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Chapter 723: Five Hundred Years Fleeting By

Chapter 723: Five Hundred Years Fleeting By

Ten years later.

Earthly Immortal World, Celestial Brahma City.

Inside the cave abode.

Fang Xi was a little surprised: "I've waited ten years, why hasn't that old ancestor of the Yu family delivered himself to my doorstep?"

He was quite looking forward to the wealth of a Void Amalgamation cultivator.

But ten years had passed, the death of Scholar Yu had long since spread, and not only did the Yu family make no move, even the Cold Spring Merchant Guild was contracting, looking as if they were preparing to flee, which left Fang Xi utterly speechless.

He had even prepared, as soon as the Yu family ancestor arrived and began his investigation, to secretly ambush and kill him, eradicating future troubles.

But for the Yu family to just concede defeat and run away, what in the world was that about?

First, the Yu family ancestor was entangled by other important matters and simply couldn't leave the Sword Domain.

Second, the Yu family ancestor might have already passed away, and the Yu family was now an empty shell.

"But that's not logical either. . . The Yu family lost a Return to Void cultivator. They should at least send a Return to Void cultivator to investigate, shouldn't they?"

"Doing nothing now, conceding defeat and leaving the stage directly, there must be someone of high status giving orders. Without Void Amalgamation cultivation, they wouldn't be able to suppress the Yu family's Return to Void cultivators below them. . ."

"In that case, the third reason is the most likely."

Fang Xi stroked his chin.

The third possibility is that the Yu family ancestor also cultivated divination arts, or possessed some divine ability or treasure that could predict good and ill fortune, divining a 'great ominous sign', and was thus scared into directly conceding defeat, and even less likely to come to the Celestial Brahma Domain to seek death.

'As expected of an old immortal who had lived for tens of thousands of years, they always have some tricks up their sleeves. . . '

Fang Xi felt a bit regretful.

Why couldn't these enemies be like those in novels and storybooks, coming one after another to deliver themselves to their doom?

Now that no one was coming to cause him trouble, the art of summoning his main body for a substitute fight clearly wouldn't receive a response.

Therefore, it was better to honestly continue cultivating his various treasures and demonic flames, while also collecting materials, and act as a middleman.

After becoming rich through counter-killing, Fang Xi finally understood.

His diligent efforts in two-world trade actually yielded less income than murder and robbery. . . Of course, this was also partly due to his apprehension, as he didn't dare to engage in overly large transactions.

Suddenly, Fang Xi's expression stirred, sensing two Divine Transformation-level energy fluctuations rapidly approaching.

Moreover, he was very familiar with those two auras.

Over these ten years, Kuang Tao Ju Shi would occasionally visit him, bringing various exquisite spirit meals, clearly hoping to borrow Fang Xi's prestige.

Pu Xianzi would often bring fresh spirit tea to share and discuss the Dao, lingering for several months at a time.

As for Yunxi and Liu Xu, they visited less frequently, yet their friendship showed no sign of weakening.

Not long after, two streaks of escape light entered the cave abode. It was precisely Yunxi and Liu Xu.

"Fellow Daoists, it's been many years. How have you both been?"

Seeing this, Fang Xi couldn't help but smile faintly.

He could tell that Yunxi and Liu Xu's cultivation had greatly improved. Their progress even surpassed that of Ghost Axe and Tumo, who remained in the lower realms.

In terms of aptitude and talent, the two women were still inferior to the two Venerables, Ghost Axe and Tumo.

However, due to different environments, their fortunes also differed greatly.

Divine Transformation cultivators in the Earthly Immortal World, whether cultivating or breaking through bottlenecks, found it easier than in the lower realms.

Not to mention, the two women had also caught up with the Great Wilderness Reclamation.

Although undertaking missions carried some risks, the rewards were also exceptionally generous.

Good environment, abundant resources. . . Even if their starting point was a little lower, they could quickly catch up and even surpass others.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Yunxi."

Fang Xi glanced at Yunxi Xianzi and smiled: "With your cultivation, in a few hundred years, you should be able to attempt to break through to the Return to Void realm bottleneck. . ."

After all, ascended cultivators were all geniuses of their respective worlds.

