Chapter 278: Ten Years
Time passed like a shuttle; in the blink of an eye, ten years had flown by.
For a Core Formation cultivator, ten years of seasons were nothing more than the flick of a finger.
Ever since discovering remnants of the Divine Sword Sect at the Trading Gathering ten years ago, Lin Chang’an had sold that information to the Xuanyin Pavilion.
The Divine Sword Sect was one of the Three Major Sects of the Yue Kingdom. Even though it had been destroyed, it still possessed extremely important foundations and inheritances, which were now controlled by the fleeing remnants.
After losing the protection of their sect’s power, those inheritances had undoubtedly become a piece of fat meat.
The target was still a False Core Cultivator, along with a Core Formation elder who was suspected to be severely injured. How could anyone possibly let them go?
Back then, the hatred between the Xuanyin Pavilion and the Divine Sword Sect, as well as the Palace of Blazing Fire, was no less than Lin Chang’an’s.
Lin Chang’an felt no guilt whatsoever. Taking the tens of thousands of Spirit Stones obtained from selling the information, he cultivated peacefully.
Unfortunately, it was said that even though Fairy of Rainbow Skirt personally took action, the target ultimately still escaped.
Celestial Spring Peak.
“Formation Master Lin, how is this formation?”
The Core Formation cultivator surnamed Fan, who had exchanged Core Formation Spirit Items for spirit pets at the Trading Gathering ten years ago, now had a face full of relief.
Fortunately, this third-rank formation had truly been genuine. During these ten years of hunting demon beasts, it had saved his life many times.
Lin Chang’an looked at the slightly damaged formation and waved his hand with a smile.
“It’s only minor wear and tear. The main formation plate and formation flags are intact. It won’t take much effort. Leave these two auxiliary formation flags here, and come back to retrieve them in two months.”
“Haha, as expected of Formation Master Lin. Your craftsmanship truly speaks for itself!”
The Core Formation cultivator surnamed Fan gave a thumbs-up in admiration. Back then he had hesitated whether he had made the right choice.
But after ten years of experience, he had become absolutely certain that his decisiveness back then had been wise.
“I’m not exaggerating—right now, who in the entire Five Dragon Island Sea Region doesn’t know the quality of Formation Master Lin’s formations?”
Facing the flattery, Lin Chang’an shook his head with a smile.
“That’s because many of you hide the truth. If it’s for hunting demon beasts, I naturally design the formation with durability as the priority and add extra materials.
Although this reduces some of the formation’s power, for cultivators who hunt demon beasts long-term, it greatly reduces repair costs in the future.”
“If it’s a Mountain Protection Formation, then I mainly use wood-attribute spiritual materials. When nurtured by a spiritual vein for a long time, the formation’s power can even increase by another ten to twenty percent over time.”
Lin Chang’an explained with a smile, and the Core Formation cultivator surnamed Fan nodded in admiration.
Although he did not fully understand the details, Lin Chang’an’s reputation as a third-rank formation master had spread widely over the years.
Many Core Formation cultivators and families had come to order formations, although most of them were quasi–third-rank grand formations.
But in the last ten years, the number of cultivators hunting demon beasts had been increasing.
After selling formations, the long-term income from repairs had allowed Lin Chang’an to earn enormous profits.
At the same time, the Xuanyin Pavilion had also earned quite a lot.
All kinds of high-grade materials needed to be purchased through them. Even if they did not profit directly from their own elders, the large-scale procurement of such materials still brought tremendous customer traffic to the Xuanyin Pavilion’s shops.
The pavilion’s other industries—pills, formations, magical artifacts, and talismans—had all invisibly gained considerable profits.
“Formation Master Lin, how many Spirit Stones will this repair cost?”
“Not much. For Fellow Daoist Fan, let’s say three thousand five hundred mid-grade Spirit Stones.”
Although the Core Formation cultivator surnamed Fan felt some pain after hearing the price, Lin Chang’an’s repaired formations were truly reliable, so he did not fuss over this amount of Spirit Stones.
Inside the pavilion, Lin Chang’an watched the other party leave with a smile and nodded in satisfaction.
