Chapter 667: The Banquet (Bonus Chapter, Please Vote for Monthly Tickets)
Chapter 667: The Banquet (Bonus Chapter, Please Vote for Monthly Tickets)
Earthly Immortal World.
Moonlight Immortal City.
Compared to ascending the Three Realms Mountain, achieving Return to Void personally was naturally more important.
After paying respects to Zhong Hong Yu and Ling Shu, Fang Xi returned to Moonlight Immortal City with his External Avatar.
Lake Heart Island Immortal Abode.
Wang Lingying respectfully presented several jade slips: "To Grand Ancestor, this is the latest updated map of the Taiyin Secret Realm. . . Several resource points where 'Taiyin Jade Crystal' has been produced are specially marked. . ."
"Mm."
Fang Xi took the jade slips, a faint smile appearing on his face: "You've worked hard."
Wang Lingying respectfully replied.
He truly felt no hardship or difficulty; it was merely a matter of trading spirit stones.
And the secret realm map he acquired. . . perhaps he might even use it himself in the future!
Now that the exploration of the Taiyin Secret Realm had long concluded, Fang Xi casually asked about the results from the various cultivators.
"During this excursion to the Taiyin Secret Realm, several Divine Transformation cultivators perished. . . None among them obtained the Taiyin Jade Crystal. Of course. . . it's also possible some have hidden it in secret."
One mustn't underestimate a cultivator's survival wisdom; every cultivator understands the principle that a tall tree catches the wind. Each and every one of them is an expert at feigning weakness to ambush their prey.
Wang Lingying then reported the names of several fallen Divine Transformation cultivators. What made Fang Xi's eyelids twitch slightly was that 'Fellow Daoist Kou,' who had been at Divine Transformation Perfected and with Ma Xianzi, had also perished within the secret realm!
"An expedition to such a secret realm is truly too dangerous. . ."
Fang Xi pondered for a moment, then rose: "Since you haven't yet contacted Ma Xianzi, this time, I shall go personally. It would also be a good opportunity to offer my condolences. . ."
"Understood!"
Wang Lingying naturally agreed respectfully.
...
By this time, several years had already passed since the secret realm's opening.
For Divine Transformation cultivators, this duration was not long at all.
Moreover, upon exiting the secret realm, one still required time for recuperation and healing, so visitors were generally not received. . . Arriving at this particular juncture, however, was just right.
The Ma Family had several Divine Transformation cultivators, making them a mid-tier power within Moonlight Immortal City.
Above their immortal abode—'Jade Root Plain'—lived millions of Ma Family cultivators and mortals, almost forming a small nation.
Fang Xi transformed into a streak of escape light, arriving above a expanse of grassland. After discerning the direction, he sent forth a flying sword message.
Not long after, a green bird flew over, surprisingly speaking in human tongue: "A distinguished guest has arrived. Please proceed to 'Cold Moon Cave'. . ."
Fang Xi nodded slightly and followed behind the green bird, arriving at a cave abode.
This cave abode was arranged with great elegance. Within a hundred-li radius, lush vegetation thrived, emitting a faint spiritual aura.
Green birds nested within, and from time to time, the chirping of fledglings could be heard.
At the entrance of the cave abode, a beautiful woman in red was waiting. Upon seeing Fang Xi, she immediately bowed: "Fellow Daoist Wang, greetings. . ."
"Fairy Ma is too kind."
Fang Xi revealed a faint smile and praised: "Fairy's cave abode is truly ingenious, actually spreading spirit veins throughout to rear so many green birds. I fear that within Moonlight Immortal City's spirit fowl market, Fairy could claim a good portion, couldn't she?"
"My Ma Family established itself through beast-taming arts. I merely strive to manage this business to supplement our daily cultivation resources. . ."
Fairy Ma replied with a faint smile.
Once one reached the Divine Transformation stage, their lifespan in the Earthly Immortal World could extend to four or five thousand years, and the time required for cultivation and breakthroughs became even longer.
To break through a minor realm within a thousand years would be cause for universal celebration.
Furthermore, although resources in the Earthly Immortal World were abundant, elixirs suitable for Divine Transformation cultivators to enhance their magical power remained extremely scarce.
