Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

“Hehe, crafting such an item is arduous, and the materials required are quite rare. Normally, I wouldn’t sell it…” Miao Dong deliberately built suspense before finally continuing, “However, Daoist friend…do you happen to possess high-tier snake demon essence blood?”

Fang Xi’s expression instantly turned cold. “How did you know?”

“Please don’t be alarmed, Daoist friend.” Miao Dong hastily waved his hands and then flicked his sleeves.

Hssss!

A small serpent, resembling polished jade, emerged from his sleeve, coiling around his arm affectionately while flicking its forked tongue.

“This is a ‘Blood Jade Python,’ already cultivated by me to mid-first rank. My Qing’er here has a keen sensitivity to essence blood of similar species… Recently, have you encountered a snake demon with a higher tier than Qing’er?” Miao Dong extended a finger to playfully tease the Blood Jade Python. “Even though you’ve cleaned thoroughly, the scent hasn’t fully dissipated…”

“So what?” Fang Xi’s face was cold as ice, pressing for more information.

“I have a Blood Pact Document here, and it just so happens that I’m seeking to exchange it for a bottle of high-grade snake blood.” Miao Dong offered a sincere bow.

Among his three spirit pets, the Blood Jade Python possessed the best innate bloodline talent, nearing the threshold of advancing to High-Rank First-Stage.

Unfortunately, it fell slightly short.

If he could obtain similar high-grade snake blood as a catalyst, combined with a medicinal pill and secret techniques, the chances of breakthrough would significantly increase!

With such a breakthrough, achieving Late Stage Qi Refinement combat capabilities, Miao Dong would undoubtedly become a notable figure within the Treasure Ship Market.

“Well… I do have some snake demon blood, but I’m unsure of its exact grade. It was acquired unintentionally a few days ago, and I don’t currently have it on me,” Fang Xi paused before saying, “Let me retrieve it first, then we can proceed with the trade.”

In reality, he had already decided to abandon this deal. The blood he carried was not from an ordinary high-grade First-Stage snake demon; it was from a snake-dragon, potentially involving complications.

Trading it for merely a Blood Pact Document simply wasn’t worth the risk!

“I see… Then I’ll have to wait for now,” Miao Dong replied somewhat disappointedly, lifting his teacup as a gesture to bid farewell.

Fang Xi bowed courteously and exited the immortal’s cave.

Combat was strictly prohibited within the Treasure Ship Market, ensuring a harmonious atmosphere.

Once the cave entrance closed behind Fang Xi, Miao Dong’s Blood Jade Python began hissing anxiously.

“Qing’er, don’t fret!” Miao Dong soothed the Blood Jade Python, gently stroking its jade-like head, deep in thought. “Ordinary snake demon essence wouldn’t agitate Qing’er this much. Could it be that person possesses tier-2 snake demon blood?”

The mere thought made his breathing heavy with anticipation.

A cultivator at merely the fourth level of Qi Refinement potentially carrying tier-2 snake demon treasure blood? This alone justified action from a sixth-level Qi Refinement cultivator like himself!

Miao Dong had unwavering confidence in his abilities. With his three spirit pets, he could hold his own even against ordinary seventh-level Qi Refinement cultivators.

“If there is indeed tier-2 snake demon treasure blood, Qing’er might someday ascend to the second rank…”

As this possibility dawned on him, Miao Dong’s eyes couldn’t help but ignite with fervor.

“I might have revealed my wealth too openly at the Treasure Ship Market… Luckily, I wasn’t using my true appearance.”

As a former rogue cultivator, Fang Xi fully understood the principle of survival of the fittest among practitioners.

Even for tribulation cultivators, it was crucial to balance risk against potential gains.

In the cultivation world, numerous extraordinary techniques and secret arts existed, making it possible for even a first-level Qi Refinement cultivator to turn the tables unexpectedly—let alone if they were secretly disguising themselves as Foundation Establishment cultivators!

