NOVEL NEXT Chapter 139: Bai Ze Immortal City
The Blood Fiend Demon Art’s distinctive feature was its rapid advancement in magical energy cultivation!
Moreover, it possessed immense destructive power and various peculiar secret techniques!
However, its side effects included significant changes to the cultivator’s temperament, potentially leading to qi deviation!
Fang Xi had little interest in the ‘Blood Fiend Demon Art’ itself but focused on the accompanying secret techniques mentioned later.
One such technique, the ‘Blood Fiend Slash’, required foundational magical energy from the Blood Fiend Demon Art, which Fang Xi could not yet achieve.
But another technique, the ‘Blood Ignition Escape Technique’, intrigued him. By consuming one’s own vital blood, it transformed the user into a streak of bloodlight for swift escape, boasting astonishing speed. It was rumored that even at the Qi Refinement stage, this technique could allow evasion from early Foundation Establishment opponents. Fang Xi felt he could master this skill effectively.
Considering he was already at the fourth level of Body Tempering, his vital energy reserves were exceptionally robust, with ample blood supply; thus, he wasn’t concerned about depletion.
“It’s unfortunate… there isn’t any secret technique I envisioned, where immense power can be gained by sacrificing longevity…”
Fang Xi expressed slight disappointment.
With his significantly extended lifespan, he didn’t mind such sacrifices, knowing full well he could always replenish it through tree cultivation later!“Perhaps Bai Ze Immortal City might have something like that; I should keep an eye out in the future…”
Additionally, at the end of the ‘Blood Fiend Demon Art’, there was a corpse-refining technique that captivated Fang Xi’s attention.
Situ Nine, the ancestor of the Situ Clan, was a renowned demonic cultivator known for his expertise in refining corpses!
In fact, the Situ Clan’s reserves included a collection of refined corpses, even boasting flying corpses comparable to Foundation Establishment beings!
While Fang Xi himself wasn’t fond of refined corpses, truth be told, due to his experience with the Demon Tree, he had gained considerable knowledge in this area.
Demonic servants could essentially be considered as puppets, not much different from refined corpses.
Although Situ Ying hadn’t mastered the true essence of corpse-refining techniques, the methods for controlling refined corpses intrigued Fang Xi greatly.
Controlling numerous puppets as a puppeteer shared striking similarities with a demonic cultivator commanding vast numbers of refined corpses.
The stronger one’s divine sense, the greater their proficiency in such control!
Fang Xi never forgot about his plan for a puppet army! Moreover, future hunts for demon cores would inevitably yield materials from Foundation Establishment mythical beasts; it would indeed be a waste not to utilize them with the Demon Tree.
‘Once I reach Foundation Establishment, having a batch of Foundation Establishment puppets… Wouldn’t that allow me to dominate the surrounding three kingdoms?’
‘No, no, domination isn’t my style… Let’s focus on reaching Foundation Establishment first, and we’ll see from there…’
Half a month later.
After traveling intermittently and intentionally taking a detour, Fang Xi finally followed his map’s guidance to reach Bai Ze Immortal City near the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range!
Within a vast radius of this city, the landscape was largely wild with few signs of mortal settlements or cultivated villages.
Being so close to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, occasional escaped mythical beasts posed significant dangers, making it inhospitable for ordinary humans to reside there.
Fang Xi steered the Black Feather Boat over a mountain peak when he suddenly halted.
Ahead, a magnificent Immortal City lay at the horizon’s edge, radiating vibrant multicolored hues!
Circular layers of city walls surrounded a central snow-white mountain peak, adorned with numerous inscribed paper talismans and traces of spiritual glow.
A bustling crowd of cultivators, either on foot, riding magical artifacts, or accompanied by spirit beasts, formed lively streams near the city gates.
For a moment, Fang Xi felt as if he had returned to the mortal realm.
This city was entirely inhabited by cultivators!
“Third-order spiritual veins - Bai Peak Mountain?!”
