Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

“Well, you see… both ancient and new techniques have their top-tier methods. A common feature is rapid advancement of magical energy, along with various powerful magic spells and divine abilities…” Yuan Feihong scratched his head thoughtfully. “As for the distinction between ancient and new techniques, it emerged only within the past few thousand years. For example, my cultivation method, the Netherheart Art, is considered a premier new technique. Its key characteristic? More detailed progression levels… In the Foundation Establishment stage, my Netherheart Art can be subdivided into nine layers, transforming major bottlenecks into smaller ones, making breakthroughs relatively easier…”

“Conversely, those ancient techniques typically have simpler divisions like early, mid, late Foundation Establishment, and full mastery, making breakthroughs more challenging.”

“I see, then do you happen to have any wood attribute new techniques here?” Fang Xi had no interest in seeking unnecessary difficulties; if there was an easier path to breakthrough, he preferred taking it.

Dividing a large stage into numerous smaller steps provided clear targets, indeed facilitating greater success.

“Well, about that… our pavilion’s second floor does not offer such techniques,” Kong Jiang said with an awkward smile.

Fang Xi felt slightly disappointed but understood the reasoning. After all, as an outsider, he couldn’t expect access to the best options.

For cultivation methods available for sale, simply being functional was already commendable.

“Very well, I’ll choose this ‘Azure Wood Longevity Art’ then…”

Fang Xi swiftly made his decision; since he intended to cultivate it, naturally, a higher-tier method would be preferable.

“Excellent choice, with thirty-less’s endorsement, we can proceed with the transaction.” Kong Jiang smiled, stroking his beard before adding, “The original version of this cultivation technique costs one thousand spirit stones, and if you wish to acquire exclusive rights, ten thousand spirit stones will suffice.”

“How could I afford that much?” Fang Xi chuckled wryly, taking out one thousand spirit stones from his bag of holding and placing them on the nearby table.

Kong Jiang meticulously counted the stones, then solemnly retreated behind the pavilion, opened a specific formation, and retrieved a wooden box.

Inside the box lay a deep green jade slip. “Before the exchange, please swear upon the Great Dao that you will not disclose this cultivation technique to others!”

With a serious expression, Fang Xi took the oath promptly.

Subsequently, he calmly accepted the jade slip from Kong Jiang and immersed his divine sense within it.

The Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment stages of the ‘Azure Wood Longevity Art’ unfolded clearly before him. Upon reaching the end and confirming the inclusion of Core Formation instructions, he nodded in satisfaction.

“It’s truly gratifying to have been able to assist Daoist friend today.”

Seeing the successful completion of the transaction, Yuan Feihong visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

“Fellow Daoist Yuan…”

However, Fang Xi didn’t leave and instead casually browsed around the second floor. Seemingly nonchalant, he asked, “Has there been any complication regarding my admission to Bai Ze Immortal City?”

“Um… indeed, that’s correct,” Yuan Feihong replied with a wry smile.

“In that case, I wouldn’t wish to put Fellow Daoist Yuan in a difficult position… let’s drop this matter.” Fang Xi maintained a composed smile. “Moreover, if you’ll allow me some indulgence, I would like to purchase another book here. Is that acceptable?”

“Well…” Kong Jiang appeared somewhat anxious.

In contrast, Yuan Feihong fell into contemplation.

“I realize it’s an unreasonable request, but upon seeing a particular legacy, I find myself truly captivated. After this transaction, consider it as a favor owed from me.”

Fang Xi noticed Yuan Feihong’s hesitation and intentionally raised the stakes. After all, favors hold value only when both parties attach importance; otherwise, they mean nothing!

“That works, let’s proceed!” Yuan Feihong agreed. “No need for you to owe me a favor, just consider our debts settled…”

His relief was palpable, leaving Fang Xi slightly puzzled. Nevertheless, he seized the opportunity and approached the wooden shelf displaying the hundred skills of cultivation. Picking up a jade slip, he beamed brightly, “Could you tell me the price for this Second Rank Puppet Technique legacy?”

An hour later.

