Chapter 280: Sect Foundation
Blood Fiend Scarlet Sun Formation
“Master!”
The Sword Attendant panted heavily. Having just broken through to the mid–Foundation Establishment Realm, activating the Talisman Treasure consumed a tremendous amount of her mana.
Fortunately, inside the formation there were Fire-devouring Demon Spirits restraining the enemy. Otherwise, with the Sword Attendant’s mid–Foundation Establishment cultivation—even with a Talisman Treasure in hand—
A False Core Cultivator would not have been so easy to deal with.
The opponent had also underestimated the Sword Attendant, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, and never imagined she possessed a Talisman Treasure.
The battle ended quickly.
First, both sides were already injured and unable to unleash their full strength.
Second, the two enemies were trapped within the formation and eager to escape, naturally exposing weaknesses.
There was another crucial point.
The opponent had never imagined that Lin Chang’an, a wandering cultivator who had formed a Golden Core, had also cultivated body refinement—and had reached the mid Second-rank.
Equivalent to the strength of a mid–Foundation Establishment body cultivator.
Dual cultivation of body and magic—even disciples of great sects rarely pursued such a path. It was not merely a matter of resources.
More importantly, cultivators always felt that time was insufficient when striving to form a Golden Core. Who would waste time cultivating the body?
Caught off guard, the terrifying strength of a mid Second-rank body cultivator—comparable to a humanoid demon beast—directly smashed the opponent apart at close range.
Over the years, with the assistance of demonic energy in cultivation, Lin Chang’an’s progress in body refinement had not been slow at all.
“Not bad.”
Seeing the Sword Attendant arrive, Lin Chang’an nodded in satisfaction and praised her.
Although she had relied on the formation and the power of the Talisman Treasure, the fact that she remained calm in danger and seized the opportunity to attack a False Core Cultivator greatly pleased Lin Chang’an.
At the very least, in his heart the Sword Attendant had advanced another step in status—no longer merely a Nascent Soul opportunity.
After all, for a mid–Foundation Establishment cultivator to attack a False Core Cultivator meant risking her life.
If she failed, her mana would be nearly exhausted.
“Your servant has implicated Master!”
After arriving, the Sword Attendant’s face was filled with guilt. She believed she had been targeted and had thus dragged her master into action.
Lin Chang’an did not explain further. With a calm expression, he casually tossed aside the corpse in his hand.
Within his palm, unnoticed, the roots of his Life-bound Spirit Plant had already retracted back into his body.
At the moment he smashed the opponent apart and seized the Golden Core, Lin Chang’an had grasped the opportunity to read the opponent’s memories.
This type of memory reading was equivalent to obtaining a vast library of knowledge from the other party, though it did not allow him to directly master everything.
Just like reading the same books—some people could not even pass the scholar examination, while others became top scholars. The principle was the same.
“I didn’t expect that back then the three elders of the Divine Sword Sect each fled with a portion of the sect’s foundation. They haven’t contacted each other all these years.”
This man had hidden with the remnants of the Divine Sword Sect in the Fog Sea of Tongtian.
Later, his wife fortunately formed a False Core. The two of them had always wanted to revive the Divine Sword Sect.
“The Divine Sword Sect’s foundation was divided into three parts. These two have been hiding everywhere over the years. They even tried to rebuild the sect in the Fog Sea of Tongtian, but most of their resources were consumed. Now there’s not much left.”
If it were other Core Formation cultivators, they might have been interested in the Divine Sword Sect’s foundation.
But what Lin Chang’an coveted was the sect’s accumulation of classics over several hundred years.
“Clean up the battlefield.”
Lin Chang’an spoke calmly.
The earlier appearance of the Wind-Chirp Bird had also been concealed by the formation.
With the Sword Attendant’s Foundation Establishment cultivation, she could not discern the truth and would only think it was some kind of Fire-devouring Demon Spirit condensed by the formation.
“Yes, Master!”
