Chapter 216: Yan Chang Kong (Please Subscribe)
Chapter 216: Yan Chang Kong (Please Subscribe)
"Alas. . . how simple and honest the Wu people once were. Now, even they've grown cunning. . ."
Dragon Fish Island.
Evergreen Pavilion.
Fang Xi sighed deeply.
Just now, Dan Ya had come to him again with a 'Precious Glyph' for a trade.
And this time, the Precious Glyph was actually for both the 'Five Extremes Demonic Core Art' and the latter half of a second-rank stealth formation.
This was because she had found a Precious Glyph containing a Geng Metal Spirit Mark!
Fang Xi was indeed very interested in it. Seeing that the Wu people didn't have it easy, he allowed her to exploit a loophole and completed the transaction with her, obtaining a brand new Precious Glyph!
He took out a jade slip and began inscribing this Precious Glyph.
The Blood Skull of the Five Elements Tribe still refused to hand over their fundamental inheritance, the 'Five Elements Precious Glyph', but they had many other Precious Glyphs in their collection.
Among them was an 'Immortal Slaying Precious Glyph', which contained a 'Geng Metal Spirit Mark'!
"The Immortal Slaying Precious Glyph is a Precious Glyph formed by combining the Geng Metal Spirit Mark, Sword Control Spirit Mark, and Execution Spirit Mark as its foundation. . . Its destructive power is extremely strong, quite good, quite good."
Fang Xi was very satisfied with this exchanged item.
His 'Green Reaping Sword' finally had a chance to improve!
This sword's original material was third-rank, and after continuous nurturing by him, it was now almost comparable to a top-grade spirit artifact!
Once the Precious Glyph was inscribed, even if it couldn't immediately rival a treasure, it would at least far surpass the level of a top-grade spirit artifact!
"Just a little more nurturing, and I'll have a future third-rank attack treasure!"
In reality, what Fang Xi didn't know was that compared to 'Five Elements Flying Swords', the demonic cultivators of the Sacred Gate preferred to refine 'Immortal Slaying Flying Swords'!
Such Wu Kings who had cultivated the 'Immortal Slaying Precious Glyph' were often the favorites of demonic sword cultivators. . .
"After being 'beaten' by the Shard World, Dan Ya finally conceded. . . she began to hide with her people, and should be able to evade this Heavenly Demon Catastrophe. . ."
"Generally speaking, if they hide for a year, the Heavenly Demons will retreat on their own. . ."
After discovering that Dan Ya in the Shard World began setting up formations and hiding with her people, Fang Xi no longer paid much attention.
Anyway, with a wisp of Divine Consciousness there, it wouldn't delay anything important.
...
Inside the artifact refining chamber.
This was actually the place Fang Xi visited the least, with thick layers of dust accumulated in many areas.
At this moment, Fang Xi pointed a finger casually, and a stream of azure light flew out, swimming in mid-air. Azure patterns covered its body, emitting specks of golden light, like a fish, appearing exceptionally spiritual.
"Top-grade Spirit Artifact – Green Reaping Sword!"
Fang Xi held the Green Reaping Sword in his hand, sighing slightly: "It wasn't for nothing that I nurtured this little treasure with primal qi for years, even slightly delaying my cultivation progress. . . it finally broke through a level."
Above top-grade spirit artifacts, it was rumored that there were also supreme-grade spirit artifacts, though they were exceedingly rare, often being defective products from refining third-rank treasures, or exceptional creations by artifact refiners who incorporated precious materials when forging top-grade spirit artifacts.
The exotic treasure in Fang Xi's hand – the Purple Vein Bracelet – had a power level roughly comparable to a supreme-grade spirit artifact.
"I wonder to what extent the Green Reaping Sword's power can increase after being imbued with the Precious Glyph?"
A flicker of anticipation flashed in his eyes as he waved his hand to set up array flags.
As early as when he forged the 'Green Reaping Sword', Fang Xi had left ample space to allow for further inscription of spirit marks in the future.
At this moment, he exhaled a mouthful of azure innate true fire, beginning to scorch the sword body.
The temperature inside the artifact refining chamber slowly began to rise.
...
Unknowingly, three years had passed.
Fang Xi stroked his Dantian, emerging from the artifact refining chamber with a hint of vexation.
The 'Immortal Slaying Precious Glyph' on the 'Green Reaping Sword' had successfully been inscribed. In fact, after the Precious Glyph was imprinted, this small treasure's power had completely surpassed the level of the Purple Vein Bracelet's supreme-grade spirit artifact, reaching a quasi-third-rank tier.
Alas. . .
"Such good results are also a problem, you see. . ."
