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Chapter 539: Making Acquaintances (For Alliance Leader 'Cannot Bear HW')

Chapter 539: Making Acquaintances (For Alliance Leader 'Cannot Bear HW')

"Snake Madam. . . she isn't young anymore, is she? "

Gazing at the slightly weathered lines around Snake Madam's eyes, Fang Xi sighed inwardly, recalling the woman from two hundred years ago.

Even for a Core Formation cultivator with a lifespan of five hundred years, two centuries was a truly long time.

It was understandable that her appearance had aged somewhat.

At this moment, the whispers of the surrounding cultivators drifted into his ears:

"Is that Jue Yan True Monarch? The Saint Fire Cult truly lives up to its reputation as the foremost great sect in the Western Desert, producing Nascent Souls continuously. . . If only I were a disciple of the Saint Fire Cult, how wonderful would that be?"

"Could those restrained be the 'Five Demon Thieves'? It's said these sand bandits are all Core Formation cultivators, and it's true. . . Rumor has it they even unearthed a Nascent Soul's hidden treasure, obtaining numerous secret arts, spiritual artifacts, and divine abilities. Even late-stage Core Formation cultivators were no match for them; Jin Yuan Shangren even fell victim to their venomous hands. . ."

...

For him, the transaction with "Snake Madam" had been completed long ago, and they owed each other nothing.

"My primary goal right now is still the ancient teleportation array. Incidentally, I should try to acquire secret arts helpful for Soul Transformation and five-stage Qilin blood. . . None of these are simple matters, so I can take my time. . ."

Considering that the Realm Descent had ended roughly sixty years ago, if that Huo Laozu intended to use the Qilin blood, it would likely have been consumed already.

If not, then there was a high probability it was still stored away, so Fang Xi wasn't in any particular hurry.

He arrived at the best spirit vein location in Shaoyang City and found the rental steward.

This steward was also a disciple of the Saint Fire Cult. Seeing Fang Xi, he dared not neglect him: "This humble one, Jiang Bai, greets this senior. May I ask what senior wishes?"

"I wish to rent a fourth-tier cave abode," Fang Xi replied with a calm expression.

Jiang Bai's demeanor immediately grew even more respectful: "May I know senior's esteemed name? So that this humble one can register it. . ."

"This Daoist is Qing He, a rogue cultivator. . . " Fang Xi answered.

This 'Qing He True Monarch' was, naturally, a new alias he intended to establish, creating the persona of a rogue cultivator who had successfully formed a Nascent Soul, and who could also be a sword dao genius.

With the Demon Race Realm Descent, countless cultivators had perished, numerous sects had been destroyed, and their inheritances had flowed out. . . This had, paradoxically, brought benefits to rogue cultivators.

While most rogue cultivators had died even more miserably than sect disciples, some rare resources had become available, and the sects' various hidden blockades had also weakened considerably, allowing indeed quite a few powerful individuals to emerge among rogue cultivators, including successful examples of Core Formation and even Nascent Soul formation!

"So it is Qing He True Monarch. The price for a fourth-tier cave abode is. . ."

Jiang Bai quickly bent his waist even lower and quoted a sum of spirit stones.

Fang Xi's expression remained unchanged as he casually tossed out a storage bag: "These spirit stones are enough for fifty years' rent. . . Where is the token?"

After receiving the cave abode token and map, Fang Xi arrived at his dwelling, discovering it was an independent mountain peak named 'Drifting Cloud Peak'.

Holding the restriction token, he entered the cave abode, immediately checking for any hidden restrictions, then completely replaced the grand array protecting the residence.

"This place is sufficient for temporary residence. Anyway, I can cultivate in the Mountain Sea Pearl. . . " Fang Xi murmured.

With his current cultivation, deploying secret arts to alter his appearance and conceal his aura would make it virtually impossible to see through him, unless a Soul Transformation cultivator was directly present. . .

Given this, it seemed he could reside in Shaoyang City for a few years, gathering the items he desired.

With plenty of lifespan now and the Realm Descent disaster long past, Fang Xi truly wasn't in any rush.

...

Over the next few years.