After cultivating and settling for such a long time, it was perfectly normal to have a chance to attempt the Return to Void realm.

Upon hearing this, Yunxi Xianzi a bitter smile appeared on her face: "This concubine is indeed confident of cultivating to the Divine Transformation Perfected realm within a few hundred years, but I truly have no confidence in breaking through to the Return to Void realm. . ."

Liu Xu comforted her: "Sister Yunxi, why worry so much? With the combined efforts of us two, our accumulated contributions over the years are enough to use the sect's channels to exchange for a spiritual item beneficial for breaking through the Return to Void bottleneck, or the right to use a tribulation-transcending treasure. . ."

Liu Xu comforted her: "At that time, if we spend some more spirit stones, we might be able to bid for a Return to Void spiritual item at a grand auction, then we'll have a much greater chance."

"Supreme-grade spirit stones aren't competitive enough for Return to Void spiritual items. . . At that time, I can exchange some immortal jade for you."

Fang Xi pondered for a moment and said.

After all, they ascended from a small world, he ought to look after them a little.

"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist."

Both Yunxi and Liu Xu were overjoyed.

Their main purpose in coming today was to subtly test the waters. Such a matter of assisting with a breakthrough to Return to Void could only be brought up between friends who had faced life and death together, otherwise, one wrong move could turn friendship into enmity.

Now that Fang Xi was willing to exchange a batch of immortal jade for them, it was already an immense favor.

"Not just for Yunxi, when you, Liu Xu, are about to break through, I will do the same."

Fang Xi played his part fully, promising with great generosity.

"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist. With this, this concubine finally has a certain degree of confidence in breaking through to the Return to Void realm. . ."

Yunxi Xianzi smiled.

The three conversed happily. Fang Xi further discussed cultivation insights and offered a few pointers, leaving the two women greatly pleased as they bowed in gratitude before taking their leave.

He watched the streaks of escape light of the two women departing, and a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes: "It seems these two women must have obtained some fortuitous opportunity, gaining a certain confidence in breaking through to Return to Void, which is why they started planning this so early. . ."

This was a slight slip of the tongue by the two women during their discussion of the Dao, which Fang Xi noticed.

Fang Xi, however, didn't mind.

A fortuitous opportunity to break through to Return to Void? He no longer needed such a thing.

'With the contribution points accumulated by these two women, what they would eventually exchange from the Heavenly Charm Sect would basically be an item of the 'Brahma Sound Golden Bell' grade. If they also managed to buy an auxiliary breakthrough spirit pill like a 'Two Modes Void Breaking Pill' at an auction, in reality. . . their chances would only be fifty-fifty! '

Breaking through such a major realm, even for highly talented ascended cultivators, was an immense hurdle.

Divine Transformation cultivators were merely the backbone of the Earthly Immortal World, but upon reaching Return to Void, they became true mid-to-high-level figures.

One could see this from the status of the Wang family ancestor in Moonlight Immortal City after his breakthrough.

"This was also because the two women were lucky to encounter the Great Wilderness Reclamation. . ."

"If they truly stumbled upon some heaven-sent opportunity, breaking through to Return to Void wouldn't be difficult."

Fang Xi smiled faintly and returned to continue his secluded cultivation. . .

...

Time flowed on.

Over four hundred years passed in the blink of an eye.

Human World.

Within the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm.

Fang Xi's entire body glowed with a jade-like luster, every inch seeming to contain immense power comparable to an ancient desolate beast.

Crack!

With a casual press, the table and chair, refined from fifth-rank supreme-grade materials, actually developed cracks!

"Sigh. . . The Heavenly Demon True Body is too powerful, which isn't entirely a good thing!"

Fang Xi thought for a moment, then took out a talisman and pressed it to his chest.

As invisible talisman seals, resembling black chains, coiled around his body, he felt as if he had put on a thick layer of clothing, and his previously surging power was reined in.

Of course, this was merely a stopgap measure after his divine ability breakthrough.

For true long-term stability, he still needed to familiarize himself with his new strength and learn to control it with ease.

For Fang Xi, this wasn't difficult to achieve; it just required some time to adapt.

Recalling his gains over these nearly five hundred years, Fang Xi couldn't help but let out a satisfied sigh.

