Chapter 140: Yellow Dragon Bell
In the blink of an eye, two years had passed.
Ever since Tianxuan City eradicated a group of Robber Cultivators, law and order had stabilized for quite some time.
Meanwhile, deep within the Yunwu Mountain Range, something unknown had occurred.
In these two years, many beasts from the depths had run outward.
As a result, many cultivators who encountered unfamiliar beasts suffered tragic misfortune.
Of course, there were benefits as well.
Cultivators no longer needed to take great risks venturing deep into the mountains in order to hunt beasts.
This caused Tianxuan City’s sky-high prices to actually fall somewhat.
The price of Foundation Establishment Pills dropped once again to around ten thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones.
【Lifespan: 73/245】
【Realm: Foundation Establishment Middle Stage (6/100)】
“Two years’ time, and my cultivation increased by six points.”
Inside the cave dwelling, Lin Chang’an slowly opened his eyes, gazing at his attribute panel.
With his Low-grade Spiritual Root aptitude, coupled with this ancient cultivation method that did not grant much advantage in its early stages…
Reaching from the middle stage of Foundation Establishment to the late stage would take just over thirty years.
This speed was not slow.
“Over thirty years later, I’ll be just over a hundred years old, still in my prime. Compared with ordinary Drifting Cultivators, this can already be considered fast.”
Previously, it took him seventeen years to advance from early Foundation Establishment to the middle stage.
He slowly exhaled a mouthful of turbid air.
Seeing his cultivation speed, Lin Chang’an revealed a satisfied smile.
Ninety percent of ordinary Foundation Establishment Drifting Cultivators could only spend their entire lives polishing at the early stage.
Only the remaining ten percent could break through to the middle stage.
And among those, the number who could reach the late stage was even fewer, countable on one hand.
“Being a Drifting Cultivator is difficult. Law, resources, land—poor aptitude and too many restrictions.”
“And yet, I already belong to that last ten percent, and may even become one of the rare few who can break into the late stage of Foundation Establishment. I’ve already surpassed many cultivators.”
As for companions, he did not even dare mention them.
On the path of cultivation, having someone who could be called a true friend or fellow cultivator was far too rare.
Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an quietly shook his head.
To reach late-stage Foundation Establishment at just over a hundred years old, with Core Formation within sight in the future…
What more could he ask for?
“However, in these two years, signs of a beast tide have become certain. For strong Drifting Cultivators, it will be a feast. For the weak, a disaster.
Tianxuan Immortal City has the Mountain Protection Formation and Master Lu.
Even if the beast tide arrives, this will instead be one of the safest places. And if something truly catastrophic happens, I can still escape amidst the chaos...”
As an immortal city built upon the Yunwu Mountain Range, Tianxuan City’s spiritual veins naturally attracted demon beasts.
But this was no longer something Lin Chang’an needed to concern himself with.
He was merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
【Second-rank Mid-grade Talisman Master (Proficient 893/1000)】
【Second-rank Mid-grade Alchemist (Proficient 169/1000)】
Over these two years, his talisman skills continued to improve.
Within another year or two, he would break through to become a Second-rank High-grade Talisman Master.
This was thanks to the insights of a Quasi-third-rank Talisman Master that Tianxuan City had granted him two years ago as a reward for his merits.
Only with that had his progress been so rapid.
As for his advancement in alchemy, that was largely due to the generosity of Alchemist Song.
With the unique soul-searching ability of his Life-bound Spirit Plant, Lin Chang’an had also made notable gains in the alchemical path.
“It’s just a pity that this Alchemist Song is only a Second-rank Mid-grade Alchemist.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head with regret.
How good it would be if that old man were a Second-rank High-grade Alchemist.
Still, he was very satisfied with Tianxuan City’s rewards back then.
As long as he remained in Tianxuan City, each year he could receive two bottles of Third-rank Spirit Liquid.
Whether to aid in cultivation or in nurturing his Life-bound Spirit Plant, this was a high-level resource he could not otherwise touch.
After all, his Life-bound Spirit Plant was his true foundation.
“And then there’s this top-grade spirit artifact. As expected, true treasures exist only at the upper levels.”
