Chapter 717: Mountain-Bearing Turtle
Chapter 717: Mountain-Bearing Turtle
Above ten thousand zhang in the sky.
Within the boundless sea of clouds in the endless sky, a colossal creature carried a mountain peak on its back, leisurely traversing through the vast white clouds.
Only upon closer inspection would one discover it was a massive 'Mountain-Bearing Turtle'!
Its four limbs paddled leisurely, each stroke stirring up vast amounts of heaven and earth origin qi, yet its back remained incredibly stable.
Upon that mountain peak, numerous pavilions and towers had been constructed.
This was, astonishingly, a sixth-rank demon beast!
Occasionally, streaks of light would descend onto the Mountain-Bearing Turtle's back, entering the various pavilions.
...
On the map, a large red dot was moving.
"No wonder Chi Songzi said I absolutely wouldn't go wrong. . . Such a massive giant turtle, it's impossible to mistake it."
"So this underground trade fair is actually held in the sky."
Fang Xi was momentarily speechless.
Previously, when he inquired about the underground trade fair, Chi Songzi had given him this map. By simply following the map and finding the crimson light dot, he could enter the fair.
Fang Xi naturally recognized that this type of map was a single-use artifact, which would automatically become unusable after a period of use.
As for Chi Songzi, he was severely wounded, and Guang Qianjian's sword heart was damaged. Both wished to enter secluded cultivation, having no interest in this exchange fair, thus they didn't come with him.
For Fang Xi, this was actually a good thing.
He unleashed the 'Three-Phase Annihilation Art', transforming into a Demonic Cultivator, and then donned a black robe, completely shrouding his body, leaving only enough space for his eyes.
After completing all this, Fang Xi leisurely flew towards the giant turtle.
As he approached, the Mountain-Bearing Turtle clearly noticed Fang Xi, yet made no move.
This might be because it sensed Fang Xi's Return to Void cultivator identity, or perhaps it detected the special aura from the map.
Fang Xi landed on the mountain peak and entered one of the pavilions.
Within the pavilion, there was surprisingly only a puppet, shaped like a maidservant with two bun hairstyles. It bowed deeply, saying, "Welcome, honored guest. Will the esteemed guest proceed directly to the venue, or would you like to sample some spirit tea here first?"
"Directly to the fair!"
Fang Xi spoke in an aged voice.
"Please!"
The maidservant immediately led the way.
Within the pavilion, a passage was surprisingly connected.
Upon entering, he found that this passage branched in all directions. After walking for a while, by Fang Xi's estimation, he should have entered the interior of the colossal peak carried by the Mountain-Bearing Turtle.
Within the mountain, there was a vast grotto, where hundreds of cultivators had already gathered.
Some sat cross-legged on meditation mats, cultivating in silence, while others gathered in small groups, whispering amongst themselves. . . A few impatient ones had even begun private transactions.
In the void, a faint, elegant scent of sandalwood diffused, refreshing the mind and spirit.
Fang Xi took a brief look around, then paid it no further mind.
As his gaze swept across the area, his expression shifted slightly.
Most of the cultivators present had concealed themselves, while a small portion openly displayed their appearances—though whether these were their true forms was hard to say.
And the cultivation levels of these cultivators were not low; the weakest among them were at the Divine Transformation stage.
Fang Xi felt rather satisfied in his heart. He also chose a meditation mat in a secluded corner, sat down, and began to close his eyes to cultivate his spirit.
Ding-dong!
Time passed, he knew not how long, before Fang Xi heard a low, resonant bell toll.
He opened his eyes to see an exceptionally handsome young cultivator, holding a silver-white ancient bell covered in various archaic seal script characters, standing on the trade platform at the center of the many meditation mats.
The bell toll just now must have come from this bell, which could indeed be considered a decent exotic treasure.
The handsome young man's aura was around the early Return to Void stage. After glancing around, he revealed a satisfied expression: "Welcome, fellow Daoists, to the Xuanwu Pavilion's underground trade fair. . . This fair will proceed according to the previous rules: no restrictions on guest identity or treasure origins. Transactions are cash-and-carry on the spot, and afterwards, everyone goes their separate ways. . . Should anyone violate these rules, all present may attack them together!"
"This time, there will first be a small auction, followed by your free trading session. . ."
The handsome young man clapped his hands, and a puppet immediately stepped forward.
Judging by its aura, it had surprisingly reached the fifth-rank, causing Fang Xi to raise an eyebrow slightly.
