Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

Chapter 7: Greed

“Many thanks for your generous gift, Gongzi!”

Holding the emerald-green bamboo leaf, She Lei beamed with delight. “Congratulations on your remarkable martial progress, Gongzi! With such advancement, achieving true force and reaching the dojo master level should pose no significant challenge in the future!”

“Oh? After three transformations of blood and qi comes true force, is that the realm of a dojo master?”

Fang Xi raised his eyebrows.

Honestly, even a martial artist at the third transformation of blood and qi would seem quite ordinary to a cultivator. The southern wilderness’ cultivation world also had its own martial arts sphere, where practitioners could attain similar achievements and destructive capabilities, albeit through different paths.

However, the realm of a dojo master was distinctively different.

Of course, She Lei’s praise was merely flattery, but Fang Xi understood this distinction well.

“That’s absolutely correct!” She Lei nodded repeatedly, though inwardly he scoffed - this noble scion clearly lacked understanding of the field.

Each transformation of blood and qi became progressively more challenging!

While reaching the first transformation required sufficient resources and dedication, essentially anyone could achieve it given enough time. Achieving the second transformation demanded notable aptitude.

And attaining the third transformation posed an even greater, almost absurd, difficulty.

In all of Blackstone City, among the various dojos, only a handful of young disciples managed to reach this stage.

As for reaching the dojo master realm, it was even more elusive. Without extraordinary opportunities, one could scarcely hope to attain such mastery.

Even She Lei himself, due to injuries sustained in his middle age, had permanently lost any chance at becoming a dojo master. Now, he merely served as an instructor at the Red Snake Dojo.

“Of course, but to truly cultivate true force, you must formally join a dojo as a core disciple. Only then can you access their Divine Intent Diagrams, comprehending how to harmonize your blood and qi into true force…” She Lei stroked his beard thoughtfully.

This was his bait; if Fang Xi wished to enter a dojo as a core disciple, wouldn’t he have no choice but to continue relying on She Lei’s guidance?

“Divine Intent Diagrams?” Fang Xi sensed that he was touching upon some central aspects of this world’s vital energy martial arts, his eyes brightening. “Are they for sale?”

She Lei felt slightly off-balance, struggling to follow Fang Xi’s train of thought. “The Divine Intent Diagrams of each lineage are their most closely guarded secrets… They are not for sale.”

“One thousand taels of silver!” Fang Xi made an offer.

She Lei’s breathing instantly quickened.

Master, it’s not that I’m disloyal, but this person is offering far too much…

“If one thousand isn’t enough, make it two thousand!”

Noticing She Lei’s wavering resolve, Fang Xi added with a grin, “This… let me think about it…”

As he watched She Lei stumble away, a playful smile appeared on Fang Xi’s face.

The so-called Divine Intent Diagrams were undoubtedly the core secrets of each dojo.

In reality, Fang Xi wasn’t in a rush; by following his planned progression to the third transformation of blood and qi, opportunities to access these diagrams would naturally arise.

Mentioning them now was deliberately intended to stir up She Lei’s existing greed!

Our Fang Manor stands in Blackstone City, often targeted due to our wealth despite appearing naive. We must occasionally showcase our capabilities to truly establish ourselves firmly.

Fang Xi gently patted his chest pocket.

The presence of numerous talismans like ‘Little Thunder’, ‘Golden Light Barrier’, and ‘Frost’ provided him considerable confidence.

‘Blood and qi warriors need to get close to threaten cultivators, and those within the first three transformations aren’t particularly formidable… only the dojo masters might instill some caution.’

‘I wonder how the strength of these dojo masters compares to true body refinement cultivators?’

Of course, while such thoughts crossed his mind, Fang Xi had no intention of personally testing their abilities. It simply seemed too risky.

Nightfall.

Fang Xi lounged on a bamboo chair in the courtyard, with ice cream within reach.

Yuegui watched curiously, wondering why her young master preferred to enjoy the natural breeze outside instead of the cool air conditioning indoors. The summer heat could be quite oppressive.

Perhaps… I should make some lotus seed soup tomorrow? It’s cooling and helps dispel internal fire.

As Yuegui pondered this, Fang Xi sighed, “So it begins…”

In the rear garden of Fang Manor.

A figure clad in black scaled over the wall, his small eyes gleaming sharply. Hidden in his arms were substantial amounts of knockout powders and intoxicating incense.

‘Damn, this Fang Manor has no real backing yet is so wealthy, casually throwing around thousands of silver taels. They owe me even more respect, you bastards!’

She Lei, familiar with the manor layout, swiftly made his way to the storage room.

Just as he was about to light the intoxicating incense under the cover of night,

Crackling!

Torches suddenly illuminated the surroundings.

“What?” She Lei looked around in surprise, spotting over a dozen burly guards armed with clubs.

Among them stood Mu Piaomiao, glaring at him furiously, “She Lei…how dare you!”

Stealing from one’s employer would tarnish the reputation of all dojos in Blackstone City!

“Heh heh… This old man is known as Hun Tianyao and knows no She Lei!” rasped She Lei’s voice as he turned to flee.

This situation was akin to being caught in adultery; as long as his veil remained intact, he absolutely could not admit guilt! Even if apprehended, just like pulling up one’s pants, denial must persist!

With astonishing leg prowess, he swiftly accelerated. In an instant, he approached two guards wielding clubs. With a casual push, they felt an immense force surge against them, sending them stumbling off-balance.

“Stop right there!” a sharp feminine cry sounded behind him.

It was Mu Piaomiao!

Her palm thrust forward, emitting a gray aura accompanied by a foul odor—the unmistakable full-force strike of Baiyun Palm.

“Hmph… Mu Piaomiao isn’t my match, but I can’t reveal the Red Snake Leg.”

