Stealthily cultivating in the chaotic world of demons and martial artists
Chapter 498 - 496: Showdown (Seeking Subscription)_1

Chapter 498: Chapter 496: Showdown (Seeking Subscription)_1

"Alas!"

Fang Xi sighed and casually tossed the Biyi Tube filled with ’Sky Demon Qi’ back to his main body.

Before coming to the Primordial Energy Research Institute, he had prepared and destroyed all traces in his Dongfu.

By this time, his body was clean, and things like ’Sky Demon Qi’ and ’True demon qi’... had all been transferred to the body of the self-cultivating original form of the Three Immortals Sect.

In the Nine States, only a single Heterodox Nascent Soul remained, and even if it were destroyed, the loss to Fang Xi would not be too great.

"The waters of The Nine States are ultimately too deep..."

Fang Xi sat in his recliner, pondering with a trace of contemplation, "Before this, I had set up several firewalls or, shall we say, alarms... It’s a clear signal when someone mentions the Dark Moon Sect."

"Besides that, there are Jing Yi and his son... They are the obvious targets on the surface, and once investigated, it means I might also be exposed."

To know beforehand is the cicada that senses the wind before it moves!

Fang Xi at this moment sensed a hint of danger.

This was precisely why he tentatively proposed to borrow the Quantum Interference Microscope, and Teacher Lu surprisingly agreed.

He had barely sat down when the laboratory door was flung open, and Qi Biao entered with two security personnel: "Zhang Huohua, you’ve committed a serious offense!"

A victor’s smile spread across his face, even the few remaining strands of hair on his head looking stylish and unruly, as if he could already see the panic-stricken face of Zhang Huohua.

Opposite him, a terrifying Nascent Soul pressure suddenly burst forth.

"Nascent... Nascent Soul? Impossible!"

The moment the thought formed in Qi Biao’s mind, before he could even voice it, he saw ’Zhang Huohua’ softly exhale.

A pitch-black Infant Flame emerged, instantly engulfing his surroundings.

Qi Biao’s protective Spiritual Shield was like paper under the Infant Flame, easily punctured and shattered.

Then, his figure too turned into a pile of ash within the black flames, abruptly leaving both body and spirit utterly destroyed!

"Hmph... If you wanted to die, just say so, why bother with such trouble?"

Fang Xi let out a sigh.

The two security guards were merely Core Formation cultivators and now sported faces filled with shock and fear, retreating hastily.

It seemed that only by hiding behind Lu Shiming could they find a sliver of comfort.

Wuah!

An ear-piercing alarm immediately echoed throughout the entire research institute.

Given the secretive nature of the Primordial Energy Research Institute, such a violent incident would likely trigger the highest defense mechanism.

"The highest alert system of Fang Immortal University, especially Fang Immortal Taoist Palace, should be..."

Fang Xi looked up towards the sky, and although separated by a thick metal ceiling, he nevertheless felt as though there was a sword hanging over his head.

"Sun True Fire Cover... Master Bai Mei! After all, he’s the headmaster of Fang Immortal University..."

He muttered to himself.

"You... Nascent Soul?!"

Lu Shiming’s magic power surged out, transforming into bewildering runes that seemed frail but permeated the surroundings, obviously also a formidable spell!

He looked at his proud disciple, his face full of disbelief.

He could never have imagined that his student ’Zhang Huohua’ had long since been subjected to Soul Possession by a Demon Cultivator!

"Teacher Lu, my apologies."

Fang Xi smiled slightly, revealing his white teeth: "Actually, I was always myself..."

Lu Shiming was instantly silent.

He remembered the prophecy obtained by the Fang Immortal Taoist Master, could it be that the great disaster of the Nine States actually needed an old Nascent Soul demon to resolve?

"No, that’s impossible!"

Lu Shiming raised his hand, and a mirror appeared, his personal spiritual treasure—’Profound Yang Mirror’!

