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Chapter 650: Cultivating a Grand Divine Ability

Chapter 650: Cultivating a Grand Divine Ability

Several days later.

A streak of escape light discreetly left the Immortal Fate Market, flashed several times across the sky, then quickly vanished from sight.

Within the escape light, Fang Xi mused on the forces of the Minghuan World, as described by the Mist Rain Pavilion Master.

'The entire Minghuan World is predominantly human-centric, with the largest forces still being the Buddhist, Daoist, and Demonic three great factions. . . '

This world does not have significant demonic forces; as the Buddhist, Daoist, and Demonic paths are all cultivated by human cultivators, it can be considered an internal conflict among humans.

After all, without powerful external enemies, it's only natural for human cultivators to consume each other from within.

'The behemoth of the Demonic Sect is naturally the Primordial Demon Sect, while the Buddhist Sect reveres Vast Thunder Temple as its esteemed leader, and the Daoist Sect is led by the Grand Clarity Sect. . . These three great sects have historically had Soul Transformation cultivators holding fort, even possessing the foundation for ascension. . . '

For Soul Transformation cultivators, ascension isn't difficult; it's not strictly necessary to cultivate to the Perfected Soul Transformation stage; one can also use the Ascension Platform. . .

As for how many such cultivators there truly are, perhaps only the Primordial Demon Sect itself knows.

In any case, the Mist Rain Pavilion Master, being merely a Nascent Soul cultivator, certainly wouldn't be privy to such internal information.

"These three great forces aren't suitable for me. . . So, is 'Lighook Immortal City' the only option left?"

Fang Xi pondered this in his mind.

Lighook Immortal City itself possesses a fifth-order spirit vein, and is a sacred ground for rogue cultivators.

Rumor has it that within this city, there's even a Soul Transformation cultivator holding fort, maintained by a loose organization, named—the Free and Unfettered Alliance!

'Even a rogue Soul Transformation cultivator, having reached such a level, would consciously or unconsciously gather a large number of forces around them, wouldn't they? '

In the Human World, Soul Transformation is already the pinnacle.

Thus, it's completely understandable for cultivators to seek their patronage, and they also require attendants.

One could say both sides get what they need.

Fang Xi had already obtained a map of the Minghuan World from the Mist Rain Pavilion Master; his escape light was exceedingly fast, and several days later, he arrived at a plain.

To the west of this plain was a vast desert, and at the boundary between the desert and the plain, stood proudly an ancient and weathered cultivation city.

Fang Xi even swept his divine consciousness over it, discovering many mortals mingling around the city, seemingly hoping to obtain immortal destiny one day, while countless cultivators and resources continuously converged there.

He paid little heed to all that and flew directly towards Lighook City.

Above the city walls, countless rays of shimmering light interwove with each other, forming a city-guarding formation.

But a formation of this kind, with large numbers of people entering and exiting daily and specially left gates, for Fang Xi, it was simply too easy to slip inside.

He cast a breath-concealing art, randomly found a flaw, and entered the city, heading directly towards where that Soul Transformation cultivator resided. . .

...

Little Moon Lake.

This lake spanned a vast area, located on the best spirit vein node within the city, and its scenery was exceptionally beautiful.

Furthermore, cultivators patrolled nearby; its environment was serene and secluded, suitable for secluded cultivation, without fear of external disturbance.

In the center of the lake, there was an island, upon which several Zen rooms were built.

A female nun with a graceful appearance and a solemn, dignified demeanor, wearing moon-white monastic robes, was currently sitting in meditation with crossed legs, when suddenly a long whistle echoed in her ears!

“Which fellow Daoist is playing such a jest on this humble nun? ”

The nun was startled and loudly proclaimed a Buddhist epithet.

Her figure flickered inexplicably, appearing high in the sky outside.

This was a secret transmission of the Buddhist Sect—the Heart-Light Escape Art, claiming that as soon as a thought arose, the body would arrive; its escape speed was truly astonishingly fast.

At this moment, the nun saw a green-robed young man standing with his hands behind his back, seemingly observing the surroundings with great interest.

