Chapter 276: The First Sword of Core Formation (For Alliance Master xinhuitianmi! )
Chapter 276: The First Sword of Core Formation (For Alliance Master xinhuitianmi! )
Amidst the peach blossom forest.
Most of Dragon Fish Island's guests had departed, leaving the once lively place feeling somewhat desolate.
"They've all left. . . Perhaps it's for the best."
Fang Xi leaned against a peach blossom tree, holding a jade slip in his hand, immersed in contemplation.
This was the continuation of the 'Withered Glory Chant' cultivation method that the old ghost had given him, which also contained content from the 'Longevity Art'.
Although it was largely consistent with what he had already learned, the descriptions of certain details and crucial junctures still greatly benefited Fang Xi.
"Sure enough, major sect cultivation methods always have hidden pitfalls, or rather, the true secrets are passed down verbally and not committed to writing. . . The 'Withered Glory Chant' technique I obtained before didn't mention a single word about the 'Wood Spirit Body'. . . If other cultivators didn't know the inside story and cultivated to the late Core Formation stage, they'd be in a massive pitfall. . ."
"What a pity. . . Even in ancient Green Emperor Mountain, those who cultivated the 'Eternal Evergreen Body' seemed to be as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns, perhaps even non-existent. . . The annotations in this 'Longevity Art' only went as far as the 'Wood Spirit Body' section!"
Fang Xi sighed silently.
Having cultivated the 'Wood Spirit Body' for so many years, logically, no matter how difficult the 'Eternal Evergreen Body' was, there should have been some feedback by now.
But he still hadn't felt the slightest sensation!
"A physique destined for immortality certainly couldn't be cultivated easily through clever shortcuts. . ."
"According to the secrets revealed, either his spiritual root grade wasn't high enough, or his spiritual meridian was insufficient. . ."
"Eternal Evergreen. . . in the end, it was a moon in the water, a flower in a mirror—it was time for the dream to end."
Fang Xi pointed a finger, and a streak of azure light flew out—it was the Green Reaping Sword!
Clutching the Green Reaping Sword, he walked step by step into the forbidden area, coming before the towering Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning.
"The first sword of Core Formation: first, sever ties with your own kind!"
"No, that's wrong. It's first, sever ties with *myself*."
Fang Xi sighed, holding the Green Reaping Sword. Within his body, his Golden Core spun, and terrifying Core Formation-level magic power surged forth, pouring into the Green Reaping Sword.
The Green Reaping Sword let out a long hum, and golden patterns on its blade lit up, bursting with dazzling light.
This third-tier artifact-grade flying sword would naturally complement a Core Formation cultivator's power, allowing it to truly shine!
In Fang Xi's hands now, it suddenly erupted with a sword light even more brilliant and dazzling than before!
Fang Xi, holding the Green Reaping Sword, gently waved it!
The dazzling sword light sliced towards the void *above* the Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning!
After all, the Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning was a part of Fang Xi's being; he'd be a fool to self-mutilate.
A purple light flashed in Fang Xi's eyes. What he struck was the connection in the void between the Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning and himself, established through the 'Longevity Art'!
Whoosh!
The azure sword light streaked across the void, then soared into the sky, dispelling the Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning's black mist.
It even continued its trajectory without pause, slicing straight through the thick clouds, allowing dazzling sunlight to stream down. . .
Fang Xi's heart felt empty, as if he had lost something vital.
He knew this was the sense of loss arising from the interruption of the grand cycle of circulation between himself and the Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning.
After all, they had been connected in this way for nearly a century!
"This time, the 'Longevity Art' is still not complete after all. . ."
He murmured, gazing at the colossal Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning that obscured the sky, then retracted the 'Green Reaping Sword' and fell into contemplation.
Then, Fang Xi opened his mouth and spat out a streak of inky black light.
The streak of light landed mid-air, emitting profound fluctuations of withered glory and cyclical change. It was an inky black wooden seal artifact—precisely the Life and Death Seal!
