Chapter 290: Old Hu Arrives
With the emergence of the secret realm of the Sinister Soul Sect, an excessive number of cultivators flooded the surrounding sea regions, causing continuous turmoil.
Even though the restrictions currently only allowed Qi Refinement Cultivators to enter, it still attracted many Foundation Establishment and Core Formation Cultivators to gather here.
Some had come well prepared, sharpening their blades in advance, while others intended to fish in muddy waters. It could be said that dragons and snakes were mixed together.
On this day, at the docks of Five Dragon Island.
The Core Formation Cultivators of the three major forces — the Long Clan, the Four Seas Merchant Guild, and the Xuanyin Pavilion — had all arrived here to welcome them, which immediately caused many cultivators in the marketplace to cry out in surprise.
“I heard that the Bihai Palace has sent a team of Enforcement Hall Cultivators to station here.”
“That’s truly great news. At the very least, things on the island will become more orderly.”
“Indeed. Recently there have been far too many foreign cultivators arriving, making everyone uneasy.”
After learning that cultivators from Bihai Palace were arriving to guard the island, many cultivators in the marketplace breathed a sigh of relief.
“Recently many clans and sects have formed teams of Qi Refinement Cultivators to venture in and investigate, but in the end they suffered heavy casualties.
“The information brought back said that there are Sinister Spirits everywhere, along with terrifying Sinister Beasts and puppets…”
Nishang Fairy’s voice-transmission reached Lin Chang’an’s ears. He could not help but nod secretly. Beside him, Liu Ruyu and Xu Lingfeng also had solemn expressions.
Clearly, the three major forces all had their own small groups.
As if worried that Lin Chang’an might misunderstand, Nishang Fairy also explained:
“The disciples of Xuanyin Pavilion are not easily cultivated. Moreover, Qi Refinement disciples going this time would almost certainly die, so naturally we will not arrange for them to go.
“But the subordinate clans are different. Many people are still willing to take this risk for that slim chance of opportunity…”
Listening to Nishang Fairy’s explanation, Lin Chang’an understood.
It was nothing more than the cultivator clans attached to Xuanyin Pavilion sending their people, while Xuanyin Pavilion provided some magical artifacts and pills for protection, and at the same time promised these clans certain benefits.
Both sides were willing. Xuanyin Pavilion wanted intelligence about what lay inside, while those clan cultivators wanted to risk everything for a sliver of opportunity.
Such things were normal in the cultivation world. After hearing it, Lin Chang’an merely sighed softly.
If it had been his former self, with no hope for the future, then if such an opportunity appeared, even with great danger, he would likely have risked trying.
In the cultivation world, many cultivators did not even have the chance to choose.
Opportunities that held hope would never fall to Drifting Cultivators (low-level cultivators). Sending Drifting Cultivators in naturally meant near-certain death.
But for Drifting Cultivators, only by placing themselves in desperate situations could they seize that single thread of hope.
“Even just an opportunity is already a tremendous fortune for Drifting Cultivators.”
Having once walked the path of a Drifting Cultivator himself, Lin Chang’an deeply understood this and could not help but shake his head secretly.
Life and death were unpredictable. As for difficulty? If it were not difficult, how could it ever be the turn of Drifting Cultivators?
“A place where Sinister Spirits gather… it seems fire-attribute materials will rise in price next.”
Lin Chang’an merely sighed briefly before thinking about his own interests.
In the cultivation world, the strong prey upon the weak. Precisely because he knew he was weak, he worked tirelessly to cultivate.
Now, what qualifications did he have to pity others? In the eyes of high-level cultivators, he was merely a slightly stronger ant.
At the same time, Lin Chang’an also showed goodwill toward Nishang Fairy, the Pavilion Master who was trying to win him over.
“The ships have arrived!”
At that moment, a shout rang out. The next instant, the clouds in the sky were torn apart.
“This is Bihai Palace!”
Under the shocked gazes of countless low-level cultivators, what appeared in the sky was not a single massive ship but densely packed giant spirit ships — over a hundred of them.
Even Lin Chang’an was shocked by such a grand display.
In the next moment, enormous spirit ships slowly descended from the sky, radiating terrifying pressure.
Such a spectacle shocked not only him; even the Long Clan showed astonishment.
With just these hundred spirit ships alone, conquering Five Dragon Island would have been effortless.
“Haha! We’ve finally arrived.”
With a bold laugh, the cultivators of the Bihai Palace Enforcement Hall appeared one after another.
Nearly twenty Core Formation Cultivators exerted an overwhelming pressure instantly felt by everyone present.
The three major forces immediately changed expressions before showing respectful attitudes.
Bihai Palace had merely revealed the tip of the iceberg, yet it was already enough to make resistance impossible.
