Chapter 110: Changes in Tianxuan City
【Lifespan: 58/210】
【Realm: Early Foundation Establishment (12/100)】
Inside the cave abode, looking at his cultivation progress, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh softly.
“One point of proficiency increase every quarter. In the past half year, only two points gained. Seems like Yun Yao already knew the disadvantages of a Low-grade Spirit Root, which is why she gifted this secret technique.”
With Yun Yao’s Top-grade Spirit Root aptitude, even she didn’t let go of any chance to accelerate cultivation. Let alone him.
“Essence Condensation Method... the cultivator who created this secret technique was truly a genius—or rather, there have been too many astonishingly talented cultivators in the World of Cultivation.”
“They created countless renowned cultivation methods, and later generations of cultivators continuously improved upon them, giving rise to this current secret technique.”
Looking at the jade slip in his hand, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but secretly praise it.
Originally, this cultivation method had extremely harsh requirements. It needed either the Golden Core of a Golden Core cultivator or the Demon Core of a Third-rank Demon Beast.
Now, it had already been improved to allow substitution with Second-rank spiritual items, and even Second-rank Demon Cores could be used to cultivate.
Although the effects weren’t as strong, for a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him, there weren’t many options to choose from.
One had to know, even with Yun Yao’s status, she hadn’t been able to obtain a Third-rank Demon Core and had to settle for a Third-rank spiritual item—the Ice Soul Pearl.
It went to show how precious Third-rank Golden Cores or Demon Cores were.
“Hopefully tonight’s trade fair will offer a suitable spiritual item.”
Glancing at the Spirit Stones in his Storage Pouch, Lin Chang’an smiled faintly.
That Fellow Daoist Yun was quite considerate, actually leaving him over two hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones.
Third-rank spiritual items were out of reach, but Second-rank ones would be sufficient.
He stood up, cleared the aura from his body, and walked out of the cave abode with high expectations.
At the same time, he didn’t forget to retrieve the Azure-Horned Bull basking in the sun in the pond and put it into the Spirit Beast Pouch.
After all, when going out, one must remain cautious.
This Azure-Horned Bull was raised for self-defense, not just to be displayed at the cave abode entrance.
...
“Fellow Daoist Lin, heading out today?”
Just as he stepped out, he saw Chen Qing, face beaming with red glow.
Lin Chang’an cupped his hands and smiled. “Heading to the marketplace for a look. What about you?”
Outside Chen Qing’s estate was a bustling crowd, young and old, families in tow—at least dozens of people.
Today, Chen Qing had even changed into a rare brand-new Magical Robe, and he now wore a proud smile seldom seen as he faced Lin Chang’an.
“Since I was assigned one hundred mu of Spirit Field, I’ve brought all the clan cultivators with Spirit Roots over to get familiar with the route to the cave abode.”
As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he would naturally remain long-term in the spiritually rich cave abode. The ordinary cultivators would be arranged by Chen Qing to stay within the city.
“These past years, our kind—these rogue cultivator clans—nice-sounding as ‘cultivator families’, but realistically we were just rootless duckweed. Now at least we finally have a place to settle.”
When he said this, an expression of rare pride surfaced on Chen Qing’s face.
He was the reviver of the Chen family—first advancing to Foundation Establishment, now securing a place for the clan to settle.
Saying he was the hope of the whole clan would not be an overstatement.
“That truly calls for congratulations, Fellow Daoist Chen.”
Having walked a similar path, Lin Chang’an naturally understood the hardship of being a rogue cultivator, and thus sincerely cupped his hands in congratulations toward Chen Qing.
Chen Qing, beaming, turned to the people behind him and directly introduced, “Why are you all standing there? Hurry up and greet my Fellow Daoist Lin.”
“Greetings, Senior / Ancestor.”
Dozens of people crowded forward. The older ones addressed him as ‘Senior’, while the younger ones called out ‘Ancestor’.
In that moment, Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded. Now that he had become a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he finally experienced what it felt like to be called ‘Ancestor’.
No wonder so many Foundation Establishment cultivators were willing to be addressed as Ancestor—it really did feel quite pleasant.
Chen Qing nodded in satisfaction and especially brought over two youths dressed in ornate robes, solemnly introducing them:
“Fellow Daoist Lin, these two are my grandsons and the most talented in our clan. You’ve met Fellow Daoist Chen Wen before, and this is Chen Feng. Both possess Mid-grade Spirit Root aptitude.”
At this point, pride was evident on Chen Qing’s face. He then turned to his two grandsons and sternly said:
“What are you still standing there for?”
Chen Wen, who had been seen before, closely followed behind Chen Qing and bore a handsome appearance resembling his grandfather.
Chen Feng, on the other hand, appeared honest and solid. The two of them respectfully saluted in unison.
“Greetings, Senior Lin.”
“Get up.”
Lin Chang’an looked at the two youths with emotion. At this moment, he realized that before he knew it, he was already nearing sixty years old.
“Fellow Daoist Chen, you truly are blessed.”
Lin Chang’an spoke with sincere envy—there wasn’t a trace of falsehood in his words.