On the second floor of the Myriad Laws Pavilion.

Kong Jiang and Fang Xi had already departed, leaving Yuan Feihong alone, gazing pensively at the mirror.

Within the formation, a flash of light appeared as Ouyang Zhen stepped out, swiftly casting a cultivation technique towards the mirror.

The mirror’s surface shimmered momentarily before transforming into a streak of radiant light that flew into Ouyang Zhen’s sleeve.

He glanced at his little junior brother and asked with a smile, “Why didn’t you inquire about the outcome, Shidi?”

“Since Shixiong neither immediately informed nor hinted anything, I knew the result,” Yuan Feihong replied with a wry smile. “It seems Fellow Daoist Fang still doesn’t meet Shixiong’s expectations…”

“Hmm, bone age of fifty-eight… Decent body refinement, but average magical energy. Judging from appearance, his spiritual root aptitude is quite ordinary too…” Ouyang Zhen continued, “Using my divine sense enhanced by Master’s ‘Insight Mirror’, even a Mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator wouldn’t detect it. You can be assured…”

Ouyang Zhen revealed his findings, “This individual does indeed have some minor secrets, but they merely involve concealing his body refinement capabilities. Your Little Qing likely hesitated due to his potent close combat skills… His potential is limited and not worth our investment. Let’s forego offering him as an honorary guest…”

“As Shixiong wishes,” Yuan Feihong acquiesced with a bow, showing no further contention.

“Haha, this fellow has a bit of cunning! He took advantage of the situation to acquire a tier-2 puppet technique!” Ouyang Zhen laughed heartily. “With this skill, he’ll manage well enough in the Immortal City; there’s no need for concern, Shidi… Moreover, now our debts are settled, neither owing the other anything.”

“Yes…” Yuan Feihong murmured softly.

In truth, not all favors appreciate over time; sometimes, unreturned kindness can breed resentment. Promptly repaying a favor can be a wise decision.

Fang Xi acknowledged that he had no personal bond with Yuan Feihong nor any expectation of future repayment as her cultivation advanced.

It was better to cash in now rather than hold onto potential debts; practicality prevailed!

Returning to Smokey Willow Lane, Building 87, Fang Xi gazed at the courtyard and its first-rank spiritual energy environment, then shook his head. “While I have my cultivation techniques, I can’t expect to freeload on this immortal’s cave indefinitely. Still need to rent somewhere in the inner city…”

“Well, that suits me fine - working for others is out of the question… I’ll continue being a rogue cultivator…”

“Those unexpected complications surrounding the honorary guest affair, the ones behind it, hmph…” Fang Xi’s eyes gleamed deeply.

After about two weeks, rumors began circulating throughout Bai Ze Immortal City. The tale of a rogue Foundation Establishment cultivator failing to become an honorary guest became a popular joke.

While Qi Refinement cultivators dared not show disrespect to Foundation Establishment practitioners directly, they gleefully spread gossip behind their backs, likely fueled by some hidden envy or malice.

Fang Xi, having recently achieved Foundation Establishment as a rogue cultivator, gained another round of minor fame - albeit this time for infamy…

However, he remained completely unfazed.

What did others’ opinions matter to him? In a few hundred years, he could dance on their graves if he pleased!

During this period, Chen Ping unexpectedly passed away, leaving Fang Xi somewhat saddened. He attended the mourning ceremony and bid farewell to Lu Zhi and others.

“Daoist Jin Ling… my reputation in the city has taken a turn for the worse lately. Would you consider leaving?” After paying his respects to Chen Ping and saying goodbye to Lu Zhi and her companions, Fang Xi casually asked Jin Ling when they were alone.

“I firmly believe Qianbei is not such a person!” Despite her delicate appearance, Jin Ling displayed unexpected conviction.

“That’s excellent,” Fang Xi laughed heartily. “I happen to be in need of a maid and steward. If Daoist friend wouldn’t mind, let us head to the inner city first and rent a tier-two immortal’s cave before discussing other matters…”

The Inner City of Bai Ze Immortal City was classified as tier-2 spiritual land, with various grades of immortal’s caves available.

