Chapter 120: Return

Above Wan Island Lake.A swift azure shadow darted through the water, herding countless fish towards an underwater cave entrance.

As the fish entered, numerous tendrils emerged from the cave’s mouth like a vast net, completely sealing it off and capturing all the fish within…

Splash!

The Great Azure Fish surfaced with Fang Xi standing atop it, saying, “Well done…”

Being a Fish King with awakened Dragonfish bloodline, the Great Azure Fish naturally possessed the ability to control fish swarms. Herding large groups of fish as sustenance for the Demon Tree was remarkably effortless for it.

Stealthily blowing a few bubbles, the Great Azure Fish sighed in relief, knowing it had finally escaped death.

As for being labeled a traitor among fishes? Well, there wasn’t much choice…

Life as a fish is tough indeed!

“Let’s go, time to explore around!”

Fang Xi mounted the Great Azure Fish, testing its speed, and found it quite impressive underwater - suitable enough for transportation purposes.

Interestingly, this fish had also awakened several aquatic magic abilities, allowing it to briefly leap out of the water with some agility.

“If it reaches tier-2, it should be able to manipulate water vapor and fly above the surface… perhaps truly becoming a suitable mount or spirit pet.”

Fang Xi nudged the Great Azure Fish with his foot. “Did you hear that? Keep guiding the fish schools diligently for your master, or else I’ll still make soup out of you…”

The Great Azure Fish hastily nodded, nearly shedding pearl-like tears.

“Being able to cultivate a low-grade spirit fish to high-rank first-tier indicates my Beast Control Art has likely reached high-rank first-tier proficiency as well…”

Initially, Fang Xi had taken in the Great Azure Fish merely to experiment with various cultivation methods and refine his Beast Control Technique.

He was well aware that consuming vast amounts of snake-dragon essence blood just to create a small azure dragon was highly inefficient in terms of cost-benefit.

Certainly, the Zhong Family wouldn’t use such a method; it would be far too wasteful…

Moreover, the Great Azure Fish’s rapid advancement was entirely due to the snake-dragon essence blood. Now, with the essence blood depleted and considering the snake-dragon itself was only high-rank first-tier, there would be little further assistance for the Great Azure Fish’s future growth.

For this fish to break through to tier-2, it would require much more time and additional opportunities.

After releasing the Great Azure Fish into Wan Island Lake with instructions not to stray too far from Jade Cliff, Fang Xi left it unattended.

Regardless, he had already implanted a Divine Consciousness Imprint and established a master-servant bond, allowing him to control its life with a single thought. At least until this fish ascends to tier-2, it possesses no means of resistance.

Fang Xi then proceeded to the spirit field to inspect the growth of this year’s spirit rice crop.

“Master!”

Hai Dagui, now a robust young man with sun-kissed skin, greeted him with a sincere smile. “Looks like another bountiful harvest year ahead!”

“Hmm, your rewards will certainly not be lacking when the time comes.”

Fang Xi nodded and also acknowledged Wang Xiaohu, who appeared youthful despite his age.

As Widow Wang grew older, most of the field work was primarily handled by Wang Xiaohu.

However, today, both Hai Dagui and Wang Xiaohu seemed hesitant, as if they wanted to say something.

“What seems to be the matter?”

Fang Xi casually plucked a grain cluster for inspection while asking.

“Master, it’s like this, Lu Guo recently returned to Peach Blossom Island…” Hai Dagui and Wang Xiaohu exchanged glances before Wang Xiaohu stepped forward, “Five years ago, Lu joined the joint law enforcement team and fought relentlessly in the outside world for several years. During their most recent mission, he sustained severe injuries. It is said that he repeatedly used life-saving secret techniques, draining his vital energy, which ultimately damaged his foundation. Forced to leave the enforcement team, he came back to Peach Blossom Island for recovery…”

“Oh!”

Fang Xi’s expression remained composed, yet he felt somewhat melancholic.

For ordinary individuals, without risking everything, there were no opportunities. However, even when taking such risks, the likelihood of losing, as seen with Mu Wen and now Lu Guo, was significantly higher!