What inspired even more awe in her was that a spiritual power aura far surpassing her early Soul Transformation stage was slowly awakening from the young man's body, gradually pressing down upon her.

"Soul Transformation. . . late stage? !"

The nun's tranquil Buddhist heart rippled slightly, and she couldn't help but give a wry smile, placing her palms together, "This humble nun, Zhui Yue, greets this Grand Cultivator. . ."

As she bowed, Zhui Yue Chan Master was also quite surprised.

In the Minghuan World, when did such a fellow Soul Transformation Daoist appear?

To be able to cultivate to the late Soul Transformation stage, it's impossible for them to be unknown.

"So it is Master Zhui Yue. Yun Jizi greets fellow Daoist here," Fang Xi performed a Daoist salute and smiled, "This one was roaming the void, inadvertently swept into a void storm, and ended up in this world. I wish to find a place to settle down, cultivate diligently, and await future ascension. . . I heard the Buddhist family has opened wide its doors of convenience, and Master is always willing to help others, so I presume you wouldn't let me make a wasted trip. . ."

"So fellow Daoist is actually someone who descended from another realm?"

Zhui Yue Chan Master was slightly startled, but then immediately felt the matter was quite reasonable.

Otherwise, there would simply be no other explanation.

Her heart stirred slightly, and a hint of a smile appeared on her face, "It is truly this city's honor that fellow Daoist chose Lighook Immortal City. This humble nun will immediately gather several stewards to announce this matter. . ."

A Soul Transformation cultivator, even if they wanted to join one of the three great sects like the Grand Clarity Sect, the other party would undoubtedly be overjoyed and agree without hesitation.

"No need. . ."

Fang Xi waved his hand, "I am most afraid of trouble. The reason I came to Lighook Immortal City is simply because I value this place for its tranquil cultivation. . . Please also ask Master not to widely publicize this matter."

He had only come to find a fifth-order spirit vein to cultivate in peace, not to establish dominance or rule as a king.

Different needs naturally lead to different approaches.

"So fellow Daoist is truly a devout cultivator, this humble nun admires you. " Zhui Yue Chan Master placed her palms together, "Everything will naturally be as fellow Daoist wishes."

"Many thanks for Master's assistance. I have nothing to repay you with, but I see Master radiating a precious light, indicating you must have cultivated a Buddhist body-refining art. Here, I have a bottle of 'Dharma Body Pills,' which can help us increase our spiritual power, and its medicinal properties are potent, also possessing the effect of tempering the physique. I offer them to fellow Daoist."

Zhui Yue Chan Master took it, and with just a sweep of her divine consciousness, knew it to be a rare and precious spiritual medicine.

Her heart stirred, but what dominated was shock.

After all, she hadn't truly displayed her body-refining art yet, yet this Yun Jizi opposite her had already seen through some of her secrets, which almost gave her a sense of great fear, as if she had been completely seen through. . .

At this moment, she silently chanted a Heart-Clearing Mantra, and her tranquil Buddhist heart finally became as still as an ancient well once more: "Many thanks, fellow Daoist. . ."

...

Lake Island.

Fang Xi chose a spot and built a hermitage to reside there, becoming neighbors with Zhui Yue Chan Master.

The spirit vein qi on this lake island was abundant, and it was managed with great elegance; he was quite satisfied with it.

Inside the thatched hut.

The thatched hut, which originally seemed narrow and confined, upon entering, revealed a completely different world within.

First to greet the eye was a vast living room, the ceiling and walls of which were inlaid with various luminous pearls, constantly emitting radiance, like the stars in the celestial sphere.

Entering from different passages, one could reach the study, alchemy room, talisman-making room, beast pens, medicinal garden. . . truly a world of its own.

This was also the norm in the Minghuan World; this realm had considerable expertise in refining void treasures, and among many formation texts, there were specific formation patterns for arranging such space-expansion methods within a cultivation abode.

Fang Xi simply arranged things casually, then entered a secret chamber and began his secluded cultivation.

