Stealthily cultivating in the chaotic world of demons and martial artists
Chapter 1122 - 976 The Ascetic

Chapter 1122: Chapter 976 The Ascetic

The sun rose in the east.

The glow of dawn spread thousand of zhang across the sky, shining upon Qinghe Mountain where billows of cloud and fog arose, as splendid as a tapestry of clouds.

On a cliff.

Fang Xi inhaled and exhaled the Great Sun Purple Qi, his body’s acupoints resonating with the stars above, and his Mixed Origin Five-Element Energy once again shed a layer of impurities.

Crackle and pop!

Explosions like popping beans erupted from his body. Within the five-colored magical power, those five magical artifacts became even more solid, clearly increasing in might, now almost reaching the strongest level just below a Pure Yang Treasure.

"After twelve transformations of magical power, only the last one remains... and then I can achieve my Primordial Spirit," he murmured after a long while, opening his eyes.

With no more external enemies on Qinghe Mountain, he devoted himself entirely to cultivation, and in just a mere year, he had reached an extremely high realm.

He had already traveled more than half the journey to the realm of Sword Immortal.

"However, that last transformation of magical power is the most difficult..."

"Moreover, it would be best if I found the Five Elements True Reprisal or the Origin Magnetism methods to improve my Mixed Origin Five Elements True Qi by one grade."

The quality of magical power and true qi for cultivators are closely related to their future achievements.

Fang Xi, who recently studied the Earth Origin Gold Book, sees even more clearly the path of cultivation in this world.

"Without the Five Elements True Reprisal or the Origin Magnetism methods, I just need to cultivate in silence, and within a year, I will surely perfect my Sword Immortal magical power and achieve my Primordial Spirit in one go!"

This step is exceedingly difficult for all cultivators, yet for Fang Xi, it is quite simple. After all, his essence had already reached it, and his second Primordial Spirit was also a great help.

"But if I settle for this, my future accomplishments will be limited; I’m afraid, at most, only reaching the level of an Earth Immortal fruition!"

"Shouldn’t I at least achieve the fruition of a Celestial Immortal, or maybe a Gold Immortal?"

The fruition of a Celestial Immortal is very mysterious, with scarcely a few individuals in this world, and even ascending to the Heavenly World, they are of the highest status.

Not to mention a Gold Immortal.

Though Fang Xi does not wish to ascend to the Heavenly World, he is more interested in Gold Immortals.

After all, in the True Immortal Realm, the grades of immortal status are almost fixed. Even if there are methods to improve the quality of Primordial Spirits, they will inevitably consume a great deal and be extremely difficult, with stringent conditions.

But here, such methods for cultivating Primordial Spirits do exist – isn’t that a great blessing?

’I wonder, if I achieve a Golden Immortal Primordial Spirit, how much will it increase my chances of becoming a Prime Taoist Master?’ he thought.

’With my second Primordial Spirit already possessing the magical power of an Individual Immortal, there’s no need to rush.’

With a loud whoosh, Fang Xi drew forth another flying sword.

This flying sword was gray-white throughout, but it was adorned with twelve golden rings, resembling the sequence of time, and it was indeed the ’Si Chen Sword’!

Compared to its previous appearance, this flying sword now seemed crystal clear, like gray crystal.

The twelve golden rings were infused within the gray crystal, giving off a peculiar sense of the flow of time.

"The Si Chen Sword, under my own hands, has already been refined eight times in form and substance... It only lacks the final refinement to become a Pure Yang Treasure," Fang Xi said as he expelled a breath of Mixed Origin Five Elements Magical Power, wielding the Si Chen Sword.

In the void, scenes of the alternation of spring and autumn, the cyclical progression of the four seasons, and the circulation of the twelve solar terms suddenly appeared.

Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig!

Phantoms of twelve flying swords materialized, which then turned from ethereal to solid in an instant, their sword lights rising up to the sky and faintly forming a sword array.

All at once, all the sword lights dissipated, as if they only existed in the past.

"Now this Si Chen Sword is nearly as important to me as my life-bound flying sword."

"When I achieve my Primordial Spirit, I should be able to elevate it to the Pure Yang level as well."

Fang Xi stowed away the flying sword, concluding his daily cultivation.

Within the Taoist Temple, Qingfeng and Mingyue managed everything in an orderly fashion.

