Chapter 97: Harming Others While Benefiting Oneself
“This formation plate’s material is clearly not second-rank!”
Under the moonlight, within the bustling Tianxuan City, Lin Changan had not returned to his cave abode after making a discovery. Instead, he sat inside a restaurant, looking solemnly at the object he had found.
Thanks to his previous purchases of formations before reaching Foundation Establishment, he was still able to distinguish between first-rank and second-rank formation plate materials. The formation plate in his hand was clearly superior to second-rank material.
“Could Huang Shaohai have secretly planted this high-rank formation plate for such a purpose!”
Gazing through the window at the spiritual vein mountain peak piercing the clouds, Lin Changan couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.
He had already guessed the other party's objective—or rather, any cultivator could likely guess it.
“The ones who least wish for Master Lu’s disciple to form a core are probably the Palace of Blazing Fire and the Pavilion of Mystic Sound. After all, a Golden Core cultivator with less than a hundred years of lifespan is no match for a newly formed Golden Core cultivator.”
“If that’s the case, then this formation plate in my hand must be made of third-rank material.”
At this moment, looking at the formation plate in his hand—and the two more in his storage pouch—Lin Changan frowned deeply.
Not to mention that he had Tianxuan City backing him, there was a more realistic issue at hand.
That was, only if Tianxuan City remained stable could he have a safe space to develop.
If the two great sects did not wish for Master Lu’s disciple to form a core, then all the rogue cultivators in Tianxuan City would be fervently hoping that Master Lu had a successor.
A new Golden Core cultivator, inheriting Master Lu’s third-rank Blackwater Turtle, could protect Tianxuan City’s peace for another five hundred years.
“If not for the Spirit Eye today, I probably wouldn’t have discovered it.”
【Spirit Eye (Proficient 456/1000)】
Looking at the Proficient level of his Spirit Eye, Lin Changan couldn’t help but feel emotional. Who would have thought that this most unassuming Spirit Eye would prove crucial again and again?
Whether it was discovering the Foundation Establishment Pill or now uncovering Huang Shaohai and the Palace of Blazing Fire’s scheme—
Every time he underestimated the Spirit Eye’s ability, it would turn out to be vital.
It seemed that going forward, the importance of the Spirit Eye must be elevated to the same level as cultivation, talisman drawing, and alchemy.
“The price of a formation plate made from third-rank material is no small matter, but what truly matters is the far-reaching implications.”
Sitting in the private room, Lin Changan gazed calmly through the window at the lively night market of Tianxuan City, storing the formation plate away with a somewhat grave expression.
At that moment, the conversation outside caught his attention.
“I heard the third auction is critical—Master Lu is preparing to personally negotiate with the Golden Core elders of the two great sects.”
“Sigh, I really hope Master Lu’s disciple can successfully form a core.”
“Who doesn’t? We rogue cultivators have no fixed place to live. It’s rare to find a stable place to cultivate.”
“Say what you will, as long as Master Lu is around, we rogue cultivators truly have a place to reside.”
On the marketplace streets, countless cultivators were discussing what had become the most pressing topic lately—Golden Core.
Meanwhile, seated inside the private room of the restaurant, Lin Changan suddenly thought of something.
“The third auction will be held in three days. At this time, Master Lu visiting the Palace of Blazing Fire and the Pavilion of Mystic Sound has a clear purpose.”
Lifting his teacup and taking a small sip, Lin Changan’s eyes grew increasingly bright.
“This might be a good opportunity. The Fengle Auction House is mostly just a few Foundation Establishment cultivators, and so many cultivators are watching closely lately.
Right now, the one party that least wishes to expose any opportunity is Master Lu’s faction. I can completely sell this formation plate and the related intel to Fengle Auction House.”
The more he thought about it, the more Lin Changan felt it was feasible, and a smile slowly surfaced on his face.
A third-rank formation plate—although there were only three—was undoubtedly worth a fortune. More importantly, it would make things difficult for Huang Shaohai, which pleased him.
