Chapter 81: The Vicious Huang Shaohai
“Brother Lin, although the Origin Spirit Fruit is highly beneficial to spirit beasts, it must not be given to those with fire attributes……”
In a corner of the Gathering Immortals Tower, within a soundproof formation, a lively girl in red chirped on non-stop, her face full of smiles.
Opposite her sat Lin Chang’an, who suddenly came to a realization, nodding from time to time. Truly, each of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation had its own mysteries.
“But Brother Lin, because demonic beasts have thick hides and tough flesh, their constitutions are strong. Therefore, their tolerance for pills can be slightly higher—they don’t require as gentle an approach as cultivators.”
Zhou Bingyun, filled with excitement, had finally found a topic Brother Lin was interested in.
Lin Chang’an was stirred upon hearing that. A strong constitution? Wasn’t that referring to him?
With feedback from his life-bound spirit plant, his regenerative body was no less resilient than a demonic beast.
He had no other particular confidence, but when it came to his physique, he was innately gifted—famously robust.
Thinking along these lines, once he became proficient in alchemy, he might attempt to enhance the medicinal strength of ordinary pills.
“Isn’t that just perfect? You know I raise an Azure-Horned Bull. The more insights I gain, the better I can nurture that simple brute in the future.”
At this moment, Lin Chang’an had a sudden idea. He could use the Azure-Horned Bull as an excuse.
Studying pharmacology applied equally to both demonic beasts and cultivators.
“Brother Lin, you mean the Azure-Horned Bull?”
Mentioning the Azure-Horned Bull instantly energized Zhou Bingyun, who beamed with excitement and kept talking.
No one from the Zhou Clan was unskilled in beast taming. As a renowned premium-grade alchemist in the clan, her insights on spirit beasts were in no way inferior.
One willing to learn, the other eager to teach—their conversation was naturally full of laughter.
Ever since the Zhou Clan tried matchmaking with the Two Bulls, he had assumed they had given up. Who would have thought this girl would come find him on her own?
Admiring strength was human nature. To Zhou Bingyun, Lin Chang’an was not only handsome but also a Foundation Establishment cultivator—wasn’t that better than being used to marry off to some other cultivator in the clan?
She might appear naive, but no one born into a clan was truly foolish.
Even if it didn’t work out, befriending a Foundation Establishment cultivator was worthwhile, and the Zhou Clan certainly wouldn’t object.
“Brother Lin, you must have fed that Azure-Horned Bull with premium-grade spirit grasses regularly. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be this sturdy. In my experience, in another year or so, it could attempt to break through to the second rank. Of course, some preparations are still needed……”
Hearing this, Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded slightly, but Zhou Bingyun didn’t see the fleetingly strange gleam in his eyes.
This Azure-Horned Bull had grown well all thanks to Zhou Qing’s support back then. Otherwise, how could it have become so robust?
“Fellow Daoist Lin.”
Just as the two were joyfully chatting, a frivolous voice sounded. When Lin Chang’an saw who had come up from downstairs, he was momentarily stunned.
It was Huang Shaohai!
At this moment, Huang Shaohai wore an arrogant smile and cupped his fists, his entire being emanating the aura of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
“So it’s Young Master Huang.”
Seeing the visitor, Lin Chang’an’s heart skipped a beat, but he still returned the salute.
Wasn’t Huang Shaohai supposed to head to the frontlines? How did he still have time to come find him?
This man was known to be narrow-minded. It was said that ever since he formed his foundation, he’d been causing trouble for that rogue cultivator. Could he be here for that?
In just an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Lin Chang’an’s mind, but he dismissed them all in the end. After all, he now had the backing of Tianxuan City.
In terms of background, he wasn’t afraid.
“Senior, you two must have important matters. I’ll take my leave first.”
Seeing the visitor, Zhou Bingyun’s face turned pale, and her eyes revealed a hint of panic. It was clear she knew his reputation.
Lin Chang’an remained calm and nodded, standing up to invite Huang Shaohai into the private room, while also giving Zhou Bingyun a chance to leave.
“Hoho, Fellow Daoist Lin is truly in a leisurely mood.”
Watching Zhou Bingyun flee as if escaping, a look of regret flashed across Huang Shaohai’s eyes.
If he weren’t about to head to the frontlines, perhaps he could have plucked a flower or two.
……
“I wonder what brings Young Master Huang here today?”
Inside the private room, with spirit wine and spiritual meat laid out, Lin Chang’an maintained a calm smile. Huang Shaohai might be powerful, but if he couldn’t be provoked, he could still be avoided.
Did he really think Lin Chang’an was still at the Qi Refinement stage?
With Tianxuan City behind him, Lin Chang’an might not count as a major figure, but could Huang Shaohai really afford to act recklessly here?
Of course, Lin Chang’an didn’t mind bowing his head a little, but if it became endless trouble, then so long as that man remained in Tianxuan City, Lin Chang’an would simply not leave.
Who’s afraid of whom?
Under Lin Chang'an’s composed demeanor, Huang Shaohai felt deeply irritated. It was precisely because of these two rogue cultivators that he had suffered repeated misfortunes.
