Chapter 90: The Unlucky Duo
Tianxuan City had become increasingly prosperous ever since the last battle involving Golden Core cultivators.
The auction hosted personally by Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle, known as the number one rogue cultivator of Yue Kingdom, was so grand that it impacted even the neighboring countries.
Countless rogue cultivators flocked in, and Tianxuan City entered the most prosperous phase since its establishment.
Ever since witnessing the battle between Golden Core cultivators with his own eyes, Lin Changan had begun to cultivate even more diligently.
"The auction will begin in just two months."
At this moment within the cave abode, Lin Changan slowly put down the spirit brush. Before him on the table were already several quasi-second-rank talismans. He nodded in satisfaction.
"The Regenerative Body is indeed powerful. Not only does it heal physical injuries, but even the recovery rate of divine sense and mental fatigue is far beyond that of ordinary cultivators."
Lin Changan sighed. During this period of delving into the Regenerative Body, he had unexpectedly made astonishing progress.
He could maintain a peak state for drawing talismans and alchemy, producing at a rate ten times that of others at the same level.
Whether it was the Hundred Arts of Cultivation or spell cultivation, the consumption of spiritual power was secondary—the more important aspect was the depletion of the spirit and mind.
Yet the Regenerative Body had greatly enhanced even mental recovery.
This had now doubled his output in talisman drawing and pill refining once again.
"In less than half a year, I’ve earned nearly five hundred mid-grade spirit stones just from drawing talismans."
In just four months, he had earned nearly five hundred mid-grade spirit stones. In another two months, he could earn over two hundred more.
"Together with what I previously saved, I’ve almost gathered a thousand mid-grade spirit stones."
At this point, Lin Changan couldn't help but sigh. With a thousand mid-grade spirit stones, acquiring a top-grade flying needle-type spirit artifact was no longer a pipe dream. He truly had confidence he could get one at the auction.
Thanks to the recent influx of visiting cultivators—especially Foundation Establishment cultivators—there were ten times more than usual, which made selling his talismans even easier.
"Still, there are far too many things I want to buy."
Even before the auction began, the rumors had already started circulating: all kinds of top-grade spirit artifacts, inheritances of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, even Foundation Establishment Pills rarely seen by Qi Refinement cultivators would appear in batches.
It was even revealed that one of the three finale treasures was a spiritual item that could help form a Core.
It was precisely for this reason that Foundation Establishment cultivators from neighboring countries traveled great distances to get here.
Just the treasures rumored to be up for auction had already made Lin Changan feel envious. He had previously thought he wouldn't need to worry about spirit stones.
But now he realized he was still poor.
"Second-rank pill recipes, top-grade spirit artifacts, talisman inheritances, cultivation-boosting pills—there are just too many things I want."
Lin Changan shook his head helplessly. But what could he do with limited funds? Now that the chaos in Yue Kingdom was becoming increasingly apparent, it was relatively safer to carry a top-grade flying needle-type spirit artifact that matched his secret technique.
"Top-grade spirit artifacts are rare even in normal times. Especially flying needle-types—they're incredibly scarce. I can't miss this chance. As for second-rank pill recipes, I can always find another opportunity to buy them later."
Just then, a voice came from outside the cave abode.
……
"Grandfather, with my mid-grade fire spirit root, I will definitely revitalize the family in the future."
Outside the cave abode stood a middle-aged, gaunt, fair-faced scholar. Behind him followed a youth full of pride.
No doubt, a youth blessed with excellent spirit roots, filled with youthful arrogance.
Upon witnessing this, the middle-aged man shook his head.
"Wen'er, you need to rein in that temper. Everyone living here is a Foundation Establishment cultivator."
Then he raised his hand, and a sound-transmission talisman floated into the air.
"Fellow Daoist, I’m your new neighbor next door, Chen Qing. Greetings, Fellow Daoist."
As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the middle-aged man left the sound-transmission talisman with a full smile and was just about to leave when the formation of the cave abode slowly opened behind him. He couldn't help but reveal a cheerful smile.
"Grandfather, the formation opened!"
"Didn’t expect my timing today to be just right."
However, when Lin Changan saw who it was—and the other party also saw him—both froze in surprise. They were acquaintances, and immediately cupped their fists in greeting.
"Fellow Daoist Lin!"
"Fellow Daoist Chen!"
Lin Changan smiled and cupped his fists, though his expression was a little odd.
Wasn’t this the rogue cultivator even unluckier than him? The one who was forced by Huang Shaohai into trading away his Foundation Establishment Pill.
