Chapter 291: Core Formation Cultivator's Nirvana (Congratulating the Silver Alliance Master)
Three years later.
Inside the Green Bamboo Forest, within his cave-dwelling.
Fang Xi opened his mouth and exhaled a wisp of green pill-fire, letting it fall to the bottom of the medicine cauldron before him.
The medicine cauldron shimmered with various colored glows around it, finally turning crimson as an astonishing medicinal fragrance continuously overflowed.
Unfortunately, all these unusual phenomena were blocked by layers of array restrictions outside the pill refining chamber, preventing even a hint of it from leaking out.
He formed hand seals with both hands, continuously channeling streams of magical power into the pill furnace.
Time passed, an unknown duration, and the medicinal fragrance inside the pill chamber grew increasingly potent.
Wisps of faint red glow permeated the air, subtly forming shapes resembling spiritual ganoderma.
"Open!"
Buzz!
The pill furnace opened, and crimson pills flew out, landing in Fang Xi's hand.
Clink, clink!
Two pills shattered, turning into a heap of pitch-black powder, and two more pills developed a wisp of grayish-black on their surfaces.
"Thirteen pills formed in this batch, with two duds and two inferior ones. . . Still, not bad."
Fang Xi carefully stored these 'Vermilion Violet Pills', a hint of joy appearing on his face.
The pill formula for the 'Vermilion Violet Pill', which uses Vermilion Fruit as its main ingredient to refine pills that enhance magical power, was something he had unearthed from White Peace Immortal City's accumulated heritage. It was an ancient formula, without any grade explicitly marked.
After all, Vermilion Fruits were extremely rare in the current cultivation world. Ordinary cultivators, fearing that possessing such a treasure would bring disaster, often ate them raw, not caring if they wasted a significant portion of the medicinal potency.
However, as Fang Xi himself was an alchemist, he wasn't concerned about secrecy issues.
"The Vermilion Violet Pill has a potent medicinal effect, suitable for late Foundation Establishment cultivators to enhance their magical power. . . Early Core Formation cultivators can also barely use it."
"Fortunately, I have plenty of the main ingredient, and I also have auxiliary spirit herbs in reserve. . . After messing up a few batches initially, I got the hang of it smoothly."
Fang Xi went to his secluded cultivation chamber, swallowed a still-warm 'Vermilion Violet Pill', and began to cultivate with his eyes closed.
As the Withered Glory Chant circulated, green and yellow qi alternately flickered around his body. Under the powerful spiritual pressure of the third-order spirit vein, wisps of spiritual energy were devoured into his body, transforming into spiritual liquid within his Dantian, to be absorbed by his 'Withered Glory Golden Core'.
In the depths of his consciousness, Fang Xi felt his 'Withered Glory Golden Core' grow a bit stronger, becoming even more dazzling and brilliant.
When he opened his eyes, he let out a long breath, and a green flash appeared on his face.
"Counting on my fingers, it turns out I've been in secluded cultivation for seven days already. . ."
"I am now one hundred and eighty-nine years old. Relying on this cave-dwelling with a third-order spirit vein, and my Wood Spirit Body. . . my efficiency in absorbing spiritual energy was already astonishing. With the 'Vermilion Violet Pill' assisting me. . . within twenty to thirty years, I will definitely be able to cultivate to the peak of early Core Formation and attempt to break through to mid Core Formation!"
"Excellent. . . excellent. . ."
Fang Xi cherished this peaceful life; he disliked unexpected factors.
Precisely because of this, he had not ventured out to the Yuan Kingdom or other places, for even Nascent Soul True Monarchs resided there, making it genuinely dangerous.
It would be best to wait until his cultivation was complete, reaching at least mid or late Core Formation, before attempting further exploration.
What's more. . . having killed the Grand Elder of the Ethereal Valley Sect and offended Yan Laogui, there might even be his name and portrait circulating within the Hunyuan Sect.
Perhaps Yan Laogui's friends in the Hunyuan Sect wouldn't go so far as to hunt him down in this remote place, but if they encountered him in the Yuan Kingdom, it's hard to say if they wouldn't opportunistically strike. . .
All in all, the outside world was too dangerous; it was better to lie low and develop for a while.
Wait a few decades or even a century, and the storm would pass. . .
Anyway, his lifespan was long; he could live for over two thousand years!
If he could simply outlive his enemies one by one, that would also be quite good.
This was also why Fang Xi was unwilling to openly proclaim his identity and occupy territory within the Three Kingdoms.
With a name, came a target; it was easy to become a bullseye.
While third-order arrays were good, Yan Laogui even possessed the 'Spirit Sealing Stake'; perhaps he had other means to break arrays too.
Without array protection, with Fang Xi's current strength, he could at most contend with a mid Core Formation cultivator.