This was a humanoid puppet, with two menacingly gleaming great axes strapped to its back. Each step it took was incredibly heavy, and in its hands, it held a tray.
On the tray, there was a strange, bowl-sized flower, shimmering with five colors.
"One portion of Ten-Thousand-Year Thousand-Plume Flower! It can serve as a main ingredient for some sixth-rank pills, starting bid one Immortal Jade. . ."
Immediately, a childish voice rang out: "Two Immortal Jade! Hehehe. . . I never thought I'd encounter such a rare spirit medicine here. Grandma's batch of pills will finally be completed. . ."
Fang Xi looked towards the source of the voice and saw that the owner of the childish voice was, astonishingly, a young girl dressed in a purple-collared jacket. Although her face was youthful and her stature small, she sat cross-legged with an air of profound age.
"It's the Herb Mountain Medicine Grandma!"
Immediately, some cultivators lowered their voices and said, "This woman is not easy to deal with. She's also a sixth-rank alchemist with extensive connections. Forget it. . ."
The group of cultivators did not contend for it, allowing this Medicine Grandma to acquire the Thousand-Plume Flower for the price of two Immortal Jade.
The handsome young man's expression didn't change in the slightest.
For Xuanwu Pavilion, one Immortal Jade was already enough to break even.
"The second auction item—exotic treasure 'Pan Lan Halberd'!"
He smiled as he introduced the second treasure, which was, astonishingly, a rust-covered halberd: "This halberd originates from the recently much-discussed overseas immortal abode, and is very suitable for Body Cultivation cultivators. . . Perhaps it also contains some secrets of the immortal abode itself. Starting bid thirty Immortal Jade!"
...
Fang Xi observed with a cold gaze, seeing this exotic halberd treasure ultimately sell for fifty-seven Immortal Jade, gaining a clearer understanding of his own financial standing.
Next, various rare treasures, exotic artifacts, and powerful cultivation technique inheritances appeared one after another, but Fang Xi had little interest.
His magical artifacts and divine abilities had already reached their peak.
Among the cultivation methods he practiced, the 'Withered Glory Chant' was an Earth Immortal inheritance, not to be underestimated. The 'Myriad Manifestations True Demon Arts' was also suspected to be a Heavenly Demon inheritance.
Even the 'Celestial Demon Extermination Manual', which had a weaker presence, was a top-tier demon race cultivation method, and it came with secret arts for overcoming tribulations, such as the 'Myriad Demon Armor'.
Therefore, the few sets of cultivation techniques and divine abilities that appeared in this auction truly weren't worth a second glance to Fang Xi.
However, he still watched quite attentively.
After a high-grade spirit beast egg was auctioned off, the handsome young man ordered the puppet to bring out a tray again.
On the tray was a somewhat ancient and incomplete jade slip.
"A sixth-rank talisman inheritance—the 'Minor Void Shift Talisman'!"
The handsome young man's voice was solemn.
"What. . . it's actually the Minor Void Shift Secret Talisman? " a Return to Void cultivator, enveloped in a hazy yellow light, exclaimed in an excited voice: "Is it that void secret talisman that can instantly shift one ten thousand li, so fast that even Return to Void cultivators can't catch up? I've heard many juniors have relied on this talisman to escape from Divine Transformation and Return to Void cultivators. . ."
"What a pity, it's not the rumored 'Major Void Shift Talisman'. . . That kind of secret talisman can instantly teleport one a million li, and its rank is extremely high, unaffected by many restrictions and void artifacts. Even when encountering a Void Amalgamation cultivator, it's an excellent life-saving item."
Another old woman sighed.
"Alright, Spirit Turtle Child, how will this item be sold, and what's the starting bid?"
Immediately, a Return to Void cultivator impatiently shouted.
When cultivators reach higher stages, most choose to study one of the hundred cultivation arts. The path of talismans, being easy to learn and relatively versatile, is a mainstream among the mainstream.
Among the high-stage cultivators present, quite a few were proficient in the path of talismans.
It's just that no matter which of the hundred cultivation arts, they are all easy to learn but difficult to master.
Fang Xi was somewhat surprised; it turned out there were quite a few sixth-rank talisman masters present.
Of course, if it were a genuine 'Minor Void Shift Talisman', as long as one could comprehend and refine it, they would eventually recoup their costs and make a huge profit.
'No problem, good thing I have plenty of Immortal Jade. . . The Minor Void Shift Talisman, at a glance, uses Phoenix Seal Script, and with my void attainments, I might be able to complete it. . . '
Fang Xi's comprehension of the void Dao even surpassed that of the Void Amalgamation Celestial Phoenix, which was one reason his External Avatar was able to escape.
