Chapter 257: Knowing Too Much
Chapter 257: Knowing Too Much
Several years later.
Fang Xing wore a loose, yellow hemp robe, his expression relaxed as he sat cross-legged in front of the Ten Thousand Transformations Cauldron.
Although there was another Artifact-level alchemical cauldron in the alchemy room, it didn't catch his eye at all, and he had long since tossed it aside, planning to sell it when the opportunity arose.
At this moment, the Ten Thousand Transformations Cauldron roared, and with a boom, it opened.
Streams of medicinal fragrance filled the air, and five-colored clouds rose, transforming into the shape of spirit mushrooms.
On top of each five-colored mushroom were pills emitting a rich fragrance.
Fang Xing executed a pill collection technique, and the Spirit Mushroom Pills fell into his hand, totaling seven in all, but three of them were surrounded by a circle of pitch-black poison.
"Using ten portions of materials, I got four high-quality pills, three inferior ones, and three failed ones..."
"These results are pretty good among third-rank alchemists, at least compared to Mu Wan Long's achievements in refining Spirit Mushroom Pills..."
Fang Xing smiled slightly.
Of course, he could also use the mystical properties of the Ten Thousand Transformations Cauldron to enhance the four high-quality pills into supreme pills.
The three inferior pills could also be salvaged and turned into high-quality ones, even if he didn't consume them himself, selling them would still bring in a significant amount of resources.
Back then, Mu Wan Long was a third-rank alchemist himself, earning a substantial amount of resources for the Mu family and even cultivating several Core Formation Cultivators.
Although this consumed a portion of the Mu family's foundation, it was still evident how much spirit stones alchemists could earn!
"This Ten Thousand Transformations Cauldron is indeed powerful, greatly aiding my alchemy skills... Moreover, with my Nascent Soul power and Divine Consciousness, returning to cultivate third-rank techniques is like building on a solid foundation, providing an additional boost..."
This Ten Thousand Transformations Cauldron was obtained from Master Ten Thousand Dharmas, and it allowed him to cultivate to Core Formation perfection from inferior-grade spirit roots, with the potential to reach Nascent Soul. How remarkable was that?
Although it was unknown if it could purify fourth-rank pills, even its current performance was like adding wings to Fang Xing.
"After all... I'm not like that unlucky Master Ten Thousand Dharmas. I'm even better than a Heaven-grade spirit root!"
He stood up and walked into his meditation chamber.
Casually taking out a cold jade vessel, he applied the Ten Thousand Year Milkstone from within onto his body and swallowed a supreme-grade Spirit Mushroom Pill he had refined earlier, then began silently cultivating.
With such terrifying resources and his innate talent, Fang Xing's cultivation progress over the years could be described as skyrocketing.
It felt like no time at all before he could reach the peak of the early Core Formation stage and attempt to break through to the middle stage.
'With this speed, even the Ten Righteous Sons would cry if they saw it...'
Fang Xing immersed himself in cultivation, long forgetting the passing of time in the outside world.
...
Hundred Flowers Mountain.
Ancestral Hall.
Mu Wan Lu stood in a dignified golden robe, hands behind his back, silently gazing at a soul lantern.
It was the lantern of Patriarch Mu Wan Long.
Although Mu Wan Long had entrusted him with the position of Patriarch, as long as he wasn't officially appointed, he was still just a deputy.
"Patriarch, no, Mu Wan Long has been in seclusion for many years, and his soul lantern remains so dim. I fear the situation is not good..."
Mu Wan Qing stood behind Mu Wan Lu, a hint of heaviness in his voice.
"What else can we do? He has already handed over power and stopped managing affairs, only quietly refining pills to heal his injuries in his cave mansion..."
Mu Wan Lu turned around and calmly stared at Mu Wan Qing, "Don't you think I can't wait these past few years?"
"Of course, I don't mean that, but these past few years have been difficult for our Mu family..."
Mu Wan Qing sighed, "Mu Wan Long has made a mess of things and then retreated into seclusion... Now, the Little Yuan Mountain vein is truly about to be lost, and our Mu family's largest source of income outside will be cut off... For such a significant matter, we must call out the true Patriarch so that we can discuss it properly..."
Mu Wan Lu glanced at Mu Wan Qing without speaking.
The Patriarch's lineage originally had formidable strength and numerous interests, but after Mu Qinglan's fall and Mu Wan Long's severe injury, they were gradually eroded by the several elders.
But with Mu Wan Long still alive, there was still a sense of impropriety and discord.
Moreover... These past few years, Mu Wan Long hadn't produced any pills, but instead kept urging the family to supply spirit herbs, mostly just basic materials, which wasn't a good sign.
'Why not wait quietly? Why tear off the facade? After all, we're a great family. If we can't even maintain appearances, the family's decline and disintegration will surely start from here...'
Mu Wan Lu saw it very clearly, but the tragedy of humans was right here.
Even if he saw it clearly, it was of no use. His Dao companion, his children, and his relatives would all pressure him to do things he didn't want to do for their interests.
"Forget it... I won't get involved in this matter."
He shook his head and left the ancestral hall.
"Hehe... Brother Wan Lu, you're too concerned about saving face."
Mu Wan Qing narrowed his eyes, "Now, the highest cultivation among Mu Wan Long's lineage is the guest advisor, 'Divination Half-Saint', at the early Core Formation stage, a third-rank divination master... Hmph, this person has already prepared to leave our Mu family in secret, and it's time to teach him a lesson."
"The Divination Half-Saint's specialty lies in fortune-telling and face reading. Due to his cultivation in the art of divination, he has aged prematurely, and his combat strength is even weaker than Mu Wanqing, who could easily defeat him."
"More importantly, this person is from Mu Wanlong's lineage, and now he has the idea of leaving the Mu Family. Naturally, we must confront him and hold him accountable, and while we're at it, we can also deal a blow to Mu Wanlong!"
Or perhaps, the latter goal was even more crucial.
...
Several days later.
Fang Xing was taking his usual stroll around the cave mansion, receiving a batch of basic medicinal ingredients.
Suddenly, a sound transmission talisman flew in.
Holding the talisman, he frowned slightly, "Can't they just let it be? I've already taken a step back, what more do they want?"
Although the sound transmission talisman only mentioned that the Divination Half-Saint had been caught attempting to leave the Mu Family, and they wanted Fang Xing to handle the situation.
But Fang Xing was well aware that this was a way to force Mu Wanlong to cut off his own arm.
If he stepped in to deal with the situation, the other Core Formation Elders might bring out more evidence of the Divination Half-Saint colluding with external enemies.
Ultimately, they wanted to eliminate all traces of him!
'This family's cohesion and family values are truly lacking... I've already retreated this far, do they even have their eyes on my Fourth Rank Cave Mansion?'
'I still need to attempt a breakthrough to the middle stage of Core Formation soon, what a hassle... So many obstacles.'
With a disgruntled expression, Fang Xing left his cultivation chamber and arrived at the Mu Family Ancestral Hall.
He scanned the room with his eyes, and saw that Mu Wan Lu, Mu Wanqing, Mu Wando, and Mu Qingfeng, the four Core Formation Elders, were all present.
'The Mu Family, as the number one Core Formation family, indeed has a large number of Core Formation Cultivators. If Mu Qinglan were still here, along with the numerous guest elders, they would indeed be a formidable force, only lacking a Nascent Soul True Monarch...'
Seeing this scene, Fang Xing nodded inwardly.
Mu Wanqing immediately greeted him, concern evident in his eyes, "Patriarch, your Soul Lantern has been dim for a long time. Has your injury not fully healed? I have a Third Rank Nineflower Treasure Essence Pill here, a supreme grade healing pill. Why don't you give it a try?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Wando and Mu Qingfeng's expressions changed.
In the cultivation world, strength speaks for itself. If Mu Wanlong's severe injury remained unhealed, he might indeed be abandoned.
This was the harsh reality of the survival of the fittest!
"I'm not dead yet... Wando, why are you here?"
Fang Xing turned to Mu Wando.
Mu Wando's voice carried a hint of bitterness, "The Crane Sect has joined forces with the Marvelous Pill Lin Family to make a move on Little Yuan Mountain... The Heaven Earth Sect has also been taken care of, and the Spirit Stone Vein is completely lost..."
"I see, I can't blame you for that."
Fang Xing took his seat as the Patriarch.
This scene made Mu Wan Lu's heart sink. Over the past few years, he had dedicated himself to the Mu Family, yet he was still only the acting Patriarch.
Without the proper title, his words carried less weight.
"Then... let's discuss the matter of the Divination Half-Saint."
Fang Xing waved his hand, "This person is a talent. In the past, I spent a lot of effort to have him serve our family as a guest... He has been in charge of the Spirit Testing Platform for many years, always diligent and dedicated. Now he wants to enjoy his retirement..."
"Cough, Patriarch, I received a tip that this person may have connections with the Crane Sect."
Mu Wanqing coughed and spoke up.
"Where is he now?" Fang Xing's gaze swept around.
"He's been in the Half Immortal Residence all this time..." Mu Qingfeng replied.
He was from the 'Qing' generation of the Mu Family, one generation younger than the 'Wan' generation, and was always in charge of family affairs. He had a reclusive and taciturn personality.
"Since he hasn't left, I'll go and talk to him later. Any issue can be resolved through negotiation..."
Fang Xing sighed.
"Hmph, I think the Divination Half-Saint is all talk and no substance. He once predicted Mu Qinglan's destiny as 'Phoenix Resting on a Phoenix Tree', and we foolishly believed it. Over the years, we invested so many resources in Mu Qinglan... Although this girl does have exceptional talent, she managed to condense a Half-Step Golden Core, but she still died in the Lustrous Blessing Land, didn't she?"
Mu Wanqing began to question the Divination Half-Saint's professional skills.
Fang Xing understood that this was actually directed at him. First, for not recognizing the Divination Half-Saint's true nature, and second, for wasting a large amount of resources.
This time, Mu Wan Lu did not speak up for Mu Wanlong.
'A severely injured Patriarch is indeed useless. The old must make way for the new, that's the way of the world...'
Fang Xing imagined himself in Mu Wanlong's position, seeing the family he had fought for his entire life end up like this, and a hint of sorrow and anger crept into his voice, "The Divination Half-Saint's Third Rank Divination skills are genuine... Every prediction he made came true. We can only blame Qinglan for her thin fate... As for the concept of fate, although it is only passed down in the feng shui and divination sects, we can't completely disregard it, but we also can't fully believe in it... The Phoenix Resting on a Phoenix Tree destiny does not guarantee the achievement of a Nascent Soul True Monarch, it was not the Divination Half-Saint's claim, but a destiny he predicted, and we found records of it in the family's ancient texts..."
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"Oh well, what should we do with this person then?"
Mu Wanqing advanced step by step, pressing closer.
"I'll go see him once more. If he dares to betray the family, I'll kill him."
Fang Xing closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, a chilling killing intent emerged.
This scene caused Mu Wanqing and Mu Wanlu to exchange a glance, feeling somewhat unprepared.
If it were the real Mu Wanlong, he wouldn't have this kind of reaction, let alone sever his own arm.
But Fang Xing didn't care about all that. When it was time to retreat, he would.
The miserable lives of Mu Wanlong's disciples, nephews, and trusted followers had nothing to do with him.
However, he still needed to ensure his own treatment.
"I'm an old man, and I dare not hold onto the position of Patriarch. Wanlu, from now on, the family will be in your hands. I wish to formally resign from the position of Patriarch, but what about that Fourth Rank Cave Mansion?"
Fang Xing spoke directly, blunt and rough.
"Of course, you're free to use it. With your injuries, the Fire Refining Valley is suitable for you to enjoy your retirement..."
Mu Wanlu didn't hesitate at all. He didn't want to tear off the last shred of face either.
Now that Mu Wanlong was fully retiring, asking for nothing more than a Fourth Rank Cave Mansion, he would definitely agree.
If he didn't agree, the entire clan would secretly stab him in the back.
However, he didn't expect that the old Patriarch would truly retire so cleanly. Could it be that his foundation was damaged, and his lifespan was nearing its end?
"Alright, let's do it this way. I'll go see Divination Half-Saint."
Fang Xing flicked his sleeve, transforming into a crimson streak of light and arriving at a Third Rank Superior Cave Mansion on Hundred Flowers Peak.
"Half-Immortal Residence?"
He looked at the connected bamboo, wood, pavilions, and buildings, nodding slightly: "The layout is indeed elegant..."
At that moment, he strode into a courtyard filled with plum blossoms.
The plum blossoms were in full bloom, exuding a subtle fragrance.
An old man with white hair and beard, yet not a single wrinkle on his face, was drinking under a plum tree.
"Patriarch!"
Upon seeing Fang Xing, he immediately stood up with a hearty laugh and paid his respects.
"Divination Half-Saint..."
Fang Xing's expression turned somber.
"When I joined back then, I made an agreement with you that I could come and go freely. After all these years of dedication and hard work, I've never betrayed the family..."
Divination Half-Saint stroked his beard: "But recently, the third and fourth branches of the Mu family are pushing aggressively, and I alone can't hold them back. I have no choice but to resign. Mu brother, you've grown old..."
Divination Half-Saint sighed: "Moreover, I recently divined a hexagram, and if I don't leave Hundred Flowers Peak, I fear there will be a bloodlight calamity."
Fang Xing: "...
To be honest, after killing so many cultivators, he had almost gathered all the Third Rank inheritance of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation.
But he couldn't handle too many things at once. Aside from alchemy, he focused on sword techniques, not delving too deeply into other arts.
'If it's Third Rank divination, it should be quite accurate for Core Formation and below, but there's some mist regarding Golden Core cultivators. As for Nascent Soul True Lords, let's improve the technique to Fourth Rank first...'
'Moreover, divination involves the secrets of heaven, and frequent use will greatly reduce one's lifespan...'
He once obtained a Third Rank divination technique from a demonic cultivator's storage bag, but after glancing at it a few times, he felt like he was reading a heavenly text, completely unable to understand it.
Moreover, according to the inheritance records, cultivating divination requires special talent.
Clearly, Fang Xing didn't have this talent, so he gave up.
Now, seeing Divination Half-Saint show off, he felt it was quite mysterious.
He thought for a moment and said, "Forget it. Today's farewell, I don't know when we'll meet again. Take care of yourself..."
"Sigh... I'm not skilled enough. I once divined that Qinglan's fate was that of a phoenix nesting in a parasol tree, but fate is inferior to destiny. Even a dragon's fate, without great fortune, cannot soar, and is instead inferior to a field's destiny."
Divination Half-Saint sighed repeatedly: "I once divined the Patriarch's fate, and he was fated to be a revival leader, destined to lead the Mu family to glory... But now, it's cut short, and I can only say that the Lustrous Blessing Land is indeed worthy of being established by an ancient great cultivator with divine abilities, capable of interfering with destiny... Now that the destiny has changed, today I'll divine one more hexagram for the Patriarch, as a farewell gift..."
He held out several coins and tossed them into the sky, then caught them one by one.
In the next instant, Divination Half-Saint raised his head, a hint of surprise and doubt flashing across his face: “Patriarch, you’re already deeply entangled in the death tribulation…”
“Is that so?” Fang Xing’s expression remained unchanged. “Now that I’ve fallen, my qi and blood are both depleted… My lifespan has greatly diminished, and perhaps my end is truly near.”
“This hexagram is wrong, isn’t it? The Patriarch’s fortune is closely tied to the Mu family, so why does the Mu family now have a hidden glimmer of life?”
Divination Half-Saint looked at the coins, his face full of doubt.
“Sigh… Divination Half-Saint, have you ever divined for yourself that you’ll have a bloodlight calamity today?” Fang Xing lightly sighed.
Whoosh!
Before he finished speaking, a sword light flashed, and Divination Half-Saint’s head flew up.
Divination Half-Saint—dead!
Cause of death—knowing too much.
(End of Chapter)
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