Chapter 158: Old Acquaintances (Seeking Subscriptions)
Spring departed, autumn arrived; the cold and heat cycled. . .
Unconsciously, several more years slipped by.
At Peach Blossom Pavilion.
Inside the cultivation chamber.
Fang Xi circulated his cultivation for a full cycle, feeling yet another drop of liquid magic power condense within his Dantian's Sea of Qi. A look of joy involuntarily appeared on his face.
"Counting on my fingers, I'm sixty-six this year. The liquid magic power within my Dantian's Sea of Qi has accumulated twenty-six drops. Before I reach a hundred, I should have a chance to break through to the Mid-Foundation Establishment stage!"
Such rapid progress in cultivation was, naturally, the result of Fang Xi's unceasing diligent cultivation every day.
Even when playing games with Jin Ling on a daily basis, it was merely a diversion during his cultivation, and he never relaxed his demands on himself.
Furthermore, although the 'Green Wood Longevity Art' wasn't a top-tier cultivation art, it could still be considered a minor gem; at the Foundation Establishment cultivator level, it certainly wasn't holding him back.
Fang Xi now deeply felt that his decision to go plant trees back then had been supremely wise.
Otherwise, with his inferior spiritual root aptitude, his cultivation at the early Foundation Establishment stage would have certainly been an arduous struggle. How could it have been this easy?
"My speed is subtly catching up to, and even surpassing, Luo Gong, who broke through Foundation Establishment on his own. . . That man has the support of White Peak Mountain, possesses a top-tier cultivation art, cultivates in a second-order superior spiritual vein location, and even receives occasional aid from pills. . ."
"Hmm, I mustn't abandon the Concealment Art. . . After cultivating assiduously for decades, when I break through to Mid-Foundation Establishment, with the help of the demonic tree to conceal my magic power, even a Perfected Foundation Establishment cultivator might not be able to discern my breakthrough. . ."
As for Core Formation cultivators?
There are only a handful of them in these three kingdoms; the probability of directly encountering one is too low.
Fang Xi emerged from seclusion, taking a handful of spirit food to feed his fish.
Just then, Jin Ling came to report: "Young Master. . . there are guests outside who have presented a visiting card, claiming to be old acquaintances from Peach Blossom Island!"
"Invite them in quickly! No, wait. . . I'll go out to welcome them myself!"
Fang Xi walked out of Peach Blossom Pavilion and saw several people waiting at the entrance.
There was Ruan Xing Ling, dressed in a peach-colored palace dress with ordinary features; Ruan Dan, with a cold expression; and Wei Yi Xi, looking excited. . .
Finally, there were Lu Guo and Wang Xiao Hu, both timid and hesitant, cowering on the side like country folk entering the city.
"Uncle. . . did you really succeed in Foundation Establishment?"
Wei Yi Xi stepped forward, wanting to tug on Fang Xi's sleeve, yet hesitating slightly: "I received your letter several years ago and wanted to come find you right away, but the Island Master dissuaded me, saying to wait for the Grand Auction, so we could travel together and have someone to look after us. . ."
"Mm!"
Fang Xi, as usual, gently patted Wei Yi Xi's head, causing her to close her eyes in contentment.
"Greetings, Senior Fang!"
Ruan Dan saw Fang Xi, still graceful and composed like a young master, his appearance completely unchanged, perhaps even looking younger. Her expression subtly stirred, and she bowed respectfully.
"Your cultivation is quite good; you've already reached Qi Refinement Layer Nine. You must have been diligent in your cultivation all these years. . . Eh? Your hand?"
Fang Xi looked at Ruan Dan's right arm, finding that it wasn't empty but bore a wrist as white and smooth as a lotus root.
"Thanks to Master, who found a second-tier spirit medicine for me; my severed limb has already regrown. . . " Ruan Dan looked at her master gratefully.
"A second-tier spirit pill for growing limbs, that is truly exceedingly rare. . . It must have been difficult for Island Master Ruan to find it."
Fang Xi sighed with emotion, then said to Ruan Xing Ling.
"Compared to your defying fate and establishing your Dao Foundation before sixty, that is truly nothing. . ."
Ruan Xing Ling gazed at Fang Xi at this moment, her expression somewhat dazed.