"Although cultivating the 'Supreme Pole Star Life-Ending Divine Light' has no requirements for spiritual energy, one can cultivate other techniques simultaneously. . ."

He had obtained the complete 'Withered Glory Chant' technique, and now that he was back on the righteous path, he couldn't waste this time; it was perfect for silently accumulating spiritual power in order to reach the Perfected Soul Transformation realm more quickly.

'If one wishes for the Withered Glory Chant to advance to the Return to Void realm, it provides a secret method for refining Five Elements spiritual items. . . These Five Elements spiritual items require at least a fifth-order grade, which is quite extravagant. . . '

Such pure Five Elements essences, once they reach the fifth-order, are the best materials for refining pure-attribute Numinous Treasures.

Fang Xi didn't even have enough to gather them all!

'From comprehending this secret method, it seems that if one can find four pure-attribute Numinous Treasures of water, fire, earth, and metal, and then refine them into one's body, it could also be barely useful. . . '

'But the path I wish to take is the Dao of Three Qi Unification. . . '

Although no matter which secret method one uses to break through to Return to Void, the early Return to Void stage is roughly the same, the success rates are different!

Among the secret arts for breaking through to Return to Void that Fang Xi possessed,

The success rate for Three Qi Unification was the highest!

While refining Five Elements spiritual items ranked second.

Directly causing the External Avatar to return to its origin, and righteous-demonic unification ranked third.

Following that were cultivating Five Elements or Three Wonders techniques, consuming 'Two Forms Void Breaking Pills', and so on. . .

As for the path of Metal and Wood mutual restraint in the 'Wood Blade Art'? It was considered the riskiest and lowest-success-rate method, as it was a new technique, still imperfect.

Fang Xi naturally chose 'Three Qi Unification' as his first priority, preferably supplementing it with several other secret methods to maximize the accumulated success rate, ensuring a single successful breakthrough to Return to Void!

"Three Qi Unification. . . the Immortal Origin Qi is easy to speak of; it can be collected even in the lower realms. As for Heavenly Demon Qi and True Demonic Qi, unless one can immediately open a passage to the Monster World and Demon World, otherwise, it's more convenient to seek them in the Upper Realm."

These two materials are neither difficult nor easy to obtain; one only needs to find two Return to Void cultivators who practice pure Monster or Demonic cultivation methods.

However. . . Fang Xi is human, and in the Earthly Immortal World, these three races are like fire and water.

Thus, Fang Xi thought of making a trip to Three Realms Mountain.

If one were to say where among the human race in the Earthly Immortal World these two materials would be easiest to obtain, it would naturally be near Three Realms Mountain.

Thinking of Three Realms Mountain, he recalled the ascended Fang Xian Dao Master, even Bing Xuanzi, and that fifth-order turtle demon.

'With the Fang Xian Dao Master's peerless talent, upon entering the Earthly Immortal World, he was like a dragon entering the sea. Who knows what his situation is now. . . He might even be close to Return to Void, right? '

Fang Xi felt not a hint of jealousy.

Because he never compared himself to that person.

With the 'All-Heavens Precious Mirror' and the 'Earthly Immortal' legacy within him, as long as he cultivated steadily step by step, he had hope of ascending to the True Immortal World in the future, and would even be much stronger than ordinary Primordial Spirit True Immortals.

He didn't insist on the path of a Heavenly Immortal, and was already quite content with this.

After slightly calming his mood and meditating for three days, Fang Xi closed his eyes slightly, and a secret method written in Dragon Script appeared in his sea of consciousness.

Gazing at these ancient seal characters that flowed like dragons and snakes, resembling soaring flood dragons, Fang Xi felt a touch of wonder in his heart.

Over the past few decades, besides comprehending secret arts, he often copied this Dragon Script, even wanting to imprint it onto jade slips.

As a result, these jade slips shattered one after another, unable to bear the inscription at all.

Perhaps only by using those Golden Cicada Exuviae would there be a slight possibility of them bearing it.

Fang Xi even suspected that if he hadn't already had a foundation in Dragon Script, within the memories of that Changqingzi, even if he saw this cultivation technique, it would quickly blur, or even be forgotten!

