Chapter 225: Chapter 224: The Dispute Over Evil Qi (Seeking Monthly Tickets) _1
A month later.
Evergreen Pavilion.
Fang Xi was holding a jade slip, his expression fluctuating.
It was a letter from Ruan Xingling.
This woman had been challenged by an Individual Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment level named Chong Ruhu half a month ago.
This Individual Cultivator, Chong Ruhu, who had already reached the mid-Foundation Establishment phase, had his eye on Maple Leaf Island. However, he was defeated by Ruan Xingling.
Only then did the cultivators around Thousand Island Lake realize that Ruan Xingling had already broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment phase in secret, mastering several secret skills from the "Mysterious Sound Skills," significantly increasing her strength.
Moreover, Liu Sanqi also appeared in this battle, surprisingly to help Ruan Xingling, which was commendable.
"The Long Family hasn’t arrived yet, and so many things are happening..."
Fang Xi stroked his chin, "Why do I feel like if the news of my breakthrough to the mid-Foundation Establishment phase hadn’t spread... that Chong Ruhu might have come to challenge me instead? Did Ruan Xingling take a bullet for me?"
According to the description in Ruan Xingling’s letter, this Chong Ruhu practiced both magic and physical cultivation. His body-refining technique had reached the fourth realm, comparable to the early phase of Foundation Establishment; he could transform into a Monster Tiger, suspected to be an inheritance of the "Ten Thousand Beast Body" lineage. His Qi Refining cultivation level had also reached the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, which made him exceedingly difficult to deal with.
’It’s a pity to lose such abundant Blood Qi as fertilizer...’
Fang Xi felt somewhat regretful.
"Young Master..."
At that moment, Yan Hongxue came in holding a plate of pastries, her voice soft and seductive.
"Hongxiu... Hm?"
With a sweep of his Divine Consciousness, Fang Xi was a bit surprised, "You’ve reached Qi Refining completion? It seems you’ve been truly diligent in your cultivation recently... To break through before the age of sixty is indeed rare."
"This is all thanks to the master’s sharp wake-up call back then; your servant has no way to repay you..."
Yan Hongxiu was about to lean against Fang Xi when suddenly, footsteps sounded from outside.
"Young Master, Xiahou Ying requests an audience!"
Xiahou Ying’s deliberately loud voice came in.
"Hmph..."
Yan Hongxiu, looking irritated, pulled her shoulder garment back into place and stood to one side.
Xiahou Ying entered with a smile, as if only just noticing Yan Hongxiu, "Oh... Is Sister Hongxiu here as well? Did the little sister interrupt something?"
"Not at all, your timing is just right..."
Fang Xi laughed heartily, only to see Xiahou Ying straighten up with earnest expression, "To report to Young Master... Zhan Tu has arrived and is requesting an audience outside the island!"
"Oh? Let him come in."
He waved his hand, signaling Xiahou Ying to step back.
It wasn’t long before the woman led in a tall, handsome man dressed in Mysterious Heaven Sect’s disciple robe, who carried a whiff of medicinal herbs on his person, into the Evergreen Pavilion.
"Zhan Tu pays respects to the Island Master... I am grateful for the Island Master’s support over the years, a great kindness that I can never repay... I have prepared a modest gift, please accept it, Island Master."
Upon seeing Fang Xi, Zhan Tu immediately gave a deep bow and presented a gift.
Though it wasn’t worth many Spirit Stones, it was very delicate and must have been prepared with care.
"Enough, after all, you are a disciple who left Dragon Fish Island... In the future, in Mysterious Heaven Sect, cultivate well and strive to reach Foundation Establishment soon to uphold the prestige of Dragon Fish Island."
With a sweep of his Divine Consciousness, Fang Xi noticed that Zhan Tu had also achieved Qi Refining completion.
Not only this, comparing magical power, purity, and the Cultivation Secret Skills practiced, he was far ahead of Yan Hongxiu.
’With his talent of dual high-grade Fire and Wood Spiritual Roots, if this man consumes a Foundation Establishment Pill, he has at least a sixty percent chance of success in Foundation Establishment, a bit more assured than Yan Changkong back then...’
