Six years later.
At Jade Cliff.
“Uncle!”
Wei Yixi entered the Little Cloudrain Array and gazed upon Fang Xi, still appearing as a youthful teenager. For so reason, a blush crept across her face.
“Hmm, how’s your Beast Control Art progressing?”
Fang Xi rose from his seated position, his tone indicating readiness to provide guidance.
Since Hua Chanjuan’s death, Wei Yixi had been unsupervised, freely moving about Western Twin Peak.
However, she preferred solitude, often spending ti at Jade Cliff.
Today, Wei Yixi wore a delicately embroidered lotus-colored dress with a smooth jade circlet adorning her forehead, clearly showing effort in her attire.
Upon hearing Fang Xi inquire about her Beast Control Art, she couldn’t help but feel slightly disheartened and gently tapped her spirit beast bag.
The spirit beast bag resembled a fragrant pouch; with a light tap, nurous jade bees erged, clustering around a queen bee.
“Uncle… look, I’ve already cultivated the queen bee to mid-rank first-tier. Not only that, my cultivation base also broke through last night - now I’m at the sixth level of Qi Refining…”
Wei Yixi proudly showcased her achievent with excitent.
Lu Guo, returning from plowing nearby fields, couldn’t help but feel slightly disheartened at this sight. Only a few years older than Wei Yixi, both possessed mid-grade spiritual roots. Yet now, this young girl had caught up to his cultivation level.
Due to a damaged foundation and facing the significant bottleneck between Middle and Late Qi Refinent stages, he hadn’t achieved a breakthrough for several years.
“Very impressive…” Fang Xi whistled, summoning a swarm of vivid green insects that revealed their leader: a high-rank first-tier Blue Flower Golden Beetle Insect King!
Upon seeing the White Jade Queen Bee, the Insect King imdiately responded aggressively. The swarm of azure jade beetles ford a nacing ghostly face pattern, emitting a subtle threat.
“Uncle…your control over the insect swarm is remarkably precise. Have you fully contracted each individual bug?” Wei Yixi’s eyes lit up, recalling similar techniques from her Beast Control studies.
“No, it’s just a minor application of spiritual sense. Today, I’ll teach you how…” With a smile, Fang Xi guided Wei Yixi through the intricacies of Beast Control before they returned together to the courtyard under the peach tree.
Swish!
In the pond, the Great Azure Fish spat out a bubble containing a plump Turquoise Carp.
“Since you’re here today, Uncle will prepare sour cabbage fish for us.”
Fang Xi took out a small knife resembling ice jade, skillfully slicing the Turquoise Carp into thin pieces. Combined with the tangy cabbage broth, it exuded a tantalizing aroma.
After enjoying the fish, they had fresh spirit peaches to savor as well.
“Mmm… Uncle’s cooking is always so delicious…”
As Wei Yixi praised him, she stealthily reached for the jade pot on the table, only to be gently stopped by Fang Xi tapping her hand with his chopsticks: “Uncle… I really want to taste your homade wine again! Yixi isn’t a child anymore.”
“Chuckles…”
Fang Xi rely savored his ten-year-aged Peach Blossom Wine without pouring any for Wei Yixi. She was quite the tippler; once she started drinking happily, his precious cellar collection would be at risk…
Moreover, her behavior while intoxicated wasn’t exactly comndable, often leading to wild antics…
Amidst their laughter and banter, Widow Wang, now appearing as an elderly woman, entered the courtyard. “Master, Miss…”
“Widow Aunt!” Wei Yixi politely nodded.
“Go ahead and tell us what’s on your mind…” Fang Xi held his wine cup, sensing that after seven peaceful years since the Silver-armored Demon incident, this tranquil life was about to be disrupted once again.
“The Alliance has issued another call for contributions,” Widow Wang began. “They require manpower and resources from all thirty-six islands, along with recruiting nurous rogue cultivators…”
She continued, “Little Hu reported back saying that representatives from Moraxi Island’s Mo Clan have already co here to plead their case with the Island Lord…”
Seven years ago, Ruan Xingling personally brought the body of the Kou Clan leader to the Alliance of Thirty-Six Islands to file a complaint.
