Chapter 151: Return to Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace
Deep within the Yunwu Mountain Range.
Even though Lin Chang’an had already fled a great distance, he could still feel the terrifying aftershocks of the battle.
“Brother Lin, hurry!”
Once they had escaped far enough, the two no longer bothered to conceal themselves, fleeing at full speed. Meanwhile, the demon beasts deep within the Yunwu Mountain Range grew restless.
At this moment, within Tianxuan City, the Mountain-Protection Formation was activated.
Under the gaze of countless cultivators, a dry and frail old man in a cyan robe, with gray hair, stood upright upon the back of a Blackwater Turtle.
“Master Lu! He…”
Within Tianxuan City, countless cultivators stared at him, some unable to hold back tears. The aura of decline emanating from Master Lu was something even ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators could clearly feel.
“This aura of late years… Master Lu has truly grown old.”
Although some were unwilling to admit it, they still had to face the truth.
The decline of the foremost rogue cultivator brought grief, for once Master Lu withered, the Seven Kingdoms would no longer have a sky under which rogue cultivators could exist.
“These detestable sects, they just can’t stand to see us rogue cultivators have even a foothold.”
“For us rogue cultivators, sometimes we don’t even have the qualifications to compete for a single place rich in spiritual energy.”
“Yes… in a thousand years of the Seven Kingdoms, there has only been one Master Lu…”
Within the city, countless rogue cultivators wept. Master Lu had truly grown old. What path would they take in the future?
“Master Lu, I respect you as the foremost rogue cultivator of the Seven Kingdoms, but your era has passed!”
“You have dominated for a lifetime. As long as Master Lu is willing, our Palace of Blazing Fire is willing to help your daughter form her Core.”
One after another, terrifying Core Formation True Lords appeared.
From the Palace of Blazing Fire and the Shensword Sect, a total of four Core Formation cultivators emerged.
Outside Tianxuan City, upon seeing his opponents, Master Lu could not help but smile.
“Hehe, I didn’t expect that even this old bag of bones of mine would still be remembered.”
His hoarse voice reverberated, and the aura of decline emanating from him made the four Core Formation cultivators secretly shake their heads.
In just a few short years, he had grown this old. If not for the late third-rank Blackwater Turtle beneath his feet, he would not have been worthy of their attention.
“Master Lu, stop deceiving yourself. You cannot break through the skies of Yue Kingdom.”
Though standing on the Blackwater Turtle’s back, frail and aged, Master Lu still commanded an undeniable presence.
He was like an ancient dragon at the twilight of its life.
“Old Turtle Lu, if you remain obstinate today, beware of staining your reputation in your final years!”
Among the four Core Formation cultivators, some mocked while others spoke with persuasion, yet without exception, none wanted to truly fight to the death against this aged Master Lu.
“Cough, cough… since you all covet the Tianxuan City I fought for, dare you step forward and battle this old man?”
Wearing his cyan robe, Master Lu deliberately feigned a frail and weakened appearance. Yet the more he acted this way, the more cautious those four became, making him secretly curse.
A bunch of cowards. He was already this withered, yet none dared to step forward.
Was this not bullying an old man who couldn’t even bait a fish?
The four Core Formation cultivators did indeed fear Master Lu, but it was not as if they were truly afraid.
“Old Turtle Lu, do you really think you have accounted for everything? Your daughter is preparing to form her Core in the Yunwu Mountain Range. Did you really think we wouldn’t know?”
As a Core Formation elder of the Palace of Blazing Fire sneered mockingly, the previously withered Master Lu suddenly erupted with a terrifying surge of baleful energy, charging forth in fury.
“Courting death!”
The four Core Formation cultivators were secretly delighted. As long as this old turtle moved away from Tianxuan City, they no longer feared any hidden traps.
Yet Master Lu, whose reverse scale had been touched, flew into a rage and immediately unleashed his life-bound magical treasure. The Blackwater Turtle beneath him also erupted with a sky-piercing aura.
