Chapter 273: Chapter 272: A Hundred-Year Promise (Please Subscribe)_1
Fang Xi’s face revealed a moment of hesitation, yet he still took the jade slip and after meticulously checking it several times, infused it with his Divine Consciousness.
Soon, a trace of wild joy appeared on his face, followed by confusion, and then his expression grew exceptionally unsightly.
"The advancement to Nascent Soul with the ’Kuyong Skills’ requires such esoteric conditions... This really is a huge dilemma."
After a long while, Fang Xi’s face looked as if it were a dye shop, and he let out a long sigh, "After cultivating the ’Kuyong Skills’ to a Perfect Golden Core, to ascend to Nascent Soul, one must also cultivate the complementary ’Longevity Skills’... and even advance to the ’Yi Wood Magic Body’ before smoothly ascending to Nascent Soul. Otherwise, one will never be able to ascend! This... this is simply..."
It turns out that inside the jade slip, not only were there the instructions for the ’Kuyong Skills’ from Qi Refining to the later stages of Nascent Soul, but also there was a set of corresponding ’Longevity Skills’.
Most of these contents were things Fang Xi had seen before. After silently comparing them in his mind, he confirmed their authenticity.
In the secrets revealed at the end, the old ghost even specifically stated that to ascend to Nascent Soul with the ’Kuyong Skills,’ one must cultivate the ’Yi Wood Magic Body’!
’These "Kuyong Skills" and "Longevity Skills" indeed complement each other. I stumbled upon the correct path by mistake, avoiding many troubles...’ Fang Xi mused to himself, looking at the old ghost with a hint of resentment, "What are you joking about? According to your secret skill, to cultivate the ’Yi Wood Magic Body,’ one needs at least fourth-grade Spiritual Roots and Veins and a millennium of arduous cultivation... How is that possible? Hah, I guess aside from cultivators born with a ’Yi Wood Magic Body,’ who else could cultivate to the Nascent Soul Chapter of ’Kuyong Skills’?"
"Sir, don’t be anxious, our Sect naturally has a solution for this..."
The old ghost wobbled his head as he spoke.
"What is the solution? The Green Wood Spirit Body may be passable, Core Formation cultivators grit their teeth, might meet the conditions... but the loss outweighs the gain. Those who can form a Golden Core would have decent Spiritual Root qualifications already, and the improvement from a Green Wood Spirit Body isn’t significant... To acquire the Yi Wood Magic Body, it takes a thousand years, a thousand years... Unless I am an old Nascent Soul monster, how could I live beyond a thousand years?"
Fang Xi’s eyes were bloodshot, "Worst case... I just won’t cultivate this damn technique!"
"Sir, Sir, don’t be hasty, listen to me explain slowly..."
The old ghost was really afraid that Fang Xi would simply switch to a different cultivation technique, which would mean all was lost: "This ’Kuyong Skills’ not only has tremendous power, but the corresponding ’Kuyong Mysterious Light’ is also extremely sharp... Can you really bring yourself to discard it?"
"Moreover... if you cultivate the Yi Wood Magic Body, and then push the ’Kuyong Skills’ to a Perfect Core Formation, the two in combination will have great benefits for breaking through the Nascent Soul bottleneck... Even in ancient times, forming a Nascent Soul was a huge barrier. Cultivation Secret Skills that increase the chances of forming a Nascent Soul, what do you think their value might be, Sir?"
"Beneficial for forming a Nascent Soul?" Fang Xi’s eyes flashed, seemingly tempted, "By how many chances can it increase?"
"Sir, you’re asking too difficult a question of me. Aside from the Ancestral Founder of our Sect, there have been no Nascent Soul cultivators, so I don’t know the specific details. However, our Ancestral Founder had a Heavenly Grade Wood Spiritual Root but had not awakened the Spirit Body. Yet, he formed a Nascent Soul due to the ’Kuyong Skills’ and meticulously recorded the event in the Sect’s secret records... that’s how I know a bit about it." The old ghost chuckled inwardly upon seeing Fang Xi take the bait: ’Indeed... every Core Formation cultivator cannot resist the temptation of forming a Nascent Soul!’
