Chapter 639: On the Run and Under Pressure
Chapter 639: On the Run and Under Pressure
Kungsang Market.
An unknown amount of time passed, when suddenly, the sky was filled with a five-colored wondrous light. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth converged, spreading for a hundred miles, forming a brilliant, multicolored orb of light.
A spiritual pressure diffused from a certain cave dwelling, causing the low-level cultivators in the vicinity to feel a profound sense of awe.
“That's a Nascent Soul Heavenly Phenomenon! ”
“A cultivator has formed a Nascent Soul! ”
Many Foundation Establishment and Qi Refinement cultivators, watching this scene, hurriedly ran about spreading the word:
“It seems. . . it must be a senior cultivator who rented a public cultivation cave! ”
“At this time of the Black Tide disaster, a senior actually achieved Nascent Soul formation. Could it be an auspicious sign? ”
The heavenly phenomenon converged for a short while. Suddenly, the firmament turned dark, and countless lightning snakes danced wildly.
Boom!
A bolt of lightning crashed down with a resounding boom, and the formation guarding the cave dwelling instantly splintered into fragments, revealing a cave dwelling half-hidden by emerald bamboos.
Inside the cave dwelling, a figure was faintly visible, a tiny Nascent Soul perched atop its head, opening its small mouth to completely devour the vital energy of heaven and earth.
This person had evidently already passed the Inner Demon Tribulation and was starting to face the lightning tribulation!
Crackle, crackle!
Bolt after bolt of azure lightning struck down. In the blink of an eye, the eighth lightning strike had fallen.
Finally, the dark clouds in the sky instantly coalesced into a single mass, and a single azure lightning bolt, far thicker than the preceding ones, plummeted!
The figure within that bolt of lightning was now clearly disheveled, with hair loose and drenched in blood.
Gazing at the ninth lightning strike, a look of joy at having survived the tribulation appeared on his face.
“Go! ”
He formed hand seals with both hands, and a figure emerged from within his body, with an expression of facing death unflinchingly, valiantly and without fear meeting the lightning in mid-air.
It was clearly a secret art similar to an External Avatar or a Second Primordial Spirit!
Such a secret art was precisely the best means to cope with the lightning tribulation!
Boom!
With a flash of lightning, that Second Primordial Spirit was instantly reduced to tribulation ash in mid-air.
Following this blow, that bolt of lightning suddenly weakened by seventy to eighty percent, and after being further weakened by an artifact, it finally dissipated into nothingness.
“Having just emerged from the twilight, to face a calamitous ordeal, and then, a wicked hindrance blocked my destined path, yet blessed was I, by uncle's fated grace, for a Nascent Soul, the Li clan's destiny embraced. ”
Li Rulin let out a long, clear cry. In a flash of light, his entire robe was already pristine, as good as new, as if he hadn't suffered a single injury.
He beckoned to mid-air, and an emerald green hair circlet bound his abundant black hair. His features subtly appeared several years younger, giving him a dashing and uninhibited air.
Although generally, Nascent Soul cultivators, after successfully forming their Nascent Soul, must all enter seclusion to consolidate it.
But Li Rulin felt that his success in reaching the Nascent Soul stage was primarily thanks to his uncle's patronage. Without that Nascent Soul Condensation Pill, he would never have been able to overcome the step of shattering the Core to form the Nascent Soul.
Therefore, he still had to emerge from seclusion to offer his thanks.
Furthermore, the spiritual intuition of a cultivator also gave him a faint premonition that something seemed to have happened during his arduous seclusion.
Swoosh!
The newly advanced Nascent Soul cultivator, Li Rulin, transformed into a verdant orb of light and flew into mid-air, his countenance suddenly shifting.
He saw that not far away, the vast expanse of Profound Nether Heavy Water from the Profound Nether Abyss was surging up, transforming into massive tides that lashed against the land in successive waves.
The original shipyard had actually already vanished without a trace, submerged beneath the boundless heavy water.
