Chapter 77: Guest Elder of Tianxuan City
Inside the cave abode.
Lin Chang'an had replied to every invitation letter sent by the various clans and sects.
This was basic etiquette. He was merely a newly advanced Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator and dared not put on airs.
“Tianxuan City’s Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle may appear neutral, but every word and action of his influences the entire structure of Yue Kingdom. If the three major sects truly tore apart their façade, they definitely wouldn’t allow this power to remain uninvolved.”
At that moment, holding the invitation letter delivered by Tianxuan City’s steward, Lin Chang'an couldn’t help but fall into contemplation.
The two positions—Worshipped Elder and Guest Elder—might seem similar, but in truth were completely different.
A Guest Elder was usually a cultivator with outstanding skills. They did not participate in internal affairs and were only responsible for regularly providing some talismans or pills.
A Worshipped Elder was different. They relied on factional resources and were often required to oversee a certain area.
“Whether Guest Elder or Worshipped Elder, Tianxuan City would provide a Foundation Establishment cultivation method, along with corresponding cultivation resources. And as a second-rank Talisman Master, I could also receive related talisman inheritance.”
At the same time, what he needed to offer was a fixed amount of talismans delivered to Tianxuan City over the coming decades.
“A Guest Elder is comparatively more free and wouldn’t interfere with my usual cultivation.”
After making his decision, Lin Chang'an stored Tianxuan City's invitation in his storage pouch and responded to the other invitations one by one.
Even brothels had distinctions between courtesans and prostitutes.
If chaos truly erupted in Yue Kingdom, he was merely a Guest Elder—selling his skills, not his life.
Without any hesitation, Lin Chang'an left his abode with Tianxuan City’s invitation in hand.
He was just a rogue cultivator. Though holding some value, he couldn’t afford to act arrogantly. If he delayed his decision, he might end up offending people instead.
...
Under howling wind and snow, the upper half of the mountain range where Tianxuan City lay remained as spring all year round.
Thanks to the profundity of formation techniques, from mid-mountain upward, not the slightest trace of the weather below could be felt.
Lin Chang'an couldn’t help but marvel. The Hundred Arts of Cultivation indeed each held their mysteries. Formation Dao—if the chance arose in the future—was definitely not to be missed.
He had already experienced the power of external tools that could help battle above one’s realm while hunting spirit beasts before.
All the way to mid-mountain of Tianxuan City, outside a grand hall, the guards stationed there were uniformly Late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators.
“I am rogue cultivator Lin Chang'an, here to pay respects.”
After presenting the invitation, the guards dared not be negligent. After all, the one before them was a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
“Please wait, senior. I shall report immediately.”
At that moment, as Lin Chang'an stood on the mountainside overlooking all of Tianxuan City, he couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with emotion.
Though all were cultivators, there was a clear divide between those on the mountain and those below—it was truly two different worlds.
“Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Lin for attaining Foundation Establishment.”
Just then, a clear and familiar voice rang out. Lin Chang'an hadn’t expected to be received by this person.
“It’s Fellow Daoist Miaoyin herself.”
The speaker was none other than Su Miaoyin, whom he had briefly encountered at Cloudyao Cave Abode. She was also the personal disciple of Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle from Tianxuan City.
Dressed in a grey Daoist robe, Su Miaoyin held a horsetail whisk. Her expression was cold and serene as she slowly bowed.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, this way please.”
After Lin Chang'an returned the invitation, his intentions were already made clear. Su Miaoyin, showing proper courtesy, personally led him into the hall.
“This place is where Tianxuan City handles administrative affairs. Though we are all rogue cultivators, governing a city still requires capable hands...”
Along the way, Su Miaoyin slowly introduced the industries managed by Tianxuan City, and Lin Chang'an nodded frequently in cooperation.
They soon arrived at a pavilion on the edge of the mountain. From this vantage point, one could gaze upon the entire Tianxuan City clad in silver frost.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, please enjoy some tea.”
“Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Su.”
Taking a light sip of spirit tea, Lin Chang'an felt a wave of emotion. Along this path of cultivation, he had never imagined he would one day be sipping tea and discussing the Dao with Foundation Establishment cultivators, addressing each other as fellow Daoists.
“To speak truthfully, Fellow Daoist Su, I am but a humble rogue cultivator. My only focus has been on talisman studies—not adept in combat and slaughter...”
With a melancholy expression, Lin Chang'an seemed to be recalling the hardships of his journey thus far.
Su Miaoyin, garbed in Daoist attire, felt a strong sense of empathy. Though she now held a lofty status, she too had once walked the path of a rogue cultivator.
“If Fellow Daoist Lin takes on the role of Guest Elder, you may choose one Foundation Establishment cultivation method and three second-rank talisman inheritances...”
The treatment for a Guest Elder included three second-rank talisman inheritances. As for a Worshipped Elder—it would be five.
In terms of cultivation methods, there was naturally a difference as well. Some advanced techniques were only available for selection by Worshipped Elders.
