Chapter 720: Duel
Chapter 720: Duel
One hundred days later.
The factory district on the surface.
"Emergency broadcast, emergency broadcast! All personnel who have not yet evacuated, please do so immediately. . ."
A tracked mechanical puppet, holding a loudspeaker and a flag, drove through the now empty factory.
Ever since the artifact refinement began that day, this factory, which provided auxiliary materials, had commenced the evacuation of its personnel and the relocation of its equipment.
By this point, only empty frames remained.
Suddenly. . .
Rumble!
Whoosh!
Clusters of flames burst forth from underground, shooting straight up into the sky, towering ten thousand zhang high!
The ten-thousand-zhang flames seemed capable of incinerating the very heavens!
Endless magma, like a crimson sea, engulfed the original factory district.
Sizzle!
The mechanical puppet instantly vanished into the magma, the flag in its hand turning to ash in a flash. . .
Wisps of black smoke curled upwards, forming a cloud pillar that spanned ten thousand li!
Streaks of golden light appeared, flashing explosively within the black clouds!
Roar! Roar!
Accompanying an earth-shattering dragon's roar, an ancient Ground-Lung Poison Dragon flew out from the blazing flames.
Its physique was extremely bloated, especially its abdomen, which bulged high, as if it had gorged itself.
Suddenly!
A streak of golden light, two streaks of golden light. . .
Countless streaks of golden light burst forth from its body, seemingly piercing the dragon until it was riddled with holes.
Chirp!
Accompanying a clear phoenix cry, a five-colored Celestial Phoenix tore open the poisonous flood dragon's belly and spread its wings to fly!
Following the Celestial Phoenix, a Kunpeng, a Cloud-Piercing Crane, a Green Luan, a Five Elements Peacock, a Honghu, and a Blood Owl followed in its wake.
It was as if the phoenix soared, and a hundred birds admired and followed!
The sound of a hundred birds revering the phoenix resounded throughout a thousand li in every direction!
"Flames ascend ten thousand zhang high, a thousand golden serpents display their might. Black smoke coils the earth three chi deep, plum boiling waves vanish in an instant."
"To think that the emergence of this imitation Immortal Abode Rare Treasure would actually cause such a phenomenon of heaven and earth."
A streak of demonic light appeared, revealing Fang Xi's figure within it.
He stretched out his hand, and under the pull of his aura, spirit birds soared through the air, converging above his palm, transforming into a feather fan composed of seven-colored plumes.
"Feather fan and silk scarf, in casual talk, masts and sculls turned to ashes. . ."
Fang Xi reached out to caress the 'Five Fires Seven Birds Fan'. On its shimmering, resplendent surface, streaks of divine aura emanated, revealing its extraordinary nature at a glance.
"This fan's properties lean towards wind and fire. . . but due to the Five Elements Celestial Phoenix material being the most precious, it also possesses a spatial attribute. . . or rather, its spatial ability already surpasses the Soul Suppressing Pagoda."
"Holding this fan, even if one were to secretly cross spatial rifts to ascend, there would be a good chance of success."
Feeling the Five Fires Seven Birds Fan's vast divine might, Fang Xi couldn't help but feel immensely satisfied: "This artifact refinement can be considered a success. This treasure should possess seventy to eighty percent of the power of an Immortal Abode Rare Treasure fragment!"
A fragment of an Immortal Abode Rare Treasure is not a mere damaged Immortal Abode Rare Treasure; it likely possesses only one percent, or even one-thousandth, of the power of a complete immortal artifact.
In terms of power, this Five Fires Seven Birds Fan is naturally far inferior to the Qing He Sword (Fifth Generation).
But the problem is that even with Fang Xi's current cultivation, the Qing He Sword (Fifth Generation) is difficult to activate. Recklessly wielding it would result in the exhaustion of his magic power and severe damage to his vital essence after a single strike.
In contrast, this 'Five Fires Seven Birds Fan' is much better suited for everyday magical combat.