Fang Xi frequently emerged from seclusion to make acquaintances with Nascent Soul Daoist companions, and then to purchase many rare materials. Occasionally, he would also sell some high-grade talismans, feigning to replenish his spirit stones, while secretly paying attention to news of various peak-tier resources and participating in various auctions and private exchange fairs.

The batch of Western Desert specialties he acquired were of little use to him directly, but he could hand them over to the Kyushu World and then share the research results. . .

Occasionally, Fang Xi would even visit the largest 'Snake Girl Pavilion' in Shaoyang City, appreciating the graceful and alluring dances of the snake girls, only returning when thoroughly pleased.

He appeared no different from a typical early-stage Nascent Soul old monster who enjoyed leisure.

And all this information and intelligence was continuously compiled by numerous stewards and shopkeepers, eventually reaching the hands of the Saint Fire Cult's Nascent Soul cultivator stationed in Shaoyang City.

"Qing He True Monarch. . . I saw this person at an exchange fair once."

Jue Yanzi held a jade slip, a trace of a smile on his face: "His magical power is ordinary. . . and as a rogue cultivator, he seems to have exhausted his potential after breaking through to a major realm. . . It's normal for him to be fond of pleasure."

Compared to those 'Nascent Soul old monsters' who had truly lived to the brink of their lifespan and had unpredictable temperaments, Qing He True Monarch's disposition was still quite good.

"Although the rogue cultivator's origin is questionable, the chaos of the Demon Race invasion destroyed order, making it difficult to trace now. . ."

"He would make a good guest elder."

Jue Yanzi smiled slightly, shaking a jade bell in his hand.

A female disciple immediately entered the cave abode and bowed deeply: "Master. . . You called for your disciple?"

"Deliver a formal invitation to Qing He True Monarch for me. Tell him I will pay him a visit in three days! " Jue Yanzi said with a faint smile.

He thoroughly enjoyed his current life: having formed a Nascent Soul, presiding over a region, backed by a major sect, even Nascent Soul old monsters gave him face. . .

...

Three days later.

Jue Yanzi arrived at Drifting Cloud Peak and saw that Fang Xi had already opened the formation: "Daoist Jue Yan, please come in!"

"Daoist Qing He is too polite. . ."

Jue Yanzi demurred for a moment, then entered the cave abode, his manner calm and possessing the bearing of a prominent figure.

'Alas. . . that Core Formation cultivator who was deferential in front of the Tian Kui True Monarch is truly gone forever. . . '

Fang Xi sighed inwardly, his expression remaining perfectly normal. He first served spirit tea and spirit fruits.

The two then chatted about cultivation matters. He deliberately concealed his true abilities, asking Jue Yanzi for advice on early-stage Nascent Soul cultivation.

Jue Yanzi's occasional pointers were incisive and insightful.

Fang Xi couldn't help but sigh inwardly: 'The Saint Fire Cult truly lives up to its name as the foremost great sect in the Western Desert. Even early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators within their ranks can see the path forward, and their chances of breaking through to the mid-stage are higher than those of other Nascent Soul old monsters. . . '

As for Jue Yanzi's intention to recruit him? How could he not see it?

However, the treatment for a guest elder of the Saint Fire Cult was truly mediocre.

After all, the Saint Fire Cult had several powerful cultivators, and even a Soul Transformation ancestor. They simply weren't afraid of what an external guest elder might do.

Yet, precisely because of this, there were many restrictions, making it less comfortable than sects like the Three Immortals Sect, which only had a handful of true powers.

Even so, there were always some Nascent Soul old monsters who joined the Saint Fire Cult as guest elders, simply to gain protection and, at the same time, bless their families and disciples. . .

Therefore, when Jue Yanzi hinted again, Fang Xi sighed faintly: "Since I advanced to Nascent Soul, I have felt that my potential is exhausted. . . I fear I have no hope of breaking through to the mid-stage in this life. . . These thousand years of lifespan, besides enjoying pleasure, should also have some other pursuit. . ."

To become a Nascent Soul old monster, one's conviction must be incredibly firm; otherwise, they wouldn't even be able to pass the inner demon tribulation.

Jue Yanzi immediately grew serious and asked, "May I ask what Daoist's ambition is?"

