Chapter 484: Earth Hearing (Making up for missed chapter 39)
Chapter 484: Earth Hearing (Making up for missed chapter 39)
Western Desert Cultivation World.
Boundless yellow sands swept over a desolate oasis, where occasionally a corner of a building emerged from the dunes, only to be swiftly swallowed by the dust once more. . .
Deep underground, within an ancient teleportation array.
A silver light flashed, and Fang Xi's figure stepped out from within.
"Finally back again, Western Desert Cultivation World. . ."
He muttered, and with a flick of his finger, the Taiyi Green Wood Divine Light transformed into a flying knife, leaving a broken mark on a certain formation pattern of the teleportation array.
This way, this ancient teleportation array was rendered useless.
Even if someone were on Emerald Island, they wouldn't be able to activate the teleportation.
"Coming to the Western Desert Cultivation World this time is mainly to lie low for a while. . . At the same time, there are three things I must do."
Fang Xi walked out of the underground palace, arrived in the desolate oasis outside, and looked up, glancing at the blazing sun: "The first thing is to find a place to settle down and cultivate, preferably one with a fourth-order spirit vein!"
"The second thing is to search for information about 'Blood River Stone' and several types of demonic flames."
'Within the Great Demonic Flame Infant Refinement Art, it's mentioned that the flames required to refine the Second Primordial Spirit must be demonic spirit flames! '
Therefore, Green Luan True Fire is useless; after all, their attributes are conflicting.
Fang Xi even suspected that if Xiao Qing were to unleash a mouthful of Green Luan Spirit Flame, the Second Primordial Spirit would. . . be gone!
"The third thing is to improve my alchemy skills and attempt to refine the 'Spirit-Splitting Pill'. . ."
He murmured, recalling the general overview of the Western Desert Cultivation World.
The Western Desert Cultivation World was incredibly vast, mostly composed of desert and oasis landscapes, divided into dozens of 'domains'. Within each domain, there was often one or more Nascent Soul sects.
Where he was currently located was near the 'Flowing Sand Domain' of the Eastern Eight Domains. Decades ago, when the demon race descended, the Nascent Soul sects of the Eastern Eight Domains jointly established 'Heavenly Guardian City', firmly blocking the beast horde within a grand formation.
"I wonder what the situation is like now. It shouldn't be worse than the South Barrens Cultivation World, after all, in the Western Desert Cultivation World, there might even be Soul Transformation cultivators. . ."
Precisely for this reason, Fang Xi also intended to maintain a low profile, and not stand out too much.
Fortunately, with his current cultivation, even merely employing puppetry techniques was enough to roam unhindered; he would not fear even encountering a great cultivator.
After all, this time, Fang Xi had also brought the puppet refined by Elder Qing. . .
"Previously, my alias, True Monarch Mu, killed a Five Elements Lin Clan beast outside Heavenly Guardian City. The 'Celestial Demon Extermination Manual' and the 'Two Forms Primordial Circulation Art' were obtained from the beast skin scrolls on that demon's body. . ."
"If the demon race has spies, they definitely wouldn't let True Monarch Mu off. . . This alias won't do; I'll change it."
Fang Xi swept his storage ring, and took out a bamboo hat from it.
This bamboo hat was woven from a type of bamboo strips; a layer of gray gauze hung down from its edges, perfectly concealing his face.
Within it, spiritual light flickered, subtly forming runes, proving it to be an exotic treasure!
This item was something Fang Xi had found among Elder Qing's storage artifacts; it possessed the effect of concealing one's face and blocking Divine Consciousness probes, proving quite effective even against Nascent Soul cultivators.
However, its design clearly indicated it belonged to the human race. He didn't know which unfortunate Human Race Nascent Soul had been slaughtered by Elder Qing, and this exotic treasure casually collected.
Now that Fang Xi had taken it out and put it on, his aura immediately became ethereal and indistinct. Even if True Monarch Black Sand were before him, he might not be recognized.
Having come here before, Fang Xi already knew the terrain like the back of his hand.
At this moment, he transformed into a streak of green light, and swiftly departed.
