Chapter 275: Chapter 274: Lu Qing’s Request (Congratulations to alliance leader xinhuitianmi!)_1
The night was deep.
The Core Formation celebration had long since ended, and the guests had all gone their separate ways.
Compared to the hustle and bustle of the day, the Evergreen Pavilion now seemed to suddenly exude an air of desolation.
Fang Xi sent away all the servant girls and took up a wine jug alone, gazing at the moon from the top of the pavilion.
Inside the jug was second-grade Green Bamboo Wine. Although the aroma of the wine was rich and the spiritual energy was not bad, the bitter taste just couldn’t be dispelled.
But when Fang Xi took another sip, and savored it carefully, he felt that after the bitterness faded, there was a faintly returning sweetness.
"Sweetness after bitterness?"
"No wonder Xingling likes this wine..."
Fang Xi drank another cup, staring at the moon in a daze.
Ruan Xingling had gone out wandering, in search of an opportunity for Core Formation, which would inevitably not be in the three countries; she would head toward Yuan Country.
The journey’s hardships and dangers need not be mentioned; even if she arrived safely in the most flourishing region of the Southern Wilderness Cultivation Realm, an opportunity for Core Formation would not be easy to come by.
Let alone, given this girl’s lifespan...
’I gave her a bottle of Mysterious Water Essence before, is it that she had no confidence, or did she already attempt Core Formation once and failed?’
’Or even, she might have already...’
’However, in the Cultivation World, anything is possible... A youngster falling off a cliff and encountering a stroke of luck, accidentally entering an ancient cultivator’s cave, and advancing all the way to become a Nascent Soul old monster are not unheard of... Even if the chances are slim, perhaps this girl stumbled upon a great opportunity, or was taken as a disciple by a reclusive master, and successfully formed her Core.’
Fang Xi silently reassured himself.
He rose and transformed into a streak of blue light.
With a turn of his figure, he arrived at the Peach Blossom Forest where he had once strolled with Ruan Xingling.
The peach blossoms had long since blossomed to their fullest and now only withered branches and fallen leaves remained.
His eyes clear, he drank the last cup of Green Bamboo Wine: "May you be well... I must continue to silently cultivate!"
For Fang Xi, everything at the moment was but a scenery on the path of cultivation.
One could pause to appreciate it, but not stay forever.
After all, the significance of cultivation lies in being able to revive all things beautiful.
Even if there were regrets along the way, Fang Xi believed that once he became an Immortal, he could easily make amends, and resurrect those he did not wish to part with from the river of time.
If that wasn’t enough, or the price too high, then he would seek that which was beyond an Immortal!
As long as one keeps breaking through realms, there will always be a way!
Therefore, he was unwavering in his pursuit of advancing his cultivation!
With this thought, Fang Xi laughed heartily, the Yi Wood Divine Light radiated from him, the sharp and unmatched divine light, now like rainwater, trickled into the roots of the peach branches.
Rustling!
The Peach Blossom Forest swayed, the dead trees sprouted new buds, petals of peach blossoms bloomed, an enchanting sight.
Fang Xi casually plucked a fresh peach, took a bite, and found it pleasantly juicy and sweet, prompting another compliment: "What a good peach... Perfect for sobering up!"
Suddenly, his expression shifted as he looked toward a certain direction: "Sir Lu, since you’ve come, why not show yourself and meet!"
Not far away, a flicker of blue light revealed Lu Qing, who approached while laughing heartily: "This old man had nothing to do this night and decided to take a walk... only to witness the esteemed sir casting magic, familiarizing yourself with Golden Core spiritual power, an absolutely stunning scene."
Lu Qing, dressed in a green robe, admired the flourishing peach forest with his hands clasped behind his back, repeatedly expressing amazement: "You can even revive withered wood, the Wooden Element cultivation techniques you practice not only are of extremely high grade, but your prowess is also sublimely pure!"
"Please, speak your mind."
Fang Xi sighed, his demeanor returning to his usual calm and detached aura.
