Stealthily cultivating in the chaotic world of demons and martial artists
Chapter 997 - 853 Subordinate

Chapter 997: Chapter 853 Subordinate

Within the Great Hall.

Accompanied by the discussion of many Integration-stage old monsters, the various preparations for the impending war were orderly arranged.

At last, the Qingxu Child, somewhat impatient, said, "...that is so, you all may go down to prepare."

A group of Integration-stage cultivators bowed one after another and then exited the Great Hall.

Fang Xi and the other three of the Five Sons of the Human Race walked out last.

"Amitabha... Qing Hezi, as a new member of the Five Sons of the Human Race, there must be many things you don’t understand. You may come to ’Jinfan Residence’ to ask this monk," said Jin Gangzi, who, although he didn’t recognize Qing Hezi, felt something in his Spirit Sense and took the initiative to show goodwill.

"Many thanks, Sir. I will certainly visit in person soon," replied Fang Xi with a smile, sweeping a look around, he then asked, "Why do I not see Changqingzi?"

"Hmph, Changqingzi is turtling up in Twin Banyan City and is currently being attacked by a large army; it’s another battlefield, of course he can’t come..." said Mo Yunzi with a snort, seemingly somewhat dissatisfied.

After all, that battlefield was not too intense, only some late-stage Integration cultivators of the Monster Clan and Alien races made their move.

Changqingzi’s actions bore the suspicion of avoiding conflict.

"I see..." Fang Xi felt a bit regretful.

He had originally wanted to find an opportunity to settle his grievances with Changqingzi once and for all.

Now, it seemed, he would have to wait...

Fang Xi strode out of the palace, and with a glance from the corner of his eye, he noticed someone and was instantly overjoyed. His lips moved slightly.

That person shivered and then flew away in an Escape Light without looking back.

Beside him, Wu Xingzi saw this scene and could not help pondering deeply...

...

Boom.

The great doors of the palace closed once again.

However, the Qingxu Child did not leave but instead sat comfortably on a chair, smilingly asking, "You’ve seen the person, what do you think?"

"Integration Middle Stage, cultivation not hidden..." said a Daoist who carried a sword, stepping forward. It was Master Bu.

"Indeed, he is pure human race."

The Mahayana cultivator with the surname Che coughed, looking somewhat pale.

He was already severely injured and had barely participated in the war, only to be ambushed by the Monster Clan. His injury now was probably the most severe among the three Mahayana cultivators.

"Cultivating the ’Supreme Heavenly Sovereign’s True Demon Art of Controlling All Spirits,’ at least other Authentic Sky Demon Sect members might have a chance of surviving the Sky Demon Tribulation, but no Demon Cultivator has ever ascended to Mahayana using this Demon Skill..." commented the last to speak, the cultivator surnamed Meng, obviously not having a high opinion of Qing Hezi.

"I originally chose this person as one of the Five Sons due to helplessness; indeed, there were no better candidates," admitted the Qingxu Child nonchalantly, "Unable to ascend to Mahayana is just as good; it saves the trouble of fostering a Mahayana opportunity... Alas, even Mo Yunzi will likely struggle to surpass the Demon Calamity, and the Mahayana Immortal Thunder Calamity is already extremely difficult, not to mention adding another layer of tribulation; it’s hardship piled on hardship..."

Upon hearing this, the other Mahayana monks fell silent.

Breaking through to Mahayana is exceptionally challenging; even with the support of other human race Mahayanas, very few of the historical Five Sons of the Human Race managed to break through, and most were trapped before the bottleneck.

Master Bu said, "Wu Xingzi is getting on in age, Changqingzi has depleted his core essence... The only one who truly holds a bit of hope is Jin Gangzi. Actually, if someone hadn’t been partial, I think that Fang Immortal Taoist Master would have been an excellent candidate for ’Fairy Fang.’ He might have had even greater hope of breaking through to Mahayana than Jin Gangzi..."

