Stealthily cultivating in the chaotic world of demons and martial artists
Chapter 190 - 189: Discussion (Seeking Monthly Tickets at Month’s End!)_1

Chapter 190: Chapter 189: Discussion (Seeking Monthly Tickets at Month’s End!)_1

"In that case, won’t Thousand Island Lake be without a master again?"

Fang Xi looked toward Ruan Xingling, "Xingling, do you wish to take over this foundational enterprise?"

Ruan Xingling did not refute, seemingly quite interested.

After all, that was also her hometown.

It was just that previously it had been occupied by Demon Cultivators, and after the Song Family had flattened Thousand Island Lake, it was taken over by the Yan Family, supported by the Song Family. This was truly a scenario of driving out a wolf at the front door only to have a tiger come in at the back.

By this time, the Song Family had fallen, and Mysterious Heaven Sect was undergoing an era of transition from old to new, maintaining tranquility, which presented an excellent opportunity!

"This... Xingling too has this plan, but we’ll have to see what Dan’er thinks..."

Ruan Xingling immediately sent out a Voice Transmission Talisman to call for Ruan Dan.

Three Foundation Establishment Cultivators, no matter where they were placed, constituted a formidable force.

Only Baize Immortal City had a multitude of Foundation Establishment; in Yue Country, they could be considered the embryonic form of a local Foundation Establishment force.

The three sat under the Peach Blossom Tree, with Jin Ling pouring wine and Wei Yixi setting out pastries.

Ruan Xingling shared her plans and looked at Ruan Dan, "Dan’er, what do you think?"

"Dan’er naturally supports Master in taking back the family enterprise and by the way, reigning over the entire Thousand Island Lake," Ruan Dan replied without hesitation.

"Go, of course we must go! Taishu... let’s fight our way back together!"

Wei Yixi, on the side, listened with shining eyes.

She still harbored some lingering attachment to her family’s Spirit Land.

It was Jin Ling, however, who seemed somewhat at a loss.

"Then... it’s settled," Fang Xi said with a sigh, glancing at Jin Ling.

In fact, if the Foundation Establishment Cultivators were to go to Peach Blossom Island, the Spiritual Vein there would not be sufficient.

Luckily, within Thousand Island Lake, there were a few second-tier Spiritual Veins available.

Ruan Xingling took out a Map of the Lake of Ten Thousand Islands, with all the major islands marked on it.

Of course, mainly those with Spiritual Veins were marked, and if an island had no spirit mechanism, unless the territory was vast, it would not be specifically notated.

"Within Thousand Island Lake, there are four islands with second-tier Spiritual Veins, namely Dragon Fish Island, Ling Kong Island, Maple Leaf Island, and Golden Turtle Island..."

"Among them, Dragon Fish Island and Maple Leaf Island both have second-tier top-grade Spiritual Veins... Golden Turtle Island has a second-tier mid-grade Spiritual Vein, and the Spiritual Vein on Ling Kong Island is around second-tier lower-grade... As for the other smaller islands, there may also be second-tier Spiritual Veins, but Xingling does not know," Ruan Xingling analyzed.

With the scale of Thousand Island Lake, it was more than enough to provide for a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Among these islands, Dragon Fish Island used to be the station of the Dragon Fish Zhong Family, Ling Kong Island once belonged to the Thirty Six Island Alliance, and later became a marketplace.

Then, Maple Leaf Island, shaped like a maple leaf, once served as the cultivation ground for ’Ye Sanren’.

Golden Turtle Island was under the control of the Taisu Family.

Well... now all of these belonged to the Yan Family!

"The Yan Family ancestor, Yan Wuxu, originally came from a minor Qi Refining family and had long relied on the Song Family to survive. Later, with the determined effort of several generations, he cultivated to the peak of Qi Refining and fortuitously obtained a Base-building Spiritual Object, which allowed him to succeed in Foundation Establishment. Afterwards, he remained stuck in the initial phase of Foundation Establishment... wholly devoted to developing the Family," Ruan Dan said of the Yan Family ancestor’s records.

"Now that Thousand Island Lake has come under Yan Family’s control, they only have one initial stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator..."

Fang Xi looked around at those present, well, they had three initial stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

"The Yan Family is not a concern. The key is the attitude of Mysterious Heaven Sect of Yue Country!"

