Chapter 158: Chapter 157 Old Friend (Seeking Subscriptions)_1
Spring departed and autumn arrived, the cycle of cold and heat revolved...
Before he knew it, several more years had passed by.
Peach Blossom Pavilion.
Inside the training room.
Fang Xi was circulating his exercise through the meridians and felt the formation of another drop of liquid magic power within his Dantian Qi Ocean, which brought a smile of delight to his face.
"By my reckoning, I am sixty-six years old this year, and I have accumulated twenty-six drops of liquid magic power within the Dantian Qi Ocean. Before the age of one hundred, there should be a chance to break through to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment!"
The rapid progression of his cultivation was naturally the result of Fang Xi’s daily relentless practice.
Even though he played games with Jin Ling on a daily basis, it was merely a diversion from cultivation and he never slackened in his demands on himself.
Moreover, the ’Green Wood Longevity Skills’, while not as good as the top magic spells, were nevertheless considered a fine piece. Among the cultivators at the Foundation Establishment level, it certainly did not drag him down.
Besides that, it was thanks to the effort in cultivating the ’Green Wood Spiritual Body’.
Fang Xi now deeply felt that his decision to go and plant trees back then was an extremely wise one.
Otherwise, with his lower quality Spiritual Root, his cultivation at the initial stage of Foundation Establishment would surely have been extremely arduous; how could he have progressed so effortlessly?
"At this rate, I am subtly catching up to, or even surpassing Luo Gong who built his foundation on his own... and that person has the support of White Peak Mountain, possesses top magic spells, cultivates on a grade-two superior Spiritual Vein land, and from time to time has assistance from spiritual pills..."
"Hmm, I must not neglect my Breath Concealment Skills... After decades of arduous practice, when I break through to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment and combine it with the Monster Tree’s magic power concealment technique, even a cultivator at the perfect Foundation Establishment stage might not be able to detect my breakthrough..."
As for Core Formation cultivators?
In these three countries, there were only so few of them; the probability of running into them outright was very low.
Fang Xi emerged from seclusion and took out some Spirit Food to feed the fish.
At this time, Jin Ling came to report, "Young Master... there are visitors outside delivering an invitation, claiming to be old acquaintances from Peach Blossom Island!"
"Quickly invite them in, never mind... I’ll come out to welcome them myself!"
Fang Xi stepped out of the Peach Blossom Pavilion and saw several people waiting at the entrance.
Ruan Xingling, dressed in peach-colored palace attire with average features, the cool and detached Ruan Dan, and the excited Wei Yixi...
Following them were Lu Guo and Wang Xiaohu, who stood to the side, shivering and shrinking, like country folks entering the city for the first time.
"Uncle... have you really succeeded in Foundation Establishment?"
Wei Yixi stepped forward, wanting to tug at Fang Xi’s sleeve, yet seemed hesitant. "I wanted to come find you after receiving a letter a few years ago, but the Island Master dissuaded me, saying it was better to travel together to the great auction for mutual support..."
"Mhm!"
Fang Xi, as usual, patted Wei Yixi’s head, causing her to squint her eyes contentedly.
"Senior Fang, we meet at last!"
When Ruan Dan saw Fang Xi, who still carried the graceful demeanor of a young master, whose appearance had not aged at all, and seemed even younger, her expression slightly shifted, and she proactively greeted him.
"Your cultivation is not bad, having reached the ninth level of Qi Refining. You must have been diligent in your cultivation over these years... Eh? Your hand?"
Fang Xi looked at Ruan Dan’s right arm, noticing that it wasn’t empty as before, but now had a segment of arm as fair as a white lotus root.
"Thanks to my master, who found a grade-two Spirit Medicine for me, I’ve already regenerated my limb..." Ruan Dan looked gratefully at her own master.
"Grade-two spiritual pills that can regenerate limbs are indeed exceedingly rare... It must have been difficult for the Island Master to find one," Fang Xi commented with some admiration.
