Chapter 355: Reckless (Bonus Chapter, Requesting Moon Tickets)

As a spacecraft, the Mingkun Hao was equipped with top-tier exploration and surveillance devices.

Moreover, unlike magical energy monitoring, it was often overlooked by cultivators.

Xiao Lv secretly monitored the entire Mingkun Island; while not privy to every detail, it certainly noticed the finest signs.

Even if Fang Xing secluded himself for decades, none beneath him could deceive him.

He glanced through several records and found that, besides occasional cultivators murdering others to seize treasures, Ni Huolong and other Golden Core cultivators were embezzling their duties—though the situation wasn't severe, punishment was still warranted.

Beyond that, there were minor maneuvers by Nascent Soul factions such as Wanbao Tower, Sanfen Hall, and the Neihai Baicao Mountain.

"Oh? There are also Anyun Hall cultivators? And spies from Tianyin Island?"

Fang Xing reviewed several surveillance logs, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

Anyun Hall was a dark organization that accepted assassinations and intelligence contracts, rumored to be backed by a Great True Lord.

The Moonlight True Lord and Firecloud True Lord of Tianyin Island were descendants of the Yin-Yang Great True Lord, both held grudges against him, and both were Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivators.

"These… are all fuel for the Ten-Thousand Dharma Ghost Nascent Soul's advancement!"

Fang Xing's face broke into a satisfied smile: "First, eliminate Tianyin Island—perhaps the Ten-Thousand Dharma Ghost Nascent Soul can ascend to Nascent Soul mid-stage… then see if any foolish Great True Lords dare show up. A Nascent Soul late-stage cultivator? One such Nascent Soul is worth at least ten ordinary ones!"

What about Tiejian Gate?

Tiejian Gate cultivators were cautious and law-abiding—they never appeared in Xiao Lv's surveillance.

Moreover, Xiao Lv had no ability to identify cultivation techniques or divine arts.

Or rather, even if a Nascent Soul True Lord stood before them, they likely couldn't discern the connection between Tiejian Gate's Five Elements Sword Art and the Soul Sword Sect's.

"Time to go out."

Fang Xing stirred his intent, and flew out of the Mingkun Hao.

Immediately, a token appeared in his hand.

"Go!"

He channeled his Nascent Soul Qi into the array token.

BOOM!

Centered on the Mingkun Hao and its underlying spiritual vein, a vast array suddenly manifested.

This array transformed into wind, rain, thunder, lightning, light and darkness, clarity and obscurity—countless phenomena—this was the "Ten-Thousand Forms Unpredictable Array!"

Originally confined to the core spiritual vein, the array now expanded relentlessly, swallowing the Sea Market within its bounds.

"This is…"

"A fourth-rank array?"

"Could a great enemy be invading? Who dares be so bold? The chief island lord, Fang Yun True Lord, can match Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivators, and the second island lord, Fang Yun True Lord, can even fight the Peng Demon Lord to a standstill!"

Cultivators on the island murmured in alarm; some, sensing danger, immediately returned to their caves or shops and barred their doors.

Others, guilty of wrongdoing, took to the air, preparing to flee before the array fully enclosed them—or to use a break-seal talisman.

But they were instantly slain by five figures within the Ten-Thousand Forms Unpredictable Array!

Though always despised by Fang Xing, the Five Chaos Demons were formidable at the Golden Core stage.

Combined with the "Ten-Thousand Forms Unpredictable Array," even late-stage Golden Core cultivators would perish!

Tiejian Gate's cave residence.

"This…"

Brother Zhou and his fellow senior and junior disciples, streaking as lights, stared at the array above, their faces pale with terror: "What's going on?"

They exchanged glances, each heart filled with dread: 'Could it be… our secret's been exposed?'

"Brother Zhou, Sister Murong."

At that moment, Huolong True Lord's spiritual sense transmitted a message.

The Golden Core True Lords immediately flew into Huolong True Lord's cave.

"Judging by this, the Mingkun Island Lord must have emerged from seclusion…"

Huolong True Lord's expression was grave: "Though I don't know if he's come for us, we must be on guard. Take these fourth-rank talismans—each of you keep one. If the Island Lord comes for us, flee for your lives…"

"Yes!"

Brother Zhou, Sister Murong, and the others all responded, their hearts trembling with fear.

Such was the sorrow of living under another's roof.

Seeing this, Huolong True Lord's resolve grew even firmer.

Not long after, they saw a golden rainbow streaking from the island's center, heading straight for the Sea Market.

"The Island Lord isn't coming for us…"

Seeing this, the Tiejian Gate Golden Core True Lords felt a profound sense of relief—like escaping death.

"Hmm? That direction… seems to be Wanhua Tower?"

Huolong True Lord glanced again, his expression turning peculiar.

Brother Zhou and Sister Murong exchanged glances, both sensing something strange: "After decades of seclusion, why would the Nascent Soul True Lord's first outing be to seek discourse with those Yin cultivators?"

