“So that was it… the Devouring Sea Demonic Sect?”
The turtle spirit’s emotions fluctuated violently as it revealed many ancient secrets, allowing Fang Qing to enjoy the revelations thoroughly from the side.
He silently made a decision in his heart that he absolutely could not expose the existence of the Devouring Sea Art in the future.
‘This ability to eavesdrop on thoughts is truly an absurdly powerful cheat.’
‘In a place as simple and honest as the Minor Huan Sea, it would probably be enough for even a minor Qi Refining cultivator to rise to prominence.’
Fang Qing sighed inwardly. Seeing Zhan Hongxiu impatiently preparing to investigate further, he personally escorted her out of the cave abode.
“Fellow Daoist, please endure for now…”
At the moment of parting, Zhan Hongxiu finally revealed a trace of genuine emotion and secretly transmitted reassurance through divine sense.
“Haha. Fellow Daoist Hongxiu can rest assured. I have never been one to give up. The poorer the circumstances, the firmer my resolve. I will never let my soaring ambitions fall. Only when the tides of the great sea surge wildly can one see a true hero’s character!”
“This Fellow Daoist Fang, his Dao heart is remarkably steadfast. Even after falling into enemy hands, he still refuses to abandon the immortal path.”
Only after walking some distance away did Zhan Hongxiu begin conversing with the turtle spirit within her sea of consciousness.
“Senior Turtle… what do you think?”
“What do I think? I think exactly this way! That mere Foundation Establishment perfection junior… back in the day, he would not even have qualified to enter this old ancestor’s sight.”
The turtle spirit’s lazy voice sounded once more, seemingly restored to its earlier calm.
“What? Foundation Establishment perfection?”
Zhan Hongxiu nearly cried out in shock. “Fang Qing concealed his cultivation?”
This was naturally a flaw Fang Qing had intentionally exposed. He wanted the enemy to notice it. Clever people would inevitably begin following the path he had already prepared for them.
“Correct. Unfortunately for him, how could he possibly escape this old man’s perception?”
The turtle spirit sounded extremely proud.
“Foundation Establishment perfection… Core Formation Pill… could it be he intends to…”
Zhan Hongxiu’s eyes widened abruptly, as though she had discovered something extraordinary. “Should I report this to Island Master? What if he decides to risk everything and consumes the Core Formation Pill I gave him?”
The young woman froze in place, her expression filled with struggle.
...
Ice Soul Cave.
Fang Qing slowly cleaned the tea set, his expression calm as still water.
If he truly wished to conceal his cultivation, the Dao-Genesis Pearl could erase every trace of it. Even a Nascent Soul old monster standing before him would see nothing unusual.
The reason he had done this was simple.
It was a test.
‘With Foundation Establishment perfection cultivation, there is a high chance I could secretly refine the Core Formation Pill successfully, immediately consume it, and attempt Core Formation. From Zhan Hongxiu’s perspective, this is my only possible method of escaping my predicament.’
‘Therefore, she now faces a choice.’
‘She can either report me to Zhong Lingxiu, or risk losing her own opportunity to form her Core Formation in order to conceal the matter for me.’
If Zhan Hongxiu chose to report him, then this so-called child of destiny clearly could not be allowed to live.
Coincidentally, her own Core Formation Pill had not yet arrived. At that point, by gathering a group of Core Formation battle strength and sacrificing Zhong Lingxiu in exchange for eliminating the turtle spirit, there was a high probability of wiping them out completely.
If she chose to conceal the truth instead, then Fang Qing could allow her to successfully form her Core Formation and perhaps attempt the great opportunity connected to the Zhoutian Star Palace.
Though Fang Qing often mocked the Qi Refining path by saying that with enough resources even pigs could form Nascent Souls, the crucial problem was precisely the lack of resources.
Nascent Soul resources were exceedingly scarce even within the Eastern Sea cultivation world. Preparations had to begin early.
“Mm?”
At that moment, Fang Qing frowned slightly as he received a message from Qin Ruxue.
“Tianding… has passed away?”
He remained silent for a moment before sighing softly.
“Forget it. He died after exhausting his lifespan. It can be considered a peaceful passing. Besides, he managed to reclaim a Five Elements Spirit Fruit for the sect before his death. One could say his wish was fulfilled.”
“And according to Qin Ruxue, the sect currently holds a very favorable impression of me. Their view remains at the level of ‘utterly loyal and enduring humiliation for the sect.’ That should serve as excellent groundwork for my glorious return after forming my Core Formation.”
