Chapter 661: Old Acquaintance (Bonus Chapter for Front Page Recommendation)
Chapter 661: Old Acquaintance (Bonus Chapter for Front Page Recommendation)
Clear Tone Workshop.
Luan Bingxianzi gazed at the black-robed, stern-faced Nascent Soul cultivator before her, who carried a dark iron sword on his back. A bitter smile touched her lips. "That spirit stone mine concerns the very rise and fall of Clear Tone Workshop. Please forgive this one, but I cannot yield it. . ."
"Luan Bingxianzi, our 'Star Iron Sword Sect' is truly sincere. Furthermore, that spirit vein is adjacent to 'Sword Peak Mountain', a place chosen by our Grand Elder as his temporary abode. He plans to construct a palace there in the future. . . Are you perhaps intending to have a multitude of miners disturb the Grand Elder's cultivation day and night?"
The Nascent Soul cultivator with the iron sword on his back snorted coldly.
The 'Star Iron Sword Sect' was a Void Amalgamation sect, with even several Void Amalgamation sword cultivators within its ranks. In terms of strength, it far surpassed the former Dragon Taming Sect!
Previously, when the overseas Immortal Abode emerged, that mid-stage Void Amalgamation Grand Elder had also come here. He then ordered 'Iron Sword Daoist' to establish a force in this area, awaiting the future opening of the Immortal Abode.
Although the Immortal Abode's restrictions were now strict, they merely served to weaken cultivation.
As long as they sent Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, and other disciples without regard for their lives, even if the core area's benefits couldn't be obtained, they could still occasionally extract good things like 'Immortal Jade'.
It was just a hardship for the existing Nascent Soul forces.
The best cultivation cities and spirit veins near the Xuanming Abyss were naturally taken by the Starry Sky Sect. As for the 'Star Iron Sword Sect', they could only choose nearby regions, and thus ended up encroaching upon Clear Tone Workshop.
It was precisely because Fang Xi saw this that he had no intention of immediately rebuilding the Wang family.
At this time and place, wouldn't doing so be actively making oneself a target?
"This one would not dare. . ."
Luan Bingxianzi's expression froze. The pressure brought by the Star Iron Sword Sect was completely incomparable to that of the Dragon Taming Sect.
If she hadn't sworn a blood oath in the ancestral hall when she first joined the sect, vowing to revive Clear Tone Workshop, she would have had the impulse to simply leave right now.
"If Immortal Fairy finds this proposal unacceptable. . . then how about Clear Tone Workshop merging into the 'Fujian Manor' that I am establishing?"
Iron Sword Daoist offered another suggestion.
In his view, the sect merely needed enough Foundation Establishment and Core Formation cannon fodder to explore the mystic realm; they weren't insistent on cultivating them themselves.
Annexing other sects would even save more time and effort.
Of course, to Iron Sword Daoist, he didn't fancy sects that were too small; only one like Clear Tone Workshop could barely catch his eye.
"Although 'Fujian Manor' is merely a subordinate sect of the Star Iron Sword Sect, it would also receive protection from our main sect. . . Immortal Fairy truly won't lose out on this deal."
Iron Sword Daoist tried to persuade her.
Luan Bingxianzi, however, trembled all over, then replied, "Daoist friend's kind intentions, this one appreciates, but my Clear Tone Workshop has been passed down for dozens of generations. If the inheritance were to be severed in my hands, wouldn't I be a monstrous sinner?"
Iron Sword Daoist's expression turned cold. Just as he was about to say more, his divine consciousness suddenly stirred.
Immediately after, Luan Bingxianzi also seemed to notice something and looked towards a certain spot in the sky.
There, they saw an old man, leisurely and composed, sitting cross-legged atop a giant turtle, slowly making his way over.
"Wang Family Ancestor! ?"
Luan Bingxianzi exclaimed in surprise.
"A mid-stage Nascent Soul realm, and a fifth-stage spirit pet? !"
Iron Sword Daoist's attention, however, was on a different aspect.
At this moment, the level of danger posed by this 'Wang Family Ancestor' had sharply increased in his mind.
"Haha, this old man has been in seclusion. Now, my cultivation has finally made a minor breakthrough. I wonder how Luan Bingxianzi has been all this time?"
Fang Xi jumped off the little black turtle's back and casually asked.
