Chapter 600: Level 15

The Killing Sect venerates the "Great Killing Sovereign," also known as the "Great Annihilation Divine One" or the "Great Destruction Venerable"… its doctrine extols killing and destruction…

Followers of the Killing Sect can please the "Great Killing Sovereign" through destruction and slaughter, thereby receiving blessings—even mortals may be elevated to Foundation Establishment or even Yin Spirit…

Due to its extreme doctrine, it has long been feared and suppressed by the Zhou Shenchao… this cult worshipping a demonic deity appears stronger than even the Ten Great Sects of the Outer Lands.

For some reason, it held on until recently—but finally could hold on no longer…

Yet the Killing Sect followers are all madmen; others think they're collapsing, but in truth they may be enjoying themselves, capable of slaughtering for another decade or even decades…

Yet even this slight surge of momentum terrified the Ten Great Sects of the Outer Lands into launching their own survival massacre…

After reading the miscellany, Fang Xing felt utterly speechless.

'At present, Qingmu Ridge is on the defensive…'

'The Xuanmu True Man was likely ambushed and killed before the Blood Shadow Sect's invasion, his body destroyed and spirit scattered—only a fragment of his Yin Spirit escaped…'

'What comes next won't be easy…'

But none of this concerns me—I'm just a weak logistics cultivator. Unless the Blood Shadow Sect launches a full-scale attack on Qingmu Ridge, I won't be called to fight…

After supervising these disciples at work, Fang Xing resumed planting trees on his own.

When night fell and he returned to his treehouse, he retrieved a scroll of spellcraft.

It was exchanged using his own merit points from the sect—named "Soul Confusion Art"!

It can bewilder an opponent's soul, extracting the information one desires.

"Hmm, Xuanmu True Man was also from Qingmu Ridge—so this is like using the original broth to cook the original food?"

"But he's a Yin Spirit True Man who took over another body—his soul is extraordinarily resilient. Unless it's a Grandmaster-level Soul Confusion Art, it's not reliable…"

Fang Xing formed hand seals, and a stream of hazy golden light emanated from his eyes, inducing dizziness and vertigo in any who beheld it.

As he practiced, a new line of text appeared on his status bar:

【Soul Confusion Art (Beginner 1/100)】

…

Time flew by.

For cultivators, wars lasting years or even decades were normal.

Qingyu Garden remained tranquil; since the incident with Hua Qing, no disciples had gone missing.

Gradually, Dong Meier and the others relaxed, asked about the casualties among fellow disciples, and couldn't help but sigh in relief—glad they'd been assigned to logistics duties.

Under these circumstances, even Dong Meier had to rein in her haughty nature and work diligently under Fei Changqing, fearing Fang Xing would "return her" to the battlefield.

One day.

Fang Xing was planting trees as usual when he suddenly looked up.

A jade-green teleportation light descended, revealing Fei Yong's figure.

"Huh?"

He studied Fei Yong and noticed his aura was unstable—clearly injured internally.

"Brother Fang…"

Fei Yong's face was as pale as gold; he offered a weak bow with a bitter smile.

"You're injured?"

Fang Xing raised a hand slightly and released a natural healing aura.

Beneath a veil of green light, Fei Yong's complexion improved immediately, regaining a touch of color.

"During the surprise attack on Xitai Mountain, we encountered the Blood Shadow Sect's Shadow Puppet lineage's 'Yellow Skin'—one of their 'weasel skins' was terrifying, undoubtedly from a late Foundation Establishment beast… I was lucky. Brother Hua was targeted—he didn't survive."

Fei Yong's face was still haunted: "Brother Fang, your healing art—if used on the battlefield—could save countless lives…"

"Don't get me involved."

Fang Xing quickly shook his head.

He no longer sold healing berries—first because the rune coins weren't worth it, second because he wanted nothing to do with the battlefield.

Fei Yong could only smile bitterly.

Now, he understood Fang Xing better than ever.

But there was no way—he couldn't leave the battlefield openly.

This respite was earned only after great battlefield merit.

"How's the front going?"

Fang Xing walked with Fei Yong through the Changqing forest, asking casually.

"Our forces have launched multiple assaults but still cannot take Xitai Mountain."

Fei Yong spoke truthfully for once: "The 'Xilian True Man' is truly formidable. Using the 'Xitai Array,' his shadow puppetry is nearly indistinguishable from reality—even the puppets retain most of their former combat power. One of them is said to be our own 'Xuanmu Master'—though not at Yin Spirit level, it can still defeat ordinary late Foundation Establishment cultivators. Three of our True Men attacked together, yet all were blocked by Xilian, unable to destroy the Xitai. Now the Blood Shadow Sect is upgrading the Xitai into a 'Theater Pavilion,' while numerous spies infiltrate our rear—everywhere is burning. Only Qingmu Ridge remains relatively stable…"

'Is Fei Changqing really this bad? Even his corpse was skinned?'

Fang Xing thought silently: 'Can't we even clean out the demons in our own territory?'

Fei Yong shook his head bitterly: 'According to our estimates, the Blood Shadow Sect has infiltrated a 'Spirit Illusion Paper House Dimension' as a mobile base… this dimension exists between reality and illusion, self-contained, utterly secure, and far more hidden—even if caught by surprise by a Yin Spirit True Man, it can escape.'

