Chapter 246: Bloodwood Crystal (For the White Alliance Leader! )
Chapter 246: Bloodwood Crystal (For the White Alliance Leader! )
“The cultivation world stirs once more. . . ”
“Numerous prodigies clash in the Jianghu again. . . ”
“While I quietly continue planting trees on Dragon Fish Island. . . ”
Humming a self-composed tune, Fang Xi arrived at the fish farm.
“Island Master. . . ”
“Greetings, Island Master. . . ”
Along the way, many Qi Refinement cultivators respectfully saluted him from the roadside.
Since the mass relocation of Qi Refinement families, Dragon Fish Island had become densely populated with limited land. The number of cultivation caves available for cultivators had plummeted, yet Fang Xi steadily raised the rental prices, leading to rampant "involution" among many cultivators.
“Esteemed Island Master. . . ”
At the fish farm, by the lake's edge,
Zhong Lu explained, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead: “I truly don't know why. . . the Spirit Venerable hasn't been eating much since two days ago. . . ”
He was terrified that Fang Xi, displeased, might remove him from his position as head steward of the fish farm—a position currently eyed by countless Qi Refinement Perfected cultivators.
“Oh? Let me take a look. . . ”
Fang Xi approached the lakeside, sending a strand of his Divine Consciousness into the water. The previously dark lakebed became crystal clear to him.
At the bottom of the lake, a Green Corner Fish Dragon was coiled. Its body was as thick as a water bucket, appearing somewhat fatter than before.
Not only that, Big Green occasionally let out low roars, rubbing its scales and hide armor against the rocks on the lakebed, grinding many stones into powder.
Its expression was one of extreme impatience, yet also seemed to carry a hint of pain.
“Hmm? I didn't notice before, but now I see your demonic aura has reached the peak of second-order low-grade? Are you preparing to advance? ”
Seeing this, Fang Xi fell into contemplation.
Counting the days, it had been seventy to eighty years since Big Green ascended to second-order low-grade. Was it finally going to break through to second-order mid-grade?
However, it seemed this breakthrough was somewhat forced.
He thought for a moment, stroking the storage ring on his finger.
With a flash of hazy white light, a black box appeared in Fang Xi's hand.
Upon opening it, inside were crystal stones with a blood-red exterior, yet within them lay a vibrant green, emanating a vigorous aura of life.
“Bloodwood Crystal! ”
Fang Xi murmured the name of the material.
This was a trophy he had found in Elder Ling's storage pouch, considered a top-tier demonic path material of second-order superior-grade.
Not only was it rich in blood qi, but it also contained abundant vitality within.
He hadn't found any memories regarding this item in Elder Ling's memory fragments. After all, the time spent refining puppets was very short, and Elder Ling's life had been exceedingly long.
However, judging by its value, this item should be comparable to a late-stage Foundation Establishment refined corpse.
‘Could it be something Zhan Tu traded for. . . ? Refining this Bloodwood Crystal is not something an alchemist can do. . . Could this person's fortune be related to the demonic path? Or even. . . ’
A guess gradually formed in Fang Xi's mind.
Unfortunately, this Bloodwood Crystal wasn't of much use to him, and cultivators couldn't consume it. However, demon beasts, with their powerful physiques, could swallow it raw as a resource for advancement.
Though, doing so would be a bit of a waste of a heavenly treasure.
Generally speaking, for a second-order mid-grade demon beast with matching attributes, this item would be almost sufficient as an aid to advance to second-order superior-grade.
If the Green Corner Fish Dragon were to consume it, at most it could only utilize the abundant vitality and blood qi within, wasting a significant portion of its other spiritual energy.
“But I don't raise demonic beasts. . . and feeding it to the Demonic Tree would be even more extravagant, as it eats everything. . . Never mind, never mind. ”
Considering that the Green Corner Fish Dragon served as his mount, dutifully carrying him whenever it appeared, Fang Xi casually tossed the Bloodwood Crystals into the lake.
At the bottom of the lake, Big Green, having received the Divine Consciousness transmission, immediately roared and opened its gaping maw.
