Chapter 111: Chapter 110: Rumors (Congratulating in Silver)_1 Chapter 111: Chapter 110: Rumors (Congratulating in Silver)_1 Several days later.
Lu Guo returned to Jadeite Cliff, bringing back two Spirit Beast Bags for Fang Xi.
One of them was even inclined towards the water attribute, probably because he knew Fang Xi was raising a Spirit Fish.
This cleverness made Fang Xi regard him with increased respect.
As long as Lu Guo could get things done, and do them well… the occasional skimming off the top was excusable.
Regarding the other’s privately hidden assets, he turned a blind eye.
…
Half a month later.
Fang Xi sat under the Peach Blossom Tree, holding a peach wood branch in his hand.
His hair was jet black, tied into a bun with a peach wood hairpin casually threaded through it, and he wore white clothing, focusing intently on carving the branch in his hands.
Peeling the bark, drying, carving array patterns…
When all the processes were complete, this peach blossom wood branch had become the flagpole for an Array Flag.
Immediately after, Fang Xi took out a flag made of woven Spirit Silkworm Silk and combined it with the pole, infusing it with Magic Power.
Humming!
Above the Array Flag, strands of array patterns lit up, forming a Prohibition without the slightest hitch or fault.
Seeing this, Fang Xi couldn’t help but smile, knowing that this Array Flag had been successfully refined.
The next moment, he slapped his Storage Bag, and two identical Array Flags appeared, along with a small, Eight Diagrams Array Disk studded with Spirit Stones.
“Minor Misdirection Array, activate!”
He released the three Array Flags, spreading them around the pond, sending series of Magic Spells into the Array Disk.
In an instant, mists arose, concealing the area around the pond.
Various glows flickered continuously, and then the spot where the pond originally was had turned into an ordinary wall and stone tiles, as if the entire pond had disappeared without a trace.
Through the Array Disk, one could still see the bottom of the pond, where there seemed to be a bewildered fish…
The Minor Misdirection Array—a low-grade, first-level Array that only has the abilities of concealment and misdirection. In terms of range and power, it is far inferior to the Little Cloud Rain Array.
It is basically used by Immortal Cultivators of the secular world to block ordinary people!
But its significance is profound, as it is the first Array instrument Fang Xi has ever refined!
The more Fang Xi studied Arrays, the more he found their mysteries infinite, to the point that a Cultivator could exhaust their whole life’s efforts and not even scratch the surface.
The same is true for Alchemy and Talisman-making.
Thus, he only focused on perfecting a single Alchemy Skill.
And his achievements were quite gratifying.
Having the advantage of using Divine Consciousness to probe into the cauldron and observe the changes in medicinal properties on the spot, Fang Xi progressed in Alchemy Skill at an astonishing rate. He began to attempt refining low-grade, first-level detoxification and healing pills, far surpassing his previous novice ability of only refining Avoiding Grain Pills.
As a result, various materials were consumed rapidly.
Even though Fang Xi was well-prepared, he felt his stockpile dwindling day by day…
“Perhaps… after I achieve small accomplishments in Alchemy, I should start earning money by refining pills?”
Fang Xi habitually kept an Array technique as his trump card.
Moreover, refining pills only required others to bring materials over, whereas an Array might require on-site setup and adjustments… totally against his principles.
…
“Master!”
Days later, Widow Wang came to visit, her expression indignant.
“Friend Wang, what has made you so angry?”
Fang Xi appeared calm and serene, with a faint smile on his face.
“It’s those old hags, bad-mouthing you behind your back… I couldn’t stand it, and I cursed them out!”
Widow Wang had a rather fiery temperament; otherwise, she wouldn’t have dared to take her child and seek a living as a tenant farmer on an outer island.
“Oh? What did they say about me?”
Fang Xi showed some interest.
“Those nasty women said… said the master is ungrateful, only caring for his own little piece of land like an old turtle…”
“Also, they said the master is already seriously injured, and any fight would only worsen the injury, so he dares not take action against anyone…”
Widow Wang recounted the rumors one by one.
