Chapter 165: All Are My Disguises
“Targeted!”
The moment he sensed someone was watching him, Lin Chang’an immediately sneered. In this marketplace of theirs, there had never been a shortage of people who wanted to stir up trouble.
But in the end, all of them paid the price. Moreover, they had Tianxuan City backing them.
As time passed, in Tianxuan City, their Eastern District marketplace had become one of the most well-known.
“As of now, Tianxuan City had two Golden Core cultivators, and two False Core cultivators. Yet there were still people who dared not recognize their place.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head. His black market’s prestige came more than half from the backers behind him, and also from the deterrence of six Foundation Establishment cultivators.
“Daoist friend, you’ve been following me this whole way. Could it be that you truly dare to commit murder here?”
Disguised as the old alchemist, his raspy voice echoed as Lin Chang’an unknowingly arrived at the center of the black market.
If a fight broke out here, then with the two Foundation Establishment cultivators currently stationed in the black market, plus the great formation, it would be enough to give the stalker a hard time.
“Daoist friend, a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding!”
When the stalker realized he had been discovered, he panicked and waved his hands repeatedly. He hadn’t expected this Foundation Establishment early-stage alchemist to notice him.
Luckily, he truly bore no malice.
“I merely saw that Daoist friend carried quite a number of pills and wished to do a transaction with you. I almost caused a misunderstanding.”
The black robe concealed his figure, but Qin Feng’s face was full of embarrassment. Then, he lifted his hand and pointed at a nearby tavern, seemingly wishing to have a casual chat.
The choice of tavern also showed that he bore no ill intent.
Lin Chang’an frowned, looking impatient, and was about to leave. But when the other party produced an item and handed it over, he suddenly froze.
“A Second-rank Demon Core. Daoist friend, you are generous.”
Qin Feng’s heart ached, but since his marketplace had no Second-rank alchemist, he could only use such a costly method to win someone over.
“Daoist friend, is my sincerity enough?”
Lin Chang’an played with the Second-rank Crystalline Core at his fingertips and secretly pondered. What was this man plotting, that he was willing to part with so much?
Running his cultivation technique in secret, he instantly detected a familiar fluctuation of spiritual power and was stunned.
Qin Feng!
Good heavens. Looking at this man in a black robe, hiding his figure as though he couldn’t be seen in public, Lin Chang’an frowned.
This old fellow was scheming within his marketplace—he had come with ill intentions!
“Very well. Daoist friend, I see your sincerity.”
Disguised as the old alchemist, Lin Chang’an nodded with his raspy voice, then followed him toward the tavern.
But inside, he sneered. This old fox—he would like to see what kind of trick he was playing.
……
Inside the tavern.
Within a private room, Lin Chang’an immediately ordered the finest Spirit Flesh and Spirit Wine, which made Qin Feng secretly curse.
These shady drifting cultivators really had no sense. They even had to take advantage of such a small benefit.
He had truly underestimated them.
No matter how poor the Qin Family had become, they were still like a dying camel, larger than a horse.
“Daoist friend, I offended you earlier. Allow me to drink this cup first as an apology.”
As expected of someone who ran a marketplace, Qin Feng was rather straightforward. Smiling broadly, he raised his cup and downed it in one gulp.
He looked nothing like the shameless rogue who had wept and wailed before.
Lin Chang’an, still in disguise as the old alchemist, simply nodded slightly.
“This Daoist friend, with such a heavy gift, must surely have something to ask. Why not speak your purpose?”
But Qin Feng simply waved his hand boldly and said,
“Daoist friend, no need to be so formal. Let us first drink heartily together. My purpose is not urgent. Even if nothing comes of this, we can at least be friends.”
Lin Chang’an chuckled inwardly. Qin Feng’s face truly could change fast.
But seeing him come to the marketplace sneaking about, being so extravagant, and recalling the recent situation in the Western District marketplace, Lin Chang’an already had a guess.
Still, free food and wine should not be wasted.
“Very well. Daoist friend, you are straightforward.”
Disguised as the old alchemist, Lin Chang’an dug in without hesitation, eating Spirit Flesh and drinking Spirit Wine.
Qin Feng was speechless, yet his conviction deepened. These people hiding their faces were surely drifting cultivators.
Any cultivator of noble background would never act like this.
After the feast, Lin Chang’an—who rarely drank—had already emptied five jars.
Yet from the corner of his eye, he noticed Qin Feng’s calm and steady demeanor. He secretly nodded.
He had underestimated this man.
The weepy, shrewish act of before was nothing like today.
“Daoist friend enjoys wine. Why not order two more jars?”
Qin Feng grinned, but the old alchemist chuckled and shook his head.