"Hmph... that Fang Immortal Taoist Master lacked sufficient strength and died miserably in a duel against Wu Xingzi; what good is there to say about him?" retorted the cultivator surnamed Meng coldly, countering point for point.

"Enough, the dead should not be spoken of..." interjected the Qingxu Child, frowning slightly and sharply quieting the two Mahayana cultivators’ disputes.

He was aware of some inside information, but a dead genius is no longer a genius.

As for the cultivator surnamed Meng, he obviously had his own agenda, but who could be without personal desires?

As long as the greater good was not compromised, minor imperfections had to be tolerated.

After all, nobody is perfect unless they neither hear nor speak nor tend to their own house.

"Enough about Fang Immortal Taoist Master... But do you truly believe that ’Qing Hezi’ can defeat Saint Lu Xing? With his mid-stage Integration cultivation, although his Demon Skills are pure and sharp, at most he can exchange a few moves with a late-stage Integration cultivator. How difficult would it be to vanquish Saint Lu Xing?" said the cultivator surnamed Meng abruptly, his voice carrying a hint of provocation.

"That day, Qingxu said he didn’t find any traces of other Taoist Masters, so if Qing Hezi did not use the power of a Mahayana Monk behind him and relied solely on himself to slay Saint Lu Xing... there must be a great secret or opportunity on him!" As he spoke, the other Mahayana monks present began to stir with excitement.

"To be able to kill a peak Integration cultivator while only at mid-stage Integration reminds me almost of that heaven-defying talent in the history of the human race..." said the cultivator surnamed Che with a wry smile.

"Humph, this ’Qing Hezi’ might have a complete Immortal Mansion Rare Treasure in his possession or possibly mastered some heaven-defying Divine Skill... otherwise, it’s simply inexplicable," insisted the cultivator surnamed Meng, his voice seemingly inciting something.

"Cough cough..." The Qingxu Child coughed, "The enemy is at our doorstep, there’s no need to bring this up again... Besides, behind him, there’s also a mysterious Mahayana, isn’t there!"

Indeed!" Master Bu stared coldly at the cultivator surnamed Meng, "Meng Sir, with the great war imminent, let’s not engage in actions that would bring pain to our friends and joy to our enemies..."

"What have I said..." the cultivator surnamed Meng chuckled strangely, "Where have the esteemed Sirs’ thoughts wandered off to?"

At this, the other three Mahayana cultivators all felt helpless inside...

...

Fang Xi walked with his hands behind his back, seemingly admiring the scenery of Heaven Origin City.

Before he knew it, he arrived at a residence.

This residence was not in Immortal Jade Mountain, but the spiritual energy was quite abundant, like clouds, with a fine drizzle of spiritual rain falling gently.

At the highest level of a Spirit Tower, a white flag was surprisingly hoisted.

He was slightly startled and headed to the main entrance of the residence.

"This... Elder?"

A Nascent Soul Cultivator saw Fang Xi and immediately jumped in fright, "Not knowing of Elder’s visit, please come inside..."

Fang Xi recognized this person. He was a young prodigy from the Wang family, a Nascent Soul seed from years ago.

Unexpectedly, he had also cultivated to the Nascent Soul Stage recently.

And moreover, he was arranged to do some welcoming and sending-off tasks.

"This place should be the residence of Moon Invitation Immortal City, right?"

Fang Xi did not enter but casually asked, "Who has fallen?"

This Wang family cultivator shuddered, then bowed to answer, "Reporting to Elder, it is our city’s Supreme Elder... who encountered a seventh-order member of the Monster Clan while out on a mission and sadly fell. The city’s new Supreme Elder—’Dongqiuzi’—is now handling affairs."

’Things change; people come and go...’

Fang Xi could not help but sigh inwardly.

He just heard the Wang family Nascent Soul add, "If Elder wishes to pay respects, please move to the Spirit Hall..."

"Nevermind..."

Fang Xi waved his hand, "I originally wanted to make a deal with the Immortal City, but it seems now is not the right time..."