"So what does the esteemed sir think about the conditions I mentioned in the jade slip today?" Lu Qing didn’t beat around the bush and directly said: "With the esteemed sir’s proficiency in Wooden Element techniques, it is fitting that you join our Green Wood Sect... Hehe, Baize Immortal City is just a pit. Even if Zhang lad becomes a Supreme Elder, he still acts petty... I am different. As long as you are willing to join the Green Wood Sect, I am ready to take a disciple in place of my teacher, henceforth we would be fellows, with you just below one, and above tens of thousands within Green Wood Sect, never lacking Spiritual Vein cultivation opportunities and possessing numerous subordinates at your command, wouldn’t that be delightful?"
"And with my lifespan winding down, once I pass from this world, you would be the only Supreme Elder of the Green Wood Sect!"
Lu Qing’s demeanor was very earnest.
Combining the previous observations of his lifespan, Fang Xi could tell that the other party was mostly truthful.
"Such conditions, indeed, are quite tempting to me."
Fang Xi smiled slightly: "However... with such generous offerings, you must be seeking something... "
Lu Qing’s brows furrowed: "Nothing more than swearing an oath to the Heart Demon and Dao, to forever uphold the Taoist system of our Green Wood Sect, nothing beyond that!"
In his view, the conditions were indeed very generous, something that would tempt any Individual Cultivator who had formed their Core.
Why did this man seem scarcely moved?
’Becoming a Supreme Elder of a Sect is certainly great... but there’s no need to tie myself down to the Green Wood Sect.’
’I only wish to transcend independently, rather than be hampered by Sect affairs...’
’Moreover... though I seem to be in a glorious position now, there are hidden crises...’
’If Zhang Zhusheng’s intelligence analysis proves unreliable, what if the Mixed Origin Sect withdraws from the war with the enemy, liberating the Nascent Soul old monsters? What if there are other connections within the Yiling Valley, and several Golden Cores come for revenge?’
’At least with me and Yiling Valley, it’s a fight to the death.’
’If I were tied down to one place for long, wouldn’t that just make me a target for the enemy?’
’Previously, it was the news transmission and the necessary golden time to travel back and forth... but the longer we drag on, the more variables there are...’
’After forming Core, where in the world couldn’t I go?’
’A third-grade Spiritual Vein isn’t necessarily only found in the Cultivation World of the three countries...’
’Even if I have to travel among the three kingdoms, I must disguise my identity and create the illusion of being far away to ensure that any potential enemies cannot find their target. That would be the safest...’
’Moreover, there’s a third world to look forward to... Why make a decision so prematurely?’
’At the very end, this person fails to read the room, insisting on bringing these things up when I am in a bad mood...’
After much contemplation, Fang Xi slowly shook his head and uttered the words that greatly disappointed Lu Qing, "I am truly sorry... but I currently have no plans to join a sect."
"What?"
Lu Qing was clearly shocked, "If Sir has any concerns, please speak freely. Our Green Wood Sect is extremely sincere... In addition, our sect is renowned for excelling in the Wooden Element spells, including many secret skills and treasures... All of which are useful to us Core Formation cultivators..."
"Sir need not hurry... It’s just that I have not yet traveled the world since achieving Golden Core," Fang Xi said, his eyes filled with longing and anticipation. "I want to visit Yuan Country, or even countries further afield, to seek opportunities to break through my realm and even to condense my Nascent Soul..."
"I see..."
Lu Qing seemed to lose heart somewhat but quickly recovered. "Old Jiang and I had traveled to Yuan Country in our youth, but alas, for high-level cultivators like us, such opportunities are even harder to come by..."
He did not try to persuade Fang Xi to change his mind, knowing that for beings like them, their intentions were very firm. Once decided, they could not be swayed.
On the contrary, Lu Qing eagerly introduced the customs of Yuan Country and even provided a map.
It seemed, failing to win him over, he settled for the next best thing—to establish a good relationship.
Fang Xi accepted the map and bid Lu Qing farewell, realizing that these Core Formation elders were indeed extraordinary individuals.
At the very least, their ability to remain composed and conceal their emotions was at its peak.
The next day.
