Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

Chapter 130: Shift in Offensive and Defensive Positions

Several days later.

Representatives from the Zhong Family arrived for negotiations.

Peach Blossom Island was adorned with vibrant blossoms, creating a picturesque scene filled with hues of purple and red - truly captivating.

“Zhong Wangu, securing allegiance from Peach Blossom Island’s three Late Stage Qi Refinement cultivators is indeed a significant accomplishment…”

An elderly cultivator remarked to Zhong Wangu.

This old cultivator, frail yet dignified, wore a dark black flying fish mage robe, boasting a remarkable cultivation base at the Late Stage Qi Refinement!

They were part of the entourage accompanying the family patriarch, Zhong Tianchou, and had been lodged in the Guests’ Courtyard.

In cultivator clans, the patriarch typically holds limited power, acting more akin to a chief steward. The role is often entrusted to cultivators who may not possess exceptional aptitude but excel in managing administrative tasks.

Zhong Tianchou, with his cultivation base at the ninth level of Qi Refinement, was considered quite accomplished.

Moreover, as the Zhong Family Patriarch himself made this visit, it underscored their high regard for Peach Blossom Island.

“I hope everything goes smoothly this time…” Zhong Wangu’s expression turned slightly somber.

His early experiences as a host during youth had exposed him to various facets of life, teaching him that many situations are seldom as straightforward as they appear.

Suddenly, the formation roared to life, trapping their entire group within its confines.

“Not good!” Zhong Wangu instinctively activated a defensive magical artifact. “Peach Blossom Island seems to harbor ill intentions this time!”

The courtyard gate opened, and Fang Xi emerged, wielding the Qinghe Sword.

“Life seldom lets us meet; we drift like stars apart…” His cold gaze swept over the crowd, momentarily lingering on Zhong Wangu before his Qinghe Sword transformed into a streak of emerald light, resembling a jade dragon as it shot forth. With a swift arc, the sword engulfed one of the Zhong Family cultivators…

“How audacious!” Zhong Wangu bellowed, launching five scarlet medicinal pills into the air, which detonated upon striking the Qing Yuan Shield.

The ground trembled amidst swirling smoke. Amidst the chaos, Fang Xi emerged as a shadow, the Qinghe Sword swiftly slicing through Zhong Wangu’s neck.

“Hah… I cannot…”

Blood bubbled from the corner of Zhong Wangu’s mouth as he clutched at his throat and crumpled to the ground.

“He’s Late Stage Qi Refinement!”

“With high-grade magical artifacts for both flying sword and shield!”

“Quick, let’s retreat!”

---

The remaining Zhong Family cultivators in the courtyard erupted with furious roars, but soon their voices fell silent.

Fang Xi emerged from amidst them, wiping his Qinghe Sword clean.

Outside, Lu Guo gazed at the scattered corpses on the ground and suddenly felt an intense chill creeping over him…

Boom!

In the distance, the Water-Moon Grand Formation activated with full force, enveloping the entire honor guard station under a lunar glow.

Dimly from within, sounds of explosions echoed alongside a man’s enraged shouts: “Peach Blossom Island is courting its own demise…”

“That’s the Zhong Family Patriarch!” whispered a nearby Qi Refinement cultivator softly.

This individual was a cultivator from Black Sand Island’s Mo Clan, sent as reinforcement. He appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen years old, yet already possessed a cultivation base at the third level of Qi Refining.

More importantly, Fang Xi sensed something familiar about this young man!

“Don’t worry, the Island Lord is a great perfection cultivator, aided by both a powerful formation and his Late Stage Qi Refinement disciple. They can surely handle it…” Fang Xi responded casually before asking, “Who might you be?”

“Mo Xiaoyao, pleased to meet you, Senior!” Mo Xiaoyao hastily bowed, showing utmost respect.

“Mo Xiaoyao? A fine name indeed…” A hint of smile played on Fang Xi’s lips as he suddenly realized the source of familiarity. “How are you related to Mo Qingyi?”

“He is my grandfather!” Mo Xiaoyao hesitated briefly but quickly replied.

His grandfather was merely a mortal, living and struggling amidst hardships in the Treasure Ship Market. He had married multiple ordinary women, ensuring a continuous lineage of descendants.