Many Divine Transformation cultivators would not easily engage in conflicts unless they encountered the emergence of an overseas immortal abode, or matters related to their cultivation path such as the Taiyin Jade Crystal.
Daily management, slowly acquiring cultivation resources, and enduring arduous cultivation was the mainstream approach.
Even Wang Lingying, after settling in Moonlight Immortal City, had begun to engage in sideline businesses.
As for Fang Xi, he had previously lived by fishing in Xuanming Abyss, simultaneously acquiring cultivation resources.
Had he not utilized the industrial and agricultural price scissors from the Kyushu World, using its excellent and affordable elixirs and magical treasures to 'muddle through,' he would not have acquired so many 'True Blood Pills,' causing his cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds.
‘So the Ma Family also specialized in beast-taming arts, but their inheritance was likely only around the fifth-stage, still far inferior to the Dragon Taming Sect's sixth-stage beast-taming inheritance. . . If I were to enter this trade, the Ma Family would probably throw a fit. ’
Fang Xi smiled faintly to himself.
The Dragon Taming Sect's beast-taming inheritance reached the sixth-stage, and was exceptionally suited for taming dragon-type spirit beasts.
When he was in the Human World, he had already put his skills to the test, subduing the 'Horned Dragon' within the Mountain Sea Pearl, intending to raise it alongside 'Golden Silver Bean Mother' in the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm later on.
The Earth Immortal Way also emphasized management, and its entry was difficult.
Fang Xi diligently comprehended it, feeling that only after reaching Return to Void would it be possible to truly begin cultivation and embark on the path of an Earth Immortal!
This was also thanks to the fact that most of his acquired knowledge originated from Green Emperor Mountain, which was highly compatible with the Earth Immortal Way.
Otherwise, merely the requirements of finding a life-bound spirit plant and practicing the Longevity Art would have stumped many cultivators.
‘Liu Xu's successful Divine Transformation also owed something to the legacy of Green Emperor Mountain. . . The Azure Wood Longevity Art she cultivated was actually a technique passed down from the Nine Leaves Sect back then. After cultivating to the Nascent Soul realm, she then obtained a top-tier wood-attribute technique from a Celestial Maiden's remnant soul, which perfectly complemented it. . . Greatly assisting her breakthrough to Divine Transformation! ’
Immediately after, he entered the cave abode with Fairy Ma.
Her cave abode was quite small; upon entering the main door, one would see an emerald-green screen.
"Please, Fellow Daoist!"
Fairy Ma smiled enchantingly, transforming into a streak of light and disappearing into the screen.
"So it's a cave-heaven treasure!"
Fang Xi focused his gaze, seeing mountains, rivers, vegetation, and buildings depicted on the screen, bearing a resemblance to a 'Painting of Mountains and Rivers'.
He naturally realized then that this was a cave-heaven treasure similar to the Mountain Sea Pearl. He immediately transformed into a streak of green light and entered the screen as well.
As far as his eyes could see, the surroundings were magnificent and resplendent, as if he had arrived in a vast palace.
Maidservants, each with charming smiles, stepped forward: "Greetings, distinguished guest. . ."
Fang Xi released his Divine Consciousness, and within his heart, he estimated the power of this screen's cave-heaven treasure.
‘In terms of spaciousness, it's still inferior to the Mountain Sea Pearl. ’
The Mountain Sea Pearl was originally quite restricted, but after multiple expansions, especially after absorbing the essence of the Boundless Sea Realm, its scope was now vast.
Fang Xi nodded, and surrounded by numerous maidservants, arrived at a grand hall.
Fairy Ma, having changed into a different attire, sat at the head seat and smiled: "Fellow Daoist, please take your seat. . . This spiritual banquet in 'Eternal Jade Palace' comprises three thousand six hundred and fifty-seven dishes, each one a spirit meal. You simply must try them!"
"Then I shall certainly impose."
Upon hearing this, Fang Xi's eyes lit up, and the speed at which his right hand twirled his Buddhist beads quickened slightly.
Fairy Ma gazed at the string of ten-thousand-year Soul Nurturing Wood beads on 'Grand Ancestor Wang's' hand, a deep envy stirring in her heart.
