Novels online

Chapter 559: The Deal (Bonus Chapter, Seeking Monthly Votes)

“You want my help? Daoist friend, have you perhaps gone astray in your cultivation, suffering some ailment of the head? ”

Fang Xi scoffed, "This Realm Descent has led to a life-and-death war between the Human and Demon races. While I've managed to gain some benefits from this war, why should I help your Demon race?"

The black-robed, hunchbacked old man's voice was frigid, carrying a hint of killing intent. "Among the Demon race, there are also different species. My Xuan Turtle clan has never held much interest in the Realm Descent and has never stained its hands with the blood of human cultivators. Yet, you humans insist on making trouble for my clan; the Ice God Palace has gone too far in its bullying!"

Fang Xi fell silent, acknowledging the truth in the old man's words. It seemed the Xuan Turtle clan genuinely hadn't invaded the Human World.

The hunchbacked old man chuckled, "The reason this old man willingly stayed behind this time is, naturally, because I've already abandoned my Dao path. . . After all, with the current concentration of demonic qi in this realm, further cultivation and advancement are impossible. I can only await the next Demon Race Realm Descent, or the Ascension Platform. . ."

The hunchbacked old man smiled, "If you are willing to help with this, this old man can guarantee that the Xuan Turtle clan will only wage a never-ending war with the Ice God Palace in the future, without involving any other human cultivators. . ."

Fang Xi fell into contemplation, then spoke after a moment, "Daoist friend, if that is the case, your request must be of great importance. What is it, pray tell?"

"To be frank. . . during this Realm Descent, the Ice God Palace not only invaded the Myriad Verdant Sea, but also took a crucial item from my clan."

The hunchbacked old man stated frankly, "This old man had previously infiltrated the area several times using the 'Turtle Concealment Art' to search for this item."

Fang Xi was slightly surprised. The Ice God Palace must possess a fifth-order grand array, and experts were as numerous as clouds within it.

For this old turtle to be able to stealthily infiltrate was truly remarkable!

"This old man's 'Turtle Concealment Art' is a secret technique passed down by the Xuan Turtle clan. When my aura is completely restrained, I am no different from flowers, grass, trees, or stones. Aside from Ice Xuanzi and the Ice God Palace Master, no one in the Ice God Palace can detect this old man. . ."

The hunchbacked old man continued, "Therefore, this old man also roughly ascertained the location where that important item was placed. . . But just as I was about to sneak in, I discovered an 'ancient divine restriction' laid out there! This restriction is quite sensitive to demonic qi, rendering this old man's 'Turtle Concealment Art' useless. . . Forcibly breaking the restriction would inevitably delay me, allowing Ice Xuanzi to notice."

"Ancient divine restriction? " Fang Xi exclaimed.

He had indeed read descriptions of this type of formation in a few ancient texts.

"This old man pondered day and night and realized that only by inviting a human cultivator whose Divine Consciousness rivals a Soul Transformation cultivator would there be a chance to instantly break the formation without triggering an alarm. . . Is this not why I can only come to you, Daoist friend?"

'This old turtle probably couldn't find a Soul Transformation cultivator to scheme with, and just happened to stumble upon me, a mere Nascent Soul baby, so he's trying to strong-arm me, isn't he? '

Fang Xi sneered inwardly and asked, "Then what benefit is there for me? This involves infiltrating a fifth-order grand array, and potentially even facing two Soul Transformation cultivators directly!"

"This old man already caused significant damage to the Ice God Palace's mountain-protecting grand array last night. Now, with numerous disciples coming and going, there are many weaknesses, and this old man will arrange everything properly for Daoist friend. . . As for the Soul Transformation cultivators, this old man will also lure them away for Daoist friend. The danger is actually not too high. . . Of course, for Daoist friend to make a move, this old man naturally needs to show some sincerity. After this matter is concluded, this old man can voluntarily withdraw the consciousness within that portion of blood. . . You must know, if that consciousness isn't withdrawn, whether Daoist friend uses it for artifact refinement or cultivating secret techniques, the chance of failure would be terrifyingly high."

The hunchbacked old man's eyes gleamed with two inches of green light, and he chuckled ominously.