Eventually, among his grandchildren, they discovered Mo Xiaoyao with spiritual roots, bringing immense joy. Subsequently, significant resources were invested in his cultivation, leading to his current cultivation base.

However, tragedy struck when the Moraxi Mo Clan on Black Sand Island was annihilated. The new patriarch rebuilt the clan, calling upon various branches to return and granting them direct lineage status.

Despite being bedridden by illness at the time, Mo Qingyi decided to risk everything for the family’s survival. Thus, he entrusted Mo Xiaoyao to lead their kin back and reestablish the Moraxi Mo Clan on Black Sand Island!

“Senior… could it be that you knew my grandfather?” Mo Xiaoyao asked, visibly excited.

If this Late Stage Qi Refinement expert had connections to his family, it could significantly enhance Mo Xiaoyao’s standing within the Moraxi Mo Clan on Black Sand Island.

After all, currently, no member of the Mo Clan held a Late Stage Qi Refinement cultivation base!

“I visited the market once; we did have a brief encounter,” Fang Xi reflected, gazing at Mo Xiaoyao, who bore a striking resemblance to Mo Qingyi.

The idea of mortals placing their hopes for longevity through bloodline succession seemed somewhat commendable now.

Suddenly, another deafening sound echoed nearby. Amidst intense magical spiritual light, the entire honor guard station collapsed explosively!

As the large array dissipated and the illusion of Water Moon vanished, a figure stumbled out - it was Ruan Dan!

“The Island Lord commands: Seal the entire island!”

Ruan Dan’s chest bore a bloody patch, clearly indicating severe injuries. Yet, she exuded satisfaction from avenging her enemy, declaring, “The Zhong Family Patriarch is dead!”

It had undoubtedly been the Zhong Family who orchestrated the silver-armored figure’s attack on Peach Blossom Island years ago.

This act served as partial retribution for losing her arm!

“Yes, ma’am!” The crowd responded promptly, swiftly returning to their positions.

Fang Xi nodded towards Ruan Dan before heading back to Jade Cliff.

Splash!

Just then, a green silhouette emerged from the lake surface, continuously spitting bubbles - it was the terrified Great Azure Fish, its eyes rolling with fright!

Through divine sense communication, it conveyed simple messages:

“Has there been a confrontation between powerful cultivators near Peach Blossom Island? Everything seems tumultuous?”

“As I suspected, the Zhong Family wouldn’t fully trust Peach Blossom Island outright. The patriarch might have just been a decoy, likely accompanied by hidden Foundation Establishment cultivators!”

Fang Xi immediately descended into the Little Cloudrain Array and activated it at full strength. He then retreated into the underground stone cave.

“The Little Cloudrain Array may not withstand a scan by a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s divine sense…”

“But if any such scan passes over the stone cave, I will certainly detect it.”

Beneath the Demon Tree, Fang Xi sat cross-legged, quietly awaiting the outcome.

---

Three days later.

A shocking news spread rapidly throughout Wan Island Lake!

The Zhong Family Patriarch, Zhong Tianchou, was killed by the Peach Blossom Island Lord!

Rumors claimed that the Peach Blossom Island Lord demonstrated both courage and cunning, employing a feigned surrender strategy to effortlessly trap Zhong Tianchou to his demise!

In secret, even more outrageous speculations circulated, covering a wide range of possibilities.

Some suggested Zhong Tianchou fell for a beauty trap, while others claimed Peach Blossom Island genuinely intended to surrender but were preemptively discovered by the Three Upper Families.

Among the most exaggerated rumors was that the Zhong Family had been well-prepared, with two hidden Foundation Establishment patriarchs present, aiming to annihilate Peach Blossom Island in one decisive strike.

However, unexpectedly, during the critical moment, the Thirty-Six Islands Alliance’s Foundation Establishment benefactor - Loose Cultivator Ye - intervened!

Previously known only as an early Foundation Establishment cultivator and rarely seen in public, Loose Cultivator Ye surprisingly revealed a cultivation base elevated to Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment, overpowering both Zhong Family patriarchs decisively!

After a fierce battle, realizing they could not gain any advantage, the two Zhong Family patriarchs reluctantly retreated.

