Stealthily cultivating in the chaotic world of demons and martial artists
Chapter 129 - 128 Setting Strategy (Seeking Monthly Pass) _1

Chapter 129: Chapter 128 Setting Strategy (Seeking Monthly Pass) _1

After categorizing the Qi Restoring Pills, Fang Xi gracefully rose to his feet.

He would use the high-quality ones himself, while the medium and low-quality ones could be traded at the exchange meeting for various resources.

Once the Four Arts of Cultivation were delved into, earning Spirit Stones was not too difficult a task.

Ever since revealing his late-stage Qi Refining cultivation, his reputation on Peach Blossom Island had greatly increased, with many Individual Cultivators knocking on his door to request pill concoction.

At first, they might have just wanted to establish a relationship and didn’t care about the success rate of pill creation.

But gradually, as word spread of Fang Xi’s excellent alchemy skills and low fees, business grew more and more.

’I didn’t expect alchemists to earn so much... If someone requests pill concoction, they get to see the Pill Recipe for free, and if the concoction fails, there’s no need for compensation...’

’As long as there’s one successful pill in each batch, the concoction is considered a success, and one can earn a handsome reward...’

These were the ’rules’ of alchemists. When Fang Xi first heard them, he could hardly believe it, then he couldn’t help but lament over the enormous profits of alchemists—no wonder they could look down on Talisman Masters and Talisman forgers...

Having stepped out of the Alchemy room, Fang Xi saw Lu Guo with an anxious expression.

"What’s happened?"

Fang Xi’s eyebrows slightly raised, noticing that ever since this man had seen Ruan Dan break through despite his severed arm, he seemed greatly stimulated and had been cultivating diligently recently.

If he was coming to him abruptly, it must be crucial!

"The Zhong Family... The Zhong Family has declared war on the Thirty Six Island Alliance first!"

Lu Guo offered a salute and handed over a jade slip: "This is the war proclamation... If what’s inside is true, then Yu Lingzi really is dead... What should we... where do we go from here?"

Fang Xi took the jade slip, scanned it briefly with his Divine Consciousness, and laughed, "Quite self-righteous, I see..."

As one of the seven great Foundation Establishment noble families of Yue Country, the Zhong Family had plenty of talents. The war proclamation was written with passion, detailing all the treacherous and deceitful acts that instigated the conflict by the Thirty Six Island Alliance.

As for the ’Silver Armored Demon,’ not a word was mentioned.

After all, that’s how noble families are, right?

And in the end, history is always written by the victors.

Importantly, a particular scene was purposely imprinted within the jade slip!

It showed the moment of Foundation Establishment Cultivator Yu Lingzi’s death!

The Thirty Six Island Alliance originally had only one Individual Cultivator Foundation Establishment as its patron. Taisu Family then invited Yu Lingzi to be the guest Supreme Elder, which gave them the confidence to confront the Zhong Family.

Now with one dead, they were akin to a tree without roots, showing signs of defeat before the battle had even begun.

"Taisu Family has hidden their depths well; no wonder Yu Lingzi could reach Foundation Establishment, it turns out he was actually a Taisu Family cultivator all along, just later he concealed his name and changed his appearance... The Zhong Family even managed to investigate this; they definitely planted a spy in the Taisu Family!"

Upon reading the exposé at the end, Fang Xi felt quite emotional.

"But now, if the Zhong Family’s forces press upon us, what should we do?"

Lu Guo looked panic-stricken, even somewhat fearful.

He had just received news that Ling Kong market had been breached, and most of his colleagues from the former joint law-enforcement team were likely dead or worse.

If he hadn’t retired due to severe injuries prior, he might have met the same fate!

At this moment, he even felt a bit of relief, fortunate that he hadn’t perished in Ling Kong market!

Could this be what the old master meant by ’calamity is what fortune depends upon’?

"For such a major event, we naturally follow the Island Master’s decision."

