Chapter 175: Treasure Division in Tianxuan City
Tianxuan City.
Covered in dust from travel, three figures disguised themselves and finally returned.
After returning, Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao went nowhere else, heading straight to Lin Chang’an’s cave abode.
As for Old Hu, he first went back to copy the agreed-upon secret method.
Inside the cave abode.
“Ha ha, Old Lin, this time we really made a fortune.”
When Old Hu returned, he had already changed into a clean magical robe. With excitement all over his face, he rubbed his palms as he spoke.
Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao had long been waiting in the pavilion. The treasures from this expedition had already been divided.
“All of these inheritance jade slips have been copied. Each of us will have one copy. They contain this True Lord’s cultivation methods, insights, and so on...”
Looking at the copied jade slips on the stone table, Old Hu beamed with joy. Now that he was back in Tianxuan City, he no longer had to remain on edge outside.
However, his gaze repeatedly drifted toward the magic treasures on the stone table.
Yun Yao glanced at them and sighed softly:
“What a pity. These four magic treasures were corroded and, without being nourished for a hundred years, their spirituality has greatly declined. Now they probably have only one-tenth or two-tenths of their peak power left.”
Lin Chang’an, although also regretful, smiled after hearing this:
“These are magic treasures once wielded by a Core Formation cultivator. Even at one-tenth or two-tenths of their full power, their might cannot be underestimated. Far beyond what we Foundation Establishment cultivators can fully bring out.”
At present, even in their crippled state, these magic treasures were likely not much weaker than low-grade magical artifacts.
“Exactly! Old Lin is right. Although Fellow Daoist Yun has already reached late Foundation Establishment, forming a core is not so simple. With these treasures, at least there’s one more assurance.”
Old Hu spoke excitedly, and in front of the two, he also took out his family’s secret jade slip.
“‘Three-turn Core Condensation Art’. This was left behind by my Old Hu’s ancestors. Though the cultivation requirements are harsh, if all three turns are completed, it can increase the chance of forming a core by twenty to thirty percent.”
When speaking of his ancestral secret art, Old Hu’s expression grew solemn.
Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao both sent their divine sense into the jade slip. They were immediately shocked.
So this was Old Hu’s heritage—his family actually had such a secret method.
The Three-turn Core Condensation Art required finding three demon cores of the same attribute as the cultivator—third-rank low-grade demon cores (Golden Core)—then tempering them with true fire to refine away impurities.
Afterward, through a secret method, the cores were further refined until a spiritual liquid called Core Condensation Liquid was produced, to assist the cultivator in forming a core.
“Refining one core takes seven or eight years. Refining three requires over twenty years.”
“It’s said that this Core Condensation Liquid cannot be preserved for long. The cultivator must form a core as quickly as possible.”
Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao both sighed after reading this auxiliary core formation secret method.
“More than that. The chance of forming a core also depends on the quality of the demon cores. If one manages to obtain three same-attribute third-rank high-grade demon cores, the success rate could rise to over eighty or ninety percent!”
At this point Old Hu confidently raised his fingers in emphasis.
“Third-rank high-grade demon cores? Why don’t you just say one needs a Nascent Soul spirit item instead.”
Lin Chang’an gave a helpless smile. Even a third-rank low-grade demon core was already extremely difficult to obtain.
Yun Yao, however, only smiled faintly. After putting away the jade slip, she raised her hand and tossed him a flying dagger magic treasure.
Old Hu was overjoyed. The secret art was fixed, and obtaining three demon cores was no less difficult than finding a Core Formation spirit item.
But this damaged magic treasure—this was alive.
“Fellow Daoist Hu, in my opinion, this secret method most likely originated from the demonic path. The so-called demon cores—or rather, the golden cores of cultivators who cultivated the same technique—would be the most effective.”
Yun Yao’s cold voice echoed, and Lin Chang’an also saw this implication within the jade slip.
The demon cores were only substitutes. The true optimal effect was achieved by using the golden cores of Core Formation cultivators who practiced the same method.
“Old Lin, Fellow Daoist Yun, these matters happened hundreds of years ago. If I truly knew the details, would my ancestors have ended up wandering far from home, fleeing here?”
Old Hu gave a bitter smile, indicating that he knew nothing of its true origin.
Lin Chang’an shook his head with a smile, his mind deep in thought. As expected of a demonic path method—though finding third-rank demon cores was extremely difficult, at least it provided a direction.
With his low-grade spiritual root, his chances of core formation were slim. But with this secret art, at least he had a path forward.
After dividing the treasures of the Core Formation cultivator’s cave abode, the three all smiled. No longer was there the tension and wariness of when they were inside the ruins.
The magical robe that had lost its spirituality was worth little and finally fell into Lin Chang’an’s hands. But he knew well that if word leaked, it could cause trouble.
Thus, this robe was best kept as hidden capital.
Through this cooperation, the three of them had built some initial trust.
At least during Foundation Establishment stage, when faced with the temptation of a Core Formation cultivator’s treasures, they had been able to restrain their greed.
“Come, this time I brought a fine pot of spirit wine. Let’s drink to our safe and bountiful harvest.”
