Chapter 75: News of Cultivation Methods

“This...”

Fang Qing had used Water-Transformation Escape to evade the calamity of having a flying sword pierce his heart, and he very much wanted to complain as well.

He had cultivated bitterly for many years and had even spent a large amount of spirit stones to refine the Azure Sea Shield formed from Azure-Green Spirit Water — how had it been like a sheet of paper?

Pierced through with a single stab?

After thinking for a moment, Fang Qing did not take out the Hundred Souls Banner or a Second-Tier Top-Grade talisman to salvage his dignity. Instead, he honestly used his turtle-shell shield for protection and also brought out the Sea-Transforming Pearl.

Layers of seawater transformed into raging billows, crashing toward Pi Xiuyuan.

Pi Xiuyuan gently shook his head, as though he had discerned something. With a flick of his wooden sword, the boundless seawater instantly collapsed with a thunderous roar, turning into strands of rain that fell to the ground.

The two looked at each other, the atmosphere rather awkward.

After a long while, Fang Qing was the one who spoke first. “Fellow Daoist...still at the early stage of the Dao Foundation Realm?”

“Indeed, early Dao Foundation Realm!”

Pi Xiuyuan put away his wooden sword and sighed. “Although Wood Virtue restrains Water Virtue, your True Power is far too insubstantial, and you lack the profundities of the Dao Foundation...I wonder which Bright Son you are?”

Though the man had not uttered a single curse word, Fang Qing inexplicably felt he had been cursed thoroughly.

Although this had been one of the developments he had anticipated, he had still wanted to pretend to be a master of the Secret Treasury Domain...

Among those of the Qi Ingestion Path, an early Dao Foundation cultivator did not lose out in True Power to a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Qi Refining Path...and if paired with a formidable Dao Foundation, such as Pi Xiuyuan’s Shattering Edge, which was clearly an offensive Dao Foundation, its might was comparable to a Pseudo–Divine Ability. It would likely be able to exchange blows with a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator...this was excessive, clearly beyond standard.

Even if he had forged his Dao Foundation with Ji Water, Enduring Sweet Rain was clearly not as offensively powerful as this man’s Dao Foundation. Perhaps it could only compare to a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator?

There were indeed many subtleties of the Dao Foundation that he still did not understand...

Fang Qing’s thoughts raced, yet he sighed aloud. “I am not a Bright Son. I have merely cultivated Secret Treasury Domain techniques...”

Everything he said was the truth. Using truth to deceive was the safest method.

“So that’s how it is...”

Whether Pi Xiuyuan believed him or not was unclear, but he no longer mentioned anything about jointly exploring a Blessed Land.

Clearly, in his view, Fang Qing’s strength was rather insufficient.

“Fellow Daoist Pi, I shall take my leave. No need to see me off.”

Fang Qing cupped his hands, transforming into a streak of flowing light that vanished into the horizon.

Pi Xiuyuan watched the scene, seemingly pondering something. After a moment, he lowered his Escape Light and arrived within a mountain-top residence.

“Ancestor?”

A middle-aged cultivator at the late stage of the Qi Ingestion Realm immediately stepped forward. “Are you alright?”

“Of course I’m fine. The lot of you see a Dao Foundation and panic as if facing life and death...opening the grand formation for nothing and wasting so many family resources...”

Pi Xiuyuan glared and began scolding at once.

“Listening to Ancestor, that person was a Bright Son of the Secret Treasury Domain? I’ve heard that the Secret Treasury methods can instantly elevate a cultivator to the Dao Foundation...”

The middle-aged cultivator’s eyes were filled with envy.

“Heh, Secret Treasury evil methods. Even the Demonic Path fears them greatly...elevated to a Bright Son? When one’s life is no longer in one’s own hands, what joy remains?”

Pi Xiuyuan sneered. “Look at that man. Though he already possesses Dao Foundation True Power, he still has to seek cultivation methods on his own, attempting to forge a Dao Foundation...how can that compare to the carefree freedom of our Immortal Dao?”

“So that man sought a Zhen Water cultivation method for self-cultivation?”

The middle-aged man’s heart stirred. “Ancestor, since his True Power is so weak, why not...”

A cold light flashed in his eyes. Slaying a Dao Foundation cultivator would certainly yield rich gains.

“Hmph! Though he claims to cultivate on his own, could he become a Bright Son without backing? There must be a Secret Treasury Domain master behind him.”

