Chapter 131: Gained Abundantly
Tianxuan City.
After returning cautiously all the way, Lin Chang’an did not go straight back to his cave abode but first cleansed the aura lingering on his body.
Then, he deliberately went to the marketplace trading zone and purchased some spirit items that could confuse the fluctuations of mana.
Only when even the Green-Horned Ox wore a bewildered expression, realizing its master’s aura was completely different from before, did Lin Chang’an secretly let out a breath of relief and head toward the Many Treasures Pavilion.
“These robber cultivators… so clean and decisive, even using formations. They must be disciples of a great sect. But how exactly did they track down cultivators?”
On the way, Lin Chang’an furrowed his brows in secret. Normally, it was done by sensing aura, or through special secret arts that left unique marks.
But as a cultivator who had hunted demon beasts for years, he would never have any flaws when it came to caution.
“And then there’s this Fiery Flame Formation.”
At the same time, Lin Chang’an thought of the formation plate and formation flags in his storage pouch, shaking his head in regret.
“These people were too decisive. They actually destroyed the formation flags without hesitation and fled.”
One must know the value of a second-rank formation. How could ordinary robber cultivators bear to destroy and discard it just like that?
The formation plate was still intact, but the formation flags were stripped bare, leaving only broken poles.
It was clear they had activated a destruction method before fleeing, shattering the flags.
“A second-rank formation, even damaged, is still rare.”
Lin Chang’an secretly nodded, deciding to see if it could be repaired in Tianxuan City.
Up until now, he had not possessed even a single complete second-rank formation, yet these robber cultivators actually had one.
Many Treasures Pavilion.
“Daoist Lin, truly remarkable. That second-rank White Phosphorus Python is in such complete condition.”
When Lin Chang’an came again to sell demon beast materials, the Foundation Establishment elder surnamed Feng from Many Treasures Pavilion could not help but nod in praise.
He admired these tenacious and hardworking cultivators, who brought considerable profit to the Pavilion every year.
“Daoist Feng, this set of Blackiron Armor is heavily worn and needs repair.”
When Lin Chang’an produced the armor that the Green-Horned Ox had been wearing, the elder surnamed Feng nodded quietly.
The armor bore marks of venom corrosion and fierce beast battles, a sign of brutal struggles.
Yet these past few years, this Daoist Lin had never repaired his spirit tools, which showed that his strength was not weak.
As an experienced Foundation Establishment cultivator, he could judge another’s strength roughly through such details.
And Lin Chang’an had no intention of hiding it. After all, his level of strength was nothing much.
“However, Daoist Feng, I encountered a group of robber cultivators on the way back and obtained a formation. I wonder how many spirit stones it would take to fully repair it?”
“No wonder Daoist Lin brought back nine second-rank demon beasts this time, with three of them bearing chaotic battle traces.”
The elder surnamed Feng realized suddenly. When he had inspected those nine demon beast materials earlier, he had already felt something was off.
But as the shopkeeper of Many Treasures Pavilion, he never questioned the source of a cultivator’s materials.
As long as someone came to sell, he would dare to buy.
Originally, the elder surnamed Feng had smiled broadly and paid little attention to the formation, but when Lin Chang’an took out the formation plate, his expression changed drastically.
“A second-rank Fiery Flame Formation!”
“Daoist Feng, is there anything special about this formation?”
Seeing his friend’s expression turn strange, Lin Chang’an frowned and asked.
The elder surnamed Feng carefully examined the formation plates for a long while before sighing:
“There’s no mistake. This belongs to the Mystic Yin Divine Sect, or more precisely, the Blazing Fire Palace that split off from it. It has some differences from the ordinary Fiery Flame Formation.”
Just then, Su Miaoyin descended from upstairs, her crisp voice ringing in the ears.
“The second-rank Fiery Flame Formation can only initially summon firebirds to attack, with power equivalent to a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s strike.
But a quasi-third-rank Fiery Flame Formation can summon a Fire Spirit Puppet equivalent to the peak of Foundation Establishment to fight.
As long as the formation remains unbroken, this Fire Spirit Puppet will have endless mana and immense power.”
“Daoist Su.”
When he saw her, Lin Chang’an respectfully cupped his hands.
At the same time, he was secretly astonished.
To think it possessed such might.
What little he knew of formations was merely picked up over the years by chance, through scraps and exposure.
Compared to true formation experts, he was still far behind.
“Daoist Lin, your formation plate is of low-grade second-rank, and all the formation flags are destroyed.”
Su Miaoyin approached, took the formation plate, and after just one glance, shook her head, deeming it of little value.
This left Lin Chang’an speechless. With her wealthy background and backing by Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle, of course she looked down on it.
But as a drifting cultivator, a formation plate he picked up was still precious beyond compare.
“Then, may I ask if it can be repaired?”
Lin Chang’an still asked the key question.
Although the formation had many limitations, requiring prior arrangement and luring the enemy in, leaving it unused was a waste.
Exchanging it for spirit stones would be even more wasteful.
