Chapter 374 ·Third-rank High-grade Formation Master

Time ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍flowed like shifting stars, and in the blink of an eye, five years had passed.

Many ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍things occurred during these five years.

The ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍most famous event was undoubtedly the appearance of a Shape-shifting Lightning Tribulation within a certain Outer Sea region, signaling the birth of a new shape-shifted great demon.

This ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍attracted numerous Nascent Soul cultivators, all stirred into action with the intention of hunting down this great demon that had dared to venture deep into human cultivator territory.

Yet ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍after several Nascent Soul cultivators pursued it for half a year, the shape-shifted great demon seemed to vanish into thin air, leaving not the slightest clue behind.

Meanwhile, ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍the Five Dragon Island sea region had also experienced unrest during these years.

The Blazing Fire Sect continued hunting a rogue cultivator, and this individual had appeared several times, causing quite a commotion.

Even though many cultivators clearly sensed something suspicious, the fact that the Blazing Fire Sect pursued this person with such persistence still caused countless people to succumb to greed and involve themselves regardless.

Bibo Island.

“So you mean many rogue cultivators knowingly participated despite understanding there was something wrong?”

Beneath the gloomy skies, Lin Chang’an calmly listened within the pavilion as Shen Zhuang, Li Tianmo, and Zhou Bingxuan reported intelligence.

“Yes. Several disturbances have already broken out recently, but with both the Four Seas Merchant Guild and ourselves suppressing the situation on Five Dragon Island, no major chaos has erupted.”

Shen Zhuang respectfully cupped his fists as he spoke.

Five years of turmoil had matured them considerably.

They had personally witnessed the harsh reality that all beneath Core Formation were ants.

Likewise, they had also seen that even Core Formation cultivators remained mere chess pieces upon the board.

Over these five years, both Li Tianmo and Zhou Bingxuan had advanced greatly in cultivation, nearly touching that final bottleneck.

Shen Zhuang, however, had ultimately broken through comparatively late, and would still need at least another ten to twenty years before reaching perfection.

“What are your views regarding the unrest at Five Dragon Island?”

These years, Lin Chang’an had mainly cultivated on Bibo Island.

Information regarding the island, along with his share of profits, were conveniently delivered through Xuanyin Pavilion merchant ships.

The three before him were likewise among those responsible for transporting intelligence this time, specifically arriving to report information and deliver cultivation resources to Lin Chang’an.

Lin Chang’an glanced at the three of them before deliberately posing the question as a form of evaluation.

The three exchanged glances.

Ultimately, Shen Zhuang hesitated briefly before speaking first:

“Granduncle, in Yue Kingdom, Core Formation cultivators were like the heavens themselves. But here, those once unattainable Core Formation cultivators are now also desperately fighting over resources.”

Hearing this, Lin Chang’an calmly nodded.

Core Formation cultivators were likewise divided into ranks and hierarchies.

After pondering briefly, Li Tianmo then spoke:

“Granduncle, I believe many Core Formation cultivators have allowed greed to cloud their judgment. Clearly, this entire situation is a muddy and dangerous pool.”

Finally, Zhou Bingxuan slightly frowned before respectfully saying:

“Elder Lin, this junior believes perhaps they also know there are problems. However, many of the Core Formation cultivators participating are nearing the end of their lifespans and merely wish to gamble for a future for their descendants.”

Because of their differing backgrounds and foundations, each of the three perceived different aspects of reality.

Shen Zhuang’s words were rather broad and vague.

Furthermore, perhaps due to his relatively lagging cultivation, his obsession with Core Formation was not as intense as the other two.

Li Tianmo, meanwhile, carried pressure due to his family circumstances.

Especially in recent years, Li Yifan’s physical condition had deteriorated badly.

Once he passed away, the resources provided to the clan would inevitably become unstable.

Thus, Li Tianmo faced considerable pressure.

As for Zhou Bingxuan, although the Zhou Clan was not particularly powerful, several centuries of accumulated foundation left them comparatively wealthy.

Whether in terms of vision or other aspects, they surpassed the others.

Looking at the three, Lin Chang’an ultimately sighed inwardly.

At the end of the day, none of them were true rogue cultivators.

All had fathers or clans supporting them with resources.

None had ever truly experienced the crushing burden of carrying an entire clan’s rise and fall upon their shoulders.

