Chapter 147: News of a Quasi-Third Rank Demon Beast
With Li Yifan entering seclusion, Lin Chang’an had already done what he needed to do, and so he continued with his monotonous yet enjoyable daily routine of cultivation.
Drawing talismans, alchemy, cultivation, and occasionally dual cultivation with Yun Yao whenever she had time.
As the trust and tacit understanding between the two deepened, they were already able to preliminarily perform the joint strike technique within the dual cultivation secret art.
Three months later.
Li Erniu came with a face glowing with joy, bringing along his son Li Yifan to express his gratitude.
Li Yifan had successfully established his Foundation.
In his entire life, Li Erniu had never imagined that even though he himself had failed to establish his Foundation, his son would achieve this dream he had not even dared to hope for.
This made Li Erniu feel as if he had been granted a second spring, appearing younger than before.
There was a saying that rang true—once one successfully established their Foundation, everyone would believe that everything they had done before was the right choice.
Even one’s parents.
Originally, Li Erniu had intended to hold a celebratory banquet at the Gathering Immortals Tower.
But the Zhou Family said that no matter what, Li Yifan had once belonged to the Zhou Family, and so this Foundation Establishment banquet should rightfully be held at the Zhou Family estate.
It could be said that the Zhou Family gave Li Yifan enough face, allowing him to raise his head in pride.
Although many within the Zhou Family secretly felt bitter, the Zhou Patriarch used this silent method to ignite the cultivation fervor of the younger generation.
If even the son of a son-in-law with a mid-grade spiritual root could establish Foundation, then what reason did they have not to strive for it?
Not convinced? Then shut your mouth. Only when you establish Foundation yourself do you have the right to speak.
At the banquet, the Zhou Patriarch even raised his cup with a smile, praising Li Erniu for having birthed such an outstanding son and saying words about the family line returning to glory.
He also expressed willingness to lease thirty mu of spirit fields to Li Erniu.
Although not stated outright, the meaning was clear. From now on, Li Erniu would no longer be considered a mere son-in-law, but rather a rightful son-in-law of status.
Li Erniu had truly achieved honor through his son’s success.
Li Yifan himself was deeply grateful. The moment he established Foundation, he felt that all the resentment he had harbored in the past seemed laughable.
Or rather, the emotions he had suppressed all his life now seemed like a child’s game.
The leap in strength brought with it a change in vision.
From then on, Li Erniu’s status within the Zhou Family was no longer that of a lowly dependent, but a son-in-law treated with respect.
This turn of events motivated the younger generation of the Zhou Family, all holding in a breath of determination, while also bringing them closer to Lin Chang’an.
It even eliminated a potential hidden danger—after all, if Li Yifan had remained in the Zhou Family after establishing Foundation, conflict would surely have arisen.
Lin Chang’an secretly sighed in admiration. No wonder the Zhou Family had managed to flourish under its Patriarch’s hand—the methods were indeed remarkable.
“But establishing Foundation is only the beginning. Though Li Yifan succeeded, the drive within him has already dissipated. The sharpness once revealed in his brows is now gone.”
Lin Chang’an saw even more clearly. Previously, Li Yifan had been suppressing himself with a single thought—to rise above others. Now that he had succeeded… then what?
After establishing Foundation, cultivation methods and resources all required a qualitative leap. This was not something that an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator, separated from the Zhou Family, could easily obtain.
“If he had stayed within the Zhou Family, with their inheritance and cultivation resources, he would undoubtedly have been able to go much further.”
But all of this no longer concerned Lin Chang’an, who shook his head in secret.
Everyone had their own aspirations. He himself was still struggling for various resources.
But judging from Li Erniu’s intentions, he wanted Li Yifan to start a family and bring honor to his ancestors, and Li Yifan did not refuse this time.
“In the end, this is the norm of the cultivation world. How many are truly geniuses who vow never to stop short of immortality?”