"This seal was originally crafted primarily from a branch of the Progenitor Demonic Tree, and now, by refining a sub-strain Demonic Tree into it, it will complement its power even further, increasing its might immeasurably."
As Fang Xi's thoughts stirred, the enormous Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning began to tremble.
Its roots, one by one, were pulled from beneath the earth, and the entire Dragon Fish Island shook.
Many mortals, witnessing the cracking earth and the dancing, inky roots, were so terrified that they fell to their knees, believing some cataclysmic disaster was about to descend!
Even Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment cultivators gaped at the scenes unfolding across the island, at a loss for what to do.
But Fang Xi paid them no mind whatsoever.
After seeing the Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning retract layer after layer of its roots, with its massive vines and aerial roots nearly filling the space, he rotated his hands, striking seal after seal into the 'Life and Death Seal'.
The Life and Death Seal artifact rumbled, rising to the top of the Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning and emitting rings of inky black fluctuations, enveloping the tree!
"Rise!"
With the Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning's full cooperation, Fang Xi struck a spell seal into its trunk. The tree's body began to shrink continuously, its roots curling up, all disappearing into the 'Life and Death Seal'.
As an artifact, it naturally possessed powers that allowed it to change size at will.
What Fang Xi was doing was completely refining the Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning, causing it to lose its life force and transform into an artifact material!
Ultimately, it would be fully integrated into the 'Life and Death Seal'.
Witnessing the 'Life and Death Seal' devour the Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning and rapidly expand, resembling a black hill several tens of zhang tall, a faint smile appeared on Fang Xi's lips. He exhaled tendrils of azure pill fire, which coiled around the base and sides of the seal-mountain, beginning another round of refinement. . .
...
Several months later.
Fang Xi opened his eyes.
He saw that the 'Life and Death Seal', bathed in azure pill fire, had shrunk back to fist size. Its already dark surface seemed to have deepened in color by several shades, even becoming as warm and smooth as jade, imbued with a sense of profound weight.
And the formerly indistinct seal knob gradually became clearer.
The seal knob, also known as the 'seal nose' or 'seal head', referred to the carving and decoration at the top of a seal.
Originally, this area had been quite blurry, but through Fang Xi's meticulous carving, a hint of its splendor had gradually emerged.
It was the form of a coiling dragon, seemingly woven from the Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning's aerial roots and vines, intertwined and twisted together!
"Actually. . . calling this artifact the 'Wood Dragon Seal' seems quite fitting, too. Never mind, I'll stick with 'Life and Death Seal'. . ."
Fang Xi slowly concluded his cultivation, retrieving the artifact into his Dantian, a hint of joy appearing on his face.
"Now, even without activating the 'Withered Glory Mystic Light', this 'Life and Death Seal' possesses incredible power simply from its materials. It should be comparable to a top-tier artifact that a mid or late Core Formation cultivator has nurtured with their Golden Core true essence for hundreds of years, wouldn't you say?"
"In battles among early Core Formation cultivators, once deployed, it should be enough to secure victory."
After refining the artifact, Fang Xi stretched his body, feeling utterly unburdened and refreshed.
Though he had yet to leave Dragon Fish Island, his mind felt exceptionally clear, experiencing an unprecedented sense of relief.
"I am free again. . ."
"There are too many places I want to visit; I need to plan them one by one. . ."
"This Dragon Fish Island is no longer suitable for my cultivation."
"And the Taisui, I should send it back to Da Liang first. . ."
Fang Xi pondered slowly, his eyes gradually growing cold.
...
Half a month later.
In front of the Evergreen Pavilion.
"Tell me. . . why has the Island Master suddenly summoned us?"
Tai Shu Hong looked at the other three Foundation Establishment cultivators, communicating with Zhong Hong Yu via divine consciousness.
"How could I know what the Island Master is thinking?"
Zhong Hong Yu, however, spoke directly: "I wonder if Guest Elder Hong has any insights?"
