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Chapter 242: A Visit (For the Silver Alliance Leader)

Chapter 242: A Visit (For the Silver Alliance Leader)

A streak of light flew from afar, landing outside Dragon Fish Island, revealing a refined-looking middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man gazed at the grand array of Dragon Fish Island. Instead of forcing his way in, he sent forth a sound transmission talisman.

Moments later, a flash of light appeared above the profound wood grand array, revealing a passage.

The middle-aged man entered the passage directly. He seemed quite familiar with Dragon Fish Island, making his way straight to the Changqing Pavilion.

"Yan Dong Qing requests an audience with the Island Master!"

He stood outside the Changqing Pavilion, first bowing towards the void, then speaking aloud.

"Since Fellow Daoist Yan has achieved Foundation Establishment, you are one of us. Why be so formal?"

Fang Xi's Divine Consciousness transmission seemed to resound directly in Yan Dong Qing's ear, causing the latter's expression to subtly change.

Upon hearing Fang Xi's instruction, Yan Dong Qing tidied his robes and proceeded up to the Changqing Pavilion.

Reaching the top of Changqing Pavilion, Yan Dong Qing was about to speak when he saw Fang Xi and was startled.

At that moment, Fang Xi's face was not only gaunt, but he was bone-thin, like a dried corpse!

"Fellow Daoist, please. . . I was previously contemplating a secret art and have made a small breakthrough. This appearance is quite alarming, please forgive me. . ."

Fang Xi smiled faintly, and the green and yellow magical power throughout his body surged, transforming from withered to flourishing. His flesh and blood rapidly filled out, restoring his appearance as a graceful young man.

He truly wasn't lying. Earlier, he had gained an insight and successfully cultivated a secret art from the 'Withered Glory Chant'—the 'Death-Enduring Art'!

This secret art, much like the Turtle Breath Technique, is specifically used when cultivators are gravely injured.

It is said that after transforming one's body into decaying wood, no matter how severe the injuries, a sliver of life can be preserved, and one's aura can be suppressed to almost nothing, allowing the injuries to slowly recover.

"Outward appearance is merely superficial to us cultivators. I should congratulate the Island Master on achieving great mastery of his divine art. . ."

Yan Dong Qing was only slightly surprised before his face broke into a fawning smile, showering compliments.

He clearly understood that although he had achieved Foundation Establishment, he was only at the early stage, and naturally needed to find a powerful patron to cling to.

And in Myriad Islands Lake, the best and most formidable patron was naturally this Dragon Fish Island Master.

The other party's full display of divine abilities surpassed even those of ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators; he was absolutely one of the few formidable backings in the State of Yue.

What's more. . . although there were many cultivators in Myriad Islands Lake now, they would eventually leave once the excitement over the ruins subsided.

However, this Dragon Fish Island Master was the local powerhouse of Myriad Islands Lake. Coupled with Yan Ying's relationship with the market town, if one didn't pledge allegiance to this patron, who else could they approach?

"Oh, right, I haven't congratulated you yet, Dong Qing, on your successful Foundation Establishment."

Fang Xi clapped his hands, motioning for a maidservant to bring spirit tea.

"Dong Qing's ability to achieve Foundation Establishment is all thanks to the resources of the market town. If not for the Island Master's words back then, my Yan family would never have been able to secure such a source of wealth. . . This great kindness, Dong Qing has always kept it deeply in mind, and has specially prepared a gift. I implore the Island Master to accept it!"

Yan Dong Qing bowed once more, presenting a jade ointment gift box.

With a thought from Fang Xi, two large hands of magical power effortlessly took the box and brought it before him.

Upon opening it, streaks of purple aura spilled forth.

Inside the jade ointment box was indeed a section of purple spirit wood. Its bark was very fresh, as if it had only recently been cut.

This spirit wood's bark had scale-like patterns, and the growth rings within its trunk were dense, indicating an age of nearly several thousand years!

"A third-tier 'Purple Dragon Wood,' you truly are thoughtful!"

Upon seeing it, Fang Xi's expression couldn't help but subtly change.

