Chapter 225: “Peh! What Are You Showing Off For”
At daybreak on the second day—
Countless low-level cultivators of Yuling Island walked out trembling, gazing at the chaotic traces left behind from the night before.
At the edge of the island, a spirit ship was half-sunken into the seabed, and the cultivators of the Lu Clan had already begun investigating the surroundings.
“The spirit ship of the robber cultivators was likely ambushed. And the one who did it seems to be a rather rare poison cultivator.”
Among cultivators, those who use poison were not uncommon, but to be known as a poison cultivator was extremely rare.
Because the cultivation techniques of poison cultivators would cause their own bodies to become filled with deadly toxins.
Though the exact identity of their benefactor remained unknown, Madam Lu acted decisively and immediately ordered the pacification of the low-level cultivators on the island.
She even chose not to salvage the sunken spirit ship. Instead, they intended to leave it as a scenic warning to deter any future robber cultivators—
To declare: Yuling Island is no easy prey.
…
At this moment, outside Lin Chang’an’s cave abode—
“Fellow Daoist Lin, your strength is indeed extraordinary. To have slain three Foundation Establishment robber cultivators!”
Lu Yujian looked full of admiration. The signs of last night's battle still hadn’t faded from his body.
But seeing the corpses of three Foundation Establishment robber cultivators inside Lin Chang’an’s abode left him silently shocked.
“Fellow Daoist Lu flatters me. I only managed thanks to the formation and my spirit pet. Otherwise, there’s no way I could have slain them so easily,”
Lin Chang’an replied with an expression of lingering fear and caution. Beside him stood the Azure-Horned Bull, exuding a late second-rank aura.
This scene made Lu Yujian nod inwardly. Fellow Daoist Lin, being at the late Foundation Establishment stage, combined with a late second-rank spirit pet and assisted by formations—such strength was quite reasonable.
But slaying and repelling were two very different things.
Lin Chang’an being able to achieve this much proved at least one thing: his strength was anything but ordinary.
“Fellow Daoist Lin is too modest.”
Lu Yujian shook his head. He dared not underestimate this cultivator.
As his mother had said, a rogue cultivator who had climbed step by step without backing might fall short in terms of insight and magical artifacts, but in terms of combat experience—
They were absolutely not to be underestimated.
Such people were all ruthless characters.
Afterwards, the two exchanged a few words, but Lin Chang’an did not invite him into the cave abode. Lu Yujian, though a sword fanatic, was well aware of the current sensitive times.
Thus, they conversed outside the abode, discussing the situation.
“I didn’t expect so much to happen last night…”
After listening to Lu Yujian’s detailed recounting of the mysterious poison cultivator who ambushed the robber cultivators' ship, causing two waves of enemies to flee in fright—
The Lu Clan initially suspected it was someone with a grudge against the robber cultivators or someone bearing hatred against the forces backing them.
Though it wasn’t stated outright, Lin Chang’an could clearly understand.
Wasn’t he just referring to Five Dragon Island?
Many cultivators didn’t dare to confront them directly, but secretly attacking after hiding their identities—wasn’t that completely normal?
“Fellow Daoist Hu had gone out previously. His cave abode was attacked by robber cultivators last night, so he wasn’t involved…”
From start to finish, Lu Yujian never once suspected Lin Chang’an. After all, just handling three Foundation Establishment cultivators and even killing them—
Who would have energy left to do anything else?
Surviving such a battle alone already proved his formidable strength.
After Lu Yujian departed, he also reported Lin Chang’an’s encounter back to the clan.
The Lu Clan was stunned, and from then on held even greater respect for Lin Chang’an.
This is the mark of true strength.
Lin Chang’an had revealed his strength while still concealing his trump cards and identity—no one suspected him in the slightest.
The attack on Yuling Island by robber cultivators left nearby islands in a state of unease.
By midday the next day, the patrol cultivators of Five Dragon Island finally arrived.
“Fellow Daoist Rong, three people attacked my cave abode last night. Fortunately, I had a formation at hand, and with the help of my spirit pet, I barely survived…”
The same words, but this time, the visiting Five Dragon Island patrol included a familiar face—
Rong Qing wore a scholarly expression. Upon hearing the account, he couldn’t help but scowl in anger:
“Those robber cultivators are truly vile.”
Lin Chang’an nodded in agreement, though inwardly he sneered.
Had he not known beforehand that this Fellow Daoist Rong Qing was colluding with the robber cultivators, he might have believed that face of his.
With that expression—who would doubt him?
“Still, Fellow Daoist Lin, your abilities are indeed impressive.”
Lin Chang’an waved humbly, saying,
“Fellow Daoist Rong flatters me. If not for the formation and my spirit pet, I would have been doomed.”
To this, Rong Qing did not doubt him. On the contrary, he nodded gravely.
“Many thanks to Fellow Daoist Lin for speaking truthfully. If you hear anything about robber cultivators in the future, do inform me immediately. I won’t let them run rampant.”
“Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Rong.”
