Chapter 166: The Tiger Bears No Malice, but Man Bears Malice Toward the Tiger
Inside the cave abode.
“Uncle Lin, do you think we can reach Foundation Establishment?”
Compared to the honest Shen Fan who had never considered this problem, Wei Yingying was somewhat anxious and uncertain.
Lin Chang’an shook his head. Who would dare to speak of such matters?
“Countless cultivators have fallen before the threshold of Foundation Establishment. Even some with Top-grade Spiritual Roots were not exempt.
However, the two of you are in the prime of your lives. If you endure patiently and refine yourselves for another two years, you should have a decent chance at Foundation Establishment.”
Hearing Lin Chang’an’s comfort, Wei Yingying revealed a forced smile.
The couple had already been blessed by their parents’ resources, giving them the fortune to attempt Foundation Establishment once. Many cultivators had to rely on their own efforts to even attempt it.
Shen Fan’s honest nature kept him from overthinking, but Wei Yingying felt pressure weighing heavily in her heart.
She recalled her father’s words. If she failed in Foundation Establishment but Shen Fan succeeded, her lifespan would be no more than a hundred years, and the gap between Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators would grow wider and wider.
Be a good wife, raise children, and allow him to take in a few concubines… otherwise—
Thinking of this, Wei Yingying’s eyes grew firm. No! Absolutely not!
Lin Chang’an simply shook his head as he watched the couple leave.
“Foundation Establishment—at your age, it is already a blessing.”
At their age, he himself had still been struggling daily for a few Spirit Crystals, fighting just to eat demon-beast meat once a month.
Although Shen Fan and Wei Yingying had grown up in Tianxuan City with superior cultivation conditions and greater opportunities, cultivators who had clawed their way up from a mire of poverty possessed unshakable determination.
Once such people reached Foundation Establishment, their combat strength far surpassed others of the same realm.
Each path had its advantages and disadvantages.
“But likewise, you are young, with many opportunities before you—something we of the past could only envy.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head again. Even if he failed at Foundation Establishment at forty, what of it? At that age, most still had nothing.
Many only endured until nearly sixty, forced into a desperate gamble—succeed or perish.
“Moo!”
At this moment, the Azure-Horned Bull came out of the pool, rubbing against his robe.
But his Second-rank Robe was impervious to water and fire, leaving no mark behind.
Lin Chang’an chuckled and shook his head. “You, even if sold out by that bird, would still be happy.”
The Azure-Horned Bull was clearly bored. Seeing no one around, it wanted him to release the Wind-Chirp Bird.
Raising his hand, the beast pouch hidden in his sleeve flashed with golden light.
A palm-sized, golden-feathered Wind-Chirp Bird flew out, chirping excitedly, exuding the aura of a mid–Second-rank Spirit Beast.
The Wind-Chirp Bird first landed on the bull’s horn, chirped twice in thanks, and then flew to Lin Chang’an’s shoulder.
It spread its wings, fanning and patting at his shoulder with obvious flattery.
“All right, here’s your Spirit Fruit.”
The Azure-Horned Bull had already enjoyed the Spirit Grass and Spirit Fruits brought by the Zhou Family. Naturally, the Wind-Chirp Bird was envious.
With a wave of his hand, Lin Chang’an retrieved from his Storage Pouch a fire-attribute Spirit Fruit bought specially for the bird.
Just then, a Voice-recording Talisman suddenly flickered, narrowing Lin Chang’an’s eyes.
“What does that Qin fellow want now?”
But Lin Chang’an remained calm, not replying immediately, intending instead to leave the man hanging for a couple of days.
After all, the other party was the one seeking him.
Yet when no reply came, Qin Feng began contacting other cultivators through the talisman.
In his cave abode, Lin Chang’an looked speechless as the talisman flashed repeatedly.
These were all different contact tokens he had left under various identities for trading.
…
At the foot of Tianxuan Peak, in a private room of a tavern.
Lin Chang’an, disguised as Alchemist, wore an expression of dissatisfaction.
“Daoist friend, why contact me so urgently? I already told you—there are no more pills. We must supply the Eastern District marketplace…”
Interrupted in his cultivation, the disguised Alchemist’s expression carried displeasure. Qin Feng quickly rose to apologize.
As a mid–Foundation Establishment cultivator and head of a clan, he had already done all he could for the Qin Family.
Everything he did was for his clan, not personal desire.
But unfortunately, after observing him, Lin Chang’an realized this man had ambition but lacked the ability to match it.
In the cultivation world, strength ultimately decided all, not schemes and plots.
This time, Qin Feng had fallen into a disadvantage.
“Daoist friend, I truly did not know.”
Seeing Qin Feng’s sincere attitude, Lin Chang’an—still disguised as Alchemist—finally withdrew his feigned irritability, raising his wine cup.
