Chapter 243

‘Choosing to form a Core Formation on some remote spirit island, with no disciples or followers standing guard. Only a single spirit beast by their side.’

‘Clearly, they have no backing. This is a heaven-sent opportunity for me.’

Daoist Wuxin was only at the early Core Formation stage. He wore a black robe, his complexion deathly pale, like a corpse that had not seen sunlight for years.

Back when he was at the Foundation Establishment realm, he had fallen into the demonic path and relied on devilish arts to force his way into Core Formation. As a result, he had remained trapped at the early Core Formation stage for the rest of his life.

Fortunately for him, Daoist Wuxin had never possessed any lofty aspirations toward the Great Dao. He cared only for indulgence and pleasure, keeping numerous wives and concubines while terrorizing the surrounding region.

Moreover, he never targeted other Core Formation cultivators. Instead, he particularly enjoyed bullying weaker cultivators, earning himself an infamous reputation throughout the nearby seas.

This time, he had come to Sea Serpent Island after becoming infatuated with the beauty of a Foundation Establishment female cultivator.

By sheer coincidence, he had stumbled upon these heavenly phenomena.

'Someone who hasn't completed Core Formation yet is the perfect prey. Even if they somehow succeed, my interference will ensure they can form, at best, a low-grade golden core. They won't even have time to refine a natal dharma treasure.'

'Nothing more than fish on the chopping block.'

Daoist Wuxin licked his lips before reluctantly taking out a silver talisman that shimmered with radiant light.

It was none other than a third-rank Barrier-Cracking Talisman.

The moment the talisman was activated, the winds and clouds shifted.

It transformed into a silver spear of light that struck the grand array.

Pop!

Under its influence, a gap immediately opened in the array.

Without hesitation, Daoist Wuxin summoned his pitch-black flying knife dharma treasure. Countless layers of dark light unfolded around him as protection while he charged straight into the array.

The moment his escape light entered, the opening behind him instantly sealed shut.

A third-rank Barrier-Cracking Talisman could not destroy a third-rank array. It could only temporarily open a passage.

If one barged inside only to discover a third-rank array master personally presiding over the array, it would be no different from walking into a death trap.

But now?

Daoist Wuxin was full of confidence.

“I refuse to believe a mere Longevity Turtle can also be a third-rank array master!”

Roar!

Sure enough, the Longevity Turtle could not actively control the formation array. The array merely operated automatically, rigid and mechanical, clearly lacking anyone to direct it.

The turtle let out an angry roar.

The green patterns across its shell intertwined, transforming into spheres of watery thunder that exploded in rapid succession.

“Hmph. Petty tricks!”

A peak second-rank Longevity Turtle might give Foundation Establishment cultivators a tremendous headache, but Daoist Wuxin had long since reached Core Formation.

The black flying knife that served as his natal dharma treasure flashed with light, transforming into a jet-black blade several zhang long that descended like a flood dragon.

After taking several strikes, the Longevity Turtle cried out in pain and retreated deeper into the cave dwelling.

“Hehe. It's all mine now.”

A trace of delight appeared on Daoist Wuxin's face as he prepared to charge into the cave dwelling.

Suddenly, his expression changed.

Streams of lightning and flame erupted from the entrance, forming yet another grand array.

“This is... a array hidden within a array?”

Daoist Wuxin's expression darkened.

He still possessed another third-rank Barrier-Cracking Talisman, but that one was reserved for saving his life.

Unless absolutely necessary, he did not want to use it.

Crackle!

At that moment, the Longevity Turtle opened its mouth and spat out a talisman.

The talisman was pitch-black, no larger than a palm, yet it radiated an unfathomable pressure.

Even the Longevity Turtle's demonic power rapidly declined before it barely managed to activate it.

It was a third-rank low-grade talisman.

Flames spread outward as lightning danced wildly, crashing directly into Daoist Wuxin's Core Formation protective barrier.

“How can this Longevity Turtle be so wealthy?”

“Could I have kicked an iron plate this time?”

Daoist Wuxin was blasted backward.

Then he saw it.

A pillar of light rose into the heavens, transforming into five-colored auspicious clouds.

It was the heavenly phenomenon signaling a successful Core Formation.

And the cloud continued expanding.

Three li.

Four li.

Five li.

Six li.

“A low-grade golden core was never going to stop this person. Even a mid-grade golden core cannot contain them...”

