Chapter 235: Chapter 234: Forming Grudges (Congratulations to the Silver Alliance!)_1
Although Master Bai Feng’s injuries had healed, his severe wounds had greatly depleted his primordial energy, possibly shortening his lifespan.
Moreover, this elder’s lifespan didn’t seem to be long, and after the last lesson, it was time to consider nurturing a successor.
In the past, Ancestor Jiang had come from thousands of miles away to assist, and Master Bai Feng was unable to compete for the Demon Pill of the Golden Crowned Thunder Roc, nor was it proper to dispute it, leading to Ouyang Zhen grievously losing his opportunity for Core Formation.
Last time, Master Bai Feng risked grave danger and ventured deep into the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range to hunt a Monster King, all for another third-tier Demon Pill, but unfortunately, he came close to success only to suffer heavy injuries.
Nowadays, with the emergence of the Nine Leaves Sect’s ruins, even Ouyang Zhen personally arrived, indicating the importance Baize Immortal City placed on it.
"The Nine Leaves Sect is after all a great sect, possessing several Core Formation Masters. The relics might contain Core Formation Spiritual Objects... This time, we disciples of Baize Immortal City, must all aid Brother Ouyang,"
Yuan Feihong spoke with resoluteness in his voice, then his expression turned to a bitter smile, "Not just us from the Baize Immortal City, Mysterious Heaven Sect, Green Wood Sect, and Yiling Valley also have disciples who have come. Leading the team from Yiling Valley is ’Purple Cloud Sword’ You Chong, a genius once in a blue moon, who cultivated to the late stage of Foundation Establishment in just sixty years, and is a seed of Yiling Valley for Core Formation, as well as a sword cultivator... He had a conflict with Spirit Sword Sect outside Jade Island and with three sword moves, grievously injured Li Rujian..."
This time, his respect towards Fang Xi was much greater than before, having heard of Fang Xi’s victory over a late-stage Foundation Establishment sword cultivator.
’Poor Li Rujian... No, wait, did he recover from the injuries I inflicted last time?’
’This You Chong, taking advantage of me!’
Fang Xi complained in his heart and silently shed a sympathetic tear for Li Rujian.
It’s not easy for this old man at all, first his great-grandson died, then he was grievously injured twice, and it’s highly likely his lifespan will be reduced...
Watching Yuan Feihong’s leaving figure, Fang Xi sighed again, "The four major Core Formation powers... The situation in Thousand Island Lake is really chaotic now... It’s likely that the Situ Family might also take the opportunity to get involved."
Just thinking about that scene gave Fang Xi a headache.
"Fortunately... I just won’t leave my home!"
"The outside world is full of turmoil, what has it got to do with me?"
...
Two years later.
There was news from Jade Island.
Under the joint efforts of several second-tier Array Masters, using a precious third-tier Prohibition-breaking Talisman to attack a weak spot, they finally managed to damage part of the Nine Leaves Sect’s Island Protection Great Array’s prohibitions.
After all, even though this array was considered a superior third-tier, it was a Dead Array that had deteriorated over the long passage of time, creating an opportunity for its breakdown!
Cultivators exploring the area could thus penetrate deeper, gaining access to certain areas of the island.
Then, without doubt, a great battle erupted!
The prelude to the battle was the discovery of a Spiritual Medicine Garden, rumored to be filled with various Heavenly and Earthly Spiritual Medicines.
There were even Golden Jade Ganoderma that were several hundred years old!
Such Heavenly and Earthly Spiritual Objects, which even the spiritual energy of the outside world struggled to sustain, were the main ingredient for concocting Foundation Establishment Pills, immediately making countless cultivators’ eyes turn red with desire.
Not to mention, there were other rare Spirit Medicines in the garden which, if swallowed raw, could greatly benefit cultivators in the middle or even later stages of Foundation Establishment.
A fierce battle broke out immediately, even rashly affecting the prohibitions, causing the Island Protection Great Array to counterattack.
It was said that the cultivators who rushed into the Spiritual Medicine Garden lost six or seven out of ten on the spot, and those who were lucky to escape faced various encirclements, blockades, and ambushes. The eventual survivors were all tight-lipped, but they must have brought out a lot of good stuff.
"Wonder how they are doing now..."