The cultivation world is far more brutal; not only could one lose all material possessions, but also potentially their very life!

Lu Guo’s survival, returning with his life intact, was indeed quite fortunate.

Wang Xiaohu and Hai Dagui glanced at each other again. “Lu wants to come back and continue serving you, Master.”

Despite saving some spirit stones over the years, Lu Guo had spent the majority on treating his injuries, leaving him impoverished. Unable to afford renting an immortal’s cave, he turned to his childhood friends for help.

“Oh?” Fang Xi showed neither approval nor disapproval. “Bring him here, I’d like to see him…”

Three days later.

Lu Guo entered the estate, gazing at the familiar surroundings, especially the vibrant and youthful Fang Xi, feeling as if it were just yesterday. Mixed emotions stirred within him as he respectfully bowed, “Master!”

“Hmm, already at the sixth level of Qi Refinement, impressive!” Fang Xi replied, holding a fishing rod by the pond, angling for colorful koi fish swimming below.

With a sweep of his divine sense, Fang Xi assessed Lu Guo’s condition instantly.

Firstly, despite appearing young, streaks of white hair had emerged at Lu Guo’s temples, hinting at premature aging. This indicated damage to his vital energy and possibly a significant reduction in longevity.

Moreover, although he was at the sixth level of Qi Refinement, his magical energy felt unstable, suggesting he may have relied on medicinal pills and that his injuries had not fully healed.

Originally, advancing two levels in magical energy over five years meant Lu Guo’s gamble could not be considered a loss. With enough opportunities, slaying formidable foes and earning rewards might even grant him hope to break through to Late Stage Qi Refinement from the Spirit Hollow Market!

However, law enforcement duties were excessively dangerous. While he survived several perils, luck cannot always be trusted.

This time, facing a powerful enemy, he was forced to employ a life-threatening secret technique, ultimately damaging his foundation.

“Ah, Lu Guo… Your skills are wasted here, tending fields…” Fang Xi shook his head, unwilling to retain such a cultivator.

A cultivator who has seen bloodshed differs greatly from someone like Wang Xiaohu. Once hands are stained with lives taken, desires run wild, making them unpredictable factors.

With lives on his hands and ambitions unleashed, Lu Guo had become an unpredictable factor.

Fang Xi’s sole focus was peaceful farming. Recently, the growth rate of the Demon Tree had accelerated significantly, leading him to believe that within a few decades, he could cultivate the ‘Second-Type Wood Dharma Body’. He couldn’t afford any setbacks now.

“Master, with my vital energy damaged, I can no longer engage easily in battles or hunt mythical beasts…” Lu Guo chuckled bitterly and continued, “However, Master lacks capable assistance. Although humble, over the years, I’ve made many acquaintances and have access to information beyond Peach Blossom Island. I could gather intelligence for you, even occasionally leaving the island on errands…”

Having served under Fang Xi before, Lu Guo understood what his master needed.

“That sounds intriguing, but how can I trust your ability to collect information?” Fang Xi cast aside his fishing rod, laughing as he asked.

‘This man… still as patient and shrewd as ever.’

Lu Guo felt suddenly uneasy, sensing that Fang Xi might have completely seen through him. Suppressing this discomfort, he quickly responded, “Master, are you aware that there was an assassination attempt on the crown prince?”

“Hmm? When did this happen? Who was the assassin?”

Fang Xi genuinely didn’t know; both Hai Dagui and Wang Xiaohu were low-ranking members of Peach Blossom Island, privy to little confidential information.

“It happened two years ago, and I coincidentally have some inside knowledge…” Lu Guo maintained a composed expression. “The assailant remains unknown but possessed a Late Stage Qi Refinement cultivation base. They severely injured the crown prince; if not for his high-quality magical artifacts and life-saving paper talismans gifted by the Island Lord, he might have met an untimely demise…”

“Who holds such animosity against Ruan Dan?” Fang Xi asked, somewhat puzzled.

