Chapter 238

Ice Heaven Island.

Before setting foot on the island, Fang Qing secretly cast a divination to confirm that Master Heavenly Talisman had long since departed.

‘Mm... I am now Zhong Alliance's "Bai Jianfeng," Guest Elder Bai, a Metal Spiritual Root sword cultivator. How could I possibly be the same person as Fang Shui, the Void Spiritual Root cultivator who caused such havoc on Ice Heaven Island?’

Dressed in flowing white robes, he arrived at the entrance to Yuanxin Market.

The marketplace remained divided into nine layers, with palace complexes stretching endlessly upward. Above, they corresponded to the stars; below, they drew upon the earth veins. The scale and grandeur were astonishing.

Only now, the marketplace gates were no longer guarded by giant ice-attributed puppets, but by cultivators hired at great expense.

And standing at the highest point of the core district was no longer Ice Heaven True Personage's palace, but the octagonal merchant tower.

‘Shang Yuanxin has done quite well.’

Fang Qing entered the marketplace and headed toward the Zhong Alliance headquarters.

During the market's unstable transition period, the Zhong Alliance had seized the opportunity to aggressively purchase shops and cave estates. Now that property values had recovered, they were practically swimming in wealth.

Even this branch headquarters was located within the Inner Third Layer, where the spiritual qi was incomparably abundant.

“So it's Fellow Daoist Bai.”

As soon as Fang Qing presented his token and entered the headquarters, a Core Formation cultivator personally came out to greet him.

Fang Qing recognized him immediately.

It was none other than the old Daoist Xuanqi.

Back then, Xuanqi had served as a steward of Ice Heaven Market and had even gone to the Zhong Alliance to collect debts. In the end, his own faction collapsed and his investments failed disastrously.

Reduced to dire straits, he had instead joined Zhong Lingxiu and now helped manage Zhong Alliance affairs.

The relationship between them had completely reversed.

Of course, Zhong Lingxiu needed someone familiar with the market's inner workings. Moreover, after the alliance expanded, a single Core Formation cultivator was clearly insufficient.

Thus, he had reluctantly accepted Xuanqi and assigned him to handle everyday affairs.

“The Alliance Leader specifically instructed that if Guest Elder Bai arrives, you are to proceed immediately to his cave dwelling.”

The old Daoist Xuanqi led the way without the slightest trace of embarrassment.

Fang Qing entered a third-rank cave dwelling and carefully sensed his surroundings before nodding in satisfaction.

“Upper-grade third-rank spiritual qi, not bad at all.”

After sealing the formation, Zhong Lingxiu, his hair completely white and his features delicate enough to blur the line between male and female, hurriedly bowed.

“Greetings, Young Master.”

“Following your instructions, all the required spiritual herbs have been gathered.”

As he spoke, he handed over a storage bag.

“Young Master, there is one more matter. Since I established this foundation in Yuanxin Market, the Sect Master of the Heavenly Frost Sect has begun corresponding with me as well. He has even sent disciples here to gain experience.”

After all, Zhong Lingxiu was not merely Fang Qing's servant. He was also the nominal disciple of the old monster Yuanqu and a Core Formation elder of the Heavenly Frost Sect.

Naturally, he had his own relationships and social connections.

“Oh? Have they attempted to seize any of our assets?” Fang Qing asked casually.

“Nothing of the sort. That Sect Master is a clever man. He only seeks mutual benefit.”

Zhong Lingxiu smiled.

“After all, I am still a Core Formation cultivator with some standing within the sect.”

“Then there is no issue. Handle it as you see fit.”

If Zhong Lingxiu could leverage Yuanqu's influence to strengthen the Zhong Alliance, Fang Qing had no objections.

He inspected the various spiritual herbs needed to refine the Profound Star Cascade Pill and nodded inwardly.

‘Combined with my own reserves and that stalk of Peng Transformation Grass, the ingredients are complete.’

‘This pill is merely a third-rank mid-grade medicine. With my current upper-grade third-rank attainment in water-method alchemy, succeeding in a single attempt should be no problem.’

‘Rather, my cultivation remains somewhat short of reaching perfection in the early Core Formation stage.’

