Chapter 216: Letter from the Yue Kingdom
Five Dragon Island.
“Old Lin, don’t be anxious. These fellow Daoists agreed to hold a trade fair here in a secret chamber three days later.”
Arriving at Five Dragon Island together with Hu Jin, Hu Jin spoke with a wide smile.
Lin Chang’an also expressed his intent to first take a look around the marketplace. The two then parted ways, agreeing to meet again at the trade fair three days later.
“After this trade fair, I will head to explore the gathering place of the Sinister Spirits. I should prepare more resources.”
Lin Chang’an secretly nodded, and in the vast marketplace streets of Five Dragon Island, he discreetly sold talismans to exchange for cultivation resources he needed.
As for pills, all the pills Lin Chang’an refined now were used solely to improve his own strength. How could he possibly let them flow outside so easily?
【Second-rank High-grade Alchemist (Mastery 3311/5000)】
Looking at his alchemy proficiency panel, Lin Chang’an nodded inwardly. Based on his earlier progress in the Talisman Path, it had taken him nearly thirty years to break through from Second-rank High-grade to Third-rank.
Of course, this achievement was not without the help of talisman manuals, but he had more or less grasped the method.
With his current alchemy skills, in about fifteen years he should also be able to break through to Third-rank. By then, he could gather the spiritual herbs required to assist in Core Formation and refine them himself with his own skill.
“However, Core Formation resources are scarce. Not only are they difficult to gather, but it’s also easy to attract unwanted attention.”
Lin Chang’an sighed in secret. The people here were fierce, and there were too many robber cultivators. A single careless move would make him a target.
He had to act cautiously. After all, if anyone learned that a drifting cultivator was secretly collecting Core Formation spirit items, even he himself would be tempted.
Gathering them with great effort carried no small risk, not to mention the time consumed.
Since there was always risk, it might be better to take a shortcut and gamble once.
At this thought, Lin Chang’an shook his head and disguised his identity. He then exchanged his accumulated talismans for spirit stones and items for cultivation.
The greatest advantage of the Sea Abyss of Beasts was the sheer number of cultivators. Even though this was merely a remote sea area in the outer seas, his few talismans hardly attracted attention.
There were simply too many Foundation Establishment cultivators.
It could even be said that the local Foundation Establishment cultivators did not make up even one-third of them. Most were cultivators from spirit-poor lands, traveling thousands of miles here to seek Foundation Establishment.
This was also the root of the chaos.
As their age increased, many Foundation Establishment cultivators hardened their hearts and chose to become robber cultivators, rapidly accumulating resources—or becoming someone else’s resources.
Many Treasures Pavilion.
“Talisman Master Lin, this time you’ve brought quite a lot of talismans.”
Through official channels, Lin Chang’an still revealed his true face when he arrived at the Many Treasures Pavilion of the Xuanyin Pavilion.
The shopkeeper was surprised, clearly finding the number of talismans a bit excessive.
Lin Chang’an sighed helplessly and said: “Only after breaking through did I realize that my spiritual root aptitude is too poor, and my cultivation too slow. Therefore, I plan to go into seclusion for some time.”
Hearing this, the shopkeeper also sighed deeply and lamented:
“Yes, where in the world of cultivation are there so many geniuses? Most people only have a slim chance to stand out through persistent bitter cultivation.”
“Oh, right. Recently, my Xuanyin Pavilion joined forces with quite a few merchant guilds of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, and we finally managed to open a channel back home. The letters you entrusted me with years ago have already been delivered. This is the reply.”
“It’s open!”
Seeing the shopkeeper hand him a wooden box, the seal on it bore five large characters: Drifting Cultivator Lin Chang’an.
The Seven Kingdoms Alliance had come from afar, but their roots still lay in the Seven Kingdoms. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have left behind a foundation to guard their territory.
As they gradually stabilized here, naturally they would cooperate to open such a channel. After all, many cultivators who came together also wanted to know the situation in their homeland.