…

Fang Xing, transformed into a streak of light, arrived above the Sea Market.

Streams of light shot forth to greet him; at their head was Ni Huolong: "Your servant bows before the Island Lord!"

"Hmm. During my seclusion, you've all been quite lively."

Fang Xing swept his gaze across them, sneering.

Ni Huolong instantly felt his heart drop: "Your servant doesn't understand the Island Lord's meaning."

Fang Xing glanced at him—this third-rank array master had been diligent, never skimming transmission fees.

As for privately selling maps of the outer seas or arrays—those were side earnings, his own skill; Fang Xing had no intention of pursuing it.

But several other Golden Core True Lords, controlled by poison pills, resented him and had deceived him repeatedly.

The worst among them had even betrayed him, selling his secrets.

Fang Xing didn't bother speaking further—he flicked his finger.

A golden sword light appeared; the two Golden Core True Lords caught in its glow didn't even scream before their heads were severed and their internal Golden Cores shattered.

"These two betrayed their master for personal gain, leaking Mingkun Island secrets—they deserve death."

Fang Xing's gaze swept over the others, fixing on several Golden Core True Lords: "You've been timid, amassed plenty of Spirit Stones—return tenfold to me, or… Heihei."

The Golden Core True Lords immediately turned pale with terror: "We humbly obey the Island Lord's command!"

Only Ni Huolong, staring at the two slain Golden Core True Lords and then down at Wanhua Tower, seemed to understand.

Wanhua Tower was infamous in the market as a golden pit—countless high-rank cultivators lingered there endlessly.

Those two cultivators… often visited Wanhua Tower for pleasure?

At this moment, the commotion above clearly disturbed Wanhua Tower below.

Countless petals shimmered and fluttered around the tower, enveloping it in an illusionary veil—clearly, a powerful array had been activated.

A noble lady, riding a floral carpet artifact, rose into the air.

Her face was like peach blossoms, her waist slender as willow, her chest half-exposed—utterly enchanting. She bowed gracefully to Fang Xing, then spoke: "I am Wen Wanrou. I greet the Island Lord. What offense has Wanhua Tower committed against you?"

"Wanhua Tower hasn't offended me—but you've harbored my enemies, spying on me…"

Fang Xing said coolly: "Hand over Nongyue and Yaoxing!"

Wen Wanrou's expression changed instantly—those two women were both pseudo-Golden Core cultivators, Wanhua Tower's top courtesans.

Once one reached Golden Core level, the Qi of Qi Condensation cultivators was beneath notice; only Foundation Establishment furnaces were worth a second glance.

To make Golden Core True Lords chase after them, spending thousands of Spirit Stones?

One needed at least a pseudo-Golden Core. Nongyue and Yaoxing were Wanhua Tower's top stars.

"Island Lord, could there be a misunderstanding?"

Wen Wanrou's face stiffened: "Wanhua Tower is operated by Lianyun Island."

Lianyun Island was a major power in the Inner Sea.

The Haihai cultivation world was divided into Inner and Outer Seas; Inner Sea factions were generally stronger than Outer Sea ones.

The Outer Sea's characteristics? First, vast territories; second, countless factions!

"So you didn't accidentally harbor them—you deliberately protected them."

Fang Xing nodded, flicked his finger.

A speck of purple-blue flame appeared, drifting toward Wen Wanrou.

WHOOSH!

The purple-blue flame instantly swelled to the size of a human head, radiating terrifying heat that made Golden Core cultivators pale.

Wen Wanrou's body flashed a fourth-rank talisman, barely dodging into the array—her face turned ashen: "Elder, spare me! I submit!"

"You don't submit—you merely realize you're going to die."

Fang Xing's expression was icy: "A mere Golden Core cultivator dares bargain with me? Is it Lianyun Island emboldening you?"

Feeling the terrifying power of the Purple-Blue Divine Flame, Wen Wanrou's face turned deathly pale.

She was used to flattery and diplomacy, mistaking Lianyun Island's backing for her own strength, thinking she could negotiate with this Nascent Soul True Lord.

But she forgot—in the cultivation world, it's always the strong who devour the weak!

ZIIIIIT!

The Purple-Blue Divine Flame surged violently, reducing countless petals to ash.

"That's a quasi-fourth-rank array?"

Beside him, Ni Huolong, witnessing this, was secretly stunned.

Wan Hua Lou dared to set up a pseudo-fourth-rank array within the Sea Market; even if merely for self-defense, it speaks volumes of their sinister intentions.

Seeing Fang Xing effortlessly shatter the pseudo-fourth-rank array with a mere flick of his hand, he was utterly awed.

"Ah!"

Wen Wanrou let out a shriek as a speck of purple-blue fire landed on her body.

Instantly, she and her defensive treasure turned to ash.

"Island Master, spare us! We submit to whatever punishment you decree!"