He lifted his hand, and before him hovered a golden-bright copper bell.
From Huang Shaohai’s inheritance, he had learned that beyond spirit artifacts, there existed top-grade ones.
The most important difference, aside from their superior quality, was that they possessed an Artifact Spirit.
“An Artifact Spirit can only be refined with the soul of at least a Quasi-third-rank demon beast, tempered with true fire and sealed within the artifact.
It greatly boosts the artifact’s power, already approaching the methods used to forge Talisman Treasures.”
Upon the golden bell coiled a dragon, and carved upon it were the words ‘Yellow Dragon Bell’.
Seeing this treasure, Lin Chang’an secretly nodded.
If he had possessed this bell back then, he would not have been so battered when facing Huang Shaohai’s Talisman Treasure.
At the very least, he could have blocked one or two strikes.
This, too, had been Tianxuan City’s compensation.
“Unfortunately, top-grade spirit artifacts cannot be bought for any price.
If not for that great merit, Tianxuan City would never have given me this.”
Lin Chang’an fondly played with the golden bell, before hanging it at his waist.
When encountering an enemy, he could instantly summon it to defend himself.
This treasure was unmatched in defense, and could even trap foes.
……
Leaving his cave dwelling, he looked at the Green-Horned Ox lazily sunbathing by the pool.
Over the past two years, the beast had also successfully advanced to the mid-stage of Second-rank.
Even its broken horn had regrown.
As Lin Chang’an emerged, the Green-Horned Ox glared fiercely, eyes filled with anger.
It turned out a golden streak of light had already landed upon Lin Chang’an’s shoulder.
A palm-sized Wind-Chirp Bird was flapping its wings in a most human-like fashion, pounding at his shoulders.
“Alright, enough from the both of you.”
As the ox mooed angrily, splashing out of the pool to throw a tantrum, Lin Chang’an chuckled and comforted them.
This Wind-Chirp Bird was a sycophant, always quick to act in its own favor.
When Lin Chang’an brought out spirit herbs and spirit fruits to feed both spirit pets, only then did they calm down.
Yet the Wind-Chirp Bird immediately fluttered onto the ox’s horn, chirping noisily, and even pushed over half of the spirit fruit it had pecked.
The Green-Horned Ox, which had just been furious moments ago, stared foolishly at the bird.
It mooed once, not only refusing the fruit but even sharing a bit of its own spirit herb in return.
The scene left Lin Chang’an speechless.
“If this bird learns to speak one day, it could probably sell off this ox.”
After two years together, the Wind-Chirp Bird had proven itself to be the bane of insects.
In the Yunwu Mountain Range, against spirit insects, it was almost always in a complete advantage.
Even at the early stage of Second-rank, the Wind-Chirp Bird could easily crush most mid-stage Second-rank spirit insects.
Moreover, this Wind-Chirp Bird had extremely high intelligence, always able to play both sides, truly worthy of being called a bird spirit.
“Enough, you go inside first, someone will be coming later.”
He glared at the Wind-Chirp Bird, warning it not to bully the Green-Horned Ox, then placed the bird spirit into the Spirit Beast Pouch.
Immediately after, he sat properly within the pavilion and began brewing tea, waiting for the person he had arranged to meet today.
A short while later, as the spirit tea finished steeping, his guest arrived as promised.
“Brother Lin, this spirit tea is brewed just right.”
“Daoist Yun, it has been half a year, yet your elegance remains the same.”
Inside the pavilion, Yun Yao, dressed in white battle attire, bloomed with a heroic smile.
“Brother Lin, don’t make fun of me.
These two years, the Divine Sect has kept arranging for us to frequently investigate the Yunwu Mountain Range, as though there were some earth-shaking secret inside.”
Hearing this, Lin Chang’an’s expression grew solemn: “Daoist Yun, could it be related to the disappearance of the Mystic Yin Divine Sect’s former Nascent Soul Sect Master?”
In front of outsiders he would call it the Demonic Sect, but before Yun Yao, following her habit, he also referred to it as the Divine Sect.
“If it were only that, it would be fine.”
At the mention of this matter, Yun Yao’s brows furrowed with a trace of worry, and she sighed helplessly.
