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Chapter 243: Changes in the Ruins (For the Silver Alliance Celebration)

Chapter 243: Changes in the Ruins (For the Silver Alliance Celebration)

Cultivation knows no days or nights.

After Fang Xi had Zhong Hong Yu deliver the message, he spent several days drinking and indulging with Yan Ying and Xiahou Xin, before once again entering a prolonged seclusion.

Time passed, its duration unknown.

Inside the talisman-making room, Fang Xi, with dishevelled hair, stared at the sheets of purple talisman paper before him.

Though these talisman papers were blank, their surfaces gleamed with spiritual light, emanating a precious aura—clearly, they were no ordinary items.

"After several failures, I finally managed to refine a batch of third-order talisman paper. . . What a pity, with my current mastery as a second-order, superior-grade talisman master, aside from refining treasure-patterned talismans, anything else would be a waste. . ."

With his current cultivation, the success rate for drawing third-order treasure talismans was very low.

However, Fang Xi wasn't greedy; if even one third-order treasure talisman could be successfully created after exhausting this stack of blank paper, it would be a gain for him.

Several months later, he emerged from the talisman-making room, slightly dejected, and then entered his seclusion chamber to meditate and restore his cultivation.

The 'Withered Glory Chant' circulated slowly, each cycle bringing forth new insights.

This was the 'Wood Spirit Body' subtly adjusting the 'Withered Glory Chant's' circulation path, though compared to the 'Greenwood Longevity Art', it was considerably slower.

Fortunately, Fang Xi was an extremely patient person; he simply waited.

He took out the Nascent Soul-stage cultivation method for the 'Withered Glory Chant' and diligently studied it every day.

Most of the secret arts in this 'Withered Glory Chant' were easily mastered by him, presenting no difficulty whatsoever.

All of them were like this, save for the most profound 'Withered Glory Mystic Light'.

Fang Xi's gaze continued down the secret arts section, where he found chapters like 'Wood Spirit True Fire' and 'Wood Spirit Divine Lightning', which were also magical techniques and divine abilities that could be cultivated.

'Actually. . . even the 'Wood Spirit Divine Light' should be cultivable by wood-element cultivators. . . It just demands a higher standard. Perhaps only Core Formation cultivators who practice top-tier wood-element cultivation methods would have a decent chance of mastering it, as it is a legitimate third-order technique. . . Or perhaps Foundation Establishment cultivators with exceptional innate talent might also be able to forge this divine light? '

Fang Xi stroked his chin.

Ever since he had cultivated the 'Wood Spirit Body', his talent in all wood-element cultivation methods and secret arts could certainly be considered on the level of a peerless prodigy.

After finishing his daily cultivation insights, he, as usual, took out the restriction jade slip that Ruan Xing Ling had entrusted someone to bring back last time, and began to decipher it as if solving a puzzle.

For formation masters, continuously studying high-level formations and deciphering restrictions was also a method to enhance their mastery of the path of formations.

This time, as Fang Xi attempted to decipher it, a flash of inspiration struck, and he finally broke through one of the deadlocks, revealing most of the restriction.

What met his eyes was a restriction radiating a faint golden light, its interwoven patterns subtly forming a'swastika' (swastika) symbol.

"This is. . . the Buddhist sect's 'Four-Faced Eight-Armed Vajra Great Protector' spiritual restriction? !"

Fang Xi recalled the formation legacies he had acquired and barely managed to identify it, his expression changing drastically: "This is bad. . . This restriction is primarily internal, used to seal demonic entities! The truth behind these Nine Leaves Sect ruins. . . the waters run deep!"

With this thought, he immediately emerged from seclusion and sent a message to the Foundation Establishment cultivators on Dragon Fish Island, urging them to swiftly withdraw, especially to cease participation in the core restriction-breaking efforts.

"Sigh. . . I hope they can make it in time."

Gazing at the ten thousand acres of verdant lake outside the island, Fang Xi let out a soft sigh.

Even though his Demonic Tree now covered the sky and obscured the sun, its roots spanning the entire Dragon Fish Island, he still couldn't venture too far from the island.

