Chapter 759: Decisive Contest
Chapter 759: Decisive Contest
Inside the Black Market Cave Abode.
Fang Xi never had the habit of fully trusting others.
Only after re-laying the formation did he relax and sit upon the cloud bed.
"This black market is rich in resources, worth spending some time on procurement. . ."
"The grand auction in a few decades is also worth looking forward to."
"And by the way. . . I can also wait for Fairy Shi and the others. . ."
As he thought of the intelligence he had gained this time, his gaze involuntarily deepened.
"Sword Son. . . will he challenge the Blood Hand Peak Master later?"
Now, there's a high probability he has broken through to the seventh stage!
Although this fits the typical pattern of sword cultivators who enjoy courting death, Fang Xi still keenly sensed something was amiss.
'Sword cultivators emphasize advancing fearlessly, honing their sword hearts in battle. . . According to Sword Son's original plan, after defeating the Dao Child of the Yan Yu Sect, the next target should have been the Fang Xian Daoist! '
'Sword cultivators are stubborn, not stupid! He should be well aware that the Fang Xian Daoist is a Void Amalgamation cultivator, and moreover possesses an Immortal Abode Rare Treasure. If he doesn't advance to Void Amalgamation, he'll likely be beaten to death! '
'Therefore. . . after Sword Son challenged the Dao Child of the Yan Yu Sect, he should have sought out a secret place to cultivate in seclusion, seizing the opportunity to break through to the Void Amalgamation realm. . . Why is he still a Return to Void cultivator, and still challenging everyone around? '
'Could he be fishing? '
The thought of this possibility sent a shiver down Fang Xi's spine.
If Sword Son secretly broke through to Void Amalgamation, yet still presented himself as a Return to Void cultivator, then things would indeed become quite troublesome.
After all, even if he had mostly recovered the lifespan lost during the Fu Youzi event, Sword Son's lifespan certainly exceeded six thousand years!
'One must not underestimate any cultivator, not even a sword cultivator! '
'Of course, it's also possible that Sword Son's Void Amalgamation spiritual item isn't with him, or that he must go to a certain secret area of the Sword Pavilion to advance and gain the greatest benefits, increasing the probability of breaking through to Void Amalgamation. . . '
Even for a favored son of heaven, increasing the probability of breaking through to Void Amalgamation by even a small margin is still exceedingly precious.
'However. . . even if he secretly breaks through, while I might not be able to defeat him, self-preservation won't be much of an issue. '
Fang Xi sat cross-legged, took out the incomplete seventh-stage talisman inheritance he had purchased that day, and began to silently study it.
Although this inheritance was incomplete, it still contained the techniques for drawing several seventh-stage secret talismans. One particular phoenix-script talisman made his eyes light up even more.
Cultivating the Earthly Immortal Way allowed Fang Xi to save a significant amount of cultivation time compared to other cultivators, which he could then use to delve into the Hundred Arts of Immortal Cultivation.
Coupled with the assistance of 'Taiyi,' which he had repeatedly overseen to upgrade after his advancement to Soul Transformation and Return to Void. . . only then could he be so versatile.
For the next period, Fang Xi lived peacefully within the black market cave abode, occasionally going out to purchase various rare spiritual items and alien inheritances, enjoying himself immensely.
Meanwhile, outside, a storm had long been brewing.
...
Celestial Brahma Domain.
Penglai Immortal Pavilion.
Within the pavilions and waterside platforms, the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments were ceaseless.
Yunxi Xianzi played the guqin, Madame Baolian played the xiao flute, and by their side, Shui Lingxin burned incense and brewed tea. The three women were indeed cooperating with increasing tacit understanding.
Only Fang Xi lay lazily on his mat, one hand resting on his head, the other casually bringing spirit fruits and snacks to his mouth.
After an unknown period of such leisurely time, a streak of light slowly arrived, transforming into a female disciple who gracefully bowed: "Sect Master, Grand Elder. . . Guest Elder."
Fang Xi and Madame Baolian had nominally joined the Penglai Immortal Pavilion, and were now considered Guest Elders.
