Time flew by in a rush.
Half a month later, Fang Qing looked with satisfaction at the spirit pool before him.
Refining pills inside his own cave residence was truly enjoyable. Over this period, he had already tried refining several pools of “Jade Essence Spirit Water,” which counted as nurturing the spirit pool. A few days ago, he had just attempted to refine “Ginseng-Green Spirit Water” once, and had likewise succeeded.
“My condition is good. I can try the Spirit-Congealing Powder.”
Fang Qing took out the jade box containing the “Seven Star Grass.”
Qi-refining spirit pills were divided into four categories: waters, powders, pills, and elixirs. Spirit-Congealing Powder belonged to the second category; it was a powdered medicine, ranked as a first-tier high-grade pill.
Moreover, because it was an ancient formula, even with prior research, having Wulongzi take action might not necessarily result in success on the first attempt.
He was merely holding to the idea that failure was the mother of success, and wanted to accumulate more experience.
Gurgle!
As the “Seven Star Grass” fell into the spirit pool, Fang Qing circulated the Water-Control Art. A surge of extreme cold qi emerged, instantly pulverizing the Seven Star Grass…
Then, the spirit pool began to ripple, forming a whirlpool.
Within the whirlpool, specks of medicinal power were flung out, forming layers of various colors.
“Condense!”
Fang Qing’s expression grew solemn as he formed a hand seal…
Before he knew it, the sky had brightened.
Pfft!
Looking at the pool of spring water before him that gave off a foul stench, Fang Qing sighed and sent out a spell seal.
Splash!
The valve to the underground water vein opened, and the spring water from the failed refinement instantly flowed out.
“As expected, the first refinement failed… The problem was still with the handling of the Seven Star Grass. Next time, I’ll try a few different extraction methods.”
He sighed, took out some of the Five Dragons Association’s previous research materials, and added his own insights.
“I’ll rest and meditate for a day, then try again…”
In a daze, another half month passed.
Fang Qing attempted to refine “Spirit-Congealing Powder” several times, and without exception, all attempts failed.
Then, all the Seven Star Grass in his possession was completely used up.
“Just as well… Senior Brother Ming Lingzhen should have finished refining my magic artifact by now. I’ll pick it up, then head to Ancient Shu to restock…”
…
Artifact Refining Peak.
“Junior Brother, you came at just the right time… That sea pearl of yours has already been successfully refined.”
Ming Lingzhen held a wine gourd, took a large gulp from it, and brought out a box.
After opening it, there lay inside a deep-blue pearl the size of a fist, with a spirit-sealing talisman pasted on its surface.
“Completely brand-new, without the slightest trace of foreign magic power inside. Once you refine it, Junior Brother, you’ll be able to command it as easily as your own arm…”
There was a faint flush on Ming Lingzhen’s cheeks, as if he were somewhat drunk. “This spirit pearl magic artifact is ranked first-tier high-grade. Not only can it store one hundred thousand jin of seawater, its body has also been reinforced, so it can be shot out to smash people… Among offensive magic artifacts, it can be considered quite decent.”
Having completed a work he was pleased with, he was clearly in a good mood. “Junior Brother Fang… you may give it a name.”
“Let’s call it the Sea-Transforming Pearl.”
Fang Qing took the Sea-Transforming Pearl in his hand, and strands of black-water magic power immediately surged into it, refining it…
The reason he named it the “Sea-Transforming Pearl” was naturally because he hoped this pearl would be able to keep advancing alongside him in the future, until it could truly transform into an entire sea!
After thanking Senior Brother Ming once more, Fang Qing took out the spirit stones he had earned from selling Golden Spear Spirit Fish at the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, paid off the remaining balance, accepted another mission, and left the Bihai Sect.
‘As expected of one of the three great powers of the Little Huan Sea. With a Core Formation ancestor holding the fort, at least on Biyu Island, the disciples are still extremely safe. There are no matters like robbery cultivators and the like…’
‘Even if there is a blood feud between disciples, they all wait until going out to sea before quietly settling it. They won’t leave clues or evidence on the island…’
Arriving in a wilderness area, Fang Qing casually opened up a cave residence. With a flash of light, he arrived in Ancient Shu.
