ALL NOVEL Chapter 111: Rumors
After several days.
Lu Guo returned to Jade Cliff, bringing back two spirit beast bags for Fang Xi.
Surprisingly, one of them was inclined towards water attributes, likely because Lu Guo knew Fang Xi had a spirit fish.
This attentiveness made Fang Xi regard him more favorably.
As long as Lu Guo could efficiently handle tasks… occasional minor benefits along the way were not worth scrutinizing.
Thus, Fang Xi chose to overlook any hidden personal gains on his part.
Half a month later.
Fang Xi sat beneath a peach tree, holding a branch made from its wood.
His jet-black hair was tied up in a simple knot, secured with a peachwood pin. Dressed in white robes, he meticulously carved the wooden branch with focused concentration.
Peeling, drying, and engraving formation markings…Upon completing each step, the peachwood branch transformed into a formation flagpole.
Next, Fang Xi retrieved a flag crafted from silkworm silk, combining it with the flagpole through refinement and infusing it with magical energy.
Buzzing sounds echoed!
Formation markings lit up on the flag, forming seamless restrictions without any glitches or interruptions.
Witnessing this, Fang Xi couldn’t help but smile, knowing that the formation flag had been successfully refined.
In the following moment, he tapped his bag of holding, revealing two identical formation flags along with a small octagonal formation disk embedded with spirit stones.
“Lesser Misdirection Formation, activate!”
He launched the three formation flags around the pond, simultaneously inputting cultivation techniques into the formation disk.
Instantly, layers of mist emerged, obscuring the entire pond area.
As various glimmers flashed, the original location of the pond transformed into an ordinary wall with green brick paving, as if the pond had vanished completely.
Through the formation disk, one could still glimpse the bewildered-looking large blue fish at the bottom of the hidden pond…
The Lesser Misdirection Formation - barely qualifying as a low-tier first-rank array, its sole capabilities were concealment and misguidance. In terms of both range and potency, it fell significantly short compared to the Little Cloudrain Array.
Primarily used by secular cultivators to obstruct ordinary mortals!
However, its significance was immense, marking Fang Xi’s first successful creation of a formation artifact!
As he delved deeper into formations, Fang Xi increasingly realized their boundless intricacies. It seemed unlikely that even dedicating a cultivator’s entire lifetime might fully grasp this field.
Formations, talismans, and pill crafting shared similar complexities.
Therefore, Fang Xi focused his secondary cultivation solely on mastering pill concocting techniques.
And the results were quite promising.
With the ability to use divine sense within the pill furnace, observing real-time changes in medicinal properties, Fang Xi enjoyed significant advantages over typical Qi Refinement alchemists. His progress in pill concoction could be described as rapid, advancing leaps each day. He had already begun attempting to refine low-tier first rank detoxification and healing pills, far beyond being just a novice who only knew how to craft Fasting Pills.
This newfound proficiency led to a swift depletion of various materials.
Despite prior preparation, Fang Xi felt his inventory dwindling…
“Perhaps…after achieving some mastery in pill concocting, I should start earning money through it?”
Fang Xi habitually kept his knowledge of formations secret.
Moreover, pill concocting required only for others to bring ingredients, whereas setting up and adjusting formations often necessitated visiting clients’ premises…which entirely contradicted his principles.
“Master!”
A few days later, Widow Wang arrived at Fang Xi’s residence, visibly upset.
“Fellow Daoist Wang, what has angered you so much?”
Fang Xi smiled serenely, appearing unperturbed.
“Oh, those old hags! They’ve been spreading malicious gossip about you behind your back, calling Master names… I couldn’t stand it and gave them all a piece of my mind!” Widow Wang exclaimed indignantly.
Indeed, her fiery personality had allowed her to boldly bring her child to seek refuge on this outer island as a tenant farmer.
“Oh? What exactly were they saying about me?” Fang Xi’s interest was piqued.
