Chapter 237: Exchange Meet (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Chapter 237: Exchange Meet (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
“Withered Glory Mystic Light! ”
Fang Xi's divine consciousness focused on the description and incantation of this secret art within the jade slip, his eyes subtly brightening.
This secret art could be said to be the most formidable technique for cultivators who have mastered the 'Withered Glory Chant' after achieving Core Formation. It is a divine ability rooted in a cultivator's lifespan, emphasizing the refinement of one's own essence, blood, and vital energy — the very elements that embody one's lifespan — into a 'Withered Glory Mystic Light'!
Once this mystic light is unleashed, it can bypass most artifact and spell defenses, directly eroding an enemy's lifespan!
“A secret art that directly attacks lifespan? How interesting! ”
Fang Xi stroked his chin, continuing his contemplation, only to discover that this secret art also came with considerable limitations.
Though it could directly attack an enemy's lifespan, the `Withered Glory Mystic Light` operated on the principle of harming oneself first, then others. . . meaning that to deplete an enemy's lifespan, one first had to sacrifice some of their own!
Furthermore, the `Withered Glory Mystic Light` was divided into stages: beginner, minor mastery, and grand mastery!
Even for a `Core Formation` Ancestor with five hundred years of life, every year was precious; such waste was simply not an option.
At the minor mastery stage of the `Withered Glory Mystic Light`, sacrificing three years of one's own lifespan could remove one year of an enemy's vital years!
It could barely be used in actual combat, but was still far from satisfactory.
Only at the grand mastery stage did the lifespan ratio reach one-to-one, making it a rather unappealing, or even desperate, technique!
‘However, if used cleverly, even an early-stage `Core Formation` cultivator might be able to slay a late-stage `Core Formation` cultivator with dwindling lifespan. . . but it wouldn't work on a `Nascent Soul`! ’
According to Fang Xi's understanding, if this `Withered Glory Mystic Light` were used against an enemy one major cultivation realm higher, the backlash would increase tenfold, even a hundredfold, making it entirely counterproductive.
“This secret art. . . it's practically. . . not designed for humans at all, but tailor-made for those great form-transformation demons. ”
Fang Xi shook his head and put down the jade slip.
Demon beasts at the third-order are Demon Kings, and after cultivating to the peak of the third-order, they will face the 'form-transformation tribulation'!
Once they overcome the form-transformation tribulation, they will advance to become a fourth-order great form-transformation demon!
These demonic races could already transform into human forms, albeit retaining some beastly characteristics. They could cultivate various demonic arts, their intelligence would awaken, and they could even learn the myriad arts of immortal cultivation; they were truly extraordinary.
If a third-order Demon King would often be at a disadvantage against a `Core Formation` cultivator of the same rank, then a fourth-order great form-transformation demon was universally acknowledged to surpass cultivators of the same rank by a significant margin!
Moreover, most demon beasts possessed incredibly long lifespans, far exceeding those of humans. For them, expending lifespan to kill powerful human enemies was an extremely worthwhile endeavor!
‘However. . . I might be able to use it, just barely. After all, I live a long time. . . and if my lifespan ever runs short, I can always plant more trees to replenish it. . . ’
‘It's just. . . I'll need to reach `Core Formation` before I can formally practice it. . . ’
...
Fang Xi stepped out of his seclusion chamber and entered the alchemy room.
After meditating for a moment, he touched his storage ring and took out more than ten jade boxes.
Among them were even a few aged Golden Jade Ganoderma!
Given the current friendship between the three of them, Fang Xi merely mentioned needing a large quantity of spirit herbs to practice alchemy, and thus acquired most of the Golden Jade Ganoderma from `Ruan Xing Ling` and `Liu San Qi`, preparing to refine several batches of orthodox `Foundation Establishment Pills`.
‘If it weren't for the appearance of the ruins, it would be quite troublesome to use so many precious spirit herbs just to hone my alchemy skills. ’
Fang Xi rubbed his palms together, then released a Wood Spirit Divine Light.
This divine light wrapped around the second-order alchemy furnace, then descended to the bottom of the furnace, transforming into a fiercely burning Wood Spirit True Flame.
