Chapter 127: Blood Shadow Escape
Yun Yao took advantage of the night, dressed in a white robe, and came to Lin Chang’an’s cave abode.
At this moment inside the cave, starlight and moonlight shone through the opening above, while the sound of flowing water echoed from the surrounding pool.
“Brother Lin, this secret art requires our hearts and minds to be in complete harmony to unleash its greatest effect.
Even disciples who grew up together in the sect need decades of cultivation to coordinate seamlessly.
You and I need not rush, we can take it slowly.
As long as we can master this joint strike technique within twenty years, it will be enough.”
Hearing Yun Yao’s words, Lin Chang’an naturally understood and nodded lightly.
This type of proper dual cultivation secret technique might be powerful in the later stages, but too many unforeseen accidents arose in the process, so very few managed to cultivate it to the end.
Therefore, some heaven-gifted geniuses altered such dual cultivation methods, creating all kinds of bizarre and crooked secret techniques.
In doing so, they lost the original intent.
“I understand. For now, let us first familiarize ourselves with each other’s mana.”
Lin Chang’an nodded.
This was a technique that required patient work, and the Yin-Yang Joint Strike Secret Art emphasized gradual progression.
Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao both bore solemn expressions as they sat cross-legged in the cave.
They pressed their palms together and began the initial circulation of this secret art.
It lasted until the next morning.
【Yin-Yang Joint Strike Secret Art +8 (Beginner 8/100)】
Finally, after an entire night, Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao both secretly let out a sigh of relief.
This joint strike secret art was indeed powerful, but the difficulty was extraordinarily high.
The hardest part lay in mutual trust—only then could mana blend and form the force of yin and yang, which in turn multiplied cultivation speed.
“At last, the first step is taken.”
Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Yun Yao looked at Lin Chang’an.
Her beautiful eyes flashed with a spark of brilliance as she sighed:
“Brother Lin, from the Qi Refining Stage, you cultivated only the most basic method.
But this Evergreen Art also has its advantages—it builds up steadily and unleashes later, and it has almost no major flaws.”
Clearly, through last night’s dual cultivation, Yun Yao had also experienced the gentle effect of his wood attribute power.
Lin Chang’an also sighed.
Although Yun Yao’s mana was extremely yin and cold, in essence it was still a water attribute technique.
“Daoist Yun’s Water Yin Demonic Art truly deserves its place as a top demonic cultivation method.”
Lin Chang’an secretly nodded.
In the Five Elements, water nourishes wood.
So when the two engaged in dual cultivation, he naturally benefited more.
Water nourished wood, and even in the beginning stage he could feel his wood attribute mana within his body briefly become more lively.
This was why Yun Yao had the confidence to help him reach Mid Foundation Establishment within ten years.
“Brother Lin, this secret art cannot be achieved in a single day.
In the future, if I am free, I will come at night.
If you are busy, just leave me a Voice-recording Talisman in advance.”
Since they had already started cultivating this dual cultivation method, Yun Yao, with her forthright nature, was not shy.
Instead, she smiled openly and proposed a schedule for future practice.
“Very well, Daoist Yun. If you have matters to attend to, simply notify me in advance.”
They had only taken the first step, and there was still a long way to go before they could truly wield this joint strike technique.
Yun Yao left, and Lin Chang’an returned once more to his routine of cultivation.
For cultivating the Essence Condensation Method, he switched to using mid-second-rank Crystalline Cores.
The resources obtained from the last beast hunt had allowed Lin Chang’an to live peacefully for a while.
Every day he drew talismans, refined pills, cultivated, and sometimes Yun Yao came over at night.
The two grew more familiar with each other, and the power of the Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Joint Strike Secret Art gradually improved.
……
Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, a year went by.
【Lifespan: 66/217】
【Realm: Early Foundation Establishment (68/100)】
Inside the cave abode, Lin Chang’an slowly opened his eyes.
Looking at his cultivation progress, he could not help but smile with satisfaction.
