidable appearance, clad in a large purple robe, exuding an aura of silent authority. His brows revealed a sharp keenness; naturally, it was Luo Gong.
"Fellow Daoist Fang, I am honored by your congratulations. Please, come inside for tea!"
This Luo Gong was said to be an outer city demon hunter. He had forged a formidable reputation even in the late Qi Refinement stage, becoming a renowned battle cultivator!
However, at this moment, perhaps because of his successful Foundation Establishment, he was in a very good mood, inviting Fang Xi into the courtyard with a smiling face.
Within the courtyard, several other Foundation Establishment fellow Daoists were indeed seated.
Fang Xi's gaze swept over them, and he spotted an acquaintance. He couldn't help but step forward: "Brother Yuan!"
This acquaintance was precisely Yuan Feihong. Seeing Fang Xi, he also revealed a slight smile: "Fellow Daoist Fang. . . it's been a while!"
"Fellow Daoist Yuan, is this perhaps Fellow Daoist Fang Xi, who successfully achieved Foundation Establishment several years ago?"
Beside them, an old man in a yellow robe spoke, his voice hoarse and dry: "I've heard that Fellow Daoist Fang also achieved Foundation Establishment on his own, yet he didn't accept any faction's recruitment and remained a rogue cultivator?"
"This is Fellow Daoist Yellow Sand, his flying sand Dao Arts are quite formidable."
Yuan Feihong introduced him to Fang Xi.
"Fellow Daoist Yellow Sand. . . " Fang Xi sat down unhurriedly, took a sip of the spiritual tea offered by a maidservant, and shook his head: "Actually, I did use a Foundation Establishment spiritual item back then, so I'm far from being as brave and diligent as Fellow Daoist Luo. . . Therefore, I wouldn't count as having achieved Foundation Establishment on my own."
"Haha, Fellow Daoist Fang is too modest. . . " Yuan Feihong chuckled: "I truly admire your calm and unhurried dedication to cultivation. It is precisely this single-minded arduous cultivation that allowed you to successfully achieve Foundation Establishment before your lifespan ran out, no?"
Yellow Sand Daoist and the other few Foundation Establishment cultivators exchanged glances, transmitting their thoughts to each other: "The rumors were wrong. . . Originally, it was said that Fang Xi had some discord with White Peace Immortal City, but now it seems he has quite a good relationship with Young Master Thirty. . ."
"It was just a rumor to begin with, not necessarily credible. . ."
Another white-haired woman slowly shook her head.
At this moment, Luo Gong also walked over to entertain them: "Fellow Daoist Fang, I must also thank you for your gift, haha. I happen to cultivate body refinement concurrently, and this 'Beast Blood Pill' has come at an excellent time. . . It can perfectly advance my family's body refinement technique another small step. . ."
"This pill was merely something I refined casually. If it can help Fellow Daoist, that is excellent indeed," Fang Xi replied with a smile.
"Fellow Daoist Fang is actually a second-tier alchemist? That is truly disrespectful of me, please forgive my oversight. . ."
Luo Gong's expression was somewhat peculiar.
Second-tier alchemists were not common in White Peace Immortal City either.
"Not at all, not at all. . . I merely specialize in a few niche pill formulas, barely managing to refine pills just to break even. . ."
Fang Xi waved his hand with a wry smile, indicating that he still had a considerable gap compared to those renowned alchemy masters.
In reality, he intentionally spread this news, using it to establish his reputation and earn some spirit stones.
"I thought Fellow Daoist would have made a name for himself with puppet arts. . . I never expected you to also be an alchemist."
Yuan Feihong was also a bit surprised.
Yellow Sand Daoist and the white-haired female cultivator exchanged glances, silently noting this information.
Rogue cultivator Fang Xi not only had some accomplishments in alchemy, but also seemed proficient in puppet arts!
Furthermore, he had a good relationship with Young Master Thirty Yuan Feihong of the White Peak Mountain lineage!
This was also one of Fang Xi's objectives.
"Someone, play the music, let the dance begin!"
At this moment, Luo Gong also sat down and ordered a troupe of dancing girls to enter.
These dancers were sixteen years old, with skin so delicate one could almost pinch water from it. Dressed in gauze as thin as cicada wings, and with bare feet, they danced gracefully to the music, truly a pleasing sight.
The various Foundation Establishment cultivators either sipped tea and drank wine, or focused on the delicious dishes, or exchanged interesting anecdotes and cultivation experiences. . . The atmosphere was quite relaxed and comfortable.
After all, everyone present had a lifespan of two hundred years; with such ample time, they could truly enjoy themselves.
"Oh right. . . I wonder which force Fellow Daoist Luo ultimately joined?"
Fang Xi listened attentively, obtaining a few useful pieces of news, such as the Song Clan's Young Master having long since returned to his ancestral land.
He thought for a moment, then asked Luo Gong.
"After much thought, I decided to join White Peace Immortal City and become a guest elder! " Luo Gong replied honestly, a faint awkwardness appearing on Yuan Feihong's face.
"So that's how it is. Congratulations, Brother Luo, congratulations!"
Fang Xi let out a hearty laugh, seemingly completely unbazed by past events.
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