Chapter 161: Tianxuan City’s Second Core Formation
After the snowfall, Tianxuan City once again welcomed the flourishing vitality of all things.
【Lifespan: 79/247】
【Realm: Foundation Establishment Middle Stage (24/100)】
Inside his cave abode, as he finished cultivating and saw his cultivation steadily increase, Lin Chang’an could not help but reveal a smile.
“Beast Tide has lasted nearly eight months already. Now the demon beasts outside have shown clear signs of exhaustion, and those three third-rank demon beasts have not appeared for quite some time. I wonder if it is almost over.”
Walking out of the cave abode and into the city, Lin Chang’an shook his head in secret as he looked at the desolate immortal city.
Right now, countless cultivators were outside hunting demon beasts, so it was understandable that fewer cultivators were inside the city.
But now, the cultivators in the city all seemed dazed, their eyes no longer carrying the bright light they had when they first joined Tianxuan City.
As if Tianxuan City’s future was bleak.
“If the situation in Yue Kingdom undergoes drastic change, it would be a small matter for me to lose all my possessions. Finding a way out is the most important thing.”
Lin Chang’an pondered secretly. In truth, he had been considering this matter for some time.
Now that his cultivation had reached the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, and with one offensive and one defensive top-grade spirit artifact, in terms of overall battle strength he was not inferior to a cultivator at the peak of Foundation Establishment.
Not to mention he still had his trump card—his Talisman Treasure.
“With my current strength, I can already protect myself. Perhaps, if the situation in Yue Kingdom becomes unfavorable, I can head with Old Hu and Yun Yao toward the Sea Abyss of Beasts first.”
After all, the Sea Abyss of Beasts was rich in resources, far surpassing the Seven Kingdoms.
Moreover, if they aimed to form their cores in the future, they had to make a trip there.
But likewise, the Sea Abyss of Beasts was incomparably dangerous. If stability was the goal, other countries would naturally be the first choice.
“But there is still the Relic Cave Abode. Hopefully, Xuanyin Pavilion and Tianxuan City can hold on for a while longer.”
If things turned out badly, they could only flee first. As for the Relic Cave Abode, they would take a look before leaving. If they could not enter, then they would wait until the formation weakened in the future, and return to see if they could seize the opportunity.
“It should not be a big problem. If Tianxuan City and Xuanyin Pavilion both retreat in defeat, the two great sects would be busy splitting and digesting resources, and their exploration of the Yunwu Mountain Range would slow down.”
After pondering, Lin Chang’an arrived at Juxian Tower. Over the past half year, not only had Shen Lie’s business declined greatly, but even their black market had been quiet for quite some time.
The reason was simple—most cultivators were at the frontlines, busy hunting demon beasts.
Good items would only flood in after the Beast Tide ended, when Tianxuan City would welcome another explosive surge.
“Brother Lin.”
As Lin Chang’an walked into Juxian Tower and saw the sluggish business, Shen Lie, who was quite idle, came over.
“The same as always.”
“Brother Lin, don’t worry. I’ll keep you company later to relieve some boredom.”
With a big smile, Shen Lie showed the mentality needed for business.
One could not only focus on the good times. One also had to accept the quiet times.
Lin Chang’an admired him for this. No wonder Shen Lie could quickly establish business wherever he went. This kind of mindset was something ordinary people truly lacked.
Later, on the top floor, Shen Lie poured wine for Lin Chang’an with a relaxed smile.
A few exquisite spirit dishes were placed on the table.
“Brother Lin, try this Spirit Flesh. Though business is worse now, the quality of beast meat in Tianxuan City has improved by more than just a little.”
“Mm, not bad. This kind of Spirit Bird is rare under normal circumstances.”
Picking up his chopsticks and tasting a bite, Lin Chang’an revealed a satisfied smile.
Thanks to the Beast Tide, over the past half year, demon-beast meat had become so plentiful that its price kept dropping. Many low-level cultivators had been able to enjoy the taste of high-grade beast meat.
At the same time, with the explosive growth of beast materials, low-level cultivators’ cultivation speeds had accelerated.
