Chapter 183: Beast Tide (Seeking Monthly Votes)
“Indeed, it’s a beast tide! ”
Fang Xi gazed at the scene, his heart neither sorrowful nor joyful.
After all, he had long prepared himself mentally; in the worst-case scenario, he could still escape.
Moreover, White Peace Immortal City had also made its preparations.
Boom!
Boom!
Above the city walls, streaks of crimson lightning flashed, effortlessly sweeping through the beast hordes.
Wherever the flames and lightning passed, even second-tier demon beasts could only shriek as they turned into charred corpses.
“Blazing Fire Divine Lightning? ”
In terms of destructive power, Blazing Fire Divine Lightning was undeniably the most lethal among the Five Elements Divine Lightning, far surpassing the likes of Geng Metal or Yi Wood Divine Lightning.
And at this moment, how could there be only one streak of divine lightning unleashed from the city walls? It was practically a thousand bolts of lightning striking at once!
Even the Golden-Crowned Thunder Roc in the sky dared not descend rashly, having no intention of directly enduring these waves of bombardment.
Thump-thump!
The war drums of the Kui Ox suddenly resounded.
Ouyang Zhen, clad in a purple Dharma robe, led a dozen or so Foundation Establishment cultivators onto the city walls.
Yuan Feihong rode his spirit beast, gazing into the distance with a solemn expression.
Luo Gong, meanwhile, seemed eager to try his hand.
“With the beast tide imminent, White Peace Immortal City has enacted martial law. However, esteemed fellow Daoists, please rest assured, White Peace Immortal City is capable of ensuring your safety. . . ”
Ouyang Zhen’s smile was placid, as if he felt no tension whatsoever. This mood immediately spread, causing the low-tier cultivators to collectively heave a sigh of relief.
After all, White Peace Immortal City had weathered multiple beast tides throughout history, never once having been breached.
“Furthermore, our White Peace Immortal City is recruiting rogue cultivators to contribute to the city’s defense. Early-stage Qi Refinement cultivators will receive one battle merit every seven days, mid-stage three battle merits, late-stage six battle merits, and Perfected Qi Refinement ten battle merits. . . As for Foundation Establishment cultivators, you may discuss with me in detail! ”
“After daily settlements, battle merits can be exchanged with our city for Spirit Stones, spirit artifacts, cultivation techniques, spirit pills, secret arts. . . The list is here! ”
Ouyang Zhen tossed out a proclamation, and with a surge of magical power, a colossal list, more than ten zhang in both length and width, appeared suspended in mid-air.
The lines of text on it detailed various rare resources and their battle merit exchange requirements, enough to drive any cultivator to madness.
“One battle merit can be exchanged for one low-grade Spirit Stone. . . ”
“And spirit artifacts. . . even spiritual artifacts. . . ”
“What do all those count for? Didn’t you see. . . there’s even a Foundation Establishment Pill for exchange, ten thousand battle merits for one genuine Foundation Establishment Pill! ”
“Not to mention, any demon beast materials killed during battle still belong to you. ”
Countless rogue cultivators went wild.
As the saying goes, under heavy rewards, brave cultivators are sure to emerge.
Rogue cultivators were naturally at the very bottom of the cultivation world. They never shied away from using force to obtain rewards, and even regarded killing and fighting as commonplace.
In Fang Xi’s view, the cultivators of this world, regardless of gender, age, or youth, could all be considered mercenaries – and omnipotent soldier kings who understood healing, weapon manufacturing, reconnaissance, traps, and ambushes!
And without a doubt, those sect forces were akin to warlords. . .
Therefore, there was scarcely a year without war, with corpses filling the fields. . . none of it was considered a big deal.
Cultivators also viewed death with great equanimity.
As long as there was a possibility of breaking through to a higher realm, they weren’t afraid to fight with their lives, and no matter who they fought for, as long as they were paid on time. . .