Seeing Wen Wanrou's fate, the cultivators inside Wan Hua Lou immediately cried out in surrender.

"Hmph. Even the Lianyun Island dares come to my island—I'll take it."

Fang Xing sneered, causing the surrounding Foundation Establishment experts to tremble inwardly: 'The Island Master is this ruthless and absolute in his will—Wen Wanrou's death… was truly unjust.'

Even Wen Wanrou would have eventually submitted—but no one expected Fang Xing to act so swiftly!

For Fang Xing, he had already prepared the Ten Thousand Dharma Ghost Infant to rapidly devour and ascend; he cared nothing for his reputation's ruin.

He even wished the Nascent Soul elders would come to him willingly.

Thus, he struck with brutal ferocity, deliberately provoking Lianyun Island—it was simply their misfortune.

In his hand, he toyed with the Purple-Blue Divine Flame; this fourth-rank spiritual fire no longer raged as before, now coiling like a tiny serpent along his fingers.

"Ten breaths. Hand them over!"

No sooner had Fang Xing spoken than the sound of battle erupted within Wan Hua Lou.

Moments later, two disheveled female cultivators of pseudo-Foundation Establishment were escorted before Fang Xing, their dantians sealed by several Foundation Establishment cultivators: "Island Master, Nuyue and Yaoxing have been brought!"

Judging by their appearance, they were not Wan Hua Lou's guest masters, but merely visitors enjoying themselves here.

But there was no choice—they had to act to avoid provoking Fang Xing.

Pseudo-Foundation Establishment cultivators? Foundation Establishment experts might politely call them "comrade," but in truth, they were nothing when real combat began!

These two women might even have been dragged straight from their beds—barely clothed, utterly defenseless.

Fang Xing said nothing more—he immediately began soul-searching.

Moments later, he dropped two corpses, a cold smirk forming on his face: "Tianyin Sect… Jiaoyue, Huoyun… how dare they plot against me?"

This was merely an excuse—to show utter enmity, paving the way for his future destruction of Tianyin Island.

More crucially…

'These two women held considerable status—they knew that Huoyun Zhenjun and Jiaoyue Zhenjun were currently merging their cultivation, attempting to forge the Yin-Yang Great True Art… Should they succeed, they might rival Nascent Soul Great Zhenjuns?'

'But even if they rival Nascent Soul Great Zhenjuns—what then? My true body will sweep them all away. Even a Transcendent God would die before me!'

In the Hanhai Immortal Realm, aside from the two Sacred Sites, all others were nothing but clay chickens and paper dogs to Fang Xing!

Even Sacred Site cultivators—he feared them not, so long as they didn't invade his stronghold.

Even if he met a Transcendent God, he might not win—but escaping should pose no great problem.

…

After dealing with the Foundation Establishment experts, Fang Xing did not return to his cave.

He went to the edge of the Sea Market, to a shantytown district.

Here gathered only Qi Condensation cultivators—even low- and mid-stage ones—the lowest rung of the immortal world, yet the most numerous.

Every market's outskirts inevitably had such shanty quarters.

'Watching this scene… it truly stirs memories… When I first entered the immortal world, I too wandered among shanties.'

Fang Xing walked a few steps and stopped before a wooden hut.

The hut looked crudely built, on the verge of collapse.

An ancient, withered spirit farmer, a tobacco pipe tucked at his waist, hurried out with deep respect: "Esteemed elder, whom do you seek?"

His face, etched with deep wrinkles, beamed with servility; his cultivation was around Qi Condensation Third Stage, his knuckles thick, his fingernails still stained with traces of spirit soil.

Clearly an experienced, commonplace spirit farmer.

"I'm not looking for anyone else—I'm looking for you."

Fang Xing pointed at the old farmer: "Your disguise technique is astonishingly flawless—even face to face—I detected almost no flaw."

"Elder?"

At these words, the surrounding Qi Condensation cultivators froze.

Old Xing had tilled here for decades—could he truly be a hidden master?

Old Xing had settled in the shantytown over thirty years ago, leasing three mu of spirit fields. He worked diligently, his only pleasure being to buy cheap grain liquor after selling his spirit rice, then visit half-curtained female cultivators for fleeting pleasure.

Even when bullied by nearby gangs, he meekly paid protection fees—could he really be a master?

What did he want?

"But you did reveal a flaw…"

Old Xing's expression changed; a thick black mist enveloped him, and the overwhelming aura of a Nascent Soul cultivator surged forth: "I am An Yun Dian's An He Zhenjun. Tell me, Fang Xing, where did I slip up?"

"I can't…"

Fang Xing smiled pleasantly. Should he tell An He Zhenjun his every move had been monitored and flagged by the cosmic spaceship, then flagged by big-data analysis?

"You spied on my private affairs without cause. Today, you shall leave your life here—to warn others!"

At these words, An He Zhenjun's face darkened: "You dare? My An Yun Dian has Great Zhenjuns in residence!"

(End of Chapter)