“Master Lu, be at ease. We harbor no intent to harm. We merely wish to invite Fellow Daoist Su to our sect as a guest.”
Outside Tianxuan City, a terrifying battle between Core Formation cultivators erupted. Within the city, countless cultivators grew grim.
Some cultivators of the Seven Kingdoms, along with robber cultivators, watched in secret.
Even if they wished to profit amidst the chaos, they would only move after the situation became clear.
Otherwise, if they stirred trouble now, the grand formation of Tianxuan City could very well trap them inside.
In the black market, Old Hu’s expression turned grave as he watched the battle of Core Formation cultivators outside the city, secretly praying:
“Brother Lin, you and Daoist Yun went out at such a time. Don’t die out there. Otherwise, this favor, Old Hu will have to renege on.”
When the turmoil began, they had already sent a voice-transmission to Yun Yao and Lin Chang’an, but receiving no response, they knew the two must have gone out.
…
Deep within the Yunwu Mountain Range.
After the two warships unleashed their mighty attacks, the Four Symbols Black Tortoise Formation roared violently, its golden light growing increasingly dim.
“Senior Brother, we can’t hold on much longer!”
Within the formation, everyone’s faces grew tense. If it had been the formation at its peak, things would have been different—but with two traitors, their situation was dire.
“Fellow Daoists of the Shensword Sect, do not hold back your strength. If this continues, accidents will happen!”
Though the warships’ power was immense, their consumption was equally severe.
Gritting his teeth, Huang Tianxiao leapt into the air, a talisman appearing in his palm.
“Haha, good! Let us break the formation together.”
A Foundation Establishment cultivator at perfection from the Shensword Sect also took out a talisman.
“Not good! Those are third-rank Restriction-Breaking Talismans!”
As the two talismans flared with dazzling light, the Four Symbols Black Tortoise Formation instantly cracked apart.
Inside the formation, upon seeing this, Su Miaoyin’s expression changed as she shouted coldly: “Everyone, retreat!”
Song Tingfeng let out a long howl, summoning his spirit beast as he glared at the two traitors, roaring in fury:
“One day, I will make you traitors beg for death without finding it!”
Gritting her teeth, Su Miaoyin activated the formation’s final strike.
In an instant, the Four Symbols Black Tortoise Formation erupted with terrifying radiance, causing the two sects’ cultivators to cry out in shock.
“Everyone, be careful!”
The formation shattered, yet four colossal golden tortoise phantoms roared forth, crashing directly toward the two warships.
Huang Tianxiao’s face contorted in both shock and fury at the sight.
“A third-rank Demon Core!”
This was clearly Su Miaoyin detonating the Demon Core at the formation’s heart in her final moment.
A third-rank Demon Core—even the Palace of Blazing Fire had only a few. Its value was immeasurable.
With a deafening explosion, the four golden tortoise phantoms all smashed into the Palace of Blazing Fire’s warship.
As thick black smoke billowed from the vessel, Huang Tianxiao, though knowing it was a trap, could only grit his teeth and roar:
“Don’t let the Shensword Sect get ahead of us! After them!”
The two sects’ alliance was built on shared profit. Yet Su Miaoyin’s final strike had driven a wedge between them.
Su Miaoyin was but one person, and naturally, the Palace of Blazing Fire would not let the Shensword Sect claim her.
…
Half a month later.
Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao had long fled far beyond the battlefield of the two great powers.
“Brother Lin, it seems the Relic Cave Abode has not yet been discovered.”
At this, Yun Yao revealed a trace of relief.
After half a month, none of her other Sensing Jade Talismans had reacted. This proved the relic was still intact.
“Now is not the time to discuss this. We must hide first. Returning to Tianxuan City now would surely be perilous.”
Lin Chang’an judged calmly. Since both the Palace of Blazing Fire and the Shensword Sect had dared to act, Tianxuan City would certainly not be peaceful.