After the man left, however, Lin Chang’an shook his head.
With a casual motion, he stored the two broken formation flags into a jade box and wrote down instructions for the repair.
“Send these formation flags to the Xuanyin Pavilion. Tell them this is a third-rank formation. After guiding them for so long, they should at least be able to start repairing auxiliary formation flags by now.”
“Yes!”
The Sword Attendant beside him respectfully cupped her fists and stored the jade box into her Storage Pouch.
Over the years, she had long become extremely familiar with such tasks.
Lin Chang’an remained calm. As an elder of the Xuanyin Pavilion, he naturally had the responsibility to guide and teach.
He often instructed the less capable second-rank formation masters within the sect.
Whenever auxiliary flags from third-rank formations appeared—especially those with slightly lower difficulty—he would send them to the sect disciples for practice.
Because of Lin Chang’an’s generosity as a Guest Elder, many cultivators within the sect gave him thumbs-up in admiration.
After all, in the world of cultivation, it was extremely common for people to guard their techniques closely, fearing that others might steal their skills.
Someone like Lin Chang’an, who openly guided others, was almost equivalent to teaching personal disciples.
Because of this, Lin Chang’an had gained great respect within the sect over the years. Even the Palace Master of Rainbow Skirt increased his stipend by twenty percent after learning of it.
“Guarding one’s broom and fearing others might steal your skills is understandable… but I won’t remain stagnant forever.”
【Low-grade Third-rank Formation Master (Proficiency 395/500)】
Inside the pavilion, Lin Chang’an looked at the progress of his formation mastery and revealed a satisfied smile.
Over the years, his formation skills had improved rapidly.
Aside from having many opportunities to practice formations, the more important factor was the Xuanyin Pavilion’s accumulation of formation knowledge, as well as the ancient formation insights he had traded for ten years ago.
“Although ancient formations differ greatly from modern formations, almost all modern formations evolved from those ancient formations.”
Thinking of the ancient formation he had traded for back then, Lin Chang’an nodded.
It had been expensive, but for him, it was definitely worth it.
That was because his talent allowed him to continuously accumulate formation experience. If it had been an ordinary formation master, they might not have felt the same.
“For this Heavenfire Grand Formation, substitutes have already been found for more than ten materials. Three materials still have substitutes, but their effects are unsatisfactory. It seems more experimentation is required.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head.
Once he completely understood this ancient formation, it would likely be the moment his skill broke through to a mid-grade third-rank formation master.
At the same time, it would also be the day he fully mastered this ancient formation—giving him yet another trump card.
【Lifespan: 164 / 603】
【Realm: Early Core Formation (27 / 100)】
“My cultivation has steadily improved, and my lifespan has increased by another three years.”
Seeing his cultivation progress steadily, Lin Chang’an could not help but smile with satisfaction.
Now he gained three cultivation experience points every two years.
The old feeling—where cultivation advancement felt like walking through mud, as though stagnation might happen at any moment—had completely disappeared.
An Upper-grade Golden Core, combined with his current top-grade Spiritual Root, and even the demonic energy that constantly refined his spiritual root aptitude…
Over these years, he had truly experienced what it felt like to be a genius.
“Moo!”
At that moment, the Azure-Horned Ox let out a flattering moo while biting the hem of his trousers, making Lin Chang’an roll his eyes and glare at the foolish ox.
“You’re really something. Ten years already! Still no breakthrough? Are you planning to wait until you become an old ox?”
Although he scolded it, Lin Chang’an helplessly shook his head and took out two Spirit Fruits from his Storage Pouch.
“Moo! Moo!”
Upon receiving the Spirit Fruits, the Azure-Horned Ox immediately showed joy and excitedly began chewing the crisp, sweet fruit.
Seeing that the Azure-Horned Ox had gradually returned to normal spirits over the past half year, Lin Chang’an nodded secretly.
Sure enough, this was the true process of bloodline mutation and evolution.
The Wind-Chirp Bird’s fiery rebirth had been too extreme, which was why it had been so dangerous.
During these ten years, aside from eating and drinking, the ox had spent nearly all its time in deep sleep—so much so that Lin Chang’an had even lost his mount when going out.