If something were to happen to these subordinates or Ruan Xing Ling, he might not be able to arrive and intervene in time. . .

...

Just as Fang Xi dispatched his message, outside the Emerald Island ruins.

The green-robed female cultivator Fang Xi had seen before wore a beaming smile, mingling among a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators, listening to their spirited discussions.

"This time, to break the restrictions of the Emerald Island ruins, even Old Ancestor Zhang of the Black Heaven Sect and Old Ancestor Bai Feng from White Peace Immortal City have arrived. . ."

"Indeed, it's said that these two have each chosen a core restriction and have been attacking it for several months now. It seems the day of the breakthrough isn't far. . ."

"Sigh. . . What a pity, even if there are Core Formation Spiritual Items within, they'll have nothing to do with us rogue cultivators."

"That's not necessarily true. There might still be opportunities for us. Perhaps the divine treasures are self-concealing, making them undetectable even by Core Formation Old Ancestors. . . Such things aren't unprecedented in the cultivation world."

"You're right, you're right. . . Let's go together. . ."

...

The green-robed woman watched all this with a faint smile, occasionally offering a word or two of agreement.

In her heart, however, she sneered repeatedly: "Black Heaven Sect. . . You owe my Situ Clan so many lives, and for using us as your tools afterward. . . This debt must be repaid. . ."

At this thought, her expression became resolute, and she flew into Emerald Island. . .

...

Several days later.

On Emerald Island, continuous loud bangs resounded, and a streak of light, looking utterly dishevelled, fled outwards—it was none other than Old Ancestor Bai Feng!

He looked back with lingering fear and apprehension towards Emerald Island, his face showing a mixture of fright and deep caution.

This mist was entirely different from the mists of the Great Dream Marsh; it was inherently cold and chilling, and it carried traces of. . . ghostly qi!

"Who would have thought. . . that within the core restrictions of the Nine Leaves Sect, such great terror would be sealed away. . ."

Old Ancestor Bai Feng murmured, a strange flush suddenly appearing on his face.

He hastily circulated his cultivation, his Golden Core spinning within him. A flash of light appeared on his face, and he felt much better, quickly swallowing a pill to suppress his injuries.

By this time, the ghostly mist on Emerald Island grew denser and denser, faintly accompanied by fierce shouts and a certain wailing sound.

Old Ancestor Bai Feng's scalp tingled, and he transformed into a streak of light, leaving without a backward glance.

After he left the island, several other multicolored Foundation Establishment escape lights, as if fleeing for their lives, swiftly darted away from the island. . .

...

Several days later.

Fang Xi looked at Yan Dong Qing, who had returned to the island to deliver another message, his expression changing drastically: "What did you say? Repeat that!"

"Yes, reporting to the Island Master. . . Emerald Island has undergone a sudden change. It's said that Core Formation-level ghost cultivators appeared, slaughtering countless cultivators, and even the Core Formation Old Ancestors suffered severe injuries. . . Now, on Spirit Sky Island, all cultivators' faces have changed color, and many have directly fled Myriad Islands Lake. . . The once bustling market towns are now visibly desolate everywhere. . ."

Yan Dong Qing gave a bitter smile.

"Ghost cultivators? And Core Formation-level ghost cultivators at that. . ."

Fang Xi murmured to himself.

He naturally knew that so-called 'ghost cultivators' were in fact strange life forms born when a cultivator's soul, after death, happened to remain in the world and then fused with a netherworld earth vein.

In terms of memory, personality, and so on, they were already completely different from the cultivators they once were; they could be regarded as an entirely new form of life.

Furthermore, ghost cultivators often couldn't stray too far or for too long from the netherworld earth vein they originated from, and their intelligence was often relatively low.

But these drawbacks didn't negate the ghost cultivators' advantage, which was. . . their long lifespan!

As long as they could continuously absorb the yin qi and ghostly qi emanating from the netherworld earth vein, a ghost cultivator's lifespan would be quite extensive.

"Yes. . . It's said that when the Core Formation Old Ancestors breached the core restriction, an instant blast of ghostly wind swept through, and wails of ghosts filled the sky. Then, several Core Formation-stage ghost cultivators emerged, instantly slaughtering many skilled Foundation Establishment cultivators from both the Black Heaven Sect and White Peace Immortal City. . ."