In the pavilion, Old Hu grinned as he took out the spirit wine. Even Yun Yao revealed a rare smile.
Their gains were obvious.
After a round of celebration, each returned early to assess their harvest.
……
Inside the cave abode.
“This time’s harvest was truly bountiful. Especially the deal with Old Hu, that was pure profit.”
Lin Chang’an sat cross-legged upon a prayer cushion, carefully examining the spoils.
A third-rank main formation plate (damaged), a magic treasure—the Blood Fiend Sword (damaged), forty-three upper-grade spirit stones, and two bottles of pills for healing and mana recovery.
The rest included jade slip inheritances, and the magical robe taken from this Blood Fiend True Lord.
“Among these, the most valuable are without doubt the magic treasure, the third-rank main formation plate, the formation inheritance, as well as Old Hu’s secret art and this Core Condensation secret method.”
Lin Chang’an held the Blood Fiend Sword in his hand, examining it with a grave expression.
“So this is the magic treasure used by a Core Formation cultivator. Truly formidable.”
During their division, Yun Yao had taken two magic treasures, but no one objected. Even when he obtained the damaged third-rank main formation plate, no one opposed him.
As for Old Hu, he had profited as well. A secret art, once shared, could still be used by all. But gaining a magic treasure was a tangible benefit.
Not to mention the other jade slips, pills, and so forth.
“But I still hope that this Core Formation cultivator’s corpse holds the greatest value.”
Lin Chang’an smiled faintly as he stared fixedly at the corpse with a healthy flush upon its face.
The next moment, he extended his palm, from which a tendril of root from his Life-bound Spirit Plant slowly emerged.
As it pierced into the forehead of the Core Formation cultivator’s corpse, a thunderous boom erupted within Lin Chang’an’s sea of consciousness. Countless images surged violently.
Within his consciousness, the Blood Fiend True Lord howled with hatred, cursing furiously at Master Lu.
The first scene was like this. He never expected that the Blood Fiend True Lord’s greatest resentment was toward Master Lu.
It lasted for a long time before the visions shifted, though most were fragmented. Only a few major obsessions appeared clearly.
For example, deep within the Yunwu Mountain Range, he seemed to have discovered something, then fled in terror. Or, within a dangerous secret realm, he risked his life to obtain a divine ability inheritance.
After half a day!
“Hiss!”
Lin Chang’an groaned, sweat beading on his forehead. His divine sense felt swollen and painful, as if about to burst.
“Fortunately, with my Life-bound Spirit Plant’s nourishment, my divine sense had already reached the level of late Foundation Establishment. Otherwise, the pain of soul injury would far exceed that of the flesh.”
Rubbing his tired forehead, Lin Chang’an looked battered, as if having survived a great battle. Yet the fragmented memories of a Core Formation cultivator were indeed a treasure trove.
“As expected, these old monsters who lived for centuries always leave behind inheritances with traps. The truly vital cultivation methods are never written down, but passed down by word of mouth...”
The Killing Origin Sword Art in its complete form, a third-rank formation inheritance, and his cultivation insights—this was a great fortune.
Lin Chang’an’s face was full of joy.
“The core method of the Killing Origin Sword Art is of no importance to me. After all, my main cultivation is the Evergreen Art, coupled with the Regenerative Body from my Life-bound Spirit Plant. I care little about it.
But this True Lord had actually obtained a powerful divine ability within a secret realm.”
Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered as he recalled this divine ability.
【Sword Shadows Follow the Heart】—Sword beams that could move with one’s will. Each sword beam was a compressed form of the Giant Sword Technique, extremely powerful.
At the same time, the cultivation difficulty was great. It required extremely strong divine sense and precise control of mana. The slightest mistake would cause backlash. Even the Blood Fiend True Lord had been exceedingly cautious when cultivating it.
Only at late Foundation Establishment could one begin cultivating, first mastering a single sword beam. It possessed both offensive and defensive power, with might comparable to a top-grade spirit artifact.
At early Core Formation, one could cultivate three sword beams; at mid Core Formation, six; at late Core Formation, nine; and at peak Core Formation, twelve. Beyond that, even into Nascent Soul stage.
“This sword beam moves with one’s will, combining offense and defense. It’s equivalent to having another top-grade spirit artifact, and after Core Formation, its power rivals that of a magic treasure.”
Seeing the might of this divine ability, Lin Chang’an could not help but be shaken. At the same time, he knew cultivators had to bear the risks of cultivating it.
“Risk? Backlash? With my Regenerative Body, do I still need to worry about that?”
Reading this, Lin Chang’an could not help but smile. It was as if this technique had been tailor-made for him.
“My greatest gain this time is finding the path toward Core Formation. From here on, it’s about steady progress and cultivating with care.”
Lin Chang’an’s gaze flickered. Most of the treasures he had obtained were things he could only use in the future.
As for the magic treasure, with his current cultivation he could not bring out its power. If exposed, it would only make him a target.
The third-rank formation inheritance also required time to comprehend.
This divine ability Sword Shadows Follow the Heart could only be cultivated in late Foundation Establishment. For now, it brought no improvement to his strength.