As they chatted, Shen Lie shifted the topic to the future of Tianxuan City.
“Alas, now rumors say that Master Lu’s lifespan is about to run out, and Xuanyin Pavilion’s situation on the battlefield is also not looking good. The people in the city are panicking.
Many plan to head to other countries once the Beast Tide ends.”
At this, Shen Lie lowered his voice and whispered:
“During this Beast Tide, among the Seven Kingdoms, cultivators from sects and great clans have secretly recruited many cultivators.
Those with high cultivation can serve as Guest Elders, while those with low cultivation can only continue the drifting cultivator life they once lived.”
Hearing Shen Lie’s words, Lin Chang’an lifted his cup and sighed softly.
“Yes, though leaving home means no longer having Tianxuan City, this land of cultivation, most cultivators only want to find a stable place.”
There was no cultivator who did not want a place rich in spiritual energy, where they could cultivate in peace.
But for drifting cultivators, this was too difficult.
Even disciples of sects and great clans were often dragged into war because of sect conflicts.
Looking at Tianxuan City’s revived greenery, in stark contrast to the cultivators’ dazed eyes—
“Forget it. The spirit fields and shops have already stopped collecting goods. I should just take this chance to gather more Spirit Stones.
After all, if I need to move, Spirit Stones will definitely be necessary.”
Setting down his cup, Lin Chang’an gazed at the scenery of Tianxuan City, shook his head, and slowly rose. Just as he was about to purchase more supplies, suddenly—
An anomaly erupted in Tianxuan City!
“Look quickly! What is that!”
The sudden phenomenon startled many cultivators. They cried out in shock, staring at the skies above Tianxuan City.
Even cultivators stationed a hundred li outside the city, hunting demon beasts, seemed to sense something.
At this moment, within a hundred li of Tianxuan City, heaven and earth spiritual energy surged violently.
“No, this fluctuation… Heavens, this isn’t just one person forming a core!”
Cultivators a hundred li away stared in disbelief toward Tianxuan City.
This aura was far greater than when Fairy of Rainbow Skirt from Xuanyin Pavilion had formed her core.
It was known that Fairy of Rainbow Skirt was a Heaven-grade Spiritual Root, and rumors said she had even formed an Immortal Golden Core.
“Three groups of spiritual radiance! My heavens, Master Lu has gone big this time!”
Countless cultivators exclaimed in shock, gazing at Tianxuan City.
In the skies above the city, winds and clouds churned, heaven and earth spiritual energy converging massively.
Having witnessed the phenomenon when Fairy of Rainbow Skirt had formed her core, Lin Chang’an was no stranger to it. He too leapt onto the roof of Juxian Tower in amazement.
His black eyes stared at the soaring phenomenon of Core Formation.
“Tianxuan Peak, Blazing Fire Peak, Mystic Sound Peak—each of the three main spirit vein peaks is showing a Core Formation phenomenon.”
Shocked, Lin Chang’an watched as Tianxuan City’s Mountain Protection Formation activated. Immediately after, the late third-rank demon beast, the Blackwater Turtle, appeared in the skies above Tianxuan City.
The giant turtle roared, shaking evildoers into submission.
On its back stood Master Lu, though he looked even more aged this time.
At this moment, in the sky, the phenomenon gathered massive amounts of spiritual energy, visible to the naked eye, forming a vortex of spiritual energy.
The entire Tianxuan City boiled with excitement.
“It’s Master Lu’s disciples forming their cores!”
“Haha! I’ve seen it! I once witnessed Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s Core Formation phenomenon. I won’t mistake it!”
“Three people! Three people forming cores at once! As long as one succeeds, Tianxuan City will have hope to continue.”
“Heaven favors our city of drifting cultivators!”
The entire Tianxuan City erupted in cheers. The previously numb and lost eyes of cultivators now came alive, brimming with tears of excitement.
As long as a single Core Formation cultivator emerged, Tianxuan City could endure.
And they, the drifting cultivators, could continue to remain on this land.
