Whoosh!
A figure flew out from the depths of the Blue Sea Sect, revealing Ruan Zhixuan’s elegant and refined features.
The moment she saw Fang Qing, her expression shifted with uncertainty as she sensed the True Core Formation power within him. Astonishment immediately appeared on her face.
“You are… Fang Qing?”
Back then, Ruan Zhixuan had met Fang Qing personally. There was no possibility of mistaking him.
But at the time, Fang Qing had merely been a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Compared to the Core Formation True Personage before her now, the difference was like heaven and earth.
“That’s right. After reaching Foundation Establishment, I discovered that I had awakened a spiritual body beneficial to cultivation. Because of that, I requested an external assignment and secluded myself on Taibai Island, relying on the qi of its third-rank spirit vein to cultivate quietly until reaching Foundation Establishment perfection.”
“Unfortunately, I was captured afterward. Luckily, my qi-concealment technique was profound enough that Zhong Lingxiu never noticed my true cultivation. Instead, he ordered me to refine Core Formation Pills for him. I secretly kept one for myself and, while he was away attempting Core Formation, I fortunately succeeded in advancing first.”
“I then seized the opportunity to slay the enemy leader and return to the sect.”
Although many details still could not truly be clarified, one fact alone outweighed everything else now.
He was a Core Formation True Personage!
Once status reached this level, even if others knew he possessed a tremendous opportunity, so what?
Not only could the sect no longer covet it, they would instead have to win him over as much as possible.
Everything was completely different from when he had returned as a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator.
As the number one Core Formation cultivator in the Minor Huan Sea, someone capable of killing Heiyuan True Personage, the fact that he was even willing to offer an explanation at all was already giving them face.
If Ruan Zhixuan still failed to understand and accept it gracefully, then with that temperament she would never have succeeded in forming her core.
At this point, even if the matter of the Tide-Birth Pearl were exposed, Ruan Zhixuan and Shi Tiexin would likely only be able to swallow the bitterness in silence.
Still, Fang Qing himself knew he had not acted entirely honorably in that matter, so he naturally would not expose it recklessly.
“So that is what happened. Junior Brother endured countless hardships before finally forming his core. The sect should celebrate for you.”
Ruan Zhixuan glanced at the head of Heiyuan True Personage, the sect’s great enemy. Her face immediately bloomed into a gentle smile.
“Welcome home, Junior Brother.”
Below them, numerous Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators had already lined up in two rows.
At the front stood Qin Ruxue.
All of them bowed respectfully in unison.
“Congratulations to Ancestor on achieving the True Core Formation realm and attaining long life and eternal sight.”
“We respectfully welcome ancestor after slaying the great enemy and returning triumphantly to the sect!”
After advancing to the Core Formation realm, Fang Qing’s seniority had naturally risen to the level of a sect ancestor.
Returning now, he was truly the center of attention, honored by all.
He gave Qin Ruxue a subtle glance before following Ruan Zhixuan deeper into the Blue Sea Sect’s main island.
Another Core Formation combatant was already waiting there.
It was none other than Sect Master Shi Tiexin.
Previously, Fang Qing’s allegiance had been uncertain and his strength overwhelming. Shi Tiexin remaining inside the grand formation to oversee matters in preparation for any possibility had been entirely reasonable.
Now that the three met again, Fang Qing naturally addressed them politely as senior brother and senior sister.
“Come, Junior Brother, have a taste. This is White Jade Cloudmist Tea that your senior sister has treasured for many years.”
Ruan Zhixuan invited Fang Qing into a third-rank cave abode and personally brewed a pot of superior-grade spirit tea for him.
The tea was not only rich in spiritual qi, its flavor was exquisite beyond compare.
Fang Qing took a light sip, and his eyes brightened immediately.
“Excellent tea…”
“Haha… this old man is merely benefiting from Junior Brother Fang’s presence. When I normally visit Senior Sister’s cave abode, how could I possibly receive tea of this quality.”
Shi Tiexin laughed heartily from the side. There was none of the stern, iron-faced strictness he displayed while governing the sect. Instead, he spoke with wit and humor, playing the perfect supporting role in conversation.
“Oh right. Junior Brother, now that you’ve advanced to Core Formation, your senior brother and sister still haven’t presented our congratulatory gifts.”
Ruan Zhixuan gave a soft laugh and flicked her sleeve. Several jade boxes immediately appeared upon the table.
Fang Qing blew lightly upon them, and the jade boxes opened one after another under the effortless control of his core power. The sight caused Shi Tiexin’s expression to tighten slightly.
