Stealthily cultivating in the chaotic world of demons and martial artists
Chapter 393 - 391: Procurement (Request for Monthly Pass)_1

Chapter 393: Chapter 391: Procurement (Request for Monthly Pass)_1

Inside the cave abode.

Fang Xi sat cross-legged, refining a black spherical bead in his hands.

This bead, once used by the old ghost, had been wielded by Zhan Tu to evade Lady Bi’s pursuit within the Ancestor Hall, and instead, he went on a killing spree among the Core Formation disciples.

"This object is neither a spiritual treasure nor a magical treasure but an exotic treasure!"

"Its effect is also very singular..."

He took a deep breath, fully refined the bead, and after obtaining the information within it, he immediately stood up and stepped outside the cave abode.

The moonlight outside was like water, the breeze, chilly.

Fang Xi held the bead, injecting a sliver of magic power into it.

Whoosh!

The next moment, his figure flashed and vanished from sight, reappearing a dozen yards away.

"Indeed, it’s the Void Divine Power!"

"The effect is similar to the Nascent Soul’s instantaneous move, but the speed and distance of execution are far inferior..."

"The advantage is that it can be used while carrying the physical body..."

"This exotic treasure only possesses this single Divine Skill, known as ’Shan Shuo’!"

After experimenting, Fang Xi had only one thought, "In Zhan Tu’s hands, this bead was truly wasted... If it were in the hands of a high-level body cultivator, that would truly be terrifying."

"Regardless, this ’Flash Spirit Pearl’ should be kept for later use... After all, a Void Divine Power that even a Core Formation cultivator can use, this bead’s value should not be inferior to ordinary spiritual treasures..."

Just then, Fang Xi’s Divine Consciousness swept through the area, he put away the Flash Spirit Pearl, and stood with his hands behind his back, seemingly admiring the moonlight.

Soon after, the sound of hurried footsteps approached, and several maids came over: "Senior, do you have any instructions?"

They were also weary, neither daring to approach too closely to the cave abode to disturb the senior, nor too far lest they weren’t available when the Nascent Soul cultivator needed them, which would be troublesome.

"It’s nothing... I was just testing out a cultivation technique," replied Fang Xi, waving his hand, looking at the maids who had come, led by a Foundation Establishment female cultivator.

This female cultivator had deep facial features, a high nose bridge, and hints of azure in her eyes, carrying a bit of alien race charm in her gestures.

That the Huyan Family had managed to find a maid with such charm, they had indeed put in some effort.

"Are you from the Huyan Family? Your appearance seems different from the main Huyan clan..."

Fang Xi observed the woman’s face and casually asked.

"Reporting to senior, I indeed belong to the Huyan Family, my name is Huyan Rou..." Huyan Rou curtsied gracefully, respectfully answering: "The reason for looking different from the main family is probably due to my ancestors marrying into the local ’Kuaiyi Tribe’..."

Fang Xi asked a few more questions and learned that the ancestors of the Huyan Clan were not local cultivators but had migrated from the Cultivation World of Middle Earth.

Back then, a great upheaval made the Central Plains Cultivation World a living hell, rendering it unsuitable for cultivators.

The Huyan Family’s ancestor headed westward, and after many setbacks, losing several patriarchs along the way, they finally established a foothold near Crescent Lake and continued their lineage.

"Where is the largest marketplace nearby?" asked Fang Xi offhand.

"The marketplace? Our family and several other powers will periodically select an oasis to conduct trading... but the largest trading spot would have to be ’Thick Soil City’ built by the Yellow Sand Sect!"

Huyan Rou replied.

"Thick Soil City?"

Fang Xi recalled the map he received from Huyan Fight earlier in the day and quickly found the location, his interest piqued, "Tell me about this Yellow Sand Sect..."