“I never thought this Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Secret Art would be so effective.”
For a Foundation Establishment cultivator, to gain even a little experience in a year was extremely difficult.
And this was only their first year—their coordination still required tempering.
“Already more than enough.
Relying on pills, one can only gain four points of experience a year.
But with this introductory dual cultivation secret art, we gained two extra points in a year, and with no side effects.
That alone is precious.”
Seeing an increase of ten points in a single year, Lin Chang’an sighed.
No wonder the cultivation world altered this method into a damaging, exploitative shortcut using furnace cauldrons.
After all, who would not love such fast cultivation progress, especially without side effects?
“Perhaps this cultivation speed is also related to Daoist Yun’s technique.”
Lin Chang’an secretly guessed.
Previously, Yun Yao had asked him to draw an Exploding Talisman on himself, likely out of concern that one day he might be targeted again.
He only knew that the Water Yin Demonic Art was a top demonic technique, used by the Golden Core Ancestor of the Huang Clan of Lihuo Palace to choose furnace cauldrons.
Beyond that, he knew little.
“But the cultivation resources consumed this year are nearly exhausted.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head.
The spoils from the last hunt were almost gone.
Mainly, the problem was that pills for advancing cultivation required Crystalline Cores for refinement.
Most of the resources over the past year had gone into nurturing his Life-bound Spirit Plant.
Otherwise, the remains of five second-rank demon beasts would have been enough for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to cultivate steadily for years.
“Looks like I need to head out again.”
Lin Chang’an nodded to himself.
This time he was more confident.
Not only had his cultivation advanced, but more importantly, he now possessed another defensive magical artifact.
“But I still cannot be careless.
I must prepare additional means of defense.”
Lin Chang’an rose slowly.
Relying on drawing talismans and refining pills, he had traded secretly in the marketplace, so he lacked neither spirit herbs nor spirit fruits.
What he lacked were Crystalline Cores.
“No matter whether it is for the secret realm Yun Yao mentioned, or for normal outings, I must prepare a spell or magical artifact for escape.”
As for flying artifacts, Lin Chang’an did not consider them.
In the Cloudmist Mountain Range, flying artifacts were no different from a bright lamp in the dark—almost like courting death.
Stepping outside his cave, he saw the lazy Green-Horned Ox basking in the sun, and a smile appeared on his face.
“Ox, you’ve rested enough this year.
Let’s head out again.
Work hard, and in the future I’ll get you a top-grade magical armor.”
Hearing Lin Chang’an’s temptation, the Green-Horned Ox bellowed excitedly and emerged from the pool.
It did not care much about armor, but the craving for Crystalline Cores was etched into its bloodline.
During the last journey into the Cloudmist Mountains, its mid-grade armor had already been shattered.
Lin Chang’an had decided that once they returned from this trip, he would first prepare a new armor set for the ox.
That way, it would be more effective in hunting demon beasts.
“Let’s go.”
After storing the Green-Horned Ox in his Spirit Beast Pouch, Lin Chang’an placed a stone marked with “Closed Cultivation” outside his cave to prevent disturbances.
As for Yun Yao, he had already informed her a few days earlier.
Yun Yao had understood, since she also disappeared occasionally for a month or two to deal with her own matters.
Every cultivator had their secrets.
In disguise, Lin Chang’an left Tianxuan City.
In such a bustling city for rogue cultivators, his departure caused no stir.
……
A few months later, deep within the Cloudmist Mountain Range.
A faint white mist lingered year-round, carrying the warning of death.
Under the blazing sun, the mist shimmered with faint purple and green hues, warning cultivators of the terrifying miasma within.
“Moo!”
From within the poisonous fog came an enraged bellow, followed by thunderous crashes that shook the ground.
Towering ancient trees toppled one after another.
“Moo!”
Amid the billowing dust, the Green-Horned Ox glared fiercely, stamping a poisonous insect into pulp.
“You stupid ox, at least its hide had some value.
