Chapter 194: Times Change, Planning for Core Formation
The beast tide ended.
A faint stench of blood still lingered on the surface of the sea, along with scattered broken limbs and flesh—some belonging to sea beasts, some to human cultivators.
Yet at this moment, the cultivators on the surrounding islands were all cheering in excitement, celebrating wildly. No one spared a thought for the fallen cultivators.
Even some strong mortals were grinning joyfully, shouting in excitement.
Life and death had long become the norm. As long as one survived, there was still tomorrow.
“Master Lin, rest assured, our three families would never dare to deceive you fellow Daoists in the slightest. The majority of this first-rank sea beast flesh will flow into the hands of low-level Qi Refining cultivators and mortals.
As for materials such as hides and bones, our three merchant guilds will collectively transport them to Five Dragon Island for sale. But Master Lin also knows, under such a beast tide, the prices of low-rank beast materials will sharply decline…”
After listening to the respectful explanation of the representatives from the three clans, Lin Chang’an did not feel there was anything amiss. Instead, he nodded indifferently and said,
“Very well, you may handle these first-rank beast materials as you see fit.”
With someone else handling it, he only had to wait to receive the Spirit Stones afterward, saving himself considerable time.
However, when it came to second-rank beast materials, even their flesh, he had no intention of letting others deal with them.
Just as they had said, low-rank beast materials would depreciate greatly after the beast tide. But second-rank beasts already counted as high-grade materials—the fluctuation would never be too drastic.
Moreover, there were not many second-rank beasts. One trip outside was enough to sell them all.
As for second-rank beast flesh, it was a great tonic for long-term consumption by Foundation Establishment cultivators. Naturally, he would not waste it.
Meanwhile, on Yuling Island, cultivators of the Three Great Clans were continuously acquiring beast materials in preparation for transporting them to Five Dragon Island for resale.
As for the low-rank beasts in the hands of rogue cultivators or mortals, the Three Great Clans bought them all at a fixed price.
After all, they also intended to profit from the difference.
Behind the cultivators’ celebration, who knew how many families wept in grief.
“Old Lin, you don’t know, this beast tide is completely different from the ones inland…”
Old Hu came over grinning from ear to ear, clearly having gained quite a harvest this time.
After all, the value of a mid-stage second-rank sea beast equaled that of several early-stage second-rank beasts.
Such luck was rare indeed.
According to local cultivators, the higher the intelligence of the sea beasts, the less likely they were to approach islands inhabited by humans.
“All right, Old Hu.”
The way Old Hu flaunted his encounter with a mid-stage second-rank beast, wishing he could repeat it endlessly, left Lin Chang’an speechless.
The two of them then sat down in the pavilion of the cave abode. Though no servants were present, the Object Manipulation Technique proved most practical.
Not only could it refine one’s control, but it also allowed one to enjoy life.
The tea was heated and poured through the technique, all in one smooth motion.
“Old Hu, don’t tell me you came here just to brag about encountering a mid-stage second-rank sea beast.”
In the pavilion, Lin Chang’an lightly sipped a mouthful of Spirit Tea, speaking calmly.
Opposite him, Old Hu’s smile gradually turned serious.
“Old Lin, I can see your cultivation has advanced. It won’t be long before you break through again, right?”
“Mm. After selling off this batch of beast materials, I plan to go into seclusion. Two or three years at the shortest, seven or eight years at the longest.”
Lin Chang’an’s ambiguous tone nonetheless revealed that he would not leave seclusion until he had broken through to the late Foundation Establishment stage.
Hearing that Lin Chang’an already had confidence in advancing, Old Hu’s brows revealed a trace of joy.
“Old Lin, I won’t beat around the bush. We came all this way for that sliver of opportunity. Otherwise, who would risk coming here?”
Old Hu drained his cup of tea in one gulp, his expression solemn as he said:
“Old Lin, I’ve already inquired. The Blackwater Liquid, Yin-Yang Water, Crystal Condensing Pill, Dust-cleansing Pill, and other spirit items that assist Core Formation are not necessarily available even in Sea Abyss City.
To obtain Core Formation materials, there are only two choices. One, join Bihai Palace. For internal cultivators, certain channels naturally prioritize them. The second is to accept commissions from Bihai Palace—such as hunting robber cultivators or demon beasts…”
Hearing Old Hu’s words, Lin Chang’an could not help but fall into thought.
The first option seemed more suitable. As long as he joined Bihai Palace, if there were Core Formation items available, those channels would naturally open to him—of course, they would still have to be purchased.
The drawback, however, was that joining a sect meant losing freedom, being bound by others’ control.
If one’s only life goal was to form a core, perhaps this choice was not bad.
But he had too many secrets. He could only abandon the thought.
“Old Hu, this second option of accepting commissions—do you have detailed information?”
Lin Chang’an frowned. Since he was about to break through to late Foundation Establishment, it was indeed time to start planning for Core Formation.
After all, Core Formation was not something that could be prepared in a single day. He could not afford to delay.
“The second option… there’s a lot of twists and turns inside.”
Old Hu sighed helplessly. It had taken him a long time to gather the news.