Fang Xi found it quite interesting to listen.
Seeing that he really didn’t seem to mind, Widow Wang thought this master had an incredible tolerance.
“My personal honor or disgrace is a minor matter. The key to Peach Blossom Island rests on the Island Master… What about the previous decisions?”
Fang Xi got to the crux of the matter.
“It’s been decided. In two months, the Island Master will take action personally, challenging Old Gold Teeth Weirdo!”
Widow Wang’s face was full of worry: “The wager is the shops of the three Ling Kong Island markets. The outcome is not determined by victory or defeat, but rather the bet is that the Island Master can withstand Old Gold Teeth Weirdo for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. If she loses, the contracts for the shops will naturally be handed over. If she wins, Old Gold Teeth Weirdo will no longer interfere with the three shops and will also have to compensate with a sum of Spirit Stones!”
“A magical duel contract?”
Fang Xi murmured to himself.
Ruan Xingling’s Spiritual Root talent was much better than Fang Xi’s previous self, possessing a superior Spiritual Root. After ten years, she must have at least reached the ninth layer of Qi Refining!
To face a Cultivator at the Great Perfection of the late Qi Refining stage with the peak of the late Qi Refining stage, the possibility of enduring for the time it takes an incense stick to burn was uncertain.
However, Fang Xi believed that Ruan Xingling, since daring to propose the duel, naturally had some confidence.
And it was normal for Old Gold Teeth Weirdo to agree.
This was a demonstration of strength!
If Ruan Xingling could withstand him for the duration of an incense stick, then should numerous Cultivators clash, the disciples of Golden Tooth Island would suffer heavy casualties!
Not to mention, with the support of the Arrays on Peach Blossom Island, Old Gold Teeth Weirdo would surely not be able to defeat Ruan Xingling, therefore he could only step back!
Ruan Xingling could not hold up in Peach Blossom Island forever, and there were also Cultivators from White Feather Island and Black Sand Island. If Old Gold Teeth Weirdo gave up face and specifically attacked lower-level Cultivators, it would be difficult to handle.
Thus, a duel of mutual compromise was the most suitable solution.
‘The Cultivation World isn’t all about fighting and killing; once the strength is relatively even, social graces become very important…’
Fang Xi reflected thoughtfully and dismissed Widow Wang.
He returned to his cultivation room and began practicing the Eternal Spring Skills.
Ever since he had cultivated the Green Wood Spiritual Body, Fang Xi’s cultivation speed had increased several times compared to before, his magic power elevating smoothly and addictively!
Based on Fang Xi’s estimates, even without consuming any elixirs and relying on a Tier-One Spiritual Vein, he was confident he could advance a level in five years, and reach the ninth level of Qi Refining within ten years!
Advancing in the later stages of Qi Refining was much more difficult than during the middle stage.
Advancing a level every five years was the speed of someone with an upper-grade Spiritual Root!
Like Ruan Xingling!
She was at the seventh level of Qi Refining ten years ago, and by now she had reached roughly the ninth level of Qi Refining!
Fang Xi estimated that if he still possessed a lower-grade Spiritual Root, it would take at least ten years of arduous cultivation to completely master the seventh level techniques, not including overcoming the minor bottlenecks!
“Even if it takes ten years, I’ll be only forty-three. By reaching the ninth level of Qi Refining, and spending another ten years, I can definitely achieve Qi Refining Great Perfection. At fifty-three, I can start preparing for Foundation Establishment… That’s the standard of a fairly talented individual from a Qi Refining family.”
As for the disciples from Golden Core Sects?
Those who enjoy Tier-Three Spiritual Veins, along with personal guidance from their masters and a steady supply of elixirs, and having inherently superior Spiritual Root aptitudes, often reach Qi Refining Great Perfection in their twenties or thirties before attempting Foundation Establishment.
Fang Xi had no desire to compare himself with them!
Well… he actually couldn’t compete even if he tried…
…
Time flew by swiftly.