"Yes,"

Although Huyan Rou found it odd, she dared not refuse the order of a Nascent Soul cultivator and softly said, "The Yellow Sand Sect is the overlord of the Quicksand Region, a Nascent Soul sect with a tradition of thousands of years. Within this generation, there are two Nascent Soul cultivators. One of them, Lord Black Sand, is rumored to have already advanced to the mid-stage of Nascent Soul, becoming the number one cultivator in the Quicksand Region... The other one, Lord Qian Sha, ascended to early-stage Nascent Soul in recent centuries..."

"Lord Qian Sha?"

Fang Xi kept a composed expression, but he could not help but feel amused inside.

He remembered killing a Demon Path Core Formation who had claimed that his master, Lord Qian Sha, was so-and-so...

’If that Nascent Soul had entered the Evergreen Garden Secret Land, he’s likely fallen by now... and the Yellow Sand Sect could notice through life tokens or Soul Lamps... This place will begin to grow restless.’

Fang Xi also had a guess as to why the Array Spirit of the white deer had teleported him to this location.

Probably because it didn’t matter where he went, so it casually chose somewhere close and convenient...

If Lord Qian Sha could travel to the Evergreen Garden Secret Land, that means there’s likely an ancient teleportation array or a space rift in the Evergreen Garden in the Quicksand Region.

Since it’s possible to go there, one could also teleport back, and it would be the quickest and most effortless.

Fang Xi asked a few more questions, and after receiving answers from Huyan Rou, he rewarded her with a bottle of pills greatly beneficial for Foundation Establishment cultivators and dismissed her.

...

The next day.

Huyan Fight came to visit.

"Senior, are you satisfied living in this cave abode? How have the girls, like Rou, been serving you?"

Huyan Fight wore a broad smile, his words heavily suggesting his willingness to send his family’s best girls to Fang Xi’s bed.

Even Fang Xi found this flattery too much to bear and frowned, "Speak plainly!"

"Yes... My Huyan Family is currently facing some trouble, and we wish to borrow Senior’s renown. If Senior is willing to lend assistance, our Huyan Family will be eternally grateful; this is a token of appreciation."

Huyan Fight presented a Storage Bag with both hands respectfully offered to Fang Xi.

Fang Xi took it, glanced inside, then smilingly shook his head, "I’m an outside cultivator, I do not wish to get involved in local disputes."

He actually refused without even asking what it was!

This, of course, was because Fang Xi only thought about quickly making a fortune before returning to the Southern Wilderness Cultivation Realm to diligently cultivate.

As for staying in the region and leaving something like a Soul Lamp behind, he still had reservations.

After all, in the Three Kingdoms Cultivation World, even Core Formation cultivators were rare, so the safety of a Soul Lamp could be guaranteed.

But if I were to leave a Soul Lamp here, it would spell big trouble should it fall into the hands of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

’I’d better return quickly to resume my cultivation and strive to break through to the Nascent Soul stage...’ he thought.

’If they want me to take action, they need to offer a price that moves me. Unfortunately for them, my services don’t come cheap...’

To get Fang Xi to take action, at the very least, a Spiritual Object of the level of the Condensation Infancy Pill must be offered.

Regrettably, even after a cursory glance, Fang Xi found nothing the Huyan Family had to offer that could pique his interest.

"Senior..."

Huyan Fight wore a pitiful expression as he tried to persuade him with a few more words, but he froze upon feeling a sweep of icy Divine Consciousness, sending a shiver down his spine and causing cold sweat to flow down his forehead.

"There’s no need for more words. Perhaps you think that because I accepted the Spirit Medicine as compensation, I’m easy to talk to?"

Fang Xi let out a cold, mocking chuckle, "A gentleman may be deceived by what conforms to his own views, but I am no gentleman..."

Huyan Fight immediately turned pale, hastily apologized and offered reparations.

After the man left, Fang Xi watched his retreating figure and sighed.

He thought about how a moment of kindness in letting go of Bai Lu, the Array Spirit, led to it rewarding him with the key to the Earth Immortal Spiritual Realm, achieving a perfect outcome.

But at the Huyan Family, even the slightest kind gesture brought all kinds of requests knocking at his door.