What if three or four Core Formation cultivators truly launched a sneak attack?
What if Yan Laogui invited late Core Formation or even Core Formation Perfected cultivators?
What if the opponent possessed means to seal the void, capable of negating the Earth-Shrinking Golden Light Talisman?
At that point, would he really have to expose his golden finger to escape with his life?
'For Core Formation cultivators from sects, rogue Core Formation cultivators are ultimately unstable elements. . . That's why I need to create the illusion of frequently traveling afar. . . '
'As for the Shard World? It's ultimately a demonic mystic realm, and who knows if there are surveillance methods. . . Temporarily plundering some cultivation resources by hitting and running might be acceptable, but don't even think about using it as a long-term cultivation ground. . . '
In fact, Fang Xi was already well aware of the resource levels within the Shard mystic realm.
After all, it was merely a mystic realm created by the demonic path for their Foundation Establishment true disciples; its resources primarily catered to Core Formation needs.
It was highly unlikely to contain any Nascent Soul Spiritual Items or opportunities.
However, those demonic true disciples, despite their actual cultivation only being Foundation Establishment, possessed Core Formation combat strength through methods like body cultivation and External Cores, truly not to be underestimated.
"I still need to cultivate diligently. . . I'll strive to make a big score during the next demonic tribulation. When I was at Foundation Establishment, I couldn't beat those true disciples, but after Core Formation, or even mid Core Formation, I'll be able to suppress them with my cultivation realm. . ."
Fang Xi had realized that the greatest wealth in the Shard World might still lie with those demonic disciples!
"A few decades from now, I'll make a big haul, and then that demonic sect will definitely be furious. . . But I can also temporarily abandon the Shard mystic realm to hide. . ."
"Anyway, after this operation, the Black Fire Demonic Corpse might even find its place. . . and then there will be a third world to explore."
After all, the demonic body cultivation art of 'Senior Brother Ma' had left a very deep impression on Fang Xi last time.
Furthermore, within the Shard mystic realm, the resources were mainly for late Foundation Establishment and Core Formation, and even Vermilion Fruits only had one source.
For Fang Xi, in these next few decades, he would first gather enough ordinary resources. Then, once the century-long demonic tribulation arrived, he would make a strong move, sweeping up all the top-tier resources sealed by restrictions, and incidentally eliminating a few demonic disciples—it would undoubtedly be a huge harvest.
However, such a thing could only be done once; he absolutely could not do it again next time.
Otherwise, he might very well run into disguised Core Formation cultivators or even demonic Nascent Soul old monsters.
While the resources in the mystic realm might not be suitable for him to enhance his magical power, selling off those Core Formation spiritual items would definitely provide enough for him to cultivate all the way to Core Formation Perfected.
...
Fang Xi walked out of his secluded cultivation chamber and came outside his cave-dwelling.
Outside the cave-dwelling, there was a spirit herb garden, which counted as a third-order spiritual land.
Fang Xi didn't waste it either, planting some spiritual wood, spiritual herbs, and a 'Dragon Transformation Ginseng' there.
Even though he didn't put much effort into managing them, the growth of these spiritual herbs was extremely pleasing.
After all, for Fang Xi, the 'Wood Spirit Body' possessed endless wondrous uses; it allowed him to be close to spiritual herbs and even perceive their state.
If he encountered any that were genuinely withering or dying, a streak of Wood Spirit Divine Light could largely heal them.
This made him exclaim several times that this 'Wood Spirit Body' was truly a top-tier talent for a 'spirit planter', an absolute perfect match for farming.
Fang Xi went into the Green Bamboo Forest, pulled out a bamboo shoot, preparing to pair it with some wild game to treat himself.
Through the mist of the Green Bamboo Forest, a purple flash appeared in his pupils; he seemed to see the 'Myriad Seas Bamboo Forest Great Array' outside!
"This array is a mid-grade third-order formation. . . Breaking it would require some effort. . ."
"But I don't need to break it completely. As long as it can cooperate with the quasi-third-order hidden array I've set up here. . . to conceal my own void-traversing fluctuations, that will be enough."
Back then, in White Peace Immortal City, Fang Xi had scruples about third-order arrays and dared not traverse within the city.
However, now that he had advanced to become a third-order array master and gained a deeper understanding, he had far fewer concerns.
Just as he was pondering which jar of spirit wine to open, a flash of light appeared outside.
A verdant sound transmission talisman was flickering on the periphery of the Green Bamboo Forest, but it was blocked by a layer of green restriction.
Seeing this, Fang Xi merely smiled and waved his right hand.
A green magical power hand immediately grabbed the sound transmission talisman and brought it to his side.
After listening for a few moments, he left the Green Bamboo Forest, rode his spirit artifact, and arrived at Zheng Tie's cave-dwelling.
