Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

Chapter 103: Prolonging Longevity

After a period of observation and experimentation, Fang Xi gained a rough understanding of the situation.

The Demon Tree could absorb flesh and blood, converting it into highly pure life vital energy, which would then be returned to its owner!

Life vital energy is crucial for many ‘Longevity-Enhancing Medicinal Pills’!

“In other words… each time I cultivate, it’s akin to consuming an Age-Prolonging Pill. Could this potentially offset the lifespan lost during a day?”

“Wouldn’t that mean I could essentially achieve immortality? No, wait, there’s a key requirement missing - vast amounts of blood qi!”

Based on Fang Xi’s observations, the Demon Tree’s daily feedback of vital energy roughly equaled half a day of life span.

In essence, he could live two days’ worth of life in just one ordinary day!

His longevity effectively doubled!

If allowed unrestricted absorption of blood qi by the Demon Tree, achieving ‘immortality’ might even become possible!

However, this was practically unfeasible due to the limited amount of flesh produced from the Beefwood. Expanding the Demon Tree recklessly without regard for consequences would consume resources far beyond what Peach Blossom Island could provide, risking discovery and intervention by cultivators seeking to eliminate such threats.

Despite Peach Blossom Island’s abundant flesh resources, such rapid growth would inevitably attract attention, leading to cultivators arriving to slay demons and purge evil!

“Regardless, even doubling my lifespan is incredibly astonishing!”

“In other words, if I keep cultivating trees, could I potentially live for over two hundred years, even at the Qi Refinement stage?” Fang Xi’s eyes lit up with excitement.

A typical Qi Refinement stage cultivator has a lifespan of roughly two sixty-year cycles, equating to 120 years! Foundation Establishment cultivators can expect four sixty-year cycles, around 240 years! Those who Form their Gold Cores enjoy a venerable longevity approaching five hundred years!

Additionally, certain Age-Prolonging Pills can further extend one’s lifespan to some extent.

Moreover, cultivators practicing wood-type techniques, if they avoid combat and focus on maintaining good health, can usually ensure reaching their maximum natural lifespan.

Fang Xi, having delved deeply into the ‘Longevity Technique’, knew that the most effective way to extend one’s life was by cultivating a postnatal wood-type spiritual body!

After all, spirit wood endures eternally!

Cultivators awakening the ‘Azure Wood Spirit Body’ can increase their lifespan by approximately ten to twenty percent!

The legendary ‘Second Wood Dharma Body’ is even more astounding, capable of enhancing a cultivator’s lifespan by nearly fifty percent!

In other words, if a Qi Refinement cultivator awakened the ‘Second Wood Dharma Body’, they could potentially live up to 180 years, nearing the lifespan of a Foundation Establishment cultivator!

Similarly, a Foundation Establishment cultivator with this enhancement could effortlessly surpass 300 years of life!

As for the ‘Everlasting Verdant Physique’?

It is highly unlikely that such a physique exists in this world; perhaps only within the realm of immortals would one find such an ethereal constitution.

From the brief descriptions in the Longevity Technique, Fang Xi learned that one key effect of the Everlasting Verdant Physique was remarkably straightforward - it granted an extension of longevity by ten thousand years!

Such a destined immortal’s body, capable of achieving eternal life, can likely manifest only in the celestial realms.

Previously, Fang Xi had meticulously planned his strategies with long-term foresight, knowing fully well that awakening the ‘Azure Wood Spirit Body’ would significantly extend his lifespan.

“But I never expected the Demon Tree to offer such a heaven-defying opportunity!”

“With such immense longevity, how am I supposed to fill my days?”

Fang Xi found himself grappling with the delightful dilemma of excessive time.

After completing his cultivation session, he intentionally severed his connection to the qi root, stood up, and began pondering a set of boxing techniques.

These were the Dragon Emperor Fist moves taught to him by Pang Fei!

While leveraging external factors was skillfully done, Fang Xi valued more highly the spiritual techniques and advanced martial arts concepts, which he integrated into his Primordial True Art.

“Hmm?”

As he continued refining his boxing technique, Fang Xi suddenly noticed that his blood qi, previously at the zongshi peak with no apparent room for further breakthrough, seemed to have subtly thickened.

With a cultivator’s spiritual sense combined with a zongshi’s perception, he could not be mistaken!

“So…this life vital energy can replenish my blood qi?”

“It makes sense, as aging is closely tied to the decline of blood qi.”

“Continuing this way, although each increment is minimal…over years or even decades, the cumulative effect would rival consuming a tier-2 blood qi precious pill, potentially surpassing it!”

