Chapter 181: The Insider News Brought by Yun Yao
“Damn it, why hasn’t this old turtle died yet!”
The Golden Core cultivator of Lihuo Palace with the surname Huang looked utterly stifled. His spirit beast was most sensitive to auras, and this old thing had hovered around their sect several times.
Several times it had even disappeared, making him think the old turtle had left. Who would have thought that not even two months later, it would suddenly reappear.
“This Master Lu is likely hiding in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity. We must not lose our composure.”
“Hmph! Do you really think someone at death’s door can turn the situation around? Xuanyin Pavilion is already a spent arrow. At worst, we just wait a few more years.”
The three Golden Core cultivators of the Divine Sword Sect secretly felt fortunate. Luckily, they had never gone around calling him “Lu Turtle” all day long and thus had not offended him.
Just look at Lihuo Palace—because they couldn’t control their mouths, the result was that this old man, whose lifespan was nearly exhausted, simply wandered right outside their sect’s gate.
…
As for Xuanyin Pavilion, though the flames of war had temporarily subsided, a bleak atmosphere still permeated the sect.
“Nishang, after fighting for so many years, the sect can hardly hold on. Perhaps it is time we also withdrew.”
“Master, but this is the foundation of Xuanyin Pavilion!”
Fairy of Rainbow Skirt looked at her master with reluctance in her eyes.
Her master had devoted her entire life to the sect. Now, having to make such a decision, the one in the greatest pain was naturally her master.
Instead, the middle-aged Golden Core elder showed a bitter smile.
“Shang’er, several hundred years ago this land in Yue Kingdom belonged to the Mystic Yin Sect. Our Xuanyin Pavilion only rose up by chance. What foundation is there to speak of?
As long as you remain, Shang’er, Xuanyin Pavilion exists wherever you go. It is only that you will suffer in the future. With your talent, you should have shone brilliantly, but you have been dragged down by the sect.”
Listening to her master’s words, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt, the number one prodigy of the Seven Kingdoms, shook her head firmly.
“Master, had you not saved me, had it not been for the sect, how would this disciple be here today?”
“Cough, cough… Shang’er, listen to your teacher. We cannot continue this battle. The Divine Sword Sect and Lihuo Palace are too powerful, and Master Lu’s lifespan is nearly at its end. What good will it do to drag this out?
Now, while the sect still has some foundation, with your talent, Xuanyin Pavilion will not fall! You must remember—strength is everything in the world of cultivation. The day you become a Nascent Soul cultivator, not to mention Yue Kingdom, even among the Seven Kingdoms…”
Hearing her master speak as though explaining final wishes, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt fell into silence.
“Enough. I won’t die immediately. I will first send word to the Divine Sword Sect and Lihuo Palace, telling them Xuanyin Pavilion is willing to withdraw from Yue Kingdom.”
As these words were spoken, the Golden Core cultivator revealed a trace of sorrow.
If there had been any other choice, who would willingly abandon their homeland?
…
With Golden Core cultivator Su Miaoyin and two False Core cultivators returning, Tianxuan City’s people calmed down.
In addition, there was a late–third-rank Blackwater Turtle and an early–third-rank Gold-devouring Mouse.
With such high-end battle strength, Tianxuan City was already no weaker than the Three Great Sects.
At Tianxuan Peak.
“Senior Sister, news has come from Xuanyin Pavilion. They plan to withdraw from Yue Kingdom.”
Song Tingfeng spoke with worry. Once Xuanyin Pavilion withdrew, Tianxuan City would surely find it hard to stand alone.
Yet Su Miaoyin’s expression remained indifferent after hearing the news.
“Xuanyin Pavilion’s withdrawal leaves behind resources for the two great sects to divide. If they remain greedy, we won’t mind joining forces with other sects of the Seven Kingdoms.”
“Senior Sister, but the other countries also have wars. I fear—”
“Don’t worry, someone will come.”
Su Miaoyin’s tone was light, as if she did not put Yue Kingdom’s situation in her heart at all. Instead, she harbored some suspicion.
Was that old man truly at the end of his lifespan?
Why did she feel something was amiss?