“Indeed. As long as Master Lu still lives, Tianxuan City stands. But if we return now, we might easily get caught in disaster.”
When the strong fought, it was always the ants who suffered first.
“Let’s head to Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace to lay low for now.”
“Agreed. Once this storm passes, we’ll return to Tianxuan City.”
Yun Yao was decisive as well. The two thus set out toward Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace.
Not only Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao—countless rogue cultivators outside also, upon realizing the scale of this turmoil, immediately fled far from Tianxuan City, choosing instead to take shelter in nearby marketplaces.
…
Half a month later.
When they finally arrived at Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace, the once prosperous hub of pioneering expeditions—later desolate after the rise of Tianxuan City—
was once again flourishing, brought back to life by the turmoil in Tianxuan City.
Countless Late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, along with Foundation Establishment cultivators, gathered together.
This caused the native low-level cultivators, who had lived in peace for more than twenty years and had already adapted, to grow somewhat panicked.
After all, those who came were all filled with baleful energy, and even Foundation Establishment cultivators—rare in the entire Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace—had arrived in numbers.
“Returning to my homeland… truly, things remain the same, yet people have changed.”
After their arduous journey to Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace, Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao walked along the marketplace streets.
Gazing at the familiar place where he had lived for over thirty years, Lin Chang’an could not help but feel a wave of melancholy.
“Homeland, is it?”
For Lin Chang’an, he had drifted without a fixed residence in the mortal world. Instead, it was here in the world of cultivation, residing and cultivating in Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace for more than thirty years, that he felt a special bond.
But for Yun Yao, she did not share such sentiments, and instead her mood was tinged with gloom.
She had left the royal manor when she was very young. Her childhood memories were only endless rules, and raising birds while envying their free flight.
When she entered the world of cultivation, she thought the Palace of Blazing Fire would be her true home, but never imagined it would become a nightmare and a prison.
Later, she joined the Mystic Yin Divine Sect, drifting for so many years. Looking back carefully, it seemed her happiest time was—
That one-month journey when the four of them first set out into the cultivation world.
Honest Erniu, who had gone from inferiority at the beginning, to later mastering the skill of roasting meat, winning everyone’s laughter.
The Minor Marquis, Shen Lie, so naturally sociable—whether with Erniu, the farmer, or Lin Chang’an, once a wandering swordsman and later a royal guard.
Together they had gazed at the star-filled sky by night, warmed by the campfire. That time had been Yun Yao’s first taste of freedom.
It was also the happiest time of her life.
“Brother Lin, it seems this won’t end anytime soon. We’ll need to stay here for a while.”
After calming her emotions, Yun Yao looked at the chaotic marketplace with a tranquil expression. With the powerful divine senses of Foundation Establishment cultivators, every conversation and rumor from outside was clearly overheard.
At present, outside Tianxuan City, Core Formation cultivators had already fought several battles.
The Palace of Blazing Fire and the Shensword Sect were clearly intent on trapping Master Lu.
“I heard the Chief Elder of Xuanyin Pavilion has passed away.”
“Impossible!”
“It’s true. They say two Core Formation cultivators of Xuanyin Pavilion were intercepted midway, and that Chief Elder has never appeared since.”
Hearing this news, Lin Chang’an fell into deep thought.
Xuanyin Pavilion had three Core Formation cultivators. If the Chief Elder had indeed passed away, then they truly would fall to the bottom among the Three Major Sects of Yue Kingdom.
After all, even if Fairy of Rainbow Skirt was a peerless genius, she was still newly advanced to Core Formation, her cultivation far beneath those veteran Core Formation cultivators.
With more and more cultivators flooding into Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace, conflict became inevitable.
The original rules of the marketplace could no longer restrain this powerful crowd.
Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao eventually arrived at the Zhou Family residence.
When the Zhou Family steward learned who had come, he was overjoyed, hastily rushing out to welcome them, and even vacating the finest cultivation courtyard in the clan grounds.