“This cave dwelling is excellent. I will cultivate here for some time.”

He turned to Zhong Lingxiu.

“Yes, Young Master.”

Zhong Lingxiu immediately understood the implication.

“I will move out at once. To the outside world, I shall say I have left on official business.”

“Mm. Also, gather information regarding nearby third-rank spirit springs, especially any unusual spirit spring treasures above the third rank.”

“As for something like a Spirit Spring Eye, there is no need.”

Among the treasures produced by spirit springs in the Qi Refining world, the most common was the Spirit Spring Eye.

Placed within a cave dwelling, it could increase the concentration of spiritual qi. Even high-level cultivators coveted such treasures.

However, Fang Qing had already tested them before.

They were useless for breaking through to Purple Mansion.

After thinking for a moment, Zhong Lingxiu spoke.

“Young Master, according to the intelligence we have gathered, ordinary third-rank spirit spring treasures will likely be insufficient for your needs.”

“Only treasures produced by fourth-rank spirit springs might have a chance.”

“Recently, I heard that Tianquan Island was caught in a war between Blood Fiend Island and the Profound Center Sect. The bloodfiend qi polluted both the earth veins and water veins there.”

“As a result, the island's fourth-rank spirit spring was damaged. They are currently recruiting geomancers and array masters from various regions to repair it.”

“A fourth-rank spirit spring is a natural treasure of heaven and earth. If it has been damaged, there is indeed a chance that one or two spirit spring treasures could be extracted from it.”

Fang Qing's expression shifted slightly.

“But in that case, the spirit spring itself would be ruined.”

He shook his head.

“Very well. I will go take a look when the time comes.”

After dismissing Zhong Lingxiu, Fang Qing sat down cross-legged.

The Dao-Genesis Pearl spun gently within his body.

The Dao Foundation of the Qi Ingestion path, the Sharp Edge Chapter, instantly transformed into an incomparably profound essence of primordial intensity and was absorbed into the interior of the Dao-Genesis Pearl.

At the same time, the true core mana he had stored from the Qi Refining path was released in exchange, condensing into a pitch-black true core.

It was none other than the true core of the Devouring Sea Art!

As the superior cultivation method to the Blue Sea Technique, it had already been chosen by Fang Qing as his primary technique.

As for the Blue Sea Technique, it served merely as a disguise for everyday use.

As Fang Qing circulated the technique, streams of heaven earth spiritual qi were drawn into his body, coursing through his meridians in great cycles before finally descending into his dantian and transforming into true core power.

Dark, baleful mist emerged around him, condensing into a mysterious black aura.

Within the swirling haze, countless ferocious beasts roamed and roared.

Besides the Blood Sea Sharks, there were also phantoms of dugongs, sea serpents, giant turtles, and other demon beasts.

Every one of them had once been third-rank or higher, demon kings that ruled over entire regions. Yet now they had been refined into a single whole, moving entirely according to Fang Qing's will.

‘If I fight in the future, the visual effects of the Devouring Sea Art alone would be enough to terrify ordinary Core Formation cultivators to death.’

‘Its refinement and utilization of soul essence far surpass even the Ten Thousand Souls Banner!’

A thought stirred in Fang Qing's mind as his hands formed seals.

Within his dantian, the Devouring Sea Bottle, already refined to the limits of a low-grade dharma treasure, flashed with light and spat out a Fish Hawk Beast demon core.

The Fish Hawk Beast soul within this essence core had long ago been cleansed by the Devouring Sea Bottle until it had become dull and vacant.

Without the slightest ability to resist, it was swallowed by the pitch-black true core of the Devouring Sea Art.

Then the entire demon core followed.

The black mist surrounding Fang Qing thickened, and within it another phantom gradually emerged, taking the shape of a Fish Hawk Beast.

Only after a long while did he open his eyes, a brilliant gleam flashing within them.

“After this, the demonic power of the Fish Hawk Beast race no longer poses any threat to me.”

“On the contrary, the true core power of the Devouring Sea Art is their natural bane.”

Sensing the progress of his true core cultivation, Fang Qing nodded in satisfaction.

