Chapter 75: Withered Wood (A Salute to Elvin2016, Platinum Alliance Master! )
Chapter 75: Withered Wood (A Salute to Elvin2016, Platinum Alliance Master! )
Clang!
The emerald green venomous snake drill, a blow comparable to a superior-grade artifact, was about to pierce Fang Xi's forehead.
In the next instant, a crimson light suddenly emerged from Fang Xi's forehead, like a helmet.
The venomous horn drill struck the helmet with a loud clang, then bounced away!
"How is that possible?"
"Could it be he's still hiding a superior-grade defensive artifact? But where would he get the spiritual power to activate it?"
Miao Dong's face contorted in disbelief.
At that moment, a smile blossomed on Fang Xi's face.
"Secret Art: Primal Chaos Limitless!"
Fang Xi raised his hand, his True Vigor surging like thunder as he brought it down!
Boom!
The Golden-Backed Turtle bellowed in pain, its water shield exploding into a mist of steam.
Fang Xi's momentum was unchecked; another punch landed squarely on Miao Dong's forehead before he could dodge!
Thud!
The man's head instantly exploded like a watermelon, red and white matter splattering everywhere.
"Hiss!"
"Wail!"
Little Green, who had been chasing Fang Xi from behind, let out a mournful cry and likewise ceased breathing.
Even the Golden-Backed Turtle beneath Fang Xi's feet let out a final shriek, dying instantly!
When a beast tamer forms a contract with a demonic beast, it's usually a subservient bond. Once the beast tamer dies, the contracted demonic beast inevitably perishes. . . unless the contract isn't a Blood Contract Document but rather something like a beast-taming token, or if the beast tamer actively breaks the contract. Otherwise, death is certain!
"You thought I was merely at the fourth level of Qi Refinement, yet you didn't know I'd reached the third stage of Body Cultivation, capable of rivaling late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators. . ."
Fang Xi sighed with emotion, then began to clear the battlefield.
The Golden-Backed Turtle and the Water Crow were both first-order low-grade demonic beasts, and the mid-grade first-order Emerald Blood Python was also worth a good number of Spirit Stones, though selling them at the Treasure Ship Market might be tricky.
In mid-air, the Golden Flood Dragon Shears suppressed the black claw, then flew into Fang Xi's hand.
Fang Xi examined it, finding the black claw, a mid-grade artifact, riddled with wounds and on the verge of being scrapped. He couldn't help but sigh.
His Profound Iron Shield had also been corroded by a mouthful of the Emerald Blood Python's innate poisonous mist, its surface becoming pockmarked and nearly useless.
"If I don't get any earnings from this, I'll be at a huge loss."
Finally, Fang Xi took a storage bag from Miao Dong, destroyed the body to erase any traces, then gathered the meager spiritual power he'd recovered and flew away on his Black Feather Boat.
...
Islands are scattered across the Myriad Islands Lake like stars, especially unique Spirit-less barren islands, which can be found almost everywhere.
Fang Xi chose one and excavated a hidden cave dwelling.
Inside the cave dwelling.
He took out Miao Dong's storage bag, spent a considerable amount of time erasing the spiritual power imprint, then emptied its contents onto the ground.
Clatter!
A large pile of miscellaneous items appeared.
Aside from some clothing, it was primarily a large number of bottles and jars. Fang Xi examined them and realized they were likely the three spirit beasts' rations.
In addition, there were dozens of Spirit Stones and some low-grade talismans.
Among them was also a piece of beast hide, with many talismans drawn in blood—it was a Blood Contract Document!
"It seems beast tamers are quite poor too; their entire fortune is probably invested in their spirit pets. . ."
Fang Xi mused with some emotion.
In truth, Miao Dong's strength was genuinely impressive. Even if he encountered a seventh-level Qi Refinement cultivator, he could hold his own for a bit by coordinating with his spirit pets.
Unfortunately, he ran into Fang Xi, who feigned weakness and then gradually lured him into a trap.
Da Liang's Blood-Qi Martial Arts had different characteristics and external manifestations compared to the body cultivators of the South Barrens, making it extremely easy to overlook, thus becoming Fang Xi's hidden trump card.
He looked at the remaining few jade slips and books, perusing them one by one.
" 'Geographical Records of Myriad Islands Lake'? A good find. . ."
" 'Golden Water Art'? Suitable for cultivators with Water-Gold spiritual roots? Water and gold mutually generate each other, seems a little better than the common stuff?"
