Chapter 319: This Time Not Looking for an Honest Man
Sea Abyss City.
Several months had already passed since the last rescue of the spirit ship and the killing of the Ghost Cultivator.
After returning, Lin Chang’an once again came to Sea Abyss City.
As for the excuse he gave through the voice-transmission spell to Fairy of Rainbow Skirt and the others from Xuanyin Pavilion, it was simple—he needed to purchase some precious materials in Sea Abyss City.
No one doubted this. After all, even though the Five Dragon Island Sea Region was prosperous, it still could not compare with Sea Abyss City.
This time when Lin Chang’an came to Sea Abyss City, he did not bring the Sword Attendant. Instead, he left her in the cave abode to cultivate diligently and strive to reach Core Formation as soon as possible.
Treasure Pavilion.
“Fellow Daoist, these are all secret techniques, treasures, and items related to ghost control and soul manipulation.”
Inside an elegant room, the Core Formation cultivator from last time smiled and cupped his hands, producing an illustrated catalog.
Lin Chang’an’s status was now different from before. After presenting the identity jade token personally granted by the Sixth Elder of Bihai Palace, the authority he received was completely different.
“Many thanks, Fellow Daoist.”
Lin Chang’an smiled politely and returned the greeting. Sure enough, after revealing his identity, many secret techniques and treasures appeared in the catalog that had not been available previously.
He then lowered his head and used his divine sense to examine the treasures listed by Treasure Pavilion.
There were advanced secret techniques, and even complete cultivation methods specializing in this path.
Seeing this, Lin Chang’an could not help but sigh inwardly. As expected of Bihai Palace, a power with a foundation of over ten thousand years.
At the same time, he quietly calculated his own plans.
“The Ghost Cultivator’s memory was very clear—every Third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast King and Ghost Cultivator on the island had a soul restriction planted in their divine souls.
“It was only because the Mysterious Sky Immortal Vine ignored soul restrictions that I was able to search the Ghost Cultivator’s memories. Otherwise, it would have been impossible.”
At this moment, Lin Chang’an recalled the current situation of the Sinister Soul Sect island from the Ghost Cultivator’s memories.
“Anyone capable of thinking about investigating the Sinister Soul Sect Spiritual Island definitely isn’t just me. My only advantage is that I read the Ghost Cultivator’s memories, so I understand the situation on the island better.”
Lin Chang’an knew his limits. If he could think of plotting the opportunities on the Sinister Soul Sect island, others would naturally think of it as well.
“Even if a Nascent Soul cultivator personally performed a soul search, facing the restrictions placed by the Shape-shifting Sinister Spirit Beast King, they would at most obtain fragmented memories.”
The reason the soul restriction was so powerful was twofold.
First, the Shape-shifting Sinister Spirit Beast King was naturally proficient in soul and ghost techniques.
Second, that Shape-shifting Sinister Spirit Beast King simply did not care about the lives of its subordinates.
Once such a soul restriction with enormous side effects was planted, the cultivator’s cultivation would never advance another step in their lifetime.
“That Ghost Cultivator had once been a fairly powerful cultivator while alive. But after becoming a Ghost Cultivator, his strength declined greatly, and then he had this soul restriction planted by the Fourth-rank Shape-shifting Sinister Spirit Beast King.”
Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an could not help but sigh and shake his head.
Over six hundred years had passed, and the Ghost Cultivator’s cultivation had not improved in the slightest. Clearly, this was a lingering consequence of the soul restriction.
At the same time, the Ghost Cultivator’s experience made Lin Chang’an feel the meaning of the phrase: beneath the Nascent Soul, all are ants.
Even Core Formation cultivators were merely somewhat stronger ants beneath Nascent Soul powers.
He quickly discarded these thoughts and focused on studying the secret techniques and treasures listed in the catalog.
“There are magical artifact-level treasures such as the Ghost-Binding Ring and the Spirit-Controlling Token. They can restrain and control sinister spirits. Although the Sinister Soul Sect Spiritual Island is vast…”
“But under the divine sense of a Nascent Soul cultivator, treasures that directly control spirits like this would easily be discovered.”
