Chapter 95: Setting Out Again (Celebrating the Silver Alliance Master! )
Chapter 95: Setting Out Again (Celebrating the Silver Alliance Master! )
In winter, Emerald Cliff's scenery was desolate.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, an unnamed mist materialized from the void. What had started as a faint, wispy white haze grew thicker and thicker, eventually enshrouding the entire cliff.
This mist differed from common white fog. At first, through its veil, one could vaguely discern the spirit fields, but in a blink, they vanished without a trace. . .
"It's a success!"
Piloting his Black Feather Boat, Fang Xi surveyed the surroundings for a moment, feeling utterly satisfied with the effect of the Little Cloud Rain Array.
This array not only enveloped all the spirit fields and residences but also encompassed Emerald Cliff itself.
This way, the chances of the underground cavern being exposed were further minimized.
Fang Xi held the restriction token, an item that was integral to the formation, functioning as its operational key.
Besides this main token, there were also three subsidiary tokens, capable of adjusting permissions. The lowest-tier allowed only entry and exit from the grand array's outermost perimeter, while the highest granted control over the array's offensive capabilities against foes.
"With this formation, my retreat is secure."
Although the Little Cloud Rain Array was merely a first-order mid-grade formation, as long as the opponent lacked a restriction-breaking talisman, it could hold its ground for a while.
Such a duration would be ample for Mirror Moon Lake to discern trouble and dispatch reinforcements.
Thus, even Perfected Qi Refinement cultivators could be kept at bay, ensuring a secure retreat.
"Planting trees, planting trees. . ."
Fang Xi rubbed his hands together, secretly formulating his plans.
"Presently, my preparations are still deficient in puppet arts and serpent-dragon spirit armor. . ."
Should he possess superior-grade armor forged from serpent-dragon materials, his strength would ascend yet another level, making him fearless even against a Perfected Qi Refinement cultivator.
As for puppet arts, they could compensate for the drawback of being unable to stray too far from his Life-Bound Spirit Plant.
"If spirit armor truly proves unfeasible, I can only venture out and commission an artifact refiner in the market to forge it. . ."
It must be said, Fang Xi's nature was inherently suspicious.
And Ruan Xing Ling was simply too astute, which instinctively made him wish to keep his distance. . .
"As for puppet arts, if I truly fail to acquire them. . . I'll likely have to raise a few spirit beasts as substitutes instead."
In certain aspects, spirit beasts were genuinely less convenient than puppets.
As Fang Xi pondered, he gazed at the lake's surface and instinctively let out a long howl. His Black Feather Boat transformed into a streak of light, soaring above the water.
He planned, as per usual, to snag a fish to sate his appetite.
As for fishing? He might as well forget it; his technique had always been rather subpar. . .
Whoosh!
The Black Feather Boat moved with silent speed, and after lowering its hull, it carved massive waves across the lake's surface.
The next moment, a glint of keenness flashed in Fang Xi's eyes.
He seemed to have spotted a spirit fish?
Myriad Islands Lake naturally harbored demon beasts, yet he had only encountered one after a full year; his luck, therefore, could be considered neither good nor bad.
A flicker of joy arose in Fang Xi's heart, and he urged his Black Feather Boat, giving chase to that greenish shadow.
Splash!
The greenish shadow fled in disarray, suddenly appearing to have misjudged its direction, as it darted straight toward Fang Xi.
Thud!
It crashed heavily into the Black Feather Boat, seemingly knocking itself unconscious.
Fang Xi was rather speechless. With a flick of his right hand, he scooped up the greenish shadow that was floating belly-up.
Only when he held it in his hand did he realize it was a large green fish, somewhat resembling a Green Jade Carp, weighing a full five to six catties.
"Such a foolish fish. . . will eating it make me foolish too?"
He muttered a quip, then returned to his courtyard.
This courtyard also boasted a pond, where only a few aquatic plants and lotus flowers had been transplanted.
Splash!
Fang Xi tossed the large green fish into the pond, and it immediately flipped itself over, swiftly circling the water.
"It really is somewhat foolish. . ."
He watched it, rather speechless.
Casually taking in this Green Jade Carp was nothing more than a momentary whim.
