Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

Chapter 140: Selling Illicit Goods

Two months swiftly passed.

Fang Xi had settled comfortably into Baize Immortal City and become acquainted with his neighbors in Smokey Willow Lane.

Apart from Su Lie’s couple, he developed a decent relationship with another neighbor named ‘Grapevine Fairy’. She was at the seventh layer of Qi Refinement and a high-rank first-tier talisman master.

Living in Baize wasn’t easy!

Su Lie and his wife relied on his profound cultivation, venturing out daily to hunt mythical beasts in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.

The Grapevine Fairy, on the other hand, purchased paper talismans and ink, then crafted them into finished talismans for sale, earning through her hard work.

Rent in Baize Immortal City was exorbitant, requiring rogue cultivators to possess specific skilled trades to afford long-term residence.

If one’s proficiency in the hundred skills of cultivation was only low or mid-rank first-tier, without reaching Late Stage Qi Refinement, no one would even consider taking them along for dangerous hunts in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range!

Fortunately, Fang Xi didn’t face such challenges.

By subtly showcasing his exceptional pill concocting abilities, he quickly gained favor with the Grapevine Fairy, Su Lie, and others who were more than willing to befriend him.

After all, alchemists held a higher status within the hierarchy compared to talisman masters.

To cover his expenses openly, Fang Xi often procured medicinal ingredients, concocted pills, and sold them, satisfying his financial needs.

Additionally, he could also gather materials for his ‘Foundation Establishment Pill’.

“With a Core Formation patriarch guarding Baize Immortal City, combat is strictly prohibited… Moreover, being a hub for resources from three countries, it truly is an ideal place for cultivation…”

In the alchemy room, Fang Xi gazed at the Violet Jade Furnace before him, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

With a gentle tap of his hand, the furnace lid opened, and several medicinal pills flew out, landing in his grasp.

Pop!

One pill burst, turning to black ash instantly. Another displayed a faint gray streak on its surface, indicating it was an inferior-quality pill.

“This ‘Dragonification Pill’ is classified as high-rank first-tier, yet even among such pills, it’s notoriously difficult to concoct. For most ordinary pill masters, successfully producing two or three pills per batch would be considered exceptional craftsmanship.”

“In contrast, with my attempt, I’ve managed four genuine pills and one inferior-quality pill per batch. This places my skill near the peak of first-stage mastery, just lacking practice with tier-2 pill formulas…”

Fang Xi looked at the remaining Dragonification Pills, a subtle smile gracing his face.

He had obtained this Dragonification Pill formula from the Dragonfish Zhong Clan!

The main ingredient required a fifty-year-old ‘Dragon Transformation Ginseng’, which fortuitously existed in the medicinal herb field. The Plunderer Cultivator had uprooted it entirely, sealing it within a petroleum jade box.

Upon first seeing this ginseng, Fang Xi had cursed its wastefulness. If it were several hundred years old, he could have completed one of the auxiliary materials needed for his Foundation Establishment Pill.

“The Zhong Family’s ability to raise that little Azure Dragon relies solely on these ‘Dragonification Pills’!”

Holding the pills, he approached the pond in the courtyard.

Splash!

The Great Azure Fish, seemingly sensing something enticing, eagerly surfaced from the water.

“You’re good at nothing except eating!” Fang Xi glared furiously but still tossed a Dragonification Pill into the fish’s mouth. “I’ll give you another fifty years; if you can’t break through to tier-2 by then, prepare to die!”

This Great Azure Fish was incredibly lazy, and Fang Xi suspected it might deliberately delay breakthroughs until the very last moment.

However, it must be said, this is precisely how Xiu Mu ensures its survival.

If the fish were to breakthrough now, considering its innate talent with a trace of Dragonfish blood, there’s a chance it could form a nascent pearl…

And that would be the end of it…

Fang Xi needed monster cores to practice for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill!