Fang Qing could not be bothered paying attention to him. Sweeping the contents with his divine sense, he smiled faintly. “They are all third-rank spirit herbs. Many thanks for Senior Sister’s generosity.”
He already knew inwardly that most of these spirit herbs had likely originated from the Zhoutian Star Palace secret realm.
‘Adding this batch on top of the others, seven or eight tenths of the secret realm’s harvest has practically ended up in my hands.’
‘This time, I truly made a fortune.’
“Haha, Senior Sister has been so generous that this junior brother can only borrow flowers to offer to the Buddha. This shall be my congratulatory gift.”
Shi Tiexin chuckled as he handed over a jade slip.
Fang Qing swept it with his divine sense and discovered that it contained the Core Formation-stage cultivation method for the Blue Sea Technique. Delight immediately surfaced on his face.
“Many thanks, Senior Brother…”
‘Although it lacks the Nascent Soul portion, this is already quite decent. The sect’s treatment is not bad. I can continue staying here for now.’
“Oh yes…”
Ruan Zhixuan then explained several techniques related to condensing the True Core during the early Core Formation stage before finally asking:
“Earlier, Junior Brother mentioned being capable of refining the ‘Core Formation Pill.’ I wonder what your success rate is like?”
Fang Qing noticed that although Shi Tiexin still appeared calm, his breathing had subtly grown uneven. Inwardly, Fang Qing found it rather amusing.
Outwardly, however, he remained perfectly serious.
“The success rate is acceptable. One furnace can generally produce between one and two genuine pills. However, refining this pill is ultimately extremely difficult. I have only attempted it once before, so failure is also possible.”
“No matter what, the mere fact that Junior Brother can refine the Core Formation Pill means your alchemy skills are likely unrivaled throughout the Minor Huan Sea.”
Ruan Zhixuan produced another jade box. Upon opening it, she spoke with a hint of pride:
“Junior Brother, please take a look…”
“Five Elements Spirit Fruit?!”
The moment Fang Qing saw the familiar fruit, he became even more speechless inwardly.
It was precisely the one he had given Tianding back then!
“Ever since Martial Nephew Tianding passed away, the sect’s alchemists have fallen into decline. None are capable of utilizing this Five Elements Spirit Fruit any longer. Why not ask Junior Brother to refine it into a Core Formation Pill instead?”
Ruan Zhixuan smiled gently.
“Once the matter is completed, regardless of how many pills are produced, Pill Island, along with all the sect’s spirit herb gardens and spirit fields, shall fall under Junior Brother’s management.”
The moment the discussion turned serious, the expressions of the several Core Formation True Persons all became much more solemn.
‘So… this is the beginning of dividing the sect’s interests?’
Fang Qing understood immediately.
Although Shi Tiexin appeared to have reached Core Formation, in truth he still only possessed Foundation Establishment combat strength. As a result, most of the sect’s authority and benefits remained in Ruan Zhixuan’s hands.
And now, not only was the position of Pill Island Master, which Fang Qing had once been forced out of, being eagerly returned to him, but even the sect’s spirit fields and herb gardens were being attached as additional incentives.
Clearly, Ruan Zhixuan was cutting deeply into her own share of benefits.
“Refining pills for the sect is naturally my duty. There is no need for additional rewards…”
The moment Fang Qing began speaking, he noticed the slight change in Ruan Zhixuan’s expression and immediately smiled.
“What I mean is this: I am willing to serve as the sect’s vanguard and reclaim Taibai Island. If Senior Brother and Senior Sister think highly of me, then this junior brother is willing to continue guarding Taibai Island.”
In truth, the Blue Sea Sect’s unification of the Minor Huan Sea had already become an obvious trend.
Fang Qing could have chosen Taibai Island.
He could just as easily have chosen Tianxin Island.
But Taibai Island possessed a third-rank spirit spring.
More importantly, he had already grown accustomed to living there and did not particularly wish to move elsewhere.
“Taibai Island? Would that not be too much of a grievance for Junior Brother?”
Ruan Zhixuan and Shi Tiexin exchanged a glance. Originally, they had assumed this Junior Brother Fang was someone greedy for power and influence.
Now, however, it seemed he was truly devoted to cultivation.
Their earlier wariness instead made them feel somewhat petty.
“Of course not. I quite like Taibai Island. Once the third-rank spirit vein there fully recovers, it will be an excellent place for cultivation. There is also the third-rank spirit spring, perfect for alchemy.”
