Chapter 152: Su Miaoyin’s Tracks
【Eternal Evergreen Art (Proficiency: 235/500)】
【Killing Origin Sword Art (Grandmaster 4965/5000)】
Inside the cultivation chamber, Lin Chang’an slowly opened his eyes, contemplating the cultivation method and sword art he had been practicing.
“This ancient cultivation method completely aligns with the wood attribute’s characteristic of slow accumulation and explosive release. But it is also far too profound—the further I go, the harder it is to comprehend.”
After all, it was an ancient cultivation method capable of being cultivated all the way to the Nascent Soul Realm, which made Lin Chang’an secretly nod in approval.
On the other hand, the other sword art, though it harmed the enemy at the cost of injuring oneself, truly deserved its name as a demonic cultivation art—its progress was astonishingly fast.
“The Killing Origin Sword Art progresses at great speed. Aside from my Regenerative Body that allows me to practice it without fear, the greater reason still lies in all the slaughter I have committed over these years.”
The Killing Origin Sword Art required baleful energy to enter the body. Previously, when Lin Chang’an hunted demon beasts, the baleful energy he absorbed actually accelerated the cultivation of this art.
“Now, even my ordinary sword aura carries the might of an average Late-stage Foundation Establishment sword cultivator. If I unleash it with full force, disregarding damage to my body, the sword aura’s power can be tripled.”
And this was only the strength of the Grandmaster level. If he broke through this realm, its power would surely rise even further.
Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an sank into silent contemplation.
“At present, the situation is unstable. My cultivation cannot be advanced in a short time, but this sword art—if I seize the chance to break through early, my strength will rise sharply.”
Just then, a commotion suddenly came from outside.
“Two seniors, a beast tide has appeared! The marketplace formation is about to give way!”
A Zhou Family steward rushed into the courtyard in panic, begging for an audience.
At that moment, both Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao walked out from their respective cultivation chambers. They naturally saw that the formation barrier of the marketplace was under fierce assault.
……
From outside Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace came the chaotic roars of beasts.
Within the formation barrier, many cultivators had gathered, staring in shock at the sight before them.
It was an overwhelming tide of demon beasts charging forth!
A massive army, made up of demon beasts of every kind!
Land beasts, flying spirit birds… even natural enemies among beasts were working together.
At this moment, they had united to assault Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace.
Meanwhile, a few unfortunate cultivators outside had not made it in time. After only a few flashes of spells, they were swallowed by the beast tide.
Even some demon-hunting squads fought desperately to resist, but like mantises blocking a chariot, they were swept away by the beast tide and vanished within mere breaths.
When Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao arrived and saw this scene, their expressions grew grave.
Such numbers—even if all of them were only first-rank demon beasts—they could still exhaust Foundation Establishment cultivators to death.
“Brother Lin, in the Yunwu Mountain Range, these demon beasts lost their habitat. Now they are frenziedly charging Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace, clearly treating it as their new home…”
It was precisely for this reason that even beasts who should have been natural enemies did not slaughter each other.
Seeing this, Lin Chang’an shook his head inwardly.
A habitat! How were demon beasts any different from human cultivators? Both fought for resources.
“Ordinarily, humans hunt demon beasts for resources. Now the beast tide assaults us, seeking to seize the marketplace rich in spiritual energy as their territory. In the end, it is all for survival and resources.”
Of course, instinct to reproduce was another reason.
“Look! It’s the Black Wind Wolves! So many Black Wind Wolves!”
“And Flame-fury Beasts—those creatures are born able to spit fire…”
“And flying beasts! So many Gale Hawks…”
Amidst the terrified crowd, most cultivators present had experience hunting demon beasts; otherwise, they would not have lingered outside Tianxuan City.
Some experienced cultivators quickly identified the species among the beast tide, and their expressions grew increasingly unsettled.
“There are second-rank demon beasts too!”
In the distance, several second-rank demon beasts of various types stared intently at Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace.
“We absolutely cannot sit and wait for the marketplace to be breached! We must hold off this beast tide, only then will we have a chance to break out!”
“That’s right! If we scatter and flee now, we’ll only become food for the beasts…”
Several seasoned cultivators shouted loudly, warning the others not to panic—or else they would be picked off one by one.
“Foundation Establishment seniors, if we all join hands and block the first wave, these beasts will scatter. They won’t keep attacking us endlessly.
By then, we’ll have our chance to break through.”
“Everyone follow my command! Prepare defenses—we cannot let the beast tide break through the marketplace!”
Among the crowd, quite a number of Foundation Establishment cultivators were present. Each began calmly issuing commands.
At first glance, the beast tide seemed terrifying, but as the experienced cultivators said—if they withstood the first wave, things would improve.
“Brother Lin, the marketplace only has a large second-rank formation, left from before. We cannot let it be broken.”