"I no longer have any interest in the path of cultivation. In this life, I only wish to witness the azure seas at dusk and the yellow sands at dawn, gaze upon the clear sky and climb the white sun. . . to travel through the five domains of the Human World! And then write a travelogue, to be widely published throughout the land! " Fang Xi replied with a devout expression.

'So he's one who seeks fame! '

Jue Yanzi sneered inwardly. He was wholeheartedly devoted to the Dao, currently only thinking of accumulating merits, then breaking through to the mid-stage and late-stage Nascent Soul. . . perhaps even daring to hope for Soul Transformation!

He secretly disdained cultivators who pursued fame, for no matter if one left a glorious name in history or a reputation of infamy, once a person died, it all amounted to nothing. . .

On the surface, however, he displayed an expression of admiration: "Daoist has a grand ambition! However, traveling through the various domains is extremely difficult, even for Nascent Soul cultivators like us. . . Not to mention, the Central Domain is already ruined; it's not only full of dangers, but the void is also rife with void rifts, impossible to guard against!"

"And the Southern Desolate has been disconnected from the remaining three domains for a long time. Without an ancient teleportation array. . . to cross those endless dangers, perhaps only our sect's Soul Transformation ancestor would have such ability. . . but even that would be an extremely arduous task."

"Alas. . ."

Fang Xi sighed cooperatively: "This humble one also knows that traveling to the Central Domain and Southern Desolate is a pipe dream. However, the East Sea and the Northern Plains ice fields are certainly worth a visit. I hope Daoist can assist me!"

"You wish to use our sect's ancient teleportation array? ! " Jue Yanzi blurted out, feeling a bit vexed.

How had his attempt to recruit a guest elder ended up like this instead?

"I heard that your esteemed sect possesses an ancient teleportation array that can directly lead to the East Sea and the Northern Plains ice fields. . ."

Fang Xi looked at Jue Yanzi with an expression full of anticipation.

"This. . . the ancient teleportation array is not easy to maintain, and each use consumes a great deal. . . Moreover, one needs a guarantor."

Jue Yanzi instinctively wanted to refuse.

Why should he do such a thankless task?

Fang Xi, however, knew that this person's temperament leaned towards risk-taking; otherwise, he wouldn't have made that transaction with him back then.

The current refusal was simply because the benefits weren't enough!

He smiled faintly, flicked his storage bag, and a crimson box appeared on the table: "If Daoist is willing to assist, this item shall be presented to Daoist. . ."

The fiery red jade box opened, revealing a dark spiritual ganoderma within.

Jue Yanzi examined it for a moment, then a look of surprise and delight suddenly appeared on his face: "Could this be the 'Nine-Flame Spirit Ganoderma'?"

"Precisely so, and it should have over four thousand years of maturity. If refined into a pill, it would greatly benefit a cultivator practicing fire-attribute cultivation methods in their cultivation progress!"

Fang Xi chuckled: "This item is my personal trump card. If it weren't for my cultivation method being incompatible with this item, I would never have taken it out."

Jue Yanzi's Divine Consciousness repeatedly scanned it, confirming its authenticity. Just as he reached out, the jade box flashed and vanished.

"This item will certainly be given to Daoist before I teleport," Fang Xi said calmly and confidently, "With the esteemed reputation of the Saint Fire Cult, Daoist needn't worry about me playing any tricks. . ."

'What a profitable deal! '

This thought surfaced in Jue Yanzi's mind.

In truth, the ancient teleportation array had always been open. Not only could Saint Fire Cult cultivators choose to travel to the East Sea and Northern Plains after forming their Nascent Souls, but ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators, as long as they had a guarantor, were also welcome by the Saint Fire Cult. They would simply charge a hefty sum of spirit stones and materials, so why not?

And with 'Qing He True Monarch' being merely an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, could he possibly stir up trouble under the very nose of Huo Laozu?

(Note: I have translated'qing He True Monarch` to'qing He True Monarch` and'qing He` to'qing He`. The glossy entry'qing Hezi` (Qinghezi) is probably the full Daoist title, while'qing He` is the given part of the name. 'true Monarch` (True Monarch) is a common honorific for Nascent Soul cultivators. This keeps consistency while respecting the glossary. )