Chapter 379 ·Sword Attendant Planning for the Secret Realm

Within ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍the Five Dragon Islands sea region stood a spiritual island rich with Spiritual Qi.

“Fellow ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Daoist Lin, this humble one came from another sea region. I also heard that the Five Dragon Islands sea region is relatively stable compared to elsewhere. The reason I invited Fellow Daoist here today—

is ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍because I have long heard of Fellow Daoist’s talent in the Dao of formations and wished to ask Fellow Daoist to examine this spiritual peak and arrange a formation for it…”

This ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍mature female cultivator surnamed Ye, who still retained considerable charm, currently wore an attentive smile filled with flattery.

Lin ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Chang’an had naturally come because of business.

After ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍all, a Third-rank formation was hardly cheap, and he could earn quite a large amount from it.

As for this rather mature middle-aged female cultivator, her cultivation was only at Early Core Formation, so naturally she treated him with extreme courtesy.

Of course, Lin Chang’an was not foolish.

How could he fail to understand the seductive intent hidden within her brows and eyes?

But one matter was one matter.

He had come here to earn spirit stones.

It was hardly the first time he had encountered such temptations over the years.

Thinking this, Lin Chang’an inwardly sneered with disdain.

“Dream on. At the very least, pay the formation fee first before discussing anything else.”

If someone thought they could freeload off him, they could forget it.

Thus, Lin Chang’an merely smiled and nodded, appearing as though he had not understood her hints at all.

“Indeed, this spiritual island possesses rich Spiritual Qi. Cultivating here will surely produce twice the result with half the effort. I wonder what kind of cave abode formation Fellow Daoist Ye desires?

One focused primarily on defense? Or perhaps illusionary trapping and killing formations? Or maybe a killing formation…”

Lin Chang’an endlessly explained matters concerning formations.

Although the female cultivator surnamed Ye maintained her charming smile, inwardly she was cursing furiously.

This surname Lin truly matched the rumors outside—completely obsessed with money.

But hmph, this old lady’s money wasn’t so easy to earn.

If Lin Chang’an knew what she was thinking, he would only sneer.

Without spirit stones, one could not grow stronger.

Without strength, where would beautiful women throwing themselves into one’s arms come from?

If she paid the spirit stones first and then offered herself willingly, he would naturally welcome it.

The problem was that these people all wanted to offer themselves first, then make him earn nothing—or even freeload entirely.

What exactly did they take him for?

“Fellow Daoist Ye, let us focus mainly upon a defensive trapping formation.”

In the end, this female cultivator surnamed Ye, who had fled from the Outer Sea, revealed a pitiful expression and began bargaining over the price.

“Fellow Daoist, you cultivate a water-attribute cultivation method. This water-attribute formation will definitely unleash even greater power. As for the price, it is not that I am unwilling, but rather that the prices of formation materials have all increased recently…”

When speaking about formations, Lin Chang’an shook his head and spoke extremely directly.

However, deep inside, he always felt that the woman harbored improper intentions.

Still, after repeatedly sensing her aura, he discovered nothing abnormal.

She indeed possessed only Early Core Formation cultivation.

As for whether she hid other methods—

that had little to do with him.

After all, who in the cultivation world did not conceal a few trump cards?

“Fellow Daoist Lin…”

The mature female cultivator surnamed Ye cast another seductive and alluring gaze, leaving Lin Chang’an speechless.

In the end, he categorized her as the type whose cultivation was shallow and who wished to attach herself to a wealthy Late Core Formation great cultivator like him for protection.

Such things were far too common within the cultivation world.

It was not as though there had never been female cultivators wishing to approach him over the years.

Even the Four Seas Merchant Guild had secretly entertained such thoughts before.

In the end, the two sides reached an agreement.

After receiving the deposit, Lin Chang’an once again received suggestive hints from the mature female cultivator surnamed Ye.

However, he remained completely unmoved.

After leaving the island, Lin Chang’an headed toward the Five Dragon Islands marketplace.

He planned to meet up with the Sword Attendant while also purchasing some materials for refining formations.

……

Five Dragon Islands Marketplace, within a restaurant.

“Master, according to the information recently gathered, there are several matters worth noting. Among them, there are two major events.

