Chapter 276: Powerful Privileges 【Requesting Monthly Votes】
Five Dragon Island Marketplace.
Lin Chang’an brought his Sword Attendant as the two of them made their way to the auction.
However, the auction mainly contained items needed by Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment cultivators, so he had no interest in participating.
He had come here mainly for the trading gathering of Core Formation cultivators.
“True Person Lin, please take a seat.”
On the top floor of the pavilion, inside a spacious hall, seats had already been prepared.
Lin Chang’an directly sat down with his Sword Attendant. One after another, serving maids presented Spirit Tea, Spirit Wine, and Spirit Fruit, all of which were received by the cold-faced Sword Attendant.
Then the Sword Attendant respectfully knelt beside him, serving wine and peeling the skins of Spirit Fruits.
Enjoying himself comfortably, Lin Chang’an calmly said to the passing maids,
“Bring me a copy of the intelligence report on the situation in the Beast Sea Region Sea Abyss.”
“Please wait a moment, True Person.”
The maid naturally dared not delay. She respectfully bowed and quickly withdrew to fetch a report on the turbulent situation of the Sea Abyss.
If a Foundation Establishment cultivator wanted such intelligence, it would cost at least several hundred Spirit Stones.
But for a Core Formation cultivator, the circle was different. What Foundation Establishment cultivators treasured was already beneath the notice of Core Formation cultivators.
Soon after the maid delivered the intelligence report, other False Core and Core Formation cultivators also arrived one after another.
“Fellow Daoist Lin.”
“True Person Lin.”
As each cultivator entered, Lin Chang’an displayed a friendly smile and greeted everyone with cupped fists.
Then the Core Formation and False Core cultivators all took their seats, waiting for the trading gathering to begin.
This trading gathering was jointly hosted by the Four Seas Merchant Guild, the Long Clan, and Xuanyin Pavilion.
While waiting, Lin Chang’an lowered his head and began reading the intelligence report in his hand.
Although he had already learned some information from Old Hu’s voice-transmission message, it was not comprehensive enough.
He still had to pay close attention to the unstable situation and his own safety.
If it was only localized turmoil, then as a Core Formation cultivator he could still be considered high-end combat power.
But if it involved the turmoil of Nascent Soul forces, then once caught in the middle of it, even Core Formation cultivators would merely be slightly stronger ants.
Thus, he paid special attention to it.
“The two Palace Masters of Bihai Palace have been in seclusion for nearly two hundred years, and they did not even appear during the grand celebration of their nine-hundred-year birthdays.”
Looking at the intelligence report about the situation in the Sea Abyss of the Beast Sea Region, Lin Chang’an could not help but ponder secretly.
The two Palace Masters of Bihai Palace were already late-stage Nascent Soul experts.
Yet the rumors remained the same as before.
Some said the two Palace Masters were preparing to break through to the Deity Transformation Realm.
Others said they had suffered severe backlash while cultivating and their vitality was greatly damaged.
Still others claimed that they had fought fierce battles years ago and exhausted their lifespan, and now their lives were nearing their end.
All sorts of rumors existed.
But the two Palace Masters who once dominated the Sea Abyss had not shown themselves for a long time. The Inner Sea was still relatively stable.
However, in the various sea regions of the Outer Sea, many forces were already restless and had begun probing the situation.
“It seems that the Beast Sea Region Sea Abyss will not settle down anytime soon. Although the Five Dragon Island sea region is still relatively peaceful, preparations must always be made.”
Looking at the report, Lin Chang’an could not help but shake his head secretly.
Although the Sea Abyss experienced disturbances every day, turmoil involving Nascent Soul forces was completely different from the unrest below them.
……
“Thank you, fellow Daoists, for honoring us with your presence. This is the catalog of the auction below. All fellow Daoists may browse it. If you see something you like, simply instruct the attendants below.”
At the head of the main hall were three seats representing the organizers of the gathering: the Four Seas Merchant Guild, the Long Clan, and Xuanyin Pavilion.
