Chapter 258: Repairing the Magic Treasure
With the successful conclusion of the first auction, Five Dragon Island seemed to have regained its former prosperity. The marketplace gathering was especially lively and bustling.
As usual, the marketplace gathering featured three auctions, each held at an interval of three months, spanning a total of nine months.
For cultivators, such a nearly year-long marketplace gathering was truly a rare opportunity.
Even many who had been in closed-door cultivation emerged, heading to the marketplace in search of suitable treasures—many of them clearly hoping to find bargains.
“A feast must eventually come to an end. Old Lin, you and I are now both Core Formation cultivators, with a few hundred years of lifespan left—plenty of chances to meet again.”
At the Five Dragon Island dock, after the final auction concluded, Bihai Palace and various merchant ships were preparing to depart.
Hu Jin wore a hearty smile, cupping his hands at the dock.
Dressed in white, Lin Changan also smiled freely and cupped his hands in return. “Old Hu, you at the Discipline Hall aren’t as free to cultivate peacefully as I am. Be cautious in all things.”
“Don’t worry. This Old Hu still has to fulfill the ancestral ambition—to become a formidable Nascent Soul powerhouse.”
The two exchanged glances and laughed together.
Though both had now reached the Core Formation stage, they had embarked on their own paths.
At the dock, Lin Changan watched as Bihai Palace’s merchant ship disappeared from sight.
“This Old Hu...”
Lin Changan shook his head with a smile as he looked at the jade slip in his hand—it was something Hu Jin had left for him.
It contained methods for nourishing and repairing magic treasures—clearly meant to help him with the damaged spirit of the Blood Fiend Sword.
Compared to refining a new life-bound magic treasure, even if this one’s spirit was damaged, it was still a mid-grade third-rank magic treasure.
Nourishing and repairing it would certainly be easier than creating a new one from scratch.
“If I can truly repair the Blood Fiend Sword, even restoring it to a high-grade third-rank level, it’d be an extremely powerful magic treasure.”
Lin Changan nodded to himself. Though treasures belonging to others could only exert seventy to eighty percent of their full power, a mid-grade third-rank magic treasure was already far beyond what ordinary Core Formation cultivators could obtain.
“Ordinary Core Formation cultivators can’t afford even a mid-grade third-rank magic treasure.”
At that moment, aboard the Bihai Palace merchant ship disappearing into the clouds, Hu Jin looked down at the jade slip in his hand and couldn’t help but click his tongue.
“Old Lin is really generous. This trade was absolutely worth it.”
The jade slip clearly recorded an upgraded version of the third-rank Confounding Five Elements Formation. Previously, he and Lin Changan had collaborated to craft a quasi–third-rank version of the formation.
Now, the jade slip contained notes on what materials to add and how to upgrade the formation plate and flags without affecting the patterns on the formation plate.
The contents were extremely detailed, including operational techniques for third-rank formations.
No matter how close the relationship, exchanges of favors were still necessary. If only one side kept benefiting, that bond would eventually dissolve.
...
In the sea region around Five Dragon Island, as the marketplace gathering concluded, various major powers began working together to stabilize the situation.
After all, decades of turmoil had cost everyone dearly.
The Long Clan, Xuanyin Pavilion, and two other Core Formation families jointly moved to restore order, prompting other forces to follow suit in resuming peace.
Celestial Spring Peak.
【Lifespan: 146//599】
【Realm: Early Core Formation (3/100)】
“Just one mid-grade third-rank demon core short for the Spirit-Mending Pill... Looks like I’ll have to check out the Fog Sea of Tongtian.”
In his cave abode, Lin Changan opened his eyes and frowned quietly.
It wasn’t that he wanted to take risks—but mid-grade third-rank demon cores rarely appeared on the open market and were mostly traded privately among cultivators.
For example, last time he’d only gotten one by trading under his identity as a third-rank Alchemist with Xuanyin Pavilion.