“Enough. Daoist friend, surely you did not come today just to trade pills?”
Lin Chang’an was no longer interested in dragging things out and simply laid his cards on the table.
Qin Feng, still smiling, cupped his hands.
“To be frank, I came today to invite Daoist friend…”
“To your marketplace!?”
Hearing this, Lin Chang’an thought, “As expected.” But as the old alchemist, he let out a mocking, raspy laugh.
“Daoist friend, don’t joke. Tianxuan City may be vast, but there are only a handful of black markets. A single feast and one demon core, and you think you can get this old man to follow you?
I fear you are a robber cultivator, scheming to steal my wealth and kill me.”
“Daoist friend jests.” Qin Feng showed no frustration at the old alchemist’s caution, but kept smiling broadly.
“I sincerely invite you. As long as you go, I am willing to purchase your pills at half a grade higher than market price.”
“This Daoist friend, you hide your face, yet you want me to take such a risk? That truly is a joke.”
Lin Chang’an smiled faintly, showing no loosening of stance.
His attitude was perfectly normal.
Qin Feng inhaled deeply. He knew well that in this Eastern District black market, both Lin and Hu openly revealed their identities.
And more importantly, they had connections with people in Tianxuan City—that was the real key.
If he wanted a share, he had to show greater sincerity.
“Daoist friend, I am of the Qin Family marketplace in the Western District.”
Then, Qin Feng slowly removed his cloak, revealing his true face.
The old alchemist disguise was momentarily startled, then Lin Chang’an quickly composed himself.
“So it is the Qin Family’s Patriarch. But that is still not enough. I know of your Western District, yet it is far inferior to our Eastern District. Besides, we have grown used to this place.”
These words made Qin Feng’s heart stir.
“We”? Did that not mean this man had companions?
As for this excuse about being used to the place—he didn’t believe it at all. In his eyes, even sect or clan cultivators could turn against each other for profit.
Among cultivators, where was there any such thing as loyalty?
“Daoist friend, I truly invite you sincerely. As long as you are willing, I will…”
Qin Feng’s tone was earnest, his offers full of temptation, enough to make Lin Chang’an waver slightly.
This old fox really was unscrupulous—he had come to poach from him!
Originally, they minded their own business. But if he came to steal people, then he could not be forgiven.
“Daoist Qin, your invitation is generous. Yet we drifting cultivators are always cautious. Besides, we have business here with this marketplace…”
In the end, after much negotiation, Lin Chang’an agreed to a small trade of pills, feigning a “why not earn if I can” attitude.
But he absolutely would not risk going to an unfamiliar marketplace.
They set the trade at the foot of Tianxuan Peak, where Qin Feng would buy pills at high prices. As for resale profits, that was Qin Feng’s concern.
Since this was only their first contact, with no trust between them, such caution was reasonable.
Thus Qin Feng grew less suspicious and kept smiling, even suggesting that Lin Chang’an introduce him to his other Daoist friends.
Lin Chang’an hesitated, but under the lure of heavy profits, finally nodded—on the condition that meetings be at the foot of Tianxuan Peak, where it was safe.
In the end, after Lin Chang’an left in disguise as the old alchemist, Qin Feng sat alone in the tavern’s private room, gazing at the bustling scene outside, a faint smile appearing on his face.
“Follow the trail, once I find one, I won’t worry about finding other Second-rank skill cultivators. This old man is in no hurry, I’ll take it slow. When the time comes, I’ll see how long you, surnamed Lin and surnamed Hu, can remain complacent.”
With a cold snort, Qin Feng downed a cup of wine, then gathered up the leftover Spirit Wine and Spirit Flesh from the table.
After all, he had spent Spirit Stones on it. His Qin Family was not doing well these days, and as head of the clan, he naturally had to run the household frugally.
Yet Qin Feng did not realize that every one of those secretive cultivators he had followed the trail to contact had all been Lin Chang’an in disguise.
……
Over the next few months, Qin Feng and several cultivators secretly came to this place and did manage to befriend a number of cultivators with decent skills.
But everyone here carefully hid their identities. No matter how tempting the offers, not one cultivator dared to risk going to a strange black market.
Of course, if you paid a high price, they would sell, but they would never risk stepping into an unfamiliar black market.
In the Western District black market, though Qin Feng and a few Foundation Establishment cultivators had spent a lot of Spirit Stones and resources, they did gain some harvest.
One by one, they wore smiles, unhurried, confident that little by little, they could win people over.
After all, small gains added up, and gradually they exchanged for quite a bit of high-grade supplies.
But they had no idea that among the more than twenty cultivators they befriended, eighteen were nothing more than Lin Chang’an’s various disguises.