Fang Qing laughed inwardly.
Previously, the sect had feared he would establish himself as a regional power outside their control. Now, however, they practically wished for exactly that, hoping he would remain far away and avoid meddling in central authority.
The difference in treatment after achieving Core Formation truly was like heaven and earth apart.
Taibai Island.
An enormous spirit ship hovered silently above the island. Cultivators throughout the island were busy clearing out cave dwellings, stuffing their storage bags full, then boarding the flying ship.
Everything proceeded in orderly fashion, busy yet entirely without chaos.
“This spirit ship… it is even larger than the Blue Sea Sect’s five-toothed warships. More importantly, there is actually a spirit-gathering array arranged inside, nurturing a miniature spirit vein to supply spiritual qi. Truly extravagant.”
After touring it once, Zhan Hongxiu now stood upon the deck and could not help sighing in admiration.
After Zhong Lingxiu returned, he had not flown into a rage. He merely stated that the Blue Sea Sect’s strength had greatly increased and would certainly come to destroy them, so they were preparing to pack up the family and flee.
As for their destination, naturally it would be the Eastern Sea Cultivation World.
And for that purpose, he had even produced this massive spirit ship.
“After all, he is a direct Core Formation disciple from a Nascent Soul sect. He naturally possesses considerable resources.”
Within her sea of consciousness, Old Turtle chuckled.
“The method of nurturing spirit veins within spirit ships was originally exclusive to our Zhoutian Star Palace. This kind of vessel is most suitable for traversing lands devoid of spiritual qi. Originally, if that ice spiritual root brat had abandoned all of you and traveled alone, crossing the Ten Thousand Mile Sea Route would not have been so troublesome. But with all of you accompanying him, a spirit ship becomes necessary.”
“With this ship, even if you encounter attacks from third-rank demon kings, it can still endure for quite some time.”
“You must seize this opportunity. Only by leaving this barren backwater and reaching the Eastern Sea cultivation world can you obtain top-tier Core Formation spiritual objects and improve the quality of your true core.”
Zhan Hongxiu sighed softly and looked in the direction of Sanyuan Island, feeling a deep unease at leaving her homeland behind.
“And that Devouring Sea Demonic Art, we did capture several cultivators practicing it. But after examining them, the technique felt wrong somehow, almost like a simplified version. I wonder which demonic cultivator passed it down.”
“Now the Sea-Destroying Alliance has long since abandoned Tianxin Island and hidden themselves away completely. There are no more clues to follow.”
As Zhan Hongxiu thought about her own troubles, her mind drifted back to that figure beneath the heavenly lightning.
‘True Personage Fang withstood heavenly lightning using only his physical body, he is probably also a third-rank body cultivator. Could he be cultivating the Blue Sea Sect’s Blackwater Dharma Body? Or perhaps.’
At that moment, a Qi Refining cultivator from the Zhong Family approached and respectfully saluted.
“Senior, our True Personage requests your presence.”
Zhan Hongxiu nodded and entered the cabin chamber, where she saw Zhong Lingxiu seated cross-legged in meditation.
“Greetings, True Personage!”
“Rise. I am no longer the lord of Taibai Island. More than half of the cultivators who once depended on me have already fled. Your loyalty is quite rare.”
Zhong Lingxiu’s white hair draped loosely across his shoulders, his demeanor exceedingly relaxed.
It was as though the Blue Sea Sect’s crushing defeat, and even being forced to abandon all his property and foundations, were no more than a passing breeze to him.
“Loyalty deserves reward. What do you think of this item?”
A flash of light appeared in his hand, revealing something resembling an inner core.
“I dare not…”
Zhan Hongxiu had just begun to refuse when Old Turtle suddenly shouted loudly within her sea of consciousness.
“That… that is a superior-grade second-rank Myriad Longevity Turtle inner core! Damn it, which bastard killed one of my descendants?”
“Take it! You absolutely must take it!”
“With this as the medicinal catalyst, together with the Ten-Thousand-Year Stone Milk I secretly stored away, it will be enough to restore most of the foundation of your natal spirit beast!”
Hearing this, Zhan Hongxiu’s heart stirred immediately. She changed her words at once.
“When an elder bestows a gift, one dare not refuse. May I ask where True Personage obtained this item?”
“Naturally, I traded for it from someone else. Speaking of which, you know that person as well. It was none other than Guest Elder Bai.”
Zhong Lingxiu spoke with a faint smile that was not quite a smile.
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