If he relied solely on his skills to slowly accumulate spirit stones and wait for the next trade event, it would only waste precious cultivation time.
He may be just over 146 years old, but every advancement in the Core Formation stage was calculated in sixty-year cycles or even centuries.
The final two auctions hadn’t had what he needed. While many other items had tempted him, crafting the Spirit-Mending Pill remained the priority.
“No wonder that True Lord Lu was so generous. It’s incredibly difficult to enhance spiritual roots and core quality. How many would actually sacrifice for their descendants?”
At that thought, Lin Changan shook his head.
And that was just using a mid-grade third-rank demon core to refine the Spirit-Mending Pill, which would only elevate a cultivator’s spiritual root and core quality to mid-grade.
He, on the other hand, possessed three third-rank skills—and in a few decades, he might have four.
Ordinary Core Formation cultivators, even those from core families or sects, couldn’t afford to be this wasteful.
“The resources for one Spirit-Mending Pill could fund ten Core Formation attempts.”
And that was just for a mid-grade enhancement. The higher the quality, the greater the cost.
Even he hadn’t dared think about aiming for top-grade qualities.
Which was more important—spending resources on cultivation or on boosting potential?
Even Nascent Soul-level powers typically wouldn’t be this extravagant.
All this, just to enhance a cultivator’s spiritual root and golden core to mid-grade?
“Su Miaoyin is truly enviable.”
Thinking of Su Miaoyin in her Daoist robes, Lin Changan couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy. This was the true face of having a Nascent Soul father in the cultivation world.
In such a vast world, cultivators like True Lord Lu who planned so far ahead for their descendants were exceedingly rare.
“Only a handful of Nascent Soul cultivators, with only one or two descendants and a deep sense of familial bond, might be willing to go that far.”
The cultivation world didn’t lack spirit items that could enhance spiritual roots and core quality. Lin Changan had heard of many such treasures.
But every one of them was beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.
“Looks like I really do need to make a trip to the Fog Sea of Tongtian.”
With that thought, Lin Changan, seated at his desk, turned his gaze toward the tabletop.
There, a pale-golden talisman shimmered faintly. It appeared to be an ordinary talisman, but at its center was an ancient character for “Tranquil.”
“The low-grade third-rank Tranquil Spirit Talisman is extremely effective against pure Sinister Spirits, and also quite potent against corpse puppets and zombies.”
Gazing at the five third-rank talismans before him, Lin Changan nodded in satisfaction.
Though they were just low-grade third-rank talismans, they were extremely effective counters against Sinister Spirits and their kind.
“For offense, I have the mid-grade third-rank magic treasure, Blood Fiend Sword. As for defense... I still have another magic treasure.”
His expression turning serious, Lin Changan retrieved a Water Spirit Pearl riddled with cracks.
This magic treasure was one he had obtained while using his identity as Master He to help the Wind-Chirp Bird break through, only to be targeted by the Long Clan’s He-surnamed False Core Cultivator during the slaying of a third-rank Copper-armored Corpse.
“Unfortunately, this magic treasure is damaged. Repairing it won’t be quick—but for now, it can still barely offer some defensive use.”
In the jade slip Hu Jin had gifted him, although several methods for nourishing and repairing magic treasures were recorded, it wasn’t something simple to do.
“But my current resources already far surpass those of ordinary Core Formation cultivators. I also have the Wind-Chirp Bird and various methods to counter Sinister Spirits.
Against a mid-stage third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast King, with these methods of suppression, if it can exert early third-rank strength, that would already be impressive.”
Though he was only 146 years old, in cultivation, every step behind meant falling further and further behind.
At present, Five Dragon Island had returned to peace, but who knew when chaos might strike again? Strength was the only foundation—everything else was fleeting.
“Just one more mid-grade third-rank demon core... better make the trip first.”
With that thought, Lin Changan began storing the third-rank talismans into his storage pouch and started preparing for the journey.
