Chapter 588: The Natural Perfection

Fang Xing couldn't help but smile.

Indeed, to outsiders, he was a hermit, childless, with no disciples.

And Song Yunqian had only one daughter, already married off.

As for Hu Liuniang's Hu family and the branch of Tie Luo Sanren, together they had fewer people than even one branch of the Lu family.

Wouldn't the future of Poison Dragon Hill lie in the Lu family's hands?

"Don't say such things."

Fang Xing couldn't help but marvel at the power of time, recalling Old Lu's sacrifices and his unwavering resolve to move the entire Lu clan here—truly, the old are wiser.

Old Lu had long foreseen their eventual deaths.

And the longevity of bloodline can surpass any cultivator's lifespan!

"Unless one among us forges a Dao Foundation, we may never break this pattern—otherwise, the Lu family will likely monopolize everything…"

"And Old Lu went so far as to exhaust himself first—he died before anyone else, yet never harmed brotherly bonds, leaving nothing unattended…"

"Alas… I showed up."

"But… it doesn't matter that I showed up. Do I even care about these petty gains of Poison Dragon Hill? Like an owl that snatches a rotting rat—the Lu family and Old Lu were that owl…"

"Wait—a barn owl is also a 'chi.' Did I just insult myself? Well… though I don't care much for Poison Dragon Hill, the ten-thousand-mu bamboo forest's structure must not be ruined…"

…

After the funeral, Lu Feng came to Fang Xing voluntarily: "Uncle Fang…"

"What do you want? Speak plainly."

Fang Xing sipped his tea, casually.

"Yes."

Lu Feng hesitated, then probed: "When the Fei family tried to court us, they offered a disciple slot at Qingmu Ridge…"

"So? You Lu family want it?"

Fang Xing stared at Lu Feng with a half-smile, instantly making the newly minted Qi-Perception Ninth Layer expert break into a cold sweat: "No, no…"

Though some Lu elders often muttered about it, wanting to send their best children to Qingmu Ridge, Lu Feng knew full well what his own family was like.

Or rather, even if he'd once entertained the thought, today's sight of Fang Xing's procession had jolted him awake.

"This Fang Xing is obsessed with paper-folding—he must be as short-lived as Fei Shentong… but his combat power before death is terrifying. Best not to provoke him…"

Lu Feng's eyes darted: "I just heard Fei Shentong's health is failing. If he dies and the Fei family reneges, we'll be left empty-handed. Uncle Fang, don't you want to join Qingmu Ridge yourself?"

He was genuinely curious—and if Fang Xing left, it would benefit the Lu family.

"No… I'm nearly fifty. Joining a sect to be ordered around, with little chance of breaking through to Dao Foundation? Why bother?"

Fang Xing waved his hand, then asked: "What do you think of Fei Yong?"

"Fei Yong? He's not from Poison Dragon Hill." Lu Feng instinctively objected.

"He's Song Yunqian's grandson—half of Poison Dragon Hill," Fang Xing countered. "Besides, aren't you worried the Fei family won't honor the deal? Now, if we keep him in the pot, they'll be delighted…"

In truth, Fang Xing planned to send someone to Qingmu Ridge to scout.

The Fei family's word wasn't reliable.

After years of observation, sending a half-allegiant to them would at least reveal the depth of Qingmu Ridge's waters.

"Alright, it's settled then."

Fang Xing lifted his teacup, dismissed Lu Feng, and summoned Song Yunqian.

"What? Send Yong'er to Qingmu Ridge? But he's meant to become head of the Fei family!"

Song Yunqian instinctively objected too.

"Head of the Fei family? You've been fooled by the carrot dangled before that donkey?"

Fang Xing sneered: "Fei Yong's outsider bloodline ensures he can never become head. Even if he somehow does, it'll bring endless trouble. Better to escape the mire…"

Seeing Song Yunqian still reluctant, he switched tactics: "Besides, becoming a Qingmu Ridge disciple doesn't bar him from becoming head. With the main sect's backing, he might break through to Qi-Perception Ninth Layer sooner and secure the position—after all, Fei Shentong doesn't have many years left."

"That's true…"

Song Yunqian's resolve wavered: "If Yong'er succeeds, I'll make sure he repays you well…"

"Heh, I once treated Yunyun like my own daughter. Yong'er has visited me these past few years—I've always thought he's a good boy…"

Fang Xing chuckled: "Who else would I help?"

…

Whoosh! Whoosh!

West Slope Bamboo Grove.

The paper sedan landed; the four paper bearers transformed into gardeners and began tending the grounds.

