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Chapter 244: Netherworld Calamity (Seeking Subscriptions)

Chapter 244: Netherworld Calamity (Seeking Subscriptions)

Half a month later.

Dragon Fish Island.

Three streaks of light arrived together, landing in the Evergreen Pavilion.

Not long after, a verdant rainbow also flew in, settling on the top floor, revealing Fang Xi's figure.

His gaze swept over Liu San Qi, Zhong Hong Yu, and Ruan Xing Ling, before he smiled: "I was quite worried when I heard about the incident on Emerald Island. Now that I see the three of you have returned safely, I can finally set my mind at ease. . ."

"Many thanks to Daoist Friend Liu for your assistance, otherwise, I might not have been able to make it back. . ."

Ruan Xing Ling gave a wry smile, a faint, unnatural flush suddenly appearing on her face.

"Are you injured?"

The healing secret art recorded in the 'Withered Glory Chant' proved exceptionally effective. In just a few moments, Ruan Xing Ling opened her eyes, smiling faintly: "Thank you for your help, Brother Fang. I'm fine now. . ."

"That's strange. . ."

Fang Xi withdrew his hand, looked at Ruan Xing Ling, then at Zhong Hong Yu: "During this trip to the Emerald Island ruins, Hong Yu seemed to be fine, yet you suffered serious injuries. That truly surprises me somewhat. . ."

Zhong Hong Yu and Ruan Xing Ling both cultivated the same technique, but Ruan Xing Ling was already a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, whose combat prowess was renowned throughout the State of Yue.

Yet, when both went to Emerald Island, it was Ruan Xing Ling who sustained heavy injuries, while Zhong Hong Yu appeared to be mostly unharmed.

"Thanks to Senior Sister Ruan protecting me on Emerald Island, I was able to return safely. . ."

Zhong Hong Yu quickly explained.

It was then that Fang Xi learned that along with the emergence of the Netherworld Earth Vein, there were also many Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment level ghost entities.

At that time, the numerous cultivators fought individually, and the scene was utterly chaotic. It was fortunate that Ruan Xing Ling protected her, otherwise, the girl might truly not have escaped.

"So that's how it is. . ."

Fang Xi nodded, feeling that Ruan Xing Ling seemed to treat Zhong Hong Yu as her personal disciple.

"Actually. . . if it were just those ghost entities, I would have been confident of getting away unscathed and not being so severely injured. . ."

After a moment of contemplation, Ruan Xing Ling spoke again: "When I saw the two Core Formation Ancestors break open the restriction on Emerald Island, I felt something was off. . . Later, I became almost certain that it was part of a scheme. . . and inseparable from a female cultivator present. That female cultivator definitely harbored a grudge against the Black Heaven Sect and cultivated demonic arts!"

A look of hatred flickered across her face: "If I hadn't pursued and fought with that woman, losing some vital energy, I wouldn't have been ambushed and severely wounded by the ghost entities later on. . ."

"Oh?"

Fang Xi inquired in detail and learned that a mysterious female Foundation Establishment cultivator had appeared at that time, and seemed to have attempted to ambush the Black Heaven Sect's Zhang Laozu.

Even though she didn't succeed, she managed to escape smoothly, and even caused Zhang Laozu to fall into the predicament of being besieged by Core Formation ghost cultivators. Her methods were incredibly clever and profound.

"That female demonic cultivator's cultivation was similar to mine, but the demonic art she cultivated was extremely powerful. Not only did it include spiritual sense attack methods, but also a movement technique, dream-like and illusory. . . leaving no trace when she fled!"

Ruan Xing Ling recounted in detail: "I suspect that female demonic cultivator might possess an 'Illusion Spiritual Root'. . . otherwise, she couldn't have deceived my spiritual sense with a fake body."

"Illusion Spiritual Root?"

Liu San Qi spoke: "I have heard of such an aptitude. It is said that those who possess this spiritual root greatly benefit from cultivating illusion techniques. . ."

