Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

“A potential son-in-law?”

Fang Xi glanced at Feng Manlou and Mo Qingyu, nodding slightly. “Indeed… marrying the island lord would be quite advantageous, securing both wealth and influence.”

Such arrangements were not uncommon.

At least it indicated that the Bai Clan and Mo Clan preferred more diplomatic means over conflict.

For Fang Xi, this was satisfactory enough. Whether Peach Blossom Island bore the name of ‘Ruan’ or ‘Bai’, as long as his tree cultivation remained undisturbed, he had no objections.

“Fellow Daoist Fang… you don’t seem to have a cultivation partner yet?” Hua Chanjuan suddenly posed a question that left Fang Xi torn between laughter and tears.

Despite her composed demeanor, this female cultivator occasionally displayed remarkably naive suggestions, which could be quite unexpected.

“I’m only in Mid-Stage Qi Refinement… Moreover, my focus is solely on the Great Dao; I do not wish to divert my attention to romantic matters!” Fang Xi replied firmly. “Please refrain from discussing such topics in the future!”

“My apologies, I spoke out of turn!” Hua Chanjuan noticed her husband’s expression and hastily lowered her head.

---

“Island Lord arrives!”

After all guests from the Feng and Mo Clans had gathered, accompanied by the old Daoist’s announcement, Ruan Xingling elegantly entered wearing a festive bright red mage robe. She took her seat at the head table, raised a wine cup, and said, “We deeply appreciate everyone’s presence today. Please join me in this toast!”

“My pleasure, Island Lord!”

Fang Xi and others promptly lifted their cups, ensuring a convivial atmosphere between hosts and guests.

“Ahem… with such a grand feast nearby, how could you not invite an old fellow like myself?”

Suddenly, a sardonic voice echoed from outside the courtyard.

The old Daoist’s expression shifted slightly as he sensed the speaker’s magical energy, seemingly stronger than even Late Stage Qi Refinement!

In a flash of golden light, a figure appeared within the courtyard!

This individual was short-statured, barely over five feet tall, with beady eyes and rather unappealing features. Dressed in a golden mage robe, they exuded an immensely powerful aura, clearly having reached the great circle of Qi Refinement!

“It’s Old Monster Goldtooth from Golden Flame Island! Why has he shown up here?” Feng Manlou’s face instantly paled.

“Old Monster Goldtooth?!” The rogue cultivator guests fell silent, struck with apprehension.

Much like Yu Lingzi, this person was also at the great circle of Qi Refinement, just one step away from Foundation Establishment!

Known for his unpredictable temper and astonishing power, he monopolized a tier-1 high-grade spiritual vein on Golden Flame Island for cultivation.

Previously, Peach Blossom Island’s Lu Clan had tried to curry favor with him, but it didn’t lead anywhere significant.

Could his unexpected arrival today be aimed at challenging Ruan Xingling?

At this thought, everyone grew visibly uneasy, with Wei Yixin secretly tightening his grip on his magical artifact.

“Ah, Patriarch Goldtooth! Please take your honored seat!” Unfazed by the newcomer, Ruan Xingling instructed her attendants to prepare a prestigious position at the head table.

“Heh heh… Although I’m an uninvited guest, etiquette must still be observed.” Old Monster Goldtooth casually tossed out a spirit stone.

The spirit stone appeared similar in size to a standard low-grade one but was significantly purer, crystal-clear, brimming with abundant spiritual energy nearly overflowing from within.

“Could it be a mid-grade spirit stone?” The old Daoist, Xiu Mu, rubbed his eyes, hardly believing what he saw.

Such stones were rumored to serve as large-denomination currency among Foundation Establishment cultivators.

“Well, well, the old man has keen eyes indeed!” Old Monster Goldtooth chuckled, taking his seat at the head table. Then, turning to Feng Manlou and Mo Qingyu across from him, he asked, “Your families claim kinship ties; let’s see what valuable gifts you’ve brought?”

Mo Qingyu’s expression instantly turned grim. While both he and Feng Manlou had prepared generous gifts, they paled in comparison to a single mid-grade spirit stone.

This gift was worth at least one hundred low-grade spirit stones, often more than that couldn’t even be purchased!

