“Island Lord has given orders. He is currently in seclusion refining pills and must not be disturbed.”
A streak of light descended, revealing Xiang Dahu’s figure.
The once bright-eyed youth now appeared far more mature. His aura had already reached the mid-stage Foundation Establishment realm.
“These phenomena… they are far too astonishing. I wonder what kind of spiritual pill the Island Lord is refining.”
Bei Lingshu’s eyes shone with amazement.
Ever since Fang Qing became the master of Taibai Island, or rather, ever since he obtained the Tide-Birth Pearl, he had no longer bothered concealing many of his extraordinary abilities.
Naturally, the reverence in her heart deepened day by day.
What Bei Lingshu had not expected, however, was that as the pill refinement continued, the phenomena not only failed to subside, but instead grew increasingly more terrifying.
Half a month later.
“This Junior Brother Fang volunteered to leave the sect and guard Taibai Island. Yet after nearly forty years, he still refuses to move elsewhere. No wonder there has been criticism within the sect.”
Linghu Zhong had now reached mid-stage Foundation Establishment. His mana was full and complete, faintly showing signs of breaking through to the late stage. Even his appearance had changed. Three long strands of beard hung beneath his chin, lending him a dignified and mature bearing.
Ever since the passing of the previous Sect Master Linghu, he had been forced to shoulder responsibility for the Linghu family. Naturally, he could no longer present himself as the carefree young man of old.
Over time, one’s position shaped one’s temperament, and one’s temperament shaped one’s bearing. He now truly carried the aura of authority.
He flicked out a transmission talisman. Only after a long while did a Qi Refining disciple emerge carrying a formation flag to welcome him.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Linghu Zhong frowned.
His relationship with Fang Qing had always been good. Even if Fang Qing was in seclusion, Taibai Island still had two Foundation Establishment cultivators stationed there.
How could they send only a Qi Refining disciple to receive him?
“Please forgive us, Martial Uncle. Island Lord… no, the Garrison Lord, is currently in closed-door alchemy refinement. The two elders are standing guard beside him.”
The Qi Refining disciple bowed respectfully before the sect’s Foundation Establishment senior.
“Island Lord?”
Linghu Zhong shook his head inwardly.
‘No wonder voices within the sect are calling for Junior Brother Fang to be transferred away. This place is practically becoming his personal domain.’
‘And it is only pill refinement. One elder standing guard would already be enough. Why are two required?’
He flicked his sleeve, dissatisfaction already creeping into his tone.
“Take me there.”
The group soon arrived outside Ice Soul Cave. Sure enough, Xiang Dahu and Bei Lingshu were both standing guard there.
But the moment Linghu Zhong arrived, he froze.
Ahead of him, a waning moon hung suspended in the sky. Rain and mist surged together while winds rolled clouds through the heavens. Rosy light spilled outward in endless variations, creating a scene of boundless wonder.
“This is… what kind of pill is he refining?”
Linghu Zhong’s eyes nearly bulged from their sockets.
He knew that high-rank and special pills could sometimes trigger phenomena during refinement.
But such phenomena as these were simply unheard of.
Yet before long, he found himself even more speechless.
One osmanthus spirit tree after another sprouted outside Ice Soul Cave. From among their branches flew silver crows that perched and cried out sharply.
Vermilion sand, mica, and other rare materials erupted continuously from within the cave as though they cost nothing at all, piling upon the ground layer by layer until several inches had accumulated.
The entire scene resembled an immortal dreamscape.
Meanwhile, Xiang Dahu and Bei Lingshu remained completely unfazed, as though long since numb to the sight.
Beside the Ice Soul Spring.
A flowered leopard formed entirely from third-rank Ice Soul Cold Spring water lightly leaped over to Fang Qing’s side. In its mouth it carried a pill radiating dazzling violet light.
It was none other than the third-rank Great Barrier-Breaking Pill!
“The pill is complete.”
“It was worth using so many methods. The pill formed quickly and perfectly.”
“Mm? Someone has arrived. Linghu Zhong?”
Fang Qing smiled faintly. He stored away the pill together with the Miraculous Spring Pure Vase and the Silver Crow Crying at the Moon Scroll, then walked out of Ice Soul Cave.
The countless phenomena instantly vanished.
Only then did Linghu Zhong clearly see a blue-robed youth strolling leisurely from within the cave.
