Stealthily cultivating in the chaotic world of demons and martial artists

Chapter 85: Chapter 84 Ambush (Request for Monthly Ticket) _1 Chapter 85: Chapter 84 Ambush (Request for Monthly Ticket) _1 After leaving the auction, Fang Xi took several detours.

He then stealthily snuck out of the market, and after confirming that no one was following him, he changed back to his original appearance and returned to Dongfu No. 37 in Block B.

“This really is a nice place… It’s a shame I can’t stay much longer.”

Gazing at every plant and tree inside the Dongfu, and sensing the pure first-class spiritual energy around his body, Fang Xi couldn’t help but sigh to himself.

He had already processed his checkout, planning to leave at the end of this month.

After all, he was about to embark on a battle to cultivate trees!

“Anyone who stands in the way of my tree cultivation must die!”

A trace of coldness flickered in Fang Xi’s eyes as he began to check his equipment, subscribing to the notion that to do a good job, one must first sharpen one’s tools.

For defense, he had a middle-grade first-class ‘Green Turtle Shield,’ a Vajra Talisman for critical moments, and his own iron bones and True Gang, so there shouldn’t be any major issues.

Regarding offense, the Green Barley Sword was hardly worth mentioning. He could replace it with the newly purchased Extraterrestrial Meteoric Iron Sword, with the final Gold Dragon Sword and his Martial Arts cultivation as his trump cards.

The only issue was with movement, as the Black Cloud Cap was a bit too slow.

“Hmm… I can borrow twenty Spirit Stones from Xiumu tomorrow to buy a ‘Flying Heaven Talisman’ as a backup…”

It wasn’t that Fang Xi had run out of Spirit Stones.

If he were out of Spirit Stones, he’d just make a trip to Great Liang, where there were plenty of monster beasts.

Especially the eight Monster Kings, whose whereabouts were already well-known and who had not yet developed spiritual wisdom nor knew any Monster Skills—practically a giveaway.

Fang Xi wanted to foster a good relationship with Xiumu.

At the very least, after lending him the twenty Spirit Stones, the old Taoist would most likely not want him dead, for there would be no one to return his Spirit Stones!

“We’re in the same trench, brothers in arms, so it’s not excessive to borrow twenty Spirit Stones from him, right?”

“If worst comes to worst, when my farmland is a success, I could repay him with Spiritual Grains…”

After some contemplation, Fang Xi took out the box containing the ‘Little Cloud Rain Array’ and the jade slip, studying it carefully.

Half an hour later, he opened his eyes wearily, “I get it… but I still don’t know how!”

If that female Array Master was a top student, then undoubtedly, Fang Xi was a slack student in terms of Arrays!

The fake slack student: The top student shows you how to solve the problem, then you plug in the formula, calculate, and voila… I’ve learned it!

The real slack student: The top student shows you how to solve the problem, and I still freaking don’t get it!

Currently, Fang Xi was the real slack student!

Fortunately, the jade slip not only outlined the thought process for the ‘Little Cloud Rain Array,’ but also provided the answers!

Even a real slack student, by copying the answers, wouldn’t have much trouble!

“It feels like all my previous efforts have been wasted… I’m so silly, honestly, I shouldn’t have bothered learning about Arrays!”

“Next time I have a chance, I should learn to make Talismans instead!”

“Before, I didn’t have any other Cultivation Secret Skills. Now, even if I starve to death, I shouldn’t… never mind, let’s not jinx it.”

“Compared to studying Arrays, I should go and kill a few more monster beasts.”

Fang Xi took out the Extraterrestrial Meteoric Iron Sword from his Storage Bag and felt the weight of it making his entire arm much heavier.

This sword had a simple and elegant design, with an extremely sharp blade that felt warm to the touch, contrary to the expected chilliness.

What a pity that this meteorite iron truly couldn’t hold any Magic Power; otherwise, it would have been an exceptional material for forging magical artifacts!

This sword couldn’t be used for sword flying or remote manipulation and could only be handled directly for hacking and stabbing, quite unlike the style of an Immortal Cultivator. However, Fang Xi didn’t mind that.

