Chapter 199: Unexpected Developments (Bonus Chapter, Please Vote with Monthly Tickets! )
Chapter 199: Unexpected Developments (Bonus Chapter, Please Vote with Monthly Tickets! )
The 'Mystic Water Liquid' only increased the chance of Core Formation by half a percent!
A one to two percent chance was already quite good!
After all, cultivators already possessed a chance at Core Formation, and with an extra one or two percent, their confidence would surely soar!
"What a pity. . . or perhaps, thankfully, the Black Heaven Sect acted swiftly, not giving the Song Clan Ancestor a full century. . . Otherwise, it's quite possible that individual might truly have achieved Core Formation successfully!"
After Elder Jiang obtained the third-order demon core, the Song Clan Ancestor knew that surviving another century was hopeless, so he risked a Core Formation breakthrough. . . Relying on decades of accumulated wood-attribute qi, along with a demonic cultivation method, he actually managed to solidify most of his magic power, which spoke volumes of his talent. If he had more time, he would undoubtedly have successfully achieved Core Formation!
And the spirit plant he cultivated alongside it was this 'Phoenix Perching Parasol Tree'. Of course, the main body of this spiritual material had long become the Black Heaven Sect's spoils of war, but a section of its root was left behind beforehand and given to Song Qing.
"You still want to achieve Core Formation?"
Fang Xi looked at Song Qing, who had been made into a human puppet, and couldn't help but laugh in amusement.
"What a pity. . . I don't primarily cultivate fire-attribute techniques, so it's utterly useless to me. . ."
"Cultivating in seclusion for a century to increase the chance of breaking through to Core Formation by one or two percent. . . If other cultivators knew, they would certainly flock to it."
"But for me, it's just a mere trifle! A mere trifle indeed!"
"I am destined to cultivate the Wood Spirit Body, and the Wood Spirit Body is incredibly profound; most who possess it have already formed Nascent Souls, inherently coming with a significant chance of Core Formation. . ."
"With the Wood Spirit Body, what use do I have for this secret technique?"
Fang Xi toyed with the Phoenix Perching Parasol Tree's root. This spirit root was incredibly delicate; even on a third-order spirit vein, supplemented by a Spirit Gathering Array, it could only barely survive. It was utterly impossible to plant it in a second-order spirit vein.
"If it's just a single section of root, it's too little even for refining an artifact; at most, it could be used as an auxiliary material. . . but that would be far too wasteful of such a heavenly treasure."
Fang Xi pondered for a moment, then could only seal away this spiritual root for the time being, to be dealt with later.
"A small grudge repaid is one of life's great joys. I should have a drink!"
He burst into laughter, took out some Peach Blossom Brew, and specifically had Song Qing come over to pour him a drink. He drained it in one gulp.
...
Myriad Islands Lake.
After making a detour, Fang Xi returned to Myriad Islands Lake.
However, he did not return directly to Dragon Fish Island, but instead headed for Spirit Sky Island.
As he approached Spirit Sky Island, there were noticeably more cultivators in the vicinity, all arriving in small boats or atop artifacts, heading to Spirit Sky Island for trade.
The Yan family had recently relocated and begun cultivating spirit fields. Initially, they required a large amount of resources and investment, so they seized the opportunity to reopen the market town, heavily purchasing various basic materials to attract cultivators from all islands to trade.
Many cultivators from the spirit islands loaded their boats with spirit rice, transported it to Spirit Sky Island, and after settling their accounts with the Yan family, they invariably browsed the market town, purchasing some pills and talismans, or perhaps magic robes and flying swords. . . Some even went for a cup of spirit wine or visited a den of debauchery. All said and done, the Spirit Stones ultimately remained right there.
Seeing this, Fang Xi felt that the Yan family truly had a knack for business and were willing to invest; they were indeed a thriving and upwardly mobile clan.
"What a pity. . . This Spirit Sky Island is inauspicious. . . When the Fish Spirit Child established a market town here, he ended up losing even himself. . ."
His primary purpose for coming this time was to observe and, incidentally, investigate the truth behind Ruan Dan's disappearance.
Cultivators don't need proof when they act!