Within Miao Dong's incomplete beast-taming inheritance, there were specific methods for nurturing bloodlines, and even for the advancement of the Azure Blood Python itself, there was considerable research into flood dragon bloodlines.
"It's rumored that the Green Jade Carp King also possesses a trace of flood dragon lineage. I wonder if it can be cultivated. . ."
The sole reason Fang Xi dared to undertake this experiment was his abundant supply of serpent-dragon essence blood, making him unafraid of its consumption.
If he could cultivate a 'little green dragon', he would truly strike it rich!
He still held quite a degree of interest in the legendary 'Green Dragon Soup'. . .
...
After establishing the 'Little Cloud Rain Array', Fang Xi's daily life remained largely unchanged from before.
His daily routine primarily consisted of meditating and cultivating, refining his spirit seed, occasionally practicing other techniques, or going to feed and tease the large green fish.
This large green fish, he couldn't tell if it was truly foolish. Fang Xi fed it serpent-dragon blood several times, yet its spiritual power seemed to show little to no change. . .
As for his cultivation, it proceeded quite smoothly.
After activating the 'Gathering Spirit' effect, the spiritual energy within the cultivation chamber was already comparable to that of first-order low-grade spirit veins.
Fang Xi estimated that he would likely only require four years to cultivate to the peak of the fifth level of Qi Refinement.
However, this pace was still somewhat slow. He was preparing to leave the island once to make his final procurements, incidentally acquiring a batch of pills to enhance his magic power.
...
On this particular day.
A flower basket arrived from the west, descending outside the Little Cloud Rain Array.
"A formation?"
Ruan Xing Ling gazed at Emerald Cliff, shrouded in mist, her delicate brows subtly furrowed. She dispatched a sound transmission talisman.
Within the cultivation chamber.
Fang Xi gazed at the faintly glowing restriction token, rose, and stepped out of his cultivation chamber into the open.
He manipulated the token, giving it a gentle wave. A patch of mist parted, revealing a sound transmission talisman fluttering erratically within the haze, like a headless fly.
Reaching out, he took the sound transmission talisman, and a glint of shock flashed in Fang Xi's eyes. He swiftly activated the formation and, piloting his Black Feather Boat, soared skyward.
"Greetings, Island Master!"
Ruan Xing Ling remained much as before, yet seemed to have acquired an added air of grace and majesty.
"You've set up a formation here? That's good. . . Peach Blossom Island might not be peaceful lately."
Ruan Xing Ling assessed the formation, and remained quite satisfied.
"The Island Master came in person, so it seems that matter is true?"
"Naturally, it's true. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come personally to summon you. Let us proceed to the deliberation hall together."
Ruan Xing Ling let out a sigh.
...
Mirror Moon Lake.
Inside the Ruan family's grand hall.
"Oh, my dear!"
Hua Chan Juan, her large belly prominent, wept tears like pear blossoms drenched in rain.
Fang Xi, Mu Wen, and even Feng Man Lou and Mo Qing Yu were all present, each lost in thought as they gazed at Ruan Xing Ling, who sat at the head of the assembly.
"The news has been confirmed: Wei Yi Xin, Daoist Wei, perished after encountering marauding cultivators while outside!"
Ruan Xing Ling's expression was rather grim.
Fang Xi's heart, however, lurched within his chest.
Of the four guest elders of Peach Blossom Island back then, Old Daoist Rotwood was the first to peacefully pass away, and Wei Yi Xin had just met with misfortune outside. Was it now his turn next?
"Have you confirmed the identity of the adversary?"
He stepped forward, his voice grave as he inquired.
"It should be the Kou family's eldest brother. . ."
Ruan Xing Ling replied in a grave voice, "This person's second brother perished for unknown reasons, and ever since, he has deeply resented us. . ."
"So that's how it is!"
Fang Xi nodded, finding the deduction logical and reasonable.
But he glanced at Feng Man Lou and Mo Qing Yu, their faces calm, and felt that the matter might not be so simple.
"This Island Master will dispatch personnel to patrol the entire island. It is advisable that you all refrain from venturing out casually for the time being."
Ruan Xing Ling ultimately delivered her conclusion.
