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Chapter 589: Wooden Blade Art (Seeking Subscriptions)

Chapter 589: Wooden Blade Art (Seeking Subscriptions)

"Is that. . . the Ink Gate Organ City?"

Li Guangjin gazed at the city floating above the colossal lake, searching for words to describe it. After a long moment, he could only exclaim, "It's truly grand and imposing, beyond imagination! This is what an abode of immortals should be!"

Nearly every convoy that arrived was stunned by the Organ City's magnificent vastness.

Such a colossal city could surely accommodate tens of millions of people, forming a self-contained nation!

In their eyes, it was simply unimaginable!

For caution's sake, Fang Xi did not use his Divine Consciousness to probe, but merely the sight before his eyes made him feel the trip was well worth it.

‘Those hundred-zhang-tall stone giants must be a type of puppet not found in the Human World – Rock Puppets. I once saw similar descriptions in the 'Thousand Mechanisms Secret Manual'. Ancient cultivators should have been able to refine such puppets, but for some unknown reason, the method was lost later on. . . Most of these giant stone statues radiate the aura of a Fourth-tier, capable of contending with Nascent Souls head-on. . . ’

‘What kind of power source or treasure keeps such a massive floating city suspended indefinitely? Is the energy sufficient? It doesn't seem to be wasteful. . . Perhaps cultivators from the Jiuzhou World would be very interested in studying it. ’

By this time, many convoys had already arrived at the edge of the great lake, setting up temporary camps and shanties. There were even numerous high platforms, stalls, and tents by the lake. . . These were occupied by low-tier cultivators who had descended from the Organ City, already setting up their booths for independent trade.

Countless streaks of light flew in and out of the Organ City, making the ancient, dark city appear radiating with vitality.

After the camp was set, Zhang Longhu announced that all families were free to move about on their own.

"Although that Organ City claims that even mortals can enter, we do not possess flight techniques, nor do we have flight talismans or martial gear. Unless a cultivator leads the way, we can only try our luck at the stalls by the lake. . ."

Li Guangjin inquired about the news and invited Fang Xi to join him for an outing: "Shall we go take a look together?"

"Please!"

Fang Xi smiled faintly and went with Li Guangjin to the lakeside.

This area had already been leveled, with stone platforms erected, each capable of accommodating a thousand people. Many rogue cultivators were currently setting up stalls on them.

Fang Xi noticed that although most of the stall owners were Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment cultivators, they got along very harmoniously with mortals.

After all, Innate experts were not inferior in combat strength to Foundation Establishment cultivators, and equal exchange was often built upon a foundation of similar strength.

Moreover, the base population of mortals was far greater than that of cultivators.

What's more, these martial artists were now carrying plenty of Spirit Stones and various spiritual items useless to mortals – they were major customers!

"Brother Li, what do you wish to purchase?"

As Fang Xi strolled with Li Guangjin, his gaze swept over the various spiritual items on the stalls, and he couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

The Earthly Immortal World truly was vast and abundant in resources. Of the spiritual items, talismans, martial gear, and pills displayed, he could only recognize most of them.

And even that was thanks to having previously soul-searched two local Core Formation cultivators, which expanded his knowledge.

"This. . ."

Li Guangjin felt a bit embarrassed: "I want to exchange for a bottle of 'Eternal Youth Pills'. I heard that if a mortal woman takes just one, she can maintain her youth for ten years. . ."

"Brother Li is indeed a man who cherishes beauty. . ."

Fang Xi saw Li Guangjin stop at a pill stall and begin haggling with the vendor with gusto, spitting as he spoke. Fang Xi excused himself and began to browse on his own.

Before long, he stopped before a particular stall.

The stall owner was a down-on-his-luck scholar-like Qi Refinement cultivator, and his stall only displayed stacks of books.

"Is this esteemed guest looking to buy books? These books are all hand-copied by myself. . ."

The destitute scholar forced a smile onto his face.