Ever since he had cultivated the 'Wood Spirit Body', Fang Xi's Innate True Fire had also advanced, becoming this Wood Spirit True Flame. It was quite potent whether used against enemies or for artifact refining, and possessed a unique wonderful use in alchemy.
“Go! ”
He picked up a segment of a dark auxiliary herb and directly tossed it into the pill furnace. . .
...
Several months later.
`Liu San Qi` and `Ruan Xing Ling` had recovered from their injuries and emerged from seclusion.
Fang Xi had also just finished refining the last batch of `Chongyuan Pills`, and he summoned the two to `Evergreen Pavilion`.
“Fellow Daoist Liu, Fellow Daoist Ruan. . . this is your share. ”
He first handed over all the pills to the two of them. After all, the main ingredients had been provided by them, and while it was an unwritten rule for an alchemist to keep a portion of each batch, one shouldn't be too excessive.
Although the main ingredient for the `Chongyuan Pill` had been offered to him by `Liu San Qi`, Fang Xi still gave one to each of them.
“`Chongyuan Pill`? Thank you, Island Master! ”
`Liu San Qi` bowed in great joy and gratitude.
`Ruan Xing Ling` looked at the pill in her hand, a hint of joy also appearing between her brows.
With this pill in hand, once they cultivated to the peak of the mid-stage `Foundation Establishment`, they would have a certain degree of confidence in breaking through to the late stage.
“Mm, I have something I need you to do. ”
Fang Xi said to `Liu San Qi`.
This person had already expressed his intention to submit earlier, so there was no need for Fang Xi to be overly polite.
With a wave of his hand, seventeen streams of light floated in mid-air, transforming into dark wooden talismans.
“These are one-time-use invitation talismans, with dates inscribed on them, allowing entry into my `Dragon Fish Island` grand array within a fixed period. . . ”
Fang Xi said indifferently, “I plan to host a private exchange meet in the `Evergreen Pavilion` several months from now. Aside from the two of you, others will need an invitation talisman to participate. . . At that time, I will release items such as `Chongyuan Pills`, `Foundation Establishment Pills`, and second-order barrier-breaking talismans, and I will also use large amounts of `Spirit Stones` to purchase needed materials. . . I ask that fellow Daoist spread the word widely, and at the same time, distribute these invitation talismans to other `Foundation Establishment` cultivators in the market. ”
These seventeen talismans, plus `Ruan Xing Ling` and a few others, and Fang Xi himself, totaled exactly twenty. This number was neither too many nor too few; Fang Xi felt he could still control the situation.
At the very least, even if `Core Formation` Ancestors were drawn here, within the `Nine-Nethers Profound Wood Grand Array`, he wouldn't be too afraid.
Hmm, as long as there weren't more than three `Core Formation` Ancestors, or a `Core Formation` cultivator particularly skilled in breaking arrays, then the problem wouldn't be too big. . .
However, it was fundamentally impossible for such a small exchange meet to attract such figures. Even with the worst luck, it wouldn't draw two of the four `Core Formation` cultivators from the three kingdoms.
According to the intelligence Fang Xi had gathered, the `Ethereal Valley Sect` Ancestor and the `Green Wood Sect` Ancestor were both holding down their respective sects.
It was estimated that before the most core area of the `Emerald Island` ruins opened, these highest-tier cultivators would only occasionally pay attention.
Furthermore, `Foundation Establishment Pills` were needed by any `Foundation Establishment` Ancestor who had disciples or family members they cared about; `Chongyuan Pills` were rare bottleneck-breaking pills; and second-order barrier-breaking talismans were useful everywhere within the `Emerald Island` ruins. Their prices had already skyrocketed, becoming virtually priceless.
With these precious spirit pills and talismans, there was no worry about not attracting `Foundation Establishment` cultivators!
“Please rest assured, Island Master, I will handle this matter properly. ”
`Liu San Qi` respectfully bowed, assuring him.
