Chapter 977: The Ascetic
Chapter 977: The Ascetic
The morning sun rose in the east.
Its rays stretched for ten thousand li, bathing **Qing He Shan** in light, where wisps of mist ascended, brilliant as embroidered brocade.
On a certain cliff.
**Fang Xi** inhaled and exhaled the Great Sun Purple Qi. The acupoints all over his body resonated with the stars in the heavens, and his Primordial Five Elements magic power once again shed a layer of impurities.
Crackle, crackle!
Sounds like popping beans erupted from his body. Within his five-colored magic power, the five magical treasures became even more corporeal. Clearly, the power of each treasure had increased, and they were now almost at the strongest level beneath a Pure Yang Supreme Treasure.
"My magic power has undergone twelve transformations; only one more to go. . . and I can achieve a Primordial Spirit."
After a long while, **Fang Xi** opened his eyes and muttered.
He had already traversed more than half the path to the Sword Immortal realm.
"However, that final magic power transformation will be the most arduous. . ."
"Furthermore, it would be best to find the Five Elements True Sha or a Primordial Magnetic art, to elevate my Primordial Five Elements True Qi by another grade."
The quality of a cultivator's magic power and True Qi is inextricably linked to their future achievements.
**Fang Xi** was currently comprehending the «Earth Element Golden Book», making the cultivation path of this world even clearer to him.
"If I don't acquire the Five Elements True Sha or a Primordial Magnetic art, I only need to cultivate quietly, and within a year, my Sword Immortal magic power will be perfected, achieving a Primordial Spirit in one step!"
This step was exceedingly difficult for all cultivators, yet for **Fang Xi**, it was remarkably simple. After all, his essence had already reached that level, and his **Second Primordial Spirit** was also a tremendous aid.
"But my future achievements would be limited; I'm afraid the most I could reach is the **Earth Immortal** cultivation outcome!"
"I must at least achieve a **Heavenly Immortal**, or perhaps a Golden Immortal, right?"
The cultivation outcome of a **Heavenly Immortal** was incredibly profound. Even in this world, only a handful of people had achieved it, and even upon ascending to the Heavenly Realm, it was considered a top-tier position.
There was even less need to mention a Golden Immortal.
Although **Fang Xi** didn't wish to ascend to the Heavenly Realm, he was more interested in a Golden Immortal.
After all, in the True Immortal World, Immortal Grades were almost fixed. Even if there were methods to enhance Primordial Spirit quality, they would inevitably be very resource-intensive, and extremely difficult, with harsh conditions.
But here, there were such methods for cultivating the Primordial Spirit. Wouldn't that be excellent?
'I wonder how much my chances of becoming a Dao Monarch would increase if I achieve a Golden Immortal Primordial Spirit? '
'With my **Second Primordial Spirit** now, I already possess the magic power of a Loose Immortal, so there's no need to be too hasty. '
**Fang Xi** let out a whistle and summoned forth a flying sword.
This flying sword was entirely gray and white, yet upon it were twelve circular rings, like the hours themselves—it was none other than the **Time Warden Sword**!
Compared to its former appearance, this flying sword now seemed crystalline and translucent, like gray quartz.
The twelve golden rings permeated the interior of the gray quartz, carrying a strange sense of temporal flow.
"The **Time Warden Sword**, having been personally refined by my main body, has undergone eight form refinements. . . only one more refinement is needed to become a Pure Yang Supreme Treasure."
**Fang Xi** exhaled a breath of Primordial Five Elements magic power and wielded the **Time Warden Sword**.
In the void, suddenly appeared scenes of spring and autumn alternating, the four seasons flowing, and the twelve earthly branches cycling.
Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai!
Twelve flying sword phantoms appeared, suddenly transforming from illusory to real. Sword light shot skyward, faintly forming a sword array.
Suddenly, all the sword light dissipated, as if it had only existed in the past.
"This **Time Warden Sword** is now almost equivalent to my life-bound flying sword."
"When I achieve Primordial Spirit, it should also be able to be elevated to the Pure Yang level."
**Fang Xi** put away the flying sword and completed his daily cultivation.
Inside the Daoist temple, Qing Feng and Ming Yue had managed everything in perfect order.
This was also why **Fang Xi** could cultivate with peace of mind.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, he looked beyond the **Six Yao Yin Water Great Array**, and smiled with interest. . .
......
"Oh?"
At this moment, outside **Qing He Shan**, a streak of escape light suddenly appeared.
Within the escape light was an ascetic wearing a mixed-iron hair hoop.
From his waist hung a sheathed monk's saber, and around his neck hung a necklace of white bones. At a glance, he was clearly a genuine practitioner of unorthodox paths.