"It seems that it hinges on Secret Skills that can promote the growth of Spiritual Roots. Do you have the Creation Spirit Liquid?"
Fang Xi’s gaze suddenly shifted, staring intently at the old ghost.
"Creation Spirit Liquid, a substance rumored to exist only in the Immortal Realm, how could I possibly have it?" The old ghost shook his head, "But our Ancestral Founder of the Sect did receive a vial of ’Nine Heavens Purified Spirit Water’ bestowed from Green Emperor Mountain. This Spiritual Liquid is created from diluted Creation Spirit Liquid, combined with ten-thousand-year-old spiritual milk, Three Lights Divine Water, and other heaven and earth treasures. It was then finally refined by a Transcendent God cultivator and possesses miraculous effects in promoting the growth of Spiritual Roots! I don’t have this ’Nine Heavens Purified Spirit Water,’ but in those ruins, there is some."
"No wonder you just want a promise from me and don’t require an oath." Fang Xi realized, "Such a tremendous opportunity lies ahead, I’d be begging you to take me there!"
"Exactly. If it weren’t for a particular mechanism in those ruins that requires a person who has cultivated ’Kuyong Skills’ to the later stages of Core Formation to pass, why would I bother recruiting you?"
The old ghost subconsciously thought to stroke his beard but only felt a mist.
"It seems you’ve possessed this person with plans in mind as well," Fang Xi said as he looked towards Zhan Tu, suddenly understanding.
Zhan Tu had high-grade Fire and Wood Spiritual Roots, theoretically, he could also cultivate the ’Kuyong Skills’!
"Hmm... When the ruins were opened, I had just emerged from the seal, nearly dissipating. I couldn’t find a better one and had to make do... It’s a pity this person’s Spiritual Roots are too poor, and with Fire overcoming Wood, it’s best if he practices the ’Reversed Fire Secret Skill’ to nourish Wood with Fire..."
The old ghost continued talking, seemingly like a chatterbox, probably because he’s been sealed too long and hasn’t communicated with outsiders for a while.
"What is the ’Reversed Fire Secret Skill’?" Fang Xi asked with interest.
"Heh heh, ignorant mortals only know to make this lad practice Fire Elemental cultivation techniques... But they do not realize he has a path with Wood Elemental cultivation as well. This ’Reversed Fire Secret Skill’ is a secret transmission of my Nine Leaves Sect. Once mastered, it can transform the Fire Attribute spiritual energy absorbed during cultivation, through three transformations—Fire engenders Earth, Earth engenders Metal, Metal engenders Water... and eventually, Water nurtures Wood. In this way... This person’s cultivation speed would actually be faster than an ordinary high-grade Spiritual Root bearer." The old ghost prattled on.
Having heard this, Fang Xi shook his head, "Except for the Sects specializing in Wood Elemental cultivation, few study this... If a disciple’s Spiritual Root qualifications are superior in the Fire Attribute, then it is better to cultivate Fire Elemental cultivation techniques directly..."
"Youngster, you are ignorant... Are you aware that some ancient Divine Skills require specific cultivation techniques and even Spiritual Root attributes? These secret techniques are prepared for that purpose." The old ghost rebuked, but seemed to realize he had said too much, "You’ve asked me too many questions yet haven’t answered me..."
"To go together to a certain ruins to retrieve a certain item, right?"
Fang Xi smiled, "When is it, and what is the item?"
"You will need time to cultivate ’Kuyong Skills’ to the later stages of Core Formation, and this child requires time to form his Core... I cannot be sure when it will happen, but it will probably be at least a hundred years from now. In a hundred years, we can agree to reconvene here, and then study it further... As for what item to obtain, I will tell you at that time!"
To the old ghost, he merely gave away late-stage techniques that ’cannot be cultivated’ in exchange for some assistance, obviously finding it to his advantage.
Fang Xi’s expression darkened, "A hundred years from now? By then, if I’ve cultivated ’Kuyong Skills’ for a hundred years, I’ll probably be reluctant to switch, won’t I?"
"Ha ha, you’re wise to know this, my lad. If there’s nothing else, I must be going... If I stay away too long, Elder Zhang will grow suspicious."