Fang Xi gazed in the direction of the Yan family, his expression chilling.
Their hero, my foe!
The Yan family wasn't strong; with only one early Foundation Establishment cultivator, they could be dealt with easily.
As for an explanation?
Song Qing and Elder Hua He in his spirit beast pouch were the best explanation!
Song Clan remnants, in cahoots with renegade cultivators, plundered Spirit Sky Island. What does that have to do with my Dragon Fish Island?
"However, the Song Clan Young Master is too conspicuous. . ."
"To be on the safe side, it's better to have Elder Hua He make a move. . . On the surface, he's just the leader of renegade cultivators, unrelated to the Song Clan."
"And for renegade cultivators to kill and plunder goods, isn't that just par for the course?"
Fang Xi arrived outside the Yan family's territory and first deployed a few wood puppets.
After all, Yan Wuxu was already a dead man in his eyes, but it would be best to wait until 'Zhong Tianjun' arrived before acting together.
As for this fellow who claimed rights over Dragon Fish Island, it would be best to send him on his way as soon as possible.
...
Half a month later.
Fang Xi noticed a streak of light, radiating Foundation Establishment level magic power fluctuations, and it didn't belong to Yan Wuxu. It swaggered boldly into the Yan family's territory.
"Zhong Tianjun is here? Perfect. . ."
One of the wood puppets moved its eyes, then merged seamlessly with the ancient tree behind it.
Not long after, Fang Xi arrived atop a streak of light, tossing the 'Purple Cloud Bracelet' in his hand, ready to test the power of this exotic treasure!
However, before Fang Xi could make his move.
Suddenly, a clamor erupted within the Yan family's spirit land, next to the Spirit Sky Island market, swiftly turning into screams!
It was as if an invisible scythe was wantonly harvesting lives!
Fires flared up one after another!
Immediately after, the second-order formation deployed by the Yan family was actually breached from within!
A figure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator rose into the air, then flew into the market town, wantonly pillaging: "Hahaha. . . how could a mere Yan Wuxu hope to plot against me, Zhong Tianjun? You people of the Myriad Islands, you originally submitted to my Zhong family, but later you rebelled. Now that you're being killed, it's no injustice. . ."
Zhong Tianjun, holding a spirit artifact, casually slaughtered late-stage and perfected Qi Refinement cultivators, looting several shops in a row before departing with wild laughter, leaving behind a scene of broken walls and shattered ruins.
Hidden within the dark clouds above the lake, Fang Xi watched this scene somewhat dumbfounded: "This is. . . what kind of turn of events?"
With a thought, he concealed his figure and followed behind 'Zhong Tianjun'.
'Zhong Tianjun' was merely at the early Foundation Establishment stage, his flying speed wasn't fast, and his Divine Consciousness was inferior to Fang Xi's. Fang Xi trailed him from afar, all the way to a certain desolate island.
A streak of dark light flew from the desolate island to meet him, revealing another Foundation Establishment cultivator!
As the light receded, it revealed a woman of exquisite beauty, like a secluded orchid in an empty valley, untouched by worldly affairs, as if she had stepped right out of a painting.
"Uncle Ye, you've worked hard!"
The woman smiled sweetly upon seeing Zhong Tianjun.
"It was no hardship. . . Qing'er, why did you wait for me? Hahaha, a mere Yan family can't possibly stir up trouble."
'Zhong Tianjun' formed a hand seal, chanted a spell, and a blood-red line appeared on his forehead.
Then, this blood-red line split from both sides, astonishingly peeling off a complete human skin!
From within the human skin stepped out a figure whose skin was so pale it seemed to glow; it was none other than the mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, Ye San Ren!
"A demonic cultivator, actually?"
Fang Xi, who had been tracking them all along, wasn't surprised by this scene; in fact, it reminded him of a certain demonic secret art from the 'Five Extremes Primordial Demon Art'—the Human Cocoon Art!
It involved flaying a cultivator alive, then sealing the residual soul within, refining it into an artifact similar to a 'human skin mask'.