Yuan Fei Hong glanced at Hai Da Niu, who stood respectfully nearby, and several Qi Refinement stewards who commanded some respect. He smiled faintly: "With the Core Formation celebration over, the various Core Formation Ancestors have probably redivided their spheres of influence. The Island Master must have obtained a third-tier spiritual meridian and is preparing to arrange for relocation. . . It's even possible he intends to establish his own sect."
As the few of them were discussing animatedly, the gates of the Evergreen Pavilion suddenly swung open. Yan Ying and several other maidservants emerged, tears still visible on their faces: "The Island Master. . . he wants you to go in!"
Yuan Fei Hong felt that something was amiss.
Each of these maidservants carried a pack on their backs, and an extra storage bag in their hands. Could it be. . . ?
But he had no time for further thought. He, along with Hai Da Niu, Zhong Hong Yu, and Tai Shu Hong, entered the Evergreen Pavilion's main hall, where they saw the Core Formation True Person seated at the head.
"Greetings, True Person!"
The Foundation Establishment cultivators bowed first, followed by the Qi Refinement stewards.
"Hmm, dispensed with. . ."
Fang Xi casually took a sip of spirit tea and spoke: "This Venerable One is about to embark on a long journey, to wander through the central regions of the South Barrens Cultivation World. I don't know if I'll be gone for several years, several decades, or even a century, so naturally, certain matters must be properly arranged. . ."
"What? !"
As soon as these words were uttered, Yuan Fei Hong and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators' expressions changed.
Yuan Fei Hong, in particular, perhaps still harbored dreams of returning to White Peace Immortal City, and at this moment, his heart sank with frustration.
Fang Xi, a Foundation Establishment cultivator who was at the limit of sixty years, and had only just managed to break through to Core Formation at nearly two hundred years old.
Shouldn't he, after luckily breaking through to Core Formation, feel his potential exhausted, his path forward blocked, and thus completely abandon cultivation to enjoy the prestige of a high-tier cultivator?
How could this one's Dao heart be so incredibly firm?
So, it seems that summoning the maidservants earlier was to give them severance pay?
"Island Master. . . may I accompany you?"
Zhong Hong Yu stepped forward, pleading.
"The journey to the Yuan Kingdom will be extremely perilous. Foundation Establishment cultivators would only be a burden!"
Fang Xi did not directly refuse, but his meaning was undeniably clear.
Although he had no intention of actually embarking on a long journey, to deceive potential enemies, he first had to deceive his own people.
Zhong Hong Yu retreated a few steps, her face filled with dejection, and rejoined the others.
Fang Xi's gaze remained firm: "From today onwards, the various affairs of the island will be entrusted to Hong Yu. I will also hand over the control hub of the 'Nine-Nethers Profound Wood Grand Array' to her. . . And I'll have to trouble young friend Yuan to assist her as well."
"It's my duty."
Given the request of a Core Formation cultivator, Yuan Fei Hong could only firmly agree.
Tai Shu Hong's eyes dimmed, but he dared not retort.
He knew that in the struggle for Dragon Fish Island, the Zhong Clan had ultimately emerged victorious.
"As for the affairs of Myriad Islands Lake? You can simply discuss them with Liu San Qi and Yan Dong Qing. . ."
...
After dismantling the Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning and the third-tier grand array, Fang Xi handled matters swiftly.
Having settled all the various matters on Dragon Fish Island, on a certain clear and beautiful morning. . .
As the great sun rose, a cliff on Dragon Fish Island was densely packed with cultivators.
"This will suffice. There's no need to see me off further. . ."
Fang Xi gave his instruction, and the Green Corner Fish Dragon immediately flew out, settling beneath his feet.
Man and dragon, riding the sunlight, elegantly departed towards the south. . .
Paying no heed to the many cultivators behind them bowing deeply in farewell. . .
...
The Green Corner Fish Dragon's flight speed was decent among Foundation Establishment cultivators.
But in Fang Xi's eyes, it was just a slowpoke.
After leaving Myriad Islands Lake, he patted the spirit beast bag at his waist, collecting the Green Corner Fish Dragon. His escape light immediately became almost imperceptible, circling in mid-air, then heading back towards Myriad Islands Lake. . .
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