After seeing off Lu Qing, Fang Xi met with visitors from the Mysterious Heaven Sect and directly rejected Zhang Zhusheng’s suggestions.
He wasn’t interested in the Green Wood Sect, and the temptations of Baize Immortal City were even less appealing.
Even if he didn’t mind the slow cultivation progress, he could still practice atop the second-tier premium Spiritual Vein.
It was just that the speed of advancement in his cultivation would be unbearably slow.
Nevertheless... Fang Xi had a long life ahead!
Even if it took two to three hundred years to cultivate his Core Formation stage magic power to the peak, he found it to be an acceptable prospect.
...
Outside Dragon Fish Island.
The Five-Colored Tower Boat of the Mysterious Heaven Sect once again set sail.
Xuan Xuanzi and Zhan Tu, along with the other Foundation Establishment cultivators, seeing their elder filled with concerns, naturally stood aside respectfully, not daring to disturb him.
"You all go ahead, don’t mind me."
Zhang Zhusheng suddenly spoke and transformed into a streak of light, vanishing into the sky.
Xuan Xuanzi was taken aback, then bowed respectfully, "Yes!"
The Five-Colored Tower Boat quickly receded into the distance, but Zhang Zhusheng stood steadfast upon a cloud, turning to a green figure beside him, "Old Ancestor Qing... what do you think of that person?"
"Hehe... seems like you too have failed."
Lu Qing appeared, taking delight in his misfortune.
"Baize Immortal City was just an open strategy; as long as he is firm in his thoughts and not swayed by temptation... he can naturally step aside..."
Zhang Zhusheng looked at Lu Qing with curiosity, "I’m very curious, what kind of conditions did Old Ancestor Qing offer that person?"
"It’s better left unsaid."
Lu Qing’s face darkened, "That person is not concerned with a third-tier Spiritual Vein dojo. It seems he truly has his heart set on traveling to Yuan Country..."
"If my condensed pill were not a Jia Dan, with no hope on the Taoist Path, maybe I would too seek further opportunities in Yuan Country..."
Zhang Zhusheng suddenly let out a sigh.
The two Core Formation elders exchanged a silent look for a while; Lu Qing suddenly heaved a sigh, "It’s a pity... If Old Yan had come, perhaps by combining the strength of the three of us with the Array, we might have been able to keep him here forever."
"Would you really dare to take action?" Zhang Zhusheng chuckled mischievously, "That person is unlike You Kun; although he is semi-detached from the sect, he is still a Golden Core of the Mixed Origin Sect! He must surely have several friends within the sect..."
"Hehe, for the Taoist system of the Green Wood Sect, what is there to fear in death?"
Lu Qing seemed to speak indifferently, "Haven’t we determined that the Mixed Origin Sect is embroiled in a major battle with another Nascent Soul sect and cannot interfere with the situation in the three kingdoms?"
"Even so... it’s not easy to say after the battle," Zhang Zhusheng sighed, "I really envy that person now, to come and go as he pleases, unfettered and unburdened, not stuck in the mire, unlike us who still have to consider the Yiling Valley issue..."
"Hehe, if being an Individual Cultivator were so great, why would those Nascent Soul elders bother to establish major sects?"
Lu Qing naturally sneered at this, "As for Yiling Valley... now that we’ve lost the Nine Dragon Balls, without this treasure to suppress our fortunes, I refuse to believe their lineage is so lucky to continually produce Core Formation elders, they’re probably on the brink of decline within this generation or the next!"
"External Pills, eh..."
Zhang Zhusheng sighed again, appearing quite sentimental.
He was unaware that Lu Qing’s main incentive in recruiting Fang Xi was for that very External Pill!
After all, once the other party died, wouldn’t the Nine Dragon Balls be passed down within the Green Wood Sect?
Even if entrusted to disciples, family, or relatives... that was also the power of the Green Wood Sect!
This was the inclusiveness of a sect, possessing more vitality than a family!
Zhang Zhusheng failed to see this and tried to fool people with the allure of Baize Immortal City, no wonder Lu Qing thought him to be petty!