Chapter 158: Thunderclap Talisman
Inside a black market shop.
Three Foundation Establishment cultivators, lofty figures by status, were haggling over prices inside the shop just like any Qi Refining cultivator outside.
One could only say that normally they simply had not been involved in matters touching their own interests.
The cultivation resources coveted by Qi Refining cultivators were often not even qualified to be looked at by Foundation Establishment ones. Thus, in the eyes of outsiders, Foundation Establishment cultivators always appeared lofty.
“Old Qin, you must know we are also taking on great risks. Your Qin Family’s estate is not a small one.”
“Fellow Daoist Hu, Fellow Daoist Lin, this was the foundation built by my Qin Family through generations. If not for being forced by circumstance, who would be willing to sell off such an estate?”
In the end, Lin Chang’an and Hu Jin joined forces and still managed to take over Qin Feng’s estate.
As for the Second-rank Talisman Inheritance, that was Lin Chang’an’s personal purchase, not part of the estate.
“Fellow Daoist Qin, here are the spirit stones for the Second-rank Thunderclap Talisman Inheritance.”
Among the Qin Family’s many Second-rank Talisman Inheritances, Lin Chang’an chose only the Thunderclap Talisman.
After all, he had already mastered all types of Second-rank Talismans—defensive, offensive, augmenting, and even restriction-breaking.
Had it not been that this lightning-type talisman naturally restrained yin fiend energy and Blood Fiend Energy, he would not have been tempted.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, straightforward as always. I’ll now send a voice-transmission to my clansmen. Soon, the spirit fields, shop deeds, and this Thunderclap Talisman Inheritance will all be delivered.”
Qin Feng endured the heartache and finalized the deal.
If there had been another choice, who would willingly sell their family foundation?
But the Qin Family had declined over the years. With Yue Kingdom’s turbulent situation, they had no choice.
The Qin Family could not afford to gamble.
Lin Chang’an and Old Hu both felt some sympathy for Qin Feng, but that was all.
They too were taking risks. If Tianxuan City fell, everything in their hands would turn into waste paper.
“Alas, in turbulent times, what difference is there between cultivators and mortals?”
Lin Chang’an secretly shook his head. For powerful cultivators like the Qin Family, at least there was still a retreat. But for Qi Refining cultivators, all they could do was resign themselves to fate.
In war, no one cared whether one was a rogue cultivator or from a clan. If caught in the flames, death and clan extermination were all too normal.
“During stable times, marketplaces and clans located at the intersection of the three great sects’ territories enjoyed geographical advantages. Whether in development or commerce, they profited quickly.
But when war breaks out, the frontlines are the first to suffer.”
Lin Chang’an’s gaze flickered. This, after all, counted as him making war profits.
Back when Yue Kingdom’s three major sects fought, he had only been a Qi Refining cultivator, powerless.
Now he had strength, and he could take this chance to buy inheritances from clans on the verge of extinction or ruined in war.
Half an incense stick later, an elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Qin Family, hair graying at the temples, silently delivered the items. His aged eyes revealed only wordless sorrow.
“Fellow Daoist Qin, check the spirit stones and resources.”
Once both sides confirmed the exchange, Qin Feng let out a long sigh and cupped his hands toward them.
Had it not been for the two Foundation Establishment Pills included in this deal, he would never have agreed.
Foundation Establishment Pills were too scarce. These were ones Lin Chang’an had secretly released into the black market under Alchemist’s disguise.
It was precisely because the black market occasionally offered Second-rank pills that it attracted so many.
Lin Chang’an and Old Hu understood Qin Feng’s mood. They did not reveal any joy over acquiring things cheaply.
Watching as the Qin Family’s two generations of Foundation Establishment cultivators, one old and one young, left in decline, even Old Hu fell silent.
Through the window, he stared at their departing figures for a long time before letting out a self-mocking laugh.
“Perhaps back then, my Old Hu Family’s ancestors were the same.”
It was the first time Lin Chang’an had heard Old Hu mention his ancestors, and he was curious.
“Old Hu, your artifact refinement skills are extraordinary. It seems your ancestors were remarkable as well.”
“Of course!”
Mentioning his ancestors, Old Hu’s face revealed pride as he boasted:
“My Old Hu ancestors were once a mighty clan, even rumored to have produced a Golden Core cultivator!”
Seeing Old Hu’s smug look, Lin Chang’an chuckled and nodded.
This Old Hu, say he’s fat and he really starts panting.
By that logic, since there were Nascent Soul cultivators surnamed Lin in the cultivation world, did that mean they were also his ancestors from five thousand years ago?
With Tianxuan City in turmoil, some were selling off spirit fields and shops, while others like Lin Chang’an gambled by buying them up.
Some purchased more, some less.
For example, the Zhou Family only bought a small amount. With so many family members, they could not act as freely as rogue cultivators.
Lin Chang’an, taking advantage of his ties with Tianxuan City, even went directly to Song Tingfeng, borrowing over a thousand mid-grade spirit stones, leaving Song Tingfeng wide-eyed.
