Lying Low While Cultivating Immortality in Two Worlds

Within the Zhong Alliance.

Inside Zhong Lingxiu’s cave dwelling.

A flash of light rippled through the void, and Fang Qing’s figure emerged directly from empty space.

“Young Master…”

Zhong Lingxiu showed not the slightest surprise and immediately bowed respectfully.

“Mhm. I’ll rest for two months first.”

Fang Qing waved his hand casually while secretly forming hand seals to calculate fate.

‘Oh? After an incident of this scale, not a single cultivator connected to me has escaped unscathed. Even that little fairy Chi Xin was dragged away for harsh interrogation. Yet Shang Yuanxin of the Merchant Alliance is still honestly arranging my shipment? He didn’t sell me out?’

Still, these were only minor matters.

‘In terms of strength, I should be somewhat stronger than ordinary early Core Formation cultivators. But against late-stage or peak Core Formation cultivators, I’m probably still no match.’

The reason he had escaped so successfully was naturally because of the status of the Vajra Strength Duzi.

As long as the void within the formation intersected for even an instant with outer space, there was no need to open any passage at all. He could directly use the void itself to escape.

Strictly speaking, with such an innate ability, unless trapped inside a void-severing grand formation, it was impossible for a Core Formation cultivator to place him in a true death situation.

‘Ice Heaven True Personage, now that karma exists between us, calculating against him becomes much easier.’

‘Mhm. Within the Zhong Alliance I used the identity of True Personage Bai, while in Ice Heaven Market I appeared as True Personage Fang Shui. For the moment, the connections should not lead back to me.’

‘Besides, that fellow is already drowning in misfortune. He probably will not remain arrogant for much longer.’

…

Two months later.

Ice Heaven Market.

Fang Qing had changed both his face and aura before swaggering openly through the market gates.

The third-rank ice puppet still stood there as imposing as ever, while nearby remained the usual crowd of Qi Refining cultivators waiting to pick up odd jobs.

Only Chi Xin was nowhere to be seen…

Sweeping the area with divine sense, Fang Qing immediately spotted a wanted notice bearing his own likeness posted on the announcement wall near the entrance.

“Fang Shui, early Core Formation cultivator, accomplice of the rogue cultivator Raging Shark.”

“They really know how to pin crimes on people. Since they insist on calling me an accomplice to a bandit cultivator, perhaps I really should become one.”

…

Merchant Alliance.

“If nothing unexpected happens, the agreed transaction should be today.”

Inside a quiet chamber, Shang Yuanxin stood with his hands clasped behind his back, pacing restlessly. Clearly, his thoughts were far from calm.

“Young Master…”

Beside him stood an old servant-like cultivator attempting to persuade him.

“Our Shang Family survives through commerce. Our principle has always been strict neutrality. When Ice Heaven True Personage sent people to investigate earlier, Young Master already did enough by withholding information about that person. Why continue trading with him? In this old servant’s opinion, simply return the deposit and remain neutral toward both sides. Otherwise, if Ice Heaven True Personage learns of this later, our branch will never again be able to operate within Ice Heaven Market.”

The cultivation world contained countless local tyrants. A powerful cultivator was essentially a regional warlord.

If the Merchant Alliance abandoned its principle of “harmony brings wealth” and instead tried to suppress everyone it encountered, it would likely need to unify the entire Eastern Sea Cultivation World before it could truly conduct business freely.

Thus, respecting local powers and occasionally lowering one’s head were necessary parts of survival.

“Uncle Fu, I understand all that…”

Light flickered within Shang Yuanxin’s eyes.

“But my father once taught me that merchants must also know how to invest in people.”

“If that man were merely an ordinary True Core cultivator, it would be one thing. But an early Core Formation cultivator capable of fighting a peak Core Formation expert head-on and escaping from a quasi-fourth-rank grand formation.”

“Suspected Void Spiritual Root, or perhaps a Void Physique. What kind of monstrous talent is that? Once such a person grows further, he will become invincible within the Core Formation realm.”

“And if he one day forms a Nascent Soul, he may very well help me compete for the position of Shang Family Patriarch.”

