Chapter 631: A Hundred Years (Congratulations to Daoist Jie Jiezi, Alliance Master! )
Chapter 631: A Hundred Years (Congratulations to Daoist Jie Jiezi, Alliance Master! )
A hundred years later.
Earthly Immortal World.
Inside the Cloud-Shrouded Grotto.
Fang Xi opened his eyes once more, his expression holding a hint of bewilderment: "How long. . . have I been in secluded cultivation this time?"
Ever since he obtained a terrifying quantity of 'True Blood Pills' from Venerable Heimiao's storage pouch, he had been in a state of secluded cultivation.
Even though they were pills from the Earthly Immortal World, consuming too many would still lead to a certain degree of resistance.
For him, the effect of the True Blood Pills now was naturally not as potent as when he first consumed them, but it was still acceptable.
After all, these pills even had a slight effect on Return to Void early-stage cultivators.
Thinking of this, Fang Xi couldn't help but smile faintly.
He inwardly examined himself and could see that the Nascent Soul within his Dantian Qi Sea had grown several more points, and its form appeared even more solidified.
"For cultivators in secluded cultivation, a hundred years is but the flick of a finger. . . If I didn't occasionally emerge from seclusion to assimilate my External Avatar, plant some flowers, sprinkle some water, and raise some turtles. . . my emotions would easily grow detached."
"This secluded cultivation session brought no small benefits; the 'Celestial Demon Extermination Manual's progress in the Soul Transformation mid-stage had already covered more than half the ground. . . The crucial point is. . ."
Fang Xi inwardly examined himself, only to see that the golden markings of the 'Eternal Evergreen Body' were already ninety percent complete!
Alas, after reaching this stage, it had once again entered a state of stagnation.
To forcibly forge such a heaven-defying spiritual physique was indeed extremely difficult, and he would always be stuck at bottlenecks.
Fang Xi had grown accustomed to this, and a faint plan had formed in his mind; if he could complete it, it might greatly benefit both the Demonic Tree and the Longevity Art.
He stood up and stretched leisurely, then flicked a 'Cleaning Art' spell onto himself, instantly making his entire body feel brand new.
"Master!"
As Fang Xi stepped out of his grotto-dwelling, a clear shout immediately came from the pond outside the entrance.
A green turtle, the size of a washbasin, crawled out and affectionately rubbed against his trousers: "Master, during your seclusion, only Wang Lingdao came once and delivered a letter. . . I've been holding onto it for you."
As it spoke, it opened its turtle mouth and spat out a ball of green light.
Inside the ball of light was a letter.
"Hmm."
Fang Xi took the letter and casually tossed a 'True Blood Pill' down. The small mystic turtle immediately opened its mouth and took it in, chewing it as if it were a candy bean, its large eyes narrowing slightly, looking utterly blissful.
"Clear Tone Workshop?"
He glanced at it and saw that it was a letter from Luan Bingxianzi. He didn't rush to open it, but instead scrutinized the small mystic turtle.
This mystic turtle was indeed extraordinarily gifted; its cultivation progress was incredibly rapid. Its demonic qi increased even while it slept, and with him occasionally feeding it 'True Blood Pills', it had now astonishingly reached the fifth-stage low-grade level, truly surpassing those who started earlier!
And when he recalled the scene of it undergoing its Soul Transformation Heavenly Tribulation, Fang Xi's mouth couldn't help but twitch.
The mystic turtle's defense was unrivaled among the four spirit beasts. This little mystic turtle had simply become a 'cowardly turtle' at the time, allowing the heavenly tribulation to batter its shell, and just like that, it passed through. . .
After it advanced to the fifth-stage, it had also comprehended several defensive innate divine abilities and automatically awakened the 'Indestructible Body' innate talent.
Fang Xi had tried before; even if he or his External Avatar attacked with full force now, they likely wouldn't be able to do anything to this turtle shell. . .
It could be said that the small mystic turtle had already grown into a qualified tank.