Ruan Xingling said, "During this period, I have been killing monster beasts on the city walls, and I’ve also gotten acquainted with a few Mysterious Heaven Sect Foundation Establishment Cultivators who came to help. Compared to letting the Yan Family continue to hold Thousand Island Lake, the Mysterious Heaven Sect would definitely prefer a change; moreover, we are more valuable to be allied with than Yan Wuxu..."

"Looking at it this way, it does seem quite good."

Fang Xi smiled, "We can go back and have a look. I too am somewhat nostalgic for the scenery of Thousand Island Lake..."

After the women left, Jin Ling remained where she was, her face filled with nervousness.

Fang Xi looked at her, also feeling somewhat emotional, "Jin Ling, how long have you been following me?"

"Nearly thirty years now..."

Although she had been taking Wrinkle-Resisting Pills, Jin Ling could still feel her youth fading away, inexplicably feeling somewhat melancholic.

"Would you like to go with me to Thousand Island Lake? I have a piece of Spirit Land on Peach Blossom Island, which I can give you for your retirement..."

To those who had followed him loyally and tirelessly, Fang Xi was quite generous.

"Nevermind... My Lord, Jin Ling likes Baize Immortal City and does not wish to leave," Jin Ling thought carefully and then responded.

She was already old, and she couldn’t wait much longer for her beauty to fade, without any descendants. Even if she went to Thousand Island Lake, what then?

Thousand Island Lake was the hometown of Ruan Xingling and the others, but not hers.

"Ah... well then, when the time comes, I will extend this Dongfu’s lease for another ten years..."

Fang Xi gave a sigh and tossed a Storage Bag to her, "Take these things too..."

"My Lord..."

Jin Ling took the Storage Bag, and her eyes instantly reddened.

However, Fang Xi simply waved his hand and entered the closed-door cultivation room.

He had placed in Jin Ling’s Storage Bag resources worth a thousand Spirit Stones, including pills, magical implements, and spiritual objects.

As for that low-grade Foundation Establishment Pill?

The woman had long passed the age of sixty without cultivating to the peak of Qi Refining, so the Foundation Establishment Pill was useless to her and might even invite trouble.

To this, Fang Xi could only feel helpless.

However, these were all just a part of life’s scenery after all, and he would not let such feelings stop his progress.

’Now that the Song Family has been destroyed and the Demon Cultivators have retreated... it is indeed the right time.’

’It’s perfect timing, I am about to make a breakthrough to the mid-stage... It’s better not to wander around under the nose of a Core Formation Master...’

The lesson from Luo Gong made Fang Xi deeply aware that even within the Immortal City safety wasn’t absolute.

Even though he didn’t stand out too much, his swift progress after reaching Foundation Establishment was clearly not normal.

Attracting too much attention would be bad.

Better to go back and continue planting trees.

Planting trees within Baize Immortal City would be courting death, but now, with a great opportunity at hand, it was natural to seize it.

...

Even though he planned to leave, there were many tasks that still needed to be done.

For example, selling or long-term leasing the ’Pill Tool Pavilion’.

The shop had been bought at a low price and now its value had skyrocketed. Both Fang Xi and Ruan Xingling had made a hefty profit, making Fang Xi reflect that not even the Four Arts of Cultivation could match the profits from real estate speculation.

As for how many during this upheaval had spewed blood from selling off their ancestral properties and ended up without even their pants, while others clandestinely bought up these properties and made a fortune, it was truly hard to say.

Moreover, Ruan Xingling also needed to contact the cultivators of Mysterious Heaven Sect to express her willingness to help the sect drive out the Yan Family and guard the North Border.

In Yue Country, it would be absolutely impossible to claim territory without going through Mysterious Heaven Sect.

But during this period, a piece of news spread.

The Supreme Elder of Mysterious Heaven Sect—Prime Taoist Jiang—passed away!

The new Jia Dan Cultivator—Zhang Zhusheng—took his place as Supreme Elder!

This made many cultivators feel a profound sense of melancholy. That living fossil of Yue Country’s Cultivation World had ultimately seen no hope in Dao and his soul had ascended to the Void.

And with Zhang Supreme Elder taking full control, Mysterious Heaven Sect was solid and resolute, accepting surrender from traitors and purging the Song Family’s forces.

