After a mont.
The headless female corpse fell to the ground.
The dwarfish old man coughed repeatedly, struggled to his feet, and looked at Fang Qing with a face full of misfortune. “This old one admits defeat. Your Excellency may do as you please…”
‘To run into a demoness from the Joyful Union Sect the mont I stepped out—truly ill luck… Bah!’
Fang Qing was washing his hands with clean water. Upon hearing this, he glanced at Xu Hei. “You and that woman both seem to co from great demonic sect lineages. How did you fall to such a state?”
“Cough, cough… As for that woman, this one does not know. But the cultivation thod and True Qi this one practices… they were obtained by chance when I went out seeking the Dao in my youth. The technique I cultivate is called Yin Origin Dao-Gathering Art. It indeed flowed out from the great southern demonic sect—the Yin Corpse Sect. There was even a note left in the Dao text, telling that after ingesting Qi with ‘Yin Corpse Qi,’ I could go to the Yin Corpse Sect to take a master… But this one kept a cautious heart. After secretly investigating for a long ti and learning the habits of that great demonic sect, I dared not go…”
Xu Hei gave a bitter smile as he answered.
“Oh? Tell in detail…” Fang Qing grew interested.
“Those demonic sects—since they call themselves demonic, could there possibly be good people among them?” The bitterness on Xu Hei’s face deepened. “The Human Pill thod originally spread from the demonic path… The cultivation thods they pass down often contain hidden traps and restrictions… Soone like this old one, who joined halfway, would either be treated as a slave to be driven about, or be sacrificed and refined into so kind of artifact. And if one’s cultivation grew higher, one might even beco a great dicinal ingredient for another disciple’s breakthrough!”
“Mmm, that makes sense.”
Fang Qing understood this very well. It was also one of the reasons he did not join a sect. “Present the Dao text you cultivate.”
“Yes.” Xu Hei complied imdiately, his manner exceptionally respectful. “This Yin Origin Dao-Gathering Art cultivates the Earth of the Nü Mansion. The Earth of the Nü Mansion is earth that gathers yin gloom and accumulation, also called Yin Corpse Earth. Thus, the Yin Corpse Sect delights in digging up graves, harvesting yin, and refining corpses… This one did not wish to beco a refined corpse after death and be driven by others, so I always dared not et experts of the Yin Corpse Sect. I rely purchased Dao texts myself and cultivated according to annotated explanations. Inevitably there were errors and omissions, which led to beco this ghostly appearance…”
After speaking, he gave another bitter smile.
“Sigh, none of us have it easy.”
Fang Qing sighed, the expression on his face half-smiling yet not smiling. “Unfortunately… you offended this Buddha. This Buddha cannot easily spare you. How about this—you kneel down and sincerely beg this Buddha to perform empowernt upon you and beco this Buddha’s disciple. This Buddha will then, in great compassion and rcy, spare your life. What say you?”
“Bu… Buddha?”
Xu Hei’s expression was as though he had seen a ghost. “You—you… are you a master from the Secret Treasury Domain? Did not Mountain-Covering Cloud Cliff have an agreent with the Great Snow Mountain that esoteric monks may not cross eastward?”
Seeing Xu Hei’s expression, as though becoming a disciple of the Secret Treasury Domain was worse than joining the Yin Corpse Sect, Fang Qing inwardly lanted how foul the Great Snow Mountain’s reputation was.
“Humph! This Buddha has taken a liking to you, and you still dare to nitpick? Do you wish to end up like the demoness from the Joyful Union Sect beside you?”
He circulated the Great Sun Empowernt Secret Art.
From within his Sea of Consciousness leapt forth a boundless colossal sun. The surrounding temperature soared violently as it charged into Xu Hei’s Sea of Consciousness. “Life or death—you decide for yourself!”
Facts proved that unless death stood before them, cultivators might never truly understand themselves.
For example, Li Rulong!
And for example, this Xu Hei!
The older a person was, the more they feared death—indeed, it was true.