Just then, a gentle voice rang in the ears of the many researchers: "Wait a moment!"

An Escape Light approached rapidly, revealing an elderly man with kind brows and a full head of silver hair, his long white eyebrows drooping.

"Treasury Master!"

"Headmaster!"

The cultivators present saluted one after another, feeling as if they had found their backbone.

After all, it was the Endless Treasury Keeper—Master Bai Mei, one of the three most powerful cultivators under the leadership of the Fang Immortal Taoist Palace!

"Alright, you can all go back! There’s Teacher Zhang from the psychic department outside. He will help you forget all this..."

Master Bai Mei said cheerfully: "Xi... delete the footage, leave no records whatsoever, this is the highest command!"

"Understood!"

A cold voice responded.

Seeing Master Bai Mei handle things this way, Lu Shiming couldn’t help but be astonished: "Treasury Master..."

"You should go back as well, and remember to keep this secret."

Master Bai Mei sent Lu Shiming away with a laugh, then turned to Fang Xi: "You’re the one who fought with Lord Jian Nan that day, right? I didn’t expect you would come to study as a graduate student at our university and didn’t even say hello to me, your headmaster..."

At this moment in the research institute, only Fang Xi and Master Bai Mei seemed to be left.

"Headmaster, forgive me, after all, I wasn’t sure how you would deal with me..."

Fang Xi said apologetically with a smile: "But I believe that with our combined efforts, we should be able to bring peace to the Nine States, right?"

"Haha, I hope so... Follow me!"

Master Bai Mei ignited a talisman, then the Void shattered, forming a silver pathway.

He went in first, signaling to Fang Xi with a wave.

Relying on the resilience of a Heterodox Nascent Soul, unafraid of death, Fang Xi too entered without any fear.

After a sensation of transportation, he found himself amidst the clouds.

Looking down, he could see the mountains and rivers below, lush and verdant... and not far off, there were tall buildings.

"This place... The forces of Tai Yin and Tai Yang are somewhat off... far too weak."

"Could this actually be a The Blessed Land of the Cave Sky?"

With a sweep of his Divine Consciousness, Fang Xi felt the fragility of the Void; it even faintly gave him the feeling of the Mountain Sea Pearl, and he instantly understood.

He and MAster Bai Mei followed the cloud-made staircase upwards and then saw a handsome young man sitting cross-legged on a cloud bed.

"Greetings to the Taoist Master."

Master Bai Mei was the first to bow.

’Nascent Soul at the pinnacle of Great Perfection...’ Fang Xi felt a slight chill in his heart, but nevertheless, he followed suit: "I’ve seen Fang Immortal Taoist Master."

Fang Immortal Taoist Master had gentle eyes and slightly raised his hand, "There’s no need for ceremony... are you perhaps from another world?!"

The moment these words came out, Master Bai Mei felt a stir in his heart, but he quickly accepted this reality.

After all, The Nine States had been connected to various small worlds before, and inter-dimensional immigrants were not uncommon; such events had ceased to be strange.

What shook him was the thought that within the Door of Sky Demon, could there still emerge inter-dimensional immigrants?

No, that’s wrong. Currently, it’s the Ancient Demon Realm that has descended; could it be that other small worlds were also nearby, forming channels and fissures?

"Indeed..."

Fang Xi had nothing to hide and openly admitted it: "Seeing The Nine States suffering from the Demon Clan’s poison, I truly could not stand idly by. I wish to make a trade with the Taoist Master..."

A corner of Master Bai Mei’s mouth twitched slightly, as the words ’you are also a Demon Cultivator’ almost escaped his lips. However, with his great composure, he managed to hold them back.

"Feel free to speak..."

Fang Immortal Taoist Master said with a smile. Although laying out the cards seemed a bit premature, it was still within an acceptable range.

"I can provide a batch of ’Sky Demon Qi,’ to complete the Heavenly-Earth Primordial Energy Particle Map..."

Fang Xi said, "Of course... not right now."

