Chapter 369: Chapter 367 Choice (Seeking Monthly Tickets)_1
"This time, Taisui’s advancement was solely through consuming an elixir refined from a third-order wood attribute Beast Inner Dan... There are still three Monster Inner Cores left, no... Together with the Demon Blood Flood Dragon’s Inner Core, that makes four!"
Fang Xi flicked his sleeve, taking Taisui into the Mountain Sea Pearl and fell into deep thought.
"The Demon Blood Flood Dragon’s Inner Core isn’t of much use now. Might as well give it directly to Daqing... Whether it can succeed depends on its fate. Anyway, even if it fails, I won’t keep investing in it like I did with Taisui..."
"Besides, I can also create a few more Jia Dan Cultivators..."
Now that his cultivation was profound, a single seclusion would take a long time, indeed he needed some manpower.
This was also why most high-level cultivators established sects—to better serve their own cultivation.
Releasing his Divine Consciousness, he instantly enveloped Dragon Fish Island and detected many cultivators.
"With so many cultivators here, it’s indeed time to make an appearance."
Fang Xi muttered to himself, sending out a swift telepathic message with his consciousness.
Daqing, who was splashing in the lake, immediately leaped up and transformed into a streak of green light, quickly arriving beside him.
"Let’s go!"
Fang Xi stepped onto the Azure horn Fish Dragon and said so leisurely.
The Azure horn Fish Dragon let out a long chant immediately, its body shrouded in mist, flying with a swaying head and tail, circling Dragon Fish Island.
...
"It’s the Lord Master of Dragon Fish Island!"
"The Island Master has left seclusion!"
"Greetings to the Core Formation Master!"
The dragon’s chanting startled numerous cultivators who came out of seclusion, and they saw a cultivator as young as a teenager riding a dragon, his terrifying spiritual power naturally making them bow their heads and bend their waists.
Before long, the Azure horn Fish Dragon coiled at the Evergreen Pavilion. Fang Xi took a seat directly in the main hall, summoning the various forces that had come to visit.
Actually, there wasn’t much to it—they just needed to state their identities and then drop off their gifts, and they could scurry off...
Only when the Yan Family from Ling Kong Island appeared did Fang Xi show any sort of favor, allowing them to speak a few more words. However, he didn’t accept the offering of maidservants, and under the disappointment on the old family head’s face, he dismissed the group of Yingying and Yan Yans.
"Who else is there?"
Fang Xi, sitting in the chief seat, asked nonchalantly.
Zhong Hongyu immediately stepped forward: "Young Master... there is one female Foundation Establishment cultivator who claims to be ’Zong Linghu’ and says she has old ties with you?"
"Oh?"
Fang Xi held his fist to his cheek with his right hand and casually said, "Let her come in!"
Before long, the petite Zong Linghu walked in gracefully, bowing respectfully: "Zong Linghu pays homage to the Master, and thanks the Master for the life-saving grace of past years..."
Looking at the woman, Fang Xi couldn’t help but recall the Zong family couple he had met by Blackwater Pool while refining corpses, before he left the Three Kingdoms’ Cultivation World years ago.
"You say you are a descendant of an old acquaintance of mine, do you have proof?"
Even as he looked at her familiar face and noticed the craftsmanship of the talisman armor she wore, though Fang Xi already believed her somewhat, he still asked again.
"My father has always preserved the Master’s portrait, and the third-order Talisman inheritance passed down in our family is said to have been gifted by the senior..."
Zong Linghu gracefully took out two items, a scroll and a jade slip, respectfully handing them to Zhong Hongyu.
Fang Xi didn’t open the scroll but merely scanned the jade slip with his consciousness and nodded: "Indeed, it’s the Taoist of Talisman inheritance. You being able to refine the ’Talisman Armor’ shows that you have quite the talent in the art of Talismans... Truly not bad, Master Zong Symbol’s lineage has a successor."
"Without the Master’s bestowed inheritance, how could Linghu have achieved what I have today? I am willing to serve as a servant or a maidservant to repay the Master’s great kindness!"