“I have waited many years before finally encountering a cultivator like this. How could I let him go so easily?”

“The position of family patriarch?”

Uncle Fu froze for a moment before smiling bitterly.

“Since Young Master has already decided, this old servant will naturally follow. With me present, even if Ice Heaven True Personage discovers the truth later, relying on the Merchant Alliance’s reputation, preserving Young Master’s escape from this place should not be difficult.”

This seemingly humble old servant was in fact a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator!

At that moment, Shang Yuanxin glanced toward the communication jade pendant in his hand and spoke softly.

“He has arrived…”

…

Fang Qing entered the Shang Family’s octagonal tower. After presenting the receipt from his earlier deposit, he was escorted into a private room.

“Shang Yuanxin greets Senior.”

Shang Yuanxin was already waiting inside. Upon seeing Fang Qing, he immediately bowed respectfully.

Behind him stood the old servant-like cultivator, his aura restrained almost to nothingness. One could easily overlook him without careful attention.

‘A Core Formation cultivator?’

‘As expected, this kid wouldn’t dare conduct a transaction alone with me. He’s afraid of being robbed himself?’

A wealthy heir avoiding danger was only natural.

Fang Qing spoke calmly.

“Where are this lord’s spiritual materials?”

“These are all the goods Senior previously ordered from our merchant house. Everything is here.”

Shang Yuanxin immediately produced a storage pouch and respectfully presented it forward.

Shang Yuanxin respectfully handed over a storage bag.

Fang Qing accepted it and swept it with his divine sense. He could not help but fall silent.

It was not that the items were poor quality. On the contrary, they were all exceptionally good, with even a reasonable surplus included.

“You truly are… a businessman, Young Master Shang.”

He tossed over another storage bag filled with spirit stones, his words carrying deeper meaning.

“Business is merely secondary. To become acquainted with a senior such as yourself is already Shang’s great fortunem”

Shang Yuanxin bowed deeply.

“Haha, then many thanks.”

Fang Qing took the storage bag filled with spiritual materials and turned to leave.

Shang Yuanxin remained bent at the waist. Only after Fang Qing’s figure disappeared beyond the Eight-Corner Tower did he finally stop maintaining the posture of farewell.

“Young Master, this man is indeed extraordinary, but this old servant thinks he is also the sort to sever emotions and obligations without hesitation. If he takes the resources and simply disappears, what then?”

Uncle Fu’s eyes flashed with spirit light as he asked with a smile.

“Investment naturally comes with both profit and loss. If he runs, then we simply accept the loss. What else could we do?”

Shang Yuanxin smiled faintly. “I have invested in quite a few Core Formation seniors over the years. More than a few have run off, and some even became guest elders under my brothers instead. But so what? At the very least, this transaction of spiritual materials alone was not a loss for my family.”

…

Zhong Alliance.

“Devouring Sea Bottle…”

Fang Qing took out the Devouring Sea Token and carefully studied the refinement diagram for the natal dharma artifact.

After advancing to the Core Formation realm, his divine sense had grown tremendously. The difficulty of dabbling in the various cultivation arts had immediately dropped by quite a bit.

Of course, more importantly, forging a natal dharma artifact did not demand excessively high craftsmanship. Possessing second-rank artifact refinement skill was already barely sufficient.

Combined with the support of secret dharma artifacts such as the prayer wheel, his chances of success should be fairly high.

“To be safe. I should first refine a few bottle-type magical artifacts and spirit artifacts for practice.”

“At the same time, I can keep watch over Ice Heaven Market. That Ice Heaven True Personage could make a move at any moment.”

Thinking of the karmic calculations he had performed, the corners of Fang Qing’s lips curled upward slightly.

Originally, he and Ice Heaven True Personage had no connection whatsoever, making calculations regarding the man rather difficult.

But once the other party actively moved against him and even issued a bounty for him, a major karmic link had formed between them.

As a result, divination and karmic calculations suddenly became far easier. Fang Qing had glimpsed far more hidden truths and, in the process, uncovered a fortunate opportunity.

“Logically speaking, after I caused such chaos, the plan targeting Raging Shark should have ended naturally.”