“Tell me, is a secret that could cause the fall of a Nascent Soul powerhouse big enough?
That is why the Three Major Sects are so eager to uncover it.”
The inheritance of a Nascent Soul powerhouse, as well as the secret of their fall—no wonder the Three Major Sects were greedy.
But Lin Chang’an was only a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and dared not harbor the slightest greed.
If such a thing were placed before him, it would only be a death warrant.
“Daoist Yun, could the beast riots in the Yunwu Mountain Range these past few years be related to the Three Major Sects?”
“No, it should be the Lihuo Palace and the Shensword Sect.
Now that the Grand Elder of Xuanyin Pavilion is gravely injured, it seems unlikely he has the strength to investigate anything further.”
After Xuanyin Pavilion’s Grand Elder suffered severe injuries, and coupled with his advanced age, there appeared to be signs of imminent passing.
Listening to Yun Yao speak of the current situation in Yue Kingdom, Lin Chang’an silently nodded.
At the very least, he could be considered somewhat in touch with higher-level news now, not entirely in the dark.
But looking at Yun Yao’s worried expression, Lin Chang’an felt a bad premonition rising in his heart.
“Daoist Yun, could it be that the secret realm you mentioned is experiencing problems?”
Yun Yao shook her head and said: “For now it has not been discovered by others, but the formation will weaken in just over ten years.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Chang’an fell silent.
The abnormality of the Yunwu Mountain Range would not only draw in the sect cultivators, but also many Drifting Cultivators seeking to investigate.
That was why so many ancient cultivator ruins and secret realms in the world of cultivation were first discovered by Drifting Cultivators.
No other reason—Drifting Cultivators were many, and they were truly willing to risk their lives.
“Then let us wait until that time comes before speaking further.”
Accidents or tomorrow—no one could know which would arrive first.
If you could discover an opportunity, naturally another cultivator could as well.
So long as one had not yet transformed that opportunity into strength, there was always the chance it would end up as a wedding dress for someone else.
This was the most normal thing in the cultivation world.
“Then let us talk of business, Daoist Yun.
The Voice-recording Talisman you left last time did surprise me.”
After the two finished discussing the hidden movements in Yue Kingdom, Lin Chang’an smiled as he brought up the talisman Yun Yao had left while he was in seclusion.
“Brother Lin, you jest.”
At this, Yun Yao gave a soft laugh, gazing through the pavilion at the beautiful scenery of Tianxuan City, sighing with emotion.
“Brother Lin, you must have also felt it.
Each step of cultivation after Foundation Establishment is incomparably difficult.
Relying only on high-grade skills and hunting demon beasts, how many Spirit Stones can we truly earn?
Now that a beast tide is imminent, Tianxuan City will be a place of wealth.
I wonder if Brother Lin is willing to take a gamble?”
As Yun Yao explained, Lin Chang’an suddenly realized.
It turned out more and more cultivators had noticed signs of the beast tide, and naturally some within Tianxuan City grew uneasy.
No one was a fool.
These past years, Master Lu had remained in seclusion without emerging, very likely at the end of his lifespan.
Now with a beast tide looming, worry was inevitable.
This had created a strange phenomenon—Tianxuan City flourished because of demon beasts, but at the same time, it filled hearts with dread.
“Daoist Yun, are you suggesting taking this chance to purchase spirit fields and shops in the marketplace at low prices?”
Lin Chang’an was not surprised by Yun Yao’s business mind.
Back when she was planning her Foundation Establishment, she had already seized the opportunity to open up connections and gather resources by capitalizing on the convenience of pioneering at Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace.
It was only unfortunate that disaster had struck back then.
“Daoist Yun, have you perhaps obtained some concrete information?”
Lin Chang’an’s mind stirred.
After all, no cultivator thought they had too many resources.
Since Yun Yao brought this up, she likely knew some inside news.
Seeing Lin Chang’an’s cautious expression, Yun Yao only smiled and shook her head.
“Brother Lin, what do you take me for?
Within the Mystic Yin Divine Sect, I as a Foundation Establishment cultivator am insignificant.
That is why I must climb higher.
The resources needed for Foundation Establishment cultivation, and future Core Formation resources, must be prepared in advance.