Yan Dong Qing wore an expression of unbearable pity: "Immediately, those ghost cultivators manipulated the ghostly mist, trapping both Core Formation Old Ancestors. . . At the crucial moment, Old Ancestor Bai Feng abandoned Old Ancestor Zhang of the Black Heaven Sect and successfully broke through on his own, leading to Old Ancestor Zhang of the Black Heaven Sect being besieged by several Core Formation ghost cultivators. He nearly perished on the spot, but later used some life-saving secret art to barely escape the encirclement and returned to the Black Heaven Sect without looking back. . ."

"It's impressive how clearly you know all this. . ."

Fang Xi looked at Yan Dong Qing with some surprise.

Yan Dong Qing replied with a bitter smile: "Too many Foundation Establishment cultivators witnessed that scene at the time, and many more subsequently managed to escape Emerald Island. It has long since spread, becoming common knowledge throughout Myriad Islands Lake. . ."

"It seems the decline of the Nine Leaves Sect back then was inseparable from the ghost cultivators, and the 'Four-Faced Eight-Armed Vajra Great Protector' restriction that sect established in its core region was primarily meant to seal that netherworld earth vein and numerous Core Formation ghostly entities?"

Fang Xi murmured: "Fortunately, ghost cultivators cannot escape the confines of the netherworld earth vein. . . so they won't sweep through Myriad Islands Lake. But the occasional appearance of a few ghostly entities, going on rampages and massacres, seems unavoidable. . . Myriad Islands Lake will be troubled from now on!"

"Isn't that the truth?"

Yan Dong Qing complained endlessly: "Those foreign cultivators can just pack up and leave, but we cultivators of Myriad Islands Lake still have to cultivate here in the future. . ."

"Those foreign cultivators won't gain much either; they've probably already suffered heavy casualties in the Emerald Island incident."

Fang Xi sighed: "So that means. . . the exploration of the Emerald Island ruins has completely ceased."

"Naturally. Unless several Core Formation Old Ancestors join forces and set up more formations. . . or they invite a Nascent Soul Old Monster from the Yuan Nation, no one will dare to set foot on Emerald Island again."

"But at this moment, Emerald Island holds absolutely no attraction. Its spiritual items have all been polluted by ghostly qi; there's no benefit in attacking it."

Yan Dong Qing replied with a bitter smile.

"Since that's the case. . . you return to Spirit Sky Market to preside, and have Liu San Qi, who is stationed there, immediately go to rendezvous with Zhong Hong Yu and Ruan Xing Ling. . ."

Fang Xi considered for a moment, then issued his orders.

Now that Yan Dong Qing had also joined his ranks, guarding Spirit Sky Market would be even easier.

"You'll be presiding over Spirit Sky Island, so be wary of the ensuing chaos. . . But as long as you weather this wave, there should be no further issues."

Fang Xi gave a few instructions, then dismissed Yan Dong Qing without even offering him a cup of tea, sending him off in a hurry.

"Ghost cultivators and netherworld earth veins. . . I truly hadn't expected this. . ."

Watching the other's retreating figure, Fang Xi turned his head to look north, towards Emerald Island, and muttered to himself.

In the cultivation world, there were no particularly good methods against ghost cultivators. Apart from demonic cultivators who practiced arts of controlling demons and ghosts, and orthodox cultivators who practiced lightning arts, most people avoided ghost cultivators at all costs.

Old Ancestor Zhang of the Black Heaven Sect, as a False Core cultivator, managed to escape with his life even when besieged by several Core Formation-stage ghost cultivators, precisely because he possessed a lightning spiritual root!

Fortunately, these ghost cultivators also had the characteristic of staying confined to one location; usually, simply blockading them was enough. This could be considered an effective countermeasure derived from painful lessons.

However, if the blockade wasn't strict, the cultivators of Myriad Islands Lake would suffer the consequences.

And given the current state of decline in the Three Kingdoms' cultivation world, there might no longer be anyone capable of properly handling this matter. . .