Now only the Crystalline Core remains.”
Lin Chang’an emerged from the dust, glaring helplessly at the ox.
Every time, when its temper flared, it lost all restraint.
The scolded ox was already used to it, and instead wagged its head and mooed flatteringly.
Lin Chang’an could only shake his head.
In this poisonous miasma, the most common creatures were these fuzzy, soft-bodied Poison Insects.
Their venom was deadly, and aside from the Crystalline Core, only their hides had any worth.
This was also the type of demon beast that cultivators least wanted to hunt.
Why?
Not only was it extremely dangerous, but it also had very little value.
The risk and the reward were completely disproportionate.
“I really don’t know how these Poison Insects even grow.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head, raised his hand, and used Object Manipulation to extract the Crystalline Core from the insect’s head.
Then he sat on the ox’s back and slowly disappeared into the poisonous miasma.
All that remained on the ground was a puddle of green flesh, which, as time passed, became nourishment for the land.
……
Many Treasures Pavilion.
“Daoist Lin, what a fine accomplishment, six sets of second-rank demon beast materials.”
The Foundation Establishment elder surnamed Feng clicked his tongue in admiration, his face full of smiles.
He did not bother asking how Lin Chang’an had killed those beasts.
After all, they were merely six early second-rank demon beasts.
What he admired was this Daoist Lin’s steadfast Dao heart.
Even after breaking through to Foundation Establishment with a low-grade spiritual root, he still persevered in bitter cultivation.
“Daoist Feng, you overpraise me.
It was only thanks to this ox’s unparalleled brute strength—few beasts of the same rank could resist it.”
Lin Chang’an smiled and waved it off, while the elder surnamed Feng also nodded with a smile.
With his experience, it was clear that most of the marks on these demon beast remains were from the Green-Horned Ox’s collisions.
As for certain joints and vital weak spots, they bore the remnants of Lin Chang’an’s sword light.
“Daoist Lin, there’s no need to be so modest.
Everyone knows how much help a second-rank spirit beast can provide.
But how many people can actually raise a spirit beast to the second rank?”
Elder Feng shook his head.
Buying a spirit beast was easy, but raising it to maturity—let alone to the second rank—was extremely difficult.
Otherwise, even though the beast-taming Zhou Family of Tianxuan City had steadily grown stronger over the years, they still only had a handful of second-rank spirit beasts.
Spirit beasts required resources, just like cultivators.
Sometimes, even with investment, there might not be any returns.
And how could drifting cultivators possibly have so many resources?
Lin Chang’an was a mid-grade second-rank Talisman Master, and he also had a second-rank spirit beast.
That he had come this far was already normal.
Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded.
Just having a second-rank spirit beast was enough to let him stand firmly among ordinary Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators.
That much was true.
“I wonder, Daoist Lin, do you wish to exchange all of these for cultivation resources again this time?”
Faced with Elder Feng’s question, Lin Chang’an pretended to hesitate for a moment.
Finally, he clenched his teeth and said:
“Daoist Feng, I want to exchange these for a spirit armor for this ox.”
Seeing Lin Chang’an’s choice, Elder Feng revealed an approving look and nodded.
“Daoist Lin, gains come only with sacrifice.
A powerful spirit beast will surely help you go further.”
For Lin Chang’an to be willing to spend so much for his spirit beast proved at least one thing—his Dao heart was firm.
Otherwise, an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator, with just one second-rank spirit beast, would already be satisfied.
They would simply pour the remaining resources into themselves.
But Elder Feng had seen too much in his life.
Where there was sacrifice, there was gain.
Perhaps it was not always right, but unless extremely unlucky, this approach usually let cultivators go further.
“Spirit beast armor is indeed rare.
But our Many Treasures Pavilion has everything.
Here, this set of magical artifact–grade Blackiron Armor—sturdy beyond compare—will suit a beast with such great strength perfectly.”
A suit of armor appeared before him, made of the same material as Lin Chang’an’s defensive magical artifact.
