Chapter 293: Tie Jiu (Please subscribe)
“The matters of the Green Wood Sect. . . as if I wouldn’t know even without them saying it? ”
Fang Xi controlled his spirit artifact, first heading to the storehouse to retrieve a batch of materials for refining second-order talismans with his task jade slip, then flying all the way back to Green Bamboo Forest, chuckling to himself.
Even though he hadn't paid too much attention, with his Golden Core Divine Consciousness occasionally sweeping, he had long since grasped all internal news of the Green Wood Sect, crystal clear.
‘Currently, news of Patriarch Lu Qing’s demise in the Green Wood Sect is gradually spreading. . . Although peace has been restored with the States of Yue and Wu, internal undercurrents are surging. . . ’
‘The Green Wood Sect occupies the best spirit veins and several spirit stone mines in the State of Mu, all of which are now coveted. . . While Lu Qing signed peace treaties with the two great Core Formation sects before his death, within its homeland, the Green Wood Sect had more than enough to defend the Green Wood Forest itself. However, to protect all the spirit stone mines, cultivation cities, and spirit herb gardens. . . it simply lacks sufficient manpower. ’
‘Recently, incidents of rogue cultivators harassing have frequently erupted. . . It is suspected that some Foundation Establishment forces are at work behind the scenes. . . ’
‘Even the rogue cultivator gangs from the State of Yue and the State of Wu have been enticed, entering the State of Mu to stir up trouble. . . ’
‘These are all conspiracies targeting the Green Wood Sect. . . If the Green Wood Sect responds with stillness, steadily consolidates its forces, and then produces a Core Formation cultivator, even a False Core, everything will return to its former splendor. If not, I fear. . . ’
‘This Elder Qian Laodao’s mood is poor, likely because a Perfected Foundation Establishment cultivator in the sect forcefully attempted to break through to Core Formation and failed. . . ’
‘However, this Elder Qian Laodao is quite a good person; he actually gets things done after receiving spirit stones. . . Under the current circumstances where manpower is quite strained, it would have been reasonable for him to assign other tasks. . . From this perspective, perhaps Zheng Tie’s influence played a part? ’
Fang Xi returned to Green Bamboo Forest, and without minding Zheng Shan, who had specifically dressed up and was almost about to press close to him to offer greetings, he directly entered his cave abode and sealed its entrance.
Seeing this scene, Zheng Shan couldn’t help but bite her lips bitterly. . .
......
Four years later.
Inside his cave abode, Fang Xi quietly celebrated his two hundredth birthday.
Two hundred years old!
An ordinary mortal would probably need to live two or three lifetimes to equal such a lifespan!
Even for a Foundation Establishment cultivator, this was enough to live out their entire life!
Fang Xi poured himself a cup of second-order Green Bamboo Wine and quietly savored it.
By now, he had also grown quite fond of the bitter taste of this Green Bamboo Wine.
“I am two hundred years old now. . . Let’s see, Zhan Tu and Zhong Hong Yu must be around a hundred years old too, right? Their Foundation Establishment lifespans have both passed their midpoint. The former still has a chance at Core Formation, but for the latter, hope is truly remote. . . ”
“Zhan Tu’s situation is special. As for Tai Shu Hong, he’s a dozen years younger than Zhong Hong Yu and possesses a superior-grade spiritual root, having broken through to Foundation Establishment independently, so he still holds some hope. . . ”
“And Liu San Qi. . . his lifespan must be nearing its limit, too? However, he possesses a Wood Spirit Body and cultivates wood-attribute techniques, so perhaps he can live to the very limit of a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s lifespan? ”
Fang Xi pondered for a moment, genuinely sighing with emotion: “My old acquaintances are half withered away. . . ”
Given the difficulty of Core Formation in the Three Kingdoms currently, most of the cultivators from his generation, even those who fortunately achieved Foundation Establishment, have now reached the end of their lives. . .
The next day.
Fang Xi tidied himself up, took out the second-order spirit talismans he had casually refined during this period, and prepared to submit his mission. Even though he had lowered his standards, these talismans were still considered small masterpieces among their kind, earning Elder Qian Laodao endless praise.