His bearing was elegant and unrestrained. His sleeves drifted with the wind, as though he rode empty air itself like an immortal descended to the mortal world.
“Haha, apologies for making Senior Brother wait so long.”
Fang Qing clasped his fists first in greeting.
“No need for courtesy.”
Without realizing it, Linghu Zhong’s tone had already become filled with respect.
“Junior Brother… what exactly were you refining?”
“The Dao of alchemy takes yin and yang as its foundation, the five elements as its application. Wind is used to stir it, rain to nourish it, Jing Wood to give it life, Ji and Bi to bring it to completion.”
Fang Qing smiled as he spoke.
“It was merely an attempt at a somewhat different alchemy method.”
Seeing Linghu Zhong’s utterly bewildered expression, Fang Qing inwardly thought:
‘Good. If you actually understood any of that, I would truly be alarmed.’
After a lengthy discussion on alchemy, Fang Qing invited Linghu Zhong into his cave abode for tea.
The moment he entered, Linghu Zhong froze once again.
In front of the cave abode lay a small spring pool.
Several fist-sized luminous pearls floated within it like living spring eyes, continuously releasing streams of fresh water.
Several five-colored koi swam leisurely through the spring, gathering wind and storing qi. As they moved, strands of gentle breeze flowed outward, brushing against the bells hanging beneath the eaves.
The bells rang with clear and crisp tones that seemed capable of cleansing one’s very spirit.
Not far away, atop a violet wooden table, stood a bronze incense burner with sandalwood incense burning within. Its fragrance drifted through the air, making one feel as though they might ascend to immortality.
“Please, Senior Brother.”
Fang Qing sat in the seat of honor and casually picked up a cup of tea.
Several humanoid puppets immediately approached from the side, carrying tea sets and serving the tea with perfect precision.
Linghu Zhong reclined upon a soft chair covered in the hide of some unknown spirit beast. Seeing the spiritual tea swirling like mist and dreamscape, with what appeared to be a small azure sparrow dancing within the liquid, he took a sip.
At once, comfort spread through his entire body, and he could not help but sigh in admiration. “Your reputation as island lord truly lives up to its name. Honestly, this feels even more extravagant than the sect master’s residence. Looking at all these luxuries, I think only Ancestor Ruan could compare.”
‘You are mistaken. Even Ruan Zhixuan could not gather this many fine things to eat and enjoy.’
Fang Qing merely smiled without further explanation.
The “Springwater Pearls” within the fountains, the Buddhist sandalwood incense, the Mind-Cleansing Bells, the Azure Sparrow Spirit Tea, most of these were specialties from the Qi Ingestion side.
That world might be barren in spiritual resources, but at the higher levels, the enjoyment and refinement there reached astonishing heights.
Within Wusheng Temple alone, there were monks whose sole duty was to serve the Gurus. They specialized in studying how to combine various Qi Ingestion artifacts and even Dao Foundation spirit artifacts to create miniature spiritual environments that aided cultivation.
Naturally, Fang Qing had made full use of everything without the slightest politeness.
Later, when the Azure Bird Tribe came to submit, Qingling, as their little princess, possessed only the finest luxuries. Even while fleeing disaster, she had brought them along and respectfully offered several complete sets to Fang Qing and Miaoshan.
Fang Qing left one set in his cave abode at Wusheng Temple and brought the other here for his own enjoyment.
Linghu Zhong felt as though he had entered an immortal paradise. The longer he remained here, the more relaxed and comfortable his body became. Even the bottleneck that had troubled him for many years at late Foundation Establishment seemed to loosen ever so slightly.
Clatter.
Without realizing it, he had already drained the entire cup of Azure Sparrow Spirit Tea.
Under normal circumstances, a disciple born from a cultivation clan like himself would never behave so discourteously. Yet somehow, he had unconsciously done exactly that.
At that moment, another faint sound drifted into his ears, like a bubbling spring accompanied by crystalline tones.
Linghu Zhong looked up and suddenly saw that the figure seated above no longer appeared to be the immortal-like man in blue robes, but rather a pool of clear springwater.
“Senior Brother Linghu, this tea should not be consumed excessively. Otherwise, it may give rise to mental illusions.”
Along with Fang Qing’s voice, the springwater in Linghu Zhong’s eyes transformed back into a human figure.
