Chapter 242

Inside the merchant tower.

Shang Yuanxin gazed at the pill in his hand, his eyes filled with admiration.

“Exceptional quality indeed. Fellow Daoist Bai truly lives up to your reputation as a third-rank high-grade alchemy master.”

“Heh, you flatter me.”

Fang Qing sat across from him, lightly sipping spiritual tea while seemingly admiring the landscape painting hanging on the wall.

As one of the merchant tower's reception rooms, this quiet chamber was elegantly furnished. Beside the painting stood a jade vase holding several plum blossoms.

After a brief inspection, Fang Qing detected no fewer than five layers of restrictions, including soundproofing and divine sense isolation. The defensive measures were likewise quite impressive.

After appreciating the pill for a while longer, Shang Yuanxin smiled.

“Before anything else, allow me to congratulate you on obtaining your heart's desire. The merchant tower on Tianquan Island has sent word that they do indeed possess the spirit spring you seek, known as the ‘Clear Bright Spirit Spring.’”

Seeing that Fang Qing's expression remained unchanged, as though he had already expected this, Shang Yuanxin thought to himself, ‘This man hides his emotions well. He is quite shrewd.’

What he did not know was that after receiving the crucial clue from Shang Yuanxin, Fang Qing had already divined the matter himself.

Moreover, in the Qi Ingestion system, the Clear Bright Spirit Spring was known as the Jade Spirit Rhinoceros Rinse. It was one of the Purple Mansion spiritual objects suitable for cultivators who had perfected the [Ji Water] Dao Foundation to break through to Purple Mansion and refine their divine abilities.

‘As expected of the Eastern Sea cultivation world. Spiritual resources are truly abundant.’

‘A single discarded fourth-rank spirit spring can produce multiple Purple Mansion spiritual objects.’

Fang Qing sighed inwardly before asking seriously, “Is Tianquan Island willing to sell it?”

“The Clear Bright Spirit Spring is not only a top-tier water-aspect Core Formation spiritual object, it also has many wondrous uses. There are even rumors that Nascent Soul ancestors can use it to cultivate several powerful spells. Its value is extraordinary.”

Shang Yuanxin sighed softly, deliberately leaving room for negotiation.

“What about this? Would it suffice?”

Fang Qing smiled and casually placed a jade box upon the table.

Shang Yuanxin froze.

He truly had not expected this alchemy master to possess something valuable enough to rival the Clear Bright Spirit Spring.

But when he opened the box, he saw a fruit shaped like an infant, its entire surface covered in blood-red veins.

The moment the lid opened, a pair of blood-colored eyes glared outward with unmistakable resentment.

“This is... a Resentful Infant Fruit?”

For the first time, Shang Yuanxin lost his composure. He stared at the spiritual fruit with utter fascination, a trace of greed even surfacing on his face.

Snapping back to his senses, he quickly glanced around before rapidly forming hand seals. A transparent barrier rose around the room.

Only then did he look at Fang Qing with a complicated expression.

“Should I address you as Fellow Daoist Bai... or Fellow Daoist Fang?”

“Haha. I am Fang Shui. Greetings, Young Master Shang.”

Fang Qing resumed the appearance of Fang Shui. Even his mana fluctuations shifted accordingly as he offered a salute.

“Your transformation technique is truly unparalleled. Even I was deceived.”

Shang Yuanxin smiled bitterly.

“You hid yourself far too well.”

“After all, I've provoked Nascent Soul old monster. It's best to keep a low profile.”

Fang Qing waved his hand dismissively.

“Tell me, can this Resentful Infant Fruit be exchanged for the Clear Bright Spirit Spring?”

He possessed many treasures, but among those valuable enough in the Qi Refining system and that he was willing to part with, only the Resentful Infant Fruit qualified.

Although this fruit represented an opportunity to form a Nascent Soul, the hidden dangers were too great and the success rate too low. Fang Qing would never use it himself.

Its only remaining purpose was naturally to trade it away.

The Shang Family was an excellent channel for disposing of such goods.

As for converting a Core Formation perfection cultivator and having them use this fruit to attempt Nascent Soul?

