Chapter 157: Distraction and Thoughts (congratulations to the lord of the night with cramps! )
Chapter 157: Dividing Spirit, Manifesting Thoughts (A special chapter for Alliance Leader 'Cramped Night'! )
Several years later.
Drunken White Pond.
This was the inner city cave dwelling gifted to Luo Gong, possessing a second-order, high-grade spirit vein. The area was vast, and within the pond, aquatic spirit herbs and spirit fish could also be raised, yielding a substantial income each year.
This person had joined White Peace Immortal City as a guest elder, and this cave dwelling was essentially free. The scenery was beautiful, and residing there with family and disciples was truly one of life's great pleasures.
When Fang Xi first visited as a guest, upon seeing the scenery of Drunken White Pond, he couldn't help but feel a touch of envy.
At this moment.
Upon the pond's surface, spirit lotuses were in full bloom, petals unfurled, their delicate fragrance wafting everywhere.
A spirit boat drifted amidst the verdant ripples of lotus leaves.
Luo Gong sat upon the spirit boat, and with a casual wave of his hand, he conjured a large, emerald-green lotus pod and placed it before Fang Xi's table.
"Many thanks. . ."
Fang Xi's Divine Consciousness swept over it, and he immediately smiled: "This must be the second-order spirit plant 'Bitter Heart Lotus', yes? Its lotus heart can be used in medicine, serving as the main ingredient for the 'Bitter Heart Pill'. It has miraculous effects for cultivators in clearing heart-fire and expelling external demons. . ."
"Bitter Heart Lotus seeds need to be over a hundred years old before they can be used in medicine. Mine here are only a little over a decade old. . . Even this is a legacy from previous generations. . ."
Luo Gong stroked his chin and chuckled heartily: "I, on the other hand, have been thinking about your Peach Blossom Wine, Daoist Fang. . ."
"Of course, of course. . ."
Fang Xi and Luo Gong had only been acquaintances before, but recently, Fang Xi had deliberately sought to befriend him, visiting frequently, so they could now be considered friends.
The two chatted about everything under the sun, sharing insights on cultivation and other miscellaneous matters, getting along quite harmoniously.
"This position of guest elder is actually quite leisurely. . ."
Luo Gong took a sip of Peach Blossom Wine and couldn't help but loosen his tongue: "Basically, there's only one mandatory mission every two to three years. It's nothing more than expelling second-order demon beasts from the vicinity, or escorting merchant caravans. . . It's extremely easy!"
His brows arched with delight: "Not only that, but the rewards after completing missions are generous. This time, I even exchanged for a bottle of 'Ice Muscle Jade Bone Pills'. With these pills, cultivating the 'Bright Jade Art' feels like I have divine assistance. . . Perhaps within twenty or thirty years, I'll be able to achieve peak cultivation and assault the mid-stage bottleneck!"
The 'Bright Jade Art' was the cultivation method Luo Gong had exchanged for from White Peak Mountain.
This cultivation method allowed for both qi cultivation and body cultivation, and its mana progression speed was extremely fast. Moreover, its power was immense, making it a rare top-tier cultivation method.
In comparison, Fang Xi's own 'Green Wood Longevity Art', apart from its effects of preserving youth and nourishing life, had ordinary combat prowess, with nothing particularly noteworthy about it.
"Brother Luo is indeed a genius who achieved Foundation Establishment on his own, and has now joined a major power. His future is bright and boundless. When you rise to prominence in the future, please don't forget to lend a hand to your humble brother. . ."
Fang Xi raised his wine cup and toasted Luo Gong once more.
Although Luo Gong's expression remained calm, his eyebrows subtly twitched, clearly indicating his extreme delight.
As the two continued to chat about everything under the sun, Fang Xi inadvertently brought up the Song Clan.
"The Song Clan has always acted domineeringly. When this old man was a rogue cultivator, I wasn't bullied by the Song Clan any less. Isn't it just because they have a Perfected Foundation Establishment ancestor?"
Luo Gong also expressed disdain for this.
He was now a guest elder of White Peace Immortal City, with a Core Formation ancestor backing him!
"I think the Song Clan's arrogance won't last long. . ."
Fang Xi said, sharing his indignation.