...
Wooden Beam City.
This city was under the rule of the 'Eight Desolations Sect', and was a trading city established by the 'Eight Desolations Sect'.
Even though the demon race had descended into this realm, due to Heavenly Guardian City's effective defense, the cultivators of the Eastern Eight Domains did not feel much chaos or unrest.
However, clans contributing manpower and resources, and suffering heavy casualties, was unavoidable.
Fang Xi suppressed his aura to roughly Core Formation stage, entered Wooden Beam City through the main gate, preparing to casually find an intelligence agency to inquire about news.
"Oh?"
Suddenly, his Divine Consciousness stirred, sweeping over a female cultivator who had just emerged from a certain pavilion.
This female cultivator's waist was as lithe as a snake's, exuding a mature charm; it was actually 'Madam Snake', who had traded the Enlightenment Pill with him back then!
"This woman also came. . ."
Fang Xi sighed inwardly with emotion, but had no intention of stepping forward to acknowledge her.
Currently, he was a stranger, a Core Formation cultivator, not True Monarch Mu, and had no acquaintance with Madam Snake whatsoever.
What's more, back then, their transaction was settled, and he had even helped Madam Snake's family avoid a calamity that would have wiped out their clan. Strictly speaking, she still owed him quite a bit, so there was no need to rush to collect a debt.
"Is this senior perhaps new to Wooden Beam City?"
Perhaps because Fang Xi had lingered at the city gate for too long, a Qi Refinement cultivator who had been crouching in a corner brightened his eyes, stepped forward, bowed, and greeted him.
"Hm, I've just emerged from secluded cultivation, and wish to find a merchant guild to inquire about recent news in the cultivation world."
Fang Xi casually tossed over a low-grade spirit stone: "Lead the way. If I am satisfied, your reward will not be small."
"Many thanks, Senior! This junior, Tu Longzi, will surely handle this matter perfectly for Senior."
Tu Longzi accepted the spirit stone, secretly pleased with himself.
'Those scoundrels, seeing someone's cultivation was profound, didn't dare to step forward. Little did they know, it's precisely these kinds of seniors who give generous rewards. . . Unlike those Qi Refinement cultivators who wander for half a day only to give a few spirit crystals, how could they compare to this senior, who hands out a spirit stone so readily? '
He immediately led the way, saying enthusiastically: "Wooden Beam City's largest merchant guild is the 'Eight Extremes Merchant Guild'. Its true backer is the 'Eight Desolations Sect', making it the most trustworthy, and it has many rare treasures. . . It also dabbles in intelligence business, but its prices are very high, and any intelligence related to the Eight Desolations Sect itself is completely sealed off. . ."
"Aside from the 'Eight Extremes Merchant Guild', the Earth Hearing Pavilion, Three Connections Association, and Zhai Family Old Shop. . . are all well-informed establishments. "
Fang Xi listened, pondered for a moment, then said: "First, let's go to the Earth Hearing Pavilion."
"Yes, Senior!"
Tu Longzi led the way, while Fang Xi slowly strolled along, occasionally using his Divine Consciousness to observe the passing cultivators, and the prices of artifacts and talismans on the stalls. . . He noticed they were a bit higher than before, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly: 'This is the war economy. . . '
After about the time it takes for a few sticks of incense to burn, Tu Longzi led Fang Xi to a pavilion.
This pavilion was square-shaped, narrower at the top and wider at the bottom. It was entirely built from a strange kind of wood, emitting a faint fragrance.
Layers of vibrant, colorful restrictions appeared, strictly guarding the building within. On the plaque above, the three large characters 'Earth Hearing Pavilion' were inscribed.
Fang Xi stood beneath the plaque, gazing intently at the patterns around the three characters 'Earth Hearing Pavilion' on the plaque, which resembled decorative carvings. His gaze was distant and lost in thought.
Just as Tu Longzi was wondering if the senior had any instructions, he saw him stride directly inside.
'What's so interesting about this plaque? '
Tu Longzi looked up, glanced at the plaque, and was speechless.
