Chapter 225: The Struggle for Baleful Qi (Seeking Monthly Votes)
Chapter 225: The Struggle for Baleful Qi (Seeking Monthly Votes)
A month later.
Evergreen Pavilion.
Fang Xi held a jade slip, his expression fluctuating between cloudy and clear.
This was a letter from Ruan Xing Ling.
Half a month ago, this woman had been challenged by a rogue cultivator, Foundation Establishment stage 'Chong Ru Hu'.
This rogue cultivator, Chong Ru Hu, had already entered the mid-stage Foundation Establishment realm and had set his sights on Maple Leaf Island, but he was still defeated by Ruan Xing Ling.
It was only then that the cultivators of Myriad Islands Lake realized that Ruan Xing Ling had secretly broken through to the mid-stage Foundation Establishment realm, cultivated several secret arts from the "Profound Sound Cultivation Art," and significantly increased her strength.
Furthermore, Liu San Qi had also appeared in that battle, surprisingly coming to assist Ruan Xing Ling, which was a good sign.
Fang Xi stroked his chin: "How come it feels like if the news of my breakthrough to mid-stage Foundation Establishment hadn't spread. . . that Chong Ru Hu might have challenged me instead? Was Ruan Xing Ling taking the bullet for me?"
According to Ruan Xing Ling's description in the letter, Chong Ru Hu cultivated both qi and body, his body cultivation having reached the fourth stage, comparable to early-stage Foundation Establishment. He could transform into a demon tiger, seemingly inheriting a lineage similar to the "Myriad Beasts Body" art. His Qi Refinement cultivation was already at mid-stage Foundation Establishment, making him extremely difficult to deal with.
'What a shame to waste such a rich, blood-infused fertilizer. . . '
Fang Xi felt a slight regret.
"Young Master. . ."
Just then, Yan Hong Xiu entered, carrying a tray of pastries, her voice soft and alluring.
"Hong Xiu, oh. . . hmm?"
Fang Xi's Divine Consciousness swept over her, a hint of surprise in his eyes: "Qi Refinement Perfected? It seems you've truly been diligent in your cultivation lately. . . it's quite rare to break through before the sixty-year limit."
"This is all thanks to Young Master's stern warning back then. This slave has no way to repay such kindness. . ."
Yan Hong Xiu was about to lean into Fang Xi, but suddenly, footsteps sounded outside.
"Young Master, Xiahou Ying requests an audience!"
Xiahou Ying's deliberately emphasized voice drifted in.
"Hmph. . ."
Yan Hong Xiu indignantly pulled up the clothing on her shoulder and stood to the side.
Xiahou Ying entered with a smile, seemingly only just noticing Yan Hong Xiu: "Oh. . . Sister Hong Xiu is here too? Did I disturb you, little sister?"
"No, you've come at just the right time. . ."
Fang Xi chuckled, but then Xiahou Ying's expression turned serious: "Reporting to Young Master. . . Zhan Tu has arrived and is requesting an audience outside the island!"
"Oh? Bring him in."
He waved his hand, dismissing Xiahou Ying.
Not long after, the woman led a man dressed in Black Heaven Sect disciple robes into the Evergreen Pavilion. He was tall and upright, with a handsome face, and a faint aura of medicinal pills emanated from him.
"Zhan Tu greets the Island Master. . . Thank you, Island Master, for your support over these many years. Your great kindness is beyond repayment. . . I have prepared a small gift; please accept it, Island Master."
Upon seeing Fang Xi, Zhan Tu immediately bowed deeply, his manners impeccable, and presented a gift.
Although it wasn't worth many Spirit Stones, it was exquisite and clearly put together with care.
"It's alright. After all, you are a disciple who left from my Dragon Fish Island. . . In the future, you must cultivate diligently in the Black Heaven Sect and strive to achieve Foundation Establishment early to uphold the prestige of our Dragon Fish Island."
Fang Xi's Divine Consciousness swept over him, discovering that Zhan Tu had also reached the Qi Refinement Perfected realm.
Not only that, but in terms of profound and refined magical power, as well as the cultivation methods and secret arts he practiced, he was eight streets ahead of Yan Hong Xiu.