“Mm, you may go. . . ”
Fang Xi waved his hand, dismissing `Liu San Qi`, then looked at `Ruan Xing Ling`: “Fellow Daoist Ruan, what are your plans next? ”
“Since you're planning to host a small exchange meet, and it's only a few months away, I'll naturally wait here. ”
`Ruan Xing Ling` smiled sweetly, then suddenly looked at the two maidservants: “You've changed maidservants again? ”
“Alas. . . I am simply someone who cannot bear to see heroes grow old, or beauties fade. . . ”
Fang Xi replied with a long sigh.
...
Several days later.
Beneath the `Demonic Tree`.
Fang Xi activated the `Thousand Silk Puppet Control Art`, manipulating his several main battle puppets to serve as the seven most crucial array cores.
Following that, a group of wood puppets stood in auxiliary positions, simultaneously expelling streams of demonic qi to activate the array flags and array disks.
Amidst shimmering light, array patterns and restrictions lit up one after another, forming a grand array.
Roar! Roar!
Amidst desolate howls, the grand array activated, and a spectral image of a Heavenly Wolf slowly emerged.
Through continuous debugging, Fang Xi had gained a relatively proficient grasp of this 'Heavenly Wolf Battle Array', which was an improved version of the 'Heavenly Wolf Howling Moon Grand Array', allowing him to apply it flexibly in actual combat.
Adding the `Nine-Nethers Profound Wood Grand Array` and the third-order magic treasure-grade `Green Reaping Sword`!
This was Fang Xi's true reliance for daring to host a small exchange meet!
Even when facing one or two `Core Formation` Ancestors, this lineup would be enough to make them wary.
“Speaking of which, in the mortal world of this realm, in those storybooks, other protagonists always go to the market to shop, then attend private exchange meets. . . and might even get chased by villains. . . ”
“But when it's my turn, it turns into me secretly opening a market and hosting an exchange meet. . . ”
“It feels like I'm walking further and further down the villain's path, doesn't it? ”
Fang Xi retracted his puppets, stroked his chin, feeling that something was amiss.
However, this sentiment and self-deprecating humor were quickly dismissed with a smile. Immediately, he arrived before the `Demonic Tree`, extended his palm, and pressed it against its dark trunk.
Through the sensation of the 'Treasure Cultivation Art', he could feel the proto-magic treasure, the 'Azure Wood Seal', being nurtured within the tree's heart!
However, this proto-magic treasure was already entirely black, so calling it the 'Black Wood Seal' would be more appropriate.
“The longer the 'Treasure Cultivation Art' is used to cultivate, the more powerful the magic treasure becomes. . . I've been cultivating this tree for decades now, and considering the `Demonic Tree`'s growth rate, it's at least equivalent to over a thousand years. . . ”
“A thousand years of the 'Treasure Cultivation Art', and the power of this 'Black Wood Seal' seems to be around low to mid-grade third-order. This wood-element artifact refining art truly is a bit useless. . . ”
“Fortunately. . . I still have time. I'll just keep cultivating it. Sooner or later, it will transform into a high-grade, or even peak, third-order magic treasure. ”
Fang Xi communicated with the `Demonic Tree` through his thoughts. This `Demonic Tree` was like a clone, silently refining the magic treasure for him.
At this moment, as he gazed at the 'Black Wood Seal', a segment of the `Withered Glory Chant` secret art's incantation appeared in his mind.
This secret art inherently required coordination with a life-bound magic treasure to store the `Withered Glory Mystic Light`.
“Although I am not a `Core Formation` cultivator, I am already refining a life-bound magic treasure. . . Practicing it in advance, at least to lay the foundation within the magic treasure, doesn't seem to be unfeasible. ”
With this thought, Fang Xi no longer hesitated. With one hand pressed against the `Demonic Tree`, he recalled the incantation for the `Withered Glory Mystic Light` secret art, incorporating the method for refining a life-bound magic treasure into the 'Treasure Cultivation Art'.
After all, the 'Treasure Cultivation Art' was merely a cultivation method; as for what the magic treasure would ultimately grow into, it depended on what seed was planted at the very beginning.
Fang Xi's current actions were simply making some subtle modifications during the uncompleted refinement process. With the full cooperation of the `Demonic Tree`, it wasn't a major issue.
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