Fang Xi gazed at the snow-white peak at the very center, murmuring softly.
Even approaching Bai Ze Immortal City, he felt a palpable sense of pressure in the air.
Undoubtedly, this emanated from the city’s third-rank Guardian Great Array!
“A tier-3 formation is fully integrated with the earth’s veins, possessing the ability to create its own self-contained world…”
Recalling fragments from his array legacy knowledge, Fang Xi compared them with the environment around Bai Ze Immortal City.
Within a tier-3 formation, it becomes effortless to lock down spiritual veins, distribute varying concentrations of spiritual energy across different areas, and even teleport cultivators at will!
The path of formations undergoes a terrifying transformation and leap once reaching the third rank!
For instance, Bai Ze Immortal City’s Guardian Great Array, being fused with the local environment, would significantly mitigate any damage caused by even a third-rank Barrier Breaking Talisman.
An explosion within such a formation would have minimal effect.
Regardless of how powerful a tier-3 paper talisman might be, against the scope of an entire region, it holds little significance.
This exemplifies the sheer terror of high-tier Great Restriction Formations!
As Fang Xi approached the city walls of Bai Ze Immortal City, he felt a subtle pressure gradually increasing on him…
“A spatial restriction?”
He promptly descended his flight, stowed away the Black Feather Boat, and walked towards the main entrance of Bai Ze Immortal City.
“Ladies and gentlemen… there is a one low-grade spirit stone entry fee per person. After nightfall, those without fixed accommodations will be expelled from the city!”
At the city gate, patrol guards clad in spirit armor stood watch, each with a cultivation base remarkably at Late Stage Qi Refinement!
Fang Xi patiently queued up to enter the Immortal City.
“And what might your name be, fellow daoist?”
When it was his turn, Fang Xi straightforwardly provided his true identity.
After all, he had no outstanding cases against him, nor was he a demonic cultivator. His background was clear, and seeking breakthrough opportunities in Bai Ze Immortal City was entirely reasonable!
“Ah, Fellow Daoist Fang, here’s your identity token, please keep it safe!”
Upon receiving a single spirit stone, the guard issued Fang Xi a token engraved with his personal information, allowing him access into Bai Ze Immortal City.
“Phew…”
As soon as Fang Xi entered the city, he felt the abundant pure spiritual energy around him, graded at tier-1 high-quality, far surpassing his own Jade Cliff.
“According to rumors, Bai Ze Immortal City is divided into three main regions. The Outer City has spiritual energy concentration of tier-1 high-grade, while the Inner City is approximately tier-2… As for the core area, Bai Peak Mountain, it’s a third-rank spiritual land. Wow…”
Fang Xi sighed with admiration and began strolling casually through the Outer City.
Even within the Outer City, the crisscrossing streets were significantly more bustling than typical marketplaces.
Shop after shop lined up densely, and with just a glance, Fang Xi recognized several familiar signs:
‘Hundred Skills Pavilion’, ‘Mingqing Pavilion’, ‘Ten Seas Tower’…
“Baiqiao Qi Clan, Verdant Xue Clan, and even the Song Clan… all part of the seven major Foundation Establishment aristocratic families in Yue Kingdom. Oh wait, now there are only six left…”
Fang Xi mentally listed the Foundation Establishment forces behind these shops, adding, “And they’re all… acquaintances!”
Qi Yingsong from the Hundred Skills Pavilion had attempted murder for wealth, while Goddess Yunmeng of the Verdant Xue Clan captured Chen Ping. As for that Blood Symbol Spirit Body genius, Fang Xi was unsure about his current situation.
The Song Clan, with their gift of the ‘Longevity Technique’ from Song Qing, had indeed benefited Fang Xi greatly, but their intentions were far from benevolent!
‘I wonder how many acquaintances from those old market days are still alive…’
‘As for Shen Haoran of the Heavenly Talisman Hall’s Shen Clan… I fear he likely met his demise along with his entire family.’
