Stealthily cultivating in the chaotic world of demons and martial artists
Chapter 1015 - 871: Secret Skill and Mutation (Congratulations to the great leader Weiwei for Xiaoxiao!)

Chapter 1015: Chapter 871: Secret Skill and Mutation (Congratulations to the great leader Weiwei for Xiaoxiao!)

"Qing Hezi? Could it be that distinguished Qing Hezi, one of the Five Sons of Human Race?"

"According to rumors, wasn’t he only in the middle stage of Integration? How has he already reached the late stage of Integration?"

The cultivators, upon seeing Fang Xi, immediately exchanged glances, and the flames of ambition that had ignited within them felt doused by a bucket of cold water.

As one of the Five Sons of Human Race, his status was extremely high, and he arrived as reinforcements, bearing the banner of righteousness.

After the death of Changqingzi, the local host, it was indeed most rightful and proper for him to take over the entire city’s forces!

Yet, the tall noblewoman, upon seeing the ’Five Fires Seven Birds Fan’ in Fang Xi’s hand, had a flash of surprise in her beautiful eyes, which then turned into a streak of red light as she approached: "Yue Qianqian of the Divine Feather Sect, pays respects to Lord Qing Hezi!"

"So it’s the eminent leader of Divine Feather Sect. Your sect’s contributions in support of the human race are all remembered by me."

Fang Xi nodded in acknowledgment, aware this woman had her sights set on the Five Fires Seven Birds Fan in his hand, yet he did not reveal her intentions.

Zhai Xingzi, realizing what was happening, roared in anger. One after another, the cultivators immediately flew out, beginning to take control of various areas.

"Wait... This is the city of Lord Changqingzi; before Lord Changqingzi transcended his tribulations, he had left a will..."

A Wing Clan Member in the Returning to Emptiness stage flew out, speaking frantically.

"How dare you!"

Fang Xi roared in anger: "Recently, our human race is still at war with the myriad races, and you, an alien, dare to babble? I believe Changqingzi was too naive, leaving you Wing Clan Members as servants, which led to this disaster. You must all be spies; kill them all!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhai Xingzi, with a smile, threw out a chain.

On this chain spread stellar light, with the power of countless stars overflowing, turning into a splendid nebula.

The nebula expanded, bursting forth with myriad lights. The Wing Clan Members, even those in Returning to Emptiness, could not resist the terrifying suction. They were pulled into the nebula, and once touched by the myriad starlights on the grinding disc, they were turned into dust...

"Hmph..."

Fang Xi sneered inwardly.

These Wing Tribe members, he had seen a Returning to Emptiness figure from the Wing Tribe fleeing in the Minghuan World, which clearly indicated they were indeed Changqingzi’s loyal dogs.

Unfortunately, what’s a hero to one is a foe to another.

At this moment, the more loyal they were to Changqingzi’s command, the more they had to die.

’The grudge of that day is finally avenged today...’

He casually gathered all the items Changqingzi had left behind, his Divine Consciousness examining each one. He found no issues but still placed them in a jade box, sealing it with seventeen or eighteen talisman seals.

With his presence suppressing the situation, the human race’s cultivators who had integrated their bodies naturally dared not resist in Twin Banyan City.

Some Wing Tribe members in Returning to Emptiness were easily taken care of by Zhai Xingzi.

It wasn’t long before Twin Banyan City announced a change in rulership.

Fang Xi stood atop the ruins of the City Master’s Mansion, where in the void, cracks still remained unrepaired.

—The aftermath of Changqingzi’s failed tribulation was bound to affect Twin Banyan City for thousands of years.

And yet even more intense changes were about to arrive!

"My lord!"

A streak of starlight fell, transforming into the figure of Zhai Xingzi: "We have already taken control of several warehouses... these are part of the loot."

As he spoke, he handed over a storage ring.

Fang Xi took it, his Divine Consciousness sweeping over it, and seeing the Immortal Jade along with numerous high-grade materials, he nodded in approval.

