Chapter 219: Chapter 218: Alliance Meeting (Congratulations to Yusheng for joining the Silver Alliance!)_1
Regarding the affairs of Ling Kong Island, Fang Xi could only tell Yan Hongxiu to stay calm and then wrote several letters to inform Yan Changkong and Ruan Xingling, as well as to ask Liu Sanqi about the situation.
After all, this was a matter for the Yan Family, and it was only right for the Yan Family to take the lead!
One month later.
Fang Xi received a reply from Ruan Xingling, who wanted to invite the Qi Refining cultivators currently at Thousand Island Lake to a small gathering.
He sent back a message stating that unless the location was set at Dragon Fish Island, he would definitely not go, or he would just send a representative.
Ruan Xingling communicated with Liu Sanqi and Li Lei, and finally, the four Foundation Establishment cultivators gathered at Dragon Fish Island.
...
In the mid-air of Evergreen Pavilion, an Azure Horn Fish Dragon several dozen feet long was lingering around the pavilion, its massive body surrounded by clouds and mist, making the pavilion seem like a scene from the realm of Immortals.
"Mr. Fang, your Spiritual Beast is truly magnificent!"
Li Lei laughed heartily.
He was a middle-aged cultivator with a fierce appearance, dressed in a purple robe, and behind him stood two Qi Refining followers.
One of them was extremely old, with a head full of white hair and a sickly appearance—it was none other than the seventh son of the Yan family!
Although Li Lei seemed to parade immense power, he actually had the lowest level of Foundation Establishment among the others, barely in the initial stage even now.
"It’s just a Spiritual Beast I’ve been raising; it advanced by chance..."
Fang Xi waved his hand dismissively, ignoring Li Lei’s greed and probing, and went straight to the point, "Fairy Ruan has brought us together today, there must be some guidance!"
"Ever since Baize Immortal City has been in turmoil, the number of foreign cultivators in Thousand Island Lake has increased, and the incidents of murder and looting are endless. This trend must not be allowed to continue!"
Ruan Xingling glanced at Fang Xi before getting to the main point, "Today, this humble one has invited you all to gather for the first matter, which is that we four Foundation Establishment cultivators must set rules!"
"Naturally!"
Li Lei laughed loudly, "The people I detest the most are cultivation-robbers!"
He casually pointed to the Yan Family patriarch beside him, "Patriarch Yan, don’t you agree?"
"Cough cough... Indeed, that’s right... cough cough..."
The Yan Family patriarch seemed to be hanging by a thread, now coughing as he spoke, "Senior Li saved our Yan HongYe from desperate straits and even took her as a concubine. We’re part of the same family now. The second-tier Spiritual Vein on Ling Kong Island was willingly rented to Sir Li and his followers to reside in. As for the Yan Family? We still have a first-tier Spiritual Vein on the island, which is also enough for cultivation... cough cough..."
Yan HongYe was Yan Hongxiu’s youngest sister, who was married off as a secondary wife to the Dragon Snake Island Master for resources.
"Uh... may I ask how the Dragon Snake Island Master is now?"
Although Fang Xi knew that Li Lei did not dare to annihilate the Yan family and had chosen roundabout methods—probably out of consideration for the face of Mysterious Heaven Sect’s Yan Changkong—he couldn’t help asking.
"Hmph... The type of people I hate most in my life are those who benefit from harvesting others; I’ve already killed him offhand!" Li Lei snorted coldly, replying with a righteousness.
"Patriarch Yan... is that really so?"
Fang Xi looked toward the Yan Family patriarch, who seemed indeed close to death after his previous illness.
"Cough cough... Indeed!"
The Yan Family patriarch bit back tears and blood, grinding his teeth as he replied.
In his heart, though, was full of desolation.
With Ling Kong Island having fallen to such a state, he had already sought help secretly from Mysterious Heaven Sect’s Yan Changkong.
Yet Yan Changkong actually didn’t come!
Such a cold-hearted nature he had, to such an extent!
This made the Yan Family patriarch lose almost all his will to live, feeling as lifeless as dead wood, his heart ashen...
"Then let’s settle the matter this way..."
Ruan Xingling shook her head; one must help oneself before others will help, and seeing the current state of the Yan Family, she didn’t want to say more, "Since all fellow Daoists have their own cultivation places and something to rely on for daily cultivation, this is very good..."
