Chapter 271: Black Heaven's Congratulations (For Alliance Master june123! )
Chapter 271: Black Heaven's Congratulations (For Alliance Master june123! )
"So that's how it is!"
Xuan Xuan Zi came to a sudden realization, then felt an intense wave of jealousy in his heart: "That Dragon Fish Island Master must have been in a prime position to benefit, obtaining a precious Core Formation opportunity from the Nine Leaves Sect ruins!"
"It makes sense now, it all makes sense. . . I wondered how someone of his aptitude could achieve Core Formation with just mere Black Water Fluid?"
Not far away, Zhan Tu, who was respectfully standing by, shivered and glanced at Yan Chang Kong, who was equally respectful.
'Old Ghost told me. . . that in the core area of the Nine Leaves Sect ruins, apart from the Netherworld Earth Vein and ghost cultivators, there was no Core Formation opportunity. . . '
However, before a Core Formation Ancestor, Old Ghost remained completely silent, and Zhan Tu dared not ask presumptuously.
Yan Chang Kong, on the other hand, exchanged glances with him and smiled.
The reason these two were specifically brought along was naturally due to their acquaintance with the Dragon Fish Island Master.
And the Black Heaven Sect values him immensely!
'If Old Kuang knew about this. . . he would be filled with terror and regret, but he has already died in battle. . . '
Yan Chang Kong muttered to himself.
As the few remained silent, their vision suddenly broadened.
After passing over a stretch of mountains, vast stretches of lake water appeared before them, with a small dock below where several black-awning boats were moored.
The morning sun had just risen, and the lake surface shimmered with rippling light.
Myriad Islands Lake, they'd arrived!
...
"Hm?"
Upon the cliff, Fang Xi sat cross-legged, absorbing the purple qi of the great sun to refine his eyes.
After achieving Core Formation, with nothing else to do, he had begun practicing some of the Ethereal Valley Sect's secret arts first.
At this moment, he suddenly felt a powerful spiritual aura approaching, and couldn't help but let out a long cry.
The Green Corner Fish Dragon shook its head and wagged its tail, soaring through the clouds and mist. Fang Xi mounted the dragon, appearing like an immortal, and arrived at the edge of Dragon Fish Island.
From the south, a five-colored flying ship suddenly leaped out of the sea of clouds, transforming into a streak of light, moving with extreme speed.
In a flash, it arrived at the edge of Dragon Fish Island.
Four streaks of light descended from the ship; the person leading them, astonishingly, possessed the spiritual energy fluctuations of a Core Formation cultivator!
"Zhang Zhusheng of the Black Heaven Sect greets Fellow Daoist Fang, and congratulates Fellow Daoist on your successful Core Formation!"
Zhang Zhusheng saw Fang Xi's youthful face and his genuine Core Formation spiritual energy, and couldn't help but feel a slight shock in his heart, followed by intense envy, and respectfully bowed.
"So it's Fellow Daoist Zhang of the Black Heaven Sect. . ."
Fang Xi returned the bow, then looked at Xuan Xuan Zi, Yan Chang Kong, and Zhan Tu behind Zhang Zhusheng.
The three naturally hastened to bow, addressing him as 'Senior! '
The rules of the cultivation world dictate that, apart from direct master-disciple relationships and third-degree blood relatives, anyone of a higher cultivation realm automatically has their seniority elevated.
"You may dispense with the formalities. . ."
Fang Xi slightly raised his hand, his demeanor different from before.
Xuan Xuan Zi and Yan Chang Kong stood up, feeling rather sour.
Zhan Tu, however, felt a sudden emptiness in his heart. He felt as if Fang Xi had glanced at him for a moment longer just now, could it be. . . ?
Recalling the Core Formation insights he had traded here last time, he couldn't help but secretly regret his lack of caution.
But at that time, with war raging and death a real possibility, there was nothing he could do.
"Please enter!"
Fang Xi led Zhang Zhusheng and the others to the Evergreen Pavilion. Yan Ying and the other maidservants brought forth 'Cloud Dragon Tea', not daring to even breathe loudly.
After all, all cultivators in the State of Yue knew that the Black Heaven Sect was the true 'Heaven' of Yue!