Within the crowd, Lin Chang’an also saw Old Hu standing at the back.
Old Hu winked at him with a grin, showing no intention of hiding it. Lin Chang’an could only smile helplessly.
This Old Hu really was…
But Lin Chang’an also understood that Old Hu was deliberately doing this — letting others know he had some connections with Bihai Palace.
“Quickly unload the cargo. This old man intends to gather with all fellow Daoists tonight.”
The leading Bihai Palace cultivator was a burly man with a dark face. As he laughed boldly, the aura of a Late Core Formation Cultivator burst forth.
While the three major forces conversed with Bihai Palace, Lin Chang’an, standing within the crowd, suddenly understood the situation.
No wonder.
Although Bihai Palace was powerful, it was not extravagant enough to casually dispatch twenty Core Formation Cultivators.
Clearly, Bihai Palace had taken advantage of this opportunity to escort merchant ships, bringing many cultivators along the way.
The ones truly remaining on the island were only three Core Formation Cultivators and several dozen Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
At the same time, Lin Chang’an also realized that Bihai Palace was Bihai Palace — while the merchant ships under the Sixth Elder were another matter entirely.
“This Master Tan previously sent word that he also wanted to profit from this opportunity. He should arrive before long.”
Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered as he pieced together the truth.
Just like himself.
Publicly, he was a Guest Elder of Xuanyin Pavilion.
Privately, he cooperated with the Lu Clan to run merchant ships — his personal business.
A force as large as Bihai Palace naturally would not allow its members to squander resources freely. Powerful cultivators accumulating resources for themselves and their descendants was perfectly normal.
Meanwhile, the three major forces of Five Dragon Island, along with several Core Formation Cultivators, gathered within the marketplace with smiles to welcome the Bihai Palace cultivators.
Everyone became acquainted. The three Core Formation Cultivators from Bihai Palace were stationed here mainly to maintain stability in the marketplace.
To put it bluntly, Bihai Palace was also using this opportunity to earn a large amount of Spirit Stones through merchant shipping.
After all, this secret realm might last for decades.
When it eventually became more intense and allowed Foundation Establishment and Core Formation Cultivators to enter, even stronger figures from Bihai Palace would likely arrive.
After a banquet ended, Lin Chang’an returned to Celestial Spring Peak.
After all, today’s spectacle was clearly a method used by Bihai Palace to intimidate and stabilize the turbulent situation.
It had nothing to do with him.
……
Night gradually descended.
Under the bright moonlight, blooming peach blossoms released a fragrant scent.
On the stone table inside the pavilion, however, a table filled with spirit dishes and spirit wine had been prepared.
“Master.”
After placing the spirit wine she had just retrieved from the cave abode, the Sword Attendant respectfully stepped aside.
She showed no curiosity whatsoever about why her master had returned and arranged such a table of spirit wine and spirit meat at night.
This calm obedience — executing tasks without asking questions — was precisely the trait Lin Chang’an appreciated most in a Sword Attendant.
“Moo!”
At that moment, the Azure-Horned Ox suddenly lifted its head, sensing something outside the barrier, and let out a deep moo.
“Haha! Well now, Old Lin — your life is truly comfortable. You even keep a young and beautiful concubine.”
Old Hu’s figure appeared, bursting into hearty laughter the moment he saw Lin Chang’an.
Lin Chang’an shook his head helplessly.
Old Hu was still exactly the same as before.
“Moo!”
When the Azure-Horned Ox saw the visitor, it also revealed joy. It immediately emerged from the water and happily ran toward Hu Jin.
“Whoa! A Third-rank Spirit Pet! Old Lin, I truly envy you now.”
Seeing the Azure-Horned Ox, Hu Jin could not hide his genuine envy.
Why had he never raised a spirit pet before?
Now looking at Lin Chang’an…
“Being in Bihai Palace, Old Hu — are you really lacking such things?”
Lin Chang’an smiled and teased him.
After many years apart, the two old friends looked at each other and both laughed.
Meanwhile, the Azure-Horned Ox happily accepted two Spirit Fruits placed before it, nodding with satisfaction before leisurely returning to the pool.
To it, these were all familiar people.
The Sword Attendant stood respectfully outside the pavilion, waiting quietly for orders.
“Honestly, Old Lin — you really do have the demeanor of an elder now.”
Looking around at Celestial Spring Peak and Lin Chang’an’s current life, Hu Jin sighed with envy.
Back when they were in the Yue Kingdom, had they not dreamed of reaching Core Formation and living such a life?
Unfortunately, although Hu Jin entered Bihai Palace through ancestral connections and lacked no resources, in other aspects he still could not compare to Lin Chang’an.