However, although the Azure-Horned Ox’s body did not seem to have changed much in appearance…
The Sword Attendant had once discovered that when the ox slept deeply, white mist occasionally flowed from its mouth and nose. After corroding the surroundings, nearby lotus flowers and green plants turned to powder.
After hearing this report and recalling the ox’s previous berserk state, Lin Chang’an had already formed a rough guess.
“The bloodline inside its body has stabilized… it should advance soon.”
Looking at the carefree, gluttonous ox, Lin Chang’an shook his head.
If he had known this fellow would sleep for ten years, why would he have rushed so anxiously to prepare Core Formation Spirit Items?
He had been so hurried and nervous—yet the ox simply slept inside the cave abode every day.
Compared to the Wind-Chirp Bird, the difference was like heaven and earth.
One had eight hundred schemes in its mind; the other had a single-track brain entirely devoted to eating.
Of course, the Wind-Chirp Bird’s diligence was largely due to the terrifying experience of its previous fiery rebirth breakthrough.
…
Blazing Fire Peak.
“Alchemist Wen, how are my injuries?”
A middle-aged Core Formation cultivator with graying hair arrived at the door. His complexion was sallow and his voice hoarse as he asked.
Alchemist Wen was actually Lin Chang’an’s avatar.
Over the years, the avatar had publicly cultivated a wood-attribute cultivation method. As an alchemist who also practiced medicine, nothing about it seemed unusual.
Such a situation was completely normal in the cultivation world.
This was also something Lin Chang’an had deliberately arranged.
After all, his main body cultivated the Killing Origin Sword Art, which everyone outside already knew. Naturally, no one would connect him with Alchemist Wen.
Even if some flaw appeared and the matter of the ancient cultivation method were exposed, he could simply let Alchemist Wen take the blame.
After all, that ancient cultivation method was connected to the Palace of Blazing Fire—so caution was necessary.
Today, the injured Core Formation cultivator had come seeking treatment.
Lin Chang’an’s avatar, Alchemist Wen, calmly checked the man’s pulse and examined his body before frowning.
“Fellow Daoist, you’ve delayed this injury for at least ten or twenty years, haven’t you?”
“As expected of Alchemist Wen.”
The middle-aged Core Formation cultivator smiled bitterly after being exposed in a single sentence.
“To be honest, I was injured while fighting someone many years ago. Since then I’ve been hiding in the Fog Sea of Tongtian. Only recently did I hear that my enemy has died, so I dared to come out.”
Lin Chang’an had no interest in the man’s experiences. Alchemist Wen simply shook his head.
“Fellow Daoist, this injury has already damaged the foundation of your Golden Core. If you want it to heal naturally, you would need a heavenly and earthly spirit treasure.”
“Alchemist Wen, at my age, I’ve long stopped hoping to repair my foundation. I only ask whether you can treat the burdens on my body. Otherwise this body may not last much longer.”
The middle-aged cultivator shook his head. At his age, he no longer had illusions about the path of cultivation.
Lin Chang’an secretly nodded.
The Golden Core was damaged—it was obvious the man had experienced a fierce battle and used secret techniques that overdraw potential.
If he used his Xuantian mana to treat it, the injury could naturally be fully healed.
But such a secret could never be revealed.
“If it’s only bodily injuries, they seem to come from yin-cold damage. Ordinary third-rank healing pills cannot cure it. The best method is to take a third-rank fire spirit pill together with healing pills, and cultivate in a fire-attribute spiritual land…”
Alchemist Wen slowly explained.
The other party did not suspect anything. After all, he was already on Blazing Fire Peak, so he assumed the advice was natural.
After all, only he himself knew the true nature of his injuries.
“Many thanks, Fellow Daoist.”
Lin Chang’an sold two third-rank pills and naturally felt delighted.
The other party also nodded secretly. As expected of a third-rank alchemist—he had immediately identified the problem.
Originally, he had not wanted to risk coming to Five Dragon Island.
But within the Fog Sea of Tongtian, a severely injured Core Formation cultivator could easily become a target.
Moreover, the most dangerous place was often the safest place.
