Stealthily cultivating in the chaotic world of demons and martial artists
Chapter 223 - 222: Grand Elder (Congratulations to the Silver Alliance!)_1

Chapter 223: Chapter 222: Grand Elder (Congratulations to the Silver Alliance!)_1

The next few months passed relatively smoothly.

Although there were occasional skirmishes among Qi Refining Cultivators in Thousand Island Lake fighting for spirit islands, everything remained under control.

After all, with such vast territories in the three countries, the number of Individual Cultivators fleeing to the Thousand Island Lake area from Baize Immortal City was limited.

Furthermore, after Fang Xi’s secret purge, the real troublemakers had long since disappeared.

Even Ling Kong Island was peaceful, probably because the people from Three Points Hall had jointly sealed the news of Li Lei’s disappearance.

Flaunting the might of this Foundation Establishment elder, they continued to occupy Ling Kong Island.

...

One day, Fang Xi was in the midst of cultivation when he suddenly sensed a powerful presence approaching the edge of the Profound Wood Formation.

"A late-stage Foundation Establishment?!"

His expression changed, and he let out a loud cry.

In the fish farm, a green shadow roared and shot out from the bottom of the lake like a green ribbon, causing a huge splash that drenched the surrounding fishermen.

Luckily, Zhong Qi was well-prepared and casually smoked his pipe without worry.

Splash! Splash!

The water cascaded off him as if it had hit an invisible membrane and slid to the sides.

"Heh heh... look at you guys, it’s been so long and you still haven’t perfected this ’Water Dividing Spell’; no wonder you’re soaked like drowned rats!"

Seizing the opportunity, Zhong Qi took a satisfying drag from his dry pipe and began lecturing the novice fish farmers.

"The Lord has made a move... I wonder what’s happened on the Island Master’s side?"

One fisherman, disregarding his drenched clothes, looked towards Evergreen Pavilion.

For them, Dragon Fish Island’s Lord Master was their heaven!

Every action profoundly and strongly impacted the future of Dragon Fish Island!

"Eat your radish and don’t worry about it... The Island Master is steady... You’ve arrived at a good time; our Dragon Fish Island is as stable as Mount Tai. As long as we don’t face an encirclement by the Top Three Families, everything should be fine... Nowadays, there are fewer cultivators on the island, each of you can afford to cultivate in a second-tier spiritual energy Dongfu... If I were young like you, with such conditions, I might have already reached the peak of Qi Refining by now..."

...

"Go!"

The Azure Horned Fish Dragon flew towards Evergreen Pavilion, wagging its head and tail; a figure landed on its head and gave an order.

Daqing immediately soared upon the clouds, manipulating the mist as it traveled to the edge of Dragon Fish Island.

A streak of black light swiftly approached and also stopped at the edge of the Profound Wood Formation, revealing a black-clad female Taoist.

The Taoist was exceedingly beautiful, but her expression was cold as ice, and her slightly frowned eyebrows spoiled her originally delicate features, revealing a hint of Evil Qi.

What caused even more vigilance was the aura of Magic Power that far exceeded a normal Foundation Establishment cultivator, spreading out from her.

"It really is late-stage Foundation Establishment!"

Fang Xi inadvertently let out, looking solemn.

The power surge each time a cultivator breaks through a realm in the Foundation Establishment stage is terrifying.

When he had just reached Foundation Establishment, he only had twenty drops of liquid Magic Power; now, he has over a hundred.

And when breaking through from mid to late Foundation Establishment, the Magic Power experiences another huge increase.

According to his estimate, late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators have at least around two hundred drops of liquid Magic Power!

That’s almost ten times that of an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator and exceeds that of a mid-stage by a lot, resulting in an overwhelming advantage!

Not to mention, there are various Secret Skills that can only be cultivated once one reaches late-stage Foundation Establishment.

All things considered, each late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator in Yue Country can dominate a territory and is truly a great master.

Even throughout the three countries, each late-stage Foundation Establishment has a reputation, and wherever they go, they are treated with respect.

"The Great Elder of Gloomy Moon Sect?"

