Chapter 157: Beast Tide, Bargaining
“Blood Fiend Scarlet Sun Formation!”
After Yun Yao left, Lin Chang’an sank into deep thought.
One could never be without a wary heart—Yun Yao’s caution was not wrong.
Likewise, he also needed to make preparations. It was not that he was guarding against Yun Yao, but rather that this third-rank formation was perilously dangerous. Making more preparations would never be a mistake.
【First-rank High-grade Formation Master (Grandmaster 4965/5000)】
Looking at how his comprehension in formations was about to touch the threshold of the second rank, Lin Chang’an secretly nodded.
“Seems I must take advantage of the current turmoil in the Yue Kingdom. With many resources being opened to the outside, it would be best to find an opportunity to purchase a set of second-rank formation inheritance.”
Second-rank formation inheritances were usually unavailable, but now, with Yue Kingdom in chaos and countless surrounding powers watching in secret, some things would naturally surface.
Even within Yue Kingdom itself, countless families were on the verge of extinction under the flames of war. In times of peace, inheritances were cherished like treasures, but in chaotic times, they no longer carried the same weight.
“If I can raise my formation skills to the second rank, it would be of immense help when exploring relic cave abodes.”
It seemed that in the days ahead, formations truly needed to be added to his schedule.
“There’s also water-attribute spells. From Huang Shaohai’s memories, he was quite well-read, and had knowledge of many basic Five Elements spells. Those I don’t need to buy again.
But some water-attribute and cold-attribute spirit items—I’ll need to prepare those whenever I get the chance.”
Lin Chang’an pondered carefully. Although these things were related to exploring relic cave abodes in the future, they would also greatly aid his own cultivation path.
After all, if he wanted to form a core, with the poverty of the Seven Kingdoms, he truly needed to make a trip to the Sea Abyss of Beasts.
These water-attribute spells, he really needed to learn in advance, especially Water Escape Technique and Water Shield Technique.
Moreover, his wood-attribute cultivation method made it easier for him to grasp water-attribute spells.
【Water Shield Technique +32 (Beginner 63/100)】
【Water Escape Technique +21 (Beginner 52/100)】
In the courtyard within the cave abode, as waves of water splashed about, the Green-Horned Ox lying in the pond looked puzzled. Could it be that its master liked playing with water?
Meanwhile, the Wind-Chirp Bird chirped noisily, clearly displeased with the water.
As Lin Chang’an watched the proficiency of the spells increase steadily, a broad smile spread across his face.
“These basic spells really do improve quickly.”
These basic spells consumed little mana and had very low difficulty, which made them quick to master.
Unlike the Giant Sword Technique, which already counted as a minor divine ability—an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator would exhaust their mana after casting it only two or three times.
Such spells simply could not be upgraded as quickly as these basic ones.
……
Several months later, terrifying fluctuations of a third-rank demon beast spread from the Yunwu Mountain Range, throwing Tianxuan City into panic.
“Brother Lin, something big has happened! I heard two third-rank demon beasts appeared in the Yunwu Mountain Range…”
That day, Old Hu arrived with a grave expression. Third-rank demon beasts belonged to a completely different level.
Even a Core Formation True Lord would not want to face a third-rank demon beast.
“Is the news reliable?”
Lin Chang’an frowned slightly at the report. If it were true, could Master Lu—whose lifespan was nearly exhausted—hold out?
Old Hu’s expression was solemn as he lowered his voice through sound transmission:
“Brother Lin, something feels off about this. It seems the news was deliberately spread. I fear the shadows of the Two Major Sects may be behind it.”
Seeing Old Hu’s serious face, Lin Chang’an’s heart grew heavy as well.
Although Old Hu usually acted boisterous, beneath his bold exterior he was extremely meticulous. Otherwise, he would not have survived until now.
“But Old Hu, you don’t seem anxious at all?”