“Among these people, the majority are neither foolish nor blinded by greed. Rather, their Dao Hearts are resolute, and they clearly understand what they need.”

As someone who had walked the immortal path from absolute nothingness, Lin Chang’an understood the mentality of such people far more deeply.

Looking at the confusion upon their faces, he spoke earnestly:

“How could opportunities with genuine hope ever fall into their hands? Only opportunities with no hope give them a chance. Thus, even knowing something is likely a trap, they still rush forward one after another to leap in.

Because what they need is merely an opportunity. Even snatching chestnuts from a blazing fire is worth the risk.”

How difficult were opportunities to obtain?

Back when he was merely at the third layer of Qi Refinement, he joined a demon-hunting team to hunt a late-stage first-rank demon beast.

There were many other third-layer Qi Refinement cultivators alongside him.

All of them clearly understood the late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators leading the hunting party merely treated them as cannon fodder and bait.

Yet for even such a tiny opportunity, they still had to desperately fight for it.

If rogue cultivators lacked even the courage to gamble everything, they would gain absolutely nothing.

After Lin Chang’an slowly voiced these words, the expressions of the three varied greatly, their gazes flickering as unknown thoughts stirred within.

Soon afterward, Lin Chang’an calmly smiled again, as though his earlier remarks had merely been casual commentary.

He had already said all that needed saying.

Core Formation was never easy.

Ultimately, all choices depended upon oneself.

“Previously, your Zhou Clan delivered quite a few cultivation resources. I promised I would grant you one opportunity at Core Formation. As for when exactly, that will depend upon you.”

Then Lin Chang’an shifted his gaze toward Li Tianmo and Shen Zhuang before softly adding:

“If you two also obtain such an opportunity, I will likewise grant each of you a chance.”

Unlike the Zhou Clan, whose Core Formation opportunity had essentially been half-sold and half-gifted—

Li Tianmo and Shen Zhuang represented the care he and Yun Yao extended toward the descendants of Shen Lie, Wei Bu Yi, Lu Qingqing, and Er Niu.

Hearing mention of Core Formation opportunities, all three immediately revealed excited expressions.

“Many thanks, Granduncle/Elder Lin!”

The trio excitedly bowed.

Lin Chang’an casually waved his hand, gifting each of them a portion of his Core Formation insights.

After the Secret Realm, he would also leave eventually.

Toward descendants of old friends and people connected to his past, naturally he would not mistreat them if he could offer assistance within his abilities.

……

Beneath the perpetually gloomy weather of the Fog Sea of Tongtian, the three descended from the mountain.

Both Shen Zhuang and Li Tianmo curiously looked toward Zhou Bingxuan, seemingly wishing to ask:

With your current cultivation, you should already be capable of attempting Core Formation, right?

Ultimately, Li Tianmo voiced the question.

“Junior Sister Zhou, with your current cultivation, you should be about ready, correct?”

Zhou Bingxuan did not conceal anything from the two and directly answered solemnly:

“Although I’ve already touched the bottleneck, I still possess little confidence regarding Core Formation. After returning this time, I will request permission from the Pavilion Master and begin closed-door cultivation.”

Her words caused Li Tianmo and Shen Zhuang to fall silent while simultaneously revealing envy.

Zhou Bingxuan possessed such confidence because the Zhou Clan had developed rather well behind her, allowing them to provide substantial support.

By comparison, the families and elders behind the two men could provide far fewer resources.

At the same time, however, Li Tianmo secretly glanced toward Shen Zhuang.

Although the Li Clan had developed well, precisely because their population was so numerous, combined with the worsening condition of the current clan head, the support available to him had become increasingly scarce.

The remainder would have to depend upon himself.

The Shen Clan, however, differed.

Shen Fan and Wei Yingying both possessed high cultivation, and the clan itself had relatively few descendants.

Thus, resources could instead be concentrated much more easily.

“All choices depend upon oneself… so that’s what he meant.”

At this moment, the three suddenly understood the meaning behind Lin Chang’an’s earlier guidance.

No path was wrong.

They were simply choices made personally.

For example, Zhou Bingxuan—

If she chose to further stabilize her cultivation through additional secluded cultivation, only to later emerge and be targeted and killed by others—

Would she regret not attempting breakthrough earlier?

Regardless of success or failure, at least she would not have regrets.