Fang Xi walked into the Earth Hearing Pavilion, and immediately saw a female receptionist coming to greet him: "Esteemed guest, please proceed to the side hall for tea!"
"Hm."
Fang Xi assented, and directly tossed a spirit stone to Tu Longzi: "You handled this well. There's no need to go to the other establishments. You may leave. . ."
"Many thanks, Senior."
Tu Longzi clutched the spirit stone, then was utterly bewildered.
This senior's way of doing things was truly peculiar. How could he determine this building was good before even starting?
However, high-tier cultivators often had eccentric and solitary temperaments, so he dared not ask more, and quickly left. . .
...
"Esteemed guest, please follow me."
This female receptionist was dressed unusually lightly; her upper body was adorned only with a chest wrap, while her lower body wore a short blue skirt. Small rings of gold and silver adorned her wrists and ankles, jingling softly as she walked.
Fang Xi followed the woman through a flower garden, then entered a side hall.
This hall seemed to have been carved out from a single log; the tables, chairs, and benches inside were all carved from raw timber. Their four legs seamlessly merged with the floor, presenting a rather interesting sight.
"Esteemed guest, please enjoy the Seven Treasures Tea!"
The female receptionist quickly poured another cup of spirit tea.
This spirit tea was served in a wooden cup; inside, there seemed to be petals from seven types of spirit fruits. The combined fragrance of flowers and fruits assailed his nostrils, vastly different from what he found in the South Barrens Cultivation World.
Fang Xi took a sip, finding it sweet and sour to the taste, and couldn't help but smile faintly: "Indeed, good tea. . ."
Not long after, a female shopkeeper in her thirties entered the main hall. Her skin was fair, and her attire was similar to the maidservants', with a thin veil covering her face. She first performed a bow: "Wanying greets the esteemed guest. . ."
Her cultivation was around late-stage Foundation Establishment. Seeing Fang Xi was a Core Formation cultivator, she couldn't help but be even more cautious.
"No need for formalities. I've just emerged from seclusion, and wish to know the latest intelligence on Heavenly Guardian City."
"So, Senior wishes to inquire about the demon race? " Wanying relaxed considerably: "In the past few decades, a Purple Lightning Qilin among the demon race has repeatedly assaulted Heavenly Guardian City's defenses, causing many cultivators to die or be wounded. . . The detailed intelligence is here, priced at two hundred low-grade spirit stones."
This price was quite cheap. Fang Xi naturally handed over two mid-grade spirit stones, in exchange for a jade slip.
His Divine Consciousness entered it, and he first saw the illusory image of a Purple Lightning Qilin!
Its form was like a Qilin, with two horns on its head, and faint thunder seemed to be generated.
Even though it was an illusory image, Fang Xi felt it was much stronger than the Green Horned Lin Clan beast.
"Purple Lightning Qilin, fourth-order superior-grade. . . repeatedly assaulted Heavenly Guardian City's defenses, threatening to demand 'True Monarch Mu'?"
Reading on, the first piece of 'melon' he encountered was about himself. Fang Xi's expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, a storm raged.
'Good thing I concealed my identity. . . It seems there's no need to go to Madam Snake's side either. '
He continued reading, and discovered that among the demon race, apart from 'Elder Zi', the Purple Lightning Qilin, there was also another fourth-order superior-grade demon beast that had once nearly breached Heavenly Guardian City a few years ago. Fortunately, at that critical moment, the late-stage Nascent Soul great cultivator — Zen Master Jin Guang — arrived with a group of reinforcements, otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
'Buddhist cultivators. . . That's rather interesting. '
Whether it was Buddhism or Confucianism. . . they were all actually cultivation methods, pursued by those seeking longevity, and belonged to factions within the human race.
When facing a major matter like confronting the demon race, it naturally required concerted effort.
After seeing that Heavenly Guardian City's defenses were still relatively stable, Fang Xi put away the jade slip, and looked towards the beautiful woman.
"Does Senior have any further instructions?"
Wanying felt uneasy, and asked.
"You. . . are a Gu cultivator, aren't you?"
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