Especially the sect and clan cultivators, who while being nurtured, would also develop loyalty to their sects and clans.
Lin Chang’an opened the wooden box. Inside were no less than five letters.
From Shen Lie, the couple Lu Qingqing and her husband, Li Erniu, Wei Buyi, and also Zhou Bingyun.
Following them were letters from Li Yifan, and from Shen Fan and Wei Yingying, that couple of juniors.
……
The shopkeeper of Many Treasures Pavilion did not disturb him, letting Lin Chang’an sit quietly at a nearby table and read these letters that were already more than half a year old.
“Unknowingly, it has already been seventeen years since I left the Yue Kingdom.”
A trace of reminiscence surfaced in Lin Chang’an’s eyes. The past seemed vivid as if it happened yesterday, but he had already been gone for so long.
In Li Erniu’s letter, he said he was well. Most of it was telling him to take care of himself, while also vaguely hinting that if things were unmanageable, returning as a Foundation Establishment ancestor of a clan would not be without merit.
Faced with Erniu’s concern, Lin Chang’an only smiled and shook his head.
“Everyone has their own aspirations. If I didn’t have these opportunities, perhaps I would choose to return. Unfortunately!”
Lin Chang’an secretly shook his head. With such opportunities in hand, who in the cultivation world would be willing to give them up?
Desire was the instinct of all living beings.
As for Wei Buyi’s letter, after expressing concern, he quickly turned sour, saying that Erniu in recent years had lacked both ability and heart, and hadn’t even thought of taking another concubine.
Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing’s letter as husband and wife conveyed a similar message, though they wrote more about the shifting landscape of their homeland, the Yue Kingdom.
With the spread of miasma, many cultivators of high-grade spirit veins could no longer reside there. Coupled with most of the elite of the Seven Kingdoms having departed, things had become rather peaceful.
At the Qingshui Bay Marketplace, they were living leisurely. But Lu Qingqing also mentioned that Yingying had given birth to two children. Both had spiritual roots, though their aptitudes would only be tested after they turned ten.
Next came the juniors. Li Yifan’s blessings and concern, and also Shen Fan’s blessings—but a glance revealed it was written by Wei Yingying.
Given Shen Fan’s character, he could never write such playful words.
Wei Yingying’s letter was full of sweet words, ending with saying that if things didn’t work out, he should just return, and they would support him in his old age.
“This girl, she’s still thinking about my assets.”
Reading this, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but smile. Of course, this girl also wrote out of care, for the Sea Abyss of Beasts was fraught with danger.
Countless Foundation Establishment cultivators schemed to form a Core, but those who truly succeeded were one in a thousand. To return alive was already fortunate.
“However, this Li Clan’s current situation is truly a case of unintentionally planting willows that grew into shade.”
Seeing Lu Qingqing’s description of the Li Clan, Lin Chang’an’s face revealed a strange expression.
Back then, Erniu had been determined to establish a cultivation family, but lacking foundation, it was nothing but a laughingstock.
Yet unexpectedly, because Erniu constantly took concubines and fathered many children, what had once seemed like a burden had now actually become the clan’s foundation.
It was simple. Ever since the incident of stealing Foundation Establishment resources, the Li Clan had split into branches. Erniu naturally had few resources to give to the children born of those concubines.
As a result, those descendants had low cultivation. But with Li Yifan as the sole Foundation Establishment cultivator of the bloodline, those people naturally preferred to attach themselves to Li Yifan’s branch.
The result was the formation of a family’s prototype.
There were many collateral disciples, but they needed the protection of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and so they attached themselves to Li Yifan’s branch. While receiving protection, they naturally had to provide their resources in return.
Thus, a true family structure was formed, with clear distinction between main and collateral branches.
Even several of Li Yifan’s full-blooded younger brothers had faintly become elders of the main branch.
“No wonder Erniu’s letter carried a sense of happiness. So this was the reason.”