’In comparison, this maidservant beside me... even if she fortuitously obtains a Foundation Establishment Pill, the success rate would only be between thirty and forty percent.’
Fang Xi glanced at Yan Hongxiu and shook his head.
After talking with Zhan Tu for a while, he sent him down to visit his parents.
’This person... hehe, did he foresee Dragon Fish Island’s emergence of Black Wind Evil and specifically come to ask for it?’
Fang Xi stroked his chin, looking thoughtfully at Zhan Tu’s departing figure.
The effects of Black Wind Evil and Foundation Establishment Pills slightly overlap. If used together, the chances might cancel out a bit.
But it is still better than nothing!
Furthermore, it can also be submitted to the Sect to obtain a large reward of merit points!
With these merit points, after borrowing some from the master and sectmates, he might be able to gather enough to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill!
Before long, Xiahou Ying came back to report, "Zhan Tu did not go to visit his parents in the mortal world first but went to the fish farm to pay homage at Elder Zhong’s grave..."
"Hmm, that’s acceptable... Elder Zhong didn’t misjudge the person, after all."
Fang Xi didn’t care much about such minor matters and walked out of the Evergreen Pavilion.
With a sweep of his Divine Consciousness and seeing the slight change in Yan Hongxiu’s expression, he found it quite amusing.
...
Half a month later, an Escape Light landed in front of the Profound Wood Formation, revealing the figure of Yan Changkong.
With an insouciant posture, he flicked his sleeve, and a Voice Transmission Talisman flew out, entering the Great Array.
A moment later, Fang Xi stepped out on an Azure Horn Fish Dragon to welcome him, "So it’s Sir Yan. You’ve come quite a bit earlier than the appointed procurement day..."
"Yes, recently, there’s been an earth-shattering piece of news from Baize Immortal City, which I thought I’d share with Mr. Fang..."
Yan Changkong, cheerful and smiling, accompanied Fang Xi back to the Evergreen Pavilion. After taking a sip of Spiritual Tea and without beating around the bush, he revealed, "Master Bai Feng has finally made an appearance!"
Previously, rumors abounded that this Master had either disappeared or passed away.
Now, he finally showed up again?
"Oh, it seems like Baize Immortal City has experienced quite some upheavals..." Fang Xi was not anxious; after all, he was an outsider, feeling as if he were listening to a play.
"Indeed... When Master Bai Feng was severely injured and went missing, it turned out he had gone to Yuan Country to purchase high-level Healing Spirit Pills and took the opportunity to recuperate..."
Yan Changkong revealed a secret, "This information was obtained by our Mysterious Heaven Sect. It initially spread from Yiling Valley and it must be accurate!"
"So, that’s how it is."
Fang Xi nodded repeatedly, and he also felt a tinge of regret, "I didn’t expect... once Master Bai Feng left, it would be for so many years, and Baize Immortal City has declined quite a bit..."
As for how much of this involved the schemes of the Golden Core Sects, there was no need to mention it.
"Exactly... Even his trusted disciples were kept in the dark about the news. As a result, a few ran away in past years, and one was killed by a cultivation-robber... Master Bai Feng purposefully concealed the news, presumably with the intent to test them. Who would have thought it would come to this... Tsk tsk..."
Yan Changkong’s tone betrayed a hint of taking pleasure in the misfortune of others.
"Now that Baize Immortal City has regained stability, the various Sects will also take action to settle the chaos... This wave of disorder is finally about to pass."
Fang Xi let out a sigh of relief.
With the rich resources of Baize Immortal City, who would be willing to stay in a remote and poor place?
Not to mention, the chaos in Thousand Island Lake was caused by those Individual Cultivators who had come to avoid disaster!
"I should congratulate you, Mr. Fang..."
Yan Changkong cupped his hands together, affirming Fang Xi’s guess.
The two chatted for a while longer before Yan Changkong brought up the matter of procurement.
He was going to purchase a large amount this time, including a large batch of second-tier Talismans, as many Little Green Dragons as possible...