“Supreme Pole Star. . . ”

He murmured, and his expression suddenly became exceptionally solemn.

Immediately after, Fang Xi closed his eyes, a spiritual light flashed above his head, and a verdant main Nascent Soul appeared.

This Nascent Soul embraced the All-Heavens Precious Mirror, with numerous treasures swirling around its body, and faintly honored the Fifth-Generation Green Reaping Sword as supreme.

Among the many treasures, a seemingly unremarkable small seal flew out, landing before the Nascent Soul.

This seal was square, completely black, and seemed to be carved from dark wood.

"This is actually my second Life-Bound Artifact. . ."

Fang Xi gazed at the seal, and a hint of a wry smile appeared on his Nascent Soul's small face.

His first Life-Bound Artifact was naturally the 'All-Heavens Precious Mirror,' while his second Life-Bound Artifact was actually this 'Life and Death Seal,' but its presence had always been quite weak.

Although this 'Life and Death Seal' actually had considerable power, its main material was a branch from the Progenitor Demonic Tree from back then, and it had undergone multiple cultivations through the 'Treasure Seeding Art,' reaching full maturity.

In recent decades, in order to cultivate the 'Supreme Pole Star Life-Ending Divine Light,' it was taken out by Fang Xi again and nurtured day and night without sparing any vital energy.

By this time, it had finally advanced to the fifth-order!

'Counting it up, it's indeed quite a bit later than the Divine Infant Sword of my External Avatar. But there's nothing I can do about it; my main focus is still on cultivating and breaking through realms. Where would I have spare vital energy to nurture treasures? '

'Even the Soul Suppressing Pagoda is currently only a peak fourth-order item, and it's about to become outdated and be directly eliminated. . . '

'Rather than cultivating this Soul Suppressing Pagoda, it would be better to find Bing Xuanzi. That person possesses a fifth-order Soul Suppressing Pagoda. . . '

Fang Xi's Nascent Soul quickly pondered, its small hands suddenly forming various hand seals.

Streaks of light merged into the Life and Death Seal, causing the seal to expand instantly, with the texture of the demonic tree appearing on its body, and the illusory form of the demonic tree slowly emerging on its handle.

His expression remained unchanged as he formed hand seals with both hands.

Streaks of purple light converged, falling into the Life and Death Seal, causing ancient seal script patterns of Dragon Script to faintly appear on the bottom of the seal's body.

'Withered Glory Mystic Light' requires at least a Core Formation cultivator, and must be wielded in conjunction with a Dharma Artifact.

Without the correct incantations or a special spiritual body, even if one obtains the cultivation technique, it cannot be cultivated successfully.

Now, to cultivate the advanced Grand Divine Ability, North Star Life-Ending, he naturally needed to re-refine the Dharma Artifact.

Fortunately, the Life and Death Seal had already advanced to the fifth-order, otherwise, it would still be difficult to bear.

Fang Xi's Nascent Soul continuously formed hand seals, watching the Life and Death Seal rapidly expand and contract, with an additional streak of purple radiance on its surface. It couldn't help but nod, opening its small mouth.

Fifth-order infant fire sprayed out, continuously refining the seal.

This seal was refined and cultivated by his own hands, advancing. . . the artifact spirit was quite cooperative, making the refining process much smoother. . .

...

Time flowed on.

Apart from Zhui Yue Chan Master and a few high-ranking individuals from Lighook Immortal City, the vast majority of cultivators didn't even know that a Soul Transformation Venerable was living in seclusion and cultivating on Little Moon Lake.

And Fang Xi's personality had always been quite reclusive, and he was at a critical juncture in cultivating a Grand Divine Ability, so it was simply impossible for him to emerge from seclusion at will.

Zhui Yue Chan Master observed for over a decade, confirming that this 'Yun Jizi' was indeed a devoted cultivator and didn't seem to be plotting anything. She finally put her mind at ease and began her own cultivation.

For existences at their Soul Transformation stage, even a single deep cultivation session could mean decades or even centuries passing by. . .

Inside the thatched hut.