First, half a year ago, there seemed to be activity within the Ghost Domain. It is suspected to have been the aftermath of a battle between Nascent Soul cultivators.

Second, four months ago, the Blazing Fire Sect suffered an attack from an unknown Shape-shifted great demon. Rumor says it was a great demon skilled in poison. The entire Blazing Fire Sect was massacred, yet throughout the entire event, the Crimson Fire Old Monster never appeared.”

The Nascent Soul old monster had not appeared and simply allowed his sect headquarters to be destroyed—

didn’t that imply something had happened?

At this point, the Sword Attendant lowered her voice further and solemnly said:

“Some say it was done by Bihai Palace. Others say the Crimson Fire Old Monster had conflicts with the Water Nether Sect among the Sixteen Sea Suppression Sects. Now many cultivators in the Outer Sea are deeply uneasy.

It is said that some wandering cultivators and neutral Nascent Soul cultivators in the Outer Sea have secretly reached agreements to unite and support one another while publicly declaring that they do not wish to become involved in any trouble…”

Listening to the Sword Attendant’s intelligence, Lin Chang’an could not help but frown secretly.

The Demon Beast Sea Abyss truly had become a troubled era.

“The secret realm hasn’t even opened yet, and already one Nascent Soul cultivator has died? Isn’t this too outrageous?”

Even Lin Chang’an felt his heart tremble in shock.

Nascent Soul cultivators were not roadside cabbages.

Throughout the Seven Kingdoms over a thousand years, only True Lord Lu had emerged as a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Nascent Soul cultivators already counted as top-level powers worthy of sitting at the table within the cultivation world.

Yet now, one had disappeared, and even his sect gates had been shattered.

“No wonder so many unfamiliar faces have appeared throughout the Five Dragon Islands sea region since my return.”

Lin Chang’an secretly sighed.

Under the turmoil of the Outer Sea, those most affected were naturally the weak lower-level cultivators.

Some people would rather flee into the dangerous Fog Sea of Tongtian than remain in their homeland—

one could easily imagine just how chaotic the Outer Sea had become.

Meanwhile, the Five Dragon Islands sea region was located remotely.

Coupled with the presence of the Ghost Domain nearby, it instead became one of the relatively stable sea regions among the seventy-two Outer Sea territories under Bihai Palace.

That mature female cultivator from earlier, for example, had reportedly fled from the sea region controlled by the Crimson Fire Old Monster.

“This world is becoming more chaotic by the day.”

Afterward, Lin Chang’an lost interest in remaining within the restaurant.

While collecting various materials within the marketplace, he also gathered intelligence from different regions.

……

In the blink of an eye, another half year passed.

【Lifespan: 254/869】

【Realm: Late Core Formation (1/100)】

This year, Lin Chang’an was two hundred and fifty-four years old.

Yet inside the cave abode, looking at his cultivation realm, he frowned deeply.

“After breaking through to Late Core Formation, cultivation speed has become even slower. One point of progress per year… at this rate, reaching perfection will take at least another hundred years.”

After all, the later stages became increasingly difficult to cultivate.

“No wonder the appearances of many Nascent Soul old monsters are middle-aged or even elderly.”

At this moment, Lin Chang’an finally understood part of the reason.

Aside from certain peerless geniuses, ordinary cultivators only began planning for Nascent Soul around three to four hundred years old.

Naturally, traces of time would remain upon their faces.

Furthermore, most male cultivators simply did not care much about appearances, unlike female cultivators who paid greater attention to such matters.

Thus, the more powerful female cultivators became, the more beautiful and alluring they appeared.

Elderly crone appearances were extremely rare.

“Nascent Soul-forming spirit items…”

At this moment, Lin Chang’an frowned while inwardly sighing.

Obtaining Nascent Soul-forming spirit items was unimaginably difficult.

Right now, he did not possess the slightest clue.

He only knew the secret realm contained such items, but as for their exact location—

he was completely clueless.

There was one place he did know possessed Nascent Soul-forming spirit items—

Sinister Soul Island within the Ghost Domain.

However, the island contained a Mid Fourth-rank Shape-shifted Sinister Spirit Beast King.

The danger level there was even greater.

“Many Late Core Formation cultivators do not lack the talent to form a Nascent Soul. They simply lack the opportunity.”