Moreover, he offered a very generous price. Fang Xi did a quick calculation and realized that Yan Changkong wasn’t making much profit from this trade, was merely being a go-between for free, and was even likely to incur some losses.
’This man...’
Fang Xi took a deep look at Yan Changkong and agreed to the deal.
Clearly, Yan Changkong had also come for the Black Wind Evil in his possession.
Although they didn’t mention Yan Hongxiu during their conversation, his presence here spoke volumes.
Watching Yan Changkong’s departing figure, Fang Xi’s eyes flickered:
’Furthermore... He doesn’t need to speak ill of Zhan Tu; just by standing here, he himself is the best example... A lesson on investing in Sect disciples, like giving a meat bun to a dog!’
’Human nature... truly is a complex thing.’
’Speaking of which, why should I gift the Black Wind Evil? Wouldn’t it be fine if I auctioned it off at Baize Immortal City, or even refined it into a Spiritual Instrument myself?’
He complained in his mind, but he had already made a decision.
...
A few days later, Fang Xi directly summoned Zhan Tu.
"Greetings, Island Master!"
Zhan Tu bowed deeply, his manners flawless and impeccable.
’Handing over the Black Wind Evil to this person could indeed bring greater profit... After all, with good talent, he might go further on the Taoist Path...’
’But what a pity... do I care about profits?’
Fang Xi sneered to himself, though his face showed nothing: "Zhan Tu, after all, you are someone who set out from Dragon Fish Island. For your upcoming Foundation Establishment, this Island Master is willing to lend you five hundred Spirit Stones, as long as you sign a contract and swear to repay the principal with interest."
For a Cultivator with no hope on the Taoist Path, a Heart Demon Oath might not matter much.
But Zhan Tu was to attempt Foundation Establishment, and at such a major threshold, any discord in his spirit would drastically reduce the chances of success!
"Sir Fang..."
Zhan Tu initially wanted to say something but in the end didn’t say anything at all, bowing once more, "Thank you, Island Master... I am willing to take the Heart Demon Oath!"
"You’re not bad..."
Fang Xi watched him so sensibly and even shared some insights on Foundation Establishment, making Zhan Tu leave with a hint of joy on his face, taking the five hundred Spirit Stones.
"Young master..."
After Zhan Tu had left, Fang Xi ordered someone to call for Yan Hongxiu.
Yan Hongxiu looked at Fang Xi, her eyes full of unrest.
"You have now reached the pinnacle of Qi Refining and are soon to pass the age of sixty. Do you dare to try Foundation Establishment?"
Fang Xi asked with a smile.
"I thank the Island Master for his great kindness. I wish to attempt Foundation Establishment!"
Yan Hongxiu immediately knelt down, bowing deeply as she spoke.
Without a Foundation Establishment Pill, using Base-building Spiritual Objects for Foundation Establishment meant failure could lead to death or the dissipation of one’s cultivation path.
Not to mention, Yan Hongxiu was very close to turning sixty now, quite like Fang Xi back then.
"In that case, this bottle of ’Black Wind Evil Essence’ is bestowed upon you."
Fang Xi nodded and tossed a jade bottle filled with black liquid over, "Remember... during Foundation Establishment, avoid distractions, focus single-mindedly on liquefying your Spiritual Power..."
Yan Hongxiu, holding the jade bottle, tried to calm her emotions and etched Fang Xi’s instructions deeply into her memory.
"During Foundation Establishment, the external Spiritual Pressure will also have an impact..."
Fang Xi, determined to be thoroughly kind, smiled, "When you attempt Foundation Establishment, I will set up a Spirit Gathering Array for you, letting the spiritual energy in the closed-door cultivation room break through to the lower grade of tier three..."
Yan Hongxiu left with tears moistening her eyes, while Xiahou Ying quietly stepped in: "Young master..."
"I have always been good to those around me. If you reach the pinnacle of Qi Refining, I will also sponsor your Foundation Establishment..."
Fang Xi shook his head, "It’s a pity..."
Upon hearing this, Xiahou Ying couldn’t help feeling downcast...