Lin Chang’an shook his head. A person’s vision was closely tied to their own strength.
If he had not awakened his innate talent and by chance obtained an ancient cultivation method, perhaps the first thing he would have thought after establishing Foundation would also have been—after striving so many years, it was time to enjoy the life of an ancestor.
……
Half a month later.
Within his cave abode, Lin Chang’an wore an expression of bemusement.
“Brother Lin, that Zhou Yifan grew up following me around since childhood. Yet now that he has established Foundation, he puts on airs and looks down on my little sister.
Brother Lin, tell me—is my little sister lacking in beauty? Or is she too willful and unruly? Or perhaps her spiritual root is too poor, and she is not worthy of him?”
Zhou Bingyun spoke with a face full of grievance, bringing along a girl of sixteen or seventeen, who now stood shyly at the side, looking somewhat at a loss.
Lin Chang’an was left speechless at the sight. Of course—the Zhou Patriarch could never suffer a loss. His abacus was practically ringing against Lin Chang’an’s own face.
Zhou Bingyun, with her appearance of being wronged, seemed to imply that all of this was only out of consideration for Brother Lin, and that the Zhou Family had taken such a huge loss purely for his sake.
“Brother Lin, my little sister has a strong personality too…”
Good heavens, after all that, it was clear they were sending her to him.
And the reasoning was impeccable. This Zhou Family girl had been proposed for marriage, yet rejected by a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Which other cultivator would dare to easily approach? If they offended that Foundation Establishment cultivator, the loss would be too great.
“Miss Zhou, your little sister is the daughter of the Zhou Family. For her to come here as a mere attendant would be far too aggrieved.”
Lin Chang’an spoke helplessly, while Zhou Bingyun’s eyes flashed with a sly gleam, signaling her younger sister right before his eyes.
The embarrassed Zhou girl beside her, face flushed crimson, trembled as she poured tea for him with her jade-like hands.
“Lin… Senior Lin, I can do anything.”
Lin Chang’an felt a wave of exasperation. So, from the very beginning, the Zhou Patriarch had planned to involve him. He had underestimated the old fox’s cunning.
Truly wily and shrewd.
Lin Chang’an’s Dao heart remained firm, and now that Zhou Bingyun herself had established Foundation, the Zhou Family sought to maintain relations with him by sending yet another girl.
And the reason was flawless—it appeared that because of his intervention, both the Zhou and Li Families were satisfied, and only this girl had been wronged.
“Brother Lin, this is my sister, Bingbing. She is skilled at managing spirit plants in cave abodes, and at raising Green-Horned Oxen. She could help you greatly.”
The Zhou Family clearly wanted her to take over Zhou Bingyun’s role and maintain ties with him.
After all, Zhou Bingyun was now a Foundation Establishment cultivator and no longer suitable for running errands or feeding oxen.
“Very well.”
When Lin Chang’an lightly nodded, Zhou Bingyun revealed a smile.
“Bingbing, don’t feel wronged.”
The tender and shy Zhou Bingbing hurriedly waved her hands, saying:
“No… not at all. Senior Lin’s cave abode is brimming with spiritual energy. For Bingbing to come here often is already the greatest blessing.”
Seeing her shy expression, with a face like rosy jade, Lin Chang’an secretly nodded.
This girl was straightforward, unlike Zhou Bingyun’s cleverness.
Zhou Bingyun herself also nodded in secret at her sister’s demeanor.
Her mother had said that men did not like overly clever women. This time, surely things would work out.
From then on, Lin Chang’an’s once-quiet cave abode now had another person tending spirit plants and feeding the Green-Horned Ox.
Looking at the lush vitality of the plants outside his cave, with even more being brought over from the Zhou Family from time to time, Lin Chang’an felt very satisfied.
In his good mood, he would occasionally give her some pointers, which in turn maintained his connection with the Zhou Family.
……
Time passed, and Li Yifan’s Foundation Establishment had become old news.
