Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

“The troubles may have just passed, but there’s still much to address…”

With a sigh, Fang Xi returned through the secret passage to his cultivation room.

As soon as he opened the door, he heard Widow Wang’s voice, “M-Master… There seemed to be an earthquake at Jade Cliff moments ago… I…I think I saw numerous tree roots emerging from the spirit field…”

“Hm?”

A fierce glint flashed in Fang Xi’s eyes as he glanced at the moonlit night outside.

Due to the protection of the Little Cloudrain Array, the minor earthquake at Jade Cliff had no impact on the surrounding area.

So… is Widow Wang the only witness?

In a swift motion, Fang Xi appeared behind Widow Wang.

Bang!

Widow Wang’s eyes rolled back, and she fainted instantly.

“Congratulations… Achievement unlocked: Nighttime Widow Encounter!”

Staring at the unconscious Widow Wang lying on the ground, Fang Xi muttered sarcastically to alleviate his killing intent.

After all, with the Demon Tree gone from the underground cave and Tai Sui safely returned to Great Liang, his current mindset was relatively calm. He now felt secure, fearing little about any secrets being discovered.

“However, just to be cautious…”

Fang Xi extended his right hand, and a vine-like root emerged from his sleeve, binding Widow Wang before pulling her closer.

Since fully refining the Demon Tree, Fang Xi felt as if he had gained a servant akin to it, possessing all its abilities.

But…the Demon Tree was now completely dead, devoid of vitality and unable to be replanted, rendering the ‘Longevity Technique’ unusable!

Using the Technique of Demon Refinement on the Demon Tree, Fang Xi realized, was akin to how cultivators create magical artifacts from spirit wood roots!

Once crafted into an artifact, it could no longer be planted to regain life’s energy!

Yet, this was necessary to suppress the demonic influence on his will!

“Still, there might be a workaround…”

Instantly, Fang Xi caused the vine to bloom, producing a seed in his hand.

This was a Puppet Seed from the Demon Tree, still retaining a hint of vitality!

Despite that, Fang Xi sensed he could effortlessly command it to perish, ensuring it would never sprout again!

“Unfortunately… this is only a third-generation seed, forever one tier below my own Demon Tree and two tiers below the Ancestral Demon Tree!”

“Sowing this third-generation seed holds little significance now. Instead, I should someday venture to Great Liang in search of the Ancestral Demon Tree…”

He gazed at the puppet seed, ultimately deciding against implanting it into Widow Wang. Instead, he employed another secret technique.

This technique resembled the ‘Soul Confusion Technique’ acquired from Nine Profundities Old Daoist years ago. Combined with the abilities of his Demon Tree, temporarily altering the memories of a low-rank cultivator posed no significant challenge.

Fang Xi began chanting incantations as plant-like tendrils emerged from his sleeves, piercing into Widow Wang’s acupoints.

Her eyes opened blankly, meeting Fang Xi’s gaze.

Suddenly, a brilliant green light erupted from Fang Xi’s eyes, penetrating deep into Widow Wang’s pupils.

The green glow seemed infectious, causing a flicker of pain on Widow Wang’s face before her eyes also emitted a similar green radiance, followed by her immediate collapse…

“It’s done.”

Fang Xi carried Widow Wang back to her home and then leisurely sat down beneath the peach tree.

---

Unaware of time passing, the morning sun rose from the east, casting strands of profound violet qi downward.

Fang Xi, who had been introspecting his condition continuously, opened his eyes:

“Thirty years since planting that tree, now at age fifty-three, I’ve reached Peak Qi Refinement with my martial arts True Astral Manifestation comparable to the fourth level of Body Tempering…”

“In terms of skills, both Dao of arrays and pill concocting are high-rank first-tier, while spirit plants and Beast Control Art are also high-rank first-tier; paper talismans are mid-rank first-tier…”

“I achieved the ‘Azure Wood Spirit Body’, although the ‘Second Wood Dharma Idol’ fell short but left some residual effects. Currently, my spiritual body enhances appearance, extends lifespan, amplifies my spiritual roots, and boosts wood-type magic spells… My maximum longevity is now at least three hundred years!”