Pi Xiuyuan snorted coldly. “Have you the audacity to offend them? He is clearly a chess piece planted by the Secret Treasury Domain in the World of Ancient Shu. Who knows how many formidable forces are involved behind the scenes...I had originally found it strange. After all, a Dao Foundation cannot simply sprout from the ground. Now it all makes sense.”

Looking at the awkward middle-aged man, he sighed again. “I know it isn’t easy managing the household. We’ve been pressured hard by the Pu Family of Yulin, and the spiritual resources we must submit have increased by several tenths these past few years...but the more so, the less we can throw ourselves into disorder.”

“Ancestor...I understand.”

The middle-aged cultivator’s eyes reddened, nearly bursting into tears. “It’s just...seeing our family disciples lacking cultivation resources, I grow anxious at heart...”

“Our household has truly fallen to such straits?” Pi Xiuyuan could not help but feel shocked, secretly gnashing his teeth. “That Pu Family of Yulin...has gone too far!”

The Dao Foundation cultivators of Ancient Shu were generally stronger than Foundation Establishment cultivators.

It seemed that on this side, caution must prevail.

After that exchange of blows, Fang Qing roughly understood his own standing in Ancient Shu.

If he deployed all his methods, relying on Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts and Second-Tier Top-Grade talismans...perhaps he could barely fight the Pi Family Ancestor to a draw, at most gaining a slight edge?

But that held little meaning...what if he could defeat one? How many could he fight? If the Smoke-Wave Blessed Land opened, there would certainly be no shortage of Dao Foundation cultivators, and even Purple Palace cultivators...

Fang Qing flicked his sleeve, and strands of Ji Water True Power descended, corroding rock and forming a Cave Dwelling.

He entered within and took out various array disks and array flags from his Storage Pouch. As True Power surged, one array flag after another leapt into the air, embedding into the walls and spreading layers of restrictions.

This Second-Tier array focused on concealment had been personally refined by Qin Ruxue.

After inserting several Mid-Grade Spirit Stones into the array disk, Fang Qing sat cross-legged and took out the Whale-Swallowing Vast Sea Art from his Storage Pouch, silently studying it.

“As expected, a Zhen Water cultivation method. At the beginning of Qi Ingestion, one must refine a strand of Long Whale Bright Moon Qi...ranked Seventh-Tier Low-Grade, and it actually holds hope of the Purple Palace?”

Examining the Qi-gathering method, Fang Qing suddenly felt he had profited greatly this time.

This Long Whale Bright Moon Qi was virtually impossible to gather in the World of Ancient Shu.

It required venturing into the depths of the great sea, seeking the resting place of a fallen whale, and on the night of a full moon, gathering the Qi with the Qi-Gathering Essentials...Ancient Shu certainly lacked such an environment, but the Small Huan Sea had it in abundance.

He did not even need to personally handle it now. He could completely entrust the matter to Qin Ruxue...

“In that case, the Whale-Swallowing Vast Sea Art must certainly have subsequent Purple Palace stages? The Vast Sea Sect?”

Fang Qing committed this to memory.

He had originally thought the Demonic Path flourished in this era. It now seemed merely that the Dao had waned while the Demonic had risen...there were still orthodox Mysterious Gate lineages in existence.

However, the righteous path of this era might not be particularly righteous. Just like the Azure Sea Sect...the Heavenly Heart Linked Islands and the escaped Zhong Family remnants were unmistakably Demonic Path now.

Sometimes, so-called righteousness and demonic ways were merely the distinction between victors and losers.

“Now that I’ve obtained this Zhen Water Dao Foundation cultivation technique, it serves as a backup option.”

According to Fang Qing’s plan, it was time to begin preparations for the Dao Foundation.

If no Ji Water Dao Foundation spiritual items appeared within the Blessed Land this time, nor any auxiliary breakthrough materials could be exchanged—

Then he would have to change direction and switch to cultivating the Whale-Swallowing Vast Sea Art. As for Zhen Water attainment, it could be comprehended gradually.

At that time, when impacting the Dao Foundation, one Foundation Establishment Pill might not suffice. In any case, he still possessed multiple Second-Tier Demon Cores. He would simply refine several more pills!

The Qi Ingestion Path was difficult to alter its orthodoxy—but what did that have to do with the Dao-Birth Pearl?

