Chapter 210: Golden Flame Divine Bird
Five Dragon Island.
After altering his appearance, Lin Changan was now on the third floor of the Many Treasures Pavilion.
“This Fellow Daoist, this is top-grade spirit tea.”
The shopkeeper wore a full smile, while Lin Changan nodded in satisfaction.
In truth, the reason he chose Many Treasures Pavilion under Xuanyin Pavilion was mainly because he knew that the two Core Formation cultivators of Xuanyin Pavilion were currently cultivating on other islands.
Only a few Foundation Establishment cultivators were stationed here, at most one disguised False Core cultivator.
As for Xuanyin Pavilion, he at least had some understanding of them. If anything went wrong, he could still retreat with ease.
But with the other powers on Five Dragon Island, he was not as familiar.
“Shopkeeper, I won’t waste words. I had good luck on this sea expedition and managed to acquire these materials, along with two cubs of third-rank demon beasts.”
Lin Changan directly placed the materials on the table. Immediately, the shopkeeper’s eyes lit up, and his expression grew excited.
“Cubs of third-rank demon beasts, and materials from a quasi–third-rank demon beast!”
As for the other second-rank beast materials, they were not even worth mentioning in comparison to these two.
“Fellow Daoist!”
Just as the shopkeeper was about to take them, Lin Changan suddenly retrieved the cubs and the quasi–third-rank materials.
The shopkeeper’s expression grew solemn. He couldn’t help but ask in a low voice:
“May I ask what kind of treasure Fellow Daoist wishes to exchange for?”
Cubs of third-rank demon beasts were extremely rare. Most would take this opportunity to trade for rare materials they normally couldn’t obtain.
This was only natural.
Lin Changan grinned and revealed a smile.
“I’ve heard that the elders of Xuanyin Pavilion are nearing the end of their lifespan. These two third-rank beast cubs are precious. I once heard that third-rank spirit liquid can treat hidden injuries and cleanse inner pill poison.”
“Third-rank spirit liquid!” Upon hearing what Lin Changan sought in exchange, the shopkeeper frowned.
However, remembering that this wasn’t Yue Kingdom—only their Three Major Sects and later Tianxuan City possessed such a thing.
In this place, anyone with such a treasure could exchange it anywhere.
It was simply that Lin Changan had set his sights on Xuanyin Pavilion’s need for these materials.
“Very well. Fellow Daoist, rest assured. Our Xuanyin Pavilion still has a fair amount of third-rank spirit liquid.”
Once the shopkeeper brought out the third-rank spirit liquid, Lin Changan smiled in satisfaction.
Had he traded the beast cubs for spirit stones, he would’ve suffered a huge loss.
Afterward, he exchanged the other beast materials entirely for resources useful in cultivation.
The shopkeeper was secretly shocked. Such a large batch of beast materials was not something an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator could acquire.
Still, since Lin Changan had chosen Xuanyin Pavilion, and given the sect’s current state, the shopkeeper, after completing the trade, lowered his voice and transmitted a message:
“Fellow Daoist, pardon this old man for speaking out of turn, but recently a certain Master Tan arrived on Five Dragon Island. It’s said he just returned from the outer sea after hunting a third-rank Roc-beast.”
Hearing this, Lin Changan smiled. He naturally understood the goodwill behind the words and cupped his hands in response:
“Many thanks for the information. If I obtain more valuable goods in the future, I’ll be sure to visit you.”
Lin Changan departed in a hurry. However, he wasn’t particularly surprised by the news.
Though the sea around Five Dragon Island teemed with cultivators, there were only a few Core Formation cultivators. The sudden appearance of a Core Formation cultivator from Bihai Palace…
Moreover, that grand hunting event involving the Lu Clan had long since made waves.
The matter of hunting Roc-beasts had surely spread far and wide. And now, just a month or two later, he appeared with so many materials.
It would be easy for people to suspect that he had wiped out that group of Roc-beasts.