For a typical cultivator family, having two descendants with Mid-grade Spirit Roots was already quite remarkable.
If one had a descendant with a Top-grade Spirit Root, it would be like receiving blessings from heaven.
Facing Lin Chang’an’s praise, Chen Qing waved his hand modestly, but the bright red glow on his face and the corners of his mouth unable to suppress a grin clearly betrayed his true feelings.
Lin Chang’an smiled and congratulated him. After all, for rogue cultivators, this indeed was a matter worth celebrating.
After a few more pleasantries, Lin Chang’an headed toward the Zhou Family.
Meanwhile, the Chen clan members behind them, all filled with excitement and anticipation, began entering the cave abode of their Ancestor, the Foundation Establishment cultivator, for a tour.
“Grandfather, doesn’t Senior Lin have no children or clan members? Why don’t we lease the Spirit Field assigned to Uncle Lin as well?”
After entering the cave abode, under the soundproofing Formation Barrier, the robed Chen Wen couldn’t suppress his curiosity and asked with a puzzled face.
“With your relationship with Senior Lin, maybe we could pay less rent. Two hundred mu of Spirit Field—enough for the clan to expand greatly.”
Once Chen Wen spoke, the rest of the clan also cast excited looks.
Two hundred mu of Spirit Field—that was something they wouldn’t even have dared to dream of before.
“Wen’er, mind your words.”
Looking at his beloved grandson, Chen Qing couldn’t help but shake his head. He then waved his hand and said:
“Your Uncle Lin may not have children or clan members, but he still has close friends.”
Chen Feng, upon hearing this, chuckled honestly and nodded. “Grandfather is right. One hundred mu of Spirit Field is already plenty for us.”
Looking at his honest younger brother, Chen Wen rolled his eyes and snapped:
“What do you know? Grandfather and Senior Lin are both Foundation Establishment cultivators. As the saying goes, the tiger does not walk with the dog, the dragon does not dwell with the snake...”
Chen Wen wore an arrogant expression. In his heart, he believed that since his grandfather was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, this Uncle Lin of his befriending unrelated people instead of fellow Foundation Establishment cultivators was a degradation of status.
“Ancestor, what Wen said does make sense.”
After Chen Wen’s words, quite a few clan members nodded quietly in agreement. One middle-aged man even couldn't help but nod.
“If the Chen Family really cultivated two hundred mu of Spirit Field, the clan would expand severalfold within twenty years. It might even produce another Foundation Establishment cultivator.”
Seeing his opinion gain approval, Chen Wen displayed a smug smile and cupped his hands.
“That’s right, Grandfather. It’s not like we wouldn’t pay Spirit Stones. Whoever Senior Lin rents to, it's still renting. Besides, you’re a Foundation Establishment cultivator.”
Encouraged by both his grandson and clan members, Chen Qing showed a look of interest.
Thinking carefully, he and Lin Chang’an were neighbors and friends. Asking wouldn’t hurt—if it worked out, great; if not, it was just a question.
“So be it. When Fellow Daoist Lin returns, I’ll personally pay him a visit.”
After a moment of contemplation, Chen Qing smiled and nodded slightly.
One hundred mu of Spirit Field—for what he knew, this Fellow Daoist Lin didn’t have many friends. Even renting fifty mu would be profitable.
If he couldn’t rent it, then he would take it as a gesture to maintain their relationship.
...
At that moment, however, Lin Chang’an was in the trading zone of the marketplace.
“Premium First-rank Fireball Talisman! Must-have item for opening up lands and hunting demon beasts in the Cloudmist Mountain Range!”
“High-grade First-rank demon beast meat, fresh...”
“Premium Magical Artifact, will only trade for Foundation Establishment items...”
Cultivators shouted their wares from all sides of the marketplace, and this bustling scene made Lin Chang’an nod quietly in approval.
In just three months, the marketplace already had many unfamiliar faces.
He even spotted clothing worn by cultivators from other kingdoms.
“Looks like cultivators from other countries have been steadily migrating here.”
Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but admire this Master Lu’s methods.
Now, Tianxuan City had absorbed cultivators from neighboring kingdoms. The fusion of exotic cultures created a completely new landscape.
Lin Chang’an could even see this Master Lu’s strategic foresight.
“These cultivators migrating from foreign lands are truly without support, gambling everything they have. Their only reliance is Tianxuan City.”
In other words, these cultivators could be trusted—and their loyalty was beyond doubt.
“This Master Lu is probably preparing for the future.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head, but struggles among these major powers had little to do with him.
Now that he had awakened his talent and was blessed with a cultivation method from ancient times, he naturally had to focus on diligent cultivation and fight for the opportunity to reach Golden Core.
“With such fortune, if I don’t strive for Golden Core, even Nascent Soul, I would be unworthy of my talent and fate.”
Walking down the street of the marketplace, Lin Chang’an’s eyes glowed with unwavering resolve.
Within a hundred years, he would reach Golden Core and become like Master Lu, a Golden Core cultivator capable of influencing the fate of a nation.
“Brother Lin!”
As he arrived at the Zhou Family’s territory, Zhou Bingyun seemed to have already been waiting, approaching with a bright smile. Her eyes darted slightly as if checking whether he had brought the Azure-Horned Bull.