But if she chose to enter seclusion and attempt breakthrough now—

Then if she failed merely because she lacked that final bit of foundation, would she likewise regret it?

Aggressive risk-taking carried enormous dangers.

Yet cautious conservatism also carried countless unknown variables.

Thus, even stability itself was a form of struggle.

This was precisely the meaning behind Lin Chang’an’s earlier words.

One’s path had to be personally chosen.

……

【Lifespan: 248/797】

【Cultivation: Mid Core Formation (96/100)】

After the trio departed, Lin Chang’an examined the progress of his cultivation over these five years and inwardly nodded.

Over five years, his cultivation had increased by four points.

He could clearly sense the bottleneck now, and future advancement would likely become increasingly difficult.

Still, his current cultivation speed was already far from slow.

“In terms of potential, aptitude, and sufficient resources, only now encountering a bottleneck is already vastly superior to the past.”

Lin Chang’an was already thoroughly satisfied.

Back during Foundation Establishment, due to the limitations of his low-grade spiritual root aptitude, bottlenecks had already begun appearing once his cultivation passed ninety points.

Every single advancement required several times the effort of cultivators at the same realm.

But now, with high-grade Golden Core quality and spiritual roots refined to earth-grade aptitude, he had finally experienced the treatment reserved for true geniuses.

“Since I’ve encountered a bottleneck, it’s about time I spread news of my breakthrough into a third-rank high-grade formation master. Especially now that I can board the ship of this Sixth Elder.”

At two hundred forty-eight years old, becoming a third-rank high-grade formation master qualified him as a genius, but not enough to provoke fear and suppression.

【Third-rank High-grade Formation Master (Grandmaster 1109/5000)】

Examining his attainments in formations over these years, Lin Chang’an secretly nodded.

“With only around thirty years remaining before the Secret Realm opens, there’s no chance of achieving another breakthrough in formations within such a short time.

However, even among third-rank high-grade formation masters, differences in strength still exist.”

Depending upon experience and specialization, formation masters of the same rank also possessed varying strengths and weaknesses.

For example, he had inherited the破阵 formation inheritance from the Yin Soul Sect.

One could say his greatest specialty now was locating formation cores and breaking formations.

“Formation Dao still cannot be neglected. Continued study remains necessary.”

Looking at the ‘maze map’ of the Yin Soul Sect Secret Realm in his hands, Lin Chang’an pondered deeply.

Hopefully this journey would proceed smoothly.

Best of all, he hoped to discover opportunities related to Nascent Soul breakthrough.

【Third-rank High-grade Talisman Master (Grandmaster 802/5000)】

【Third-rank High-grade Alchemist (Grandmaster 53/5000)】

【Third-rank Mid-grade Refiner (Mastery 678/1000)】

【Second-rank High-grade Puppet Master (Grandmaster 3965/5000)】

Examining his achievements in other fields, Lin Chang’an also nodded in satisfaction.

“Formations, talismans, and alchemy have all reached third-rank high-grade mastery. Refining is not far behind either. As for puppetry, before the Secret Realm opens, I should strive to break through into the third rank as soon as possible.”

Regarding puppetry, his primary focus remained mechanism-type puppets, since they would be especially useful inside the Secret Realm.

“With my current foundation and wealth, there probably aren’t many Core Formation cultivators who can compare to me anymore.”

Thinking this, Lin Chang’an could not help smiling.

Still, he was not truly arrogant.

At the very least, he knew of one person—

Someone capable of overwhelming all techniques with sheer force alone.

Against that individual, he truly might not compare.

That person was precisely Su Miaoyin, the direct disciple of True Lord Lu.

Even if she had not yet reached the realm of a fourth-rank formation master, she was likely already at quasi fourth-rank.

Just that single quasi fourth-rank skill alone was enough to completely suppress all the various arts he possessed.

Moreover, with a Nascent Soul master/father backing her, would she possibly lack magical artifacts, divine abilities, or life-saving treasures?

At this moment, Lin Chang’an could not help but feel envious.

He had struggled and fought for so many years, yet in the end, it truly was not as good as simply having a Nascent Soul father.

“One cannot become arrogant. Among the disciples of those top Nascent Soul powers, there are likewise many heavenly geniuses. Calculating comprehensively, they may not necessarily be inferior to me.”

Lin Chang’an possessed self-awareness, yet at the same time, he also had his own advantages.