Just then, Li Lei’s eyes flashed, and he spoke, "We Foundation Establishment cultivators must surely take up the responsibility for maintaining the peace of Thousand Island Lake. I suggest we patrol regularly... Moreover, the four of us can sign an offensive and defensive alliance, and agree to help and watch over each other in the future, what do you think?"
The other three major cultivators—Liu Sanqi was at mid Foundation Establishment stage, and Ruan Xingling had a fearsome reputation among the Spiritual Beasts. Even if Fang Xi was known for slaying a second-tier, medium-grade monster beast, he really dared not offend them all at once but rather wished to form an alliance to counter newcomers!
’Has the situation really deteriorated this much?’
Fang Xi and Ruan Xingling exchanged glances, both somewhat surprised.
Li Lei made such a proposal obviously predicting that even more Foundation Establishment cultivators would come to Thousand Island Lake for refuge in the future!
Even possibly, cultivator-robber gangs with the power of Foundation Establishment!
"Well..."
Fang Xi shook his head, bluntly refusing, "I only wish to guard my own patch on Dragon Fish Island. Patrolling the lake or forming an alliance or such, there’s no need for that..."
He was currently unable to leave the island and, on the island itself, he was unafraid of most dangers—to sign such an alliance would be to court discomfort for himself.
Would he have to rescue his allies if they fell into danger?
It would be a joke.
Li Lei’s expression changed slightly, "Brother Liu, Fairy Ruan... what do you two think?"
"As for an alliance, which lacks actual constraints, indeed, there’s really no need..."
Ruan Xingling glanced at Fang Xi and said indifferently, "As for the matters of the future, let’s focus on actions rather than intentions... However, I do ask everyone to try their best not to involve the low-level cultivators of Thousand Island Lake..."
...
The gathering ended, naturally, in an unhappy departure.
Ruan Xingling deliberately stayed behind, looking at Fang Xi with a teasing smile, "Recently, Baize Immortal City has been turbulent, and the original Pill Tool Pavilion is about to lower its prices. It seems that our decision to sell back then was indeed wise, and it shows that you, Sir, have quite a talent in this aspect..."
Fang Xi did not wish to leave Dragon Fish Island, and Ruan Xingling, perceptive and intelligent, holding the secret Core Formation skill in hand, might have guessed something.
But she said nothing, her heart also doubting her own judgment.
After all, even if Fang Xi had found a third-order Spiritual Root, the Spiritual Vein on Dragon Fish Island was only of the second-order, and there was simply no way to cultivate Longevity Skills.
Even with means like the Spirit Gathering Array, the consumption was too great, the loss outweighing the gain. Individual cultivators could not afford the substantial investment of Spirit Stones every year.
"That is only natural, but it’s also related to our status. As Foundation Establishment cultivators, a bit of movable wealth, regardless of profit or loss, can be calmly waited upon. Stretching time, finding the best opportunity to sell. If one is still at the Qi Refining Stage, with a limited lifespan, perhaps they can only be eager for quick success and instant benefits, as foolish as Dongmen Ying..."
Fang Xi did not care whether Ruan Xingling had guessed anything or not. After all, he had now established his foundation. Like a tiger that does not leave its cave, he feared nothing. He smiled back, "After all, it was just some external wealth. Whether it was a gain or a loss at the beginning is not important... but now, with the Immortal City in turmoil and individual cultivators everywhere, quite a few cultivation-robbers are taking the opportunity to act, and some of them are vicious characters. If you encounter any, you can temporarily seek refuge on Dragon Fish Island..."
"Thank you!"
Ruan Xingling bowed solemnly in gratitude.
Although she had a karmic relationship with Fang Xi but without any commitment, they remained very good friends.
To have such a relationship in life, was also a great fortune.
...
"Brother Liu..."
Two Escape Lights, one after the other, instantly flew out from Dragon Fish Island.
Li Lei controlled a purple wooden shuttle, catching up to Liu Sanqi: "Brother Liu, you left so quickly... Haha, back then, several brothers from Three Points Hall and I were injured by a ’Toxic Lash Python’ in the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range. Thankfully for Brother Liu’s miraculous healing abilities, otherwise our souls would have scattered long ago... I have yet to properly thank Brother Liu. Come, let’s go to Ling Kong Island together and have a few good drinks!"