On Juxian Tower, Lin Chang’an’s black eyes reflected the vortex of gathered spiritual energy between heaven and earth.
“This aura of mana… it can’t be wrong. The one on Tianxuan Peak is Su Miaoyin, while on Mystic Sound Peak it seems to be Fellow Daoist Song. As for the one on Blazing Fire Peak, I can’t tell.”
The three main spirit vein peaks of Tianxuan City could sustain several Core Formation cultivators. Forming cores simultaneously was even possible.
With the Mountain Protection Formation activated and the three forming cores at once, it completely caught those with ill intentions off guard.
“Roar!”
From deep within the Yunwu Mountain Range came three beastly roars, as three third-rank demon beasts charged out ferociously.
Demon beasts were no fools. How could they just sit and watch human cultivators form their cores?
Even among demon beasts, when one attempted to advance to the third rank, it would suffer attacks from other beasts.
The spiritual energy of Tianxuan City was rich. It attracted not only cultivators but also demon beasts. This was precisely why those three third-rank demon beasts had set their eyes on Tianxuan City.
No one knew what had happened deep in the Yunwu Mountain Range that made three third-rank demon beasts rush out to search for new territory.
At this moment, the cultivators of various kingdoms and those from major sects who had been lying low in Tianxuan City all revealed different expressions when they saw this scene.
The cultivators of Lihuo Palace hidden in Tianxuan City widened their eyes one by one.
“Quick! Inform the Elder at once!”
Countless messages began to spread rapidly.
……
Lihuo Palace.
“What! That damned old turtle Lu is so cunning!”
Upon receiving the Voice-recording Talisman, the Chief Elder of Lihuo Palace fumed in fury. That old turtle had once again tricked everyone.
He had taken the chance, while they were driving Xuanyin Pavilion to defeat after defeat, to let his disciples form their cores.
And it was even three disciples forming cores at once. Far too insidious.
Shensword Sect.
“Damn it! This is the crucial moment!”
The three Core Formation Elders of Shensword Sect exchanged glances, their expressions heavy.
This was the most critical time in their assault against Xuanyin Pavilion, and now this had happened.
……
Xuanyin Pavilion frontlines.
“They finally started forming their cores!”
Upon receiving the news, Xuanyin Pavilion immediately gave the order to launch a counterattack.
Fairy of Rainbow Skirt, the newly advanced Core Formation prodigy of Xuanyin Pavilion, wore a multicolored palace dress, her white veil faintly hiding her beautiful face, but her brows were furrowed tightly.
“Master, our Xuanyin Pavilion has always been the weakest in Yue Kingdom. After so many consecutive battles, the sect has suffered heavy losses. Even if Master Lu’s disciples can form their cores, we may not be able to withstand it.”
After all, the ambitions of Lihuo Palace and Shensword Sect to unify Yue Kingdom were firm and unwavering.
But Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s master, the current Chief Elder of Xuanyin Pavilion, sighed faintly when she heard this.
“Ni Chang, I do not know if your entry into Xuanyin Pavilion was a blessing or a curse. With your talent, you should not be burdened with sect affairs. You should be focused solely on cultivation.”
“Master, how can you say that? Without Xuanyin Pavilion, there would be no disciple. Xuanyin Pavilion is my home!”
Seeing the resolute look in her disciple’s eyes, the Chief Elder revealed a gratified smile and nodded.
During this period, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt had indeed experienced a great deal. Once, under the sect’s protection, she had cultivated wholeheartedly, never managing sect matters.
“Ni Chang, remember this. In the cultivation world, the only one you can rely on is yourself. Whether it is the sect or your master, neither can be relied upon.
The temporary rise and fall of a sect is nothing. As long as powerful cultivators exist, it will not perish. Moreover, this Master Lu may not be reliable.”
“Master, what do you mean by this?” Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s expression turned serious. Though she was no longer the ignorant, single-minded cultivator she once was, she still could not fully understand for the moment.
The Chief Elder only shook her head and sighed.
“Do not forget, this Master Lu is a drifting cultivator. He only returned this time to let his disciples form their cores. Do you think Tianxuan City is important to him?