“It seems Xuanyin Pavilion’s situation isn’t great either, or they wouldn’t have revealed this.”
Walking through the marketplace street, Lin Changan had already changed his appearance. Even his mana aura was completely altered.
He had considered this point when handling the materials.
That’s why he approached Xuanyin Pavilion and sold everything in one go. Even if they tried to trace him, he had already changed his face.
“With this batch of spirit stones, I can now cultivate in peace.”
In particular, these few bottles of third-rank spirit liquid made Lin Changan nod inwardly.
Now that his life-bound spirit plant was connected to his vitality, the better the Mysterious Sky Immortal Vine thrived, the more benefits he would receive in return.
If he could, he would have preferred to exchange for a Core Formation spirit item, but unfortunately, these materials were far from enough for that.
“These bottles of spirit liquid will nourish the spirit plant and allow me to cultivate the Art of Spirit Refinement.”
Lin Changan had already tasted the benefits of this cultivation method. Especially the perception enhancement brought by the Art of Spirit Refinement.
Whether hunting demon beasts or sensing danger in the future, it would be of immense help.
“Although this method doesn’t boost the Core Formation process directly, it's well known in the cultivation world that powerful spiritual sense greatly aids breakthroughs.”
At this thought, Lin Changan couldn’t help but smile. Strong spiritual sense would be helpful not only for breaking through Foundation Establishment but also for forming the Core.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to nurture his life-bound spirit plant.
After all, his most pressing goal now was Core Formation. Once that was achieved, he’d have plenty of chances to cultivate his life-bound plant.
After all, once the plant recovered, it would further strengthen his spiritual sense.
“Return to the island to cultivate, and begin preparing for Core Formation resources.”
At this thought, Lin Changan’s gaze was full of determination.
Third-rank demon beasts might be difficult, but with his powerful perception, he could easily hunt large numbers of second-rank beasts and accumulate resources over time.
“Besides, the hardest part of hunting demon beasts for most cultivators is endurance.”
Whether it was mana depletion or physical exhaustion and injury, cultivators couldn’t sustain prolonged hunts. They had to return and recuperate regularly.
But now, with his Regenerative Body, he was exempt from such limitations.
Five Dragon Island.
Lin Changan made several detours along the way, changing identities multiple times before finally sneaking back onto the island under the cover of night. He returned to his cave abode.
“Mysterious Sky Immortal Vine… who knows how many surprises it’ll bring in the future.”
Inside the cave, as bottle after bottle of high-grade third-rank spirit liquid was poured out, Lin Changan’s expression turned solemn.
Two-thirds of the withered leaves now showed signs of vitality, yet the roots could still only draw life energy from the leaves.
But as Lin Changan slowly recalled his life-bound spirit plant into his body, he began cultivating the Art of Spirit Refinement.
Like the Art of Spell Refinement, it required a cultivator to possess Foundation Establishment-level spiritual sense to practice.
He had already reached the introductory stage previously. But now, with feedback from his life-bound spirit plant, he could clearly sense the growth of his spiritual sense—
—along with further enhancement of his Regenerative Body.
...
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was early spring of the second year.
【Lifespan: 106/283】
【Realm: Late-stage Foundation Establishment (12/100)】
【Eternal Evergreen Art (Proficiency: 422/500)】
Inside the cave, Lin Changan sat with closed eyes, his presence completely undetectable. It was as if he had become one with heaven and earth, surrounded by an ancient and mysterious aura.
“This cultivation method is truly profound.”
As he slowly opened his eyes and sensed the growth of his spiritual sense, although his cultivation level was only at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, his spiritual sense was already comparable to a False Core cultivator.
“And this Regenerative Body…”
As Lin Changan muttered to himself, he raised his hand. The top-grade spirit artifact, the Azure-scaled Sword, hovered in front of him. Then, with a flick of his wrist—
—a deep wound, revealing bone, appeared on his arm.
However, under the powerful effects of the Regenerative Body, it visibly healed at astonishing speed.
“This regeneration… even some top-tier third-rank demon beasts wouldn’t surpass it.”
