Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

Chapter 92: Bathing in Decay

After diligent labor, Fang Xi gazed upon the expanded cave chamber.

He sat on a rock, took out the jade slip containing the ‘Longevity Technique’, and began to slowly comprehend it.

This location was naturally chosen for planting his tree - ensuring minimal chances of exposure from the start.

Moreover, should any trouble arise, with secrets revealed or facing strong adversaries’ siege, he could escape through the cliffside opposite, directly jumping into Wan Island Lake.

Once in the lake, using its waters to conceal his movement, he could swiftly traverse away - a seamless plan!

It served as a precautionary measure.

“Hmm… With this setup, even if I fail while cultivating the Longevity Technique, the potential damage to my body and magical energy would be minimal…”

After several rounds of studying the technique, Fang Xi reached this conclusion.

A moment later, he put away the jade slip and retrieved the dusty seed.

Out of the three seeds, he had meticulously selected this one for its most abundant vitality.

As for attempting the Demon Tree from the Great Liang World, only a fool would consider such a risk!

Under the gentle glow of the night pearl, Fang Xi recited a series of intricate and esoteric incantations, his eyes suddenly shimmering with green radiance.

In the next moment, he produced a magical dagger, withdrew his true astral energy, and forcefully cut open his finger’s skin. Drops of blood dripped from his fingertip onto the spiritual seed.

Gurgling sounds emerged as something peculiar happened. The blood swiftly penetrated into the seed, being rapidly absorbed by it! On the surface of the seed, fine crimson runes briefly appeared before quickly vanishing without a trace…

This marked the initial stage of refining the lifebound spirit plant for the Longevity Technique!

Each day, Fang Xi would cleanse the spiritual seed with his magical energy, supplemented by drops of his own blood, to establish a connection!

Since this was a seed from the Demon Tree, Fang Xi took extra precautions, ensuring all possible contingencies were covered.

After completing his daily practice, Fang Xi hesitated momentarily. After a brief pause, a determined expression flashed across his face. Gripping the spiritual seed tightly, his fingers moved fluidly, akin to manipulating yin and yang energies!

“Hah!”

With a fierce shout, Fang Xi activated ‘Qi Circulating Body’, enveloping himself in a blood-red aura.

“Primordial True Art!”

He meticulously practiced martial techniques, channeling highly concentrated fist intent through his palms to continuously refine the spiritual seed!

This was Dugu Wuwang’s ‘Demon-Devouring Technique’!

Using the zongshi’s immense blood qi and willpower… he relentlessly assaulted and cleansed any residual demonic presence within the seed!

By now, Fang Xi was nearly certain that no trace of foreign consciousness remained in the spiritual seed; only his own imprint persisted.

“What a pity… If I had achieved the ‘True Astral Manifestation’ realm, it would have been even more foolproof!”

After completing a set of boxing moves, Fang Xi gazed at the spiritual seed with a hint of sentiment, but quickly dismissed his concerns.

Dugu Wuwang, being just a Body Tempering Zongshi, managed to remain unharmed for years after consuming a piece of the Qilin Demon’s flesh.

As a cultivator, armed with additional tranquility-inducing medicinal pills, there was no way a mere demonic seed could defeat him! Only facing the entire Demon Tree itself might pose a similar challenge!

---

After some busy work, Fang Xi concealed the cliff entrance and crawled back through the secret passageway to his cultivation room.

Sitting cross-legged, he composed himself, focusing on cultivating the Everlasting Spring Art!

Once completing several cycles of Qi circulation, Fang Xi stepped out of the cultivation room to learn paper talisman crafting in the talisman studio or attempt artificing in the workshop.

His peaceful life was simple yet unpretentious.

Each day consisted of tending to the spirit field, excavating the cave, practicing cultivation techniques, and experimenting with various cultivation crafts…

Previously at the Treasure Ship Market, Fang Xi had diligently collected numerous legacies.

