Chapter 726: Mid-stage Return to Void
Chapter 726: Mid-stage Return to Void
"It was only after I became a ghost cultivator that I realized how unkind Heaven truly is to us ghost cultivators?"
Yunxi Xianzi's voice was ethereal, her temperament elusive, yet at this moment, she let out a faint sigh.
"Oh? Why?"
Fang Xi's Divine Consciousness swept out, seeing that Liu Xu and Shui Lingxin had also followed. There was nothing to hide, so he asked directly.
"According to my perception after becoming a ghost cultivator. . . although the power of the Great Heavenly Tribulation for the early Return to Void stage is significantly reduced, every time a ghost cultivator increases their realm, a Heavenly Tribulation will also descend. . . and the increase in its intensity far surpasses that for ordinary cultivators. By the time one attempts to break through to the Void Amalgamation stage, the Great Heavenly Tribulation is basically a nine deaths, one life situation."
Yunxi Xianzi sighed faintly: "As for the Mahayana Immortal Lightning Tribulation, it reaches an unimaginable degree; it's truly a ten deaths, no life situation!"
'So ghost cultivators are a strong early-game class, but they get weaker in the late game? The lightning tribulations are weaker at first, but then they get progressively stronger? '
Fang Xi felt a pang of speechlessness.
Although Yunxi Xianzi's aura was still quite ethereal and unstable at this moment, she had indeed reached the early Return to Void realm!
"Master!"
Shui Lingxin saw her Master in such a state, and the feelings in her heart were complex and difficult to articulate.
Yunxi Xianzi smiled faintly: "My disciple, from now on, this place will be Penglai Immortal Island's mountain gate in the Earthly Immortal World. You will be the Sect Master."
After cultivators break through a major realm, they often need to consolidate their cultivation. This is only natural.
Fang Xi and Liu Xu also found it inconvenient to disturb her, so they flew out of the underground crevice.
He glanced at Liu Xu's cultivation, discovering that she had surprisingly reached the late Soul Transformation stage, and should not be far from the Perfected Soul Transformation realm.
However, this time, Yunxi Xianzi's advancement had already exhausted the accumulated resources of both women.
"Fellow Daoist Liu, I wonder when you plan to advance?"
Fang Xi asked.
"I am not as capable as Sister Yunxi. I'm afraid I'll need to accumulate resources for several more centuries. . ."
Liu Xu tucked the hair behind her ear and sighed softly: "Moreover, that Nine Nethers Baleful Qi Yin Vein was only enough for one person to break through to Return to Void. . ."
Now that she knew the true drawbacks of Return to Void ghost cultivation, she also harbored some reservations about whether to take this path.
"What's more, I still need to ask for leave for Sister Yunxi from the sect, and redeem myself from the Celestial Brahma Army. . ."
As she spoke, Liu Xu glanced at Fang Xi, her expression seeming to hold a hint of resentment.
Fang Xi laughed heartily: "Regarding the redemption, Fellow Daoist, just give me the spirit stones, and I'll handle it for you. . . Moreover, Fellow Daoist will also take this opportunity to regain your freedom."
Now that Yunxi Xianzi had advanced to Return to Void, even if she was a ghost cultivator, she had still reached Return to Void in the end, and everything was easier to discuss.
Fang Xi didn't mind doing her this favor; of course, Liu Xu would still have to pay for the supreme-grade spirit stones herself.
...
Moonlight Immortal City.
Wang Family Immortal Abode.
The sounds of strings and flutes were ceaseless, and decadent music echoed through the Immortal Abode.
Fang Xi savored spiritual delicacies and fine wine while watching a group of female cultivators dance gracefully.
These female cultivators all possessed some level of cultivation and cultivated seductive arts. At this moment, they were only clad in light gauze, their figures alluring, and their dance moves like those of heavenly maidens, making Fang Xi laugh heartily and applaud repeatedly, "Excellent! Reward them. . ."
With his External Avatar carrying the burden and moving forward, his main body could simply focus on enjoyment.
And the various pleasures of the Earthly Immortal World were indeed different from the lower realms, greatly broadening his horizons.
