Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

Chapter 114: The Three-Year Pact

At Mirror Moon Lake’s shore,

Hundred Birds Pavilion.

This was where Peach Blossom Island’s cultivators held their exchange gatherings on the first and fifteenth days of each month.

It was currently the fifteenth day.

Fang Xi, clad in a green robe with a wooden hairpin adorning his head, arrived at the market area, his flowing sleeves adding to his graceful demeanor.

“Who is this person?”

Many latecomers, including rogue cultivators and newly recruited immortal sprouts, exchanged glances, none recognizing him!

With his exceptional bearing, resembling a fragrant orchid or elegant jade tree, they surely would have remembered seeing him before.

A few older Mu Family members rubbed their eyes and recognized him, “That’s Fellow Daoist Fang Xi, once from one of the three prominent families!”

“Oh, so he’s the old… er!” A young girl murmured, quickly covering her mouth as if realizing her slip.

Whispering behind someone’s back was acceptable, but she lacked the courage to openly discuss a cultivator at the peak of Middle Qi Refinement right in front of them!

On the Thirty Six Islands, Late Stage Qi Refinement was sufficient to secure the position of Island Lord, while even the sixth level of Qi Refinement could earn one a mid-level status, potentially becoming an elder!

After all, being just a step away from reaching the later stages meant significant potential, although for some, that step might never be crossed in their lifetime.

Unconcerned with the crowd, Fang Xi set up his stall, displaying his latest batch of ‘Blood-Clotting Pills’, some low-grade Detoxification Pills, and a large quantity of Fasting Pills.

Due to their affordable prices, several cultivators soon approached to inquire about the goods.

During these interactions, Fang Xi revealed himself as an alchemist and offered his services for pill concoction. Unfortunately, few cultivators trusted his alchemical skills, resulting in minimal business.

However, Fang Xi remained unfazed; establishing this reputation meant that anyone seeking his services could directly visit Jade Cliff in the future.

“Esteemed elder Mu Zhong greets you, honored uncle,” said an elderly cultivator, bowing respectfully before Fang Xi. “Congratulations on your remarkable achievements in pill concoction!”

With graying hair, deeply lined hands, and face, yet robust joints, it was evident he was a seasoned spirit farmer accustomed to years of labor.

“Hmm, from the Mu Family?” Fang Xi recognized him, aided by a cultivator’s photographic memory. This man had once been among those following Old Daoist Xiu Mu, albeit younger back then.

Mu Zhong smiled sheepishly, “Honored uncle still remembers me? What an honor… Ah, I recall our patriarch earnestly advised us to emulate your steadiness, just like yesterday. Can’t believe it’s already been ten long years…”

After further conversation, Fang Xi learned that Mu Zhong belonged to the branch within the Mu Family which had clashed with Mu Wen over division of assets.

Mu Zhong continued, “Now we’ve been allotted just two acres of spirit fields. Our family of five diligently cultivates them, leading a modest but content life. Although we don’t earn many spirit stones, it’s fulfilling and safe!”

With evident frustration, Mu Zhong added, “The recent incident with the island’s market team affected two members of our Mu Family. The second and third branches were devastated, yet the patriarch remains focused solely on his spirit stone business!”

His words carried a tone of deep resentment.

Fang Xi had ventured out this time not only for a change of pace but also to gather information about the ‘silver-armored figure’. Upon hearing Mu Zhong’s account, he sighed, “Mu Wen has his own difficulties too. With such large annual debts to repay, the pressure is immense… If the shop’s business at Spirit Hollow Market declines further, it could be disastrous…”

“Ah… I should have tried harder to dissuade the patriarch back then,” Mu Zhong lamented. “If anything goes wrong and the family’s foundation crumbles, how will I face our ancestors after a hundred years?” He wiped away tears with his dirty sleeve, fists clenching tightly. “It’s all that damned silver-armored figure’s fault!”

“Yes, blame lies entirely with that villain!” Fang Xi sympathetically stroked his cheek, echoing Mu Zhong’s sentiment. “Do you know who exactly this person might be? What’s their background?”

