Chapter 107: New Situation in Yue Kingdom
Tianxuan City.
With the Palace of Blazing Fire retreating and the Pavilion of Mystic Sound leaving behind only a few shops and some resources, their original forces began to withdraw as well.
From this point on, the number one rogue cultivator, Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle, became the true master of this Immortal City of Tianxuan.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, these people must have lost their minds. They actually dared to cause trouble, and in the end, they didn’t even escape from Tianxuan City before becoming someone else's bounty.”
Chen Qing looked enviously at a few cultivators in the distance. They had lucked out and encountered robber cultivators stirring up chaos, with predictable results.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, I actually got a hundred mu of spirit farmland.”
When it was Chen Qing's turn to receive his reward, he couldn’t hold back his excitement.
Standing behind and witnessing this scene, Lin Changan cast a discreet glance at the other excited figures.
“These policies in Tianxuan City are probably meant to retain these rogue cultivators.”
For Foundation Establishment cultivators burdened with families and clansmen, Tianxuan City offered spirit farmland as a reward.
Though it was said the land was given, part of its yield had to be handed over each year.
But for rogue cultivators who usually didn’t even have any foundations, this was tantamount to being given a place to root themselves.
“So it’s Fellow Daoist Lin.”
When it was Lin Changan’s turn, the person receiving him was none other than the elder surnamed Feng from the previous auction. Upon seeing him, the elder unusually showed a hint of surprise.
Then, he solemnly took out a jade token and respectfully transmitted his voice:
“Fellow Daoist Lin, this was specially instructed by the young lady. She said that as long as you came, this jade token should be handed to you. From today onward, all premium resources of the Gathering Treasures Pavilion in Tianxuan City will be open to Fellow Daoist Lin.
Also, no fees will be charged at the Fengle Auction House.”
Upon hearing the elder’s words, a trace of surprise flashed in Lin Changan’s eyes, and inwardly he was deeply astonished.
It seemed that Su Miaoyin had truly seen through his disguise back then.
However, thinking back, he had expected that his identity might be exposed when he sold the formation plate.
After all, his actions perfectly matched those of a low-profile, dedicated cultivator—one who did not wish to reveal his identity and attract trouble.
To Tianxuan City, he was entirely a friend.
“Many thanks to Fellow Daoist Feng, and also to Fairy Su.”
Lin Changan received the jade token with a smile and cupped his hands in thanks, though the latter half of his words was conveyed via voice transmission.
Outsiders had no idea of their private conversation.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, your region is stable. Do you wish to exchange for cultivation resources or spirit farmland?”
Looking at the available exchange options, Lin Changan did not hesitate at all and smiled while cupping his hands:
“Let’s exchange for spirit farmland. In the future, I can also hire some cultivators to tend the fields.”
For ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators, exchanging for cultivation resources might be somewhat appealing.
But his identity as a Second-rank Talisman Master meant those things couldn’t compare in value.
Instead, a hundred mu of spirit farmland offered steady and long-term benefits.
“Very well.”
The elder surnamed Feng nodded with a wide smile. Clearly, Tianxuan City welcomed cultivators who exchanged for farmland even more.
Those who sought spirit farmland either planned to settle down with their families or were reclusive cultivators pursuing a peaceful life.
People like that were always welcomed.
“Brother Lin also exchanged for a hundred mu of spirit farmland—truly something to celebrate.”
Chen Qing, seeing Lin Changan's exchange, looked a little tempted, but quickly remembered their relationship wasn’t that close. So, he approached with a smile and offered congratulations with a cupped fist.
Naturally, Lin Changan noticed the flicker of desire in his eyes.
Although the other was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he still had many clan members beneath him.
Some less talented clan members could easily be turned into tenant farmers.
But Lin Changan did not refuse. Instead, he smiled and returned the gesture, saying, “The same to you. Tianxuan City can finally settle down.”
Chen Qing nodded with a smile. Although Lin Changan had no clan or family burdens, he likely had a few close friends.
Thus, he wouldn’t make enemies over such a trivial matter.
Comparatively, forming ties with a Second-rank Talisman Master was far more important than anything else.
……
Tianxuan City bustled with life. Especially now that the sect forces had withdrawn, the resulting vacuum left behind far too many benefits.
Even the small clans of neighboring countries felt tempted upon witnessing the scene.