The lakebed seemed to form a whirlpool, swallowing a large amount of lake water, including fish, shrimp, crabs, and even the Bloodwood Crystals, into its belly.
Half an hour later.
Splash!
A huge spray of water exploded from the lake's surface, as if a torrential downpour had erupted all around.
Amidst the clouds and rain, a mist of water rose, followed by a massive blue-green shadow that flew directly into the clouds.
It was none other than the Green Corner Fish Dragon, which had successfully advanced to a second-order mid-grade demon beast!
At this moment, the Green Corner Fish Dragon was already seven to eight zhang long, its girth having expanded by another circle. Even its spiritual scales had turned from blue-green to dark blue-green, and a ring of black surrounded its scales, seemingly indicating a bloodline mutation.
The small horn on its head had become even more pronounced, making it appear even more majestic and spirited.
“To think my spirit beast has even caught up to my cultivation. . . ”
Seeing the Qi Refinement cultivators present, Fang Xi let out a long sigh, feigning the appearance of someone who had failed to break through even after consuming a Chongyuan Pill.
There was no real meaning to this; it was purely a surge of mischievous amusement, merely wishing to "fish" for a reaction.
His body flashed with dazzling blue-green light, and he instantly leaped over a dozen zhang, landing on the Green Corner Fish Dragon's head. He then called out, "Let's go! "
The Green Corner Fish Dragon roared with great satisfaction, carrying Fang Xi for a lap around Dragon Fish Island, serving as a deterrent to petty troublemakers.
...
Not far from Dragon Fish Island.
A swath of azure light enveloped a mass of ghostly mist. Within the mist was a monster with a human head and a bird's body, its entire form bristling with gray-black feathers. Occasionally, through sparse patches, one could glimpse its dark red, prominent tendons as it let out a high-pitched cry.
The human-headed bird's shriek was incredibly hoarse and unpleasant, even possessing the ability to vibrate and unsettle the soul.
However, the layer of azure light continuously descended, steadily eroding the ghostly mist surrounding the human-headed bird.
“Go! ”
Not far away, a streak of light flew in, and from within it, a blue-green sword qi shot forth.
The blue-green sword light plunged directly into the gray-black ghostly mist, engaging in battle with the human-headed bird.
Seizing this opportunity, the azure light pressed down, completely dissipating the ghostly mist.
The human-headed bird shrieked in agony as it was struck by a blue alms bowl within the azure light, sending feathers scattering everywhere.
Seeing this, the blue-green flying sword's light instantly surged, and with one strike, it severed the human-headed bird's head.
This ghost, comparable to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, finally slowly transformed into a large mass of mist under the refining power of the two streaks of light, then vanished into nothingness.
“Whew. . . This Myriad Islands Lake truly is plagued by ghosts. I just went out for a stroll and encountered a Foundation Establishment-level ghost. If I were to encounter multiple, even I would be in significant trouble. . . ”
Yan Chang Kong murmured, retracting his blue alms bowl.
Before long, a blue-green streak of light approached, its glow receding to reveal Yan Dong Qing within: “Uncle Chang Kong. . . I received your sound transmission talisman and rushed over immediately. Are you alright? ”
“I'm fine. . . Sigh, after this Foundation Establishment-level ghost died, it actually dispersed into a wisp of Yin qi. . . leaving nothing behind. This battle was truly a bloody loss. ”
Yan Chang Kong looked at his slightly damaged alms bowl spirit artifact, a pained expression involuntarily appearing on his face.
“Sigh. . . Tell me about it. ”
The middle-aged Yan Dong Qing also forced a bitter smile. Precisely because of this, if not for the ghosts attacking the island-protecting grand array, he would have been too lazy to act: “These ghosts are formless, appearing and dissipating at will, which is quite troublesome. . . Fortunately, we cultivators also have ways to deal with them. Uncle Chang Kong, if you're going to travel outside, it's best to wear a 'Qi Concealment Talisman' to mask your living aura, or consume an 'Yin Soul Pill'. . . This pill can infuse a trace of ghostly qi into our cultivator's aura, easily leading unintelligent ghosts to mistake us for their own kind, which can avoid a lot of trouble. . . ”
“So that's how it is. . . ” Yan Chang Kong listened intently; these were all invaluable experiences summarized by many cultivators with their lives.
