Cultivating Immortality in Two Realms

Chapter 238 Cultivation

Ice Island.

Before Fang Qing landed on the island, he secretly cast a divination and confirmed that Master Tianfu had already left.

"Hmm... I am now the 'White Sword Peak' guest elder of the Zhong Alliance, a sword cultivator with a gold spiritual root! How could I possibly be the same person as Fang Shui, who caused a ruckus on Ice Heaven Island with an empty spiritual root?" He arrived at the entrance of Yuanxin Workshop dressed in white.

This market town is still divided into nine levels, with palaces and pavilions stretching from one level to the next, corresponding to the stars above and drawing inspiration from the earth below, creating an astonishing spectacle.

However, the guards at the market gate were no longer giant ice-attribute puppets, but cultivators hired at high prices.

The palace located at the highest point of the core layer was no longer the palace of the Ice Heaven Immortal, but an octagonal commercial building.

"Shang Yuanxin did a good job..."

Fang Qing entered the market and arrived at Zhongmeng's stronghold.

Zhong Meng had taken advantage of the market's turmoil to aggressively acquire shops and cave dwellings... Now that asset prices have recovered, he's incredibly wealthy. Even his stronghold is located in the inner third layer, where spiritual energy is abundant.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Bai..."

Fang Qing took out his token and had just entered the stronghold when a Core Formation cultivator came out to greet him.

He recognized this person; it was none other than the old Taoist Xuanqi!

This Taoist priest was once a steward of the Ice Heaven Pavilion and had even gone to the Zhong Alliance to collect debts. However, his own power collapsed, and his investments failed. In his miserable state, he ended up relying on Zhong Lingxiu and working for the Zhong Alliance, effectively reversing their original roles. Zhong Lingxiu, on the other hand, needed a local expert familiar with the market, and with the Zhong Alliance expanding, having only one Core Formation cultivator was indeed insufficient. She reluctantly accepted him to handle some daily affairs. "The Alliance Leader has already given instructions; now that Guest Elder Bai has arrived, proceed to his cave dwelling immediately."

The old Taoist Xuanqi led the way without showing the slightest embarrassment.

Fang Qing entered a third-tier cave dwelling, sensed its energy, and immediately nodded: "Third-tier high-grade spiritual energy...not bad, not bad."

"Greetings, young master!"

After the formation was completed, Zhong Lingxiu, with a full head of white hair and a feminine appearance, quickly bowed: "As per your instructions, young master, the necessary spiritual herbs have been collected..." As he spoke, he handed a storage bag to Fang Qing: "Young master... there is one more thing. I heard that after I established a foothold in Yuanxin Workshop, the sect leader of Tianshuang Sect also corresponded with me and sent disciples to this place for training..."

Zhong Lingxiu was not only Fang Qing's servant, but also Yuan Qu Laoguai's disciple and a Core Formation Elder of the Tian Shuang Sect.

They have their own social interactions and relationships.

"Oh? Is there any encroachment involved?"

Fang Qing asked casually.

"It's not that bad... That sect leader is a smart man; he only thinks about mutual benefit."

Zhong Lingxiu smiled and said, "After all, I am a Core Formation cultivator and have some status in the sect."

"Then it's fine, do whatever you want with it..."

Fang Qing had no objection to leveraging Yuan Qu's power to further develop the Zhong Alliance.

He examined the various spiritual herbs used to refine the "Mysterious Star Waterfall Pill" and nodded to himself: "Adding what I have accumulated, and that 'Transforming Roc Grass,' it's enough... This pill is only a mid-grade third-rank pill, and with my current high-grade third-rank water-based alchemy skills, I can succeed on the first try..."

"On the contrary, my cultivation level is still somewhat far from the perfect early stage of True Core cultivation..."

"This cave is quite nice; I'll be cultivating here for a while."

He said to Zhong Lingxiu.

"Yes, young master."