“Brother Lin, you really know how to jest. With third-rank demon beasts about, what use is there for a small Foundation Establishment cultivator like me to panic?”
Old Hu shook his head helplessly, poured himself a cup of spirit wine, and said:
“Besides, Tianxuan City has a third-rank high-grade Mountain Protection Formation, and a late third-rank Blackwater Turtle. The ones who should be anxious are others.
This time, I came to ask you, Brother Lin—there’s a deal. Do you want in?”
Looking at Old Hu, who always came over to mooch spirit wine, Lin Chang’an laughed and shook his head.
Indeed, when the sky fell, the tall ones held it up. If Tianxuan City truly could not hold, everyone would scatter anyway.
Only, for loose cultivators like them, they would lose a rare cultivation haven.
“Old Hu, what deal are you talking about?”
“Brother Lin, you really are forgetful. Have you forgotten what you said back when we set up the black market?”
Old Hu teased with a grin, but his brows carried a heavy weight.
“Master Lu’s lifespan is running out, two third-rank demon beasts have appeared, and there’s still no new Core Formation cultivator. Rumors are flying everywhere in Tianxuan City.
Many cultivators have grown restless. Some are already preparing to sell their shops and spirit fields. Of course, there are also clan cultivators who came to escape the war, some of whom are gambling on Tianxuan City’s future…”
Hearing Old Hu’s words, Lin Chang’an’s eyes gleamed.
Loose cultivators were never lacking in gamblers.
“This time, Daoist Yun still has some spirit stones left. As for Old Ghost and Fellow Daoist He, those two have pockets emptier than their faces—any resource they get, they spend on cultivation.
As for Old Jia, you know how he is. Ever since Fellow Daoist Ning’s accident, his courage has shrunk. With descendants to worry about, he doesn’t dare risk much. At most, he’ll test the waters a little this time…”
Listening to Old Hu, Lin Chang’an could not help but smile.
“So, Old Hu, turns out you’ve been hoarding quite a few spirit stones.”
Everyone had earned plenty in the black market over these years, but to gamble one’s life twice was rare. Many people dared not risk everything again.
Tempting though it was.
Still, Lin Chang’an thought of the chaos in Yue Kingdom, which, for him, might be an excellent opportunity.
“Old Hu, keep an eye out for me. See if anyone is secretly willing to sell second-rank talisman inheritances or formation inheritances.”
In troubled times, inheritances lost value—only strength was the currency of survival.
Many families, on the brink of annihilation, would grit their teeth and sell off inheritances.
This was why, after every great turmoil, countless old powers were swept away and new ones rose.
“Alright, Brother Lin, leave it to me. We’ll need to plan this carefully. At the very least, we should wait until the third-rank demon beasts actually appear—that’ll be the time to buy at rock bottom.”
After running the black market for years, Old Hu had indeed picked up some business sense.
Buying at the lowest point—either one lost everything, or one made a fortune.
Lin Chang’an smiled and shook his head. In such turbulent times, there truly was no moment of rest.
……
Not many days after Old Hu left, Shen Lie, Lu Qingqing, and Wei Buyi came together to visit.
It was clear just how much turmoil the appearance of third-rank demon beasts had stirred in people’s hearts.
Inside the pavilion of the cave abode.
“Brother Lin.”
“Brother Lin.”
The four of them sat on stone stools, each looking solemn.
In the end, it was Lu Qingqing who sighed softly and cupped her hands apologetically:
“Brother Lin, with the Yue Kingdom growing ever more turbulent, the lands outside Tianxuan City are in chaos. We came here today…”
Hearing that the three had come to seek information, Lin Chang’an could not help but sigh inwardly. This scene was all too familiar.
Back then, when they were still Qi Refining cultivators and the outside world grew chaotic, had they not also turned to Yun Yao, who had already reached Foundation Establishment, for news?
In the end, the cultivation world still respected strength above all.
Cultivators of different realms had access to utterly different information and circles.