To him, this is just a stop along the way. He can abandon Tianxuan City, even Yue Kingdom’s power, at any time. That is why we must begin considering a retreat.”
Fairy of Rainbow Skirt fell silent, listening to her master’s teachings.
Her master looked at this genius disciple of hers and shook her head bitterly.
When it came to insight and the games of the heart, Ni Chang was far too lacking. She could only hope her disciple would grow quickly. At the very least, she must support her disciple and Xuanyin Pavilion together.
Just as this disciple had said, was Xuanyin Pavilion not also her home, her root?
……
Tianxuan City.
The third-rank Blackwater Turtle roared repeatedly. Yet although the three third-rank demon beasts could not defeat it, they cunningly relied on their speed to separately attack Tianxuan City.
The Mountain Protection Formation of Tianxuan City rumbled as it was activated.
Countless people saw that frail, aged figure on Tianxuan Peak, controlling the formation.
“Old Turtle Lu, if you have the guts, come out and fight!”
A few days later, two late Core Formation cultivators from Lihuo Palace and Shensword Sect rushed over, shouting coldly.
But Master Lu, hiding inside Tianxuan City, pretended to look like his lifespan was almost exhausted and sneered:
“Fellow Daoists, since you have come from afar, why not enter the city and have a chat?”
Looking at Tianxuan City’s Mountain Protection Formation, the two late Core Formation cultivators were furious, cursing the shameless Old Turtle Lu.
“Fellow Daoist, we have planned together for so long. It is time to use it.”
“Good! Let us see today how hard this old turtle’s shell really is!”
The two Core Formation cultivators from Shensword Sect and Lihuo Palace exchanged glances. Each took out a third-rank high-grade Restriction-Breaking Talisman.
“If they wish to form cores, they are delusional. We only need to disrupt these juniors’ Core Formation.”
“Break the formation!”
These precious third-rank high-grade talismans were specially made for breaking formations.
They tore through the void, striking the weak points of the barrier.
The destructive power of Restriction-Breaking Talismans against formations was several times greater than ordinary talismans of the same rank.
Several talismans struck the weak points of Tianxuan City’s Mountain Protection Formation.
When the barrier dimmed and fine cracks appeared, Master Lu inside Tianxuan City flew into a rage.
“Courting death!”
Seeing Master Lu forced to emerge, the two were overjoyed. At least their talismans had not gone to waste. These third-rank high-grade talismans were incomparably precious—if they had kept wasting them, they truly would have run out.
Crack!
At the weakest point of the Mountain Protection Formation, a gap several zhang wide split open.
“Haha! The formation has a breach! Old Turtle Lu, enjoy playing with these three third-rank demon beasts!”
The two were not fools. They would never clash head-on with a Core Formation cultivator fighting desperately.
……
Inside Tianxuan City, countless cultivators had already hidden away.
Outside his cave abode, Lin Chang’an saw this scene and felt his scalp go numb.
“As expected, disaster has come. These two great sects will never allow Core Formation cultivators to emerge in Tianxuan City.”
The three third-rank demon beasts took the chance to rip a massive hole in the Mountain Protection Formation. The Spirit Bird among them was especially rampant, launching attack after attack.
“Best to hide for now. Before third-rank Core Formation realm demon beasts, Foundation Establishment cultivators are nothing more than slightly larger ants.”
Seeing the situation turn dire, Lin Chang’an immediately released the Azure-Horned Bull and the Wind-Chirp Bird. The two beasts widened their eyes at the sight.
Could they possibly resist such foes?
“What are you standing there for? Get in here now!”
Seeing the dazed Azure-Horned Bull and Wind-Chirp Bird, Lin Chang’an called out irritably. Only then did the two beasts hurriedly follow their master into the cave abode.
Especially the Azure-Horned Bull, whose four hooves moved swiftly, afraid that its master would change his mind.
After all, provoking higher-ranked demon beasts—its master had a history of that. It truly feared that its master would make it go lure a third-rank demon beast.