Stealthily cultivating in the chaotic world of demons and martial artists
Chapter 590 - 588: Wood Blade Spell (Please Subscribe)_1

Chapter 590: Chapter 588: Wood Blade Spell (Please Subscribe)_1

"Is that... the Mo Sect’s Mechanism City?"

Li Guangjin looked at the city floating above the vast lake, and after ruminating for a long time without finding the right words to describe it, he could only sigh, "It’s truly magnificent and grand, beyond imagination. This is indeed an abode of the Immortals!"

Nearly every arriving caravan was stunned by the grandeur and immensity of Mechanism City.

Such a huge city, capable of housing millions and forming its own kingdom!

To them, it was simply unimaginable!

Being cautious, Fang Xi did not probe with his Divine Consciousness, but just what met his eyes alone made him feel the trip was worthwhile.

’Those hundred-zhang-tall rock giants must be a kind of Puppet not found in the Mortal Realm—Rock Puppets. I’ve seen similar descriptions in the ’Thousand-Machine Secret Scroll.’ Ancient cultivators must have been able to refine such Puppets, but for some reasons, the methods got lost... Judging by the aura of most of these giant statues, they are at the fourth tier, capable of contending with a Nascent Soul...’

’How does such an enormous floating city remain suspended? What kind of power or Treasures keep it afloat? Is the energy sufficient? It doesn’t seem wasteful... Perhaps the cultivators of The Nine States would all like to study it for themselves.’

Although his mind was brimming with thoughts, Fang Xi’s face gave nothing away as he followed the caravan to set up camp.

By the lakeside, many caravans had already arrived, setting up temporary camps and shelters, and even numerous platforms, ground stands, and tents by the lakefront... Inside were low-ranking Immortal Cultivators who had come down from Mechanism City, already starting to set up their stalls for trade.

Countless streaks of light flew in and out of Mechanism City, endowing the ancient and somber city with vibrancy.

After settling down, Zhang Longhu announced that everyone could go about their own activities.

"Although it is said that mortals can enter Mechanism City, we who lack the art of flying and have neither flying talismans nor Martial Equipment can only try our luck at the lakeside stalls unless led by Immortal Cultivators..."

Having gathered some information, Li Guangjin came to invite Fang Xi on an outing, "How about we go take a look together?"

"Please!"

Fang Xi smiled slightly and joined Li Guangjin by the lakeshore.

The area had already been leveled, with stone platforms built to accommodate thousands at each one. Now many Individual Cultivators had set up their stands.

Fang Xi noticed that although most of the vendors were Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Cultivators, they were getting along quite amicably with mortals.

After all, innate experts were not inferior to Foundation Establishment Cultivators in strength, and equal exchanges often stemmed from nearly equivalent power.

Moreover, the number of mortals was far greater than that of Immortal Cultivators.

Indeed, these Martial Artists were brimming with Spirit Stones and various Spiritual Objects useless to mortals, making them important clients!

"Li, what are you planning to buy?"

As Fang Xi strolled with Li Guangjin, his gaze swept across the Spiritual Objects, talismans, Martial Equipment, and elixirs on the stands, and he couldn’t help but feel sentimental.

The Earth Immortal Realm truly had abundant resources; the displayed Spiritual Objects, talismans, Martial Equipment, and pills... he could recognize only the majority.

And even for this majority, he had to thank the souls he had searched from two native Core Formation Cultivators earlier, which had expanded his horizons.

"This..."

Li Guangjin was somewhat embarrassed, "I want to exchange for a bottle of ’Eternal Beauty Pill.’ It is said that a mortal woman needs only to consume one pellet to maintain her youth for ten years..."

"Li truly is a man who cherishes flowers..."

Fang Xi watched Li Guangjin stop in front of a pill stall and start haggling with the vendor. He excused himself with a word and started to explore on his own.

It wasn’t long before he paused in front of a stall.

The stall owner was a disheveled scholar-looking Qi Refining Cultivator with only stacks of books at his stall.

"Does the guest wish to purchase books? These volumes are all copied by hand..."