Apart from the shops established by Yue Kingdom’s Foundation Establishment powers, Fang Xi also noticed numerous establishments selling medicinal pills, magical artifacts, and paper talismans.
Being located at the intersection of three kingdoms, Bai Ze Immortal City attracted not just cultivator clans from Yue, but various factions across the region!
This diverse mix made it an ideal place for rogue cultivators to thrive and dispose of illicit goods!
Instead of browsing the shops, Fang Xi headed straight to the office responsible for leasing immortal’s caves within the city. There, he rented one in the Outer City for a ten-year term.
The business of renting out Bai Ze Immortal City’s caves has always been managed by disciples under True Person Bai Feng, providing them with steady income even without active involvement.
Notably, the tier-2 spiritual lands in the Inner City generate substantial revenue daily!
“Bristling Willow Lane, Building 87!”
Holding a message token and map, Fang Xi made his way to a lane within the Outer City.
This area seemed designated for immortal’s caves, with individual courtyards scattered at intervals of several meters apart. Each building had its own entrance, complete with shielding formations ensuring excellent privacy.
‘Cultivators highly value their privacy; this arrangement makes sense…though it does seem like inefficient use of space…’
Fang Xi sighed, found Building 87, and used the message token to activate the formation. Moments later, he pushed open the gate.
Inside, the courtyard was tranquil, featuring a small bridge over flowing water, animal enclosures, storage rooms, a cultivation chamber, and a kitchen—all well-equipped.
“The formation is quite basic, just low-tier first rank, barely enough to conceal outsiders’ gaze…” He took a quick tour around, planning to set up his own formation as this standard one proved inadequate.
Noticing the existing furniture, Fang Xi mentally noted items needed for purchase before stepping out of the residence.
As he emerged, the neighboring courtyard gate opened, revealing two cultivators.
One was a male cultivator at Peak Qi Refinement, appearing youthful despite his silver hair, radiating vitality with a glowing complexion.
The other, a charming and delicate female cultivator, seemed to be around the sixth level of Qi Refining.
They displayed affectionate behavior, resembling a grandfather and granddaughter.
Upon seeing Fang Xi, both were momentarily taken aback.
“Greetings, esteemed neighbors,” Fang Xi said, smiling and bowing respectfully. “My name is Fang Xi. I’ve just rented here, so we’ll be living nearby from now on…”
Fang Xi inwardly marveled, not surprised at all considering Bai Ze Immortal City’s reputation; even its Outer City was filled with hidden talents.
Currently, he projected a cultivation base around the eighth layer of Qi Refinement - neither high nor low, ensuring he wouldn’t be underestimated.
After fully refining the Demon Tree, Fang Xi found that his previous method for storing magical energy still worked and became even more convenient. Naturally, he chose to conceal part of his true cultivation base.
Having remained in the seventh layer of Qi Refinement for quite some time, advancing and subsequently leaving Peach Blossom Island seemed perfectly reasonable!
“Ah, Fellow Daoist Fang, I am ‘Su Lie’, and this is my cultivation partner, ‘Jin Ling’!” Su Lie introduced them cheerfully, appearing as a quintessential friendly elder.
“Greetings, Daoist Su and Goddess Jin…” Fang Xi maintained a composed expression, but internally, he couldn’t help but note the significant age difference between Su Lie and his cultivation partner.
In the cultivation world, however, age gaps in relationships were common, whether it be older husbands with younger wives or vice versa. With the existence of Age-Defying Pills and similar remedies, concerns about such disparities were minimal.
For instance, Fang Xi himself looked dashing and elegant… without explicitly stating his age, no one would guess he was nearing fifty-four!
Indeed, Fang Xi had always preferred staying low-key and avoiding fame. If circumstances allowed, he aimed to reach Foundation Establishment before turning sixty, thus attracting less attention.
It was widely accepted in the cultivation realm that the chances of achieving Foundation Establishment significantly decrease after reaching sixty years of age…