From what she knew, and from what her mother had told her, her master had always been cautious and prudent, preferring to conceal his strength, bold yet meticulous, calculating in every detail…
It didn’t seem like he would simply sit down and die.
Still, Yue Kingdom had finally enjoyed a year of rare peace. After decades of war, cultivators throughout the kingdom could finally breathe.
…
【Lifespan: 88/251】
【Realm: Mid-stage Foundation Establishment (75/100)】
Inside his cave abode, Lin Chang’an slowly opened his eyes from closed-door cultivation. Seeing his cultivation progress, he could not help but feel secretly amazed.
“A pill that even Golden Core cultivators can use to advance truly works wonders. A single year equaled ten years of my bitter cultivation.”
“But alas, there was only one.”
Lin Chang’an sighed regretfully. A third-rank pill was no ordinary thing; it was still beyond what he could refine.
Moreover, the spiritual herbs needed for such pills were extremely rare, scarce even in the Sea Abyss of Beasts.
“But for me, I’ve already gained ten extra years of time.”
Lin Chang’an was very satisfied. The last time he had uncovered Lihuo Palace’s conspiracy, it had been sheer coincidence, and he had been rewarded with this pill.
“With my current state, I will reach late-stage Foundation Establishment in about ten years.”
This rapid progress gave Lin Chang’an the confidence to prepare for venturing into the Sea Abyss of Beasts.
After all, Yue Kingdom’s situation was not much better.
Once he emerged from seclusion, Shen Fan and Wei Yingying, husband and wife, came together to visit.
…
At the pavilion within the cave abode.
“Uncle Lin, your great kindness—without it, I, Yingying, would never have had the chance to establish my foundation.”
A year ago, Wei Yingying and Shen Fan had obtained a demon core, and before going into seclusion, Lin Chang’an had refined it into Foundation Establishment Pills.
With his skill, refining three premium-grade Foundation Establishment Pills was nothing difficult, given his current status and strength.
More importantly, he was not one to covet such minor resources from juniors.
Wei Yingying had broken through just months ago, and now, upon his emergence, she came to give thanks.
“Uncle Lin, these are the Foundation Establishment Pills left unused after my breakthrough.”
When Wei Yingying handed over the unused pills, Lin Chang’an revealed a satisfied smile.
This girl truly had inherited ten parts of his little junior sister’s cleverness.
From his perspective, he did not wish to take advantage of juniors’ resources. But from Wei Yingying’s perspective, those three premium-grade Foundation Establishment Pills were undeniably the fruit of Lin Chang’an’s efforts.
When he opened the jade bottle and saw that two pills remained, Lin Chang’an narrowed his eyes.
“So, letting you spend a few more years honing yourself was indeed right. You managed to succeed with just one pill.”
Since Wei Yingying had spent more years polishing her foundation, it was only reasonable that one pill sufficed.
Moreover, with the dual cultivation secret art she practiced with Shen Fan, his earlier breakthrough had also aided her.
“But these pills are yours by right. There’s no need to return them.”
Shen Fan was deeply respectful toward his elder, honest and sincere in appearance.
Wei Yingying was also respectful, but he knew her and his junior sister’s temperament too well.
Returning the pills was instead a way of drawing closer, showing they were not greedy.
“Without Uncle Lin, how could Fan-ge and I have established our foundations?”
Wei Yingying’s expression was resolute. She was not swayed in the least by the loss of two premium-grade Foundation Establishment Pills.
One must give to gain. With Lu Qingqing’s guidance, along with her own foresight, she understood clearly Uncle Lin’s standing and connections.
A second-rank high-grade Talisman Master, with strong influence in Tianxuan City—today, she gave up two pills, but in the future, if difficulties arose, she could ask him for help.
As the gap in cultivation widened, the elders of the previous generation grew more and more distant.
Her father Wei Buyi had often reminded her: though Li Erniu and Uncle Lin had once been close, their cultivation gap was now worlds apart.
The care from elders had its limits; relationships faded over time.
How could Lin Chang’an not see through Wei Yingying’s little schemes? Yet it was precisely this cleverness that made him nod secretly in approval.