Within the cultivation world, who knew how many Late Core Formation cultivators had wasted their years searching for Nascent Soul-forming spirit items?

Gradually, they declined with age before finally despairing and giving up helplessly.

And this did not even count those cultivators who perished upon that path.

Among those who ultimately obtained Nascent Soul-forming spirit items and successfully formed Nascent Souls—

their numbers were even fewer.

“One step at a time. For me, the current top priority remains the secret realm. At least there is still hope there.”

At this moment, Lin Chang’an looked toward his lifespan and comforted himself inwardly.

Once his body refinement reached Late Third-rank and he fully cultivated the Profound Heaven Spiritual Body, his lifespan would definitely exceed a thousand years.

A lifespan surpassing one thousand years already rivaled certain Nascent Soul cultivators with comparatively short lifespans.

It was twice the lifespan of ordinary Core Formation cultivators.

This meant he possessed far more time to search for Nascent Soul-forming spirit items.

Naturally, his opportunities would also be several times greater than others.

“Moo!”

Just after leaving the cave abode on Bibo Island, the Green-horned Ox lying outside cultivating sensed him and affectionately mooed while raising its head.

“Mm, cultivate properly.”

Seeing the Green-horned Ox rarely cultivating so diligently, Lin Chang’an secretly nodded.

It seemed the Fengming Bird’s recent cultivation and preparation to break through to Late Third-rank had stimulated the Green-horned Ox as well.

After all, competition created pressure.

Casually tossing two spirit fruits toward the Green-horned Ox, Lin Chang’an walked toward the pavilion and began brewing tea for himself.

Calculating the time, the promised formation had already been completed and would be delivered soon.

His true body naturally never delayed cultivation for even a moment.

Tasks like refining formations were all delegated to his avatar.

“Recently, the Fengming Bird has also been cultivating, but breaking through bottlenecks is not easy. Furthermore, purchasing high-level fire-attribute spirit items is rather difficult.”

He did possess a bottle of Mid Third-rank medicinal pills for increasing cultivation.

However, for the Fengming Bird, now already at Peak Mid Third-rank, the effects were insignificant.

“The Fengming Bird possesses extraordinary bloodline. Even without external assistance, at most another decade of tempering will allow it to break through. The issue isn’t serious.”

This was the advantage of powerful bloodlines.

If one’s bloodline were insufficient, remaining trapped at a bottleneck for an entire lifetime was completely normal.

In this regard, demon beasts were no different from human cultivators.

“Speaking of which, this foolish ox truly has good luck. Its bloodline actually mutated.”

Lin Chang’an looked strangely at the Green-horned Ox immersed blissfully within the icy pool while savoring spirit fruits, leaving him speechless.

A foolish ox truly possessed foolish blessings.

Mutated bloodline demon beasts rivaled Heaven-grade bloodlines.

Its potential far surpassed the High-grade bloodline it once possessed.

“Thinking about it now, I really do need quite a lot of things.”

Thinking this, Lin Chang’an laughed self-mockingly while brewing himself a pot of Spirit Tea before gathering his thoughts again.

Right now, he should devote his full attention toward planning his Nascent Soul path.

The Profound Heaven Spiritual Body absolutely had to be cultivated.

However, before achieving that, three conditions first needed to be fulfilled—

body refinement, cultivation methods, and Divine Sense all had to reach Late Third-rank.

“Body refinement itself is already a massive resource-consuming path. Even though Demonic Energy assists cultivation speed somewhat, in the end, my actual cultivation time has still been too short.

Right now I’m only at Early Third-rank. Breaking through to Mid Third-rank will still require some time.”

Just as Lin Chang’an contemplated his future Nascent Soul path, a streak of escape light flashed and directly appeared within the cave abode.

“Master, you’ve emerged from seclusion!”

Seeing Lin Chang’an brewing tea alone inside the pavilion, the Sword Attendant respectfully stepped forward to pour tea for her master.

“You’re already a Mid Core Formation cultivator now. There’s no need for you to keep doing these things.”

However, after hearing this, the Sword Attendant merely smiled and shook her head while continuing to pour tea attentively for her master.

Seeing this, Lin Chang’an did not say anything further.

One could say the Sword Attendant had been personally raised by him.

Naturally, he understood her temperament extremely well.