Most of the spiritual items and talismans on the stone platform stalls were low-tier goods, which Fang Xi found beneath his notice.

The only things that piqued his interest were naturally these books.

"These books are all handwritten? This Immortal Master is quite diligent. May I know your name?"

Fang Xi picked up a blue-covered book and found it contained a cultivation method called 'Minor Yang True Art', which was a proper cultivation technique that could be cultivated all the way to the Core Formation realm.

Of course, there was a small restriction on the book, allowing only the first few pages to be read.

This down-and-out scholar clearly knew that mortals had no spiritual or divine sense and couldn't read jade slips. Thus, he had specially copied a large number of books to sell, making him quite a shrewd businessman.

"My surname is Hua."

The destitute scholar said, "Is the guest preparing cultivation methods for friends or family? If you don't know their spiritual root aptitude, I still recommend attribute-less cultivation methods. This 'Violet Essence Qi Transformation Art' is balanced and harmonious, allowing one to cultivate all the way to the Core Formation realm, and later it can seamlessly transition into most Nascent Soul techniques. . ."

He felt that Fang Xi possessed an extraordinary aura and might be carrying many Spirit Stones, so he recommended with considerable effort.

Fang Xi made no comment, flipping through a few more books, frowning: "Why do the cultivation methods only go up to Core Formation, with very few for Nascent Soul?"

"Cultivation methods beyond the Nascent Soul realm, esteemed guest, you'll likely only find those in the shops within the Organ City."

The destitute scholar almost thought Fang Xi was deliberately trying to find fault, and his expression grew somewhat cold.

"I see. Which shops in the Organ City have the best cultivation methods?"

Fang Xi smiled faintly, picking out a few travelogues and geographical books, and handed them all to the destitute scholar.

"Well. . . within the Organ City, the 'Heavenly Ink Pavilion' run by the Ink Gate is naturally the best. However, other establishments like the 'Myriad Arts Tower' and 'Thousand Winds Hall' also have excellent cultivation methods. . . For these few books, esteemed guest, the total Spirit Stones required are. . ."

The destitute scholar's eyes lit up, and he quickly quoted a price.

Fang Xi smiled, took a handful of Spirit Stones from his robe, placed them in the vendor's hand, and took the handwritten books.

In the following days, he casually wandered among the lakeside stalls. While he couldn't say he gained nothing, he was somewhat disappointed.

‘It seems. . . the truly good stuff is still to be found within the Organ City. ’

After some thought, Fang Xi returned to the Feiri City camp.

"Instructor Fang, you've arrived just in time. The City Lord's manor is about to depart. . . We also need to strike camp and leave immediately, for safety's sake."

Li Guangjin rushed over, his expression hurried.

Fang Xi feigned surprise, though inwardly he was certain that City Lord Zhang had likely acquired the 'Martial Cultivation Pill' and was heading back immediately to avoid any complications.

As for the Li family and other dependent families and sects, none of whom had even a Martial Dao True Dan, they naturally had to follow. Otherwise, the journey would be too dangerous.

"Yes, quickly pack up."

Li Guangjin earnestly advised.

Fang Xi, however, chuckled freely: "I was just about to tell Brother Li, I'm not leaving. . ."

"Not leaving? What do you mean?"

A hint of confusion appeared on Li Guangjin's face.

"To be honest. . . when I was out strolling earlier, I met an Immortal Master. He said I have spiritual roots and can follow him to learn Dao Arts. . ."

Fang Xi said, beaming with joy.

"Spiritual roots? " Li Guangjin's expression changed several times, first shock, then envy. . . which then turned into a complex look: "It is possible for us to miss some during spiritual root testing. . . You truly are. . . lucky. From now on, when I see Brother Fang again, I'm afraid I'll have to address you as Immortal Master."

"Oh, not at all, it was just a lucky coincidence, pure luck. . ."

Fang Xi waved his hand.

This was a persona he deliberately constructed, so that in a few decades, news of 'Fang Yuan' achieving Foundation Establishment could reach Feiri City.