In Changqingzi’s old lair, there were naturally plenty of good things, especially the low-grade materials in the various warehouses, which likely could not even be fit into a storage ring or Heaven Treasure.

Now that Fang Xi had taken all the high-grade items for himself, the leftovers naturally benefited Zhai Xingzi and his group.

This group of cultivators from the Star Domain had originally followed Qing Hezi to assist in Twin Banyan City, expecting to sacrifice themselves.

But unexpectedly, they first suppressed the Wing Tribe, and each one of them grew fat and wealthy from their spoils.

"Now the city is mostly stable, but..."

Zhai Xingzi reported succinctly: "The Banyan Twin Trees’ Spiritual Roots are damaged, as is the Great Array... After all, this city-protecting Great Array has the Banyan Twin Trees as its core Array Eye... With Changqingzi’s fall today, it will be hard to conceal the news, and alien armies may make other moves..."

"Indeed, this matter is worth our concern..."

Fang Xi waved his hand, dismissing Zhai Xingzi, alone contemplating the scene of devastation: "Changqingzi... is he truly dead? Such a death was unexpected, yet within reason, alas..."

In fact, overcoming the Mahayana bottleneck entails surviving against all odds.

That Changqingzi made it to the final step, his cultivation, vision, courage, and even chances... were superior to ninety-nine percent of the previous Five Sons of Human Race, Six Kings of the Demon Clan, and Seven Saints of the Monster Clan...

Even in Fang Xi’s view, that Primeval Great Saint who had transcended the Heart Demon and Wind Fire tribulations but hesitated to face the Immortal Thunder Calamity using the Phoenix Essence Nirvana Skills paled in comparison.

But his rival never anticipated that the Mahayana Immortal Thunder Calamity would be three times stronger than rumored, with the last bolt of Immortal Thunder being terrifyingly powerful...

’Perhaps a moment’s difference, and he could have crossed over, becoming a Mahayana Monk...’

’Yet the outcome makes no difference, for even had Changqingzi become a Mahayana Monk, he would still have to die after my breakthrough in Integration!’

’Now, it’s just earlier than expected...’

’His fall, however, serves as a warning to me. Though the Earth Immortal Heritage made the breakthrough seem so natural, the four calamities that follow must be taken seriously...’

Fang Xi had to admit, since taking up the Earth Immortal Heritage, his path had been smooth, and breaking through major realms had been easy. Perhaps he underestimated the Mahayana Immortal Tribulation!

"Fortunately, it’s not too late; some preparations can start to be made."

He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, lost in thought when a streak of fire descended, revealing Yue Qianqian’s form.

"Qianqian pays respect to Lord Qing Hezi."

Yue Qianqian gave a witty and charming smile, then performed a curtsy.

"Are you here to ask about the Five Fires Seven Birds Fan in my possession?"

Fang Xi said, "This fan is a replica I crafted from a blueprint I stumbled upon by chance. Is there something wrong with it?"

Yue Qianqian hadn’t expected Fang Xi to be so direct, and couldn’t help but pause, then she said, "Lord Qing Hezi, to be frank, the ’Five Fires Seven Birds Fan’ is the Sacred Treasure of our Divine Feather Sect. It has been lost for a long time, and its whereabouts are unknown... If there are any clues, our Divine Feather Sect would be immensely grateful."

"Divine Feather Sect?"

Fang Xi shook his head. A mere Integration Sect held no place in his esteem.

Even if this sect might have once had a Mahayana Cultivator!

"This servant may not be able to assist a great person like yourself, but I am privy to several Secret Skills and cultivation techniques that complement the ’Five Fires Seven Birds Fan,’ which can certainly raise its power to a higher level," said Yue Qianqian, gritting her teeth.

Even if the other party had managed to refine an imitation of an Immortal Mansion Rare Treasure, how could it compare to the Divine Feather Sect, which had dedicated countless days and nights to studying the Five Fires Seven Birds Fan?

"Complementing cultivation techniques or Secret Skills?"

Fang Xi was somewhat interested, but not greatly.

One would think that such cultivation secret skills might enhance the might of the imitation by a few percentage points, not even ten percent!