‘Calculating the time, it has not even been ten years since I formed my core. During these years, I have never devoted myself entirely to secluded cultivation, yet I have already completed more than half of the early Core Formation stage.’

‘So this is the speed brought by improved aptitude, a top-tier cultivation method like the Devouring Sea Art, and an unlimited supply of resources?’

For ordinary Core Formation cultivators, reaching the bottleneck of the early stage might require decades or even centuries.

For Fang Qing, however, a few more third-rank water-aspect demon cores would likely be enough.

‘My progress is actually faster than it was during Foundation Establishment?’

‘The Eastern Sea cultivation world truly is rich in resources.’

‘The quality of my true core is extraordinarily high. That is equivalent to another increase in aptitude, reducing resource consumption while further increasing my cultivation speed.’

‘In that case, I need to refine that breakthrough pill as soon as possible.’

Fang Qing remained in seclusion for another half month, fully digesting the spiritual qi contained within the Fish Hawk Beast demon core before leisurely emerging.

While cultivating, he had occasionally used the Dao-Genesis Pearl to observe the situation in the Qi Ingestion world.

The Eastern Waters region remained as rainy as ever.

Ever since the Bai Family's ancestral lands had transformed into a land of calamity, even cultivators had become reluctant to travel there.

Meanwhile, Sangji continued leading the White Bone Dao in campaigns across the region, suffering heavy casualties. None of this surprised Fang Qing.

Until the Three Sects and Four Great Families were completely destroyed, the Dharma Kings of the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain clearly had no intention of launching a direct assault on the Blissful Union Sect.

‘As expected of a Golden Core force. Their foundation truly is impressive.’

‘Cultivator wars are clearly measured in years.’

‘The Blissful Union Sect seems determined to stall for time. There might actually be a good show ahead.’

To watch a conflict at this level without getting killed, ordinary pawns were no longer sufficient.

Even if Fang Qing wanted to observe, he would likely have to borrow Sangji's eyes.

And even this top enforcer of his could end up dying.

Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do about it.

‘If Sangji falls in battle... I'll have no choice but to head east into the territory of the Supreme Unity Mysterious Gate and start over under a new identity.’

‘At least until the struggle with the Blissful Union Sect is over, it's best not to return to the Qi Ingestion world.’

‘As long as I remain firmly hidden in the Qi Refining world, I will be untouchable.’

‘Even a True Lord won't be able to kill me.’

After emerging from seclusion, Fang Qing sought out Zhong Lingxiu.

“Does the market have any places for entertainment? Something like the Heavenly Feast Pavilion?”

As the local expert, Zhong Lingxiu naturally took it upon himself to guide Fang Qing through Yuanxin Market.

“After True Personage Tian Can passed away, there is now another notable figure in the area, Fairy Yuanbao.”

“She specializes in third-rank spirit cuisine and runs an establishment called the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.”

Zhong Lingxiu immediately led Fang Qing to a certain district within Yuanxin Market.

Seeing the pavilion filled with charming women and melodious laughter, Fang Qing's expression became somewhat strange.

He glanced sideways at Zhong Lingxiu.

“Old Zhong, I never expected you to be such a man.”

Zhong Lingxiu's expression remained perfectly calm.

“Young Master jests.”

“This place is genuinely famous for its spirit cuisine. These women merely provide entertainment during meals. They are an added bonus.”

Cultivators were like this.

Regardless of gender, they rarely bothered to conceal their desires.

Throughout the Eastern Sea cultivation world, there were countless stories of female Core Formation cultivators, and even Nascent Soul ancestors, maintaining vast harems and keeping thousands of handsome male attendants.

Of course, male cultivators did so even more frequently.

Yet there were also women like Wang Zixuan and Wang Ziqin, pure and untouchable fairy maidens. In many cases, such women were even more sought after by high-level male cultivators.

“Very well.”

“Then today, I shall broaden my horizons.”

Fang Qing laughed heartily and motioned for Zhong Lingxiu to lead the way.

The two entered the Hundred Flowers Pavilion side by side.

Just then, several Core Formation cultivators happened to walk out.

The two groups paused simultaneously.

‘Hm? It's actually him?’

The moment Fang Qing recognized the newcomer, a trace of surprise flickered through his eyes.