Chapter 659: Ascending Again
Chapter 659: Ascending Again
Human World.
Southern Desolate, Emerald Island.
With a flash of silver light, Fang Xi’s figure abruptly appeared.
He merely wished to observe the movements of a Return to Void cultivator descending to the lower realm; he had no intention of fighting desperately against one. Therefore, as soon as the All-Heavens Precious Mirror sensed the intense void fluctuations and estimated the energy level, it promptly retreated.
Next, he would let that fellow search at will in the Minghuan World.
If he could find him, Fang Xi would admit defeat!
“Even an early-stage Return to Void cultivator finds descending so difficult. . . that’s good news. ”
“At least I don’t need to worry too much. And with the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm, even when I advance to Return to Void, or even Void Amalgamation. . . I can use the All-Heavens Precious Mirror to return and then use the ‘Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm’ to counter the realm power. . . ”
“Once I complete the setup of the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm in the Human World, unless that Long Qingzi is foolish enough to intentionally disperse his cultivation and lower his realm to early-stage Return to Void to descend, who could possibly contend with me? ”
Fang Xi was quite confident in this. He was now the peak combat power of the lower realms!
After all, Divine Transformation Perfected cultivators had to worry about tearing the void and opening an ascension channel if they unleashed their full power.
But he was only at the late-stage Divine Transformation realm, and possessed a vast lifespan. He had no fear of the lifespan reduction caused by the backlash of using his full strength. . .
When he reached the Return to Void realm in the future and established his Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm, he would have even less to worry about such issues.
At this moment, he returned to his immortal cave and saw his External Avatar sitting cross-legged. He felt that the avatar was brimming with demonic qi, seemingly on the verge of advancing to mid-stage Divine Transformation at any moment.
“Not bad, I even brought you a gift. ”
Fang Xi revealed a satisfied expression. With a wave of his hand, the black coffin directly appeared in the secret chamber.
The next moment, he sat down cross-legged. A flash of azure light appeared at the crown of his head, and his main Nascent Soul emerged, beginning to assimilate with the second primordial spirit once more. . .
During this period, the situation in the Human World fully unfolded before his eyes.
“Gui Axe Zhenjun and Tu Mo Zhenjun, both Divine Transformation cultivators, have long since returned to the Jiuzhou World. Only Red Refining Demon Zun remained. Does this woman intend to ascend with me? ”
“Old Ancestor Bai ultimately didn’t dare to ascend, or perhaps he’s waiting for me to ascend so he can dominate the Human World alone? Anyway, he still has a long lifespan. . . ”
As for Liu Xu and Ling Shu, they were still in seclusion.
At this moment, the External Avatar looked at the black coffin, a dangerous glint clearly visible in its eyes.
“Indeed. . . now that the External Avatar’s foundational cultivation art is the Myriad Manifestations True Demon Arts, this attraction grows even stronger. . . ”
“However, this External Avatar is fine at early-stage and mid-stage Divine Transformation, but once it reaches Divine Transformation Perfected, it will most likely trigger the trap. . . ”
After being modified in the Jiuzhou World, the version of the demonic art Fang Xi cultivated had largely avoided numerous flaws.
At least, even when the External Avatar was roaming the Earthly Immortal World, no problems were seen.
Presumably, before breaking through to Divine Transformation Perfected, or even before attempting to assault the Return to Void bottleneck, there shouldn’t be any major issues, and it wouldn't be sensed by the Zizai Tianmo Wang.
Even if it were sensed, the Starry Sky Domain was human territory. Even an existence at the level of the Demon Race’s Six Kings would find it extremely difficult to infiltrate without risking their own demise.
“However, if he doesn’t act personally, but can remotely exploit the flaws in my cultivation art, that would still be troublesome. . . ”
“I must still manage this balance carefully. ”
Fang Xi sighed, then closed his eyes to cultivate.
In any case, that Return to Void cultivator had already descended into the Minghuan World. Whatever happened after that was no longer his concern.
Furthermore, without the power of the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm to reduce the realm suppression, who knew if such a cultivator would be repelled after a short time, forced to ascend to the Earthly Immortal World?
If that were truly the case, Long Qingzi’s expression in the Earthly Immortal World would certainly be quite amusing. . .
...
Earthly Immortal World.
Xuanming Abyss.
An desolate plain, underground.
With a flash of silver light, Fang Xi’s figure emerged.