Even more, the Profound Nether Heavy Water's level was steadily climbing, pounding against the restriction formed by a mulberry tree within the market, threatening to completely overwhelm it.
“My young friend! I have just emerged from seclusion. What has transpired? ”
Li Rulin intercepted an average-looking Core Formation cultivator and tossed over a superior-grade spirit stone, as a token of blessing after his Nascent Soul breakthrough.
This Core Formation cultivator, seeing that it was the newly advanced Nascent Soul cultivator and having received the gift, immediately dared not be remiss. He respectfully replied: “Reporting to senior, this is the Black Tide, one of the three great natural disasters of the Profound Nether Abyss! ”
“It's the Black Tide, of all things? ! ”
Li Rulin sucked in a sharp breath, his heart immediately conflicted: 'My uncle has shown me great kindness, and his master is Qing Hezi, who controls Kungsang Market. What should I do? '
He then casually inquired about the significant recent events in the Profound Nether Abyss, and the answer he received left him utterly speechless.
“What? Kungsang Market has changed hands, and now the Wang Family is in charge? ”
Hearing this, Li Rulin couldn't help but reveal a flicker of shock and indecision on his face, and secretly rejoiced even more in his heart.
Given this, it seemed he could. . . make a run for it?
After all, he was probably counted as one of Qing Hezi's remnants. Luckily, he hadn't extensively promoted this connection at the time, otherwise he'd be in a sticky situation.
“So that's how it is. . . ”
Li Rulin immediately conjured his escape light and shot rapidly backwards.
The Core Formation cultivator simply watched Li Rulin leave the market's boundaries, feeling somewhat baffled.
Just then, he heard a resonant voice ringing out from the center of the market: “All cultivators within Kungsang Market are now strictly forbidden from leaving and must assist my Wang Family in guarding the market! ”
Atop the Myriad Treasures Pavilion in the market's center, Wang Lingdao's eyes were bloodshot, like a crazed gambler.
The Wang Family had just invested a large amount of resources to regain control of the market, and to that end, even made concessions to host numerous auctions.
Yet, who would have thought that now a Black Tide would actually occur!
With the arrival of this Black Tide, it would even inundate the market. . . wouldn't all their painstaking efforts be for naught?
Even more crucially, while this market might not be of great concern to the Wang Family Ancestor, it was tied to his, or the family head Wang Lingying's, opportunity for Soul Transformation!
If it were to end like this, he, Wang Lingdao, would absolutely not permit it!
“According to past experience, as long as we can hold on and endure until the Black Tide passes. . . there’s also a certain chance it will recede. ”
Wang Lingdao took out a restriction token and began activating the market's restrictions, to prevent cultivators from leaving.
The aim was to tie those rogue cultivators to their own ship and make a desperate struggle!
The Core Formation cultivator, seeing this scene, was immediately dumbfounded.
Li Rulin's escape light, meanwhile, was exceedingly swift, and he had just flown out of Kungsang Market's boundaries. At this moment, looking back, he couldn't help but feel a jolt of alarm in his heart: “That was close. . . ”
But just as he gazed back into the distance, in the distant sky, the Black Tide instantly surged upwards, stirring up colossal waves hundreds of miles high.
“This? ! ”
Li Rulin's eyes widened, seeing within those colossal waves, hundreds of miles high, a terrifying primordial desolate beast, resembling both bird and fish, stirring up endless tides that heavily pounded onto Kungsang Market.
The enormous azure mulberry tree illusion, amidst such monstrous waves, was akin to a dying candle in the wind, on the verge of being snuffed out in an instant!
And beside that giant Kun, there seemed to be a 'True Armored Whale' more than ten miles long.
An ethereal whale song followed, even making Li Rulin's countenance sharply shift.
Within that whale song, his gaze reached far and wide without limit, as if he witnessed the turbulent Profound Nether Abyss, saw the bizarrely shaped reefs of the Ghost Head Reef sea region, saw the Sea of Mist, and deep beneath the sea, that peculiar gate.
