“Ruxue… has already reached mid Foundation Establishment.”
Taibai Island.
Fang Qing returned to his cave residence and gave a light probe with his divine sense. A satisfied nod followed.
Qin Ruxue had finally broken through after receiving that Minor Barrier-Breaking Pill.
“This girl’s aptitude is actually quite ordinary. Otherwise she would not have failed Foundation Establishment twice in a row. Her only real talent lies in array formation… Aptitude, aptitude… Even in the Qi Refining path, no matter how poor one’s aptitude, sufficient resources can let even a pig reach Core Formation. Still, better aptitude means less consumption, faster cultivation, and smoother progress.”
“Perhaps… once my private server cultivation is complete, I could let her reincarnate?”
A thought suddenly rose in his mind. “Spiritual root aptitude is ultimately a matter of luck, yet the offspring of cultivators have a higher chance of producing spiritual roots. If the fetus is nourished with various spirit medicines while still in the womb, the odds of obtaining a superior spiritual root can be raised even further…”
“Reincarnate her a few more times and drawing a heaven-grade spiritual root might be difficult, but anything a step below that should pose no real problem…”
“As for Xiang Dahu, he most likely has no hope of Core Formation in this life. We will see about the next one!”
“Still, once I reach Purple Mansion, why would either of them need to bother with ordinary cultivation? Would it not be far better to directly elevate them to Consecrated Son or Consecrated Consort status?”
Although the term “consecrated” carried a somewhat shameful connotation among Purple Mansion cultivators in Ancient Shu, on the Qi Refining side it meant a genuine early Core Formation expert. The entire Minor Huan Sea currently had only two or three such figures.
“Indeed… the reincarnation method is mainly intended for those slain in battle or forced into premature death, or for those whose lifespan is nearing its end. There must be restrictions. Otherwise, would Dharma Kings of the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain not enjoy true immortality, living even more freely than the great beings above the Golden Rank?”
Fang Qing silently recalled the reincarnation art that Sangji had taught him.
“This technique first requires borrowing the authority of the Great Snow Mountain so the true spirit can make the journey. Once that happens, no secrets remain hidden… Next, the number of reincarnations is limited according to one’s realm. Infinite reincarnation is impossible…”
“Finally, many Ancient Shu techniques can directly damage the true spirit. If the true spirit itself is destroyed, then one is truly annihilated with no hope of reincarnation…”
“If I wish to help others reincarnate, the key is still to establish my own private server first…”
He mulled it over and found the prospect rather troublesome, so he set the matter aside for now. “Both sides have finally quieted down. It is time to enter secluded cultivation for several decades and consolidate my foundation…”
On the Ancient Shu side, Fang Qing had already recalled Xu Hei and given him a stack of travel permits stamped with the White Bone Dao’s official seal. This formally cleared the man’s identity. From now on, Xu Hei could trade with any Dao Foundation aristocratic family without fear of being turned away.
He had also instructed Xu Hei to gather more Dao Foundation spiritual items, travel the commanderies as a merchant, and even consider forming a rogue cultivator trading association. Expanding the scale would make cross-world trade and fencing goods far more convenient.
Previously he had refrained because he lacked sufficient backing.
Now, as long as the transactions did not involve Purple Mansion spiritual items, the White Bone Dao could handle everything.
“Ancient Shu actually has no shortage of spiritual items. It is simply that the aristocratic families and sects are too stingy and hoard everything away. Without equal standing or proper trading channels, they refuse to bring anything out.”
While thinking, Fang Qing left seclusion and walked to the side of the Ice Soul Cold Spring.
After all, he was a water-method alchemist. Refining this major [Ji Water] medicine was still most convenient using the third-rank spirit spring.
“My natal [Ji Water] pairs perfectly with water-virtue cultivation methods. Progress with [Ji Water] techniques is noticeably faster…”
“Although the Listening to the Mysterious Cavern Spring Scripture is a Purple Mansion technique of boundless profundity, I have studied many methods, my attainment is solid, and I possess numerous pills and spiritual items that increase mana. My cultivation speed remains quite rapid. In another few years or perhaps a dozen years I should break through to mid Dao Foundation. This major medicine will be exactly what I need.”
He took out the Life Spring Flower. The petals were slightly curled, naturally condensing dew that dripped like tears.
“What excellent spiritual resonance… I must consider carefully how to refine it without damaging that resonance…”
Fang Qing pondered the proper sovereign-assistant pairing, first refining some Qi Ingestion spiritual materials and circulating the water-control technique.
The third-rank cold spring immediately began to ripple gently…
Several months later.
“Collect!”
Fang Qing formed a hand seal with one hand. The cold spring boiled like a taiji diagram, alternating cold and heat, until a large azure pill flew out.
“Excellent medicine…”
He examined its medicinal properties and a faint smile appeared on his face. “This pill can assist early-stage [Ji Water] Dao Foundation cultivators in breaking through… In terms of rank on the Qi Refining side, it should sit between second-rank mid-grade and second-rank superior…”
Being able to create a second-rank pill formula on his own showed that Fang Qing’s alchemy attainment had truly reached the quasi third-rank level.
“I suppose I took a slight shortcut here.”
Fang Qing looked at the pill and smiled. “This pill shall be named the Life Spring Pill… In truth I did not alter or transform its properties much. I simply played to its strengths, avoided its weaknesses, and did my best to compensate for the flaws of consuming the Life Spring Flower raw…”
Generally speaking, such heaven-and-earth spiritual items could be consumed directly.
However, some possessed overly violent medicinal effects or carried deadly toxins… That was why they needed to be refined into pills to maximize their benefits and minimize their drawbacks. Fang Qing’s Life Spring Pill followed exactly this principle, which was why refining it had been almost guaranteed success.