Daoist Wuxin stared blankly as the phenomenon surpassed six li and entered the domain of a high-grade golden core.

Only after reaching nine li did it finally come to a halt.

“A high-grade golden core?!”

His expression changed drastically, filled with both jealousy and despair.

But it was already too late.

Accompanied by a clear cry like that of a phoenix, the auspicious clouds transformed into dark thunderclouds as lightning raged across the sky.

A figure flew out from the cave dwelling.

She wore a flowing green robe with crimson cuffs.

It was none other than Zhan Hongxiu.

Ever since the battle at Tianquan Island, she had known her secrets had been exposed. There was a good chance that a group of old Nascent Soul monsters were searching for her.

She no longer dared continue wandering the Eastern Sea and could only find a remote location to quietly cultivate and attempt Core Formation.

Fortunately, her luck had been exceptional.

On a desolate island where she had taken temporary refuge, she discovered a fragment of Ten-Thousand-Year Hollow Azure.

Even consumed directly, this treasure could greatly enhance a cultivator's cultivation while refining their mana to an extraordinary degree.

With the help of half a piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Hollow Azure, along with a bit of good fortune, Zhan Hongxiu finally reached the peak of Foundation Establishment.

She had long possessed a Core Formation Pill, along with the supreme Core Formation spiritual treasure known as Hundred-Fold Qi Pill.

Combined with several secret techniques that Senior Turtle had taught her, she immediately began her attempt at Core Formation.

In the end, she succeeded in one stroke, using the Tortoise-Crane Longevity Art to condense a high-grade golden core.

Even within a Nascent Soul sect, she would qualify as one of the core seeds for future advancement.

“I didn't expect someone would still interfere...”

“An early Core Formation cultivator with a dharma treasure...”

“If my condition is too poor after surviving the lightning tribulation, I may not be able to keep him here.”

Her divine sense swept outward, instantly revealing everything.

When she looked toward Daoist Wuxin, her eyes carried unmistakable killing intent.

She formed a series of hand seals and summoned a turtle shell.

The tortoise shell rapidly expanded, hovering above her head. Ancient patterns covered its surface, carrying an indescribable profundity.

Bolts of heavenly lightning crashed down upon the shell one after another, yet each strike was effortlessly neutralized. Not a single ripple of residual force escaped.

The ninefold heavenly tribulation passed in the blink of an eye, so easily that it seemed almost unbelievable.

“What treasure is that? A tribulation-crossing treasure? A treasure capable of dispersing lightning tribulations?”

Daoist Wuxin's eyes widened in shock before realization suddenly dawned on him.

“A fourth-rank high-grade tortoise shell? It's you. The Foundation Establishment female cultivator wanted by Blood Fiend Island!”

“Hmph!”

Zhan Hongxiu let out a cold snort and raised her hand. Two dharma treasures she had acquired during one of her past adventures flew out.

Though they were not natal treasures, after being refined with true core power, they could still be used adequately.

As for exposing her identity, Zhan Hongxiu did not care in the slightest. After all, now that she had reached Core Formation, she had no intention of remaining on Sea Serpent Island.

‘Elder Turtle, what do you think of my actions this time?’

Out of habit, she asked inwardly, yet received no response.

A trace of sorrow flashed through her eyes. When she looked back at Daoist Wuxin, her gaze brimmed with killing intent.

...

Near Ice Heaven Island, within a temporary underwater cave dwelling.

Fang Qing sat cross-legged, one hand forming seals as he silently calculated karma.

“Oh? Zhan Hongxiu has formed her core?”

The path of divination was most wary of attempting to calculate high-level existences without cause or effect.

For example, trying to divine the whereabouts of Core Formation spiritual objects or tribulation-crossing treasures without any clues at all was like stumbling through total darkness.

But given even the slightest lead, causality was established, and the calculations became much simpler.

As for Zhan Hongxiu?

The karmic ties between her and Fang Qing ran far too deep. Moreover, he had long ago secretly obtained personal belongings from her, even her essence blood, to use as anchors for divination.

There was simply no way for her to escape his calculations.

He could even divine fragments of her current circumstances.

“It seems... that great opportunity related to the Zhoutian Palace is about to materialize.”

“A treasure land of that caliber should contain tribulation-crossing treasures and secret techniques, right?”

Divining Zhan Hongxiu's situation was merely incidental. His true focus remained on Shang Yuanxin.

Human hearts were unpredictable.

