Chapter 120: Chapter 119 Return (Seeking Monthly Pass) _1 Chapter 120: Chapter 119 Return (Seeking Monthly Pass) _1 Over Thousand Island Lake.
A green shadow swiftly moved under the water, herding thousands of fish into an underwater cavern.
As the fish entered, numerous roots sprouted from the entrance of the cavern like a huge net, completely sealing it off and trapping all the fish inside…
Splash!
The big green fish emerged from the water, stepped on by Fang Xi: “Well done…”
As the fish king with a trace of flood dragon bloodline, the big green fish naturally had the ability to control schools of fish. Herding a large number to feed the Monster Tree was extremely simple for it.
The big green fish secretly blew a few bubbles, relieved that it wasn’t going to die.
As for betraying its own kind? There was no other choice…
Life as a fish is tough!
“Let’s go, take a look around!”
Fang Xi rode the big green fish, testing its speed in the water, which he found to be quite decent, barely enough for short-distance travel.
Even more, this fish had awakened a few water-based skills and could slightly leave the water surface to flap around for a bit.
“If it reaches the second rank, it should be able to control mist and fly away from the water surface… maybe it could really be trained into a mount or a spiritual pet.”
Fang Xi tapped the big green fish: “Hear that? From now on, herd the fish well for your master’s work, or I’ll still have to stew you…”
The big green fish nodded its head frantically, nearly shedding pearl-like tears.
“To be able to train a low-grade Spirit Fish into a first-rank superior, my Beast Controlling Skills should also be at a first-rank superior level now…”
Originally, Fang Xi had taken in the big green fish just to test various cultivation methods and to hone his Beast-controlling Skills.
And Fang Xi knew very well that he had barely managed to cultivate a Little Green Dragon after consuming a huge amount of snake dragon essence blood, marking it as a very cost-ineffective approach.
At least, the Zhong Family definitely did not use this method, otherwise, it would be too much of a loss…
Moreover, the big green fish’s rapid advancement was entirely dependent on the snake dragon essence blood.
Now that the essence blood was exhausted and the snake dragon itself was just a first-rank superior, it would be of little help to the big green fish’s future promotion.
To break through to the second rank, it would need a much longer time and many more opportunities.
…
After releasing the big green fish in Thousand Island Lake and instructing it not to go too far from Jadeite Cliff, Fang Xi did not meddle further.
After all, he had already imprinted his Divine Consciousness onto the fish and signed a Master-Servant Contract with it—controlling its life and death with just a thought.
At least before the fish advanced to the second rank, it had absolutely no power to resist.
He then went to inspect the growth of this year’s Spirit Rice in the Spiritual Field.
“Master!”
Hai Dagui, who had matured into a sturdy looking young man with dark skin, stood nearby with a smile on his face: “It looks like we’ll have another bountiful year!”
“Um, your reward will not be lacking when the time comes.”
Fang Xi nodded, then greeted Wang Xiaohu, who had the appearance of a young boy.
As Widow Wang was getting on in years, the work in the fields was mainly left to Wang Xiaohu.
Today, however, there seemed to be something the two wanted to say but were hesitant.
“What happened?”
Fang Xi plucked an ear of rice to examine and casually asked.
“Master, it’s like this, Lu Guo has recently returned to Peach Blossom Island…” Hai Dagui and Wang Xiaohu exchanged glances, with Wang Xiaohu stepping forward: “Five years ago, Brother Lu joined the United Law Enforcement Team. After fighting in the outside world for many years, he suffered a serious injury during his most recent operation. It’s said he had to repeatedly use secret skills that depleted his Primordial Energy to save his life, damaging his foundation, and was forced to retire from the enforcement team to recuperate on Peach Blossom Island…”
“Oh!”
Fang Xi’s expression was indifferent, with a hint of sentiment.
Ordinary people have no chance if they don’t take risks, but even if they do take the risk, the likelihood of ending up like Mu Wen or Lu Guo, with greater losses, is high!
