Chapter 304: Secret Realm Situation
Celestial Spring Peak.
As Lin Changan walked out from the Cave Abode, the Azure-Horned Ox soaking in the pool also poked its head out.
“Moo!”
At the bottom of this pool, Lin Changan had arranged a Formation. When the Azure-Horned Ox soaked here every day, not only could it absorb spiritual energy to cultivate.
It could also use the Formation at the bottom of the pool to connect to the demonic energy within the Earthfire Cavern, thereby tempering its physical body.
“Master!”
As Lin Changan came out of seclusion, the Sword Attendant also respectfully walked out from the Cave Abode.
Over the years, the Sword Attendant had also moved into the Cave Abode, enjoying the cultivation environment of this Cave Abode once used by Lin Changan, a Core Formation Cultivator.
Under the dense spiritual energy, along with abundant cultivation resources, in less than forty years, the Sword Attendant’s cultivation had already reached the peak of the mid Foundation Establishment Realm.
She was only one step away from stepping into the late Foundation Establishment Realm.
“Not bad. Your cultivation hasn’t fallen behind.”
Seeing the Sword Attendant’s expression—cold yet carrying a trace of wild fierceness—Lin Changan revealed a satisfied smile and gently stroked her hair.
Facing this familiar palm, the Sword Attendant lowered her head and could not help narrowing her eyes. Her earlobes turned warm as she greatly enjoyed her master’s affection.
As long as her cultivation improved, her master would be pleased and praise her.
When he first bought the Sword Attendant, she had just passed thirty years of age. She had cultivated here with him for thirty-nine years, meaning she was now only seventy.
Foundation Establishment at thirty, and soon to break through again.
A seventy-year-old late Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
This did not even include the advantage of the longer lifespan possessed by a human-beast hybrid.
This made Lin Changan sigh inwardly.
Perhaps around the time the Sword Attendant reached a hundred years old, he might be able to nurture a Core Formation Cultivator.
As for the thirty years it took for the Sword Attendant to reach the peak of Foundation Establishment, he had no worries at all.
After all, when she first came to him, he had not completely removed the shackles of her human-beast hybrid bloodline.
Over these years, he had gradually guided her step by step. Because of this, although the Sword Attendant had been slightly behind on the early cultivation path,
her willpower had become incomparably firm.
“Master, in another half year, I will definitely break through to the late Foundation Establishment Realm.”
At this moment, in front of Lin Changan, the Sword Attendant no longer had the coldness others saw. Instead, she resembled a wild little cat seeking more praise.
Seeing her like this, Lin Changan smiled and nodded lightly.
“On the path of cultivation, one must not be impatient. Foundation Establishment only lays the foundation—Core Formation is the true starting point.”
Core Formation!
Hearing her master’s expectations, a trace of determination appeared in the Sword Attendant’s eyes.
She would definitely not disappoint her master.
As he stroked her smooth black hair, Lin Changan also fell into brief thought. After all these years together, there was naturally some affection.
Especially such absolute trust.
He no longer regarded the Sword Attendant as a slave or merely a subordinate.
Previously, considering the Sword Attendant’s cultivation, it seemed inappropriate for her to continue calling herself a servant. He had suggested she stop addressing herself that way.
However, the Sword Attendant firmly shook her head and refused.
“Let’s go. We’ll head to the marketplace.”
Lin Changan chuckled softly, while the Sword Attendant revealed a slight smile and respectfully nodded, addressing him as master.
“Moo!”
The Azure-Horned Ox also excitedly ran out from the pool. Its fur was glossy, with water sliding off without sticking, as it came before Lin Changan.
“Let’s go.”
Lin Changan smiled lightly and sat atop the Azure-Horned Ox. The Sword Attendant flew through the air at his side, appearing completely loyal.
The Azure-Horned Ox did not mind letting the Sword Attendant ride as well, after all, she was its companion.
But the Sword Attendant firmly refused, saying that outside the residence, the master’s dignity must not be diminished.
Thus, the Azure-Horned Ox carried Lin Changan while the Sword Attendant flew alongside as they headed toward the marketplace.
The cultivators cultivating below Celestial Spring Peak revealed envious and respectful expressions upon seeing this.
This was the legendary Core Formation Cultivator of Celestial Spring Peak.
Traveling with a third-rank great demon as a mount, and even having a Foundation Establishment Sword Attendant as a subordinate.
Sitting on the ox’s back, Lin Changan smiled faintly. Raising his hand before his eyes, he lightly rubbed his fingers together and snapped them.
A wisp of flame appeared at his fingertips. Under his precise control, not a single trace of heat leaked outward.
Yet the third-rank Azure-Horned Ox felt its hair stand on end. Its eyes widened, and it could not help releasing a low moo tinged with fear.
The Sword Attendant gently patted the ox to calm it.
