Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

Chapter 149: Negotiations

“What… is happening here?”

In the southern wilderness’s cultivation world, within his underground immortal’s cave, Fang Xi sat cross-legged.

Through the Bronze Mirror, his divine sense observed a different perspective.

The sound of flowing water echoed, shimmering ripples danced…

Cobblestones lined the creek bed, surrounded by lush aquatic plants, with fish and shrimp darting about…

As he extended his divine sense further, Fang Xi realized its reach was unexpectedly limited.

“After reaching Foundation Establishment, my divine sense should cover a radius of fifty meters. Why here, does it only extend to five meters?”

He felt puzzled.

It seemed that traversing worlds, or rather, the energy drain from bridging two realms severely suppressed his divine sense on the other side!

“Wait, who is ‘I’ there?”

Scanning himself with divine sense, Fang Xi noticed half a fragment resembling a bronze mirror quietly resting at the riverbed.

The edges of this bronze mirror shard displayed jagged cracks, while faint inscriptions marred its surface, appearing rough and almost naturally formed.

“This fragment seems like part of the Bronze Mirror within my sea of consciousness?”

“Am I expanding my divine sense outward, centered around this fragment?”

“Oh no… I can only perceive but cannot move!”

“How can I retrieve this mirror piece?”

---

Fang Xi felt a headache coming on.

Maintaining this continuous divine sense connection also started to drain his energy gradually.

Thus, he withdrew his divine sense, severing the link with the Bronze Mirror fragment in that other world.

“So far… I’ve discovered that through the Bronze Mirror, I can establish contact with fragments from another realm and use those fragments as anchor points to extend my divine sense…”

“However, beyond this, it seems there’s nothing else I can do.”

“I certainly understand that the innate nature of the spirit treasure is urging me to reunite its scattered pieces, but how am I supposed to collect them all…? I can’t even physically cross over…”

Fang Xi was utterly speechless.

He had hoped that opening the door would reveal the Immortal Realm right before him, ensuring an abundance of cultivation techniques, treasures, and medicinal pills, effortlessly leading to his ascension and enlightenment!

And yet, this was what awaited him?

“This golden finger must be broken!”

“Forget it, I guess I’ll just go back and diligently work for another fifty years!”

---

In Bai Ze Immortal City’s Outer District, there stood Mingqing Pavilion.

Elegantly furnished, musicians were performing as Fang Xi entered.

“Qianbei, you…” A middle-aged woman approached, her eyes flickering with suspicion upon seeing Fang Xi. “Are you by any chance surnamed Fang?”

“Yes, indeed. Fellow Daoist Lu Zhi has reserved a private room, right? Please lead the way…” Fang Xi nodded and glanced at the middle-aged woman, adding, “Goddess Yunmeng, it’s been many years… Our initial acquaintance was largely thanks to Fellow Daoist Chen Ping’s introduction.”

“That’s true…” The beautiful woman, Goddess Yunmeng, showed a hint of unease on her face at the mention of Chen Ping.

She recalled how shortsighted they had been back then, expelling the now-great Foundation Establishment cultivator for their so-called esteemed guests. This memory left her anxious, fearing his potential retribution. Having failed her own attempt at reaching Foundation Establishment earlier, she was later assigned to manage family businesses and gradually lost influence within the clan core.

With a creak, the door to the private room opened, revealing several individuals inside.

Lu Zhi was present, accompanied by an elderly man with snow-white hair, gaunt like a skeleton, and a face marked with age spots. Despite his aged appearance, one could still discern traces of Chen Ping from years past.

Among them was a burly man clad in a violet robe, with a broad forehead and piercing eyes, exuding a formidable presence indicative of early Foundation Establishment cultivation.

Upon seeing Fang Xi, the violet-robed man smiled warmly. “Are you Fellow Daoist Fang Xi? I am Xu Shuolei, Retired Elder of the Verdant Xue Clan.”

“Greetings, Daoist Xu!”