"This sixth-rank secret talisman inheritance, starting bid thirty Immortal Jade. . ."
No sooner had Spirit Turtle Child finished speaking with a smile than Fang Xi's bid was heard: "Sixty Immortal Jade!"
At this, a large number of talisman masters glared angrily at Fang Xi.
A mere incomplete sixth-rank void talisman inheritance was worth roughly fifty Immortal Jade. Was this person perhaps a hothead?
Alas. . .
They didn't know that Fang Xi, at this moment, also had a bit of a fishing idea.
After all, he was going to spend quite a bit of Immortal Jade today. If someone came to deliver more, wouldn't that be a wonderful thing?
At least among the cultivators present, he had yet to see any mighty Void Amalgamation-level beings.
Below Void Amalgamation, he had absolutely nothing to fear.
"Sixty Immortal Jade, third call! Congratulations to this fellow Daoist!"
Dozens of breaths later, Spirit Turtle Child said with a beaming smile, "Please step onto the stage for the transaction."
Fang Xi transformed into a demonic light, arriving on the high platform under numerous gazes. He tossed out a small pile of Immortal Jade and picked up the ancient jade slip.
His divine consciousness swept over it, and indeed, he saw the refining method for a 'Minor Void Shift Talisman'.
It was just that due to the jade slip's incompleteness, there were still many dark areas within it.
In terms of incompleteness, it was indeed around thirty percent.
"Excellent, this is precisely what this old man desired."
He nodded lightly and returned to his seat, seemingly having lost all interest in the subsequent auctions.
The final item of the small auction indeed proved extraordinary: the 'Two Modes Void Breaking Pill' even appeared. However, for Fang Xi, it truly held no appeal.
He simply watched as that group of Divine Transformation cultivators gnashed their teeth, cautiously vying with Return to Void old monsters for precious opportunities to break through. . .
In the end, the 'Two Modes Void Breaking Pill' ultimately fell into the hands of a late-stage Return to Void cultivator.
Even in the later stages of the auction, only Return to Void cultivators were increasing their bids.
Even if Divine Transformation cultivators possessed that much Immortal Jade, they dared not produce it.
'This is the sorrow of low-stage cultivators. . . Even if they encounter an opportunity to break through to a new realm, they cannot contend with high-stage cultivators. . . Although high-stage cultivators themselves might not need it, who doesn't have friends, family, or disciples, after all? '
Fang Xi sighed in his heart, then saw Spirit Turtle Child's face flushed with health, clearly having benefited greatly from the previous auction. He cupped his hands in all directions, saying, "Next will be everyone's free trading session. However, I must remind you all: once transactions are completed and payment exchanged for goods, Xuanwu Pavilion will not be responsible for any issues discovered afterwards. . ."
After Spirit Turtle Child stepped down, a Return to Void cultivator immediately came to the stage and flicked a finger.
A spirit beast pouch was cast out, and a Flood Dragon immediately surged forth.
"Roar!"
This Flood Dragon was still somewhat unruly, but seeing so many cultivators present, it drooped its head listlessly.
Fang Xi noticed that this beast had long undergone the divine ability of size manipulation, otherwise its body might have exceeded a thousand zhang!
"One fifth-rank Black Flood Dragon."
That Return to Void cultivator's voice was very calm, seemingly carrying a soothing power, yet it was impossible to discern its gender, which was quite strange: "This beast has been tamed for a hundred years, its wildness already worn away, and a Blood Soul Token refined. . . If fellow Daoists purchase it, whether for guarding a cave abode, serving as a mount, or bestowing upon disciples or protecting families, it is excellent. . . This old one only accepts Immortal Jade and pills that enhance magical power as trade!"
For Return to Void cultivators, they could refine the 'immortal qi' within Immortal Jade to boost their cultivation and forge treasures.
Although this would certainly be somewhat wasteful, its effect was not as good as consuming sixth-rank spirit pills that enhance magical power.
But without a doubt, Immortal Jade and pills were the most sought-after items in transactions among Return to Void cultivators!
'Immortal Jade mineral veins. . . the Earthly Immortal World seems not to have them, they can only be mined in small quantities from immortal abode ruins, meaning. . . Immortal Jade, even if unused, retains its value well. '
Fang Xi's heart stirred, but he did not speak.
He simply disdained a mere fifth-rank Flood Dragon.