Lin Chang’an put on a grateful face. Watching the two of them act—who could ever guess what they were truly doing behind the scenes?
The Five Dragon Island patrol visited not just Lin Chang’an—they also investigated the Lu Clan and questioned some low-level cultivators.
They looked to be doing their utmost, diligent and thorough.
The low-level cultivators were visibly moved and trusting, believing that with Five Dragon Island’s patrols around, they were now safe.
But only Foundation Establishment cultivators understood—
With these robber cultivators running rampant across Five Dragon Island’s territory, who would believe they had no backing?
After every raid, the robber cultivators always got away?
Sure, some robber cultivators were eliminated by Five Dragon Island patrols, but Lin Chang’an suspected—
Those were probably the ones without a patron.
Or, perhaps, the ones who had outlived their usefulness and needed to be “cleansed.”
It would even earn them a little credit on the official record.
“What a chaotic world this has become…”
Watching the cultivators from Five Dragon Island leave, Lin Chang’an narrowed his eyes, a cold glint in his gaze.
He didn’t want to get involved in such messes—they were nothing but a waste of time.
“Core Formation! Only after reaching Core Formation can one become a player at the table, no longer forced to hide and run.”
At least, in a small place like Five Dragon Island’s sea region, a Golden Core cultivator could finally sit at the table openly.
…
Time passed. Three months later—
The attack on Yuling Island seemed to have faded into the past. Countless low-level cultivators returned to their daily routines.
After all, in the Sea Abyss of Beasts, turmoil was commonplace.
People still had to survive.
“Damn it! My entire cave abode was turned upside down! Even the flowers and grass were burned to cinders! Those damned robber cultivators!”
Old Hu had returned—but he was furiously slapping the table, ranting about the devastation to his cave abode.
Who else had it worse than him? Out tracking demon beasts, only to come home and find his place trashed?
Seeing this, Lin Chang’an chuckled and teased:
“Alright, Old Hu. At least you managed to avoid that disaster.”
“If I’d been there, with the formation we crafted together, I’d have killed a few for sure. No way I’d let that go!”
Old Hu was clearly stifled. Though the Lu Clan had arranged for someone to help clean his cave abode, many items had been lost.
Even though he normally carried most of his valuables with him, having your own abode ransacked would anger anyone.
In the pavilion, Lin Chang’an laughed and shook his head, then brought up the matter of the robber cultivators.
After venting, Old Hu didn’t leave. Instead, after downing a few cups of spirit tea, his expression suddenly grew solemn.
“Old Lin, do you still remember what I told you before?”
“What are you talking about?”
Lin Chang’an looked puzzled, but seeing Hu Jin’s expression darken, he seemed to recall something.
“Old Hu, don’t tell me you actually found that demon beast?”
Hu Jin had previously mentioned using a secret family tracking technique. Though he’d lost the trail, he remained unwilling to give up. This last outing was a continued pursuit.
“That’s right!”
Hu Jin’s grave expression couldn’t hide the fiery glint in his eyes.
“That creature was cunning. It hid beneath a lake on an island, secretly licking its wounds. From my observations—
That third-rank demon beast is aged, likely waiting for death there. Returning to the sea would only make it prey for other demon beasts.”
Though demon beasts were powerful, they had always been suppressed by human cultivators. The greatest reason was that they fought individually.
Among demon beasts, the aged and the injured were easy targets—after all, to a demon beast, the flesh of another beast was just as nourishing.
The law of the jungle had always been this way.
Hearing Hu Jin’s words, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but reveal a look of surprise—this time, it wasn’t for show.
An aged and injured third-rank demon beast—that was no small matter.
“Old Hu, you really found it!”
After his exclamation, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of admiration.
Indeed, no one should be underestimated.
Hu Jin, too, revealed a rare trace of pride as he raised his chin and nodded.
“Of course. But it’s still no small matter. That’s why I only came to you with this.”
When he said this last part, Hu Jin couldn’t help showing a meaningful look, which Lin Chang’an naturally understood.
The distribution of profits needed to be discussed in advance.
The credit for tracking down the target was unquestionably Hu Jin’s.
“Heh, Old Lin, it’s not that I’m being stingy…”
Though the two shared basic trust, they still needed to clarify the distribution of profits.
Naturally, the share would also be adjusted based on each one’s contributions during the hunt.
But since Hu Jin had discovered and tracked it on his own, he rightfully held the power of initiative.
“But don’t worry, Old Lin. This third-rank demon beast is a Blue Crocodile Turtle. Its shell and flesh are both immensely nourishing—especially that shell. Its value is not much less than a demon core.”
Old Hu explained—different types of demon beasts had vastly different values. Some could be worlds apart.
For example, compared to a Sinister Spirit Beast King, which yielded only a single Sinister Spirit Core and nothing else after a hunt, this was far superior.
Among demon beasts, those like flood dragons—or any with dragon blood—were the most valuable.
From a single drop of blood to their scales, tendons, horns—each part was a priceless treasure.
Any demon beast with “dragon” in its name was at least twice as valuable as others of the same rank, if not more.