"What major event has occurred in our human race's territory now?"
Fang Xi asked languidly.
"Reporting to Guest Elder. . ."
The female disciple respectfully said: "In the Battle of Luoying Mountain, the Dao Child of the Yan Yu Sect died in battle. . . This sect nearly went to war with the Sword Pavilion, and now both sides are still in a standoff. More importantly, Sword Son escaped into a mystic realm, and his whereabouts are unknown. . ."
"Rumor has it that the mystic realm passage on Trapped Sky Island was destroyed, and many high-stage cultivators of our race were trapped, including senior Shen Suanzi, who was at the late Void Amalgamation stage. . . Now, everyone in the human race is spreading rumors that this is a conspiracy of the demon and monster races!"
'A conspiracy is impossible. If the demon and monster races had such ability, they would have long since claimed Trapped Sky Island for themselves. '
Fang Xi inwardly scoffed.
Shui Lingxin, however, had a change in expression: "Both Sword Son and Shen Suanzi are trapped on Trapped Sky Island. . . Doesn't that mean. . . the possibility of the Fang Xian Daoist becoming one of the Human Race Five Sons is now practically certain?"
'No, even if those two were still present, I'd suspect the Fang Xian Daoist had a strong chance. '
Fang Xi continued rolling his eyes inwardly.
"As for this human prodigy, are there any updates? " As it concerned the Human Race Five Sons, even Madame Baolian and Yunxi Xianzi were very concerned.
"There are already rumors that the Fang Xian Daoist has broken through the encirclement, consecutively defeating several Great Sages of the monster race, and has entered human territory!"
The female disciple replied, a touch of strangeness still in her expression.
"Thus, it is a blessing for our human race. " Shui Lingxin smiled slightly, and seeing the female disciple's expression, couldn't help but ask again: "Are there any other updates?"
"There's another piece of news, its veracity unknown, but it has already spread. . ."
The female disciple's face showed some trepidation and uneasiness.
"Speak!"
Yunxi Xianzi delivered the decisive word.
"Yes, madam!"
The female disciple bowed again before speaking: "According to rumors, although the Fang Xian Daoist intends to contend for a position among the Human Race Five Sons, he isn't eyeing the position left by Fu Youzi. Instead. . . he has chosen to challenge the Five Elements Child!"
"What?"
Madame Baolian exclaimed, her jade xiao flute nearly dropping to the ground: "Challenge the Five Elements Child? Has the Fang Xian Daoist gone mad?"
"It is rumored that before the Fang Xian Daoist's Grand Dao was complete and before he advanced to Void Amalgamation, he was pursued by the Five Elements Child. . ."
The disciple said: "Therefore, even upon returning to the human race, he wasn't willing to choose the simplest path, but instead intends to challenge one of the Five Sons. . ."
To become one of the Human Race Five Sons, aside from waiting for a vacancy among the Human Race Five Sons and participating in the selection. . .
One can also directly challenge and unseat an incumbent Five Son!
Of course, the second scenario rarely occurs.
After all, the Human Race Five Sons are undoubtedly the five strongest among the human Void Amalgamation cultivators!
But now. . .
Fang Xi couldn't help but believe that the Fang Xian Daoist truly had the confidence to unseat the Five Elements Child!
"This will be quite a spectacle!"
He murmured, guessing that the Fang Xian Daoist had gained immense benefits within the monster race.
His current cultivation was truly unfathomable.
"When? Where?"
Shui Lingxin asked.
One of the Five Sons being challenged—such a grand event would likely shake the entire human race.
"It's still unknown. . ."
The disciple shook her head.
"The changing of the Human Race Five Sons might happen privately. . . After all, the Five Elements Child is also a major figure. If he were to lose, it wouldn't look good for him."
Fang Xi shook his head, laughing lightly.
...
At the same time.
Above a certain five-colored, swirling peak in the human territory.
A Daoist, with immortal bearing, a youthful face despite white hair, and a long sword on his back, stood silently.
