Chapter 100: Situation in Tianxuan City
Tianxuan City.
“Foundation Establishment cultivators who leave their spiritual imprint can now collect their identity jade tokens.”
“This time, Master Lu personally issued the order. Any robbers who dare stir up trouble within Tianxuan City will be severely punished. Even if they manage to escape by luck, they will be placed on the wanted list.
All cultivators in the world, whether rogue or sect-affiliated, will be rewarded for killing or capturing them and returning them to Tianxuan City.”
Lin Changan, who had just received his identity jade token, heard this announcement from afar, and couldn’t help but nod secretly.
The hearts of the people in Tianxuan City had finally stabilized.
The number one rogue cultivator of Yue Kingdom, with mid-stage Golden Core cultivation, plus a late-stage third-rank Blackwater Turtle—who would dare cause trouble?
Not to mention the rewards announced. If someone was lucky enough to snatch something good, they would immediately be targeted by countless greedy cultivators.
“Clan cultivators will be responsible for the inner city. If anyone causes trouble, their family members will be implicated. Rogue cultivators with dependents will be responsible for…”
As the third auction approached, the people in Tianxuan City grew restless. Some were already considering returning to nearby small marketplaces to lay low.
In the end, Foundation Establishment cultivators left behind their spiritual imprints one after another, each taking charge of a designated area. This immediately calmed the wavering hearts.
“Brother Lin, I didn’t expect we’d be able to receive a cultivation insight in advance.”
Chen Qing was visibly excited. All Foundation Establishment cultivators who had left their spiritual imprint were eligible to receive a jade slip of cultivation insights in advance.
Be it cultivation techniques, spells, or skills—one could choose a single insight.
“Yes, though it's just some basic material, for us rogue cultivators, it's already very rare.”
Having received a talisman-crafting insight, Lin Changan couldn't help but nod in admiration. This Master Lu’s methods were truly watertight.
As Lin Changan raised his hand and infused it with spiritual power, a transparent disc appeared before him.
Countless red dots began to appear and increase rapidly—one could imagine how many cultivators had joined the mission this time.
“Brother Lin, should anything unexpected happen, I hope you’ll look after me.”
Chen Qing lowered his posture and spoke with a beaming smile, to which Lin Changan also smiled and replied:
“Brother Chen, you're too polite. We’re both Foundation Establishment cultivators; I can't accept such words.”
Though Lin Changan was modest, there was a trace of envy in Chen Qing’s smile.
Indeed, they were both Foundation Establishment cultivators, but Lin Changan was also a second-rank Talisman Master.
Not to mention, he had previously used the forelimbs of the Ironback Mantis Demon to directly upgrade the Bamboo Sword to the level of a premium-grade magical artifact (spirit artifact).
One must know—even for a low-grade second-rank Talisman Master, it would take nearly ten years without eating or drinking to afford one.
Moreover, Foundation Establishment cultivators usually had significant daily expenses. For rogue cultivators like Chen Qing without good skills, owning a spirit artifact was a luxury.
Some cultivators might not obtain one even after fifty years at the Foundation Establishment stage—unless they risked their lives and got lucky.
But achieving Foundation Establishment was already difficult, and entire families depended on them for protection. Many cultivators, despite their desires, had no choice but to give up.
…
Gathering Immortals Tower.
“Didn't expect this region would be under Brother Lin’s charge. Qingqing, Wei Buyi, and I were preparing to close our shop and return to Bamboo Mountain Marketplace to avoid the unrest.”
Shen Lie, who had planned to shut his doors, now spoke with a broad smile.
Sitting by the window on the top floor of the Gathering Immortals Tower, Lin Changan had a perfect view of the region under his responsibility.
“Just lucky. This region happened to be unclaimed, so I took it.”
Lin Changan nodded with a smile. Naturally, if given a choice, he would choose a familiar area.
And it also allowed him to look after acquaintances.
More importantly, the properties around Gathering Immortals Tower were valuable to Qi Refinement cultivators, but not much to Foundation Establishment ones.
So, to him, this area posed little danger.
As a dignified Foundation Establishment cultivator, he truly wanted to see which blind Qi Refinement cultivator would dare stir up trouble.
“Brother Lin, such elegance indeed.”
Chen Qing, who was responsible for the adjacent area, came flying in on a flying sword. Seeing Lin Changan so leisurely and at ease, he was filled with envy.
“Greetings, Senior.”
Before Lin Changan’s acquaintances, Shen Lie could call him Brother Lin. But when facing outsiders, he dared not be so familiar.