Upon hearing this, Luan Bingxianzi could only force a bitter smile.
She had discovered the anomaly early on, but lacked the Wang Family Ancestor's courage to sever a limb to save the body. Even after striving to maneuver among numerous forces, she had unknowingly been pushed into such a desperate predicament.
In contrast, the Wang Family Ancestor remained unbothered by anything, yet his cultivation repeatedly broke through, and he even had an immense fortuitous encounter, subduing a fifth-stage spirit beast!
Turtle-type demon beasts possessed exceptionally long lifespans. If used to pass down as a family heirloom or guard a sect, they could protect it for at least ten thousand years!
The Dragon Taming Sect was the best example of this, and turtle-type demon beasts were mostly gentle in nature, unlike that wicked dragon who caused trouble.
"Since Luan Bingxianzi has a guest today, I shall take my leave first. . . As for my previous proposal, I hope Immortal Fairy will consider it carefully."
Iron Sword Daoist and Fang Xi exchanged bows, then the former bid his farewell.
It wasn't until the man transformed into a streak of dark sword light and departed that Luan Bingxianzi solemnly thanked Fang Xi. "Many thanks, Daoist friend, otherwise this one wouldn't have known how to deal with that person. . ."
"I merely stalled for time. Immortal Fairy still needs to make a decision soon."
Fang Xi sighed, then cast a hand seal.
The little black turtle transformed into the size of a child's palm, which he then held in his hand, toying with it.
Luan Bingxianzi led the way, guiding him into a waterside pavilion.
Outside, flying waterfalls and clear springs slowly flowed by, making it a place extremely suitable for cultivating one's mind and body.
Fang Xi was quite familiar with this place.
He had been invited to visit here back then, and the talents of the dancers and singers cultivated by Clear Tone Workshop were also quite remarkable.
Luan Bingxianzi invited Fang Xi to sit, her expression surprisingly tinged with a hint of resentment. "Daoist friend Wang, did you come to find this one because you are preparing to rebuild the Wang family? With your current strength, you are already capable of doing so, and even gaining benefits from various major sects. . ."
If she possessed Fang Xi's strength, she might well have tried to bargain with a tiger for its hide herself.
There was no other reason; the path of advancement in this region was truly too difficult.
If it weren't for the overseas Immortal Abode, basically no other Void Amalgamation cultivators would be willing to give it a second glance.
"These are treacherous times, and this old man truly has no such thoughts. . . I merely wish to hear about the fates of some fellow cultivators."
Fang Xi smiled faintly. Listening to all sides makes one wise, after all.
Moreover, this woman had a wide circle of acquaintances and should possess some secret information unknown to others.
"Even the Dragon Taming Sect was annihilated, what more is there to say?"
A trace of sorrow flashed across Luan Bing's face.
"For instance. . . the Profound Nether Commerce Guild! ?"
Fang Xi said.
"I had forgotten, your Wang family has always had some dealings with the Profound Nether Commerce Guild. This time, you truly bet on the right horse. . ."
An indescribable look of envy was in Luan Bing's words. "That Void Amalgamation rogue cultivator, Zi Feng Lingjun, is the backer of the Profound Nether Commerce Guild, and it's even rumored that he has a Starry Sky Sect background. . ."
If she could connect with that network, she would have a bit more confidence in refusing Iron Sword Daoist today.
With this thought, her gaze towards Fang Xi became even more fervent. She felt that this Wang Family Ancestor was truly old yet vigorous and strong, heroic and spirited.
For high-level cultivators in the Earthly Immortal World, outward appearance was merely something that could be easily changed; it was powerful strength that truly enthralled them. . .
...
Several days later.
Fang Xi rode the little black turtle, leaving the Clear Tone Workshop's vicinity and heading straight into the Xuanming Abyss.
He swept his spiritual sense over the surroundings, confirming there were no trackers or marks. Only then did he wave his hand, collecting the little black turtle into the Mountain Sea Pearl's cave-heaven, and casually formed a hand seal.
In an instant, a dense and profound demonic qi emerged from Fang Xi's body.
Even his aura and appearance subtly changed, becoming precisely that of 'Qing Hezi'.
'Qing Hezi' also cultivated the 'Myriad Manifestations True Demon Arts'. When performed by his true body. . . it wasn't acting, it *was* him, thus, no flaws could possibly be seen.