Boom!
The gate burst open with a crash, transforming into a white jade archway enveloped by thunderclouds.
“That's. . . a mystic realm? ! ”
Li Rulin's countenance shifted; he now understood what was transpiring.
Soul Transformation-level desolate beasts possess powerful divine consciousness and are highly infectious. If they intentionally wished to embed information within the whale song, it would be far more memorable than direct conversation.
And that 'True Armored Whale' seemed, under the giant Kun's guidance, to be intentionally publicizing the mystic realm discovered by the Ink Gate. . .
“Haha, so in the southeast of the Sea of Mist, there's actually a mystic realm? ”
A joyful voice rang out.
Immediately, the vital energy of heaven and earth within a ten-thousand-mile radius violently fluctuated, forming boundless tides that swept towards the giant Kun.
Whoosh!
The pitch-black Profound Nether Heavy Water collided with the tides of vital energy, and countless orbs of light violently burst open.
At the center of that Heaven and Earth vital energy, a silhouette was vaguely discernible, carrying three long swords on his back, and letting out unrestrained peals of laughter.
“A Return to Void. . . cultivator? ! ”
Li Rulin, watching the Return to Void behemoth Kun furiously battle the cultivator, suddenly turned around and fled without a backward glance.
“Now that I have achieved Nascent Soul, I shall return to Sunset Plain and go into seclusion for five hundred years! ! ! ”
...
Wang Family Valley, Cloud-Draped Cave.
Fang Xi was cultivating in seclusion when he suddenly heard a colossal roar from outside the cave, akin to a dragon's or an elephant's.
“What's going on? ”
His brows furrowed tightly, and with a wave of his hand, he deactivated the restriction. He then saw dozens of voice transmission talismans darting about like headless flies.
This was proof that during his seclusion, members of the Wang Family outside had continuously sought an audience.
“It appears something utterly critical has occurred, that, after their sound transmission talismans went unanswered, the Wang Family was about to force their way in? ”
Fang Xi muttered.
And the price of forcing their way in?
He walked out of the Cloud-Draped Cave, only to see a colossal black tortoise with a fierce-looking head and a tail like a massive python, but beneath its claw, it was pinning a person—it was precisely Wang Lingying!
Though Wang Lingying had long since reached the perfected Nascent Soul realm, and was being pinned under the claw of a massive black tortoise, he showed no trace of humiliation, but instead, a mix of delight and astonishment: “The Old Ancestor truly keeps his power concealed! He actually even raised a fifth-tier Black Tortoise spirit beast? ! ”
He had previously tried hard to gain an audience with the Old Ancestor, but failed, and had no choice but to force his way into the Cloud-Draped Cave, only to be suppressed by the little black tortoise.
And the Wang Family members present, seeing the little black tortoise's divine might, far from going to rescue the family head, instead began to extol its virtues: “Spirit Venerable is mighty! ”
“Wang Lingying, you trespassed into a forbidden area and obstructed the Ancestor's cultivation. What crime are you guilty of? ”
Within any clan, there always exist opponents.
These individuals clearly perceived Wang Lingying's impending fall from grace and were eager to kick him while he was down.
By the time Fang Xi emerged, what he saw was this messy scene.
He frowned, but did not say anything.
The little black tortoise, as the first line of defense, had his permission to take action.
In any case, with its Turtle Breath Secret Art, it could perfectly conceal its special bloodline, and to the many Wang Family cultivators, it was merely a common black tortoise.
Of course, the Black Tortoise bloodline was still considered quite good in the Earthly Immortal World; thus, it was still a formidable spirit pet.
“Master. . . ”
Seeing Fang Xi emerge, the little black tortoise's eyes instantly brightened, and it released Wang Lingying.
A verdant light flashed around its body, and it transformed back to the size of a washbasin, rubbing affectionately against Fang Xi's pant leg.
Seeing this scene, all the Wang Family cultivators, including Wang Lingying, couldn't help but twitch at the corners of their eyes.