The Cultivation World is even more brutal—losing there doesn’t just mean losing your capital, but possibly your life!
Lu Guo was lucky to have come back alive.
Wang Xiaohu and Hai Dagui looked at each other: “Brother Lu still wants to come back and continue working for the master.”
Although Lu Guo had saved up some Spirit Stones over the years, treating his injuries had cost most of it, leaving him truly penniless, unable to even afford renting a Dongfu, so he had to ask for help from his two friends.
“Oh?”
Fang Xi remained noncommittal: “Bring him to me, let me see him…”
…
Three days later.
Lu Guo entered the residence, looking at the familiar scenes and especially the flourishing Fang Xi, feeling as if everything was just like yesterday—his heart didn’t know quite what to feel as he respectfully greeted: “Master!”
“Hmm, Qi Refining Stage Six, not bad!”
Fang Xi held a fishing rod in his hand, occupied with fishing for the colorful koi in the pond.
With a sweep of his Divine Consciousness, everything about Lu Guo was laid bare.
First was his appearance; Lu Guo now looked like a young man, but with strands of white at his temples, suggesting a decline in vitality and even early aging, signs of damage to his Primordial Energy and possibly even shortened lifespan.
Beyond that, although he was at the Qi Refining Stage Six, his Magic Power was unstable, likely due to taking medicinal pills and not yet fully recovering from his injuries.
Originally, advancing two levels in five years wasn’t a bad bet for Lu Guo.
If he had sufficient luck, he could have slain powerful enemies for rewards, or possibly have been bestowed something from the Ling Kong Market, giving him a chance to break through to the later stages of Qi Refining!
Unfortunately, the tasks of the enforcement team were too dangerous, and although he had survived several calamities, he couldn’t always be that fortunate.
This time, he encountered a formidable enemy and had to use a desperate secret skill, ultimately damaging his foundation.
“Lu Guo ah… with your skill, farming for me is beneath your talents…”
Fang Xi shook his head, not willing to keep this person.
A cultivator who has seen bloodshed is very different from the likes of Wang Xiaohu.
A life taken by one’s hands hardens the heart, becoming an uncontrollable factor.
Fang Xi only wanted to peacefully farm. Recently, the Demonic Tree had accelerated its growth several times, and he felt that within decades he could cultivate the ‘Yi Wood Magic Body’, a goal he could not afford to fall short of.
“Master, my Primordial Energy is injured now, and I cannot easily engage in magic duels or hunt Monster beasts…”
Yet Lu Guo managed a bitter smile, “Master lacks a capable person by his side. Though unworthy, I have made quite a few friends over the years, and I am quite well-informed about matters outside Peach Blossom Island. I could gather information for the master and even occasionally run errands off the island…”
After all, he had served under Fang Xi and knew what the latter needed.
“That does sound good, but how can I trust your information gathering abilities?” Fang Xi cast aside his fishing rod and asked with a laugh.
‘This person… is still as forbearing and shrewd as before.’
Lu Guo suddenly felt hollow inside, sensing he was completely seen through by the other party. He quickly suppressed this discomfort and replied, “Master, were you aware that the young Island Master was once assassinated?”
“Hmm? When? Who was the assassin?”
Fang Xi really didn’t know about this; after all, both Hai Dagui and Wang Xiaohu belonged to the lower echelons of Peach Blossom Island and did not hear any secret news.
“This happened two years ago, I happened to know a bit of the inside story…” Lu Guo said calmly, “The assassin remains unknown, but they were at the later stages of Qi Refining. They gravely wounded the young Island Master, and if not for the high-quality magic weapon and the Life-saving Talisman the Island Master had given him, he might well have met his demise…”
“Who holds a grudge against Ruan Dan?”
Fang Xi was puzzled.
“Even without a grudge, enemies can exist. The young Island Master has an extraordinary talent. Five years ago, he displayed the cultivation of Qi Refining Stage six. Had he not been injured, he would probably have broken through to the latter stages of Qi Refining by now!”