“I’m not sure, but after this incident, the Spirit Hollow Market issued a warrant for his arrest. We then discovered that besides injuring Old Monster Goldtooth and others years ago, he was also responsible for a major crime outside the Treasure Ship Market. He killed five Late Stage Qi Refinement cultivators! It’s likely he was already injured at that time; otherwise, the patriarchs of Feng and Mo families might not have escaped with their lives…”

Mu Zhong spoke through gritted teeth, clearly seething.

Although he held little regard for Mu Wen, witnessing the Mu Family’s investments suffer setbacks affected him deeply. As a clan cultivator, their fortunes rose and fell together - such ties could not be severed merely by distancing oneself from family affairs.

“Yes…” Fang Xi murmured, surprised to learn how far the investigation had progressed.

Fortunately, when he first visited the Treasure Ship Market, he used a false identity.

‘I committed the initial two incidents, but the recent ones definitely weren’t me… Someone must be impersonating me, but why? Is it a setup?’

‘Who cares who they’re targeting? I’m staying put, no matter what.’

Fang Xi pondered this, feeling increasingly resolved to remain steadfast against any changes.

After all, even in the worst-case scenario, he could simply abandon everything, jump into the lake, and cross over anew.

Having achieved the Azure Wood Spirit Body and reaching the seventh layer of Qi Refining, he hadn’t truly lost out.

As long as he survived, there would always be a chance to start afresh!

“Rumors now abound that the silver-armored figure possesses great circle of Qi Refinement strength, augmented by advanced Body Tempering cultivation. Its combat prowess is formidable, slaughtering Late Stage Qi Refiners like mere chickens… As a result, visitor numbers at the Spirit Hollow Market have significantly decreased, leading to a dismal downturn in business.”

A single silver-armored figure could sow chaos and instill widespread fear.

If left unchecked for too long, it would attract other plunderers while stirring greed among local cultivators, further exacerbating lawlessness around the Spirit Hollow Market and impacting commerce even more.

Ultimately, this would create a vicious cycle!

The familiar scent of manipulation made Fang Xi realize: ‘This feels…like something the Zhong Family might be behind!’

He didn’t need concrete evidence; simply identifying who benefits most from the situation points directly to the prime suspect.

With Spirit Hollow Market’s business affected, regardless if not first, the Zhong Family would certainly rank among the top beneficiaries!

But why would the Zhong Family orchestrate such a ‘silver-armored incident’?

‘They’re trying to find a scapegoat, damn them! They can’t openly declare war, but with the silver-armored figure having committed major crimes ten years ago, including murders near the Treasure Ship Market, it clearly isn’t one of theirs. This allows them to distance themselves convincingly!’

Fang Xi understood this well because he was certain the silver-armored figure was a fake.

However, other cultivators were not aware of this!

To them, the silver-armored figure’s brutal actions resembled those of a demonic cultivator. After healing for ten years and resuming criminal activities was entirely plausible!

It wouldn’t immediately connect to the Zhong Family in their minds!

‘Well played, Zhong Family, using my name while tarnishing my reputation… Just wait, I’ll make note of this debt and ensure future retribution!’ Fang Xi seethed inwardly.

On the surface, he maintained his composed demeanor, continuing with his business as usual.

As time passed, he prepared to head back to Jade Cliff soon.

Suddenly, commotion arose within the crowd, which swiftly parted to both sides. People bowed respectfully, their faces displaying ingratiating smiles, addressing someone as ‘Crown Princess’!

“Hmm?”

Without lifting his head, Fang Xi scanned the area with divine sense and immediately spotted a graceful young woman dressed in a red ruqun, her eyes strikingly almond-shaped.

Her cultivation base appeared only at the fourth level of Qi Refinement, but under his divine sense, all her hidden aspects became evident - she surprisingly had reached the fifth layer of Qi Refinement, having cultivated a technique to suppress her aura.

This was likely Ruan Xingling’s directive; after all, standing out too much invites scrutiny, which is seldom advantageous.