Looking at the various ghost-control magical artifacts, Lin Chang’an shook his head.
He did not believe that under the divine sense of a Fourth-rank Shape-shifting Sinister Spirit Beast King, such obvious magical artifacts could remain undetected.
“This secret technique seems quite good.”
Eventually, Lin Chang’an set his eyes on a highly covert secret method.
“However, the price of this technique is not small.”
When he read the description of this technique, Lin Chang’an could not help but frown.
This secret method required a Sinister Spirit Demon Core as the carrier. One had to first refine it into a magical artifact, then split off a strand of one’s divine sense and refine it into the artifact, similar to an artifact spirit.
After that, the Yin-attribute magical artifact would merge with a Sinister Spirit Beast King, forming a symbiotic relationship.
The cultivator could then control the magical artifact and command the sinister spirit for their own use.
“But the drawback is that the violent intelligence of the Sinister Spirit Beast King still remains. Over time, the cultivator will also be affected by it and may even suffer backlash.”
This was already the most concealed and suitable secret technique Lin Chang’an could find.
“Let it be this one. I imagine many people are already trying to explore the Sinister Soul Sect Spiritual Island.”
Lin Chang’an did not hesitate and raised his head to select this secret technique.
Although he now enjoyed the open access privileges of Treasure Pavilion, the price was indeed extremely high.
Just this one secret technique alone cost twenty thousand mid-grade spirit stones.
“This secret technique is similar to raising a powerful and strange spirit pet. After all, not every cultivator has the time to raise a spirit pet from childhood.”
Anyone who cultivated this secret technique must have their sights set on a Third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast King.
In the cultivation world, sinister spirits were already rare existences. If not for the Five Dragon Island Sea Region being adjacent to the Fog Sea of Tongtian, many cultivators might never encounter a sinister spirit in their entire lives.
Therefore, if one could truly control a Third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast King, it would indeed become a powerful trump card for some cultivators.
After leaving Treasure Pavilion, Lin Chang’an sighed softly.
If not for the demon cores of the five Sinister Spirit Beast Kings he had obtained earlier, which left him somewhat wealthy in spirit stones, he might not even have been able to gather the materials to refine the magical artifact this time.
“It’s time to go back.”
During this trip to Sea Abyss City, Lin Chang’an had also purchased several spirit herbs and spirit fruits used for refining the Crystal Condensing Pill.
He had also bought Yin Spirit Jade, which he could use later to refine a vessel for storing demonic energy.
…
Soon after Lin Chang’an left Sea Abyss City, information about his movements appeared inside the cultivation cave abode of the Sixth Elder of Bihai Palace.
However, after taking a brief glance, the Sixth Elder waved his hand indifferently.
“Such trivial matters need not be reported in the future.”
Guarding the Ghost Domain of the Sinister Soul Sect—if a cultivator still lacked the courage to seek benefits for themselves, then that cultivator’s achievements in this life would never go beyond that.
Thus, Lin Chang’an’s actions did not cause displeasure. On the contrary, he considered them completely normal.
After all, anyone who wished to explore that secret realm in the future had to strengthen their own power.
If someone did not even have the courage to gamble once and only wanted to rely on the protection of powerful cultivators, their achievements would be limited.
…
By the time Lin Chang’an returned after this round trip, autumn winds were already rustling.
“Brother Lin, you’re truly enviable.”
Inside a private room of a restaurant in the Five Dragon Island Marketplace, Hu Jin raised his cup with a hearty laugh, and Lin Chang’an also smiled as he returned the toast.
“You just broke through to the Mid Core Formation stage and immediately went out to purchase materials. That’s too hardworking.”
Hu Jin spoke with envy.
Originally, his cultivation had always been one step ahead of Lin Chang’an.
Yet now he had been caught up to.
Lin Chang’an had broken through to the Mid Core Formation stage, rescued a merchant ship, and then traveled to Sea Abyss City.
Meanwhile, Hu Jin had just broken through to the Mid Core Formation stage and left seclusion when he heard the news.
“Old Hu, I went through the danger of Core Reforging.”