However, these Foundation Establishment Pills had also contained a portion of Yun Yao’s effort.
“Since it is so, I will accept these two premium-grade Foundation Establishment Pills. But there is a gift you must not refuse.”
With a flash of azure light, Lin Chang’an reluctantly caressed the Green Bamboo Sword. Ever since he had obtained the Azure-scaled Sword, this ordinary spirit artifact had been left unused.
“The Green Bamboo Sword was awarded back when Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace was first opened, given to those who had made contributions. Your elders should have told you about it.
Later, as my cultivation advanced, it was reforged again and again, accompanying me through Foundation Establishment, finally becoming a spirit artifact.”
A trace of reminiscence flickered in Lin Chang’an’s eyes, as scenes of his decades-long cultivation journey reflected one by one upon the blade.
There were too many memories, and too many familiar faces had vanished forever.
“Uncle Lin, this is too precious!”
This was even more valuable than two premium-grade Foundation Establishment Pills.
Yet Lin Chang’an gave the couple no chance to refuse. He shook his head with a light sigh. This was not only his goodwill, but also contained a portion of Foundation Establishment resources from Yun Yao.
Added with the two premium-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, in truth, he had not lost anything.
“Take it. This is not only your Uncle Lin’s goodwill.”
Lin Chang’an hinted meaningfully. As expected, Wei Yingying was exceedingly clever. She secretly tugged at Shen Fan’s sleeve while inwardly speculating.
Other than Uncle Lin, who else?
“With this spirit artifact in your hands, along with your husband-and-wife Yin-Yang Joint Strike Secret Art, you will have an extra safeguard in the future.”
When the couple joined forces with their secret technique, and now with a spirit artifact, their strength would not be inferior to an ordinary mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Shaking his head, Lin Chang’an knew he should make preparations. Over these years, it was time to bid farewell to his old friends.
Perhaps once he left, there would never again be a day of reunion.
…
“Old Lin, although we’ve planned to go together to the Sea Abyss of Beasts, we mustn’t rush. We need to make thorough preparations.”
Inside a tavern, Old Hu revealed joy when he saw Lin Chang’an finally relent.
But then he quickly reminded him that going to the Sea Abyss of Beasts was no trivial matter.
“Of course. Now that Yue Kingdom can still remain calm for a few years, we should take this chance to prepare well.”
As Foundation Establishment cultivators, they went to the Sea Abyss of Beasts to seek opportunities, not blindly.
What was the situation there recently? Had any major events happened? Where would they settle? How would they settle? What needed to be prepared?
All of this was far from something they could decide today and leave within two or three months.
“Preparations, hm…”
Lin Chang’an fell into thought. Over the years, he had already cultivated the Water Escape Technique to its peak, so he would not be disadvantaged in underwater combat.
For offense, he had the Azure-scaled Sword; for defense and suppression, he had the Yellow Dragon Bell. Both were top-grade spirit artifacts. Not to mention, he still had a Talisman Treasure as a trump card.
So long as he did not encounter a Golden Core cultivator, he feared none.
“Old Hu, I fear the profits of this marketplace won’t last more than a few years.”
Lin Chang’an sighed softly. They had witnessed the rise and prosperity of the black market, and now they would have to watch its decline.
With Master Lu’s lifespan nearly exhausted, and Tianxuan City already unsettled, though their black market business still thrived for now—
Any discerning eye knew it was a flower of yesterday, unable to last.
Shops were already difficult to sell.
“No matter. We’ve already earned our returns long ago. Let’s just rake in one last fortune over these two years. Once we reach a new place, it won’t be like here—we’ll have to start all over again.”
Old Hu raised his cup and drained it, grinning broadly with hearty laughter.
Just then, Yun Yao’s figure appeared. Old Hu’s face immediately lit up.
“Daoist Yun, you finally came! Old Lin here was drinking himself into a daze—it turns out he was waiting for you.”
Just as Lin Chang’an lifted his cup, hearing this made him speechless.
Indeed, he had been distracted a moment ago, but not by Yun Yao. He was actually thinking about the waiter who had just served their food.