Although the Zhou Family had moved to Tianxuan City, some low-level cultivators had still been left behind.
“Two Seniors, this was once a cultivation courtyard for our Zhou Family Foundation Establishment cultivators. Though the spiritual energy here cannot compare with Tianxuan City, it is still one of the finest places within Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace.”
Faced with the politeness of this Late-stage Qi Refining elder, Lin Chang’an nodded calmly.
“In that case, we’ll trouble you.”
“Don’t dare, don’t dare! With you two Seniors sitting in residence, my Zhou Family will have nothing to fear.”
The Zhou Family elder stationed in Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace beamed with joy, warmly inviting the two to settle in.
Yun Yao also nodded lightly.
“Then please help us gather news of the outside situation. If anything happens, report immediately.”
“Yes, yes! Rest assured, Seniors. My Zhou Family has deep roots in Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace, and many eyes and ears. We will certainly report the latest news to you.”
They had not chosen the Zhou Family at random. As locals, the Zhou Family were the most suitable source of information.
The Zhou Family, in turn, did their utmost. With so many powerful cultivators flooding into the marketplace recently, they too had been deeply worried.
Though the Zhou Family was strong, most of their cultivators had relocated to Tianxuan City. Only the elderly and those of poor aptitude remained here.
Now, with two Foundation Establishment cultivators—both allies of the Zhou Family—arriving, they naturally sought to cling tightly to their support.
…
Inside the room.
After setting up defensive measures, Lin Chang’an finally let out a quiet sigh of relief after so long on the run.
“A false alarm… but still, a blessing amidst misfortune.”
The Relic Cave Abode had not been discovered. For both him and Yun Yao, this was an enormous relief.
Think about it—even Master Lu, the foremost rogue cultivator, had gone to such lengths to help his daughter form her Core. That alone showed how difficult Core Formation was.
“Fellow Daoist Su has mid-grade spiritual root aptitude, and even she requires Master Lu’s careful planning. As for me, with only low-grade spiritual roots…”
Lin Chang’an fell silent. He had no such convenient father.
Core Formation spirit items were rare to begin with, and with poor aptitude, the difficulty was even greater.
“This Relic Cave Abode… I must prepare thoroughly.”
Lin Chang’an pondered quietly. If, in ten years’ time when the relic’s formation was at its weakest, it still had not been discovered, then he truly had reason to risk entering it with Yun Yao.
“Yun Yao needs a Core Formation spirit item, but for me, the insights into forming a Core are the most important.”
Previously, he had secretly tested his Life-bound Spirit Plant. From the corpses of dead cultivators or demon beasts, he could only read fragmentary memories.
The longer they had been dead, the less he could glean.
“I hope the Core Formation cultivator who perished within the relic left behind some useful insights or secret techniques.”
For one with low-grade spiritual roots to form a Core was not unheard of. Aside from Master Lu, there had been legends in the past centuries.
But they were all arduous and rare—either aided by secret arts, or fortunate enough to obtain a Core Formation spirit item.
“The cultivator who created this ancient cultivation art clearly gave no thought to the limitations of his successors’ aptitudes.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head helplessly. This ancient cultivation art must have been designed for geniuses.
Unfortunately, he had defied the heavens by cultivating it with mere low-grade roots.
“But for now, it’s best to wait until this Tianxuan City turmoil passes.”
Lin Chang’an sighed. Core Formation was still far off for him, but the present chaos was right at his doorstep.
And while he and Yun Yao sat in residence at the Zhou Family, the outside situation grew ever more unstable.
On the fifth day, perhaps due to the battles in the Yunwu Mountain Range, a small beast tide had unexpectedly erupted.
This spelled disaster for the marketplaces surrounding Tianxuan City.
“Two Seniors, a beast tide has appeared! The marketplace’s formation can barely hold on!”
Half a month later, a Zhou Family steward rushed in, face pale with fear, requesting audience.