The disheveled scholar squeezed a smile onto his face.

Most of the Spiritual Objects and talismans available on the stone platform stalls were low-level, and Fang Xi was not interested.

The only thing that could pique his interest was these books.

"All these books are handwritten? You’ve put a lot of effort into this, sir. May I know your name?"

Fang Xi picked up a blue-covered book and discovered that it was a ’Shao Yang True Spell’ cultivation technique, a legitimate Immortal Cultivation method that could be practiced all the way to the Core Formation stage.

Of course, the book had a minor Prohibition on it, allowing only the first few pages to be browsed.

This disheveled scholar evidently knew that mortals lacked Spirit Sense and Divine Consciousness, unable to read jade slips, so he had purposely transcribed a vast number of books to sell—a rather shrewd businessman.

"My surname is Hua."

The disheveled scholar said, "Would the guest be preparing Immortal Cultivation techniques for friends and family? If you’re unsure about their Spiritual Roots and aptitude, I’d still recommend attribute-less techniques. This ’Purple Yuan Qi Circulation Skills’ is especially balanced, and can be cultivated all the way to the Core Formation stage. It can also seamlessly transition to most Nascent Soul techniques later on..."

He thought Fang Xi had an uncommon demeanor and probably carried a lot of Spirit Stones, so he recommended quite enthusiastically.

Fang Xi remained noncommittal, flipping through a few more books before frowning, "Why do the techniques only go up to Core Formation, with Nascent Soul being so few and far between?"

"Techniques beyond the Nascent Soul stage, I’m afraid you would have to visit the shops in Mechanism City itself to find."

The disheveled scholar almost thought Fang Xi was there to pick a quarrel, and his expression grew a bit colder.

"I see. Could you tell me which shops inside Mechanism City have the best selection of cultivation techniques?"

Fang Xi smiled slightly, gathered a few travelogues and geography books, and handed them to the disheveled scholar.

"Of course... Inside Mechanism City, it’s naturally the Mo Sect’s leading ’Sky Ink Pavilion’ that’s the finest. However, the techniques from other establishments, such as ’Ten Thousand Laws Tower’ and ’Thousand Wind Hall,’ are also quite excellent... For these books you’ve selected, you’ll need a total of Spirit Stones..."

The disheveled scholar’s eyes lit up as he quickly quoted the price.

Fang Xi laughed, pulled out a handful of Spirit Stones from his chest, placed them in the shopkeeper’s hand, and took away several handwritten volumes.

In the following days, he casually browsed through the stalls by the lake. He couldn’t say he came away empty-handed, but he was also somewhat disappointed.

’It seems... the real treasures are indeed within Mechanism City itself.’

After some contemplation, Fang Xi returned to Flying Sun City’s campsite.

"Instructor Fang, you’ve arrived just in time, the City Master’s Mansion is about to depart... and we also need to break camp immediately, to have someone to rely on along the way."

Li Guangjin hurried over with an urgent expression.

"So sudden?"

Fang Xi showed surprise on his face, but he was certain in his heart that Mayor Zhang must have gotten the ’Martial Arts Pill’ and wanted to avoid any delays, promptly returning home.

And the Li Family and other affiliated families and sects, without even a single Martial Taoist True Pill, naturally had to follow, otherwise the dangers on the road would be too many.

"Yes, quickly pack up,"

Li Guangjin pleaded earnestly.

Yet Fang Xi simply smiled: "I was just about to tell Brother Li, I’m not leaving..."

"Not leaving? What do you mean by that?"

A hint of confusion appeared on Li Guangjin’s face.

"To be honest... while I was strolling around earlier, I encountered an Immortal Master who said I have a Spiritual Root and could follow him to learn the Daoist ways..."

Fang Xi said with delight.

"Spiritual Root?" Li Guangjin’s expression changed repeatedly, first shocked, then jealous... and then it turned complex: "We might have missed it during the Spiritual Root testing... You’re really... lucky, from now on, when I see Brother Fang again, I’m afraid I will have to address you as Immortal Master."

"Not at all, it’s just a coincidence, a matter of luck..."