After scolding his spirit pet, Fang Xi sat down on a stone stool in the courtyard, pouring himself a cup of spirit tea. “For the fifteen auxiliary ingredients of the Foundation Establishment Pill, I’ve already collected thirteen. Only two remain: the two-hundred-year-old Dragon Transformation Ginseng and the Jade Spirit Solution!”

The Zhong Family’s medicinal herb fields likely did not contain any two-hundred-year-old Dragon Transformation Ginseng; otherwise, they would have already attempted to collaborate with others in Baize Immortal City for Foundation Establishment Pill refinement, aiming to produce another Foundation Establishment cultivator within their clan.

Fang Xi had visited various shops and inquired from neighbors, discovering that numerous Peak Qi Refinement cultivators were quietly gathering materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

To acquire all necessary auxiliary ingredients, one must constantly monitor major trading companies’ auctions and exchange events, or alternatively wait for the decennial grand auction held in Baize Immortal City.

Although rare, the two-hundred-year-old Dragon Transformation Ginseng and Jade Spirit Solution occasionally appeared at these large-scale auctions.

Even more so, during the once-a-decade grand auction, Foundation Establishment Pills themselves might occasionally surface, making it certain that both of these spirit medicines would be available!

“The next grand auction is in three years, by then I’ll be fifty-six… Well, never mind, just three years, I can certainly afford to wait!”

“In the meantime, I should visit other trading companies frequently; who knows, I might find them sooner!”

Having decided to refine his own Foundation Establishment Pill, Fang Xi needed significantly larger quantities of auxiliary materials compared to others. Conservatively, he aimed to prepare ten sets or more.

Of course, some ingredients might not require a full set, such as the Jade Spirit Solution. Only a few drops are needed per batch for its catalytic properties, hence a small bottle would suffice…

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“Is it time now?”

Fang Xi silently flew out of Baize Immortal City and upon his return, transformed into a long-bearded Daoist clad in Qingyi robes.

“The city entrance fee is one spirit stone. May I ask for your esteemed name, Daoist friend?” The gatekeeper spirit, seeing no long-term rental talisman presented, asked as part of routine procedure.

Additionally, he gave this Daoist an extra glance.

After all, reaching Peak Qi Refinement made one notable even within Baize Immortal City.

“I am… Daoist Mu!” Fang Xi, with hands concealed inside his wide sleeves, coolly provided his assumed name.

Moments later, holding a second identity token, he entered Baize Immortal City under his new guise.

By altering his appearance and re-entering the city, Fang Xi aimed to establish an alternate persona. With a Martial God’s control over his body, encountering challenges below Foundation Establishment level should not pose significant issues.

Creating the alias “Daoist Mu” was naturally intended for selling illicit goods. Furthermore, using such aliases would be ideal even when participating in future auctions.

Fang Xi entered the Outer City with ease, heading directly towards a magical artifact shop.

He had meticulously researched beforehand; this shop was backed by a Foundation Establishment clan from the Wood Nation, known to have little connection with Yue Kingdom’s cultivators.

The items he intended to sell were naturally all stolen goods.

For instance, some of the magical artifacts acquired during his time as the silver-armored figure over thirty years ago, and more recently, useless resources plundered from the Dragonfish Zhong Family.

Indeed, recent news confirmed that the Thirty-Six Islands Alliance achieved a decisive victory, annihilating the Dragonfish Zhong Family.

The Zhong Family’s reinforcements retreated midway, effectively acknowledging the Thirty-Six Islands Alliance’s dominance over Wan Island Lake.

As a result of this battle, the Taishu Sect and other top factions suffered heavy losses, leaving them no choice but to lie low and recover their strength.

Wan Island Lake entered a period of relative calm.

However, Fang Xi knew well that this was far from the end, merely the beginning!

It seemed likely that control over Wan Island Lake’s resources had fallen into the hands of demonic cultivators, orchestrated by none other than the Situ Clan!

‘Sneakily reporting this won’t benefit me much… Besides, it’s too easy to get caught…’

‘Best to wait until after reaching Foundation Establishment when I have more capabilities…’

With these thoughts, Fang Xi entered a shop, where a greeter promptly approached with a welcoming smile. “Greetings, esteemed guest! What type of magical artifacts do you seek?”