During the preceding hundred years, through continuous trial and error, he finally completed the inheritance of the sixth-rank 'Lesser Void Movement Talisman' and successfully refined his first talisman. Although it was merely an inferior product, once he found the path, everything became smoothly proficient.

By the time he had been studying the secret talisman for about two hundred years, Fang Xi was already skillfully drawing authentic 'Lesser Void Movement Talismans', with a success rate of about thirty percent.

For a sixth-rank talisman master, this success rate was already quite good and could bring in considerable profits.

When Fang Xi occasionally went to the Earthly Immortal World to enjoy himself as the Wang Family Ancestor, he would release a small number of these sixth-rank talismans after altering his appearance, causing rumors to circulate in Moonlight Immortal City recently that a great grandmaster of the talisman Dao, living incognito, had arrived in the area. . .

Besides his breakthroughs in the Dao of Talismans, Fang Xi also made rapid progress in the Dao of Formations.

At this moment, as if remembering something, he gave a flick of his hand, and a set of Profound Nether Black Dragon Banners appeared in his grasp. It was precisely the 'Netherworld Banner'!

He had obtained this treasure from his External Avatar, precisely to deduce new Profound Nether formations.

Thanks to the Wang family's diligent efforts over several centuries in exploring overseas immortal abodes, especially that Li Rulin, who, by good fortune, found a fragmented formation diagram, Fang Xi was overjoyed and directly bought a 'Divine Transformation Spirit Paste' at a grand auction held in Moonlight Immortal City and bestowed it upon Li Rulin as a generous reward!

Although that formation diagram was severely incomplete, only about one-eighth to one-sixth of the original.

But Fang Xi, based on the numerous formation patterns he had previously obtained, and with his own profound achievements in the Dao of Formations, using Taiyi as a computational tool, simulated and calculated together for many years, finally gaining some superficial understanding of the immortal abode's grand array.

"Go!"

At this moment, Fang Xi formed a hand seal with both hands, and from within the Netherworld Banner, streams of Profound Nether Heavy Water surged forth.

Within the Profound Nether Heavy Water, there were also specks of Profound Nether Divine Sand and endless poisonous mist.

At the bottom of the Nine Serenities Netherworld River, an incomparably massive flood dragon seemed to lurk. . .

Swish!

Nine Serenities Netherworld River, Ten Thousand Li of Sand!

The Nine Serene Sand River Grand Array appeared, black beams of light descended, and within this array, another layer of transformation was generated.

Amidst the roaring of countless formation patterns, the endless essence of Profound Nether Heavy Water was refined and condensed. . . finally transforming into a profound black, inexplicable divine light!

"Profound Nether Calamity-Dispelling Divine Light!"

Fang Xi murmured, speaking the name he had chosen for it.

This 'Profound Nether Calamity-Dispelling Divine Light' was a supreme divine ability he had refined, using the 'Nine Serene Sand River Grand Array' as its foundation, incorporating the profound mysteries of formations he had comprehended from the overseas immortal abode arrays. Currently, it was still at the sixth-rank level!

Its effect was also simple: if a cultivator struck by this divine light was at the Return to Void stage, their Dharma power realm would be suppressed by more than half.

If they were at the Divine Transformation stage, their cultivation would be directly dropped by one layer, temporarily reverting to the Nascent Soul realm.

As for cultivators above Void Amalgamation, it couldn't affect their Dharma power much.

But below Void Amalgamation, even body cultivators, would be weakened by the divine light within this grand array!

"The Nine Serene Sand River Grand Array, only after incorporating the 'Profound Nether Calamity-Dispelling Divine Light', could it truly possess a semblance of the splendor of that ancient overseas immortal abode array!"

"It's a pity, limited by my current attainments in the Dao of Formations, it still has little effect on Void Amalgamation cultivators. . ."

Fang Xi's previously envisioned 'Fortune, Prosperity, Longevity' Three Talents Grand Array now had Longevity and Prosperity already satisfied, lacking only the path of Fortune.

"Fortune, this refers to luck and fortuitous opportunities. . ."

"Indeed, it still boils down to the Luck Gu, doesn't it?"

He sighed and withdrew the array he had been practicing.

