Chapter 236: Withered Glory (Seeking Subscriptions)
Chapter 236: Withered Glory (Seeking Subscriptions)
Whoosh, whoosh!
Sword light cut through the air as the Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Ethereal Valley Sect flew on their swords.
“Senior Brother You. . . ”
A Junior Brother, also a Foundation Establishment cultivator, felt a slight doubt. He urged his sword light closer and asked, curious.
“I know what you’re going to ask. I’ll say only this. . . Dragon Fish Island is not simple. If we were to attack head-on, I might be fine, but all of you would surely die! ”
You Chong’s face was stern as he replied coolly.
“How is that possible? That Dragon Fish Island Master fought Li Ru Jian for a hundred moves and only barely managed to defeat him with a sword array, but Senior Brother You, you defeated Li Ru Jian in just three moves. . . ”
The Junior Brother simply couldn’t believe it.
You Chong, however, let out a faint sigh and revealed the truth.
‘What’s more. . . ’
He muttered to himself, ‘I cultivate the ‘Purple Glint Heavenly Eye,’ which can pierce through all illusions and see through array formations and restrictions, yet I couldn’t see through that second-order Nine-Nethers Profound Wood Grand Array. That array is far from simple. . . ’
‘Furthermore, I possess a natural ‘Sword Bone’ and cultivate my sect’s most profound sword art, having already reached the level of ‘Sword Heart Comprehension. ’ Just when I thought of making a move, my life-bound spirit sword within me let out a prolonged cry of warning, indicating a calamity of a broken sword for me. . . This Dragon Fish Island truly harbors hidden dragons and crouching tigers! ’
While sword cultivators emphasize forging ahead fearlessly, they aren’t fools; they wouldn’t willingly step into a death trap for no reason.
Therefore, You Chong chose to retreat on his own initiative, for the unknown was, after all, the most terrifying.
“So, we just let those two go so easily? . . . That Dragon Fish Island Master earns enormous wealth daily from the Spirit Sky Island Cultivation City. . . How about we target Spirit Sky Island instead? ”
Another Junior Brother stepped forward with a suggestion.
“Spirit Sky Island Cultivation City has many intertwined forces, making it difficult to act. . . After all, our Ethereal Valley Sect cannot suppress the other three great Core Formation powers. . . ”
You Chong sighed.
In truth, many cultivators had entertained thoughts of profiting from Spirit Sky Island’s immense gains.
However, with mutual checks and balances, none found it easy to make a move. Instead, Spirit Sky Island, being a local Foundation Establishment power, held geographical advantage and a degree of moral legitimacy, and its prices were fair, not overly exploiting customers.
Under the mutual restraint of the four great Core Formation powers and numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators, this situation had been tacitly accepted, maintaining a fragile balance.
Especially with Yan Dong Qing, the head of the Yan family, adept at social maneuvering, distributing a considerable portion of the profits to the four great Core Formation powers as per Fang Xi’s instructions. Thus, Spirit Sky Island, though seemingly perilous, was actually quite stable.
Even You Chong, despite his inclinations, did not wish to act rashly and disturb this delicate balance.
“Nevertheless. . . Dragon Fish Island’s foundation is deeply hidden, and it’s certainly worth probing a bit. . . ”
A cold glint flickered in You Chong’s eyes: “Junior Brother Lin. . . ”
“Senior Brother? ”
A Foundation Establishment disciple immediately stepped forward.
“I hear. . . you know that ‘Old Demon Ling’? ”
You Chong said faintly.
The Junior Brother surnamed Lin’s face changed. The other Foundation Establishment cultivators beside him were even more shocked, staring at Junior Brother Lin with astonished gazes.
Old Demon Ling was a notorious demonic cultivator in the Wu Kingdom, rumored to have cultivated his demonic art to the perfected Foundation Establishment realm, just one step away from Core Formation!
Moreover, because his demonic art was arcane and he excelled at various escape techniques, even the Ethereal Valley Sect found him difficult to deal with. That’s why he remained on the wanted list but has been at large until now.
Rumor had it that he was reclusive and erratic, once slaughtering an entire Foundation Establishment sect over a disagreement of words, a figure capable of silencing crying children in the Wu Kingdom.