"Compared to Sir, who defied the heavens to change his fate and build his Taoist foundation before sixty, it is really nothing..."
Ruan Xingling looked at the present Fang Xi, her expression somewhat distant.
"Please, everyone, come inside..."
Fang Xi laughed heartily and looked towards Lu Guo and Wang Xiaohu.
"Greetings, Master; congratulations on achieving Foundation Establishment!" Lu Guo and Wang Xiaohu quickly paid their respects.
"No need, just call me Young Master from now on!"
The group entered the Peach Blossom Pavilion, all admiring the beauty and aura of the place.
Wei Yixi glanced at Jin Ling, then looked at Ruan Xingling, pondering something...
...
Underneath the Peach Blossom Tree.
Fang Xi set the table and poured a cup of "Green Bamboo Wine" for Ruan Xingling, while Ruan Dan stood by her side.
Since she did not sit, naturally no one else had a place to sit either.
Wei Yixi, on the other hand, was at the edge of the pond greeting Daqing, the big green fish, after a long absence, giggling merrily.
"After many years, Island Master, your charm is undiminished!"
After pouring the wine, Fang Xi said with a cheerful laugh.
"This scene, these emotions, they’re just like in the old days..." Ruan Xingling held the cup and looked at the courtyard full of peach blossoms with emotion. "Who would have thought, the farmer who once tilled the soil at Jadeite Cliff would become a celebrated cultivator of the Fairy City with successful Foundation Establishment?"
"Haha... Only after decades of toiling in the fields and an accidental breakthrough past the latter stage of Qi Refining did I once more kindle my hope for the Taoist Path... Then, I arrived in Baize Immortal City, and by luck, I managed to cultivate to the perfect Qi Refining stage before the age of sixty. I also fortuitously obtained a Base-building Spiritual Object and hastily entered seclusion to break through... Now that I look back, it really feels like a stroke of luck!"
Fang Xi seemed to be filled with emotion as he spun the fabricated tale he had prepared long ago.
"Alas... for an Individual Cultivator to achieve Foundation Establishment is quite difficult; Sir’s accomplishments today are surely no fluke."
Ruan Xingling, apparently stirred by some memories, silently gazed at her wine cup.
She was at the perfect stage of Qi Refining a dozen years ago and is still at that stage today.
Even her age was not much different from Fang Xi’s; had she not been taking Youth-Retention Pills, she would be like an ordinary old woman by now.
"I see that your spirit, essence, and energy are still harmonious, Sir. You must have some plans for coming to the big auction,"
Fang Xi took a sip of "Green Bamboo Wine" and savored the bitter taste within, suddenly striking up a conversation.
"It’s just a desperate gamble..." Ruan Xingling gathered her hair behind her ears, the roots of which were faintly tinged with white.
’This woman must be over sixty, having missed the prime age for Foundation Establishment... Does she still aspire to establish her foundation? Perhaps... she has cultivated some secret skill that preserves her vital essence?’
Fang Xi never underestimated the Cultivation World, which was filled with countless wondrous skills capable of maintaining one’s vigor even after the age of sixty.
But the older one was when attempting to break through, the greater the danger, as was the case with Su Lie—where the probability of failure and death increased greatly!
He glanced at Ruan Xingling but refrained from offering advice, simply saying, "I happen to have an invitation to the grand auction. Would you like to go with me?"
As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, his status naturally filtered out many risks.
"No need..."
Ruan Xingling seemed to have plans of her own: "At that time, please take care of my disciple and these few people..."
She was a clever woman. By taking advantage of the grand auction, bringing her disciple and a few acquaintances of Fang Xi, she probably had other plans in mind.
"That’s fine!"
After contemplating for a moment, Fang Xi finally showed a smile: "Jin Ling, take Yi Xi and the others downstairs to choose rooms... My place is quite empty and is indeed in need of occupants."
He guessed that Ruan Xingling knew full well that Thousand Island Lake was no benevolent place and had already intended to let her subordinates escape.
Yet, for some reason, she could not leave herself...