There was only one late-stage Foundation Establishment female Cultivator near Thousand Island Lake and Fang Xi didn’t even need to guess to know her identity.

"Dragon Fish Island’s Lord Master... have you seen these people?"

The Great Elder of the Gloomy Moon Sect didn’t enter Dragon Fish Island, her voice ancient, evidently time-worn, knowing that Dragon Fish Island’s formation was extraordinary, seemingly of second-tier high-grade, and that even as a late-stage Foundation Establishment, entering rashly would not end well.

At that moment, along with the Great Elder’s Magic Power, several light screens appeared in mid-air, displaying several figures.

’I have seen all of them...’

Fang Xi inwardly nodded: "Gan Xinzi turned into fertilizer... Li Kong became my puppet... and these Qi Refining underlings... all on my island."

But obviously, he couldn’t say that.

He looked for a moment, then feigned ignorance: "I’ve never seen them... These people, could they be the cultivation-robbers who plundered the Dark Moon Market?"

"Exactly!"

The Great Elder of Gloomy Moon Sect continued with her old and piercing voice: "I have something to inform Dragon Fish Island’s Lord Master... I previously visited Ling Kong Island and have confirmed that Three Points Hall’s Master Li Lei is also one of those robbers!"

She unleashed her mighty Divine Consciousness, attempting to observe any subtle reactions from Fang Xi.

"It’s actually him?"

Fang Xi feigned shock, "Many thanks to the Great Elder for your discerning eye, otherwise Thousand Island Lake would be in peril. How did the Great Elder come to know about this? Have you caught Li Lei?"

"Li Lei has already vanished. I have captured all the Cultivators from Three Points Hall... planning to bring them back for a thorough soul search and interrogation..."

Seeing Fang Xi remain within the formation and not venture out, the Great Elder of Gloomy Moon Sect sneered.

Recalling past rumors, she was aware that this Dragon Fish Island’s Lord Master was always reclusive, a cautious Cultivator devoted to his craft. Thus, she didn’t bother to say more, "The waters of Thousand Island Lake are muddy with both fish and dragons... Sir, you must also take care. Don’t get caught by the robbers... This time, I was able to track down Three Points Hall thanks to a secret tip-off from the Yan Family’s Head."

"The Yan Family Head? Yan Dongqing?"

Fang Xi recalled, "That Qi Refining fifth layer Cultivator?"

"Although that boy is only at the fifth level of Qi Refining, he is brave and strategic... It’s a pity that he’s a man; otherwise, this old body of mine would have wanted to take him as an apprentice."

The grand elder of the Gloomy Moon Sect let out a sigh and then declined Fang Xi’s invitation to have a cup of Spiritual Tea at the Evergreen Pavilion, turning into a streak of Escape Light and vanishing into the distance.

Fang Xi watched the other party leave, then stepped onto the Azure horn Fish Dragon and had Daqing take him back.

"Yan Dongqing?"

He leaned on Yan Hongxue’s thigh, eating the Spirit Fruit peeled by Xiahou Ying, while silently pondering in his heart.

That Yan Family head had meager strength; the whole Thousand Island Lake had been waiting for when the Yan Family would fall.

Unexpectedly, this person seized the opportunity, annihilated the Three Points Hall in one fell swoop, and reclaimed the foundation of Ling Kong Island!

Even, he must have also won the favor of the grand elder of the Gloomy Moon Sect, who made a special trip to give him a tip, probably meaning that Fang Xi and the others should take good care of them in the future.

’Indeed brave and strategic, the Yan Family has a competent family head...’

"Hongxiu!"

Thinking of this, Fang Xi suddenly spoke up.

"Young Master?"

Yan Hongxue responded with a jolt, replying, "I am here..."

Fang Xi swept her with his Divine Consciousness, finding that Yan Hongxiu’s foundation in Magic Power was very solid; perhaps she could break through the ninth level of Qi Refining in a few years.

Once she broke through the ninth level of Qi Refining and worked hard a bit more, even Qi Refining completion might not be out of reach.

And then, might there be a chance for Foundation Establishment?

"How long have you been with me?"

Fang Xi asked casually.