Shen Lie respectfully stood up and saluted, then arranged for another set of bowls and chopsticks, along with spirit wine and spirit meat.
“There’s no such thing as elegance—it’s just that I don’t want to waste this splendid time.”
Lin Changan smiled and raised the jade slip in his hand with a sigh. “We rogue cultivators can’t compare with the disciples of those major sects and clans, so we naturally have to seize every moment.”
Hearing Lin Changan’s words, Chen Qing couldn’t help but respectfully cup his hands and say, “Well said. Fellow Daoist Lin’s words truly express the hardships of us rogue cultivators.”
At the same time, Chen Qing sighed inwardly. No wonder Lin Changan had the skills of a second-rank Talisman Master. With such perseverance and diligence, never forgetting cultivation and self-improvement, it was only right he achieved what he had today.
But Lin Changan merely smiled and shook his head. Looking at the jade slip in his hand, a slightly peculiar expression appeared on his face.
To others, these basic contents might seem ordinary, but to him, each time he delved into them with focus, he gained something different.
【Second-rank Talisman Master +2 (Proficiency 38/500)】
Seeing the increase in proficiency, Lin Changan couldn’t help but show a satisfied smile.
It was this very sense of progress that kept him tirelessly pursuing knowledge, always maintaining a heart of exploration.
Of course, this was all thanks to his talent.
“Still Master Lu is impressive. Just look—Tianxuan City has already returned to its former bustling state in less than half a day.”
Gazing out the window at the lively scene, Chen Qing couldn’t help but sigh.
Lin Changan also nodded in admiration and added, “Having those Foundation Establishment clans take charge of the inner city—there’s truly no more secure solution.”
Tianxuan City already had many Foundation Establishment cultivator clans, and all of them had family members here. Who would dare cause trouble?
Of course, unless they faced enormous temptation—say, the lure of a Golden Core spiritual item—it might be possible.
But right now, how many within Tianxuan City had actually reached the peak of Foundation Establishment?
If real chaos did erupt, those targeting would also be aiming at Tianxuan Peak. In contrast, Tianxuan City would remain solid as a rock.
…
Tianxuan City, inside a dimly lit house.
“What a move. This Master Lu is indeed worthy of being the number one rogue cultivator.”
“I’ll admit, I’m seriously impressed. No matter what struggles are going on above, it looks like Tianxuan City won’t fall into chaos.”
“No kidding. At a time like this, who would dare stir up trouble? Don’t forget, there are hundreds of Foundation Establishment cultivators maintaining order inside Tianxuan City. Anyone making trouble now is clearly looking to be targeted.”
One by one, the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Mystic Yin Sect spoke with complex emotions, though most were filled with admiration.
After all, they too were originally rogue cultivators, so they naturally understood the importance of having a peaceful place to cultivate.
“Enough, stop bickering.”
At the center, Ghost Three Blades frowned and waved his hand.
“If Tianxuan City falls into chaos, it does us no good. This time, Protector Xiang sent word that the Palace of Blazing Fire secretly sold out the whereabouts of the Pavilion of Mystic Sound’s Golden Core elder…”
Mentioning the Palace of Blazing Fire, Ghost Three Blades’ eyes brimmed with deep, unforgettable hatred.
“Among Yue Kingdom’s three major sects, the Pavilion of Mystic Sound is the weakest, with only two Golden Core cultivators. And now one is seriously injured. The Palace of Blazing Fire and Divine Sword Sect are clearly preparing to join forces.”
None of them were fools. The Divine Sword Sect and Palace of Blazing Fire surely knew that continued fighting would only end in mutual ruin. It would be better for them to join forces and eliminate the weakest party first.
That way, both sides could divide the resources and territory and enjoy at least a hundred years of peace.
“So our mission this time is simple—protect Master Lu’s disciple during Golden Core.”
Degenerates of the Demonic Sect, and yet at this moment, they were tasked with protecting someone. None of the Foundation Establishment cultivators voiced any objection.
“Only if Master Lu’s force remains standing can the Pavilion of Mystic Sound avoid being completely isolated.”
At this moment, Ghost Three Blades even revealed a trace of madness.
Meanwhile, He Yan appeared far more composed. He understood that the Sect’s plan was to have Yue Kingdom’s three great sects tear each other apart.
Once the Palace of Blazing Fire and the Divine Sword Sect joined forces to divide up Yue Kingdom, as long as they hadn’t fully digested the gains, they wouldn’t go to war again. That wouldn’t align with the Sect’s plan.