“Come — this spirit wine was brought from Bihai Palace. You won’t find it anywhere outside.”
Inside the pavilion, the two drank happily together — a rare reunion.
During their conversation, Old Hu wanted to know more about the current situation of the secret realm.
Lin Chang’an naturally shared everything he knew.
“Old Lin, you truly have patience.”
Seeing that Lin Chang’an remained completely calm regarding the secret realm, Hu Jin showed admiration.
Lin Chang’an merely sighed calmly.
“Haven’t we seen enough?”
“Obtaining an opportunity means nothing. Only by turning it into strength does it truly belong to you.”
In the cultivation world, how many people ended up making wedding clothes for others?
How many opportunities instead brought disaster?
“True. Opportunities aren’t that easy.”
Hu Jin nodded in agreement before taking out a jade booklet.
“The cargo list for this merchant ship is all recorded here. In some time we plan to hold an auction. But don’t go too far — this Old Hu may have some influence, but not that much.”
With a mischievous grin, Hu Jin warned Lin Chang’an not to make outrageous demands.
Lin Chang’an naturally understood. Smiling, he shook his head — he would not put Old Hu in a difficult position.
But when he opened the jade booklet and saw item after item of rare treasures, even Lin Chang’an could not hide his amazement.
As expected of Bihai Palace.
Only high-grade treasures were recorded here.
Various Third-rank spirit items, rare Third-rank spirit wood, spirit pearls, pill furnaces, artifact cauldrons — everything imaginable.
Even magical artifacts were listed for auction.
Five Dragon Island might already be impressive, but even its auctions would never casually sell magical artifacts.
“Well? Tempted, aren’t you?”
Facing Old Hu’s teasing, Lin Chang’an nodded seriously.
“I truly am tempted. There are too many things I want — but my Spirit Stones are completely insufficient.”
He had once believed he was wealthy among Core Formation Cultivators.
But seeing this auction, he realized how vast the world truly was.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Chang’an forced himself to flip past the items that stirred greed within him, eventually stopping at a talisman inheritance.
“Third-rank Fire Dragon Talisman inheritance — along with the insights of a Third-rank High-grade Talisman Master.”
Hu Jin immediately understood.
“Old Lin, think carefully. If you obtain it through me, your identity as a Third-rank Talisman Master will not remain hidden.”
Hu Jin hinted that he could use his privilege to reserve items in advance.
But privilege did not mean it could be hidden from the higher-ups.
Lin Chang’an laughed lightly.
“In front of Bihai Palace, what does my ability count for? Besides, before Core Formation I was already a Second-rank High-grade Talisman Master. My talent in formations simply allowed me to surpass that later.
“Five Dragon Island is small. If this continues, someone will eventually suspect it.”
Because of the turmoil surrounding the secret realm, secretly gathering small amounts of Third-rank talisman materials had been manageable.
But doing so long-term would inevitably attract suspicion.
Thus Lin Chang’an decided not to hide his identity as a Third-rank Talisman Master anymore.
Of course, only from the higher-ups. As for when other forces discovered it — that was their problem.
“Old Lin, this Third-rank Fire Dragon Talisman inheritance is different. Because of the Sinister Soul Sect secret realm, its price will be higher. Plus it includes a complete High-grade Talisman Master’s insights.
“Twenty thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones. Non-negotiable.”
Lin Chang’an did not hesitate.
He immediately took out twenty thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones and placed them into a storage pouch.
“Good heavens! So many Spirit Stones. Old Lin, aren’t you worried I’ll just take them and deny everything?”
Hu Jin laughed jokingly.
Lin Chang’an simply raised his wine cup in thanks.
In truth, the price was already cheap.
Unlike the Tranquil Spirit Talisman before — which had limited usefulness for Core Formation Cultivators — the Fire Dragon Talisman was a powerful offensive talisman with broad applications.
Against sinister beings in the secret realm, its value should have been even higher.
With a complete High-grade Talisman Master’s insights included, it could easily have sold for thirty to forty thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones.
Lin Chang’an then took out another five thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones and placed them into a second storage pouch.
Old Hu grinned widely.
“Old Lin, generous as always. Don’t worry — the other fellow Daoists won’t complain.”
Twenty thousand went to Bihai Palace.
The remaining five thousand were naturally for everyone involved.
Under the moonlight, the two continued drinking and laughing in the pavilion.
Only when dawn arrived the next day did Old Hu depart.
Lin Chang’an then looked again at the treasures recorded in the jade booklet.
His gaze eventually stopped on a particularly precious item, and his eyes narrowed slightly.
That was the treasure he truly wanted.
But its value was extremely high, and he would not put Old Hu in a difficult position.
“It seems I need to prepare for this auction.”
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