As for cave abode cultivation resources, they were about the same—Tianxuan City provided a cultivation cave abode free of charge.
“Thirty years, huh!”
Upon hearing the contract duration, Lin Chang'an sank into silent thought. He had already inquired about it from Cloudyao previously, and this matched roughly.
“Fellow Daoist only needs to provide the corresponding talismans each year.”
Su Miaoyin’s ethereal voice echoed softly. After just a brief tea’s time of conversation, it left one with the feeling of being bathed in a spring breeze.
But those eyes of hers were naturally seductive, completely at odds with her overall image.
“Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Su.”
On matters like these, the conditions were standardized for everyone—unless one had unique capabilities.
Lin Chang'an made no attempt to bargain and straightforwardly signed the thirty-year Spirit Contract.
Becoming a Guest Elder of Tianxuan City, he received three second-rank talisman inheritances, a cultivation method, a cave abode, and also the protection of Tianxuan City.
In return, he would be required to supply a fixed number of talismans annually for the next thirty years.
It was just like taking a loan. He had just broken through to Foundation Establishment, with a lifespan of over two hundred years, and now had a thirty-year debt.
Moreover, after thirty years, the cave abode would no longer be free—unless he renewed the contract.
“Fellow Daoist Lin.”
“Fellow Daoist Su.”
The two raised their cups of tea and exchanged smiles. Lin Chang'an sipped his spirit tea, secretly letting out a sigh.
In the World of Cultivation, resources were hard to come by. Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators faced the same dilemma.
Without relying on a powerful faction, even finding a suitable cave abode with rich spiritual energy was difficult.
Not to mention all sorts of technique inheritances—some resources only circulated internally, which rogue cultivators could never access.
“The road of cultivation has only just begun.”
Shaking his head, Lin Chang'an thought, no matter what, for the next thirty years, as long as he didn’t roam outside carelessly, Huang Shaohai probably wouldn’t target him.
As for thirty years later?
Given the current situation in Yue Kingdom, it was possible Huang Shaohai might end up at the frontlines one day.
He even hoped that father and son would both die at the front.
...
“What?! He rejected our Palace of Blazing Fire’s offer and went to Tianxuan City instead?!”
In Immortal City, at the residence of the Palace of Blazing Fire, Huang Shaohai’s face was filled with rage as he stared at the returned reply, furious.
“Shaohai!”
Just then, his father Huang Yuntian entered with a grave expression and said in a low voice:
“It’s a turbulent time now. Restrain your temper. If not for your obsession with cultivating that Yin-harvesting Yang-supplementing method, you wouldn’t have failed with both Foundation Establishment Pills.”
At this point, Huang Yuntian’s face was full of disappointment and frustration.
This son of his had many good qualities, but was simply too wild and unruly.
“Father, I can’t accept this! If back then I had traded my Foundation Establishment Pill from that wretched Cloudyao woman for her premium-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, I wouldn’t have needed that secret method!”
Huang Shaohai’s face twisted with hatred, teeth clenched.
If not for that wretched Cloudyao, he would not have failed.
And she was merely a rogue cultivator!
That made his fury boil over.
“Silence!”
Huang Yuntian barked coldly, “Get yourself ready. Once your cultivation stabilizes, you’ll head to the frontlines.”
“What?!”
Huang Shaohai was stunned, but seeing his father’s expression, he fell silent, his resentment toward the rogue cultivator who snatched his premium pill deepening even further.
The sect had always been harsh—survival of the fittest.
Talented cultivators with great potential were naturally assigned to the rear to be given more cultivation time.
Even Huang Shaohai could only feel unwilling, but dared not refute this.
Seeing his silent son, Huang Yuntian’s stern face gradually softened, and he finally let out a long sigh.
“Rest assured. You are of the Huang Clan’s blood. I’ve arranged everything for you. Just be careful at the frontlines. After earning a few merits in three to five years, I’ll transfer you back.
After all, with so many eyes on us in the sect, even the ancestor needs a Huang Clan member to set an example.”
A gilding expedition to the front, while signaling to the sect that the Huang Clan still stood for them.
“I understand, Father.”
Upon hearing this, Huang Shaohai’s expression finally eased a little.
Though his son had a vile personality, he still made rational decisions on major matters, which made Huang Yuntian nod secretly.
A man could be wicked, but he must not lack self-awareness.
“Before you leave, I’ve prepared a spirit beast for you. Go collect it from the Zhou Clan.”
“Zhou Clan?”
Huang Shaohai hadn’t reacted yet when he saw his father nod calmly.
“Recently, I heard that the Beast-Taming Zhou Clan discovered a rare spirit beast cub in the Cloudmist Mountain Range. If it’s something even Foundation Establishment cultivators are mobilizing for, it must be extraordinary. Take it along while you’re there.”
Good heavens, they were treating others like their personal storage pouches.
Yet, after exchanging glances, this father and son both revealed a smile.
In the World of Cultivation, it had always been the law of the jungle.