ALL NOVEL Chapter 95: Returning Again
The winter scenery at Jade Cliff appeared desolate.
Whish!
Suddenly, an enigmatic mist emerged from the void. Initially just a thin veil of white fog, it grew denser until it enveloped the entire cliffside.
This mist was unlike ordinary haze; through it, one could initially discern faint outlines of the spirit fields, but within moments, they vanished completely…
“Success!”
Fang Xi, controlling the Black Feather Boat, surveyed the area and felt highly satisfied with the Little Cloudrain Array’s effect.
Not only did the formation cover all the spirit fields and courtyard, but it also encompassed the entirety of Jade Cliff.
With this setup, the likelihood of the underground cavern being exposed significantly decreased.
“The Little Cloudrain Array excels in Gathering Spirit and Concealment effects… Its defensive capabilities are average, but with a Mid Qi Refinement cultivator wielding the Restriction Command Token to oversee the formation, it can hinder even Late Stage or great perfection Qi Refinement cultivators for some time…”
Fang Xi held the Restriction Command Token, which served as both a key component of the formation and its operational control device.Apart from this primary token, there were three secondary tokens that allowed adjustments to access permissions. The lowest granted entry only to the outermost perimeter of the array, while the highest enabled full control over the formation’s offensive capabilities against enemies.
“With this formation, my fallback is secure.”
Although the Little Cloudrain Array was merely mid-tier first rank, barring any Barrier Breaking Talismans, it would effectively resist intruders for a significant period.
This setup would provide ample time for Mirror Moon Lake to detect any threat and send reinforcements.
With such defenses, even cultivators at Peak Qi Refining could be kept at bay, ensuring a secure fallback plan.
“Time to focus on planting trees…” Fang Xi rubbed his hands, mentally strategizing.
“At present, what I still lack for my preparations are puppet techniques and snake-dragon spirit armor…”
If he had high-grade armor crafted from snake-dragon materials, his strength would reach another level, allowing him to face even Peak Qi Refining cultivators without fear.
Puppet techniques, on the other hand, would compensate for his limitation of not being able to stray too far from his lifebound spirit plant.
“If obtaining spirit armor proves impossible, I’ll have no choice but to commission an artificer from the market to craft it…”
It must be noted that Fang Xi was inherently cautious by nature.
And given Ruan Xingling’s exceptional intelligence, it naturally inclined him to keep some distance…
“As for puppet techniques, if I can’t find them…I might just rely on raising a few spirit beasts as substitutes.”
In certain aspects, spirit beasts were indeed less convenient than puppets.
After considering all this, Fang Xi gazed over the lake surface and let out a long whistle. The Black Feather Boat transformed into a streak of light, skimming low across the water, leaving behind large splashes.
In the next moment, Fang Xi’s eyes lit up with excitement.
Did he just spot a spirit fish?
Wan Island Lake indeed harbored mythical beasts, yet it took him almost a year to encounter one - his luck could be considered neither good nor bad.
Feeling elated, Fang Xi propelled the Black Feather Boat, chasing after that fleeting azure shadow.
Splash!
The panicked azure figure, seemingly disoriented, suddenly veered straight towards Fang Xi.
Bang!
It crashed heavily into the Black Feather Boat, apparently knocking itself unconscious.
Fang Xi was momentarily speechless. With a swift motion of his right hand, he grabbed the dazed azure shape, now floating belly-up.
Upon closer inspection, he realized it was a large green fish, resembling a turquoise jade carp and weighing around five or six pounds.
“Will eating such a foolish fish make me dumb too…?” he muttered sarcastically as he returned to his courtyard.
This courtyard featured a pond stocked with water plants and lotus flowers.
With a splash!
Fang Xi tossed the big green fish into the pond. Instantly, it regained its bearings and began circling rapidly.
“Indeed, somewhat dim-witted…” he observed, slightly bemused.
His decision to capture this turquoise jade carp was merely on impulse.