Starting from a lone rogue cultivator, he had steadily walked step by step until now, finally catching up to these heavenly geniuses.

And in the future, he would also surpass them.

“The Core Formation realm is merely the beginning. Nascent Soul is the true key.”

……

At that moment, escape light flashed outside the cave abode, accompanied by the mooing of the Green-Horned Bull.

The Green-Horned Bull carried Sword Attendant back to the cave abode, both visibly delighted.

“Master, this merchant ship mission concluded smoothly. Although we encountered several waves of rogue cultivators along the route, once they saw our third-rank spirit warship and the three Core Formation cultivators stationed aboard—

those rogue cultivators abandoned any thoughts of robbing the ship.”

After landing, Sword Attendant, dressed in dark cyan fitted attire with her usual cool expression, cupped her fists and efficiently recounted the events of the journey.

Sword Attendant had already broken through to mid Core Formation two years ago.

In merely a little over a hundred years, the Foundation Establishment cultivator Lin Chang’an once brought back had now grown into a Core Formation cultivator at the same realm as himself.

Seeing Sword Attendant’s growth, Lin Chang’an felt a distinct sense of accomplishment, as though nurturing and raising her had borne fruit.

“Hehe, those rogue cultivators aren’t fools either. With your mid Core Formation cultivation, plus a mid third-rank Green-Horned Bull, who would casually provoke you?”

Lin Chang’an could not help but laugh.

By now, information regarding the Green-Horned Bull had already spread, and its strength was comparable to a late Core Formation cultivator.

Sword Attendant and the Green-Horned Bull, combined with the other two Core Formation cultivators from the Seven Kingdoms Alliance—

such a force was something even rogue cultivators had to carefully weigh.

Rogue cultivators robbed for profit, not to fight desperate life-and-death battles.

“Moo!”

After returning, the Green-Horned Bull displayed an ingratiating expression, clearly trying to claim credit.

Looking at the mining profit share Sword Attendant handed over, Lin Chang’an smiled and casually tossed two spiritual fruits from his storage bag toward the Green-Horned Bull.

“You greedy stupid cow, remember not to neglect your cultivation. Otherwise, if your strength proves insufficient and you get slaughtered within the Secret Realm thirty years later—

then for the sake of our many years together, I’ll turn you into either a corpse puppet or a puppet construct. You can choose for yourself.”

The Green-Horned Bull widened its eyes.

Having cultivated to this level, aside from certain special species, demon beasts already possessed extremely high intelligence.

How could it possibly fail to understand these words?

Immediately, the Green-Horned Bull mooed repeatedly while frantically shaking its head.

It did not want to become a dead cow.

Whether corpse puppets or puppet constructs, it had seen both before.

Once transformed into such a thing, there would no longer be any chance to enjoy fresh juicy spirit grass and spiritual fruits.

“Enough already.”

Seeing the Green-Horned Bull’s reaction, Lin Chang’an waved his hand with a smile.

However, over these years, perhaps due to the demonic energy mutation from before—or perhaps some other reason—

after continuously absorbing demonic energy in cultivation, strange black demonic patterns had gradually begun appearing beneath the Green-Horned Bull’s hide and fur.

According to ancient records he had consulted, there were indeed records within the cultivation world regarding such demonicized demon beasts.

The descendants of certain demonicized demon beasts were often affected by reduced intelligence.

At the same time, however, their advantage was that these demon beasts generally possessed exceptionally powerful combat strength among their peers, often with enhanced physiques and abilities.

“Mutated demonicized demon beasts… even within ancient records, such existences are extremely rare.”

Watching the Green-Horned Bull happily chewing on spiritual fruits, Lin Chang’an smiled faintly.

At the very least, the Green-Horned Bull did not display the violent temperament commonly associated with demonicized beasts.

In any case, the stronger his spirit beast companions became, the better it was for him.

……

During these five years, all major factions had frantically increased their strength.

The Seven Kingdoms Alliance had also produced several false Core and Core Formation cultivators.

Everyone was sparing no effort in strengthening themselves.

The price of doing so was the complete depletion of their foundations.

Even after the unrest ended, recovery would likely require at least a hundred years.

Of course, exceptions always existed.

Some rose amid chaos.

For example, the former Long Clan of the Five Dragon Island sea region had been a representative example of rising during the previous period of unrest.