Had Lin Chang’an not claimed it was for the city’s stability, Song Tingfeng would never have lent them.
Human relationships had to go both ways. Without such exchanges, they grew distant.
…
On the outskirts of Yunwu Mountain Range.
“Haha, with these demon beasts coming out, we finally don’t have to enter that damned mountain depth anymore.”
“Exactly. The inner miasma is too dangerous. We always had to guard against exhausting too much mana, lest we fall to its poison.”
“True. These demon beasts are naturally immune to the poison miasma. If we could exert seventy or eighty percent of our strength, that was already fortunate.”
“Not only that—the poison miasma blocked divine sense. Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator who lost their bearings inside would never find their way out. That was the most troublesome part…”
A dozen members of a demon-hunting squad were cheerfully cleaning the battlefield, chatting away.
Suddenly, the leader—a cultivator at the peak of Qi Refining—frowned.
“Everyone, be careful. Something feels off.”
At his warning, the squad immediately grew alert.
Some thought it was a false alarm, until the leader’s expression changed in horror.
“Run! Everyone, run!”
“Run!”
No one hesitated. They all turned and fled.
From within Yunwu Mountain Range, the earth rumbled, and the sky filled with shrill bird cries.
“A beast tide! It’s a beast tide!”
A Foundation Establishment cultivator flying on a sword saw the black mass surging from the depths of Yunwu Mountain Range like a flood, and his face went pale.
In terror, he shouted loudly:
“Run!”
A black tide of demon beasts surged out of the mountains.
It was an army of countless demon beasts: land-bound, flying insects, and spirit birds. Among the endless First-rank beasts were many Second-rank ones.
Anyone a step too slow was trampled into bloody pulp. The fleeing demon beasts seemed to be escaping from some terrifying existence behind them.
Not even the corpses or demon cores of trampled beasts could attract a single one to stop.
From above, the ancient forest looked as if combed flat by a giant rake.
“Roar!”
A terrifying beast roar echoed. From deep within Yunwu Mountain Range, a massive tiger-shaped demon beast wreathed in crackling lightning slowly emerged.
Soon after, on the other side, towering trees collapsed as a giant python, its body exuding venomous miasma, raised its head. Its cold serpent eyes fixed ahead.
A piercing eagle cry rang through the sky.
Three Third-rank demon beasts, exuding terrifying auras, drove countless demon beasts out of Yunwu Mountain Range.
…
As the three Third-rank demon beasts drove the beast tide toward Tianxuan City, the city sounded the alarm. Bells rang across its skies.
“Beast tide incoming!”
Countless cultivators within Tianxuan City grew tense. From the black market, Lin Chang’an could already see patrol cultivator squads mobilizing.
The city also began recruiting rogue cultivators to join the defense.
“All cultivators participating in the city defense, the spoils of the beast tide will be distributed according to military merit. Whoever slays a Second-rank demon beast…
Those who establish military merit—our Tianxuan City, in alliance with Xuanyin Pavilion, will open exchanges of spirit stones, magical artifacts, cultivation methods, pills, and secret arts, all redeemable with military merit…”
At the same time, shouts from patrol cultivators echoed within Tianxuan City, announcing the rewards to be exchanged for military merit.
“Heavens, even Foundation Establishment Resources and Foundation Establishment Pills are included—we cannot miss this!”
“Indeed, hunting a demon beast alone involves too many risks, but this time is different. With Tianxuan City’s defensive grand formation, we…”
On the streets of Tianxuan City, rogue cultivators were filled with excitement. Many wives and children, however, looked on tearfully as the men of their families prepared to fight.
“Husband, the child is still young. Please don’t act recklessly.”
“Woman, what do you understand? It is precisely because the child is still young that I must seize this chance. Otherwise, with the turbulent times, if I don’t cultivate enough strength to protect you in the future, it will be too late for regret!”
“Father, what are you doing?”
“Brat, though the beast tide is a crisis, for us rogue cultivators it is also a once-in-a-century opportunity. If I don’t return, you must remember to cultivate diligently.”
As the beast tide drew nearer, Tianxuan City displayed the myriad aspects of life.
Seeing all this with his own eyes, Lin Chang’an felt a wave of melancholy.
“For rogue cultivators, this is undoubtedly a great opportunity. Normally unreachable high-grade resources are now within arm’s reach.”
At his side, Old Hu nodded empathetically and said:
“Brother Lin, most of the time rogue cultivators like us don’t even have the qualification to compete. But this time is different, and that’s why they won’t miss it.”
Old Hu then grinned, raising his great blade, clearly unwilling to miss the chance himself.
“Brother Lin, this beast tide is resisted by Tianxuan City’s mountain-protecting formation. Compared to hunting alone outside, it is much safer. I, Old Hu, don’t want to miss this.”
Lin Chang’an secretly nodded. With the protection of the grand formation, hunting demon beasts was indeed much safer.