Fang Xi put down the jade slip, took a sip of Peach Blossom Brew, and sighed.
According to Zhong Hongyu’s message, when the incident happened she was stationed at Ling Kong Island, but Ruan Xingling and Liu Sanqi happened to be right in the middle of the Jade Island ruins.
As a result, both of them have yet to send any messages till now.
"Hope nothing has happened..."
It was common for cultivators to risk their lives for a breakthrough and even perish in the process; Fang Xi was prepared for that mentally.
A month later.
"My lord, the night is deep and the dew is heavy, but the starry sky is bright tonight..."
Fang Xi was drinking tea at the top of Evergreen Pavilion when a woman with skin so delicate it seemed it could be broken by a blow and a gentle demeanor, carrying a plate of pastries, came in.
This was a relative of Xiahou Ying, named Xiahou Xin.
Ever since Yan Ying became Fang Xi’s new favorite rapidly, Xiahou Ying had begun to semi-retire and recommended her clan member Xiahou Xin to replace her own vacated position.
"Hmm, just leave it there..."
Looking at the beautiful form of Xiahou Xin, Fang Xi secretly appreciated that his tastes had never changed; he had always liked young and beautiful women!
"Hm?"
Just then, his expression shifted slightly, and he let out a long howl.
In an instant, Fang Xi was standing on the Azure Horn Fish Dragon, high above Dragon Fish Island.
In the night sky not far away, several streams of radiance engaged in a furious chase, moving at extreme speed, clearly Foundation Establishment Cultivators’ clash!
With one pink and one green trail fleeing in front, chased by several streams of purple light behind, they were heading straight for Dragon Fish Island!
These Foundation Establishment auras were all very strong, and the two fleeing ones, Fang Xi recognized all too well.
It was Liu Sanqi and Ruan Xingling!
"Get inside the formation first!"
Fang Xi quickly conveyed his message through Divine Consciousness Transmission, raising a hand to pull out an Array Flag.
The mist at the edge of the Profound Wood Formation dissipated, allowing the pink and green Escape Lights to enter the formation and then promptly closed it again.
"Thank you, Mr. Fang..."
Liu Sanqi’s complexion was pale, with traces of blood still on his chest, as he bowed to express his gratitude.
Ruan Xingling seemed to be in fair condition, but she also looked as though she had suffered some damage to her Primordial Energy.
"It seems... the two of you have reaped quite a harvest in the Jade Island’s Spiritual Medicine Garden!"
Fang Xi quipped.
He was well aware that Liu Sanqi likely possessed some kind of Wooden Element Spirit Body, which endowed him with a natural talent for finding Spirit Medicine.
Moreover, both of them were skillful at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment and would not normally be chased and attacked by a group at Foundation Establishment for no reason.
"Alas... Just a few stalks of Golden Jade Ganoderma, and a single eight-hundred-year-old ’Pill Cloud Vine’..."
Liu Sanqi sighed in response.
"Not bad, not bad, that eight-hundred-year ’Pill Cloud Vine’ can be used to refine ’Rushing Essence Pills’, aiding Cultivators at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment to break through to the later stage. Even eating it raw has some effect... As for the Golden Jade Ganoderma, needless to say, even if we do not need it, it can be sold for tens of thousands of Spirit Stones..."
Fang Xi nodded, then glanced at Ruan Xingling standing beside him.
The woman did not say a word, merely standing to the side, focused on dealing with outsiders.
"Liu Sanqi, Ruan Xingling... hand over the ’Pill Cloud Vine’ quickly."
The purple glow condensed to reveal three Cultivators dressed in purple robes, the leader of whom was none other than ’Ziyun Sword’ You Chong, whom Fang Xi had met once before!
But now, this person had already reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and his Sword Qi was extraordinary.
He gestured to stop his junior brothers and came to the edge of the Profound Wood Formation. A flash of purple Qi in his eyes seemed to penetrate the barriers of the Profound Wood Formation, directly sighting Fang Xi and the others hidden behind the mist.
"Dragon Fish Island’s Lord Fang Xi?"
The corner of his mouth held a cold smile. As a Core Formation Seed of a Core Formation Sect, he acted with impunity in the three kingdoms, "Do not think that defeating a third-rate Sect’s late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator makes you someone notable... Take this opportunity to promptly open the Great Array and surrender those two, or else don’t say you weren’t warned!"