"That's somewhat difficult. . . Alas, the Song Clan's foundation is profound, and their clan-protecting grand array is third-order! " Luo Gong lowered his voice: "With a third-order grand array protecting their foundation, and their ancestor perpetually presiding over it, a Perfected Foundation Establishment cultivator managing a third-order array, even a Core Formation ancestor would find it difficult to breach. . . However, I think since the Black Heaven Sect was able to exterminate the Situ Clan back then, they naturally have some ideas regarding the Song Clan. It's just a matter of tackling the easier targets first, then the harder ones. Brother, just wait and watch the show. . . Of course, there's also a slight possibility that the Song Clan ancestor could emerge from seclusion and achieve the Golden Core, but that's none of our business; just avoid provoking the Song Clan, and you'll be fine. . ."
"Indeed, we have long lifespans. Wouldn't it be wonderful to simply watch the flowers bloom and wither?"
Fang Xi burst into laughter, peeling open a lotus pod and eating the lotus seeds one by one.
As the sweet and slightly bitter taste of the lotus seeds spread through his mouth, his gaze deepened, and he asked: "While White Peace Immortal City is good, some items that aren't suitable for public display are hard to buy here. I wonder if there's a market nearby?"
"You mean. . . a black market?"
Luo Gong faintly smiled: "On the surface, we are orthodox cultivators. Those demonic cultivation items, or even stolen goods obtained from killing and seizing treasures. . . are indeed not good to openly sell in the immortal city. Outside White Peace Immortal City, a black market gathers every so often; its location is unfixed. I'll let you know when the time comes. If Daoist friend is interested, I can keep an eye out for you. . ."
"This. . . perhaps it's better to forget it."
Fang Xi shook his head: "Transacting outside the immortal city, what if I encounter danger?"
"Haha, we cultivators should be brave and diligent in our advancement!"
Luo Gong laughed heartily: "Daoist friend is still too cautious. . ."
"My cultivation method is ordinary, my spiritual power is weak, and my combat prowess is mediocre. . . I should just focus on production, acquiring resources for cultivation. . ."
Fang Xi sighed, a melancholic expression on his face.
...
"I originally wanted to go to the black market to buy second-order puppet materials, but now it seems I'll have to put that on hold for a while. . ."
Peach Blossom Pavilion.
Inside the cultivation chamber.
Fang Xi sat cross-legged, his hands constantly forming incantation gestures.
A hazy green glow flickered in his eyes, and within his sea of consciousness, two threads of Divine Consciousness were split off.
"Thousand Threads Puppet Control Art, first layer, achieved!"
Once this secret art was mastered, one could divide their spirit to manifest thoughts, splitting off two thoughts of Divine Consciousness to enter puppets and achieve perfect control.
Fang Xi's Divine Consciousness was powerful, so his cultivation progressed relatively quickly.
A trace of joy flashed across his face, and he slapped the spirit beast pouch at his waist.
Boom!
Accompanying a dull thud as they landed, two Demonic Tree Puppets dropped to the ground, their massive bodies filling the cultivation chamber.
One of them was a Golden Fur Ape Puppet, six meters tall, and even had to bend at the waist, looking quite aggrieved.
The other puppet was a second-order flying demon beast, covered entirely in glossy black feathers, resembling a crow.
"Go! "
Fang Xi formed an incantation gesture with his hand, and a subsidiary thread of Divine Consciousness, split from his spirit, entered the ape puppet's head.
Since this puppet had long been controlled by the Demonic Tree Seed, it offered no resistance whatsoever, allowing Fang Xi's thought to invade its core.
A moment later, Fang Xi clutched his head, feeling a sense of fatigue after the intense consumption of his Divine Consciousness.
He was quite familiar with this sensation; it was exactly like this when he withdrew from the Shard World.
Fang Xi gasped for a moment, then swallowed a calming spirit pill, his complexion instantly improving greatly.
At the same time, he also experienced another field of vision.
It belonged to the 'Golden Fur Ape King Puppet'.
"This sensation. . . is a bit weaker than that of a clone, but it's far stronger than the indirect control through the Demonic Tree before. It's like upgrading internet speed from dial-up to broadband fiber optics in my previous life. . ."
Fang Xi manipulated the ape puppet, making several movements, and couldn't help but feel very satisfied.
The ape puppet at this moment, after its flaws had been remedied, could completely be regarded as a second-order, low-grade puppet.