"With this fan in hand, an ordinary mid-stage Return to Void cultivator should be no match for me. . ."
"However, situations in magical duels are ever-changing. We'll have to see how it truly performs. . ."
A flash of spiritual light in Fang Xi's hand, and he had already put away the Five Fires Seven Birds Fan.
After all, he had personally refined this fan, so it was very easy to refine it further and imprint it with his magic power aura.
Within his Dantian Qi Sea.
His Second Primordial Spirit grinned, spreading its hands wide, casting aside the Netherworld Banner, and casually embracing the seven-colored feather fan.
"Dao Master!"
The magma solidified, and the black clouds dispersed. . .
Six streams of light flew out from underground, landing beside Fang Xi.
"You all have worked hard during this time. Here are a million jin of primordial savage beast meat, and pills suitable for Divine Transformation cultivators to increase their magic power. . ."
Fang Xi waved his hand, and several storage bags flew out.
"Thank you, Dao Master!"
Ghost Axe Venerable and Tumo Venerable received them. With a sweep of their Divine Consciousness, a hint of joy appeared on their faces.
"Although your lifespans are still ample now, besides your grand ambitions, you should also consider reality. If things become impossible, you can consider ascending. . ."
Fang Xi couldn't help but offer a word of advice.
For Ghost Axe Venerable and Tumo Venerable, remaining in the lower realm would ultimately hinder their cultivation.
Aside from that, he had left a 'Two Modes Void Breaking Pill' here, but neither of them had yet cultivated to the perfected Divine Transformation realm, making them unable to use it. . .
Tumo Venerable and Ghost Axe Venerable exchanged a glance, then shook their heads, saying: "Since the Dao Master can break through to Return to Void in the lower realm, we also have a ray of hope. . . What's more, leading the Kyushu world to prosperity is our fervent wish. . ."
Hearing this, Fang Xi fell silent.
At this moment, a smile appeared on Ghost Axe Venerable's face: "Dao Master, you needn't worry. We remain in Kyushu, still hoping to receive a message from the previous Dao Master. . . In the Earthly Immortal World, as long as one's cultivation is high enough, one can contact the lower realms across worlds. . . and even transmit items."
"Not only that, if one reaches the Void Amalgamation stage, one could even attempt to send people down. . ."
Fang Xi added silently in his heart. Seeing the two Venerables' resolute attitude, he let them be.
...
Several months later.
The Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm.
"Ultimately, the Earthly Immortal World is more gratifying; in the lower realm, I always felt suppressed. . ."
Fang Xi stretched languidly, demonic light flickering in his eyes.
After refining the 'Five Fires Seven Birds Fan', his combat strength among Return to Void cultivators could now be considered formidable.
"And recently, my expenditures have been too great; my Immortal Jade is getting a bit low. . ."
"My fishing technique also ought to improve a bit."
With a single-hand incantation, he cast a transformation divine ability from the 'Myriad Manifestations True Demon Arts', transforming himself into a handsome young man with sharp, angled brows, his aura around the late Divine Transformation stage, and flew towards Celestial Brahma City.
Cold Spring Merchant Guild.
This merchant guild was established in Celestial Brahma City, occupying a large compound even on the highly valuable commercial street, clearly backed by Return to Void cultivators.
It extensively acquired various rare flowers, exotic herbs, and savage beast materials. . . transporting them to the human race's territory for sale at high profits every so often.
Fang Xi strode into the merchant guild with an unconcerned air. Sensing his Divine Transformation stage magic power fluctuations, the various young attendants trembled and retreated, some directly bowing in salute.
A late Core Formation cultivator flew out: "Senior, may I ask what brings you to the Cold Spring Merchant Guild?"
"Naturally, I'm here for business."
Fang Xi entered the reception hall and sat casually on a spiritual redwood chair: "I require primordial savage beast meat, and also special spiritual roots. . ."
