Chapter 396: Return (Seeking Subscription)
Chapter 396: Return (Seeking Subscription)
"A Dharma Idol projection? !"
A flicker of surprise crossed Black Sand True Monarch's eyes, then he declared loudly: "Second move!"
As he roared, streaks of pitch-black patterns emerged on his body, seemingly aiding him in controlling the 'Black Water Profound Sand' as if it were an extension of his arm, moving with perfect fluidity—it was the 'Black Sand Divine Body'!
"Roar! Roar!"
The sky-filling 'Black Water Profound Sand', which had previously collided with the Dharma Idol projection and exploded repeatedly, instantly re-coalesced. It transformed into a colossal, pitch-black lion-like spirit beast, letting out an earth-shattering roar as its aura continuously surged, becoming even more vivid and lifelike.
One hundred zhang, two hundred zhang. . .
In a flash, this lion-like spirit beast, formed from condensed black sand, grew to over three hundred zhang in length, far surpassing the Netherworld Emperor Celestial Son Dharma Idol behind Fang Xi.
"Human Dao!"
Thud!
A thick bolt of demonic light instantly struck the colossal lion formed by black sand, causing the spirit beast's movements to halt, seemingly operating sluggishly.
The Human Dao possessed the divine ability to interfere with an opponent's magical treasures. While it was unfailingly effective at seizing magical treasures from Core Formation cultivators, its effect was considerably weakened when facing the spiritual treasures and spells of Nascent Soul Old Monsters.
Black Sand True Monarch showed slight surprise, but as the black patterns on his body flickered, he easily regained control of the overflowing 'Black Water Profound Sand'.
But in that fleeting moment of opportunity, Fang Xi had already made his move!
"Asura Dao!"
Sizzle!
Bolts of crimson lightning struck down, caught by the six arms of the Netherworld Emperor Celestial Son Dharma Idol, transforming into crimson long spears.
Six crimson long spears were thrown one after another, instantly growing to dozens of zhang in length, accurately striking the pitch-black lion-like spirit beast.
Crackling!
Bursts of crimson lightning erupted, painting the world blood-red, like a lightning prison composed of crimson flashes, trapping the gigantic lion-like spirit beast within.
After the crimson lightning subsided, countless tiny black grains of sand continuously tumbled from the lion's body. . .
Finally. . . Boom!
The entire lion-like spirit beast, like a castle made of sand, collapsed with a thunderous crash. . .
"Daoist friend is actually a spell cultivator? !"
Black Sand True Monarch couldn't help but exclaim in admiration at this sight. The black patterns on his body, far from diminishing, actually increased, finally converging on his forehead to form a complex and mystical symbol: "Third move!"
Buzz! Buzz!
Countless 'Black Water Profound Sand' instantly coalesced, moving several times faster than when forming the giant lion-like beast just now.
In a blink, countless black sand and stones formed a pitch-black small mountain, appearing above Fang Xi's head, ready to smash down!
Not only that, from the base of the black small mountain, streaks of black profound light emerged, forming a black light ring that wrapped around Fang Xi, making him feel as if space itself had solidified, difficult to break free from, let alone manipulate his escape light to evade.
Watching the small mountain descend, Fang Xi immediately conjured the 'Flashing Spirit Pearl'.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
His figure continuously flickered, actually moving directly out of the shadow cast by the black small mountain.
"What a marvelous void divine ability, to be able to evade the blockade (blockade) of the'Black Water Divine Mountain'. . . But if Daoist friend believes this move of mine is merely this, then you are gravely mistaken."
Black Sand True Monarch's divine consciousness transmitted his voice, then he formed a hand seal with both hands.
In an instant, the entire black small mountain flashed with light, actually teleporting once more above Fang Xi's head, smashing down directly!
"Six Paths of Reincarnation—Heavenly Dao!"
Upon realizing that his aura was locked and this move was utterly unavoidable, Fang Xi took a deep breath.
Each arm of the Netherworld Emperor Celestial Son Dharma Idol behind him formed a different hand seal.
Beast Dao, Hungry Ghost Dao, Hell Dao, Human Dao, Asura Dao. . .
When the final 'Heavenly Dao' hand seal solidified, the third vertical eye in the center of the Netherworld Emperor's brows burst wide open!
Thud!
A black flame emerged from the vertical eye, like a sky-piercing arrow, striking directly at the base of the black small mountain!
Sizzle!
The black flame instantly ignited, spreading over the entire small mountain, and then. . .
Boom!
Black and red continuously intertwined, then transformed into a violent explosion, spreading outwards in all directions.
Observing this from a distance, Madam Snake immediately commanded her life-bound magical treasure, transforming it into a circle of verdant green light.
Bang! Bang!
Even at a considerable distance, the terrifying aftershocks of the battle surged forth, causing her protective light shield to tremble continuously, as if it would shatter in the next moment.
And even further away, in the mortal caravan, some people stopped in their tracks, their jaws agape at the huge black sand wave rising behind them: "A sandstorm. . . no, a black sandstorm is coming! Prepare for defense. . ."
...
While Madam Snake's family caravan was miserably dealing with an even larger wave of 'black sandstorm'.
Fang Xi looked up, seeing a clear sky and blazing sun.
The sky-filling 'Black Water Profound Sand' had, at some unknown point, completely dispersed.
"Daoist friend's divine abilities are extraordinary, far surpassing mine!"
He looked at Black Sand True Monarch, speaking earnestly.
"Daoist friend's divine abilities and spells are also quite ingenious. . ."
The black patterns on Black Sand True Monarch's body faded, clearly indicating he had no intention of continuing the fight.
Through this exchange, he had likely gauged the strength of the 'Wooden True Man' opposite him, who was indeed around the early Nascent Soul stage.