“Even without any specific grudges, there could still be enemies. The crown prince has exceptional talent, having displayed a sixth-level Qi Refinement cultivation base just five years ago! If not for that injury, he likely would have already broken through to Late Stage Qi Refinement!” Lu Guo analyzed thoughtfully. “Achieving Late Stage Qi Refinement before age thirty is the standard for elite disciples in major sects, marking them as prime candidates for Foundation Establishment with even a slim chance at Core Formation in the future. Many people would be unwilling to see such potential realized…”

“The tallest tree catches the wind first,” Fang Xi sighed contemplatively, immediately thinking of Ruan Xingling. Her path to Foundation Establishment was undoubtedly going to face challenges as well.

As for himself…

Breaking through to Late Stage Qi Refinement before age forty marked one as an ‘elite seed’ among smaller clans and sects, indicating a possibility of reaching Peak Qi Refinement before turning sixty and preserving a sliver of hope for Foundation Establishment.

Breaking through after age forty garners significantly less attention and scrutiny.

‘Having been stuck at this bottleneck for so many years, it’s about time to make a breakthrough,’ Fang Xi thought to himself, already being at the ninth level of Qi Refining.

He then turned his gaze back to Lu Guo.

This man’s analysis was thorough and well-reasoned, showcasing both courage and strategy. If not for his severe injuries, he likely could have achieved significant success in the future.

“What is your take on the silver-armored demon?” Fang Xi posed another question.

“Although formidable, the silver-armored demon remains only a Qi Refinement stage cultivator. The ability to repeatedly escape from Foundation Establishment cultivators suggests strong support from a Foundation-level faction, most probably the Dragonfish Zhong Clan!” Lu Guo replied firmly.

While it might have been unclear to others in previous years, now even the astute individuals had begun to suspect. It was entirely possible that clandestine conflicts between the Dragonfish Zhong Clan and the Thirty-Six Islands Alliance’s Foundation Establishment patriarchs had already occurred.

The calm standoff between Wan Island Lake’s two major factions was nearing its breaking point, signaling the imminent onset of a true cultivator war!

“A storm brews over the lake,” Fang Xi murmured, gazing towards Wan Island Lake.

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At the horizon where sky meets water, dense black clouds gathered, lightning flashed, and torrential rain suddenly poured down. As the rainfall hit the Little Cloudrain Array, it was repelled by the restrictions, trickling off in thin streams along the edges…

Fang Xi then turned to Lu Guo and sighed, “Very well, you may stay.”

“Many thanks, Master!” Overjoyed, Lu Guo bowed deeply in gratitude.

Upon returning to Peach Blossom Island, Lu Guo discreetly built another thatched hut near Jade Cliff.

He spent his days farming with Wang Xiaohu, Hai Dagui, Widow Wang, and others. Occasionally, he would venture out on errands for Fang Xi, gathering intelligence…

Cultivators communicated over short distances using voice-transmission talismans, slightly longer ranges with spirit doves, or even more advanced methods like flying sword messages, projection talismans, and water mirror techniques.

As such, obtaining information didn’t require leaving Peach Blossom Island.

Fang Xi reviewed the numerous reports, feeling only one thing—the Wan Island Lake cultivation world was far from peaceful.

Raiders were rampant, claiming the lives of many renowned rogue cultivators! Even families and sects occupying entire islands faced annihilation…

“When two major forces clash, they first aim to stabilize their surroundings by eliminating neutral parties and third-party influences…”

“The war between Wan Island Lake and the Thirty-Six Islands Alliance followed this pattern, targeting rogue cultivators and blaming it all on raiders… And now, I seem to be taking the brunt of the blame!”

Reading about the ‘silver-armored demon’ responsible for wiping out entire households, Fang Xi was utterly speechless.

The escalating tension affected Peach Blossom Island as well, leading to soaring prices for magical artifacts and paper talismans. Exchange gatherings became frequent, with cultivators anxiously awaiting any official declarations…

One year later.

News arrived—The Mo Clan of Black Sand Island had been annihilated!