Fang Xi waved his hand dismissively.

This was also a persona he intentionally created. In a few decades, the news of ’Fang Yuan’ reaching Foundation Establishment could be spread back to Flying Sun City.

And then would come Core Formation, Infant Condensing... essentially fabricating an identity out of nowhere.

’For safety’s sake, next time I assimilate, I need to bring the ’Fortune Worm’. This worm can conceal the Heavenly Secret and fabricate a false identity in fate’s web to prevent any divination issues...’

Fang Xi, holding several low-grade Spirit Stones gifted by Li Guangjin, walked out of the camp, suddenly smiling: "There are indeed schemers..."

...

Two days later.

Fang Xi used a Secret Skill to transform into the appearance of ’Shi Dingfeng’ as he steered an Escape Light, flying into Mechanism City.

Sky Ink Pavilion.

This pavilion was located right in the center of Mechanism City, built entirely out of a kind of pitch-black wood, with flying eaves and upturned corners, intricately carved beams and painted rafters, exuding a sense of antiquity.

As Fang Xi entered, his nose caught a whiff of the faint scent of Qing Mu.

"Sir, welcome to the Sky Ink Pavilion."

The Sky Ink Pavilion was vast, yet it seemed very quiet at the moment. Rows of bookshelves were neatly arranged, and an old man with half-black, half-white hair, sporting a goatee, was reading a book.

Upon seeing Fang Xi enter, he immediately put down the scroll and rose to greet him.

"I would like to purchase a cultivation technique!"

Fang Xi said as he scanned the area, appearing somewhat surprised at the scarce number of people.

"May I know what kind of cultivation technique you are in need of?"

The goatee-sporting old man stroked his beard, somewhat proudly responding: "Our pavilion might not have everything, but in the land of the setting sun, it should still be considered the most varied."

"A cultivation technique suitable for Wooden Element Spiritual Root cultivators... preferably up to the Returning to Emptiness and Integration realms."

Fang Xi originally wanted to inquire about Mahayana-level techniques, but thinking it over, he knew it was too much to hope for, so he let the idea go.

Even so, the old man almost pulled out his own goatee: "Integration Level techniques? You do dare to dream... Techniques of such level would qualify for Mechanism City’s auction that occurs once every three hundred years."

However, the old man did not question Fang Xi’s cultivation or financial capacity, but simply shook his head: "Wooden Element techniques, we do have a few in our collection that can be cultivated to the Returning to Emptiness realm... only, the price is, hehe..."

"How many Spirit Stones would it cost?"

Fang Xi asked.

"If we’re strictly talking about Spirit Stones, our pavilion only accepts top-grade Spirit Stones as payment, of course, if you have Immortal Jade, that would be even better."

The goatee-sporting old man chuckled.

Fang Xi was silent for a moment, now understanding why the Sky Ink Pavilion was so deserted.

One word... Expensive!

Though he had never heard of Immortal Jade, it was obviously far rarer than even top-grade Spirit Stones.

Nonetheless, he was still ready to continue shopping; after all, if there were any problems, it would be ’Shi Dingfeng’ who would bear the consequences, and it wouldn’t matter if he didn’t use that identity in the future.

"Let’s take a look at everything..."

"Very well."

The goatee-sporting old man went behind the counter, and soon returned holding a tray.

On the tray were several jade slips, some of which even showed a bit of damage, clearly having been around for a good while.

"’Ten Thousand Wood Heavenly Wheel Skill’, this technique’s power is ordinary, but it’s the most balanced and harmonious, able to be cultivated to the mid-stage of Returning to Emptiness..."

"’Longevity Skill’, this technique excels in fostering vitality, and at nearly every stage, one can live slightly longer than cultivators of the same realm..."

"’Wood Blade Spell’, mainly cultivates Wood Spiritual Power with Metal Spiritual Power as a supplement, and it has remarkable effects when breaking through the bottleneck of Returning to Emptiness..."

The goatee-sporting elder introduced with a smile, and upon hearing the description of the ’Wood Blade Spell’, Fang Xi’s expression couldn’t help shifting subtly.