Fang Xi clenched his fists tightly, “The inability of zongshi to achieve True Astral Manifestation stems entirely from the limitations of their physical bodies… With Great Liang mortals having limited lifespans of mere centuries, how can they accumulate sufficiently robust blood qi?”

“But I am different…with the Demon Tree’s enhancements and by investing ample time!”

“If anyone can break through to True Astral Manifestation, it will undoubtedly be me!”

---

Feeling elated, Fang Xi walked to the four-sided courtyard house.

In the pond, the large green fish had rapidly grown and now weighed approximately twenty to thirty pounds! Its aura had also ascended from low-rank first-tier to mid-rank first-tier!

After consuming vast amounts of snake-dragon essence blood, this once lethargic fish finally advanced to a higher minor realm!

“Looks like you’ve grown significantly again…” Fang Xi scattered a handful of Scarlet Blood Spirit Rice into the pond, stroking his chin as if speaking to himself, “If within ten years you don’t reach high-rank first-tier, then it’s off with your head for sashimi… Thinly sliced fish dipped in sauce, that would be truly satisfying!”

At the bottom of the pond, the large green fish trembled uncontrollably: ‘Humans are so terrifying…’

---

Seasons passed from spring to autumn.

One day, while Fang Xi was conducting his routine inspection of the spirit fields, he caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye—a black beetle voraciously devouring Scarlet Blood Spirit Rice.

“Dammit!”

With a swift thought, Fang Xi flicked his finger, sending a burst of seventh metal sword energy flying and instantly impaling the black beetle.

Upon closer examination, he discovered that these pests had infested the entire spirit field at some point without him noticing!

“Black-striped golden beetles, known for their aggressive nature, thrive on consuming spirit rice…”

Fang Xi effortlessly found this information within the spirit planter legacy.

“It must be an issue with the formation…”

He meticulously inspected it and found that the southeastern corner of the formation was slightly unstable, occasionally causing the restrictions to falter and allowing insects to exploit the weakness.

After repairing the Little Cloudrain Array, Fang Xi promptly began exterminating pests in each acre of the field.

It’s never too late to mend one’s ways!

Although a bountiful harvest was no longer possible this year, ensuring some yield remained crucial!

After busy work spanning over ten days, Fang Xi observed a small cage filled with numerous black-striped golden beetles, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

Among these beetles, there was one exceptional creature: its body shimmered like Qingyu jade, adorned with intricate patterns on its back, resembling a regal monarch among the other beetles.

“Blue and white tortoise beetle!”

“So there’s even a leader amongst them…”

Fang Xi pondered for a moment before retrieving a jade slip from his bag of holding.

This jade slip had been found within the bag belonging to one of the five Late Stage Qi Refinement cultivators who attempted to ambush him last time. It must have belonged to some unfortunate soul, containing a notebook about insect cultivation.

Although the notebook was incomplete, combined with Fang Xi’s prior knowledge from the Beast Control legacy, he could still manage to understand it adequately.

“Black-striped golden beetles are practically useless; their demonic aura is weak, and a single basic spirit farming extermination spell would wipe out most… However, these pests reproduce abundantly and rapidly, much like rats… If you selectively breed the best among them, there’s a chance to produce blue and white tortoise beetles!”

The blue and white tortoise beetle was indeed a low-rank first-tier demonic insect. Although individually weak, their potential impact could be significant in large numbers.

Fang Xi decided to create an insect chamber for breeding purposes, focusing on selective improvement through generations.

This would also serve as excellent practice for his Pest Repelling Technique and Beast Control Art.

Recently, despite not neglecting the study of the four arts of cultivation, he had seen minimal progress.

In contrast, Fang Xi felt confident about his aptitude in spirit plants and beasts.

“Insects naturally grow rapidly, and with my ample time, I can cultivate the most exceptional breeds!”

“The leftover insects can even feed the large green fish - perfect!”

Fang Xi glanced at the spirit fields, noting severe crop losses, and shook his head with concern.

These pests were not consuming ordinary spirit rice but rather Beefwood meat, sapping vital energy from the Demon Tree itself! That was essentially draining his very life force!

“One day, they’ll have to regurgitate everything they’ve taken from me!”

“Forget feeding them to the fish, straight to the Demon Tree!” Fang Xi thought viciously.

---

Winter arrived, with snowflakes gently drifting down.

Fang Xi ventured to the wine cellar and retrieved a bottle of aged ‘Scarlet Blood Wine’!

After removing the cork, he noticed the deep red liquid inside, reminiscent of blood, emitting an intoxicating aroma.