'As expected of a dual superior-grade spirit root of fire and wood. If this person consumes a Foundation Establishment Pill, he'll have at least a sixty percent chance of successfully establishing his Foundation, a slightly higher certainty than Yan Chang Kong had back then. . . '
'In comparison, this maidservant by my side. . . even if she fortunately obtains a Foundation Establishment Pill, her success rate would be between thirty and forty percent. '
Fang Xi glanced at Yan Hong Xiu, shaking his head unconsciously.
After chatting with Zhan Tu for a while, he sent him off to see his parents.
'This person. . . Heh heh, did he calculate that Dragon Fish Island would be afflicted by the Black Wind Baleful Qi, and purposely came to seek it? '
Fang Xi stroked his chin, watching Zhan Tu's departing figure, lost in thought.
Black Wind Baleful Qi and Foundation Establishment Pills have slightly overlapping effects. If used together, the probability would be partially offset.
But it's better than nothing!
Furthermore, it could be turned over to the sect for a large reward of meritorious deeds!
With this sum of meritorious deeds, and borrowing some from his master and fellow disciples, he might just gather enough to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill!
Not long after, Xiahou Ying returned to report: "Zhan Tu did not go to see his parents in the mortal world first. Instead, he went to the fish farm and paid his respects before Old Zhong's grave. . ."
"Hmm, that's decent. . . Old Zhong wasn't entirely wrong about him, it seems."
Fang Xi paid no mind to such trifles and turned to walk out of the Evergreen Pavilion.
His Divine Consciousness swept over Yan Hong Xiu's slightly changed expression, finding it quite amusing.
...
Half a month later, a streak of light landed before the Profound Wood Grand Array, revealing the figure of Yan Chang Kong.
With a graceful flick of his sleeve, a sound transmission talisman flew out and entered the array.
A moment later, Fang Xi stepped out on the Green Corner Fish Dragon to greet him: "So it's Fellow Daoist Yan. You're a bit earlier than our agreed-upon procurement day. . ."
"Indeed, there's been some earth-shattering news recently in White Peace Immortal City, which I wanted to share with Fellow Daoist Fang. . ."
Yan Chang Kong smiled warmly and joined Fang Xi in the Evergreen Pavilion. After a sip of spirit tea, he didn't beat around the bush: "Perfected Bai Feng has finally reappeared!"
Before, rumors had flown everywhere, saying this Perfected person had gone missing or had passed away.
So he's finally shown his face now?
"Oh, it seems White Peace Immortal City has experienced quite a few changes. . . " Fang Xi wasn't nervous; after all, he was an outsider, feeling as if he were watching a play.
"Indeed. . . Perfected Bai Feng was gravely injured and went missing because he went to the Yuan Kingdom to purchase high-grade healing spirit pills and recuperate from his injuries. . . " Yan Chang Kong divulged a secret: "This is information my Black Heaven Sect investigated, initially spread from the Ethereal Valley Sect, so there's no way it's wrong!"
"So that's how it is."
Fang Xi nodded repeatedly, then expressed some regret: "Who would have thought. . . Perfected Bai Feng's departure would span so many years, and White Peace Immortal City would decline so much. . ."
As for how many Core Formation sects were scheming behind the scenes, there was no need to mention it.
"Indeed. . . Even his trusted disciples were kept in the dark about his news, and as a result, a few ran off over the years, and one was even killed by a bandit cultivator. . . This Perfected Bai Feng deliberately concealed his news, probably intending it as a test. Who would have thought the outcome would be. . . tsk tsk. . ."
Yan Chang Kong's tone held a hint of schadenfreude.
"With White Peace Immortal City restoring stability, the various sects will also act to quell the chaos. . . This wave of turmoil is finally about to pass."
Fang Xi let out a long breath.
With the abundant resources of White Peace Immortal City, who would want to stay in a desolate backwater?
Not to mention, the original chaos in Myriad Islands Lake was caused by those rogue cultivators fleeing disaster!
"I should congratulate Fellow Daoist Fang. . ."
Yan Chang Kong cupped his hands, confirming Fang Xi's conjecture.
The two chatted for a while longer, and then Yan Chang Kong brought up the matter of procurement.
This time, he needed to procure a large quantity, including a batch of second-order talismans, and as many 'Little Green Dragons' as could be provided. . .