Fang Qing himself could not defeat a Core Formation perfection cultivator. How could he possibly convert one?

As for convincing someone voluntarily?

That was even more unrealistic.

If he used the Resentful Infant Fruit as temptation, the other party's first reaction would certainly be to seize it by force rather than submit.

‘Even if I truly wanted to cultivate a Nascent Soul subordinate, the Resentful Infant Fruit alone would not be enough.’

‘I would still need to prepare tribulation treasures and heart demon treasures.’

‘Investing so many resources into someone else just to gain a Nascent Soul subordinate?’

‘Why not use them on myself instead?’

“Enough. More than enough!”

Shang Yuanxin nodded repeatedly.

For a moment, even he struggled to suppress the greed in his heart.

If the person before him had been the previous Guest Elder Bai rather than Fang Shui, he was not certain he could have resisted the temptation.

But recalling Fang Shui's achievements, escaping unharmed from a Core Formation perfection cultivator within a quasi-fourth-rank formation and toying with a mid-stage Nascent Soul expert, Shang Yuanxin quickly calmed himself.

The formation protecting Yuanxin Market was comparable to the quasi-fourth-rank formation at Ice Heaven Market. Even at full power, it would never be able to hold this man.

Moreover, offending a cultivator with a Void Spiritual Root was no trivial matter. If Fang Shui formed his Nascent Soul in the future and his void divine abilities became even stronger, he would become impossible to guard against.

At that point, even Shang Clan Island might not be enough to deter him.

‘Since I've already invested in him, I must see it through properly.’

‘Besides, I want both this favor and this Nascent Soul opportunity.’

Countless thoughts flashed through Shang Yuanxin's mind before he chose to speak honestly.

“Fellow Daoist... do you require only the Clear Bright Spirit Spring?”

“Exactly.”

Fang Qing immediately understood his meaning. He withdrew the jade box containing the Resentful Infant Fruit.

“Whoever obtains the Clear Bright Spirit Spring for me shall have the opportunity to trade for this chance to form a Nascent Soul.”

“Very well. Then I shall not trouble you further.”

Shang Yuanxin gritted his teeth.

Even if his personal wealth was insufficient, he could borrow from the family, mobilize his status as the Shang Family's young master, call in favors, and utilize his connections.

No matter the cost, he had to secure a portion of the Clear Bright Spirit Spring.

When the time came, not only would he obtain this Nascent Soul opportunity, he would also earn a tremendous favor from Fang Shui.

As for the hidden dangers of the Resentful Infant Fruit?

He could exchange for another Nascent Soul opportunity from the family treasury or use it to cultivate a subordinate instead.

For ordinary subordinates, perhaps not.

But Uncle Fu had followed him through life and death for many years. If Shang Yuanxin advanced to Nascent Soul in the future, he would certainly grant him a Nascent Soul opportunity.

“Excellent. Once you succeed, simply notify Zhong Lingxiu of the Zhong Alliance.”

Fang Qing smiled faintly.

“Oh? That Zhong Alliance?”

A strange light flashed through Shang Yuanxin's eyes.

‘It is a force I casually supported. I must trouble Fellow Daoist to look after it from time to time.’

Fang Qing cupped his hands in farewell. His figure stepped into the void and vanished instantly.

This...

The corners of Shang Yuanxin's eyes twitched.

‘His void-traversing divine ability has grown even stronger... Even if I summoned that old monster Yuanqu, could we truly capture him?’

‘This is a warning. At the same time, he left Zhong Lingxiu behind as a hostage. What a formidable Fang Shui!’

‘So meticulous, yet broad-minded enough to act with such confidence... Once he advances to Nascent Soul in the future, who could possibly restrain him?’

‘He disdains using flawed opportunities for Core Formation, which means he undoubtedly harbors far greater ambitions.’

‘Hahaha! The stronger he becomes, the stronger my future ally will be!’

Sea Serpent Island.

This island was not particularly famous within the Eastern Sea cultivation world. In fact, it was rather ordinary.

The island itself was small, possessing only a single second-rank spirit vein, which rarely attracted the attention of high-level cultivators.

Moreover, the island was inhabited by a species of mutated sea serpents.

