Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

At the “10,000 Seas Pavilion”.

Bang!

A fine jade teacup shattered on the floor.

The passing maidservants trembled with fear, anxious not to further anger the young master.

“Well… well, Fang Xi indeed! I gave him several days, yet he still dares to delay…” Song Qing sneered and turned to a servant nearby, asking, “Did he visit Mingqing Pavilion today?”

“Yes, apparently to redeem the freedom of an acquaintance from the Qingye Xu Clan… and they agreed,” the servant responded with a bow.

“Chortle, climbing the lofty branches of Bai Ze Immortal City now, too good for our Song Clan’s invitation? Fine, I’ll tolerate that… But meddling with the Xu Clan as well? Does he disregard the prestige of Yue Kingdom’s seven great aristocratic families?” Song Qing scoffed, adding, “Typical narrow-mindedness of a rogue cultivator…”

“Should we teach him a lesson, young master?” The servant lowered his voice, with a cunning gleam in his eyes, harboring numerous malicious thoughts.

Song Qing was slightly tempted but quickly shook his head. “This is Bai Ze Immortal City, guarded by True Persons; it’s not ideal for direct action… However, has this individual become an honorary guest of Bai Ze Immortal City yet?”

“Gongzi, your insight is remarkable…” The servant’s eyes brightened as an idea struck him.

“At present, Bai Feng Mountain should be under the daily management of Ouyang Zhen, one of the eighteen disciples of True Person Bai Feng… He responds better to subtle persuasion than force. If I confront him directly, it might provoke resistance and complicate matters further… Instead, go inform Xu Shuolei to approach Ouyang Zhen, expressing his grievances. Tell him to claim that someone, even before officially joining Bai Feng Mountain, is already abusing their influence!”

Song Qing gently touched the bracelet on his left hand, a hint of satisfaction flashing across his face.

Half a month later.

At Bai Feng Mountain, enveloped by swirling spirit mists indicative of its third-order spiritual veins, terraced medicinal fields stretched across the slopes. Colorful restrictions shimmered around each plot… At the summit stood numerous pavilions and buildings, housing True Person Bai Feng and his disciples.

True Person Bai Feng had taken dozens of apprentices, but unfortunately, none managed to achieve Core Formation. Out of the previous seventeen disciples, some perished due to reaching their longevity limit, while others died during battles or explorations.

As a result, Ouyang Zhen, the eighteenth disciple, effectively served as the eldest brother. With True Person Bai Feng often in seclusion, Ouyang Zhen handled most affairs related to the Immortal City.

On this particular day,

A six-winged spirit snake flapped its wings, stirring powerful gusts as it descended before a grand palace.

“Thirty, slow down…” Ouyang Zhen frowned, holding onto his account ledger tightly. He watched Yuan Feihong burst in with urgency.

“Elder Brother Eighteen…” Yuan Feihong sounded somewhat aggrieved. “I worked hard to recruit an honorary guest for our Immortal City. Why did you reject him?”

“You mean the rogue cultivator Fang Xi who reached Foundation Establishment?” Ouyang Zhen put down the ledger and rose from his seat. “I was just about to discuss this matter with you… Someone complained that he is overly domineering, suggesting he might not be suitable for stability here!”

“The Qingye Xu Clan was undoubtedly acting under Song Clan’s direction,” Yuan Feihong said swiftly yet respectfully, “Ever since Song Qing failed to recruit Fang Xi, resentment festered secretly, leading them to spread these rumors… I doubt Eighth Elder Brother is unaware of this!”

“I indeed have some knowledge about it…” Ouyang Zhen smiled. “But given that Song Qing has indirectly shown deference, we must grant the Song Clan some face…”

“Song Clan…” Yuan Feihong remained unconvinced.

“I understand; you want to say the Song Clan is just a Foundation Establishment clan… But are you aware that the Core Formation patriarch of the Profound Sky Sect reached his four-hundredth birthday decades ago and now faces his impending end? Yet, the sect hasn’t cultivated another Core Formation cultivator. Meanwhile, the Song Clan’s patriarch achieved the great circle of Foundation Establishment early on, likely already planning for Core Formation in secret?”

