Chapter 62: The Remnants of the Demonic Sect Must Be Eliminated by All
At the Bamboo Mountain Marketplace, the rooms that had been in high demand just yesterday had already been vacated, as their former occupants now flooded the streets, selling off their belongings.
On the bluestone-paved streets, there were spirit beasts carrying heavy loads, while some rogue cultivators had belongings light enough to be stored entirely within their storage pouches.
Without exception, all were preparing to relocate to the Sanctuary for Rogue Cultivators—Tianxuan City.
“Brother Lin, Perfected Lu is personally stationed at Tianxuan City. Would you like to travel together?”
While shopping for supplies in the marketplace, he ran into Fellow Daoist Ge again. With a face full of smiles, it seemed like a casual encounter, and he mentioned traveling together as if in passing.
However, Lin Chang’an smiled and cupped his hands politely. “Many thanks for Fellow Daoist Ge’s kind offer, but I’ve already made arrangements to travel with the Zhou Clan’s group.”
Upon hearing the name Zhou Clan, Ge Li’s expression shifted slightly, and he feigned a look of admiration.
“To think Brother Lin could travel with the Zhou Clan—truly enviable.”
Though a thousand-mile journey wasn’t considered far for cultivators, this trip would take them deep into the Cloudmist Mountain Range, a place swarming with beasts. Who could guarantee that there wouldn't be those in the party waiting to loot during a crisis?
Thus, most cultivators preferred to travel with a few trusted friends, rather than unfamiliar strangers.
Especially those from major clans—they would never easily allow unfamiliar rogue cultivators to join their group.
“Two days from now, we’re organizing a trade gathering. One reason is to prepare for the move to Tianxuan City, and the other is to clear out unused items. I heard there will be some auxiliary materials—not particularly rare, but potentially useful.”
“If Brother Lin happens to be available, do join us.” Ge Li spoke with a casual air, smiling as he did.
It was as if he were waiting to see when Lin Chang’an and the Zhou Clan would set out. If the timing worked, then he could attend.
“A trade gathering!”
“That’s right. Things are rather chaotic outside right now, so we specifically arranged for the gathering to be held in a fellow Daoist’s courtyard.”
Lin Chang’an thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded.
With his cultivation at the eighth level of Qi Refinement, coupled with his identity as a talisman master, and his ongoing efforts over the past two years to gather Foundation Establishment materials, it was impossible to keep a low profile.
Just like Fellow Daoist Ge, who was also a talisman master, and most late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators—who could claim not to have made preparations for Foundation Establishment?
“Very well. In that case, I shall await Brother Lin’s arrival.”
Seeing that Lin Chang’an had agreed to participate, Ge Li immediately cupped his hands and left with a broad smile, as if going to notify the others.
However, watching the departing figure, Lin Chang’an narrowed his eyes. This person really did seem to have set his sights on him.
If last time he had only been suspicious, this time—after close contact—he was eighty percent certain.
For with the keen perception granted by the supreme Evergreen Art, he had just sensed a trace of familiar aura from Ge Li.
This aura belonged to someone who had previously participated in a trade gathering and was on friendly terms with Ge Li.
“This man uses a special spirit brush, yet the talismans on Ge Li bear the aura of that brush.”
Among talisman masters, there was no such thing as exchanging brushes at trade gatherings.
“There is no such thing as guarding against a thief for a thousand days. Fellow Daoist Ge, let’s hope my suspicions are wrong.”
Faced with a problem, he preferred to solve the person causing it to ensure safety.
……
That noon, the marketplace was bustling with activity.
Even the two major sects were preparing to move a large number of their elites.
Outside the residence of the fellow Daoist mentioned by Ge Li, a plump talisman master was hurrying over with a face full of smiles.
“Oh, isn’t this Talisman Master Lin?”
“Brother Chang.”
Lin Chang’an caught sight of the man casually and smiled, cupping his hands in greeting.
Among the Hundred Arts of Cultivation—talismans, pills, tools, and formations—talisman cultivation was the easiest to get into. As such, the number of talisman masters among rogue cultivators far exceeded alchemists, while tools and formations were nearly exclusive to major clans and sects.
“Talisman Master Lin, you’re here for the trade gathering as well? Perfect! Let’s go together.”
Talisman Master Chang grinned, patting his round belly with an easy-going air.
Hearing this, Lin Chang’an’s heart sank. As expected, there was a problem with Ge Li. He had told him the gathering was two days later, but this Talisman Master Chang was already heading to it today.
“Is that so? I’m actually on my way to visit Fellow Daoist Yun today, so I’ll have to join next time.”
Lin Chang’an chuckled and smiled as he cupped his hands. The two then parted ways.