“Right now, the situation looks grim. Against the alliance of the Two Major Sects, Xuanyin Pavilion is at a disadvantage on the battlefield. And Tianxuan City faces two great problems:
Master Lu’s dwindling lifespan, and the approaching beast tide…”
After Lin Chang’an shared the intelligence he had gathered, Shen Lie, Lu Qingqing, and Wei Buyi all grew incomparably grave.
For a Foundation Establishment cultivator like Lin Chang’an, even if the situation worsened, he could always run away.
But for Qi Refining cultivators, what could they use to flee?
Finally, the three exchanged glances, and Lu Qingqing spoke solemnly:
“Brother Lin, with the situation so tense, and the future uncertain, our two families have, over these years, saved some resources and spirit stones for Fan’er and Yingying…”
“Brother Lin, your cultivation is profound and your connections wide. This time we would like to trouble you to purchase some Foundation Establishment resources for us—or a Foundation Establishment Pill will do as well.”
Hearing this, Lin Chang’an furrowed his brows.
“As far as I know, Shen Fan and Yingying are only thirty-four now. Although in recent years beast materials have been plentiful, their cultivation should still be a bit lacking.”
The two did indeed have good talent, and with superior cultivation resources from childhood, their progress was not bad. But they were still several years away from reaching the peak of Qi Refining.
In this regard, Li Yifan was not as fortunate as them. For one, Li Erniu had too many descendants; for another, in Erniu’s earlier years, whether cultivation or status, he was not as prominent.
The resources Li Yifan was able to fight for were not comparable to later generations.
“Brother Lin, you must be joking. How could we dare hope for those two to establish their foundation so soon?”
Lu Qingqing gave a bitter smile. Beside her, Wei Buyi sighed and shook his head.
“Brother Lin, we don’t dare gamble on whether such opportunities will appear again in the future. We dare even less to gamble on whether we can keep these resources safe. It would be better to entrust them to you.”
It turned out the three had seen the current turbulence, and that Foundation Establishment resources were growing unstable.
More importantly, if Tianxuan City truly suffered some mishap, even if they held spirit stones and resources, they had no means to refine Foundation Establishment Pills.
Ah, the hearts of parents were the same everywhere.
Lin Chang’an accepted the resources and spirit stones the three handed over, his eyes flickering. Wei Buyi had kept quiet, yet he had accumulated no small fortune for his daughter.
For the Foundation Establishment Pill, apart from the few main ingredients, the other materials were nearly all gathered.
This made sense. After all, Wei Buyi was a first-rank high-grade alchemist, so naturally, what he dealt with most were such things.
Whether in earning spirit stones or collecting such resources, it was easier for him.
As for Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing, the fact they could prepare these resources and spirit stones was understandable too. After all, the Juxian Tower and some business in the black market had been doing well.
“Since you trust Lin, then once Shen Fan and Yingying have completed their cultivation, come to me and take their Foundation Establishment Pills.”
What Lin Chang’an was really saying was that, within his power, he would certainly protect the two and ensure they each had a chance at Foundation Establishment.
“Many thanks, Brother Lin.”
“Many thanks, Brother Lin.”
The three felt wistful. This time, they had nearly emptied their families’ treasuries.
But sooner or later, this day would come.
In the cultivation world, it was mostly this same cycle.
What one failed to achieve in life, one entrusted to the next generation.
And with elders shielding them from the wind and rain, the next generation of loose cultivators could walk an easier road.
With this burden lifted from their hearts, the three all smiled. It was a rare chance for them to gather together.
The four then began to talk freely.
The difference was, as the four aged, they looked at the changes in old friends and could only lament the merciless passing of time.
Lin Chang’an remained youthful, while they had already grown old.
……
In the following months, rumors spread wildly throughout Tianxuan Immortal City.
Most of the news was not good.
For example, that Master Lu had been seriously injured last time and had little lifespan left, or that Tianxuan City was preparing to forcibly conscript cultivators.
