Chapter 102: Approaching Storm
On the day the third auction commenced, the formation of Tianxuan City was activated, and the entire city entered a state of strict vigilance.
The third-rank Blackwater Turtle personally oversaw the event. Anyone daring to seize the Golden Core spiritual item would face the wrath of Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle, the number one rogue cultivator of Yue Country.
The magical fireworks bursting in the sky were seen by countless cultivators, who all turned their gazes toward the direction of the Fengle Auction House.
"The final auction is about to begin!"
Under the moonlight, Lin Changan, sitting solemnly atop the Gathering Immortals Tower, looked around with a grave expression.
All around, the streets were devoid of cultivators. One by one, they had all hidden away in their homes.
This scene stirred a sense of emotion in Lin Changan’s heart. He recalled how, in times of unrest in the past, he could only hide at home.
Truly, the affairs of the world were ever-changing.
He then shook his head and looked toward the auction's direction, silently hoping everything would proceed smoothly.
"Brother Lin, thank you for your hard work."
Inside the already shuttered and darkened Gathering Immortals Tower, Shen Lie delivered a sumptuous spread of spirit dishes and spirit wine with a serious expression.
"Fellow Daoist Shen, go hide in the underground passage for now. Even if there’s turmoil, it won’t affect ordinary cultivators."
Seeing Shen Lie so tense, Lin Changan spoke gently to reassure him, and indeed, his words were not without reason.
Throughout Tianxuan City, over a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators maintained order. Even if unrest broke out above, it wouldn't easily spread below.
Unless the Palace of Blazing Fire and Pavilion of Mystic Sound, the two great sects, mobilized completely and launched a joint attack on Tianxuan City.
"Ah, in these troubled times, if only our Yue Country could produce a Nascent Soul True Sovereign."
Placing down the food and drink, Shen Lie sighed helplessly. His complaint also revealed the feelings of ordinary cultivators.
"Brother Lin, my strength is meager and I can't be of much help. If anything happens, you don’t need to worry about us."
Finally, Shen Lie shook his head and went downstairs.
Currently, he and his wife, along with Wei Buyi and his daughter, were all hiding in the underground passage beneath the Gathering Immortals Tower.
At the top level, leaning by the window, Lin Changan looked calmly over the silent Tianxuan City. Then he lowered his head and began reading the jade slip containing insights on talisman crafting given to him by Yun Yao.
Although he had become a Foundation Establishment cultivator and was no longer the weak one who once had to hide at home, one thing had never changed—
In times of upheaval, he could only drift with the tide, unable to influence the overall situation.
At most, he had merely changed from a weak ant into a slightly stronger one.
That was why he had to seize every moment to strengthen himself, to grow stronger.
⋯
That night, nearly all cultivators in Tianxuan City experienced a sleepless night.
The anticipated chaos did not come. Instead, they peacefully awaited the arrival of dawn.
"Fellow Daoist Lin."
Seated in the upper pavilion of the Gathering Immortals Tower, Lin Changan had spent the whole night reading the jade slip on talisman crafting. At that moment, Chen Qing approached, riding his sword, face brimming with excitement.
"Fellow Daoist Lin, your composure and stability of Dao heart truly impress me."
Chen Qing was sincerely admiring him. He had spent the entire night on edge, yet Lin Changan had calmly sat by the window reading his jade slip.
No wonder Lin Changan had become a second-rank Talisman Master, while he still could not break through.
This was no longer just about hard work—there was an inherent difference in mindset between them.
Lin Changan merely smiled without a word. He couldn’t very well tell him he had innate talent.
"Fellow Daoist Lin, something big has happened!"
Chen Qing's face was full of excitement as he shared the information he had gathered.
"Last night’s auction finale did indeed feature a Golden Core spiritual item, and you won’t believe it—Han Fortress was the one who bought it."
"Han Fortress?" Lin Changan paused at the name, then showed a puzzled expression:
"Could it be that Han Fortress, which was once known as the number one Foundation Establishment clan in Yue Country more than thirty years ago?"
"Exactly. Back then, Han Fortress was too powerful and offended the Palace of Blazing Fire, forcing them into exile. But this time, they went all in.
Brother Lin, you won’t believe this—they staked their entire clan, having their Foundation Establishment cultivators sacrifice a third of their primordial spirits to pledge allegiance to Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle, just to acquire that Golden Core spiritual item."
What a move. Upon hearing that, Lin Changan felt secretly shocked.
There was an enormous amount of information in that statement.
Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle actually accepted Han Fortress—this clearly indicated a breakdown in negotiations with the Palace of Blazing Fire. Otherwise, he would never have so openly accepted Han Fortress’s allegiance.
Moreover, Han Fortress had been in exile for over thirty years, and likely their situation had not been favorable, which was why they decided to take a desperate gamble.