“By the way, Uncle Chang Kong, what brings you to Myriad Islands Lake this time? ”
Yan Dong Qing chatted for a few more moments before asking with a puzzled expression.
“This time. . . sigh. . . ”
Yan Chang Kong gave a bitter smile: “Are you aware that Old Ancestor Baifeng of White Peace Immortal City is on the verge of passing away? ”
“This. . . My Myriad Islands Lake is isolated in a corner, and most of our efforts are focused on dealing with the ghost disaster, so I truly wasn't aware. ”
Yan Dong Qing was startled.
“Once Old Ancestor Baifeng passes away, the original balance will be broken, and a war is inevitable! ”
A hint of malevolence flickered between Yan Chang Kong's brows: “Old Ancestor Baifeng dared to scheme against Old Ancestor Zhang back then; this grudge. . . our Black Heaven Sect, from top to bottom, remembers it well! ”
“So that's it. . . Could it be. . . a summoning order from the upper sect? ” Yan Dong Qing's expression changed drastically as a thought struck him.
Strictly speaking, Myriad Islands Lake was also under the rule of the Black Heaven Sect. For the Black Heaven Sect to wage war and conscript cultivators from its affiliated forces was a matter of course.
However, over these years, the Black Heaven Sect had sat by, ignoring the ghost disaster in Myriad Islands Lake, thereby losing the moral high ground.
If they were to forcibly conscript now, it would only seem to incite the resentment and indignation of the local cultivators?
“Uncle Chang Kong. . . Myriad Islands Lake's industries are withered, and we've already exhausted all our efforts just to cope with the ghost disaster. . . ”
Even Yan Dong Qing himself did not wish to be conscripted to participate in the major war.
After all, on a battlefield where only Core Formation Old Ancestors could wreak havoc, a mere early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator could easily die without a trace!
“I naturally know this. . . In truth, our sect has not decided to conscript the cultivators of Myriad Islands Lake. ”
Yan Chang Kong sighed: “This time, I came of my own accord, hoping to persuade the Dragon Fish Island Master. If he could voluntarily volunteer for battle, wouldn't that be the best of both worlds? After all, the current strength of Myriad Islands Lake is considerably greater than before. . . ”
Yan Dong Qing was taken aback.
To be honest, while the lower-tier cultivators of Myriad Islands Lake had diminished considerably, the higher-level Foundation Establishment cultivators certainly couldn't be considered weak!
Ruan Xing Ling and Liu San Qi had both successively broken through to late-stage Foundation Establishment! And counting Fang Xi, that amounted to three late-stage Foundation Establishment combat powers!
Adding the Green Corner Fish Dragon, Zhong Hong Yu, and Yan Dong Qing himself, that made three more Foundation Establishment cultivators!
Such a force already far surpassed the Dragon Fish Zhong Clan's strength from before. Even the five major sects of Yue Country might not be able to compare!
Hmm. . . According to reports, Spirit Sword Sect's Grand Elder Li Ru Jian had met with misfortune and already perished on Emerald Cliff. The Spirit Sword Sect's influence had weakened considerably.
And the nearby Profound Moon Sect's Grand Elder, Profound Moon Ancestor, was reportedly also on Emerald Cliff at the time, greatly depleting his vital essence to escape.
From this perspective, if Myriad Islands Lake were to be integrated into a completely new sect, it might even be able to suppress the five major sects and other Foundation Establishment families, vying for the position of the foremost sect under the Black Heaven Sect!
However. . . Fang Xi definitely wouldn't want such integration. After all, a tall tree catches the wind; becoming the foremost power under the Black Heaven Sect would surely mean being constantly targeted by Old Ancestor Zhang. . .
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