Seeing Hu Jin’s envious expression, Lin Chang’an revealed a lingering look of fear and said with a bitter smile.
In truth, he was also inwardly shocked.
For Hu Jin to enter the Enforcement Hall of Bihai Palace and now break through to the Mid Core Formation stage…
It seemed that the Golden Core he condensed back then must have been a high-grade True Core.
“Come, come—let’s not talk about that. Let’s drink to both of us becoming Mid Core Formation cultivators.”
Hu Jin was a straightforward person and showed no jealousy at all. Instead, he laughed heartily and raised his cup again.
Lin Chang’an also raised his cup with a smile.
Hu Jin was not making a fuss over nothing.
In the cultivation world, countless cultivators could only remain at the Early Core Formation stage for their entire lives.
Some lacked resources, some were dragged down by their families or sects, and others suffered hidden injuries.
In short, there were many False Core cultivators and Early Core Formation cultivators.
But the Mid Core Formation stage was already considered the backbone—even high-end combat power—within this realm.
After setting down his cup, Lin Chang’an looked out the window.
The marketplace seemed unusually lively.
Curious, he asked,
“Old Hu, you dragged me here the moment I returned. Did something happen on the island? Why does the marketplace feel unusually lively? And the cultivators all seem extremely excited.”
Lin Chang’an looked puzzled.
The cultivators walking the streets all had flushed faces, their expressions clearly filled with excitement.
Hearing this, Hu Jin’s expression changed slightly, and rare envy appeared on his face.
“What else could it be? Half a month ago, some lucky False Core cultivator obtained a Sinister Spirit Fruit on the Sinister Soul Sect island.”
“After returning, he sold it directly to the Sea Palace in exchange for top-tier Core Reforging resources and a Core Reforging Secret Technique. Now he’s already in seclusion preparing for Core Reforging.”
Lin Chang’an also revealed a rare expression of surprise.
“A Sinister Spirit Fruit!”
The Sinister Spirit Fruit only grew within Yin Spring spirit veins.
It took six hundred years to bloom, and its petals were excellent alchemical materials.
Afterward, it bloomed once every hundred years, but it would only bear fruit after twelve hundred years.
Then it would take another three hundred years before the fruit matured.
When cultivators consumed the fruit, it greatly enhanced divine sense.
“That’s a heaven-and-earth treasure. A fourteen-hundred-year-old Sinister Spirit Fruit was actually dug out with its roots and soil intact. The higher-ups were ecstatic.”
No wonder Hu Jin sounded sour.
Lin Chang’an was also shocked.
If it was brought back with its roots and soil, then it could simply be replanted in a suitable environment.
After cultivating it for ten or twenty years, it would produce a mature Sinister Spirit Fruit.
“A fifteen-hundred-year-old Sinister Spirit Fruit can benefit even the primordial spirit of Nascent Soul cultivators. No wonder the marketplace is so lively.”
“Exactly. Many people are getting carried away and trying their luck. But inside the Ghost Domain, even though the Shape-shifting Sinister Spirit Beast King cannot leave the island, it’s not that easy.”
Hu Jin shook his head.
At any time, there would always be lucky people.
Some things simply could not be envied.
Lin Chang’an looked out at the lively marketplace.
Although he still had a smile on his face, he felt suspicious inwardly.
Was this Sinister Spirit Fruit incident orchestrated by Bihai Palace… or was it genuine?
If it were orchestrated by Bihai Palace, then it was harmless.
At most, they were using the vast population of drifting cultivators to gradually wear down the sinister spirits so that another Ghost Calamity would not devastate the surrounding sea regions.
But if it was not orchestrated by Bihai Palace…
Then something was wrong.
“On the Sinister Soul Sect island… could such a treasure really be obtained so easily!?”
Lin Chang’an was suspicious.
It was not that he was overthinking things.
The place where Sinister Spirit Fruits grew would certainly be guarded by powerful Third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast Kings.
It could not possibly be so easy to obtain.
“Then again, I can’t rule out the possibility of a child of destiny.”
Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an could not help but show envy.
Sometimes, these children of destiny simply did not follow logic.
In the history of the cultivation world, Qi Refinement cultivators finding the inheritance of Nascent Soul cultivators was not unheard of.