“Fellow Daoist Qin, do not blame me. The truth is, our trade with the Eastern District marketplace is significant, and I cannot delay cultivation for long. That is why I seemed displeased.”
“So that’s it.”
Qin Feng suddenly understood—but he caught on to an important detail in the words.
“The Eastern District marketplace has had large transactions recently!?”
At once, Qin Feng felt this was an opportunity delivered right to his door.
Still, he maintained composure, smiling flatteringly as the two continued drinking and talking.
After half a meal and ample wine, and considering the high profits he had made from Qin Feng’s purchases, even the temperamental Alchemist began to feel a little guilty.
“Fellow Daoist Qin, it isn’t that we refuse to trade with you. Truly, there just isn’t any surplus.”
The disguised Alchemist sighed. Qin Feng nodded with a smile, but in his heart cursed these shadowy fellows as far too greedy.
In recent times, their high-priced acquisitions of resources had left almost no profit margin. Their only gain was in attracting cultivators, thereby stabilizing the marketplace and earning some Spirit Stones.
Otherwise, who in their right mind would buy at half or even a full tenth above market price without benefit?
“Daoist friend, you mentioned earlier that the Eastern District had a large transaction?”
Qin Feng asked curiously. For this, the Alchemist had nothing to hide. After all, anyone with ears to the ground could discover it.
“That’s right. The Seven Kingdoms’ Merchant Guilds are currently purchasing large quantities of resources. The Eastern District marketplace has already struck an agreement with us…”
Hearing the Alchemist’s raspy voice, Qin Feng’s eyes instantly reddened.
How was it that all the good things fell into the hands of that Lin and that Hu?
“Such a large deal—won’t the Eastern District marketplace be making a fortune!?”
Jealousy surged within him, and soon Qin Feng began speaking of their own attempts to poach business with generous offers, even hinting that their marketplace also had merchant guilds wanting to procure resources.
But Lin Chang’an, still in disguise, felt a surge of anger.
Fine, in business everyone relied on ability—but playing tricks in secret was another matter. He had only intended to give Qin Feng a small lesson.
Who would have thought—the tiger bears no malice, but man bears malice toward the tiger.
This Qin fellow was truly too greedy.
In that case, he would not show mercy.
“Fellow Daoist Qin, my apologies. For the next half year, I’m afraid we cannot trade with you. The Eastern District marketplace offers us a high price as well…”
“Alchemist Daoist friend, please don’t!”
At those words, Qin Feng’s face instantly changed.
The Eastern District deal already made him jealous, and now this rogue cultivator was telling him there would be no trade for at least half a year.
How could their Western District marketplace survive with its budding growth cut off?
“Daoist friend, we are willing to pay even higher, even for this transaction—”
But the Alchemist only shook his head, directly rejecting such temptation.
One was a single feast; the other, a feast every day. Anyone knew which to choose.
But Qin Feng now clenched his teeth.
“Daoist friend, you know well our Western District marketplace has only just gained some vitality. We have already contacted several merchant guilds, preparing to purchase resources in bulk…”
Qin Feng’s face was filled with difficulty, yet inwardly he had already hardened his resolve.
He knew well that the Seven Kingdoms’ Merchant Guilds were purchasing in bulk. It was not that he had been ignorant, but that until now, he lacked the capital.
But at this moment, seeing that the Eastern District was about to earn a huge profit, naturally he was filled with envy.
He might as well take this opportunity to teach that Lin fellow and that Hu fellow a lesson. Even if he gained no benefit, he would still poach these people.
“Daoist friend, we are willing to pay a high price…”
“Fellow Daoist Qin, we have been trading with the Eastern District marketplace for many years, with great stability. Do you think a mere promise of a higher price would make us break our word?”
At this, Lin Chang’an, disguised as the Alchemist, shook his head.
He made it clear that although they were rogue cultivators, they would not destroy long-term benefits for short-term gain.
“Daoist friend, forgive my bluntness, but trade is trade, no matter with whom. How much profit can you make with the Eastern District? Our Western District marketplace may be a latecomer.
But precisely because of that, we have greater room to grow. If you agree, we will not make a single coin from this batch of goods. All we seek is to form ties with you.”
After Qin Feng put it so directly, Lin Chang’an’s disguised Alchemist looked troubled.
“But… we have already taken a deposit from the Eastern District marketplace…”
“We will compensate double! No—triple!”
In the face of such heavy profit, the Alchemist was clearly shaken, though he did not decide outright.
This only made Qin Feng believe it more—after all, this was the normal reaction.
The two continued talking for a long while. Qin Feng did not press for an immediate answer, but kept offering heavy promises.
Still, words alone carried no weight. Qin Feng naturally understood this, so he smiled and promised to deliver a heavy gift in a few days.