From Miao Dong’s incomplete Beast Control legacy, he had learned specialized techniques for cultivating bloodlines. Moreover, due to his work advancing the Blood Jade Python, he had extensively studied Dragonfish bloodline enhancements.
“Rumor has it that the Bluish Jade Carp King also possesses traces of Dragonfish bloodline; wonder if I can cultivate those traits…”
Fang Xi dared to conduct this experiment solely because he had ample supplies of snake-dragon essence blood, with no fear of depletion.
If successful, creating a ‘little azure dragon’ would be immensely rewarding! Additionally, his interest was piqued by the legendary ‘Azure Dragon Soup’…
After setting up the Little Cloudrain Array, Fang Xi’s daily routine remained largely unchanged.
His primary focus was on meditation and cultivating his spiritual seed, occasionally interspersed with practicing other skills or feeding and playing with the large green fish.
It was unclear if the fish truly lacked intelligence; despite several feedings with snake-dragon blood, Fang Xi noticed little change in its spiritual energy…
In terms of cultivation progress, however, it was remarkably smooth.
With the Gathering Spirit effect activated, the spiritual energy within his cultivation room now rivaled that found near low-tier first-rank spiritual veins.
Fang Xi estimated that he would need approximately four years to reach the peak of the fifth layer of Qi Refinement.
Nevertheless, this pace seemed too slow for him. He planned to leave the island once more for final purchases, including acquiring medicinal pills to enhance his magical energy.
One day,
a flower basket approached from the west and landed outside the Little Cloudrain Array.
“A formation?” Ruan Xingling gazed at Jade Cliff shrouded in mist, her delicate brows furrowed slightly as she cast out a voice-transmission talisman.
Inside the cultivation room,
Fang Xi noticed the faintly glowing Restriction Command Token, rose to his feet, and stepped out towards the array’s edge.
With a gentle wave of the token, the cloud cover parted, revealing a voice-transmission talisman darting aimlessly like a headless fly within the fog.
As Fang Xi reached out to grasp the talisman, a hint of shock flashed across his eyes. He swiftly opened the formation, mounted the Black Feather Boat, and soared skyward.
“Greetings, Island Lord!”
Ruan Xingling appeared unchanged yet seemed to exude a newfound grace and authority.
“You’ve set up a formation here? Good… Peach Blossom Island might not be peaceful lately.”
Ruan Xingling inspected the formation with evident satisfaction.
“Island Lord, your presence suggests that matter is indeed true?”
Fang Xi’s expression turned grim.
“It’s undoubtedly true; otherwise, I wouldn’t have come personally to inform you. Let’s discuss this further in the debate hall.”
Ruan Xingling sighed deeply.
At Mirror Moon Lake, within the Ruan Family’s grand hall.
“My dear husband!”
Hua Chanjuan, her large belly protruding, wept uncontrollably like a rain-soaked pear blossom.
Fang Xi, Mu Wen, even Feng Manlou and Mo Qingyu were present, each deep in thought as they gazed at Ruan Xingling seated at the head of the hall.
“The news has been confirmed,” Ruan Xingling began with a grim expression. “Our fellow Daoist Wei Yixin encountered tribulation cultivators during his travels and perished.”
Fang Xi’s heart skipped a beat. Among the original four guest seniors of Peach Blossom Island, Old Daoist Xiu Mu had passed away first, followed by Wei Yixin meeting calamity on his journey. Was it now his turn next?
“Has the identity of the enemy been determined?” Fang Xi stepped forward, asking solemnly.
“It should be the eldest from the Kou Clan…” Ruan Xingling responded gravely. “His younger brother mysteriously fell, leading him to deeply resent us…”
“I see!” Fang Xi nodded, finding this explanation plausible.
However, upon observing the serene expressions of Feng Manlou and Mo Qingyu, he sensed that matters might not be as straightforward.
“This island lord will dispatch patrols to cover the entire island. Everyone, it’s best not to venture out unnecessarily during this time,” Ruan Xingling concluded.
