Chapter 189: Yun Yao’s Promise
Yuling Island.
The local cultivator families also had a small marketplace here, providing some conveniences for passing cultivators.
Inside a tavern in the marketplace.
“Five Daoist friends, welcome. This is Yuling Island. Our three families reside here. From now on, we shall advance and retreat together with you five Daoist friends.”
When the five of them arrived, they were warmly welcomed by the three local Foundation Establishment families.
Especially after noticing that none of the five had brought along families or followers, the smiles on their faces grew even brighter.
These five were not here to snatch away their livelihood.
In other words, as long as they were not bringing clansmen to settle here permanently, the locals were more than delighted.
“Fellow Daoists, you are too courteous. We only wish to find a place of peace to settle down.”
Lin Chang’an and the others all responded with smiles, at the very least appreciating the locals’ proper hospitality.
At the banquet, especially someone like Old Hu, with his bold personality, burst into hearty laughter and quickly warmed up with the three Foundation Establishment families.
The Ping, Feng, and Li families had settled here for countless generations. Among them, the strongest Ping and Feng families each had three Foundation Establishment cultivators, while the weakest Li family had two.
From their conversations, Lin Chang’an also learned that these families’ greatest wish was to one day achieve great merit and bring their clans into the Inner Sea to live.
Every word and action revealed their yearning for the Inner Sea.
Though this place was technically under the jurisdiction of the Bihai Palace, the border between the Outer Sea and Inner Sea was like two different worlds.
“Fellow Daoists, you need not worry. With this jade token, you may take residence here. Do not be fooled by this being an island—it is not small at all.
Moreover, each of your cultivation abodes will be allocated one hundred mu of spirit fields. If you require spirit plant caretakers, our three families have some clansmen with low cultivation who can help. Of course, there are also many drifting cultivators on the island…”
The three families truly bore no ill intent, speaking in harmony and courtesy.
At the banquet, Old Hu kept secretly sending voice transmissions to Lin Chang’an.
“Old Lin, they always said the Sea Abyss of Beasts was savage and vicious, but from the looks of it, these people are very hospitable.”
“Old Hu, if it were you, wouldn’t you also be happy?”
Facing Old Hu’s teasing, Lin Chang’an replied helplessly.
Of course, these three families were pleased. After all, the island’s grand formation now had five more Foundation Establishment cultivators to share the burden.
Even when facing beast tides in the future, there would be five more Foundation Establishment cultivators standing with them.
Who wouldn’t be happy?
Since they were all now sharing the same island, after introductions were exchanged, everyone returned to their respective abodes.
……
“Old Lin, I have to say, the scenery here is marvelous. Facing the sea, with a hundred mu of spirit fields.”
After arriving at their cultivation abode, Lin Chang’an and Old Hu were both rather satisfied.
Foundation Establishment cultivators’ abodes were located along the cliffs at the outer edges of the island.
At six different points on the island stood towers of the protective grand formation.
Lin Chang’an and Old Hu went to inspect them. These were the protective formations arranged by Bihai Palace.
Their purpose was naturally to protect the mortals and low-level cultivators living on the island.
“Old Hu, it seems we’ll be neighbors.”
Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded. After familiarizing themselves with the formations, the two visited each other’s abodes.
The burly cultivator surnamed Fang who had traveled with them was at late Foundation Establishment.
The other two were a husband-and-wife pair, Daoist Wen and Madam Wen.
“Before we came, these formation towers’ spirit stones had to be provided by the local families. No wonder they were all smiles when they saw us.”
Old Hu saw the slots inside the formation tower filled with freshly replaced spirit stones. Though he grumbled, he was still quite satisfied.
At least these three families did not act too greedy.
They even replaced the spirit stones in the formation tower before leaving.
“Alright, just remember to leave some extra spirit stones in the formation tower in the future. If you go traveling, don’t let any accidents happen.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head. They were now considered one of the island’s lords. Having gained such a rich spiritual land, they also had to shoulder responsibility.
If negligence on their part led to lapses in the defenses, they could be wanted by Bihai Palace.
By then, it wouldn’t even take Bihai Palace’s cultivators—scattered cultivators from everywhere would come for them.
“Place our Identity Jade Tokens here, and this abode will be ours.”
When Lin Chang’an placed his Identity Jade Token onto the formation tower, a gentle radiance spread forth.
Mysteriously, it imprinted his mana aura. From then on, no other cultivators, not even those of the three families, could enter without permission.
Afterward, Lin Chang’an and Old Hu temporarily parted ways to manage their own abodes.
……
Outside the abode, the scenery was breathtaking, filled with enormous, unfamiliar plants of all shapes.
“No wonder Old Hu was so excited earlier. After spending so long in the mountains of Yue Kingdom, this new environment feels entirely different.”
Lin Chang’an also saw the spirit fields laid out in neat squares outside the abode.