Hu Hu!

Using his strong arms, he casually swung it a few times.

In the Dongfu, a gust of wind was stirred up immediately!

Crack!

A piece of green stone was smoothly split into two halves where the tip of the sword passed.

“What a sword! Just with this weight, it could smash someone to death.”

“A heavy sword with an edge, ingeniously crafted… I’ll name you Dark Iron Sword!”

Fang Xi swung the Dark Iron Sword a few more times and felt it was quite suitable indeed.

After some thought, he became a little excited, and with a soft shout, he channeled his True Gang into the Dark Iron Sword!

A miraculous scene unfolded!

Strands of Gang Qi spread across the Dark Iron Sword, giving the dull black weapon a surprising tinge of dark red!

Fang Xi flicked his finger, and the sword body buzzed with a sound that was profound and ancient.

At the tip of the sword, an abrupt three-inch red Gang Qi blade emerged, resembling a sword light!

This sword seemed to have no conflict with Gang Qi.

“Not bad at all… when the time comes, I’ll make sure Gang Qi fills my body first, then use the Dark Iron Sword augmented with Gang Qi. Best to wear full superior magical armor as well – I’ll be a walking fierce beast! One sword, one little friend!”

…

Several days later.

About ten miles away from Peach Blossom Island, on a hidden reef.

Several figures were sitting cross-legged, using a water mist to hide their presence.

“Ruan’s ‘Fog Hidden Talisman’ is truly marvelous. Today, that scoundrel Lu will undoubtedly be beheaded!”

Xiumu played with a strand of water mist, complimenting Ruan.

Wei Yixin and his wife Hua Chanjuan remained silent, simply checking their talismans and wiping their artifacts in quiet.

For them, this was a battle in which they had staked everything they owned; they couldn’t afford any mishaps.

Fang Xi wiped the Green Turtle Shield, pretending to be busy, and then looked up at the sky, “Are we sure the enemy will pass this way?”

He, in fact, didn’t like this kind of uncertain waiting.

If that Lu Jingqing were on the island, he’d be willing to try infiltrating and launching a surprise attack.

No!

Grandstanding with an impressive display of power was not Fang Xi’s style.

He preferred to disguise himself, stealthily inflict serious injuries on Lu Jingqing, and then let his own people effortlessly reap the rewards…

However, Ruan Xingling was convinced, and Xiumu and the others were unwilling to forcefully attack the array, opting for an ambush instead.

Ruan Xingling, who had been resting with her eyes closed, opened them and said, “That scoundrel Lu is escorting a batch of spiritual treasures to the Baochuan Market for sale before attending the auction, and he is now on his way back… I have his every move within my grasp.”

“Could this man receive advanced warning?” Fang Xi asked cautiously.

“No, very few know of my return, and those I have contacted have all promised to keep it a secret,” Ruan Xingling seemed confident in her plan.

Seeing this, Fang Xi didn’t feel it approprivate to say much more.

Otherwise, Wei Yixin and his wife would raise their eyebrows and glare all over again.

‘It’s just the fifth layer of Qi Refining, isn’t it? I might break through in a few days…’
Fang Xi drew the Green Barley Sword and carefully wiped it down.

Even though the sword was a lower-grade magical weapon and somewhat damaged, it encapsulated the lifetime of a Spirit Farmer.

It was much like the inheritance of the Spirit Plant Farmer from Jia Feicai.

Most individual cultivators in the Cultivation World died like stray dogs.

When Ruan Xingling saw the Green Barley Sword, she seemed to want to say something several times but forcibly held back.

She truly wanted to ask why, after borrowing twenty Spirit Stones from Xiumu, he didn’t buy a better magical weapon but instead purchased a ‘Flying Heaven Talisman’!

However, just like cultivation secret skills, the overall strength of magical weapons and talismans was a cultivator’s privacy, and it wasn’t really her place to ask.

Swoosh!

Just then, the sound of something tearing through the air resounded, and a Voice Transmission Talisman flew in!

Ruan Xingling caught it and joy appeared on her face, “That scoundrel Lu is about to arrive. There are five people in his party, one in the later stages of Qi Refining, and four in the middle stages of Qi Refining, including one of my own people!”

