Chapter 91: Residence of the Palace of Blazing Fire, Huang Clan
Two months later.
“This peaceful time will always be broken.”
Walking out of the cave abode, Lin Changan looked at the bustling Tianxuan City, sighed and shook his head. The hidden danger beneath the surface always made him feel unsafe.
As the auction drew near, the flow of people in Tianxuan City grew day by day, especially with many Foundation Establishment cultivators from neighboring countries flocking in.
“Let’s go.”
A storm was brewing. Now, every time Lin Changan left his cave abode, he would store the Azure-Horned Bull in the Spirit Beast Pouch and carry it with him.
“There will be three auction sessions, each three months apart. The most eye-catching, and the reason why so many Foundation Establishment cultivators from neighboring countries came from afar, is the Golden Core spiritual item in the final session.”
Golden Core spiritual items were still a bit distant for him. Not to mention he had no ability to acquire them— even if he did, they would only collect dust in his storage pouch.
“My requirements aren’t high. As long as I can purchase a top-grade flying needle-type spirit artifact at the auction, I’ll be content.”
Looking at the over eleven hundred mid-grade spirit stones in his storage pouch, Lin Changan sighed. He had once believed he would never need to worry about spirit stones.
But only when he needed them did he realize— he was still a poor man.
“This time, there will even be second-rank formations at the auction.”
A powerful formation could reverse the tide at a crucial moment.
However, formations needed to be set up in advance and were not as practical as spirit artifacts.
“Formations are more suited for dealing with demon beasts. For me, a top-grade flying needle-type spirit artifact is far more practical.”
Lin Changan pondered silently. In truth, he was simply short on money. If he had over ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones in his storage pouch, he would grab both artifacts and formations.
“Fellow Daoist Lin.”
“So it’s Fellow Daoist Chen.”
On the lively street of the marketplace, he happened to run into Chen Qing who was with his grandson. The two greeted each other with a smile and cupped their hands in farewell.
Among cultivators, it was taboo to casually inquire about what others were buying.
Especially with the auction about to begin, even acquaintances would not travel together.
Yet Lin Changan did not head directly to the auction but went first to the Gathering Immortals Tower.
The Gathering Immortals Tower was doing brisk business, but only Shen Lie was seen busily moving around. Upon seeing Lin Changan arrive, he hurried forward to greet him.
“Brother Lin, I’ve already made the arrangements. Qingqing is at home with the two children.”
One of the two children was clearly Wei Buyi’s. Surprisingly, Wei Buyi, leaning on his iron crutch, was also present.
“In troubled times, caution is necessary.”
Seeing their arrangements, Lin Changan nodded solemnly.
Beneath the prosperity of Tianxuan City, countless dangers lurked, but there was one truth everyone was well aware of.
On the day when Master Lu’s disciple reached Golden Core, Tianxuan City would be in turmoil.
Because these powers would never sit idly by and watch Master Lu’s disciple advance to Golden Core.
“In the coming days, we’ll be cautious too. If anything feels off, we’ll return home immediately.”
Lin Changan nodded lightly. At the same time, Shen Lie, beaming, brought out a spirit stone pouch, and he did not refuse.
After all, the business at Gathering Immortals Tower over the past two years included his share. Taking part of the profit was only fair.
...
Just then, a sudden commotion erupted outside.
“Look! It’s Huang Tianxiao from the Palace of Blazing Fire!”
“It’s said this man has already reached the peak of Foundation Establishment and is the most promising among the younger generation of the Palace of Blazing Fire to advance to Golden Core.”
“Heavens! He’s using three second-rank demon beasts to pull the carriage!”
Looking out from the Gathering Immortals Tower, one could see a high-profile procession from the Palace of Blazing Fire parading down the street, attracting the attention of countless cultivators.
Lin Changan saw the luxurious carriage, drawn by three massive second-rank demon beasts walking side by side with overwhelming presence.
“What a grand display!”
Even Lin Changan couldn’t help but feel envious at this sight.
His own second-rank spirit pet, which he treated as a precious treasure— yet here, a noble clan’s disciple was using three just to pull a cart. In that moment, he realized that he was considered well-off only among rogue cultivators.