This time the representative from Xuanyin Pavilion was Liu Ruyu. When she saw Lin Chang’an, she nodded slightly in greeting, and Lin Chang’an responded with a light smile.
Although the three factions had their private frictions, none of them would refuse the chance to earn Spirit Stones openly.
The Five Dragon Island Marketplace held a grand celebration once every ten years, while a Core Formation cultivator trading gathering and auction were held every three years, hosted in rotation by the three factions.
This time it happened to be the Four Seas Merchant Guild’s turn.
The one representing them was an unfamiliar Core Formation cultivator who waved his hand with a bold smile.
One after another, well-trained and graceful late Qi Refinement female cultivators entered the hall in orderly succession.
These noble late Qi Refinement female cultivators, who were usually proud outside, displayed their charm freely before the Core Formation cultivators.
Each of them hoped to become the concubine of a Core Formation cultivator.
“Come, come, fellow Daoists, drink this fine wine first. Let us rest briefly before discussing trades.”
The Four Seas Merchant Guild was indeed wealthy and generous. With a hearty laugh, they served rare Spirit Fruits and Spirit Wine.
If a False Core or Core Formation cultivator took interest in one of the women, the maid would remain beside them, drinking and entertaining.
Meanwhile, at the center of the banquet, Foundation Establishment female cultivators danced gracefully to the sound of beautiful instruments.
“My master is served by me alone!”
An alluring female cultivator walked over slowly with bright eyes. Just as she respectfully bent down to present the auction catalog—
The Sword Attendant cast a cold glance and took the catalog from her hands, leaving behind a frosty remark.
Seeing this scene, Lin Chang’an could not help but smile silently.
Sometimes having a considerate maid truly was quite nice.
A nearby Core Formation cultivator laughed and said,
“Fellow Daoist Lin truly has a sense of humor, even bringing your beautiful concubine along.”
Lin Chang’an did not refute the remark. Instead, he smiled and nodded.
“Fellow Daoist Feng, sometimes cultivating one personally brings greater satisfaction. Of course, it is also more reliable.”
Though it sounded like teasing, it was also a subtle jab at the Four Seas Merchant Guild.
After all, the maids and dancing Foundation Establishment female cultivators present at the banquet were all from the merchant guild’s internal families, clearly intended to win over the attending cultivators.
Many False Core cultivators were merely playing along with the occasion.
Of course, some were genuinely indulgent—after all, reaching Core Formation meant enjoying life was only natural.
Others simply did not wish to offend the Four Seas Merchant Guild.
But True Core cultivators, especially those with backing, naturally did not fear such matters.
Thus, a clear scene appeared in the banquet hall.
The False Core cultivators were surrounded by maids on both sides, enjoying their service, while most True Core cultivators merely watched the dancing Foundation Establishment female cultivators with indifferent expressions.
If they truly wanted concubines, True Core cultivators would choose from those Foundation Establishment women instead.
How could they possibly take interest in mere Qi Refinement female cultivators?
“Master.”
The Sword Attendant respectfully knelt beside the table and presented the auction catalog.
Yet when Lin Chang’an saw her slightly flushed ears, clearly affected by the earlier remark, he chuckled softly.
“This auction actually has quite a few good items.”
Opening the catalog, Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered.
Although he did not obsess over power struggles, he understood the games between these factions well.
After all, he was a Guest Elder of Xuanyin Pavilion.
The auction held every three years rotated among the three major factions. This time, with the Four Seas Merchant Guild hosting, it was clear they had invested heavily.
Who would have imagined that while the auction below had just begun and the lower cultivators were excitedly bidding—
Up here at the Core Formation trading gathering, the entire collection of valuable auction items had already been compiled into a catalog.
Every Core Formation cultivator present had a copy.
In other words, if anyone here took interest in an item, they could immediately pay Spirit Stones and take it directly from the auction.
And that item would never appear on the auction stage.
This was the status brought by strength in the cultivation world.
……
“Come, come, let’s drink!”
“True Person Tianjing truly remains as imposing as in the past.”