Then would come Core Formation, and Nascent Soul. . . essentially creating an alternate identity out of thin air.

‘To be safe, next time I assimilate, I need to bring the 'Qi Luck Gu'. This Gu has the ability to obscure heavenly secrets and can forge a false identity within the heavenly mechanisms, preventing any problems from being divined. . . ’

Fang Xi, holding the few low-grade Spirit Stones given to him by Li Guangjin, walked out of the camp, suddenly chuckling: "They're all thoughtful people, aren't they. . ."

...

Two days later.

Fang Xi employed a secret art, transforming into the appearance of 'Shi Dingfeng', and rode a streak of light into the Organ City.

Heavenly Ink Pavilion.

This pavilion was located in the center of the Organ City, built entirely from a pitch-black wood. With its flying eaves, dougong brackets, carved beams, and painted rafters, it exuded an ancient, rustic aura.

As Fang Xi stepped inside, his nose caught a faint scent of green wood qi.

"Fellow Daoist, welcome to the Heavenly Ink Pavilion."

The Heavenly Ink Pavilion was large, yet very quiet at the moment. Rows of bookshelves were neatly arranged, and an old man with half-black, half-white hair and a goatee was reading a book.

Upon seeing Fang Xi enter, he immediately put down his book and stood up to greet him.

"I wish to purchase a cultivation method!"

Fang Xi's gaze swept around, seemingly surprised by how few people were present.

"May I know what kind of cultivation method Fellow Daoist requires?"

The goatee old man stroked his beard, answering with a hint of pride: "Within this pavilion, our collection of cultivation methods, while not all-encompassing, should be considered the most extensive in the Land of the Setting Sun."

"A cultivation method suitable for wood-attribute spiritual roots. . . preferably up to the Return to Void or Void Amalgamation realms."

Fang Xi had originally wanted to ask if there were any Mahayana-level cultivation methods, but he realized such a thought was too outlandish and dismissed it.

Even so, the old man opposite him nearly pulled out his own goatee: "Void Amalgamation-level cultivation methods? Esteemed guest, you truly dare to dream. . . Cultivation methods of that caliber are enough to qualify for the Organ City's grand auction, held once every three hundred years."

However, the old man did not question Fang Xi's cultivation or wealth; he merely shook his head: "As for wood-attribute cultivation methods, this pavilion does indeed have a few in its collection that can be cultivated to the Return to Void realm. . . but the price, heh heh. . ."

"How many Spirit Stones will they cost?"

Fang Xi asked.

"If simply calculating in Spirit Stones, this pavilion only accepts bids in supreme-grade Spirit Stones. Of course, if Fellow Daoist has Immortal Jade, that would be even better."

The goatee old man chuckled.

Fang Xi fell silent, understanding why the Heavenly Ink Pavilion was so deserted.

One word. . . exorbitant!

Although he had never heard of Immortal Jade, it was clearly even rarer than supreme-grade Spirit Stones.

Nevertheless, he prepared to continue shopping. After all, if anything went wrong, his 'Shi Dingfeng' alias would take the fall. He could always abandon it later.

"Bring them all out for me to see. . ."

"Very well."

The goatee old man went behind the counter and soon emerged holding a tray.

On the tray were several jade slips, some of which even showed a bit of damage, clearly indicating they were quite old.

"The 'Myriad Wood Heavenly Wheel Art'—this technique's power is average, but it is the most balanced and harmonious, allowing cultivation to the mid-Return to Void stage. . ."

"The 'Longevity Art'—this cultivation method specializes in preserving life. In virtually every realm, cultivators practicing it will gain one or two tenths more lifespan than others at the same stage. . ."

"The 'Wooden Blade Art'—it primarily cultivates wood spiritual energy, supplemented by metal spiritual energy, and has miraculous effects when breaking through the Return to Void bottleneck. . ."

The goatee old man introduced them with a smile, and when Fang Xi heard the description of the 'Wooden Blade Art', his expression stirred slightly.