However, after months of experimentation, he had to admit that he lacked exceptional talent in pill concocting, paper talisman creation, and artificing. To make any progress, he would need to expend vast quantities of materials simply by brute force!

This realization left Fang Xi somewhat disheartened.

It became evident that he indeed wasn’t a prodigy in these areas.

On the other hand, Miao Dong’s养殖日志,Rearing Journal provided valuable insights, significantly advancing his progress as a spirit planter.

“Could it be that my talents lie primarily in nurturing spirit beasts and plants?” Fang Xi couldn’t help but suspect this.

Apart from these skills, there was his long-standing interest in puppetry legacy, which remained elusive due to its niche nature, yielding no leads thus far.

Fang Xi believed that within the technique pavilions of major clans, one might find such puppetry legacies. However, since they were not openly shared, he had no idea where to even consider stealing them!

“Well… nothing in life is ever perfect,” Fang Xi sighed. “My preparations are now sufficient enough.”

As he watched the gradually subsiding rain outside the window, Fang Xi made a decision quietly, “It’s time…to set up the Little Clouds and Rain Formation.”

---

Summer rains come swiftly and depart just as quickly.

The next day dawned clear, with not a cloud in sight, revealing a bright sunny sky.

Fang Xi grabbed a fishing basket and leaped down from Jade Cliff!

Whoosh!

A black cloud instantly appeared beneath him, supporting his descent.

Gliding over the lake’s surface, he chose a rocky spot, cast his fishing rod, and began angling for fish.

Wan Island Lake was known to harbor spirit fish!

In fact, many cultivators made their livelihood here, such as Miao Dong who raised water crows.

However, Fang Xi wasn’t actually interested in catching spirit fish; it was purely for leisure.

After several hours, a massive paper crane slowly approached from the direction of Mirror Moon Lake.

Noticing his empty fishing basket, Fang Xi stowed both the rod and basket into his bag of holding before heading towards the incoming figure.

“Haha… Fellow Daoist Fang seems quite relaxed today. May I ask how many fish you caught?”

Xiu Mu observed Fang Xi’s actions and deliberately asked with a grin, knowing well that living creatures cannot be stored in a bag of holding.

“Planting crops and fishing are more about cultivating tranquility!” Fang Xi replied coolly, his expression unyielding.

“Ha ha ha!”

Xiu Mu chuckled heartily, clearly relishing this moment. Having endured Fang Xi’s sarcastic jabs numerous times before, he finally felt vindicated today.

“Fellow Daoist Xiu Mu, what brings you here today?” Fang Xi pursed his lips, unwilling to engage further with this half-buried old man. He could see that Xiu Mu’s cultivation was no longer sufficient to suppress his aging body, emitting faint wisps of deathly aura.

This individual’s end was undoubtedly near; his willingness to risk everything earlier had been for the sake of his descendants.

“Today is a joyous occasion. My descendants have arrived, and I cordially invite Daoist friend to join us in celebration.” Xiu Mu bowed sincerely, adding, “In the future, my great-grandchild will be under your care.”

“That seems like a personal matter…” Fang Xi shook his head repeatedly. However, seeing Xiu Mu practically pleading, he recalled how the old Daoist had lent him twenty spirit stones once. Reluctantly, Fang Xi nodded, “Fine, I’ll come along for some refreshments…”

He promptly produced the Black Cloud Pocket and leisurely followed Xiu Mu towards the eastern peak of Gemini Peak.