Faced with his question, Su Miaoyin pondered for a while before finally nodding:
“Eight hundred mid-grade spirit stones, and I can repair and perfect this formation plate for Daoist Lin.”
He had long known that this formation was expensive, but he never thought even repairs alone would cost so much.
Lin Chang’an felt the pain in his heart.
If not for Su Miaoyin saying she would also refine it to perfection, he truly would have been reluctant.
“Very well, many thanks to Daoist Su.”
But this time, Lin Chang’an had profited greatly. He had casually spent one quasi-second-rank Restriction-Breaking Talisman to save Old Hu.
He had also obtained three demon beast materials, along with the entire estate left behind by the unfortunate fallen cultivator.
“Daoist Feng, exchange all of these for cultivation resources—second-rank high-grade spirit liquid, spirit stones…”
As always, Lin Chang’an converted all his materials into cultivation resources, which earned even greater admiration from Su Miaoyin at the side.
After the exchange was complete, Su Miaoyin invited him to the side to drink tea and discuss the Dao.
“Daoist Lin, your aura is full and steady. I believe in just a few years you will break through to the mid stage. Truly, congratulations are in order.”
Facing Su Miaoyin’s praise, Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded:
“All my years of risking my life haven’t been in vain.”
Hearing this sentiment, Su Miaoyin secretly nodded as well.
Many cultivators cultivated bitterly for years without results, until one by one they despaired and gave up.
“This second-rank spirit liquid aids cultivation, and since Daoist Lin cultivates a wood-attribute method, its effect will be even greater.”
Spirit liquid assisted cultivation differently depending on the attribute of one’s cultivation method.
Wood attribute benefitted the most, followed by water attribute.
This could be considered a blessing for cultivators of wood-attribute methods.
After all, the power of ordinary wood-attribute cultivation methods was often somewhat lacking.
“It is still thanks to Tianxuan City for opening these resources to us drifting cultivators.”
Lin Chang’an sighed.
Although the situation in Yue Kingdom was turbulent, the benefits were clear.
Some precious resources were opened to outsiders.
Otherwise, even the cleverest woman cannot cook without rice.
The two of them enjoyed tea and discussed the Dao, but before long, Su Miaoyin shifted the topic toward formations, which benefited Lin Chang’an greatly.
This Daoist Su was the cultivator in Tianxuan City with the deepest research in formations.
Each time they spoke of formations, Lin Chang’an gained much insight.
The deeper one’s comprehension of formations, the more power one could draw out of them.
Ordinary cultivators who bought formations could only bring out seventy or eighty percent of their power with clumsy and rigid methods.
“Daoist Lin has extraordinary talent, though it is a bit of a pity.”
Every time Su Miaoyin sighed.
There were already few cultivators who understood formations, and she was a rare one.
This was why she occasionally conversed with Lin Chang’an.
One reason was to relieve the dullness of the formation path.
The other was that Lin Chang’an’s extraordinary talent gave her a sense of achievement.
“Daoist Su overpraises. If not for the skill of drawing talismans, I would not have reached today.”
Lin Chang’an knew his own situation best and laughed freely.
As long as he provided emotional value, he could gain experience.
That was a bargain he would never refuse.
Su Miaoyin, dressed in the attire of a Daoist nun with a cold expression, wore a smiling face and nodded lightly, yet her enchanting eyes stirred the heart.
Even Lin Chang’an, who had seen much, could not help but avoid her gaze.
The rumors were likely true.
This Daoist Su was born with an alluring charm.
If not for his steadfast Dao heart, why would he be influenced every time he looked into those eyes?
“Daoist Lin has a firm will. Over these years, you have seldom bought pills to advance your cultivation.
Using external means to increase cultivation, it shows how broad your vision is.”
“Daoist overestimates me. It is merely that in these turbulent times, I wish only to protect myself.”
Lin Chang’an muttered inwardly.
The reason he had not bought second-rank pills was because they sold them at such high prices.
He had been forced to secretly refine pills on his own.
After another round of tea and Dao discussion, Lin Chang’an finally departed.
But after stepping out of Many Treasures Pavilion, he pondered quietly.
This Su Miaoyin’s words seemed a little too warm.
Of course, he would not think he was of such great value.
“The intent to rope me in is already obvious. Could it be that Tianxuan City has truly reached this point?”
Lin Chang’an thought deeply.
That Master Lu had not appeared for several years.
Although people said he was at sunset’s twilight…
Unlike mortals, however, even if a Golden Core cultivator had but a single breath left, they should still be able to persist for some years.
Now he could only pray silently that this Master Lu would hold on for more years.
Otherwise, if Tianxuan City fell into chaos, he would have no safe place to cultivate.
……
But right after Lin Chang’an left, before the table where Su Miaoyin sat in Many Treasures Pavilion, another person appeared.
“Daoist Yun, it seems this man you rendezvous with every so often at night truly has a firm Dao heart.
Even my charming eyes could not sway him in the least.”
Clad in white, Yun Yao faced Su Miaoyin’s teasing with an indifferent expression.