" 'Records of Yue's Customs and Scenery'? I've already read this one. . ."
Fang Xi read a few jade slips, finding no beast-taming inheritance, which left him slightly disappointed.
Fortunately, he wasn't someone who expected everything to be perfect. He casually flipped open a few more books:
"Unexpectedly obtained an Emerald Blood Snake egg, named it Little Green, soaked it in a spirit liquid concocted from 'Hundred-Fragrance Snake Fruit', 'Wood Spirit Liquid'. . . mixed with Spirit Stone powder. . . hatched in one month. . ."
"Two months later, the Water Crow, being greedy, brought back a 'Fruit-Scented Carp', abandoning the 'Azure Jade Carp', punished it by denying food for three days. . ."
...
On the yellowed pages, Miao Dong's records of feeding his three spirit pets were clearly documented!
This was a beast-taming logbook!
"Although there's no complete inheritance, most of the methods for raising three types of spirit beasts are contained within. . . I can piece together a fragmented inheritance?"
Fang Xi stroked his chin, no longer feeling he had lost out.
...
Half a month later.
Fang Xi discreetly boarded Treasure Ship Island, then hid in the mortal towns for a few days, changing locations several times, before finally arriving at the Treasure Ship Market entrance in his true appearance.
"Esteemed Immortal Master, do you require a guide?"
Another group of local natives gathered around, Mo Qingyi among them, seemingly unaware that anything had happened to Miao Dong.
"How many Spirit Stones?"
Fang Xi looked youthful and inexperienced, wearing a patched-up green Daoist robe, clearly not very wealthy at first glance.
"Only one Spirit Crystal a day!"
"Too expensive, no, no!"
Hearing this, Fang Xi immediately shook his head and entered the market by himself.
"Alas. . . it seems this Immortal Master is strapped for cash; there'll be no business today."
The many guides lamented one after another.
...
Inside the market, a teahouse.
Fang Xi arrived at the information exchange hub that Mo Qingyi had introduced to him earlier.
Upon entering the teahouse, Fang Xi ordered a pot of spirit tea and gazed blankly at the rising white mist in his teacup.
Within the tea, individual leaves radiated spiritual light, transforming into colorful little fish, frolicking and chasing each other.
"This spirit tea's spiritual energy content is quite ordinary. The proprietor can only try to impress with flavor and novelty. . ."
Fang Xi was no longer the same as before. After carefully checking and confirming there were no issues, he took a sip.
A small black fish disappeared, causing the other small fish to swim even faster.
Just then, he heard a man and woman at a nearby table say, "The market has been restless lately. . . I hear several fellow Daoists have gone missing. It's probably the Kou Brothers again."
"Those Kou family brothers originally numbered three, but then for some unknown reason, the youngest one died. They couldn't survive in Green Bamboo Mountain anymore, so they came here to stir up trouble for us. Truly despicable!"
Another purple-faced strong man, who seemed privy to some inside information, spoke resentfully.
Fang Xi's first reaction upon hearing this was, 'Could they be coming for revenge against me? '
However, he quickly collected himself. The third Kou brother was killed by Situ Qing Qing, and Situ Qing Qing only knew that she had been saved by an unknown body cultivator. What did that have to do with him, a weak and poor spirit farmer?
'It's best not to openly display the Golden Flood Dragon Shears, or that three-sided storage bag. . . '
'Perfect, my persona as Fang Xi the spirit farmer is that of a pauper anyway. I was planning to switch back to the Green Reaping Sword too. . . '
Fang Xi thought for a moment, finding no flaws in his identity, then lowered his head again, idly playing with the spiritual fish.
He listened to gossip for an entire day, refilling his tea with spring water several times, until the small fish in his teacup became blurry.
Only then did Fang Xi rise and approach an elderly Daoist in a robe.
The old man had white hair, a meticulously groomed goatee, and sharp, piercing eyes.
Seeing Fang Xi approach, he immediately smiled and said, "What question does this fellow Daoist wish to ask? This humble one is quite well-informed about the various hidden channels within the market, and even news from Myriad Islands Lake."
This old Daoist was clearly an "all-knowing" informant, but he certainly knew far more secrets than a mortal like Mo Qingyi.
And because of that, there was a fee.
"I know the rules. To the private room, and order a pot of excellent 'Clear Sky Drizzling Rain'!"
Fang Xi nodded and followed the old Daoist to a private room in the teahouse.