The current Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm had already expanded several times compared to five hundred years ago. Numerous Soybean Warriors, under the leadership of the Divine Bean Spirit Generals, had reclaimed tens of thousands of acres of spirit fields.

Within the mystic realm, exotic flowers and rare herbs, ancient wilderness forests, and rare spirit beasts could be seen everywhere.

Of course, what pleased Fang Xi the most was that the Myriad Wood Mother Qi had finally reached a thousand acres!

He took a deep breath, pulsating in sync with the spiritual realm.

By this time, Fang Xi's Withered Glory Chant cultivation had also reached the peak of the early Return to Void stage, and he could attempt to break through to the mid-stage realm.

When a Return to Void cultivator broke through a realm, there would inevitably be a minor heavenly tribulation!

Fang Xi had originally wanted to try undergoing tribulation in the Human World, but he immediately sensed danger.

This was a cultivator's premonition, and it was clear that in the Human World, not only would he be unable to avert the tribulation, but something truly terrifying might happen instead!

According to his original thoughts, the Human World's realm power was weak, so perhaps the heavenly tribulation's power would also be much weaker.

But now, it seemed it might actually be even more terrifying, for instance, being directly rejected by the world!

Even if he possessed the Earthly Immortal inheritance, it was still best not to take risks in this regard.

Fang Xi thus decided to honestly go to the Earthly Immortal World to undergo tribulation.

His current cultivation had already reached the peak of the early Return to Void stage, and as long as he wished, he could attempt to break through the mid-stage Return to Void bottleneck at any time.

For many cultivators in the Earthly Immortal World, breaking through each minor realm of Return to Void required over a thousand years of arduous cultivation.

Especially when breaking through a bottleneck, one needed to prepare for a long time, constantly honing one's divine consciousness and Dharma power, and even finding auxiliary spirit pills, before having a certain degree of confidence in attempting the breakthrough.

However, for Fang Xi, who cultivated the Earthly Immortal inheritance, now that the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm met the requirements, the mid-stage bottleneck could be broken with a mere flick of his hand.

This was far from simple!

The higher one's cultivation realm, the greater the suppression from each minor realm!

Return to Void mid-stage cultivators could theoretically defeat or even kill early Return to Void cultivators with relative ease.

Only an extraordinary cultivation genius like Fang Xi, who transcended norms and wielded an imitation of an Immortal Abode Rare Treasure, could barely manage to achieve a reverse kill.

"Not only that, after breaking through to the mid-stage Return to Void realm, the speed of accumulating Myriad Wood Mother Qi should also increase further. . ."

Although he was about to break through to the mid-stage Return to Void realm, Fang Xi did not immediately set off, but with a thought, he left the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm.

Human World, Southern Desolate, Myriad Islands Lake.

Ever since Fang Xi and the others ascended, the Human World had been dominated solely by Penglai Immortal Island in the East Sea.

Penglai Immortal Island's Old Ancestor Shui, known as the Human World's foremost cultivator, having almost unified the Northern Plains, Western Desert, and the gradually recovering Central Plains, yet had always shown leniency towards the Southern Desolate, never invading an inch.

And now, the Myriad Islands Lake in the Southern Desolate, due to its extremely rich spirit vein resources and the presence of ancient teleportation arrays, had subtly become the leader of the Southern Desolate, with Nascent Soul cultivators emerging in large numbers.

--Ever since Fang Xi began cultivating the Earth Immortal Way, he had remained secluded, ignoring the affairs of the Human World entirely and never showing his face.

Even though descendants of the Zhong family, Ruan family, Xiao Hu, Hai Da Niu, and others still resided on Myriad Islands Lake, to him, 'the benevolence of a gentleman does not extend beyond five generations'. On Myriad Islands Lake now, those few families had passed more than fifty generations, and he felt basically no sense of kinship with them.

In terms of kinship, he even felt less connected than to Shui Lingxin of the East Sea.

After all, this woman was suspected to be the reincarnation of Wei Yi Xi, and even after breaking through to Divine Transformation, she even called him 'Uncle'. . .

"By now, is Shui Lingxin also about to ascend?"

Fang Xi prepared to go to the Northern Plains to send her off.