"Please, everyone, come inside. . ."
Fang Xi chuckled, then looked at Lu Guo and Wang Xiao Hu.
"Greetings, Master! Congratulations on your successful Foundation Establishment! " Lu Guo and Wang Xiao Hu hastily saluted.
"No need for that. From now on, just call me Young Master!"
The group entered Peach Blossom Pavilion, marveling at the beauty and spiritual aura of the place.
Wei Yi Xi, meanwhile, glanced at Jin Ling, then at Ruan Xing Ling, a thoughtful expression on her face. . .
...
Beneath the peach blossom tree.
Fang Xi set up a table and poured Ruan Xing Ling a cup of 'Green Bamboo Wine', while Ruan Dan stood respectfully to the side.
As she remained standing, there was naturally no place for anyone else.
Wei Yi Xi, on the other hand, was by the pond, greeting the long-unseen Big Green Fish, giggling with amusement.
"It's been years since we parted, yet the Island Master's elegance remains unchanged!"
Fang Xi finished pouring the wine, saying with a cheerful laugh.
"This scene, this moment, it's just like back then. . . " Ruan Xing Ling held her wine cup, gazing at the peach blossoms filling the courtyard, a hint of emotion in her voice: "Who could have imagined that the old farmer who toiled at Emerald Cliff back then would become a great Foundation Establishment cultivator in an immortal city today?"
"Haha. . . I, too, only rekindled my hope for the Dao path after accidentally breaking through to late Qi Refinement after decades of farming. . . Subsequently, I came to White Peace Immortal City, fortuitously cultivated to Perfected Qi Refinement before sixty, and then luckily obtained a Foundation Establishment spiritual item. I hastily entered seclusion to break through. . . Looking back now, it truly was a stroke of luck!"
Fang Xi seemed filled with emotion as he recounted the fabricated story he had prepared long ago.
"Alas. . . For a rogue cultivator to achieve Foundation Establishment is quite difficult. Your current success, Daoist friend, is certainly no mere fluke."
Ruan Xing Ling seemed to have had some thoughts stirred, and she quietly gazed at her wine cup.
She was at Perfected Qi Refinement more than a decade ago, and she remains at Perfected Qi Refinement now.
Her age was even similar to Fang Xi's; if not for taking youth-preserving pills, she would now be a common mortal old woman.
"I observe that your vital essence and spirit remain robust, Daoist friend. Your presence at this Grand Auction must surely be for a planned endeavor."
Fang Xi took a sip of Green Bamboo Wine, feeling its bitter taste, and suddenly posed the question.
"It's just a desperate gamble. . . " Ruan Xing Ling tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear; its roots were subtly tinged with white frost.
'This woman should already be over sixty, having missed the optimal age for Foundation Establishment. . . yet she still wants to attempt it? Perhaps. . . she has cultivated some secret art that allows her vital essence to remain unweakened? '
Fang Xi had never underestimated the cultivation world; this realm contained countless miraculous arts and secret methods. It was likely that secret methods capable of maintaining vigorous qi and blood even after sixty existed.
However, the older one was when attempting the breakthrough, the greater the danger; just like Su Lie, the probability of failure and death significantly increased!
He looked at Ruan Xing Ling, but did not offer any words of persuasion. He merely said: "I happen to have a VIP invitation for the Grand Auction. Island Master, would you like to attend with me?"
With his status as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he could naturally filter out many risks.
"No need. . ."
Ruan Xing Ling, however, seemed to have made her arrangements long ago: "At that time, I'll just ask you to look after my disciple and these few others. . ."
She was a very clever woman. By using the Grand Auction as an opportunity to bring her disciple and Fang Xi's acquaintances, she likely had other plans.
"Very well!"
Fang Xi pondered for a moment, then finally smiled: "Jin Ling, take Yi Xi and the others to choose their rooms. . . My place is quite spacious, and it's in need of residents."
He surmised that Ruan Xing Ling had long known that Myriad Islands Lake was not a good place, and already intended for her subordinates to leave.
But for some reason, she herself could not escape. . .