“What exactly has befallen you all? To be so eager? ”
Fang Xi frowned and coldly rebuked.
“Old Ancestor, please permit me to explain. ”
The numerous Wang Family cultivators exchanged glances, and eventually, Wang Lingying stepped forward and bowed respectfully as he reported: “Reporting to Old Ancestor. . . the Black Tide has erupted in the Profound Nether Abyss, Kungsang Market has been submerged. . . Wang Lingdao, I'm afraid, has already perished! ”
“What? ”
Fang Xi was a little surprised.
He had abandoned Kungsang Market, but he never thought something like this would occur.
“This is indeed. . . momentous news! ”
Fang Xi muttered, seeming to understand why the Wang Family was in such a state.This was a crippling loss, even more, it cost them Wang Lingdao, who had hopes of reaching Soul Transformation!
“Not only that! ”
Wang Lingying's countenance was extremely grave:
“Outside Kungsang Market, a mysterious Return to Void cultivator has appeared! ”
“In the southeast of the Sea of Mist, a mystic realm has come to light. . . ”
“Luan Bingxianzi of the Clear Tone Workshop sent a message, wishing to meet the Ancestor at once. ”
“Di Yi of the Profound Nether Commerce Guild sent a letter, allegedly related to the Dragon Taming Sect, urging the Ancestor to respond swiftly. . . ”
...
Fang Xi listened to these earth-shattering pieces of news, one after another, his composure gradually fractured. . .
The emergence of just one such momentous piece of news would be enough to overturn the Profound Nether Abyss.
Now, several had appeared consecutively?
“I. . . ”
Fang Xi's countenance regained its calm, and he secretly mused: 'I choose to make a run for it. . . '
He looked at the expectant Wang Family members, his countenance gradually grew serene: “This matter is of great importance. This Old Ancestor has already made up his mind. . . My Wang Family will not get involved in this and should implement the 'separate baskets' strategy. . . ”
“Wang Lingying, you take a group of Wang Family members and choose a faction to pledge allegiance to. . . ”
“The second branch, third branch, fourth branch. . . and so on, up to the ninth branch, shall do likewise. If they don't want to get involved in this great affair, they may choose to escape ten thousand miles and live under assumed names. . . awaiting the reappearance of the family's decree, and then reunite to restore the Wang Family's might! ”
The moment this proposal was made, Wang Lingying was the first to be astonished: “Then Old Ancestor. . . what about you? ”
“This Old Ancestor. . . has his own important affairs! ”
Fang Xi's eyes widened: “Understand that as long as this Ancestor exists, so too will the Wang Family. . . If this Ancestor ceases to be, then the Wang Family will also. . . cease to be! ”
Wang Lingying was momentarily speechless, and then spoke: “What about the Tortoise Spirit Venerable? ”
Even if the Ancestor wishes to flee, he could still leave this fifth-tier black tortoise!
“Tortoise Spirit Venerable? ! ”
Fang Xi laughed heartily: “This is my life-bound spirit beast. Naturally, it shall remain with me. . . Without further ado, let us act immediately! ”
After all, within the Wang Family, there were likely spies from various factions; now it was probably already riddled with holes.
The news of his emergence from seclusion would also quickly become known!
Only by seizing this opportunity was it best to simply flee!
The Wang Family members, seeing this scene, couldn't help but be truly speechless.
Given this, what difference was there between their Wang Family and clans without a Soul Transformation Ancestor overseeing them?
...
The Human World.
Demonic Tree Ridge.
Fang Xi made a quick hand seal, and the Mountain Sea Pearl transformed into a blue tattoo, sinking into his arm.
He had already decided that before returning to the Earthly Immortal World, he would not release the little black tortoise and the Ancestor Demonic Tree again.
The Demonic Tree was one thing, but the little black tortoise had already awakened its intelligence.
Any situation that might lead to his exposure had to be avoided to the utmost, even if he could control the little black tortoise's life and death with a single thought, it remained so!