Ouyang Zhen’s expression turned incredibly grave. “The Song Clan’s fate stands at a critical juncture - either immense success or catastrophic failure… Therefore, if possible, it’s best not to provoke them… Of course, even with their potential Core Formation strength, we hold no fear. However, as before, engaging over a rogue cultivator who barely attained Foundation Establishment near sixty simply isn’t worth it…”

As the lord of an Immortal City, sometimes one must assess situations pragmatically, recognizing that not everything can go entirely as planned.

Determining worth often requires careful consideration and weighing of factors.

“But… Fang Xi truly seems extraordinary,” Yuan Feihong insisted anxiously. “My ‘Little Azure’ has always had keen intuition, yet on that day, it showed fear towards him. This indicates he must possess exceptional skills…”

“Your six-winged hissing snake indeed excels at observation… with innate spiritual senses, able to discern auspicious or ominous signs.”

Ouyang Zhen hesitated briefly before responding, “As your Shixiong, I understand you’ve just ventured out from seclusion, focused solely on serving our sect’s interests… Very well, let’s give this rogue cultivator another chance. Tomorrow, bring him to the second floor of the Myriad Laws Pavilion. At that time, I will personally join you, along with Master’s ‘Candle Illuminating Mirror,’ to examine his true origins… If he is genuinely a prodigious talent, overlooked like a pearl hidden in the sea, even offending the Song Clan would be worthwhile to secure him as an honorary guest. Who knows, once Master emerges from seclusion, we might gain an exceptional disciple…”

“If not, then assist him in purchasing cultivation techniques as an apology for earlier incidents. There’s no need to harbor guilt anymore. Our master often praises you for having a pure heart, which contributes to your rapid progress in cultivation. However, do remember to maintain inner composure and avoid being disturbed by external matters…”

This resolution and guidance were both reasonable and sensible, leaving Yuan Feihong unable to find any fault with it.

In Smokey Willow Lane.

Upon seeing Yuan Feihong arrive for a visit, Fang Xi couldn’t help but show delight, “Fellow Daoist Yuan, after careful consideration…”

“Wait a moment…” Yuan Feihong seemed slightly embarrassed. “Today, let’s not discuss other matters. I heard that you’ve been troubled by finding suitable cultivation techniques. To alleviate your concern, have you heard of the ‘Myriad Laws Pavilion’?”

Fang Xi’s heart stirred, sensing that there might be a change regarding the honorary guest matter. However, he maintained composure and responded, “The Myriad Laws Pavilion? Isn’t it the influential establishment within the inner city, specializing in selling cultivation techniques? Unfortunately, I’ve visited before, but didn’t find any technique to my liking…”

“That’s just the first floor. The Myriad Laws Pavilion has a second level too. Although the elite techniques there can’t compare with clan or sect-guarding arts, they are still quite exceptional. As your guarantor, I invite you to take a look inside!”

Yuan Feihong spoke with genuine sincerity, perhaps driven by a desire to compensate him.

“Really? Well then, thank you… Shall we head over now?” Fang Xi felt genuinely intrigued.

If he could indeed acquire suitable cultivation techniques, his need to join Bai Feng Mountain would diminish significantly.

Together, they walked towards the inner city, approaching a massive building.

Above the entrance, gilded letters spelled out ‘Myriad Laws Pavilion’.

“Greetings to both of you… Thirtieth Young Master, what brings you here today?” The receptionist, recognizing Yuan Fei, instantly beamed.

“I’m here to vouch for Fellow Daoist Fang. Please summon your shopkeeper and prepare to open the second floor!” Yuan Fei waved a golden token while turning to Fang Xi, “Although not as extensive as Bai Feng Mountain’s Techniques Pavilion, the second floor here is still considered significant, with limited access granted.”