“Many thanks for your generous offering, Patriarch Goldtooth! Ruan Xingling raises another toast to you!” Ruan Xingling smiled warmly, seemingly oblivious to the tension hidden within Old Monster Goldtooth’s words.

“Haha, girl, you’re quite impressive. Back in the day, your Ruan Family ancestors and I had a good rapport. As for that so-called Lu Clan, I’ve always held them in contempt.” Old Monster Goldtooth downed his cup with a hearty laugh. “Today, not only have I clarified my stance, but I also brought an additional gift. Behold!”

He slapped his bag of holding and produced a box emanating a strong scent of blood.

As the lid opened, gasps echoed throughout the hall.

Inside lay a severed head, its eyes wide open in shock!

“That seems to be the only surviving Mid-Stage Qi Refinement cultivator from the Lu Clan,” exclaimed Old Daoist Xiumu upon recognition, involuntarily letting out a cry.

After all, this cultivator had nearly killed him before recognizing the unfavorable situation and making a hasty escape. The encounter left a deep impression on Xiumu.

“Well?”

Old Monster Goldtooth chuckled expectantly.

“Naturally, Peach Blossom Island and Golden Flame Island shall be friends from now on.”

Ruan Xingling, having consumed several cups of wine, displayed a rosy flush on her cheeks. Though appearing slightly tipsy, it only enhanced her charming allure…

---

Below at the feast, exquisite dishes flowed onto the tables like a stream, but Wei Yixin felt a tightness in his chest. “Do you think… what is Old Monster Goldtooth really after?”

“Most likely just distancing himself from any involvement… Our island lord has considerable influence and cunning.”

Fang Xi, on the other hand, eagerly indulged in the food and drink, enjoying it immensely.

In his mind, he had some speculations too.

The outside world would likely attribute the elimination of the second Kou brother to Ruan Xingling, which was quite terrifying! Even with Old Monster Goldtooth’s fearsome reputation, one could count on one hand the Late Stage Qi Refinement cultivators he had slain.

Moreover, given Golden Flame Island’s proximity to the three neighboring clans, avoiding further entanglements made sense. Cutting ties early with the Lu Clan seemed the best strategy.

‘Perfect, let Island Lord Ruan carry this burden…’ ‘I have no desire for such notoriety.’

Fang Xi ate heartily until fully satisfied, then followed the crowd to bid farewell without any concern for subsequent matters. He promptly returned to Jade Valley for uninterrupted cultivation.

This left Old Daoist Xiu Mu and the Wei couple utterly dumbfounded, as they were planning to discuss further plans together.

During the banquet earlier, Feng Manlou and Mo Qingyu had announced their intention to send cultivators to assist Ruan Xingling in securing Peach Blossom Island. They were expecting to strategize, so why did Fang Xi leave so abruptly?

---

“Petty intrigues… they pale in comparison to my cultivation progress.”

At Jade Cliff.

Inside his log cabin, Fang Xi sat cross-legged, practicing the Everlasting Spring Art.

He consistently avoided getting entangled in such chaotic affairs.

As he felt the world’s spiritual energy flowing inward, immense satisfaction washed over him, eliciting a subtle smile on his face.

Even this subpar spiritual land provided a boost for cultivation.

At least, it was significantly better than Great Liang and the mortal realm.

Practicing here would accelerate his progress towards mastering the fifth layer of the technique by several folds!

---

Unbeknownst to him, spring had faded away, giving way to summer.

With a thunderous roar!

Black clouds gathered, unleashing torrential rain!

Fang Xi, clad in a straw cape and conical hat, was inspecting the spirit fields at Jade Cliff amidst the downpour.

At the edge of the spirit fields, a small four-sided courtyard house had risen from the ground. The diligent work of mortals, combined with Fang Xi occasionally employing magical techniques and artifacts for assistance, brought it to fruition.

While legendary great cultivators were said to possess powers capable of moving mountains or filling seas, Fang Xi couldn’t achieve such feats yet. However, constructing a residence was well within his capabilities.