However, the artifact created by this Human Cocoon Art was far more potent than ordinary disguise techniques; it was said to be able to simulate even magic power and Divine Consciousness auras, making it impossible for even close acquaintances to discern the deception.
"I misunderstood Ye San Ren. . . This person was already at mid-stage Foundation Establishment back then when he pursued 'Zhong Tianjun'. It seems he was directly killed, and his skin was even flayed to create a demonic artifact?"
Fang Xi was actually a bit covetous of this Human Cocoon Art himself, but unfortunately, it required a demonic cultivation method as its foundation, so he couldn't learn it.
"To think, we meet again, Situ Qing Qing. . ."
Gazing at the female Foundation Establishment cultivator with the extraordinary demeanor, Fang Xi muttered another sentence to himself.
Meanwhile, Situ Qing Qing and Ye San Ren's conversation continued.
"Are we. . . truly going to leave, to completely depart the State of Yue?"
Ye San Ren hesitated slightly.
"The Song Clan is destroyed. As for the Black Heaven Sect, how can we, mere ants, hope to shake a tree? " Situ Qing Qing's lips curved into a bitter smile: "We, mere Foundation Establishment cultivators, are but clouds above the State of Yue, gone with a single gust of wind. . . Only Core Formation is the true heaven of the State of Yue!"
"Alas. . . it seems that's the only way."
Ye San Ren stroked his chin: "Since we've decided to leave, why not do one more job? We've already made a fortune by plundering the Spirit Sky Island market, we could continue to plunder places like Dragon Fish Island. . . Although those three Foundation Establishment combatants are formidable, I am also a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, so defeating them one by one shouldn't be a problem. . ."
"No need. Forcibly attacking a second-order formation still carries risks. . . This time, we merely exploited the Yan family's desperate plea for help, allowing Uncle Ye to easily enter the formation's core and then ambush and kill Yan Wuxu. . . If it were those three Foundation Establishment cultivators, even if we wore Yan Wuxu's skin, they would undoubtedly remain vigilant. We wouldn't get such a good opportunity again. . ."
Situ Qing Qing twirled a strand of her hair, her words brimming with confidence: "What's more. . . that Dragon Fish Island Master is an old acquaintance of Qingqing's, and he even has a life-saving debt to Qingqing. Let's spare him this once. . ."
"Hmm? Dragon Fish Island Master Fang Xi? He saved you?"
Ye San Ren was a little surprised.
"It all happened sixty years ago. If before it was just speculation, once this person achieved Foundation Establishment, Qingqing knew it had to be him! This person is extremely skilled at concealment and seems to harbor great ambition. . . Wouldn't you agree, Fellow Daoist Fang?"
As she spoke, a dark light flickered in Situ Qing Qing's beautiful eyes; she had actually seen through Fang Xi's concealment.
Fang Xi rubbed his nose, and his figure flickered, stepping out from the night: "Situ Qing Qing. . . Ye San Ren. . . It's been a long time!"
"It's you? !"
Ye San Ren stared intently at Fang Xi, a disc-shaped spirit artifact protecting his entire body. He cried out as if facing a great enemy: "Qing'er, be careful! This is the one who, along with Ruan Xing Ling, killed Situ Jia!"
"Fellow Daoist Fang. . ."
Situ Qing Qing gazed at Fang Xi, smiling sweetly: "I didn't expect that besides saving me, you also have such a connection with me. By seniority, I would even have to call Situ Jia a grand-uncle. . ."
"Oh? Are you planning to avenge him?"
Fang Xi secretly put away the Purple Cloud Bracelet. After all, the bracelet's origin was a bit problematic, and his opponents weren't weaklings like Yan Wuxu, who were destined to die.
He pulled out the Green Reaping Sword with a backhand motion, gazing at Situ Qing Qing and Ye San Ren.
Even facing a mid-stage Foundation Establishment and an early-stage Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator, he showed not the slightest hint of fear.
He was merely pondering how many trump cards he would need to use to kill these two.
"Hehe. . . you've guessed wrong there. Qingqing's relationship with that grand-uncle has always been rather poor. . ."
Situ Qing Qing, on the verge of tears, said: "Even so. . . are you still going to fight Qingqing?"
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