The trading gathering of Core Formation cultivators was also a social arena of fame and connections. Groups of friends chatted and laughed together, while others took the opportunity to form relationships.
“How about this top-grade Spirit Artifact?”
The Sword Attendant froze slightly as Lin Chang’an opened the catalog with a smile and pointed at a finely crafted inner armor.
A top-grade Spirit Artifact.
In times of danger, it could activate a golden defensive barrier capable of blocking a strike from a False Core cultivator.
“Master…”
When the Sword Attendant realized what he meant, a blush spread beneath her snow-white neck.
Lin Chang’an simply nodded calmly and raised his hand.
The catalog floated into the hands of a waiting maid.
“Purchase this item.”
“Please wait a moment, True Person.”
Many of the maids present widened their eyes.
Among Core Formation cultivators, how many would be willing to buy a top-grade Spirit Artifact for a servant or maid?
Even the dancing Foundation Establishment female cultivators cast alluring glances, trying to display their figures before this generous Core Formation True Person.
“Haha, Fellow Daoist Lin is truly generous.”
Not only the female cultivators, but many False Core and Core Formation cultivators also looked over—some envious, others sighing.
This was the advantage of being a lone cultivator.
Resources were concentrated in one person, without needing to consider descendants or family development.
At the same time, another Core Formation cultivator could not help but say enviously,
“A Third-rank Formation Master truly lives luxuriously.”
Although Core Formation cultivators appeared lofty, most actually lived rather tightly.
After all, they needed enormous resources for cultivation, and many also had to support families, descendants, or sects.
Resources were never enough.
But Lin Chang’an was a Third-rank Formation Master—a direct symbol of wealth.
Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded to everyone, but inwardly he could not help sighing.
The reason cultivators pursued cultivation relentlessly—
Aside from chasing the Immortal Path—
Wasn’t it also to enjoy the privileges corresponding to their strength?
Without the temptation of privilege, where would cultivators find the motivation to work so hard?
The power of life and death over low-level cultivators was also a privilege brought by strength.
Besides Lin Chang’an, several other cultivators also selected items they wanted and had the maids retrieve them directly.
After all, many cultivators had families, descendants, or sects.
Without going through bidding, they could directly take the items at the bottom price.
Thus each Core Formation cultivator usually took at most one or two items. Taking more would risk offending the hosting faction.
……
After several rounds of wine, the Core Formation cultivator from the Four Seas Merchant Guild responsible for the gathering laughed heartily.
“Fellow Daoists, we have plenty of fine wine here, but I dare not delay your important matters. If any complaints arise, I would not be able to bear the responsibility.”
The mid Core Formation cultivator of the Four Seas Merchant Guild used the joke to liven the atmosphere.
“Let’s begin the trading. Afterwards, if any fellow Daoist wishes to stay and enjoy the fine wine of the Four Seas Merchant Guild, there will be plenty!”
With this hearty laughter, the trading gathering officially began.
“Since that is the case, the trading gathering begins.”
As the announcement was made, the alluring female cultivators dancing in the center revealed faint disappointment.
But none dared act out of line.
They respectfully bowed to everyone and slowly withdrew.
These Foundation Establishment female cultivators were treasures of the Four Seas Merchant Guild.
Naturally they could not be casually sent to serve others.
Otherwise, if the guild later tried to use them to win over another cultivator and that cultivator realized the woman had already accompanied someone else previously—
Not only would the guild fail to win them over, it might even offend them.
As the trading gathering began, a False Core cultivator cupped his fists to everyone.
“I will shamelessly start by throwing out the first brick to attract jade.”
With a wave of his hand, several demon-beast materials appeared from his Storage Pouch.
“These are materials from a third-rank early-stage demon beast. My strength is limited, so I only received these scraps. If any fellow Daoist is interested, feel free to take them.
I only wish to exchange them for some spiritual wood materials…”
The first person to appear was actually a Core Formation cultivator cultivating a wood-attribute cultivation method, which made Lin Chang’an curious.
But once he looked closer, he could only feel speechless.