Yesterday, Shang Yuanxin might have been sincere about the trade. Today, he could have changed his mind and brought along a Nascent Soul old monster to ambush him.

If news spread that Fang Qing possessed the Resentful Infant Fruit, it would be enough to attract several Nascent Soul old monsters.

“Fortunately... Shang Yuanxin remains worthy of my trust.”

“The cultivators of the Eastern Sea cultivation world are, for the most part, still honest and simple folk.”

Fang Qing sighed with emotion as his divination reached its conclusion.

...

Zhong Alliance.

“Fellow Daoist Zhong, please inform Fellow Daoist Bai that Yuanxin has brought the goods he requested.”

Shang Yuanxin paid a visit, dismissing everyone else before transmitting the message with his divine sense.

“I've already arrived.”

Fang Qing's voice suddenly sounded.

The void parted like a curtain, revealing his figure.

“Fellow Daoist Fang...”

Shang Yuanxin rose in surprise.

“I thought you would choose to trade outside the island. That would have been the safest option.”

“Haha, I trust Fellow Daoist.”

Fang Qing laughed heartily.

In truth, if he had not performed several rounds of divination beforehand and repeatedly confirmed that everything would proceed safely, he would never have risked coming here in person.

“Please take a look.”

Seeing Zhong Lingxiu leave the room to activate the protective array outside, Shang Yuanxin no longer hesitated. He produced a jade bottle.

“This is the Clear Bright Spirit Spring.”

“Oh?”

Fang Qing felt a subtle attraction.

He accepted the jade bottle and looked inside.

Within it was a pool of spring water hidden among secluded valleys and emerald peaks, mysterious and profound like the spiritual resonance of a rhinoceros horn piercing hidden depths.

Its waters were crystal clear, flawless as glazed jade. They reflected the azure sky above and the lush green trees below.

The spring water possessed a translucent brilliance like polished jade. It nourished moss-covered stones, illuminated hidden ravines, enhanced emerald mountains, cleansed the dust from the heart, and awakened one's spiritual faculties.

“What exquisite Jade Spirit Rhinoceros Rinse water.”

He subtly converted a thread of his [Ji Water] mana to verify its authenticity.

After confirming it was genuine, he immediately tossed over a jade box.

Shang Yuanxin caught it and, upon seeing the Resentful Infant Fruit within, felt immense relief.

To purchase this Clear Bright Spirit Spring from Tianquan Island, he had exhausted his entire fortune and even borrowed heavily from his clan.

Had Fang Qing taken the spirit spring and fled, Shang Yuanxin would not merely have gone bankrupt. He would have been forced to withdraw from the competition for young master altogether.

Fortunately, this Fellow Daoist Fang Shui had proven true to his word and had not disappointed him.

“To be honest, the value of the Resentful Infant Fruit still exceeds that of the Clear Bright Spirit Spring. In this trade, Fellow Daoist has taken a loss.”

As Shang Yuanxin carefully stored away the Resentful Infant Fruit, he spoke with complete sincerity.

“The Resentful Infant Fruit carries too many hidden dangers. It is useless to me. Better to exchange it for something I can actually use.”

Fang Qing shook his head.

“Fellow Daoist truly aims high.”

Shang Yuanxin nodded.

He understood that this rare cultivator with an Void Spiritual Root had ambitions that extended far beyond early Nascent Soul.

He sought to become a mid-stage Nascent Soul hegemon, perhaps even a late-stage Nascent Soul great cultivator.

His heart stirred, and he produced a token.

“If Fellow Daoist is interested in Core Formation spiritual objects and tribulation-crossing treasures, then the Merchant Alliance's highest-level auction is something you cannot miss.”

“I happen to possess a Shang Clan token. It can serve as an entry pass to the top-tier auction. Consider it my gift to you.”

“Many thanks.”

Fang Qing accepted it without ceremony.

After sending a strand of mana into the token, he discovered a map and a date recorded within.

It marked the location and time of the next top-tier auction.

‘Only another ten years or so...’

A thought crossed his mind.

He looked at Shang Yuanxin with a faint smile.

“Although our trade was fair and honest, I still owe you a favor.”

“If you encounter difficulties in the future, you may ask me to act on your behalf once. As long as it does not violate my principles or endanger my life, I will agree.”

“When the time comes, contact me through the Zhong Alliance.”

“Many thanks, Fellow Daoist!”

Shang Yuanxin was overjoyed and immediately offered a deep bow.