“One large bag of holding, numerous smaller bags, a low-grade spirit artifact ‘Golden Flood Dragon Shears’, high-grade magical artifacts including spirit snake armor, Black Iron Sword, Qing Yuan Shield, Qinghe Sword, Black Feather Boat… Additionally, a batch of stolen magical artifacts, and over two thousand spirit stones.”

“A cellar full of spirit wine, a vast quantity of medicinal pills, a moderate number of paper talismans, a high-rank first-tier Insect King - the blue-and-white golden tortoise beetle swarm, and finally, a stubborn dead fish refusing to break through until its final moments…”

“An immortal’s cave at Jade Cliff, along with twenty-five acres of spirit fields…”

---

“Unbeknownst to me, I’ve accumulated such substantial resources over time. Time truly is the greatest magician!” Fang Xi couldn’t help but marvel after tallying his assets.

He felt slightly regretful about completely refining the Demon Tree, but he had no regrets overall. If he hadn’t acted then, it was uncertain who would have ended up refining whom in the future.

Indeed, these demonic spirit plants from heaven and earth are immensely dangerous!

As for the ‘Second Wood Dharma Idol’? There will be opportunities to re-cultivate it later!

“But… now that I’m free from concerns about the Longevity Technique, I am truly liberated… I am free…” Fang Xi spread out his arms, as if grasping at the very essence of freedom itself.

“This is perfect; while newly emancipated, I can plan for Foundation Establishment…”

“At the same time, I must distance myself from Wan Island Lake’s whirlpool.”

“Sometimes in life, taking a step back is necessary.” Fang Xi privately strategized.

Foundation Establishment! The first milestone on the path to immortality, requiring breakthroughs in essence, qi, and spirit!

“With my Divine Warrior physique, passing the blood qi barrier should pose no problem!”

“The Everlasting Spring Art is a common cultivation technique; even at Peak Qi Refinement, its magical energy won’t be particularly strong. This hurdle seems quite challenging…”

“For divine sense, it shouldn’t pose much of a problem…”

“According to rumors, Foundation Establishment is difficult for individuals with low or mid-grade spiritual roots, while high-grade roots provide significant advantages… Earth-ranked spiritual roots inherently offer a thirty percent chance of success, and Heaven-graded roots face no bottlenecks until Core Formation!”

As for spiritual bodies, most tend to facilitate Foundation Establishment, significantly increasing the chances of success.

Fang Xi understood the reason behind this well enough.

For instance, his ‘Azure Wood Spirit Body’ directly awakened his divine sense upon completion, akin to cheating through the third barrier of essence, qi, and spirit, thereby enhancing his likelihood of success considerably!

“Even if I have a seventy to eighty percent, or nearly ninety-nine percent chance of successful Foundation Establishment, as long as failure carries a risk of death, I must still consume a Foundation Establishment Pill!”

Moreover, Fang Xi felt that his current magical energy from the Everlasting Spring Art was relatively weak, necessitating the boost provided by a medicinal pill.

Despite this, he had no regrets about not switching to cultivate Qing Mu Gong earlier!

After all, there might have been hidden pitfalls within Qing Mu Gong!

In contrast, the Everlasting Spring Art, being a widely-used technique, apart from average magical power, posed few significant issues.

Despite this, Fang Xi harbored no regrets for not switching to ‘Qing Mu Arts’ earlier!

After all, there might have been hidden traps within that cultivation method.

In contrast, the Everlasting Spring Art, being a widely known technique, had only average magical energy capabilities but posed few significant issues.

“Foundation Establishment Pill! Baize Immortal City!” Fang Xi silently planned his future steps.

At that moment, Widow Wang’s voice echoed from outside the door, “Master…”

“Come in…” Fang Xi replied, expression unchanging.

Widow Wang entered and bowed respectfully, “Master… it seems there was a mythical beast disturbance in the spirit field last night! Quite a number of spirit sprouts were damaged!”

“Hmm, indeed, it was a rare plant-type monster. I’ve already slain it. The creature’s demonic aura may cause you some dizziness for a few days, but taking these medicinal pills should alleviate the symptoms…” Nodding, Fang Xi casually tossed her a bottle of pills.

