Chapter 168: Chapter 167: Neighbors (Congratulations to the Silver Alliance!)_1
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, several more years had passed.
Having just celebrated his seventieth birthday, Fang Xi walked out of a pharmacy with a somewhat somber expression.
His plan to gather pills and recipes that could enhance Divine Consciousness had been a bust from the start.
"Even the pharmacies owned by the major powers in the Inner City sell only the more common types of second-rank pills and recipes... Pills that can boost Divine Consciousness are incredibly precious, available only at auctions. As for the recipes, they are the exclusive skills of certain second-rank alchemists, not for sale... I was too naive."
Luckily, Fang Xi didn’t feel too discouraged. Life is full of disappointments, and one can’t always expect perfection in all things.
Having now purchased a few second-rank pill recipes, he had established a reputation as a lower second-rank alchemist. From time to time, besides Qi Refining cultivators, he had even received a few orders from fellow Foundation Establishment cultivators to concoct pills for them.
Overall, the income was just enough to cover the rent with a little to spare, ensuring a long-term stay in Baize Immortal City was possible.
’Besides... I’ve mostly figured out the information about the Black market... Maybe it’s time to take a trip there.’
In Fang Xi’s Storage Bag were many materials for Demon Cultivation from the Situ Jia, items better not sold openly in the markets.
Besides those, there was also that low-quality Foundation Establishment Pill.
Even though it had been well-preserved, the potency of such a pill could only last around twenty years. If he didn’t sell it soon, it would be worthless.
Fang Xi was ready to visit the Black market to find an opportunity to sell.
"Hmm?"
As he returned to Peach Blossom Pavilion, he noticed that the Dongfu nearby had also been rented out.
"Uncle..."
In the courtyard, Wei Yixi was playing with Daqing the fish. Seeing Fang Xi, she immediately approached with a pitiful look, "I want to go home. No one’s taking care of my Jade Bees and the Spiritual Field at home..."
Over the years, Wei Yixi was kept close by Fang Xi’s side and surely had her temperament well-shaped.
Now skilled in Beast-controlling Skills, as well as a supplementary veterinarian path, she could be considered a craftsman in her own right.
However, the longing for home was strong, even after all this time away.
Even with Baize Immortal City’s superior spiritual energy and the availability of all her needs, she still felt homesick.
"The situation is unstable right now, don’t go back..."
Fang Xi sternly admonished, "The Spirit Land isn’t going anywhere, it won’t sprout legs and run off..."
In his heart, he knew that Jadeite Cliff was merely a brief stop in his life, but for Wei Yixi, it was the legacy of her parents, who had fought with their lives.
Birthplace, upbringing, the place called home, how could one easily let go?
Seeing Wei Yixi’s forlorn expression, Fang Xi’s tone softened unconsciously, "Here in the city, you can focus on improving your cultivation. Your Spiritual Root is good, and you have a chance at Foundation Establishment... If you can reach that, it would truly honor the spirits of the Huas and the Weis in heaven..."
Comforting his grand-niece, Fang Xi looked at the peach blossoms filling the courtyard, thinking about the matter of the neighboring Dongfu. Ruan Dan returned with a hint of joy on her face, "Uncle Fang, my master has returned... and invites you to visit."
"Oh?"
Fang Xi’s eyes lit up, and he immediately had some speculations.
The Dongfu next to the Peach Blossom Pavilion, known as ’Bi Bo Cave’, was shaded by green trees with spiritual energy around the intermediate second-rank level, sufficient to satisfy the needs of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"Brother Fang!"
Ruan Xingling stood at the entrance of the Dongfu, greeting him in person, her face beaming with smiles.
"Xingling, why didn’t you let me know you were coming back?"
Fang Xi pretended to complain but naturally entered the Dongfu.
This left Ruan Dan standing there dumbfounded, looking at Fang Xi’s expression, feeling endlessly complicated, wondering if she would have to start calling Uncle Fang ’Grandmaster’ in the future?
...
Inside Bi Bo Cave.
Ruan Xingling ushered Fang Xi into a quiet room, then with a wave of her hand, she closed the door, making Ruan Dan feel like an outsider.
"Rise!"
Fang Xi lifted his hand and released several Array Flags, which sunk into the walls. A shimmering glow emerged, forming a barrier.
"All set, we should be able to speak in secret without fear of leaks here."
He sat cross-legged, his expression solemn, "Over these years, Xingling... have you taken action?"
By ’taking action’, he naturally meant reporting to Mysterious Heaven Sect the presence of Demon Cultivators at Thousand Island Lake.
He had long considered doing so himself, but later left it to Ruan Xingling.
Yet, several years had passed and it seemed silent as ever.
The calmness of Thousand Island Lake was exactly what made it abnormal!
Ruan Xingling tucked her hair behind her ear as she poured a cup of Spiritual Tea for Fang Xi, her expression tinged with bitterness, "Of course I did... Hiding my identity, I delivered messages to the Protection Cultivators in several Mysterious Heaven Sect marketplaces... You can guess the results."
"Mysterious Heaven Sect remained inactive?"
Fang Xi’s pupils narrowed, "Could it be the ’Ancestor Jiang’ of Mysterious Heaven Sect has passed away?"
The Core Formation Cultivator seated within the Mysterious Heaven Sect was ancient, often referred to as the living fossil of Yue Country’s Cultivation World, rarely addressed by his real name, only as ’Ancestor Jiang’.
"Impossible!"
No sooner had he spoken, Fang Xi shook his head, "If a Golden Core cultivator died, no matter how much Mysterious Heaven Sect might try to conceal it, the news would have already spread throughout Yue Country, maybe even thrown into chaos..."
"My thoughts are the same as Brother Fang’s, so there can only be one possibility..." Ruan Xingling’s bitter smile deepened.