He transformed into a streak of escape light and reached the peak of Demonic Tree Ridge.
Here, a magnificent palace complex had long been constructed. By the time Fang Xi returned, two streaks of escape light, one black and one azure, instantly came forth to greet him.
Among them, the black light was naturally the External Avatar, who had long since descended to seek refuge.
And the azure light, carrying wisps of fiery tassels, from which a clear cry echoed, was an exceptionally magnificent Green Fire Luan!
The colossal Green Fire Luan let out a prolonged cry and transformed into a young maiden in green robes with hair tied in pigtails. With a peacock feather adornment between her brows, her beauty was peerless.
The aura emanating from her had surprisingly subtly reached the fifth-tier level!
“Xiao Qing. . . you indeed did not disappoint me. ”
A trace of satisfaction surfaced on Fang Xi's face.
After all these years, the formerly fourth-tier superior-grade Green Fire Luan had finally successfully broken through, ascending to a fifth-tier Soul Transformation Great Demon!
In this Human World, and even across the three thousand minor worlds, she could practically run rampant.
“Master? ! ”
A faint blush bloomed on Xiao Qing's cheeks. Like a nestling swallow, she nestled into Fang Xi's embrace, raising her head. Her large, dewy eyes sparkled like morning stars: “I've grown up now! ”
Fang Xi smiled and dotingly flicked Xiao Qing's nose: “Indeed, you've become a big girl. Perfect. . . I have a mission for you. ”
“Master, please rest assured, Xiao Qing will surely succeed! ”
Fang Xi said no more. With a wave of his hand, he recalled his External Avatar and descended into the palace.
A red-robed figure gracefully approached. Upon seeing Fang Xi, radiance flowed within her beautiful eyes, eventually settling into a graceful bow: “Hong Yu. . . pays respects to Young Master! ”
Zhong Hong Yu's cultivation was currently only at the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm, and Fang Xi couldn't help but feel a touch of melancholy after seeing her.
Despite this, he put on a faint smile: “Long time no see, how have you been? ”
...
Several days later, Fang Xi finally emerged from his 'land of tenderness' and began to sort out the situation in the Human World.
According to Zhong Hong Yu, ever since he slew the 'Valley God Demon Venerable', the situation in the Western Desert Cultivation World could be described as excellent.
As for the Southern Desolate, Tian Du Mojun's lifespan reached its limit, and he passed away in peaceful meditation, which left Fang Xi sighing with emotion.
An old friend from the Human World, one less now.
Other than that, there was also no shortage of good news.
For instance, his several female confidantes and his apprentices who weren't strictly disciples.
Among these, Ling Shu and Shui Lingxin had both broken through to the late-stage Nascent Soul realm, and could be considered great cultivators in the Human World, nearly invincible presences.
As for his nominal disciple Liu Xu, her opportunities were less significant, and she was currently lingering at the peak of the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm.
These three female cultivators indeed all had prospects of reaching Soul Transformation!
Fang Xi, however, did not intend to heavily invest in them; just fostering a slight connection would be enough.
“Xiao Qing! ”
Fang Xi thought for a moment and called out.
A mass of azure flame descended, taking the form of Xiao Qing: “Master. . . what do you command? ”
“Xiao Qing, I want you to go to the Northern Plains and have the Bai Family Ancestor go to the East Sea Cultivation World. . . Just say. . . ”
Fang Xi's lips curved slightly: “The time to resolve the Black Taisui calamity has fully ripened! ”
...
Once Xiao Qing departed, he entered his cultivation chamber, sat cross-legged, and formed a peculiar hand seal with both hands.
Demonic Tree Ridge possessed a fifth-tier spirit vein as well, which was barely sufficient for his current cultivation requirements.
This descent to the lower realm seemed to have swept away a certain impediment in his heart, and his cultivation progress was rapid beyond compare.