"Mr. Fang, I am willing to offer you the ’Pill Energy Vines’..."
Within the Great Array, hearing You Chong’s threats outside, Liu Sanqi bit his teeth, took out a jade box painfully, and spoke.
As an Individual Cultivator, he naturally understood the wisdom of not contending with the powerful. He ran because he feared You Chong might directly kill for treasure, given his previous actions had deeply offended the man.
Giving up the Pill Energy Vines now was just a way to use Fang Xi, handing over the Spiritual Medicine to You Chong to avoid disaster with the loss of money.
In this cutthroat Cultivation World, even negotiations or showing submissiveness required one to have means to knock a few teeth out of the strong, or else it was like sending sheep into the tiger’s mouth!
Now, with three mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators relying on the Dragon Fish Island Array, they just barely had the leeway to negotiate or show submissiveness.
"Pill Cloud Vine? Truly good stuff..."
Fang Xi opened the jade box, and inside lay a section of cinnabar-colored vine as thick as a baby’s arm, covered with dense patterns and exuding a refreshing fragrance.
"I am also at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, and I was just worrying about not having magical pills to break through when my Magic Power peaks... Liu Sir, you really are fortunate!"
He casually stuffed the jade box into his Storage Ring, then partially opened the Array to reveal himself.
You Chong, who had been observing Fang Xi’s every move, had already become grim-faced: "Fang Xi... do not deceive yourself!"
"Sir You... are you aware of a rule on my Dragon Fish Island: once you’re on my Island, all grudges dissipate!"
Showed a gentle smile on his face, Fang Xi spoke calmly, "In the ruins, what one gains is all due to chance. Your actions seem to lack fairness... How about we give each other some face and make peace?"
"Hmph, that Pill Cloud Vine was clearly in the hands of one of my junior brothers first, it was this person beside you who colluded with Ruan Xingling to ambush my junior brother..."
You Chong snorted coldly: "Today, I not only want the Spiritual Medicine but also to capture those two behind you for questioning. What can you do about it? Grudges dissipated, what an arrogant claim!"
"Alas..."
Fang Xi sighed deeply: "If that is the case, then please proceed, Sir..."
You Chong’s face flashed with purple Qi, and his fellow mid-stage Foundation Establishment junior brothers were also ready to take action, some already taking out second-tier Prohibition-breaking Talismans.
But the next moment, a clear chime suddenly came from You Chong’s lower abdomen, causing his face to change, his Escape Light to stop abruptly, breaking into a smile: "Very well... I always knew Dragon Fish Island’s Master has sharp swordsmanship, but I did not expect his words to be just as sharp. I shall have to ask for a lesson from the Island Master some other time... Let’s go!"
Before the sound faded, You Chong rode the Sword Light, circled around, and returned the way he had come.
"This..."
The mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators looked at each other in bewilderment and then hurried to follow suit.
A potential catastrophe dissipated into thin air.
"Mr. Fang..."
Liu Sanqi watched the scene, somewhat dumbstruck.
You Chong had always been the type to draw his sword at disagreement, so how did he endure so much upon reaching Dragon Fish Island?
But on a second thought, didn’t he lose out on the ’Pill Cloud Vine’ then?
Liu Sanqi looked eagerly at Fang Xi, then his expression became serious: "For saving my life, I will repay you another day!"
Although he grieved the loss of the Spiritual Medicine, he knew that without Fang Xi, today’s event might not have been resolved at all.
"Hmm, this ’Pill Cloud Vine’ can refine several ’Rushing Essence Pills’, today’s witnesses should all have a share, no one will miss out..."
Fang Xi smiled indifferently. His cultivation, in secret, had already reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment, so these pills were truly of little use to him.
But after giving Ruan Xingling and Liu Sanqi one each, he could still sell for some Spirit Stones or trade for Spiritual Objects, which was also nice.
’It feels like... I could host a high-end private exchange on Dragon Fish Island, only inviting Foundation Establishment peers. With this time’s ruins breaking, there should be a lot of good stuff coming out, right?’
Fang Xi stroked his chin, thinking of a promising idea.
Anyway, as long as the transactions were on Dragon Fish Island, he had nothing to fear.
Even if he wanted to backstab, it could be ridiculously simple...