As someone possessing the Heavenly Spirit Sword Body, her keen perception also sensed the danger contained within this wisp of spirit fire.
“Relax. I’m not using it against you.”
Lin Changan sensed the Azure-Horned Ox’s fear and teased it with a smile.
This flame at his fingertip was merely the spirit fire of his life-bound magical artifact manifested through the Fire Escape Technique.
After all, from the moment it was refined into his life-bound magical artifact, the Fusang Divine Tree had essentially become part of his body.
“However, achieving the state of wood controlling fire still has a long way to go.”
Watching the flame gradually weaken, Lin Changan sighed lightly before blowing out the faint fire at his fingertip.
【Fire Escape Technique (Proficient 8/1000)】
Although he had not yet reached the realm where wood controlled fire with perfect ease, relying on the Fusang Divine Tree allowed him to progress rapidly in the Fire Escape path—second only to Wood Escape.
However, the spirit fire he controlled through his life-bound magical artifact could not yet be called Sun Essence Fire.
“The spirit fire born from a three-thousand-year-old Fusang Divine Tree should be called Heavenly Sun Spirit Fire.”
Heavenly Sun Spirit Fire—supremely rigid and purely yang.
Over the past ten years, the spirit fire nurtured by the three Sun-Piercing Divine Swords had grown tremendously powerful.
Fires of pure yang and heavenly thunder were natural enemies of demonic ghosts and were also feared by most demon beasts.
This was why the Azure-Horned Ox instinctively feared this flame.
Not only because of its power, but also due to a fear rooted deep in bloodline instinct.
“With this spirit fire in hand, along with many hidden cards, ordinary mid Core Formation Cultivators may not be my match. Even against late Core Formation Cultivators,
I have no fear—at worst, I can escape.”
Now the Five Dragon Island Sea Region was in troubled times.
The days ahead would only grow more chaotic. Only strength could guarantee safety.
“On the surface, I have a third-rank early-stage Azure-Horned Ox. With my current strength, backed by the Xuanyin Pavilion and possessing the ability of a third-rank mid-grade Formation Master, things should remain manageable.”
Along the way, Lin Changan continued pondering.
In the outside world, one’s identity was self-made.
He not only wanted to obtain more resources.
More importantly, only by displaying sufficient ability could he gain access to the things he truly wanted.
For example, third-rank high-grade formation classics and formation insights.
High-level Formation Masters were usually nurtured by great sects and powerful factions.
These major powers did not lack resources. Their formation legacies were used to cultivate their own formation grandmasters or attract wandering cultivators to join them.
Thus, such inheritance rarely flowed outward.
“In the entire Beast Sea Abyss, there are very few factions capable of producing third-rank high-grade formation classics and insights.”
Lin Changan’s eyes flickered.
He intended to take advantage of the temptation of this Secret Realm to see if he could lure out one or two big fish.
He believed someone would inevitably covet the Sinister Soul Sect Secret Realm.
As a third-rank mid-grade Formation Master, as long as someone visited him seeking help with breaking formations,
they would naturally reveal problems encountered within the Secret Realm.
At that time, he could learn a little here and there.
Though slow, it was better than nothing.
If he were lucky, someone might even obtain a fragment of a Formation Plate from within the Secret Realm.
Then he could study it and comprehend it himself.
Inside the Sinister Soul Sect Secret Realm, the formations were at least fourth rank.
For a Formation Master like him, the value was enormous.
“Regardless of the temptation, no one can lure me into exploring this Sinister Soul Sect Secret Realm.”
Thinking this, Lin Changan could not help smiling.
Even the temptation of Nascent Soul inheritance would not move him.
After all, he was only at the early Core Formation Realm. If he truly obtained it, it would bring disaster rather than fortune.
……
After arriving at the marketplace, Lin Changan keenly noticed that there were far more cultivators than before.
The items sold on both sides of the stalls were almost entirely related to fire, yang, thunder, and similar attributes—things that counter sinister forces.
Foundation Establishment Cultivators were extremely numerous.
The Azure-Horned Ox leisurely walked along the bluestone street, shaking its head with half-closed eyes.
Meanwhile, the Sword Attendant calmly observed the surroundings in vigilance.
As Lin Changan walked through the lively marketplace streets, he frowned and shook his head.
“There are too many foreign cultivators. Many have come from extremely distant regions.”
One could tell from their clothing that they were not cultivators from nearby sea regions.
But thinking of the Sinister Soul Sect Secret Realm, Lin Changan understood.
Upon hearing of the Secret Realm’s appearance, Foundation Establishment Cultivators seeking a chance at fortune would naturally not miss it.
“Master, recently many treasures supposedly obtained from the Secret Realm have appeared in the marketplace, but most are fake. Several factions have also formed their own Foundation Establishment squads…”
Seeing Lin Changan observing the surroundings, the Sword Attendant transmitted her voice to him while remaining on guard.