A mont later, Fang Qing looked at Xu Hei, who had been converted and now knelt upon the ground. He tossed over a storage pouch he had replaced. “This Buddha has already placed a curse upon you. You must not reveal anything about this Buddha. Otherwise, you will surely die by the curse!”
“Rest assured, this Buddha does not want your life, nor does he want you to offer your flesh and then your descendants… You only need to take these Spiritual Resources, go to the major markets and exchange gatherings, exchange them for other Spiritual Items for this Buddha, and gather intelligence along the way.”
Xu Hei had originally fallen into despair.
Upon hearing this, a trace of vitality reluctantly returned to his eyes. “Everything… shall be carried out according to the master’s command.”
“Good!”
Fang Qing laughed heartily and rode away upon the Mysterious Ice Wheel.
Xu Hei climbed to his feet and then fiercely slapped himself several tis. “I let you be greedy, let you be greedy… Sigh…”
His cheeks swelled high.
When he opened the storage pouch, his mouth suddenly fell wide open. “So many… so many Spiritual Resources?!”
…
Jade Island.
Azure Sea Sect, within the cave dwelling.
Clear and turbid qi gathered and transford into a doorway.
With a flash of light, Fang Qing’s figure instantly appeared.
“The Heavenly Billow Array is as usual…”
He took out the array disk, inspected it, and nodded secretly. “During the ti I traversed, no one ca to my cave dwelling… Of course, there are still quite a few sound-transmitting talismans.”
Fang Qing ca to the entrance of the cave dwelling and saw nurous sound-transmitting talismans.
Of course, compared to when he had just beco a True Disciple, the number was much fewer—the fervor had diminished considerably.
But among them were many that required careful replies, such as Qin Ruxue, Linghu Chong, and others…
“Oh? Linghu Chong has already succeeded in Foundation Establishnt?”
Holding one of the sound-transmitting talismans, Fang Qing was slightly surprised. “I almost missed his Foundation Establishnt celebration? Though it is no great matter…”
At present, there were no major disturbances; everything in the Azure Sea Sect appeared peaceful and prosperous.
And what most Qi Refining disciples relished discussing was which True Disciple had succeeded in Foundation Establishnt, and which had failed…
Fang Qing took out a second-tier Flesh-Regrowing Bone-Renewing Pill he had refined, intending to use it as Linghu Chong’s Foundation Establishnt congratulatory gift, and set off for the small celebration.
A second-tier pill was already sufficiently precious.
Moreover, he himself was still a Qi Refining disciple, not Foundation Establishnt.
After Linghu Chong’s breakthrough, the sect had specially allocated him a second-tier cave dwelling nad “Ethereal Water Pavilion,” which was a spiritual lake.
Upon the lake stood pavilions and terraces. Lotus flowers blood nearby, their fragrance spreading in all directions.
‘As expected of the Sect Master’s descendant. If it were , my second-tier cave dwelling after Foundation Establishnt would absolutely not be this good… The spiritual qi here must already be second-tier top-grade, perhaps?’
Fang Qing arrived at the pavilion entrance and presented his invitation. Naturally, a disciple ca forward to lead him inside.
“Junior Brother Fang?”
Linghu Chong wore splendid robes as he ca forward to greet him, an unfathomable spiritual pressure emanating from his body.
Each major realm in the Qi Refining path was like an insurmountable chasm.
“Congratulations, Martial Uncle Linghu!”
Fang Qing smiled as he handed over the gift box.
“I believe that one day, Junior Brother will reach this as well.” Linghu Chong said seriously. “After the gathering, a few of you junior brothers and sisters stay behind. I have sothing to say.”
‘Hmm? What dicine is Linghu Chong selling in his gourd? Could it be…’
Fang Qing’s heart stirred, though his expression remained unchanged as he entered the pavilion.
Within the pavilion were already many cultivators, gathered in twos and threes, sitting or standing, subtly divided into groups.
Foundation Establishnt cultivators would never allow Qi Refining cultivators to mingle in their circle—dragons did not associate with snakes.
“Senior Sister Qin? What happened?”
Fang Qing naturally joined the Qi Refining circle and saw Qin Ruxue and others.