This 'Purple Dragon Wood' was a third-tier low-grade spirit wood, and also one of the most suitable types of wood for refining third-tier talisman paper.

Even though there was production from the Emerald Island ruins now, its value was almost comparable to a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill.

For this, the Yan family could be said to have spent a fortune.

"My Yan family has always closely followed the Island Master. Now that Dong Qing has achieved Foundation Establishment, he is equally indebted to the Island Master's great kindness. He wishes to attach himself to your retinue and serve as your humble dog and horse!"

Yan Dong Qing said with a solemn expression.

"Fellow Daoist, you are too courteous. However, I have always approved of local Foundation Establishment cultivators in Myriad Islands Lake helping each other and watching out for one another."

Fang Xi smiled faintly, accepted the 'Purple Dragon Wood', and in doing so, also accepted Yan Dong Qing's pledge of loyalty.

Hearing this, a hint of joy immediately surfaced on Yan Dong Qing's face.

The two then chatted about matters concerning the Lingkong Market, and Fang Xi's most frequent questions were undoubtedly about the Emerald Island ruins.

It was then that he learned that, after continuous exploration and breaking of restrictions by Foundation Establishment cultivators. . . the Nine Leaves Sect's spirit herb garden had been thoroughly turned upside down. Not long ago, its restrictions were breached, revealing a patch of spirit wood, all thousands of years old, causing many Foundation Establishment cultivators to once again engage in fierce battles.

This section of 'Purple Dragon Wood' was one of the gains that flowed out from it.

'Taking this excellent opportunity, I could acquire some third-tier spirit wood. . . '

Even Fang Xi felt his heart stir upon hearing this.

Some spirit herbs often have a growth cycle, for instance, the Jade Golden Ganoderma has a thousand-year growth cycle. If not harvested by the thousand-year mark, the mother plant will gradually wither and die, leaving behind a large number of seeds in its original spot.

In the spirit herb gardens of Myriad Islands Lake, many spirit herbs withered and died for this reason, or some had gone through several cycles, with their current offspring still being young, causing many cultivators to sigh with regret.

In contrast, most spirit woods can grow indefinitely, and spirit woods of several thousand or even tens of thousands of years are not uncommon.

Originally, in the Nine Leaves Sect's spirit herb garden, various spirit herbs were naturally more valuable. But after several thousand years, the value of some spirit trees that were transplanted casually back then actually surpassed that of the spirit herbs, which was something the Nine Leaves Sect cultivators hadn't anticipated. Third-tier spirit wood that could grow for over a thousand years held great appeal for Fang Xi.

Whether it was used to make pulp for high-grade talisman paper, or to refine into the Green Reaping Sword to increase its power, it would be excellent.

"So. . . the inner circle restrictions on Emerald Island have mostly been broken, and now only the most core few locations remain?"

Fang Xi's face was filled with thoughtfulness after hearing Yan Dong Qing's explanation.

"Exactly. . ."

Yan Dong Qing spoke freely and without reserve: "Because of the abundant harvest from the spirit herb garden, many cultivators are full of confidence this time. They even invited many formation masters from the states of Mu and Wu. I expect the core area's restrictions will also be breached before long. . . At that time, even the Core Formation ancestors of the Black Heaven Sect and White Peace Immortal City will probably be unable to resist making a move!"

He sighed, "At that time, there will be nothing left for us Foundation Establishment cultivators. . . Thankfully, after the ruins are exploited, my Myriad Islands Lake can gradually return to peace."

Although the Yan family had made a huge profit during this period, they felt as if they were sitting on a volcano.

Even with Yan Dong Qing's successful Foundation Establishment, this anxiety had not eased much.

"Core Formation ancestors, huh. . ."

Fang Xi didn't know why, but he suddenly recalled that charming, green-robed female cultivator, or rather. . . the one suspected to be Situ Qing Qing!

