Stealthily cultivating in the chaotic world of demons and martial artists
Chapter 1012 - 868: The Sprint to Mahayana

Chapter 1012: Chapter 868: The Sprint to Mahayana

"Is that truly the Five Fires Seven Birds Fan?"

Not far away, Fang Xi’s aura was mysterious as he stealthily observed from the void.

He had naturally heard of the great reputation of the Shape Retention Talisman.

Such a secret talisman of the Immortals was enough to serve as the foundation to suppress the fortunes of an Integration Sect.

Even more coincidental was that it had sealed the ’Five Fires Seven Birds Fan’, this Immortal Mansion Rare Treasure!

At this moment, the true might of this Immortal Mansion Rare Treasure was fully displayed before Fang Xi’s eyes.

Between heaven and earth, a flash of crimson radiance.

The power of Fire Attribute Rules converged, turning into countless red threads intertwined within the flames, which even melted half of the jade platform!

Opposite the noblewoman, the Thunder Clan Integration Cultivator roared, revealing his true form, which was a terrifying alien race creature three stories tall with wings on its back and a mouth like Thunder Duke’s.

With each flap of its wings, a thunderbolt fell, transforming into five mountain peaks: "Five Thunder Mountains!"

Whirling!

Above the Five Thunder Mountains, countless cyan-purple thunder talismans converged, teeming and rising into a misty purple haze.

And as for its true body, it was flapping its wings, performing the Thunder Evasion Skills, rapidly retreating.

Roaring!

The flames entangled first with the purple haze above the Five Thunder Mountains; streaks of fire pierced through, shattering it as if it were made of paper mache.

Then, those mountain peaks that seemed to be piled up with countless Thunder Attribute Spirit Stones were instantly scorched and turned into rising Spiritual Liquid by several flame birds circling them...

Threads of crimson light weaved through the void, catching up with the escaping Thunder Clan Integration.

"Ah!"

It screamed as its protective spiritual light was penetrated by the crimson threads, its well-forged body unable to withstand the power of Rules and becoming riddled with holes.

A strange cyan-purple Nascent Soul burst forth in Thunder Escape, looking at the cage of fire threads with a hint of despair on its face...

Just then, the noblewoman in red’s expression changed, and the phantom of the ’Five Fires Seven Birds Fan’ in her hand suddenly exploded into specks of light, vanishing into the sky.

The flame spirit birds let out a mournful cry, vanishing in an instant.

The cage of fire threads enveloping the Thunder Clan Integration Nascent Soul disappeared in a flash.

The Nascent Soul, having narrowly escaped death, didn’t dare linger; it immediately used the Instant Teleportation Skills, swiftly escaping outward.

"The Power of Talisman is exhausted? That’s a shame..."

Fang Xi saw everything clearly: "If that Shape Retention Talisman could have held on for a moment longer, or if that female Cultivator’s Magic Power was a bit more formidable, then today, this Thunder Clan Integration would surely be doomed... It seems that this trump card has been overused, and today it has finally exhausted its power..."

The noblewoman in red was well aware of this and sighed regretfully, collecting the incomplete corpse and Storage Bag of the Thunder Clan Integration Cultivator and swiftly escaping towards the Twin Banyan City.

Having overcome this hurdle, the path ahead was wide open, and entering the Twin Banyan City would pose no problem.

However, Fang Xi did not follow, instead waiting for a while.

"Master!"

Soon, a whiff of Dusk Essence emerged, taking the form of a spectral ghost of the netherworld.

In its hand, it held several snow-white Skulls, biting into the Nascent Soul of the Thunder Clan Integration Cultivator, looking exceptionally eerie.

"Hehe... As per the Master’s command, the old servant laid a Ghost Domain ambush in secret and has captured this Nascent Soul."

The netherworld spectral ghost said with a grin.

"Well done."

Fang Xi waved his sleeve, collecting the Nascent Soul, then gracefully exited the Heavenly Thunder and Fire Array.

"Hmm!"

No sooner had he stepped out of the array, and standing beneath the Banyan Twin Trees, he felt a surge of extremely pure Wooden Spirit Root energy wash over him, causing him to feel quite emotional: "What a marvelous place..."

This was even with the Great Array sealing the city.

With just a fleeting glance from the periphery, Fang Xi could imagine how friendly this Twin Banyan City must be for cultivators with a Wooden Spirit Root.

’This Changqingzi, indeed, has a knack for management...’ Fang Xi thought to himself.

He, in fact, was also aware that he and the other party were of the same kind, someone who would surely carefully craft his lair.

’But it’s certain that he has not cultivated the Way of the Earth Immortal... Otherwise, having Sacrificially Refined these Banyan Twin Trees into the main Spiritual Root of the Spirit Realm, there would be no need to be confined to a city. To come and go as he pleases, how free and contented would he be?’

With that thought, Fang Xi transformed into a streak of blue light, darting towards the Banyan Twin Trees.

A blue Array appeared with a canopy of emerald light descending over it.

This was the protective Great Array of the Twin Banyan City, its power no less than the Heavenly Thunder and Fire Array of the Thunder Clan.

Fang Xi’s eyes flashed with spiritual light, reaching the edge of the light screen, he pressed his hand against it.

Silver Prohibition-breaking Talismans flickered into existence, forming an Array that struck against the blue light screen.

An unidentified door materialized, thunderously opening wide.

With a chuckle, he strode in...

...

Twin Banyan City.

Within the city, all kinds of flying artifacts twinkled and flashed.

Even under siege, the city’s Cultivators seemed to be living quite well, with even the Qi Refining Cultivators casually refining flying artifacts such as Wings, coming and going between various high and low Dongfus.