“Mirror Moon Lake and Twin Peaks should be fine; they’re close enough to assist each other quickly. But regarding Fellow Daoist Fang’s location…” Feng Manlou hesitated slightly.
“No worries, Fellow Daoist Fang has already installed a protective formation at Jade Cliff, ensuring its safety.” Ruan Xingling waved his hand dismissively.
Upon hearing this, everyone below couldn’t help but glance towards Fang Xi with astonishment on their faces.
“A protective formation?!” Mu Wen expressed disbelief.
For a cultivation influence, possessing spiritual land was just the initial step in establishing roots. Only by adding a protective formation could one truly secure a solid foundation! Even the most basic formations cost several hundred spirit stones—how did Fang Xi manage to afford one?
Having such a formation greatly enhances both security and privacy, making even Mu Wen envious.
After concluding their discussion, Fang Xi exited the hall and immediately noticed Hua Chanjuan still grieving.
“Sob… That heartless man left us, mother and child, behind. How can we possibly survive now?” Tears filled her eyes, reflecting her profound uncertainty about the future.
“Island Lord Ruan is a person of integrity. Let me offer you some advice, Daoist Friend Hua: The more one acts, the greater the chances for mistakes; act less, err less; act not at all, avoid error entirely!” Fang Xi stepped closer and whispered, “Peach Blossom Island has its Island Lord, law enforcement cultivators, and protective arrays… As long as you remain within Peach Blossom Island, you will be safe!”
Hua Chanjuan was startled, realizing the depth of unseen complexities involved.
She was never foolish to begin with, and upon careful contemplation, she sensed an unfathomable intrigue behind the scenes. With determination, she gritted her teeth, “I won’t leave the island. No, from now on, I won’t even let my child descend West Peak. I refuse to believe anyone would dare harm us so openly after this!”
“That…”
Fang Xi felt she might be overreacting but found it difficult to continue persuading her. He could only shake his head and depart using the Black Feather Boat.
In the harsh winter, snowflakes danced across the nine heavens.
“Phew… what a grim year it’s been,” sighed Fang Xi, clad in his green mage robe that kept him warm in winter and cool in summer, unaffected by the chill.
Two months had passed since Wei Yixin’s death. Initially, Ruan Xingling patrolled Peach Blossom Island day and night but found no trace of tribulation cultivators.
As time went on, the law enforcement team gradually became less vigilant.
Eventually, they even resumed interactions with the outside world, as many cultivation resources required external trade and exchange…
On a bright and sunny afternoon, Fang Xi hopped onto the Black Feather Boat, discreetly departing from Jade Cliff.
His destination was naturally the Treasure Ship Market!
Over these past weeks, he visited Great Liang frequently and acquired numerous mythical beast materials from Fatty Han at the Hunting Fiends Pavilion, all needing to be sold.
Additionally, he intended to purchase a variety of medicinal pills for cultivation, different spirit ores for artificing, blank paper for drawing talismans, and various spirit herbs for pill concoction…
Although Fang Xi lacked exceptional talent in the four arts of cultivation, he remained hopeful given ample time. Especially when it came to pill concocting!
Fortunately, he was still at the introductory level, primarily practicing with ‘Fasting Pills’ using Scarlet Blood Spirit Rice as the main ingredient.
Otherwise, purchasing various aged medicinal herbs would have been an enormous expense.
Considering this might be his last chance for decades before entering seclusion, having some miscellaneous tasks to occupy himself during that period seemed prudent.
En route,
Fang Xi appeared relaxed yet subtly vigilant, without significant concern.
How many Foundation Establishment cultivators could Wan Island Lake possibly have? They certainly wouldn’t waste time on trivial matters like these.
Regardless of who orchestrated Wei Yixin’s demise, the most formidable adversary they likely fielded was a Peak Qi Refinement cultivator!
If anyone dared to ambush him now, they’d receive a massive surprise!