Although Fang Xi generally stayed indoors and rarely ventured out, maintaining the persona of an ascetic cultivator, some necessary social interactions still had to be done.
For instance, Zheng Tie's invitation could not be refused.
"Nephew, you've arrived?"
Zheng Tie was in a flower hall, drinking wine and enjoying the blossoms. Upon seeing Fang Xi arrive, he immediately waved him over.
"Uncle Zheng. . ."
Fang Xi gave a slight bow, noticing a maidservant pouring wine behind Zheng Tie.
This maidservant was dressed in the Green Wood Sect's disciple attire, and her cultivation had actually reached the seventh level of Qi Refinement.
'Cultivating on a third-order spirit vein indeed leads to astonishing progress. . . Looking at this girl's appearance, her spiritual root aptitude shouldn't be particularly good. . . '
He gracefully took a seat and smiled, "Uncle Zheng, what fine wine do you have today?"
"This is 'Nine Spirits Fragrance' that I spent quite a few spirit stones to have someone procure from the State of Wu. . . Come, have a taste!"
Zheng Tie poured Fang Xi a cup of spirit wine, and the two drank it down. Immediately, Zheng Tie sighed, "Nephew, it's good that you're devoted to arduous cultivation, but you should also come out more often, meet fellow cultivators. . . Discussing cultivation insights with each other can greatly benefit your practice."
"Thank you for the reminder, Uncle Zheng. I've simply never cultivated on such an excellent spirit vein before, so I've been a bit too immersed. . ."
A hint of shame appeared appropriately on Fang Xi's face.
Inwardly, however, he was chuckling:
'Major sects have always harbored a certain degree of wariness towards rogue cultivators joining them. . . Even you, in the deepest part of your heart, might not be entirely without a trace of suspicion towards this nephew, Cao Chong Yun. . . '
'But I am open and straightforward. One must know that spies and agents who join sects either extensively befriend others and gather information. . . or they try every conceivable means to infiltrate crucial departments and acquire secrets. . . I, however, do the opposite: I don't socialize, don't inquire, and cultivate wholeheartedly. . . There has never been an undercover agent like me. '
'Moreover, time reveals a person's heart. I can act for three years, and I can continue to act for thirty, three hundred years. . . Uh, forget three hundred years. . . '
'By then, there won't be any wariness left, right? '
...
"Shan'er, why aren't you pouring wine for your Uncle-Master Cao?"
At this moment, Zheng Tie had the female disciple behind him pour wine for Fang Xi.
This girl had delicate features and an air of vibrant heroism. She stepped forward and respectfully poured wine for Fang Xi, calling him 'Uncle-Master Cao'.
"Hehe. . . This girl is also a distant relative of mine. Her spiritual root aptitude is low, and it was only through my influence that she was able to join the sect. . . She's currently in need of sect contribution points. Nephew, your Green Bamboo Forest spirit herb garden is vast, I wonder if you're in need of hands to manage it?"
Zheng Tie asked with a smile.
"I happen to be short on hands, Zheng Shan, isn't it? Come to Green Bamboo Forest tomorrow to receive your orders. . ."
Fang Xi raised an eyebrow and readily agreed.
He was indeed in need of a few general laborers, and the contribution points for such disciples were issued by the Affairs Hall. Normally, he would just let them build a hut and live in the Green Bamboo Forest, and they wouldn't enter his cave-dwelling to disturb him.
'After all, I have the persona of an ascetic cultivator, not a romantic young master. . . '
"Many thanks, Uncle-Master Cao!"
Zheng Shan performed a bow, her face full of joy.
Being able to work for a Foundation Establishment Uncle-Master meant naturally high sect contributions, and furthermore, she could piggyback on the cultivation of a third-order spirit vein.
One must know, as an outer disciple, the spiritual energy in her usual cave-dwelling was far inferior to that of the Green Bamboo Forest, and she had long felt her cultivation progress was slow.
This time, it was all thanks to Zheng Tie that she had such an opportunity!
Just as Zheng Tie was about to say something more, a deep, resonant bell toll suddenly rang in both their ears.
Dong!
Dong, dong!
The bell rang thirteen times in succession, shaking the entire Green Wood Forest.
"This. . . this is. . . " Fang Xi inwardly sighed, but his face turned pale with alarm.
"The 'Green Wood Bell' ringing thirteen times, this is. . . Old Ancestor Lu. . . he has achieved nirvana. . ."
Zheng Tie's face turned ashen, and he unconsciously mumbled, while Zheng Shan beside him looked utterly lost and dispirited.
Although they had been mentally prepared, Old Ancestor Lu Qing's nirvana meant that the heavens of the Green Wood Sect. . . had collapsed!
Comments