‘So this must be Ruan Dan? Truly deserving of being called a genius with high-grade spiritual roots. Meanwhile, Lu Guo still lingers in the Initial Stages of Qi Refinement!’ Fang Xi thought silently.

Fang Xi observed silently.

Not only did Lu Guo have inferior spiritual root aptitude compared to her, but the resources and cultivation support he received were vastly different from hers - a disparity akin to heaven and earth. Falling behind by such a margin was thus understandable.

Ruan Dan’s expression remained as cold as millennia-old ice as she approached Fang Xi’s stall. “Are you Fang Xi?”

“I am indeed Fang Xi. Greetings, Crown Prince!” Fang Xi rose and bowed gracefully, exuding an impressive demeanor.

However, upon seeing this, Ruan Dan’s eyes grew even icier deep within.

From a young age, she had heard tales of Fang Xi, wielding a single sword with unmatched prowess beneath the Island Lord.

Later, when she became the Island Lord’s disciple, Fang Xi retreated like a turtle, hiding at Jade Cliff for ten years without emerging!

Last year, during the critical duel arranged between the Island Lord and Old Monster Goldtooth, Fang Xi shockingly refused to participate!

As someone already considered the future crown prince, Ruan Dan could not tolerate such a ‘feudal stronghold’ existing on her territory!

Moreover, the ambiguous relationship between her master and Fang Xi further fueled her resentment.

Over time, these feelings accumulated, making it impossible for her to greet Fang Xi cordially.

Yet, Fang Xi seemed oblivious to her displeasure. “Does the Crown Prince require any medicinal pills? Anything that catches your eye from my stall, I’ll gladly give you a bottle!”

“No need!” Ruan Dan replied coldly.

“Then…is the crown prince interested in learning to concoct pills? To be honest, my pill concocting skill has already reached first-rank low-grade, and the success rate…”

Before Fang Xi could continue his flow of words, Ruan Dan interrupted, “I’ve heard Fellow Daoist Fang is formidable in magical combat… Despite my modest abilities, in three years’ time, I intend to visit Jade Cliff for a personal exchange!”

The young woman exuded great confidence.

Her true cultivation base had already surpassed the fifth layer of Qi Refinement, and by then, she would undoubtedly reach the sixth layer, possibly even its peak.

As a mere rogue cultivator at Middle Qi Refinement stage, despite also practicing Body Tempering, Ruan Dan was certain she could easily defeat him!

“A challenge to magical combat?”

“The Island Lord’s disciple personally issuing a duel invitation? Seems like there’s growing discontent towards Jade Cliff.”

The surrounding rogue cultivators and disciples wore expressions anticipating a spectacle. They had long harbored secret resentment and envy towards the special status enjoyed by Jade Cliff and Twin Peaks…

Seeing Fang Xi in trouble, refraining from adding further adversity was already commendable.

However, a few older and more cautious individuals expressed concern: “Isn’t this too risky for the crown princess? After all, Fang Xi is at the pinnacle of Middle Qi Refinement, highly skilled with multiple techniques, including body refinement…”

“Tsk, our young mistress is akin to a celestial being! How can some insignificant rogue cultivator compare?”

“In three years, victory will surely belong to our young mistress!”

---

The crowd of onlookers nearly erupted into arguments over this spectacle.

“Uh… how about we call it off? I’m really focused on self-cultivation and not skilled in combat!” Fang Xi scratched his head, surprised to encounter such trouble during his outing.

“Even if you persistently hide at Jade Cliff, I will personally seek you out someday!”

Ruan Dan had already planned this move; today’s encounter merely provided an opportunity to set the challenge.

“Sigh… Crown Prince, since you insist on pressuring me, then I… forfeit! I concede right now!”

Fang Xi shamelessly surrendered without any hesitation.

Upon hearing this, Ruan Dan couldn’t help but be taken aback…

She had envisioned numerous scenarios, but never anticipated that her opponent, despite being only at the apparent ‘fourth level of Qi Refinement,’ would directly forfeit!

Does this person have no sense of dignity?