Fang Xi answered as a matter of course, causing Lu Guo to unconsciously roll his eyes internally.

During the last incident when the Silver Armored Demon killed his way here, Fang Xi didn’t seem overly loyal.

Of course, most cultivators were like this, and Lu Guo wasn’t foolish enough to go accusing anyone.

With his status, rashly accusing someone could end up backfiring on himself!

Sure enough, a Voice Transmission Talisman flew in after a while.

Fang Xi caught it, and a smile appeared on his face: "The Island Master is discussing matters, let’s all go to the council hall..."

...

In the council hall.

A multitude of cultivators gathered together.

Peach Blossom Island was at its peak, with no less than Ruan Dan, Fang Xi, and Ruan Xingling as the three late-stage Qi Refining cultivators!

In the Thirty Six Islands, it was absolutely one of the top powers, which made it no wonder they were the target of many covetous gazes.

Ruan Dan’s progress in cultivation was hindered due to an assassination attempt, and Ruan Xingling was unable to reach Foundation Establishment due to a major incident, both involving the shadows of various forces.

Decades have passed since then, and batch after batch of Immortal Seedlings had gradually grown up. Even though many had suffered heavy casualties in the past, life and death battles had greatly strengthened the spirit and will of cultivators.

Over these years, five or six cultivators had advanced to the sixth level of Qi Refining, a clear improvement from the previous handful.

"Uncle!"

Among the crowd, Wei Yixi, who saw Fang Xi arrive in his green bamboo robe, immediately brightened up and waved to greet him.

"Sigh... nearly thirty, and still acting like a little girl."

Fang Xi came over and ruffled Wei Yixi’s head a little helplessly.

However, she only showed this innocent side in front of him. Most of the time, she was mischievous and had already begun to be known as the little demoness of West Peak on Peach Blossom Island...

He glanced around and noticed that the Mu Family was also present; it was Mu Zhong’s youngest son, Mu LiuYing.

Besides him, Mo Qinghe, the patriarch of the Mo Family, had also arrived, seemingly determined to become a vassal of Peach Blossom Island.

Once everyone had assembled, Ruan Dan called out in a clear voice: "The Island Master has arrived!"

Ruan Xingling, dressed in a bright red palace dress, took her seat at the head of the hall.

"Greetings, Island Master!"

The crowd of cultivators hurriedly paid their respects.

"Enough... I have called all of you here today because of the war declaration between the Zhong Family and the Thirty Six Island Alliance!"

Ruan Xingling’s voice was soft, resembling melodious bells, as she recounted the full story: "Now, where should Peach Blossom Island stand, I would like to hear your thoughts?"

"Isn’t it clear? The Thirty Six Island Alliance was unjust from the start and is now at a disadvantage. Why not just side with the Zhong Family!?"

A rough-looking cultivator with a large beard spoke out loudly.

As these words were spoken, everyone turned to look.

’This person must be the Zhong Family’s undercover agent, no, an openly known chess piece!’ Fang Xi thought to himself.

As expected, a female cultivator immediately retorted, "The Zhong Family’s army is still far away. Once we declare our betrayal, what shall we do if that individual cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage comes to kill us?"

"A mere benefactor surely wouldn’t die for the Taisu’s three families!"

The man with the whiskered beard replied disdainfully, "Everyone can see that the Thirty Six Island Alliance is in imminent danger. If we don’t jump ship now, what are we waiting for? Though there’s some risk, fortune comes with danger. If we turn against them and achieve a great feat, we might even be rewarded with a chance at Foundation Establishment. I ask the Island Master to see clearly!"

"Foundation Establishment, Foundation Establishment..."

Ruan Xingling sighed.

Since losing her chance years ago, she had never found another opportunity to achieve Foundation Establishment.

Suddenly she declared, "I, the Island Master, have made up my mind to pledge loyalty to the Zhong Family!"

"What?"

Many people were shocked and looked up. The man with the whiskered beard, however, was overjoyed, "Island Master is wise!"