His eyes were gentle, and an air of immortality seemed to linger around him.
"Greetings, Senior Bu!"
Soon after, a patch of auspicious clouds swept through the void, carrying strands of propitious energy, and faintly revealing a palace.
The palace opened, revealing the youthful form of the Fang Xian Daoist, who bowed mid-air.
"Hmm."
The sword-bearing Daoist gazed at the Fang Xian Daoist for a long time, his gaze lingering on the palace for a moment, before speaking: "Now that Shen Suanzi is trapped. . . the position among the Human Race Five Sons, as long as you agree, we can directly bestow upon you. . . Must you really make things difficult for the Five Elements Child?"
The Fang Xian Daoist did not reply, only his True Martial Auspicious Clouds rolled, carrying a chilling intent.
"So be it. . ."
The sword-bearing Daoist sighed: "Daoist Che is still recovering from severe injuries, this old Daoist will write to Daoist Meng later to witness your combat with the Five Elements Child."
The Fang Xian Daoist remained silent, bowing once more!
...
Trapped Sky Island.
Black Market Cave Abode.
Fang Xi was sitting cross-legged, researching various alien secret arts, when his eyes suddenly stirred.
He took out a token and formed a hand seal with one hand.
The cave abode's door opened, and an alien with eight arms walked in.
He actually knew this person; it was the eight-armed race's Grand Shopkeeper from the Black Heaven Pavilion!
"Senior. . ."
The Black Heaven Pavilion shopkeeper respectfully bowed.
"As expected of Black Heaven Pavilion, the local hegemon, to be able to find my cave abode. . ."
A faint, unreadable smile appeared on Fang Xi's face: "Speak. . . What is the purpose of your visit today?"
"Senior, regarding the information you purchased about that woman, we now have news. Therefore, I came to inform you immediately."
The eight-armed Grand Shopkeeper's face was plastered with smiles as he spoke fawningly.
"Oh?"
Fang Xi raised an eyebrow.
The eight-armed shopkeeper immediately handed over a jade slip.
Fang Xi took it with one hand, but didn't examine it. He merely placed it in front of him and looked at the Grand Shopkeeper: "I'm grateful for your trouble, Shopkeeper, but I am merely a sixth-stage existence. Surely Black Heaven Pavilion wouldn't go to such lengths for someone like me, would it?"
After all, Black Heaven Pavilion is certainly backed by a seventh-stage Void Amalgamation-level entity.
Among the alien races, they do not divide realms into Return to Void and Void Amalgamation as humans do, but rather generally refer to them as sixth-stage and seventh-stage existences. . .
"Heh heh. . . On Trapped Sky Island, aside from the very top seventh-stage existences, Senior's high-grade sixth-stage cultivation is already enough to make us eager to please."
The eight-armed shopkeeper saw that Fang Xi still hadn't looked at the jade slip, and his heart sank.
'It seems. . . that female cultivator's standing in his heart is truly average. . . '
He mused inwardly, but a sincere expression appeared on his face: "My Black Heaven Pavilion has always hoped to be on good terms with all seniors. . . Furthermore, after the grand auction, there might be another matter that requires Senior's assistance."
"What matter would that be?"
Fang Xi showed an expression that conveyed 'now this makes sense' and asked with a smile.
"To be frank. . . This Trapped Sky Island was originally an Immortal Abode mystic realm. Although after so many years of exploration, most areas are no longer dangerous in the slightest, there are still a few areas covered by restrictions that remain undeveloped. . . Among them are many treasures, some even quite attractive to seventh-stage existences."
The eight-armed shopkeeper said: "The restrictions in these areas are peculiar; only those below the seventh stage can enter. . . And among them, there are not a few opportunities for advancement to the seventh stage."
"So, it seems your merchant guild wishes to cooperate with me to explore a mystic realm?"
Fang Xi nodded.
With his late Return to Void cultivation, he was indeed very cost-effective.
"Precisely. . . If Daoist friend agrees, my Black Heaven Pavilion is willing to treat Daoist friend as a honored guest, and after the matter is concluded, there will be a substantial reward."