“But Ice Heaven True Personage didn’t stop.”

“He still trapped those Core Formation cultivators within the market, preparing to strike at any moment. On the surface it looks like he’s stubbornly keeping up appearances.”

“But in reality? He’s planning something much bigger.”

Several days later, Fang Qing emerged from seclusion carrying several bottle-shaped magical artifacts.

“Young Master, Ice Heaven True Personage has made his move!”

Zhong Lingxiu hurried over with fresh news.

“Excellent.”

Fang Qing smiled. “By the way, I heard this Ice Heaven True Personage supposedly has a Nascent Soul old monster backing him. Have you investigated whether he has any ties to the Heavenly Frost Sect?”

“None whatsoever.” Zhong Lingxiu shook his head. As a Core Formation elder of the Heavenly Frost Sect, he knew the matter rather clearly. “Ice Heaven True Personage chose to establish his market on Ice Heaven Island simply because the spirit vein here leans toward icy and frigid qi, which benefits his cultivation.”

“Our Heavenly Frost Sect’s sea region is rich in ice spiritual qi, which naturally attracts many cultivators with ice spiritual roots to settle here.”

“As for those rumors regarding a Nascent Soul background, it is very possible he spread them himself to confuse and intimidate others. His true background, however, appears to have some connection to Blood Fiend Island, one of the Three Islands.”

“Haha. He accused Raging Shark of being a bandit cultivator, yet in the end it turns out the thief was crying thief all along.”

Fang Qing performed another calculation with his fingers. This time, the information he received was even clearer, and tracing the karmic links became much easier.

“This Ice Heaven True Personage does indeed have some ties to Blood Fiend Island. Unfortunately for him, he is merely a discarded disciple of theirs. Still, he has concealed the foundation of his demonic cultivation arts rather well.”

True demonic cultivators were never the sort who looked drenched in blood qi at first glance.

More often, they appeared refined, elegant, and overflowing with righteous aura.

From that perspective, Ice Heaven True Personage truly had inherited the essence of Blood Fiend Island’s teachings.

“And his reason for restraining so many Core Formation cultivators while simultaneously waging war against another Core Formation faction.”

“That part is rather interesting.”

Fang Qing smiled faintly. With a wave of his sleeve, the void parted before him, and his figure vanished without a trace.

…

A certain sea region.

Countless first-rank and second-rank crimson-skinned sharks swam through the waters, forming a massive vortex.

At the center of the vortex lurked a colossal creature, radiating terrifying demonic qi comparable to a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator.

It was none other than a third-rank mid-grade Blood Sea Shark!

Standing atop the Blood Sea Shark was a rough-looking cultivator with crimson skin and fierce features.

“Ice Heaven… have you gone mad? I’ve never once touched cargo from your Ice Heaven Market!”

Raging Shark was a bandit cultivator, yes, but an extremely cautious one. He only targeted ordinary Core Formation factions and Foundation Establishment factions.

As for Nascent Soul forces or factions guarded by late Core Formation cultivators, he always avoided them completely.

That was precisely the reason he had survived freely for so many years.

Yet this Ice Heaven True Personage had seemingly gone insane, actually bringing a large force of high-level cultivators to attack him directly!

Because of this, Raging Shark had not even believed the intelligence reports at first. Only when the enemy truly came crashing to his doorstep did he finally realize the danger.

At this moment, his Raging Shark Fleet was completely surrounded by numerous Core Formation cultivators, with all kinds of dharma artifact radiance flashing brilliantly through the sky.

As for Raging Shark himself, he had already activated the “Blood Sea Ten Thousand Sharks Grand Array,” preparing to fight Ice Heaven True Personage to the death.

Still, before risking everything, he intended to clarify matters first.

“Evil heretics and demonic cultivators are enemies of all beneath heaven!”

Ice Heaven True Personage stood there overflowing with righteous aura. Above his head floated the Three Yin Mystic Ice Shield. Beneath his feet rested a snow-white palace. Rings of icy flying swords circled around him, while the mana fluctuations of perfected Core Formation radiated outward without restraint, causing the winds and clouds themselves to change color.

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