Chapter 332: Conditions (Double Monthly Pass Voting Event 1)
Chapter 332: Conditions (Double Monthly Pass Voting Event 1)
"Jiang Xiaoyou, please rise. . ."
Fang Xi received the gift, finding it to be a superior-grade Spirit Stone. He couldn't help but smile faintly: "The Profound Ice Palace is quite thoughtful. . ."
"This humble gift is merely a small token of respect. . ."
Jiang Ling rose, her tone still exceptionally respectful: "Please wait a few more days, Senior. . . Our Palace Master will personally come to visit you; there is an important matter to discuss."
"Profound Ice Palace. . ."
Fang Xi revealed a faint smile: "I already know your purpose. You may leave."
"This junior bids farewell!"
Jiang Ling saw how unceremonious Yun Jizi was and couldn't help but feel a slight chill in her heart. Having no other choice, she bowed once more and respectfully exited the cultivation cave.
"Fellow Daoist Jiang. . . leaving so soon?"
The shopkeeper, seeing Jiang Ling depart, greeted her with a smile.
"Senior Yun Jizi's cultivation is of utmost importance; we juniors dare not disturb him. . ."
Jiang Ling forced a smile, offered a few perfunctory replies, and hastily departed.
"This Profound Ice Palace. . . it's truly declining with each generation, isn't it. . ."
The shopkeeper watched the woman's retreating back, shook his head, and sighed. Then, he immediately adopted an expression of extreme reverence and strode quickly into the cultivation cave.
"Qu Huilin of the Wind Spirit Sect, pays respects to Senior Yun Jizi and congratulates Senior on successfully achieving Core Formation. . ."
Shopkeeper Qu performed a deep bow directly.
Seeing Shopkeeper Qu, who had previously treated him as an equal, act in such a manner, Fang Xi couldn't help but sigh with emotion at how deeply ingrained the concept of "strength above all" was in the cultivation world.
"If you hadn't revealed it yourself, Shopkeeper Qu. . . I still wouldn't have known you were from the Wind Spirit Sect."
Fang Xi smiled faintly as he spoke.
Although he still appeared fierce and malevolent at this moment, in Shopkeeper Qu's eyes, every movement he made was filled with Core Formation spiritual power, exuding immense majesty.
Hearing these playful words, he dared not be negligent and immediately bowed: "My Wind Spirit Sect has always been known for its extensive intelligence network. . . Many of the information-gathering agencies in various regions are properties of our sect. . ."
'Not only that, but for intelligence trade, being well-informed is secondary; the key is still to be powerful, otherwise one risks being beaten to death. . . '
Fang Xi mused inwardly.
This 'Wind Spirit Sect' was one of the top sects under the Nascent Soul powers in the Yuan Kingdom, rumored to have several Core Formation cultivators stationed there, with one even reaching the late Core Formation stage.
"Shopkeeper Qu, you're here not just to congratulate me on achieving Core Formation, but surely for something important, aren't you?"
Fang Xi's expression remained unchanged as he asked with a smile.
"Naturally. . . My Wind Spirit Sect sincerely invites talented cultivators from the Yuan Kingdom. . . With your cultivation, Senior, after joining our sect, you will certainly be able to serve as a Guest Elder, receiving an annual tribute of two superior-grade Spirit Stones. . . You can also enjoy the convenience of our sect's spirit vein cultivation cave and the service of numerous disciples. . ."
Shopkeeper Qu spoke with confidence and eloquence.
"The Wind Spirit Sect. . . indeed a good choice."
Fang Xi's face showed a hint of hesitation, then he said: "This matter. . . I need to consider it carefully. I'll give you my answer in seven days."
"Such an important matter naturally requires careful consideration. This junior will return and await your good news."
Shopkeeper Qu bowed once more before rising and departing.
'The Wind Spirit Sect, huh. . . '
Unbeknownst to them, Fang Xi sighed, having already discarded this option in his mind.