Streaks of colorful restrictions spread everywhere, with baleful qi rising within, transforming into various ferocious runes, clearly indicating a powerful formation guarding it.

Within the secluded cultivation chamber, Fang Xi sat cross-legged, embracing a pitch-black seal, which was precisely the 'Life and Death Seal'!

He had been sitting cross-legged for an unknown amount of time, with dust seemingly accumulating on his body.

Suddenly, Fang Xi abruptly opened his eyes, those eyes, which had experienced the mundane world yet retained the innocence of a child, emitted a brilliant, star-like radiance: "Rise!"

The Life and Death Seal floated up, with the illusory image of the demonic tree appearing on it.

His ten fingers continuously changed, forming one hand seal after another.

In a trance, Fang Xi himself seemed to transform into a towering ancient tree, experiencing the cycle of withered and flourishing. . .

The next instant, a mysterious light of indescribable form appeared at Fang Xi's fingertips, intertwining with the purple light on the Life and Death Seal.

"Supreme Pole Star. . . Oversee your demise!"

Fang Xi recited an incantation, and at the bottom of the Life and Death Seal, streaks of purple Dragon Script patterns fully formed, struggling to cover the Withered Glory Mystic Light, causing a sudden hint of purple to appear within the mystic light, with blurry Dragon Script gradually taking shape.

A moment later, the wavering Dragon Script blurred, and then vanished.

Seeing this, Fang Xi merely sighed and did not force its condensation.

He had cultivated the 'Supreme Pole Star Life-Ending Divine Light' for so many years, and one of his insights was never to force it.

"In reality. . . with the aid of the 'Eternal Evergreen Body,' my progress should be faster than many Green Emperor Mountain cultivators. . . Now, I am just one step away from completely cultivating this divine light to the introductory level!"

"When that time comes, signs of heaven and earth will gather, creating an immensely grand display, perhaps even reaching directly into the Earthly Immortal World. . ."

Having cultivated until now, Fang Xi also had a considerable understanding of the 'Supreme Pole Star Life-Ending Divine Light'.

At this moment, his Withered Glory Chant had been cultivated to the Grandmaster stage, allowing him to easily drain the lifespan of Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators to death. But when fighting cultivators of the same realm, even if he were to drain the lifespan of an early Soul Transformation cultivator, it would require a one-for-one exchange of life!

Furthermore, if he were to drain the lifespan of a Return to Void cultivator, one year could cost him thousands or tens of thousands of years, or even result in a direct backlash that drains his own lifespan to death!

This was the limit of the 'Withered Glory Mystic Light'!

However, the 'Supreme Pole Star Life-Ending Divine Light' could break this limit!

"Even if I only cultivate the 'Supreme Pole Star Life-Ending Divine Light' to the introductory stage, and then attempt to drain the lifespan of a Soul Transformation cultivator, one year of my lifespan would cost them ten. . ."

"And the formidable aspect of this Grand Divine Ability is that it can still cross major realms to drain the lifespan of Return to Void cultivators. . . Though, at the introductory level of 'Supreme Pole Star Life-Ending Divine Light', ten years of my lifespan would only exchange for one year of theirs. . ."

Return to Void cultivators originally had lifespans approaching ten thousand years, double that of Soul Transformation cultivators!

Such an exchange rate would clearly be a great loss!

"However, once it reaches the Minor Accomplishment stage, roughly three years of my lifespan can exchange for one year of a Return to Void cultivator's lifespan. . . And at the Grandmaster stage, it will be one-for-one again!"

"It's just. . . no matter how powerful this Grand Divine Ability is, it cannot cross two major realms. . . Which means even if I cultivate the 'Supreme Pole Star Life-Ending Divine Light' to completion now, I wouldn't be able to do anything to Integration cultivators, unless I advance to Return to Void. . ."

Even so, it was quite terrifying!

Especially when combined with the demonic tree's ability to increase lifespan!

Fang Xi exhaled a long breath, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face: "Finally, I can feel a bit safer in the Earthly Immortal World. . . No, that's not right. . . With that 'Changqingzi' around, I'm afraid there's still a major hurdle to overcome in the future. . ."