“Those bitches said…said that Master is ungrateful, just like an old turtle minding its own patch of land…” She continued, “And they claimed that Master suffered severe injuries long ago, fearing any confrontation would worsen his condition; hence, he dare not engage with anyone…”
Widow Wang recounted each rumor one by one.
As Fang Xi listened, he found it quite amusing. Seeing his genuine lack of concern, Widow Wang marveled at his resilience.
“My personal reputation matters little; the true crux for Peach Blossom Island lies with the Island Lord… How did the decision go regarding our previous discussion?”
Fang Xi probed further at a crucial point.
“It’s already been decided; in two months, the Island Lord will personally challenge Old Monster Goldtooth!”
Widow Wang wore a deeply concerned expression. “The stakes involve three shops in the Spirit Hollow Market. The outcome isn’t based on victory or defeat, but rather on whether the Island Lord can withstand Old Monster Goldtooth for the duration of one incense stick burning. If he fails, we must graciously surrender the contracts to those three shops. If successful, Old Monster Goldtooth not only relinquishes any claim to the shops, but also compensates us with a sum of spirit stones!”
“A formal magical duel agreement?” Fang Xi murmured.
Ruan Xingling’s spiritual root aptitude was significantly better than his previous one, being high-grade. After ten years, she would have undoubtedly reached at least the ninth layer of Qi Refinement!
Facing off against a cultivator at the great circle of Qi Refinement from the peak of Late Stage Qi Refinement, holding out for the time it takes an incense stick to burn seems plausible, albeit challenging.
However, Fang Xi believed that Ruan Xingling wouldn’t propose such a bet without some level of confidence.
It was equally normal for Old Monster Goldtooth to accept - this served as a testament to their respective strengths!
If Ruan Xingling could endure for the length of one incense stick, then during large-scale battles between cultivators, disciples from Goldtooth Island would likely suffer heavy casualties!
Moreover, with the aid of Peach Blossom Island’s protective formation, Old Monster Jin Ya would be unable to defeat Ruan Xingling and thus had no choice but to concede.
However, Ruan Xingling couldn’t indefinitely remain confined on Peach Blossom Island either. Additionally, considering the cultivators from White Feather and Black Sand Islands, if Old Monster Jin Ya disregarded his reputation and targeted lower-ranked disciples through sneak attacks, it could become quite problematic.
Therefore, agreeing to this mutual compromise via a wagered duel was the most suitable resolution.
“The cultivation world isn’t solely about violence and conflict; when power levels are comparable, diplomacy and pragmatism become crucial…”
With these thoughts, Fang Xi dismissed Widow Wang.
He returned to his cultivation room and began practicing the Everlasting Spring Art.
Since acquiring the Azure Wood Spirit Body, Fang Xi’s cultivation speed had increased several-fold. The smooth progression of his magical energy felt almost addictive, making it hard to stop!
Based on Fang Xi’s estimation, utilizing a first-tier spiritual vein, even without consuming any medicinal pills, he was confident that within five years, he could advance by one level, reaching the ninth layer of Qi Refinement within ten years!
Breaking through in Late Stage Qi Refinement inherently becomes significantly more challenging than in Mid-Stage Qi Refinement.
Advancing one level every five years is akin to the speed expected of high-grade spirit roots!
Take Ruan Xingling as an example! Once at the seventh layer of Qi Refining, after ten years, she would now be around the ninth layer with her cultivation base!
Fang Xi estimated that if he still had a low-grade spirit root, mastering the techniques up to the seventh layer of Qi Refining alone would likely require at least a decade of arduous practice, not even counting breakthroughs through minor bottlenecks!
“Even if it takes me ten years, I’ll only be forty-three by then, reaching the ninth layer of Qi Refinement. Spend another ten years, and I should undoubtedly attain the great perfection of Qi Refinement. At fifty-three, I can begin preparing for Foundation Establishment… This aligns with the standard expectations for Chosen within Qi Refining clans.”
As for disciples from Gold Core sects?
With access to third-order spiritual veins, personal mentorship, and ample supply of medicinal pills, coupled with their superior innate spirit root aptitudes, many achieve Peak Qi Refinement in their twenties before attempting to break through to Foundation Establishment.