Otherwise, why would they go to such lengths?
To place one-third of their primordial spirits in another’s hands—how was that any different from enslavement?
"That’s not all. It’s said even the Five Friends of Mount Meng showed up at last night’s auction..."
Hearing Chen Qing’s account, Lin Changan could already envision the scene of the final auction.
It resembled more of a showdown.
From Yun Yao’s earlier farewell and the matter of Han Fortress, Lin Changan had already begun to harbor suspicions.
"What about the Pavilion of Mystic Sound?"
At the mention of the two great sects, the smile on Chen Qing’s face visibly stiffened. He finally sighed heavily, sat down at the table, and poured himself a cup of spirit wine.
After downing it in one gulp, Chen Qing shook his head gravely and said:
"The Pavilion of Mystic Sound’s stance is unclear, but sect cultivators have always looked down on us rogue cultivators. How could they just sit by and watch Tianxuan City produce another Golden Core cultivator?"
At this time, with the auction concluded, countless cultivators who had attended exited the venue, and Tianxuan City once again buzzed with life.
However, beneath this bustling surface, a deeper crisis loomed.
Witnessing this scene, Lin Changan couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh softly.
"Rogue cultivators like us can only wish Tianxuan City a long and prosperous immortal destiny."
Beside him, Chen Qing nodded in silence.
They were all mere rogue cultivators. To ask them to risk their lives for Tianxuan City—such a thing was simply not possible.
"Ah, I ask for nothing else in this life, only to live safely and steadily in Tianxuan City, and for my descendants to make something of themselves."
Chen Qing shook his head, drank a cup of wine, and took his leave.
The Tianxuan City auction had ended, but the crisis had not been resolved.
Therefore, the duties of these Foundation Establishment cultivators remained, as they continued guarding their respective sectors.
Everyone was waiting for Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle’s disciple to form a core.
In fact, many cultivators hadn’t even left. Instead, they continued to linger in Tianxuan City.
⋯
Time passed. Two months later—
"This ice-attribute cinnabar is ridiculously expensive."
In the marketplace’s trade district, Lin Changan, in disguise, stood at a stall, bargaining like a typical buyer.
An exotic-looking cultivator scoffed, "Fellow Daoist, you’re already a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Why are Yue Country cultivators so stingy?"
Lin Changan glared back in annoyance. Stingy? Was he being stingy?
Only those who didn’t manage a household wouldn’t understand the cost of living. Even if he earned well, his expenses were just as large. Naturally, he had to be frugal.
"Alright, this ice-attribute cinnabar is rare. Give me three bottles."
Two months had passed since the third auction. These Foundation Establishment cultivators were still tasked with guarding their sectors.
Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle had not rescinded the task. On the contrary, the rewards had been increased.
For rogue cultivators like them, who wished only for a peaceful life, this was cause for great joy.
He often came to the trade district to exchange for cultivation supplies.
After obtaining the ice-attribute cinnabar, Lin Changan strolled through the marketplace, quietly evaluating the intelligence he had gathered.
"Most rogue cultivators simply seek a stable place to live, so many willingly joined the task and left their spiritual imprints. Some even came from foreign lands.
However, a few Foundation Establishment cultivators did not join. But now they’re being watched by many others in secret."
If you didn’t join, others would suspect you were up to something. It didn’t even take the city to act—there were plenty among the rogue cultivators who were ready to gamble for a shot.
So these cultivators were constantly under scrutiny.
This period had given many of the Foundation Establishment cultivators, who had harbored delusions, a massive headache.
They had clearly become targets. Some chose to give up and leave Tianxuan City, while others decided to join.
Seeing this, Lin Changan couldn’t help but admire it all.
"This Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle is truly shrewd. He’s actually using rogue cultivators to deal with robbers, leaving them with almost no room to maneuver."
Lin Changan chuckled to himself. Then he placed the purchased ice-attribute cinnabar and second-rank talisman paper into his storage pouch.
[Second-rank Low-grade Talisman Master (Proficiency 89/500)]
Looking at his Talisman Master proficiency, Lin Changan couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.
These two months hadn’t been idle. The insights on talisman crafting Yun Yao had gifted him had rapidly boosted his skills. He estimated that in just over a year, he’d be able to break through to a mid-grade second-rank Talisman Master.
"Hopefully Yun Yao is safe and won’t get caught up in danger."
Thinking of Yun Yao’s figure during her farewell, Lin Changan let out a quiet sigh. At that moment, he finally realized why her attire had seemed so familiar.
Because it looked exactly like the clothing he once wore when he was in the royal palace.
After decades of cultivation, Yun Yao was still the same little princess yearning for freedom.
Then he remembered he was just a rogue cultivator, with no power to influence any of this. He let out a self-deprecating smile and sighed softly.
He’d better go home and craft a few more Ice Talismans—just in case.