...

Meanwhile.

Inside Zhui Yue Chan Master's Zen room.

Streaks of golden swastika characters shimmered, covering the surrounding walls.

"With this 'Brahma-Pure Incorporeal Restriction' in place, even a Perfected Soul Transformation cultivator wouldn't be able to eavesdrop on our conversation. . ."

Zhui Yue Chan Master held a string of Buddhist beads carved from ten-thousand-year Soul Nurturing Wood, twirling them bead by bead, looking at the three late Nascent Soul Grand Cultivators before her: "You may speak frankly. . ."

"Zhui Yue Chan Master. . ."

A purple-robed burly man with a towering physique and majestic appearance first bowed, then stood up and said, "The Primordial Demon Sect is going too far. . . Now that the agreed-upon time from back then has arrived again, we don't know what to do. . ."

"Although those several spirit mines yield considerable profit, if we don't have them, it would only be a bit difficult. . ."

Zhui Yue Chan Master twirled her Buddhist beads, her expression calm: "If the Primordial Demon Sect hadn't coincidentally gone to full-scale war with the Grand Clarity Sect and Vast Thunder Temple due to the death of that generation's Saint Son, we wouldn't have had this opportunity. . . Are these hundreds of years of gains not enough?"

Her voice was like a great bell, possessing the effect of purifying the soul.

The purple-robed burly man seemed to have received a sudden enlightenment, his expression clearing up considerably, and he said with a wry smile, "I was too attached to appearances. . . After all, those several mineral veins combined could accumulate enough for one 'Nascent Soul Condensation Pill' every century. . ."

"No matter how many Nascent Soul cultivators there are, without a Soul Transformation cultivator to hold fort, they are useless. . ."

Zhui Yue Chan Master was quite dismissive of this.

Just then, golden runes flashed one by one.

Zhui Yue Chan Master's hand, twirling the Buddhist beads, paused slightly, and her face suddenly took on an expression of wrath, as she loudly proclaimed a Buddhist epithet.

The restriction split open, creating a fissure, allowing a flying sword formed from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to descend.

A faint golden light appeared on her palm as she caught the flying sword.

From within the flying sword, a voice as warm and smooth as jade was transmitted.

Upon hearing this voice, several Nascent Soul Grand Cultivators' expressions changed repeatedly: "The Grand Clarity Sect is going too far. . . To actually take advantage of our misfortune like this? !"

"The Primordial Demon Sect is already making things difficult for us, and for the Grand Clarity Sect to act like this is unbecoming of a righteous path sect. . ."

"The righteous path, the demonic sects. . . they're all cut from the same cloth to begin with. In this cultivation world, ultimately, it's still the law of the jungle. . ."

"Hateful, so hateful. . . Our rogue cultivator Free and Unfettered Alliance only just managed to gain its current momentum with great difficulty, are we to fall into decline again?"

...

Zhui Yue Chan Master's expression remained unchanged, as she silently chanted scriptures.

After a chapter of scriptures, she gracefully rose and said, "The Grand Clarity Sect's Soul Transformation Venerable has suggested initiating a battle of magic to decide the ownership of the spirit mines and even the next grand auction. . . This already concerns the very foundation of Lighook Immortal City, so we have no choice but to accept the challenge."

"If a senior were to make a move, perhaps there would be no worries. . ."

The purple-robed burly man respectfully said.

"Although I've inherited the legacy of my predecessors and cultivated both Buddhist and Daoist paths, barely breaking through to the Soul Transformation realm, I am only at the early Soul Transformation stage. . . That Old Ghost Min from the Grand Clarity Sect, he's a late Soul Transformation existence. . ."

Zhui Yue Chan Master sighed, and suddenly looked into the distance: "Now both the righteous and demonic sides are launching a joint assault. . . It seems our 'Free and Unfettered Alliance' of rogue cultivators has somewhat shaken their foundations. . . This cannot end well."

"In that case, we must still have a showdown, and can only go invite that person to emerge from seclusion. . ."