“The Wind-Chirp Bird must come along. The Azure-Horned Ox can stay home this time—this isn’t a long journey. Barring accidents, I should be back in one or two months.”
Besides, the Azure-Horned Ox’s strength at present wouldn’t be of much help.
Soon, Lin Changan finished his preparations and went into the underground Earthfire Cave to bring out the reluctant Wind-Chirp Bird, leaving the Azure-Horned Ox to guard the cave abode.
With the mountain-protecting grand formation linked to the spirit vein, and at such a crucial moment, no one would dare to force their way in—especially with Xuanyin Pavilion still having three Core Formation cultivators.
One could say the cave abode was extremely secure.
Then Lin Changan declared to the outside that he was entering seclusion, activated the protective formation, and quietly concealed his aura and left Five Dragon Island without a trace.
...
Deep within the Fog Sea of Tongtian, on a mist-shrouded island—
Covered by formation barriers and sea fog that blocked divine sense, no one could tell what was happening inside.
Within the barrier, sharp screeches echoed.
“Back when I hunted Sinister Spirits, I could sense this aura from afar. Now that I’m here again, as expected—it’s two powerful Sinister Spirit Beast Kings.”
This was another reason for coming. After all, back when he was planning his Core Formation, he had explored this region for twenty years and was very familiar with it.
He had relied on powerful perception to avoid and document countless terrifying and dangerous islands.
Now that he was in the Core Formation stage, those once-terrifying auras felt different.
“Two early third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast Kings—not bad at all.”
Lin Changan smiled with satisfaction. Though they weren’t mid-stage third-rank, two early third-rank demon cores were worth even more than a single mid-grade Five Elements demon core.
Among equivalent ranks, demon cores with special attributes were most valuable—especially Yin and Yang, which had broad applications and even higher value.
Within the formation, the two third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast Kings howled in fear, while the Wind-Chirp Bird screeched joyfully as it attacked.
Two-on-one at the same rank, and with an overwhelming attribute suppression, the two Sinister Spirit Beast Kings were terrified and had no fighting spirit.
Within the formation barrier, countless other Sinister Spirits had already been devoured by the Wind-Chirp Bird’s terrifying flames.
“It’s about time to end this. I can test how effective the Tranquil Spirit Talisman really is against Sinister Spirits.”
With a focused expression, Lin Changan summoned a talisman that emanated a restrained aura. In the next moment, it transformed into a streak of light and shot toward one of the Sinister Spirit Beast Kings.
“Roar!”
Upon noticing the attack, the beast king howled furiously and swung a sharp claw. Yet the golden talisman, clearly not an offensive type, stuck right onto its arm.
Third-rank Talisman · Tranquil Spirit Talisman
In an instant, the roar of the early third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast King abruptly halted. Its vicious green eyes were filled with terror, and its body suddenly froze as if immobilized.
Witnessing the remarkable effect of the Tranquil Spirit Talisman, Lin Changan couldn’t help but exclaim.
“These Sinister Spirit Beast Kings are, after all, nothing more than condensed Yin Qi—purely spiritual soul bodies.”
And the Tranquil Spirit Talisman just so happened to target the soul directly—capable of temporarily immobilizing the spirit and rendering cultivators unable to move.
And since Sinister Spirits had no physical body to buffer the effect, they were completely countered by the talisman.
“Roar...!”
A hoarse groan issued from the beast’s throat. After just a breath’s time, its body began to tremble slightly.
This was the prelude to the Tranquil Spirit Talisman losing effect.
But that was enough. In the instant the Sinister Spirit Beast King was frozen, the Wind-Chirp Bird shrieked and transformed into a golden fire phoenix, swooping down in a flash.
The other Sinister Spirit Beast King, terrified by the blazing flames, could only dodge instinctively.
And so, in the terrified gaze of the immobilized beast king, the Wind-Chirp Bird pierced its body, reducing it to ash in the next moment.