Thinking of this, the middle-aged cultivator mused silently:
“The Xuanyin Pavilion would never expect me to come here for treatment.”
“Thirty thousand mid-grade Spirit Stones.”
After stating the price, Alchemist Wen revealed a smile.
Because the avatar and the main body shared consciousness, it was essentially Lin Chang’an conducting the transaction.
“Fellow Daoist, I do not have enough Spirit Stones on hand. May I use these materials instead?”
The middle-aged cultivator took out item after item of materials, most of which were products from the Fog Sea of Tongtian.
Lin Chang’an nodded secretly.
It seemed the man had truly come from there.
However, Lin Chang’an did not care whether the man was a robber cultivator or a demonic cultivator—as long as he paid.
“Very well. These materials will serve as payment.”
Both sides smiled.
When materials were used as payment, they usually came with a premium.
And with the Lu Clan and the Xuanyin Pavilion handling sales, selling these materials would be easy. That was why Lin Chang’an was satisfied.
The middle-aged Core Formation cultivator also sighed in relief.
He did possess thirty to fifty thousand mid-grade Spirit Stones.
But if he spent them all, his reserves would nearly be depleted—and as someone constantly hiding and fleeing, Spirit Stones were extremely convenient.
Thus he could only give the other party a bargain by paying with materials.
After the transaction, the middle-aged cultivator revealed an extremely cautious personality. He did not want to remain even a moment longer.
Lin Chang’an did not find this suspicious.
Cultivators from the Fog Sea of Tongtian who were not cautious had long since died.
“Another good profit.”
After the man left, Alchemist Wen smiled in satisfaction.
Sure enough, after reaching the third rank, formation and alchemy incomes were extremely lucrative. Artifact refinement was not far behind either.
【Low-grade Third-rank Alchemist (Proficiency 459 / 500)】
Over the years, his alchemy skill had steadily improved.
After all, in terms of demand, alchemists were still the most needed.
Whether Foundation Establishment cultivators or Core Formation cultivators—everyone needed pills.
Formations, however, were relatively high-end, and ordinary cultivators could not afford them.
It was only because Lin Chang’an had spent years building connections that the profits had gradually increased.
Especially among demon-beast hunters—formation wear and tear was extremely common.
And that was something Lin Chang’an was more than happy to see.
The more reliable his formations were, the more those cultivators would survive—and the more long-term income he would gain.
“I wonder what background that man has. He looked extremely cautious, clearly worried about something. It seems his so-called enemy probably hasn’t died as he claimed.”
But that no longer concerned him.
However, just as Lin Chang’an was happily tallying his earnings, his expression suddenly froze.
“Something’s wrong! That aura is—!”
At that same moment, Lin Chang’an’s main body in the pavilion on Celestial Spring Peak also suddenly stiffened.
“That’s the aura of the False Core Cultivator from the Divine Sword Sect remnants that the Sword Attendant mentioned before!”
With his powerful perception, he could clearly sense that the middle-aged cultivator who had visited his avatar at Blazing Fire Peak was associated with that person.
As for the middle-aged cultivator’s identity, he did not know it before—but now he had roughly guessed.
“I didn’t expect to encounter them like this.”
Lin Chang’an could not help but feel astonished.
The remnants that the Xuanyin Pavilion had searched for ten years without finding had just delivered themselves to his door?
He had not noticed earlier because he had never seen the middle-aged cultivator before.
But after the man left Blazing Fire Peak, he met with another False Core Cultivator. The two then disguised themselves as Foundation Establishment cultivators and passed by him.
That naturally exposed them.
“One False Core and one severely injured Core Formation cultivator. They may look weak, but a cornered dog will leap over the wall. It’s better not to take the risk.”
Although tempted, Lin Chang’an calmly considered the situation and suppressed his greed.
In such a situation, the other party would fight desperately.
Moreover, at his peak, that Core Formation cultivator had probably been a mid Core Formation cultivator.
“However… I can inform the Xuanyin Pavilion. Since these two came to Five Dragon Island to heal, they certainly won’t leave easily.”
Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an smiled.
The Xuanyin Pavilion would surely be delighted.
And he could make another profit.