After several dances concluded, the dancers bowed and withdrew. Only then did Fang Xi drain the spirit wine in his cup, and secretly pondered:
'After relaxing during this period, my Essence, Qi, and Spirit have returned to a perfectly harmonious state. I can go for the breakthrough now. . . '
Previously, when his 'Heavenly Demon True Body' broke through a major bottleneck, his physical strength had surged, with a tendency to go out of control.
This manifested in his enjoyment, as he didn't dare to get too close to beauties, fearing he might accidentally tear them apart. . .
Fortunately, after a long period of nourishment with delicious food, fine wine, and beautiful women, Fang Xi finally completely assimilated the benefits of his breakthrough. Now, his 'Heavenly Demon True Body' could be controlled at will, and there would be no more situations where he was caught off guard or couldn't retract his strength in time.
By this point, all his preparations for advancement were complete. He could attempt to break through to the mid-stage Return to Void.
With this thought, Fang Xi flew out of his Immortal Abode and lightly shouted, "Where is the Mysterious Turtle?"
"Roar!"
From the depths of the lake, the little Mysterious Turtle poked its head out.
Even though it didn't unleash its sixth-tier aura, the spiritual power fluctuations of a superior-grade fifth-tier creature still terrified countless Wang family members.
After the little Mysterious Turtle responded, it swelled to the size of a house, allowing Fang Xi to ride upon it and fly out of Moonlight Immortal City.
As the Wang Family Ancestor, a guest elder of Moonlight Immortal City, and a great Return to Void cultivator, wherever Fang Xi wished to go, he didn't need to explain to anyone.
The little Mysterious Turtle's speed was not slow, and once outside the city, its escape speed abruptly accelerated, flying towards the large swamp where it had once undergone its tribulation.
Breaking through from early to mid-stage Return to Void would definitely involve a minor Heavenly Tribulation!
That swamp was desolate and uninhabited, making it an excellent place to undergo a tribulation.
As for the protector, it was naturally the little Mysterious Turtle.
If the little Mysterious Turtle was still no match, at the critical moment, Fang Xi would naturally summon his External Avatar.
"Go. . . Anyone who dares to approach shall be executed without mercy!"
Fang Xi patted the little Mysterious Turtle's head, telling it to guard the periphery.
Below him, a wisp of green cloud smoke appeared, lifting him into the air, where he sat cross-legged.
Within the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm.
Two adult Wood 'An beasts were frolicking with a group of young ones when they suddenly stopped, a look of shock appearing in their massive eyes.
To the north of the spiritual realm, a massive Horned Wood Dragon joyfully poked its head out from underground and let out a roar.
It sensed the expansion of this world!
And what's more, the speed was extremely swift!
The Horned Wood Dragon was like a flood dragon yet not a flood dragon, like wood yet not wood; its growth was intimately tied to its environment.
With the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm advancing again, it meant its own strength could also experience a leap forward.
In the future, advancing to the sixth-tier would be no dream!
As for the Taisui and Big Green? One was too lazy, and the other's cultivation was too low. . . so they had no reaction at all.
Above the firmament, the colossal Kyushu Mechanized City appeared indistinctly.
Boom!
Suddenly, the entire Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm trembled, and then began to expand!
The Ancestral Demonic Tree emitted joyful emotions, once again growing robustly, stretching out countless branches. . .
Myriad Wood Mother Qi gathered, forming clumps of verdant clouds in mid-air.
Azure Wood Divine Lightning and Taiyi Divine Lightning successively resounded.
Following that, trickles of rain, mixed with boundless vitality, began to fall, bringing endless vitality to the newly expanded land.
"He broke through!"
Fang Xi, who had been sitting cross-legged, abruptly opened his eyes.
He felt within his body that his Eternal Evergreen Body was incredibly active, stimulating the 'Withered Glory Chant' cultivation method to operate on its own, again and again.
Moreover, with each cycle of operation, it would draw an inexplicable spiritual aura from the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm, causing the Immortal Origin Qi, which had been stagnant at the peak of early Return to Void, to grow once more.
Finally. . .