Several days later.

A black market exchange gathering.

“Everyone...as per the previous rules, each person first exchanges needed items, then we exchange intelligence...”

A black-clothed, masked man at the ninth layer of Qi Ingestion spoke, watching as the exchange proceeded.

After the gathering concluded, the cultivators dispersed one by one.

The black-robed burly man left alone, suddenly freezing in place. A pitch-black great blade appeared in his hand as he shouted, “Who dares tail your grandfather?”

“Heh heh...Murong Jiu, your affair has been exposed.”

Xu Hei let out a sinister cackle, his thin figure like a ghostly shadow, ten points of green flame erupting from his fingertips.

Murong Jiu raised his blade to block. A layer of water ripples appeared, swallowing all the green flames.

He did not entangle himself, his footwork exquisite as he prepared to execute an escape technique.

At that moment, a terrifying wave of Divine Sense transformed into a Demon-Subduing Vajra Pestle, crashing into his Sea of Consciousness.

Murong Jiu screamed miserably and rolled on the ground.

Simultaneously, an ice talisman activated, freezing half his body.

“Heh heh...run again, will you? Where’s your Vast Mysterious Wave Steps?”

Xu Hei stepped forward, confiscating Murong Jiu’s black blade, chuckling.

Murong Jiu ignored Xu Hei, instead staring at Fang Qing, who had appeared. “Your Excellency, with the dignity of a Dao Foundation, ambushing a Qi Ingestion cultivator like me—I submit. I only wonder how I offended you?”

“Haha...have you forgotten? At the exchange gathering back then, you even tried to ambush this Buddha?”

Fang Qing drifted forward. Xu Hei also grinned, tearing off his face covering.

“It’s you?!”

Murong Jiu’s face turned ashen, yet there was also a sense of finality, as though a stone had finally dropped. “It’s been nearly ten years...I hid for five years before daring to move about again, yet I still fell.”

“Heh heh, you can run, can you? Now—do you wish to die or live?”

Xu Hei fawned at his side. “If you wish to die, just say so. I happen to lack a fine corpse for refinement. If you wish to live, then release your mind and become a disciple of my master.”

“You are a master of the Secret Treasury Domain?”

Murong Jiu looked at Fang Qing as though seeing a ghost.

Fang Qing sighed inwardly. The Secret Treasury Domain truly had ruined its reputation.

“Indeed...the Smoke-Wave Blessed Land is about to open. This Buddha lacks a few capable disciples. You offended this Buddha—that is karmic connection. You can only repay it with your body.”

He smiled. “If you do not wish to die, then open your mind.”

As he spoke, a vast blazing sun emerged from within his Sea of Consciousness and descended into Murong Jiu’s Sea of Consciousness...

A moment later.

“Greetings, Master. If Master commands, I would not hesitate to die ten thousand deaths.”

Murong Jiu knelt on the ground, utterly humble.

“Good. First, present the cultivation method you practice, as well as the manual for the Vast Mysterious Wave Steps.”

Fang Qing nodded with a smile. “How much intelligence do you know regarding the Smoke-Wave Blessed Land? Report it all. Rest assured, after this Blessed Land matter, this Buddha will have little use for you. There will be ample opportunity for carefree days. Who knows—you may even have hope of Dao Foundation in the future.”

“Reporting to Master: the Smoke-Wave Blessed Land lies within Smoke-Wave Lake. It normally hides deep within the Great Void—even Purple Palace cultivators cannot enter. However, it is said that the Smoke-Wave Master’s inheritors of a later generation have appeared, a pair of siblings surnamed Tian. They will likely be manipulated in destiny by the Purple Palace lords, swiftly advanced to Dao Foundation to open the Blessed Land...”

As someone who frequented the black market, Murong Jiu possessed abundant intelligence and immediately provided new clues.

“Siblings surnamed Tian?”

Fang Qing questioned further, then fell silent. Old Tian?

He had not expected that, back at the sword cultivator’s Cave Dwelling outside Floating Boat Market, it had ultimately been that man who reaped the benefits. Of course, such benefits were not easily taken—likely arranged by some Purple Palace cultivator. Now, he was even more unable to act of his own will.

But...why had I not divined this layer back then?

At that thought, Fang Qing grew inwardly vigilant, resolving firmly that he would absolutely not enter this Smoke-Wave Blessed Land!