Chapter 46: Rogue Cultivator Ghost Three Blades
Two months later, Erniu returned.
Traveling with him were not only the Zhou family disciples who had gone to the frontlines but also a newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Zhou family.
In just a few short years, the Zhou family had gone from a family on the brink of collapse to firmly establishing its footing.
The Palace of Blazing Fire and the Pavilion of Mystic Sound had each contributed a full three Foundation Establishment Pills to elevate a cultivator from the Zhou family.
"The two great sects are using the Zhou family to tell all cultivators that anyone who earns merit, even if they die in battle, will have their wives and children protected by the sect."
Lin Chang'an saw this as clearly as a polished mirror, as did everyone else.
But the two great sects had truly used Foundation Establishment Pills to forge a Foundation Establishment cultivator, so even knowing the truth, countless cultivators were still moved.
Sure enough, as news of the Zhou family's situation spread, countless cultivators were tempted—especially many late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators who had long sought but failed to establish their foundation—each one choosing to head to the frontlines.
The Palace of Blazing Fire and the Pavilion of Mystic Sound were naturally pleased to see this and generously rewarded those who earned merit.
"The first one is what you call a true example. That Zhou family patriarch is indeed decisive."
Lin Chang'an shook his head. Three Foundation Establishments—this was clearly a reward that broke precedent.
If someone were to render great merit again, such rewards would not come so easily.
"But Erniu truly is blessed with good fortune."
Thinking of Erniu's luck, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but feel envious. He always seemed to escape danger just in time.
When he first entered the world of immortal cultivation, Erniu had been weak in the demon hunting team, barely holding on with grit. In the end, the Zhou family took a liking to him, and he became their son-in-law.
Last time, he had been assigned by the Zhou family to manage industries outside. By sheer luck, he avoided the Zhou family's internal upheaval and even cleared the suspicion of mistrust, landing a good position.
And this time, just as he headed to the frontlines, the Zhou family patriarch secretly followed right after him, leading to this incident.
"Could it be that Erniu truly is a man of fortune?"
Lin Chang'an stroked his chin with suspicion. In the world of cultivation, there was no shortage of lucky cultivators.
……
"Brother Lin, Brother Shen, and little junior sister—the frontlines are too dangerous. Several marketplaces have already descended into chaos. There's a whole bunch of rogue cultivators..."
Shen Lie, Lu Qingqing, Lin Chang'an, and Li Erniu sat in a private room in the Gathering Immortals Tower, holding a banquet to welcome Erniu back.
After all, Yun Yao was a Foundation Establishment cultivator. When she wasn’t cultivating, she was carrying out sect missions. Foundation Establishment cultivators had their own circles and only occasionally gathered with them.
"Erniu, this time you really turned misfortune into blessing."
Even Shen Lie couldn't help but envy Li Erniu’s luck.
With the Zhou family being held up as an example, if nothing else, they wouldn’t be drafting cultivators from the Zhou family for the frontlines anymore.
After all, only a thriving Zhou family could serve as a role model.
"Just lucky."
Li Erniu’s face glowed with joy. Now that he was back, at the very least he no longer needed to worry about being sent to the frontlines. He could finally spend some peaceful days holding his wife and child.
Moreover, thanks to the Zhou family patriarch’s merit, all seven in their group had received rewards.
"Erniu, what exactly is the situation like on the frontlines?"
After three rounds of drinks, Lin Chang'an asked with curiosity. Though they were in the rear, the battles at the frontlines still greatly affected the overall situation of Yue Kingdom.
Even Lu Qingqing and Shen Lie showed somber expressions.
When it came to the frontline situation, Li Erniu’s face turned complex. He finally let out a deep sigh and began recounting the cruelty of the frontlines.
"To be honest, the frontlines are a mess. Cultivators from both sides have infiltrated deep into each other’s territory—disrupting and destabilizing marketplaces. I heard there are even bands of powerful late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators moving in groups.
They specialize in slipping into enemy territory, committing arson, murder, robbery, and plundering resources. Several have already gathered the materials needed for Foundation Establishment, and multiple Foundation Establishment cultivators have already emerged on the frontlines."
As Erniu described it, they came to understand just how brutal and chaotic the frontlines had become.
Especially now that some were establishing foundations—whether through merit or plundering—it only made others go even crazier.
But overall, the main forces of the three great sects had yet to enter the fray, and the situation remained in a stalemate.
To them, this was a good thing.
"By the way, I didn’t expect you, Brother Lin, to have broken through to the late stage of Qi Refinement. Truly, congratulations."
As Li Erniu raised his cup to offer his congratulations, there was a hint of hesitation in his eyes. Finally, he said solemnly:
"Brother Lin, you must never go to the frontlines just for the sake of Foundation Establishment. I was just lucky."