Accompanied by the explosion of a spring thunderclap, the Withered Glory Chant advanced from early Return to Void to mid-stage Return to Void!
Everything was so natural, as simple as eating and drinking water.
"As expected of an Earth Immortal inheritance. . ."
Fang Xi was well aware that in Moonlight Immortal City, there were many cultivators trapped by bottlenecks in the early Return to Void stage, unable to advance.
But now, his breakthrough was neither perilous nor did it require the aid of pills or secret techniques.
This was the superiority of the Earth Immortal inheritance!
As the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm and the Heavenly Spirit Root upgraded, the cultivator's cultivation would also increase synchronously.
"This is just a small matter for now. . . When it comes to breaking through the great bottleneck of Void Amalgamation in the future, that's when it will be a true aid!"
Fang Xi's eyes lit up.
Pills that aid in breaking through the Return to Void bottleneck, though extremely rare, can still be obtained by a Return to Void cultivator who is determined and willing to pay a hefty price.
But spiritual pills and secret techniques that can aid in breaking through to the Void Amalgamation realm, even within the Starry Sky Sect, are likely non-existent!
The advancements of many Void Amalgamation cultivators rely on luck and their unique circumstances, and are basically impossible to replicate.
And once one reaches the Void Amalgamation realm, they would even be qualified to contend for a position among the Human Race Five Sons! This represents becoming the true pinnacle of the human race!
'For me to advance to Void Amalgamation, as long as the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm has sufficient accumulation, it will be enough. I don't need to prepare specialized breakthrough pills, which is a huge advantage. '
'Even after reaching Void Amalgamation, breaking through bottlenecks will be the same. . . '
'Finally. . . there's also the Mahayana bottleneck! '
Fang Xi took a deep breath, knowing that this Earth Immortal inheritance was precisely the opposite of the ghost cultivator inheritance; it was a late-game class.
The later the stage, the more terrifying its effects!
After all, breaking through to the Mahayana stage. . . even the Human Race Five Sons had little confidence in.
Rumble!
Just then, above the firmament, dark clouds gathered densely, and lightning danced wildly.
The minor Return to Void Heavenly Tribulation had arrived!
Although it was called a 'minor Heavenly Tribulation', the power of the lightning was still terrifying.
Even an early Return to Void cultivator could be severely injured or even directly annihilated if they weren't careful!
"Go!"
Fang Xi flicked his finger, unleashing the three black jade flying daggers he had obtained from Old Demon Ji.
The artifact spirit of this Return to Void treasure had also been unyielding even unto death. After its sentience was erased by him, its power plummeted, barely maintaining the standard of a sixth-tier Return to Void treasure.
Now, it only served one purpose: a consumable item within the Heavenly Tribulation.
Whoosh!
These flying daggers, being sixth-tier Return to Void treasures after all, immediately surged with light after Fang Xi injected spiritual power into them, their surfaces covered in countless dark feather patterns. They darted back and forth, cutting across the sky like lightning, leaving streaks in the void.
Zzzzt!
A golden lightning bolt descended and was firmly blocked by one of the flying daggers.
Then came the second and third!
Bang!
The fourth Heavenly Tribulation transformed into a spherical lightning bolt, with countless golden runes swirling within and chains of lightning appearing on its exterior, as if forming a vast golden net, descending from above!
Fang Xi pointed his finger, and the three flying daggers immediately merged, transforming into a three-headed monstrous bird.
The giant bird let out a howl and fearlessly charged forward.
Boom!
A loud bang resounded in mid-air, and the three-headed monstrous bird hung motionlessly in the void.
Then, a gentle breeze blew past.
It began to disintegrate from the tips of its feathers, turning into countless tiny specks of dust that drifted away.
It was utterly annihilated just like that!
'As expected, a good-for-nothing using a good-for-nothing treasure! '
Fang Xi muttered a complaint inwardly and stretched out his right hand.
He unfurled a cyan Heavenly Luo Umbrella, its surface swirling with five colors, transforming into a chaotic primal energy.
Wherever that chaotic primal energy passed, countless lightning bolts were actually directly annihilated. . .
Treasures that can transform lightning were highly sought after precisely because of their lightning-restraining attribute.