"Yes, esteemed guest, please wait a moment. . ."
This late Core Formation cultivator immediately bowed and retreated, a jolt running through his heart: 'Although his appearance and aura are different, he's also acquiring primordial savage beast meat and high-grade spiritual plants. . . '
He didn't even dare to transmit his voice. Under Fang Xi's Divine Consciousness surveillance, he honestly instructed the maidservants to prepare spiritual tea, while he himself took a jade slip into the reception hall: "Senior, this is the current list of savage beast meat and spiritual plants in the merchant guild. Please take a look!"
Fang Xi smiled, looking at the person who presented the jade slip with utmost reverence.
His Divine Consciousness had been continuously observing the other party. He naturally knew that this person, while seemingly doing nothing overtly, had already transmitted information through a coded message to the maidservant preparing tea. . .
"If I can't fish them out, I'll force them out. . ."
"Have my excessive expenditures of Immortal Jade recently finally triggered the greed of Return to Void cultivators?"
Fang Xi took the jade slip and swept his Divine Consciousness over the list, one by one. He finally put it down with a hint of disappointment: "Package all the primordial savage beast meat, and bring that 'Nine Transformations Butterfly Orchid' along as well."
"Yes!"
The cultivator immediately went to make preparations.
Not long after, a Divine Transformation cultivator walked in. This person had the appearance of a youthful face amidst white hair, extremely well-preserved, and wore a great cloak of crane feathers. Upon seeing Fang Xi, his eyes lit up, and he cupped his hands in greeting: "This old man, Spirit Crane, greets fellow Daoist!"
"Enough pleasantries. Where are the goods?"
Fang Xi exhibited a hint of impatience.
Daoist Spirit Crane immediately handed over a storage bag. Fang Xi took it and saw that, besides a mountain of primordial demon beast meat, there was also a spiritual orchid whose leaves resembled butterfly wings, constantly shifting in myriad beautiful forms.
"Indeed, it's a six-tier spiritual plant."
Fang Xi nodded.
After haggling with Spirit Crane for a bit, he settled the Immortal Jade payment and hastily departed.
"Old Ancestor. . ."
The Core Formation cultivator, who had been standing by like a page boy, finally spoke now.
"Wait a moment. . ."
Spirit Crane formed an incantation seal with one hand, a token appeared, activating the hall's restrictions. Only then did he say: "This matter. . . you handled it well. This old man will naturally reward you."
"Thank you, Old Ancestor."
A hint of joy immediately appeared on the Core Formation cultivator's face. After bowing deeply in gratitude, he took his leave.
Spirit Crane, however, did not move, waiting for another moment.
A scholar holding a jade brush suddenly appeared from thin air.
"Venerable Master!"
Spirit Crane immediately bowed.
"So, he finally appeared again?"
The scholar with the jade brush looked at Fang Xi's departing back, a peculiar expression appearing on his face.
As the master of the Cold Spring Merchant Guild, he paid close attention to the prices of savage beast meat and various spiritual items in Celestial Brahma City.
Over the past hundred years, he had noticed that while the price of savage beast meat had plummeted, it would always reach a certain support point at a specific stage. Clearly, someone was taking the opportunity to buy up goods!
Although one person's efforts amounted to little, when combined, it sparked a bit of interest in this hidden force behind the scenes.
After all, during his investigation, he found that several other cultivators who made large purchases of materials also seemed somewhat suspicious.
It seemed as though the actions of these individuals could all be merged into one.
If it were confirmed that it was truly the work of the same person, then it would be a fortune significant enough to stir the hearts of Return to Void cultivators.
"You don't need to concern yourself with this matter."
The scholar with the jade brush gave the instruction, and his figure vanished instantly.
A moment later.
Above the city walls of Celestial Brahma City.