'I just want to exchange for a better spirit vein cultivation cave. . . I don't want to join such a powerful sect. With their intelligence capabilities, they would definitely investigate any newly joined elder thoroughly. . . If I reveal a flaw, would I then have to fight my way out? '
'While a wise bird chooses its tree, a too-grand association is also ill-suited. . . '
'What a pity. If I weren't so set on avoiding risks. . . I would even want to go to the Sky-Suspension Mountain market and experience what a fourth-order spirit vein cultivation cave feels like. . . '
...
Three days later.
Late at night.
Two figures, cloaked and wearing straw cloaks, entered Fang Xi's ice cultivation cave.
"This concubine, Feng Bingxian, Palace Master of the Profound Ice Palace, pays respects to True Man Yun Jizi, and congratulates True Man on successfully achieving Golden Core, with longevity within reach!"
A female cultivator removed her straw cloak, revealing a snow-white silk immortal robe, and bowed gracefully.
Behind Feng Bingxian followed Jiang Ling, also performing a deep bow.
"Palace Master, please rise. . ."
Fang Xi sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his palm slightly raised.
Feng Bingxian and Jiang Ling immediately felt a gentle yet immensely terrifying force lift their bodies directly. Both their hearts quivered, knowing that the magic power of a Core Formation cultivator was profound and truly unfathomable.
Even those who had just formed their Core Formation were not to be underestimated.
"Other Core Formation forces visiting mostly send Foundation Establishment representatives from this cultivation city. . . For the Palace Master to come personally, it shows great sincerity, but I wonder what the matter is?"
Fang Xi asked with a light chuckle.
"This concubine. . . " Feng Bingxian bit her red lip, and finally spoke: "This concubine wishes to invite Senior Yun Jizi to serve as our palace's Grand Elder!"
"Grand Elder. . . It is rumored that more than ten years ago, Mu Yu Xianzi passed away in meditation. Is this news true or false? " Fang Xi neither confirmed nor denied, but suddenly asked.
"Reporting to Senior. . . it is true! Grand Elder Mu had an important matter to attend to outside back then, and her life token shattered soon after. . ."
Feng Bingxian replied softly, and seeing Jiang Ling's surprised expression behind her, she couldn't help but smile bitterly: "This matter has become almost common knowledge, thanks to the Ice Fiend Sect's spreading of the news. I didn't expect Senior to know as well. . ."
"Although I was in seclusion, I am neither blind nor deaf. . ."
Fang Xi showed no particular expression, merely asking calmly: "If I were to become a Guest Grand Elder of the Profound Ice Palace, what benefits would I gain?"
"The tens of thousands of disciples in our palace would naturally be at Senior's beck and call. . . Furthermore, our sect's location boasts a third-order, superior-grade spirit vein, and the best cultivation cave would naturally be for Senior's use. . ."
Feng Bingxian immediately stated the offered terms: "We are also willing to offer Senior one superior-grade Spirit Stone annually. . ."
"For a mere trifle like this, I should go and become an enemy of a fellow Core Formation cultivator? That Venerable Ice Fiend gained fame much earlier; both his divine abilities and magic power must surely far surpass mine. . ."
Fang Xi shook his head: "Any sect I choose to join would offer these conditions you've laid out, wouldn't they?"
Upon hearing this, a trace of despondency couldn't help but appear on Feng Bingxian's exquisite face.
After Grand Elder Mu Yu departed back then, they could still barely manage by relying on the plans originally put in place.
But now, more than a decade had passed, and the news could no longer be kept secret.
At present, the Profound Ice Palace was in a precarious state, and the former Grand Elder's old friends were unwilling to get involved in this muddy water.
There was indeed a force that wished to secretly make contact, but seeing their secretive and furtive actions, Feng Bingxian knew that boarding their ship would certainly lead to no good, so she preferred to try and win over this newly Core Formation Rogue Cultivator!
She hadn't expected to still be disdained by him!
Feng Bingxian's heart sank slightly, and then she bowed again: ". . . If these are not enough, then what if you add this concubine to the offer?"
"You?"