The ascetic gazed at the verdant spiritual mountain ahead, wreathed in mist, and couldn't help but rub his eyes: "It's been a while since I was here, did I come to the wrong place? How has the **Withered Mountain** of **Old Crow Monastery** changed so much?"
Just at this moment, the mist parted, forming a path. Qing Feng came out to greet him. Upon seeing the ascetic, he bowed first: "Esteemed master. . . my Mountain Lord requests your presence!"
"Mountain Lord? Not the Monastery Master?"
The ascetic muttered a few words, then looked at the mist, and finally walked inside.
Arriving at **Old Crow Monastery**, he was greatly astonished.
He saw that the plaque and divine statues of **Old Crow Monastery** had all been removed, and it was now transformed into individual quiet rooms and residences, elegantly arranged, with small bridges over flowing streams and hundreds of flowers in bloom. . .
Compared to the crude and poorly made **Old Crow Monastery** of before, it was much more refined.
"Esteemed master, please wait a moment. . ."
Qing Feng invited the ascetic into a great hall, and Ming Yue immediately brought tea.
After they had done this, they stood solemnly to the side with bowed heads, not daring to make the slightest movement.
The ascetic couldn't help but glance sideways and asked, "Isn't this **Old Crow Monastery**? Where has the Monastery Master gone? "
"I killed the Monastery Master of **Old Crow Monastery**."
**Fang Xi** walked in and spoke frankly.
The ascetic was startled and couldn't help but ask again, "What about all those disciples and sect members?"
"Naturally, they were all sent to keep him company."
"Haha, excellent!"
The ascetic clapped his hands and praised greatly: "I, this ascetic, have long been dissatisfied with that Monastery Master of **Old Crow Monastery**. It was just that his transformation art was formidable; once he transformed into a fire crow, his escape light was hard to catch, so I didn't make a move. Recently, by a stroke of luck, I obtained a precious saber, and was just about to come and make a killing, who would have thought that the Monastery Master of **Old Crow Monastery** had already been dealt with by fellow Daoist."
**Fang Xi**'s gaze fell, and upon seeing the saber sheath at the ascetic's waist, he nodded slightly.
This saber sheath had an ancient, simple design, with thunder and fire patterns. The precious saber within was clearly not inferior either; it was a high-grade magical treasure.
Judging by this alone, this ascetic was already far superior to the Monastery Master of **Old Crow Monastery**.
As for whether he truly harbored enmity with the Monastery Master of **Old Crow Monastery**, or had merely changed his story on the spot.
**Fang Xi**'s fingers subtly moved within his sleeve, and he already had a conclusion in his heart.
After chatting a few more sentences, he learned that this ascetic called himself '**Tian Ku Tou Tuo**' and was a **rogue cultivator** from the **Kunyun River Water Abode**.
**Tian Ku Tou Tuo** chatted about a few interesting things from the cultivation world, ate a plate of tea snacks, and then said:
"I see that fellow Daoist is brimming with immortal aura and possesses deep magic power. You must be a person of great Dao. Recently, there's been a grand event in the cultivation world; I wonder if fellow Daoist is interested?"
"Oh? What grand event is that? " **Fang Xi** asked, feigning great interest.
"Has fellow Daoist ever heard of the Huashan School? " **Tian Ku Tou Tuo** said, "The Huashan School is a top-tier sect in the universe, possessing many precious sword arts and several immortal flying swords. Its prestige is only second to the **Shushan School**. . ."
The Huashan School was also an orthodox sect of the Xuanmen. Its current True Master was Patriarch Scorching Fire, who wielded the 'All-Heaven Scorching Fire Sword'. It was rumored that this sword was forged from the essence of Southern Brightness Lihuo, possessing earth-shattering power.
Among the fire-attribute flying swords **Fang Xi** had envisioned, this was once one of them.
However, after he obtained the **Fire Cloud Sword**, he temporarily put that idea aside.
It's just that both the **Fire Cloud Sword** and the **Taiyi Formless Sword** were too deeply connected to **Shushan**.
Even if his main body had personally refined away their imprints, that karmic connection would be difficult to sever.
If he carried them in this world, it would inevitably lead to some trouble.
Therefore, **Fang Xi** had left them all in the **Earthly Immortal World**, entrusting them to his main body's care, ensuring absolute safety.
"I have naturally heard of the Huashan School's renown. Why, is this matter actually related to such a sect? " **Fang Xi** gravely retorted.