He silently gazed at the distant sky, a faint smile appearing on his face: "Indeed. . . This person could previously decipher my 'Ink Scroll Mark', but I didn't do anything to this 'Nine Transformations Butterfly Orchid'. . . I merely raised a group of 'Fluttering Illusion Butterflies' that can track the scent of this orchid over a million li. . ."
"Cough, cough. . . Fellow Daoist Yu, are you sure you want to make a move?"
Just then, a coughing sound rang out.
Accompanying the cough, an old woman with white hair and wrinkled skin appeared beside the scholar with the jade brush.
The old woman was short in stature, leaning on a black wooden cane, her steps faltering.
It was clear that she was also a cultivator whose time was running out.
"Naturally. . . Fellow Daoist Ning, don't you wish to accumulate a bit more foundation for your family?"
The scholar with the jade brush smiled faintly.
"Cough, cough. . . This old woman doesn't care for a few more Immortal Jades. As long as Fellow Daoist Yu can keep his word and assist this old woman's descendants for five hundred years, that will suffice. . ."
The old woman surnamed Ning coughed and said.
"Naturally. After all, we've all signed the immortal spirit document; I certainly won't go back on my word. . ."
The scholar with the jade brush said: "Furthermore, this time, besides Fellow Daoist Ning, I've also invited 'Old Demon Ji'. . . With the three of us working together, it will be foolproof."
"Foolproof, hehe. . . Both of us are Return to Void cultivators. If the opponent is skilled at escaping, this old man doesn't have much confidence."
A black shadow appeared beside the two at some unknown moment, and an ancient voice sounded: "Furthermore. . . internal strife is forbidden during reclamation. . . If that person escapes, both you and I will be in trouble."
"Therefore, wouldn't it suffice to simply prevent him from escaping? " A miniature blood-colored gate appeared in the scholar with the jade brush's hand: "Please, both of you, take a look. . ."
"It's actually this item?"
Old Demon Ji and Old Woman Ning's eyes both lit up: "In that case, it is indeed foolproof."
...
"They're here!"
The sharp-browed young man, Fang Xi's incarnation, flew rapidly, his powerful Divine Consciousness sweeping forth, already sensing a slight anomaly.
Several hundred li behind him, a few strange butterfly-like demon beasts were pursuing a specific trajectory in mid-air.
"It's that storage bag. . . It seems it's either the savage beast meat or that spiritual plant. I clearly didn't detect any anomaly. . ."
"There are countless wondrous cultivation arts and secret techniques in the cultivation world. One must truly maintain a sense of reverence, or else one might collapse at any moment. . ."
Fortunately, Fang Xi was fishing for trouble this time, so he remained unperturbed by gain or loss.
In the end, he even deliberately halted his escape light, gazing behind him.
Not long after, a group of spirit butterflies danced, circling around him, seemingly wanting to burrow into a certain storage bag.
"It seems it must be that Nine Transformations Butterfly Orchid!"
"It's rumored that its scent is peculiar, capable of leaving traces in the void even through a storage bag, and coincidentally, these spirit butterflies can track it. . ."
Fang Xi flicked his finger slightly.
The butterflies in the void immediately burst into flames one by one, swiftly turning to ash.
Just then, he felt three strands of Return to Void Divine Consciousness lock firmly onto him.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Three streaks of escape light arrived in unison. Leading them was a scholar holding a jade brush.
"Who exactly are you, Your Excellency?"
He looked at the sharp-browed young man at the Divine Transformation stage, finding himself still unable to see through him.
"You three. . . openly killing and plundering treasures, aren't you afraid I'll report you to Senior Luo?"
Fang Xi let out a cold snort.
"Cough, cough. . . Let's see if you can escape today first."
Old Woman Ning sneered. The black wooden cane in her hand suddenly gleamed, growing to the size of a small mountain, releasing gusts of strange black winds!
Fang Xi formed hand seals, and faintly, a terrifying phantom of a divine demon appeared behind him.
Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi surged, and dense true demonic qi condensed, forming a ferocious ghost-faced shield.