One can’t help but marvel at the complexity of human nature; truly, it leaves one at a loss for words.

Fang Xi sighed, swept his sleeves, and his figure disappeared in an instant.

When Huyan Fight tentatively visited again after a while, he discovered that the entire Dongfu was already empty...

While surprised, he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief in his heart...

...

Thick Soil City.

As the most prosperous city for Immortal Cultivators nearby, this place was bustling with cultivators and their pack beasts coming and going every day.

Fang Xi touched down his Escape Light, and entered the city amidst the awe-filled gazes of the guarding cultivators.

A cultivation base at the later stages of Core Formation ensured that no one dared harbor any ill intentions toward him.

Even within the Western Desert Cultivation World, those at Core Formation stood at the very pinnacle of the cultivator’s pyramid.

The city was mostly frequented by Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators; Core Formation cultivators were quite rare.

Fang Xi strolled around casually and quickly became acquainted with the various spirit materials primarily produced in the Western Desert, as well as the prices of Spirit Stones.

After some deliberation, he walked into a shop.

"Senior, may I know what you would like to purchase?"

A beaming shopkeeper came forward to greet him, bending even deeper after sensing the Magic Power fluctuations that revealed Fang Xi’s Core Formation level.

"I’m looking to buy large quantities of ’Sand Thorn Fruit’, ’Copper Coconut Jujube’, ’Yellow Earth Flower’, and ’Wu Earth Essence’..."

Fang Xi said as he took a seat uninvited.

"By large quantities, you mean...?" The shopkeeper’s eyes lit up, recognizing a big-spender.

"As much as you have, but I need them gathered within three days," said Fang Xi.

"Three days... That’s rather urgent. Our shop can gather approximately..."

The shopkeeper did a quick calculation, then quoted a number and added, "That would be at least 270,000 lower-grade Spirit Stones, not counting the change, which I’ll just round down for you."

"Deal!"

Fang Xi agreed without much hesitation, paid a deposit, took his Spiritual Agreement, and left.

Even after completing the transaction, the shopkeeper remained slightly stunned. He had not expected that the client would so casually agree to such a massive purchase, as if it were as simple as eating or drinking, leading to an effortless deal.

’Could this be a Sect’s procurement...’

’Does this mean... turbulence is about to erupt in the Quicksand Region again?’

The worried shopkeeper, though having made a good profit, was filled with concern.

And actually, his worries were not unfounded.

The entrapment of a group of Nascent Soul cultivators in the Evergreen Garden Secret Land would inevitably disrupt the power balance at the top echelons of the major Cultivation Worlds.

Before a new equilibrium was established, chaos and warfare would likely be unavoidable.

Such is the destiny of an Immortal Cultivator!

...

From that day on, there were constant rumors about a generous patron in Thick Soil City.

This patron was said to be extremely lavish, frequenting various shops, snapping up all kinds of treasures that were otherwise kept hidden away.

Whether it was the inheritance of the Hundred Arts of Immortal Cultivation, or certain specialties, minerals, Controlling Beast Skills... he acquired them all.

He even attended auctions and trade fairs regularly, striving for some rare Spiritual Objects.

Typically, such a high-profile cultivator would be targeted by cultivation-robbers.

But, with true Core Formation late-stage cultivation, many of the smaller cultivator-robber groups did not dare to make a move.

In the Cultivation World, after all, strength is paramount!

Even a Perfect Core Formation cultivator who could defeat him, could not guarantee they would be able to kill him.

Unless a Nascent Soul cultivator intervened!

However, Nascent Soul elders have many ways to earn Spirit Stones, such as joining a sect to enjoy tributes and offerings, which is much simpler and more relaxed than outright robbery...

In fact, most Perfect Core Formation cultivators are deeply invested in their cultivation, hoping to one day Nascent Soul or, in despair, nurture their family and sect, and would be reluctant to make an enemy of a stranger at the later stages of Core Formation!

Thus, Fang Xi’s procurement journey was indeed quite relaxed and pleasant...