Could such a ferocious individual have also come to Myriad Islands Lake this time?
Not only that, but it seemed he was somehow connected to this Junior Brother Lin?
“This. . . Senior Brother You, please don’t misbelieve rumors. . . ” The Junior Brother Lin’s expression changed drastically, and under You Chong’s sword-like gaze, he couldn’t help but yield: “That Old Demon Ling was originally surnamed ‘Lin,’ and he claimed to be of the same clan as me, and we did contact each other twice, but I, your Junior Brother, can swear on my Dao heart that I have absolutely not betrayed the sect. . . ”
“Hmph, if you had betrayed the sect, my sword would have already taken your head. . . ”
You Chong snorted coldly. In truth, the Ethereal Valley Sect’s high-ranking members were well aware of Old Demon Ling’s origins, and had even used him as a black glove.
Old Demon Ling had certainly committed many acts of destroying families and sects back then; who knew how many of them were for the Ethereal Valley Sect, pulling out thorns for them.
Although You Chong was a core member of the Ethereal Valley Sect, he had not yet reached the level where he could directly command such a figure.
However, contacting him through this Junior Brother Lin to strike a deal seemed feasible.
‘Just a chess piece, perfect for testing the waters of Dragon Fish Island for me. . . ’
You Chong gazed in the direction of Dragon Fish Island, a lingering unwillingness in his heart.
To retreat before battle this time, even if not a profound humiliation, was still a knot in his heart.
As a sword cultivator, it was best to have a mind free of concerns!
......
“Fellow Daoists, please! You must have been startled this time. . . ”
Fang Xi sat at the main seat on the top floor of the Everlasting Pavilion, with Yan Ying and Xiahou Xin standing beside him. He raised his cup to comfort the two fellow Daoists, while also inquiring about the situation.
“Alas. . . ”
Liu San Qi drained the spirit wine in one gulp, a bitter smile appearing on his face: “This time, we’ve truly offended the Ethereal Valley Sect deeply. . . I’m afraid we’ll have to ask the Island Master for refuge. ”
After offending You Chong, he hardly dared return to Golden Turtle Island, and could only steel himself to request Fang Xi’s hospitality.
“Of course. We are friends, and you can stay on Dragon Fish Island for as long as you wish. . . ”
Fang Xi laughed heartily. He also harbored considerable interest in studying Liu San Qi’s spirit body.
Ruan Xing Ling took a sip of spirit wine, seemingly having recovered some of her magic power, and calmly began to recount:
“This time. . . a formation master from White Peace Immortal City used a third-order array-breaking talisman, successfully breaching a portion of the core restrictions and opening a path into the spirit herb garden. . . That Nine Leaves Sect was clearly extremely skilled in cultivating spirit herbs. I saw quite a few rare spirit herbs in the garden, but unfortunately, the fellow Daoists who entered were blinded by greed and immediately made their move. . . Fortunately, Zhong Hong Yu was overseeing the market during this exploration, otherwise, we might not have been so lucky. . . Relying on Fellow Daoist Liu’s talent for seeking out spirit herbs, we broke through a secluded restriction in the spirit herb garden, acquiring several Golden Jade Spirit Ganoderma and Pill Cloud Vines. As a result, we encountered a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Ethereal Valley Sect contending for them, and had no choice but to injure him. . . As for what happened next, Fellow Daoist, you already know. ”
In fact, she and Liu San Qi had used various means to skirmish and delay their opponents along the way, buying considerable time, but ultimately, they were no match for You Chong’s sharp spirit sword and had no choice but to flee to Dragon Fish Island.
“So, the excavation of the ancient ruins on Emerald Island has only just entered the inner circle? ”
Fang Xi, however, asked about the most crucial point.
Liu San Qi and Ruan Xing Ling exchanged a glance: “Precisely. . . The inner circle alone holds spirit herbs capable of aiding breakthroughs for mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. In the core structures, there might truly be Core Formation Spiritual Items. It’s estimated that the four major powers will all increase their efforts this time. . . And from the looks of it, White Peace Immortal City is the most urgent. ”
“This truly is. . . ”
Recalling Yuan Feihong’s hesitant words that day, Fang Xi could only sigh.