If he wanted to combine multiple main ingredients to refine different pills, even with extra study and deliberation he would probably still fail several times before truly grasping the technique.
“A proper alchemist must create their own pill formulas… Reaching this step, even if I took a slight shortcut, is still quite good.”
Fang Qing felt a surge of satisfaction. He carefully stored the Life Spring Pill and walked out of the cold spring cavern at an unhurried pace.
After leaving seclusion, Xiang Dahu and Bei Lingshu naturally came to pay their respects and report minor affairs.
“Oh? Demonic cultivators probed our island’s array?”
Fang Qing had known about it long ago, yet he still showed appropriate surprise in front of Bei Lingshu.
“Indeed, only a few Qi Refining demonic cultivators. I chased them down and killed every one.”
Xiang Dahu replied.
“Junior Brother Xiang must not be careless… What if you fell into a demonic ambush?”
Bei Lingshu was far more steady.
She had no idea that although Xiang Dahu had only recently reached Foundation Establishment, he already possessed second-rank Body Refinement along with superior spiritual artifacts and talismans. Even against a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator he could hold his own for quite some time.
“Our sect is still locked in a great war with the Sea-Destroying Alliance… We truly cannot relax our guard.”
Fang Qing glanced at Bei Lingshu and thought of the dozen or so Qi Refining disciples on the island. He could not help shaking his head.
No matter how high one’s personal cultivation, if the people below colluded and schemed, nothing would get done properly.
This was true for the Blue Sea Sect, and it was equally true for him.
Had it not been for Xiang Dahu acting as his eyes and ears, he would never have known that in this tiny place with only a dozen people, countless private grudges and entanglements existed beneath the surface. Some had even tried to take advantage of his long seclusion, exploiting his unfamiliarity with mundane affairs to frame fellow disciples for personal gain.
“Human nature really is the most complicated thing in the world…”
He sighed inwardly. “And I… am truly not suited to managing a sect. Fortunately, the Ancient Shu side has some rather marvelous Dao techniques that can assist.”
Fang Qing recalled several unusual Dao Foundations Sangji had mentioned. They offered almost no increase in combat strength, yet they could listen to heart voices, investigate the netherworld, and discern thoughts. In front of such a Dao Foundation, unless one’s realm far surpassed the user or one possessed a high-authority treasure for protection, hiding anything became nearly impossible.
“I could go seek out one of those as an auxiliary technique to cultivate first…”
“After all, it only requires swallowing a strand of true qi as a catalyst. Forming the Dao Foundation would take but an instant… At that point, who could possibly hide anything from me?”
“Unfortunately, such Dao Foundations are only useful for bullying those beneath me…”
“Even I, in a truly critical moment, would not bother with procedural justice toward subordinates. I would simply soul-search them directly.”
He asked a few more questions, most of which Bei Lingshu answered. Only then did he learn that the outside world had grown increasingly stable in recent years.
Foundation Establishment cultivators rarely took action. Only the Qi Refining disciples fought desperately, as if the high-level experts on both the Blue Sea Sect and Sea-Destroying Alliance sides had reached some tacit understanding.
“In that case… it is rather good.”
Fang Qing gave a soft chuckle.
Both worlds were peaceful at the moment, perfectly suited for his cultivation.
“Perhaps… while the Ancient Shu side remains relatively calm, I should go out more often to visit friends and seek opportunities? Yet those Ancient Shu opportunities are truly hot to the touch and difficult to obtain!”
“Daily trading and discussions, however, could be worthwhile. I might pay a visit to the Purple Mansion Bai Family…”
At that moment Bei Lingshu spoke again. “Sanyuan Island fell into chaos for several years but has finally stabilized. It is now occupied by a Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator. That rogue cultivator has shown no intention of founding a family and has instead continued operating the Sancai Market, recruiting talents far and wide. Lately the market has grown even more prosperous.”
“Hmm. After all, Sanyuan Island possesses a decent spirit vein. It is not something an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator could hold.”
Fang Qing found this entirely reasonable.
“Oh… there is one interesting rumor as well.”
Bei Lingshu seemed to recall something at the end and smiled. “That Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator has taken several disciples. Among them is a female cultivator surnamed Zhan who keeps a Longevity Turtle. It is said to carry the bloodline of the second-rank demon beast once owned by the Jiang Family. Yet she shares no affection with the Jiang Family at all. On the contrary, she has been the most aggressive in hunting down the Jiang Family remnants.”
“Oh? Why is that?”
Fang Qing vaguely guessed the female cultivator’s identity and felt a trace of curiosity.
Bei Lingshu was surprised that the island master would take interest in a mere Qi Refining female cultivator, but she still answered. “It is said that the Jiang Family once made things difficult for her while she was still a rogue cultivator and her grandfather later died at the hands of Jiang Family cultivators.”
“So that is how it is?”
Fang Qing’s heart stirred, though he also felt it was only natural.
Women of such fated destiny often turned danger into fortune and could stumble upon spiritual items while simply walking. Yet those around them enjoyed no such luck. Because fated women frequently encountered danger, the people beside them died even more easily!
This was something Fang Qing had personally experienced on the Ancient Shu side. After questioning Sangji about many Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain methods for cultivating fated children, he had gradually come to understand.
“So… it was correct not to take in Zhan Hongxiu back then. Otherwise I would have no peace now and would surely be endlessly troubled.”
Just as this thought crossed his mind, Fang Qing took out a jade pendant. Seeing the bright white light on it growing stronger and stronger, he let out a soft sound of surprise.
This item was a means he had placed on Zhan Hongxiu years ago. Even that Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator who served as her master probably could not detect it.
Yet judging by the current reaction, the girl was already quite close and appeared to be heading straight for Taibai Island!