This was also the reason Fang Xi could cultivate with peace of mind.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, he looked towards the outside of the Six Yao Yin Water Array, laughing with interest...

...

"Eh?"

Meanwhile, outside of Qinghe Mountain, a beam of escape light suddenly appeared.

Within the light was a monk wearing an iron-grey headband.

A sheathed killing knife hung from his waist and a white bone necklace was around his neck; at a glance, he was clearly a practitioner of the unconventional path.

This monk, looking ahead at the mist-enshrouded green Spirit Mountain, couldn’t help but rub his eyes, "It’s been a while since I last visited, could I have taken the wrong turn? How did this Old Crow Temple’s Decayed Mountain change its appearance?"

Just then, the mist parted to form a pathway, and Qingfeng came out to meet the monk, bowing in greeting, "Reverend sir... our Mountain Master invites you."

"Mountain Master? Wasn’t it Temple Master?"

The monk mumbled a few words to himself, took another look at the mist, and finally proceeded to walk in.

Arriving at the Old Crow Temple, he was shocked.

The plaques and deity statues of the Old Crow Temple had been completely removed, and now, it had been transformed into a series of tranquil rooms and abodes, set out with elegant arrangements including small bridges and flowing water, with flowers blossoming profusely...

Compared to the roughly made Old Crow Temple of the past, it was now much more graceful.

"Reverend sir, please wait here..."

Qingfeng ushered the monk into a grand hall, and Mingyue immediately served tea.

After completing these tasks, the two of them bowed their heads respectfully and stood to one side, not daring to make any movement.

The monk cast a sidelong glance and asked, "Isn’t this place the Old Crow Temple? Where has the Temple Master gone?"

"I killed the Old Crow Temple Master."

Fang Xi walked in and spoke the truth.

The monk was startled and couldn’t help but ask again, "Then what about all the disciples and followers?"

"Naturally, they’ve been sent to keep him company."

"Haha, splendid!"

The monk clapped his hands in praise, "This wanderer has long disapproved of that Old Crow Temple Master. However, since his transformation techniques are formidable, and after he turns into a fire crow his escape light is difficult to pursue, I never made a move. Recently, by a lucky coincidence, I obtained a precious knife and was just about to take it out for a good profit. I didn’t expect that the Old Crow Temple Master had already been dealt with by Sir."

Fang Xi’s gaze dropped to the knife scabbard at the monk’s waist and he nodded slightly.

This scabbard was designed in a simple old style, with patterns of thunder and fire, and the knife in it was obviously not bad either; it was a fine magic weapon.

Just by this point alone, this monk was far superior to the Old Crow Temple Master by who knows how much.

As for whether he really bore a grudge against the Old Crow Temple Master or was just changing his story on the spot.

Fang Xi’s fingers moved slightly in his sleeve, and he had already made a judgment in his heart.

After further conversation, he learned that this monk called himself ’Tian Ku’ and was an Individual Cultivator from the Kunyun Water Mansion.

Tian Ku Monk talked about a few interesting things from the cultivation world, had a plate of tea fruits, and then said:

"Seeing Sir’s splendid divine countenance and the inner containments of magical power, you must be a Cultivator of the Dao. There happens to be a grand event in the cultivation world recently. I wonder if Sir might be interested?"

"Oh? What grand event might that be?" Fang Xi asked with feigned interest.

"Sir may have heard of the Hua Mountain Sect?" Tian Ku Monk said, "This Hua Mountain Sect is one of the top sects in the realm, housing numerous precious sword scriptures and several Immortal Grade flying swords. In terms of fame, it is second only to the Shu Mountain Sect..."

The Hua Mountain Sect is also a proper and orthodox mysterious sect. The current Master, Ancestor Lie Huo, wields the ’All-Heaven Fire Sword.’ It is said that this sword was forged from the essence of Southern Brightness Li Fire, and its might shakes the heavens and the earth.

The fire attribute flying sword that Fang Xi envisioned once included this one.

However, after obtaining the Fire Cloud Sword, he put the thought aside for the time being.

But no matter whether it’s the Fire Cloud Sword or the Taiyi Invisible Sword, both are too closely related to Shu Mountain.

Even though his true self has wiped clean the brands within them, the thread of karma is still difficult to cut off.

If he carried them with him in this world, they would inevitably cause some trouble.

Therefore, Fang Xi has left them in the Earth Immortal Realm, in the care of his true self, ensuring that nothing could go wrong.