Even though ten-thousand-year Soul Nurturing Wood had some benefits for them, especially combined with Buddhist spell restrictions, it wouldn't help against the Heart Demon Tribulation for Return to Void, but wearing it daily could cultivate one's character, nourish Divine Consciousness, and dispel inner demons.
Over time, the benefits accumulated greatly.
Crucially, a string of hand beads like that would require her to expend at least a hundred years of green bird income if she were to purchase it in Moonlight Immortal City's market. . .
Fang Xi accepted all offerings, eating with great relish.
After all, they were high-level cultivators; ordinarily, they could go without food or drink, surviving on wind and dew, but when it came to enjoying themselves, drinking for ten days and ten nights straight was commonplace.
His pursuit of immortality and longevity was for the sake of better enjoyment, not for anything else.
Thus, Fang Xi truly abandoned all restraint, feasting heartily, and lavished particular praise on one of the green bird meat dishes.
"If Fellow Daoist enjoys it, this concubine shall send a few more green birds to you later. . ."
Seeing her guest's enjoyment, Fairy Ma felt quite pleased.
Fang Xi raised his cup in thanks, and only then did the two parties discuss serious matters.
"As soon as this old man entered the secret realm, he unluckily encountered a Divine Transformation Wood Dragon, was pursued relentlessly with nowhere to run or hide, and had no choice but to crush his token, actively teleporting out of the secret realm. . ."
Fang Xi said with a bitter look on his aged face.
Fairy Ma had been feeling somewhat disheartened when the topic of the secret realm expedition came up, but hearing that Grand Ancestor Wang had also fared similarly, she felt much better. She forced a wry smile and said: "Fellow Daoist, it is already extremely fortunate that you managed to retreat unharmed. The three of us, though we managed to gather some resources, did not find the most crucial 'Taiyin Jade Crystal,' and Fellow Daoist Kou even unluckily perished in the maw of a wild beast. . . *Sigh*, our family originally thought the Taiyin Secret Realm entry quota was expensive and the gains weren't high. . . Yet, I insisted on gambling, and now I can only slowly rear green birds to repay the family's debts."
‘Their harvest wasn't good either? ’
‘It seems my guess was correct; this secret realm expedition truly had some hidden schemes. . . ’
Fang Xi thought to himself, then casually asked: "And what of that senior who entered with us?"
"After all, they were a Return to Void cultivator; they should have obtained at least one piece of Taiyin Jade Crystal, no?"
Fairy Ma replied with a hint of jealousy: "Moonlight Immortal City generally doesn't auction Taiyin Jade Crystal. Instead, they exchange it with other major powers for 'Sun Essence Gold,' and then refine the 'Two Forms Void Breaking Pill'. . ."
Divine Transformation cultivators could indeed exert their influence in the Earthly Immortal World, but they were not yet truly part of the high echelons.
Return to Void cultivators, however, were different!
Within the Starry Sky Domain, aside from the Void Amalgamation cultivator of the Starry Sky Sect, nearly all leaders of major powers were Return to Void cultivators!
Therefore, all major powers strictly controlled the resources for breaking through to Return to Void.
This also made it increasingly difficult for rogue cultivators at Divine Transformation to achieve a breakthrough.
Upon hearing this, Fang Xi's heart stirred.
He indeed possessed this main material, 'Sun Essence Gold,' and in ample quantities!
Occasionally, in the lower realms, spiritual items would emerge that would drive even Earthly Immortal World cultivators into a frenzy.
‘If I were to exchange it with the immortal city. . . Heh heh, I'm not that foolish yet! ’
A Divine Transformation cultivator trading with a Return to Void power would, eight times out of ten, end up completely exploited.
Even if Fang Xi had surplus Sun Essence Gold on hand, he would absolutely not do such a thing.
After the banquet, he and Fairy Ma further discussed their cultivation insights. Only then did he take out a sum of spirit stones and conduct a transaction with Fairy Ma, acquiring the secret realm route map of their trio.
"Taiyin Jade Crystal?"
"This item must still be obtained by the External Avatar. . . Without anyone knowing, it will be the safest!"
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