The early third-rank Sinister Spirit Demon Core was then clutched in the Wind-Chirp Bird’s beak.
“Though both are third-rank demon beasts, the Sinister Spirit Beast Kings clearly lack the intelligence of normal beasts.”
If it were another third-rank beast, it would never abandon its companion so quickly—knowing full well that numbers gave them a chance of escape.
At this moment, Lin Changan stepped forward and opened a jade box to collect the ashes left behind by the fallen beast king—a rare material known as Sinister Spirit Ash.
Aside from the demon core, this was the only valuable item a Sinister Spirit Beast King would leave behind.
The remaining beast king didn’t last long either—it too was slain by the Wind-Chirp Bird, yielding another low-grade third-rank demon core and a small amount of Sinister Spirit Ash.
Lin Changan then waved his hand, dispersing the fire-element spiritual energy within the formation. The surroundings returned to a dim gray, leaving only the defensive barrier active.
Only those who run a household know the value of thrift—some things had to be saved where possible.
Such a basic defense barrier barely consumed any spirit stones, instead sustained by the formation itself absorbing ambient spiritual energy.
Only third-rank formations and above possessed such capabilities.
“This Fog Sea of Tongtian truly is eerie. So many Yin Spirit Veins—it’s no wonder the Sinister Spirits here are endless. This place is practically a paradise for them.”
While abundant Yin Spirit Veins were normal at sea, this place clearly went beyond natural expectations.
“Perhaps this is the work of nature’s mysterious craftsmanship.”
Lin Changan sighed to himself. Core Formation cultivators were powerful—but before heaven and earth, even they were merely slightly stronger ants.
“Yin Vein Spiritual Spring... the area where these two Sinister Spirit Beast Kings were found truly isn’t ordinary. There’s even a fair amount of Blackwater Liquid.”
Smiling broadly, Lin Changan patted his storage pouch and retrieved the jade bottle he had used to collect Core Formation spirit items before reaching Core Formation himself.
Using Object Manipulation Technique, he carefully drew the Blackwater Liquid from the Yin Vein Spiritual Spring into the bottle.
“And then, this Tranquil Spirit Talisman.”
As Lin Changan raised his hand, the previously used talisman that had immobilized the Sinister Spirit Beast King was still there.
By this stage, third-rank talismans could be called true spiritual talismans. As long as their energy wasn’t fully spent, they could still be used again—though with reduced effectiveness.
Much like a Talisman Treasure.
Now, the Tranquil Spirit Talisman in his hand was visibly dimmer than before.
Similarly, offensive third-rank talismans could be reused when manipulated by cultivators—but if a Core Formation cultivator used one, it was likely against an equal or stronger foe.
They typically wouldn’t hold back.
“Master.”
The Wind-Chirp Bird shrunk to palm size and landed directly on Lin Changan’s shoulder, affectionately spitting out the two Sinister Spirit Demon Cores it had collected.
“With this, I can finally trade for that last mid-grade third-rank demon core.”
Gazing thoughtfully, Lin Changan couldn’t help but sigh. Though the trip to the Fog Sea of Tongtian had tempted him, refining the Spirit-Mending Pill remained the top priority.
“Indeed, the stronger I become, even I find it hard to suppress the greed in my heart.”
Just now, he had thought—with his Core Formation strength, plus the Wind-Chirp Bird, the formation, and talismans that completely countered Sinister Spirits...
A desire to hunt a few more Sinister Spirit Beast Kings and earn extra spirit stones had quietly arisen in his heart.
After all, there were too many areas where Core Formation cultivators needed resources.
“But the Fog Sea of Tongtian doesn’t only pose threats from Sinister Spirits. The dangers here are countless. I had only ever explored its edges cautiously. I must not be careless.”
It was rumored that terrifying varieties of demon beasts dwelled deep within. Taking a deep breath, Lin Changan decided to return for now.
He would come again when his cultivation and strength were higher.
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