As the battle ended, Lin Chang’an raised his hand. The blazing world within the formation gradually faded, revealing a scorched valley.
The storage pouches and magical artifacts of the two Divine Sword Sect cultivators were collected.
“As expected of the foundation of a major sect. These two possessed quite a few magical artifacts.”
Just the magical artifacts alone made Lin Chang’an instantly wealthy. He could not help but sigh in admiration.
No wonder some people still became robber cultivators even after reaching Core Formation.
The profits were simply too fast.
Their flying swords—one was a low-grade Third-rank magical artifact, the other a mid-grade Third-rank.
Even the golden net magical artifact was actually a mid-grade Third-rank magical artifact.
Combined, the two storage pouches contained more than forty thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones. There were also many scattered materials such as talismans.
Even the pills previously obtained from Chihuo Peak had now returned to their original owner.
“Before, people envied me for earning Spirit Stones, yet the only magical artifact I had worth mentioning was the Blood Fiend Sword. I even felt poor. Now in the blink of an eye I’ve gained three magical artifacts.”
Looking at the harvest this time, Lin Chang’an nodded inwardly in satisfaction.
At the same time, there were also the Divine Sword Sect’s accumulated classics—this was the true foundation of a sect.
While the Sword Attendant cleaned the battlefield, Lin Chang’an secretly read the memories of the female Core Formation cultivator.
After consecutively probing the memories of two Core Formation cultivators, even his mid–Core Formation divine sense felt exhausted.
“Fellow Daoist Lin!”
At that moment, reinforcements from the Xuanyin Pavilion arrived outside the formation.
This time it was actually Fairy of Rainbow Skirt and Liu Ruyu personally.
Their arrival clearly showed the importance they placed on this matter.
As the formation opened and they saw the situation inside, both were startled.
“Two fellow Daoists.”
Lin Chang’an put away the formation and greeted them with a cupped-fist salute. His expression showed faint exhaustion, and his robes were slightly disordered.
“I didn’t expect someone to be so blind as to target my attendant. I’ve already killed them.”
Lin Chang’an did not mention that the two were from the Divine Sword Sect.
After all, remnants of the Divine Sword Sect still existed.
If the matter were exposed, not only would he have to guard against hidden enemies—
People would also ask:
Where did the hundreds of years of accumulation from the Divine Sword Sect go?
Did you obtain it?
All of that would become trouble.
Therefore Lin Chang’an said nothing about it, merely claiming they were demonic cultivators who had targeted his Sword Attendant.
“What audacity!”
Liu Ruyu showed anger upon hearing this.
She particularly despised demonic and sinister cultivators.
Especially those who targeted female Foundation Establishment cultivators as furnaces for harvesting yin and supplementing yang.
Neither of them doubted his words much.
After all, furnace cultivation methods were very common in the Beast Sea Region.
However, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt frowned slightly and quietly swept the surroundings with her divine sense.
But the traces had all been concealed by the formation. She could only vaguely sense that a battle had occurred here.
“For sinister cultivators to secretly infiltrate the territory of our Xuanyin Pavilion… someone may be trying to stir up trouble.”
Fairy of Rainbow Skirt frowned deeply.
She suspected someone was attempting to provoke internal conflict within the Five Dragon Island Sea Region.
Lin Chang’an sighed and said,
“Not only the Five Dragon Island Sea Region. I heard other sea regions are also unstable, especially our neighboring Star Pole Sea.”
From beginning to end, the Sword Attendant stood respectfully behind Lin Chang’an and never spoke a word.
As for the hidden truth, it was not important to her.
Because of this incident, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt even sent letters in the name of the Xuanyin Pavilion to the Four Seas Merchant Guild and the Long Clan to explain the seriousness of the matter.
Soon afterward, the three major forces launched a joint investigation across Five Dragon Island.
Many demonic and criminal cultivators were discovered and hunted down, and for a time Five Dragon Island became much calmer.