As the city was built atop two giant trees, the Twin Banyan City’s layout was quite unique, with uneven terrain, flying bridges and corridors everywhere.

Of course, there were even more Cultivators’ Escape Lights.

Every now and then, fully armed and intimidating members of the Wing Tribe would appear, seemingly taking on the role of law enforcement Cultivators.

Fang Xi, exuding a pure human race aura and concealing his cultivation, strolled down the streets, admiring the scenery of Twin Banyan City.

Though called ’Twin City’, in reality, bridges spanned the gap between the two, making them appear as one.

He arrived in front of a tea house and looked at the plaque: "Yun Chu Tea House? Well, this place will do..."

Upon entering the tea house, a greeter immediately approached him: "Esteemed guest..."

"A private booth upstairs."

Fang Xi tossed out a Spirit Stone and added, "Bring your best Spiritual Tea..."

"Right away!"

The greeter’s face lit up as he weighed the Spirit Stone in his hand and then called out loudly, "One private booth upstairs... A pot of Sky Blue Tea!"

Fang Xi smiled and took a seat at the highest spot.

From here, leaning against the railing, he could see a cluster of Dongfus not far away bathed in spiritual energy that fell like drizzles of spiritual rain.

He leisurely enjoyed the snacks served first, casually spreading out his sleeve.

A pitch-black insect flew in from outside and landed inside his sleeve.

’So, the Integration female cultivator who came to support is arranged to stay here?’

A message came through, causing the corners of Fang Xi’s mouth to curl up unconsciously: "This Changqingzi... really puts on quite an air."

He released the quasi-seventh level Puppet insect that had followed the tall noblewoman into the place.

Turns out she was temporarily resting here, arranged by the Wing Tribe of Twin Banyan City and hadn’t even met Changqingzi yet!

’My visit this time is actually to send Changqingzi on his way...’

’As long as I confirm where Changqingzi’s real body is, it’s really just a matter of unleashing the "Supreme Northern Dipper Life-controlling Divine Light" from my true self...’

’Even though Changqingzi is famous for his longevity, how could his lifespan compare to mine?’

After all, assassinating one of the Five Sons of Human Race has huge implications.

Fang Xi would take lethal action as soon as he made his move, to prevent any complications.

He decided to keep a close eye on the red-robed noblewoman.

With her Integration cultivation, Changqingzi, no matter how busy he may be recently, would have to meet her sooner or later.

"Esteemed guest, your Sky Blue Tea has arrived!"

At that moment, the waiter brought over a pot of Spiritual Tea.

Fang Xi poured himself a cup and frowned slightly.

Despite the tea’s jade-like green color, the spiritual energy was rather mediocre.

"Hehe... Esteemed guest, have you come here to take advantage of the City Master’s Mansion’s connections? That ’Immortal Residence’ across the street is full of nobles!"

The greeter, possessing only Qi Refining cultivation, wore a sly look of cunning on his face.

"Oh?"

Seeing through Fang Xi’s intentions but unfazed, he chuckled, "So what if I have? What if I haven’t?"

"Without concealment from the senior, most who come to our tea house are here for that very reason. How many are truly here just to drink tea?"

The greeter smiled slyly: "Seeing the senior tip so generously, you must be somewhat affluent. If you’re willing to give a little more, I can help make introductions..."

’It seems that this tea house mainly brokers dealings?’

An idea struck Fang Xi as he thought: ’Indeed, every kind of person finds their own path...’

’But how can a mere Qi Refining cultivator be handling such major affairs? Could he be a fraud?’

Seemingly catching the speculative look on his face, the greeter pointed to the tea house and said with a grin, "There’s no need for doubt, senior. If our establishment were dishonest, how could we possibly continue operating here?"

"You make some sense."

Fang Xi nodded, realizing that a Qi Refining cultivator like him was simply cannon fodder.

If things went south, he’d be the first to die and take the fall.

Since he was meant to be a scapegoat, the level of cultivation naturally didn’t matter; the lower it was, the less likely they were to rebel.

"So, how does one navigate the ins and outs here?"

He asked, curious.

"If the senior provides this amount, I can introduce you to the steward of the City Master’s Mansion..."

The Qi Refining greeter covertly indicated a sum: "After that, it’s your business to negotiate with the steward, senior. You have to pay upfront whether it leads to success or failure, and our tea house takes no responsibility..."

Fang Xi was speechless for a moment, even suspecting the tea house was run in the name of the mansion’s steward.

But he had to admit, the strategy was clever.

Even minor officials at the Prime Minister’s doorstep can wield influence, and, being a subordinate of Changqingzi, the other party must be extremely familiar with the dealings of Twin Banyan City.

For any issues or persons needed, they could provide details with absolute clarity.

If he couldn’t solve a problem, then it really couldn’t be solved.

’But such a minor character couldn’t possibly arrange for me to meet Changqingzi...’

’Unless I reveal my identity as Qing Hezi, march up to him boldly, and forcefully slay him... But by doing that, the identity of Qing Hezi would be ruined...’

Fang Xi smiled inwardly, about to say something, when suddenly he felt the tea house shake.

He rose abruptly and looked out the window, spotting a blue light shooting straight into the sky.

"Don’t worry... That’s just the ancient ancestor of our city displaying his divine skill, striking at those damned alien races."

This Qi Refining cultivator, though lying on the ground, spoke with ease, earning Fang Xi’s admiration for his thick skin.

But at that moment, his attention was diverted from such trivial matters: "No... This isn’t some secret skill or divine skill, but... a celestial phenomenon occurring from striking at the Mahayana threshold!!"