“On the surface, the commissions are varied—killing certain robber cultivators or demon beasts, those are the most common. There are also many seeking special physiques for furnaces, regardless of gender.
Others involve various rare treasures and spirit herbs. And secretly, there are even more—such as assassinating geniuses from certain clans or sects, or assisting a family in exterminating another…”
Hearing Old Hu’s words, Lin Chang’an secretly nodded.
Chaotic as it sounded, these were all things cultivators required.
In the end, it was nothing more than equivalent exchange—each side getting what they needed.
But the risks were not small.
“Old Hu, I’m afraid that even those commissions that seem the simplest—hunting demon beasts—are all for beasts with special uses, aren’t they?”
Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered, while Old Hu could only nod helplessly.
“Indeed. Most commissioned beasts have special purposes—be it for aiding cultivation, or for refining powerful artifacts or pills.
Such beasts are often difficult to locate, and even when found, they are extremely hard to kill. Cultivators usually use formations to lure them in before getting a chance.”
Old Hu sighed helplessly. If Core Formation materials were easy to obtain, there would not be so many Foundation Establishment cultivators stuck at their stage.
“Many cultivators wasted away their lives because of this. In the end, unwilling to resign themselves, they turned to becoming robber cultivators.”
Of course, the cultivation world never lacked those with extraordinary luck, who stumbled into a secret realm and obtained miraculous fruits to exchange directly for Core Formation items.
“Old Hu, what are you trying to say?”
Lin Chang’an revealed a strange smile, gazing at Old Hu as if he had already guessed his purpose.
Old Hu awkwardly scratched his head, waving his hand. “Old Lin, don’t misunderstand. I, Old Hu, am definitely not that kind of man.
It’s just that, back in the secret realm, Old Lin, you obtained that third-rank formation. With your methods, plus my mid-grade second-rank craft, refining auxiliary formation plates and flags for you wouldn’t be a problem.”
“So, Old Hu, back then you said you were only a low-grade second-rank craftsman.”
“Old Lin, my skills improved afterward. Besides, artifact refinement is extremely time-consuming and laborious.”
Though his words were casual, Old Hu’s suggestion truly made Lin Chang’an a little tempted.
After all, when they first traveled here together, it was not only to watch out for each other. More importantly, it was for Core Formation materials. From the very beginning, they knew it would be hard for any one person alone.
“Old Lin, say no more. Refining the auxiliary plates and flags is on me. By the time we take on those commission bounties together, who’s to say we won’t succeed?”
Better to join hands with a familiar cultivator than with strangers, constantly guarding against betrayal. Otherwise, they might end up handing the prize to someone else.
At least between them, there was a foundation of trust.
“Of course, Old Lin, since you’ll be contributing the most, the rewards will go to you first. If in the end it really doesn’t work, I, Old Hu, would rather join Bihai Palace than waste my years.”
Old Hu was placing a gamble on Lin Chang’an’s character. Otherwise, relying on himself alone was far too difficult.
“Old Hu, you make it sound so easy.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head. Most of these commissions consumed immense time and effort. The faster ones were inevitably the most dangerous.
“Indeed, many commissions come from cultivators who have discovered the location of a beast or spirit herb, or from groups planning to besiege a robber cultivator, inviting others along. Too many uncertainties.”
“That’s why your formation is our final trump card. After all, my Talisman Treasure only has a few uses left.”
The two discussed for some time and reached a preliminary agreement.
Old Hu’s suggestion was good. If the right opportunity arose, teaming up would not be impossible. But at the same time, Lin Chang’an also planned to make his own secret arrangements.
Two plans, pursued in parallel.
For now, however, his priority was preparing for seclusion and breaking through to late Foundation Establishment.
…
Meanwhile, on the sea, as they watched the merchant ships of the Three Great Clans sailing away, the Wang Clan cultivators were filled with greed, yet could only let them pass in frustration.
“Madam Lu, those few merchant ships are worth quite a lot.”
“Fellow Daoist Wang, you jest. Just a few ordinary merchant ships, that’s all. Even if they carry some resources, how could they possibly compare to the accumulations of the Three Families? Moreover, do you think any truly precious materials would be placed on such ordinary vessels?”
The fleets of the Wang Clan and the Lu Clan watched the ships of Yuling Island depart before they turned toward the island.
They had even deliberately waited for the merchant ships of the Three Families to set out, knowing this would draw away a group of elite cultivators from the island.
Thus, it would reduce the difficulty of attacking the island.
“Target—Yuling Island!”
Two merchant ships, flying under ordinary banners, sailed straight toward Yuling Island.
On one Lu Clan ship, a cultivator about thirty years old, carrying a treasured sword and exuding an air of cold arrogance between his brows—Lu Yujian—spoke in a low voice:
“Mother, are you worried that if we strike at the merchant ships, word will get out?”
The still-elegant Madam Lu nodded solemnly.
“Correct. More importantly, the Wang Clan cannot be trusted. If we can reduce even a little loss, it will preserve more of our Lu Clan’s foundation.”
This Madam Lu, though only at early Foundation Establishment, carried herself with such authority that the five Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Lu Clan all showed her great respect.