With Ruan Xingling’s visit, it was like offering what was desired.

The two parties hit it off immediately, and speedily established a Spiritual Agreement.

...

Peach Blossom Pavilion.

’So that means... Mysterious Heaven Sect has agreed to our occupation of Thousand Island Lake?’

Fang Xi fiddled with a token Ruan Xingling had brought, his expression somewhat amused.

This token was pricey, comparable to a high-grade magical instrument. It was covered with cloud patterns. On the front, it was engraved with ’Mysterious’ and on the back, ’Heaven’—it was a token representing authority for forces under Mysterious Heaven Sect.

’What are the requirements of the Mysterious Heaven Sect?’

Returning the token to Ruan Xingling, Fang Xi inquired.

And Ruan Xingling’s expression was also quite peculiar, ’Forgive the Yan Family... Yan Wuxu kneeled very quickly, and as soon as the Song Family was destroyed, he completely submitted to Mysterious Heaven Sect. He even sent all the children with exceptional talent in his family to the sect to be outer disciples... Now that Mysterious Heaven Sect has seen a transition from old to new, they wish to maintain peace and quiet and are not fond of trouble.’

’Then, is it probably also because they don’t look too favorably on the Yan Family, so they agreed to our request, letting us go to Thousand Island Lake to watch over this family... or perhaps, to keep each other in check?’ Ruan Dan contemplated.

’Regardless, it’s good that they’ve agreed... Next, we need to discuss the distribution of Spirit Islands.’

Fang Xi spread out the map of Thousand Island Lake, ’The Yan Family still hoping to occupy a second-grade high-grade Spiritual Vein? That’s wishful thinking...’

A second-grade high-grade Spiritual Vein could support the Cultivation from Foundation Establishment all the way to the late stage and possibly even to perfection.

Fang Xi was definitely not going to give way.

It would be odd for their side, with three Foundation Establishment cultivators, to yield to a mere early-stage Foundation Establishment one.

’The Yan Family is but a minor clan; residing on Ling Kong Island is enough for them.’

Ruan Xingling decided the fate of the Yan Family with a single statement.

’Mm, Dragon Fish Island seems good to me, quite fitting.’

Fang Xi didn’t hold back, immediately claiming the best second-grade Spirit Island for himself.

Whoosh!

As he spoke, Daqing flew out of the pond, creating clouds and riding the wind in mid-air. If one didn’t pay attention, they might think they had seen a Flood Dragon.

’Is this... that big green fish?’

Ruan Dan’s eyes widened in surprise.

When had that ornamental fish in the pond advanced to the next stage? And why hadn’t she noticed at all? She even felt this fish might be stronger than her!?

’A second-grade... Azure horn Fish Dragon, with such a Spiritual Beast, indeed there’s more room for maneuver in Thousand Island Lake.’

Ruan Xingling’s eyes showed continuous astonishment, ’Fang... you’ve really kept Xingling in the dark... Well then, Dragon Fish Island is yours. Maple Leaf Island will be mine, and as for Dan, she’ll have to settle for being the Island Master of Golden Turtle Island...’

Actually, the Spiritual Vein on Dragon Fish Island would more than suffice to support the Cultivation of three Foundation Establishment cultivators.

However, this was a distribution of interests, not a division of cultivation grounds.

After all, would Fang Xi drive away Ruan Xingling if she decided to reside on Dragon Fish Island for a few years?

And Ruan Dan was likely to cultivate on Maple Leaf Island too, only nominally ruling Golden Turtle Island to gain access to its resources.

Although the three of them were on good terms, they couldn’t be careless in these initial divisions.

Fang Xi successfully acquired Dragon Fish Island, feeling quite pleased with himself.

Dragon Fish Island has a second-grade high-grade Spiritual Vein and Ground Evil Lake, both extremely precious resources.

In terms of spiritual energy alone, it would surpass Peach Blossom Pavilion.

It would more than suffice to support his Cultivation to the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

Later on, he could set up a ’Gathering Spirit’ Array to consolidate the spiritual energy of the entire island, temporarily elevating a certain area to third-grade low-grade without much issue.

Theoretically, with a third-grade low-grade Spiritual Vein, one would already have enough support for Core Formation...