Upon entering, the outside sounds were immediately cut off, clearly indicating the presence of a sound-insulating restriction.
Such a private room cost at least one Spirit Stone per use.
But Fang Xi looked at the so-called "Clear Sky Drizzling Rain" and realized it was just ordinary mortal tea, causing his mouth to twitch.
The Spirit Stones spent here weren't for the tea, but for the information!
"This old one is Daoist Kuxiu. May I ask what matter the young friend wishes to inquire about?"
Daoist Kuxiu courteously cupped his hands.
"Daoist, you are too kind. This one is Fang Xi, merely a spirit farmer from Green Bamboo Mountain market. . ."
Fang Xi was quite honest, then, with a hint of pain, he asked, "This time, I came to Myriad Islands Lake simply to find a quiet place for arduous cultivation. I wonder if Daoist has any recommendations?"
"So, fellow Daoist is a person dedicated to ascetic cultivation! " Daoist Kuxiu seemed slightly surprised and asked, "Does fellow Daoist wish to join any faction? Many families and sects are constantly recruiting spirit farmers."
"No, I truly do not wish to be constrained any longer."
Fang Xi replied with a wry smile.
"Then perhaps rent a cave dwelling long-term in the market or elsewhere? " Daoist Kuxiu offered another suggestion.
"That. . . This one actually wishes for a larger spirit field, and having been a tenant farmer for long enough, I now wish to be a landlord. " Fang Xi stated his true thoughts. If he wanted to cultivate his tree, wouldn't he need a larger plot of land?
"A large spirit field, a landlord. . . " Daoist Kuxiu's mouth twitched, and he seemed to understand Fang Xi's needs a little better. "So, fellow Daoist wishes to find a spirit vein land with no owner, or even become an island master? Alas. . . unowned spirit islands were very common centuries ago, but in the last decade, it's rare to hear of any fellow Daoists discovering one."
"In that case, it is truly a pity. . ."
Fang Xi shook his head, looking quite regretful.
"Fellow Daoist need not regret. The Dragon Fish Zhong Clan occasionally leases out islands with unranked spirit veins to rogue cultivators, so there's always a chance. . . Or some fellow Daoists on spirit islands might want to recruit partners, and they'll offer generous conditions, making long-term leases of large spirit lands possible, and even the chance to directly become a second or third island master. . . If you are interested, fellow Daoist can leave your information here, and this old Daoist will keep an eye out for you."
"Thank you, Daoist."
Fang Xi heard this, his heart stirred, and he sincerely expressed his gratitude. He then asked, "Within the market, where can one purchase array formations? I wish to buy a set to guard my cave dwelling. . ."
"Dragon Gate Pavilion has them, up to the superior-grade first-order 'Cloud Mist Thunder Array'. . . There is also an array master living in this market, surnamed Xu. For a sufficient price, one can invite him to act, and he can set up up to mid-grade first-order arrays. . ."
Daoist Kuxiu said with a smile.
As for second-order arrays? Like second-order forbidden-breaking talismans, these are strategic materials; unless it's a major power, there are no channels for trading them at all.
Fang Xi asked a few more questions, finally guiding the topic to the Foundation Establishment cultivation methods at Dragon Gate Pavilion.
Daoist Kuxiu shook his head repeatedly: "How could those Foundation Establishment immortal families give us rogue cultivators truly good cultivation methods? Most of the techniques they release are mediocre in power, or even extremely difficult. . . especially those few Body Cultivation methods. Most of them are traps, claiming that cultivating to the extreme can rival Foundation Establishment cultivators, but in reality, they have many bottlenecks and obstacles, and most people can barely even break through to the third stage of Body Cultivation. . ."
His tone carried a hint of bitterness: "Body Cultivation consumes too many resources. Instead of spending hundreds or thousands of Spirit Stones and still not necessarily being able to advance to the third stage of Body Cultivation, it's better to save them up and go to White Peace Immortal City to bid for a Foundation Establishment Pill!"
"White Peace Immortal City, there are even Foundation Establishment Pills auctioned there? What's the price?"
Fang Xi's eyes lit up.
"They've appeared in a few major auctions, with a starting bid of three thousand Spirit Stones, no upper limit. . . Furthermore, being able to buy it is nothing; being able to hold onto it is the real skill."
Daoist Kuxiu replied, his words carrying a deeper meaning.
Clearly, after every auction of a Foundation Establishment Pill, a bloody storm was sure to follow!
Just thinking about it sent chills down one's spine!
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