Back when the Lu Clan had faced disaster, it was she who had turned the tide. Without her, the Lu Clan might have been scattered.
Even two of those cultivators, though now at mid-Foundation Establishment, still respected her greatly.
In the cultivation world, strength was supreme. Yet when strength was roughly equal, wisdom and vision could tip the scales. With aligned interests, no one would be foolish enough to ignore that.
…
The sun shone brightly, and the blood and remains from the earlier beast tide battles around the island had long since been washed away, vanishing without a trace.
That day, the sea remained calm, until moonlight reflected upon the waters and faint mist rose.
By then, Lin Chang’an and Old Hu had already set out together toward Five Dragon Island, their purpose being to sell high-rank beast materials.
Along the way, they even met the Wen Couple. A certain cultivator surnamed Fang had originally planned to go as well, but claimed to have gained insight into his cultivation and intended to enter seclusion first.
The group thought little of it and departed the island.
Who would have expected that, just a few days after their departure—
That very night, Yuling Island came under attack.
Though its protectors were absent, the grand formation of the island would activate automatically.
However, the formation barrier managed by the late-Foundation cultivator surnamed Fang stood wide open.
That talk of cultivation insight had been a lie. Clearly, he had colluded with the Lu Clan. After confirming that they had left the island, he had contacted the Wang and Lu Clans to launch a surprise attack.
“It’s not good! The Lu Clan has returned to kill!”
“Dogs of the Ping, Feng, and Li Families—we of the Lu Clan have returned!”
“Fellow Daoist Fang, you actually colluded with the Lu Clan—you despicable villain!”
“Fellow Daoist Ping, do not blame me. Madam Lu offered me what I desired. And in truth, you three families drove out the Lu Clan back then. Today is merely the cycle of heaven at work.”
That night, Yuling Island was filled with cries of slaughter. The Ping, Feng, and Li Families resisted desperately in fury.
But this time, the Lu Clan fought with the wrath of vengeance, joined by the Wang Clan as allies.
On top of that, many spies the Lu Clan had secretly planted within the three families surfaced at once. Miserable screams rang without end.
“Run!”
“Grandfather! Don’t—!”
“Ping’er, listen to me! Remember this blood debt tonight. You must avenge the family in the future!”
“Hurry, find your Uncle Feng. The Feng Family still stands!”
Lin Chang’an, Old Hu, and the Wen Couple had no idea that while they were away, the island’s skies had already turned.
…
Five Dragon Island.
“Thanks to the beast tide, second-rank beast materials fetched decent prices. Otherwise, we’d have suffered losses.”
Lin Chang’an looked at the Spirit Stones within his storage pouch with satisfaction.
This time, he had not bothered with disguises. After all, in the aftermath of the beast tide, it was only natural for a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator like him to have some harvest.
To have none would have seemed strange.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, something has happened!”
Just as Lin Chang’an was purchasing cultivation resources in the marketplace, he suddenly received an urgent voice transmission from the Wen Couple.
They asked him and Old Hu to meet them at a tavern.
When Lin Chang’an and Old Hu arrived, they found the Wen Couple at a table. Beside them sat a beautiful woman, weariness written upon her face.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, Yuling Island has fallen. The Lu Clan has seized the Three Families.”
“Damn it! That Fellow Daoist Fang claimed to have gained cultivation insight—nonsense! He colluded with the Lu Clan!”
The moment Lin Chang’an entered, he received the Wen Couple’s voice transmission. Clearly, Madam Wen was fuming.
“Fellow Daoists, forgive us for the spectacle. Those three families were originally taken in by my Lu Clan. Who would have thought they would turn into mad dogs and bite their master?
I also heard they seized some of your materials. Now, they have disappeared without a trace. This matter lies with my Lu Clan. I sincerely apologize.”
As Lin Chang’an and Old Hu sat down, the Patriarch of the Lu Clan, seeing everyone present, smiled broadly and produced a pouch of Spirit Stones.
“This is compensation from my Lu Clan. I hope the four of you can forgive us.”
Opening the pouch, Lin Chang’an’s heart tensed.
“Old Lin, these Spirit Stones are no less—if not more—than the value of our goods.”
Old Hu transmitted secretly. Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered; he had already guessed the man’s intent.
Sure enough, seeing their guarded expressions, the Lu Clan Patriarch showed no displeasure. Instead, he chuckled and nodded, showing he had no ulterior motives, only wishing for peaceful cultivation.
In reclaiming their foundation, the Lu Clan had suffered greatly, now with only five Foundation Establishment cultivators left, two of them seriously injured.
“Patriarch Lu, you jest. We only wish to cultivate in peace.”
Lin Chang’an replied with a smile, though he dared not underestimate this man.
Likewise, the Lu Clan Patriarch held some fear of them. After all, among their group of four, Old Hu was at late Foundation Establishment, while the Wen Couple and Lin Chang’an were all mid-Foundation Establishment.
If the Lu Clan overreached, the four of them together could easily contend against it.
Thus, the Lu Clan Patriarch had rushed to Five Dragon Island as soon as he retook Yuling Island.
To turn weapons into jade and silk.