The final outco rely resulted in disciplining a few law enforcent cultivators, followed by distributing the bounty rewards for capturing the ‘Silver-armored Demon’ as compensation.
In recent years, tensions between the Alliance of Thirty-Six Islands and the Zhong Family had beco increasingly apparent, with the threat of open conflict looming at any mont.
As for Black Sand Island’s Mo Clan?
Under the leadership of Peach Blossom Island’s Mo Qinghe, they rebuilt their main family and rallied various branch clans to return, successfully reestablishing the Mo Clan, albeit weakened significantly. Over ti, they gradually beca vassals of Peach Blossom Island.
With the addition of the closely allied Feng Clan, Peach Blossom Island now stood as a formidable faction within the Alliance of Thirty-Six Islands.
Unfortunately… with nurous responsibilities occupying her mind, Ruan Xingling’s cultivation base struggled to make any breakthroughs.
This situation likely suited various interests, resulting in a period of tranquility for Peach Blossom Island.
But now, things have changed significantly!
“Since we’re residing on Peach Blossom Island, we should at least contribute so resources, even if not our personal presence…” Fang Xi pondered for a mont before turning to Wei Yixi and saying, “You don’t need to contribute anything from your side; I’ll personally support the Island Lord with so assistance, and that should suffice…”
“You’re always so thoughtful, Uncle…” Wei Yixi smiled sweetly. “By the way, Uncle is about to celebrate his fiftieth birthday soon! What gift would you like? Let prepare sothing special…”
Cultivators generally do not place much importance on birthdays, but reaching fifty years holds significant aning. Especially as Fang Xi, now recognized as the second strongest cultivator on the island and a Late Stage Qi Refinent practitioner, those who once secretly envied or belittled him were eager to curry favor. With this milestone, he might even receive a substantial amount of spirit stones under the guise of celebrating his birthday!
“Can’t believe I’m already turning fifty…” Fang Xi gently touched his smooth, youthful-looking face - even making Wei Yixi envious - and suddenly chuckled, “It’s not a particularly special occasion, no need for grand celebrations or inviting many guests. When the ti cos, I’ll open a few twenty-year-aged ‘Peach Blossom Wine’ jars and invite just a handful of close friends for a toast…”
Several months later.
Within the underground stone cave, Fang Xi opened his eyes, revealing twin beams of fluctuating azure light about an inch long.
“After twenty-seven years of nurturing trees, my physical body has reached fifty… Finally, Peak Qi Refining!”
The tenth layer of Qi Refinent was a distinctive milestone, marking the great circle of Qi Refining completion! From here on, it beca possible to attempt Foundation Establishnt!
Fang Xi sensed that his Everlasting Spring Art’s magical energy could no longer advance further, having reached a limit within the Qi Refinent stage. To break through again, he would need to fully activate his technique and challenge the Foundation Establishnt bottleneck!
With his flawless fleshly body, abundant blood qi, and divine sense extending over thirty ters, even without consuming any Foundation Establishnt spirit objects or pills, he estimated a chance of success between thirty to forty percent!
Such odds were beyond what many rogue cultivators could ever hope for.
Unfortunately, the dire consequences of failing Foundation Establishnt—either death or severe injury—compelled Fang Xi to resist such impulsiveness.
“Foundation Establishnt Pill! Once the Secondary Wood magical body is achieved, I must prioritize obtaining the Foundation Establishnt Pill!”
Through introspection, Fang Xi observed that the silver runes forming the Secondary Wood magical body were already more than halfway completed; likely within another decade or so, it would be accomplished!
“Today marks a montous occasion, deserving celebration!”
A hint of joy graced his lips as he erged from the cultivation room.
Soon, Widow Wang, Wang Xiaohu, Hai Dagui, Lu Guo, and others arrived respectfully to offer their greetings: “Congratulations on your fiftieth birthday, Master! With Foundation Establishnt within reach, may your path towards immortality flourish!”
“Ha ha, here are so rewards!” Fang Xi cheerfully handed out spirit stone red packets to each person.
“Giggles, Uncle, I’ve specially co to celebrate your fiftieth birthday!” At that mont, Wei Yixi arrived with a broad smile, carrying a large red gift box.