Fang Xi muttered, a faint wry smile on his face.
The 'Green Reaping Sword' elevating to quasi-third-rank was naturally a great thing, but the spiritual power required to wield it had also increased by hundreds, even thousands of times.
With his current mid-stage Foundation Establishment spiritual power, he couldn't even use it a few times before his spiritual power would nearly deplete!
This inexplicably reminded Fang Xi of the time when he was still a Qi Refinement cultivator, trying to wield the 'Golden Flood Dragon Shears'.
"Treasures are only for Core Formation True Persons to wield. . . Although their power is immense, for me, a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, refining a treasure is like a child swinging a massive hammer – not only is it strenuous, but a slight lapse in attention could even cause self-inflicted harm. . ."
According to Fang Xi's estimation, he would at least need to cultivate the 'Green Wood Longevity Art' to the thirteenth layer, becoming a late-stage Foundation Establishment or even a Foundation Establishment Perfected cultivator, with sufficiently abundant spiritual power, before he could barely incorporate the 'Green Reaping Sword' into actual combat.
Foundation Establishment Perfected did not refer to a separate layer of cultivation technique, but rather to a state where a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator's spiritual power had been cultivated to a point where there was no further progress possible, only the 'perfected' realm of Core Formation.
Fang Xi suppressed his slightly vexed mood, summoning Yan Hong Xiu and Xiahou Ying to drink and revel with him, dispelling his gloom.
In the blink of an eye, another three months passed leisurely.
On this day.
A streak of escape light moved at an astonishing speed, carrying spiritual pressure far exceeding that of Qi Refinement cultivators. It flew from the south straight into Myriad Islands Lake, then immediately charged towards Dragon Fish Island!
"It's a Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator!"
"This arc of escape light and aura are so unfamiliar. . . an outsider Foundation Establishment cultivator?"
Along the way, many island masters in the late Qi Refinement stage instinctively shrank their necks upon seeing this arc of escape light, feeling that Myriad Islands Lake was about to become turbulent once more.
...Dragon Fish Island.
Fang Xi, who was currently embracing Yan Hong Xiu, raised an eyebrow, a slight expression of anticipation on his face.
"Young Master. . ."
Yan Hong Xiu was utterly captivated at that moment, still wondering why Fang Xi had stopped.
The next moment, she saw Fang Xi directly embrace her and fly out of the Evergreen Pavilion, startling her. "Are we going into the clouds again?"
However, she quickly realized she had guessed wrong.
Fang Xi brought Yan Hong Xiu to the edge of the Profound Wood Grand Array, where they saw a cultivator standing on a white jade flying boat.
This Foundation Establishment cultivator appeared very young, only twenty or thirty years old, with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes. His long hair was tied into a topknot, pierced by a small jade sword.
Upon seeing Yan Hong Xiu, he immediately spoke: "Sister Hong Xiu!"
"Chang Kong? Chang Kong. . . you've finally achieved Foundation Establishment. . . ohhhhhhhhhh. . ."
Tears immediately streamed down Yan Hong Xiu's face like raindrops upon seeing Yan Chang Kong.
"Fellow Daoist Yan, greetings. Congratulations on your successful Foundation Establishment. Please, come inside for tea!"
Fang Xi, on the other hand, greeted him casually.
"Regarding the family matters, I've already heard from Seventh Uncle. I also want to thank Island Master Fang for your protection during this period, and for your previous assistance. . ."
Yan Chang Kong's smile was gentle, and his every action was courteous, possessing a natural bearing.
After all, he originated from the Black Heaven Sect, so his discernment was good. He hadn't dared to rashly trespass into the Profound Wood Grand Array before.
However, with Fang Xi's invitation now, he swaggered into Dragon Fish Island.
After all, having achieved Foundation Establishment, he had automatically become a mid-to-high-level figure within the Black Heaven Sect. As long as Fang Xi wasn't insane, he wouldn't rashly kill a Black Heaven Sect Foundation Establishment cultivator in his own stronghold!
The three of them made their way to Evergreen Pavilion, and Yan Hong Xiu immediately instructed Xiahou Ying to brew tea.
On normal days, she was always on equal footing with Xiahou Ying, and even, as a latecomer, often found herself suppressed. Today, she finally got to hold her head high!
Seeing that Yan Hong Xiu had a kinsman who successfully achieved Foundation Establishment, Xiahou Ying dared not resist and actually obediently went to brew tea.
"Haha, Fellow Daoist Yan, you must properly taste this 'Cloud-Dragon Tea'. This tea has an excellent flavor, and its production in the Spirit Herb Valley is limited, so it's only served to esteemed guests."