Seeing that Fang Xi was somewhat moved, the eight-armed shopkeeper quickly added.
"Since that's the case, it would be impolite for me to refuse."
Fang Xi laughed heartily and agreed.
Anyway, when the time comes, at worst he'd just send his External Avatar over. . .
After seeing off the shopkeeper, he sent a wisp of his Divine Consciousness into the jade slip, and his expression immediately darkened: "I didn't expect. . . Fairy Shi's luck to be so poor. . ."
...
Somewhere on Trapped Sky Island.
The ground was covered in various bone-white rocks.
In the sky, two streaks of light fled in a sorry state.
A moment later, they stopped in a certain area.
"No, there are more Stone race members ahead. . ."
Fairy Shi held the Myriad Flowers Treasure Mirror, a hint of terror flashing across her face.
"Alas. . ."
Bai Yusheng sighed: "I didn't expect that even with our escape speed, it would still be difficult to break through the encirclement. We can only fight."
The Stone race was also a branch of the alien races, and had even been exterminated by the human race. Thus, the Stone race members who migrated to Trapped Sky Island had always been extremely hostile towards humans.
Furthermore, because the Stone race possessed unique talents, capable of influencing the terrain of a region, and generally did not interact with outsiders.
Therefore, the territory of the Stone race on Trapped Sky Island had always had very little interaction with the outside world, which was why information about Fairy Shi and Bai Yusheng had only occasionally surfaced until now.
"Didn't we find an alien traveling merchant earlier who was willing to send a message?"
Fairy Shi said: "As long as reinforcements arrive, we can leave this place. . ."
Formations were laid out within the Stone race's territory, and a group of sixth-stage Stone race members were relentlessly pursuing and intercepting them, making it difficult for both Fairy Shi and Bai Yusheng to escape.
"They're here!"
Bai Yusheng formed hand seals with both hands, and streaks of light fell into the ancient book before him.
Rustle!
The ancient book with its blue cover turned pages by itself, without any wind.
Characters emerged one by one, all glowing brightly.
One of the characters,'jia' (A), suddenly absorbed all the light, transforming into a spectral armor that settled upon Bai Yusheng.
Fairy Shi lightly patted the Myriad Flowers Treasure Mirror, and a sky full of petals danced, resembling a tornado.
Whoosh whoosh!
Two streaks of grayish-white escape light appeared, revealing two stone figures, entirely made of stone, as if constructed from grayish-white rocks: "Damnable humans, why haven't you returned our tribe's sacred object? !"
The voices of these two Stone race cultivators were deep and filled with rage.
At the mention of this, Bai Yusheng couldn't help but glance sideways at Fairy Shi.
Fairy Shi sneered: "Heaven and Earth spiritual treasures are acquired by those with fate. . . Why should something be yours just because you claim it is?"
That piece of 'Resurrection Stone' was of great use to her, possibly even her hope for breaking through a cultivation bottleneck, so Fairy Shi naturally wouldn't give it up.
"Damn it. . . The sacred stone clearly originated from our sacred land, you are all sinners who defiled our sacred land!"
One of the Stone race's sixth-stage existences erupted in fury, suddenly letting out a roar.
A large amount of earthy-yellow light burst forth from his body, and with two thundering booms!
Two colossal footfalls, like heavenly pillars, landed on the earth, and a towering rock puppet appeared before Fairy Shi and Bai Yusheng.
Its entire body was composed of countless gigantic rocks, its features rough-hewn. It roared and threw a punch!
Bang!
Like a meteorite descending from heaven, it naturally drew the accompanying Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.
"Defend!"
Bai Yusheng pointed a finger, and the ancient book turned to a page, on which a large character'yu' (御) shot up into the sky.
The Six Defenses of Heaven and Earth, boundless spiritual energy gathered, forming a gigantic shield.
Clang!
The giant's fist and the shield collided in the void, followed by a thunderous crash.
Shattered spiritual energy, mixed with rocks, rapidly fell in all directions.