Countless cultivators within Tianxuan City no longer paid attention to such matters, for all were drawn to the stirrings of the beast tide.
“Did you hear? Yesterday, several Foundation Establishment cultivators from Dongyu Kingdom hunted down a late-stage Second-rank demon beast together. They made a huge fortune.”
“Indeed. No one knows what’s happening deep within the Cloudmist Mountain Range, but many beasts from the depths have been appearing in the outskirts.”
“I heard that Fairy Su, disciple of Master Lu, has already emerged from seclusion. I wonder if it’s true.”
“Ah, these are troubled times. I only hope Fairy Su can successfully form her Core. That way, Tianxuan City can still have a place for us drifting cultivators.”
At a tavern in the black market, hearing the idle chatter of passing cultivators, Lin Chang’an frowned slightly. Though most of it was trivial gossip,
when pieced together, it revealed one thing—the beast tide was growing ever stronger.
“Brother Lin.”
Yun Yao, her face veiled in black gauze, arrived gracefully. A faint trace of poison miasma still lingered on her, clearly just returned from the Cloudmist Mountain Range.
At this sight, Lin Chang’an was slightly stunned. Yun Yao was usually very punctual.
“But what’s the situation with the secret realm?”
It was no wonder Lin Chang’an speculated wildly—recently, the number of cultivators in Tianxuan City had been increasing.
The beast tide was a crisis for Tianxuan City, but for the cultivators of the Seven Kingdoms, it was a grand celebration.
Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Seven Kingdoms rushed over, greedily enjoying the beast tide as a feast. If things turned dangerous, they could simply flee far away.
The only ones left to suffer would be Tianxuan City.
Yet Tianxuan City also needed these cultivators to wear down the beast tide’s strength.
It was mutually beneficial, but also carried hidden dangers.
If Tianxuan City fell into turmoil, these Seven Kingdoms cultivators would turn into robber cultivators even more terrifying than the beast tide itself.
Hearing Lin Chang’an’s question, Yun Yao lightly shook her head, then spoke of the matter this time.
“Many demon beasts from deep within the Cloudmist Mountain Range have come out. This time, I discovered an injured quasi-third rank demon beast…”
“And it was a serpent demon beast. Its scales could be used to craft rare high-grade talisman paper. With Brother Lin’s skill in the talisman path, if you used this talisman paper to make Restriction-Breaking Talismans…”
Hearing Yun Yao’s words, Lin Chang’an fell into thought.
What Yun Yao said was true. Third-rank talisman paper was extremely rare, mostly bartered among high-level cultivators.
Even Tianxuan City had none for external sale.
If he could obtain some quasi-third rank talisman paper, he could then craft even more powerful Restriction-Breaking Talismans, which would greatly increase safety in future secret realm explorations.
Moreover, a quasi-third rank demon beast’s body was filled with treasures. Its essence could be refined into a spirit artifact, raising it into a top-grade spirit artifact.
It was even possible for its crystalline core to form a pill, doubling its value.
Not to mention flesh and other treasures. Serpent demon beasts were the most valuable among their rank, unlike some poisonous insects whose only worth lay in their demon core.
“Daoist Yun, how many people know of this matter?”
Tempted as he was, if others besides Yun Yao knew, Lin Chang’an would hesitate.
For demon beasts were dangerous—but human hearts even more so.
Seeing Lin Chang’an’s caution, Yun Yao was speechless for a moment, then shook her head.
“Only I know. The cultivators of the Mystic Yin Sect cannot be trusted.”
That one phrase, “cannot be trusted,” made the two exchange glances, their expressions shifting.
The trust between them was not only from years of friendship, but also because of the secret realm.
Everything they were doing now was in preparation for the future secret realm.
“Restriction-Breaking Talismans, huh!”
Lin Chang’an pondered in silence. With the progress of his talisman skills, by the time they explored the secret realm, he might indeed be able to craft quasi-third rank Restriction-Breaking Talismans.