Two months passed in the blink of an eye.
Today was the day arranged for Ruan Xingling to duel with the Old Gold Teeth Weirdo.
Lu Guo got up early in the morning, intending to go to the agreed-upon dueling spot—a deserted reef—but he hesitated to venture out alone.
He had nothing of value and didn’t even have a flying artifact, so once he left the island, he would have to swim…
“Master!”
Widow Wang arrived with Xiao Hu, dressed quite formally, “The duel is at noon. When do you think we should set out?”
“Never mind, you all go. I don’t want to join in on the excitement,” Fang Xi shook his head.
He was wearing a large-sleeved robe, his hair hanging loose, his hands tucked into his sleeves, looking very much like a carefree immortal wanderer.
“But… this is a battle for the Island Master, which concerns everyone on Peach Blossom Island… Aren’t you always on good terms with the Island Master? Every year around the New Year, the Island Master visits you to taste the new wine…”
Widow Wang was somewhat confused.
Could it be that Master Fang, as the rumors outside claimed, had suffered a serious injury and didn’t dare to leave Peach Blossom Island?
Unfortunately, she didn’t dare to ask and could only take Lu Guo and Wang Xiaohu in a Spirit Boat, joining the other cultivators of the island to watch the duel…
…
Once these people left, Jadeite Cliff was suddenly enveloped in silence, cold and clear…
“Finally… everyone’s gone, and now it’s quiet!”
Fang Xi picked up the gourd at his waist, pulled out the stopper, and took a swig of Peach Blossom Wine.
The Spirit Wine flowed down his throat, leaving a light fragrance of peach blossoms lingering in his mouth.
He chuckled softly and stepped out of Jadeite Cliff.
Below Fang Xi’s feet, roots and tendrils of the Monster Tree were growing and spreading… seemingly following his every step…
…
“Peach Blossom Island seems quite desolate recently…”
By the shore of Mirror Moon Lake.
Fang Xi took another sip of Spirit Wine, enjoying the view of the Spirit Lake.
The lake was crystal clear, with lush grass and little fish and shrimp swimming within.
It was said that within the lake, Spirit Fish were also raised!
Though not as prestigious as the Green Jade Carps of the Dragon Fish Zhong Family, these were fish seedlings that Ruan Xingling had purchased at a high price. Now they had gradually formed a sizable population, earning a significant amount of Spirit Stones each year.
The current peace and tranquility of Peach Blossom Island also attracted many Individual Cultivators to settle down, either as guest cultivators or by renting Dongfus.
If this continued until the Immortal Seedlings from the Spirit Testing Conventions matured, the island would indeed become a burgeoning and thriving force.
There weren’t many people around Mirror Moon Lake either.
Apparently, even those who weren’t interested in spectating the duel still had to show their loyalty to the Island Master.
Fang Xi thought for a moment and then climbed Gemini West Peak.
Near the Spirit Land of Gemini West Peak, there was actually a layer of fog.
“First Rank Low-Tier—Illusion Array?” Fang Xi was somewhat surprised: “Did they really manage to save up enough to create a whole array for Hua?”
Seeing this array, he couldn’t help but feel the itch to test his skills. His Divine Consciousness began to reach out, searching for its vulnerabilities.
This was a low-grade array, and being the worst kind—a dead array—it wasn’t difficult for Fang Xi, who had become an Array Master, to find its flaws.
Shortly after, he walked into the fog, moving forward and back at times…
After a couple of steps, the view cleared, and he found himself in a valley full of fragrant blooms.
“Who are you?”
Fang Xi was a hands-in-sleeves and admiring the flowers when a crisp and pleasant voice suddenly rang out.
He looked down to see a round-faced little girl with fair cheeks, neat buns on her head, wearing a simple white dress, looking extraordinarily adorable. She was blinking her shiny black eyes, looking at him curiously from top to bottom.
“Me?…” Fang Xi’s mouth curved into a slight smile, “I’m your uncle…”