“In other words, this trip to the secret realm did not directly enhance my strength.”
Thinking this, Lin Chang’an sighed inwardly. For now, it was best to cultivate quietly in Tianxuan City.
Not only him—Yun Yao and Old Hu too were anxious about the magic treasures they had obtained. The three all understood they absolutely could not reveal them.
Otherwise, for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to possess a Core Formation cultivator’s treasure—even a Golden Core True Lord would be tempted.
As time passed, the three grew closer, especially Old Hu, who realized they were grasshoppers tied to the same rope.
Meanwhile, Lin Chang’an returned to his usual routine of drawing talismans, alchemy, and cultivation. He also added one more task—studying formations.
Of course, he did not forget about the Blood Fiend True Lord’s corpse. First, he burned it to ashes so it could not be recognized.
Then the three chose an auspicious site and solemnly held rites of offering.
……
Time flowed on.
Spring winds blew, and Tianxuan City brimmed with vitality.
【Lifespan: 84/249】
【Realm: Mid Foundation Establishment (36/100)】
Inside the cave abode, Lin Chang’an looked at his cultivation progress and nodded inwardly. The Golden Core path was within reach.
“This Three-turn Core Condensation Secret Method is truly profound. For a low-grade spiritual root cultivator like me, anything that raises the chance of Core Formation is priceless.”
Lin Chang’an pondered. Yun Yao had great talent, cultivated a top-tier method, and had solid foundations. Unless something went seriously wrong, with the help of a Core Formation spirit item, her chances of success were not low.
Her concern was not whether she could form a core, but rather the quality of the core formed.
As for himself, with a low-grade spiritual root, the first problem was whether he could form a core at all. Even forming a False Core was no easy task.
“Yet cultivating this secret art requires third-rank demon cores. But even early third-rank demon beasts are not ones I can easily handle.”
In the cultivation world, defeating an enemy a whole realm higher was extremely difficult. The higher the cultivation, the harder it became.
“To deal with early third-rank demon beasts, the only things I can rely on now are my Talisman Treasure and formations.”
His eyes flickered. The Talisman Treasure could only be used once. Yet he now also had a damaged magic treasure.
“A quasi–third-rank Talisman Master can already make a Talisman Treasure.”
Though it would weaken the magic treasure’s power, if he failed to form a core, having a magic treasure would be wasted anyway.
However, he lacked the crafting inheritance for Talisman Treasures, and no one in Tianxuan City sold it.
“There’s also formations.”
Formations were profound. With attribute countering, it was possible to defeat enemies of higher rank.
“The path of formations still requires cultivation. But if possible, the best option is to purchase one or two third-rank demon cores, rather than risking my life to slay one.”
Lin Chang’an mused. In the Seven Kingdoms, third-rank demon cores were rare. But in the Sea Abyss of Beasts, it was different.
The countless sea beasts there had made the Sea Abyss of Beasts flourish.
“Still, I must prepare on both fronts. Formations are of great use, and I must not neglect saving up spirit stones either.”
Thinking of his goals ahead, Lin Chang’an let out a long sigh. The path to Core Formation demanded too much preparation.
But for now, the key was cultivation itself.
“No need to rush these things. For now, I should steadily cultivate and strive to reach late Foundation Establishment as soon as possible. Otherwise, all other plans are meaningless.
And this divine ability—with my late Foundation Establishment-level divine sense and pure, abundant mana—perhaps I can begin cultivating it early.”
Just then, Old Hu’s voice came from outside the cave abode, interrupting Lin Chang’an’s thoughts.
“This Old Hu.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head. After sharing the spoils of a ruin together, their trust had clearly deepened.
……
“Old Lin, you don’t know yet. The Fu Family’s merchant guild in Shayun Kingdom has been spreading word in Tianxuan City, saying they discovered the cave abode of an ancient cultivator.
But someone else got to it first. From the investigations, it seems to have happened within the last two months. Now the entire city is abuzz with rumors...”
In the pavilion, Old Hu eagerly shared the latest news.
Keeping quiet while secretly profiting, then watching the outside world in uproar—this was indeed satisfying.
Lin Chang’an could only shake his head and smile at the sight.
“Old Hu, you...”
“Old Lin, you probably don’t know yet. That False Core cultivator of the Fu Family even showed up this time.”
At this, Old Hu could not help shivering at the memory. Then, thinking of something else, he poured himself a cup of spirit wine and downed it in one gulp.
“But so what if it was a False Core cultivator? In the end, all he could do was shout in vain.”
Old Hu laughed loudly. If not for their restraint, leaving the broken grand formation running, they would have had to face a False Core cultivator directly.
Lin Chang’an also nodded slightly. Though he had only obtained a main formation plate and formation flags, what they gained in return was safety and secrecy.
No one had discovered them.
As the three who had profited, they naturally kept their mouths tightly shut.
They had no desire to be targeted. Temptation of this level could move even Core Formation cultivators.
Yet while Lin Chang’an was chatting with Old Hu about recent events in Tianxuan City, a sudden message came from Shen Lie at Juxian Tower. His expression instantly turned grave.
Erniu was in trouble!