Chapter 285: Qing Qing (Seeking Subscriptions)
Chapter 285: Qing Qing (Seeking Subscriptions)
"What a. . . lively scene."
Upon a locust tree, Fang Xi stood hidden within the canopy, silently observing the Foundation Establishment battle unfolding in the abandoned house. "To think. . . I'd meet another acquaintance, Situ Qing Qing. . ."
He had already swept his Divine Consciousness over the Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Green Wood Sect, disguised as a Qi Refinement cultivator, before even entering the tea house, which was why he found it interesting.
And at the same time, he had also detected the aura of a demonic cultivation method lingering around the black-misted figure.
If it had been anyone else, he might not have been able to confirm it, but why did they have to cultivate the 'Five Extremes Primordial Demonic Art', which he was so intimately familiar with?
Thus, after the exchange ended, Fang Xi followed these two all the way, witnessing the scene of the Green Wood Sect Foundation Establishment cultivator 'fishing'.
Although the young man from the Situ family was very careful, under a Foundation Establishment cultivator's Divine Consciousness, there was nowhere to hide.
However. . . the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it. That Green Wood Sect Foundation Establishment cultivator would never have imagined that a Core Formation Old Ancestor would be so bored as to secretly trail him.
'Situ Qing Qing's cultivation was originally very high, but she is severely wounded now. . . seemingly possessing only mid-stage Foundation Establishment strength. Her Illusion Spiritual Root excels only in illusion and concealment, not direct combat. . . after her illusion was broken by that rather interesting exotic treasure, facing a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, she truly fell into a complete disadvantage. . . '
Fang Xi simply watched quietly, not intervening.
After all, while Situ Qing Qing was an acquaintance, they weren't close. . .
...
"Definite Light Mirror? !"
Upon seeing the silver mirror exotic treasure, Situ Qing Qing's expression drastically changed. "Good, good, good. . . The Green Wood Sect truly means to exterminate us! I hate. . . I hate why I ever served the Green Wood Sect, why I even put aside my family's hatred for them!"
Back then, the Situ family had been annihilated under the machinations of the Black Heaven Sect, causing her to suffer greatly.
Fortunately, she received secret assistance from the Green Wood Sect of the State of Mu, allowing her family to relocate and recuperate in the State of Mu.
After all, the Green Wood Sect was still hostile towards the Black Heaven Sect back then, so doing such a thing was only natural.
Situ Qing Qing, therefore, served the Green Wood Sect, whether it was stirring up chaos in Myriad Islands Lake, or later, when the great war broke out, personally leading people into the State of Yue, burning, killing, and plundering along the way, eventually even slaying the previous Sect Master of the Black Heaven Sect. She had avenged her family's blood feud!
Alas. . . the situation quickly deteriorated, with the Ethereal Valley Sect invading both states, and the Green Wood Sect actually joining forces with the Black Heaven Sect!
Even if Situ Qing Qing was unwilling, she could only comply with the decisions of Core Formation Old Ancestors, temporarily putting aside her hatred.
But she never expected. . . that what awaited her in the end was the fate of a cunning rabbit being cooked after its capture, a loyal dog turned into stew!
Lu Qing, having failed to win over Fang Xi, and unable to cultivate a second Core Formation cultivator—or even a False Core—within the Green Wood Sect. . . naturally had to begin preparing for her own demise.
Temporarily defending their foundation with the sect's peak Foundation Establishment cultivators and a third-order grand array was not a major problem.
Next was to deal with some unstable factors within the State of Mu.
For example, peak Foundation Establishment cultivators with the potential for Core Formation, and demonic forces!
The Situ family, unfortunately, was once again on that list!
Situ Qing Qing had been ambushed and severely wounded before, which was why she was forced to hide in the mortal world to recover, even nearly perishing due to the severe depletion of her primal essence from casting secret arts.
That member of the Situ family had been frantically trying to acquire a second-order Longevity Pill for her.
But they hadn't expected the Longevity Pill to be a trap as well!
At this moment, under the radiance of the Definite Light Mirror, all illusions were laid bare.
The monkey-faced Foundation Establishment cultivator, controlling a set of flying dagger spirit artifacts, was ferociously attacking Situ Qing Qing.
Beside Situ Qing Qing, the young man from earlier had already been decapitated.
"Matriarch?"
"Protect the Matriarch!"
"Fight him to the death!"
The last few remaining members of the Situ family in the abandoned house roared in unison, unleashing secret arts.
Some instantly had blood-red eyes and dark green skin, seemingly transforming themselves into zombies, rushing towards the monkey-faced Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"No. . . don't. . ."
Situ Qing Qing's face blanched in alarm. She controlled a small, pitch-black banner, emitting a dark light, barely able to protect herself, as she watched her relatives perish one by one beneath the flying daggers.
At this sight, several streaks of black qi immediately emerged on her face, and sharp fangs grew, as if she had transformed into a green-faced, fanged fiend.
"Nether Transformation Art? ! You can still use it. . . Are you trying to die?"
The monkey-faced Foundation Establishment cultivator retreated hastily, looking highly apprehensive. He summoned a massive azure tortoise-shell shield, guarding himself within it.
The next instant!
Scarlet flames erupted in the abandoned house, and a beam of light directly struck the 'Definite Light Mirror', causing the mirror to whimper and fall to the ground.
Figures flew out of the abandoned house, scattering in all directions, all of them 'Situ Qing Qing'!
The monkey-faced Foundation Establishment cultivator chased for a long time, disheveled and covered in dust, only to find that he had been pursuing a mere illusionary afterimage. He returned dejectedly. . .
...
"An Illusion Spiritual Root coupled with demonic secret arts. . . truly impressive. Even I, in my Foundation Establishment stage, might have misjudged it."