As Fang Xi took his seat, he noticed Goddess Yunmeng preparing to leave. Quickly, he said, “This matter concerns you as well; please stay and join the conversation.”

Goddess Yunmeng shuddered delicately, casting a pleading glance towards her patriarch for help.

However, Xu Shuolei feigned ignorance. “Very well, Yun’er, remain here and serve tea…”

“Yes, sir!”

Goddess Yunmeng knelt gracefully beside the tea table, offered a bow, and began skillfully preparing tea with dainty hands…

A subtle aroma of tea filled the air…

Fang Xi first studied Goddess Yunmeng, then glanced at Lu Zhi, inwardly sighing with mixed emotions.

It was evident that Goddess Yunmeng had taken Age-Defying Pills or similar elixirs, maintaining her beauty despite being in her fifties or sixties.

In contrast, Lu Zhi clearly endured much hardship over the years.

The most pitiable, however, was Chen Ping seated nearby. Upon seeing Fang Xi, he choked back tears, unable to speak, his eyes brimming with emotion.

Sensing Chen Ping’s frail vitality, akin to a candle flickering in the wind, Fang Xi let out another sigh.

This sigh broke the silence within the private booth.

Xu Shuolei spoke firmly, “The Verdant Xue Clan has never engaged in kidnapping. Fellow Daoist Chen Ping was cordially invited as our guest elder, without any coercion or confinement… Isn’t that right, Fellow Daoist Chen?”

Startled, Chen Ping hastily nodded. “Yes, indeed…”

Fang Xi smiled slightly. “If it’s merely a misunderstanding, then all is well. However, Chen Ping is my childhood friend who wishes to spend his remaining years peacefully in Bai Ze Immortal City. What does the Xu Clan think about this?”

“The Xu Clan fully supports it!” Xu Shuolei declared emphatically. “In recognition of Fellow Daoist Chen Ping’s tireless service and contributions, we shall provide him with a residence in the Outer City for his retirement!”

“Since that’s settled, I have nothing more to add… But what about Goddess Yunmeng?” Fang Xi cautiously probed.

Xu Shuolei raised an eyebrow. “Yun’er has caused much offense; allow me to offer apologies on her behalf. The clan will impose severe punishment later and order her to compensate Fellow Daoist Chen Ping with a sum of spirit stones…”

“Fellow Daoist Xu handles matters justly and decisively, truly commendable…” With those words, Fang Xi bowed respectfully, ushered Lu Zhi and Chen Ping to their feet, and bid farewell to leave.

---

After the trio departed, Goddess Yunmeng anxiously turned to the patriarch. “Patriarch…”

“You wish to ask why I let Chen Ping go?” Xu Shuolei sipped his tea with a smile. “His usefulness has reached its end, and he only has about a month of longevity left. Would you have him die here, solidifying our reputation for mistreatment?”

Goddess Yunmeng suddenly understood. “So it’s all about maintaining our image, Patriarch?”

“Indeed, we are a righteous clan, and appearances matter greatly… Moreover, we’ve already taken precautions ensuring he can’t step beyond White Lake Immortal City or tarnish our name. Living under our roof means he remains under our surveillance, just in a different location. Additionally, his knowledge of paper talisman legacies will stay within our grasp… Now that a Foundation Establishment guest elder from Bai Ze Immortal City has interceded on his behalf, granting this favor seems appropriate.”

“Furthermore, his Daoist partner Lu Zhi is still firmly under our control. He wouldn’t dare cause any trouble, especially nearing his own demise… Unless he disregards her safety entirely!”

Foundation Establishment cultivators often serve as clan patriarchs and high-ranking figures, generally avoiding unnecessary violence.

With a lifespan of two hundred years, there’s little reason to risk one’s life; enjoying existence takes precedence.

Xu Shuolei shook his head, expressing some regret. “It’s truly unfortunate that despite residing with us for so many years, he never produced offspring with spiritual roots or bodies… It appears forcing matters does not yield sweet results after all.”

Upon hearing this, Goddess Yunmeng couldn’t help but blush slightly.