After rewarding the mortal craftsmen with additional gold and silver, they departed with heartfelt gratitude. To them, trespassing on the dwelling place of an Immortal Master without summons was strictly forbidden—a lesson learned through many bloody experiences.

Fang Xi planned to later set up the ‘Little Clouds and Rain Formation’, ensuring no unwanted disturbances or prying eyes.

As he gazed upon the robust red seedlings thriving in the spirit fields, he nodded contentedly, “The mythical beast blood truly has remarkable effects…”

Since the departure of those mortal craftsmen, Fang Xi seized an opportunity to travel back to Great Liang, procuring numerous quantities of mythical beast blood.

After irrigation, the Scarlet Blood Spirit Rice showed remarkably promising growth.

“Originally, these spirit fields would yield around two hundred pounds per acre when planted with Scarlet Blood Spirit Rice. With my cultivation methods, perhaps by autumn we could achieve over three hundred pounds per acre?”

As a spirit farmer, Fang Xi could estimate the harvest fairly accurately.

‘Scarlet Blood Spirit Rice sells for thirty pounds per low-grade spirit stone in the market. With thirteen acres here, that’s equivalent to one hundred thirty low-grade spirit stones?’

‘Indeed, being a landowner is much more profitable than a tenant farmer!’

‘The only downside is the slow progress in cultivating my technique.’

Fang Xi extended his hand, and faint threads of green light blossomed at his fingertips. Nearby raindrops seemed drawn towards him, carrying traces of spiritual energy, which he transformed into a mist enveloping the surrounding spirit fields.

‘Adapting to time and place… By harnessing natural rainfall, the range of this Spring Breeze and Timely Rain Technique significantly increases…’

After casting the spell on all thirteen acres, Fang Xi assessed the magical energy expenditure, nodding yet shaking his head slightly.

He increasingly felt the limitations imposed by his low-grade spirit root on his cultivation progress.

‘At this pace… without relying on medicinal pills and only cultivating on spiritual land, reaching the peak of the fifth layer in the Everlasting Spring Art would likely take around five years… Then who knows how many more years I’d be stuck at the bottleneck.’

‘The Mid-Stage Qi Refinement is already challenging; the Late Stage will undoubtedly be even harder. Achieving one layer every ten years might not suffice, making it impossible to meet the basic requirements for Foundation Establishment before the age limit of sixty…’

‘Fortunately, I am not constrained by blood qi limitations, so there’s no need to rush achieving perfection in Qi Refinement within a single decade…’

Fang Xi returned to his residence and changed into a straw raincoat.

Following his design, the four-sided courtyard house now included a kitchen, animal pens, a well, herb fields, and various other amenities. Despite its modest size, it had all the essential features necessary for comfortable living.

He headed to the bathing area, opened the faucet, and swiftly enjoyed hot water flowing…

After a refreshing shower, Fang Xi dressed in lightweight clothing and entered the cultivation room.

This secluded chamber met his specific requirements, constructed from extremely thick stone blocks with paper talismans covering the walls. It provided complete soundproofing, light blocking, and some level of defensive protection.

Once the door was closed, it felt like entering another world entirely.

Fang Xi approached the meditation cushion, lifted it aside, and revealed a dark opening beneath.

He grabbed a night pearl, illuminating his path as he descended.

Over these past days, Fang Xi had thoroughly explored Jade Cliff, studying its terrain to prepare for setting up various formations. In the process, he discovered an unexpected delight:

A cave nestled within the sheer cliff face!

He intentionally blocked all entrances except one facing Wan Island Lake, carefully concealing it from view outside.

Simultaneously, he secretly constructed a tunnel leading directly to the cultivation room of his residence.

Drip… Drip…

The cave connected to an underground water vein. As Fang Xi reached the bottom, he saw a pool of water with droplets echoing around him.

“This place is still too small; I need to expand it further!”

He embedded the night pearl in a rock, then took out the Golden Flood Dragon Blade and Sword, beginning to enlarge the cave.

These high-grade magical artifacts cut through iron effortlessly, slicing rocks as easily as butter - truly ideal tools for such work.

Before long, several bags of holding were filled with broken stones.

Fang Xi exited via the cliff-side entrance and tossed the debris into the depths of the lake…

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