Zong Linghu said solemnly.
Indeed, it was by relying on the Taoist of Talisman that she managed to accumulate enough Spirit Stones to barely succeed in Foundation Establishment.
But to serve as a servant or a maidservant...
Fang Xi’s expression became a bit odd: ’As someone dedicated to the path of cultivation, why have there been so many offering maidservants, servants, and cauldrons recently... Have they truly underestimated me?’
His expression became serious: "Your father and your ancestor were merely casual acquaintances of mine... Now, it can be considered the generous help of a gentleman, which should cease after five generations... Let’s not speak of such things."
At these words, Zong Linghu’s expression immediately dimmed, but she bowed again: "Please allow me, Master, to cultivate on Dragon Fish Island!"
"The miscellaneous matters on Dragon Fish Island, ask Hongyu about them. You may go now."
Fang Xi waved his hand, dismissing Zong Linghu.
At that moment, Zhong Hongyu reported this woman’s behavior, not exaggerating or diminishing, from an outsider’s perspective, not concealing anything nor suppressing it.
"She’s a clever woman... just a bit too utilitarian," Fang Xi remarked after hearing the report, neutral: "Perhaps she has brought trouble upon herself and wishes to use Dragon Fish Island as a shelter, or to take advantage of my name... No matter, you handle it."
As far as he was concerned, after fulfilling his promise to Chen Ping, indeed his ties to this descendant of the Zong family had greatly diminished.
In terms of emotional bonds, even Zhong Hongyu was closer.
"Hongyu understands..."
Zhong Hongyu nodded obediently.
Fang Xi gave her a look, nodding and then shaking his head, his expression softening: "You are also over 160 years old and only in the late stage of Foundation Establishment... your cultivation is a bit slow."
Zhong Hongyu’s expression grew saddened: "My slow cultivation has disappointed the Young Master..."
"Let it be, the Mysterious Sound Skills you practice don’t perfectly match your Void Spirit Root, it’s an unavoidable matter..."
Fang Xi threw a jade bottle to her: "This bottle contains elixir that is beneficial for enhancing Magic Power... Take it and cultivate diligently, advancing to the complete stage of Foundation Establishment shouldn’t be a problem."
"Thank you, Young Master," Zhong Hongyu said, receiving the jade bottle under the envious gazes of Hai Danaiu and Taishu Hong, a trace of joy appearing on her face.
"There’s no need for formalities, you’ve managed Dragon Fish Island on my behalf for many years, and you deserve a reward."
Fang Xi then looked towards Taishu Hong and Hai Danaiu, especially giving the latter one a glance.
Hai Danaiu’s Spiritual Root aptitude was average, and he had only recently advanced to the mid-phase of Foundation Establishment, which meant that Core Formation was likely beyond his reach in this lifetime.
So he waved his hand, and two exquisite Spiritual Instruments flew out, landing in the hands of the two men: "These two Spiritual Instruments, I bestow upon you!"
"Thank you, Island Master."
The two Foundation Establishment practitioners also showed their joy, respectfully bowing in gratitude.
"Enough, you may all leave now."
Fang Xi waved his hand, dismissing everyone. As he watched the backs of the three Foundation Establishment cultivators, a hint of an unusual expression flashed across his face.
...
Deep into the night.
The moonlight was like a hook.
Fang Xi was leaning by the window, slowly sipping on Green Bamboo Wine.
"My Lord, Zhong Hongyu requests an audience!"
Suddenly, a voice came from outside the door.
"Come in."
He nodded his head, and in a flash of red, Zhong Hongyu walked in, curtsying, "My Lord asked me to come at night, may I know what for?"
"Hong Yu... do you still wish to form your Core?"
Fang Xi took another sip of Green Bamboo Wine, seemingly asking casually.
"Naturally, I do. It’s just that given my age, even if I could quickly reach the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment, the possibility of venturing out to find a Core Formation Spiritual Object is almost nonexistent."