‘No wonder this woman has such a thorough grasp of the Lu Family’s every move, she had planted a mole?’
Wei Yixin and his wife as well as Xiumu all seemed to understand the situation clearly.

The five of them immediately perked up, gripping their magical weapons tightly.

Indeed, it wasn’t long before a small flying boat appeared from afar. With just a flash, it crossed a large distance and arrived above the reef.

“Attack!”

With a light shout from Ruan Xingling, she took the lead, and amidst the flickering pink light, a sword light soared into the sky.

Within the sword light was a blade etched with numerous talismanic scripts, without a hilt but flashing with a cold light—it was clearly a superior-grade magical weapon!

As Ruan Xingling made her move, Xiumu, Wei Yixin and his wife, and Fang Xi acted almost simultaneously.

Two flying knives, a dust-whisk, and the Green Barley Sword all soared into the air.

The five streaks of light surged forward, cutting off the flying boat’s escape.

“Humph, such audacity, to dare to ambush the Lu Family?”

Amid a cold huff, the flying boat suddenly vanished, and five cultivators materialized, with the leader being a middle-aged, stout man with a face full of purple Qi, exuding an air of unspoken authority.

Behind the middle-aged man was a woman in her thirties or forties, oozing charm, accompanied by three mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators.

“Lu Jingqing!”

Ruan Xingling, standing on a flower basket, flew up into the air and coldly declared, “Today is the day you will die!”

Snap!

As if Ruan Xingling’s words were a signal, the woman standing behind Lu Jingqing suddenly lashed out with her palm, striking Lu Jingqing in the back at a vital spot!

On her five fingers were starkly black rings, resembling some kind of mysterious magical artifact.

“Pfft!”

Taken by surprise, Lu Jingqing forcefully spat out a mouthful of blood, his face swelling red with anger as he looked at the swiftly escaping woman, “You wretch… How dare you?!”

“Humph, you slaughtered my Ruan Family’s cultivators and forcefully married me. I wish you were dead!”

The Ruan woman slapped a talisman onto her body, promptly conjuring a golden protective shield around herself.

Amidst the attack of her three former allies, she cursed while flying towards Ruan Xingling, “Little sister, save me!”

Unexpected changes arose!

Seeing this, joy spread across the faces of Wei Yixin and his wife.

With Lu Jingqing’s wife turning against him, victory was assured!

However, Fang Xi and Xiumu exchanged glances and silently took a step back.

They couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was a little too simple.

In the next instant, another twist occurred!

As the Ruan woman approached Ruan Xingling, the hand with the rings suddenly reached toward Ruan Xingling’s heart!

But Ruan Xingling, with an almost coquettish twist of her beautiful eyes, suddenly opened her cherry lips and a small white nail shot forth!

Puff!

This white nail was unmistakably a one-time use mid-grade magical weapon that exploded violently, shattering the golden shield.

The Ruan woman took the nail to her chest and her face twisted hideously, “You bitch… How did you find out?”

“You are from a collateral branch, I have never trusted you… Moreover, after marrying that man, you rose from the collateral branch to become the primary branch, taking control of the entire Peach Blossom Island. How could you possibly betray him over mere hatred? I was merely taking advantage of you, using you to get information on that scoundrel Lu…”

Ruan Xingling replied indifferently, her ordinarily plain face momentarily taking on a look of shrewd intelligence.

“Tao’er?”

Seeing this, the pallor on Lu Jingqing’s face faded, and his energy quickly recovered to the peak of the eighth layer of Qi Refining as he ferociously rushed forward!

His injury was indeed feigned!

Not only that, but accompanied by his howl came a hidden Escape Light, which turned into a dark-robed cultivator with a grim visage and surprisingly at the seventh layer of Qi Refining.

The dark-robed cultivator, wielding a small black flag, emitted an aura unlike that of a righteous person, and said to Lu Jingqing, who was hugging Tao’er and weeping, “We should have listened to me and killed this girl outright. Why go to all this trouble and even lose a wife…”