'Qing Hezi' flew for a while, heading straight into the Xuanming Abyss.
Fang Xi had no intention of visiting the overseas Immortal Abode, after all, that Immortal Abode was currently a target for all. He wouldn't gain anything by going there and would easily expose his whereabouts.
Fortunately, even for Nascent Soul cultivators, the Xuanming Abyss was a dangerous place, and apart from scattered fishermen, one rarely saw a cultivator's escape light.
He traveled uneventfully, arriving near Ghost Gate Reef.
According to his previous agreement with Mo Yinqiu, Fang Xi arrived near a peculiar reef.
This reef was slightly upturned on both sides, resembling two crescent moons, or perhaps a pair of ox horns.
"This should be the place."
Fang Xi swiped his storage ring and took out a box from within.
After uncovering the sealing talisman, the lid automatically sprang open, revealing a small black bird puppet inside.
He sent out a stream of spiritual power, and the black bird puppet's eyes lit up. It actually flapped its wings a few times and flew out.
The puppet bird circled the reef a few times, then identified a direction and flew off.
Fang Xi followed behind. Before long, he arrived at a certain location in the Xuanming Abyss.
The black bird puppet hovered above a certain spot on the sea, letting out long cries. . . then plunged headfirst into the seawater.
Sizzle!
Countless Xuanming Heavy Water immediately began to corrode the puppet. A black shadow flashed by—it was a Xuanming demon beast in the seawater, which immediately swatted the puppet into a pile of fragments.
Fang Xi watched this scene, not the slightest expression on his face.
The Earthly Immortal World was too vast. The greater the distance, the more difficult communication became.
For example, communication talismans effective for a thousand li naturally became useless once the distance exceeded thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions, or even hundreds of millions of li. . .
Any secret art or magical treasure capable of communicating freely within the Xuanming Abyss was considered quite rare and precious.
And if one could communicate at will within the Starry Sky Domain. . . then the 'Starry Sky Sect' would have long since unified the entire region.
The scope of governance was the scope within which information could be transmitted!
As for information channels that spanned the entire human race, or even crossed numerous dangerous lands and formations to connect the human race with the demon and devil races. . . Fang Xi, at least, had never heard of such a thing.
This puppet, then, was the communication token Mo Yinqiu had given Qing Hezi back then.
It seemed the Ink Gate had completely withdrawn?
Fang Xi's eyes flickered. He released a dark cloud, quietly sat cross-legged upon it, and began to close his eyes to rest his spirit.
...
Half a month later.
He suddenly opened his eyes and saw an octopus-like monster emerge from the Xuanming Heavy Water.
Fang Xi immediately transformed into a streak of escape light and entered the demon beast.
"Who would have thought. . . your Ink Gate's imitation of my bionic puppet is quite well done."
He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, curiously surveying the surroundings, and said to the person facing him.
Although bionic puppets were a technology from the Kyushu world, the technique itself wasn't particularly special, so it was normal for the Ink Gate to imitate it.
This person was none other than the Ink Gate Master, Mo Yinqiu!
His face looked several shades older than before. Now, seeing Fang Xi, he could only offer a bitter smile. "Alas. . . years of planning, all for naught. . ."
He was pained by the leakage of the overseas Immortal Abode. At this moment, he subtly felt closer to Fang Xi, after all, Qing Hezi had slaughtered a fifth-stage Flood Dragon and defected back then.
And the Ink Gate and the Dragon Taming Sect were mortal enemies!
"Worldly affairs flow and change. After merely thousands or tens of thousands of years, who can truly know the pros and cons?"
Fang Xi replied with a smile. From the fact that Mo Yinqiu was still in the Xuanming Abyss, he knew that the Ink Gate still harbored covetous desires for that Immortal Abode.
Mo Yinqiu sighed, then suddenly bowed solemnly. "When excavating the mystic realm before, this old man had a slight discovery, but it was only a guess. Only now can I be certain: it is an Immortal Abode inheritance. . ."
This was actually a lie, but Fang Xi wasn't bothered by it.
If it had been him, he would certainly have concealed this crucial information back then!
That was an Immortal Abode inheritance!
Even Long Qingzi had only suddenly risen to prominence after obtaining an Immortal Abode inheritance!
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