A bitter smile appeared on the corners of Zhong Hongyu’s lips.
If Core Formation Spiritual Objects were so easily obtained, Taishu Hong wouldn’t have remained at the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment this whole time.
Moreover, given Fang Xi’s absence and wandering reputation, the three Core Formation Sects did not make overt moves against Dragon Fish Island, but they certainly wouldn’t be courteous when vying for opportunities.
In the midst of the three nations, opportunities for Core Formation were truly rare, mostly like the Mysterious Water Essence, which even if obtained, offered little hope.
"I only ask you, is your heart still set on the path of cultivation?"
Fang Xi looked at Zhong Hongyu with a teasing smile.
Something stirred in Zhong Hongyu’s heart, and she immediately knelt down: "Please enlighten me, my Lord! Hong Yu is ready to go through fire and water, and die a thousand deaths if necessary!"
"It’s not that serious, it’s just a repeat of the Foundation Establishment..."
Fang Xi waved his hand dismissively.
He still had some expectations for her Core Formation with a Void Spirit Root.
The last time he had witnessed her Foundation Establishment, he had gleaned an incomplete Silver Seal Script, and by integrating it with the ancient Jade Talisman Skills of cultivators, he had developed the ’Prohibition Space Talisman’.
If he could observe her Core Formation, perhaps he might be able to complete another portion of the Void Symbols?
Or possibly improve the ’Prohibition Space Talisman’ even further?
When the previous Foundation Establishment was mentioned, a blush surfaced on Zhong Hongyu’s cheeks, but she immediately nodded: "I am willing!"
"Don’t agree so readily. After you form your Core, I will place some Prohibitions on you to ensure you cannot betray me."
Fang Xi spoke words that turned Zhong Hongyu pale: "Because I am devoted to deep cultivation, I need a few loyal and trustworthy subordinates to handle matters and seek out Spiritual Objects for me..."
Zhong Hongyu immediately struggled with the decision.
If merely offering a glimpse of her light could fetch her a Core Formation Spiritual Object, the female cultivators of the three nations would be clamoring for the chance.
But having a Prohibition placed on her and her life and death controlled by someone else was a completely different matter.
After a long struggle, she finally nodded her pale face: "I... am willing!"
"Very good..."
Fang Xi smiled faintly: "You may go and cultivate diligently. When you reach the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment, come to me to collect the ’Mysterious Water Crystal’ and ’Heavenly Fire Liuli’. Then, I will also impart to you the secret methods of Water and Fire Refining Golden Pill and the insights of Core Formation..."
"What? It’s such high-grade Core Formation Spiritual Objects?" Zhong Hongyu abruptly looked up, her face brimming with surprise: "I thought that..."
"Did you think I, this young master, would deceive you with a Beast Inner Dan?"
Fang Xi’s face revealed a mocking smile as he waved his hand for Zhong Hongyu to leave.
Before long, a streak of Sword Light landed outside the Evergreen Pavilion.
Soon, another voice rose: "Island Master... Taishu Hong seeks an audience!"
"Come in."
Fangs Xi’s demeanor was much more casual as he looked at Taishu Hong with his pinnacle Foundation Establishment: "You have labored tirelessly for many years without any notable achievements. I give you three choices. The first, I will give you another trinket; the second, I give you this Demon Pill..."
Before he had finished speaking, Fang Xi opened a jade box, revealing a glowing Inner Core inside.
This Inner Core, barely compatible with Taishu Hong’s attributes, came from Old Yan.
Upon seeing the Demon Pill, a fervent light immediately shone in Taishu Hong’s eyes, but he restrained himself: "May I inquire what the third option is, and what the condition might be?"
"Haha... you indeed do not disappoint."
Fang Xi nodded in satisfaction and brought out a jade slip: "The third option, I will bestow upon you ancient sword cultivation skills, known as the ’Taibai Sword Tactic’... If you choose the first, everything remains as usual. If you choose the second or third, I will place Prohibitions on you, and from then on, your life and death will be in my hands..."