'What kind of spiritual root does Situ Qing Qing have? '

Fang Xi recalled, then shook his head. How could he know such a secret?

However, judging from that female demonic cultivator's methods, it was indeed the 'Five Extremes Profound Demonic Art' without a doubt. And coupled with her enmity towards the Black Heaven Sect, there was a high possibility it was Situ Qing Qing.

Perhaps Ruan Xing Ling also noticed some clues, which led her to recklessly pursue this woman, resulting in her own severe injuries.

After all, Ruan Xing Ling and the Situ family's demonic cultivators shared a blood feud, an endless cycle of vengeance.

And from Ruan Xing Ling and Zhong Hong Yu's accounts, Fang Xi finally learned the detailed situation at the time.

This first-hand information was far more accurate than the rumors spreading among external cultivators.

"There were actually more than three Core Formation ghost cultivators on Emerald Island. . . This would be difficult to handle unless the four major Core Formation powers united. . ."

Fang Xi murmured after listening.

"Not only that, the core area has long been contaminated by Netherworld Qi. Even if there were any Core Formation Spiritual Items, they would have been defiled long ago. . ."

Ruan Xing Ling replied with a wry smile: "Without the allure of Core Formation Spiritual Items, the Core Formation sects would not risk their Ancestors falling to fight the ghost cultivators. They might even abandon our Myriad Islands Lake, leaving the cultivators here to fend for themselves. . ."

"Creating a buffer zone? That's quite possible. . ."

Fang Xi mused.

If it were third-order demon kings, at least one could obtain their inner cores after killing them. But most Core Formation ghost cultivators dissipate into nothingness upon death, making it an extremely unprofitable endeavor.

Furthermore, since the Nine Leaves Sect ruins no longer held any significant gains, any rational cultivator could make the appropriate choice.

"It seems the Myriad Islands Lake will suffer from the ghost calamity in the future. . ."

Fang Xi said: "Fortunately, the island's defensive formation is strong enough, it should be able to hold out for a while. . . If any Daoist Friends are worried about their own Daoist sanctuaries not being safe enough, you are welcome to take refuge here with me. . ."

"Thank you for your kind offer, Island Master."

Liu San Qi cupped his hands, but replied with a bitter smile: "I still wish to return to Golden Turtle Island. I have spiritual herbs painstakingly cultivated there, which cannot be easily transplanted. . ."

"I also plan to return to Maple Leaf Island. . . Generally speaking, Core Formation ghost cultivators do not leave their lairs, and I believe I can handle ordinary ghost entities myself. " Ruan Xing Ling thought for a moment, and eventually replied in the same manner.

"Since that is the case, I will not force you. . ."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xi could only sigh and let them be.

Foundation Establishment cultivators were not children; rather, they were renowned figures in the cultivation world. Since they spoke thus, they must have some confidence in dealing with the ghost disaster.

...

The craze for exploring the ancient ruins on Emerald Island ultimately ended in a half-hearted manner.

Not only did a large number of renowned Foundation Establishment cultivators perish, but many low-level Qi Refinement cultivators who sought quick gains also died.

And after discovering the difficulty of the Netherworld Earth Vein and the ghost cultivators, all parties decided to withdraw.

White Peace Immortal City was the first to flee!

Before Yuan Feihong left, he specifically paid Fang Xi a visit.

At this time, the other party had already reached late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation.

That 'Chongyuan Pill' Fang Xi gave him back then certainly seemed to have been of great help.

And after all the various forces withdrew, the Spirit Sky Market immediately became much more desolate. Fang Xi even felt disinclined to manage it, and after taking most of the spirit stones and resources, he handed it directly over to Yan Dong Qing.

Afterwards, calculations showed that through this 'Emerald Island Ruins Craze', their few Foundation Establishment cultivators had indeed made a fortune, with spirit stones alone piling up like small mountains, not to mention various rare spiritual herbs, spiritual materials, exotic treasures, cultivation techniques, and secret arts. . .