"Tolerance? The Mysterious Heaven Sect has actually tolerated demon cultivators occupying Thousand Island Lake? Does the sect’s leader not realize that the ’Destroy Heaven Alliance’ intends to destroy the ’heaven’ of the Mysterious Heaven Sect?"
Fang Xi fell into contemplation.
Ruan Xingling seemed to be deep in thought, "When Xingling was traveling, the battle for the destruction of the Situ Family coincided, and in this battle, the greatest losses were suffered by the other Foundation Establishment noble families... And the Situ Family’s afterward retaliation mostly focused on direct culprits like the Song Family due to the overwhelming strength of the Mysterious Heaven Sect. The Heaven Talisman Shen Family even got exterminated because of this... If we reason backward from the results, not only did the Mysterious Heaven Sect emerge unscathed from the Situ Family’s extermination, but it also significantly weakened forces such as the Foundation Establishment noble families of Yue Country..."
"If this is a scheme, then the Mysterious Heaven Sect’s planning is profound!"
Fang Xi suddenly felt a chill, as if he saw an invisible giant hand wantonly twiddling with the chessboard of Yue Country.
Back then, in the secret realm of Purple Dark Mountain, they used interests to lure numerous noble families to jointly attack Red Leaf Valley and the Situ Family.
Afterward, they allowed the Situ Family to retaliate, striking back at the major Foundation Establishment powers...
And now, they even tolerated the Situ Family recuperating in Thousand Island Lake... If the demon cultivators should return full force in the future, the Song Family might well be the one to bear the brunt of the impact!
This is probably also part of the Mysterious Heaven Sect’s scheme, to allow the Destroy Heaven Alliance to regain some primordial energy and continue to clash with the Song Family to the death!
"They’ve used the Situ Family as a knife over and over... The key is that this knife has to act according to the wishes of their enemies... Those remnants don’t even understand this, such pitiable creatures!"
Fang Xi couldn’t help but sigh.
Ruan Xingling’s face showed emotion, "When Xingling traveled, I once heard a saying—’Foundation Establishment is but clouds above the heads of the Cultivation World in Yue Country, but the Mysterious Heaven Sect is the actual sky’! Now that I think about it, those words couldn’t be truer!"
Clouds may cover the sky for a time, but when the wind blows, they vanish into nothing.
Only that expanse of ’sky’ remains unmoved!
People may spit towards the sky or throw stones... but, in the end, it only falls back on their own heads!
"This matter... must not be disclosed to a third person, Xingling you..."
Fang Xi looked at Ruan Xingling.
"Brother Fang doubts Xingling?" Ruan Xingling smiled with pursed lips, "Before every action, Xingling always hides her identity... After that, I flee thousands of miles away, then take a detour back to the Fairy City, preparing to stay for a good while."
"In that case, it’s good, but it’s still troublesome for Xingling to take action one last time... This time, lets choose the market of the Song Family."
Fang Xi thought for a moment and spoke thoughtfully.
The Mysterious Heaven Sect might not care about demon cultivators of the Destroy Heaven Alliance, but the Song Family definitely would.
Fang Xi would be happy to see the Song Family go to Thousand Island Lake and duel to the death with demon cultivators.
Even... if their speculation is true, this would be going with the flow, as if aided by the heavens!
The Mysterious Heaven Sect would also be happy to see the Song Family deplete its strength like this and may even add fuel to the flames.
"The Song Family?"
Ruan Xingling looked at Fang Xi with a slightly odd expression; she had also specifically inquired about the story of that time.
It can only be said that the Song Family was foolish to provoke Fang Xi...
But in her heart, she also felt speechless, feeling that Fang Xi hid too deeply.
Even if he didn’t show himself too prominently, even if he was merely as outstanding as Luo Gong, perhaps Baize Immortal City would have made a different choice.
"Hmm, if it’s the Song Family, then this plan can succeed. Perhaps Xingling can return to her homeland sooner..."
However, Ruan Xingling said nothing, simply committing the matter to memory silently.
...
A long time later, Fang Xi exited the closed-door cultivation room and ran into Ruan Dan, who was moving to this area.
"Uncle... Fang!"
Ruan Dan performed a salute, nearly unable to maintain her frosty demeanor.
"Hmm... From now on, we are neighbors. If you need anything, feel free to come to me."
Fang Xi nodded slightly and left.
His relationship with Ruan Xingling could only be considered more than friends, but less than lovers.
Fang Xi rather admired Ruan Xingling’s temperament.
As for her plain appearance, that was truly ordinary!
Fang Xi had never been too fond of beauties who could overturn states, after all, beauty is also the source of disaster!
On the contrary, a modest jade of a woman with distinct temperament and a gentle and kind heart is preferred.
As for a Taoist Companion?
Fang Xi’s aspiration lay in the Dao; he had not thought about such matters.
Moreover, since reaching the Martial God Realm, his control over vital essence was exceedingly perfect, and he currently had no plans for siring offspring.
...
Inside the closed-door cultivation room of the Peach Blossom Pavilion.
Fang Xi operated his cultivation technique and found that the liquid limit of magic power of the ’Green Wood Longevity Skills’ had reached twenty-nine drops.
"It’s slower than I estimated, indeed cultivation becomes more difficult later on..."
This liquid magic power, when depleted in fights, recovers fairly quickly, but slowly increasing the upper limit was quite difficult. Fang Xi had nothing to complain about, relying on his natural talent and the Spiritual Vein, persistently pushing forward every day!
After running the cultivation technique through a major cycle, he started practicing the ’Thousand Thread Puppet Controlling Skills’. When his Divine Consciousness grew weary, he recovered slowly through rest.
After completing all of this, Fang Xi communicated with the ’Treasure Mirror’ through his Divine Consciousness and entered the Fragment World.