As expected, the manager handling rentals was once again Manager Han from their previous encounter.

Fang Xi promptly leased an immortal’s cave at a cost of seven hundred fifty spirit stones for a minimum ten-year term.

The new immortal’s cave was spacious, and after inspecting it thoroughly, Fang Xi found that its spiritual energy quality was around mid-tier for tier-2, suitable enough for his cultivation needs. He felt quite satisfied.

“Master, please name the immortal’s cave!” Jin Ling handed him a talisman brush with a cheerful smile.

“How about ‘Peach Blossom Pavilion’… On Peach Blossom Island stands Peach Blossom Pavilion, Within this pavilion dwells the Peach Blossom Immortal, The immortal sows peach trees aplenty, And plucks blossoms to sell for wine money…” Fang Xi spoke with a sense of nostalgia.

He anticipated spending a significant amount of time living in the Peach Blossom Pavilion.

The recent complications surrounding the honorary guest position likely stemmed from some mischief-maker, possibly even Song Qing of the Song Clan!

If he ventured out of the city frequently now, there could be potential dangers lurking!

While Fang Xi wasn’t afraid, there was no need to directly confront the Song Clan either.

Instead, he decided to remain within Bai Ze Immortal City indefinitely!

With mid-tier tier-2 spiritual energy available here, combined with his cultivation techniques and aptitude akin to high-grade spiritual roots, he could steadily enhance his magical energy through meditation alone, without requiring additional resources!

Moreover, as the young master of a prominent clan, with high status and responsibilities, how feasible would it be for them to keep a constant watch over Bai Ze Immortal City long-term?

In terms of patience and spare time, Fang Xi held a clear advantage!

Once his realm surpasses theirs in the future, he will effortlessly suppress and seek revenge!

Two years later.

At Peach Blossom Pavilion.

Inside a secluded room, Fang Xi opened his eyes, revealing a gentle azure glow within them.

“One year to comprehend the technique, another year to adjust the flow of magical energy. Today, I have finally mastered the ‘Azure Wood Longevity Art’…”

He felt deeply moved.

In terms of complexity and intricacy, the ‘Azure Wood Longevity Art’ far surpassed techniques like the ‘Everlasting Spring Art’ or ‘Greenwood Arts’. As expected, it was truly worthy of being a cultivation method capable of reaching Core Formation!

Adjusting the cultivation technique itself was no simple task either.

Fortunately, Fang Xi discovered that his ‘Azure Wood Spirit Body’ possessed boundless wonders, seemingly enhancing even this process.

Without such an advantage, transitioning the foundation of his cultivation technique would not have been so effortless.

Focusing inward on his dantian, he observed twenty droplets of azure liquid magical energy. Strikingly, their color had deepened, now vibrant and almost translucent, resembling exquisite jade with faint patterns emerging on their surfaces.

These were the transformed droplets of magical energy from the ‘Azure Wood Longevity Art’. Although the total quantity remained unchanged, their quality had significantly increased!

“After reaching Foundation Establishment, the subsequent cultivation primarily involves increasing the maximum limit of liquid magical energy…”

“According to the description of the ‘Azure Wood Longevity Art’, one must accumulate at least forty to fifty drops of liquid magical energy within the dantian before attempting a breakthrough to Mid-Foundation Establishment… This process typically takes cultivators several decades of gradual refinement, unless aided by medicinal pills…”

Replenishing expended magical energy was swift, but increasing its overall limit proved exceedingly challenging.

Unfortunately, after entering the Foundation Establishment stage, finding medicinal pills that enhance magical energy became quite rare.

For instance, the Waterswell Pill formula Fang Xi obtained from the Dragonfish Zhong Clan required main ingredients with hundreds of years’ growth, making them difficult to gather…

This clearly demonstrated how arduous it is for Foundation Establishment cultivators to advance their magical energy.

Moreover, some cultivators, constrained by their spiritual root aptitudes, might spend their entire lives lingering only in early Foundation Establishment.