This would also settle a matter on his mind, and then he could go and break through to the mid-stage Return to Void realm.

Back then, Shui Lingxin, as the second Divine Transformation cultivator of Penglai Immortal Island, had her sect's responsibilities to consider, and her cultivation had only just broken through to Divine Transformation. Thus, she reluctantly gave up ascending, watching her master, Yunxi Xianzi, and Fang Xi depart.

As it turned out, that ascension was a rare grand event in the Human World. Liu Xu, Yunxi, and even Little Green and Big Green. . . all, under the protection of his External Avatar, successfully ascended to the Earthly Immortal World, and now, one by one, their cultivations were advancing by leaps and bounds, with Yunxi Xianzi even about to attempt the Return to Void bottleneck.

Shui Lingxin, remaining in the Human World, had also worked diligently. Not only breaking through to the mid-stage Divine Transformation realm herself, but also cultivating a void divine ability, making the risk of using the Ascension Platform extremely small, and even nurturing another Divine Transformation cultivator for the sect, ensuring that her duties could be passed on and the Dao lineage would remain intact.

It could be said that her life in the Human World had been quite fulfilling.

Fang Xi didn't intend to show himself to unnecessarily disturb her Dao heart. He would simply observe from afar. . .

Previously, the spatial node where he kept the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm was located in the Southern Desolate Cultivation World.

At this moment, with a flash of light, Fang Xi's green-robed figure appeared by the shores of Myriad Islands Lake.

'From the Southern Desolate to the Northern Plains, one could now directly cross the Great Dream Marsh, heading north. . . Flying straight would get me there, but it's a bit far, and if I use the power of a Return to Void cultivator, the commotion would be too great. . . '

'Why not go to Emerald Island and use the ancient teleportation array? It's just a single transfer. . . '

With his current methods, he could naturally use the ancient teleportation array to leave without anyone knowing--the Human World's territory wasn't vast enough for Fang Xi to waste an immortal jade just to set up a few spatial coordinate nodes.

Splish-splash!

A small green skiff broke through the thin morning mist, traveling through the lake water.

Fang Xi reached out, gently stirring the slightly cold lake water. He somewhat wanted to release Big Green.

But on second thought, he decided against it. After all, that silly fish still thought it was in the Earthly Immortal World. . .

Although, with his current strength, these matters were of no consequence.

Even if he was exposed, no one could cause him trouble. . .

Suddenly, from within the mist, a soft and gentle girlish song drifted out.

The song was clear and melodious, as delightful as a nightingale's.

Then, a spirit boat emerged from the mist, rowed by a slender young woman, with a seven or eight-year-old girl by her side.

"Fellow Daoist. . ."

The slender young woman who had been singing saw Fang Xi's small skiff moving without wind, and the cultivation of the green-robed figure was hazy and unclear to her. She couldn't help but reveal a smile: "Are you also going to Emerald Island to attend the grand event?"

"Emerald Island Grand Event?"

Fang Xi had a bewildered expression.

After all, a bunch of Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators playing house, he usually had no mind to bother with.

"Indeed. . . Emerald Island's Lord Wang has recently broken through the late-stage Nascent Soul bottleneck and become a Grand Cultivator!"

The young woman said with a face full of reverence: "This act has truly solidified Myriad Islands Lake's reputation as a sacred land of the Southern Desolate. . . It is said that this Lord Wang hails from Peach Blossom Island, and his ancestors even had some connection to the 'Dragon Fish Island Master' who once ruled an era!"

With a face full of reverence, she spoke of the many great deeds and anecdotes Lord Wang had accomplished when he first rose to prominence.

For instance, his Heaven-grade spiritual root and astonishing aptitude allowed him to break through Foundation Establishment and Core Formation very quickly, and he even successfully condensed a Nascent Soul at merely one hundred and sixty years old!

Afterward, he even killed rogue evil cultivators who caused trouble, making his name shake the three countries of Yue, Wu, and Mu!

By this time, he had actually advanced to the late-stage Nascent Soul realm, becoming the Island Master of Emerald Island, with hopes of reaching Divine Transformation in the future!