Fang Xi offered a cup of spiritual tea, with Yan Hong Xiu accompanying him, watching Yan Chang Kong converse freely with her Young Master.
As they conversed, she learned that over three years ago, the Yan family patriarch, along with a group of skilled cultivators, had finally managed to bring the painstakingly gathered spirit stones and resources to the Black Heaven Sect, delivering them to Yan Chang Kong. Immediately after, they tirelessly took on missions, hunted demonic beasts, slew rogue cultivators, and exchanged for merit points. . .
In this process, so many of the Yan family's cultivators died that only Seventh Uncle Yan and Yan Dong Qing remained, barely managing to accumulate five thousand merit points for Yan Chang Kong two years later.
Yan Chang Kong dared not delay, immediately returning to the sect to apply for a Foundation Establishment Pill.
It was also his good fortune that a year later, the Black Heaven Sect's team for gathering herbs in the mystic realm returned fully laden. This time, the sect's alchemists also performed exceptionally well, refining more Foundation Establishment Pills than in previous years. He happened to be at the very end of the queue and successfully exchanged for a Foundation Establishment Pill.
This person immediately entered secluded cultivation, consumed the Foundation Establishment Pill, cultivated diligently for three months, and broke through to Foundation Establishment!
"Before coming here. . . I had already sent the patriarch and Dong Qing back to Spirit Sky Island. . ."
Yan Chang Kong finally said.
"Good. . . if your ancestors knew you had successfully achieved Foundation Establishment, they would certainly be overjoyed."
Yan Hong Xiu wiped the corners of her eyes, her joy evident, yet tinged with a measure of sorrow.
After all, the Yan family had indeed sacrificed too much for Yan Chang Kong to achieve Foundation Establishment.
Just as she was about to speak, she noticed a flicker of impatience in Yan Chang Kong's brows. Her heart sank, and a bad premonition arose. . .
Sects preferred to recruit and nurture 'immortal seedlings' from a young age, naturally because this approach ensured the highest loyalty and facilitated daily indoctrination and brainwashing.
Yan Chang Kong and another Yan clan member had been sent to the sect at four or five years old. Over time, through constant exposure and influence, they might not necessarily feel a sense of belonging to their family.
His return this time was merely because the family had exerted effort during his Foundation Establishment. He felt he should repay them, then sever his earthly ties, so that his Dao heart could be at peace, allowing him to cultivate and break through better in the future.
But repaying the family's kindness was one thing; incurring enmity with fellow Foundation Establishment cultivators for it, or even being stationed long-term in Myriad Islands Lake to expand the Yan family's territory, thus delaying his own cultivation and accumulation of sect merit points, was an entirely different matter.
"I remember when I was little, Sister Hong Xiu and I had the best relationship. I hope Fellow Daoist will be good to her in the future. . . Sigh, I also recognize this 'Cloud-Dragon Tea'. I remember I used to enjoy playing in the Spirit Herb Valley when I was a child. . ."
As Yan Chang Kong sipped his tea, he spoke as if casually: "Currently, there's a bit of dissatisfaction within the sect regarding Myriad Islands Lake. . . Why is it that the 'Small Green Dragon' that the Dragon Fish Zhong Clan always offered as tribute is no longer available?"
Fang Xi listened, chuckling inwardly.
This person brought up the Black Heaven Sect's status and subtly implied that Fang Xi had previously forcibly occupied the Yan family's Dragon Fish Island, but it was all just a feint.
As long as Fang Xi promised to treat Yan Hong Xiu better in the future, even elevating her to a concubine or even principal wife, Yan Chang Kong would probably be satisfied.
"But. . . why should I listen to your bluster?"
"A mere newly ascended Foundation Establishment cultivator. . . Even the Black Heaven Sect Master would have to grovel if he came to my Dragon Fish Island!"
Fang Xi put down his teacup, calmly stating: "The Small Green Dragon is not easy to tame, and I also need it for my own use, so I'm afraid it cannot be transported to the Black Heaven Sect for resources as the Dragon Fish Zhong Clan used to do. . . However, I, in my humble efforts, have refined some low-grade second-rank talismans. If Fellow Daoist is interested, we can exchange some. . ."
"Fellow Daoist is actually a second-rank Talisman Master? " Yan Chang Kong's eyes widened.
A Talisman Master definitely hid exquisite talismans on his person, making his combat strength immeasurable, but certainly stronger than his.
Not to mention, the other party's island also had a second-rank grand array guarding it, as well as a second-rank demonic beast!
"This person's foundation is already stable and his wings are full; moreover, he responds to gentleness but not to force. Alas, I wanted to seek justice for Sister Hong Xiu before, but now it seems I've achieved the opposite. . ."
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