Defeating the opponent would be simple, but killing him would be almost impossible.
As long as Wooden True Man's Nascent Soul escaped, he would almost certainly get away, and then the Yellow Sand Sect would have an unceasing, implacable enemy. Naturally, he wouldn't do something so foolish.
He had no way of knowing that Fang Xi would never allow his Outer Dao Nascent Soul to escape for its life; leaving it behind to cover his retreat was more likely.
The two exchanged a few more polite words, and Fang Xi knew that this mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator had shown considerable restraint.
At the very least, the other party hadn't even deployed his life-bound spiritual treasure, merely testing out a few divine abilities with the 'Black Water Profound Sand'.
'If it came to a real fight, even if I brought out the 'Star-Patterned Chessboard', it would only make the situation look a little better. . . After all, he is a true mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, and my Outer Dao Nascent Soul is slightly inferior even to an early Nascent Soul. . . '
'This person's divine abilities. . . perhaps only after I truly form my Nascent Soul and digest all the benefits from the mystic realm can I truly suppress him. . . '
'No, as soon as I form my Nascent Soul, making him die would be a mere thought. . . '
After this battle, Fang Xi gained a deeper understanding of his own strength.
'This Black Sand True Monarch is truly adept at human relations. What he called a "three-move agreement" was actually just a graceful way to back down. . . Any early Nascent Soul cultivator could handle three of his moves without much trouble, but this gave him a reason to let Madam Snake's family off. . . This way, he also has an explanation for his sect, and if anyone tries to imitate this later, they can just find another early Nascent Soul cultivator to take three moves first! '
'Cultivation isn't just about fighting and killing; it's also about human nature and social graces. '
Watching Black Sand True Monarch's figure disappear into the distance, riding on the black sand, Fang Xi sighed pensively.
Immediately, he turned around and found Madam Snake.
"Senior. . . you truly kept me in the dark so cruelly."
Madam Snake's expression actually held a hint of resentment.
Fang Xi, however, was expressionless: "Now that Black Sand True Monarch has spared you, does that count as me completing my mission. . . Where are the agreed-upon pills?"
If this woman dared to deceive him on this point, no matter how good their past relationship, it would be useless; he would surely exterminate her entire clan.
Madam Snake's resentment deepened, but she said nothing more, answering directly: "Of course it counts, thank you, Senior, for your saving grace. . . This spiritual pill, I placed it on a junior of my family. The medicine bottle has a unique seal, and if not handled with the correct method, it will self-destruct. . ."
Working with a late-stage Core Formation cultivator, how could she not have a contingency or precaution?
Fang Xi listened, his expression unchanged: "You have one incense stick's time to bring it to me."
"Yes!"
Madam Snake transformed into a streak of light, catching up to her family caravan. Before long, she returned, holding a jade bottle: "Senior. . . the seal on the medicine bottle, I have already removed it. . ."
Fang Xi waved his hand, and an invisible suction force emerged, taking the jade bottle into his grasp.
He pulled out the stopper and poured out a single verdant green pill.
A rich, peculiar aroma wafted out. Just a slight whiff was enough to make him feel refreshed, and countless inspirations emerged in his mind.
Smack!
Fang Xi closed the medicine bottle and nodded: "It is indeed a Bodhi Enlightenment Pill. . ."
As someone who had personally used a Bodhi Enlightenment Seed, he was quite confident about this.
"Is Senior leaving now? I wonder if this concubine has the honor of becoming Senior's registered disciple or concubine?"
Madam Snake mustered her courage and asked.
"Registered disciple? Concubine? You are quite beautiful, and you dream beautifully, indeed."
Fang Xi laughed heartily, then turned and transformed into a azure long rainbow, vanishing from sight. . .
...
A year later.
In Yue County, Southern Barren Cultivation World.
Underground cave dwelling.
A silver light flashed, and Fang Xi's figure appeared within. Looking at the perfectly intact 'Primordial Soul Lamp', he let out a long sigh of relief.
A part of his soul resided in this Primordial Soul Lamp, making it exceptionally important. ran
If anything were to happen to it, the consequences would be unimaginable. That was why Fang Xi hadn't left another lamp as a coordinate in the Western Desert.
After all, as his major cultivation realm continuously advanced, perhaps the progress in refining the 'All-Heavens Precious Mirror' would deepen even further, allowing him to open teleportation at will then!
"Finally. . . I'm back."
Fang Xi put away the Primordial Soul Lamp, transformed into a streak of green light, and drilled out of the earth, rising into the sky.
Gazing at the familiar scenery of Yue County, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"This exploration of the mystic realm, and then being stranded in the Western Desert. . . it was truly a long journey."
"Fortunately, many matters have been resolved. Next is seclusion, seclusion! I must strive to digest all the gains from this trip!"
Recalling his journey to the Western Desert Cultivation World, Fang Xi couldn't help but smile.
After exiting the mystic realm, he was teleported to the Flowing Sand Domain, which resulted in a substantial profit for him.
In fact, even after obtaining the 'Bodhi Enlightenment Pill', he didn't stop. He also visited the 'Black Stone Domain', where the 'Eight Desolations Sect' was located, and plundered a large quantity of local spiritual materials and inheritances.
Ultimately, considering that the 'Black Sand True Monarch' was a forthright person, he returned to the Flowing Sand Domain and conducted some transactions with the Yellow Sand Sect.
It must be said that at the Nascent Soul level, most cultivator transactions took the form of bartering.
Even so, Fang Xi managed to exchange some spiritual materials unique to the Southern Barren Cultivation World for many high-grade materials exclusive to the Western Desert, and all of them were top-tier!
After completing all this, he found an uninhabited wilderness, traveled to the Red Sun Realm to check on the progress of his two disciples spreading their teachings, and then returned to the Southern Barrens!
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