---

On the bustling street, Lu Zhi supported Chen Ping as they walked slowly, resembling an ordinary elderly couple from the countryside.

Chen Ping’s eyes darted around incessantly, taking in the surroundings as if he couldn’t get enough of the sights.

“Fellow Daoist… no, Senior Fang… words cannot express my immense gratitude!”

Upon reaching their residence, he suddenly bowed deeply with great reverence to Fang Xi.

“We’re friends after all; it was just a small gesture…”

Fang Xi hastily helped him up, only to find a blood-colored jade slip discreetly placed in his hand. Without showing any reaction, he carefully tucked it away and watched as Chen Ping and Lu Zhi entered their home before turning to leave.

---

“Chen Ping will never forget your kindness; I offer my lifelong dedication and expertise… Please accept this legacy of paper talismans for appraisal, which someday may be passed down to Lu Zhi’s descendants…”

At Smokey Willow Lane, Building 87.

Fang Xi held the blood-red jade slip, reading Chen Ping’s message right at the start:

“For Lu Zhi’s descendants? Aren’t they children of the index talisman master?”

“The index talisman master was once nearly chosen as sacrificial material to awaken the Blood Symbol Spirit Body…”

Muttering to himself, Fang Xi wondered about Chen Ping’s intentions. Was it out of guilt or compensation?

“Human nature… truly is a complex thing.”

As he continued reading, Fang Xi discovered that the talisman legacy within the jade slip was astonishingly tier-two high-grade!

Moreover, there were subtle hints suggesting its potential reach into third-order!

“A Blood Symbol Spirit Body, truly deserving of reverence from the Dao of Talismans…”

“Pity my own talisman proficiency is only mid-rank first-tier… Could I end up drawing talismans for spirit stones in the future?”

Fang Xi contemplated for a moment before carefully putting away the jade slip.

At that instant, Grapevine Fairy entered gracefully, clad in a translucent Palace dress. “Qianbei…”

Her voice was tender and alluringly soft.

“Grapevine Fairy… I appreciate your assistance these past few days. These spirit stones serve as your compensation.”

Fang Xi’s expression remained icy as he tossed out several spirit stones.

Grapevine Fairy’s face instantly changed, turning deathly pale. “Qianbei?”

“Leave now!” Fang Xi waved dismissively, showing no interest in further conversation.

In the world of mortals, the roles of guest attendants and gatekeepers were crucial, often entrusted to trusted confidants. Their effectiveness could either facilitate smooth social interactions or inadvertently invite numerous enemies.

“Qianbei, what wrong have I committed?” Grapevine Fairy, visibly shaken, bowed deeply.

“That hairpin looks nice; it must be a new magical artifact, isn’t it?” Fang Xi shook his head. “Just moments ago, this venerable one met with Daoist Yuan, yet before any agreement was reached, news spread like wildfire… For such breaches alone, this venerable one would be justified in killing you!”

His tone grew increasingly stern, exuding a terrifying aura that made the Grapevine Fairy retreat fearfully, stammering, “I was wrong, I was truly wrong…”

“Still not leaving?! Get out!”

Fang Xi’s fierce command sent the Grapevine Fairy scrambling away hastily, her figure utterly disheveled.

As he watched her depart, Fang Xi stroked his chin thoughtfully.

In truth, he had long been aware of this woman’s vanity and superficiality. Earlier, he merely played along to enhance his own reputation while preparing for Chen Ping’s rescue.

Now, she held little further utility for him. Even if he were to seek a concubine, he wouldn’t choose someone so lacking in discernment and unaware of priorities.

“Qianbei…” At that moment, the charming and adorable Jin Ling entered. “Seems like Daoist Sister Grapevine is quite frightened…”

“Jin Ling Daoist sister…” Fang Xi’s expression softened as he sighed, “These past few days, I owe you much gratitude…”

This young woman proved commendable, handling receptions with propriety, aligning perfectly with Fang Xi’s expectations.