As of today, he swallowed a True Blood Pill, and instantly, his magical power surged mightily. Four illusory True Spirit forms materialized around his body, with dragons roaring and phoenixes singing, and demonic energy steadily climbed, perfecting the last vestiges of his mid-stage Soul Transformation magical power!
“Finally. . . I've reached the peak of mid-stage Soul Transformation! ”
Fang Xi even felt an urge to directly assault the late-stage Soul Transformation realm, but he immediately forced himself to hold back.
After all, pushing through the bottleneck from mid to late stage was considered a significant hurdle.
And in the Earthly Immortal World, such breakthrough pills were already exceedingly rare.
If he had a 'Mind-Clearing Nirvana Pill' in hand, he would be absolutely certain of breaking through.
But now, let alone realm-breaking pills, even common preparations were extremely scarce.
“However. . . mid-stage Soul Transformation cultivation is not a problem. ”
Fang Xi smiled faintly, and with a sway of his body, vanished from sight.
In the Jiuzhou World.
Ghost Axe Venerable came forward, his face beaming with joy: “Reporting to Dao Master. . . The Kyushu Mechanized City. . . is finally. . . complete! ”
“Excellent. ”
Fang Xi nodded and said encouragingly: “Now that the reconstruction of the Jiuzhou World is already complete, many cultivators struggle with scarce resources, unable to advance, and even a move to enact extremely stringent advancement laws. . . This Dao Master has decided. . . for the peace of the Jiuzhou World, for the glory of all worlds, to reopen the 'World Gate'! ”
Hearing this, Ghost Axe Venerable's eyes suddenly blazed with sharp light.
When the 'World Gate' was not called the 'Heavenly Demon Gate', it was the Jiuzhou World's greatest reliance and the impetus for its vigorous development!
The unique cultivation methods and resources from myriad planes. . . some were even considered rare in the Earthly Immortal World.
The convergence of all these only then gave rise to the Jiuzhou World's current state.
And hearing the words of Dao Master Fang Xian, it meant that the World Gate was finally going to be opened!
Upon hearing this, Ghost Axe Venerable even seemed to have tears welling in his eyes. . .
...
Several months later.
The East Sea Cultivation World.
Outside the Boundless Sea Mystic Realm.
Spirit vessels appeared one after another. Among them, upon a five-colored storied ship, the faint sound of a zither drifted out.
Yunxi Xianzi sat, gracefully playing the zither, while Shui Lingxin quietly held an incense burner beside her.
Not long after, a streak of white light descended, bearing an aura of profound chill, seemingly drawing forth the power of ice essence from heaven and earth. It alighted upon the deck, revealing precisely the Bai Family Ancestor in white robes.
“Daoist Bai. . . It's been a long time. Congratulations on your cultivation progressing to the next level. ”
Yunxi Xianzi's zither playing ceased for a moment, and she said with a touch of surprise.
To Soul Transformation cultivators, to advance their cultivation technique by another stage in a few hundred years, especially in the Human World, genuinely requires not only innate talent but also considerable luck!
And such Human World Soul Transformation cultivators, if their cultivation technique could still advance, or even the hope of refining supreme defensive treasures, would absolutely not risk intruding into the Ascension Platform.
The Bai Family Ancestor looked around and let out a cold hmph: “Where is he? Even if his cultivation is formidable, he cannot simply summon us and dismiss us at will, can he? ”
To be honest, if it weren't that this time the other party sent a Soul Transformation demonic bird to notify him, he would have been inclined to refuse.
After all, helping the East Sea resolve the Black Taisui disaster—if successful, the credit would go to others; if it failed, it would be a thankless and difficult task.
Even more crucially. . . that Dragon Fish Island Master actually maintained such an attitude, making them wait here idly!
As if by coincidence, just as Old Ancestor Bai finished uttering that line, above the firmament, countless streams of Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi abruptly parted, casting down a shadow that oppressed all living beings. . .
Mother and daughter are safe and sound, thank you all, dear readers, for your blessings. Your loving Wen Chao!
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