However, even the 'Hunyuan Heavenly Luo Umbrella' had its limits.
When the sixth lightning bolt ended, Fang Xi clasped his hands together, and a dark green ancient seal script appeared in his palm.
"Spirit Domain. . . open!"
The Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm could resist the power of world laws.
And Heavenly Tribulations, in fact, were also manifestations of world power!
As a secret technique within the Earth Immortal inheritance, it also possessed the attribute of weakening Heavenly Tribulations, making it a supreme secret art for undergoing tribulations!Buzz!
A phantom image of the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm appeared behind Fang Xi and expanded outwards.
Wherever it passed, vitality blossomed.
Countless Myriad Wood Mother Qi erupted, causing sizzling sounds to emanate from all around the Spirit Domain. . .
The seventh and eighth lightning bolts were submerged in a verdant ocean in mid-air and vanished. . .
"Not bad, not bad. . . The Hunyuan Heavenly Luo Umbrella is only sixth-tier, and difficult to advance further. . ."
"But with the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm, even when facing the Great Heavenly Tribulation for breaking through to Void Amalgamation, I should still have the power to contend."
Fang Xi watched, nodding repeatedly.
The Hunyuan Heavenly Luo Umbrella's rank was limited; at most, it could still be used when breaking through to late Return to Void.
In the future, when he reached Perfected Return to Void and attempted to break through the great bottleneck of Void Amalgamation, it would basically be useless; a single Heavenly Lightning bolt could annihilate it.
In comparison, the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm, however, could be continuously upgraded.
By the time he reached the Perfected Return to Void stage, it would definitely be the main force in resisting lightning tribulations!
Rumble!
Above the firmament, all the dark clouds were rapidly condensing, forming an area of ten mu.
This seemed to be an increase in power, indicating that the last lightning bolt would definitely be extraordinary.
At this moment, Fang Xi made an unbelievable move.
He actively withdrew the Hunyuan Heavenly Luo Umbrella and caused the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm to likewise recede.
"My 'Heavenly Demon True Body' has long been eager for action."
Fang Xi let out a wicked laugh.
Through prolonged observation, he felt that his 'Heavenly Demon True Body' was strong enough to withstand this kind of lightning.
What's more, with the 'Eternal Evergreen Body' as a safeguard, even if severely injured, as long as he still had a breath left, he could quickly recover.
At this moment, he was naturally fearless, and even somewhat eager to try.
His entire body's muscles bulged instantly, radiating a jade-like luster.
At the same time, a layer of four-colored armor appeared on his body, appearing perfectly suited to his Heavenly Demon True Body.
—Myriad Demon Armor secret art!
The Heavenly Demon True Body was originally an advanced version of the Myriad Demon Armor secret art. Now, with the two combined, it possessed even more boundless wondrous uses.
Chirp! Chirp!
Accompanied by the long cries of a phoenix and the enraged roars of a qilin.
The phantoms of the Four Great True Spirits appeared, transforming into a four-colored light barrier, enveloping the firmament.
The ninth Heavenly Tribulation had yet to descend when it was instantly significantly weakened.
The Myriad Demon Armor secret art was also a wondrous method for undergoing tribulations!
Fang Xi had always valued his own life considerably, and spared no effort in collecting and cultivating secret techniques for undergoing tribulations.
Boom!
The lightning trembled.
The golden lightning tribulation fiercely shattered the phantoms of the Four Great True Spirits, though its size had shrunk by nearly half, and then it crashed down directly.
"Hmph!"
Fang Xi clenched his five fingers, let out a furious roar, and punched towards the sky.
Bang!
The lightning clashed with his fist; he only felt a numbness in his fist, and then a terrifying immense force sent him crashing into the depths of the earth!
After the lightning tribulation, the dark clouds dispersed, and trickles of sweet dew sprinkled down.
Whoosh!
A figure leaped out from the giant crater; aside from his armor and clothes being shattered, revealing his smooth skin, he appeared to have suffered little damage.
"Heavenly Lightning Essence. . ."
Fang Xi opened his mouth and deeply inhaled.