It was said that to celebrate his recent advancement to the late-stage Nascent Soul realm, banquets would be held for three consecutive months on Emerald Island, and many auctions and trade fairs would also take place, truly a rare grand event for the Southern Desolate cultivation world.

The young woman, still only at the Qi Refinement stage, also brought her family's juniors, preparing to meet with her clan elders on the island to broaden their horizons.

Of course, it would be even better if these juniors could catch the eye of a high-level cultivator and be taken as disciples.

Thanks to the deterrence of Grand Cultivator Lord Wang's prestige, there truly were no blind robber cultivators who dared to plunder those traveling to Emerald Island for the celebration; thus, the journey was quite safe, making it a rare opportunity.

"So that's how it is. . ."

Hearing that it was a descendant of Xiao Hu, Fang Xi couldn't help but inwardly chuckle.

He recalled that year he had given considerable support to the Ruan family and Zhong family, and later, the Hai family, relying on the brazen persistence of their ancestor Hai Da Niu, had also gained an early advantage on Emerald Island.

Unexpectedly, thousands of years later, it was actually the Wang family, who had little presence, that truly rose to prominence!

'Too much support instead creates dependency and causes cultivators to lose that bit of spirit to contend with Heaven for their fate. . . '

Fang Xi quickly understood the reason.

However, this was simply everyone's choice. The Ruan and Hai families, among others, were still not to be easily insulted; they even held certain interests on Emerald Island and had even gained Lord Wang's recognition. . .

He couldn't not acknowledge them. Lord Wang had actually met Old Ancestor Shui of the East Sea, and naturally knew that the Southern Desolate cultivation world had remained stable until now, relying on the legacy of the Dragon Fish Island Master.

Since it relied on the legacy of the Dragon Fish Island Master, he naturally had to take good care of the descendants of his old acquaintances. . .

As a Grand Cultivator, if he lacked this sense of discernment, it wouldn't have been his turn to condense a Nascent Soul.

"Uncle, would you like some lotus seeds?"

Behind the young woman, the little girl held a handful of fresh lotus pods and asked with a smile.

"Sure!"

Fang Xi raised his hand, and with a stream of Dharma power, retrieved a lotus pod. He casually peeled open the pod, digging out the sweet, tender white lotus seeds, and popped them into his mouth, feeling his mouth fill with a clear fragrance, accompanied by a faint bitterness. . .

"Fellow Daoist, no, Senior, could you be a great Foundation Establishment cultivator?"

The Qi Refinement stage young woman, who was poling the boat, was startled to see Fang Xi's effortless use of Dharma power and couldn't help but be surprised.

"Foundation Establishment. . . great cultivator? Those are truly distant terms."

Fang Xi smiled, a green light flashed in his hand, and he took out two fruits from the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm, tossing them back onto the spirit boat: "You invited me to eat lotus seeds, so I'll invite you to eat two fruits. . ."

His skiff flashed beneath his feet, and his figure had already vanished.

...

Several days later.

Northern Plains, Ascension Platform.

Accompanied by the roaring of the formation, a massive void rift appeared.

Shui Lingxin cast one last look back at the Human World, then, without the slightest hesitation, she transformed into a streak of light and entered the Ascension Channel.

A flash of silver light passed by.

Many Celestial Brahma Army cultivators solemnly composed themselves, knowing that another ascended cultivator had arrived.

"Welcome, fellow Daoist, to the Earthly Immortal World. I am Hua Yan of the Celestial Brahma Army. . ."

Hua Yan was smiling as he introduced the rules of the Earthly Immortal World to Shui Lingxin when a streak of light suddenly flew into the military camp and crashed down.

That terrifying Return to Void-level cultivation made the complexions of the surrounding cultivators change drastically.

"So it was Senior Fang. Welcome, Senior Fang, revisiting this familiar place."

Hua Yan's expression shifted, then he respectfully bowed.

Even though the other party had already left the Celestial Brahma Army, as a Return to Void mighty figure who had befriended numerous commanders within the Celestial Brahma Army, crushing him was extremely easy. He couldn't but be respectful.

"You are. . . the Grand. . . Senior Fang?"

Shui Lingxin gazed at Fang Xi, stammering in a daze.

"Indeed. . . I've come to take you home. " A trace of a smile appeared on Fang Xi's face.