Zhong Lingxiu, understanding the implied meaning, said, "I'll move out immediately... and tell everyone I'm away on official business..."

"Hmm, find out more about the nearby third-tier spiritual springs for me... and any special spiritual spring treasures above the third tier... but forget about the 'Eye of the Spiritual Spring.'" Among the spiritual springs of the Qi Refining Dao world, the most likely spiritual item to be produced is the "Eye of the Spiritual Spring," which can be placed in a cave to increase the density of spiritual energy in the world, and even high-level cultivators are eager to obtain it. However, Fang Qing had tried it before, and this spiritual item was of little use for his breakthrough to the Purple Mansion realm.

Zhong Lingxiu thought for a moment and said, "Young Master, according to the information we gathered before, ordinary third-tier spiritual springs probably wouldn't be enough to meet your needs. Only fourth-tier spiritual springs might have a chance... Recently, I heard that after the great battle between Blood Fiend Island and Xuanzhong Sect, the blood and fiend energy on Tianquan Island has polluted the earth's veins and water veins... That fourth-tier spiritual spring was damaged as a result, and they are currently summoning geomancers and array masters from all over to repair it..." "Fourth-tier spiritual springs are the essence of heaven and earth. If they are damaged, it is indeed possible to extract one or two spiritual spring treasures..."

Fang Qing's expression shifted: "However, in this way, that spiritual spring will also be ruined... Oh well, I'll go and take a look later." After sending Zhong Lingxiu away, Fang Qing sat cross-legged, and the Dao Life Pearl in his body spun around.

The original Dao Foundation of the "Sharp Edge Chapter" instantly transformed into an extremely profound "Primal Blaze" and fell into the Dao Life Pearl.

The previously stored Qi Refining True Pill power was replaced and transformed into a pitch-black True Pill.

This is the true elixir of the "Swallowing the Sea Technique"!

This skill, as a superior technique of the "Azure Sea Skill," has been chosen by Fang Qing as his primary cultivation method.

The rest of the "Azure Sea Skill" is just used for concealment in ordinary times.

As Fang Qing circulated his magic, streams of spiritual energy from heaven and earth were drawn into his body, flowing through his meridians and finally settling in his dantian, transforming into the power of the true elixir. Around him, a cloud of malevolent energy appeared, transforming into a mysterious black aura.

Within the thick black mist, numerous ferocious beasts roamed and roared...

Judging from their shapes, in addition to the Blood Shark, there are also phantom images of monsters such as dugongs, sea snakes, and giant turtles.

Each of them was above the third rank, a demon king of their own territory, yet they were all united in one place, moving according to Fang Qing's will.

"If I were to make a move in the future, the special effects inherent in this 'Sea Devouring Technique' alone would be enough to kill an ordinary Core Formation cultivator..."

"In terms of the degree of condensation and utilization of the essence power, it even surpasses the 'Ten Thousand Soul Banner'!"

Fang Qing's heart stirred, and he formed a hand seal.

Within his dantian, the "Sea-Swallowing Bottle," which had already reached the limit of a low-grade magic weapon, flashed and spat out a fish-eagle beast demon core.

The osprey beast's soul within this essence pill had already been cleansed by the "Sea-Swallowing Bottle," becoming a muddled and twisted mess.

With almost no power to resist, it was devoured by the dark core of the Devouring Sea Technique, and then its entire inner core...

Fang Qing was surrounded by a hazy black mist, and the faint phantom of an osprey beast appeared in the distance.

After a long while, he opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them: "After this, the demonic power of the Osprey Beast clan will no longer pose any threat to me... On the contrary, the power of my 'Devouring the Sea Technique' is their nemesis..."

Sensing the progress of his own True Core cultivation, he couldn't help but feel quite satisfied.

"Judging by the timeline... it's been less than ten years since I formed my core. In all these years, I haven't focused solely on cultivating my magic power in seclusion, yet I've already perfected most of my initial core-forming magic power..." "Is this the speed at which my aptitude has improved, I've had the assistance of the top-tier technique 'Swallowing the Sea Technique,' and I've had all the resources I need?"