Only after Qin Feng left did the Alchemist sitting in the tavern reveal a cold gleam in his eyes.
“That Qin fellow—since you are so ruthless, don’t blame me for leaving you no way to live.”
…
Western District marketplace.
When Qin Feng hurried back and gathered everyone, he shared the news he had discovered and his thoughts.
The Foundation Establishment cultivators all revealed different expressions.
“The Seven Kingdoms’ Merchant Guilds purchasing in bulk at Immortal City isn’t a secret. The bigger problem is that we lack sufficient resources.”
“If you ask me, Fellow Daoist Qin speaks true. So what if our methods are unsightly? Which cultivator hasn’t survived by devouring others?”
“That’s right. We can absolutely approach the Seven Kingdoms’ Merchant Guilds. Even if we earn nothing this time, as long as we can strike this deal and ruin the Eastern District’s transaction, their reputation will be ruined.”
“In that case, I fear we’ll offend the six Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Eastern District.”
“Offend people? Haven’t we already offended plenty on our way here?”
Before the temptation of profit, some worried about offending the Eastern District black market, but others were moved.
When the profit was great enough, it clouded hearts.
Seeing that most were swayed, Qin Feng nodded solemnly.
“Everyone, if this succeeds, we will be able to poach all of the Eastern District’s skilled cultivators. If their trade collapses, our Western District can replace them in the market.
You have all seen the profits of the Eastern District these past months. What do you think?”
Though Qin Feng himself was eager, the Western District marketplace did not belong to him alone. He had to pull everyone into the water.
The cultivators exchanged looks. One of the Qin Family’s old Foundation Establishment cultivators frowned in worry.
“Patriarch, this is too reckless. I have heard that the Eastern District marketplace has a late–Foundation Establishment cultivator, not to mention that Talisman Master Lin, who has connections in Tianxuan City.”
“Elder Qin, this is a life-or-death moment. If we miss this chance, our Western District will remain half-dead—how will we ever rise?”
Qin Feng’s expression was calm. He had proposed the plan, but it was up to everyone to decide together.
“If everyone agrees, then in this trade we will earn nothing, even paying heavy costs up front just to entice them.
If you disagree, then we will continue slowly, watching others profit.”
Risk and reward went hand in hand.
None present were fools. Their gazes flickered.
If they went ahead, they would poach cultivators, sabotage the Eastern District’s trade, and thoroughly offend them.
Though this trade might yield no profit, even requiring them to bleed resources, anyone could see that if successful, they would replace the Eastern District.
There were only a few black markets in Tianxuan City. The Eastern District was undoubtedly the most envied.
“Just as Fellow Daoist Qin said, only with heavy profit can we win those people over. I, Old Xing, am willing to take the risk.”
“That’s right. To continue this sluggish half-dead growth is far too suffocating.”
“Do it!”
Tempted by profit, they were all moved.
Then the ten cultivators each contributed Spirit Stones and resources, preparing to lure those skilled cultivators over.
Some who lacked enough Spirit Stones and resources even brought out their bottom-of-the-chest treasures.
…
Meanwhile, in the Eastern District black market.
Lin Chang’an was seated in a loft, holding a jade slip of formation insights in his hand, sipping Spirit Tea as he studied it with great interest.
Old Hu approached, frowning in deep thought.
“Brother Lin, where do you think those Western District people found their resources? I’ve heard they even have high-grade materials lately.
In fact, before I came, I saw that Qin fellow in a tavern discussing with a merchant guild from Shayun Kingdom. With their meager foundation, can they even handle it?”
At Old Hu’s suspicion, Lin Chang’an looked up and chuckled, shaking his head.
“Old Hu, too many cultivators have come to Tianxuan City recently. Who can say? Moreover, the Qin Family is still an old Foundation Establishment clan. They once had a late–Foundation Establishment cultivator. Having some connections is normal.”
Hearing this explanation, Old Hu also shook his head and stopped dwelling on it. Instead, their Eastern District business only grew better.
Still, such good times would not last.
Once the great resources gained from the beast tide were exhausted, things would return to normal.
“It’s just like you, Brother Lin—so open-minded. This state of mind, I must learn.”
Old Hu laughed heartily, making Lin Chang’an shake his head.
The jade slip of incomplete formation insights in his hand had been given by that Qin fellow.
But it was not meant to draw in the Alchemist identity, but another alias entirely.
Over these past days, his dozen identities had earned him quite a lot.
Heavy gifts poured in. In the end, of eighteen people, two refused, while sixteen reluctantly agreed.
But they opened their mouths like lions, demanding a batch of resources.
They also demanded fivefold repayment of the Eastern District’s previous deposit.
Although Qin Feng and the others felt the pain, they knew well—if they could poach this group and ruin the Eastern District’s deal, then with these goods, the Western District could quickly replace them.
The good days were yet to come.