That would greatly increase their safety.
And Yun Yao had her own considerations. With Brother Lin’s talent, if successful, producing many powerful Restriction-Breaking Talismans later would not be an issue.
This would give them a measure of confidence when exploring the secret realm.
“Brother Lin, a quasi-third rank demon beast is extremely valuable. Aside from using its serpent skin for talisman paper, the rest we split evenly.
Also, I noticed your Green Bamboo Sword, while decent, is not a top-grade spirit artifact. If you reforged it with top materials and added this essence…”
Yun Yao rarely revealed temptation, but her sincerity was immense.
She was late Foundation Establishment, while Lin Chang’an was mid Foundation Establishment—yet she offered to split evenly.
“And I also have a formation. Brother Lin, the two of us can try out our joint strike technique. If something goes wrong, we can withdraw immediately.”
Lin Chang’an then asked for more details about the demon beast, silently weighing the pros and cons.
Yun Yao was right—a quasi-third rank demon beast was a rare chance.
Normally, one would have to venture deep into the Cloudmist Mountain Range to encounter such a beast, facing unknown dangers.
Now, with the beast tide, the opportunity was before them.
Together with Yun Yao, with their Yin-Yang Joint Strike Secret Art, they could even fight against a perfected Foundation Establishment cultivator.
If not, they could still escape.
Not to mention, he still had a Talisman Treasure as a trump card.
“Then let’s depart at once.”
“Good. Delay will bring change.”
“I’ll notify Old Hu.”
“I’ll notify Old Ghost.”
Yun Yao was decisive. With Lin Chang’an’s agreement, the two immediately settled on going to scout.
……
Moments later, Old Hu and Old Ghost stared in surprise at the two of them.
“Brother Lin, you mean to?”
Old Hu looked puzzled. This month it was Brother Lin’s turn to be on watch. How come on the very first day, he couldn’t resist?
But seeing Yun Yao still dusty from travel, clearly just returned, Old Hu showed envy.
Still Brother Lin had the luck!
Lin Chang’an did not explain. In fact, such speculation served as excellent cover.
“Old Hu, Daoist Yun and I had some insights during our discussions. We must enter seclusion for a few months, so I must trouble you.”
Hearing this, Old Hu gave the two a strange look.
But being straightforward, he simply laughed heartily and waved.
“Brother Lin, so that’s all? Hurry then, you and Daoist Yun go into seclusion. With me and Old Ghost here, there will be no problem.”
But that look made Lin Chang’an speechless.
He and Yun Yao said nothing more, only clasped hands in farewell and left.
Left alone, Old Hu and Old Ghost exchanged a glance. Old Hu grinned.
“Old Ghost, did you notice? Brother Lin and Daoist Yun seemed especially hurried.”
“Did they?” Ghost Three Blades did not even lift his head, eyes calm.
Old Hu was speechless. This Old Ghost seemed only interested in cultivation, in nothing else.
Yet he still secretly envied them. Insights on the first day?
Lies.
Wasn’t it just that after long absence, dry wood met blazing fire and they could not wait another moment?
“Ah, I truly envy Brother Lin’s blessings. We cultivators must not be entangled by love, yet on this long cultivation path, to have a confidante—life would not be in vain.”
Old Hu shook his head. But words were one thing—his own cultivation days were tight enough. Adding another person? He could not afford it.
If he never experienced the might of Core Formation in this lifetime, then would he not have lived in vain?
At that thought, Old Hu’s expression turned resolute.
Core Formation!
……
Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao did not make elaborate preparations. Both were solitary, with their entire possessions carried on them.
Unlike some cultivators with clans and families as burdens.
But this also made them exactly the kind of cultivators robber cultivators liked most.
After disguising themselves, the two left Tianxuan City and headed straight for the depths of the Cloudmist Mountain Range.