Therefore, carrying a few to a dozen spirit stones is considered normal for Initial Stage Qi Refinement cultivators, unlikely to arouse suspicion. However, possessing dozens or hundreds could be risky.

For Mid Qi Refining cultivators, holding onto tens of spirit stones is manageable, but nearing a hundred becomes precarious.

“At the Dragon Gate Pavilion, I only displayed materials worth about a hundred spirit stones, spent twenty, and couldn’t afford a several-hundred-stone body refinement technique, so it shouldn’t raise any major concerns…”

Larger influential factions tend to have higher tolerances within their establishments.

As for the previous incident at Wanhai Pavilion? Song Qing probably assumed Fang Xi had been drained dry, leaving him penniless by now.

“Still, there remains some risk.”

“Especially with high-grade first-rank snake-dragon materials worth nearly a thousand spirit stones, even Foundation Establishment cultivators might be alarmed!”

As Fang Xi pondered this, he casually tossed two spirit crystals to Mo Qingyi standing nearby, who eagerly accepted them with gratitude. With her heartfelt thanks, Fang Xi mounted the Black Cloud Pocket and departed from the Treasure Ship Market.

“This time was just reconnaissance… next visit, I’ll reveal my true appearance!”

Fang Xi intended to find a spot near Wan Island Lake with spiritual veins for planting trees - a long-term business endeavor that couldn’t rely solely on disguises. After all, cultivators were not ordinary mortals from the Great Liang World; they weren’t so easily deceived!

In any case, his actual appearance was unremarkable, with no questionable background or secrets to hide. There was nothing shameful about showing his face.

With these thoughts, Fang Xi piloted the Black Cloud Pocket, flying dozens of miles away from the market, aiming to locate an uninhabited island or rocky outcrop where he could create an immortal’s cave for rest.

“Caw!”

Suddenly, an unexpected event unfolded!

From the lake surface, thousands of splashes erupted as a demonic bird with entirely black feathers soared out!

This creature remarkably navigated underwater at astonishing speed! Emitting a shrill, unpleasant cry, it flapped its wings, gathering demonic energy to form two water arrows. Leveraging its advantageous position, it swiftly launched an assault towards Fang Xi!

Any unsuspecting cultivator would likely have been pierced by these sudden water arrows!

“Who is it?” Fang Xi, however, remained vigilant ever since leaving the market. Sensing something amiss, he swiftly tapped his bag of holding.

A pitch-black Black Iron Shield flew out, instantly blocking him from harm.

Clang! Clang!

The two water arrows struck the shield with resounding impacts akin to tolling bells before dissipating into mist.

“A water crow?!” Recognizing this spirit beast, Fang Xi angrily shouted, “Miao Dong! You dare to ambush me?”

From beneath the lake, a shadow gradually emerged and ascended - revealing a massive gold-backed turtle, as large as an eight-person dining table!

Standing atop the turtle, Miao Dong folded his arms, expression cold. “If the Daoist friend is willing to hand over that snake blood, we can resolve this peacefully. Otherwise…”

“Go die!”

Fang Xi infused magical energy into a fireball paper talisman and hurled it towards Miao Dong.

A colossal ball of flame materialized, hurtling through the air.

“Hmph, mere parlor tricks!” Miao Dong sneered, making no move to evade.

In the next instant, the fireball crashed above him but was blocked by a translucent water barrier. Despite the ensuing explosion, not a hint of heat penetrated through.

The large creature beneath Miao Dong was a ‘golden-backed turtle’, only low-rank first-tier, but it had mastered a natural beast magic - Water Barrier Technique!

Not only was it an excellent means of transportation on the lake, its defensive capabilities were remarkably strong.

Especially within the vast lake, deploying the Water Barrier Technique provided significant advantages with minimal energy consumption, sustaining for extended periods and rivaling some mid-rank first-tier protective spells.

After sneering confidently, Miao Dong calmly retrieved a jet-black claw-like magical artifact from his bag of holding. Its origin as a mythical beast’s claw was unclear, yet its edges were razor-sharp.