“Patriarch, talismans and pills are the most abundant. Lately, the marketplace business has also improved somewhat.”
“Indeed, only high-grade goods can attract those high-level cultivators. But we still don’t have enough.”
“One step at a time. At least this is a good start.”
The ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, seeing the black market show some improvement, had much of their worry fade away.
As the one overseeing the black market, Qin Feng now brimmed with ambition, a broad smile on his face.
“Fellow Daoists, those few cultivators of the Eastern District gained the upper hand by seizing an opportunity. You’ve all seen it. Don’t you wish to take their place?”
Greed in humans had never known an end.
Cultivators were the same.
In Qi Refining, they longed for Foundation Establishment. After Foundation Establishment, they desired Core Formation. After Core Formation, they aspired to become a Nascent Soul Ancestor.
A person’s entire life, when boiled down, was bound to one word: greed.
Qin Feng, full of ambition, looked around at the crowd.
They exchanged glances. To say they didn’t covet the profits of the Eastern District black market would be a lie. But within Tianxuan City, none dared cause open trouble.
“We owe today’s gains to Daoist Qin’s foresight.”
“Indeed, if Daoist Qin has a plan, please share it.”
Tempted by greed, some hesitated, but more were moved. Those few who were still uncertain also wanted to hear what method he had in mind.
“Fellow Daoists, these past months, it has all been propped up by our high-priced purchases of pills, talismans, and resources. This marketplace is still no more than flowers in the mirror, the moon in the water—ready to vanish at any moment.
We must offer great profits, not worrying over present gains and losses. Only by thoroughly winning these people over…”
With resolute eyes, Qin Feng showed all the traits of an ambitious pioneer—grand foresight, and methods of enticing with great profit.
The others nodded secretly. This way, everything would appear legitimate.
Even if the Eastern District black market suffered, they could not act against them openly.
“We could even set a trap, make the Eastern District stumble hard, and then let our Western District rise in their place…”
With Qin Feng’s schemes laid out, the others nodded silently.
But one aged Qin Family elder grew worried, thinking the plan far too risky, prone to disaster.
“Patriarch, right now the marketplace is gradually returning to order. This move is too dangerous, unnecessary…”
“You think I want this? Our Qin Family lost its foundation before, or else why would we end up like this!”
Qin Feng’s face was full of determination. If only the Qin Family’s roots were intact, he would not need to risk so much, meddling with black markets.
Seeing their patriarch striving so hard for the clan’s revival, the elder could only sigh helplessly in the end.
The trend of the times could not be stopped. He could only pray nothing went wrong.
……
At this time, within the cave abode.
“On the path of Foundation Establishment, you must solidify your foundation. Never be hasty for quick success.”
In the pavilion, Lin Chang’an’s expression was solemn as he instructed the three before him.
Shen Fan and Wei Yingying had come bearing gifts to visit. Over the years, their cultivation had not fallen behind.
At just thirty-six years of age, both had reached the ninth level of Qi Refining and had already begun to plan for Foundation Establishment.
It was not that their talent surpassed Li Yifan’s, but that their environments were different.
Li Yifan had grown up in the small backwater of Bamboo Mountain, where spiritual energy was thin and resources scarce.
But Shen Fan and Wei Yingying had grown up in Tianxuan City, in a cultivation environment like disciples of great sects.
With their elders’ resources, and since Li Erniu’s family had many children, his resources were stretched thin.
Shen Fan and Wei Yingying, however, were cultivated carefully by their elders.
“At your age, reaching such cultivation is already no small feat. You must cherish the resources of Tianxuan City.”
Lin Chang’an could not help but feel envy. If only he had entered the world of cultivation in such a holy land as Tianxuan City, he would not have had to struggle so long.
With elders’ protection versus walking alone, even as drifting cultivators, the difference was immense.
Before forty, he had relied on Spirit Crystals for cultivation. Spirit Stones had been treasures to him.
While others had been using Spirit Stones since childhood.
“Many thanks, Senior Lin.”
Also present was Zhou Bingbing, who came to feed the Azure-Horned Bull. She nodded in gratitude, as she too benefited by gleaning a Foundation Establishment insight from a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded. Over the years, Zhou Bingbing’s personality had proven entirely different from Zhou Bingyun’s.
When she came, she was always quiet, tending to the Azure-Horned Bull, managing the spiritual plants outside the cave abode, and then leaving respectfully.
As though afraid of disturbing him.
If it had been once or twice, he would not have thought much of it. But years of the same behavior—judging by actions, not intentions—spoke volumes.
Such understanding of propriety, combined with years of cooperation with the Zhou Family, and the fact that Foundation Establishment insights were not rare for them, made it easy for him to offer her a few pointers in cultivation.