Even if a Foundation Establishment power flourished for a time, it was merely a cloud in the sky that would vanish with a single gust of wind. . .
Yet now, Dragon Fish Island had actually risen to a position of equality with the Black Heaven Sect!
This kind of leap left them somewhat unable to adapt.
"Dragon Fish Island has no special products, only this spirit tea is quite good, please. . ."
Fang Xi took a sip of the spirit tea and began conversing casually with Zhang Zhusheng.
Although this person was only a False Core, the Black Heaven Sect possessed Core Formation legacies. When he spoke of early-stage Core Formation cultivation experiences, not only did Fang Xi listen intently, but Xuan Xuan Zi and the other two behind him also pricked up their ears, unwilling to miss a single word.
However, Zhang Zhusheng was merely laying the groundwork. As they conversed, he eventually spoke of the inner details of the three-sect war that had occurred back then:
"That old scoundrel You Kun from the Ethereal Valley Sect was shameless. He secretly allied with the Green Wood Sect, and also secretly conspired with me against Old Ancestor Qing. . . During the great battle at White Peace Immortal City that day, this person first cooperated with me to ambush Old Ancestor Qing. After I forcefully took Old Ancestor Qing's magical artifact, causing damage to my life-bound artifact, that Old Ghost Yan, who was hidden to the side, then launched a sneak sword attack. . . Had I not cultivated some life-saving secret art, I might have perished on the spot. . ."
Zhang Zhusheng recounted this, he still felt lingering fear, clearly indicating that the situation at the time was indeed quite perilous, and this False Core cultivator had nearly fallen. . ."Later. . . Old Ghost Yan stopped pretending and fought against me and Old Ancestor Qing alongside that junior You Kun. Old Ancestor Qing and I were both severely wounded at the time. How could we be a match for an External Core cultivator plus a mid-stage Core Formation opponent? We were chased ignominiously for thousands of miles. . . each returning to our respective sects, and our injuries have still not fully healed. . . *cough cough*. . ."
Zhang Zhusheng coughed twice, then solemnly bowed and clasped his hands: "In previous years, when I heard that Fellow Daoist had slain You Kun in an array, I was truly overjoyed. Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for eliminating this great enemy for my sect. . . Alas, it's a pity that Fellow Daoist was in secluded cultivation for Core Formation at the time, otherwise, my sect would certainly have personally called upon you to offer our sincere thanks. . ."
Had You Kun not unexpectedly perished in the State of Yue back then, it's quite possible that the cultivation world of the three states would now be under the dominion of the Ethereal Valley Sect!
"It was also because Grand Elder You was too reckless and entered my formation. . . otherwise, I would have been completely powerless."
Fang Xi humbly replied.
Xuan Xuan Zi and the others, however, felt a sudden hollowness in their hearts, secretly thinking that given Old Ancestor Zhang's current state, if Fang Xi were to turn hostile and activate a third-order formation, the entire Black Heaven Sect entourage would have to answer for it here today!
At this thought, cold sweat couldn't help but break out on their backs.
Fang Xi had no intention of killing Old Ancestor Zhang. After all, he wasn't a demon, nor did the other party possess anything he coveted.
However, through the perception of the 'Withered Glory Chant', he knew that while Old Ancestor Zhang's injuries had not fully healed, there was a vibrant vitality within his body, which made him secretly nod:
'Being young is truly good. . . This person is only around three hundred years old, right? He still has two hundred years of lifespan remaining. Thus, whether it was the Emerald Island ruins before, or suffering severe injuries in the later battle of White Peace Immortal City, he could recover due to his youth. . . At most, it would just deplete a bit of his remaining lifespan. '
'As for True Person Baifeng, he was old. Even if his injuries were lighter than Old Ancestor Zhang's, he could only helplessly pass away upon returning. . . '
'Old Ghost Qing of the Green Wood Sect was a contemporary of Old Ancestor Jiang and True Person Baifeng. Even if he was born many years later, by now, he's probably approaching the end of his lifespan, isn't he? '
The predicament of lacking successors that plagued the Black Heaven Sect and White Peace Immortal City back then has now reappeared for the Green Wood Sect!
This made Fang Xi sigh with emotion; indeed, the longer one lived, the more interesting things one was bound to see.