After hearing this, Lin Chang’an took out the Beast Compendium of the Sea Abyss.
“Blue Crocodile Turtle. A demon beast native to the Sea Abyss. Fierce in temperament and highly combative…”
Reading the entry, Lin Chang’an nodded quietly.
“Old Lin, what do you say—shall we join forces for this hunt?”
Hu Jin looked eager. The reason he came back was precisely because he didn’t feel confident going alone.
Having an extra person meant a greater chance of success.
Hunting a demon beast and fighting one were two entirely different things.
Faced with Hu Jin’s invitation, Lin Chang’an didn’t hesitate. He directly asked in a low voice:
“How many people know about this?”
“I swear, just the two of us! I haven’t told anyone else!”
Once he confirmed it was just the two of them, Lin Chang’an pondered briefly before nodding in agreement.
Though he had a third-rank spirit pet, the Wind-Chirp Bird, hunting a demon beast of the same rank was never easy.
This time, they had finally found a vulnerable one—injured and aged. He also had a trump card in his spirit pet. If he still didn’t dare to go after it—
Then what had he cultivated for?
Of course, there was another reason: the allure of the demon beast’s materials.
Just as Hu Jin had said—if the shell of the Blue Crocodile Turtle was intact, it could rival a demon core in value.
With both of them working together, they could essentially obtain materials equivalent to a demon core’s worth—plus flesh, claws, and other parts.
This was nothing like his three years of hunting Sinister Spirits, where he could only watch them dissipate day after day, without even getting a hair in return.
“No time to waste. The longer we delay, the more variables arise. Let’s set out now.”
“Agreed!”
Both were decisive men. Lin Chang’an and Hu Jin didn’t hesitate. After a quick bit of packing, the two left Yuling Island together.
Over the years, they had often traveled together to Five Dragon Island or other marketplaces to trade, so no one found anything unusual.
…
Outer Seas.
A small yet extravagantly luxurious spirit ship drifted slowly across the ocean.
The formation engravings on the ship’s hull were actually third-rank.
For context, ordinary spirit ships with second-rank formations were already rare.
Third-rank—that wasn’t something just any power could afford.
“Young Master, we’ve been out here for over two months. Is what that man said really true?”
Onboard, a proud young cultivator lazily stroked the halberd in his hand, not even raising an eyebrow at the words spoken beside him.
“Senior Brother, you’ve cultivated for over a hundred years. Do you not even have this bit of patience?”
The light remark made the senior brother bow his head awkwardly and say:
“Yes, Young Master is right!”
This senior brother was none other than Rong Qing of the Five Dragon Island Patrol, who now had to act as a bodyguard simply because of one word from this Young Master of the Long Clan.
Seeing Rong Qing’s respectful demeanor, the Young Master of the Long Clan, Long Changfeng, secretly shook his head in disdain.
This Rong Qing Senior Brother—always pretending to be righteous. Isn’t he tired?
Long Changfeng let out a soft chuckle, then turned to ask another cultivator onboard—a figure held in high regard.
“Elder Li, where are we now?”
This cultivator was a False Core Realm guest elder surnamed Li—the same one who had battled Lin Chang’an and lost his third-rank Copper-armored Corpse.
“We’ve already entered the Outer Seas.”
Elder Li’s rugged exterior concealed a meticulous mind. After his previous defeat, all his arrogance had vanished.
“Young Master, Elder Li—this humble one swears! I really did find an injured third-rank Blue Crocodile Turtle with my teammates. I’ve even left a tracking mark on it…”
A pudgy, middle-aged cultivator in the mid Foundation Establishment stage hurriedly entered, groveling as he swore loyalty, insisting he wasn’t lying.
But Young Master Long Changfeng simply waved his hand with a careless smile:
“Alright, keep looking. But if you waste my cultivation time, I won’t mind teaching you the meaning of the word consequences.”
As he uttered “consequences,” a vicious glint flashed across his brows.
The rotund Foundation Establishment cultivator was immediately terrified, bowing repeatedly in assurance.
The others acted as if nothing had happened. Clearly, here on this ship, it was the late Foundation Establishment Long Changfeng who was in charge.
“But we’re getting farther and farther from Five Dragon Island. The Young Master’s safety is a serious matter. Should we call another guest elder to join us?”
The cautious voice came from Elder Li, the False Core cultivator—prompting a twitch of Long Changfeng’s eye.
Coward.
He truly wondered how this man had even cultivated to such a level.
“Elder Li, this spirit ship has third-rank formations. With you piloting it, even a mid Core Formation cultivator wouldn’t be able to stop us.
Besides, we’re not far from one of our Five Dragon Island bases.”
With a calm tone, Long Changfeng made it clear—there was no need for another elder.
Elder Li said no more, appearing dutiful on the surface, but inwardly, he cursed.
Showing off, huh? If my surname were Long, I’d have been a real Core Formation cultivator already. You’re just coasting on your background.
Peh! Only reason I’m here is because Five Dragon Island pays well.