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Chapter 458: Seven Emotions (Requesting Monthly Votes)

Chapter 458: Seven Emotions (Requesting Monthly Votes)

“My External Avatar wasn’t harmed in its vitality. . . ”

Fang Xi stroked his chin, seemingly still pondering: “I merely wish to inquire if there are any trading venues nearby. . . ”

For the past several decades, he had been cultivating trees in the Three Kingdoms Alliance, and many of his materials had been significantly depleted.

He was indeed thinking of replenishing his stock at this moment, but alas, the monster race's Realm Descent had caused chaos, and many of the original Cultivation Cities were simply gone. . .

“Trading venues? ! ”

Nangong Li pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, “There truly is one, a private exchange gathering for us Nascent Soul cultivators. . . It holds many good items, but it’s also quite dangerous. ”

“Oh? Is it perhaps hosted by the Lishang Demon Palace? ” Fang Xi’s interest was piqued.

At the mention of that, Nangong Li’s expression suddenly turned a little strange: “No. . . The one hosting this private exchange gathering is ‘Grand Duke Free-and-Easy’! ”

Fang Xi's eyes slightly narrowed, then he recalled.

When he had chatted with his three drinking buddies, he had indeed heard of this person's great name.

Grand Duke Free-and-Easy was a renowned existence even in the Jiang Kingdom, a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator whose ‘Cloud Evasion Art’ was said to be peerless under heaven!

Furthermore, he was a Rogue Cultivator, who didn't even cultivate on a fourth-order spirit vein. He was utterly alone, with no bloodline descendants or disciples. . .

In other words, he truly had no weaknesses, which made his temperament exceedingly arrogant and vengeful to the extreme.

It was said that a Nascent Soul seed from the Lishang Demon Palace had once provoked him, and was directly extracted of his soul and refined by him. . .

Afterward, Tian Du Mojun personally intervened and fought a great battle with this person. Though he won, the Grand Duke still managed to successfully escape!

From then on, this person's name resounded throughout both the righteous and demonic paths!

He was also one of the old Nascent Soul monsters who had clearly declared neutrality since the monster race's Realm Descent!

“It’s actually this person! ? ”

Fang Xi was somewhat surprised: “Then one can indeed look forward to it. . . ”

“It will certainly not disappoint Fellow Daoist. It is said that this private exchange gathering is jointly hosted by this person and several other fellow Daoists. . . They do not inquire about the traders’ origins, backgrounds, or even their race! ” Nangong Li added, pointedly emphasizing the last two words.

“Race? ”

Fang Xi was immediately startled: “Could it be that members of the monster race are also participating? ! ”

“Why not? For existences like us, who already stand at the pinnacle of our respective worlds, why should we fight to the death over the elusive destinies of our two races? Even if there are some influential figures suppressing us openly. . . what’s wrong with conducting private transactions? ”

Nangong Li chuckled softly, “Grand Duke Free-and-Easy has hosted such private exchange gatherings more than once or twice, and the number of fellow Daoists participating is only growing! What’s more. . . the monster race isn’t only here because of the Realm Descent; some of the native fourth-order transformed great demons actually have quite a bit of friendship with our human Nascent Soul cultivators. . . ”

“With the two worlds intersecting in such a way, exchanging what each lacks, it is indeed possible for many rare treasures to appear. . . ”

Fang Xi suddenly exhaled, “In that case. . . I shall have to ask Fellow Daoist for an introduction. ”

“Heh heh, that goes without saying. However, Fellow Daoist must be careful to conceal your identity; otherwise, with your fierce reputation, you might be besieged by the monster race the moment you appear at the auction! ”

Nangong Li laughed, her body trembling like a swaying branch, and then seemed a little curious: “Did Fellow Daoist truly exterminate a mid-grade fourth-order Wind-Winged Tiger? ! ”

“Oh? Has this news already spread? ”

Fang Xi nodded: “Indeed. . . I even peeled its hide and extracted its demon core. . . I wonder if anyone at the exchange gathering would dare to accept them? ”

“I’m afraid there are many who would. . . ”

Nangong Li replied with a smile.