Instead, another Return to Void old woman, with a hoarse voice, said, "This Flood Dragon looks somewhat familiar. Does it come from the Dragon Taming Sect? For such a creature born with a rebellious spirit, the asking price is a bit too high. . ."
Since the destruction of the Dragon Taming Sect, quite a few Flood Dragons had escaped, leading to an increase in dragon-type demon beasts in the Starry Sky Domain.
The Return to Void cultivator selling the Black Flood Dragon chuckled bitterly in his heart.
This Divine Transformation-level Flood Dragon had indeed once come from the Dragon Taming Sect; this was actually a disadvantage.
After all, the Dragon Taming Sect's Flood Dragons had a history of rebellion! Who knew if this Flood Dragon might have secretly learned some secret arts to resist beast taming techniques?
This was the risk!
However, the other party was willing to haggle, indicating some interest. Immediately, he quickly communicated with the old woman via divine consciousness transmission.
Before long, the old woman ascended the stage and tossed out a storage bag.
That Return to Void cultivator swept his divine consciousness over it and was very satisfied, handing the Blood Soul Token to the old woman.
After both parties completed the transaction, they each flew down from the high platform, not even taking their seats, but leaving directly.
Seeing this, Fang Xi couldn't help but secretly praise their cunning and decisive nature.
His speed was exceptionally fast; he got onto the trade platform before several other streaks of escape light.
"I have three 'Falling Cloud Profound Pills' here, which can enhance a Return to Void cultivator's magical power. . ."
"Besides that, I also have a batch of Immortal Jade!"
Before Fang Xi's voice had faded, he saw many Return to Void cultivators' bodies tremble slightly, clearly knowing that his trade items had successfully caught their attention.
After all, these were the most universally sought-after items among Return to Void cultivators.
He smiled and said, "I wish to exchange them for the feathers of the Great Peng, Peacock, and Swan Goose spirit birds, at least fifth-rank or above. If the feathers presented are of higher value, I am willing to make up the difference with Immortal Jade. . ."
Many Return to Void cultivators shook their heads slightly, apparently not possessing such materials.
"What a coincidence, this junior has Swan Goose and Peacock feathers here. . . Their rank barely reaches sixth-rank low-grade, which should satisfy senior's requirements."
A soft, sweet voice rang out.
Fang Xi felt a trace of surprise and doubt, then saw a Divine Transformation female cultivator gracefully step onto the trade platform.
She was veiled, and with a gentle wave of her fair hand, two jade boxes appeared. She smiled and said, "Senior may inspect them. . ."
Fang Xi gazed at the jade boxes, and with a light flick of his right index finger.
A streak of true demon qi emerged, and the restrictions on the boxes immediately shattered.
Upon seeing this display, the female cultivator's expression seemed to turn a few shades more solemn.
Fang Xi, however, paid little mind to this. He opened the jade boxes, and light swirled within his eyes, as he had, astonishingly, activated his 'Myriad Treasures Eye Technique'.
Inside the box, there was a deep green plume, with eye-shaped patterns at its tip.
"Indeed, it's a Peacock feather. Although it came from a mutated demon bird of merely sixth-rank low-grade, it has at least awakened some of the Five Elements Peacock bloodline. . ."
Fang Xi nodded slightly, then inspected the other Swan Goose feather, finding that it barely met his requirements.
Such spirit bird feathers didn't need to be plucked from the main body; after all, there were many demon beasts with mutated bloodlines in the Earthly Immortal World.
If a portion of ancestral true blood could be awakened, it would be more or less sufficient.
He pondered for a moment, then said to the veiled female cultivator, "These two items can be exchanged for two 'Falling Cloud Profound Pills'. . ."
"This junior has no use for senior's pills; let's calculate it in Immortal Jade instead. . ."
The fairy smiled charmingly. Even though her face couldn't be seen clearly, Fang Xi felt her aura was outstanding and composed, surely that of a peerless beauty.
"Alright."
Fang Xi reached into his sleeve and directly tossed over a storage bag.
The female cultivator swept it with her divine consciousness, then immediately bowed expressionlessly and retreated from the trade platform.
"No one else wishes to trade?"
Fang Xi asked, slightly disappointed, wishing to leave.
Just then, a strange voice sounded: "This old one does have a spirit bird material on hand. . ."
A Return to Void cultivator rose and came before Fang Xi.
The other party wore a gray long robe, carrying an aura of decay. He hadn't concealed his face, revealing an old, wrinkled visage, as if he would pass away at any moment.