Both he and Liu Sanqi were outsiders, not comparable to Fang Xi and Ruan Xingling, but they were natural allies.
"Sir Li..."
Liu Sanqi let out a long sigh and shook his head, "I have other matters, so I won’t go to Ling Kong Island... We are all individual cultivators of Foundation Establishment from Fairy City, and if there’s something, we can discuss it well, no need to turn against each other..."
Having said that, he didn’t wait for Li Lei to reply, turning into a Blue Light and flying away hastily, clearly unwilling to wade into these muddy waters anymore.
Li Lei watched Liu Sanqi’s retreating back, his expression gradually becoming emotionless.
"It seems this person doesn’t want to get involved... Truly strange, that Ruan Xingling and Fang Xi are only at the initial stage of Foundation Establishment, and although their battle achievements are not bad, how can they compare with the masters of the middle stage of Foundation Establishment?"
A faint Divine Consciousness Transmission suddenly sounded beside him.
Splash!
The water of the lake parted, revealing a person in black clothing.
It was clear he was of Foundation Establishment Cultivation, having been hidden here earlier, Liu Sanqi hadn’t even noticed!
"It’s normal for Liu Sanqi, who is always amiable, not to want to participate in our plans... Today I proposed an alliance, and that Fang Xi flatly refused, obviously on high alert. If he cannot be a friend, then he is an enemy!"
Li Lei stroked his goatee, "Above Thousand Island Lake, the most precious two second-order superior Spiritual Veins are occupied by that pair of lovebirds. The chaos in Baize Immortal City is unpredictable, we must find a good place for cultivation..."
Although Ling Kong Island also has a second-order Spiritual Vein, it is barely at the lower tier of the second order, just about sufficient for Foundation Establishment cultivators at the initial stage.
However, once accustomed to the abundant spiritual energy of Baize Immortal City, any cultivator who wanted to make progress on their Daoist Path would aim for a higher-grade Spiritual Vein.
"...Those two, one a Pill Master and Talisman Master, the other a Talisman Forger... indeed wealthy individuals."
The man in black clothing let out a strange laugh.
"Not only that, I have inquired well. It’s been over forty years since the last collection from the Ground Evil Lake on Dragon Fish Island..."
Li Lei’s eyes gleamed darkly, "And that Azure Horn Fish Dragon... its stimulated Flood Dragon Bloodline has a three to four out of ten chance of forming an Inner Core! These are two Base-building Spiritual Objects! Enough to pique the interest of some old fellows worried about building the foundation for their descendants and apprentices..."
"It seems your primary target is Dragon Fish Island?"
The man in black clothing fell into thought.
"The spiritual energy and resources of Dragon Fish Island are better than Maple Leaf Island, not to mention Fairy Taoling, whose combat methods are sharp. She was once famous in Baize Immortal City, renowned even above Fang Xi... Obviously, you choose the weaker adversary."
Li Lei’s eyes darkened, "Although this Fang Xi must also have hidden strengths, we could spend years planning... For plotting against a Foundation Establishment cultivator, several years are necessary. By then, let cultivation-robbers break through Dragon Fish Island, and then we can retake it... Won’t the Spiritual Vein and resources all be ours then? Haha... Haha..."
He let out a deep chuckle, evidently quite experienced in such matters.
Those individual cultivators who survived Baize Immortal City and reached Foundation Establishment clearly had their own exceptional capabilities.
This Li Lei, his true identity was actually that of a cultivation-robber!
"So... that could be quite profitable."
The man in black clothing also nodded, not opposing the idea, "But, on that island, guarded by a second-order Great Array, poses a problem... A Foundation Establishment cultivator defending with a second-order Array is difficult for even a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator to break through..."
"That’s simple... Look at this!"
Li Lei took out a wooden box from his Storage Bag and carefully opened it, revealing a silver glow.
"To actually possess this kind of Talisman!"
The man in black clothing took in a sharp breath: "It’s impressive that you managed to get your hands on it..."
"Haha... after all, I’ve been struggling in Baize Immortal City for so many years, there’s always some opportunity," Li Lei said with a proud laugh.