......

Several days later, Fang Xi transformed into a black streak of light and departed Ruyi Valley.

Although the Eighteen Heavenly Demon Dance was indeed beautiful to behold, too much of anything could become tiresome.

Moreover, he still carried the ‘Resentful Soul Allure’ on him, making it exceedingly unsafe to participate in such a perilous exchange gathering.

Therefore, before attending, he decided to first go and meet Tian Du Mojun.

Ice Fiend Lake.

This place had long since become a forbidden zone; only the city built by cultivators still stubbornly stood.

One formation after another ascended, brimming with malevolent qi.

In the sky, a multi-colored pleasure boat floated, as if suppressing all.

‘Compared to the Heaven-Patrolling Battleships of the Jiuzhou World, this still falls a bit short. . . ’

In the distance, a black light flashed, and Fang Xi’s figure appeared.

He landed outside the formation, and a sound transmission talisman flew out.

Not long after, a streak of escape light flew over, revealing a Core Formation Demonic Cultivator within: “Senior Yun Jizi, please wait a moment on the Seven Treasures Pleasure Boat; the Grand Elder is in seclusion and will come out to meet you shortly. . . ”

“Mm! ”

Fang Xi’s expression was stern as he followed the man onto the Seven Treasures Pleasure Boat and was arranged to wait in a side hall.

He glanced at the surrounding furnishings, found them satisfactory, and directly sat cross-legged, silently cultivating his spirit.

Approximately several hours later, a powerful Divine Consciousness swept over.

Immediately, Tian Du Mojun, appearing as a youth with a pair of silver eyebrows and a cinnabar mole between them, arrived at the doorway: “Fellow Daoist Yun Jizi, you’ve finally arrived. ”

“With the Demon Lord’s summons, I dared not not come! ”

Fang Xi slightly cupped his hands: “According to our last agreement, one strike in exchange for the method to remove the ‘Resentful Soul Allure’. Does Fellow Daoist intend for me to attack the Tianli Plain? ”

Tian Du Mojun’s expression showed no change whatsoever: “It is in such a decisive battle that an expert like Fellow Daoist is needed. . . And rest assured, Fellow Daoist, this Venerable One will also take action. ”

“As for the monster race, how do their cultivators of the same realm compare to ours? ”

Fang Xi did not immediately agree. After pondering for a moment, he first inquired about the monster race’s strength.

“The Tianli Plain should be personally guarded by an elder of the Heavenly Phoenix Clan. That demon bird possesses superior-grade fourth-order strength, and this Venerable One will hold it back. . . Besides that, there are no fewer than twenty fourth-order transformed great demons, along with a vast demon army. . . ”

Tian Du Mojun said, “But Fellow Daoist Yun Jizi, you surely wouldn’t put them in your eyes. . . ”

‘No, I care very much. . . ’

Fang Xi grumbled inwardly, then frowned: “This battle is too dangerous. What about what you promised me? ”

Tian Du Mojun smiled faintly: “The ‘Three Demon-Slaying Treasures’ and the method for refining the ‘Beast-Taming Ring’ that Fellow Daoist had someone deliver previously truly helped us greatly. Even if Fellow Daoist hadn’t mentioned it, this Venerable One had already decided to give the remuneration to Fellow Daoist first. ”

With a flick of his hand, a jade slip flew out smoothly, landing before Fang Xi.

Fang Xi’s hands remained still, but a large hand formed of green magic power reached out and grasped the dark jade slip.

Then, his spiritual sense entered it, and he was immediately slightly startled: “Seven Emotions of Parting Treatise? It’s actually a secret art for cultivating the divine soul? Using the seven emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, fear, love, hatred, and desire to temper one’s Divine Consciousness. . . ”

“This Venerable One has said, the Resentful Soul Allure was originally without a solution. It was something this Venerable One obtained by comprehending a secret art, and this secret art is the ‘Seven Emotions of Parting Treatise’. To remove the Resentful Soul Allure, one must cultivate the first layer of this secret art. . . ” Tian Du Mojun said with a faint smile, “This is a secret art for strengthening Divine Consciousness that is impossible to find even with ten thousand pieces of gold; it’s absolutely worth more than its price. . . If it weren’t for Fellow Daoist, but another fellow cultivator, this Venerable One would truly have had to consider it carefully. ”