Having profound magical power is nothing; a long lifespan and youthful vigor are the truly immense advantages!
'My current lifespan is over two thousand years. As long as I don't act recklessly and cultivate steadily. . . I can certainly reach the perfected stage of Core Formation. . . '
'Then comes the matter of forming a Nascent Soul. I have two thousand years to prepare. . . I must ensure it's absolutely foolproof! '
...
". . . After all, the Ethereal Valley Sect was established by a Nascent Soul sect disciple. I'm currently feeling quite uneasy. . . What if I offend their superior sect? " Fang Xi feigned trepidation, testing Zhang Zhusheng's intelligence and situation analysis.
"Haha, Fellow Daoist is thinking too much. The Ethereal Valley Sect has long since established itself as a separate sect. The Nascent Soul True Monarch and the founding ancestor from back then have both passed away. . . How much goodwill could they still have with the Hunyuan Sect? As for Old Ghost Yan, he's practically retired from the sect. . . Could the Hunyuan Sect possibly waste several years, or even more than a decade, to send several Core Formation cultivators here just to support him?"
Zhang Zhusheng curled his lip in disdain.
As for Nascent Soul cultivators, he didn't even mention them. Clearly, neither You Kun nor Old Ancestor Yan had enough 'face' to enter the ears of a Nascent Soul True Monarch. . .
As for the 'Nine Dragons Pearl', that's even more of a joke. For Core Formation cultivators, it's merely an extra magical artifact. . . Nascent Soul old monsters simply wouldn't care for it.
Only in those remote, backward places where early-stage Core Formation cultivators can lord over others would such External Cores be needed to suppress the sect's or family's luck, making them eagerly flock to treasures like the 'Nine Dragons Pearl'.
"So that's how it is. . . Listening to Fellow Daoist's words has truly enlightened me, and I no longer need to live in trepidation."
Fang Xi put on a look of having his eyes opened.
In reality, he naturally knew these internal details, otherwise, he wouldn't have peacefully spent several years achieving Core Formation.
And the Hunyuan Sect in the Yuan Kingdom also seemed to have enemies.
That Old Ancestor Yan was also severely wounded in battle, only then did he return to his hometown to retire, disheartened.
This being the case, it was even more impossible for the Nascent Soul old monsters of the Hunyuan Sect to leave their sect on their own accord.
Weren't they afraid that without someone overseeing the overall situation, they would be exterminated by a Nascent Soul old monster from a hostile force?
As for a few Golden Cores coming, Fang Xi wasn't afraid in the slightest.
After all, even if he couldn't win, he could still run away!
Now, hearing the Black Heaven Sect's Core Formation ancestor's analysis that the Hunyuan Sect wouldn't even send Golden Cores, he had even fewer reservations.
"Fellow Daoist can rest assured. . . By the way, now that Fellow Daoist has successfully achieved Core Formation, are you planning to establish a sect or something else?"
Zhang Zhusheng smiled and spoke another set of words: "Whether it's establishing a sect or cultivating in seclusion, a second-order spiritual vein is far from enough to meet our needs. . . If Fellow Daoist is interested, I am willing to take charge and present White Peace Immortal City to Fellow Daoist as a congratulatory gift for your successful Core Formation breakthrough. What do you think? This kind of mutually beneficial arrangement, I presume Old Ancestor Qing of the Green Wood Sect would also readily agree to."
'So then they want me to be the vanguard, to face the State of Wu and Old Ancestor Yan, who is a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator? '
Fang Xi inwardly scoffed, understanding that there was a trap within!
Yet, this was an open conspiracy!
After all, Core Formation cultivators require a third-order spiritual vein for their cultivation, and such high-grade cultivation sites are extremely rare among the three states.
If he didn't choose White Peace Immortal City, would he go seize the mountain gates of the three sects, or play hide-and-seek with ghost cultivators on Emerald Island?
The Song Clan previously had a third-order low-grade spiritual vein at Moon-gazing Mountain, but it was destroyed by Fang Xi's 'Earth-Shaking Grand Array' and had long since fallen back to a second-order level.
In a way, Fang Xi had indeed lifted a rock only to drop it on his own foot. . .
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