“Earthly Immortal World, I’ve ascended again. . . ”
He murmured, reveling in the rare sensation of comfort throughout his body.
When he was in the lower realm, he was constantly bound by the chains of natural laws, limiting his divine abilities to only partial effectiveness, preventing him from unleashing their peak power.
But in the Earthly Immortal World, he could fully exert himself without any restrictions.
This feeling was, of course, entirely different!
Fang Xi thought for a moment, then immediately formed a hand seal, transforming himself into the image of Old Ancestor Wang.
This time in the Earthly Immortal World, he intended to operate under this identity.
“Not to mention that ‘Qing Hezi’ was originally just a common Daoist title, there are at least eighty of them in the Starry Sky Domain, and no one from the lower realm has ascended, so there’s almost no chance of exposure. . . ”
“Even if there were exposure, I am now Old Ancestor Wang, a native of the Earthly Immortal World who cultivates the Earthly Immortal Way. What does that have to do with Qing Hezi? ”
“I wonder what the situation in the Xuanming Abyss is like now, after the ‘Black Tide’? ”
With this thought, Fang Xi immediately transformed into a streak of light, flying towards Kungsang Market.
Whoosh!
As he flew, he stirred the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth, his body radiating a brilliant glow, and his escape speed instantly increased to an incredible degree.
Then, he formed another hand seal, employing a certain secret art. This escape light immediately shrunk to a mere thread, its presence almost imperceptible.
Fang Xi had no choice but to be cautious!
When he had emerged from seclusion back then, he had encountered numerous earth-shattering events, and various calamities had descended one after another.
He had no desire to manage the Wang Family, so he had immediately decided on a strategy of division, and then he fled.
He was truly ignorant of the current situation in the Xuanming Abyss, so it was best to be careful.
“Indeed, it’s different now. Is this the power of the Black Tide? ”
Fang Xi’s divine consciousness swept downwards, revealing that many mountains and rivers had changed their topography.
Even some formerly large rivers now contained traces of the black Profound Nether Heavy Water, with signs of Profound Nether demon beasts moving about, as if the Profound Nether Sea had poured into them.
“This. . . ”
Suddenly, his escape light halted as he gazed at the vast Xuanming Abyss before him.
“According to the map, Kungsang Market should still be ahead. . . It seems it has been completely submerged now? ”
Fang Xi murmured to himself, “The power of the Black Tide, to this extent? Then the immediate priority is to find other cultivator gathering points and inquire about the latest news. . . ”
He couldn’t help but think of the Dragon Taming Sect, Ink Gate, Clear Tone Workshop, Profound Nether Commerce Guild, and other forces, as well as the mysterious Return to Void cultivator and mystic realm that had appeared earlier!
“If the Xuanming Abyss is still in chaos and unsuitable for cultivation, then I’ll find another place. ”
“After all, the Earthly Immortal World is so vast, just the Starry Sky Domain alone is enough for Divine Transformation cultivators to roam freely. . . ”
...
On the edge of a black pond.
The water in this pond was precisely Profound Nether Heavy Water, exuding an ominous aura.
Several Core Formation cultivators silently lurked around, each holding array flags, array disks, and other items for setting up a formation, quietly deploying an array.
A moment later, a faint layer of white mist emerged, enveloping a corner of the black pond.
“Fairy Xie is truly worthy of being an array master! This ‘Eight Desolations Maze Array’ is truly exquisite, and more importantly, its deployment is almost silent, not alarming the demon beasts within the pond! ”
An old man dressed in a hemp robe, with white hair but in good spirits, bowed and smiled.
“Old Man Wang exaggerates. This is also thanks to all you fellow Daoists generously contributing your materials, otherwise it would have been difficult to refine so many array flags. . . ”
Fairy Xie, tall and with ordinary features carrying a hint of masculinity, laughed heartily at the remark.
“Haha. . . if not for the Black Tide back then, which also caused Profound Nether Heavy Water and Profound Nether demon beasts to appear near the sea, we wouldn’t have had this opportunity either. . . ”
The other two Core Formation cultivators seemed to be a pair of brothers, dressed in clothes made from demon beast leather, evidently providing excellent defense.
“Now, there’s no need to delve deep into the Xuanming Abyss to find Profound Nether demon beasts and some unique mineral deposits. . . it can be considered quite a good fortune. ”
Old Man Wang smiled, taking out a small, doll-like puppet from his storage bag.