"Not quite, but not far off. . . The Huashan School's third-generation grand disciple, **Yue Hu Zhong**, had somehow incurred the enmity of a disciple from **Divine Wood Island** in the Eastern Sea. . . Although the Huashan School is a prestigious sect, the Eastern Sea is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. There are many **Loose Immortals**, each occupying an island for secluded cultivation."
**Tian Ku Tou Tuo** said: "The Island Master of **Divine Wood Island** is said to be an old **Earth Immortal**, whose cultivation outcome is extremely profound, and who doesn't involve himself much in affairs. . . Besides, it's just a matter between juniors; it won't escalate to the elders. Therefore, **Yue Hu Zhong** and the Eldest Senior Brother of **Divine Wood Island** have agreed to settle it with a sword duel on the nineteenth day of the ninth month this year, on the shores of the Eastern Sea!"
"So, it's just a duel between two Sword Immortals."
**Fang Xi** felt a slight realization.
"It's not just a sword duel; it's a grand event rarely seen in the cultivation world in ten years!"
**Tian Ku Tou Tuo** said: "**Yue Hu Zhong**'s nickname is 'Peach Plum Immortal'. He has excellent connections and a wide network. . . Rogue cultivators from the Three Mountains and Five Sacred Peaks are calling upon friends to bolster his momentum. . . Of course, many cultivators from the Eastern Sea will also be coming. At that time, on the shores of the Eastern Sea, there will be a rare gathering in the cultivation world—a market. Doesn't fellow Daoist want to join in the fun?"
"This. . . indeed, I should go and experience it."
Hearing this, **Fang Xi**'s heart stirred.
He had recently grown restless from too much quiet, and indeed wanted to go out for a stroll.
After all, he hadn't truly come to this world to cultivate immortality, but rather to scavenge for all sorts of resources.
If he didn't go out and stir up some trouble, some big trouble. . . flying swords and celestial books wouldn't automatically fall into his lap.
'It's just that getting involved like this creates too much karma, which isn't the path of a cultivator seeking tranquil cultivation. . . '
'But I don't care. Even if it leads to karmic entanglement and ultimately brews into a killing tribulation, at worst, I'll just die. . . '
**Fang Xi** thought nonchalantly: 'This time, when I go out, I can search for the Five Elements True Sha and Primordial Magnetic arts. . . I've heard the Eastern Sea is incredibly vast, with many **Loose Immortals**, and perhaps even **Earth Immortals** and **Heavenly Immortals**; there should be plenty of good things there. '
"Excellent, then how about we travel together? " **Tian Ku Tou Tuo** slapped his thigh: "To tell you the truth. . . I've also invited the **Green Wave Fairy** from Cuiyun Cave and 'Old Daoist Green Ox' from Niu Family Village. . . It'll be lively if we all travel together."
"In that case. . . it would be rude to refuse."
**Fang Xi** agreed with a smile.
......
A few days later.
A spirit boat streaked through the high sky, carrying several Sword Immortals.
**Bi Bo Xian Zi** wore a verdant green dress, her smile gentle.
Old Daoist Green Ox looked just like an ordinary old farmer, with a green ox led by his side.
This green ox looked ordinary enough, but **Fang Xi**, perceiving it with his **Second Primordial Spirit**, knew it was extraordinary.
"**Tian Ku Tou Tuo**, I didn't expect you to have such good fortune on this outing. . ."
Old Daoist Green Ox said with a grin: "Just looking at this precious saber, it's no less impressive than an ordinary magical treasure flying sword, is it?"
"This 'Life-Slaying Taboo-Breaking Saber' of mine was unearthed from beneath a damaged stone statue in an ancient temple. Upon it are carved three thousand six hundred Buddhist incantations. It can fly out to injure people and fears no contamination from spells or foul objects. . ."
A hint of pride appeared on **Tian Ku Tou Tuo**'s face, but it quickly faded: "Of course, compared to true immortal flying swords, it still pales in comparison. Not to mention the personal sword of **Yue Hu Zhong** of the Huashan School, even on **Divine Wood Island**, there are countless thousand-year and ten-thousand-year Ironwood trees. . . which are excellent materials for refining 'Divine Wood Swords'. It is said that on **Divine Wood Island**, there is also a 'Ten Thousand Year Divine Wood Sword' that has already reached the Pure Yang Supreme Treasure level, possessing extraordinary power. I wonder if I'll be fortunate enough to see it this time."
'What 'Ten Thousand Year Divine Wood Sword'? As soon as I hear it, I feel a strong connection to it. Could it be the Sixth Generation** Green and Sword**? '
**Fang Xi**, who was quietly sipping tea to the side, raised an eyebrow and muttered to himself.
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