'Now even Qingli Marsh is unstable—my Fei family has suffered heavy losses…'

He handed Fang Xing a letter, stained with blood: 'This is from Lu Feng of the Lu family.'

Fang Xing took it and opened it, reading the opening:

'Your nephew, weeping blood, bows a hundred times: '

Lu Feng and the Lu family had suffered terrible luck: they rashly entered the medicine and artifact trade, spent vast rune coins stockpiling strategic goods, then faced a market crash and had to liquidate at a loss.

Just after selling off their stock, the war broke out—Lu Feng and the family elders all spat blood.

This single blow crippled the Lu family; they'd need ten years to recover, yet now war had come again.

As a subordinate force under Qingmu Ridge, both the Fei family and the Poison Dragon Slope were obligated to send people as cannon fodder.

The Lu family sent many cultivators, but their own home was invaded by demonic cultivators who set fires, killing many civilians. Lu Feng's letter was clearly a cry for help.

'Alas… what can I do now?'

Fang Xing sighed, his face cold, saying nothing of the black snake or his other hidden arrangements.

In truth, with the Poison Dragon Slope's current setup, as long as no more than a few Foundation Establishment cultivators were sent, his ten-thousand-mu bamboo sea was safe.

How many Lu family members died? That was none of his concern.

Seeing this, Fei Yong sighed inwardly.

This Brother Fang had clearly decided to keep the tiger in its den—seeking self-preservation.

'Also… Hu Liuniang died protecting several younger disciples in battle against demonic cultivators…'

'The demonic cultivator who invaded the Poison Dragon Slope vanished for some reason—otherwise, the Lu family might have been wiped out…'

Fei Yong shared a few more pieces of news.

Every single one was true!

'So Liuniang is gone too…'

Fang Xing felt a pang of sorrow: 'Of the Five Cloud Companions from back then, not one remains…'

As for the vanished demonic cultivator?

Almost certainly entered the western bamboo grove—and then nothing more…

…

Time flowed like water.

Before long, it was again the once-in-a-decade harvest season.

Dong Meier and the disciples stared at Fei Changnong, faces bright with joy.

'Good, good, good…'

Fei Changnong gazed at the greater quantity of century-grade medicinal herbs than before, nodding repeatedly: 'The front is dire. Brother Fang, your ability to grow so many century-grade herbs is a great merit to the sect… these are valued at six thousand seven hundred merit points. How does that sound?'

'Fine.'

Fang Xing nodded, watching another cluster of stars appear on the back of his disciple token.

'Ha! Congratulations, younger brother—you've now gathered ten thousand merit points. You may exchange them for the Divine Art Foundation Diagram to study.'

Fei Changnong added: 'But studying Divine Arts is difficult. Ten thousand merit points only grant ten years of study time… if you fail to comprehend it, you must exchange more…'

'I understand.'

Fang Xing felt a touch of disappointment.

He'd thought his Xu Kequan upgrade would reveal more pseudo-Divine Art options.

'Could it be… I can only choose "Grass Spirit"?'

'No… there's another option.'

Fang Xing's gaze swept over Fei Changqing, who had barely reached Qi Sensing Seventh Layer this year, lost in thought.

'But no need to rush… my Druid level is about to rise.'

'After Level 15, dealing with him will be safest…'

…

Deep night.

Inside the treehouse.

Fang Xing sat cross-legged, feeling the dense natural power permeating his entire body.

'Worth it—I planted Changqing trees across half the valley…'

'Finally…'

He focused his mind on his status bar:

【You have received a "Natural Baptism," and your Druid level has advanced to 15!】

【You have gained the talent— "Ageless Body"!】

BOOM!

In an instant, Fang Xing felt his life force undergo a "qualitative transformation!"

His already long lifespan extended to an unimaginable degree.

【Ageless Body: Your appearance remains youthful, your lifespan greatly extended, and the rate of life decay reduced to one-fifth!】

"Finally... I've obtained the Ageless Body talent. I no longer need to worry about running out of time."

Fang Xing rejoiced and checked the detailed stats:

【Name: Fang Xing】

【Age: 75/3200】

【Class: Druid Level 15】

【Realm: Daoji Mid-Stage (Yù Cōng Lóng)】

【Talents: Nature Affinity, Wild Shape, Plant Growth, Toxin Immunity, Youthful Vitality, Thorned Vines, Barkskin, Natural Healing, Tree Person Awakening, Tree Shepherd, Toughness, Combat Casting, Enlightenment, Regeneration, Ageless Body】

【Skills: Perfect Hands (Master 800/800), Origami Art (Master 788/800), Beast Taming Art (Master 800/800), Qi Concealment Art (Master 800/800), Mind Confusion Art (Master 800/800)】

"3, 00 years of lifespan? I could outlive several Yangshen True Lords."

Fang Xing nodded in satisfaction: "The Origami Art still falls just short of perfection—likely because I lack the final transmission of the 'Spiritual Illusory Paper House Realm'!"

"But now that Mind Confusion Art is perfected, I can act against that person..."

(End of Chapter)