"Roughly thirty years..."

Yan Hongxiu was momentarily stunned before she answered in a low voice.

"Half a 6-years period, huh..."

Fang Xi did some calculations and knew that it was not far from Yan Hongxiu’s sixty year limit; if she was not careful, she might never have the chance to achieve Foundation Establishment in this life: "How is it going with your family recently? Have there been any letters?"

"Yes, but they are just a few family letters, talking about trivial household matters..."

Yan Hongxiu’s heart tightened, but her face revealed nothing.

In fact, she had also received a letter from the current family head, Yan Dongqing, urging her to take good care of herself and prioritize her own Taoist Path.

Between the lines, it hinted that she shouldn’t miss the opportunity to Foundation Establishment at the Evil Qi Lake of Dragon Fish Island!

If there was a chance, she must strive for it, and the Yan Family would support her with all their might.

Yan Hongxiu had actually never thought about Foundation Establishment, as she was already content to reach the completion of Qi Refining in her life.

But for some reason, the young master suddenly brought it up today.

"The current Yan Family head is not bad; he is quite a character..."

Fang Xi said with a smile that was not quite a smile, and under Yan Hongxiu’s somewhat anxious gaze, he lazily lay back down again...

Half a month later.

The news that Ling Kong Island had changed hands again spread across the entire Thousand Island Lake.

And the Gloomy Moon Sect also issued a statement, declaring that Li Lei was in league with cultivation-robbers and posted a hefty bounty, offering a reward for his capture.

However... despite cultivators tempted by the reward overturning the Thousand Island Lake searching, none could find a trace of Li Lei and that band of cultivation-robbers.

It was as if... he had vanished into thin air.

On the other hand, Liu Sanqi visited once more, clarifying that he had nothing to do with Li Lei, putting on such a cautious and careful act that even Fang Xi took notice.

This man, truly worthy like him, was a cultivator who practiced Wood-attribute cultivation skills, every move exuding steadiness.

...

’The grand elder of the Gloomy Moon Sect has a grip on quite a few people from the Three Points Hall; she might know some insider details...’

’I wouldn’t be surprised if she even knows about Gan Xinzi’s plans for Dragon Fish Island.’

’Thinking about it... her visit to see me last time, did it also contain a probing motive?’

’However, even if she is a late-stage Foundation Establishment, if she dares to brazenly enter Dragon Fish Island, she’ll just end up fertilizing the trees!’

As Fang Xi let his mind wander aimlessly, he made his way to the deepest part of the Evergreen Pavilion.

The water of the Ground Evil Lake bubbled and burst in succession, with strands of Black Wind Evil Qi seeping out.

Above the lake’s surface, the pitch-black Evil Qi had grown extremely dense, possessing a viscous consistency.

"Fifty years... This stream of Black Wind Evil Qi has finally been nurtured to near completion," Fang Xi remarked as he looked at the stream of Evil Qi.

The Dragon Fish Zhong Family had been a Foundation Establishment family generation after generation, almost every generation producing Foundation Establishment cultivators, all thanks to this Ground Evil Lake.

Such a precious resource, that even when the Zhong Family was destroyed, they couldn’t bring themselves to damage it!

Just as Ruan Xingling’s father was reluctant to damage the Spirit Peach Tree, thinking that one day their descendants could take it back!

"However, now it finally belongs to me."

Fang Xi smiled slightly, his Magic Power from the Green Wood Longevity Skills formed a giant hand that flew towards the pitch-black Evil Qi fog.

Zzzt!

With a series of Magic Spells, that pitch-black dense fog condensed into a vortex, in the middle like a funnel, which Fang Xi then ignited with a puff of the azure-colored Innate True Fire, beginning to slowly refine it. Drops of it were gathered into a jade bottle already prepared.

Several days later, the jade bottle in Fang Xi’s hand had filled up quite a bit while the black Qi above the lake had thinned to almost invisible to the naked eye.

"A stream of Black Wind Evil Essence is probably enough for a Qi Refining completion cultivator to temper their body... increasing just that slight possibility of breaking through to Foundation Establishment."

"Still, it’s a waste!"