’Only a chance at Foundation Establishment could cause a person as resolute as Ruan Xingling to act like this, right?’ Fang Xi lamented inwardly, opting not to persuade her further.
Any further attempt to dissuade would be akin to generating enmity on the Taoist Path, which could ruin even the best of relationships.
As for the inferior Foundation Establishment Pill in his Storage Bag?
Fang Xi was planning to sell it through the black market. Giving it to his companions wasn’t out of the question, but it posed a slight risk of exposure, and he was still hesitating about it.
...
Half a month later.
At the base of White Peak Mountain.
Grand auction venue.
"Brother Li... Long time no see!"
Fang Xi, dressed in a green robe, stepped into the venue, greeting various Foundation Establishment fellows.
The number of Foundation Establishment individuals living in Baize Immortal City was just a handful, and they were all familiar with each other. Besides, with the prospects of a Long Life, no one wanted to make enemies lightly—at least everyone would greet each other with a smile.
Fang Xi did the same, exchanging pleasantries along the way, when he encountered Prime Taoist Huangsha.
"Sir Fang..."
Prime Taoist Huangsha’s voice was still as hoarse and harsh as a broken gong. Upon meeting, he brought up a different matter: "I have some business outside the city, and just recently, one of my subordinates reported that a female cultivator borrowed Spirit Stones without returning them, and even invoked your name..."
Those Foundation Establishment individuals living in Baize Immortal City often had some influence, and this Prime Taoist Huangsha had established his own power, engaging in Spirit Stone exchange for Spirit Crystals and loaning businesses in the outer city.
Fang Xi was taken aback and asked, "Who is this female cultivator?"
"Fairy Teng Luo... Do you know her?" Prime Taoist Huangsha stared at Fang Xi’s face.
"She is just a former neighbor of mine. Whatever you decide to do with her, Sir, I will have no objections," Fang Xi replied upon hearing it was her, feeling an ironic amusement.
"I see. Then I know what to do..."
After discussing this minor issue, Prime Taoist Huangsha reassured Fang Xi: "Such small figures always like to conduct affairs under our banner. Rest assured, Sir, if this woman only owed Spirit Stones, it would still be tolerable, but daring to tarnish our reputation, I shall teach her a lesson she won’t forget..."
Fang Xi made a few more perfunctory remarks and saw a group from White Peak Mountain entering the venue.
Leading them was still Ouyang Zhen, with Yuan Feihong and Luo Gong at the back of the group.
"Good day, Mr. Ouyang!"
"Greetings, Sir Ouyang!"
As Ouyang Zhen entered the venue, he naturally attracted many Foundation Establishment cultivators’ welcoming gestures.
Only a few, confident in their own status, remained seated and unmoved.
Among them were two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Apart from them, there was an unfamiliar group wearing purple robes embroidered with Spirit Marks that shimmered and formed clusters of purple mist, clearly indicating powerful body-protecting spells.
"Who are those people over there?"
Fang Xi approached Yuan Feihong and Luo Gong and casually inquired from Luo Gong.
"That’s the Yiling Valley sect from Martial Kingdom, led by ’Ziyun Sword’ You Chong..." Luo Gong glanced over and conveyed through Divine Consciousness Transmission.
"I see, the disciples of a major Golden Core sect, no wonder..."
Fang Xi responded with a smile.
"Sigh... Yiling Valley is known to have the strongest background among the nearby three countries, even Master Ouyang has instructed us not to offend them..." Luo Gong complained.
"Oh?"
Fang Xi was somewhat surprised; he knew Yiling Valley had a well-ordered heritage and Martial Kingdom was well-organized, but he had not realized that among the three countries, this sect was not the strongest but had the most significant backing.
"Of course... The Ancestral Founder of Yiling Valley was once a personal disciple of a Yuan Ying True Monarch from Mixed Origin Sect in Yuan Country..."
Luo Gong shared this not-so-secret fact among the upper echelons through Divine Consciousness Transmission.