In fact, they had met before—back when Lin Changan was preparing for Foundation Establishment outside Alchemist Song’s cave abode. Chen Qing had been one of the two cultivators trading Foundation Establishment materials.
One was a burly man, the other a fair-faced scholar. This Foundation Establishment cultivator Chen Qing was precisely that scholar.
At the time, after Lin Changan purchased materials from him, he prepared for two years before finally establishing his foundation, whereas the other party had failed his Foundation Establishment attempt.
Yet two years later, this man prepared for Foundation Establishment again, only to be targeted by Huang Shaohai.
Both attempts at Foundation Establishment had ended in disaster.
"Fellow Daoist Lin, I didn’t expect it to be you."
Chen Qing also recalled something and immediately revealed an embarrassed expression, while the youth behind him, Chen Wen, obediently bowed his head.
Upon encountering a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he did know proper etiquette.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, I didn’t expect you to return."
Lin Changan also cupped his fists with a smile.
He had thought it was just an ordinary neighbor, never expecting it to be a fellow Daoist as unlucky as himself.
The two could be considered fated—one had been forced to trade away his Foundation Establishment Pill, while the other had traded away his Beast Spirit Pill.
After five years, neither expected to meet again, and now as neighbors no less. The feeling of meeting again as Foundation Establishment cultivators after walking the path of rogue cultivation—only they could understand it.
Too many fellow Daoists had fallen while preparing for Foundation Establishment, and many more had faded into obscurity.
“To meet again someday, and call each other fellow Daoist with all the weight of past hardships”—this line resonated deeply with them.
Inside a pavilion.
Lin Changan and Chen Qing sat drinking spirit tea and discussing the Dao, while the young Chen Wen respectfully poured tea for the two.
"Five years have passed since we last met. Now the two of us sit here in Foundation Establishment Cave Abodes, discussing the Dao. It’s truly a delight."
Lin Changan sighed as the two exchanged experiences from the past years.
"Sigh, I’ve really had terrible luck. Failed my first Foundation Establishment. The second time, I finally refined two Foundation Establishment Pills, only to run into that mess. That guy surnamed Huang had already established his foundation, yet still blamed me."
Chen Qing wore a face full of grievance. They were both Foundation Establishment cultivators, yet he was a rogue cultivator and had no choice but to swallow it all.
"This time, though Tianxuan City is full of undercurrents, it’s also an opportunity for rogue cultivators like us. So I decided to stop hiding and wandering—I brought my family and clan here, and joined under Master Lu’s governance..."
As Chen Qing spoke, Lin Changan silently nodded. This man was decisive as well.
Thinking of Ghost Three Blades’ case, no one could guarantee that hiding and running would truly keep them safe.
So while Tianxuan City was still in turmoil and everyone was hesitating, he made a bold gamble—joining Tianxuan City and becoming a Foundation Establishment Worshipped Elder.
If Tianxuan City managed to stabilize, he and his family could settle down there.
If not, he would plan a retreat when the time came.
"Fellow Daoist Lin, to be honest, I also considered fleeing to another country, but the situation out there isn’t any better."
Chen Qing spoke with a face full of helplessness as he described the surrounding countries, which greatly piqued Lin Changan’s interest.
"There are wars in the other countries too?"
Lin Changan looked puzzled, and Chen Qing sighed, "Not only wars. For us cultivators from other lands, we’re often ostracized. Especially Foundation Establishment cultivators like us—many others will target us..."
Hearing this, Lin Changan couldn’t help but nod to himself. If one traveled alone, it might be manageable, but for someone like Fellow Daoist Chen, who had a family in tow, it was indeed difficult.
Moreover, a Foundation Establishment cultivator suddenly arriving in a foreign country would naturally draw attention. Whether one joined a local power or not, it was easy to become cannon fodder.
"Our nations border the Endless Sea. That Sea Abyss is also called the Sea of Ten Thousand Demons. Countless ruthless or Golden Core-ambitious cultivators from the cultivation world travel across countries just to reach the Sea Abyss of Beasts..."
The Sea Abyss was said to have inexhaustible resources. Even Master Lu had traveled there, which was how he formed his Core and became a legendary cultivator of Yue Kingdom.
Chen Qing’s ancestors had once produced Foundation Establishment cultivators, so his knowledge and insights intrigued Lin Changan greatly.
The two were now part of Tianxuan City’s faction, and both had intentions to befriend one another—thus, they quickly found common ground in conversation.