Chapter 169: Preparing for the Relic Cave Abode
Time flew by like a shuttle.
In the blink of an eye, three years had passed.
However, the situation in the Yue Kingdom grew increasingly tense. Facing the joint offensive of the Lihuo Palace and the Shensword Sect, the Xuanyin Pavilion suffered heavy losses and had already lost quite a few spiritual vein territories.
【Lifespan: 83/249】
【Cultivation Level: Foundation Establishment Middle Stage (33/100)】
Inside the cave abode, Lin Chang’an slowly opened his eyes. Looking at his cultivation progress, he could not help but smile.
"Eighty-three years old… This kind of visible progress in cultivation truly is addictive."
Lin Chang’an sighed softly. He could now better understand why many cultivators with strong willpower gradually lost patience as the years went by.
There was no other reason—after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, every step forward became extremely difficult, giving one the illusion that their cultivation was stagnant.
"By my calculation, Shen Lie and the others should have been waiting for quite some time already."
Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an slowly stood up, his heart filled with emotions.
Unknowingly, Shen Fan and Yingying, those two juniors, had nearly reached forty. After years of tempering their foundations, they had now begun preparing for Foundation Establishment.
Outside the cave abode, Shen Lie, Lu Qingqing, Wei Buyi, and others had already been waiting for a long while.
"Little junior sister, what are you worried about? With Brother Lin escorting them all the way, Yingying and young Fan will definitely succeed in Foundation Establishment."
Even Li Erniu had come. Though everyone was already over eighty, their hair white with age, Li Erniu clearly lived more comfortably than the others. His face glowed with ruddy health, his figure growing plump and prosperous.
Wei Buyi, who had bickered with Li Erniu all his life, leaned on a pair of magical iron crutches and said sourly:
"You think everyone’s like you, taking concubines even at such an old age."
At that jab, Li Erniu’s eyes widened. His rosy complexion contrasted sharply with Wei Buyi’s frail and thin figure, supported by crutches.
"Bah, Wei Buyi, stop pretending to be lame. Always leaning on those crutches. It’s only because Yingying is sweet-tongued. If it were just your old wrinkled face, I wouldn’t have come."
The two extraordinary elders bantered, leaving Lu Qingqing shaking her head helplessly at the side.
These two… They had bickered their entire lives.
Shen Lie, however, seemed distracted today. Looking at Li Erniu, an involuntary trace of envy appeared in his eyes.
Though they had lived fairly well these years, in order to save up for a single Foundation Establishment attempt, he and Lu Qingqing had spent an entire lifetime’s savings, even emptying out the resources of two generations.
"Qingqing, I still can’t help but worry."
He had faced countless ups and downs in business, but never had he felt this uneasy.
That fair lady of the past, Lu Qingqing, now had a head of white hair, though her brows still faintly carried traces of her youthful beauty.
"Enough. At the very least, we’ve done all that we could."
Lu Qingqing hid her worries behind a casual smile, comforting her husband.
At that moment, ripples spread across the formation barrier, and Lin Chang’an walked out from the cave abode.
"Brother Lin."
"Brother Lin."
Seeing everyone who had been waiting for so long, Lin Chang’an shook his head. "I came out early because I knew you would arrive early."
Shen Lie and the others smiled awkwardly. Such was the nature of being parents.
Seeing this, Li Erniu laughed and teased: "Brother Lin, didn’t I already tell them to relax? Yet they still couldn’t sit still."
"Who are you talking about? Back when Yifan was attempting Foundation Establishment, weren’t you just as restless?"
Wei Buyi shot back sharply. Watching the marks of time etched into their faces, Lin Chang’an silently sighed in his heart.
"Alright, let’s not let the juniors laugh at us later."
Lin Chang’an joked, while Lu Qingqing explained that the two had gone into seclusion in advance to stabilize their state of mind.
…
At the foot of Tianxuan Peak.
Every time someone attempted Foundation Establishment in a secluded cave abode, figures filled with anxious anticipation could always be seen waiting outside.
There were parents, spouses, clan members, or even lovers.
Those worried gazes reflected the importance of Foundation Establishment to cultivators.
When Lin Chang’an’s group arrived, many onlookers revealed expressions of envy.
To have Foundation Establishment cultivators personally escort them—such privilege could only belong to those with strong backgrounds.
"Uncle Lin."
Following the appointed time, the two emerged early from the cave abode.
Shen Fan, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, bore a simple and honest expression. Yet his firm gaze carried more maturity than before, making him look steadier.
As for Wei Yingying, once the lively and mischievous girl, she was now nearly forty. She approached with a radiant smile, bowing respectfully to Lin Chang’an and the others.
Seeing them, Lin Chang’an secretly nodded. Shen Fan’s foundation was solid, and Wei Yingying was no less capable. Both possessed mid-grade spiritual root aptitude.
Their talent was about the same—what remained would depend on their individual accumulation and mindset.