Yet behind the rise of the Long Clan lay the corpses of countless cultivators, along with the destruction and decline of innumerable clans and sects.

While the Demon Beast Sea Abyss remained turbulent and the various powers secretly tested one another, an inconspicuous piece of news spread throughout the Five Dragon Island sea region.

For the Demon Beast Sea Abyss as a whole, it was not particularly major news.

But for Five Dragon Island and Bibo Island, it was quite significant.

Lin Chang’an had achieved new insights within the Formation Dao and had now publicly begun accepting commissions to repair and refine third-rank high-grade formations.

Bibo Island.

Normally quiet and deserted, Lin Chang’an’s cave abode suddenly became crowded with visitors after the news spread.

“Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lin.”

“Formation Master Lin truly possesses extraordinary talent. In the future, becoming a fourth-rank formation master may not even be impossible.”

“Exactly, exactly. Fellow Daoist Lin’s achievement today is truly worthy of celebration.”

The first to arrive were naturally the many Core Formation cultivators of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.

Each brought generous gifts and smiling faces as they came to visit.

One reason was the sheer rarity of a third-rank high-grade formation master, which alone was enough to make them treat him with utmost respect.

The second—and most important—reason was that this Formation Master Lin likely truly had boarded the great ship known as Bihai Palace.

Although the Demon Beast Sea Abyss was in constant turmoil and might very well erupt into massive chaos decades later—

everyone clearly understood one thing:

Bihai Palace, acknowledged as the number one human faction within the Demon Beast Sea Abyss, could never easily be destroyed no matter how chaotic things became.

At most, it would merely suffer some losses of interest and territory.

“It was luck as well. And thanks to the formation inheritance gifted by Sixth Elder previously, which contained many formation insights from senior experts. Otherwise, how could Lin have progressed so smoothly?”

Facing everyone’s praise, Lin Chang’an responded with smiling humility while cupping his fists.

This was precisely the benefit of attaching oneself to a great power.

Even the Four Seas Merchant Guild and Meng Xinghai personally came.

“Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lin.”

Meng Xinghai arrived accompanied by his two false Core dao companions.

As he looked at Lin Chang’an, the envy within his eyes was impossible to conceal.

Although both possessed Nascent Soul cultivators as backers, the situations were entirely different.

Lin Chang’an relied upon his own ability to secure his backing.

And as a third-rank high-grade formation master, no matter where he went, he would be treated as an honored guest.

Meng Xinghai, meanwhile, relied upon利益 relationships.

His cheap master truly did not bother concealing this fact at all.

Although both sides merely took what they needed from one another, Meng Xinghai genuinely envied Lin Chang’an’s ability-based status.

“Fellow Daoist Meng is too courteous.”

Lin Chang’an might not care much regarding others, but toward the Meng Clan and the Four Seas Merchant Guild, even his peripheral gaze lingered upon the gifts.

After all, courtesy demanded reciprocity.

These years, many factions had produced new false Core and Core Formation cultivators.

Since gifts and exchanges had already occurred before, naturally he could not lose face.

Others were one thing.

But toward the Four Seas Merchant Guild and the Meng Clan, whom he opposed, he absolutely would not allow them to gain any advantage.

It had nothing to do with narrow-mindedness.

Purely speaking, one could not aid the enemy.

……

After everyone departed, the once lively cave abode finally became peaceful again.

Within the Fog Sea of Tongtian, the climate remained gloomy and overcast.

The fine rain drifted silently like mist, dampening the blue stone slabs outside the pavilion while washing clean the upturned eaves of the octagonal pavilion.

Inside stood a stone table.

Upon it rested a set of elegant white jade tea utensils.

Steam rose continuously from them, colliding with the cool moisture outside before transforming into curling white mist that wrapped around the pavilion pillars while spreading a refreshing tea fragrance.

“Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s tea artistry truly possesses a pleasing elegance.”

Watching Fairy of Rainbow Skirt gracefully brew tea, Lin Chang’an could not help but sigh emotionally.

Sometimes, simply appreciating beautiful things truly could refine one’s temperament.

Fairy of Rainbow Skirt merely smiled softly.

“This humble skill is unworthy of Fellow Daoist Lin’s praise.”

As she lifted the teapot, her fair wrist suspended lightly in the air, the silver chains and golden bells upon her attire emitted crisp melodic chimes.

Amber-colored spirit tea poured downward in a steady stream.