“The spiritual energy here is so rich, and even the quality of these spirit fields surpasses those in Yue Kingdom.”
He nodded silently. No wonder others said the Seven Kingdoms were spiritually poor—there was truth in that.
Through the original formation barrier, he entered the abode and saw a residence carved from the cliff, with elegant connected buildings.
There was even a clear pond, making the environment beautiful to the extreme.
Lin Chang’an carefully arranged some of his own formations, for he was now at least a Second-rank Formation Master.
“These buildings are clearly newly built. It seems the three families weren’t lying—there must have been a beast tide here before.”
He also understood the families’ friendliness.
Had they brought entire clans to settle and expand here, the reception would have been very different.
“It’s been so long—time to let you two out.”
With a flash of light from his Spirit Beast Pouch, the Azure-Horned Bull landed on the ground, mooing in excitement as it curiously looked around.
The Wind-Chirp Bird immediately perched on his shoulder, chirping excitedly.
Though curious about the surroundings, the bird was clearly more eager for the demon-beast crystalline core he had promised.
It flapped its wings and pecked at his shoulder, flattering him with exaggerated enthusiasm.
When Lin Chang’an brought out the quasi–third-rank demon-beast crystalline core, the Wind-Chirp Bird chirped happily.
The Azure-Horned Bull, however, mooed pitifully, as if protesting that its master should not favor the new over the old.
“Alright, as long as you strive harder, I won’t neglect you.”
Lin Chang’an comforted the bull, then tossed it two earth-attribute mid-grade second-rank crystalline cores he had bought in Tianxuan City.
“Cultivate well. If the chance arises, even a third-rank demon core won’t be impossible.”
After painting this big promise for his two spirit beasts, Lin Chang’an contentedly pushed open the doors of his new abode.
Paintings, beds, and furnishings were all in place. Even the connected cave residence was decorated with spiritual plants.
From this alone, it was clear the three families had been very thoughtful.
“It seems they are aiming at the hundred mu of spirit fields.”
Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered. Since they were newcomers, instead of hiring unknown drifting cultivators, it was safer to employ the families’ low-level cultivators.
Clearly, the three families had this in mind too—otherwise why put in so much effort?
“I don’t have spare time to manage the spirit fields anyway. Better to go along with this and integrate with the families sooner.”
Having thought it through, Lin Chang’an decided to negotiate with them about this matter later.
“Now, it’s time to focus on cultivation.”
Lin Chang’an took a deep breath. At last, he had found a foothold. Next came focused cultivation, striving to break through to late Foundation Establishment.
Then he would plan for Core Formation!
……
Time flew swiftly, and Lin Chang’an and the others had already lived here for a year.
In this year, they had gradually adapted to the lifestyle, such as mortals and cultivators living together.
They also witnessed firsthand why the abodes here were nearly given away.
Tsunamis, storms, and natural disasters struck several times a year, forcing the protective formation to be activated repeatedly.
Though the spirit stone consumption for resisting natural disasters was not too great, they now understood why the people here were so tough and unyielding.
Trade between islands flourished, with ships hunting sea fish and sea beasts traveling back and forth.
Sometimes, sea beasts would even attack cultivators.
Human cultivators slew demons for cores and cultivation resources, while demon beasts devoured human cultivators to grow stronger—it was mutual predation.
After the Seven Kingdoms Alliance settled in this region, it inevitably brought unrest.
The clash of interests with local forces, along with the Seven Kingdoms’ powers forming merchant guilds once stability was gained, naturally stirred competition.
This was also why Lin Chang’an and Old Hu were unwilling to join the Seven Kingdoms Alliance upon arrival.
They came to cultivate, to pursue a sliver of opportunity, not to be dragged into the mire of power struggles.
But suddenly, news spread that forces from Mystic Yin Island had attacked, heavily wounding the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, and that the Lihuo Palace had betrayed them.
Soon after, Yun Yao unexpectedly came to visit, accompanied by He Yan.
Outside the cave abode, within a pavilion.
With spirit flesh and spirit wine on the table, Old Hu had also come, yet He Yan’s expression was heavy and silent.
“Yun Yao, I heard earlier that the Xuanyin Divine Sect attacked. What is going on!?”
Lin Chang’an was secretly shocked, vaguely understanding why Yun Yao had parted ways with them before.
“The Three Sects of Yue Kingdom were originally branches of the sect. This time, the sect master personally acted. If not for True Lord Lu’s intervention, the Seven Kingdoms Alliance might have been destroyed.”
As Yun Yao recounted, Lin Chang’an and Old Hu were shaken, realizing how terrifying the battle had been.
A Nascent Soul cultivator had attacked, all for the sake of three sects?