"How are your preparations?"
Facing Lin Chang’an’s question, Shen Fan bowed respectfully. "Uncle Lin, I am fully prepared. Even if I fail, I shall have no regrets."
Hearing this, Wei Yingying immediately spat twice.
"Don’t say such unlucky words. This time, we’ve rented the very same cave abode where Uncle Lin once established his foundation. We’ll definitely succeed."
"Hmm."
Looking at the two, the elders could not help but feel gratified. At the very least, they had each other.
In the cruel cultivation world, having a companion to support one another was already a blessing.
"Good. In that case, begin your Foundation Establishment."
Lin Chang’an nodded slightly. Three years ago, he had already imparted to them his Foundation Establishment insights. Hopefully, they would succeed.
He then took out a jade bottle from his storage pouch, filled with Foundation Establishment Pills.
"Remember, adjust your state to its peak. And the two of you should operate your dual cultivation secret art together—it will increase your chances."
As he handed them the pills, Lin Chang’an spoke words of guidance as an elder. But the latter half was transmitted via secret voice transmission.
Hearing "dual cultivation secret art," the two—though no longer young—still could not help but feel embarrassed.
Back when they got married, Uncle Lin’s wedding gift had indeed been precious, though a bit awkward to explain.
"Many thanks, Uncle Lin."
The two solemnly accepted the Foundation Establishment Pills.
Under the watchful, encouraging gazes of their elders, Shen Fan and Wei Yingying both nodded firmly.
They were fortunate—supported by their elders, they had the opportunity to attempt Foundation Establishment at this age.
As the two entered the seclusion cave abode, Shen Lie and Wei Buyi’s eyes flickered with memories.
They themselves had lacked such opportunities in the past. At least now, their juniors would not repeat their path.
Lin Chang’an nodded slightly. With two premium Foundation Establishment Pills, hopefully, the juniors would grasp their chance.
Once inside the cave abode…
When only the two of them remained, Wei Yingying laughed softly as she took the jade bottle. Opening it, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Premium Foundation Establishment Pills!"
"Yingying, don’t be disrespectful."
Shen Fan’s expression turned stern. Yet Wei Yingying’s eyes gleamed mischievously as she quickly slipped another pill into the bottle.
"Brother Fan, Uncle Lin is too good to us—he actually gave us three premium Foundation Establishment Pills! Let’s prepare to break through together."
Honest Shen Fan never suspected her. Or rather, he never imagined that Yingying would deceive him. Hearing there were three pills instead, his expression grew solemn.
"Uncle Lin has helped us far too much."
Though their parents had also provided resources, those were only enough for two genuine Foundation Establishment Pills.
Seeing this, Wei Yingying’s lips curled into a sweet smile. Had Shen Fan harbored even the slightest suspicion, he would have noticed.
But precisely because he didn’t, she had no regrets.
"Brother Fan, with two premium Foundation Establishment Pills, you will surely succeed."
Her determined gaze concealed the fasting pill she had hidden away. She had already decided to delay her own breakthrough. If Shen Fan succeeded with one pill, all the better. If not, she had an excuse to postpone taking hers.
Outside the cave abode, once the two went into seclusion, Shen Lie, Lu Qingqing, and Wei Buyi all looked anxious.
Li Erniu, watching this scene, sighed deeply. Was he not the same back then?
Sensing something, Lin Chang’an calmly reassured everyone:
"Do not worry. From what I see, Yingying and Shen Fan both have solid foundations. They will certainly be fine."
Though he spoke with confidence, as parents, they only forced a smile in response. The worry in their hearts could not be quelled.
This could not help but make Lin Chang’an sigh inwardly, wondering whether, when he formed his Core in the future, there would still be anyone who cared for him.
……
Tavern.
Inside an elegant private room, one could just see the figures of the crowd in the distance.
"Daoist Yun, it seems you arrived long ago."
As Lin Chang’an stepped into the room, Yun Yao, dressed in white today, gazed afar at the familiar figures. Her beautiful eyes seemed to glimmer with countless memories.
"Yes, I came long ago. I saw Qingqing and the others—they’ve all grown old."
Yun Yao sighed softly, making Lin Chang’an shake his head. Yun Yao chose not to meet them, also for the sake of protecting everyone.
The two sat across at the wine table, watching the scene outside. Looking down at the clear spirit wine in her cup, Yun Yao revealed a complicated smile.
"Brother Lin, this path of cultivation truly comes with every flavor of life."
After downing a cup of wine, Yun Yao could not help but reveal a bitter smile.
"Just like now, this cultivation path—once you stop, you will drift further and further away. The only difference lies in when we stop walking."
A single wall apart, it felt like the chasm between Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment.
Shen Lie, Lu Qingqing, Wei Buyi, and Li Erniu were all white-haired. The moment they stopped, the distance between them only widened.
In contrast, Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao’s bearing remained unchanged.