‘Well. . . looking at it this way, it’s even more similar. . . ’
As Fang Xi was inwardly grumbling, Ruan Xing Ling, beside him, transmitted via divine consciousness: “Brother Fang, look! ”
He released his divine consciousness and saw where Ruan Dan pointed on the proclamation: “Clear Heart Breakthrough Pill. . . suitable for early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators who cultivate wood, fire, or earth techniques to break through to the mid-stage bottleneck, increasing the success rate by about thirty percent. . . valued at twenty-five thousand battle merits. ”
“Indeed, realm-breaking pills for the Foundation Establishment stage were much more expensive than those for the Qi Refinement stage. . . ”
Fang Xi inwardly grumbled again, as Ruan Xing Ling’s voice continued to sound in his ear: “Brother Fang. . . this pill would benefit both of us. Perhaps we could strive for it first! ”
He looked at Ruan Xing Ling and saw that she, too, seemed eager, rubbing her fists in anticipation.
With her cultivated technique and mindset, as long as she was careful, encountering even low-grade or mid-grade second-tier demon beasts wouldn’t be much of an issue.
Unfortunately, war was dangerous and unpredictable; this was not his style.
“Xing Ling, my apologies. . . I have no intention of participating in the battle. ”
Fang Xi transmitted his message via divine consciousness, noticing a flicker of astonishment on Ruan Xing Ling’s face.
Immediately after, he went to find Luo Gong.
“What? Fellow Daoist Fang, you’re not planning to go onto the city walls, but rather take on a production-type mission instead. . . ? Well. . . ” Luo Gong was somewhat surprised, but quickly agreed: “Alright. . . ”
“Perfect. . . Our city urgently needs a batch of second-tier healing and spiritual energy recovery pills. The battle merits for the pill formulas can be put on credit for now and settled after the war. . . ”
“Many thanks, Brother Luo. ”
Fang Xi clasped his fists in thanks.
He didn’t want to go to the battlefield. After all, even relying on a third-tier array formation, there was still some inherent danger.
Engaging in logistics would count as his support for the cultivators fighting in the bloody battle.
In reality, the reason he took on the alchemy mission was to prevent White Peace Immortal City from suffering setbacks in the war and forcibly conscripting the initially idle rogue cultivators.
Amidst all the commotion.
Fang Xi returned to his Peach Blossom Pavilion. As for the Pill & Artifact Pavilion?
Naturally, it was closed for business. After all, the city was currently in a state of some chaos, and compared to a mere few Spirit Stones, Fang Xi felt that the safety of his own people was more important.
Besides, with Ruan Xing Ling going to the battlefield and him taking on alchemy missions for the immortal city, while also needing to cultivate, he simply had no time for side businesses.
Fang Xi then summoned Jin Ling and Wei Yi Xi, giving them instructions not to go out and to focus on cultivating and recuperating. . . that was all.
As for Ruan Dan? This woman was still in seclusion consolidating her cultivation.
According to the custom of the cultivation world, cultivators undergoing such major realm breakthroughs were generally not disturbed unless there was an earth-shattering cataclysm.
In the blink of an eye, several months passed.
It could be said that cultivators were highly adapted to the atmosphere of war.
Because of the protection of the third-tier grand array, no demon beasts could break through the layers of the array formation and city walls to enter and kill people within the city.
For the first few months, White Peace Immortal City was actually quite peaceful internally, and the prices of various demon beast materials plummeted.
Fang Xi, meanwhile, cultivated at regular intervals each day, occasionally making a move to complete the immortal city’s alchemy missions.
Because he was quite familiar with the refining methods for various demon beast materials, his pill-forming rate was extremely high, and he could even skim off quite a bit of material, saving a lot of time.
Luo Gong even hinted that if Fang Xi was willing to sign a long-term contract, he could provide him with a complete set of Foundation Establishment Pill ingredients for one attempt at refining a Foundation Establishment Pill.
However, Fang Xi looked at the contract terms and found that once he became an alchemist for White Peace Immortal City, it would be difficult to leave. He couldn’t help but refuse.
To try and bind him so thoroughly just for the chance to refine one Foundation Establishment Pill was simply too naive.
Before, he had wanted to join White Peace Immortal City because he lacked cultivation techniques and his strength was insufficient right after Foundation Establishment. Now, with the passage of time and changed circumstances, his mindset was different.
Conversely, because the war was proceeding smoothly, White Peace Immortal City did not forcibly conscript rogue cultivators, making Fang Xi feel that his initial decision might have been a bit misjudged.