As he channeled magical energy into it, ready to unleash a fierce attack against Fang Xi, a sudden dread filled him. Shocked, he cried out in horror, “No!”

A golden streak of sword light had unexpectedly sliced the water crow in half mid-air!

Fang Xi’s initial Fireball Technique was merely a feint. Spotting the incoming stealth attack by the water crow, he smirked and unleashed the Golden Flood Dragon Sword!

This high-grade magical artifact possessed unparalleled sharpness. With just one strike, it effortlessly decimated the flying spirit pet!

“My spirit pet!” Miao Dong’s eyes turned red, deeply connected empathically to the water crow.

To him, this bird wasn’t just a spirit pet; it was also his primary tool for catching spirit fish, essentially his livelihood and source of income!

Now, Miao Dong’s source of income had been shattered by Fang Xi!

He never imagined that someone at merely the fourth level of Qi Refinement could possess a high-grade flying sword as a magical artifact!

‘This flying sword is impressive, but it consumes too much magical energy!’

Fang Xi controlled the Golden Flood Dragon Sword, feeling his magical energy rapidly depleting. He knew he could only strike a few more times before running out completely, leaving him vulnerable to being overwhelmed—without magical energy, one cannot activate magical artifacts or paper talismans, becoming utterly defenseless.

“Well… truly cunning indeed!”

After mourning briefly, Miao Dong contemplated retreating.

This fourth-level Qi Refinement cultivator was proving difficult, armed with exceptional magical artifacts and possibly significant backing!

“Miao Dong, don’t even think about escaping. Once I return to my clan, I’ll surely inform our patriarch… You can expect to become a tribulation cultivator, hunted far and wide!” Fang Xi sneered, effectively dashing any hopes of escape for Miao Dong, then directed the Golden Flood Dragon Sword towards him.

The sword glinted, emitting a resonant dragon’s roar, streaking down like a golden meteor.

“Go!”

With no other choice, Miao Dong activated his black claw-shaped magical artifact to meet the Golden Flood Dragon Sword.

As the two artifacts clashed mid-air, producing a series of metallic clangs, deep gouges quickly appeared on the claw artifact, signaling its imminent destruction!

“I’m all in now!”

Miao Dong glanced at Fang Xi, then hastily retrieved a qi-restoring pill from his robes and consumed it.

As a sixth-level Qi Refiner, Miao Dong possessed greater magical reserves than his opponent! Moreover, Fang Xi was controlling a high-grade magical artifact!

Having offended this influential Gongzi, escape would inevitably lead to being hunted down. It was better to kill him now and end all future troubles!

Sure enough, moments later, Fang Xi appeared drained, his face pale as the Black Cloud Pocket dissipated, causing him to plummet towards the lake surface.

“Go!” Seeing the opportunity, Miao Dong jubilantly directed the golden-backed turtle closer.

He still had Qing’er as his trump card; once within striking distance, it would guarantee a fatal blow!

Watching ‘Fang Leng’ grow increasingly fearful, Miao Dong’s expression lit up with delight, and he swiftly performed a hand gesture.

“Zzzt!”

The Blood Jade Python, Qing’er, lunged immediately towards Fang Xi.

“Up!”

Panicking, Fang Xi hastily summoned the Black Iron Shield!

“Pffft!”

Unexpectedly, mid-flight, the Blood Jade Python opened its mouth and unleashed a burst of toxic mist!

This venomous cloud, refined by Qing’er since birth through constant ingestion of various poisons, specialized in corrupting magical artifacts. Upon contact, the poison rapidly corroded the Black Iron Shield, emitting sizzling sounds that rendered it ineffective, causing it to plummet from the air.

A sharp horn suddenly emerged on the forehead of the Blood Jade Python, Qing’er, transforming it into a lethal green arrow hurtling straight at Fang Xi!

This innate demonic technique was known as Venomous Serpent Strike!

“Yes!” Miao Dong exclaimed triumphantly, aware that Qing’er’s attack rivaled the power of a high-grade magical artifact, serving as his hidden ace!