Lin Chang’an smiled and shook his head. Truly, fate played with people.
As the saying went, a blessing in disguise. Erniu had fathered so many children, and they really had formed the foundation of a clan.
No wonder Wei Buyi had sounded so sour.
“Already more than a hundred years old. I wonder if in this life there is still a chance to meet once more.”
When he read the last letter from Zhou Bingyun, Lin Chang’an fell into silence.
The neat handwriting only mentioned that everyone was living well, the situation in the Yue Kingdom was peaceful, and she shared many amusing experiences from her cultivation.
At the very end, she wrote only one line—she would wait to one day admire the bearing of a Core Formation cultivator.
Lin Chang’an sighed softly, then took out his talisman brush and began writing replies one by one.
There was no sentimentality. They were all already people over a hundred years old. He simply told them calmly that he was living well, progressing steadily.
Moreover, his cultivation had already reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment. If in a few decades things proved unworkable, then he truly would return.
……
“Shopkeeper, I’ll have to trouble you with these letters.”
After calming his emotions, Lin Chang’an found the shopkeeper with a bright smile.
The shopkeeper, who did business with spirit stones, sealed the letters before his eyes and cupped his hands with a laugh:
“Talisman Master Lin, rest assured. But the mountains are high and the roads long. The guild only makes one trip home every year or two. These letters may be delayed.”
“No matter. As long as they can be delivered.”
Being able to make contact with his old friends in the Yue Kingdom was already a tremendous fortune. He had no more demands.
Letters sent once every year or two, exchanging peace and safety, were more than enough.
Not only the Xuanyin Pavilion’s guild, but also the merchant guilds of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, all ferried letters back and forth. It not only calmed people’s hearts but also earned some spirit stones.
Such guilds often carried letters back home when returning.
Only some wanted criminals, though longing for their homeland, refrained from contact, for fear of bringing trouble upon their families.
After leaving the Many Treasures Pavilion, although Lin Chang’an’s cultivation had not advanced, his expression carried a subtle change.
Seeing this, the shopkeeper behind him could only smile and shake his head. Too many cultivators, upon receiving letters from their homeland, changed in exactly this way.
……
Three days later.
A secret chamber trade fair on Five Dragon Island.
“Old Lin, did you stumble upon some hidden treasures these past few days?”
“What do you mean?”
Lin Chang’an’s face was full of doubt. However, Hu Jin, for some reason, felt that Lin Chang’an’s bearing had lightened in just three days.
“By the way, the guild channels of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance have been opened. Perhaps there will also be letters for you.”
Upon hearing this, Hu Jin immediately cast aside the doubts in his heart.
“Finally opened! Now I’ll know how the descendants of Old Ning’s family are doing. And that scoundrel Old Jia—he clearly agreed to cultivate bitterly together, yet he just gave up halfway!”
Hu Jin spoke with resentment, though deep in his eyes there was only reminiscence.
Every cultivator had their own memories they cherished.
“Enough, let’s attend the trade fair first.”
This trade fair was, in truth, just over a dozen powerful Foundation Establishment cultivators agreeing to meet in a secret location in the marketplace to trade.
As one cultivator after another arrived, a faint black mist spread within the chamber—an array that blocked spiritual sense.
It served to conceal the identities of the participants and prevent prying divine sense.
Some openly revealed their faces, smiling as they cupped their hands in greeting.
Others wore masks or cloaks, concealing their auras, and sat silently in corners.
When nearly everyone had arrived, among those leading this trade fair, Hu Jin was surprisingly one of them.
Lin Chang’an’s eye twitched at the sight. As expected, wherever Old Hu went, his connections always ran deep.
“Fellow Daoists, since everyone has arrived, I’m sure none of you wish to waste time. Let us begin trading.”
All were cultivators who had lived over a century. Their purposes here were clear, and delay would only bring complications.
It was better to finish trading and leave. As for what happened afterward, that was each one’s own business.