Several more days passed, yet Fang Qing never received any report from Zhan Hongxiu.
“Mm? Could it be she plans to wait until after I successfully refine the Core Formation Pill?”
After pondering briefly, he no longer paid it further attention.
In his hand, he casually played with a Dao Foundation spiritual artifact shaped like a prayer wheel.
This item had been offered by the White Bone Dharma King Sangji. It was called the All-Forms Empowerment Great Mantra Prayer Wheel.
According to Sangji, every rotation of the wheel bestowed countless blessings upon the user, increasing fortune and improving the success rate of alchemy and talisman crafting.
Fang Qing adopted the attitude of ‘better to believe than dismiss it outright’ and reluctantly spun it a few times.
Unfortunately, he felt absolutely nothing.
“Forget it. In the end, one still has to rely on genuine ability.”
He arrived before the Ice Soul Cold Spring.
At this point, the spring had changed greatly. Jade walls had been constructed around all four sides, making it resemble an ancient well.
Within the well, currents of yin and yang intertwined with one another.
After many years spent comprehending the Water-Fire Pill Formula, combined with his continuously advancing [Ji Water] Dao attainment and the acquisition of large amounts of rare materials, Fang Qing had finally refined a third-rank fire liquid.
After being poured into the Ice Soul Cold Spring, it could temporarily elevate the spring into the third-rank mid-grade “Twin Springs of Cold and Heat,” making it even more suitable for alchemy.
Fang Qing took out the Five Elements Spirit Fruit and carefully examined it.
“This time, the ‘Core Formation Pill’ I’m refining is likewise used for breaking through realms, which aligns with the transformative intent of [Jing Wood].”
“The Twin Springs of Cold and Heat, meanwhile, correspond to the imagery of ‘Kan and Li forming the boundary, water and fire harmonizing as the axle turns true.’”
“Kan and Li represent the union of water and fire. Zhen and Xun represent the generation of wood and fire. [Jing Wood] belongs to Xun. Xun and Zhen are both wood, yet Zhen signifies movement while Xun signifies entry. Thus, in water-method alchemy, one must first be still before moving, first enter before emerging.”
As Fang Qing expounded upon his theories of alchemy, one cinnamon spirit tree after another spread throughout the cave abode, continuously expanding outward.
Time passed swiftly. In the blink of an eye, Fang Qing had already spent two years refining pills.
Naturally, Zhan Hongxiu remained restless with anxiety. She could not even be bothered returning to Sanyuan Island and instead stayed on Taibai Island the entire time waiting.
Even the matter of verifying the Devouring Sea Demonic Art had been handed off to subordinates from Sanyuan Island.
‘This boy’s alchemical phenomena are truly frightening. For a moment, this old man almost thought I was witnessing a fourth-rank alchemy grandmaster.’
Within her sea of consciousness, Old Turtle continued his endless muttering.
Zhan Hongxiu remained silent. Every so often, she would head toward the vicinity of Ice Soul Cave to check on the situation.
On this particular day, however, she clearly sensed something different.
Crash! Crash!
Streams of spring water flowed out from the cave abode one after another. Wherever they passed, the air became saturated with the fragrance of spirit herbs.
Cinnamon spirit trees flourished in abundance, while silver crows perched upon their branches, crying out without pause.
“Although third-rank pills naturally produce phenomena upon completion, isn’t this brat’s display a little excessive?”
Old Turtle continued grumbling within her sea of consciousness.
A short while later, the various phenomena gradually faded. Fang Qing calmly stepped out from the cave abode and immediately saw Zhan Hongxiu waiting there.
“Daoist Fang…”
The moment Zhan Hongxiu saw him emerge, excitement instantly appeared on her face.
“Fortunately, I did not fail my task. Two genuine Core Formation Pills were successfully refined. That should be enough to report back to the True Personage.”
Fang Qing smiled faintly and brought Zhan Hongxiu to the Ice Snow Hall.
Zhong Lingxiu naturally appeared soon afterward and accepted the two jade bottles he presented.
Opening one bottle revealed a pill shining entirely with golden radiance, mysterious Dao resonance gathering around it.
“It is indeed an authentic Core Formation Pill.”
Zhong Lingxiu nodded in satisfaction. She stored away one jade bottle, then tossed the other to Zhan Hongxiu.
