Stealthily cultivating in the chaotic world of demons and martial artists
Chapter 199 - 198: Unexpected Change (Extra Update: Seeking Monthly Tickets!)_1

Chapter 199: Chapter 198: Unexpected Change (Extra Update: Seeking Monthly Tickets!)_1

’Mysterious Water Essence’ only increases the Core Formation probability by a mere five percent!

A probability increase of ten to twenty percent is already quite remarkable!

After all, Cultivators themselves already have a chance of achieving Core Formation, and with the additional ten to twenty percent, it significantly boosts their confidence!

"Unfortunately... or rather fortunately, the Mysterious Heaven Sect acted swiftly and did not give Ancestor Song a hundred years... Otherwise, it might have actually allowed him to successfully form his core!"

After Ancestor Jiang obtained a third-order Demon Pill, Ancestor Song knew that surviving a hundred years was hopeless, so he took the risk to attempt Core Formation... Using decades of accumulated Yi Wood Qi, combined with Demon Skills, he was nearly successful in solidifying most of his magic power. This showed his remarkable talent. If he had more time, he certainly would have succeeded in forming his core!

And the Spirit Plant that he cultivated alongside his practice was this ’Phoenix Perching Wutong Tree.’ Naturally, the main body of this spirit material has long become the spoils of war for the Mysterious Heaven Sect, but he had prudently left behind a section of rootstock for Song Qing.

"You still want to form your core?"

Fang Xi looked at Song Qing, who had been turned into a puppet, and couldn’t help but let out a wry laugh.

’This secret skill is considered the highest legacy of the Song Family, mastered only by Song Qing... those at Moon Viewing Mountain have probably been destroyed by Ancestor Song.’

’What a pity... I’m not a primary cultivator of Fire Attribute skills, so it’s utterly useless to me...’

’Cultivating in seclusion for a hundred years and increasing the chance of breaking through to Core Formation by ten to twenty percent... If other Cultivators knew about this, they would definitely clamor for it.’

’But to me, it’s like a floating rib—useless! Completely useless!’

’I am destined to cultivate the Yi Wood Physique, which is marvellously profound. Most of those who possess it have already formed their Nascent Souls, inherently having a multiple percent chance of Core Formation...’

’With the Yi Wood Physique, what use do I have for this secret skill?’

Fang Xi fiddled with the root of the Phoenix Perching Wutong Tree. This Spiritual Root was extremely delicate and could barely survive even above a third-order Spiritual Vein with the aid of a ’Spirit Gathering Array’, let alone on a second-order Spiritual Vein, where it wouldn’t grow at all.

"With just a section of rootstock, it’s even insufficient to forge a magical instrument, at most good enough to be used as an auxiliary material... which would be such a waste."

After some thought, Fang Xi decided to store the Spiritual Root for now, to be dealt with in the future.

"A little revenge brings great pleasure to life; let’s have a drink to that!"

He let out a hearty laugh, pulled out the Peach Blossom Brew, and had Song Qing, who was by his side, pour for him. He then drank it all in one gulp.

...

Thousand Island Lake.

After making a round, Fang Xi returned to Thousand Island Lake.

However, he did not go straight back to Dragon Fish Island but headed for Ling Kong Island instead.

As he approached Ling Kong Island, the number of Cultivators nearby increased, many of them traveling in small boats or controlling magical weapons to go to Ling Kong Island for trade.

The Yan Family had recently relocated and started cultivating Spiritual Fields. They initially needed plenty of supplies and investment, so they took the opportunity to reopen the market. They actively purchased various basic materials, attracting Cultivators from other islands to trade.

Many cultivators from the Spirit Islands brought boats full of Spirit Rice to Ling Kong Island, and after delivering it to the Yan Family, they couldn’t resist browsing the market to purchase some pills, talismans, robes, Flying Swords... or even to have a drink of Spirit Wine or visit the den of pleasure. So, the Spirit Stones ended up staying in the same place.

Seeing this, Fang Xi thought the Yan Family had quite the business acumen, willing to invest heavily, truly a thriving and ambitious family.