It was heavy in his hands, and Lin Chang’an was satisfied as he stored it away.
Although he was buying armor for the ox, he still had to act hesitant, at least for appearances’ sake.
After all, as a drifting cultivator, he had the reputation of splitting every Spirit Stone in half.
He was no sect disciple from a great clan.
Therefore, he had to keep up the act.
With this defensive armor, the Green-Horned Ox’s battle strength would increase greatly.
“I also need an escape technique—or a magical artifact will do.
Do you have anything suitable?”
When Lin Chang’an stated his need, Elder Feng smiled and nodded.
“In the Cloudmist Mountain Range, flying artifacts aren’t very useful.
They easily draw attention—not only from demon beasts, but also from cultivators.
One must always remember the treachery of the human heart.”
As he spoke, Elder Feng gave Lin Chang’an a meaningful look.
Lin Chang’an naturally understood.
Flying artifacts made one a large target.
If other cultivators saw him traveling alone, some might be tempted to act as robber cultivators.
“And in the depths of the mountain range, the miasma blocks divine sense.
Ordinary escape techniques are not very effective.
But I do have a few here…”
As Elder Feng introduced them, Lin Chang’an grew tempted.
Yet he sank into silent thought.
Not only were these escape techniques expensive, but the main problem was that they were too ordinary.
In truth, he leaned more toward demonic escape techniques.
The price of using them mattered little to someone with a Regenerative Body.
Thinking this, Lin Chang’an showed a trace of melancholy, then shook his head and asked:
“Daoist Feng, you know I am but a drifting cultivator.
Do you have any demonic escape techniques?”
For a cultivator’s choice, the elder surnamed Feng, as the manager of Many Treasures Pavilion, did not question.
He simply nodded gravely.
“Daoist Lin is right.
Though demonic techniques carry severe drawbacks, in moments of life and death, when your life is about to be lost, nothing else matters.
As long as you can return alive, any price can be ignored.”
He understood Lin Chang’an’s reasoning.
Rogue cultivators were poor, so they had to choose what was most practical.
After all, the time such techniques were used was in moments of crisis.
At that point, nothing else mattered.
Survival was everything.
“This technique, Blood Shadow Escape, is famous throughout the cultivation world.
Even Golden Core cultivators can use it without it becoming obsolete.
The price is also relatively cheap.
But one thing you must remember:
If a cultivator loses too much of their essence blood, at best they will be gravely injured and need years to recover.
At worst, their cultivation may regress, or even drop an entire realm.”
The elder surnamed Feng’s face was solemn as he presented this technique, renowned throughout the cultivation world and treated by countless cultivators as a last-resort secret art for escape.
“I understand.”
Lin Chang’an nodded gravely.
This escape technique consumed a cultivator’s own essence blood to activate.
Even he did not dare overuse it.
But with the strength of his Regenerative Body, no matter the injury, as long as resources and Spirit Stones were sufficient, he could recover in the shortest possible time without harming his foundation.
Still, what they called “cheap” left Lin Chang’an speechless.
Seven hundred mid-grade Spirit Stones—was that cheap?
Lin Chang’an felt helpless.
But looking at the side effects of Blood Shadow Escape, he fell into thought.
If one-third of his essence blood was consumed, he would only need to enter seclusion for a time to recover.
If two-thirds were consumed, some regression in cultivation would be unavoidable.
But if more than two-thirds were consumed, then even with his Regenerative Body, his foundation would be damaged, with consequences beyond measure.
“As for magical artifacts for escape, those usually require custom forging, and they are not cheap.”
Seeing the price, Lin Chang’an clicked his tongue in surprise, then shook his head.
He exchanged the remaining beast materials for cultivation resources instead.
He already had Blood Shadow Escape, so artifacts for escape could wait.
After all, with a price of over a thousand mid-grade Spirit Stones, even he would need to save for some time.
Wealth should not be flaunted.
It was best to take things slowly.