'The Situ Clan also has a deep enmity with the Black Heaven Sect. . . '

'If this woman were to sneak back at this time, there might be some conspiracy involved. . . '

'But, that's none of my business. Anyway, I absolutely will not go to the Emerald Island ruins. '

'I should, however, find an opportunity to remind Ruan Xing Ling, Liu San Qi, and Zhong Hong Yu. . . Although there are many treasures in this final stage, the danger has increased a thousandfold. . . '

...

Feeling uneasy, Fang Xi directly instructed Yan Dong Qing to go to the Emerald Island ruins and call Zhong Hong Yu back.

"Island Master. . ."

Zhong Hong Yu, in her red magic robes, looked quite valiant and dashing.

"Did Fellow Daoist Ruan Xing Ling not return with you?"

Seeing only Zhong Hong Yu, Fang Xi couldn't help but sigh.

Currently, it was Liu San Qi's turn to oversee Spirit Sky Island, while Ruan Xing Ling and Zhong Hong Yu were both exploring the Emerald Island ruins.

"Elder Sister Ruan said that the ruins are at a critical stage. Through jade slips and letters carried by some ancient cultivator remains, it's largely confirmed that there are Core Formation Spiritual Items within the ruins. . . Now, many Foundation Establishment cultivators have gone mad. . ."

Zhong Hong Yu stuck out her tongue slightly, then handed over a jade slip: "This jade slip contains a restriction from a core area. Elder Sister Ruan was powerless against it and wanted the Island Master to take a look. . ."

Fang Xi took the jade slip and submerged his Divine Consciousness into it, seeing intricate and profound restriction patterns that collectively formed a massive mystical lock.

This was Ruan Xing Ling's imprint of the external restriction, fully displayed within the jade slip.

This type of restriction, shaped like lotus petals, felt somewhat unfamiliar to Fang Xi.

He pondered for a moment before continuing, "This kind of restriction. . . is somewhat similar to the Buddhist style. . . Buddhist restrictions are mostly known for their solidity, making them difficult to bypass through clever means, one can only slowly wear them down. . . I observe that this restriction has definitely reached the third-tier. Without Core Formation ancestors attacking it for years on end, it would likely be troublesome. . ."

"The Island Master is truly amazing. . . Earlier, a formation master from the State of Wu was incredibly arrogant, but still knew nothing about this restriction."

Zhong Hong Yu's eyes lit up: "Must a Core Formation ancestor personally make a move?"

"If several late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators were to join forces to form a formation, it might also work, but the consumption would be considerable. . . In a dangerous place like Emerald Island, it would be somewhat counterproductive."

Fang Xi shook his head: "I've only seen the surface of this restriction; its deeper meaning still requires comprehension. . . Your timing is perfect. I'll write two letters for you to deliver to Liu San Qi and Ruan Xing Ling respectively. . . Emerald Island is incredibly dangerous now, it's best to return if possible."

Although he knew that both of them had firm Dao hearts and might not obediently listen, he still had to fulfill his duty as a friend.

"What about me?"

Zhong Hong Yu pointed at her own nose.

"You're only at the early Foundation Establishment stage. Even if there truly is a Core Formation opportunity, could you possibly snatch it from anyone?"

Fang Xi rolled his eyes.

However, his thoughts suddenly turned to Zhan Tu.

This person had come to Dragon Fish Island to trade covertly last time, and his transactions were quite substantial, indicating no small amount of fortuitous opportunities.

'It seems. . . I can also write to this person more often to foster our relationship. '

'I'm not greedy. It would be enough if I could share in some of the benefits. . . '

Zhong Hong Yu obediently hummed in acknowledgment.

When she had previously ventured onto Emerald Island, she indeed felt that her magical power was insufficient, and her combat skills were not particularly good.

Among a heap of Foundation Establishment cultivators, she was indeed one of the most likely to perish.

If she couldn't obtain a Core Formation Spiritual Item, then the meager spirit stones and resources gained from the Lingkong Market's income were indeed far superior to fighting for her life in ancient ruins. . .

Whenever she thought of this, she couldn't help but admire the Island Master's foresight. Reopening the Spirit Sky Island market back then was indeed an absolutely correct decision.