If he were to give it now, and the other side suddenly had several Transcendents, then if they went back on their word, Fang Xi would have no recourse but to glare helplessly.

"What are your conditions, Sir? Feel free to speak straightforwardly," urged Master Bai Mei, who couldn’t restrain himself any longer.

He naturally understood the significant implications of completing the Primordial Energy Particle Atlas!

That was also where his opportunity for Transcendence lay!

Even compared to Fang Immortal Taoist Master, who might have a sudden enlightenment and break through at any time, great cultivators like Master Bai Mei and Lord Demon Exterminator would have a tough path ahead without this opportunity for Transcendence.

After all, in terms of talent and understanding... Fang Immortal Taoist Master far surpassed them.

Even if they were given the same cultivation conditions as Fang Immortal Taoist Master now possesses, they wouldn’t be able to reach the brink of Transcendence!

"Straightforward..."

Fang Xi counted off on his fingers: "First, you must support me with a supercomputer as I still have many topics to research... second, my cultivation must be strengthened, at least to the latter stages of Nascent Soul... third, when the time comes for action, I need Lord Demon Exterminator to act in a play with me, at least paralyzing ’The Array of the Twelve Elemental Protectors of the Heavenly Gods’ for several hours..."

"That’s..."

Master Bai Mei’s eyebrows seemed to twist together: "How could the Origin Soul artifacts be easily moved?"

"Don’t worry, there’s one more important thing..."

Fang Xi smiled slightly: "Once I’ve reached the late Nascent Soul stage, you will also have to craft an Origin Soul artifact for me or present me with a fifth-rank Spirit Communicating Treasure!"

"What?"

Master Bai Mei was so astonished he almost laughed: "Merely for a batch of Sky Demon Qi, you wish to trade for an Origin Soul artifact?"

As for the Spirit Communicating Treasures, the entire Fang Immortal Taoist Palace only had one in the hands of the Taoist Master!

"Actually, I’d prefer the Spirit Communicating Treasure, and if the Taoist Master is willing to part with it, why not..."

Fang Xi spread his hands.

Compared to the Origin Soul artifacts that tended to sustain damage and required constant maintenance and repairs, he naturally preferred securing a Spirit Communicating Treasure.

"Fang Immortal Taoist Palace is the core of the ’Wandering Nine States’ plan, the last retreat of the human race, and cannot be handed over to you," explained Fang Immortal Taoist Master, quite calmly. "As for gifting you an Origin Soul artifact, that can be considered... I’m well aware of your concerns. Without a capability to slightly contend against Transcendent cultivators, you would likely not wish to trade."

To Fang Xi’s surprise, a look of astonishment flashed in his eyes; he hadn’t expected Fang Immortal Taoist Master to agree so directly!

He had initially intended to use the closing of the Door of Sky Demon as another bargaining chip.

But the negotiation hadn’t even started, and his opponent had already made a concession!

Fang Xi was unaware that Fang Immortal Taoist Master had long since divined this outcome, hence his high tolerance.

"If that’s the case, when I receive the Origin Soul artifact, I will naturally deliver the Sky Demon Qi," Fang Xi said, and then continued: "Also, I’ll need a production line and a factory for spare parts for Yellow Turban Strongmen..."

Over this period of time, Fang Xi had thought about how to deploy the Origin Soul artifact in the South Wilderness and came up with a tentative plan.

That was fully automated maintenance!

In simple terms, first, cultivate ’Tai Yi’ who would command the entire operation, then equip a large number of ’Yellow Turban Strongmen’ along with nanobots, and stockpile a vast array of spare parts.

Should any issues arise, Tai Yi would direct the Yellow Turban Strongmen to the spot for part replacement and repairs. With an ample supply of spare parts, the system could be maintained for decades, maybe even centuries...

And what about centuries later?

By that time, he would likely have already ascended to Transcendence, and the Origin Soul artifact would become unnecessary...