“Thank you, Master!”

Widow Wang, having forgotten most of the previous night’s events, vaguely recalled something about the spirit field and tentacles, so she accepted the explanation gratefully. She left happily with the medicinal pills, intending not to consume them herself but to save them for Little Hu.

---

After seeing Widow Wang off, Fang Xi whistled and gently leaped towards the cliff.

Whooosh!

As he descended, the wind roared wildly in his ears.

Just before Fang Xi would have plunged into the lake, a massive azure fish resembling a giant eel burst out of the water, allowing him to step onto its head.

“Let’s go, take a tour around!”

Fang Xi felt a surge of excitement; after being confined for thirty years as a tree-tending recluse, gaining newfound freedom demanded some indulgence.

The Great Azure Fish blew bubbles, puzzled by its master’s sudden enthusiasm. Typically, Fang Xi rarely ventured beyond Jade Cliff, so this was quite unusual. However, it had no choice but to comply, carrying Fang Xi swiftly through the lake like a speedboat. At Fang Xi’s command, it even created large waves intentionally, then served as an impromptu surfboard, enabling Fang Xi to ride atop them…

---

As the sun set in the west,

Wei Yixi stood atop Jade Cliff and spotted a young man clad in azure robes, riding his spirit beast through the waves. A captivating smile emerged on her face as she greeted him, “Uncle… weren’t you always reluctant to leave? What inspired this sudden interest?”

“Haven’t ventured out for a while; thought I’d take a stroll today,” Fang Xi replied casually.

With no more vulnerabilities now, he felt remarkably at ease, which only enhanced his charismatic presence in Wei Yixi’s eyes.

“By the way, Uncle… I heard that the cultivators’ alliance has already reached Dragonfish Island… If not for you stopping me, I could have gained fame amidst their ranks by now. How does the title ‘Goddess Jadebee’ sound?” asked Wei Yixi.

Originally, she had intended to join the battle, but Fang Xi held her back. According to him, others risked combat for spiritual lands and resources, but since she possessed both, venturing into war would be outright foolish.

“How about ‘Demoness Jadebee’ instead!” Fang Xi smiled slightly before continuing, “Speaking of, your timing is perfect. There are some matters I need to entrust to you.”

“What matters?” Wei Yixi suddenly felt a sense of unease creeping in.

“Well, with my absence from Jade Cliff and the immortal’s cave, along with the cellar full of spirit wines, I’ll need you to look after these temporarily… You can keep half the profits from the spirit fields!”

Fang Xi’s words greatly startled Wei Yixi. She quickly examined him from head to toe, noticing no signs of impending exhaustion. Concerned, she asked, “Uncle, are you going on a long journey?”

“Yes, indeed…”

Unaware of the internal grumbling by this little demoness, Fang Xi would have surely given her a couple of flicks on the forehead if he had known. Instead, he explained solemnly, “As your master, despite being considered a Late Stage Qi Refinement expert, I am already fifty-three years old. It’s time for me to seek opportunities to break through my current stage. After all… before my days end, Uncle still aims for Foundation Establishment!”

“Foundation Establishment? No, please don’t… Uncle, failing at such a breakthrough could lead to severe injury or worse! You mustn’t go!” Wei Yixi clung tightly to Fang Xi’s sleeve, her plea heartfelt.

“This is our path as cultivators!” Fang Xi gently but resolutely freed himself from Wei Yixi’s grasp. “Regarding the Island Lord, you can convey my farewell on my behalf. Additionally, tell her to take care of herself!”

Ruan Xingling seemed entangled with remnants of the Situ Clan, and Fang Xi preferred not to get deeply involved. Thus, he could only offer a subtle reminder.

After receiving Wei Yixi’s tearful agreement, Fang Xi returned to his immortal’s cave, packed essential items into his bag of holding, then placed his hands behind his back. Standing atop the Great Azure Fish, he departed into the sunset. “Yixi, the Qinghe Sword and Blue-Flowered Golden Tortoise Beetle Insect King within the cave are now yours, bestowed by your master…”

With that, before attempting Foundation Establishment, Fang Xi planned to first visit Great Liang.

It had been thirty years since their separation; how were his old friends faring?

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