He walked over to the side and lay down on a rocking chair. The small mystic turtle immediately scurried forward, wagging its 'tail' like a dog, and began rocking the chair.
Amidst the gentle rocking, Fang Xi opened the letter and quickly scanned through it, reading ten lines at a glance.
"As expected. . ."
A moment later, a flash of fire appeared in his hand, and the letter turned into ashes.
Meanwhile, Fang Xi closed his eyes to rest his mind, feigning a leisurely nap while pondering the contents of the letter.
'According to Luan Bingxianzi, the Profound Nether Commerce Guild has been making continuous moves recently. . . '
'This merchant guild possesses the power to conduct business within the Starry Sky Domain, and behind them is at least a Return to Void cultivator! '
'Combining this with the Ink Gate's intelligence. . . the ones who secretly made a move last time were most likely this merchant guild. '
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Fang Xi's mouth.
No matter how brilliant a scheme is, as long as one keeps making moves, it's easy for weaknesses to be seized.
And time is the best touchstone!
The Profound Nether Commerce Guild also had ties with the Wang Family, and now, after such a long time, they had already, willingly or unwillingly, revealed some of their true background.
'Their background. . . might even be the Starry Sky Sect! '
'Now that the Starry Sky Sect has turned its attention to the Dragon Taming Sect. . . I fear the Dragon Taming Sect's fate won't be too good. . . '
'Furthermore, what is the Starry Sky Sect still investigating? Or what are they apprehensive about? Are they contacting subordinate Soul Transformation sects like ours to maintain regional stability? '
'Anyway, I definitely won't be getting involved. . . '
Fang Xi silently finalized his plan. After all, the Wang Family was quite convenient to use, and as the place where his main body resided, he should still try to keep a low profile.
'Once this batch of Wang Family elders dies of old age, the Wang Family will truly become a one-man show. . . '
In his heart, there was also a subtle plan to consolidate power.
Although in the cultivation world, ultimate power rested with the individual, and he now held absolute authority in the Wang Family, there were always some constraints.
Even if he forcibly consolidated power, it would only cause disunity among the clan members, leading to superficial compliance and covert defiance. . .
Fang Xi would never do such a thing; it would only make him appear desperate and unseemly.
He chose to secretly suppress the Wang Family members, preventing them from reaching Soul Transformation, while he himself cultivated in a low-key manner, and waited for them to die of old age. . .
Once this batch of cultivators, most familiar with the Wang Family Ancestor, had passed away, the entire Wang Family would be his to do as he pleased.
Moreover, consolidating power subtly, like dew moistening things without a sound, was also better than a complete falling out.
At least during this past century, the two Wang Family elders responsible for guarding the array core and the ancestral hall successively passed away. These two critical locations were then secretly controlled by Fang Xi, who performed quite a few maneuvers.
By now, the Wang Family's fifth-stage sect-protecting grand array had already become 'Fang Xi's shape'.
Therefore, the External Avatar could also freely enter and exit, without anyone discovering it.
With a flash of demonic light, the External Avatar entered the Cloud-Shrouded Grotto.
Fang Xi rose from the rocking chair, entered the grotto-dwelling, and sat down opposite his External Avatar on two meditation cushions.
Immediately, a flash of light appeared from his crown, and his main Nascent Soul, cradling the All-Heavens Precious Mirror, clad in four-colored armor, with the Nine Glory Seal and Black Water Shield on either side, then emerged.
It was just that the Black Water Shield's spiritual light seemed a bit weaker than before; evidently, its artifact spirit was long gone.
Fang Xi, following the plan designed by Ghost Axe Venerable, directly erased the artifact spirit within the Black Water Shield and managed to keep its power barely at the fifth-stage level, making it quite convenient to use.
Across from him, the External Avatar's head shimmered with black light, and its External Nascent Soul emerged.
Its entire body was dark black, with a six-colored fire lotus imprint between its brows, a red line in its right palm, and a small yellow and black banner in its left hand.