"Unfortunately... this Ling Kong Island is ominous... Back then, when Yu Lingzi established the market, even he eventually perished here..."

His main purpose for coming here was to investigate the disappearance of Ruan Dan.

Cultivators don’t need evidence to act!

Fang Xi looked toward the Yan Family’s direction, his gaze icy cold.

Others might consider them heroes, but they are my sworn enemies!

The Yan Family wasn’t strong, just one early-stage Foundation Establishment could easily be killed.

And as for explanations?

The Song Qing and Master Huahe in his Spirit Beast Bag were the best explanations!

The remnants of the Song Family colluding with a cultivation-robber to plunder Ling Kong Island, what does that have to do with my Dragon Fish Island?

’But the Young Head of the Song Family is too high-profile...’

’Just to be cautious, it’s better to let Master Huahe take action... He’s known only as a leader among cultivation-robbers, unrelated to the Song Family.’

’Isn’t it the natural order of things for cultivation-robbers to kill and plunder?’

Fang Xi arrived outside the Yan Family’s grounds, first setting up several wooden Puppets.

After all, to him, Yan Wuxu was already as good as dead, but it was best to wait for ’Zhong Tianjun’ to arrive and act then.

It was better to get rid of this rival claimant to Dragon Fish Island as soon as possible.

...

Half a month later.

Fang Xi noticed an Escape Light, emanating Foundation Establishment-level magic power fluctuations, which didn’t belong to Yan Wuxu, brazenly entering the Yan Family’s grounds.

"Zhong Tianjun has arrived? Just perfect..."

One of the wooden Puppets’ eyes moved slightly, blending into the trunk of the ancient tree behind it.

Not long after, Fang Xi rode his own Escape Light over, tossing the ’Purple Yunzhu Bracelet’ in his hand, ready to test the power of this Exotic Treasure!

However, Fang Xi didn’t even need to take action.

Suddenly, from within the Yan Family’s Spirit Land next to the Ling Kong market, a series of clamors arose, followed by screams of terror!

It was as if an invisible scythe was recklessly reaping lives!

Flames erupted one after another!

Then, the second-level array set up by the Yan Family was unexpectedly breached from the inside!

A figure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator rose into the air and then swooped into the market to plunder wildly, "Haha... Did you really think you could scheme against me, Zhong Tianjun from Yue Country? You citizens of the Thousand Island Lake, you originally submitted to my Zhong Family, then turned your backs on us. Now being killed, you cannot be considered wronged..."

Zhong Tianjun held a Spiritual Instrument in hand, casually slaying Qi Refining late-stage and full-circle cultivators, raiding several shops in succession before leaving with a wild laugh behind a scene of ruins and desolation.

In the dark clouds above the lake, Fang Xi was watching this scene with a dumbfounded expression: "What... what sort of development is this?"

With a thought, he concealed his form and followed behind ’Zhong Tianjun’.

’Zhong Tianjun’, merely at the initial stage of Foundation Establishment, was not fast in flight, and his Divine Consciousness was not as strong as Fang Xi’s, who followed him at a distance all the way to a desolate island.

A streak of dark light flew from above the desolate island to meet him, turning out to be another Foundation Establishment cultivator!

The light subsided, revealing a woman with a graceful appearance, like a secluded orchid in an empty valley, untouched by the mortal world, as if she had stepped out from a painting.

"Uncle Ye, tough work!"

The woman greeted Zhong Tianjun with a charming smile upon seeing him.

"No trouble... Why bother waiting for me, Qing’er? Haha, the Yan Family is nothing and cannot turn the tables."

’Zhong Tianjun’ formed a Magic Spell with his hands and chanted an incantation, and a line of blood appeared on his forehead.

Then, the blood line split apart, peeling off an entire human skin!

A figure emerged from the human skin, his skin pale and luminous, indeed Ye Sanren at the intermediate stage of Foundation Establishment!

’A Demon Cultivator?’

Fang Xi, who had been following all along, was not surprised to see this, and even related it to a certain Demon Skill from the "Five Extremities Primordial Demon Skill"—the Human Pupa Skill!

