Chapter 181: Talisman-treasure (For the Platinum Grand Alliance Leader! )
Chapter 181: Talisman-treasure (For the Platinum Grand Alliance Leader! )
"Old Ge, what do you think?"
Yan Huayang gazed at the elderly man in the flax robe before him.
Fang Xi sat to the side, a jade box open on the table. Inside were numerous earthy-yellow, spirit-gleaming formation flags.
Ever since Fang Xi claimed his "Earth-Shaking Grand Array" was a superior-grade second-order formation capable of destroying earth veins, Yan Huayang naturally hadn't believed him. He had then summoned his most capable formation master.
"Reporting, Grand Shopkeeper. . ."
Old Ge's cultivation was only at Qi Refinement Perfected, but his formation cultivation had surprisingly reached low-grade second-order, making him a rare formation master.
Even Yan Huayang treated him with courtesy.
Setting down a formation flag in his hand, he said with a wry smile, "This Senior Mu's 'Earth-Shaking Grand Array' has a peculiar structure, and its principles differ greatly from the various formation schools in the State of Yue. This old man is of shallow learning and truly cannot judge it. . . I can only confirm that this formation is indeed of superior-grade second-order, may self-destruct after a single use, and is of the earth attribute. . . that is all."
Yan Huayang sent Old Ge away, then exchanged glances with Fang Xi. "How can I confirm that this array truly possesses the power to destroy earth veins?"
Fang Xi smiled faintly. "This humble one has already sworn an oath by his inner demon and even the Great Dao. Is that not enough?"
'This old fellow is probably close to one hundred and fifty years old; he has no intention of advancing, so of course he doesn't care about inner demons or the Great Dao. . . '
Yan Huayang muttered inwardly, yet the smile on his face became even brighter. "How about. . . Daoist friend demonstrates its power, or perhaps wait a few more days for a better formation master from the sect to arrive. . ."
"Heh heh. . ."
Fang Xi let out a few cold laughs and directly stated, "To be frank. . . this humble Daoist intends to conclude this transaction within the hour. Even if it fails, I will leave immediately and will not give Daoist friend the chance to calmly summon someone from your sect. . . Otherwise, what would this humble Daoist do if that Ancestor Jiang arrived in person?"
He dared to come and do business, so he naturally had a plan and preparations ready.
Given the distance between Green Spirit Mountain Market and the Black Heaven Sect's main gate, even if Yan Huayang immediately notified the sect, Ancestor Jiang would not be able to reach the market within an hour.
Fang Xi originally didn't know the flight speed of a Core Formation ancestor, but with that Wu King as a reference, he had made a generous allowance for the enemy's strength.
Moreover, there was no advanced technology like teleportation arrays in the State of Yue. . .
"In that case. . ."
As a core member of the sect at mid-stage Foundation Establishment, Yan Huayang vaguely knew that if this array was genuine, it would be of great use.
Yet, he found it difficult to make a decision.
"How about. . . I give Daoist friend a discount. . ."
Fang Xi blinked, taking a step back first. "This array is not for sale with Spirit Stones. If Daoist friend has anything suitable for exchange, you may present it first for this humble Daoist to inspect. . ."
A one-time superior-grade second-order formation would ordinarily only be equivalent in value to a mid-grade second-order formation.
However, if it possessed the miraculous effect of destroying earth veins, its value to the Black Heaven Sect would be immeasurable and indispensable.
Seeing Fang Xi ready to leave at a moment's disagreement, Yan Huayang could only grit his teeth and take out a wooden box from his storage bag.
After lifting the "Spirit-Sealing Talisman" on it, a yellow talisman appeared before Fang Xi's eyes.
"This is. . ."
Fang Xi gazed at the brand-new talisman. On its body, only an unremarkable circular ring was drawn, with some flame patterns around it, yet a terrifying aura emanated from it.
"Could it be. . . a Talisman-treasure?"
He recalled the jade dagger Situ Jia had unleashed last time and inquired, making a guess.