Witnessing the strength of his regeneration, Lin Changan couldn’t help but smile.
He could clearly feel that, as long as his head remained intact, even a pierced heart could be quickly healed by his powerful physique.
“It’s said that in the outer seas, there is a fourth-rank shape-shifting turtle demon with a powerful Regenerative Body. As long as its mana didn’t run dry, its body wouldn’t die.
It once faced the siege of three Nascent Soul cultivators and managed to survive solely through this divine ability, forcing them to retreat in vain.”
This Regenerative Body, even among demon beasts, was a top-tier innate divine power.
“It’s not just about healing injuries—its restoration of mana and spiritual sense is also extremely strong.”
Sensing the changes in his body, Lin Changan narrowed his eyes slightly.
He knew that this time, his physique had likely strengthened because he had found the complete Mysterious Sky Spirit Root.
When joyful events came, the spirit naturally lifted. As Lin Changan walked out of his cave abode, he saw the lazy Azure-Horned Bull lying at the door, and the Wind-Chirp Bird standing excitedly on his shoulder, eager to please.
“You silly ox, how long has it been already? If you still can’t break through, go find yourself a big pot.”
Seeing the aura around the Azure-Horned Bull clearly at its critical point yet still not breaking through, Lin Changan glared.
The Azure-Horned Bull shrank its neck in fright, its big eyes full of grievance as it shook its head repeatedly.
Was it unwilling to break through?
Clearly, it was just a normal demon beast, whereas this bird was obviously abnormal.
“But you, bird... something’s not right.”
Lin Changan frowned, and the Wind-Chirp Bird chirped loudly, flapping its wings as if gesturing animatedly.
However, through the Beast-Taming Token, Lin Changan could clearly sense the Wind-Chirp Bird’s emotions.
“You’re saying you want to eat Sinister Spirits?”
Sensing something, the Wind-Chirp Bird nodded excitedly upon hearing this. Its whole body glowed with golden feathers, and from its beak, it occasionally spat out a faint golden flame.
Yet, this faint wisp of golden flame—used merely to digest the energy in its belly—carried a terrifying aura that Lin Changan could feel.
“This Wind-Chirp Bird only broke through thirteen years ago, and now it’s already about to break through again? Or perhaps, at some unknown point, it fulfilled the conditions for its evolution?”
Lin Changan frowned as he felt the immense mana within the Wind-Chirp Bird.
Its cultivation speed seemed abnormal, and this only began after arriving at the Sea Abyss of Beasts. Nothing like this had happened before.
Was it the food? The quasi–third-rank demon core? Or perhaps it had consumed some Sinister Spirits earlier?
That couldn’t possibly explain such a drastic reaction.
“These exotic beasts are like cultivators with mysterious spiritual constitutions. By comparison, Heaven and Earth Spirit Roots hold absolute advantage in the early stages.
But spiritual bodies only begin to show their strength after reaching higher realms and cultivating techniques suited to their physique. Yet, such bodies all undergo a process of awakening and growth.”
Lin Changan speculated silently. He felt that the Wind-Chirp Bird had not been born long ago, and under his care—
—with regular cleansing of its inner injuries using his own mana, this spirit pet had entered a growth phase.
“However, I still lack knowledge about exotic beasts. Seems I need to make a trip to Five Dragon Island.”
The Wind-Chirp Bird’s development concerned a major portion of his combat strength. If he missed or delayed it, wouldn’t he regret it in the future?
With that in mind, Lin Changan exited seclusion, preparing to head to Five Dragon Island.
To outsiders, it simply looked like the hardworking cultivator on Yuling Island had emerged from seclusion and gone to gather more cultivation resources.
...
Five Dragon Island, within a merchant guild under Bihai Palace.
“This Secrets of Exotic Beasts, priced at eight hundred mid-grade spirit stones—Senior, don’t find it too expensive. This classified record contains almost all exotic beasts that have appeared in this cultivation world over the past ten thousand years…”
Lin Changan, disguised as a burly man, gritted his teeth and handed over eight hundred mid-grade spirit stones before walking out of the shop.