Fang Xi’s Divine Consciousness rapidly scanned the cultivation method, and indeed, at the end, he saw the method for dispelling the curse. He couldn’t help but slightly nod: “No wonder the Resentful Soul Allure is so troublesome. . . Rest assured, Fellow Daoist, on the day of the decisive battle, I will naturally participate. . . ”

He cupped his hands in farewell, transformed into a streak of demonic light, and departed the Seven Treasures Pleasure Boat.

Tian Du Mojun watched Fang Xi depart, his gaze inscrutable. . .

......

Inside a temporary cave abode.

Fang Xi put down the ‘Seven Emotions of Parting Treatise’, which he had been comprehending for a long time: “Such a Divine Consciousness cultivation method naturally cannot be mastered overnight. . . One must cultivate the first layer to be able to treat the ‘Resentful Soul Allure’ as nourishment for the Divine Consciousness, slowly refining it. . . How could Tian Du Mojun have thought of such a clever method? It seems. . . he too must have carried quite a few ‘Resentful Soul Allures’ in his younger years. . . ”

He currently couldn’t quickly master the first layer of the cultivation method, but he had found a compromise.

“Seven Emotions Soul Lock. . . this secret art can temporarily mask the fluctuations of my Resentful Soul Allure? It could indeed be used for emergencies. . . ”

He sat cross-legged, silently recalling the incantation.

After this period of comprehension, Fang Xi already thoroughly understood the ‘Seven Emotions of Parting Treatise’.

Furthermore, he wasn’t aiming to directly master the entire cultivation method at this moment, merely to cast a segment of its secret art. With his formidable Divine Consciousness, this wouldn’t be a problem.

“The five colors blind the eye, the five notes deafen the ear, the five flavors dull the palate. . . Joy leads to sorrow, extreme anger causes harm, grief brings death to the heart, and fear chills the gall. . . ”

Fang Xi silently recited the incantation, then suddenly his hand seals shifted.

Around him, a crimson mask representing joy materialized, bearing a grotesque, wide smile.

Next, came a jet-black mask symbolizing anger. . .

And then, an ink-green mask of sorrow. . .

Masks, one after another, shimmered with light, beginning to swirl around Fang Xi. . .

“Seven Emotions Soul Lock, Seal! ”

Fang Xi’s hand seal changed, and he roared.

In that instant, a mask of ‘desire’ covered his face, making his features appear twisted.

Next, came the mask symbolizing ‘disgust’. . .

Mask after mask continuously covered his face, completely obscuring his original appearance.

Following this, Fang Xi could feel seven distinct emotions settling in various parts of his sea of consciousness, like nails, pinning down a certain spot. . .

‘The Resentful Soul Allure truly targets the divine soul. . . Even if one were to seize a body and reincarnate, it would likely be impossible to shake off. ’

Once everything was complete, Fang Xi, wearing the seven masks, dispersed his magic power.

The masks seemed to fully merge into his face, causing a layer of dreamlike, multi-colored mist to appear on it.

‘This art was originally meant to aid in concealing one’s form and aura, but Tian Du Mojun discovered it could be used to temporarily seal the aura of the Resentful Soul Allure. . . ’

‘For now, I’ll use this and attend the auction. . . Once the auction and the great battle are over, I’ll have enough time to cultivate the incantation and completely resolve this hidden danger. ’

Fang Xi pondered for a moment, then exhaled a long breath.

......

Several months later.

Two figures, cloaked in jet-black robes, their forms completely hidden, arrived in a desolate wilderness.

“Is this the trading point chosen by Grand Duke Free-and-Easy? ”

Fang Xi wore a rattan mask, his aura indistinct, as he spoke to inquire.

“Precisely. This place appears ordinary, but there’s another world beneath the earth. . . ”

Nangong Li chuckled, “And there isn’t a single trace of restriction or formation here; it’s a completely open market. . . ”