That familiar aura—he could never forget it.
Who would have thought that man surnamed Qin would be so bold as to return, even hiding here as a tavern waiter.
But that tracking spell of Lihuo Palace truly was effective. Even after a year, he could still sense it.
“Daoist Yun.”
Old Hu enjoyed making jokes. Lin Chang’an didn’t mind, smiling and nodding lightly.
Yun Yao, still in disguise, wore an ordinary face.
Yet once she sat down, she immediately released a soundproofing spell, then looked at them and spoke shocking news.
“What! Xuanyin Pavilion is withdrawing from Yue Kingdom’s sphere of influence!?”
Old Hu’s eyes widened. Though he knew Master Lu’s lifespan was nearly at its end and the situation was bad, he hadn’t expected it to reach this point.
Lin Chang’an also furrowed his brows.
“Has it really come to this? Xuanyin Pavilion is actually abandoning Yue Kingdom.”
This was a foundation passed down for centuries. Could they truly discard it so easily?
Yun Yao’s expression grew grave as she spoke in a deep voice:
“According to the intelligence of the Mystic Yin Sect, the two remaining Golden Core elders of Xuanyin Pavilion are gravely wounded, and may only have decades of lifespan left.
As for the newly appointed Pavilion Master, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt, though her talent is extraordinary, she has only just formed her core. This time, Xuanyin Pavilion has already dispatched envoys…”
Lin Chang’an was shaken for a long while after hearing this.
“Ten years can witness the passing of spring and autumn. A hundred years can witness life and death. In less than a hundred years, we have personally seen sects rise and fall in Yue Kingdom…”
Lin Chang’an sighed deeply. The world of cultivation was ever-changing. No one could say what tomorrow would bring.
He still remembered, when he first entered the cultivation world, Yue Kingdom’s Three Great Sects flourished together, and all life thrived.
It had been a scene of peace.
Hearing his sigh, Old Hu scratched his head and said in puzzlement,
“Old Lin, why are you talking all scholarly? Anyone listening would think you were a scholar in the mortal realm.”
Lin Chang’an coughed lightly, gazing at Old Hu helplessly.
The atmosphere he had worked so hard to set was completely ruined by this rough fellow.
At the side, Yun Yao showed a rare smile.
“But there is another piece of good news. Xuanyin Pavilion once sought help from the Seven Kingdoms without success. This time, as they withdraw from Yue Kingdom, according to reliable information—
One of the elders has an old connection with a Golden Core cultivator of Bihai Palace in Abyss City, and they are likely to head there…”
“That truly is great news!”
Old Hu could not hold back his joy.
For Xuanyin Pavilion, it might be an act of helplessness. But for Old Hu and Lin Chang’an, it was a blessing.
Did this not mean they could catch a ride on Xuanyin Pavilion’s ship, even scouting their landing place in advance?
That was much better than arriving in a strange land with no contacts.
“So it’s Bihai Palace!”
Lin Chang’an was stunned that Xuanyin Pavilion still had such connections.
But Yun Yao shook her head. “Golden Core cultivators may be influential in the Seven Kingdoms, but in the Sea Abyss of Beasts, they are merely stronger cultivators.
Bihai Palace is the most powerful force there. This Golden Core cultivator is only an insignificant elder under their rule.”
The forces in the Sea Abyss of Beasts were complex. Even the combined Seven Kingdoms could not stir great waves there.
“Let’s observe the situation first. If possible, on this journey of ten thousand li, if we can board Xuanyin Pavilion’s big ship, it may save us many troubles.”
But this was only information. No matter how reliable, it was not confirmed.
Thus, the three of them only had one more possible path.
“No rush. Whether for Old Hu and me, or for a great sect like Xuanyin Pavilion, such a migration is not decided in a short time.”
Lin Chang’an smiled, raised his cup to drink with them, and then casually waved his hand, casting several formation barriers in the private room.
This made Old Hu and Yun Yao both show surprise.
Yet they did not move rashly. With the tacit understanding built over years, both of them secretly grew vigilant.
Then Lin Chang’an chuckled lightly and called for the waiter outside to bring more dishes.