Behind him, the shopkeeper stared at his departing figure and muttered under his breath:
“Yet another one curious about exotic beasts. There’ve been so many like this lately.”
With his False Core Realm spiritual sense, Lin Changan froze upon hearing this.
“Many people have been inquiring about exotic beasts recently?”
He had only come for his own spirit pet, but judging from those words, something seemed to be going on lately.
Indeed, the secret investigation conducted by the Palace of Blazing Fire into Foundation Establishment cultivators from Yue Kingdom couldn’t be hidden from those with intention.
Some major powers had already caught wind of it. A cultivator from the Huang Clan of the Palace of Blazing Fire had been killed, and his spirit pet had been stolen.
Thus, the Palace of Blazing Fire was unwilling to let it go.
So, many powerful cultivators who knew of this weren’t too concerned—after all, what was a day in the Sea Abyss of Beasts without some incident?
And though exotic beasts were rare, properly raising them required extremely harsh conditions.
Therefore, even if some cultivators obtained rare spirit pets, they usually sold them to major forces.
But such news made lower-level cultivators start dreaming.
Sell to major powers, make a fortune—who wouldn’t want that?
Inside a tavern.
Lin Changan changed identities multiple times along the way. With the spiritual sense of a False Core cultivator, no one could detect him. Eventually, in his true identity, he arrived at a private room in the tavern.
While eating Spirit Flesh and sipping Spirit Tea, Lin Changan immersed his consciousness into the jade slip, beginning to read this book on exotic beasts that cost him eight hundred mid-grade spirit stones.
Unseen, unknown—but now seen, Lin Changan couldn’t help but marvel.
It was vast as the mist!
Densely packed with records of countless rare demon beasts, exotic beast lore, and even spirit beasts long extinct.
“These eight hundred spirit stones were worth it.”
Lin Changan nodded inwardly. The world of cultivation had countless fields of study, and just the Secrets of Exotic Beasts alone contained an immense wealth of knowledge.
Though Foundation Establishment cultivators had photographic memory, let alone his False Core spiritual sea—
—even the sea of consciousness of a Nascent Soul cultivator would be limited in the knowledge it could carry, no matter how expanded.
In the face of the boundless cultivation world spanning endless eras, it was but a drop in the ocean.
Thus, he could only study it thoroughly and patiently.
“Found it! The Extreme Yang Bird, Wind-Chirp Bird!”
After some time, Lin Changan finally located information in the jade slip regarding the Wind-Chirp Bird.
According to the records in Secrets of Exotic Beasts, the Wind-Chirp Bird had also appeared during the ancient era, and the information was far more detailed than what the Zhou Family had provided.
Wind-Chirp Bird, an Extreme Yang Bird, born of Pure Flame, naturally restraining Sinister Spirits and Spirit Insects—a truly rare exotic beast.
“But... this golden flame in its beak…”
When he saw the latter descriptions, Lin Changan’s expression grew grave.
A normal Wind-Chirp Bird, upon reaching the late second rank, would produce a flame within its body—usually red in color.
But this golden flame was one in ten thousand, known as Divine Golden Flame. If nurtured, it could evolve into the Golden Flame Divine Bird, or even the Golden Flame Divine Phoenix.
Reading further about the terrifying divine abilities of the Golden Flame Divine Bird, Lin Changan was both amazed and troubled.
To evolve into a Golden Flame Divine Bird was immensely difficult. Each evolution was like rebirth through fire, a near-death transformation.
But with every evolution, its strength and potential would increase drastically.
“In other words, the Wind-Chirp Bird is currently in the evolution phase.”
To say he wasn’t tempted by the Golden Flame Divine Bird would be a lie, but Lin Changan’s brows remained furrowed.
It was already hard for the Wind-Chirp Bird to survive even the first evolution—let alone grow into the legendary Golden Flame Divine Bird.