His Divine Consciousness swept forth, and he found that Zheng Shan merely bowed from a distance, then continued busying herself with tending to the spirit herb garden, likely having completely despaired.
However, her cultivation had progressed further; she had actually reached the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refinement.
It seemed she could break through to the tenth level of Qi Refinement, the Great Perfection realm, and prepare for Foundation Establishment at any time.
“On a third-order spirit vein, it took her so many years to go from the seventh level of Qi Refinement to this realm. It seems her spiritual root aptitude is indeed quite ordinary, and she hasn’t had any fortuitous encounters either. . . ”
Fang Xi sighed and arrived at the Affairs Hall.
“Junior Brother Cao. . . ”
Elder Qian Laodao looked even more aged than before, forcing a smile as he completed the handover with him:
“Hmm. . . the quality of these second-order talismans is quite good. However, starting from next year, the number of talismans you must submit annually must increase by thirty percent, especially offensive talismans, which require a fifty percent increase. Otherwise, Junior Brother Cao’s quota, this old man will have no choice but to assign to other talisman masters. ”
Elder Qian Laodao sighed, saying words that made Fang Xi’s expression subtly change.
“Increase by several tens of percent? If the materials are sufficient, it’s no major issue. . . ”
However, after pondering for a moment, Fang Xi still agreed.
“Oh? It seems Junior Brother’s talisman mastery has improved again; truly commendable. . . ” Elder Qian Laodao cupped his hands, then suddenly sighed again: “Recently, a group of rogue cultivators has been repeatedly plundering our sect’s supply convoys. The leader, ‘Pei Fei’, has surprisingly reached the late-stage Foundation Establishment realm, and has consecutively killed our sect’s Foundation Establishment cultivators. . . ”
“Pei Fei? ”
Fang Xi’s face showed doubt: “I seem to have never heard of this cultivator’s deeds before. . . ”
“Hmph, a hidden sneak, either using an alias or a vagrant from another country. . . Our Green Wood Sect has already set up an inescapable net, this time led personally by the Punishment Hall Elder, we will surely behead this cultivator! ”
Elder Qian Laodao had secretly observed Fang Xi for over ten years, confirming him to be a diligent cultivator. He had gradually come to regard him as one of their own, revealing some secrets.
Of course, this ambush battle was probably long over by now, so it wasn’t really a secret.
“So that’s how it is. . . The Punishment Hall Elder must be at least at the late-stage Foundation Establishment realm to serve; this time, that group of rogue cultivators is doomed. . . ”
Fang Xi revealed a pleased expression, about to bid farewell.
Suddenly, a thunderous bell chime once again echoed throughout the Green Wood Forest.
“This is. . . ”
Elder Qian Laodao’s expression became blank. After hearing nine bell chimes, he seemed as if his soul had been drawn out, sinking back into his seat, muttering to himself: “Another one died, another one died. . . What can be done, what can possibly be done? ”
Fang Xi remained expressionless, thinking to himself: ‘Nine bell chimes. . . that must mean a late-stage or Perfected Foundation Establishment cultivator has died, and it’s the kind of death that couldn’t be concealed. . . ’
‘The Green Wood Sect disciples who went out to ambush Pei Fei this time. . . I’m afraid they suffered an utter defeat. ’
He flew out of the Green Wood Sect, only to see the ‘Myriad Seas Bamboo Forest Array’ fully activated, with illusory bamboo shadows spread throughout the Green Wood Forest, both inside and out.
Numerous escape lights fluttered like headless flies, and chaotic transmission talismans flew wildly everywhere; it truly was a scene of great chaos.
Anyone with discernment who saw this scene would surely have ominous phrases like ‘the grand edifice is crumbling’ appear in their minds.
Fang Xi thought for a moment, then changed the direction of his escape light to find Zheng Tie.
Within the Green Wood Sect, he only had these few acquaintances.
Three days later.
Inside Zheng Tie’s cave abode.