"You threaten me?"

Fang Xi snorted, "Aren't you afraid I'll report you directly to the Ice God Palace? Even if we start fighting here. . . I'm afraid you won't be able to escape either."

The hunchbacked old man said indifferently, "Daoist friend's actions last night have also earned you Ice Xuanzi's enmity. If you make a move, we'll both be hunted by the Ice God Palace. . ."

The hunchbacked old man continued with complete nonchalance, "This old man believes that even if pursued by two Soul Transformation cultivators, I can still escape. . . It's just that I wonder if Daoist friend possesses such divine ability?"

Fang Xi was exasperated, then grumbled, "I only have a slight understanding of the Dao of formations; I cannot possibly breach an ancient divine restriction. Daoist friend, I'm afraid you've come to the wrong person. . ."

The hunchbacked old man's eyes lit up. He had already discerned that the other party's attitude had softened somewhat. "Daoist friend, there's no need to worry. This old man will naturally hand over the map of the Ice God Palace and the method for breaking the ancient divine restriction to you. This method is quite simple; it primarily requires powerful Divine Consciousness."

The hunchbacked old man's eyes lit up. He had already discerned that the other party's attitude had softened somewhat.

"That's all?"

Fang Xi's eyes widened, and he sneered, "You want me to risk my life for your esteemed self, simply for purifying my blood? Isn't that a bit much?"

"Then what do you want? " The hunchbacked old man's heart rejoiced, and he countered.

"What can make cultivators like us, at the Nascent Soul stage, abandon life and forget death, is naturally only the opportunity to reach Soul Transformation. " Fang Xi stated frankly, "I wonder if Daoist friend possesses any miraculous elixirs or medicines that can aid in breaking through to Soul Transformation?"

"..."

The hunchbacked old man was speechless for a long time, then said, "You really dare to dream big. . ."

"Furthermore, I also greatly admire Daoist friend's Turtle Concealment Art. I ask senior to enlighten me. . . " Fang Xi said with a faint smile, bringing up a second request.

"My Demon Race secret techniques are something you humans cannot learn; give up on that idea. . ."

The hunchbacked old man shook his head. He naturally knew of the Five Elements Lin Clan's 'Two Modes Profound Circulation Art,' but that secret art was primarily for the Demon race's disguise. The human physique simply couldn't meet the cultivation requirements, and there were many difficult obstacles.

It was a pity that this old turtle did not know that times were advancing and technology was developing; this secret art had already been improved too much by the Kyushu World. . .

"I naturally know that," Fang Xi stated 'frankly', "I merely wish to obtain the original secret art and then glean from it a cultivation method suitable for the Human race."

Fang Xi stated 'frankly'.

"You dare to lay hands on my Xuan Turtle clan's secret techniques, hahaha. . . This old man likes cultivators like you. " The hunchbacked old man burst into laughter. If it weren't for such a madman, how could anyone agree to storm the Ice God Palace?

He extended his hand, and a dark green jade slip appeared. Threads of Divine Consciousness were imprinted within it: "The 'Turtle Concealment Art' is here, but you must also know the rules; you cannot take it for free. . . Otherwise, if you just run off, who will this old man cry to?"

"Naturally."

Fang Xi quietly waited for the old turtle to make his move.

In the hunchbacked old man's other hand, a dark green pill appeared.

This pill was only thumb-sized. Inside, there seemed to be a wisp of myriad demon primordial qi, constantly darting about, yet it was firmly sealed by the pill.

"Heavenly Demon Qi! ?"

A look of deep apprehension appeared on Fang Xi's face.

"Indeed, this pill contains 'Heavenly Demon Qi'. It is currently sealed by the pill's power and normally won't cause any trouble. However, once the pill's power is depleted, the Heavenly Demon Qi will clash with a cultivator's internal magical power, causing even a Soul Transformation cultivator to explode and die!"

The hunchbacked old man said smugly, "As long as Daoist friend consumes this pill, this old man will present the jade slip. . . After the matter is concluded, I will also give Daoist friend an additional portion of essence blood, to help Daoist friend transform into a half-demon body. . . Isn't this 'Heavenly Demon Qi' exactly the miraculous elixir for assisting breakthroughs to Soul Transformation? Hahaha. . . This old man has agreed to both your conditions."