However, the ensuing ghost calamity in Myriad Islands Lake also caused great suffering to the local cultivators.

Core Formation level ghost cultivators did not leave Emerald Island, but they enjoyed commanding lower-level ghost entities to go out and collect living souls, and there were even instances of them breaching spiritual islands and massacring all the cultivators and mortals on them.

These ghost entities roamed in groups of three or five, or alone, and among them were even ghost entities comparable to Foundation Establishment cultivators, which ordinary Qi Refinement cultivators could not contend with. Only second-order spiritual islands with Foundation Establishment cultivators in charge could barely resist.

This also led to both cultivators and mortals in Myriad Islands Lake concentrating on Maple Leaf, Dragon Fish, Golden Turtle, and Spirit Sky Islands.

The largest number of cultivators and mortals seeking refuge surely came to Dragon Fish Island, as Fang Xi was publicly known as the 'Foremost Cultivator of Myriad Islands Lake', which carried considerable weight.

Since they were merely Qi Refinement cultivators and mortals, Fang Xi couldn't be too cold-blooded. He indifferently agreed to their plea, allocating a few areas for them to rest and recuperate.

Moreover, he had to suppress the Demonic Tree every day, lest it instinctively sacrifice all these abundant 'blood meals' upon seeing them. . .

Even so, the entire Myriad Islands Lake region became much more desolate, and the Black Heaven Sect showed no reaction.

It seemed that Zhang Laozu had indeed paid an extremely heavy price to break out of the encirclement.

And this entire vast area of Myriad Islands Lake was undoubtedly abandoned by the Black Heaven Sect.

Dragon Fish Island Pier.

One after another, large mortal ships docked, and many mortals, old and young, disembarked.

These mortals were descendants of Myriad Islands Lake cultivators. Now facing the ghost calamity, and unwilling to flee to the remaining counties of the State of Yue to become true commoners, they could only choose to follow the cultivators who sought refuge on Dragon Fish Island and settle there.

"Finally here. . ."

"Don't be afraid, there are no ghost entities on Dragon Fish Island now. . ."

"Wuwu, Daddy. . . I want to find Daddy. . ."

...

Fang Xi concealed his figure, standing in mid-air, silently observing the plight of the refugees.

Suddenly, his eyebrows twitched, and he looked towards the nearby lake surface.

There, a few flashes of spiritual light, belonging to the accompanying Qi Refinement cultivators, were driving their artifacts to escort the ships.

Not far away, a sudden gust of yin wind blew, and a ghost mist dozens of feet long drifted over, with numerous blurry shadows seeming to flash within it.

"It's those ghost entities, they've caught up again!"

An old man riding a flying sword turned pale: "I knew we shouldn't have transported so many people at once. Such a large concentration of mortal blood and qi easily attracts ghost entities. . ."

"The family is too stingy, why couldn't they buy a few more 'Qi Concealment Talismans'?"

A girl with almond eyes and peachy cheeks beside him also looked somewhat exasperated.

"Sigh. . . there's no use saying more now. Thankfully, there are no second-order ghost entities among them. Let's fight them!"

The old man steered his flying sword, which transformed into a brilliant white stream of light and pierced into the mist.

"Jie jie!"

The next moment, a strange cackling sound came from the mist, and the old man's face changed: "Oh no. . . my artifact. . ."

"These ghost entities are formidable! Flee quickly and inform the Dragon Fish Island cultivators to come for aid!"

These cultivators fought and retreated, fleeing all the way towards Dragon Fish Island. The slightly slower ships were entangled by the gray mist, and immediately, screams ensued, followed by a deadly silence. . .

Those swirling ghost mists, seemingly insatiable, drifted towards Dragon Fish Island pier.

Just then, within the Profound Wood Grand Array, a black mist flashed, rapidly expanding to engulf the ghost mists.

In a flash, that entire mass of ghost mists vanished without a trace.

The old man and the young girl, witnessing this scene, were utterly dumbfounded. . .