“Daoist Su, do not make such jokes.
My dual cultivation method is not like the kind that is popular in the Sea Abyss of Beasts.”
At these words, Su Miaoyin’s smile bloomed, her brows naturally revealing even more allure.
“I have been here nearly twenty years.
To be honest, I am still not accustomed to this place.
So much requires hypocritical masks, unlike in the Sea Abyss of Beasts.
There, with strength, one could take whatever one desired.
Of course, there were also benefits—those hateful gazes were much fewer.
I have not blinded anyone’s eyes in many years.”
Dressed in a Daoist nun’s robes, Su Miaoyin usually looked dignified beyond compare, yet today her face revealed the dangerous smile of a devil.
This sight left Yun Yao silent.
The Sea Abyss of Beasts was rich in resources, but also overflowing with desires.
After all, countless cultivators from all directions gathered there.
“Enough.
You have a dual cultivation method yet do not seek me?
As far as I know, proper dual cultivation methods never restrict themselves to men and women.”
The next moment, revealing her devilish nature, Su Miaoyin arched her brow, raised her horsetail whisk, and lightly lifted Yun Yao’s chin, showing a seductive look.
Clad as a Daoist nun, this scene would make even a fellow female cultivator like Yun Yao feel her heart waver.
Yet the next moment, Yun Yao’s expression changed, and she glared:
“Do not use your charms on me.”
Su Miaoyin covered her mouth, giggling, while Yun Yao shook her head coldly:
“If I were to rely on you, I could not trust it.”
“Little sister Yun, you wound your elder sister’s heart.
How about this—when I reach Core Formation, you help me in secret.
Afterward, I will tell you my master’s secret art to improve spirit root aptitude.”
Faced with Su Miaoyin’s temptation, Yun Yao sneered.
“Such a good thing?
I have never heard of Master Lu being so generous.”
There was one more thing Yun Yao did not say.
In Abyss City and the surrounding regions, this Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle had a reputation infamous for shamelessness, pettiness, and extreme vindictiveness.
It was said that a certain Core Formation cultivator had once offended him.
When that man’s life was nearly spent, Master Lu personally came knocking—not to find the man, but his descendants.
He forced the dying Golden Core cultivator, in shame and anger, to waste away and die during the chase.
“Unless you help me leave the Mystic Yin Divine Sect and join Tianxuan City.”
“Don’t. Tianxuan City is a small temple.
That Mystic Yin Ancestor reached Nascent Soul two hundred years ago.
We cannot afford to provoke them.”
Su Miaoyin laughed sweetly and shook her head.
The Mystic Yin Divine Sect was deeply rooted and far beyond their ability to offend.
“Still, little sister Yun, I must advise you—this Water Yin Demonic Art is far from simple as you think.
If you get the chance, it is best to plan ahead early.”
As she said this, Su Miaoyin’s expression gradually grew serious.
But Yun Yao only shook her head indifferently.
“I am not like you, with a Golden Core father to take you away from Abyss City.
I have no choice now.
Only by contending do I have a chance.”
Faced with Yun Yao’s stubbornness and determination, Su Miaoyin sighed and shook her head.
In the cultivation world, what willfulness was there to speak of?
The world only saw that she had a famous Golden Core master.
But they did not know that when the Su Clan was destroyed, she had been alone, bitterly cultivating in the outer seas.
“Daoist Yun, will you help me when the time comes?”
“We will see then.”
At the rejection, Su Miaoyin smiled and shook her head, her alluring eyes gazing deeply at Yun Yao.
Yun Yao looked too much like the her of the past, one who refused to yield, staking her life to gamble on the future.
……
Meanwhile, when Lin Chang’an returned to his cave abode, he released the Green-Horned Ox and finally allowed his long-tensed expression to relax.
He could at last rest for a few days.
But on the fifth day, Old Hu came to visit.
“Brother Lin, you truly hid your depths well.
Old Hu will remember this life-saving grace.
In the future, if you ever need something, I will never refuse.”
In the pavilion, Old Hu brought spirit wine and spirit meat as offerings, showing full sincerity.
But Lin Chang’an shook his head:
“Daoist Hu, you are too polite.
That day I merely despised those robber cultivators who broke the rules.”
“Yes, it is those robber cultivators who have left us without even a peaceful day to cultivate.
Now when we go out to hunt, we not only face the threat of demon beasts, but also have to guard against those bandits.”
At the mention of robber cultivators, Old Hu could not help but flare in anger.
This time, they had not only lost all their spoils but also a member of their three-man squad.
“Alas, Old Ning was unlucky.
This hunt went too deep, and he was already injured.
Who would have thought they would be targeted by robber cultivators on the way back?
Now Old Jia is still recuperating.
I had no choice but to come, since Old Ning still has descendants.”
At this point, Old Hu also apologized on behalf of the cultivator surnamed Jia.
Lin Chang’an naturally understood.
He also brought out the storage pouch and spirit tools obtained from that Daoist Ning.