The man had indeed spoken the truth.
At first hearing, materials from a third-rank demon beast sounded extremely valuable.
But upon inspection, they were truly just scraps.
Naturally Lin Chang’an had no interest, but for ordinary False Core or Core Formation cultivators, they were still excellent materials.
“Fellow Daoist, I have a piece of quasi–third-rank spiritual wood…”
The trading gathering quickly became lively.
The low-level female cultivators serving nearby watched with wide eyes.
These high-level materials were things they had barely even heard of in their entire lives.
Yet despite their excitement, these Qi Refinement female cultivators understood one thing clearly.
Most of them existed merely to accompany these high-level cultivators.
Those truly qualified to become concubines of Core Formation cultivators were the Foundation Establishment women who had danced earlier.
Each of those women was a pure maiden.
They were not casually given away, but reserved for political marriages.
“I have a treasure pearl…”
After years of unrest in the Five Dragon Island Marketplace, stability had only returned in recent years. This auction made Lin Chang’an nod slightly, while also noticing certain details.
“First, many high-level cultivators have accumulated valuable materials. Second, demon-beast materials have clearly increased. This reflects that many Core Formation cultivators have also sensed the unstable situation.”
Thus, in order to strengthen themselves, many Core Formation cultivators had begun taking risks hunting demon beasts.
After watching for a while, Lin Chang’an also began considering his own needs.
The refinement of his Life-bound Magic Treasure would still take some time, and he lacked no materials for it.
But he should begin preparing resources for the Azure-Horned Ox to break through to the third rank.
“I have a third-rank early-stage demon core from a Sinister Spirit Beast King. I wish to exchange it for one or two high-quality earth-attribute demon-beast Core Formation spirit items.”
Boom!
As Lin Chang’an spoke calmly and raised his hand, revealing the third-rank demon core, many False Core cultivators present were instantly shocked.
This demon core had naturally been obtained when he and the Sword Attendant hunted in the Fog Sea of Tongtian.
For a Core Formation cultivator, hunting a third-rank demon beast was not unusual.
But those who could obtain the demon core—the main resource—were almost always the strongest participants.
Taking out such a demon core casually already drew attention from many Core Formation cultivators.
But the item Lin Chang’an wanted to trade for caused even greater surprise.
Earth-attribute demon-beast Core Formation spirit items.
Many people immediately thought of Lin Chang’an’s spirit pet mount.
As for Lin Chang’an possessing the demon core of the Sinister Spirit Beast King, many Core Formation cultivators could roughly guess the reason.
The Killing Origin Sword Art naturally restrained sinister spirits.
Additionally, the Mountain Protection Formation of Lin Chang’an’s cave abode was fire-attribute.
Thus hunting sinister spirit beasts was easier for him than hunting ordinary demon beasts.
Although the profits would be somewhat lower, overall it was still worthwhile.
“Congratulations in advance, Fellow Daoist Lin. It seems you will soon gain another third-rank spirit pet.”
“Yes, third-rank spirit pets are extremely rare.”
Facing the congratulations, Lin Chang’an cupped his fists with a smile.
“Then I will accept everyone’s auspicious words.”
Although everyone knew that breakthroughs were difficult, the fact that Lin Chang’an could prepare third-rank breakthrough resources for a spirit pet already demonstrated extraordinary wealth.
Some unfamiliar cultivators secretly asked around. When they learned Lin Chang’an was a Third-rank Formation Master, they immediately showed expressions of envy.
In that case, it was no longer surprising.
The reason Lin Chang’an made it public was also simple.
The Azure-Horned Ox was his publicly known spirit pet.
It could not be hidden anyway.
It was better to reveal it openly so that preparing resources would be easier.
More importantly, no one would imagine that Lin Chang’an—who was already a Third-rank Alchemist—had already raised a third-rank spirit pet and would raise another.
He had not forgotten that the Mystic Yin Divine Sect was secretly investigating the whereabouts of the Wind-Chirp Bird.
This matter alone had already given the Long Clan a tremendous headache.