“Indeed, I’m eager to see it…” Anticipation flickered in Fang Xi’s eyes.

Shortly after, an elderly scholar-like shopkeeper emerged, holding an ancient scroll. “Greetings, I am Kong Jiang, the shopkeeper of Myriad Laws Pavilion. Salutations to Thirtieth Young Master and this esteemed guest… You wish to visit the second floor? Please follow me!”

Fang Xi trailed behind the scholarly shopkeeper, ascending the stairs to reach the second floor of the Myriad Laws Pavilion.

The second level was spacious, filled with a faint aroma of sandalwood lingering in the air.

Fang Xi paused, observing the shimmering restrictions on the wooden walls around him and a mirror suspended near the entrance, his gaze thoughtful.

“This is our pavilion’s protective formation - the Eight Directions Immutable Formation. Please proceed!”

Kong Jiang stepped through first.

Yuan Feihong followed closely behind.

With a subtle smile playing on his lips, Fang Xi also entered beneath the mystical glow of the mirror.

As soon as he touched the mystical light, he felt as if every aspect of his body was scrutinized thoroughly, but the sensation vanished quickly. Prior to entering, Fang Xi had already activated the Demon Tree, employing its concealment technique.

Pausing briefly, he then casually surveyed the second floor of the Myriad Laws Pavilion, acting as if nothing unusual had occurred.

The second floor was quite small, featuring only a few rows of bookshelves neatly arranged with jade slips.

“Ah… this level is typically reserved for Bai Ze Immortal City’s esteemed guests; access is not easily granted to others… Each jade slip contains only partial information about cultivation techniques and secret arts. To obtain the complete versions, one must purchase them, along with swearing an oath not to impart these skills to anyone else… Of course, you can opt for outright ownership, but the price would be…” Kong Jiang chuckled, providing the introduction.

Kong Jiang cheerfully provided introductions.

Secret techniques and cultivation methods have always been at the core of any cultivation force. While the Myriad Laws Pavilion couldn’t match Bai Feng Mountain’s Techniques Pavilion, it was significantly superior to those typically found within Foundation Establishment-level immortal clans.

Fang Xi, with a serious expression, first examined the labels on each wooden shelf:

’ Cultivation Methods’, ‘Secret Techniques’, ‘Hundred Skills of Cultivation’…

He approached the shelf for cultivation methods, extending his divine sense to scan through the jade slips stacked there.

Quickly dismissing techniques unsuitable for his attributes like metal, fire, and earth, he focused on wood attribute methods:

“The Ripple Art, suitable for dual water-wood elemental cultivators, offers potent magical energy, excelling in combat…”

“The Violet Bamboo Art, ideal for wood elemental spiritual root cultivators, also enhances Body Tempering. Requires ingestion of specialized medicinal pills called ‘Violet Bamboo Pills’ during training…”

“The Spirit Leaf Art…progresses slowly but aids in overcoming cultivation bottlenecks.”

“The Qing Mu Longevity Art, a wood attribute technique, provides average magical power yet has rapid cultivation speed…with an additional effect of preserving youth!”

After some deliberation, Fang Xi picked up “Spirit Leaf Art” and “Cyanwood Longevity Art” for closer examination.

Kong Jiang, with a smile, began to elaborate, “The ‘Spirit Leaf Art’ is an ancient technique, immensely powerful… unfortunately, it only extends up to Late Foundation Establishment stage.”

“As for this ‘Cyanwood Longevity Art’, it originated from the Wood Nation. It’s said to be derived from the Core Formation sect that ruled before the Greenwood Sect, known for its stability despite moderate power. However, its key advantage lies in safety during cultivation… and remarkably, it can be practiced all the way to Initial Core Formation!”

“What a pity, both are ancient techniques and not among the top-tier incantations,” Yuan Feihong sighed softly.

“Oh? How does one distinguish between ancient and modern techniques, and what makes a top-tier magic incantation special?” Fang Xi asked, holding the jade slips with a smile.

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