---

“After this battle, the Thirty-Six Islands Alliance’s reputation has greatly soared. It seems they’ve effectively shaken off the setbacks from the Spirit Hollow Market attack and Yu Lingzi’s death…” At Jade Cliff, Lu Guo stood before Fang Xi, summarizing the situation.

“Yes… I didn’t expect Loose Cultivator Ye, supposedly just a hired retainer, to actually intervene and reveal he had secretly advanced to Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment!” Fang Xi echoed with admiration.

While only a small step separates Early-Stage Foundation Establishment from Mid-Stage, it translates into the ability to defeat two or even three early stage opponents! A mid-stage cultivator facing initial stage cultivators can truly dominate them with overwhelming power.

As a result, not only did the Zhong Family’s two early Foundation Establishment patriarchs suffer defeat and flee, but their vital energies may have been significantly weakened as well.

“Hmph, I suspect Loose Cultivator Ye also had his own motives; otherwise, why would he let Yu Lingzi die without intervening earlier? He only stepped in at the critical moment to turn the tide!” Wei Yixi chimed in indignantly, overhearing their conversation.

“Yixi?!” Fang Xi glared sharply at his wayward niece. “Discussing the private affairs of great Foundation Establishment cultivators? If overheard, nine lives wouldn’t be enough for your demise!”

“Uncle, I was just sharing privately,” Wei Yixi stuck out her tongue. “Sister Ruan Dan told me that this ‘Loose Cultivator Ye’ might not want other Foundation Establishment cultivators sharing the tributes from the Thirty-Six Islands…”

“You still dare to continue?” Fang Xi feigned a strike, finally scaring Wei Yixi into silence.

He turned to Lu Guo. “Go on…”

“Afterwards, taking advantage of the chaos caused by the Zhong Family losing their patriarch, the Thirty-Six Islands Alliance launched a counteroffensive. It’s rumored they swiftly reclaimed Spirit Hollow Island, a tier-2 spiritual vein territory, and even pushed deep into the former Zhong Family lake domain…

“The rogue cultivators from Peach Blossom Island were also drawn in, joining the Thirty-Six Islands Alliance. Some even began rallying cries to attack Dragonfish Island!”

Lu Guo couldn’t quite grasp his feelings about this turn of events.

The shifting dynamics of the cultivation world seemed truly rapid.

Just moments ago, the Thirty-Six Islands Alliance appeared precarious, yet now they were achieving victory after victory.

Dragonfish Island was the stronghold of the Dragonfish Zhong Clan, housing millions of mortals and boasting a high-grade tier-2 spiritual vein!

Considering the extensive effort invested over generations to construct Peach Blossom Island’s protective barrier, with a Foundation Establishment cultivator guarding it, even late-stage Foundation Establishment opponents would find it difficult to breach.

Fang Xi found this slogan rather amusing and somewhat speechless.

‘However, has the hidden faction connected to Ruan Xingling made their move during these events?’

Fang Xi was aware of the recent battles involving Foundation Establishment cultivators near Peach Blossom Island, which the Great Azure Fish had witnessed firsthand!

‘To face two adversaries at once and even injure both, aside from being Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment… could Loose Cultivator Ye have received assistance from another Foundation Establishment cultivator?’

‘I didn’t expect the tide of offense and defense to shift so dramatically within just a few years.’

This sudden change intrigued Fang Xi greatly. Indeed, given enough time, one can witness anything unfold.

Now, as the Thirty-Six Islands launched their counterattack, numerous rogue cultivators on Peach Blossom Island were enticed by the alliance’s high bounties and rewards, joining en masse. This led to a significant decrease in activity on the island.

Fang Xi couldn’t be happier; Peach Blossom Island became relatively safe in the rear, providing him ample opportunity to focus on his tree cultivation.

---

On this particular night,

hidden within the peach wood, A-1 spotted once again that faint streak of escaping light.

“I’m glad I didn’t recall A-1 and kept him on watch; it’s finally paying off.”

Fang Xi’s eyes lit up at Jade Cliff, immediately commanding his Black Feather Boat to fly out from the large formation.

He descended several miles away from Mirror Moon Lake, then cautiously approached using stealthy movement techniques.

Soon, he reached the peach blossom grove, suppressing his aura as he awaited the escape light to emerge…