Fang Xi glanced at the woman, seeing her skin as crystalline and smooth. Especially from his elevated position, he could see her long, jade-like neck, resembling a white swan, and the graceful curves of her figure. . .
"Palace Master's beauty is not bad, and her cultivation is high. . . Unfortunately, I am not fond of women."
Fang Xi shook his head, answering with a hint of regret. Immediately, a playful look appeared on his face: "Or. . . is the Palace Master willing to abandon her Dao path and become this Ancestor's cultivation vessel?"
"Palace Master. . ."
Jiang Ling watched this scene, couldn't help but lower her head, her heart a mix of conflicting emotions.
"This concubine's heart still yearns for the Great Dao. . . However, this concubine possesses the 'Phoenix Cry Body', and the first time dual cultivation is performed, it can bring immense benefits to both parties."
Feng Bingxian's face flushed, and she gritted her teeth as she revealed a secret.
"Oh? Phoenix Cry Body? !"
Fang Xi was slightly surprised: "Step forward a few paces. . . let me examine you closely."
Feng Bingxian suppressed her shyness and stepped forward. Fang Xi grasped her arm and took a drop of her blood.
Then, he formed hand seals, striking one spell seal after another into the drop of fresh blood.
Chirp!
Under the spell seals, the drop of fresh blood actually revealed a five-colored luminescence, and faintly, the sound of a phoenix's cry could be heard.
"Indeed, it is the Phoenix Cry Body. . . I have seen this kind of spiritual physique mentioned several times in ancient texts; it's an excellent physique for dual cultivation. . ."
Fang Xi murmured.
Spiritual physiques are deeply hidden within the body; if this woman hadn't actively revealed it, and if he hadn't happened to have seen a method of identification in an ancient text, involving taking blood for detailed examination, he truly wouldn't have been able to discover it.
"With this concubine's aptitude, if dual cultivation is intentionally guided, it would be enough to bring Senior immense benefits. . . If this method were performed when cultivating to the peak of early Core Formation, breaking through the bottleneck to enter mid Core Formation would surely not be difficult!"
Feng Bingxian said with confidence.
This senior Rogue Cultivator must be an ascetic, and no cultivator can refuse the temptation of advancing their realm!
'It is indeed quite good. . . '
'If I were still in the early Core Formation stage, I might truly have been tempted. . . What a pity, I'm already in the mid Core Formation stage. . . With this woman's cultivation and that bit of Yin essence, it's slightly insufficient for breaking through the late Core Formation bottleneck. . . '
'However, if I were to raise her to the Core Formation realm. . . Pfft, pfft, pfft, are Core Formation Spiritual Items free? Moreover, with my 'Wood Spirit Body', breaking through the late Core Formation bottleneck isn't an overly difficult matter. Why would I go to such lengths? If this woman failed to break through to Core Formation, I would suffer a huge loss. . . '
Fang Xi's thoughts were settled, and he spoke: "The Palace Master's conditions are indeed difficult for me to refuse. . . However, there are two more matters. If the Palace Master agrees, then I will agree to become this Guest Grand Elder. . ."
"Please instruct us, Senior; our Profound Ice Palace will certainly do its utmost to fulfill your wishes."
A hint of joy appeared in Feng Bingxian's eyes.
"Firstly, although I will be a Guest Grand Elder of the Profound Ice Palace, unless your sect faces a crisis of annihilation and is attacked directly, I will not easily make a move. . ."
Fang Xi extended a finger.
He was looking for a place to cultivate, not to be someone's nanny: "Of course, I will also not leave behind items like 'Origin Soul Lanterns' or 'Life Tokens'."
Feng Bingxian's expression subtly changed. Then, thinking of the sect's dire situation, she still gritted her teeth and agreed: "This condition, this concubine can decide. And the second matter?"
"As for the second matter?"
Fang Xi's gaze shifted, landing on Jiang Ling behind Feng Bingxian: "I want her!"
Without waiting for Feng Bingxian to ask, he chuckled: "This woman's looks are not bad; she can serve as a maidservant for this Ancestor. . ."
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