"Precisely, it is a Talisman-treasure! And a brand-new one that has never been used! " Yan Huayang's face was filled with heartache. "How does Daoist friend find this as an exchange?"
"It's barely enough, but. . . if you add that superior-grade second-order pill refining inheritance that this humble Daoist fancied earlier, it would be even better."
Fang Xi replied calmly.
"You're trying to fleece me. . . These two items combined are more than enough to exchange for a permanent superior-grade second-order formation! " Yan Huayang roared, unleashing his mid-stage Foundation Establishment aura.
However, to Fang Xi, it was merely a gentle breeze brushing his face.
After Yan Huayang had vented, Fang Xi leisurely continued to haggle. . .
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. . .
He walked out of Green Spirit Mountain, transforming into a streak of light and fleeing dozens of miles away.
After his Divine Consciousness confirmed there was no one nearby, he immediately took out his second-order flying puppet, ordered it to unleash its innate demonic art, and had it carry him away.
'It seems. . . the Black Heaven Sect is truly preparing to make a move, willing to pay such an exorbitant price. '
'However, my formation is definitely worth far more than its price. '
Fang Xi rubbed his storage bag. Inside lay the Talisman-treasure he had seen earlier, along with a jade slip containing a second-order pill refining inheritance.
'A Vermilion Sparrow Ring Talisman-treasure? '
'This magic treasure seems to be something that Ancestor Jiang is famous for in the State of Yue. . . It looks like Ancestor Jiang's lifespan is truly nearing its end, to have even resorted to damaging his life-bound magic treasure's vital energy to create a Talisman-treasure. . . '
'With this Talisman-treasure in hand, even against a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, I can put up a fight. . . '
'This time, I've really hit the jackpot. I'll return to White Peace Immortal City immediately and won't come out again! '
'I'll just wait for the Song Clan to suffer their misfortune. . . '
As for that spectacle, Fang Xi certainly wouldn't go to watch it.
Watching a spectacle was amusing, but there was also a chance of becoming the spectacle himself, and getting splattered with blood wouldn't be fun.
...
White Peace Immortal City.
Fang Xi urged his puppet onward without regard for vital energy, only slightly relaxing when he saw the towering immortal city in the distance.At this moment, he had naturally changed his appearance to that of another Qi Refinement cultivator, entering the city discreetly.
Peach Blossom Pavilion.
"Uncle, where have you been these past few days? Island Master Ruan has come looking for you many times. . ."
Wei Yi Xi greeted Fang Xi with a face full of joy when she saw him return.
"Oh? What happened?"
Fang Xi returned to the living room and sat down. A calm and detached aura naturally emanated from him, causing Wei Yi Xi's speaking speed to involuntarily slow. "Ruan Dan has already partnered with someone and found Master Lu to refine Foundation Establishment Pills. Two pills were successfully produced, and she has chosen to rent a cultivation cave-mansion for secluded cultivation. . ."
"So that's how it is."
Fang Xi nodded, tossing a jade bottle to Wei Yi Xi. "This time, Uncle went out and also found you a Foundation Establishment opportunity. Take a look for yourself. . ."
"This is. . ."
Wei Yi Xi opened the stopper of the bottle, her eyes widening and then reddening slightly. "Uncle. . . you are truly good to me."
"Mmm, first, you must swear an oath by your inner demon and the Great Dao, promising never to leak secrets. . . Then, sign a spirit contract with Uncle, owing me five thousand Spirit Stones."
Fang Xi waved his hand.
In truth, for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to acquire a Foundation Establishment Pill wasn't a huge problem.
However, he still habitually played it safe.
A Foundation Establishment Pill typically sold for around ten thousand Spirit Stones, so charging Wei Yi Xi only five thousand Spirit Stones was already a discount.
"After renting a cultivation cave-mansion, there's no need to be overly nervous. First, enter secluded cultivation to adjust your body and mind. When you feel the time is right, then consume the Foundation Establishment Pill to break through. . ."