He immediately shivered coldly. “So that is how it is… Many thanks for the warning, Junior Brother.”
“By the way, what brings Senior Brother here today?” Fang Qing asked with a smile.
Linghu Zhong looked somewhat embarrassed. What he had seen today had been far too shocking. It gave him the strange feeling that Fang Qing was the one truly cultivating immortality, while he himself had cultivated nothing at all.
He had nearly forgotten the main purpose of his visit.
At the mention of business, Linghu Zhong’s expression turned solemn, tinged with sorrow.
“Junior Brother, are you aware, that Tianding has entered his twilight years? His lifespan is nearing its end.”
“Senior Brother Tianding.”
Fang Qing was not especially surprised.
This man belonged to a very senior generation. Back when Fang Qing had first entered the sect, Tianding had already been a Foundation Establishment cultivator and master of Pill Island.
Now Fang Qing himself was approaching the age for a centennial birthday banquet. Tianding was naturally even older. This was no problem a mere one or two longevity pills could solve.
“Indeed, Tianding himself has sensed the decline of his essence, qi, and spirit. Even refining Foundation Establishment Pills for the sect has become increasingly error-prone.”
Linghu Zhong spoke gravely.
“And now, throughout Pill Island, whether in terms of alchemy skill or seniority, who else could compare to you?”
“And because I have guarded Taibai Island for many years, the sect has begun to voice dissatisfaction. Yet they cannot forcibly transfer me away, so they sent Senior Brother to persuade me instead?” Fang Qing said calmly.
Then he added, “And they think the position of Pill Island Master alone is enough to lure me back? After I return, will they truly let me sit in that seat? Are they no longer worried about me joining forces with Qin Ruxue?”
“Junior Brother need not harbor such doubts.”
Linghu Zhong declared firmly, “I can personally guarantee it.”
Fang Qing looked at him quietly.
The young man from years ago had long since shed all traces of inexperience. In his place now stood a thoroughly seasoned old fox.
And moreover, an old fox who placed his family first.
The interests of the Linghu Clan were deeply tied to those of the Blue Sea Sect. Against such priorities, scheming against a mere Fang Qing amounted to nothing.
Of course, Fang Qing had spent many years stationed outside the sect. Even if he lacked great achievements, he had certainly worked hard.
After returning, even if he failed to inherit the position of Pill Island Master, the sect would still keep him comfortably housed in wealth and status.
At worst, they might make him vice sect master and have him devote himself entirely to refining pills for the two Core Formation ancestors.
‘Very likely indeed. Once I return to the sect, would a mere “mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator” like me dare oppose two Core Formation ancestors? Being able to serve close to them would be considered an honor by countless cultivators.’
Fang Qing sneered inwardly. He did not even need divination to see through the calculations of certain factions within the sect.
And the reason for his treatment was very simple: aptitude.
‘In the eyes of the Blue Sea Sect, I am still merely a cultivator with mid-grade water spiritual roots. Reaching Foundation Establishment in this lifetime is already considered decent. Beyond that, only my alchemy skills are worth mentioning.’
‘Come to think of it, my treatment is already far better than Qin Ruxue’s. It simply cannot compare to someone like Cui Zhe, a true Core Formation seed.’
“And what if… I refuse?”
Fang Qing asked softly.
Linghu Zhong’s expression changed immediately.
“Could it be that Junior Brother truly intends to act so unwisely? Once the sect formally issues orders, matters will become very unpleasant. And if the ancestors themselves are alarmed, there will be no room left for reconciliation.”
Within the Minor Huan Sea, Core Formation cultivators were heaven itself.
“The sect’s urgent summons is likely related to the coming war as well. The secret realm will open in another twenty years. It is about time for a great battle against the Sea-Destroying Alliance, is it not?”
Fang Qing leisurely sipped his Azure Sparrow Spirit Tea, appearing completely at ease, like a fisherman sitting calmly beside the riverbank.
After all, though he outwardly appeared only to possess mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, he had in truth nearly completed late Foundation Establishment cultivation already. Combined with battle strength rivaling Core Formation cultivators, he had become one of the hidden chess players behind the Minor Huan Sea.
If pushed too far, he could either tear apart all pretenses and carve out his own territory or simply pack up the Ice Soul Cold Spring with the Miraculous Spring Pure Vase and flee outright.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter