Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

Chapter 144: Extracting the Core

In the southern wilderness of the cultivation world.

A desolate area with sandy terrain devoid of any vegetation.

Within a hundred-mile radius, there were no signs of human habitation or activity by cultivators.

Fang Xi meticulously measured the land using his divine sense, periodically burying formation flags and other array components at strategic intervals.

This was the chosen location for his monster-slaying endeavor.

Although formations could be activated without spiritual vein support, it would consume a significant amount of spirit stones instead.

To Fang Xi, exchanging dozens to hundreds of spirit stones for a single monster core seemed like an incredibly profitable deal.

His approach was shockingly unconventional, so maintaining secrecy was paramount. Wasting some spirit stones along the way was deemed acceptable…

As a tier-one high-grade array master, setting up this ‘Divine Thunderbolt Array’ came naturally to him. With just two days of effort, he successfully deployed the mid-tier tier-2 Great Array.

After inserting sufficient spirit stones into various formation disks and the eye of the spell, Fang Xi cast a cultivation technique onto the restriction token.

Boom!

Instantly, streams of azure spiritual light emerged from the formation flags, intensifying rapidly and emitting dazzling electrical sparks!

Massive bolts of electricity coalesced, forming layers of dark clouds spanning hundreds of meters with flickering lightning within, exuding an aura of vibrant energy!

“This is too conspicuous… I should set up additional concealment arrays nearby…”

Fang Xi adjusted the formation, his eyes twitching slightly.

He felt tricked by Ouyang Zhen.

The array wasn’t just slightly flawed; apart from the Death Gate, the rest was riddled with vulnerabilities!

Even after attempting repairs, it seemed like a drop in the ocean!

“Once past the Death Gate, this formation won’t effectively trap tier-2 mythical beasts. Even a Peak Qi Refinement cultivator, if knowledgeable about formations, might break through. Its effective range is likely limited to around a hundred meters… Of course, assuming no one actively controls the array.”

As Fang Xi studied the intricacies of the formation, being an array master himself, he could ensure that within the Death Gate area, tier-2 mythical beasts would be unable to escape and would fully endure the Great Array’s power!

“In general, others may have gotten ripped off, but for me, it barely meets my needs…”

Feeling somewhat disgruntled, he realized only a fool would willingly enter the Death Gate given the nature of this formation.

Over the following three days, Fang Xi diligently set up multiple tier-1 formations outside the Great Array to minimize its aura and avoid drawing attention.

Then, he settled down to meditate, restoring his magical energy to peak levels before activating all components of the Great Array.

With preparations complete, Fang Xi stepped into the Death Gate and suddenly vanished!

Moments later,

when he reappeared, a towering three-meter tall golden-haired demon ape materialized beside him!

The Diamond Ape King!

“Chirp chirp!”

Upon arrival, the bewildered Monster King swiftly roared, repeatedly pounding its chest!

In mid-air, spiritual energy began converging, forming a whirlpool!

It was about to ascend!

In reality, whether for mythical beasts or cultivators, ascending near spiritual veins is most favorable.

However, Fang Xi wouldn’t provide such conditions; at best, he scattered some spirit stones to artificially create a more spiritually enriched environment.

Despite this, the Monster King from the Great Liang World exhibited remarkable accumulation and exceptional innate talent.

As soon as it crossed over, free from the constraints of the Great Liang World, it immediately initiated ascension!

“Chirp chirp!”

The Diamond Ape King relentlessly pounded its chest, blood seeping from its pores.

Its bones rapidly expanded, causing the body to surge in height…

In mere moments, it doubled in size, transforming into a colossal monster monkey over six meters tall!

Moreover, the aura of this ape skyrocketed as golden fur coalesced on its chest, forming a distinct pattern. Its fangs protruded menacingly, eyes turning crimson, and when gazing at Fang Xi - its ‘original master’ - it displayed a hint of ferocious intent!

“As expected, once mythical beasts reach tier-2, my original Divine Consciousness Imprint becomes insufficient for control… Trying to retaliate against your master? Heh…”

Sensing that the Diamond Ape King had indeed broken through to tier-2, Fang Xi bared a sinister smile and swiftly performed a gesture, detonating the divine sense restriction. “Die!”

“Zhi-zhi!” The tier-2 ape let out a pitiful scream, clutching its head with blood streaming from its nostrils.

Not only that, but various hidden techniques planted by Fang Xi throughout its body erupted simultaneously! While some were destroyed by the powerful demonic energy during the transformation, those remaining caused the monster monkey immense agony, weakening its aura significantly.

Fang Xi, who had already retreated to a safe distance, produced a small green flag and vigorously waved it, shouting, “Divine Thunderbolt Array… Activate!”

Boom!

Dark clouds gathered in the sky, and suddenly, a massive bolt of jade-colored lightning descended, striking the monster monkey directly.

“Skree!”

With just one strike, the tier-2 demon monkey was severely wounded!

The Monkey King let out a piercing cry as patterns on its chest flashed brightly. Amidst a burst of earthy yellow light, it scooped up dirt from the ground, transforming it into a colossal boulder that hurtled towards Fang Xi!

Bang!

Unfazed, Fang Xi watched as the enormous rock was halted mid-air by a shimmering five-colored barrier formed by the formation’s restrictions. In any other part of the Great Array, this attack might have breached the defenses, but within the Death Gate, all restrictions remained exceptionally potent!

“Again!” With a composed expression, he continued waving the formation flag, summoning a second thunderbolt, then a third…

Moments later, the Great Array dissipated, leaving behind only the massive corpse of the demon monkey on the ground.

Its fur was scorched black, yet it still maintained a defiant roaring pose. If not for the absence of life force, it would almost seem alive!

“A tier-2 demon monkey’s fur and bones… truly valuable materials.”

With a wave of his hand, Fang Xi sent tendrils from his sleeves like tentacles into the monster monkey’s body.

Moments later, his expression brightened as he produced the Golden Flood Dragon Shears and sliced open a bloody wound on the monkey’s abdomen.

One of the tendrils delved inside and soon emerged with a crystal stone, roughly the size of a walnut, bearing earthy yellow hues speckled with flecks of gold.

“A monster core?!” Fang Xi exclaimed joyously. “It was worth selecting this exceptionally gifted one! Just as expected, I’ve struck gold on my first attempt!”

He carefully placed the coveted monster core, capable of making Foundation Establishment cultivators envious, into a jade box and sealed it with a paper talisman. Then, Fang Xi turned his attention towards the demon monkey’s corpse.

After some thought, he retrieved a Demon Tree seed and planted it near the remains.

Crackling sounds echoed…

Amidst a series of teeth-chattering noises, the Diamond Ape King rose once more, performing several stiff movements.

“Hmm… Although lacking agility, its defense and attack capabilities are still at tier-2 level… This can be considered a quasi-tier-2 puppet!”

Fang Xi’s face lit up with delight. “With this quasi-tier-2 puppet’s assistance, the risks ahead should decrease significantly…”

One year later.

Within the Magic Wood Divine Thunderbolt Array.

Countless green bolts of lightning coalesced, resembling a fierce azure Dragonfish as they descended and struck a horned tier-2 python on its head.

The pitch-black python, now severed in two, struggled relentlessly on the ground before gradually losing its life essence.

Shortly after, a massive golden ape, moving stiffly, entered the formation. Unfazed by the gore, it began rummaging through the shattered remains of the python.

“Nothing again?!” Outside the formation, Fang Xi sighed deeply.

At fifty-seven years old, he appeared significantly more weathered than before. His cyan bamboo magic robes were torn and tattered, yet every gesture emanated an indescribable malevolent aura!

Recalling his recent frenzied endeavors, even Fang Xi couldn’t help but exhale heavily.

Over the past year, he continuously brought Monster Kings from Great Liang into the array, waiting for them to break through to tier-2 before killing them for their cores. Through numerous trials, Fang Xi discovered that possessing exceptional talent or powerful bloodlines did not guarantee the presence of a monster core.

For instance, the python within the formation had activated a trace of Dragonfish lineage, similar to the previous snake-dragon, yet still yielded no core.

Conversely, he once killed a mythical beast similar to Tai Sui - a white fleshy mass covered with countless eyes, yet surprisingly weak. Despite being easily slain by a single Magic Wood Divine Thunder strike, it yielded a grayish-white inner core from its belly!

Throughout these numerous monster hunts, Fang Xi also encountered unexpected setbacks.

For instance, there was a tier-2 insectoid creature that possessed an unusually peculiar innate ability, akin to camouflage and feigning death.

Even Fang Xi fell for this deception, only to be ambushed as soon as the creature entered the formation!

The attack left a deep wound on his chest, nearly exposing bone. If not for his extraordinary Martial God physique, he likely would have perished on the spot!

Following that incident, Fang Xi became even more cautious, often relying on puppets to extract the monster cores instead.

“Now, I’ve eliminated all named Monster Kings in Great Liang. It’s time to stop…”

Fang Xi gently patted his bag of holding, which contained ten jade boxes filled with monster cores!

This collection represented a fortune so immense, it could drive the Profound Sky Sect mad!

He dared not entrust these cores to any pill-concocting great masters either.

“I must endure the hardship myself…” Fang Xi sighed mournfully. He proceeded to collect the remains of the tier-2 python while instructing the Diamond Ape and other puppets to dismantle the Divine Thunderbolt Array’s flags one by one.

After completely dismantling the formation, he meticulously cleared any traces of his presence before swiftly departing without hesitation using an artifact.

Tian Nan City.

This bustling metropolis was renowned within the Yue Kingdom for its thriving commerce and countless restaurants and entertainment venues.

Fang Xi immersed himself here, adopting the guise of a wealthy young noble, and took a well-deserved three-month break. Only then did he emerge from his indulgent retreat to venture outside the city.

Most cultivators tended to isolate themselves from worldly affairs, purportedly to prevent their Dao hearts from being clouded by distractions.

After all, the myriad temptations of life - love, hate, passion, and grudges - could potentially hinder one’s progress on the Dao path.

Fang Xi didn’t entirely agree with this viewpoint.

However, the rarity of cultivators engaging with the mundane world presented him with an opportunity.

Outside Tian Nan City, he found a picturesque location nestled amidst mountains and clear waters. First, he set up an illusionary barrier to deter mortals, then carved out an immortal’s cave and fortified it with the ‘Divine Thunderbolt Array’.

Once completed, Fang Xi installed a ‘Fire Control Array’ within the cave. After fine-tuning it, he nodded in satisfaction. In the alchemy room, he retrieved the jade slip containing the Foundation Establishment Pill formula and began meticulously studying it.

He had already scrutinized this formula numerous times, even purchasing an additional version from Bai Ze Immortal City as a precaution for comparison. Furthermore, he had conducted multiple simulated pill concoctions, confident that most issues were addressed.

Of course, some genuine challenges would only surface during actual pill creation, requiring individual solutions.

For many alchemists, opportunities to trial-and-error when crafting Foundation Establishment Pills were exceedingly rare.

But not for Fang Xi!