"Everyone has their own path. For them, is it not also a fulfilling life?"
Lin Chang’an lifted his wine cup with a smile, toasting Shen Lie, Li Erniu, and the others. To them, life now seemed beautiful enough.
Though there were regrets, whose life was without them?
"Let us hope those two juniors can establish their foundations."
The two exchanged a glance, smiling together, and cast aside their other thoughts.
They still had a long road ahead.
……
They then began discussing the current situation.
"Brother Lin, something seems strange deep within the Yunwu Mountain Range recently."
Three years had passed. The benefits brought by the beast tide were long gone.
Tianxuan City had gradually returned to normal. Though this affected their black market business, such matters could not be resisted by human will.
Or rather, this was the true normal.
"Strange!?" Lin Chang’an frowned slightly. He had heard some rumors as well.
"Daoist Yun, do you mean that ever since the beast tide, demonic beasts in the Yunwu Mountain Range have been frequently fighting to seize territory?"
Normally, after a beast tide passed, things should calm down.
Looking at Lin Chang’an, Yun Yao nodded gravely.
"Not only that. Recently, it seems that not only in the Yue Kingdom, but in all the Seven Kingdoms—except for the Shayun Kingdom—people have sensed the agitation of the demonic beasts within the Yunwu Mountain Range."
Lin Chang’an’s expression grew solemn at this. Only the Shayun Kingdom bordered the vast Wanli Desert. The other six kingdoms all connected to the Yunwu Mountain Range.
Hearing Yun Yao’s words, Lin Chang’an’s brows furrowed deeply.
"Daoist Yun, could it be a large-scale beast tide?"
Facing his suspicion, Yun Yao directly shook her head.
"Impossible. It should be that something has happened deep within the Yunwu Mountain Range. According to the investigation of our Mystic Yin Sect, the miasma deep within has grown denser.
Even Protector Xiang of our sect, a Golden Core cultivator, went to probe deeply and came back contaminated with a trace of poison miasma."
Hearing this, Lin Chang’an’s face tightened.
Even a Golden Core cultivator was tainted—one could imagine the danger.
"Daoist Yun, are you worried about a relic cave abode?"
Such major matters had little to do with small cultivators like them. Yet if Yun Yao grew this serious, it could only relate to a chance for Core Formation.
"Indeed. Recently, many cultivators have been probing deep inside. I fear the relic cave abode may be discovered."
As she spoke, Yun Yao’s expression turned solemn. She raised her hand and took out two azure-blue flags from her storage pouch.
"Water Dragon Flags. When used together, they can unleash the power of a top-grade spirit artifact. I exchanged them for a quasi–third-rank essence soul I obtained during the beast tide three years ago."
At this, Lin Chang’an finally understood her meaning.
To avoid complications later, Yun Yao intended to explore the relic cave abode early.
Seeing this rare paired set of top-grade artifacts, clearly prepared for joint techniques, Lin Chang’an silently nodded. Yun Yao was truly well-prepared.
"Exploring early… Then we must prepare as well."
The third-rank grand formation of the relic cave abode—even weakened—was not something Foundation Establishment cultivators could easily breach.
Thus, though willing, Lin Chang’an also knew the risks would be higher.
"Brother Lin, do you think Yun Yao would be so unwise?"
Noticing his concern, Yun Yao smiled faintly and shook her head.
Opportunity was good, but one must live to seize it.
"I already knew you had talent in formations. Let us make our preparations first, then secretly investigate this relic cave abode."
At this, Lin Chang’an glanced at Yun Yao, while she met his gaze with a smile.
Over the years, he had collected formation insights. When observing formations, he had never hidden it from Yun Yao or others.
After all, when he sought to learn from Song Tingfeng and Su Miaoyin, he had not hidden his talent.
Back then, Su Miaoyin had often lamented that his gift in formations far surpassed that in talismans—a pity indeed.
For those who inquired, his formation talent was no secret.
"In formations, if possible, I would trouble Daoist Yun to help procure one or two artifacts for probing formations. That way, we can avoid attracting attention."
If he purchased such items himself, he risked being noticed. Yun Yao, however, had wider connections.
Lin Chang’an smiled and openly revealed his strength in formations.
Since they were to explore the relic cave abode together, he had no thought of concealing it.
"Artifacts for probing formations?"
Yun Yao’s beautiful eyes flickered with surprise. Though she had known of his gift, she never expected such confidence.
Lin Chang’an smiled and said: "These years, I’ve gained much insight. In formations, I’ve barely broken through to second rank."
A Second-rank Formation Master!
"Brother Lin, you kept Yun Yao in the dark for so long!"
Yun Yao’s face lit with joy. With this, their chances of exploring the relic cave abode rose greatly.
Lin Chang’an simply nodded. Revealing his gift in formations was no concern—after all, this path emphasized comprehension.
With such poor spiritual roots, if he had no standout ability, how could he have continued to advance? Anyone would grow suspicious.