"Mirror Moon Lake and Twin Peaks are fine; their proximity allows for mutual support. It's Daoist Fang's location that gives me pause. . ."
Feng Man Lou hesitated slightly.
"No matter. Daoist Fang's Emerald Cliff is already protected by a formation; its safety is assured."
Ruan Xing Ling waved a dismissive hand.
Upon hearing these words, all assembled below couldn't help but turn their gazes to Fang Xi, their faces etched with astonishment.
"He actually possesses a formation for protection?"
Mu Wen's face was utterly etched with disbelief.
For a cultivation force, merely possessing a spirit land only establishes a preliminary foundation. It still requires the safeguard of a formation; only then can its foundation truly be considered stable!
Yet even the lowest-grade formation would cost several hundred spirit stones. How did Fang Xi manage to procure such a sum?
With the protection of a formation, both safety and privacy were substantially enhanced, stirring considerable envy within him.
...
After the deliberation, Fang Xi exited the grand hall and found Hua Chan Juan, still overcome with sorrow.
"Wuwu. . . that heartless man is gone, leaving us as orphans and a widow. How are we to live?"
Hua Chan Juan's eyes were tear-rimmed, her gaze filled with bewilderment for the future.
"Island Master Ruan is a trustworthy person. I offer Daoist Hua a piece of advice: the more one does, the more mistakes one makes; the less one does, the fewer mistakes one makes; do nothing, and make no mistakes at all!"
Fang Xi took a step closer, whispering, "Peach Blossom Island has its Island Master, law enforcement cultivators, and a grand formation. . . as long as Daoist friend remains within Peach Blossom Island, you will surely be safe and sound!"
Hua Chan Juan was abruptly startled.
She was not a foolish woman to begin with. At this moment, after careful thought, she felt that the forces behind the scenes were unfathomably deep. Immediately, she gritted her teeth: "I won't leave the island. No, I won't even let my child descend West Peak in the future! I refuse to believe anyone would dare to openly harm us two, mother and child, like this!"
"This. . ."
Fang Xi felt the other party was taking things a bit too far, but it was hardly proper to press the matter further. He could only shake his head and pilot his Black Feather Boat away.
...
Deep winter, snow fell for nine days.
"Hoo. . . truly a bleak year."
Fang Xi wore a green dharma robe, warm in winter and cool in summer, feeling no cold whatsoever.
Two months had now passed since Wei Yi Xin's death. Initially, Ruan Xing Ling patrolled Peach Blossom Island day and night, yet found no trace of marauding cultivators.
As the days went by, the law enforcement team gradually grew more lax.
Indeed, they even resumed communications with the outside world.
After all, many cultivation resources necessitated exchange and trade with the outside world. . .
On a bright and sunny afternoon, Fang Xi too boarded his Black Feather Boat, discreetly departing Emerald Cliff.
His destination, naturally, was Treasure Ship Market!
These days, he had made trips to Da Liang, acquiring a considerable amount of demon beast resources from Han Pang Zi of the Monster Hunting Tower, all of which now needed to be sold.
Furthermore, he needed to procure a batch of medicinal pills for cultivation, various spiritual ores for artifact refining, blank talisman paper for inscribing talismans, and even diverse spiritual herbs for alchemy. . .
Although his talent in the four arts of cultivation was subpar, the future was long, and Fang Xi had not entirely given up hope.
Especially alchemy!
Fortunately, he was still lingering at the beginner level of alchemy, his most frequent practice involving 'Grain Severing Pills', which could utilize Scarlet Blood Spirit Rice as their primary material.
Otherwise, merely purchasing medicinal ingredients of various ages would amount to a substantial expense.
After all, following this procurement, he might very well enter seclusion for several decades, and during that period, he would certainly need some miscellaneous tasks to occupy himself.
En route.
Fang Xi wore a leisurely expression, secretly vigilant but without excessive worry.
How many Foundation Establishment cultivators existed in the entirety of Myriad Islands Lake? They certainly wouldn't squander time on such trivialities.
Regardless of who the mastermind behind Wei Yi Xin's assassination truly was, dispatching a Perfected Qi Refinement cultivator was already their utmost capability!
Should they indeed come to intercept and slay him, he would most certainly present them with a grand surprise!
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