His inhale created a gust of wind, as if he had become an eye of a storm, sweeping away all the boundless sweet dew, and then let out a satisfied burp.
"My 'Heavenly Demon True Body' is only at the minor accomplishment stage right now, but its physical strength alone can already rival a late Return to Void cultivator, right?"
"I wonder when it will truly reach the major accomplishment stage, allowing my physique to rival a Void Amalgamation demon beast!"
Fang Xi muttered.
With a thought, a layer of wood spiritual energy appeared, forming a cyan robe that enveloped his body. Only then did he look around.
The little Mysterious Turtle flew over and said naively, "Master. . . Little Turtle killed many, many. . ."
"Hmm?"
Fang Xi's Divine Consciousness swept out, and he couldn't help but feel amused and exasperated.
It turned out that around the swamp, many low-tier demon beasts, and even ordinary fish, had all been killed by the little Mysterious Turtle. . .
It was clear that it was very diligently carrying out its mission, though it was a bit rigid and inflexible. . .
"Hmm, you did well. When we go back, I'll reward you with a sixth-tier pill!"
Fang Xi stroked the little Mysterious Turtle's head and smiled.
"Yay!"
The little Mysterious Turtle immediately got so excited it looked like it was about to jump, just like a child. . .
...
Fang Xi's alchemy skills could now be considered sixth-tier.
After five centuries of continuous research, he had developed a Blood-Qi pill formula, suitable for Return to Void-level body cultivators and even demon beasts to replenish their Blood Qi.
The rapid progress of his 'Heavenly Demon True Body' was greatly related to his frequent consumption of sixth-tier body-refining pills.
The little Mysterious Turtle loved to eat them, considering them an advanced version of 'True Blood Pills' candy.
However, sixth-tier pills were extremely precious, and even Fang Xi couldn't consume them frequently.
As for the little Mysterious Turtle, it could only occasionally eat his leftovers.
Every time it received one, it was as happy as if it were New Year's.
Fang Xi utilized the 'Turtle Breath Secret Art', still maintaining his early Return to Void cultivation, and discreetly returned to Moonlight Immortal City.
With his cultivation breakthrough, his mood was excellent. He immediately summoned the Wang family's dancers again and celebrated lavishly for several months. . .
...
Moonlight Merchant Guild.
This merchant guild's background was Moonlight Immortal City. It was the foremost large merchant guild in the vicinity.
It had even expanded its business to several nearby domains, with vast influence and connections, and an enormous network of relationships.
One day.
A white-haired old man, with his hands clasped behind his back, arrived before the Moonlight Merchant Guild's entrance.
He was tall and imposing, with a saber scar on his face, appearing fierce and menacing.
The two Core Formation cultivators guarding the entrance saw this person, their expressions changed, and they quickly revealed fawning looks. "Elder Fu is here? Elder Fu, please head to the VIP hall immediately. . . The Grand Shopkeeper had already given instructions; as soon as you arrived, we were to notify him at once. . ."
"Lead the way."
Fang Xi, with his hands clasped behind his back, said coldly.
This 'Elder Fu' was naturally a false identity he used to fence stolen goods.
With the transformations of a Heavenly Demon secret art and the concealment of the Turtle Breath Secret Art, even an early Void Amalgamation cultivator might not be able to discern any flaws.
What's more. . .
There was only a group of Return to Void cultivators in Moonlight Immortal City. . . and the entire Starry Sky Domain might only have one Void Amalgamation ancestor from the Starry Sky Sect. How could he so easily encounter one?
Fencing stolen goods in Moonlight Immortal City, Fang Xi was still relatively at ease.
There were several other similar locations, all being relatively powerful Return to Void-level forces, distributed across the ninety-nine human domains.
Because the wealth and skills he displayed were too alluring, there were naturally those who wished to rob him.
But as long as they were Return to Void cultivators, they were simply delivering Immortal Jade to him, and Fang Xi naturally accepted them with a smile.
Moonlight Merchant Guild VIP Hall.
This hall was located in the clouds, surrounded on all sides by white clouds, and furnished with jade tables and chairs.