Lin Changan shook his head as he listened.
Men die for wealth, birds die for food.
This saying also applied to the world of cultivation.
No Foundation Establishment Cultivator could resist the temptation of a Core Formation opportunity.
Even many Qi Refinement Cultivators were dreaming of obtaining a chance encounter and rising against the heavens.
Although the cultivation world never lacked such chosen ones,
every one of them walked out from among countless corpses.
“Oh my, Old Lin, you finally arrived.”
Passing through the marketplace and arriving at the mountain’s base, Hu Jin appeared wearing a pale golden robe, greeting him with a hearty smile.
Lin Changan also smiled.
“Old Hu, it seems this magical robe suits you quite well.”
“Of course!”
Hu Jin grinned widely.
Back when their cultivation levels were low, they dared not be too high-profile—even their clothing was deliberately modest.
But things were different after reaching Core Formation.
Lin Changan understood this perfectly.
Wherever a Core Formation Cultivator went, they could never be ignored.
Today Lin Changan wore a robe patterned with flowing cloud designs.
The two smiled at each other and headed toward the Cave Abode at the mountain peak.
Behind them, the Sword Attendant and the Azure-Horned Ox followed respectfully.
“Old Lin, the reason I invited you today is because of the Secret Realm. A Foundation Establishment squad we organized discovered a location inside the Secret Realm containing formation restrictions…
After thinking it over, in Five Dragon Island only you can handle this. Other Formation Masters cannot be trusted.”
Along the way, Hu Jin explained the situation without concealment.
Lin Changan was not surprised.
In the cultivation world, there were countless Foundation Establishment Cultivators nearing the end of their lifespan or wishing to secure a future for their descendants.
Of course, some simply pursued a slim chance at fortune.
Thus many powerful factions offered certain promises, recruiting several Foundation Establishment Cultivators to explore the Secret Realm.
These factions did not expect them to obtain treasures.
Instead, they wanted them to protect themselves and gather as much intelligence as possible about the Secret Realm.
“Fellow Daoist Lin.”
“Formation Master Lin.”
Upon arriving at the Cave Abode, the other two Core Formation Cultivators were already present. Lin Changan greeted them with a smile and cupped his hands.
After exchanging polite greetings, Hu Jin laughed heartily and gestured for the other two to take out the items from their Storage Pouches.
“Old Lin, this fragmentary Formation Plate was obtained inside the Secret Realm. And this Recording Pearl contains footage of the situation there…”
As the broken Formation Plate and the Recording Pearl were placed before him, Lin Changan revealed a serious expression.
“Let me take a look first.”
All three were cultivators of the Enforcement Hall of Bihai Palace, responsible for maintaining stability on Five Dragon Island.
Lin Changan knew that their exploration of the Secret Realm was a personal matter.
Otherwise, given Bihai Palace’s power, while a fourth-rank Formation Master might be difficult to mobilize, a few third-rank Formation Masters could certainly be summoned.
It would never be his turn.
The Recording Pearl only contained a single segment of footage.
There was no record of how they entered the Secret Realm, from which direction they came, or the route taken before encountering the location.
Lin Changan was not surprised by this precaution.
In any case, he had no intention of personally risking exploration of the Secret Realm.
But with ready-made formation knowledge to study, he would not miss the opportunity.
“This restriction was triggered by an Illusion Formation.”
After watching the Recording Pearl, Lin Changan examined the fragmentary Formation Plate that had already lost its spirituality, frowning slightly.
“Judging from this Formation Plate, the restriction here is not particularly strong. Or perhaps it has weakened with the passage of time and suffered considerable damage…
Breaking it using Foundation Establishment methods alone would be somewhat difficult unless preparations include…”
After careful study, Lin Changan explained in detail where the weaknesses of the restriction were located, which directions were vulnerable, and what magical artifacts would be most suitable for breaking it.
Seeing this, Hu Jin revealed a wide smile.
“Old Lin, if you had been born into a great sect, with your formation talent you would already be a third-rank Formation Master.”
Watching Lin Changan understand the fragmented restriction in only two hours, Hu Jin could not help giving a thumbs-up in admiration.
Lin Changan smiled and shook his head.
“Old Hu, don’t flatter me. This restriction is already damaged, and you were lucky enough to obtain a fragment of the Formation Plate. That’s why I could roughly figure it out.”
Lin Changan was not being modest.
This was simply the truth.
He could not decipher the Sinister Soul Sect’s Island-protecting Grand Formation.
But internal palace restrictions or important location formations had been worn down over the years.
If he could not deduce something from them, then his title as a third-rank mid-grade Formation Master would be meaningless.
“In that case, we’ll trouble Formation Master Lin to refine a few magical artifacts to break this restriction.”
The other two Core Formation Cultivators also smiled politely.
Lin Changan nodded with a smile.
This was how Formation Masters earned Spirit Stones.
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