The strange winds carried sand and stones, striking the ghost-faced shield with dull thuds.
"True demonic qi. . . an early-stage Return to Void demonic cultivator?"
The scholar with the jade brush's eyes lit up.
He had already had a faint guess about this person's identity. Now, seeing that this person was indeed a demonic cultivator, his confidence increased by several tenths!
"If it's that person, then ascended cultivators generally have no backing. . ."
"But his escape abilities are too formidable. Fortunately, I recently acquired this treasure specifically for this!"
The scholar with the jade brush felt greatly assured in his heart and summoned a peculiar treasure.
It was a miniature gate. After being infused with immortal source qi, it continuously expanded. The ancient gate, covered in various seal characters, burst open with a roar!
"I ask both fellow Daoists to provide support for me!"
The scholar with the jade brush laughed heartily and proactively entered the gate.
Following that, Fang Xi felt a surge of spatial power envelop him.
By the time he came to his senses, the world had already completely transformed!
"The exotic treasure, Gate of Life and Death. . . This gate will create a peculiar space. Without permission from me, its master, no one can leave. . . Fellow Daoist Fang Xi, how do you feel about this as your burial ground?"
The scholar with the jade brush's eyes flickered slightly as he gazed at Fang Xi.
"Alas. . . sure enough, there are still too few high-tier cultivators in Celestial Brahma City. Eliminating them one by one makes it easy to reveal one's hand."
A flash of demonic light on Fang Xi's body, and he revealed his true form: "However, you were only guessing. Once I kill you to silence you, the clues will be cut off. . ."
"Heh, what arrogance."
The jade brush in the scholar with the jade brush's hand flickered with light, and strange patterns on it bloomed with astonishing spiritual radiance.
He was famous for this jade brush magical artifact, but his truly formidable life-bound artifact was actually a hidden book-like treasure—the Soul-Hooking Scroll!
Cultivators who never knew this secret had always suffered greatly at his hands.
For Fang Xi, none of this really mattered.
After all, he merely wanted to find someone to test the power of the 'Five Fires Seven Birds Fan'.
This scholar's cultivation was at the peak of the mid-stage Return to Void, making him an excellent test subject.
As for the spatial realm of the 'Gate of Life and Death', in his eyes, it was a mere joke!
Even without relying on the 'All-Heavens Precious Mirror', with his own profound understanding of spatial laws, he could easily break through it by deploying spatial talismans or spatial treasures like the Soul Suppressing Pagoda.
Of course, at this moment, there was an even simpler option.
A flash of light in Fang Xi's hand revealed a colorful and resplendent feather fan.
Upon the feather fan, a powerful spiritual pressure erupted. One by one, seal characters emerged, forming various colored talismans, accompanied by a prolonged cry akin to a hundred birds revering the phoenix.
"You. . ."
The scholar with the jade brush's expression drastically changed. Sensing the terrifying threat, he instinctively flicked his jade brush, causing a scroll of profound black pages to block in front of him.
In his palm, another jade talisman appeared.
This jade talisman rapidly burned, spreading enormous crystal-blue shields all around the scholar with the jade brush.
Even with so many defensive measures deployed in an instant, the scholar with the jade brush's sense of impending doom had not diminished in the slightest!
"What kind of treasure is that, exactly? !"
He gazed at the seven-colored feather fan in Fang Xi's hand, his pupils filled with terror.
At this moment, Fang Xi also infused true demonic qi and fanned it towards the scholar with the jade brush!
Chirp! Chirp!
In the void, the sound of a thousand birds chirping in unison grew mighty!
A grand and vast aura permeated the surroundings, causing the void to continuously fluctuate.
A seven-colored torrent emerged, countless rays of light danced, a thousand golden streaks shot wildly, and phantoms of Celestial Phoenixes, Kunpengs, White Cranes, and other spirit birds appeared. Their vast divine might, capable of suppressing eternity, swept towards the scholar with the jade brush!
...