Other things might follow logic—but luck never did.
There was even a more absurd story.
One sect disciple who failed Core Formation became jealous and turned into a robber cultivator, constantly targeting drifting cultivators attempting Core Formation.
Unexpectedly, during one robbery, he encountered a Deity Transformation cultivator disguised among Qi Refinement cultivators.
Thus, fortune was the most unpredictable force of all.
“I hope I’m overthinking it… but I can’t be careless.”
Lin Chang’an reminded himself silently.
“Old Lin, that place is extremely dangerous. If you plan to go, you’d better start planning early.”
After several rounds of wine, Hu Jin hesitated before bringing up the matter.
Lin Chang’an smiled slightly.
Sure enough, the transaction between him and the Sixth Elder could not remain hidden.
After all, the Sixth Elder of Bihai Palace had been searching for Formation Masters for a hundred years.
Naturally, some people had already noticed.
“Don’t worry. There are still several decades before the secret realm opens. By then, I might already be a Late Core Formation cultivator. My ability to protect myself should be enough.”
Hu Jin sighed helplessly and said seriously,
“Old Lin, don’t blame me for talking too much. That secret realm is extremely dangerous. I heard that although the Sixth Elder needs several High-grade Third-rank Formation Masters, he will definitely recruit more.”
“After all, the secret realm is dangerous and no one knows what might happen. And according to Formation Master Ning, who survived the last expedition, the real danger comes not in the inner hall—but on the way back…”
Hearing Hu Jin secretly gathering this information and telling him about the dangers, Lin Chang’an felt warmth in his heart.
Cultivators at their level rarely had even one or two true friends.
It was truly precious.
“Inside the secret realm, once the powerful Nascent Soul cultivators enter the inner hall, the outside will close, and all cultivators will automatically be teleported out.”
“And that moment will be the most dangerous.”
“Think about it—every cultivator coming out of the secret realm will carry great treasures, and none will have Nascent Soul cultivators protecting them…”
Lin Chang’an frowned as he listened.
Hu Jin’s reminder was correct.
Every cultivator entering the secret realm was competing for a slim chance at opportunity.
Inside the secret realm, ordinary cultivators would not dare provoke others for fear of being noticed by Nascent Soul cultivators.
But once outside…
It was different.
Even if someone claimed to have a Nascent Soul cultivator backing them, no one would care.
If the opportunity was great enough, they would simply seize it first.
Then they would flee to the ends of the world and digest the opportunity afterward.
“Even having the Sea Palace behind you won’t help. Those demonic cultivators from the outer seas are extremely arrogant.”
Hu Jin repeatedly emphasized the danger of the secret realm.
Then, as if recalling something, he suddenly looked at Lin Chang’an with a strange expression.
“Old Hu, what’s with that look?”
“Ahem… Old Lin, don’t misunderstand. Do you know the Formation Master Ning I just mentioned?”
Lin Chang’an frowned slightly but nodded.
“I didn’t before, but now I do. Formation Master Ning is a cultivator who survived the previous secret realm.”
He was also a Quasi–Fourth-rank Formation Master.
“Then do you know that Formation Master Ning had a daughter late in life? She’s his precious treasure.”
“Not only is she breathtakingly beautiful, but she’s also a famous formation genius—and she just formed her Golden Core.”
“I heard Formation Master Ning intends to find a reliable disciple who could also become his son-in-law.”
“Old Lin, think about it. Formation Master Ning’s family foundation is extremely rich, and he could guide you in formation techniques…”
At that moment, Lin Chang’an finally understood the meaning behind Hu Jin’s strange look.
Hu Jin was clearly reminding him that this time they were not looking for a live-in son-in-law.
They were not looking for an “honest man” they could easily control.
Instead, they were looking for someone with talent, strength, and a firm Dao heart.
Hu Jin was clearly teasing him about what happened in his younger days, leaving Lin Chang’an speechless.
However, he also understood Hu Jin’s good intentions.
This was also a reminder that this path could become a shortcut.
After all—
It was the inheritance of a Quasi–Fourth-rank Formation Master.
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