Seeing Erniu's worried look, Lin Chang'an only waved his hand with a smile and said:
"Erniu, you're overthinking it. I'm only at the Seventh Level of Qi Refinement. How far away do you think Foundation Establishment is? Still a long way to go."
"Exactly. Right now, all kinds of materials are getting more expensive. With Brother Lin's skills as a First-grade High-tier Talisman Master, there's absolutely no need to risk his life at the front."
Shen Lie also spoke with envy, and Lin Chang'an lightly smiled and nodded, though his thoughts had already drifted.
Normally, a First-grade High-tier Talisman Master would earn just over a hundred spirit stones per month after deducting costs—around a thousand a year. But he had extraordinary talent.
Foundation Establishment Pills were strategic resources, but they weren’t entirely unavailable. Yun Yao had previously said that one Foundation Establishment Pill within the sect cost around five to six thousand spirit stones.
Of course, prices fluctuated during wartime. If possible, he would rather save up spirit stones to buy one, or prepare Foundation Establishment materials in advance. That would be safer.
"No wonder they say mastering one of the hundred crafts of cultivation is the real way to make money."
This was also why Shen Lie envied Lin Chang'an. With his skill as a First-grade Talisman Master, he truly had a chance to attempt Foundation Establishment, even if the success rate was low.
"By the way, as the marketplace has developed recently, there's a plan to host an auction in six months. If you're interested, you should go take a look."
Shen Lie smiled as he mentioned the auction jointly hosted by the two great sects and the major families and merchant associations. It was set to be the liveliest auction in the history of the Bamboo Mountain Marketplace.
"An auction!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an revealed a thoughtful expression. Now that he had just broken through, there were still quite a few spirit herbs in his storage pouch that were specifically for raising spirit pets.
After all, his cultivation wouldn’t progress significantly in the short term. Raising a spirit pet was a worthwhile investment. But he couldn’t follow the Zhou family’s example and raise a Blackwater Turtle.
It lived long enough, yes—but its growth period was just as slow. He didn’t have a family, so naturally, he’d choose one that matured quickly.
Even Erniu showed interest. Thanks to the Zhou family patriarch’s merit at the frontlines, they had all earned great achievements and been rewarded with many spirit stones.
...
Just as they were learning about the frontlines at the restaurant, a loud shout suddenly rang out from outside the marketplace.
"Brazen rogue cultivator! How dare you rob the Palace of Blazing Fire’s supplies!"
"Haha, the Palace of Blazing Fire’s Golden Core old monsters are all guarding the sect. Just you lot?"
"This is bad, it’s Ghost Three Blades! You’ve already reached Foundation Establishment?!"
A commotion erupted outside the marketplace. The gaunt-faced Ghost Three Blades had red eyes and let out a maniacal, vengeful laugh.
"That's right! Thanks to the heads of your Palace of Blazing Fire disciples, this old man finally got the chance to establish a foundation. Go back and tell that Huang Yuntian—this old man is back!"
"Haha! All cultivators in the marketplace listen up—whoever can bring me the head of Huang Yuntian's son, I still have a Foundation Establishment Pill!"
With thunderous fighting, screams filled the air. However, by the time the Foundation Establishment cultivators from the two great sects rushed over in fury, the scene outside was already a mess.
That Ghost Three Blades had long fled into the forests after plundering supplies and cutting off the heads of Palace of Blazing Fire disciples.
Even the gathering at the restaurant with Lin Chang'an and the others had been interrupted.
"Brother Lin, could that really be Ghost Three Blades?!"
Li Erniu asked in shock. They were all too familiar with that name.
Only Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing looked puzzled, unfamiliar with the person.
But Lin Chang'an had a serious expression and nodded:
"The voice sounds very similar. Over twenty years ago, he was a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator in a demon-hunting squad. I heard he had several brushes with death and barely gathered the resources for Foundation Establishment—but halfway through, a sect cultivator forcibly bought it from him..."
Though Lin Chang'an spoke vaguely, everyone understood. It was most likely a case of someone using power to force their will.
"Later, I heard he couldn’t swallow the injustice and became a rogue cultivator. But then he vanished for over twenty years. I never expected he’d still be alive."
And to have reached Foundation Establishment!
Of course, whether it was truly him remained uncertain.
But the sudden chaos outside the marketplace stirred up talk across the Bamboo Mountain Marketplace.
"Ghost Three Blades! I heard that old thing is nearly seventy! He really made it to Foundation Establishment?!"
"No way! How can someone that old establish a foundation?! The heavens are unfair!"
"Damn it! If that old man can do it, so can I!"
Ghost Three Blades, a man who had disappeared for over a decade, had his story dug up once again and it began spreading throughout the marketplace.