"Go!"
Fairy Shi gently blew, and countless petals flew out, carrying a strange, enchanting fragrance.
Her 'Myriad Flowers Treasure Mirror' was a top-tier supreme treasure; the exotic fragrance it emitted had the power to subdue without battle.
Unfortunately, to Fairy Shi's disappointment, not only the subtle fragrance, but even Divine Consciousness attacks had little effect on the Stone race members.
This might also be related to the Stone race's innate talent.
Their defenses were incredibly strong; they possessed extremely high resistance to both cultivators' spells and Divine Consciousness attacks!
At this moment, streaks of petals, like chains, bound towards the second Stone race cultivator.
"Hmph!"
This Stone race cultivator snorted coldly, and a six-sided giant hammer appeared in his palm.
The giant hammer rumbled, sending out ripple after ripple, then suddenly grew even larger, smashing down with a single strike!
Clang!
A sky full of petals danced, transforming one by one into grayish-white, falling from high in the sky.
"Petrification divine ability, truly troublesome. . ."
Fairy Shi snorted coldly. However, as a human cultivator, her combat methods were varied, and she immediately thought of a countermeasure.
She raised a hand and beckoned, and a stack of talismans flew out, surprisingly transforming into puppets resembling Yellow Turban Strongmen.
These were 'Puppet Talismans'!
This was a method that integrated the Dao of Talismans with puppets. Each time it was used, puppets would appear for the caster's use.
The Yellow Turban Puppets, fearless of death, lunged onto the giant hammer.
Fairy Shi, however, had a cold expression, and suddenly formed a hand seal.
Boom!
Streaks of black lightning burst forth from within the puppets, even blasting tiny cracks into the giant hammer.
"The heart of the Stone race is also a rare spiritual material, you know."
Fairy Shi said with a smiling demeanor, boundless killing intent in her heart. Suddenly, she felt a powerful Divine Consciousness sweep over, and she jolted: "Seventh-stage Stone race? Let's go!"
Before her words even finished, she had already unleashed the Myriad Flowers Treasure Mirror, riding a Hundred Flowers Flying Carpet, and rapidly fled.
The Stone race's innate divine abilities were actually quite troublesome. Fortunately, their flying escape speed was too slow, which gave Fairy Shi and her companion a sliver of hope for survival.
However, their inability to leave the Stone race territory, coupled with continuous interceptions from other Stone race members, had reduced their room for maneuver more and more.
If this continued, they would eventually be captured.
...
"Stone race territory. . ."
Fang Xi arrived at a certain area and swept it with his Divine Consciousness.
He saw that at the edge of a pitch-black forest, all signs of life suddenly ceased, revealing a grayish-white stone domain.
"Seventh-stage super grand array!"
He murmured: "It's quite challenging indeed. Fortunately, I don't need to directly break it; I merely need to open a Dao gate. . ."
Fang Xi arrived before the Stone race's territory, looking at the barrier in the void, a thoughtful expression flashing in his eyes.
After standing silently for several hours, he formed a hand seal, and arrays of formation flags and plates appeared, arranged around him.
Then, Fang Xi held a formation plate in his hand and pointed it mid-air.
"Go!"
On the formation plate, streaks of greenish-blue array patterns appeared, floating forward, as if embedded onto the barrier.
Then, as Fang Xi formed another hand seal, he suddenly tore open an opening.
"Conceal!"
He walked inside, stepping onto the hard, rock-filled ground, then formed a hand seal with one hand.
That rift and the formation flags suddenly vanished without a trace.
Pfft!
One after another, 'Stonehenge-like formations' made of piled rocks shattered.
"Soldiers!"
Bai Yusheng, with disheveled hair, let out a cold shout.
Heaven and Earth spiritual energy gathered, transforming into weapons of various colors, crashing down and trapping several sixth-stage Stone race members ahead.
Whoosh!
In the distance, a streak of purple light swiftly approached, its momentum incredibly astonishing.
Shatter!