Fang Xi imparted a few more words of Foundation Establishment experience before allowing Wei Yi Xi to withdraw.
...
Seclusion Chamber.
Fang Xi sat cross-legged, his Divine Consciousness communicating with the "All-Heavens Precious Mirror."
'Hmm. . . Since it's Divine Consciousness observation, perhaps I can withdraw a sliver of thought from my main combat puppet and have it permanently reside in the Shard World. . . This way, if any special events occur, I won't miss them and be filled with regret. . . '
His Divine Consciousness immersed itself within, and a voice echoed in his ears:
"Magic mirror, magic mirror, tell me. . . why is pill refining so difficult. . ."
"Magic mirror, magic mirror. . . talisman crafting is quite simple, actually. I've already drawn second-order talismans. It's true that using fierce beast hide for talisman paper provides a bonus. . . When will you give me the latter half of the inheritance? Can I skip the Treasure Glyphs and Spirit Glyphs?"
...
Hei Nie City.
The Wu King held the bronze mirror fragment in her hand, muttering somewhat incessantly.
Ever since she discovered that no matter how she attacked, she couldn't break the mirror, the Wu King had given up on force and opted for negotiation.
After their last transaction, she enjoyed finding the magic mirror to ramble to.
Perhaps she was trying to switch from a hard approach to a soft one.
But Fang Xi was a heartless magic mirror, impervious to both soft and hard tactics, demanding only various Spirit Glyphs and Treasure Glyphs.
From her rambling, he did learn that this Wu King's name was Dan Ya.
During this period, Dan Ya did indeed bring some Spirit Glyphs. When Fang Xi saw ones he hadn't collected, he gladly traded, offering some powerful spells, and even cultivation techniques from the immortal cultivation world!
The most valuable among them was a Body Cultivation technique that could cultivate up to the sixth level of Body Cultivation, comparable to a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator!
In any case, after Fang Xi acquired it, he had already thrown it into the Da Liang world for the Martial Gods' reference.
Now, to put it to use again as waste, was nothing.
Unfortunately, even for a Wu King, Treasure Glyphs were precious items.
To this day, Dan Ya had not yet made up her mind to trade with Treasure Glyphs again.
At this moment, Dan Ya stroked the magic mirror, her expression subtly tinged with a hint of sorrow and fear: "Magic mirror, magic mirror, tell me. . . how exactly can I resist the Heavenly Demon Tribulation that occurs once every hundred years?"
"???"
Fang Xi was utterly bewildered, but as he continued to listen, his expression gradually changed.
It turned out that in this Shard World, every hundred years, there was a "Heavenly Demon Tribulation"!
Countless Heavenly Demons descended from the sky, wantonly slaughtering the Wu people and scouring for resources everywhere.
Even Wu Kings had examples of being besieged and perishing.
In the hearts of the Wu people, the Heavenly Demon Tribulation was the most terrifying nightmare from their deepest fears!
But the more Fang Xi listened, the more something felt wrong:
'Wait a minute. . . the immortal cultivation resources in this Shard World are so abundant. Various rare flowers and herbs, and precious ores are almost everywhere, not to mention scattered all over the place. . . Dan Ya easily found the ingredients for 'Face-Fixing Pills' and refined several batches, her alchemy skill being forcefully pushed to second-order. . . '
'Furthermore, the Battle Glyph system of these Wu people also seems off. . . too quick to achieve. . . Even, there are no stronger Wu people above the Wu King level; there's no path forward. . . It's somewhat like their upper limit has been locked. . . '
'And then, every hundred years, Heavenly Demons descend to harvest precious resources and the Wu people. . . '
'Could this possibly be a high-level mystic realm belonging to some great demonic sect? Is that why it's so rich in resources, and they cultivate the Wu people, harvesting them periodically? '
A guess suddenly surfaced in Fang Xi's mind, and he even felt it was highly probable!
'If that's truly the case, then you're pretty miserable. . . '
Gazing at Dan Ya's beautiful face, Fang Xi muttered to himself.
Comments