Outside the Gate of Life and Death.
"It seems Fellow Daoist Yu has already guessed that person's identity, otherwise he wouldn't have directly made a move and asked us to provide support."
Old Woman Ning coughed once, leaning on her black wooden cane as she spoke.
"Heh heh. . . Fellow Daoist Yu cherishes his life greatly. This Gate of Life and Death only restricts enemies, not him. If things become impossible. . . he can still escape swiftly."
Old Demon Ji chuckled twice strangely: "What this old man is worried about is that Fellow Daoist Yu will use the excuse of having contributed the most after the fact to reduce our two shares. . ."
Old Woman Ning's expression immediately changed: "This matter is highly concerning. It seems this old woman will have to join forces with you once more."
"This old man has precisely that intention. . ."
Just as the two Return to Void cultivators were about to discuss their agreement in detail, an unforeseen change occurred!
Upon the now enormous blood-colored gate, crack after crack suddenly appeared, and silver-white radiance couldn't help but stream forth from within the fissures. . .
"Oh no, the Gate of Life and Death is changing!"
Old Demon Ji and Old Woman Ning exchanged glances, about to unleash their magic power to trigger a change in the Gate of Life and Death.
Just then, a silver light flashed not far away, revealing a youth in a green robe.
His demeanor was gentle as jade, and his body exuded a sense of withered glory, bearing the vicissitudes of time. In his hand, a small, jet-black seal rose into the air.
Countless purple dragon-script characters flickered, circling around this person.
"There's actually another Return to Void cultivator?"
Old Demon Ji was about to say something more when he saw a massive phantom of an ancient tree appear above the jet-black wooden seal.
A mysterious profound light swept forth from the treetop, carrying purple dragon-script characters.
Swish!
The profound light flashed past. The vitality in Old Demon Ji and Old Woman Ning's eyes gradually vanished, turning them into two corpses that plummeted from mid-air.
Rip!
The void shattered, revealing a phantom image of the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm. A rift opened, pulling the two corpses inside.
"Spirit Domain. . . open!"
Fang Xi clasped his hands together. An ancient green seal character appeared, and dark green radiance continuously expanded, encompassing the Gate of Life and Death.
Bang!
After several breaths, the Gate of Life and Death burst open with a crash, and a figure scrambled out in disarray.
Upon closer inspection, one would realize it was none other than the scholar with the jade brush!
Only now, his hair was slightly curled, as if scorched, and the jade brush in his hand was broken into two pieces, making him appear exceptionally disheveled.
Crack, crack!
Behind him, the cracks on the 'Gate of Life and Death' continuously expanded, spreading across the entire portal.
Finally. . . with a resounding boom, it exploded into countless fragments.
"Fang Xi, you cannot kill me! I am a registered cultivator of the Celestial Brahma Army. If you kill me, you will be provoking the Celestial Brahma Army!"
The scholar with the jade brush, with disheveled hair, had long lost the courage to contend with Fang Xi and desired only to flee.
But soon, a hint of despair appeared on his face.
Because a layer of hazy green light had already spanned across heaven and earth, blocking his path.
Not only that, but in the void, there were also streaks of green chains, attempting to pierce into his body.
Upon closer inspection, one would realize that the green chains were astonishingly composed of countless transparent and illusory pale green ancient seal characters!
This was the suppressive power of the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm's domain!
What startled the Jade Brush Scholar even more was that his connection with the Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi seemed to have been severed by this mirage-like Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm!
"You will die, but no one will know. . ."
The External Avatar, holding the 'Five Fires Seven Birds Fan' in hand, sneered, "Still trying to send messages in secret? It's useless. Within this realm, any of your transmissions will be intercepted. . ."
Outside the Spirit Realm, Fang Xi's main body clasped his hands together, clamping onto a strange little ink-fish.
It swam through the void, its scales seemingly composed of countless characters.
But at this moment, it was utterly unable to escape Fang Xi's palm. . .
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