Especially after so many years of both being Core Formation cultivators, her heart had never wavered in the slightest.

“You should already know about this secret realm. With your current cultivation, it’s not impossible for you to plan for it somewhat.”

With Mid Core Formation cultivation, combined with the Heavenly Spirit Sword Body, the Sword Attendant’s overall combat strength did not lose to Late Core Formation sword cultivators.

She already possessed the strength necessary to explore the secret realm.

As for danger?

Forget the Sword Attendant—even Nascent Soul cultivators faced danger after entering.

However, remaining only within the outer regions greatly reduced the danger level.

“Ling’er, do you want to enter the secret realm?”

Lin Chang’an stared directly at the Sword Attendant.

After hearing this, the Sword Attendant’s clear eyes remained unwavering as she firmly nodded.

“Yes. With my current strength, if I enter the secret realm, I will definitely be able to help Master.”

Within the secret realm, the Sword Attendant would not become a burden.

Instead, she would become additional combat power.

Moreover, regarding the conspiracy between himself and Yun Yao, having the Sword Attendant present would also increase the success rate considerably.

“Then you still need to prepare further.”

As for the requirement of possessing a fragmented secret realm map to enter the secret realm—

it just so happened that among the corpses he had brought from Sinister Soul Sect Island back then, one possessed a fragmented secret realm map.

That fragmented map could be given to the Sword Attendant.

As for his own map, the Sixth Elder of Bihai Palace had naturally already prepared one for him.

Thus, only one issue remained—

the defensive methods the Sword Attendant would require within the secret realm.

Naturally, these had to be prepared in advance.

“By the way, Master. While purchasing cultivation materials on the island, I received news from disciples of the Profound Sound Pavilion. Some time ago, Celestial Spring Peak displayed Core Formation phenomena.”

At this point, the Sword Attendant paused briefly before softly continuing:

“According to the descriptions of the Core Formation phenomena… Li Tianmo was somewhat too impatient. In the end, his Core Formation attempt failed.”

“It failed!”

When he heard the news of Li Tianmo’s failed Core Formation attempt, Lin Chang’an sighed softly.

Although he had long anticipated it, his emotions still fluctuated slightly before quickly calming once more.

After all, by Li Tianmo’s generation, the emotional bonds from the past had already faded considerably.

Furthermore, the bestowed Core Formation spirit item this time had not originated solely from him personally—there was also Yun Yao’s contribution.

But when fate and relationships eventually came to an end, such gratitude naturally could not continue forever across countless generations.

Moreover, after the secret realm expedition, the matters he intended to carry out would offend a Nascent Soul old monster faction.

Having relationships too deeply intertwined might not necessarily be a good thing.

“Success would naturally be delightful, but failure is equally normal. Even cultivators possessing High-grade spiritual roots dare not claim one hundred percent certainty in Core Formation.”

Thinking this, Lin Chang’an secretly shook his head.

“However, Zhou Xiuwan successfully established her Foundation within the Profound Sound Pavilion.”

That could be considered another piece of good news.

At this moment, the transmission jade talisman within Lin Chang’an’s robes suddenly lit up.

After probing it with Divine Sense, Li Tianmo’s voice emerged from within the transmission talisman.

After listening, Lin Chang’an revealed a trace of gratification.

“Although this failed Core Formation attempt struck Li Tianmo heavily, life is never entirely smooth sailing.”

Within the message, Li Tianmo first thanked him, this Great Granduncle, for the assistance.

Then he promised to slowly repay the resources spent upon the Core Formation spirit item in the future.

Finally, he stated that after half a year, he intended to board a spirit ship of the Profound Sound Pavilion and return to Yue Kingdom.

The Li Family now needed him.

At the same time, he intended to hold a wedding ceremony with Zhou Xiuwan within the Profound Sound Pavilion sect grounds.

“Sometimes, possessing self-awareness is actually a good thing.”

Li Tianmo’s decisiveness caused Lin Chang’an to secretly praise him.

No wonder Li Yifan had skipped over his own son and directly appointed this grandson as the next clan head.

Aside from his Late Foundation Establishment cultivation—

it was likely also because of this very mentality.

To suffer failure in Core Formation and still calm himself again within such a short time—

that truly was not something ordinary people could accomplish.

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