It may take an ordinary Core Formation cultivator decades or even centuries to reach that bottleneck.

But for Fang Qing, a few more third-tier water-attribute demon cores should be enough.

"It's even faster than when I was at the Foundation Establishment stage?"

"As expected, the cultivation world in the East Sea is rich in resources... My True Core is of extremely high quality, which is equivalent to an improvement in aptitude. It also saves a lot of resources and increases the speed of cultivation..." "It seems that I should refine that Breakthrough Pill as soon as possible."

Fang Qing went into seclusion for another half month to fully digest the spiritual energy brought by the inner core of the "Osprey Beast" before leisurely emerging from seclusion.

While he was in seclusion practicing his skills, he would occasionally use the Dao Sheng Pearl to observe the situation on the other side of the Qi Fu Dao.

The land of Dongshui continued to rain as always. Ever since the Bai family's territory in Dongshui was turned into a barren land, even cultivators were unwilling to travel there. As for Sangji leading the White Bone Path in their campaigns across the north and south, the heavy casualties were naturally to be expected.

Before the three sects and four aristocratic families are completely wiped out, the Dharma Kings of the Secret Treasury obviously will not attack the Hehuan Sect.

"As expected of a Golden Core cultivator... they certainly have that kind of prestige."

"And the wars among cultivators are clearly measured in years..."

"The Hehuan Sect does seem to be trying to stall; we might actually see a good show..."

To watch a show of this caliber without fear of being killed, even an ordinary Akiko wouldn't be able to do it.

Even if Fang Qing wanted to see it, he would probably have to rely on Sangji's eyes to see it.

Even this top enforcer could be killed.

But there was nothing that could be done.

"If Sangji unfortunately perishes... I'll have no choice but to head to the Eastern Taiyi Xuanmen territory, change my identity, and start over..."

"Anyway, it's best not to go to the Fuqi Dao until the major events at the Hehuan Sect are over..."

"As long as I'm determined not to let the tiger leave its den, I'll hide here on this side of the Qi Refining Path, and I'll be impervious to all magic... Even a True Lord couldn't kill me!" "Are there any places for entertainment in the market now? Like the Heavenly Dining Pavilion?"

After leaving the pass, Fang Qing found Zhong Lingxiu and asked this local expert to be his guide, leading him to Yuanxinfang for entertainment.

"After the passing of the Celestial Meal Master, there is still a 'Fairy of Primordial Buds' in this area... She is skilled in third-tier spiritual cuisine and runs a 'Hundred Flowers Pavilion'." Zhong Lingxiu immediately led Fang Qing to a certain place in Yuanxin Workshop.

Seeing the beautiful women on the first floor, Fang Qing's expression became somewhat strange. He glanced at Zhong Lingxiu warily and said, "Old Zhong, I didn't expect you to be such a dishonest person..." "Young master is joking... This place is indeed famous for its spiritual cuisine. These women are just entertainment during the meal, a bonus..." Zhong Lingxiu's expression remained unchanged.

Cultivators are like this; regardless of gender, they do not conceal their desires.

In the cultivation world of the East Sea, one often hears of female Core Formation cultivators, and even of Yuan Qu Lao Zu who has a large harem and keeps three thousand male concubines... Of course, there are even more male cultivators.

Furthermore, there were also pure and virtuous fairies like Wang Zixuan and Wang Ziqin, with the latter often being more sought after by high-level male cultivators...

"Fine, let's see for ourselves today."

Fang Qing laughed and had Zhong Lingxiu lead the way.

The two walked side by side into the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, where several Core Formation cultivators came out to meet them. Both sides were taken aback upon seeing each other…

Hmm? It's this person?

When Fang Qing saw the newcomer, a strange look appeared in his eyes.