"It's actually Ku Xiu Zi!"
"Old Monster Ku Xiu. . . This person travels alone, has a strange temperament, and is not to be trifled with. . ."
Some Return to Void cultivators exchanged divine consciousness messages.
"Please. . ."
Fang Xi cupped his hands slightly, and saw this Ku Xiu Zi toss out a jade box.
He gently opened it, and a whooshing sound of wind reached his ears.
"Such dense wind spirit energy. . . No, it seems to be mixed with water spirit energy. This is. . ."
A strange light flashed in Fang Xi's eyes. He looked at a green plume inside the jade box and said with some uncertainty, "This item seems to have some connection to that colossal Kun in the Xuanming Abyss. . ."
"Hehe, fellow Daoist has extraordinary insight. This plume was left behind when that colossal Kun transformed into a Peng. . . " Ku Xiu Zi said with regret: "In terms of rank, I'm afraid it's already quasi-seventh-rank. . ."
'Indeed. . . '
Fang Xi reached out and caressed it, having already made up his mind: as long as the price wasn't too outrageous, he would try his best to acquire this quasi-seventh-rank Kun-Peng feather.
He already possessed a genuine seventh-rank Heavenly Phoenix feather. If he added this quasi-seventh-rank Kun-Peng feather, the power of the 'Five Fires Seven Birds Fan' should be able to rise to another level.
At the very least, it should be equivalent to seventy or eighty percent of the power of an Immortal Abode Rare Treasure fragment, right?
"How about three Falling Cloud Profound Pills?"
Fang Xi transmitted his voice via divine consciousness, bargaining with Ku Xiu Zi.
"As for these pills that aid Return to Void, this old one naturally wants all of them. In addition, I also require one hundred Immortal Jade. . . " Ku Xiu Zi brazenly demanded.
"That's impossible. . ."
Fang Xi immediately refused: "This bird feather can at most be used to forge a Numinous Treasure. . . If one wishes to elevate it to sixth-rank, who knows how many precious materials would need to be invested? It's simply not worth that much. . ."
After a round of verbal sparring, he likewise tossed out a storage bag and a jade bottle.
Ku Xiu Zi directly accepted them, nodded slightly, and returned to his own meditation mat.
Fang Xi put the Kun-Peng feather into his storage ring. His heart stirred, but instead of returning to his meditation mat, he directly flew out of the underground grotto.
After passing through the long passage, he flew out from a palace, leaving the Mountain-Bearing Turtle's vicinity.
'Actually, leaving the fair early is also a sign of being guilty. . . '
'And considering my mere early Return to Void aura. . . will there be any mid-stage or even late-stage Return to Void Calamity Cultivators coming to try and profit off me? '
'After all, my few transactions were quite high-profile and showed off my wealth. . . '
Fang Xi slowed his escape light, feeling a slight anticipation.
In his sleeve, the 'Life and Death Seal' was already poised and ready.
After cultivating the 'Supreme Pole Star Life-Ending Divine Light', ordinary Return to Void cultivators were no longer worth his attention.
If several Return to Void Calamity Cultivators came, that would just be delivering Immortal Jade to him!
Alas, even after flying a million li away, Fang Xi still hadn't seen a single shadow of any Calamity Cultivators. . .
"Sigh, was I still too greedy?"
He couldn't help but let out a sigh of emotion.
Even in the Earthly Immortal World, Divine Transformation cultivators could hide in the countryside and act as local tyrants.
Return to Void cultivators, needless to say, could establish a local force and gain some renown within a region.
Furthermore, with a lifespan of ten thousand years, they could live long and carefree lives.
For such cultivators to harbor murderous intent over the little bit he displayed was quite ridiculous.
In fact. . . unless a great opportunity like the emergence of an overseas immortal abode presented itself, there should be nothing that would make high-stage cultivators risk their lives.
Therefore, Fang Xi's fishing plan shamelessly failed.
"If I can't fish them out, I can force them out. . . but if I can't attract Calamity Cultivators, I can't exactly become one myself, can I?"
Fang Xi inwardly assured himself that he still had his bottom line and couldn't do such a thing.
"What a pity. . ."
He let out a long sigh, then transformed into a streak of escape light and truly vanished.
Now, with the feathers of the Seven Birds—Phoenix, Green Luan, Great Peng, Peacock, White Crane, Swan Goose, and Owl—all collected, along with his previous accumulations, he could almost begin refining the 'Five Fires Seven Birds Fan'!
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