Compensation

Several days later, Linyuan City appeared in the distance. Fang Xiao sent transmission talismans separately to Linyuan City and Yan Tingyun, arranging to meet them at the sect's residence.

He then slowed the Wind Riding Boat without landing and passed slowly through the city gate. Seeing that he was Tianlan Sect's Soaring Cloud Sword Son, the gate guards acted as though nothing had happened and did not stop him in the slightest.

A short while later, Yan Tingyun and Linyuan City's representative were already waiting in the square outside the sect residence.

"Junior Brother Fang, are you unharmed? I never expected you to be placed in such danger. I did not think this mission through carefully enough."

Yan Tingyun spoke first. Fang Xiao had just given a brief account of what had happened through the transmission talisman.

"This time, my life truly hung by a thread. Had it not been for a fortunate coincidence, I would likely already have fallen. I suppose I survived a great calamity. This is not Senior Brother's fault, but the Five Elements Sect must give me an explanation. As for Linyuan City, you must explain yourselves as well."

If he had died at the claws of demon beasts, he could only blame his own lack of skill. But he had indeed been plotted against by those on his own side. Fang Xiao's tone was cold. Having faced such enormous danger, he had no intention of keeping it under wraps. Otherwise, how was he supposed to demand benefits?

"This mission was undertaken at our request for your sect's assistance, yet Fellow Daoist Fang nearly met with disaster. We are deeply ashamed. Linyuan City will certainly offer compensation for this. Whatever you require, Fellow Daoist, feel free to name it."

This Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator from Linyuan City did not doubt Fang Xiao's words. After all, Fang Xiao was not the only victim. His Spiritual Sense swept over the several people trapped inside the cocoons, and seeing that their lives were not in immediate danger, he first focused on placating Fang Xiao, Tianlan Sect's Sword Son.

Seeing this, Fang Xiao turned to Yan Tingyun. When he saw him nod, he understood his meaning.

"Then how about this? The Essence of Five Metals or Soul Spirit Objects will do. With those as compensation, this matter can be put to rest."

"No problem. I will return and look into it at once. If there is anything suitable, I will have it delivered to you as soon as possible."

"Mm."

"These people still require treatment, so I will not delay you any longer. Farewell, Fellow Daoists."

Seeing that Fang Xiao was willing to reconcile, he immediately agreed to his demands and swiftly departed with the people in the cocoons.

"Junior Brother Fang, you have made this Senior Brother see you in an even more impressive light. You actually saved yourself and killed your enemy after a Golden Core cultivator attempted to possess you. Your future will surely be boundless."

"Senior Brother Yan overpraises me. If the other party's soul had not already been exceedingly weak, I fear I would have been possessed by him by now."

"Rest assured. Others are one thing, but you are a disciple of Tianlan Sect. You saved a disciple of the Five Elements Sect, only to nearly be harmed by someone from that very sect. We must demand an explanation."

"This matter was not necessarily the Five Elements Sect's intention. If they are willing to compensate me and reconcile, please inform them that the compensation must include the finest Five Qi Spirit Seeds and Essence of Five Metals."

Fang Xiao did not truly want to stir up trouble. He merely wanted some benefits, so he stated his demands.

"Good. Leave this matter to me. I will make them obediently deliver the goods." Yan Tingyun naturally understood and confidently gave his word.

"Then I will go rest first. Once this matter is settled, I plan to head for the sect."

"As you should. Go rest first, Junior Brother."

The Five Qi Spirit Seeds Fang Xiao demanded from the Five Elements Sect were indispensable external materials for cultivating the Five Qi Cultivating Immortal Scripture. They were Spirit Seeds refined after birth, five in total, each corresponding to one of the Five Elements. When cultivating the Five Qi Cultivating Immortal Scripture, they had to be planted in the Five Viscera in advance. However, refining these Spirit Seeds took considerable time and effort. Fang Xiao had no intention of refining them himself. The Five Elements Sect surely did not lack them, so he might as well demand them all at once.

Even if they guessed that he intended to cultivate the Five Qi Cultivating Immortal Scripture, there was nothing they could do to him. Not to mention that they were currently beset by troubles within and without—how would they dare offend Tianlan Sect again? Moreover, the Five Qi Spirit Seeds were utterly pure and immaculate. Even if they wanted to leave some hidden method within them, it would be impossible.