But it no longer mattered. He had now cultivated an ancient secret technique from the sect, and the side effects of the Core-stealing Technique would gradually recover.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, you’ve got some guts. Much stronger than that Chen fellow who ran off in secret.”
That “Chen fellow” referred to another rogue cultivator. He had clearly forced an exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill, and once the other party successfully reached Foundation Establishment, he used a secret technique for his own foundation and blamed the other for stealing his fortune.
Though Lin Chang'an held disdain in his heart, he still maintained a smile. If pushed too far, he could always turn to the Divine Sword Sect.
“How boring.” Seeing Lin Chang'an’s calm demeanor, Huang Shaohai couldn’t help but feel annoyed. Just a mere rogue cultivator—nothing more than a low-class nobody.
By swallowing his pride and keeping his head down, he had managed to reach Foundation Establishment. Did he think having one craft meant he could compare to someone like him, a scion of a great sect?
What Huang had since birth were things these rogue cultivators could never reach in their lifetime, no matter how hard they tried.
“This young master heard you traded your remaining Foundation Establishment Pill with the Zhou Clan for a Beast Spirit Pill?”
With a disinterested wave of his hand, Huang Shaohai revealed his true purpose.
Beast Spirit Pill!
Hearing this, Lin Chang'an narrowed his eyes slightly. Only the Zhou Clan knew about this—surely, they wouldn’t have been foolish enough to reveal it?
“If you weren’t the son of Huang Yuntian, descendant of a Golden Core cultivator from the Palace of Blazing Fire, in this cruel world of cultivation, just for prying into others’ affairs today—you’d have died countless times already!”
Lin Chang'an was inwardly annoyed but not to the point of falling out with the other party. With a calm expression, he nodded and said:
“Indeed. I previously traded a Beast Spirit Pill with the Zhou Clan. If Young Master Huang has something to say, feel free to speak plainly. Do you intend to buy it or take it directly?”
Huang Shaohai raised an eyebrow at these words, then laughed loudly: “Good, truly a clever man. I won’t take advantage of you. I’ll exchange this inferior Beast Spirit Pill for yours.”
When Huang Shaohai took out a low-grade Beast Spirit Pill, veins bulged faintly on Lin Chang'an’s forehead, and a cold glint flickered deep in his eyes.
Suddenly, Huang Shaohai chuckled mockingly and clapped his hands: “Relax. I’ll add a piece of information—one that’ll make you feel it was worth it. How about that?”
Huang Shaohai’s half-smiling gaze was like a cat toying with a mouse, full of mockery.
Lin Chang'an felt a surge of anger but also recalled the intelligence provided by Yun Yao earlier.
Before reaching Foundation Establishment, this person had cultivated the Yin-harvesting Yang-supplementing Method. Though it made Foundation Establishment more difficult, once successful, his mana far surpassed peers of the same realm.
Furthermore, as the son of Huang Yuntian, he likely carried supreme magical artifacts. More importantly, if he came to exchange for a Beast Spirit Pill, he must have at least one late-stage first-rank spirit beast on him.
Fight! Was it really worth tearing things apart for one Beast Spirit Pill?
Just a single Beast Spirit Pill—it wasn’t worth much to him in terms of spirit stones. What he needed more now was time to grow stronger.
“Just not sure what message Young Master Huang has that could match the value difference.”
After a brief thought, Lin Chang'an nodded, though his tone carried a clear trace of mockery.
As a disciple of the Palace of Blazing Fire, he’d better not speak something that would be laughed at.
For just a Beast Spirit Pill, it wasn’t worth the risk. And if it could be bought with spirit stones, he wasn’t lacking that either.
Still, he’d remember this debt.
“Good, good. Truly extraordinary. No wonder the Ice Fairy Yun Yao from the sect would associate with you.”
The calmer Lin Chang'an remained, the more excited Huang Shaohai became. He was genuinely looking forward to seeing whether the other would remain composed after hearing the news.
After Lin Chang'an handed over his genuine Beast Spirit Pill, Huang Shaohai, clearly running out of patience, wore a bright, expectant smile and dropped a bombshell.
“You think Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle came back to Yue Country for what? You really believe our Palace of Blazing Fire and the Pavilion of Mystic Sound aren’t wary of inviting a god who’s hard to send away? Let me tell you the truth—this Master Lu was already injured while hunting a third-rank demon beast overseas.
This return is partly to recover from injuries, and partly for his illegitimate daughter Su Miaoyin’s Foundation Establishment. Tsk tsk, with mid-grade spirit root aptitude trying to form a core—guess whether she’ll succeed?”
As Huang Shaohai’s mocking laughter lingered in the private room, Lin Chang'an’s pupils shrank.
Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle was injured—and wanted to help his daughter form her core.
Sure enough, Lin Chang'an’s changing expression didn’t escape Huang Shaohai’s notice. He immediately revealed a meaningful smile.
“Take another guess—when our two great sects discussed matters with Master Lu, did we agree to help Su Miaoyin form her core?”
After saying this, Huang Shaohai waved casually, stored the genuine Beast Spirit Pill in his storage pouch, and walked away with a disinterested smile.
As for Lin Chang'an, his heart remained indifferent. That intelligence might indeed be worth the price, but business was business.
Once the chance came—he would kill him without hesitation!