He casually tossed it, muttering incantations.
The doll exploded with spiritual light in mid-air, a faint spiritual pressure emerging as it transformed into a giant tiger puppet with two wings on its back, covered in various spiritual patterns, and charging ferociously into the black pond.
“A Core Formation-level puppet is quite precious to us. . . Old Man Wang, could you be a puppeteer? ”
Fairy Xie’s eyes brightened.
“How could I be so capable? This puppet was acquired at an auction back then, as a life-saving trump card. . . ”
A bitter smile appeared on Old Man Wang’s face.
Only puppeteers could command armies of puppets; ordinary cultivators were at their peak controlling one or two.
Judging by his performance, it seemed he was indeed just that.
“I heard that Daoist Wang, your origins are quite extraordinary. . . perhaps you come from a Nascent Soul or even Divine Transformation family. ”
The elder of the Mo family brothers said with a hint of hidden meaning.
“A Divine Transformation family from this domain? Could it be the Wang Family that was once so prosperous, then suddenly split? ”
Fairy Xie’s eyes lit up. “I heard that when this family was powerful, it not only had a Divine Transformation Old Ancestor but also occupied Kungsang Market. . . That was a major market town on par with the current Green Mulberry Market, earning immense wealth daily. ”
Old Man Wang’s bitter smile deepened.
After the Wang Family split back then, each branch sought refuge with different powers.
By now, the fate of most branches was not good, with the majority declining.
The cultivation world was simply too realistic; without a sufficiently powerful leader, regardless of which side one sought refuge with, the outcome was to be completely devoured and then used as cannon fodder.
Conversely, those smaller branches that struggled to survive on their own, though living in straightened circumstances, managed to endure.
Old Man Wang was one of them. His branch was very small, and back then, it only had one late-stage Core Formation cultivator who had loved puppetry since childhood and had been trained as a puppeteer by the family.
After his demise, he left behind a puppeteer inheritance for this ‘Yin Mountain Wang Family,’ along with several Core Formation-level puppets as their foundation.
However, publicly, the Yin Mountain Wang Family would certainly not admit any relation to the former Wang Family.
And there were countless cultivators surnamed Wang in the Earthly Immortal World. The Wang Family had no mortal enemies back then, and the only Black Water Sect had been destroyed ages ago, with no one bothering to investigate further.
Old Man Wang, whenever he awoke in the dead of night, wondered whether the Old Ancestor Wang who made that decision back then was right or wrong.
“Here it comes! ”
Suddenly, his expression turned solemn. His divine consciousness sensed a demon beast in the black pond manipulating the black water, battling the winged tiger puppet.
“I’ll lure it. . . be careful to conceal your magic power and form. ”
The four cultivators each formed hand seals or waved array flags, causing layers of white mist to obscure their figures.
Not long after, the calm surface of the black pond suddenly rippled.
Waves converged, transforming into splashing water.
Splish-splash!
Countless drops of black water fell like rain, creating a small ‘Profound Nether Rain’ nearby.
Within the Profound Nether Rain, a winged giant tiger puppet flew out, fleeing frantically ahead.
Hiss, hiss!
Behind it, demonic qi surged, gathering the Profound Nether rainwater, faintly revealing the shadow of a serpentine demon beast.
“It’s a Black Water Profound Snake! Quickly, activate the array! ”
The Mo family brothers shouted, forming hand seals with both hands, muttering incantations, and frantically pouring magic power into the array flags before them.
“It seems there are quite a few demon beasts in this black pond. . . ”
Fairy Xie was slightly disappointed, as the Black Water Profound Snake’s value was far inferior to a five-hundred-year-old Dragon Newt, but she still took command of the array.
Streams of mist ascended, forming a wall of fog that blocked the Black Water Profound Snake’s path.
“Hiss, hiss! ”
The thick black snake continuously flicked its tongue, then suddenly raised its head and spat out a ball of black venom.
Sizzle!
The wall of fog was instantly corroded, forming a large hole, but behind the hole, another wall of fog emerged. . .
Only then did the Black Water Profound Snake appear startled, wanting to retreat back into the black pond.
But with the array activated, it was surrounded by mist on all sides, having long lost the direction of the black pond.
“Everyone, attack together! ”
Fairy Xie smiled faintly, taking out a jade ring-shaped artifact and lightly tossing it.
The jade ring flew into mid-air, transforming into a brilliant light like a full moon.
