Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

Chapter 24: Taking Action

In Great Liang, Blackstone City was now completely shrouded by black mist.

At a corner of a dilapidated house, Fang Xi quietly materialized.

Not only that, but he also carried a sack filled with rice.

Yes, it wasn’t spirit bamboo rice, but ordinary rice meant for mortal servants and villagers. He had easily purchased it using some gold and silver coins.

‘With this amount of supplies, I should be able to fulfill my task.’

Fang Xi stroked his chin, “If I wait a few more months until their resources deplete, perhaps I could even exchange rice for secret manuals. Now that sounds appealing…”

“Of course, no resources compare to the value of survival… Ah, seeing Blackstone City like this, I must find a way to leave as soon as possible.”

He realized there were certain limitations to his transmigration ability; for instance, returning always brought him back to the exact same location where he departed.

This posed a challenge for Fang Xi if he wanted to exit Blackstone City.

Naturally, it was merely a challenge, not an impossibility.

Upon examining the black mist outside the city, he confirmed it possessed characteristics of a formation spell.

Such a formation might trap mortals effectively, but cultivators have numerous ways to counter it.

Fang Xi was aware of several methods to bypass such restrictions, with the most convenient being a ‘Barrier Breaking Talisman’!

This rare and specialized paper talisman excelled at disrupting various formations.

“The current black mist outside the city seems akin to a first-tier confinement formation. Using a first-tier ‘Barrier Breaking Talisman’, even if it can’t fully destroy the mist, should at least temporarily create an escape route…”

“Of course, a high-grade first-tier Barrier Breaking Talisman is both scarce and expensive, costing no less than dozens of spirit stones…”

“I must urgently enhance my strength and establish trade between realms.”

Fang Xi gazed towards the city center, his expression filled with concern.

In just a few days, the Demon Tree had visibly grown taller.

It was clear that this monstrous entity continued to expand its size.

Given its present might and undying nature, even a great Foundation Establishment cultivator would struggle to contain it, while the black mist outside merely represented a first-tier formation level.

If allowed to fully mature, especially once the black mist reaches a second-tier formation equivalent, Fang Xi would truly be overwhelmed.

Without escaping early, he risked becoming trapped here, potentially forcing him to abandon this world entirely!

At the eastern city gate, within the large residence of Baiyun Dojo.

A white-browed man stood with his polished steel staff, glaring coldly at Mu Piaomiao and her companions. “I merely wish to pay respects to Senior Mu Canglong. Why do you obstruct my path?”

Near his feet lay an unfortunate figure, none other than Hao Lan.

“You’re taking advantage during our crisis!” Mu Piaomiao gritted her teeth angrily.

Ever since Mu Canglong fell unconscious, his condition had been deteriorating rapidly, causing her immense concern over these past few days.

To her dismay, earlier this morning, someone unexpectedly attacked their dojo - it was this white-browed Yuan Fei, demanding a martial challenge against Mu Canglong!

Hao Lan stepped forward to reason but was swiftly struck down by Yuan Fei’s staff.

It became clear to Mu Piaomiao then that Yuan Fei was indeed a formidable grandmaster, having surpassed the dojo master realm!

Among the young generation in Blackstone City, he could be considered the top fighter.

“What more do you want? Even our Baiyun Dojo has acknowledged defeat,” Mu Piaomiao thought bitterly, glancing at her helpless junior siblings.

“Chuckles, according to the rules of the dojo world, if I win a challenge issued upon your doorstep, I am entitled to everything from the defeated party.” Yuan Fei surveyed the surroundings. “Seeing as you’re all in dire straits now, compensating me with this residence and its stored provisions should suffice.”

His own White Ape Dojo had suffered greatly; even the dojo master perished in battle.

Having narrowly escaped to the Outer City, they found all prime locations already occupied and resources scarce. Instantly, their thoughts turned towards seizing Baiyun Dojo.

Baiyun Dojo was strategically located with ample supplies, making it highly desirable. Most crucially… based on reliable information, Mu Canglong was gravely injured near death, and there were no other dojo-master level experts within Baiyun Dojo!

“Impossible!” Without hesitation, Mu Piaomiao rejected Yuan Fei’s demand.

Accepting his terms would essentially mean forfeiting their lives!

“Hmph, if you won’t accept courtesy, then brace for punishment. In this city now, survival of the fittest is the law of nature.” Yuan Fei tightened his grip on the long staff, his heart filled with murderous intent.

Many of his loved ones had perished during the demonic disaster, fueling his pent-up rage. Moreover, he couldn’t help but notice that Mu Piaomiao was quite attractive…

As he contemplated his next move, a figure suddenly stepped forward and knelt down, declaring, “Wu Ji offers himself as your humble servant, sir!”

“Wu Ji, you…” Tang Xuan pointed at Wu Ji, her entire body trembling.

Liu Taotao was equally taken aback; he never expected their second elder brother Wu Ji to betray them first. While it was true that without any True Force cultivators, Baiyun Dojo’s position was precarious,

Such treachery…

“Wu Ji? Not bad, not bad at all…”

Yuan Fei burst out laughing, “Too bad… if you could betray Baiyun Dojo, you’d just as easily betray me.”

“Huh?” Wu Ji lifted his head, his expression filled with panic.