“Since you previously declined your thirty percent share, this Core Formation Pill shall simply be bestowed upon you directly. If you seek a spiritual land for Core Formation in the future, this island’s third-rank cave abode may likewise be granted for your use.”
“Many thanks, True Personage.”
Zhan Hongxiu immediately bowed, her heart surging with incomparable excitement.
To hold a Core Formation Pill was like holding the future of one’s Dao path itself.
“Alright, what are you waiting for now? The Core Formation Pill has already been refined. That boy no longer has any leverage left. This is the perfect chance to report him to that Core Formation cultivator!”
Old Turtle shouted noisily.
“But if that brat intends to form his own core, could he have secretly hidden away another genuine Core Formation Pill? Back in my day, even fourth-rank alchemy grandmasters could only refine four or five genuine pills per batch at most. Yet he’s only at Foundation Establishment perfection and already managed three in a single furnace. With just this level of alchemy skill alone, he would already qualify to become a true inheritance disciple of the Star Palace.”
Zhan Hongxiu said nothing. She merely bowed slowly and withdrew from the Ice Snow Palace.
“Little Hong… you’re not making a move?”
Old Turtle sounded somewhat surprised.
“This Island Master may have extorted some resources from me before, but it was mutually agreed upon. Later, he also helped me achieve Foundation Establishment. He has shown me kindness.”
Zhan Hongxiu shook her head, her Dao heart becoming resolute once again.
Fang Qing watched the woman depart and silently thought to himself: ‘Looks like there’s no need to destroy a flower with ruthless hands after all.’
Had she harbored malicious intentions, he would certainly have struck first.
As things stood now, however, she could still be cultivated a little longer.
Of course, he absolutely had to ensure his own strength remained far above that of any child of destiny. Otherwise, he would risk suffering backlash at some unknown future consequence.
“Still, Core Formation Pills are truly difficult to refine. In the end, I only produced two genuine pills.”
Recalling the refinement process, Fang Qing’s expression turned solemn.
Had he not obtained Old Turtle’s insights regarding the refinement of Core Formation Pills, this furnace attempt might very well have failed entirely.
Even if he had barely succeeded, at most he would only have produced a single inferior-grade Core Formation Pill…
“Young Master…”
Behind him, Zhong Lingxiu respectfully stepped forward and presented the jade bottle containing the Core Formation Pill with both hands.
“Once I finish adjusting my condition, you can begin the assault against the Blue Sea Sect.”
“That should conveniently leave enough time for me to form my core.”
A faint smile curved at Fang Qing’s lips.
As a sect alchemist, enduring humiliation while secretly pocketing a Core Formation Pill, then taking advantage of Zhong Lingxiu leaving for battle to suddenly achieve Core Formation in secret, it truly was not a bad script.
Although much of it was fabricated, his breakthrough and strength were unquestionably real.
Moreover, his previous support of Zhong Lingxiu had certainly not been unnecessary.
Without Zhong Lingxiu, he would have long since been transferred back to the sect, forced to deal with countless schemes and hidden attacks. Even if he could resolve them all one by one, he would still have been endlessly occupied refining pills for others and exhausting himself with sect affairs. How could he possibly have quietly cultivated all the way to Foundation Establishment perfection?
There was also the harvest from this secret realm expedition. Had Zhong Lingxiu not stood at the forefront, how could he possibly have secured one-third of the spoils?
‘Most importantly, before accepting Little Zhong as my disciple, facing the Blue Sea Sect’s two Core Formation battle powers together with their third-rank grand array and sect foundation still carried a genuine risk of overturning the boat.’
‘If I exposed too much, even Heiyuan True Personage might personally come after me as well…’
Fang Qing arrived at the cave abode Zhong Lingxiu had specially prepared for him.
This cave abode lay at the very core of the third-rank spirit vein, where spiritual qi was at its most concentrated. A Spirit Gathering Array had even been established there, with large quantities of spirit stones piled nearby to ensure there would be no shortage of spiritual qi during Core Formation.
He sat down cross-legged and casually took out several items.
Ten-Thousand-Year Stone Milk.
A supreme-grade spirit stone.
The Fountain of Agelessness.
And the genuine Core Formation Pill he had just refined.
“At critical moments, no matter how precious the resources may be, one’s own realm is always more important. If difficulties arise, I can use any of them.”
Fang Qing slowly closed his eyes, silently recalling the Core Formation secrets recorded within the Blue Sea Technique written by True Personage Blue Sea. He adjusted his essence, qi, and spirit, beginning the final preparations before attempting Core Formation.
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