Seeing this, Old Man Wang also withdrew the winged giant tiger puppet and manipulated a black iron sword, casting a spell.
The black iron sword suddenly expanded and grew massive. . . in an instant, it transformed into dozens of meters long, its surface glittering with spiritual light, its edges incredibly sharp.
The Mo family brothers exchanged glances, then each sent out a short halberd.
These two short halberds seemed to complement each other, their power being the greatest among the several artifacts.
Boom!
First, the jade ring fiercely slammed into the Black Water Profound Snake’s head, causing its forehead to slightly dent.
Then, the black iron sword slashed, leaving a deep, bone-visible wound on the Black Water Profound Snake’s body.
Puff, puff!
Just as the Black Water Profound Snake went berserk, the two short halberds pierced into its body.
Strangely, the Black Water Profound Snake, which had been incredibly furious moments before, suddenly became much weaker after the two short halberds entered its body, and even its demonic qi gradually began to dissipate.
“I had long heard that the Mo family brothers possessed a pair of ‘Demon Suppressing Halberds’ that had a unique mystic effect on black water demon beasts. Seeing them today, they truly live up to their reputation! ”
Old Man Wang praised, “I heard these treasures are also related to that overseas immortal abode. . . ”
The Mo family elder’s expression changed, and he forced a smile, “Actually, there’s no relation. It’s merely rumors spread by the common folk. . . This pair of short halberds is a family heirloom. ”
“So that’s how it is. ”
Old Man Wang nodded, not sure whether he believed it or not.
“Alright, next, let’s kill this demon beast, collect all its materials, and then lure other black water demon beasts. . . With this pair of artifacts, I have even more confidence in the subsequent operations. ”
Fairy Xie said with a faint smile.
Splish-splash!
Just then, a whirlpool suddenly appeared in the black pond.
From the bottom of the unfathomably deep pond, a pair of gigantic vertical pupils abruptly opened, filled with cold and ruthless intent.
Splish-splash!
A purple light emerged from the deep pool, violently crashing against the Eight Desolations Maze Array.
The four Core Formation cultivators’ expressions changed drastically, and Fairy Xie even spat out a mouthful of vital blood, staining her clean white robe crimson.
“Nascent Soul. . . a fourth-stage demon race? ”
She exclaimed, her face truly turning pale with shock.
As the mist dispersed, the weakened Black Water Profound Snake seemed to sense something, emitting a mournful cry towards the black pond.
Splish-splash!
The pond water parted, revealing a black shadow several hundred meters long; it was an even larger Black Water Profound Snake!
Its body was as thick as a house, its scales a purplish-black, and its vertical pupils were filled with cold-blooded intent.
“A fourth-stage Black Water Profound Snake? ! ”
The Mo family brothers exclaimed, retrieving their artifacts. Their escape lights merged, and they performed a secret art, transforming into a startling rainbow of light, intending to flee.
The fourth-stage Black Water Profound Snake looked at its dying kin, then suddenly opened its snake maw, and a black ray of light emerged.
This ray of light arrived first, incredibly, blocking the Mo family brothers’ escape light.
“We’ll fight! ”
The Mo family brothers exchanged glances, each forming hand seals and spitting out a mouthful of vital blood onto their short halberds.
The pair of short halberds immediately glowed with a bloody hue, then burst with brilliant light, transforming into two sharp rays that slashed at the black ray of light.
But the black ray of light merely swayed for a moment before stabilizing again.
Not only that, it rapidly expanded, enveloping the Mo family brothers.
In just an instant, a rumble came from within, followed by complete silence.
When the light dispersed, only the pair of short halberds remained, their surface glow now incredibly dim.
“The Mo family brothers actually. . . ”
Seeing this scene, Old Man Wang’s heart was filled with despair.
Among the four Core Formation cultivators, in terms of strength, even he combined with Fairy Xie were no match for the Mo family brothers working together.
Now, this fourth-stage demon beast, with just one strike, had caused the Mo family brothers to perish.
If it were him and Fairy Xie, their outcome would certainly be no better.
“Hiss, hiss. . . ”
The fourth-stage Black Water Profound Snake flicked its tongue, a hint of human-like mockery in its eyes, just as it was about to spit out black light.
From the sky, an old voice suddenly came: “How dare this beast injure people? ! ”
Roar, roar!
The next moment, a ferocious, earthy-yellow giant tiger leaped out of the void.