…
Ba Commandery.
Beside a large lake.
“What’s going on? Where’s Biluo Market’s great ship?”
Fang Qing, who had prepared to come and purchase Seven Star Grass, looked out over the blue rippling lake, his expression changing.
Although Biluo Market was a mobile market, he had long since inquired about the time and place beforehand. Logically speaking, this sort of market relied on its reputation to survive and would not easily go back on its word.
He stepped onto the surface of the water, practically as if walking on flat ground, and went to the center of the lake to investigate.
Gurgle, gurgle!
A string of bubbles rose up. Fang Qing’s expression immediately changed. A crimson talisman appeared in his hand, while his other hand secretly gripped the Sea-Transforming Pearl as he retreated several steps.
Splash!
The lake water parted, revealing a river clam.
This river clam carried a trace of demonic qi, and also had somewhat unusual magic artifact fluctuations, as though it were a refined “living magic artifact.”
“Fellow Daoist… Due to the disorder in the cultivation world, Biluo Market has temporarily suspended transactions in Ba Commandery.”
A pleasant female voice came from within the river clam. “We apologize for the inconvenience and ask for your understanding.”
‘I don’t particularly want to understand, but what can I do?’
Fang Qing complained inwardly, then said aloud, “What disorder has occurred?”
One had to know that previously, Ba Commandery had been full of natural and man-made disasters, yet cultivators had still visited the market as usual.
Who would have thought that this river clam only knew how to repeat the two sentences from earlier?
‘I overestimated this artifact-refining standard. I thought it was a voice-transmission tube, but who knew it was only a phonograph… Was it set to activate upon sensing a cultivator’s magic power?’
‘It doesn’t even say when the market will reopen.’
Fang Qing felt that things had become somewhat troublesome.
This “Seven Star Grass” was also a spirit herb in Ancient Shu. If he relied solely on gathering it himself, who knew how many years and months it would take?
“Biluo Market won’t work, and it’s not yet time for Floating Boat Market…”
“Do I have to go trade with those immortal cultivation clans? I do know of a few nearby Breath Ingestion clans, and none have a Dao Foundation great cultivator presiding over them…”
After thinking it over, since the “Spirit-Congealing Powder” ultimately required a great deal of practice, he immediately chose a direction and rode the Green Leaf Boat away.
…
Red Maple Valley.
This place was the cultivation ground of the Ye family. Near the valley were several dozen mortal villages, all situated around the valley.
The Ye family was merely an ordinary Breath Ingestion clan. It had been established for less than a hundred years, and the clan had only one late-stage Breath Ingestion ancestor.
All this was intelligence Fang Qing had picked up while struggling along in the markets.
If he wanted to choose cultivators to trade with, he certainly would not look for ones that were too strong.
The Ye family nearby was just right.
Whoosh!
A streak of azure light flew over, revealing the Green Leaf Boat within.
Fang Qing suddenly stopped the magic artifact as the sound of a sword cry reached his ears.
“This is…”
He fixed his eyes on the scene and was immediately somewhat astonished.
Around the valley, at some unknown point, a mortal army had appeared and was currently exterminating those villages and mountain folk.
What was even more astonishing was that cultivators were battling in the air above Red Maple Valley.
One of them was clearly a sword cultivator, and his aura gave Fang Qing a somewhat familiar feeling.
“Middle-stage Breath Ingestion!”
He murmured, inwardly extremely surprised.
And the one battling that sword light was actually a late-stage Breath Ingestion cultivator. Unfortunately, what he cultivated was Wood virtue. Each time he made a move, there was a feeling of spring returning to the earth and vegetation reviving, yet it was all shattered by a surge of [Kang Metal] qi!
‘That person… could he be the ancestor of Red Maple Valley’s Ye family? He’s far too weak, isn’t he? I’m afraid he has only just entered late-stage Breath Ingestion. Perhaps even the first mouthful of true qi he refined back then was of a low rank, only among the lower three grades…’
After watching for a few moments, Fang Qing shook his head.