"The fame of the Hua Mountain Sect is naturally well-known. How could this matter be related to such a sect?" Fang Xi responded in a serious tone.

"Not exactly, but not far off... Hua Mountain Sect’s third-generation eldest disciple, Yue Huzhong, somehow got into a feud with a disciple of ’Divine Wood Island’ in the Eastern Sea. Although Hua Mountain is a prestigious sect, the Eastern Sea is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, with many Individual Immortals each occupying an island for secluded cultivation," said Tian Ku Monk.

"The Island Master of Divine Wood Island is said to be an Earth Immortal of many years, with profound and mysterious fruition. He rarely involves himself in such matters... Besides, it’s just a dispute between the younger generation, so it’s unlikely to reach the ears of the Elders. Therefore, Yue Huzhong and the eldest disciple of Divine Wood Island have agreed to settle their dispute with a sword fight on the nineteenth day of the ninth month by the shores of the Eastern Sea!"

"So it’s just a sword duel between two Sword Immortals."

Fang Xi somewhat understood.

"It’s not just a sword duel, but a grand event rarely seen in the cultivation world in a decade," Tian Ku Monk said. "Yue Huzhong, known as the ’Peach Plum Fairy,’ is very sociable with extensive connections... Many Individual Cultivators from the Three Mountains and Five Peaks are calling on friends to boost his morale... Of course, a lot of Cultivators are also coming from the Eastern Sea. At that time, it will be a rare gathering in the cultivation world. Wouldn’t Sir want to join the excitement?"

"That... I should indeed check it out."

Fang Xi was moved by the words.

He had been itching to move recently and truly did want to go out for a stroll.

After all, he had not come to this world to cultivate as a true Cultivator, but to gather various resources.

If he did not go out to cause trouble, big trouble... flying swords and Heavenly Books would not automatically fall into his lap.

’As such, involving too many causes and effects is not the way of reclusive Cultivators,’ he thought.

’But I don’t care. Even if karma becomes entangled and eventually brings about a killing disaster, what’s the worst? Death...’ Fang Xi thought with indifference, ’On this trip, I could indeed search for the Five Elements True Reprisal and Origin Magnetism methods... I have heard that the Eastern Sea is vast beyond measure, with many Individual Cultivators and even possibly Earth Immortals and Celestial Immortals around; there should be plenty of good stuff.’

"Good, then how about we travel together?" Tian Ku Monk slapped his thigh, "To tell the truth... I’ve also invited the ’Jade Wave Fairy’ of Cuiyun Cave and ’Qingniu’ the Old Daoist from Niu Home Village... Together on the road, it’s quite lively."

"In that case... I would be disrespectful to decline."

Fang Xi amiably agreed.

...

A few days later.

A Spirit Boat streaked across the high sky, carrying several Sword Immortals on board.

The Jade Wave Fairy wore an emerald green robe, her smile warm and gentle.

Qingniu the Old Daoist looked just like an ordinary country farmer, leading a blue ox by the hand.

This blue ox seemed very ordinary, but Fang Xi could sense its extraordinariness through the awareness of his secondary primordial spirit.

"Tian Ku Monk, I didn’t expect that your chance this time out would be so good..."

Qingniu the Old Daoist said cheerfully, "Just by looking at this precious knife, it’s not any less impressive than a common magic weapon flying sword, right?"

"This ’Killing Precepts Knife’ of mine was excavated from under a broken stone statue in an ancient temple. Engraved on it are thirty-six hundred Buddhist incantations. It can fly and injure people, not fearing magical or unclean elements..."

Tian Ku Monk’s face showed a hint of pride but quickly returned to normal, "Of course, compared to a real Immortal Grade flying sword, it’s still somewhat inferior. Not to mention Yue Hu’s sword from Hua Mountain Sect, even Divine Wood Island has countless thousand-year and ten-thousand-year ironwood trees—excellent material for refinning ’Divine Wood Swords.’ There’s a rumor that on the island, there’s a ’Ten Thousand Year Divine Wood Sword’ that has reached the Divine Rank Pure Yang level in power, with formidable might. Who knows if I’ll have the chance to see it this time?"

’A ’Ten Thousand Year Divine Wood Sword’? I feel like it has a connection with me, could it be the sixth generation Green Barley Sword?’ Fang Xi, who was quietly tasting tea on the side, raised his eyebrows and mused to himself.