Stealthily cultivating in the chaotic world of demons and martial artists
Chapter 247 - 246: Sitting and Transforming (Congratulations to the Silver Alliance!)_1

Chapter 247: Chapter 246: Sitting and Transforming (Congratulations to the Silver Alliance!)_1

"But even so, you’re probably doing this for your own status, right?"

Yan Dongqing gazed at Yan Changkong, his lips quivering slightly, but these words ultimately went unspoken.

Yan Changkong looked at his face and sighed deeply, "To be honest, in doing so, I certainly have my own selfish reasons, but if my status within the Sect increases, wouldn’t it benefit you and the Yan Family as well? As members of the same family, wouldn’t I take care of you on the battlefield? And has the Baize Immortal City not accumulated a wealth of Spirit Stones and resources over hundreds of glorious years?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Dongqing felt a flicker of interest and sighed, "Uncle Changkong, there’s no need to say more... I will introduce you to the Island Master, but as for the matters thereafter, I carry little weight, and you’ll need to speak for yourself..."

...

Several days later.

Dragon Fish Island.

At the top of the Evergreen Pavilion, Fang Xi was conversing jovially with Yan Changkong.

"So that’s how it is... Even the fall of a high-ranking Ghost Cultivator can be quite useful, indeed..."

Fang Xi’s face bore a contemplative look.

"Exactly..." Yan Changkong said with a smile beaming across his face: "I’ve read in an ancient book from our Sect that when a high-ranking Ghost Cultivator perishes, a ’Soul Crystal’ might emerge. This object seems to be of use to certain specific Demon Cultivators and is also one of the vital raw materials for crafting high-level Puppets..."

"Alas... How hard is it to slay a high-ranking Ghost Cultivator? Even if one manages to slay one and obtain the ’Soul Crystal’, there seems to be no mention in the Cultivation World of any Family possessing a puppet skill inheritance beyond the third rank..." Fang Xi shook his head and took another sip of Spiritual Tea, then said to Yan Changkong, "Sir Yan, try this ’Ice Spirit Fruit’. This Spirit Fruit was originally a specialty of Snow Flame Island and has long been famous across Thousand Island Lake..."

Due to the Ghost Calamity, the cultivators of Snow Flame Island fled with several fruit trees to Dragon Fish Island, offering them to Fang Xi. It is now considered a specialty of Dragon Fish Island.

These Thousand Island Lake inheritances from small Qi Refining families and Sects might seem average, but those that have survived to the present day all possess some extraordinary skills. Now, driven by Ghost Cultivators as if fish into a net, they have greatly enriched the foundation of Dragon Fish Island.

"Many thanks!"

Yan Changkong picked up an Ice Spirit Fruit, noting its pristine white flesh offset by a tinge of a golden pattern on the surface. The taste was sweet and delicious, followed by a surge of pure spiritual energy with a refreshing chill running down his throat. Indeed, the flavor was remarkable.

However, he still couldn’t bring himself to speak the words he had intended to say.

This Lord of Dragon Fish Island always managed to sidestep the issue, slick and evasive, leaving Yan Changkong inwardly frustrated.

After a few more cups of Spiritual Tea, he couldn’t help but broach the subject: "... That Baize Immortal City, I hear you resided there for a time. However, I’ve heard a rumor that Lord Fang, shortly after your Foundation Establishment, seemed to have been treated lightly by the city..."

’Does this Yan Changkong think I’m the seventh son of the Yan Family? To selflessly fight and die for his path as if I’m bringing my own provisions?’ Fang Xi sneered inwardly, his expression unchanging: "It was but a minor misunderstanding, and Fang has long since put it out of his mind..."

"But the wealth of the Baize Immortal City, you must know a thing or two about it, right? That Master Bai Feng, having received great beneficence from our Mysterious Heaven Sect’s Ancestor Jiang, later reneged on his promise on Jade Island, truly chilling our hearts... Our Sect has already issued orders preparing to subdue Baize Immortal City!"

Yan Changkong righteously asked, "Thousand Island Lake is a part of Yue Country, and since you are the master of Thousand Island Lake, I wonder..."

"Uh... Sir, you must have misunderstood one thing."