In the next instant, a shadowy stick struck him on the forehead, shattering his skull and killing him instantly.

Thud!

Wu Ji’s lifeless body crashed to the ground.

Witnessing someone alive moments ago now reduced to a corpse, Mu Piaomiao felt disoriented despite all she had endured these past few days.

“Well? You have only ten breaths to decide.” Yuan Fei exuded a sense of immense satisfaction.

This was the world he desired - where might made right!

If only there weren’t that looming crisis within the city, it would be perfect.

“I… I agree…” Mu Piaomiao reluctantly conceded. Without shelter or resources, survival seemed as distant as death itself.

Yet, delaying death was always preferable to facing it immediately.

“We cannot agree.”

At that moment, a gentle voice echoed from outside the door.

Fang Xi entered, speaking calmly.

“Junior Brother Fang?” Mu Piaomiao’s face lit up with relief. This junior brother had gone missing for several days while searching for supplies, causing her constant worry about potential mishaps.

His sudden appearance, however, seemed ill-timed, filling her heart with concern.

Yuan Fei, being such a ruthless man, wouldn’t hesitate to kill!

“You won’t accept?” Yuan Fei’s eyes widened aggressively. “Do you seek to settle this through martial combat?”

“Haha, I never engage in mere contests.” Fang Xi’s smile gradually turned colder. “I only kill!”

As he spoke, Fang Xi swiftly closed the distance to Yuan Fei and unleashed a palm strike.

Whish!

A gust of foul wind accompanied his hand, turning it pitch-black, with each sweep carrying intense poison!

“Remarkably swift movements! Deadly poisonous palm!” Yuan Fei flicked his staff, leaping backward like a large ape, and exclaimed apprehensively.

Mu Piaomiao and her companions were stunned. “Black Cloud realm?”

“Junior Brother Fang, you’ve broken through?”

Staring at Fang Xi’s palm, Mu Piaomiao felt a complex mix of emotions, difficult to articulate.

Despite her diligent training, she had been unable to achieve the breakthrough that Fang Xi accomplished so effortlessly. It would be disingenuous to claim she wasn’t envious or jealous.

However, amidst the sect’s decline, having someone step forward to carry the dojo’s banner brought her a sense of relief.

“Well… who knew Baiyun Dojo, aside from Mu Canglong, harbors another exceptional talent!” Yuan Fei, now at a distance, pointed his long staff at Fang Xi. “‘Limitless Staff’ Yuan Fei, please grant me guidance…”

“Limitless Staff?”

Fang Xi recalled Yuan Tiangang, who once performed at their family mansion; Yuan Fei was likely his relative or a disciple under the same master.

Without hesitation, Tang Xuan activated Red Snake Leg, transforming into a swift shadow and lunging towards Yuan Fei.

Bang! Bang!

Yuan Fei roared continuously, wielding his long stick with such precision that it created an impenetrable defense, akin to a shield of ink.

However, amidst the flurry of stick shadows, Fang Xi’s palm darted like a venomous snake, slipping through an almost imperceptible gap, and struck Yuan Fei squarely on the chest.

Crack!

The ear-piercing sound of bones shattering echoed as Yuan Fei flew backward, his eyes bloodshot and bulging out in disbelief. “Impossible…”

“Nothing is impossible…” Fang Xi replied, withdrawing his palm.

His mastery of White Cloud Palm had transcended true force, providing him with a second level of physical enhancement. Although not doubling his true force, even a slight increase by one or two percent was enough to overpower an ordinary dojo master decisively.

In martial pursuits, once reaching the pinnacle, even the slightest advantage can be crucial in determining victory, much like elite athletes from his previous life.

Fang Xi’s blood qi already surpassed Yuan Fei significantly, granting him a substantial edge. Combined with his heightened senses, he easily identified flaws in Yuan Fei’s staff technique, delivering a fatal blow effortlessly.

“D-d…dead?”

Tang Xuan approached, examined Yuan Fei briefly, and confirmed his death. The single strike from Fang Xi had shattered Yuan Fei’s internal organs, compounded by the intense poison, leaving no chance for survival.

“Since the demonic disaster, the rules of this city have changed; you all must adapt!” Fang Xi glared sternly at Tang Xuan and his companions, reprimanding them as if disciplining apprentices.

Under his rebuke, even Mu Piaomiao shrank back, feeling like they were facing Mu Canglong himself.

“Da-shixiong, please take a look!” Tang Xuan searched through the corpse’s belongings and handed Fang Xi a secret manual.

“Everlasting Staff Technique?” Fang Xi paid no heed to the slight change in address and carefully examined the manual.

He had no intention of learning more third-rate martial arts unless they were exceptionally suitable and minimally conflicting with his existing repertoire. Currently, his primary focus remained on Yuanhe Mountain.

“Greetings, Da-shixiong!”

Mu Piaomiao let out a wry smile and bowed alongside the others, acknowledging the new rule where might made right.

“I once promised you that I would assist the dojo once…” Fang Xi looked at Mu Piaomiao and suddenly grinned.

As Mu Piaomiao felt her heart sink, fearing their bond was about to be severed, Fang Xi continued, “My intervention against him was voluntary, so it doesn’t count… Piaomiao, would you still invite me to help heal your father?”

“Heal my father?” Mu Piaomiao’s small mouth widened in disbelief.