...

"Mr. Fang, please wait!"

After everyone dispersed, Ruan Dan stopped Fang Xi.

"Hmm, what is it, Young Island Master?" Fang Xi asked with slight surprise.

"My master invites you!" Ruan Dan lowered his voice and led Fang Xi into a secret room.

All around the secret room were Protection Talismans, and after closing the door, it became very quiet.

"Mr. Fang..."

As expected, Ruan Xingling was inside, her demeanor solemn, "I wonder if your Green Barley Sword is still sharp?"

"Even an old, rusted sword can still kill when the time comes..."

Fang Xi sighed, "What guidance does the Island Master have for me?"

"Well said, well said..." Ruan Xingling smiled, pressing her lips together, "Today, in front of everyone, I publically declared loyalty to the Zhong Family, but it’s actually a strategy within the alliance!"

"Hmm?"

Fang Xi suddenly looked up.

"Hmph! Compared to the alliance’s indifference to our plight, the Zhong Family actively sent an attack to annihilate the Mo Family and even caused my disciple to lose an arm. How can I let such enmities slide?"

Ruan Xingling sneered as she explained, "Now I have sent a message through a Zhong Family insider, having the Zhong Family send an influential person to negotiate. At that time, we will ambush and kill him..."

"So that’s how it is."

Fang Xi nodded.

"I know you’re focused on farming and fishing, but with great turmoil in Thousand Island Lake, no island can remain neutral..."

Ruan Xingling said, "If this succeeds, I swear that from this life to the next, Jadeite Cliff will forever be a Spirit Land for the Fang Family!"

"Thank you, Island Master!"

Fang Xi sighed, "Then this old sword of mine, I’ll sell it to the Island Master..."

In this situation, he had no choice but to agree.

...

Nightfall.

Clouds obscured the moon.

A dim Escape Light quietly streaked over the surface of Mirror Moon Lake and slipped into the estate.

Before long, an ethereal figure arose, surrounded by countless falling flower petals.

By the shore of Mirror Moon Lake, within the hollow of a Peach Blossom Tree, a seemingly decayed vine mask moved slightly, and two eyes inside lifelessly watched the scene unfold.

Inside an underground cave.

"Ruan Xingling truly has contacts with a third party..."

"That kind of dim light and aura..."

Inside the underground cave, Fang Xi suddenly opened his eyes.

With the connection to the Demon Servant through the Monster Tree, the other’s vision was as if it were his own!

Fang Xi harbored no resentment towards Ruan Xingling for keeping him in the dark.

A lord who cannot keep secrets will lose his followers, and a follower who cannot keep secrets will lose his life. Those who aspire to accomplish great deeds, secrecy is always the first priority!

Besides, his relationship with Ruan Xingling, although old, wasn’t particularly close.

It was understandable, quite understandable for her to guard against him at a critical moment.

Fang Xi stroked his chin, "Ruan Xingling is actively contacting a third party. Taking such risks amidst danger must bring great benefits..."

Just like him, Ruan Xingling had already reached the Great Perfection of the Qi Refining tenth layer and could not advance her magic power further.

The only thing she could pursue now was Foundation Establishment!

This was Fang Xi’s conjecture. After all, she was someone who aspired for the Taoist Path. Apart from a chance at Foundation Establishment, he couldn’t think of anything else that could move her.

’Old Ruan is a bit stingy, not including me in on such a good opportunity...’

’Never mind, I’ll do it myself!’

Behind Fang Xi, tendrils of banyan Qi Root danced, burrowing into his body.

If before it was simply the Monster Tree ’nourishing’ him after a feast, now he was pushing the limits of the Monster Tree itself, extracting its potential.

Turning vast amounts of life’s Primordial Energy into pure Power of Qi and Blood, then infusing it into his body, he searched for a breakthrough!

"It’s close!"

Fang Xi whispered to himself, "When that time comes..."