There was still some gap between him and this group of true second-generation cultivators.
“But that’s alright. My path is still long. In the future, I may not necessarily lose to them.”
At this moment, confidence welled up in Lin Changan’s heart. He believed he would definitely not be inferior to these people in the future.
“This one is the beloved grandson of the Huang Clan Ancestor of the Palace of Blazing Fire. With an earth-grade spirit root and extraordinary talent, he may reach Golden Core in just a few years.”
“Look— even the carriage driver is a Foundation Establishment cultivator.”
While the crowd gasped in amazement, Lin Changan, watching from the Gathering Immortals Tower, narrowed his eyes, because he saw the man standing obediently outside the carriage, ready to take orders— it was none other than Huang Shaohai.
“That man didn’t die on the frontlines?”
Just as Lin Changan inwardly sighed in regret, Shen Lie, who also saw the Palace of Blazing Fire procession outside, softly transmitted a message:
“Brother Lin, I’ll try to gather some information from the restaurant later.”
Lin Changan nodded lightly in response.
...
Meanwhile, the high-profile group from the Palace of Blazing Fire was making their way through the city.
“Big Brother, this is Tianxuan City. Those three tall peaks in the distance are the cultivation abodes of the city’s three Golden Core cultivators. That building over there is the Fengle Auction House of Tianxuan City...”
Once arrogant and unruly, Huang Shaohai now spoke respectfully to the shadowed figure inside the carriage.
Huang Shaohai was merely a collateral member of the Huang Clan, while the one inside the carriage was the true young master of the Huang Clan.
“Hmm. So this is Tianxuan City... It does have an impressive presence.”
Inside the carriage, Huang Tianxiao looked calmly at Tianxuan City. However, upon seeing the three immortal peaks, he frowned, revealing a trace of dissatisfaction.
Such a spiritual land— if not for the former influence of the Divine Sword Sect, the Palace of Blazing Fire would have already taken over Tianxuan City. How could it have ended up being shared with the Pavilion of Mystic Sound, and even allowed a long-lived rogue cultivator to benefit for free?
“Remember, this time’s mission— don’t cause me any trouble. Otherwise, you know the consequences!”
The indifferent tone echoed in Huang Shaohai’s ears, making cold sweat stream down his back. He quickly nodded and said, “Rest assured, Young Master. My father and I will follow your arrangements in everything during this operation.”
Though the person inside the carriage was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the pressure he exerted was far from ordinary.
Huang Shaohai even felt a touch of envy in his heart— if he had such talent, how could things have turned out like this?
Within the carriage, Huang Tianxiao furrowed his brows as he gazed at the other two peaks, silently calculating in his heart.
“The Ancestor has already advanced to late-stage Golden Core and has secretly allied with the Divine Sword Sect. We plan to eliminate all other parties— this time, we must destroy the Golden Core of Master Lu’s disciple.”
Apart from the three major sects, the only other power in Yue Country was Master Lu’s faction.
The Palace of Blazing Fire’s current plan was to first join forces with the Pavilion of Mystic Sound to sabotage the Golden Core of Master Lu’s disciple— eliminating the foremost rogue cultivator.
Next, it would be the Pavilion of Mystic Sound’s turn.
“The Ancestor is right— Yue Country is only so big. It cannot accommodate too many powers.”
Thinking of the current plan, Huang Tianxiao revealed a smile.
With the top two powers in Yue Country contending for dominance, it was only natural to kick out the third and fourth first— to prevent others from reaping the rewards.
...
As the procession passed by, Lin Changan, watching from the Gathering Immortals Tower, felt a chill in his heart.
In that brief instant of sensing, this prodigy from the Palace of Blazing Fire had exerted immense pressure on him.
“However, Huang Shaohai’s aura seems to be injured.”
Lin Changan narrowed his eyes and began to plot silently.
Huang Shaohai’s aura was clearly abnormal. He must be injured. If an opportunity arose, perhaps he shouldn’t let it pass.
Of course, only if the opportunity presented itself.