There has never been such a thing as grasping at the last moment.”
Listening to Yun Yao, Lin Chang’an suddenly understood, and also received a reminder.
Indeed, his own cultivation was only at mid Foundation Establishment, but Yun Yao was already touching the threshold of the late stage.
Naturally, she had to begin preparing for her future Core Formation.
Whether she succeeded was another matter, but if she did not try, she would only regret it later.
After all, that Blood Fiend Sword True Lord’s secret realm was still hanging in the sky.
Until it was in hand, it could not be considered his own.
“In that case, I too should begin preparing some resources early.
There’s no harm in it.”
Lin Chang’an nodded inwardly, his thoughts becoming more active.
“Daoist Yun, with just the two of us, how much could we really handle?”
Taking advantage of Tianxuan City’s turbulence to purchase spirit fields and shop deeds cheaply was risky, but far less dangerous than becoming Robber Cultivators.
“Nowadays Master Lu remains in long seclusion, and even Daoist Su, after giving me that formation insight two years ago, has also not emerged.
I do not know if he is preparing for Core Formation.”
In recent years, Master Lu’s situation was well-known, and now Su Miaoyin had also gone into seclusion.
“That is why, Brother Lin, for us Drifting Cultivators with limited resources, it is better to gather three or five friends together and gamble once.
If successful, there might be a slim chance at Core Formation in the future.”
Yun Yao spoke firmly, her eyes bright with determination.
So her ambition was even greater—she wanted to pull in Lin Chang’an and others to open a high-level trading shop.
“Now that the Yunwu Mountain Range is turbulent with beasts, countless high-level cultivators will be created.
There will be demand for spirit rice, talismans, pills, and magical artifacts, all needing supply and exchange.
Though Many Treasures Pavilion and Xuanyin Pavilion exist, Tianxuan City is so large, and many clans have their own shops in the marketplace...”
Listening to Yun Yao, Lin Chang’an became increasingly tempted.
Just as she said, Many Treasures Pavilion and Xuanyin Pavilion targeted the high-end market.
But the Drifting Cultivator market was massive, and the black markets, though existing, were always chaotic and unorganized.
They could completely seize the mid-to-low-end market, and establish a safer black market.
Moreover, there were precedents among the families in the marketplace, who had made enormous profits.
“Brother Lin, you have wide connections in Tianxuan City.
If you could arrange regular purchases of talismans, pills, and other materials, I too have my own channels, especially for things that cannot see the light of day.
We will only sell spiritual goods suited for late Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators.
With several Foundation Establishment cultivators like us, we can hold things steady.”
Seeing Yun Yao’s boldness, Lin Chang’an silently admired her.
No wonder she had reached this point.
With that kind of daring, so long as her luck did not run too poorly, her future achievements would certainly not be low.
“Daoist Yun, hearing you speak so, I must admit I am moved.”
Establishing their own marketplace shop would bring enormous benefits.
He could discreetly sell his pills and talismans there.
And ordinarily, he would no longer need to hunt demon beasts, but could focus on cultivation.
The benefits were immense.
“I have two friends, both at early Foundation Establishment, with some less-than-legitimate resources.”
Yun Yao spoke directly.
In short, they would take advantage of the chaos to buy cheaply and then sell black goods.
Lin Chang’an nodded.
It seemed he too would truly need to bring in one or two friends.
After all, balance was the most important thing in business.
“Brother Lin, you have good relations with Master Lu’s disciples in Tianxuan City. I also have some ties with Daoist Su. You and I may well seize this opportunity...”
When a beast tide came, gold diggers might not earn money.
But the service industries surrounding the gold mine would always earn fortunes.
This was the chance.
“This... could truly be promising.”
Lin Chang’an nodded in satisfaction.
Still, for this venture, they would first need to inform Tianxuan City.
Especially since he had already rendered great merit to the city.
At that time, he could offer Alchemist Song a ten percent share, and there would be no problem.
Of course, all of this was predicated on Master Lu having a successor.
Yun Yao dared to gamble, and as someone with outstanding talent, Lin Chang’an had no reason not to.
At worst, he would only lose some resources—what was there to fear?