Fang Xiao returned to his residence. Looking back on this experience, it truly had been perilous. If he had not bought the Five Spirits Plate on a sudden whim, then when facing Wang Zhongping's soul controlling a Golden Core body, even with the Soul Nurturing Gourd, he likely would have had little chance of survival.

The Cultivation World was truly fraught with danger at every turn. Even if one walked on thin ice, one could still be swept into some crisis and die without ever knowing why. Caution alone was useless. Only increasing one's strength was the true foolproof measure.

No longer dwelling on it, Fang Xiao decided to settle the matter of the spirit beast first.

He took out the Rejuvenating Spirit Wine and drank deeply, using it to swiftly recover the spiritual power he had expended on the journey back. He also took out the Beast Taming Method and began studying it. This method came from the Beast Taming Sect of the Central Holy Land, so the forbidden seal techniques it contained were naturally exceptional.

After choosing a forbidden seal, Fang Xiao released the Vajra Young Ape from the Spirit Beast Bag and placed it within the Forbidden Array he had carved in advance. He gradually activated the array with spiritual power.

Once he saw that there were no problems, he forced out a drop of Essence Blood from his fingertip. Using his Spiritual Sense, he controlled the blood into a blood-colored forbidden seal, then pointed it directly at the young ape's brow. The seal swiftly entered its sea of consciousness and ultimately merged into the young ape's soul.

The advantage of this forbidden seal technique was that the spirit beast subjected to it would not develop thoughts of betrayal. Of course, that was only if its cultivation did not surpass its master's by too great a margin. Otherwise, once the spirit beast's soul suppressed the forbidden seal, a rebellious heart would naturally arise.

As for how to nurture spirit beasts, the Jade Slip had thoughtfully included several pill formulas. Fang Xiao decided to leave their refinement to Xiao Yan. Before heading to the sect, he could pay him a visit as well.

Fang Xiao put the young ape back into the Spirit Beast Bag, slowly left the room, and headed toward Xiao Yan's residence.

Upon arriving outside Xiao Yan's courtyard, Fang Xiao triggered the formation. A moment later, the formation opened.

"Senior Brother Fang, please wait in the reception room for a moment. This batch of pills will be ready soon."

"Junior Brother, just focus on refining pills."

He walked to the reception room by himself and sat down, closing his eyes as he continued studying the Five Qi Cultivating Immortal Scripture.

Half an hour later, Xiao Yan emerged from his pill-refining chamber, still carrying the scent of medicinal herbs.

"Senior Brother Fang—no, I should call you Martial Uncle Fang. I only learned a few days ago that you had successfully reached Foundation Establishment, and I did not have time to visit and offer my congratulations."

"Junior Brother, there is no need for this. We have always been openhearted with one another; how could our relationship compare to that of others? Besides, with your aptitude, reaching Foundation Establishment is only a matter of time. We can continue addressing each other as senior and junior brothers in the future."

"This... then I will do as Senior Brother says."

"I see that you have also reached the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining. Do you have any hope of obtaining a Foundation Establishment Pill this time?"

"Rest assured, Senior Brother. The sect always gives special consideration to disciples like us who possess special skills. I am confident I can secure a Foundation Establishment Pill."

"That is good. If you need anything, tell me directly. I came this time because I need you to refine some pills for me. Take a look and see whether there will be any difficulty."

With that, Fang Xiao handed over the Jade Slip in his hand.

"Good. Then let it be the Spirit Feeding Pill. I will come collect them when I have time. Also, I am heading to the sect. If you have time to return to the Outer Court, look after Fatty Han a little more. He is quite capable."

"Understood. This Junior Brother wishes Senior Brother a smooth journey on the immortal path and an early Golden Core."

"The same to you, Junior Brother. Reach Foundation Establishment soon. I will wait for you at the sect."

Having said all that needed to be said, he only had to wait for Linyuan City and the Five Elements Sect to deliver the items before setting off for the sect.

Fang Xiao did not have to wait long. Five days later, Linyuan City and the Five Elements Sect delivered the things he needed, one after the other.

The Five Elements Sect sent a Golden Core Stage elder, accompanied by Yu Mengsheng, whom Fang Xiao had saved.