The fog on the old ghost’s face quickly dissolved as he closed his eyes.
Zhan Tu opened his eyes, his consciousness still slightly dazed, and he paid his respects to Fang Xi.
"Enough, you may step down."
Fang Xi stared at Zhan Tu for a long time before finally waving his hand dismissively.
Zhan Tu’s heart relaxed, he immediately bowed once more and took his leave.
It wasn’t until he stepped out of the Evergreen Pavilion that he touched his dantian, excitably sending a telepathic message, "Old Ghost... you really are formidable, just a few words and you’ve fooled a Core Formation elder..."
"Hehe... as long as this person cultivates the ’Kuyong Skills’, he will never escape from the palm of this elder’s hand," the voice of the Old Ghost transmitted, also carrying a hint of pride.
At the top of the pavilion.
Fang Xi stood by the window, watching them leave.
In his heart, he was still amazed, ’Such good people... just giving away their cultivation techniques... With this, there shouldn’t be much issue cultivating the ’Kuyong Skills’ to the later stages of Nascent Soul.’
What about the Yi Wood Magic Body?
He had already mastered it!
’As for Transcendent God? Isn’t that supposed to require the constitution of an ’Eternal Green Body’?’
’However, for me, that isn’t entirely impossible either...’
’It is unexpected though, that the Nine Leaves Sect has such a background and foundation. It seems that when I’m free, I’ll have to take a trip to Jade Island...’
Even a place from which Zhang Zhusheng, a holder of a Jia Dan, could escape, Fang Xi is no longer very afraid of these days.
As for the hundred-year appointment? Naturally, I’ll see what my cultivation and mood are like at the time before deciding whether to join...
...
Half a month later.
The grand celebration for Fang Xi’s Golden Core began.
As the news of his Core Formation spread, the entire Thousand Island Lake, no, the whole Yue Country and even beyond, were utterly astounded.
After all, the last individual cultivator to form their Core was Master Bai Feng!
From this day onwards, Fang Xi would surely replace Master Bai Feng as the goal and idol of countless individual cultivators.
As for the celebration of his Core Formation?
Fang Xi didn’t want to make a big fuss initially, but since Zhang Zhusheng had come, he could only reluctantly go through with the event, though he instructed to keep things simple, inviting people he knew to share a modest drink as a gesture of courtesy.
Dragon Fish Island was bustling on that day.
Within the Evergreen Pavilion, streaks of Escape Light flew in and out ceaselessly, all busy maids and various cultivators.
Fang Xi, dressed in a green bamboo Spiritual Robe, sat in the seat of honor, hosting the esteemed guest, Zhang Zhusheng.
With a subtle hint from the Core Formation elder, Xuan Xuanzi presented the gift box. Upon opening it, inside were five top-grade Spirit Stones: "Mysterious Heaven Sect congratulates Sir on forming your Core!"
"Thank you, thank you!"
Fang Xi expressed his gratitude with a clasped fist.
Elder Zhang then asked with a smile, "Does Sir already have a chosen Daoist name?"
A Core Formation elder in the Cultivation World is indeed worthy of a Daoist name.
"Not yet..."
Fang Xi replied with a smile.
"I see that Sir enjoys riding dragons through the skies, why not call yourself ’Master Qinglong’? Or perhaps adopt the title ’Dragon Fish’? Both are quite good," Elder Zhang suggested with a smile, his hospitality apparent.
Being endowed with a Daoist name also signifies a close relationship between the two parties.
Fang Xi considered for a moment but shook his head, "I’ll give it some more thought..."
Even though ’Master Qinglong’ sounded quite impressive, he was actually riding a fish! In the end, he would most certainly be mockingly referred to as ’Master Green Fish,’ which would be a considerable loss of status!
’Damn you, Daqing, you haven’t even ascended to a third-stage dragon kind, and you’ve already plotted your own death!’ Fang Xi’s eyes flashed with a fierce light.
In the fish farm, Daqing, who was originally lazily floating on the surface of the lake, for some unknown reason, suddenly erected all of its scales with a pair of dead fish eyes looking around in terror...