Even Yun Yao revealed a grave expression. Lin Chang’an naturally understood and nodded solemnly.
“Yes, once the marketplace’s formation is lost, chaos among cultivators is inevitable.”
At that moment, Lin Chang’an slowly raised his head, staring at the flying demon birds circling overhead.
These were the ones most likely to throw cultivators into disarray.
“Kill!”
All at once, cultivators unleashed multicolored spells, booming as they struck at the beast tide.
Some powerful Foundation Establishment cultivators, aside from a few calmly commanding, held back their strength, locking onto the second-rank demon beasts hidden within the tide.
These were the real headaches.
And above them still circled more.
At the edge of life and death, cultivators were united as one.
But if the marketplace fell, they would scatter and flee.
With the ground shaking violently, Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao also struck out from time to time, especially against the flying demon birds overhead.
Shrill screeches filled the air, and under the ambushes of Foundation Establishment cultivators, the demon birds fell one after another.
When Lin Chang’an swung his sword, sword aura cut through the sky, displaying the terrifying might of the Killing Origin Sword Art.
Each strike erupted with power comparable to a Late-stage Foundation Establishment sword cultivator. This made many cultivators inside the marketplace gaze at Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao with fiery eyes.
Some wanted to take them as masters. Others hoped to find a patron. Still others, Foundation Establishment cultivators included, sought to forge connections.
All kinds of thoughts abounded.
……
Several days later.
“I, with mid-grade spiritual roots, admire Senior’s might and am willing to serve…”
“Senior, my granddaughter has fine beauty…”
As the beast tide was beaten back wave after wave, during moments of respite, some cultivators tried every method to curry favor, unwilling to miss any opportunity.
Some even offered their Dao companions. This left Lin Chang’an speechless. He could at least understand the one offering his granddaughter, but this person…
The Zhou Family cultivator in charge of this sector, upon seeing this, immediately waved his hand in annoyance:
“Go, go! These are Foundation Establishment seniors—you lot should stop dreaming!”
Watching this, Lin Chang’an could only chuckle and shake his head.
How many years ago had it been, when he was just a lowly Qi Refining cultivator in Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace, forced to look at others’ expressions to survive?
Now, in just a few short decades, he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator admired and envied by all.
“In just a few decades of life, if one does not struggle, one will never know how brilliant their future can be.”
Lin Chang’an smiled faintly. Toward these cultivators—whether they sought to become disciples, curry favor, or even sell their beauty—
He felt no disgust, for he himself had once been one of them.
Back then, he too had thought of relying on the Zhou Family. He had only not been chosen.
This was merely the survival path of cultivators at the bottom.
“Senior, here are the beast materials collected today.”
The Zhou Family overseer respectfully presented the spoils of the day after clearing the beasts.
The bulk was to be handed to the Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Having long accepted the law of the jungle, these cultivators showed no resentment.
Like a wolf pack of demon beasts, the strong always enjoyed the freshest and finest meat—
And bore the heaviest responsibilities.
“Mm. Have everyone stay vigilant. Rest and recover in shifts, but do not grow careless.”
“Yes, Senior.”
Although most of these were only first-rank common beast materials, Lin Chang’an did not refuse, for after all, they were the fruits of his own efforts.
There was no reason to let others benefit from them.
Looking at the weary faces of the cultivators, who now revealed smiles as they received their share of spoils, Lin Chang’an seemed to see his former self, just as delighted.
“Brother Lin, what are you thinking about?”
“I was thinking about how I used to be just like them, overjoyed for a mere piece of demon-beast meat, thrilled for a single low-grade Spirit Stone.
I would even treat it as a priceless treasure, secretly tucking it into my chest and hugging it all night, unable to sleep.”
Hearing this, Yun Yao could only laugh bitterly.
Her talent had been good; she had joined Lihuo Palace early on. She had never experienced the life at the very bottom, where cultivators grew red-eyed over a few Spirit Crystals.
Toward Yun Yao’s inability to empathize, Lin Chang’an teased with a smile:
“Perhaps I’m just getting old. These years always bring me such reflections.”
For a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he was still considered young, yet compared to mortals and Qi Refining cultivators, he was already seventy-six.
In a few more years, he would be in his twilight, celebrating an eightieth birthday.
And Lin Chang’an, having lived two lives, climbing step by step from the very bottom, felt this even more keenly.
“Brother Lin, from the looks of it, this small beast tide has already passed.”
Yun Yao did not press further, instead bringing up the matter at hand.
Lin Chang’an nodded lightly.
These demon beasts were not fools. Since humans had established a marketplace here, it was naturally because the spiritual energy was dense.
That was what had drawn the beasts.
But once they realized they could not take it down, their instincts would drive them to scatter, each choosing another territory.