Although in this world, Metal and Fire manifested the Dao, the gap between minor realms was enough to level out quite a bit.
If Fang Qing were to establish his Dao Foundation, he was confident he could blow many late-stage Breath Ingestion cultivators of the Metal and Fire lineages to death in a single breath.
If he reached late-stage Breath Ingestion, he was also rather confident in fighting middle-stage Breath Ingestion cultivators of the Metal and Fire lineages.
In the end, the Ye family ancestor was so unreliable not only because the Wood-element cultivation method he practiced was completely countered by Metal, but also because his own magic power was impure and his realm was not that high.
‘Probably only at the seventh layer of Breath Ingestion. No more than that.’
As Fang Qing was sighing inwardly, he saw a sword light where man and sword had become one slash down, cleaving the Ye family ancestor until he spat blood and fell from midair.
Around the valley, the great army flying banners marked with the character “Li” had also completed its encirclement of the valley.
“My eldest brother is the one to whom Heaven’s Mandate belongs. You Ye family had best not stubbornly resist… Quickly join the righteous army and together resist the demonic cultivators. That is the proper path.”
Several more cultivators flew out from the army, and the one leading them was none other than Guo Tianhong!
“Ancestor?”
“Grandfather?”
Several cultivators ran out from Maple Leaf Valley. Their magic power was even weaker; they were all actually at the early stage of Breath Ingestion.
Seeing their ancestor coughing blood and collapsed on the ground, all their eyes turned red, and they wanted to risk their lives.
One among them, however, had his eyes darting about, seeming as if he wanted to kneel, or else find an opportunity to flee.
“Wait… wait!”
The Ye family ancestor hurriedly stopped his clansmen. His Ye family had only these few cultivators so far. If they all died, wouldn’t the Ye family of Red Maple Valley have no successors?
He forced himself to bow toward Li Rulong as he descended from midair. “General Li, my Ye family is willing to submit.”
“Very good.”
Li Rulong stepped forward and personally helped the Ye family ancestor up. “I have a medicinal pill here. Swallow it to heal your wounds… Since you have joined my righteous army, you must strictly abide by military discipline. Otherwise, my Dingjun Sword was made precisely for people like you!”
“We understand.”
Seeing that even their own ancestor had surrendered, the Ye family cultivators naturally did not resist and followed suit one after another.
Only then did Li Rulong look toward another place in the sky. “Who goes there?”
“Haha… Brother Li, long time no see. How did you become a general?”
Fang Qing’s heart trembled. Knowing he had already been discovered, he waved his hand to disperse the surrounding water vapor and rode the Green Leaf Boat down.
Seeing Li Rulong again, he found that the man was dressed in bright silver armor, and his features had become even more imposing and dignified.
What was even more astonishing was his magic power—it had actually reached the level of the fifth layer of Breath Ingestion!
‘I have the aid of pills, yet my [Ji Water] magic power is only at the fourth layer of Breath Ingestion… Could this man’s aptitude be better than mine, and he also has a large amount of resources?’
Fang Qing was inwardly puzzled.
“So it’s Brother Fang.”
Li Rulong nodded, a sincere smile appearing on his face. “Could it be that you heard I had raised the righteous banner and came specifically to join me? Let me introduce you to a few like-minded fellow Daoists…”
Fang Qing looked over and saw Guo Tianhong bringing several cultivators over. Their cultivation levels were all between early-stage and middle-stage Breath Ingestion.
‘Is this a case of chickens pecking at each other?’
He was speechless inwardly, but a puzzled expression appeared on his face. “Join you? I was merely planning to come find the Ye family to exchange for some spirit materials. I didn’t expect to run into this…”
“So that’s how it is. But seeing a friend today still makes me happy… Pass down the order. We shall hold a banquet here in Red Maple Valley.”
Li Rulong instructed the Ye family ancestor. From his tone, he already regarded Red Maple Valley as his own territory.
Seeing this, the Ye family ancestor could only accompany him with a smile and agree…