Such secret skills might be greatly attractive to an Integration Cultivator, provided they have only one imitation of an Immortal Mansion Rare Treasure!

But in his possession, there was the Sky-sealing Tower, the Sea-beating Stick... Even complete Immortal Mansion Rare Treasures, so why fuss over this?

’However, upon reflection, obtaining a blueprint jade slip for an imitation of an Immortal Mansion Rare Treasure from the Sacred Fire Sect... was indeed somewhat odd.’

’Although the concept of chance encounters in the Cultivation World is often elusive and yet real... With the Void so vast, a Void Storm could send any Supreme Treasure into the Lower Realm as a common occurrence.’

’But it’s indeed strange that the Sacred Fire Sect just so happened to have such a heritage... Perhaps, the original ’Five Fires Seven Birds Fan’ did fall into the Lower Realm?’

This was, after all, an Immortal Mansion Rare Treasure!

Let alone the Divine Feather Sect, Mahayana Monks of the human race would certainly be interested.

But with no news for so many years, no matter humans, demons, or monsters... not even a part of it has been found.

According to Fang Xi’s speculation, that Immortal Mansion Rare Treasure had indeed likely fallen into the Lower Realm.

Whether it was intentional or by coincidence was hard to say.

"I’ve already said that the blueprint was a fortuitous encounter, obtained from an Ascending Immortal..."

"According to them, it likely came from the Lower Realm."

Fang Xi shook his head.

"The Lower Realm?"

Yue Qianqian pondered for a moment, her eyes suddenly lighting up, "Indeed, in search of this treasure, our sect has turned the Earth Immortal Realm upside down and even set up an altar to summon it, to no avail... The only thing that could block such a connection would be the Interface Power of the Lower Realm."

She gave a respectful curtsy, "May I ask which Lower Realm it is? Please enlighten me, my lord..."

Seemingly fearing Fang Xi’s refusal, she immediately presented a piece of hide, "The several Secret Skills our sect employs in conjunction with the Five Fires Seven Birds Fan are here. I wish to offer them to you..."

For an Integration Cultivator, making a certain sacrifice to transport someone to the Lower Realm was indeed hopeful, though it would consume transformative boundary stones.

This material, capable of nullifying Interface Power, was becoming increasingly scarce.

Yet Fang Xi did not reach out to take it.

How could he possibly reveal the Mortal Realm of his origin for the sake of just this one Secret Skill?

Even a complete Five Fires Seven Birds Fan wouldn’t be worth it!

’This is bad!’

Seeing this, Yue Qianqian’s heart tightened, ’Could this Qing Hezi have his eye on our sect’s treasure as well? Could he be like Changqingzi, with a habit of descending to the Lower Realm to scavenge for treasures? If that’s the case, what can be done?’

The Divine Feather Sect was once powerful, but that was in the past.

Now, their foundation and influence clearly couldn’t match one of the influential Five Sons of the Human Race.

With this thought, Yue Qianqian couldn’t help feeling bewildered.

Thud, thud!

Just then, the sound of war drums began to echo.

Fang Xi glanced towards the direction of the "Heavenly Thunder and Earth Fire Array" set by the Alien race army and couldn’t help but curse with a chuckle, "Quite brave..."

The Alien race army had already been retreating slowly, but the celestial phenomenon caused by Changqingzi’s attempt to reach Mahayana had naturally drawn their attention.

Now, knowing that Changqingzi had perished and the Banyan Twin Trees were severely weakened, it would be surprising if they didn’t take the opportunity to strike!

But such a move was nothing short of a snub to him, one of the Five Sons of the Human Race!

’Changqingzi must have been confined to the Banyan Twin Trees due to some Secret Skill effect... hence letting you bully until now, do you think I, Qing Hezi, am the same?’

Fang Xi sneered inwardly and then turned his gaze to the Banyan Twin Trees, falling into deep thought.

If the Alien race were to attack in full force, he would of course be undaunted, but the Twin Banyan City, with its Great Array severely weakened, would probably not withstand the attack...