Fang Xing lay on a bamboo chair before his wooden hut, fingers rhythmically tapping the backrest: "Hmm… for now, this'll do. Since I won't use the slot, might as well repurpose it…"

He stretched, then glanced instinctively at his status bar:

【Name: Fang Xing】

【Age: 44/299】

【Class: Druid 12】

【Realm: Qi-Perception Ninth Layer】

【Talents: Nature Affinity, Wild Shape, Plant Growth, Toxin Immunity, Eternal Youth, Thorn Whip, Barkskin, Natural Healing, Awaken Tree Person, Shepherd of Trees, Toughness, Combat Casting】

【Skills: Perfect Hands (Master 800/800), Paper Folding (Master 138/800), Insect Control (Master 800/800), Qi Concealment (Master 800/800)】…

"For the past decade, my Druid XP growth has slowed… only two levels gained, and the talents are mediocre—Toughness just boosts vitality, Combat Casting only speeds up spellcasting in battle…"

Fang Xing shook his head: "Good thing my lifespan keeps extending—I'd have panicked otherwise."

He sat cross-legged, silently attuning to nature.

【You experienced a 'Nature Purification.' Druid class level increased to 13. Talent 'Enlightenment Shu ' acquired!】

Soon, a new prompt appeared on his status bar:

【Enlightenment Shu: Druids may expend a certain amount of XP to grant 'Natural Enlightenment' to plants or animals, enhancing their strength and awakening intelligence!】

"This new talent seems useful—it's just 'Awakening,' similar to Awaken Tree Person, but broader in scope…"

Fang Xing felt eager to try it.

In his ten-thousand-mu bamboo forest, only two creatures were worthy of Enlightenment.

First, naturally, the Black Snake—the sacred guardian beast, tireless and loyal, a model of quiet devotion.

No error, no misreading, no content issue!

And Fang Xing might leave Poison Dragon Hill someday—he needed the Black Snake to keep guarding the bamboo grove.

Its Qi-Perception Seventh Layer cultivation was far too low.

With Enlightenment Shu, he could not only boost its intelligence but also rapidly elevate its level.

The other was the Dragon Ginseng with spiritual awareness.

Fang Xing always felt this Dragon Ginseng was ripe—but still lacked that final step to become a spirit-being.

Now was the perfect time to push it over.

"Little Green!"

He softly called, and a jade-green ginseng appeared before him.

The Dragon Ginseng was flawless, exuding a faint herbal fragrance, and expert in Earth and Wood Dunshu.

Aside from Fang Xing himself, no one could see it, let alone capture it.

Over the years, it had grown familiar with him and knew he meant no harm.

Now, it draped a few ginseng tendrils over Fang Xing's body, radiating affection and dependence like a puppy.

"Such abundant spirit… but alas…"

Fang Xing smiled, and with one finger, tapped: "Enlightenment Shu!"

A swirl of emerald light sank into the Dragon Ginseng.

Instantly, it shimmered, rolled on the ground, and transformed into a chubby, porcelain-skinned doll with a topknot, wearing a green bellyband.

"Master!?"

The ginseng doll clapped its hands, delighted: "I've taken form!"

"So this is what Eastern spirit-beings look like…"

Fang Xing glanced at it, thoughtful, then checked his status bar: "I've leveled up—will Enlightenment Shu drain XP and cause me to drop levels?"

But soon he saw he remained at Druid Level 13—though his lifespan had shortened by a few years…

"Whatever. I've gained many more years upon breakthrough anyway—net gain."

Fang Xing gazed at the ginseng doll, knowing its utility had greatly increased—yet he had no thought of eating it.

His philosophy was survival of the fittest: if a spirit-being threatened his safety or was needed for survival, he'd kill and consume it—be it spirit, beast, or nature's child.

Or, to level up, he'd consume rare treasures—but if one gained sentience and posed no threat, he wouldn't touch it.

Of course, the Druid path embraced all—even consuming them, even falling into darkness—that was still a Druid path, just not his own.

"Congratulations, Little Green… you're now a proper ginseng spirit. Your duty is to manage the entire bamboo grove."

Fang Xing smiled, deliberately giving Little Green more responsibility.

Such a spiritual entity was formidable even before transformation—now that it had taken form, even the Black Snake might not match it.

Perfect. He'd appoint it as the second gardener, to oversee everything.

"Yes."

If Little Green had once been dependent on Fang Xing, now it worshipped him.

"By the way, Master... I think I can help you."

Xiao Qing suddenly spoke.

"You've been helping me all along."

Fang Xing was puzzled by her meaning.

"No, it's this!"

Xiao Qing, in her urgency, revealed her true form—whereupon the top of the emerald ginseng suddenly bore a large, crimson seed.

A strange fragrance spread out, causing Fang Xing's Yuan Dragon Snake Qi to stir restlessly within him.

"Is this... a ginseng seed? But none of the previous ones had any effect..."

"So after you took human form, the seeds you produce have become a Foundation Establishment spiritual substance? And one especially suited to my Foundation Establishment?"

Fang Xing suddenly understood, taking the crimson seed—no larger than a dragon's eye—and felt the strength of this world's karma Zhidao.

Is every sip and bite predestined?

If I had simply eaten the Dragon King Ginseng outright, would this fate have never come to pass?

(End of Chapter)