Lin Chang’an hadn’t lied—he was indeed headed straight for the place where Yun Yao lived.
……
A moment later, on the street of the marketplace.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, are you certain?”
Yun Yao wore a silent expression. She hadn’t expected that even after they had drifted apart, Lin Chang’an would still come seeking her out.
“No mistake. This person is highly likely to be a bandit cultivator, possibly even a scoundrel from the demonic sect.”
At this moment, Lin Chang’an beside her spoke with a grave expression, looking exactly like someone uncovering a demonic sect traitor in order to claim merit.
Demonic sect scoundrel!
Upon hearing those four words, Yun Yao’s mouth twitched slightly. There really were members of the demonic sect here—but not the ones inside.
Meanwhile, Lin Chang’an was secretly shocked. He could feel that Yun Yao’s aura had grown even colder. What kind of technique was she cultivating?
Truly envious of these sect disciples—once they formed their foundation, everything followed. Unlike rogue cultivators like them, who had to secure everything on their own.
In the next moment, a formation barrier slowly rose within the courtyard.
“Just as expected, there’s a problem!”
Yun Yao’s expression turned cold. While it was normal for cultivators to release soundproofing barriers to ensure safety, this was clearly a formation’s trapping barrier.
“Senior Yun, I fear Fellow Daoist Chang may be in danger.”
With a solemn look, Lin Chang’an spoke. After noticing something wrong with Ge Li earlier, he had already been considering the matter.
Take the risk to fight back himself? Who knew how many people the opponent had, or what preparations were in place?
It was far better to sell this merit to Yun Yao.
After all, for a sect disciple, earning contribution points and making a name in the sect—especially someone like Yun Yao who had backing—what they lacked was merit.
And he could eliminate a potential threat without risking himself.
With Yun Yao’s status, the benefits would surely trickle down to him.
“Let’s go!”
Without hesitation, Yun Yao swiftly moved toward the courtyard where the formation barrier had just activated.
……
A moment later.
Inside the now-ruined courtyard, Ge Li’s face was pale as he stared in terror at the figure before him.
“A Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Palace of Blazing Fire?! Impossible! Weren’t you all preparing to head to Tianxuan City…”
Seriously injured, Ge Li’s pupils suddenly contracted as he saw another figure slowly walk out from behind Yun Yao.
“Fellow Daoist Ge, my apologies—it was I who betrayed you. No! I should say it was I who discovered something suspicious about you and reported it to the Palace of Blazing Fire.”
Walking out from behind Yun Yao, Lin Chang’an struggled to hide his astonishment. So this was the power of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Though he had witnessed Foundation Establishment cultivators battling before, it had always been from afar. This was his first time experiencing it at such close range.
He also noticed that Yun Yao must be cultivating some kind of cold-type technique.
Beneath Ge Li’s unnaturally pale skin, white frost emanated from his breath. His entire body trembled violently.
“Despicable!”
Seeing Lin Chang’an at that moment, Ge Li’s eyes nearly burst with fury. He understood now where he had failed—it was all this man’s doing.
The next instant, under Yun Yao’s cold expression, a chilling palm strike swept toward him. With a bang, a fine layer of frost instantly covered Ge Li’s skin.
Those eyes, wide with rage, still looked vividly lifelike, yet were now veiled beneath a delicate layer of frost.
Witnessing this, Lin Chang’an inwardly gasped. What domineering cold-type magic power.
“This man is one of the remnants of the demonic sect under Ghost Three Blades, attempting to incite conflict.”
After finishing cleanly, Yun Yao casually tossed out a broken magical artifact, directly declaring the verdict.
However, Lin Chang’an beside her was speechless. Was this really okay?
She had actually, right in front of him, without any interrogation, directly labeled the bandit cultivator as a demonic sect remnant.
“Rogue cultivator Lin Chang’an is credited for his report. These resources seized from the demonic sect shall be rewarded to you.”
“The remnants of the demonic sect must be eliminated by all!”
At that moment, Lin Chang’an nodded resolutely. He had been targeted by remnants of the demonic sect—thank goodness for the Palace of Blazing Fire’s core disciple.
The two exchanged a glance, and Yun Yao found it somewhat amusing. Remnants of the demonic sect, was it?
Meanwhile, Lin Chang’an nodded solemnly, his peripheral gaze already drifting toward the storage pouches of those demonic sect remnants.
As expected from someone of a major sect—generous to a fault.
It made sense. With Yun Yao’s status, she wouldn’t care about such things, while this merit was of little practical use to Lin Chang’an.
Each got what they needed.
Later, disciples from the Palace of Blazing Fire arrived to clean up the scene. They asked Lin Chang’an for some details, then took away the three corpses of the demonic sect remnants along with relevant tokens.