Fang Xi shows no interest in comparing himself to such individuals!
Alright… truthfully, there’s really no comparison…
Time swiftly passed.
Two months flew by, and it was now the day of Ruan Xingling’s scheduled duel with Old Monster Goldtooth.
Early in the morning, Lu Guo eagerly prepared to head towards the designated battleground—a desolate reef—where he intended to watch the fight. However, lacking companionship and feeling uncertain, he dared not venture out alone.
Without any means of transportation, not even a flying magical artifact, his only option beyond the island would be swimming…
“Master!”
Widow Wang arrived with Little Hu, both dressed formally. “The duel is set for noon. When do you think we should depart?”
“No need, you two go ahead without me. I’ll pass on this spectacle.”
Fang Xi shook his head, appearing carefree like a wandering hermit. He wore loose-fitting robes, his hair loosely draped over his shoulders, hands tucked within his sleeves.
“But…this battle concerns the Island Lord and all of Peach Blossom Island… Master, haven’t you always been close friends with the Island Lord? Every year around the end of the lunar cycle, the Island Lord visits to taste your new wines…”
Even Widow Wang seemed puzzled.
Could it be true that Master Fang, as outsiders speculated, had sustained grave injuries and dare not leave Peach Blossom Island?
Regrettably, she didn’t have the courage to ask directly. Instead, she led Lu Guo and Wang Xiaohu aboard a small spirit boat, joining other cultivators from the island to witness the duel at the reef…
After they left, Jade Cliff fell silent once again, enveloped in tranquility…
“Finally… they’re gone. Much quieter now!” Fang Xi picked up the gourd at his waist, removed the stopper, and took a sip of Peach Blossom Wine.
The subtle fragrance of peaches filled his senses as the spirit wine flowed down his throat.
With a soft laugh, he stepped out from Jade Cliff.
Below him, tendrils of the Demon Tree’s roots grew and extended… seemingly following every step he took.
“Peach Blossom Island feels so quiet now…”
At Mirror Moon Lake.
Fang Xi took another sip of spirit wine, enjoying the serene view over the spiritual lake.
The water was crystal clear, teeming with lush aquatic plants and small fish darting about. It was rumored that even spirit fish were cultivated within this lake!
While not as renowned as the Dragonfish Zhong Clan’s turquoise jade carp, these spirit fish were still a significant investment by Ruan Xingling. Over time, they had grown in numbers, generating substantial income in spirit stones each year.
Presently, Peach Blossom Island’s peaceful atmosphere also attracted numerous rogue cultivators, either as guest masters or tenants renting immortal’s caves.
Once the immortal sprouts from successive Spirit Evaluation Congresses matured, it would indeed form the promising beginnings of a thriving power base.
Mirror Moon Lake remained largely unoccupied.
Even those uninterested in combat likely felt compelled to show their loyalty to the Island Lord.
After some thought, Fang Xi headed towards West Twin Peak.
Near the spiritual land at West Twin Peak, he noticed a layer of mist shrouding the area.
“Low-tier first rank - Illusion Formation?”
Fang Xi was slightly surprised, “Did Daoist Hua really create an entire formation here?”
As he observed the formation, his hands itched involuntarily. Extending his divine sense, he began searching for its weak points.
The array was of low quality and specifically a crude ‘Death Array’, but finding vulnerabilities posed no challenge to Fang Xi as an accomplished array master.
After a brief moment, he stepped into the mist, occasionally advancing or retreating…
With just two more steps, the view suddenly cleared, revealing a fragrant valley filled with blossoming flowers.
“Who are you?” A crisp and melodious voice unexpectedly sounded as Fang Xi admired the flora, hand gently cupping a flower.
Looking down, he saw a delightful little girl with a round, fair face, her hair styled in twin bun-like knots atop her head, dressed in a pure white short-sleeved dress. She blinked her large, bright black eyes curiously while examining him from top to bottom.
“I am…” Fang Xi’s lips curved into a smile, “your uncle…”