As soon as the tiger appeared, it stirred the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth, transforming into streaks of earth-element divine light.
A divine light flashed, suddenly turning into a crescent-shaped blade glow.
The Black Water Profound Snake, startled, suddenly opened its snake maw, actually spitting out its demonic core, beginning to fight desperately!
The black demonic core gathered countless Profound Nether Heavy Water, sending out black ripples and waves.
Rip!
The earthy-yellow blade light flashed, and all these black ripples were torn apart. Although earth-element divine light was more adept at defense, its attack power was still extremely lethal to a Nascent Soul cultivator!
The earthy-yellow light collided with the black inner core, causing the core to shatter into pieces instantly.
And the blade light, undiminished, landed on the Black Water Profound Snake, instantly cutting the fourth-stage demon beast in half.
“That was a Nascent Soul-level demon beast. . . and it was just one spell that. . . ”
Fairy Xie stared blankly, then suddenly bowed solemnly to the void: “Thank you, Senior, for saving our lives! ”
To her surprise, Old Man Wang beside her seemed to have realized something, his face filled with disbelief, yet also admiration and excitement. . .
She had never seen such a complex expression on Old Man Wang’s face before.
Following his gaze, she saw an old cultivator, riding an earthy-yellow giant tiger, whose aura far surpassed that of a Nascent Soul!
“It truly is a Divine Transformation Old Ancestor! ”
Fairy Xie was still trying to recall which Old Ancestor she had heard of matched this one, when she saw Old Man Wang respectfully kneel down, performing the kowtow ritual: “Wang Benchu of the Yin Mountain Wang Family, respectfully greets Old Ancestor. May Old Ancestor live for ten thousand years! ”
“Rise. My Wang Family disciples need not be so humble. ”
Fang Xi smiled faintly.
Although he had saved them casually, the existence of these Wang Family members played a certain role.
Upon hearing these words, Old Man Wang immediately burst into tears: “Old Ancestor. . . ever since you left, our Wang Family has. . . sniffle, sniffle. . . ”
Fairy Xie, however, was astonished: “This Old Man Wang truly concealed himself well. . . He actually is a branch of the former Wang Family. . . ”
“Enough. Tell this Old Ancestor everything that has happened over the years. ”
Fang Xi then glanced at Fairy Xie.
Fairy Xie immediately bowed: “Xie Qian greets Senior. ”
“No need for formalities. This Old Ancestor has been out of the mountains for a long time and knows very little. It’s a good opportunity for you to supplement my knowledge. ”
Fang Xi patted the giant tiger beneath him.
The giant tiger roared, and a thunderous sound echoed.
The earth trembled, and then stone walls emerged, forming an immortal cave.
Within the immortal cave, stone tables, chairs, and benches were all present.
Fang Xi landed his escape light and sat on a stone stool, while the giant tiger transformed into a bright yellow seal, circling around him.
Seeing this, Old Man Wang no longer had any doubts. He respectfully said: “Reporting to Old Ancestor, back then. . . ”
He mainly spoke of the Wang Family’s affairs, while Fairy Xie added some major events in the cultivation world.
After listening, Fang Xi gradually understood the changes and vicissitudes of the past few hundred years.
The Xuanming Abyss and its surrounding territories had indeed fallen into chaos for a time. Numerous forces had been annihilated, and new ones had risen. It was no exaggeration to describe it as a sea turning into mulberry fields.
Even Kungsang Market had sunk as a result, and then cultivators established a new large market town, transplanting some mulberry spirit roots there, naming it ‘Green Mulberry Market’.
However, these two cultivators were only at the Core Formation stage and did not have a deep understanding of the hidden secrets within those major events.
“So that’s how it is. . . Where is Wang Lingying? ”
Fang Xi asked, for among the Wang family, the only one he slightly kept in mind was this Perfected Nascent Soul cultivator.
"Wang Lingying Ancestor has connected with the Profound Nether Commerce Guild, preparing to follow their merchant convoy to Moonlight Immortal City. . . to seek an opportunity for Soul Transformation!"
Old Wang respectfully replied.
Fang Xi had also heard of Moonlight Immortal City's great renown; even within the Starry Sky Domain, it was considered a first-rate immortal city.
Undertaking such a long-distance migration without Soul Transformation realm strength was quite perilous.
However, with the merchant guild's connections, traveling with the main group could significantly increase safety.
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