"Assimilate!"
The main Nascent Soul formed a hand seal with both hands, and two beams of sharp light shot from its eyes, landing in the External Nascent Soul's eyes.
Its expression immediately became somewhat bewildered. . .
At the same time, Fang Xi rapidly scanned through the External Nascent Soul's memories.
What the other party brought was not good news.
Although the External Avatar had always avoided trouble, maintaining nearly a century of peace for Kungsang Market, its immense daily profits still attracted some covetous gazes, and it was currently experiencing some unrest.
As for the Xuanming Abyss, the Ink Gate's contact person for him had changed to Mo Yinqiu, who informed Fang Xi of Mo Yinjiao's passing, and that she had become the new Ink Gate Master.
As for the secret realm entrance?
Due to the complexity of the Misty Sea Region, it had yet to be found. . .
Fang Xi was indifferent to this, as even if it were found, he wouldn't go exploring it.
However, Mo Yinqiu had always expressed some complaints, withholding the fifth-stage puppet art. . .
In addition to that, news also came from the Kyushu World.
After all, Ghost Axe Venerable had only seen a bit of preliminary data back then, and now the construction of the new generation 'Mechanized City' had encountered several energy problems that had yet to be overcome.
This was also related to Fang Xi's reluctance to provide more rare materials from the Earthly Immortal World.
However, judging from the current progress, it would only be delayed by a few more decades at most. . .
"Overall, everything is under control. . ."
Fang Xi liked this kind of peaceful life, where he could just 'lie flat'. . .
Once he advanced to the Soul Transformation late-stage and the Mechanized City was completed, he would probably be powerful enough to become the decisive force in this region, right?
Although he would definitely habitually hold back a card, and not directly reveal it.
'Forget it, it's still not entirely safe; at least wait until Return to Void before reconsidering. . . '
Just then, his expression suddenly shifted, and his Nascent Soul returned to his body. He walked over to the Progenitor Demonic Tree, which resembled a potted plant.
From his sleeve, root-like tendrils descended, entwining with the Demonic Tree.
Relying on this connection, he could vaguely sense the perceptions of a wood puppet through the Progenitor Demonic Tree.
...
Kungsang Market.
A grotto-dwelling spanning a hundred li.
A Nascent Soul-level wood puppet, its eyes moved, and it stepped into the grand array.
Inside the formation, there was surprisingly a sound transmission talisman, flitting about like a headless fly.
It woodenly stretched out a hand, a brown light appeared, and it seized the sound transmission talisman.
Immediately after, a voice emerged from within. . .
...
Several days later.
Heavenly Immortal Inn.
The External Avatar concealed its cultivation, only showing a Nascent Soul-level aura, and assumed the appearance of Fang Yuan, walking into a private room.
In the private room, a cultivator was already waiting.
He had a handsome appearance, looking only in his thirties, but his eyes were filled with the vicissitudes of life, and his cultivation was around the Core Formation stage.
Upon seeing Fang Yuan, he immediately stood up and bowed: "Li Rulin greets Senior, many thanks for Senior's guidance back then!"
"You are. . . Li Rulin? Not bad, not bad, you've formed a 'Talisman Core'."
Fang Xi smiled faintly and floated gracefully to his seat.
Li Rulin immediately formed a hand seal with both hands and activated another layer of restriction within the private room.
Yellow talismans flashed into existence, one after another, with vibrant red cinnabar markings on them, sealing the entire room.
His severed arm, using the power of pills, had already regrown, and now appeared as agile as before it was severed.
"Please forgive this junior, Senior. . . The matter to be discussed next is truly too covert, this junior has no choice but to be so cautious."
Li Rulin personally poured wine for Fang Xi, apologizing.
"No matter. After all, worthy nephew, you were previously from the Ink Gate Organ City, so some apprehension is understandable."
Fang Xi drained the spirit wine in one gulp, and saw a cloud of gloom on Li Rulin's face.
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