"Using Heavenly Demon Qi to break through. . . the probability is likely very low, and if it fails, death is certain."

Fang Xi took a deep breath, yet accepted the pill and swallowed it in one gulp: "However, reaching Soul Transformation is inherently an ethereal matter. Life is short, so why not gamble! ?"

"Well said."

The hunchbacked old man sensed for a moment, then, satisfied, handed the 'Turtle Concealment Art' jade slip to Fang Xi.

Fang Xi took it and swept his Divine Consciousness over it. Besides the demon language secret art, he surprisingly found a map of the Ice God Palace and the method for deciphering the ancient divine restriction, which left him somewhat speechless.

This old turtle was certain he would take the bait.

"Since that's the case, Daoist friend, when do you plan to make your move?"

He asked.

"This matter should be done sooner rather than later. We'll act tonight, hehe. . . Even Ice Xuanzi won't expect how quickly this old man's injuries have recovered; I'll definitely catch him off guard."

The hunchbacked old man let out a few cold chuckles, "At that time, this old man will attack a crucial location, guaranteeing that Ice Xuanzi and that other Soul Transformation cultivator will rush over like madmen. Then you can act. With Daoist friend's strength, there shouldn't be any Nascent Soul cultivators in the Ice God Palace who can stop you, right?"

He had also witnessed Fang Xi's methods, and from Ice Xuanzi's later exasperation, he surmised that the Ice Crystal Phoenix was likely no more. . .

Daring to intervene in a Soul Transformation battle naturally meant he wasn't an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Where will you attack? What could make Ice Xuanzi jump up and down? Could it be. . ."

Fang Xi's expression changed, as if he had thought of something.

"Indeed, haha. . . What can make even a Soul Transformation Patriarch leap about, is naturally only the 'Ascension Platform'. . . This platform is not easily built. In the Human World, perhaps this is the only one left. . ."

The hunchbacked old man laughed heartily. Seeing Fang Xi's gaze, he quickly reassured him, "Don't worry, this old man is just trying to scare them; I won't actually destroy this platform and become the enemy of all Soul Transformation cultivators in the Human World. . . What's more, this old man might need to use this platform to ascend himself in the future."

After all, no matter if one ascends from the Human World, Demon World, or Devil World. . . they all ultimately go to the Earthly Immortal World!

Of course, the Human World is not very suitable for Soul Transformation demonic cultivators to cultivate, but in reality, the same applies to human cultivators.

With the current spiritual energy concentration in the Human World, it's likely that even Ice Xuanzi doesn't have much confidence in cultivating to the perfected Soul Transformation realm and breaking through the world to ascend on his own. . .

Therefore, this Ascension Platform is absolutely the lifeblood of all Soul Transformation cultivators!

Naturally, for cultivators who haven't reached perfected Soul Transformation, ascending through the Ascension Platform also carries a certain risk.

As long as Soul Transformation cultivators can increase their magical power even slightly, or refine stronger treasures. . . they won't rashly gamble their lives on ascension, unless their lifespan is truly running out. . .

...

After the two parties had set their agreement, the old turtle immediately departed.

Watching the other party's back disappear into the crowd with a mere flicker, Fang Xi's lips couldn't help but curl slightly.

"This old turtle has truly given quite a few grand gifts!"

The Heavenly Demon Qi is very troublesome for humans, but for him, it's merely nourishment for the 'Three-Phase Annihilation Art'!

He might even be able to use the refinement of this qi to quickly cultivate to the perfected Nascent Soul realm, and then assault the Soul Transformation stage!

As for the 'Turtle Concealment Art,' it goes without saying; he could fully operate it without hindrance and even hand it over to the Kyushu World for research and improvement.

Even that problematic turtle blood could be handed over to the Kyushu World for processing.

Compared to the limbs of the Black Taisui, which could truly transform into thousands of avatars, the old turtle's remaining consciousness was truly nothing. . . Gui Axe Zhenjun was an expert in this field and had proposed a highly feasible solution last time.