“Does your esteemed establishment purchase second-hand magical artifacts?” Fang Xi’s gaunt Daoist face broke into a grin, resembling a withered tree blooming anew, which looked somewhat eerie.

“Certainly, we do.” The greeter’s smile remained unchanged.

“The quantity I have is quite substantial; please fetch the shopkeeper…”

Fang Xi had been holding onto his first batch of goods for over thirty years, and given the recent demise of the Zhong Family, they were now safe to surface without raising suspicion. However, out of caution, it was still best to discreetly offload them.

He possessed immense patience, willing to quietly sell the stolen items over several years.

After about an hour, the shopkeeper, beaming widely, escorted Fang Xi out of the store.

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“Fellow Daoist Fang, you’re back!”

As Fang Xi returned to Smokey Willow Lane, he encountered a graceful beauty dressed in a green ruqun attire, exuding an elegant demeanor.

She appeared to be in her late twenties or early thirties, with an oval-shaped face and a gentle air reminiscent of a refined noblewoman.

“Grapevine Fairy!” He nodded in greeting. “Yes… I was out purchasing alchemy materials.”

“Ah, I truly envy you, Fellow Daoist, for mastering the Pill Concocting Technique… Unlike me, I can only draw talismans day after day just to make ends meet… My talisman brush is practically worn down to stubble… yet barely earning any spirit stones; even affording rent becomes difficult,” Grapevine Fairy lamented somewhat sorrowfully.

“Uh…”

Fang Xi found himself momentarily at a loss for words.

Was she implying that he should buy her a high-grade talisman brush? Or perhaps cover her rent, or maybe even… suggest living together?

‘No, cultivators have numerous peculiar powers and secret techniques. I mustn’t inadvertently fall prey to them…’

Fang Xi briefly glanced at her curvaceous figure, smiled, and retreated to his courtyard, closing the door behind him.

“Tsk… just another one with desires but no courage.” The Grapevine Fairy returned to her immortal’s cave, muttering under her breath.

In her past, she had gained prominence through cultivating charm techniques, fully understanding what men desired. However, due to powerful enemies later on, she was forced to flee for refuge in Baize Immortal City, adopting talisman crafting as her livelihood while discreetly engaging in other side ventures.

Initially, seeing Fang Xi’s decent appearance, she thought he might be a promising new client. Yet unexpectedly, he turned out to be so timid!

The next day,

Fang Xi visited Su Lie and his wife, bearing a bottle of casually concocted medicinal pills as a gift. After some casual conversation, he subtly began probing about the Grapevine Fairy’s background.

“She isn’t a proper female cultivator; you must be cautious, Fellow Daoist. Rumor has it, many male cultivators in the Outer City have fought over her, even leading to duels outside the city walls!” Upon receiving the spirit pills, Jin Ling initially wore a broad smile, but his expression chilled when mentioning the Grapevine Fairy.

“I see, thank you for letting me know…”

Fang Xi felt slightly disappointed inwardly. It seemed there wasn’t much issue with purchasing one, and he certainly could afford a talisman brush…

After selling his goods thus far, his bag of holding now held over five thousand spirit stones, enough to potentially bid on a Foundation Establishment Pill.

However, it wasn’t appropriate to continue this conversation further, so they shifted their talk to discussing various aspects of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.

“Making a living within the Myriad Beasts Mountains is no easy task… Even seemingly ordinary groups of first-rank mythical beasts may hide tier-2 Beast Kings behind them…” Su Lie expressed with deep sentiment, “Last year, I heard about a Foundation Establishment cultivator who, while pursuing a suspected tier-2 spirit beast with a nascent pearl, inadvertently entered the territory of two ‘Thunderhorn Pythons’ equivalent to Late Foundation Establishment stage. He returned gravely injured and barely managed to arrange his final affairs before passing away… Ah, if even great Foundation Establishment cultivators face such risks, how challenging must it be for rogue cultivators like us to obtain tier-2 nascent pearls!”