“A spiritual land, indeed…”

Xiu Mu, being elderly and frail, seemed to have even his magical energy diminished significantly. The paper crane he controlled moved at a pace similar to a brisk human jog, allowing him ample time to confide his thoughts with Fang Xi:

“We’re truly fortunate these days, thanks to the benevolent Island Lord whose word carries immense weight… Back when Wan Island Lake’s cultivation territories were first established, my Mu Family ancestors were only at the sixth level of Qi Refinement. They bravely led their kin through hardships, losing eight relatives along the way, just to barely carve out a spirit island. Yet, in no time, it was deceitfully seized by others. Our ancestor died heartbroken, spitting blood from sheer anger…”

“Subsequent generations proved incapable, surviving merely as laborers for other powers or tenant farmers. While nominally considered a Qi Refining clan, in reality, we were akin to rootless rogue cultivators…”

“By my generation, I managed to rely on accumulated connections, engaging in information trading and acting as a middleman…”

“But now, our Mu Family finally has a place to pass down its legacy. When Xiu Mu dies, I will face our ancestors with pride…”

‘Xiu Mu’ - this was indeed the true name of the old Daoist.

His cheeks flushed red, reminiscent of a dying glow before the end.

Fang Xi feared that Xiu Mu might suddenly gasp for breath and plummet off the magical artifact.

Fortunately, the old Daoist maintained steady control as they leisurely arrived at the eastern peak of Gemini Peak.

The mountain wasn’t particularly high but was lush with verdant foliage, offering quite picturesque scenery.

At a spiritual energy convergence point, several rows of log cabins had already been constructed. Some still retained their bark, emitting a refreshing scent of plants and wood.

A group of men, women, and children were busily working. Upon seeing Xiu Mu approach, they hastily greeted him with bows, addressing him as ‘Patriarch’!

Observing them, Fang Xi noted there were at least several dozen individuals, including families with both young and old members. Among them, two or three elderly people appeared as aged as Xiu Mu, yet their cultivation bases were only at the second or third layers of Qi Refinement. Their faces and hands bore deep signs of hardship, reminiscent of the demeanor Fang Xi often saw in other clans’ tenant spirit farmers.

“These few must not only have inferior spiritual roots but also suffer under the exploitation of wealthy households, leaving them no time to cultivate,” Fang Xi surmised silently. “Even saving a few spirit crystals is likely done secretly to pass on to their younger generations; with such low cultivation, their lives are essentially wasted…”

Despite these thoughts, Fang Xi smiled warmly and returned greetings to each person individually.

Xiu Mu deliberately guided Fang Xi towards a handsome young man clad in brocade robes, solemnly introducing him, “This is my great-grandson - Mu Wen. He has already cultivated to the fourth level of Qi Refinement at just over twenty years old, possessing aptitudes nearly comparable to yours, Daoist friend. Indeed, he is destined to be the next patriarch of our Mu Family…”

Upon hearing this praise, a hint of pride flickered across Mu Wen’s face.

Then Xiu Mu continued, “Wen, quickly greet your Uncle Fang! Your Uncle Fang not only excels in farming but also once single-handedly, with just his sword, decimated the entire Lu Clan - quite the feat for a sword cultivator!”

“Greetings, Uncle Fang!” Reluctantly, Mu Wen stepped forward to pay respects to Fang Xi, who appeared barely older than himself. Internally, however, he grumbled, ‘Single-handedly with a sword, decimating the Lu Clan? They were mostly Initial Stage Qi Refiners back then, with only a Late Stage expert overseeing them; I could have done it too if given the chance!’

“Dear nephew, please rise…” Fang Xi gestured courteously with both hands, adding, “As for aptitude, mine is merely average.”

In truth, Fang Xi knew well his own circumstances. Without the resources from trading between two realms, which allowed him to purchase medicinal pills, he likely would still be struggling at the third level of Qi Refining!

“Did you hear that, Cousin Manlou? These rogue cultivators are still at the third or fourth levels of Qi Refinement in their mid-twenties, yet they act so proud…”

A white jade boat soared overhead and abruptly halted.

Mo Qingyu leaped down, addressing Feng Manlou on the boat, “In our Mo Clan, if descendants haven’t surpassed the fourth level of Qi Refinement by age twenty-five, they’re sent to work in the family’s spirit fields or shops…”