Fang Xi shook his head with a smile: "I am by no means the master of Thousand Island Lake; I can only manage a mere Dragon Fish Island. As for other matters, they must be discussed with Sir Ruan, Sir Liu, and the like. One person cannot possibly decide on such matters alone..."

He was a man who valued tangible benefits over empty titles.

He had initially refused the title of Master of Thousand Island Lake not only to avoid competing with Ruan Xingling but also to elude such complications.

Upon hearing this, Yan Changkong’s expression dimmed momentarily, clearly realizing that his scheme was doomed to fail.

His eyes darted around, and he smiled, "Since that is the case, let us drop the matter... On another note, Sir, I wonder how many Talismans you currently have in reserve?"

"Oh? How many do you require?"

Fang Xi’s eyes lit up.

Yan Changkong paused for a moment, then named an astonishing figure: "... Since I’m purchasing so many, I hope the Island Master can offer me a discount."

"Of course..."

Fang Xi nodded repeatedly, yet he knew that this was likely a war procurement.

It seemed that Mysterious Heaven Sect was indeed preparing to take action against Baize Immortal City.

And it was uncertain why that Elder Zhang Zhusheng was so confident.

After all, even though Master Bai Feng was Sitting and Transforming, with Master Ouyang Zhen’s complete Foundation Establishment cultivation and possession of a third-rank magical treasure, defending the Baize Immortal City with its third-rank forbidden Great Array, it would definitely be more troublesome than dealing with the Song Family of yesteryears.

...

The tense atmosphere in Baize Immortal City, like a pervasive tide, suffused the Cultivation World of the three countries.

Many Individual Cultivators, like before, chose to leave to avoid disaster, bringing another wave of chaos to the Cultivation World of the three countries.

Fortunately, thanks to the Ghost Calamity, not many cultivators were willing to come to Thousand Island Lake anymore, so life on the lake remained as it had been before.

Although, apart from Fang Xi, even late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators felt that facing the Ghost Calamity was preferable to letting swarms of Individual Cultivators in to create chaos...

In the blink of an eye, another three years passed...

Baize Immortal City.

Atop the snow-white White Peak Mountain.

In the Baize Palace, Ouyang Zhen stood beside a seat carved entirely of white jade, his normally fierce face tinged with a trace of sorrow.

Yuan Feihong and his fellows, along with the guest cultivators, stood below, bowing in respect: "Our Master has passed, and Baize Immortal City cannot be without a leader for a day, we ask that Brother Ouyang (take charge) and assume the position of City Master."

"You’re all too kind. I’m merely carrying out my mentor’s orders, temporarily filling the role of city master..."

Ouyang Zhen didn’t sit down, but with a flash of purple light in his eyes, he responded, "The city’s affairs are complex right now, and the most important is dealing with the aftermath of our mentor’s passing... Besides that, the various Array Eyes must strengthen their vigilance, the city must be under complete martial law, and any Individual Cultivators who dare to cause trouble should be killed on sight!"

"Yes Sir!"

A group of fellows and guests uniformly complied.

"Everyone, please go on about your duties... Even though our mentor has ascended to immortality, I’ll support the sky of Baize Immortal City."

Ouyang Zhen’s voice rang out.

Seeing the crowd bow and leave one after another, a fleeting unusual light flickered in his eyes as he transmitted several Divine Consciousness Transmissions.

A moment later, Ouyang Zhen arrived in a secret chamber.

Upon entering, he saw several Foundation Establishment Cultivators had been waiting for him.

Yuan Feihong was among them, and he spoke up, "Elder brother... You’ve kept us behind, is there another important matter?"

"Indeed, I’ve received news... The Mysterious Heaven Sect has already started to mobilize, I’m afraid they’re preparing to wage a campaign against our Baize Immortal City..."

Ouyang Zhen sighed and shared the news.

"Could it be false news?" Their mentor had just passed away, and now they were facing such an ordeal. Even as accomplished Foundation Establishment experts, unease began to creep in.

"It can’t be mistaken."