“Brother Lin, my father said once you arrive, I should take you straight inside.”
Under Zhou Bingyun’s lead, Lin Chang’an entered the Zhou Family’s estate.
Along the way, many clan members greeted them respectfully, casting envious glances at Zhou Bingyun.
The clan leader’s daughter, and a Premium First-rank Alchemist—albeit focused on beast pills.
Now befriending a Foundation Establishment cultivator—who wouldn't be envious?
Lin Chang’an, seeing the Zhou clan members, couldn’t help but nod quietly.
Worthy of being an old Foundation Establishment family—their demeanor and etiquette were meticulous, and more importantly, they had solid foundations.
The entire clan was orderly and disciplined. Compared to Chen Qing’s family—though also a Foundation Establishment family—the difference in foundation was substantial.
Especially this level of foundation—it required centuries of accumulation and refinement.
“Truly sorry to keep you waiting, Fellow Daoist Lin.”
Inside the Zhou Family, the elegant Clan Patriarch Zhou Renmao smiled warmly and cupped his hands in greeting.
“You're too kind, Fellow Daoist Zhou. I’m the one relying on your support this time.”
Lin Chang’an smiled as he returned the gesture, and Zhou Renmao then invited him to the main hall.
There were still two hours until the trade fair began. As the host, the Zhou Family naturally wouldn’t neglect him.
And although Lin Chang’an was participating through the Zhou Family’s connections, it wouldn’t be proper to visit and immediately head to the trade fair.
Some routine social interactions were part of the etiquette.
Inside the main hall, the two discussed cultivation insights. Lin Chang’an also asked for advice on raising the Azure-Horned Bull. Their conversation was thoroughly enjoyable.
Outside the main hall—
“Miss.”
Many clan members of the Zhou Family admired this genius young lady, and some naturally tried to curry favor.
Among the crowd was Zhou Yifan, the eldest son of Erniu.
“Yifan, tell me—does your Uncle Lin have any particular interests?”
Zhou Yifan, now twenty-three, had a rugged appearance. Faced with Zhou Bingyun’s curious question, his face flushed as he replied in a low voice:
“Miss, I only know Uncle Lin likes to read. Whether it’s cultivation insights or strange tales from the World of Cultivation, he reads them all.”
“You blockhead, what else besides that?”
Zhou Bingyun was clearly dissatisfied with Zhou Yifan’s answer, her apricot eyes glaring.
The two had grown up together, though Zhou Bingyun was older and counted as his clan elder sister.
“Besides that!?”
Zhou Yifan looked puzzled. Then scratching his head, he seemed to recall something and said hesitantly:
“Then it would be cultivation. I heard Father say Uncle Lin has a resolute will. He’s the most diligent of all diligent cultivators.”
After hearing this, Zhou Bingyun waved her hand helplessly. She already knew all of this, and now her heart felt somewhat heavy.
Lin Chang’an wasn’t even sixty years old. Especially with his cultivation in a wood-attribute technique that preserved youth, and with his Foundation Establishment cultivation, the perceptive Zhou Bingyun realized something.
Opportunities weren’t something one waited for—they had to be seized with one’s own hands.
“In the World of Cultivation, strength is what matters most. Daily cultivation must not be relaxed, but Brother Lin cannot be let go either. I must seize both.”
As a child of a great clan, Zhou Bingyun was extremely intelligent and knew well that her current status in the family didn’t come from her background alone.
Being the clan leader’s daughter was only the starting point—talent and cultivation were the real keys.
Especially after becoming close with Lin Chang’an.
At this moment, Zhou Bingyun bit her silver teeth gently, her apricot eyes flashing with spirit light as her mother’s words echoed in her mind.
“Seize opportunities with both hands, so you won’t regret it.”
Now that her talent had emerged, the clan would not easily marry her off to other families. Most likely, she would remain in the Zhou Family for life.
This was something that secretly pleased her.
But she had no affection for those weaker than herself. As her mother had said—in this turbulent World of Cultivation, if one were to find a partner, it must be someone strong enough to protect them.
“Ha ha, after you, Fellow Daoist Lin.”
“After you, Fellow Daoist Zhou.”
Inside the main hall, the two conversed happily. Zhou Renmao, the Zhou Family Clan Patriarch, wore a broad smile as he brought out the Zhou Family’s flying spirit beast to depart.
When he saw the vulture demon beast with a beast’s head, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but praise:
“The Zhou Family truly lives up to its name in beast-taming.”
This spirit pet was already at the late stage of First-rank, and more importantly, it was a flying spirit beast.
Zhou Renmao was all smiles at the praise, nodding. “Fellow Daoist, let us go.”
“Alright!”
Lin Chang’an responded with a hearty laugh and mounted the Zhou Family’s flying spirit beast.
He had to admit, this flying spirit beast was much better than flying with an artifact. He quietly resolved—
If given the chance in the future, he too would raise a flying spirit beast.
It wasn’t just a matter of status. Even in battles among Foundation Establishment cultivators, flying spirit beasts offered a huge advantage.