Moreover, if Tianxuan City was prepared and Golden Core was truly successful, he would gain a safe place to cultivate.
Harming others while benefiting oneself.
“This time I won’t even take advantage of you—just consider it repaying the debt from that Beast Spirit Pill.”
Thinking of the way Huang Shaohai looked when they traded the Beast Spirit Pill, even Lin Changan, who usually wasn’t one to hold grudges, now smiled faintly and repeated the exact same words Huang Shaohai had once used.
It was a satisfying decision.
“This tea really is fine tea. Bring me another pot.”
In high spirits, Lin Changan slapped the table and called for another pot of premium Spirit Tea.
……
The next day at noon.
Master Lu’s visit to the Palace of Blazing Fire’s peak was witnessed by many cultivators.
Of the three spiritual vein peaks, the one belonging to the Palace of Blazing Fire was naturally referred to as the Blazing Fire Peak.
Lin Changan disguised himself as a burly cultivator from the Kingdom of Wind, wearing their distinctive exotic attire, and made his way directly to the Fengle Auction House.
“Senior, this way to the second floor.”
Under the aura of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the female cultivator who came to receive him was filled with respect.
At this time of day, those visiting the auction house were all here to consign treasures.
Disguised as a burly man, Lin Changan nodded roughly and said, “Alright, go get your manager. This is a treasure from our Kingdom of Wind.”
Upon hearing it was a rare treasure unique to a foreign country, the receptionist's face lit up with joy, and she cupped her hands, saying:
“Senior, allow me to lead you to the third floor.”
Recently, there had been no shortage of unique national specialty treasures, which were quite popular in the Yue Kingdom.
Lin Changan nodded indifferently and strode toward the third floor.
However, the clothing of the Kingdom of Wind was indeed rather garish—colorful and flashy—making it quite unpleasant to look at at first.
Fortunately, due to the recent influx of foreign cultivators, no one found it strange anymore.
Third floor.
“Greetings, Fellow Daoist.”
The one who received him turned out to be the same old man surnamed Feng who had presided over the previous auction. He now approached with a smiling face and cupped his hands.
“So it’s Fellow Daoist Feng.”
Lin Changan, still feigning a rough demeanor, returned the greeting casually.
The old man surnamed Feng, however, was secretly shocked—he couldn't see through this fellow cultivator’s cultivation.
There were only two possibilities: either his cultivation was higher than his own, or he possessed a high-level Breath Concealment Technique.
But none of that mattered to him—he was merely a businessman.
“Alright, I won’t waste time. Take a look at the material of this formation plate and tell me what it’s worth.”
Seated in the main hall, Lin Changan’s rugged face twitched slightly as he pulled out three formation plates from his storage pouch.
The old man surnamed Feng took one look and cried out in shock, “Third-rank formation plates!”
With his vast experience, he could immediately recognize the material of the formation plates.
Hearing this, Lin Changan thought to himself—just as expected, they were third-rank.
Huang Shaohai was certainly up to no good.
“Fellow Daoist.”
After the initial exclamation, the old man surnamed Feng cupped his hands, wanting to say something, but Lin Changan waved him off with a hearty laugh and said:
“I’m just a crude man. Just give me something of equal value, or spirit stones.”
Lin Changan clearly meant that whatever spirit stones they managed to get from auctioning the items was their business.
He was only here to take the spirit stones and leave—no intention of getting involved in the auction.
“Very well.”
The old man surnamed Feng also acted decisively. With a broad smile, he nodded and began carefully examining the inscriptions on the formation plates, occasionally revealing looks of surprise and amazement.
“Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment. Our young lady is especially proficient in formations.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Changan was inwardly startled. Wasn’t Master Lu taking his disciple to visit the Palace of Blazing Fire?
But he soon calmed down, confident that his Breath Concealment Technique was enough to fool any peer-level cultivator.
Moreover, the item in question was something of extreme importance to the other party.
After the old man surnamed Feng transmitted a message, a familiar figure slowly descended from the upper floor of the pavilion.