Furthermore, the prices offered were very generous. Fang Xi quickly calculated and realized that Yan Chang Kong wasn't making any Spirit Stones this time; he was purely running errands for free, and might even lose some money.
'This person. . . '
Fang Xi looked deeply at Yan Chang Kong and agreed to the transaction.
Clearly, Yan Chang Kong was also here for the Black Wind Baleful Qi in his possession.
Although he didn't mention Yan Hong Xiu once during their conversation, his presence here spoke volumes.
Watching Yan Chang Kong's departing back, Fang Xi's eyes flickered:
'And. . . he doesn't even need to badmouth Zhan Tu; standing here himself is the best example. . . Investing in sect disciples is a cautionary tale of throwing meat buns at dogs! '
'Human nature. . . is indeed a complex thing. '
'By the way, why do you all think I should bestow the Black Wind Baleful Qi? Can't I just auction it off in White Peace Immortal City, or simply refine it into a spirit artifact myself? '
He inwardly scoffed, but he had already made up his mind.
...
Several days later, Fang Xi directly summoned Zhan Tu.
"Greetings, Island Master!"
Zhan Tu bowed deeply, his etiquette flawless and perfectly executed.
'Giving the Black Wind Baleful Qi to this person might indeed yield greater benefits. . . After all, with good aptitude, he could certainly go further on the Dao path. . . '
'But unfortunately. . . am I someone who cares about profit? '
Fang Xi sneered inwardly, his face betraying nothing: "Zhan Tu, you are, after all, a disciple who left from my Dragon Fish Island. For this Foundation Establishment attempt, this Island Master is willing to lend you five hundred Spirit Stones, provided you sign a contract and swear to return it with interest."
For cultivators with no hope on the Dao path, the Heart Demon Oath might not be taken seriously.
But Zhan Tu was going to attempt Foundation Establishment. At such a critical breakthrough, any blemish on one's heart would surely drastically reduce the success rate!
"Ancestor Fang. . ."
Zhan Tu had originally intended to say something more, but in the end, he said nothing, simply bowing again: "Thank you, Island Master. . . I am willing to swear the Heart Demon Oath!"
"You are good. . ."
Fang Xi, seeing how sensible this person was, then offered some pointers on Foundation Establishment, leaving Zhan Tu with a look of joy as he took the five hundred Spirit Stones and departed.
"Young Master. . ."
After Zhan Tu left, Fang Xi ordered someone to summon Yan Hong Xiu.
Yan Hong Xiu looked at Fang Xi, her eyes filled with trepidation.
"You are now Qi Refinement Perfected, and nearing your sixty-year limit. Do you dare to attempt Foundation Establishment?"
Fang Xi asked with a smile.
"Thank you, Island Master, for your great kindness. This slave wishes to establish her Foundation!"
Yan Hong Xiu immediately knelt, kowtowing as she spoke.
Without a Foundation Establishment Pill, attempting Foundation Establishment with other spiritual items carries the risk of death if one fails.
What's more, Yan Hong Xiu was already very close to the sixty-year mark, quite similar to Fang Xi's situation back then.
"Since that is the case, I bestow this bottle of 'Black Wind Baleful Qi Essence' upon you."
Fang Xi nodded, tossing over the jade bottle filled with a dark, inky liquid: "Remember. . . when establishing your Foundation, avoid distractions, focus your mind completely, and liquefy your spiritual energy. . ."
Yan Hong Xiu clutched the jade bottle, trying to calm herself, committing Fang Xi's instructions to memory word for word.
"The external spiritual pressure also affects Foundation Establishment. . ."
Fang Xi, ever the benevolent figure, smiled: "When you attempt Foundation Establishment, I will arrange a Spirit Gathering Array for you, allowing the spiritual energy in your cultivation chamber to break through to low-grade third-order. . ."
Yan Hong Xiu left, her eyes slightly red, while Xiahou Ying entered with small steps: "Young Master. . ."
"I am always good to those around me. If you reach Qi Refinement Perfected, I will also help you establish your Foundation. . ."
Fang Xi shook his head: "Unfortunately. . ."
Upon hearing this, Xiahou Ying couldn't help but feel dispirited. . .
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