Seeing their doubts, Yun Yao sighed softly:
“In truth, it was because of True Lord Lu. I heard he once deceived the ancestor in some matter, and when the ancestor emerged from seclusion, he charged here in fury. Yet that True Lord Lu, worthy of the phrase ‘long accumulation, sudden release’, had just stepped into the Nascent Soul stage and still fought our Xuanyin Divine Sect’s ancestor to a standstill. The battle was a clash between two Nascent Soul cultivators—yet in the end, Lihuo Palace became traitors!”
At the mention of Lihuo Palace, He Yan rasped:
“It was clearly already over, but Lihuo Palace threw itself into the Xuanyin Divine Sect. Old Ghost, in fury… finally died at the hands of Huang Tianxiao of Lihuo Palace.
Before dying, Old Ghost even croaked that they had agreed to join the Xuanyin Divine Sect together for revenge…”
He Yan’s eyes brimmed with grief at the mention.
His relationship with Old Ghost was complex—half teacher, half friend.
“Old Ghost!”
“Old Ghost was Ghost Three Blades.”
Lin Chang’an sighed softly, revealing Old Ghost’s true identity.
Now that he was gone, and they had come to the Sea Abyss of Beasts, there was no need to conceal it anymore.
“It was Old Ghost!?”
Old Hu’s face grew complicated, before he finally shook his head with a sigh.
They could only lament Old Ghost’s fate.
“Old Ghost was too impatient. Traitors like Lihuo Palace— even the sect would only treat them as disposable pawns. If only he had waited longer.”
He Yan said hoarsely, while Yun Yao shook her head with a sigh:
“Old Ghost’s lifespan was nearly exhausted.”
For a while, silence fell.
A cultivator who lived only for vengeance, whose lifespan was dwindling—he could not wait.
Another old friend had departed.
Lin Chang’an sighed and together they raised a cup in honor of their fallen companion.
“Cultivation! Cultivation! What in the heavens are we cultivating for!?”
For the first time, He Yan drank until he lost control, cursing aloud.
The others only shook their heads. Old Ghost had not been talkative, but they had shared many years together.
And now, just after arriving here, one old friend was gone. Naturally, they felt low in spirit.
“Brother Lin, seeing you able to settle here in peace is enough. Things should calm for a time. At the very least, True Lord Lu’s intervention has brought some stability to the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.”
They gathered in the pavilion, one person missing, the air tinged with sorrow.
But they were steadfast people, and soon buried the matter deep in their hearts.
Only He Yan’s eyes still glimmered with unwillingness.
“Life and death in the cultivation world are always like this. For us to still be gathered is rare fortune.”
They went on to discuss cultivation and the local customs.
Afterward, Yun Yao and He Yan parted ways with them.
But before leaving, Yun Yao secretly sent a voice transmission.
“Brother Lin, if Yun Yao is fortunate enough to form a core, I will return to aid you in your Core Formation!”
Lin Chang’an froze, staring at Yun Yao’s departing figure, then at the bundle of jade slips now in his hand. A faint smile curved his lips.
He had not expected Yun Yao to remember the promise from when they explored the relic abode.
But Core Formation was not so easy. He could only hope Yun Yao would succeed.
Still, he would not pin his hopes on another—he had to prepare for himself.
“Old Lin, she’s gone. Why are you still staring?”
Old Hu teased, making Lin Chang’an chuckle and shake his head.
“Old Hu, you wouldn’t understand.”
The words left Old Hu speechless, his eyes bulging, unable to find a retort.
“But I hadn’t expected Fellow Daoist Yun and Fellow Daoist He to be people of the Xuanyin Divine Sect.”
Now that they were in the Sea Abyss of Beasts, Yun Yao no longer concealed her identity, though she had not openly explained it either.
Thus, only Lin Chang’an knew of Yun Yao’s defection from Lihuo Palace.
The two men fell into silent thought.
The Xuanyin Divine Sect belonged to the demonic path, yet it was also one of the Sixteen Sects of Zhenhai, established on Mystic Yin Island in the Outer Sea.
Powerful sects all sought rich islands in the Outer Sea to take root and establish themselves.
The Sixteen Sects of Zhenhai comprised both righteous and demonic paths,
as well as many formidable rogue cultivators—though without large sects, their strength was no less.
But standing firm in the Outer Sea was no easy feat—one mistake, and they could become food for demon beasts.
“Enough, Old Lin. I’m going into seclusion. I won’t be around to freeload your wine for the next two years.”
Hearing this, Lin Chang’an blinked, then smiled and cupped his hands.
“Congratulations, Old Hu, on advancing your cultivation.”
Old Hu was already at mid Foundation Establishment. With his solid foundation, it seemed he was preparing to break through to late Foundation Establishment.
This gave Lin Chang’an a quiet sense of urgency.
He too had to hasten his cultivation, striving to advance soon.
Breaking into late Foundation Establishment, preparing Core Formation spirit items in advance—he had much to do.