By flaying the skin of a living cultivator, sealing this person’s remaining soul inside, and turning it into an artifact similar to a ’human skin mask.’

However, the Human Pupa Skill’s crafted artifact is said to be far more powerful than ordinary disguise tools, as it can even imitate magic power and Divine Consciousness aura, such that even close acquaintances cannot recognize it.

’I was wrong about Ye Sanren... He has been at the intermediate stage of Foundation Establishment since back then, went to chase ’Zhong Tianjun’, it seems that he directly killed him, and even skinned him to make a magic instrument?’

Fang Xi was actually quite envious of this Human Pupa Skill, but unfortunately, it required a foundation in Demon Skills, which he was unable to learn.

’I didn’t expect to see you again, Situ Qingqing...’

Looking at the distinguished Foundation Establishment female cultivator, Fang Xi murmured to himself again.

Meanwhile, the conversation between Situ Qingqing and Ye Sanren continued elsewhere.

"We... are we really leaving, for good, abandoning Yue Country?"

Ye Sanren seemed hesitant.

"With the Song Family annihilated, how can we, mere ants, shake the great tree that is Mysterious Heaven Sect?" Situ Qingqing revealed a faint, bitter smile: "We, mere Foundation Establishment cultivators, are just clouds over Yue Country’s head, blown away by a mere puff of wind... Only by reaching Core Formation can we truly be the sky of Yue County!"

"Sigh... It seems we have no other choice."

Ye Sanren stroked his chin, "Since we’ve decided to leave, why not make another hit? We’ve made a good profit by raiding Ling Kong market, and we could continue by raiding places like Dragon Fish Island... Although the three great Foundation Establishment forces are formidable, I’m also at the intermediate stage of Foundation Establishment. It’s not a big problem to take them down one by one..."

"There’s no need, there are risks in forcefully attacking a second-level array... This time we took advantage of the Yan Family’s desperate call for help, allowing Uncle Ye to easily enter the core of the array and then launch a surprise attack to kill Yan Wuxu... If it were those three great Foundation Establishment cultivators, even disguised as Yan Wuxu, they would remain vigilant and not give us such an opportunity..."

Playing with a strand of hair, Situ Qingqing spoke as if holding wisdom within her grasp: "Besides... the master of Dragon Fish Island is my old acquaintance, and he once saved my life. Let’s spare him this time..."

"Hmm? Dragon Fish Island’s master, Fang Xi? He saved you?"

Ye Sanren appeared surprised.

"It’s all events from sixty years ago. I used to suspect, but when he reached Foundation Establishment, I knew it must undoubtedly be him. He’s extremely good at hiding, and it seems he has great ambitions... Wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Fang?"

As she finished speaking, Situ Qingqing’s beautiful eyes flitted with darkness, piercing through Fang Xi’s concealment.

Touching his nose, Fang Xi stepped out of the night: "Situ Qingqing... Ye Sanren... it’s been a while!"

"You?!"

Ye Sanren stared intently at Fang Xi, a disc-shaped Spiritual Instrument shielding his entire body, as he declared warily, "Qing’er, be careful, it’s this person who joined forces with Ruan Xingling and killed Situ Jia!"

"Mr. Fang..."

Situ Qingqing looked at Fang Xi, gracing him with a radiant smile: "I didn’t expect that aside from saving me, you and I would have such an affiliation. In terms of seniority, I would have to call him uncle-ancestor..."

"Oh? Are you planning to avenge him?"

Fang Xi concealed the Purple Yunzhu Bracelet since its origin was somewhat problematic, and his opponents were not like Yan Wuxu, who were certain to perish.

He pulled out the Green Barley Sword and faced Situ Qingqing and Ye Sanren.

Even faced with one intermediate and one initial-stage Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivator, he had no fear whatsoever.

He was just considering how many cards he would have to reveal to kill these two.

"Hehe... you’ve guessed wrong. Qingqing has always had a strained relationship with that uncle-ancestor..."

With a look of sorrow, Situ Qingqing uttered, "Even so... are you intent on fighting with me?"