In total, twenty-three Foundation Establishment cultivators—all in the late stage—sat here, each exuding a powerful aura.
Even if not all sought Core Formation, they were still formidable, scheming for the benefit of their clans or descendants.
“As always, each Daoist will, in turn, present their treasures or state what they seek. If the price is right, the trade proceeds.”
Among the crowd, Lin Chang’an also wore a bamboo hat, concealing his identity. Yet remembering Hu Jin’s earlier words, that someone among them had such a demand, he gave a hoarse chuckle.
“I heard before that a fellow Daoist sought restriction-breaking talismans. I happen to have several quasi–third-rank Restriction-Breaking Talismans here. I would like to exchange them for fire or yang-attribute spiritual items that aid a spirit pet’s breakthrough.”
When Lin Chang’an spoke, many in the crowd secretly nodded.
They hadn’t expected such good things to appear so soon.
These quasi–third-rank Restriction-Breaking Talismans were rare. Moreover, the Sea Abyss of Beasts was unlike the small places of the Seven Kingdoms. Robbery, looting, or searching the caves of fallen cultivators—there were far too many opportunities.
“Fire or yang-attribute spirit items… these are hot commodities in the Sea Abyss of Beasts. After all, everyone knows that places where Sinister Spirits gather often contain Core Formation spirit items.”
Some eyes flickered, some hearts were moved.
At last, a female cultivator pondered for a moment, then raised her hand and took out a demon core from her storage pouch.
“I have here a quasi–third-rank fire-attribute demon core. Would Fellow Daoist be willing to exchange four quasi–third-rank Restriction-Breaking Talismans for it?”
By rights, a quasi–third-rank demon core was valuable. Yet the success rate of quasi–third-rank talismans was also low. Ultimately, in barter, the value depended on both parties’ agreement.
In the end, Lin Chang’an shook his head: “Fellow Daoist, four quasi–third-rank Restriction-Breaking Talismans seem a little insufficient.”
“I will add some spirit stones.”
Thus, the first trade was smoothly concluded.
After that, other cultivators one after another brought out their treasures or items they could not use, to exchange for things they needed.
A dazzling variety appeared.
There was even a rare puppet master, who revealed a Second-rank puppet with mid-Foundation Establishment strength. Even Lin Chang’an was intrigued.
Though many were envious, puppets were unlike spirit pets. If damaged, it wasn’t just a matter of costly repairs—most simply didn’t know how to fix them.
“I have here a spirit herb, one of the ingredients for refining the Crystal Condensing Pill. Though not a main material, it is still incomparably precious. I wish to exchange it for a quasi–third-rank pill that can enhance cultivation.”
When someone brought out such an ingredient, many Foundation Establishment cultivators were stirred.
The Crystal Condensing Pill—this was one of the top-grade pills assisting Core Formation.
Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered. Though tempted, he eventually shook his head inwardly.
Such auxiliary materials, while precious, were not difficult to collect slowly over time.
What he needed now was to investigate the place where Sinister Spirits gathered and to find the Yin Vein Spiritual Spring. Not only would it accelerate his cultivation, but more importantly, it would allow him to gather Core Formation spirit items.
It could also aid the evolution of the Wind-Chirp Bird—a threefold benefit.
If there were spiritual items that could help the Wind-Chirp Bird evolve, he would certainly take them.
“I have here a third-rank spiritual wood. I wish to exchange it for…”
The trade fair continued. Some sought pills, others sought cultivation methods. Each cultivator’s needs were different.
But in this gathering of late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, one thing was clear: most trades were barters of goods, rather than exchanges for spirit stones.
Hu Jin too, smiling broadly, managed to exchange for several rare metals.
Just as Lin Chang’an was reflecting that it was indeed valuable to communicate with peers, a cloaked cultivator suddenly raised a hand and released from his spirit beast pouch a dark red coffin.
At once, everyone drew in a sharp breath, their faces filled with shock.