"But not anymore. . ."
Fang Xi released his Divine Consciousness, covering an area of several tens of miles, leisurely following behind Situ Qing Qing.
Situ Qing Qing flew for several hundred miles before finally being unable to sustain herself, collapsing onto a hillside.
"Ancestor Grand-Auntie, Ancestor Grand-Auntie. . ."
In her arms, a small girl was calling out pitifully.
Suddenly, the girl's eyes blurred, and she saw a flash of green light. A figure seemed to 'grow' directly out of the grass.
She immediately stood in front of Situ Qing Qing, piping in a childish voice: "Don't hurt my Ancestor Grand-Auntie!"
"Ancestor Grand-Auntie. . ."
Fang Xi's mouth twitched slightly. He touched his smooth cheek, then looked at the white-haired Situ Qing Qing, and sighed, "We've all grown old. . ."
...
The night wind was slightly cool.
Situ Qing Qing shivered and awoke.
She opened her eyes to a clear moonlit night. She seemed to be lying on a patch of grass somewhere.
The fragrance of grass and trees wafted around, carrying a sense of tranquility and peace.
"Junior Friend Situ, you've finally awoken."
A young voice reached her ears, startling Situ Qing Qing.
She hastily stood up, only to see someone she had never expected, standing with hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the moon.
At his feet lay a small girl, seemingly fast asleep.
"Greetings. . . Old Ancestor Fang!"
Seeing Fang Xi, who had removed his disguise, Situ Qing Qing's expression became incredibly complex. She then bowed deeply. "Many thanks, Old Ancestor, for saving me!"
"I didn't save you; you broke through the encirclement yourself. . ."
Fang Xi shook his head. "It's just. . . your vitality has now dwindled to its extreme. I fear your demise is imminent; you are about to die. . ."
"Yes, I am about to die. . ."
Situ Qing Qing seemed to remember something, patted her storage bag, and a second-order Longevity Pill appeared.
"This pill looks normal, but it contains no life force whatsoever. . . it's a fake medicine."
Fang Xi shook his head, stating calmly.
"It seems. . . Qing Qing truly is destined to perish here today."
Situ Qing Qing displayed a melancholic smile. "To have a True Person see Qing Qing off. . . it is truly Qing Qing's good fortune!"
"Hmm, I have a question for you."
Fang Xi suddenly spoke. "Island Master Ruan Xing Ling, has she come looking for you in recent years?"
Since he had encountered her, he might as well ask, so as not to waste his efforts of trailing her for so long.
"Sister Ruan? Is she not in Myriad Islands Lake?"
Situ Qing Qing replied in surprise.
Fang Xi's Divine Consciousness spread out, not missing a single subtle expression on Situ Qing Qing's face.
From her answer, it seemed she was speaking the truth.
'It appears. . . Ruan Xing Ling truly has aspirations of Core Formation. If she were completely despairing, she would surely have stormed into the State of Wu before her lifespan ran out, to avenge her disciple Ruan Dan. '
Fang Xi mused inwardly, then stood with his hands clasped behind his back, with no intention of offering aid, preparing to watch Situ Qing Qing perish.
Situ Qing Qing looked at Fang Xi, then suddenly knelt down. "This concubine has one more plea. . ."
"Is it for this little girl?"
Fang Xi looked at the sleeping little girl, deep in thought.
"This girl is the Situ family's only direct descendant. . . This concubine dares not ask True Person to take her in, only that you might give her a place to live. . ."
Situ Qing Qing said piteously.
"If it's just a place to live, isn't that simple? Just casually send her to a wealthy family in a mortal city. . ."
Fang Xi's lips curled into a faint smile. "To live out one's life peacefully as a mortal is not necessarily bad. . . As for this venerable one, I have decided to leave the Three States, and it's impossible for me to bring this burden."
Despair filled Situ Qing Qing's eyes.
But she had lived for nearly two hundred years after all, and her character was resilient. "If that is the case, then there is nothing to be done. . . I hate it, why is Heaven so unjust, treating my Situ family so harshly! Why could I not achieve Foundation Establishment back then, could not achieve Core Formation. . ."
"You achieved Foundation Establishment through a blood sacrifice art, so naturally, you cannot form a Core. . ."
Fang Xi sighed.
"Although I have an Illusionary Spiritual Root, it is a low-grade spiritual root. . . my cultivation speed cannot even compare to a mid-grade Five Elements Spiritual Root. I failed Foundation Establishment several times back then. . . if I hadn't used the Stolen Immortal Foundation Art, how could I have succeeded in Foundation Establishment? But once this art is used, I am forever without hope of Core Formation. . . To achieve Foundation Establishment and slay my enemies is already fulfilling a wish. . ."
Situ Qing Qing cast a final glance at the sleeping little girl, and began humming an unknown song.
The magical power in her body was dissipating, and her skin became aged and loose. . .
It was clearly a sign of her impending demise!
"True Person Fang. . . please answer my last question! That person outside the Green Bamboo Mountain market town back then. . ."
Situ Qing Qing's voice grew weaker and weaker, finally exhaling a long breath, and her entire body shriveled into a small heap.
"You were likely flattering yourself. At that time, I merely saw an enemy and was filled with intense animosity, that's all. . ."
Fang Xi sighed, flicked a spark of true fire, incinerating Situ Qing Qing into ashes, then beckoned with his hand.
A storage bag landed in his grasp.
The next day.
A streak of azure escape light, carrying a little girl, flashed several times over this nameless mountain peak, then vanished. . .
On the nameless mountain peak, a new grave had appeared at some unknown time, with a blank stele standing before it.
A gentle breeze blew, and several white petals drifted down, landing on the blank stele. . .
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