Ouyang Zhen waved his hand, "The Mysterious Heaven Sect is making a big show this time, essentially a threat... Ever since it was revealed our mentor’s health was failing, many Individual Cultivators have left Baize Immortal City... If news of a Golden Core Sect’s crusade against us spreads, I’m afraid nine out of ten Individual Cultivators will flee..."

A bitter smile appeared on his face, "That’s probably the Mysterious Heaven Sect’s aim, to weaken the city’s strength as much as possible..."

After all, Baize Immortal City is a haven for Individual Cultivators, a city of trade... Once it loses the Individual Cultivators and trade, it will truly be nothing more than a dead city guarded by only us Foundation Establishment experts and guests!

This bleak prospect suddenly made the complexions of every Foundation Establishment Cultivator present turn rather unsightly.

"You needn’t worry, fellows. As long as we hold the Array Eyes, relying on the Third-Tier Great Array, the Mysterious Heaven Sect won’t be able to do anything to us..."

Ouyang Zhen produced several Array Flags shimmering with spiritual light, "The guests we originally recruited can no longer be trusted. These Array Flags can control a portion of the Great Array’s power. Each of you must hold one and be responsible for defending an Array Eye, while keeping an eye on the other guests... As long as we persevere for three years, an opportunity will arise!"

After the fellows each took an Array Flag and left with their own thoughts, Yuan Feihong didn’t leave but stayed behind instead, "Elder brother Ouyang..."

"What is it?"

Ouyang Zhen looked up, calmly gazing at Yuan Feihong.

"The instructions our mentor left before his Sitting and Transforming weren’t like this..." Yuan Feihong hesitated for a bit but still spoke up.

Master Bai Feng relied on Ouyang Zhen the most, but his favorite was this younger disciple, and he had shared many plans with both of them.

Originally, according to Master Bai Feng’s plans, they were supposed to fully ally themselves with Yiling Valley, even forsaking Baize Immortal City, and flee far to Yuan Country.

But after Ouyang Zhen took charge, he didn’t mention any of this, which seemed a bit...

"What, you think I’m blinded by greed and want to defend Baize Immortal City to the death?"

There was a mocking smile on Ouyang Zhen’s face.

"No, your younger brother wouldn’t dare."

Yuan Feihong shook his hands in a hurry.

"Sigh... You don’t know the hardships of being an Individual Cultivator. If we surrender to Yiling Valley, we’ll be living at the mercy of others. If we go to Yuan Country, we’ll be displaced and won’t have the prestige we had before, and besides... Can you bear to let go of the foundation our mentor left behind?"

Ouyang Zhen countered.

Yuan Feihong was taken aback, then shook his head. This place was filled with his most cherished memories; how could he willingly abandon it?

"Then that settles it... I haven’t lost my mind. In fact, I have already been in touch with Master Bai, a good friend of our mentor... Just three years, and he will come to take over Baize Immortal City. This is also part of our mentor’s arrangements. After much contemplation, I have chosen this path."

Ouyang Zhen thought for a moment before continuing with a Divine Consciousness Transmission, revealing a bit of the secret.

"What?"

Yuan Feihong’s face lit up with elation.

He knew that Master Bai Feng had a good friend with the surname Bai in Yuan Country, one who shared a life-and-death friendship. He hadn’t expected Ouyang Zhen to be able to persuade him to take action.

"Master Bai has been held up by some matters, but he has already informed me that he’ll arrive within three years!"

Ouyang Zhen continued the Divine Consciousness Transmission, "So you can rest assured, Yuan... Within these three years, the Mysterious Heaven Sect will definitely not be able to break through the Great Array."

"Then why doesn’t elder brother announce this good news?" Yuan Feihong wondered, thinking of a question.

"Hmph, isn’t it to guard against those guests? They were very respectful when our mentor was here, but now that he’s gone, who knows what they might do... It’s good that they reveal themselves now so we can catch them all in one net! Furthermore... We need to keep this a secret, otherwise, if Yiling Valley finds out, they might interfere... Their connections in Yuan Country are much stronger than those of our Baize Immortal City."

"Elder brother is wise," Yuan Feihong acknowledged with conviction, but somehow, a layer of unease emerged in his heart.

In all other regards, Elder Brother Ouyang seemed excellent, but when it came to the guests’ attitude, it was always somewhat...