Moreover, its hide was tough and its flesh thick, like an indestructible Vajra body, and it had awakened its innate demon art—'Petrification Art'. It was incredibly powerful in close combat.
If it hadn't directly landed in the death gate of the formation back then, it might not have died.
After Fang Xi finished inspecting it, he began to prepare the second puppet in the same manner.
There was no doubt about this puppet; it had died an even more aggrieved death. . . After all, a flying demon beast falling into a formation's death gate couldn't utilize its greatest advantage.
Fang Xi chose this puppet precisely because it could fly, and its innate demon art was top-tier wind transformation and acceleration. Its escape speed was extremely fast, far surpassing ordinary spirit artifacts, only slightly inferior to his own Blood Burning Escape Art at the moment.
"Good, it can be used as a flying spirit artifact now. . ."
Fang Xi looked at the several wounds on its wings and subtly frowned; these were all the consequences of his past actions.
Now, he could only repay them himself, and in the future, he would have to purchase second-order materials to repair them.
"Two main combat puppets. In addition, I've also used the Demonic Tree to control six other puppets. . ."
Even though the remaining puppets couldn't be controlled with perfect precision, after being re-sacrificed and refined with puppet techniques, their control was much more agile.
"My cultivation method is indeed ordinary, and its combat power is mediocre. . ."
"However, by manipulating puppets to encircle and attack, I fear I can run rampant among early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. . ."
"Someone like Luo Gong, if surrounded, would only face the fate of falling. . ."
Well, after being friends for so long, Fang Xi was quite familiar with Luo Gong's cultivation, his strong suits in spells, and spirit artifacts, so he naturally used him as an example for comparison.
"Now I have offensive spirit artifacts, and I can grudgingly say I have flying spirit artifacts. I'm still missing a defensive spirit artifact. . ."
Fang Xi pondered.
Low-grade spirit artifacts often start at several hundred spirit stones, while exquisite ones can go for over a thousand. It was indeed a considerable expense.
The key was that his current income, ostensibly from refining pills for Qi Refinement cultivators, was barely enough to cover the rent for his cave dwelling. . .
"Don't flaunt your wealth, don't flaunt your wealth. . ."
"Moreover, the market for spirit artifacts is quite small, with too few choices. . ."
"It would be better to wait until the Grand Auction, leave the city for a trip, sell one or two demon beasts upon returning, and then search for a desired item at the auction. . ."
...
Having successfully cultivated the first layer of the 'Thousand Threads Puppet Control Art' and gained control of two more puppets, Fang Xi, whose strength had greatly increased, was in a very good mood and stepped out of the cultivation chamber.
Outside, enveloped by the formation, Peach Blossom Pavilion was like spring all year round, with peach blossoms constantly blooming and never withering.
The Big Green Fish, seeing Fang Xi approach, was so scared it shrank to the bottom of the pond.
Even the Dragon Fish Zhong Clan only had experience cultivating first-order, high-grade small flood dragons. As for how to make a small flood dragon advance to the second-order, they were completely clueless.
Moreover, this kind of cultivation consumed too much, making it not worth the effort.
Fang Xi simply raised it casually, treating it as a diversion.
He sat beneath a peach blossom tree, reaching out to catch a falling peach blossom petal.
"Young Master. . ."
Jin Ling gracefully approached, with a flower ornament affixed to her forehead, making her appear not just cute, but also adding a touch of enchanting beauty.
"Hmm? You've broken through in your cultivation?"
Fang Xi's Divine Consciousness swept over her, and he immediately made a discovery.
Jin Ling's cultivation was originally at Qi Refinement sixth level; like many rogue cultivators, she was trapped at the major bottleneck of the late stage.
But today, she had finally broken through.
"It's all thanks to the spiritual energy here, and the pills Young Master bestowed. . . " Jin Ling bowed respectfully: "Young Master, why are you so good to me?"
'Is this considered good? It's just a little bit that slipped through my fingers. . . '
Fang Xi was speechless inwardly, but on his face, he teased: "Naturally, it's because I fancy the young lady's beauty. . ."
As he spoke, he stepped forward and lifted the beauty's chin.
After Foundation Establishment, Fang Xi acted even more as he pleased.
Two lovely blushes involuntarily appeared on Jin Ling's cheeks. She glanced around like a little rabbit, and whispered: "Young Master, please come inside. . ."
"Right here!"
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