Taking a sip, Fang Xi found that the original raw scent of Scarlet Blood Spirit Rice had vanished, replaced by an exceptionally rich and potent flavor, akin to fiery spirits like baijiu or erguotou.

“What a strong wine!”

Feeling as if he had swallowed a ball of flame, along with a slight invigoration of his blood qi, Fang Xi nodded yet shook his head simultaneously.

This ‘Scarlet Blood Wine’ had indeed turned out well, but unfortunately, it was most effective for those in the early stages of Body Tempering, helping to strengthen their foundation and enhance their blood qi.

For him, it merely stirred his blood qi slightly without significantly increasing its potency. This was because, after advancing to the Qi Circulating Body stage and becoming a grandmaster, his body cultivation base equaled that of a Peak Qi Refining cultivator!

Progressing further would undoubtedly be immensely challenging!

Fortunately, there was still the Demon Tree, providing a steady albeit modest daily boost to his vitality.

Carrying a jug of wine, Fang Xi descended into the underground cave.

The Demon Tree had grown several feet taller, now exceeding fifteen feet in height, roughly equivalent to a single-story building’s stature.

Fang Xi sat cross-legged beneath the Demon Tree, feeling vast amounts of second-growth wood essence flowing into his body.

Adjacent to him, a pneumatic root lowered and coiled around the wine bottle, allowing him to take a sip effortlessly.

The Demon Tree essentially served as Fang Xi’s extension, enabling him to manipulate its pneumatic roots for various tasks with ease.

“Longevity is within reach, truly within reach…”

During his daily cultivation, Fang Xi felt an unceasing surge of vitality throughout his limbs and entire being, bringing a joyful expression to his face.

Suddenly, he furrowed his brow and retrieved a restriction token.

“Someone has arrived?”

Fang Xi returned to his cultivation room, placing the prayer mat back in its original position before stepping out of the courtyard.

With a wave, he deactivated the formation, revealing a figure gracefully descending on a floral basket—it was Ruan Xingling!

“Greetings, Island Lord!” Fang Xi hastily bowed in respect.

Amidst swirling petals, Ruan Xingling elegantly alighted from the flower basket, resembling a celestial maiden descending from the heavens. “There have been pest infestations in Peach Blossom Island’s spirit fields recently; I specifically came to check…”

“Ah, my fields have also suffered greatly…”

Fang Xi’s face showed a mix of bitterness and forced cheerfulness. “Since you’ve come, Island Lord, please take a seat in my courtyard. I just brewed some ‘Scarlet Blood Wine’!”

Inviting guests to sit in the courtyard was essential etiquette.

As for the underground cave? Fang Xi had meticulously disguised it, further protected by formations.

Qi Refinement cultivators lack divine sense and cannot project it externally, making it difficult for them to detect any anomalies.

Ruan Xingling entered the courtyard, showing no interest in the large green fish. With hands clasped behind her back, she surveyed the surroundings and sighed, “This courtyard seems somewhat empty and desolate. You could plant peach trees… On Peach Blossom Island, we have them everywhere, creating a beautiful scene when blossoms fall each year.”

“Island Lord is right,” agreed Fang Xi, carrying a tray with two bottles of aged Scarlet Blood Wine, which he offered Ruan Xingling to taste.

Holding a jade cup, Ruan Xingling sipped the Scarlet Blood Wine and slightly furrowed her brow. “This wine is quite strong. Do you have any other varieties?”

“Well…” Fang Xi pondered briefly. “I do have some homemade local brews, though they’re rather experimental and may not be to your refined taste.”

“Let’s give them a try.” Ruan Xingling’s eyes sparkled like morning stars.

Fang Xi, with no other choice, retrieved two more bottles of liquor, poured a cup for Ruan Xingling, and accompanied her by taking a sip himself.

The spirit rice wine was barely palatable, carrying a persistent sour taste that could not be eliminated, no matter his efforts.

“Although this wine’s flavor is average, the subtle sourness adds character. Does it have a name?”

Ruan Xingling found it quite enjoyable despite its imperfections.

“No name yet… How about ‘Bamboo Wine’?” Fang Xi echoed with sentiment as he tasted it again, reminiscing about those market days.

“Bamboo Wine, yes, excellent choice… I hope to enjoy this Bamboo Wine every year from now on.”

Ruan Xingling gracefully ascended, surrounded by thousands of petals. “Today, my great-grandfather… reached the end of his lifespan and passed away…”

“My condolences, Island Lord…”

As Fang Xi watched Ruan Xingling depart, he silently thought to himself, ‘Another one outlived…’