However, White Peace Immortal City had been glorious for several centuries, and it was only natural for it to reach a peak and then decline. A sigh of lament was all that was needed before moving on.
“Since both of you have sustained some vital energy damage this time, why not recuperate on Dragon Fish Island for now? I happen to be refining the ‘Chongyuan Pill’. . . ”
Fang Xi casually mentioned his idea of holding a private exchange meeting, and Ruan Xing Ling and Liu San Qi were both quite supportive.
Fang Xi himself didn’t need the ‘Chongyuan Pill,’ but bringing it out for the exchange meeting would certainly be very appealing.
“Oh, right, this item is something Zhong Hong Yu asked me to pass to you, Fellow Daoist. ”
Ruan Xing Ling smilingly handed over a jade slip.
Fang Xi took it and his Divine Consciousness entered it. He found it was a wood-attribute cultivation method and couldn’t help but sigh with emotion: “Zhong Hong Yu is truly thoughtful. . . ”
In fact, over the past few years, Spirit Sky Island Cultivation City had several times sent valuable spirit materials, earned spirit stones, and unidentified items acquired through purchase to Dragon Fish Island for storage, all for safety considerations.
This time, the jade slip Zhong Hong Yu entrusted Ruan Xing Ling to deliver was a cultivation method obtained by a rogue cultivator from the Emerald Island ruins, named ‘Withered Glory Chant. ’ It turned out to be a top-tier cultivation method, capable of being cultivated all the way to the mid-stage Core Formation realm!
Moreover, from the last few sections, it clearly felt incomplete, suggesting that this cultivation method should have further parts, perhaps even being the Nine Leaves Sect’s foundational sect-guarding technique back then!
Fang Xi placed high hopes on this and planned to write a letter to Zhong Hong Yu, asking her to continue searching along this lead.
Perhaps he would find the cultivation method he needed after achieving Core Formation!
After the banquet, Liu San Qi and Ruan Xing Ling left in a hurry, both needing to enter seclusion in their cave dwellings to heal their injuries.
Fang Xi also went into seclusion, first taking out the ‘Withered Glory Chant’ to study.
......
Several months later.
“In ancient times, there was the Great Chun Tree, eight thousand years for spring, eight thousand years for autumn. Between one spring and one autumn, there is wither and glory. . . ”
Fang Xi, who was comprehending the ‘Withered Glory Chant,’ opened his eyes: “This ‘Withered Glory Chant’ truly lives up to its name as a top-tier cultivation method! Both its concept and its accompanying secret arts far surpass the ‘Green Wood Longevity Art’! ”
“If I could find the subsequent parts on how to condense a Nascent Soul, that would truly be excellent. . . ”
“I wonder if my ‘Wood Spirit Body’ can improve the ‘Withered Glory Chant’ and elevate it to a higher realm? ”
After pondering for a moment, Fang Xi regretfully shook his head:
“Unlikely. After all, the lower the grade of a cultivation method, the more room there is for improvement – that’s to say, ‘bad students have a lot of room for progress’. . . But with such a top-tier cultivation method, the room for improvement is much smaller. ”
“All in all, I still need to find the subsequent parts of the ‘Withered Glory Chant’ to be fully prepared before considering switching cultivation methods. . . ”
“Even so, it wouldn’t hurt to practice some of the secret arts within this cultivation method first. . . ”
The ‘Withered Glory Chant’ was a top-tier wood-element cultivation method, and Fang Xi also cultivated a wood-element method, possessing the ‘Wood Spirit Body. ’ After comprehending it, he felt that practicing those few wood-element secret arts shouldn’t pose much of a problem for him.
One of them was called the ‘Wood Escape Art,’ a type of Five Elements Escape Technique, yet extremely rare. It involved casting spells using plants as a medium, and in terrain like forests or grasslands, it could provide significant convenience.
The other was a profoundly subtle secret art, rumored to only be attemptable after achieving Core Formation, even when cultivating the ‘Withered Glory Chant. ’ Its name was — ‘Withered Glory Mystic Light’!
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