Upon sitting down, a gentle force lifted one's entire body, making one feel incredibly pleasant and comfortable, even giving a sensation of floating like an immortal.
"Elder Fu, long time no see."
Not long after, a beam of light flew over, revealing a mid-stage Return to Void cultivator within.
He was of medium build, with a round face, and smiled before speaking. It was precisely the Moonlight Merchant Guild's Grand Shopkeeper: "Ah, seeing Elder Fu, this old man feels both joy and apprehension. . ."
"Oh? And why is that?"
Fang Xi slowly took a sip of immortal tea and asked with a smile.
"The joy, naturally, is that with Elder Fu making a move, there must be good treasures. . . The apprehension, however, is that the merchant guild's Immortal Jade reserves will be emptied again."
The Grand Shopkeeper said with a pained expression.
Immortal Jade was a strategic resource for any force above the Return to Void stage, because it was non-renewable and greatly assisted cultivators above the Return to Void stage in their cultivation and artifact refinement.
Although the cultivation it provided couldn't compare to true sixth-tier spiritual pills that enhance spiritual power, and there was often a lot of waste.
But as long as one was willing to spend, and had enough Immortal Jade, a Return to Void cultivator's cultivation could also advance by leaps and bounds.
Even for Fang Xi, Immortal Jade was a precious resource.
Because the growth of the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm could also be catalyzed by Immortal Jade!
Of course, he only tried it once and then stopped.
After all, his lifespan was immense, and the self-growth rate of the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm already surpassed the cultivation speed of many Return to Void cultivators. He didn't need such expenditure.
Now, after breaking through to mid-stage Return to Void, the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm had expanded again, and the amount of Myriad Wood Mother Qi generated daily had also increased.
According to Fang Xi's estimation, the five thousand mu required for late Return to Void could probably be reached in just two to three millennia!
"Smooth talker. . . " Fang Xi chuckled with a light reprimand: "When have my dealings ever not brought you profit? A shortage of Immortal Jade is only temporary; just casually transport it to an outer domain and sell it, and won't it be earned back?"
"Yes, yes, and we must also thank Elder Fu for gracing us with your presence. . ."
The Grand Shopkeeper had a very good temper towards this 'God of Wealth', showing none of the 'Cold-Faced Yama' demeanor he was known for in the Moonlight Merchant Guild.
"Enough. These are the goods for this time."
Fang Xi flicked his sleeve, and three small, silver-glowing Void Teleportation Talismans appeared on the table.
In addition, there was also a jade bottle, within which the pills had transformed into the phantom image of a desolate beast, currently roaring towards the sky.
"Small Void Teleportation Talismans and Six Treasures Blood Pills?"
The Grand Shopkeeper's eyes lit up.
Both of these items held great appeal to Return to Void cultivators.
At the same time, he felt an even greater sense of reverence towards Elder Fu.
Being able to become a sixth-tier Talisman Master was already an outstanding achievement among Return to Void cultivators. If one was also a sixth-tier Alchemist. . . that would simply be a genius among Return to Void cultivators!
Of course, it was also possible that 'Elder Fu' had a major power backing him, which supported a sixth-tier Alchemist.
In any case, this all meant that Elder Fu was definitely not to be trifled with.
In fact, the Moonlight Merchant Guild had performed well in previous transactions, never resorting to any underhanded methods. This was one of the reasons Fang Xi chose to continue trading with them.
"Still the usual custom, priced in Immortal Jade?"
The Grand Manager calculated the required amount of Immortal Jade and immediately felt a pang of heartache. "Elder Fu," he said, "Our guild has recently acquired a batch of rare spiritual flowers and exotic herbs. Would you like to take a look?"
"Hmm, bring them over."
With a calm and collected demeanor, Fang Xi received the jade slip from the Grand Manager, then pointed out a few items. "These will do," he stated. "They can offset ten pieces of Immortal Jade. . ."
The smile on the Grand Manager's face remained unchanged. "This 'Drunken Immortal Grass'," he explained, "cost our guild untold efforts and resources to extract from an Immortal Abode ruin. Together, they are worth at least twenty pieces of Immortal Jade. . ."
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