Fang Xi accepted it and opened to reveal a vibrant green mage robe, shimring with radiant hues and embroidered with intricate bamboo patterns. As he unfolded it, a potent spiritual glow emanated from the garnt.
Yixi grinned, “Uncle, these high-grade ‘Cyan Bamboo Magic Robes’ were carefully chosen just for you. They feature permanent enchantnts for Dust Repellent, Protection, and Gathering Spirit formations, even providing autonomous self-defense in tis of danger!”
“A high-grade mage robe costs around two hundred spirit stones at the market; Yixi, you truly thoughtfulness shines through.” Fang Xi, quite touched, gratefully accepted the robe.
Since receiving his guidance in Beast Control techniques, Wei Yixi had significantly improved her skills in managing jade bees. Additionally, with her private spiritual land, she no longer needed to purchase dicinal pills or rent an immortal’s cave… Over ti, this frugal approach made her quite affluent.
“Quickly, Uncle, put them on!” Wei Yixi urged with a smile.
“All right!”
Seeing Widow Wang and others also urging him, Fang Xi entered the inner room, changed into the cyan bamboo mage robe, and erged.
The crowd beheld a graceful youth, with sharp features and luminous eyes, exuding an ethereal aura that complented his new attire perfectly. They couldn’t help but burst out in applause.
“Master, those clothes truly suit you; Miss Yixi has excellent taste,” Widow Wang said with a beaming smile.
“Yes… Yixi is indeed gifted and resourceful. The one who marries her soday will be truly fortunate,” Fang Xi chuckled heartily.
“On this joyous occasion, Uncle will make an exception and let you have an extra cup of twenty-year-aged peach blossom wine…”
“Really?” Wei Yixi’s eyes lit up brightly, but before she could respond further, a female voice echoed from outside:
“Ruan Dan from Mirror Moon Lake, on behalf of my master, offers heartfelt congratulations to Uncle Fang for boundless longevity and presents a special gift!”
“It’s actually her?!” Fang Xi was slightly taken aback, waving his hand to dispel the formation. A one-ard female cultivator gracefully approached—it was Ruan Dan!
Dressed in a long black robe, her expression cold, the right sleeve hung empty, fluttering in the wind. Surprisingly, her cultivation base had remarkably advanced to the seventh layer of Qi Refinent!
“Greetings, Daoist Friend Ruan! Congratulations on your breakthrough!” Fang Xi welcod her warmly with a smile. Since losing her arm, Ruan Dan’s deanor had beco noticeably cooler and more reserved, less irritating than before.
It seed that the previous assassination attempt, coupled with the recent setback caused by the Kou Clan leader severing her Dao path, had finally spurred Ruan Dan’s growth.
However, the price she paid was indeed steep!
On the other hand, seeing Ruan Dan break through after years of recovery ignited a renewed determination in Lu Guo’s eyes.
Despite having similar foundational damage, if Ruan Dan could overco the bottleneck between Middle and Late Qi Refinent stages, why couldn’t he?
“Congratulations, Uncle Fang! Here is a gift from my master as a token of celebration!” Ruan Dan bowed respectfully and presented a long rectangular box.
Upon opening it, a sharp aura imdiately wafted out. Inside lay a tranquil azure-colored longsword, resembling a slender blade of grain, its elongated shape sowhat familiar to Fang Xi. “This is…”
“It is the ‘Qinghe Sword’, re-crafted by my master and now elevated to high-grade quality!” Ruan Dan answered with reverence.
Since losing her arm, she had beco much more reserved, even upon reaching the seventh layer of Qi Refinent, lacking her forr arrogance.
“That’s the legendary Qinghe Sword, which made waves on Peach Blossom Island back then?” Wei Yixi’s eyes widened, as if gazing upon a myth co alive.
The legend surrounding this sword held deep connections to her own family, stirring complex emotions within her heart.
“Such thoughtful consideration from the Island Lord…”
Fang Xi visibly needed a high-grade magical artifact at this stage. Picking up the Qinghe Sword, he gently flicked it, eliciting a resonant sound akin to a dragon’s roar!
Given the significance of this mont, Ruan Xingling’s decision to reforge this sword held deep aning.
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