His Divine Consciousness swept over and noticed Fairy Chen, Wang Lingying, and others, but had no intention of appearing to recognize them, instead turning to leave.

At a street corner, an old man dressed in a robe adorned with countless stars, his hair fully silvered, was waiting respectfully.

Upon seeing Fang Xi approach, he immediately bowed, "Zhai Xingzi pays respects to the Elder!"

The Wang family Nascent Soul rubbed his eyes.

If he had not seen wrongly, that was "Zhai Xingzi" of the Star Sect!

As the overlord of the Star Domain, the Star Sect’s Supreme Elder was an Integration Cultivator!

Having an Integration Cultivator show such respect, could it be that Elder’s cultivation was far beyond his imagination?

"Forget it... let’s find a place to talk."

Fang Xi gestured with his hand, somewhat dispirited.

"Then perhaps the Elder should move to my humble Dongfu, where I have a jar of Eight-Hundred-Year ’Seven-Star Brew’..."

Zhai Xingzi offered somewhat sycophantically.

"Well alright..."

Fang Xi replied indifferently, following Zhai Xingzi back to Immortal Jade Mountain and into his Dongfu.

Zhai Xingzi’s Dongfu was somewhat unique; upon entering, one felt neither the heavens above nor the earth below, feeling oneself among a suspended cosmic galaxy, nearly impossible to discern direction.

A white jade-like boat floated quietly in the starry river.

Zhai Xingzi personally opened a bottle of Spirit Wine and poured a full cup for Fang Xi, "With this wine, I toast to the Elder’s arrival!"

He, being merely at the early stage of Integration, naturally felt inferior before one of the Five Sons of Human Race, almost placing himself as a junior.

Fang Xi saw the dark wine in the white jade cup constantly emitting fragrance.

And in the wine, it seemed as if there were thousands of stars twinkling.

He took a sip and couldn’t help but smile, "Drifting in the starry river, tasting this fine wine, indeed there is a unique charm to it!"

"As long as Elder likes it..."

Zhai Xingzi said, puffing out his old face, "If Elder had business at Moon Invitation Immortal City’s residence, I happen to manage the sects of the Star Domain, and whatever the matter, I will surely see it done for the Elder!"

"Well said..."

Fang Xi laughed heartily, "I have a keen interest in the array path and heard that your Star Domain once unearthed an overseas Immortal Mansion with an Immortal Array that could strip people’s cultivation levels, quite fascinating... Sadly, when I went to observe recently, I found it destroyed with hardly a tenth remaining, a truly disheartening sight..."

"So it’s about that matter. Indeed, that Immortal Mansion Array that could strip cultivation was very troublesome..."

Zhai Xingzi smiled, "Back then, if that array had not already been flawed, I wouldn’t have been able to uncover its weakness..."

Fang Xi vaguely recalled that this Integration elder had indeed taken action in the overseas Immortal Mansion back in the day.

Moreover, after the disciple of the Star Saint Body was eradicated, he personally took action and fought a great battle with Fang Immortal Taoist Master...

Of course, he ultimately just contributed to the fame of Fang Immortal Taoist Master.

"Well, I have a wish to see the full view of that array..."

Fang Xi started the conversation.

Zhai Xingzi immediately responded, "I will do my utmost to realize this wish for the Elder!"

Even if this matter would offend all the Returning to Emptiness sects in the domain, Zhai Xingzi did not hesitate!

After all, this was a rare opportunity!

"Haha... there’s no need for such extent."

Fang Xi leisurely took another sip of Spirit Wine, then said, "As one of the Five Sons of Human Race, I’m currently in need of some subordinates... Go tell Zhai Xingzi and the others under his command to hand over what I want, and I’ll arrange for them to guard several less dangerous places under my wing..."

Zhai Xingzi’s eyes lit up. He was flattering so because that was exactly what he wanted!

With a great battle impending, there were those who were eager to fight and yet others who were solely planning for their own interests—it was all human nature...