The demonic qi of these serpents excelled at corrupting magical artifacts and spiritual artifacts while carrying potent venom. The key issue was that their flesh contained little spiritual qi and tasted terrible.

Even worse, the probability of a second-rank sea serpent producing a demon core was absurdly low compared to other second-rank demon beasts.

As a result, hunting sea serpents became a guaranteed loss for cultivators.

Over time, as long as the serpent demons did not harass the island's few cultivator settlements, no one bothered exterminating them.

Thus, an unusual balance formed across the island, where cultivators and demon beasts coexisted in relative harmony.

On this day...

Rumble!

The spiritual qi within a radius of dozens of li suddenly grew restless, gathering together to form a vast cloud.

“This...”

On the island, a Qi Refining cultivator found his spiritual power becoming difficult to control. Forced to descend from his artifact, he stared toward the distant vortex of spiritual qi.

“Core Formation... heavenly phenomena?”

“Why would anyone choose such a remote place to attempt Core Formation?”

“We should hurry over and pay our respects to the senior. Perhaps we can receive some rewards.”

A Foundation Establishment cultivator rose into the air, his eyes flickering with hidden thoughts.

“Let's all go offer our congratulations...”

“Indeed, indeed...”

“Let's go together.”

The nearby cultivators all agreed with cheerful smiles, though strange glints flashed in their eyes.

Clearly, how many spirit stones could they possibly gain from so-called congratulatory gifts?

What they truly wanted was to wait for the senior to fail his Core Formation attempt and die, allowing them to divide his entire fortune among themselves.

They might even deliberately create some disturbances to interfere with the breakthrough.

And if the other party succeeded in forming a Core Formation?

Then they were merely well-wishers who had come to offer congratulations. Besides, there was safety in numbers.

As long as the senior was not some bloodthirsty demonic cultivator, surely they would be in a good mood after successfully reaching Core Formation and would not bother attacking lower-level cultivators.

A group of Foundation Establishment cultivators flew toward the source of the heavenly phenomena and discovered a small mountain.

“This is Three Python Mountain. It has always been occupied by three second-rank serpent demons.”

After observing the area, one of the Foundation Establishment cultivators spoke.

“The spiritual qi here is decent, but it only reaches the upper grade of second-rank... Tsk tsk. Whoever is attempting Core Formation must be compensating for the lack of spiritual qi with a massive amount of spirit stones.”

All the Foundation Establishment cultivators felt their hearts stir.

‘A fat sheep...’

But at that moment, a great array rose into the sky.

Runes flowed across its surface while faint killing qi lingered within, clearly marking it as an extraordinary formation.

Beside the cave dwelling sat a second-rank Longevity Turtle.

The massive creature resembled a small hill as it fixed its wary gaze upon these uninvited guests.

“There is even a spirit beast guarding the area?”

“An upper-grade second-rank beast? No, a peak second-rank Longevity Turtle... With its defensive power, even a dharma treasure might not break through in a single strike.”

“With such defenses, even a Core Formation cultivator would need considerable time to overcome them.”

The Foundation Establishment cultivators exchanged glances, but none dared act.

If they attacked now and that spirit beast remembered them, matters would become troublesome if the senior successfully formed a Core Formation.

All they could do was wait and hope the breakthrough failed.

“Judging by the fluctuations in spiritual qi, the Core Formation process must have reached its most critical stage...”

An elderly cultivator stroked his beard and shook his head as though preparing to share some insight.

Suddenly, however, an icy Core Formation spiritual sense swept across the area.

“Heh heh... A bunch of cowardly thieves. It seems this lord will have to act personally!”

As the spiritual sense spread out, a streak of black light crashed fiercely into the formation, causing the Longevity Turtle within to let out a furious roar.

“A Core Formation cultivator?”

“This is bad. It seems to be Daoist Wuxin!”

Several female Foundation Establishment cultivators immediately turned and fled.

Daoist Wuxin was a notorious demonic Core Formation cultivator in the surrounding seas, infamous for his lustful nature.

Yet today, he had actually chosen to attack a fellow cultivator in the middle of a Core Formation breakthrough, revealing just how shamelessly he preyed upon the weak while fearing the strong.