The purple streak of light smashed through countless flowers, landing directly on the Myriad Flowers Treasure Mirror's main body.
This treasure let out a mournful cry, and surprisingly, a crack appeared on it.
Fairy Shi's expression changed, and she suddenly spat out a mouthful of crimson blood.
"It's no good. . ."
"That Stone race Ancestor is getting closer and closer. . . he can now attack from a distance. . ."
The two streaks of light fled desperately, Bai Yusheng and Fairy Shi's eyes filled with despair: "And we've been continuously intercepted; I'm afraid the next time we encounter the Stone race will be the day we perish!"
As high-stage cultivators, such calculations were already second nature to them.
The more they calculated, the more desperate they became.
"Alas. . . I should have known not to invite Daoist Wang to come watch the combat and treasure hunt."
A faint hint of regret rose in Fairy Shi's heart.
Just then, a hint of joy suddenly appeared on her face as she felt a familiar Divine Consciousness sweep over.
"Fairy Shi, huh? Daoist Bai is here too?"
Fang Xi uttered a slightly surprised sound.
"Daoist Wang. . ."
A look of pleasant surprise appeared on Bai Yusheng's face: "Many thanks for your assistance. . . Are there any other reinforcements?"
"My apologies, it's just this old man."
Fang Xi sighed, and the three streaks of escape light rapidly approached.
At this moment, he could sense a streak of purple light pursuing them from ten thousand miles away!
This purple light exuded Void Amalgamation-level spiritual energy fluctuations, and within it, a Stone race member seemingly carved entirely from purple rock was rapidly approaching.
Seeing that reinforcements had arrived, it let out a furious roar, then stretched a hand forward, and a purple stone spear suddenly appeared.
Whoosh!
Streaks of light shimmered around the stone spear, and it suddenly flew out!
Fang Xi raised a hand, and several sixth-stage talismans burst into flames, forming a talisman array that swallowed the purple spear whole.
Boom!
With a thunderous boom, the sixth-stage talisman array instantly disintegrated. The stone spear's light only dimmed slightly, and as if it had eyes, it continued to pursue Fairy Shi and the others.
"The might of a Void Amalgamation, to this extent?"
Fang Xi chuckled lightly and tossed out his little black turtle.
Smack!
The little black turtle shrieked, its shell colliding with the stone spear.
The stone spear paused, and then, surprisingly, began to crack inch by inch from its tip.
"Daoist Wang!"
Fairy Shi rendezvoused with Fang Xi, and a talisman was slipped into her hand.
This talisman was entirely silver, somewhat similar to a Minor Void Teleportation Talisman, yet also slightly different.
"This is the Grand Void Teleportation Talisman that I've been experimenting with. A Minor Void Teleportation Talisman is only sixth-stage and might not be able to break through a void bound by formations, but a Grand Void Teleportation Talisman is different."
Fang Xi smiled faintly.
This seventh-stage talisman inheritance was, of course, his gain from Black Heaven Pavilion.
"Many thanks."
Fairy Shi smiled sweetly, surprisingly trusting Daoist Wang completely, and directly activated the talisman.
A surging silver light descended, like the Milky Way from the Nine Heavens descending upon the mortal world. In an instant, her figure vanished without a trace.
"Daoist Wang, save me!"
Seeing that Fang Xi also seemed ready to leave, Bai Yusheng couldn't help but cry out.
Seeing Fang Xi's escape light continue unabated, he quickly said, "I am a descendant of Venerable Seven Treasures. This time, I've come to seek the treasure map left by my ancestor. If fellow Daoist saves me, this Bai is willing to share this map with you!"
As a high-level cultivator, he naturally understood that at this moment, nothing was more important than his own life!
If he didn't bring out the most precious item on him to impress this Fellow Daoist Wang, he feared he would truly perish here today!
"Venerable Seven Treasures' treasure map?"
Fang Xi's escape light halted. He chuckled, "That's certainly interesting!"
He approached Bai Yusheng and took out a talisman. "However, I can't trust you. This talisman can be given to you, but I'll still need to verify its authenticity!"
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