Lu Guo analyzed, “Reaching the later stages of Qi Refining before the age of thirty is the standard for elite disciples of the large sects, a solid Foundation Establishment candidate, and might even have a sliver of hope for Core Formation in the future. There are too many people who do not wish to see this happen…”
“The taller the tree in the forest, the stronger the winds that will try to topple it…”
Fang Xi sighed. This made him think of Ruan Xingling; her process of Foundation Establishment must not have been easy, either.
And himself…
Well, now at forty-three, if he were to announce a breakthrough to the later stages of Qi Refining, it wouldn’t be a problem.
Breaking through to the later stages of Qi Refining before the age of forty is the ‘elite seed’ goal pursued by some minor families and sects, as there’s still a chance to reach the complete Qi Refining Stage before sixty, retaining a thread of hope for Foundation Establishment.
A breakthrough after forty attracts much less attention.
‘Trapped by the bottleneck for so many years, it’s time to break through.’
Fang Xi, who had actually reached the ninth Qi Refining level, thought to himself.
He looked at Lu Guo again.
This person’s analysis was logical and astute, showing both bravery and wit. If he hadn’t been severely injured, he might very well achieve something remarkable in the future.
“What is your view on the Silver Armored Demon?” Fang Xi asked another question.
“Although the Silver Armored Demon is formidable, he is ultimately just a Qi Refining Cultivator. Managing to escape from Foundation Establishment cultivators several times implies there must be strong support from a Foundation Establishment power behind him, and it’s highly likely that it’s the Dragon Fish Zhong Family!”
Lu Guo answered gravely.
If it wasn’t clear to everyone a few years ago, by now, many had caught on.
Moreover, it’s quite possible that the Dragon Fish Zhong Family and the Foundation Establishment elders of the Thirty Six Island Alliance had clashed in secret a few times.
The seemingly peaceful standoff between the two major forces of Thousand Island Lake is about to be broken, and what follows will be a real war among cultivators!
“A storm is coming over the lake!”
Fang Xi muttered to himself as he gazed towards Thousand Island Lake.
Splash!
Across the end of the horizon where the lake met the sky, dark clouds amassed and lightning flashed, and suddenly a torrential downpour began.
The rain fell upon the Little Cloud Rain Array, and was blocked by the Prohibition, slipping off the edges in streams…
He then turned to Lu Guo, “Enough, you may stay.”
“Thank you, Master!” Lu Guo bowed deeply, overjoyed.
…
Lu Guo returned to Peach Blossom Island and quietly constructed another hut at Jadeite Cliff.
Day by day, he farmed with people like Wang Xiaohu, Hai Dagui, and Widow Wang, occasionally running errands for Fang Xi and gathering intelligence…
For communicative purposes, Immortal Cultivators nearby would use Voice Transmission Talismans, while those further away could employ messenger pigeons or more advanced methods such as Flying Sword message delivery, Projection Talismans, Water Mirror Skills, and so on.
Therefore, merely gathering information didn’t necessitate leaving Peach Blossom Island.
Fang Xi, with all the reports, only felt that the Cultivation World of Thousand Island Lake was no longer at peace.
Robber cultivators ran rampant, and many well-known Individual Cultivators fell victim to foul play!
Even the families and sects that occupied their own islands were at risk of being overrun…
“When two major powers clash, they are bound to first stabilize the peripheries, clearing out third-parties and neutral forces…”
“The war between Thousand Island Lake and the Thirty Six Island Alliance is doing just that, first harvesting Individual Cultivators, and then pinning it on robber cultivators… Now, the one shouldering the most blame turns out to be myself!”
Fang Xi, looking at intelligence reports about the ‘Silver Armored Demon’ who wiped out entire families, was rendered speechless.
Affected by this, Peach Blossom Island was also on edge, as the prices for magical artifacts and talismans began to rise. Various exchange events were held frequently; all cultivators waited in trepidation for the judgment…
One year later.
News arrived that the Mo Family of Black Sand Island had been exterminated!