She Lei’s body flickered, instantly creating distance between them.

Behind him, Mu Piaomiao relentlessly pursued, while Fang Manor’s guards, though average, managed to stall for time.

Ultimately, Mu Piaomiao caught up with She Lei.

“Don’t force me!” She Lei roared angrily, his leg muscles bulging as he lashed out like a snake whip!

Bang!

In mid-air, shadows of legs and palms clashed. Mu Piaomiao stumbled back a few steps, letting out a cold snort, clearly at a slight disadvantage.

Legs inherently possess greater strength than arms, and She Lei’s combat experience and overall prowess surpassed Mu Piaomiao significantly.

However, as She Lei watched the torn cloth fluttering in mid-air and felt the three gray finger marks on his leg, his expression turned grim. “So it was indeed a poison palm technique… Unfortunately, you won’t be able to detain me.”

Despite revealing his Red Snake Leg, he knew that if he managed to escape, he could simply deny any involvement the next day! After all, there were numerous apprentices at Blackstone City’s Red Snake Dojo who could potentially take the blame!

With her injury from his kick, Mu Piaomiao could no longer hinder him effectively.

Just as She Lei prepared to flee, Fang Xi leisurely stepped forward, shaking his head and admonishing, “Old She, how utterly disrespectful! Tomorrow, I will surely report this to the authorities and have you arrested!”

“I may not be She Lei, but I must teach you a lesson nonetheless!”

Although poisoned by the finger strike, She Lei remained agile and swift. In the blink of an eye, he broke through layers of guards and approached Fang Xi.

Fang Xi responded with a calm smile, “Master She, please stay your hand.”

A tall figure emerged from behind Fang Xi.

“This person… seems so familiar!” flashed through She Lei’s mind.

In the next moment, he saw the newcomer casually raise their hand, flicking it like swatting a fly.

Crack!

With his leg bone snapping, She Lei screamed as he was sent flying backward, crashing into a wall before crumpling to the ground.

“It’s you… Baiyun Dojo Master, Mu Canglong!” She Lei roared angrily.

“Indeed, it is this old man. You injured my daughter and even dared to harm our young master - truly unforgivable!” Mu Canglong, around fifty years old, stood imposingly with a robust build and a ruddy complexion, exuding an aura of authority without raising his voice.

“How did you end up here?” She Lei exclaimed, taken aback.

“Fang Xi spent five hundred taels of silver to invite me,” Mu Canglong replied.

Fang Xi chimed in, “Naturally, I hired him for the occasion.”

He wanted to witness the dojo master’s prowess firsthand, but that didn’t mean he had to engage personally. Instead, he could simply pay someone to demonstrate their skills.

As proven, money indeed makes the world go round; just a few hundred taels secured Baiyun Dojo Master’s intervention.

Reflecting on Mu Canglong’s recent display, Fang Xi silently calculated:

‘A martial artist at Blood and Qi Three Transformations is like a child compared to a dojo master - there’s a fundamental difference…’

‘Speed, strength, and physical resilience were all far superior to She Lei’s…’

‘In terms of power, they must be comparable to cultivators in the first stage of Body Refinement, right?’

This was indeed impressive.

Body refinement not only required cultivation techniques but also substantial resources, typically measured in spirit stones. Achieving proficiency demanded an investment of at least dozens of spirit stones.

However, Fang Xi could purchase these resources with silver in Great Liang!

This affordability was what he valued most.

“Fang-gongzi, how should we proceed with this individual?” Mu Canglong looked towards Fang Xi, “She Lei has been struck by my poison palm; his blood and qi circulation will be severely hindered, preventing him from escaping…”

“Ah…” Fang Xi sighed, “I don’t wish to antagonize the Red Snake Dojo. Let’s suppress this matter for now, avoid involving the authorities, and invite the Red Snake Dojo Master here for a discussion.”

At present, the Great Liang court still held considerable influence.

For actions like She Lei’s, the minimum consequence would likely involve severe punishment, possibly leading to exile or military conscription.

Upon hearing Fang Xi’s words, Mu Canglong couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

Then, he heard Fang Xi whisper again, “Dojo Master Mu, tomorrow, I’ll need your testimony.”

“Of course,” Mu Canglong nodded solemnly. “Even if it’s just for our dojo’s reputation, I won’t let him off easily.”

The Red Snake Dojo Master, named Lu She, preferred wearing red robes despite his short stature and unremarkable appearance. However, just observing him made others feel intensely uneasy, as if being watched by a venomous snake.

The next day, Fang Xi gazed at the Red Snake Dojo Master and cleared his throat. “Dojo Master Lu, ah… I truly didn’t wish for this incident to happen…”

“If you didn’t want it, why not release She Lei and pretend nothing occurred?” Lu She’s voice rasped harshly. “Instead of these empty words, why don’t you state your conditions!”

“Well…” Fang Xi looked towards Mu Canglong.

Mu Canglong coughed. “Lu She, your dojo was wrong from the start, and we’re doing this for your reputation too…”

In reality, he had already taken money from Fang Xi, and they had prepared their arguments beforehand. “Your Red Snake Dojo must refund all tuition fees collected - that’s the rule. Additionally, compensation is due to Fang-gongzi!”

“Fine, fine, fine!” Lu She glared at Mu Canglong before suddenly smiling. “So it seems Baiyun Dojo wants to assert its influence.”

Secretly, he suspected Baiyun Dojo’s involvement behind the scenes, setting a trap to snatch Fang Xi, a wealthy client!

“You can think what you like, but actions have consequences,” Mu Canglong frowned. “Fang-gongzi cannot continue training at the Red Snake Dojo, but since he has learned the Red Snake Leg technique, let our Divine Intent Diagrams be available for his inspection for one day as compensation…”