“Sigh. . . this time, the Punishment Hall Elder designed an ambush to capture Pei Fei, but unexpectedly fell into a trap. . . ”
Zheng Tie’s face was still somewhat pale, and he seemed disturbed: “That Pei Fei actually hid his cultivation; he’s a Perfected Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator, and he also had several other Foundation Establishment helpers. . . After a great battle, it was actually our side that suffered a crushing defeat. Not only was the Punishment Hall Elder killed on the spot, but several Foundation Establishment battle cultivators also died consecutively. . . Now, even Sect Master Wei Xuan is facing impeachment and might have to step down. ”
“Sigh. . . ”
Fang Xi let out a long sigh: “External chaos is actually insignificant. At worst, we can abandon a few peripheral cultivation cities and spirit mines. . . Consolidate manpower and tightly guard the sect gates. How could a mere Perfected Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator break through our Green Wood Sect’s grand array? The key is still internal strife and morale. . . This time, the Punishment Hall Elder was ambushed, there must have been a traitor who leaked information, and within the sect, people are stirring up trouble and fighting for power and profit because of this. . . ”
Bang!
Zheng Tie slammed a fist heavily on the table: “Well said, so very well said. . . I always thought you, my virtuous nephew, were solely focused on secluded cultivation and unversed in worldly affairs. I never expected such inner wisdom. . . How did our Green Wood Sect, with nearly a thousand years of foundation, become like this? ”
His eyes were slightly red, seemingly genuinely emotional about this sect.
‘Actually, it’s very simple. Sects in the cultivation world are just warlords. . . Strength is paramount. If a sect lacks someone who can make a decisive call, with no leader, it naturally falls into chaos. . . ’
‘Fortunately, relying on its formations and foundation, it can continue to be chaotic for several more decades, which is enough for my cultivation. . . ’
Fang Xi chatted a bit more, when Zheng Tie suddenly said: “Our sect is investigating traitors this time, and that Tie Jiu is highly suspicious. . . This person was also a battle cultivator from the Punishment Hall, and he followed along on this mission, but he disappeared without a trace, neither alive nor dead. . . Even Senior Brother Fu came under scrutiny because of this. Fortunately, my virtuous nephew didn’t have much contact with him. ”
Stepping out of Zheng Tie’s cave abode, Fang Xi’s eyes flickered slightly.
‘Tie Jiu is a traitor? It’s quite possible indeed. . . ’
‘However, with this person having escaped, and the Punishment Hall Elder and a group of others dead, doesn’t that mean there are now vacant mid-grade or even superior-grade third-order cave abodes? ’
‘Since Lu Qing has already demised this time, living in the core of the spirit vein wouldn’t be inconvenient. . . ’
‘This Green Wood Sect is also far more magnanimous than Ouyang Zhen was. Back then, guest elders of White Peace Immortal City were all arranged in the inner city, while only disciples cultivated on White Peak Mountain. . . ’
‘Hmm. . . I could try to maneuver a bit. A mid-grade third-order spirit vein cave abode is certainly stronger than a low-grade one. . . ’
‘However, being too showy at this time might get me conscripted. . . It’s better to wait until the Green Wood Sect’s strategy changes to focus on retreat before making a decision. . . ’
Green Bamboo Forest.
Fang Xi deliberately slowed his escape light by a few points, stopping in front of his cave abode.
“Greetings, Uncle-Master Cao. . . ”
Zheng Shan bowed.
“Hmm, you’ve taken good care of the spirit herbs; you truly put your heart into it. . . ”
Fang Xi offered a word of encouragement and entered his cave abode.
......
Not long after, news spread from the Green Wood Sect that Sect Master Wei Xuan had abdicated, and another Perfected Foundation Establishment cultivator, ‘Ling Yun Zi’, would assume the position of Green Wood Sect Master.
As soon as Ling Yun Zi took office, he announced a defensive strategy: abandoning unimportant cultivation cities and consolidating manpower.
While this drastically reduced the Green Wood Sect’s losses, Fang Xi’s talisman missions were also cut down.
Subsequently, his application to change cave abodes was directly rejected by Elder Qian Laodao.
The reason given was that ‘Ling Yun Zi’, as a new official, was eager to assert authority and did not want to incur misfortune. . . Moreover, as Foundation Establishment cultivators stationed in various places were successively recalled to the sect, superior spirit vein cave abodes became intensely sought after, and competition began to grow fierce. . .
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