“Come, Xing Ling, this toast is for you! ”
Ruan Xing Ling, having a rare day off from the city walls for recuperation, sat with Fang Xi beneath a peach blossom tree, enjoying a moment of leisure snatched from a busy life.
Fang Xi smilingly poured Ruan Xing Ling a cup of Green Bamboo Wine: “Congratulations to the Peach Bell Fairy of Myriad Islands Lake! Your great name has resounded throughout White Peace Immortal City! ”
The ‘Profound Sound Art’ that Ruan Xing Ling cultivated was a ranged sonic attack method, very effective for clearing out miscellaneous enemies. Moreover, her personal combat ability was not weak. During this period, she had established a formidable reputation on the city walls, and her old moniker, ‘Peach Bell Fairy’, had spread far and wide, with rumors even saying she had gained many admirers.
Hmm, if Fang Xi were to go onto the city walls now, he might even be subjected to others’ jealousy. . .
“Brother Fang, you’re teasing me again. How could Xing Ling compare to you. . . ”
Ruan Xing Ling’s cheeks were slightly flushed, and she seemed to carry a hint of resentment.
On that day, facing Situ Jia, she knew that even with all her techniques unleashed, she couldn’t do anything to that demon cultivator.
But as for the opponent’s fate, there was no need to say more.
At that time, she already knew that Fang Xi had deeply hidden his capabilities, and his combat prowess far surpassed his peers. She just didn’t know why he disliked fame and preferred to cultivate cautiously.
“During this period, over thirty powerful second-tier demon beasts were killed, and only two fellow Foundation Establishment cultivators were heavily wounded. . . countless first-tier demon beasts died or were injured. . . ”
After a few playful remarks, the two returned to serious matters.
“In reality, no matter how many demon beasts died, it was a good thing for the demon kings. . . Although the resources of the Myriad Beast Mountain Range were abundant, after too many demon beasts proliferated, they still had to migrate outwards. . . As for whether they died or conquered new territory, it simply wasn’t important. ”
Fang Xi sighed with emotion.
“It’s said that today, another cultivator obtained a second-tier demon core. . . ”
Ruan Xing Ling, however, suddenly changed the topic: “Xing Ling has also killed several second-tier demon beasts, but unfortunately, I haven’t had such luck. . . ”
After all, second-tier demon beasts capable of forming demon cores were ultimately a very small minority.
“Heh heh. . . actually, I don’t want to refine Foundation Establishment Pills. . . ”
Fang Xi knew that Luo Gong’s offer to him had been leaked.
But in reality, he truly didn’t want to publicly possess the skill of ‘refining Foundation Establishment Pills’.
He still vividly remembered Chen Ping’s lesson from back then.
Those several alchemy masters in White Peace Immortal City, though seemingly enjoying boundless glory, were in fact not very free. . .
“That’s truly a pity. . . ”
Ruan Xing Ling didn’t dwell on it and changed the topic: “In the history of White Peace Immortal City, the shortest beast tide lasted eight months, while the longest was thirteen years. . . From Xing Ling’s estimation, this beast tide is likely of a small to medium scale in historical terms, perhaps to be completely quelled within one or two years. . . We could first stockpile a batch of demon beast materials and then sell them when prices rise later. . . ”
“Xing Ling truly has quite the business acumen. . . ”
Fang Xi clapped his hands and laughed.
He had already thought of such a thing long ago.
In reality, many cultivators could think of it, but few had the means to actually do so.
After all, stockpiling a large batch of demon beast materials and holding onto them for a long time would require a significant amount of idle Spirit Stones.
Furthermore, one would have to face the risk of being robbed or ambushed during storage and transactions. . .
It could be said that very few forces were genuinely capable of doing this.
However, Fang Xi could do it!
“This business can indeed earn Spirit Stones. . . ”
After pondering, Fang Xi expressed his support.
After all, this was a perfect opportunity to mix in and sell his materials from Da Liang, making it utterly seamless. . .
Heaven knows, he had always possessed a large quantity of demon beast materials but couldn’t find a good opportunity to offload them.
Now, they all had overt sources, which could avoid a lot of trouble.
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