The most absurd rumor was that Master Lu had already passed away, and that the Tianxuan City faction was preparing to abandon the city and flee!
All in all, Tianxuan City was gripped with panic.
But the booming shops and black market painted a completely opposite scene.
Meanwhile, Yue Kingdom’s Lihuo Palace and Shensword Sect took the chance to launch large-scale offensives, with Xuanyin Pavilion suffering defeat after defeat on the frontlines, losing much territory.
One day—
“Brother Lin, several days ago many cultivators discovered traces of third-rank demon beasts. Looks like this time it’s real.”
This month was his and Old Hu’s turn to oversee the black market, and Old Hu came with bad news.
“Third-rank demon beasts!”
Lin Chang’an’s brows knit tightly, before he shook his head.
“Rumor has it that third-rank demon beasts already possess not-low intelligence. Though Tianxuan City has dense spiritual energy, demon beasts are extremely sensitive to danger. They would not rashly take such risks.”
On this point, Old Hu agreed, but Master Lu’s remaining lifespan was running short.
“But the other cultivators in the city don’t think so. Since traces of third-rank demon beasts were confirmed, the prices of spirit fields and shops have plummeted.
At the same time, the prices of beast materials have risen.”
Old Hu sighed. This time, he was preparing to stake everything. If he lost, the past few years would have been for nothing.
Because of the turmoil, even their black market shops were depreciating in value.
While the two discussed the situation, suddenly a Foundation Establishment cultivator arrived at the black market to visit them.
“Qin Feng greets the two Daoists.”
Seeing the visitor, Old Hu grinned and said with a laugh:
“Isn’t this the current Patriarch of the Qin Family?”
At the same time, Old Hu secretly sent a sound transmission, sharing this person’s background.
Qin Feng, at mid-Foundation Establishment stage, was the current patriarch of the Qin Family. He had also run the black market before—truth be told, they had snatched this business from his family.
Although the Qin Family had three Foundation Establishment cultivators, two of them were already old. Originally, this generation had two Foundation Establishment cultivators as well, but one had perished outside.
Wearing a moon-white robe, the middle-aged Qin Feng carried himself with courtesy, not seeming like someone here to cause trouble.
After a round of pleasantries, Qin Feng finally revealed his intent, unable to hold back any longer.
“I heard that Fellow Daoist Hu is offering high prices to buy spirit fields and shops, and that Talisman Master Lin is even purchasing talisman inheritances. As it happens, my Qin Family is preparing to relocate to Jiang Kingdom…”
Hearing this, Lin Chang’an and Old Hu understood.
But when it came to the price, Old Hu could not help but glare. They said high price, and you really dare ask for a high price!
“My Qin Family has one hundred and fifty mu of spirit fields, five shops, and Lin Daoist—you are a talisman master. My Qin Family once had a quasi–third-rank talisman master among our ancestors.
This time, we are willing to sell three kinds of second-rank talisman inheritances…”
When the other party revealed the talisman inheritances, Lin Chang’an felt a stir of temptation.
The others he did not care for, but among them was a rare lightning-element talisman inheritance.
Lightning was a natural counter to baleful yin forces—like the Blood Fiend Scarlet Sun Formation—it would perfectly restrain such things.
As for water-attribute talismans, he did not need them. He already had the Ice Talisman, which was enough.
Moreover, lightning was almost the strongest in offensive power among talismans of the same rank.
The Qin Family had existed for over a hundred years, and at its peak, had seven Foundation Establishment cultivators at once.
For them to hold such inheritances was no surprise.
“Old Qin, your asking price is far too high. You don’t need me to explain what the situation outside is like, do you?”
Seeing Lin Chang’an tempted, Old Hu secretly sent a sound transmission, beginning to bargain down the price.
Lin Chang’an tacitly played along.
As the saying went, what you saved was what you earned.
Loose cultivators like them even split a single spirit stone in two.
And all their dealings carried risk.