But at this mont, Qin Ruxue’s face was pale and bloodless, carrying a faintly pitiful air.
“Sigh… I attempted to charge at Foundation Establishnt and failed. Fortunately, the Foundation Establishnt Pill preserved my life, but my primordial energy was injured.”
Qin Ruxue sighed; even her eyes seed dim.
“Senior Sister Qin was considered fortunate. That Five Dragons Child still would not give up. He exchanged a Ice-Heart Vein-Protecting Pill from so senior brother and attempted Foundation Establishnt again. It is said he could not even endure to the Divine Sense Gate and failed at the Qi Gate. His True Power could not condense into liquid… leading to backlash. Though he preserved his life as well, his cultivation regressed and nearly fell to mid-stage Qi Refining…”
Another junior brother spoke, a faint smile on his face.
‘Five Dragons Child?’
Fang Qing had nearly forgotten about this person. Hearing the news now, he nodded inwardly. ‘As a quasi–second-tier pill master, his wealth is indeed substantial. That Ice-Heart Vein-Protecting Pill—could it also have co from Flying Fish Island last ti?’
‘He has already condensed Divine Sense. If he could have endured to the Spirit Gate, his chances of achieving Foundation Establishnt would have been high… Truly a pity… Not at all! Fortunately he did not obtain a Foundation Establishnt Pill. If he had succeeded, he would certainly have co looking for trouble with .’
…
Linghu Chong’s Foundation Establishnt gathering attracted quite a number of Foundation Establishnt cultivators, making it lively indeed, with guests filling the seats.
Fang Qing swept his gaze across and discovered quite a few cultivators who even made him feel danger.
Among them was Cui Zhe!
This sword cultivator, with his slightly pointed chin and peach-blossom eyes, possessed an even sharper aura after reaching Foundation Establishnt.
After most of the guests departed, those who had been previously reminded remained behind.
Fang Qing looked around and saw that they were all Qi Refining disciples, including Qin Ruxue.
“Junior brothers and sisters…”
Linghu Chong held a jade wine pot, his manner intimate. He did not address them as martial nephews, but used a closer form of address.
“Martial Uncle Linghu, what instructions do you have? We will certainly do our utmost to accomplish them.”
A True Disciple with a smiling face asked.
“It is not an instruction. Rather, sothing significant has occurred recently. The Foundation Establishnt cultivators all know already. I thought you should be inford as well, so you may prepare.”
Linghu Chong spoke calmly. “The sect may soon mobilize fully. Not a small matter like the Punishnt of Evil Hall—it will be war against a Core Formation power!”
“War?” Qin Ruxue exclaid. “It has only been a few years. Is the sect going to retaliate against the Zhong Family?”
The last ti the Azure Sea Sect had been forced back to Jade Island, resulting in the Mixed-Sea Flood Dragon Serpent’s failed advancent, had been a humiliation to the sect. The disciples had not expected retaliation to co so quickly.
‘It seems the Sect Master has already refined the Tide-Birth Pearl and possesses Core Formation combat power… I wonder which Core Formation Ancestor was unfortunate enough to be struck first?’
Fang Qing speculated inwardly.
For the news to spread so openly, most likely Sect Master Linghu had already joined hands with Blue Wave Fairy Ruan Zhixuan and caused the fall of a Core Formation cultivator!
“Not the Zhong Family!”
Linghu Chong shook his head.
“What? Could it actually be the Heavenly Heart Linked Islands?”
The Qi Refining disciples present were all shocked.
Fang Qing secretly laughed: ‘When the first and second fight, the third dies first…’
“In this great war, there will certainly be dedicated war missions. After the war, Foundation Establishnt Pills will surely be offered as rewards. If you junior brothers and sisters wish to earn large amounts of Contribution Points, you must not miss it. You may begin selecting trusted teammates now.”
Linghu Chong was effectively giving them an early advantage. “Of course… if any True Disciple is unwilling to go to war, that is also permissible… After all, True Disciples inherently possess the privilege of refusing mandatory sect missions.”
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