The sound of the rain outside blended harmoniously with the clear ringing of tea flowing into cups—one cool and distant, the other warm and gentle.

Even Sword Attendant sensed something different about Fairy of Rainbow Skirt.

It was an indescribable artistic realm, as though Fairy of Rainbow Skirt had merged into the surrounding mountains and waters, while they themselves merely watched a figure within a painting.

“Please.”

The spirit tea was pushed before the two of them.

Sword Attendant suddenly snapped awake, her eyes revealing solemn shock.

Meanwhile, seeing Sword Attendant recover so quickly, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt was likewise inwardly startled.

She then glanced toward Lin Chang’an, who calmly sipped tea beside her, and silently pondered:

It seemed this Fellow Daoist Qiu was far from ordinary.

Though, upon reflection, that made sense.

For Lin Chang’an to care for her so deeply and personally nurture her from Foundation Establishment all the way to Core Formation—

if she were merely some ordinary female cultivator, how could he possibly be willing to invest such enormous resources?

Still, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt did not dare imagine one of the Three Great Sword Cultivation Physiques.

After all, such supreme physiques were exceptionally rare treasures within the cultivation world. How could one casually encounter them?

“I should also congratulate Fellow Daoist Rainbow Skirt for your cultivation advancing further once again. The path toward Nascent Soul may not necessarily be impossible in the future.”

After lightly sipping spirit tea, Lin Chang’an praised her sincerely, though inwardly he was greatly startled.

These years, he truly had somewhat underestimated Fairy of Rainbow Skirt.

Her Divine Sense had already grown to such an extent, far surpassing ordinary late Core Formation cultivators.

Yet Fairy of Rainbow Skirt merely smiled and shook her head.

“How could it be so easy? The cultivation method I specialize in already focuses primarily upon Divine Sense. Furthermore, I was fortunate back then to receive Fellow Daoist’s rescue, allowing my Divine Sense to clash against that shape-shifted sinister spirit. Disaster thus became fortune…”

Each person cultivated different methods and encountered different opportunities.

As Fairy of Rainbow Skirt mentioned, clashing Divine Senses with a shape-shifted sinister spirit—

even if only against a Soul Fragment—was still an extremely dangerous confrontation.

High risk naturally brought high reward.

Rather than suffering backlash from demonic cultivation methods, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt instead broke through and advanced through adversity itself.

Though Lin Chang’an was surprised, he could still understand it.

One could simply admire such fortune from afar.

If asked to personally attempt it himself, however, he would absolutely refuse.

Far too dangerous.

Who knew what kind of accident might occur?

“Fellow Daoist, are you preparing to head toward Sea Abyss City?”

Within the pavilion, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt softly inquired.

Lin Chang’an did not conceal anything and directly nodded.

“Correct. I once made an agreement with Sixth Elder. Since I have already broken through, naturally I must go fulfill it.”

Furthermore, his cultivation had now entered a bottleneck.

Additionally, his ancient treasure, the Four Symbols Dragon Scale Armor, still lacked a late third-rank wind-attribute demon core.

Thus, a trip to Sea Abyss City was inevitable.

If there were benefits to gain and he refused to go, then he truly would be a fool.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, if your harvest this time proves fruitful, then regarding that mid third-rank wind-attribute demon core you previously obtained… could this one perhaps have an opportunity?”

Fairy of Rainbow Skirt smiled lightly as she directly revealed her intention.

Lin Chang’an could not help but smile.

Clearly, this Fairy of Rainbow Skirt knew that the wind-attribute demon core he once traded for had not yet been used.

Still, that was understandable.

The Secret Realm opening remained far away.

And since he still had choices available, naturally he would keep it for now.

“As long as the price is appropriate, Lin naturally would be willing to trade with Fellow Daoist.”

Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded.

Fairy of Rainbow Skirt likewise smiled in response.

Trading with an acquaintance was naturally preferable to letting outsiders profit instead.

Moreover, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt possessed excellent judgment and restraint.

She had never intended to take advantage of him.

“Then this one shall first wish Fellow Daoist Lin soaring success upon the immortal path and eternal longevity.”

In the eyes of outsiders, Lin Chang’an boarding the ship of Bihai Palace truly resembled soaring directly into the heavens.

Even Fairy of Rainbow Skirt could not help but feel envious, thus offering her sincere blessings.

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