As the beast tide approached, the prices of supplies in the city instead began to rise.
Soon after, they also received their summons—or rather, all Foundation Establishment cultivators in Tianxuan City were required to defend on the city walls.
Otherwise, they had to leave Tianxuan City.
…
Inside the black market shop.
“I suppose everyone has received the summons. Tianxuan City absolutely will not allow idle Foundation Establishment cultivators.”
For once, the six of them were gathered together.
They all understood Tianxuan City’s measures.
At such a time, everyone feared sabotage from within.
Though Foundation Establishment cultivators were conscripted, there were still differences in arrangement.
If a clan had two Foundation Establishment cultivators, only one was required.
If there was only one, they would be assigned to a safer secondary defense line.
Some cultivators with exceptional skills would also be arranged in the second line.
“How is everyone choosing?”
Old Hu spread his hands with a hearty laugh.
“In any case, I know opportunities like this are rare. If I don’t fight now, wouldn’t I regret it forever?”
Old Jia, hearing this, seemed tempted but finally let out a long sigh.
“Old Hu, I no longer have the strength to fight.”
The others understood his situation—everyone had their own path.
Old Ghost merely gave a cold laugh. Though he said nothing, his meaning was clear.
He was nothing more than a vengeful spirit.
He Yan said calmly:
“With Tianxuan City’s grand formation guarding us, it is very safe.”
Meanwhile, Yun Yao, face veiled in black gauze, silently wiped the tip of her spear, her attitude already clear.
“Haha, looks like I, Old Hu, have teammates.”
Old Hu laughed heartily. Yun Yao and the others exchanged glances, then nodded.
At least they were somewhat familiar with each other, and could look out for one another.
“I have a few Second-rank High-grade Defensive Talismans here. I hope you won’t need to use them, but remember to return me the spirit stones afterward.”
Lin Chang’an smiled as he took out several talismans from his Storage Pouch.
As a Second-rank High-grade Talisman Master, even if he wanted to go to the front lines, Tianxuan City would not permit it.
His value lay elsewhere.
“Second-rank High-grade Talismans, those are rare indeed. Uncle Lin, if possible, sell me a few more.”
He Yan laughed as he teased, though his eyes shone with interest.
After all, they had not met in many years, and it was thanks to the black market they reunited.
A Second-rank High-grade Talisman Master could only produce so many talismans each month. He Yan was testing to see if he could obtain a few extra.
Having more of such things was never a disadvantage.
Not only He Yan, but even Old Ghost, Old Hu, and Old Jia were all tempted.
Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded:
“I still have some stockpiled. Just in time to make a fortune from this opportunity.”
Hearing this, He Yan and the others all smiled.
They weren’t afraid of high prices—only of not being able to buy them.
Lin Chang’an wasn’t aiming to overcharge. With talismans, pills, and even raw materials rising in price, selling at market value was enough.
He could already foresee that once the beast tide passed, with demon beast resources flooding the market, raw material prices would plummet.
He was secretly planning to take advantage of this opportunity to purchase materials for Quasi–third-rank Talisman Paper.
It was truly a rare chance.
…
As Tianxuan City made intense preparations for the beast tide, Li Yifan arrived as well, newly advanced to Foundation Establishment.
Stronger than Qi Refining cultivators no matter what, his presence made Old Hu quietly sigh in relief. Even if a junior, he was still another hand.
The defense unit assigned to them was led by Shen Fan and Wei Yingying.
Both were already late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, long accustomed to leading squads.
Seeing this arrangement, Lin Chang’an sighed inwardly. The cultivation world was not only about fighting, but also human relations.
Clearly, this was deliberate arrangement.
“Uncle Lin.”
Shen Fan and Wei Yingying came respectfully. Seeing them, Lin Chang’an revealed a gratified smile.
At least these two juniors had always visited with gifts during festivals, leaving him with a good impression.
“Take these talismans for self-defense. If you run into trouble, seek help from Yifan and Old Hu. That veiled spearwoman is also a friend of your Uncle Lin.”
Pointing toward Yun Yao in her black veil, Lin Chang’an patted their shoulders with a smile.
Shen Fan firmly nodded.
“Uncle Lin, don’t worry. I will not disgrace you.”
Wei Yingying glared at him. Was this a matter of disgrace? This was a matter of life and death!
“We’ve saved up some spirit stones. Uncle Lin, with your wide connections and access to the black market, if you come across any defensive artifacts, please help us keep an eye out.”
At her clever words, Lin Chang’an nodded in approval.
This girl had indeed learned Qingqing’s knack for intelligence. She understood that human relationships were not consumables.
If one treated them as such, they would eventually be used up.
Wei Yingying herself nodded inwardly. With her father’s generation having this connection, she had to maintain it, not consume it.
Meanwhile, Shen Fan gave an embarrassed smile, feeling as if they were troubling Uncle Lin, without thinking so far ahead.
But relationships had to go both ways. Without reciprocation, how could they be maintained?