Most Foundation Establishment cultivators exchanged for spirit farmland and prepared to bring their clansmen over.
After all, rogue cultivators like Lin Changan, who were alone with no attachments, were still quite rare.
Although the Yue Kingdom was in turmoil, having spirit farmland at least meant having a foundation—especially now, with Tianxuan City newly established and in urgent need of people.
A timely help in adversity always surpassed adding flowers to brocade.
With such a vast vacancy in Tianxuan City, no matter how one calculated it, it was still better than being exploited under the major sects.
The countless areas of spirit farmland and resources previously occupied by the Palace of Blazing Fire and the Pavilion of Mystic Sound had now become the most attractive locations in Tianxuan City.
Many rogue cultivators even thought that, since they already wandered aimlessly, they might as well come here rather than live under the governance of sects and noble clans.
“These measures will truly turn Tianxuan City into the fourth major power of the Yue Kingdom.”
Along the way, seeing the new vitality of Tianxuan City, Lin Changan nodded to himself.
Although everyone knew clearly that Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle was strengthening his power, the allure of being able to join was irresistible.
Sect powers might be vast, but for rogue cultivators like them, they could only ever be outsiders.
But in Tianxuan City, they were one of their own.
Everyone knew how to choose.
In the past, there simply wasn’t a choice.
“Inviting rogue cultivators from all over the land—looks like rogue cultivators from the Yue Kingdom and even neighboring countries will swarm in.”
As someone who came from a rogue cultivator background, Lin Changan understood all too well how tempting Tianxuan City was for them.
“This Master Lu is truly not simple at all. No wonder he could thrive for centuries and still live so comfortably.”
Lin Changan couldn’t help but feel envious. Rising from a mere rogue cultivator to this level truly wasn’t something that could be achieved by luck alone.
Temperament and strategy—both were indispensable.
“But the landscape of the Yue Kingdom is about to shift drastically. It should be peaceful for a while.”
Lin Changan silently calculated. Although the Divine Sword Sect and the Palace of Blazing Fire were powerful, Tianxuan City and the Pavilion of Mystic Sound combined were not to be trifled with.
“There’s bound to be scheming and struggles behind the scenes, but on the surface, these major forces will bide their time for now.”
Or rather, they would wait for Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle to begin his decline.
After all, Master Lu had passed the age of five hundred. Time was on the side of the Divine Sword Sect and the Palace of Blazing Fire.
“Hopefully, I can get enough time to cultivate.”
【Lifespan: 58/210】
【Skills: Second-rank Low-grade Talisman Master (Proficiency 89/500), First-rank High-grade Alchemist (Grandmaster 1962/5000)】
Looking at his Talisman Mastery and Alchemical Skill progress, Lin Changan felt a rare sense of ease.
“Next, I must pick up alchemical skills again and strive to break through to Second-rank as soon as possible to assist in cultivation.”
Lin Changan had a clear plan for the future. With his poor spirit root aptitude, he had to rely on pills to keep up with his cultivation.
In fact, his Regenerative Body was more suited to training a body cultivation art, but right now, he didn’t have the time or resources.
Even for basic cultivation, he didn’t dare slack off for a moment.
Thinking this, Lin Changan couldn’t help but lift his head and gaze toward the direction of Mystic Sound Peak, a trace of envy showing in his eyes.
“Heaven and Earth Spirit Root… There haven’t been more than a few of them in the Yue Kingdom for centuries. Such talent truly stirs jealousy.”
Heaven and Earth Spirit Root—no bottlenecks, and one could directly cultivate to the Golden Core Realm.
Meanwhile, countless cultivators throughout the Yue Kingdom were stuck at the Third Level of Qi Refinement, forever unable to break through.
……
Just as Lin Changan was preparing to return to his long-absent cave abode, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind.
“Lin… Big Brother.”
Startled, Lin Changan turned around, only to see a strange female cultivator staring at him with a pale face.
Though her appearance was ordinary, the voice she used and that familiar mana aura—
“Yun Yao! Why didn’t you leave!?”
This was clearly Yun Yao, but as a disciple of the Palace of Blazing Fire, she had actually stayed here, which shocked Lin Changan.
However, Yun Yao’s face was as white as paper, clutching her chest with a pained expression.
“I…”