'For even the Dao-heart-firm Ruan Xing Ling to be like this, it can only be a Foundation Establishment opportunity, right? '
Fang Xi sighed inwardly, but did not try to dissuade her further.
To dissuade her further would be to obstruct her Dao, an enmity that could turn even the best relationship sour.
As for that low-grade Foundation Establishment Pill in his storage pouch?
Fang Xi was planning to sell it through the black market channels. Giving it to someone close to him wasn't impossible, but it carried a slight risk of exposure, and he was currently still hesitating.
...
Half a month later.
At the foot of White Peak Mountain.
The Grand Auction House.
"Brother Li. . . long time no see!"
Fang Xi, clad in a green robe, stepped into the venue, greeting the various Foundation Establishment cultivators.
There were only a few dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators living in the entire White Peace Immortal City; they were all familiar with each other. Furthermore, with prospects of longevity, they wouldn't easily make enemies, and at the very least, they would offer a smile when meeting.
Fang Xi did the same, greeting people along the way until he encountered Daoist Huang Sha.
"Daoist friend Fang. . ."
Daoist Huang Sha's voice was still hoarse and grating, like a broken gong. After greeting Fang Xi, he brought up another matter: "I have some business ventures in the outer city, and my subordinates reported recently that a female cultivator borrowed spirit stones and hasn't repaid them, and she even mentioned your esteemed name. . ."
Most Foundation Establishment cultivators residing in White Peace Immortal City had some influence; this Daoist Huang Sha had formed a power of his own, engaging in businesses like exchanging spirit stones for spirit crystals and lending in the outer city.
Fang Xi paused, then asked: "Who is that female cultivator?"
"Wisteria Fairy. . . Daoist friend, do you know her? " Daoist Huang Sha stared at Fang Xi's face.
"Merely a former neighbor, nothing more. Whatever Daoist friend decides to do with her, I have absolutely no objection. " Hearing it was this woman, Fang Xi couldn't help but let out a wry laugh.
"So that's how it is. Then this old man understands. . ."
After discussing this minor matter, Daoist Huang Sha in turn consoled Fang Xi: "Such small fry always like to use our names to conduct their affairs. Daoist friend, rest assured, if she had merely borrowed spirit stones, that would be one thing. But to dare to tarnish our names, this old man will certainly teach her a lesson. . ."
Fang Xi exchanged a few more perfunctory remarks, then saw a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators from White Peak Mountain enter the venue.
Leading the way was still Ouyang Zhen, with Yuan Feihong and Luo Gong at the end of the queue.
"Hello, Mister Ouyang!"
"Greetings, Daoist friend Ouyang!"
As soon as Ouyang Zhen entered the venue, he naturally immediately received a welcome from many Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Only a handful of individuals, confident in their own status, remained seated and unmoving.
Two of them were also formidable cultivators at the late Foundation Establishment stage.
Apart from them, there was also a group of unfamiliar individuals, dressed in purple robes, their spiritual patterns shimmering, transforming into wisps of purple mist, clearly indicating powerful protective spells.
"Over there. . . who are those people?"
Fang Xi approached Yuan Feihong and Luo Gong, casually asking Luo Gong.
"Those are disciples from the Ethereal Valley Sect of the Wu Kingdom, led by 'Purple Cloud Sword' You Chong. . . " Luo Gong swept a glance over them and transmitted his Divine Consciousness.
"So they're disciples of a great Core Formation sect, no wonder. . ."
Fang Xi responded with a smile.
"Sigh. . . The Ethereal Valley Sect is the Core Formation sect with the strongest backing among the three nearby kingdoms. Even Great Steward Ouyang has instructed us not to offend them. . ."
Luo Gong muttered a complaint.
"Oh?"
Fang Xi was somewhat surprised. He also knew that the Ethereal Valley Sect had an orderly lineage, and the Wu Kingdom was well-ordered. He hadn't expected this sect's strength to not be the strongest among the three kingdoms, yet possess the deepest background.
"Of course. . . The founding ancestor of the Ethereal Valley Sect was once a direct disciple of a Nascent Soul True Monarch from the Hunyuan Sect of the Yuan Kingdom. . ."
Luo Gong transmitted his Divine Consciousness, revealing a secret that wasn't really a secret among the upper echelons.
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