While the three factions believed that demonic cultivators were secretly stirring chaos and began strengthening defenses—
Lin Chang’an had already brought the Sword Attendant back to Tianquan Peak.
……
Tianquan Peak.
“Master…”
Inside the cave abode, the Sword Attendant slowly opened her eyes, reluctantly separating the palms pressed together with Lin Chang’an.
Dual cultivation benefited both sides.
However, when the difference in cultivation realms was large, the weaker party benefited more.
Over the years, every time she cultivated with her master, she gained tremendous benefits.
Especially the chaotic mana within her body—it would calm for a period afterward, allowing her Heavenly Spirit Sword Body to temporarily regain its cultivation talent.
That was why she had reached the mid–Foundation Establishment Realm in just over a decade.
A Core Formation cultivator assisting in dual cultivation, combined with the Heavenly Spirit Sword Body comparable to a Heavenly Spirit Root, plus the Core Formation cave abode of Tianquan Peak—
One could say her cultivation conditions were completely maxed out.
They were not inferior to those of sect prodigies.
“Not bad. Your foundation is solid. But remember—never be careless. Even I tread carefully in the world of cultivation.”
Lin Chang’an reminded her solemnly.
The previous incident had taught him one lesson.
In the cultivation world, no one could say whether tomorrow or an accident would arrive first.
“Master can rest assured. The Sword Attendant will definitely cultivate diligently.”
She nodded firmly, which made Lin Chang’an feel quite gratified.
After the Sword Attendant respectfully withdrew, Lin Chang’an felt inwardly astonished.
“The talent of the Heavenly Spirit Sword Body is truly terrifying. In sword cultivation, she understands almost everything instantly.”
In just over a decade, she had cultivated the Killing Origin Sword Art to such a level that even Lin Chang’an felt envious.
Even during dual cultivation, the faint influence of the Heavenly Spirit Sword Body actually enhanced his own sword-path divine abilities.
【Sword Shadows Follow the Heart (Proficient 973/1000)】
This divine ability—once greatly valued by the Blood Fiend True Lord—had progressed rapidly ever since he began dual cultivation with the Sword Attendant.
“If I can cultivate this divine ability to the Grandmaster level, even the Blood Fiend True Lord never achieved that.”
Lin Chang’an was secretly shocked.
Of course, part of the reason was that the Blood Fiend True Lord had obtained this divine ability from a secret realm only shortly before.
But through the fragmentary memories he possessed, Lin Chang’an knew roughly the level the Blood Fiend True Lord had reached.
This divine ability was one of his most important offensive methods.
“I wonder what kind of brilliance it will show once the Heavenly Spirit Sword Body forms a Golden Core and cultivates this ability.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head.
The Sword Attendant was only at the mid–Foundation Establishment Realm. Even with extraordinary talent, forming a Golden Core would still take time.
“However, the accumulation of the Divine Sword Sect is truly abundant.”
Lin Chang’an raised his hand and a jade slip fell into his palm.
After forming a special hand seal—
He used the Bloodthirsty Poison Vine to imitate the mana produced from the absorbed blood essence of the Divine Sword Sect Core Formation cultivator and injected it into the jade slip.
Only then did the seal on the jade slip unlock.
This was a special sect seal designed to prevent others from accessing it.
If the unlocking failed even once, the jade slip would instantly turn to ashes.
The next moment, an ocean-like torrent of information flooded out—
Various sword arts, secret techniques, ancient texts, secret records, and countless other inheritances of the Divine Sword Sect.
Even the divine sense of a Core Formation cultivator could not fully examine them at once.
“Hundreds of years of accumulation, and even part of the inheritance of the Mystic Yin Divine Sect… This foundation is truly not something wandering cultivators can make up with one or two lucky encounters.”
Only after truly understanding a sect’s foundation could one comprehend the difference.
It was the result of countless cultivators—tens of thousands of people—accumulating knowledge over generations.
Not something one or two powerful cultivators could achieve.