“I wonder how Tianxuan City is faring?”
Under the respectful gazes of the crowd, Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao walked slowly toward a tavern nearby.
While others had to rest haphazardly wherever they could, Foundation Establishment cultivators enjoyed certain privileges.
……
Inside the tavern, Yun Yao gravely cast a soundproofing spell, then spoke to Lin Chang’an via voice transmission.
“Recently, the beast tide has spread so far that news is often cut off. But from the last reports, Fellow Daoist Su has gone missing. It’s uncertain if something has happened to her.”
Upon learning that Su Miaoyin had gone missing, Master Lu of Tianxuan City had flown into a rage, nearly cutting down a Golden Core Elder of Lihuo Palace.
Frightened, Shensword Sect and Lihuo Palace had both hastily withdrawn from the battle.
But suspicion grew between them, each suspecting that the other had already taken Su Miaoyin away.
Of course, another possibility was that the beast tide had engulfed her. And with many cultivators outside learning of the news, they too coveted the Core Formation Spirit Item she carried.
“It truly is a season of turmoil.”
Lin Chang’an nodded inwardly. Still, his focus lay more on his sword art.
With the beast tide, the baleful energy was extraordinarily thick. Recently, his progress in cultivating the Killing Origin Sword Art had been excellent.
With a bit more time, he should be able to break through.
“In a while, we should prepare to return.”
Though Tianxuan City was in chaos, at least Master Lu was there, and its spiritual energy far surpassed this place.
“Yes. Let us prepare to return in three days.”
As the beast tide gradually dispersed, many cultivators had already formed groups, preparing to return.
Of course, though scattered, the beasts still lingered everywhere. Returning to Tianxuan City now was far more dangerous than usual.
For low-level cultivators, it was a calamity. But for higher-level ones, this was a time of opportunity after the beast tide.
The land was full of demon beasts; there was no need to risk venturing deep into the Yunwu Mountain Range.
……
The small-scale beast tide had not only swept Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace but also several surrounding marketplaces, including Qingshui Bay.
Cultivators might be best at infighting, but when facing a crisis of survival, they could unleash astonishing unity.
Not one of the marketplaces was breached during this beast tide.
Even so, cultivators inside these marketplaces were restless.
For everyone knew—this had only been a small-scale beast tide. When the true beast tide arrived, these little marketplaces would face far greater peril.
Thus, many cultivators were already preparing to migrate with their families, either to Tianxuan City or even farther.
In recent days, in Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace, groups of cultivators had begun returning in teams, or paying to join stronger cultivators’ groups.
“Two Seniors, this beast tide has passed. I must thank you both for saving my life…”
Today, a Zhou Family steward approached, smiling obsequiously as he respectfully offered some Spirit Stones.
He truly knew how to handle affairs.
“I thought Steward Zhou would arrange for some of your younger kin to return to Tianxuan City.” Lin Chang’an asked with a smile.
Seeing Lin Chang’an accept their gifts, the steward forced a smile onto his face.
“To tell the truth, Senior, this is only a small place. At most, it attracts weaker demon beasts. Now that the small beast tide has passed, most beasts have already claimed their own territories.
When the large beast tide comes, it will first strike at places of denser spiritual energy. By then, the beasts outside will already be scattered and entrenched. Instead, they may serve as a shield…”
Hearing this, Lin Chang’an’s eyes revealed admiration.
Indeed, beast tides were both crises and opportunities. For smaller marketplaces, they could even serve as protection.
As the steward departed respectfully, Lin Chang’an could not help but sigh. No wonder the Zhou Family had grown steadily.
It was not only the work of their patriarch, but also their ability to act with restraint, avoid greed, and skillfully build ties with cultivators of all stripes.
……
Just as Lin Chang’an was preparing to leave, another scene unfolded in Yun Yao’s room.
“Yo, little sister Yun, why do you look at your elder sister like that? Do you perhaps miss me?”
Usually dignified in her Daoist robes, Su Miaoyin now lay sprawled on the bed, her charming eyes brimming with seductive allure as she gazed at Yun Yao.
Her jade fingers twirled strands of black hair, exuding an intoxicating temptation.
But Yun Yao’s expression only turned icy, a hint of baleful aura flashing as she sneered:
“Fellow Daoist Su, do you not realize how many are searching for you right now? Or do you think I too can resist such temptation?”
Su Miaoyin carried a Core Formation Spirit Item, and even held Master Lu’s secret art to enhance spiritual root aptitude. These were treasures countless cultivators yearned for.
Seeing the flicker of greed in Yun Yao’s eyes, Su Miaoyin only laughed sweetly, her expression calm and untroubled.
“Little sister Yun, your words truly wound me.”
But Yun Yao merely sneered again, her gaze full of wariness.