“Fortunately I possess the Mysterious Sky Immortal Vine. Otherwise even late Core Formation cultivators probably couldn’t access these memories that were sealed with restrictions.”
Of course, Nascent Soul cultivators could do it with ease.
Shaking his head, Lin Chang’an walked to the desk.
With a wave of his hand, blank jade slips floated out from the shelves.
He began copying and categorizing them.
Perhaps the Divine Sword Sect had lost some inheritances during their hurried escape, but this still contained most of the sect’s primary legacy.
For Lin Chang’an, it was an enormous treasure.
“Unfortunately the Divine Sword Sect specialized in the Sword Path. Their Third-rank inheritances are mostly formations. There is very little regarding alchemy or artifact refinement—and not a single talisman inheritance.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head.
But after thinking carefully, it made sense.
The Seven Kingdoms were poor lands. Even the Yue Country was considered wealthy.
Back then, the entire Yue Country did not even have a Third-rank artisan.
How could there be many Third-rank inheritances?
If a cultivator truly possessed Third-rank craftsmanship, they would not remain in the impoverished Seven Kingdoms.
Materials were simply too scarce.
This was also one reason why Master Lu had been welcomed by the three major sects when he arrived in the Yue Country.
A Third-rank alchemist with little lifespan remaining—
Which sect would not want him to refine pills for them?
“However, poor lands have their advantages as well.”
“These cultivators make sure nothing goes to waste. The countless precious Second-rank skill foundations are the best base.”
Lin Chang’an was already satisfied.
He had obtained most of a sect’s inheritance for free.
Although he had already reached the Third-rank in talismans, alchemy, and formations—
His foundations still lagged behind those of great sect cultivators.
The gap might not show now.
But later it would become increasingly difficult.
This inheritance essentially filled his shortcomings.
Moreover, he possessed an avatar and two clones assisting him, which would greatly accelerate his progress.
“Next, it’s time to prepare for refining my Life-bound Magic Treasure.”
Lin Chang’an frowned slightly.
The shelves were now filled with neatly categorized jade slips.
He then walked deeper into the cave abode until he reached the Earthfire Cavern.
Passing through the formation barrier—
A world of magma appeared before his eyes.
A gigantic Fusang Divine Tree stood rooted in the center.
The surrounding hardened rock was embedded with formation plates forged from various precious materials, forming the formation used to assist him in refining his Life-bound Magic Treasure.
“Master!”
After entering the Earthfire Cavern, the Wind-Chirp Bird excitedly flew out from the Spirit Beast Pouch.
But soon it looked reluctant as it stared at the giant tree.
“Master… are you really going to refine all of it? Can’t you leave some for me?”
The Wind-Chirp Bird looked utterly heartbroken.
After all, this was its nest.
The Fusang Divine Tree—even though it had been eroded by demonic energy—was still extremely beneficial to fire-attribute spirit beasts.
Standing on Lin Chang’an’s shoulder, the Wind-Chirp Bird massaged his shoulders and fanned him with its wings in blatant flattery—completely opposite in personality to the Azure-Horned Ox.
“You think I don’t know what you’re plotting?”
Lin Chang’an rolled his eyes.
But refining his Life-bound Magic Treasure concerned his future strength—he would not be soft-hearted.
“Don’t worry. With this special refining method, the Fusang Divine Tree will remain alive. And I still need your help purifying the demonic energy.”
According to the method recorded on the Mysterious Sky Immortal Leaf—
The entire Fusang Divine Tree had to be refined.
However, the vitality would be preserved using the power of the Mysterious Sky Immortal Vine.
Otherwise, with the tree so heavily corroded by demonic energy, the usable material would be extremely limited.
Only with this method could he refine a complete set of thirty-six Sun-piercing Swords with pure yang attributes in one attempt.
But for now, the Fusang Divine Tree still needed to be nourished with his blood essence for some time.
Fortunately, it would not take much longer.