Chapter 384 ·Emerging from Seclusion

Bibo ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Island Marketplace.

After ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍emerging from seclusion, Lin Chang’an and the Sword Attendant arrived at the marketplace to gather information.

After ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍all, having remained in seclusion for over twenty years, they were unaware of many external developments.

Inside ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍a restaurant.

“Reporting ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍to Elder Lin, these are the major and minor intelligence reports from the past twenty-three years.”

A ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Foundation Establishment female cultivator from the Profound Sound Pavilion respectfully produced a jade slip containing intelligence.

Lin Chang’an lightly nodded upon seeing this, while the other party respectfully withdrew.

“Master!”

At this moment, the Sword Attendant also returned from outside and respectfully began her report inside the private room.

Nowadays, the Seven Kingdoms Alliance possessed considerable influence, and he himself was a guest elder of the Profound Sound Pavilion, so obtaining information was not difficult.

However, due to his cautious nature, he habitually preferred integrating intelligence from multiple sources.

The Profound Sound Pavilion, the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, himself, and the Sword Attendant—four separate channels jointly gathering information.

“Master, during the twenty-three years of our seclusion, many events occurred within the Outer Sea. Several Nascent Soul forces became involved.

“More than that, there were even three Nascent Soul cultivators who fought fiercely in the Outer Sea for unknown reasons…”

Inside the private room, Lin Chang’an lightly sipped spiritual tea while examining the jade slip of intelligence and simultaneously listening to the Sword Attendant’s report.

After hearing about the various situations over these years, Lin Chang’an secretly nodded.

Sure enough, the Demon Beast Sea Abyss was becoming increasingly chaotic.

Even the merchant trade routes of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance had strengthened their defenses significantly over these years.

“Master, during the fifth year of our seclusion, Zhou Bingxuan formed her Golden Core at Profound Sound Peak, ultimately condensing a False Core. Meanwhile, Elder Liu Ruyu of the Profound Sound Pavilion broke through to Mid Core Formation five years ago…”

First came the disturbances within the Outer Sea, followed by developments regarding Five Dragon Island and the surrounding sea regions.

Especially the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, which had earned considerable profits through mining spiritual ore over these years, naturally increasing its strength significantly.

As for the strongest among them, the Profound Sound Pavilion, its growth was even greater. Excluding himself as a guest elder and Fairy of Rainbow Skirt as sect master—

Xu Lingfeng and Liu Ruyu were both Mid Core Formation cultivators, while beneath them were three Early Core Formation cultivators. This level of strength was already no weaker than the former Long Clan.

“A False Core realm? That’s not bad either.”

After hearing that Zhou Bingxuan had formed a False Core, Lin Chang’an was not particularly surprised.

If True Cores were truly so easy to condense, there would not be so many False Core cultivators beneath heaven.

No matter how deep the Zhou Clan’s foundation was, could it compare to the Profound Sound Pavilion?

Back then, neither Xu Lingfeng nor Liu Ruyu possessed inferior aptitude compared to Zhou Bingxuan. As for foundations, it went without saying. As an old-established Core Formation sect, their experiences and insights regarding Core Formation surpassed hers by who knew how much.

They even possessed Core Formation spiritual objects as well.

Yet in the end, one formed a middle-grade Golden Core, the other a low-grade Golden Core—not even counting those who failed.

“There are too many factors involved in Core Formation. Besides spiritual root aptitude, cultivation, willpower, and opportunities, cultivation techniques also play a role.”

Within the cultivation world, cultivating a high-grade technique truly compatible with oneself was extraordinarily difficult.

His own luck had simply been good. He obtained such an opportunity and successfully cultivated this technique through refining his natal spiritual plant.

But within the cultivation world, many cultivators could only cultivate techniques matching their attributes. As for compatibility or high-grade techniques, those were exceedingly difficult to obtain.

“The Four Seas Merchant Guild has also developed quite well over these years. Three years ago, Island Lord Meng broke through into Late Core Formation. However, according to rumors on the island—

“His two Dao companions were killed ten years ago, causing considerable unrest at the time…”

As the Sword Attendant respectfully reported, she could not help but reveal suspicion.

Based on the information she had learned from her master, the deaths of those two False Core Dao companions were clearly abnormal.

After hearing this, Lin Chang’an instead revealed a mocking smile.

“This fellow surnamed Meng is truly ruthless. He was even willing to kill his own Dao companions.”

Others might not know, but how could he not?

Although this person’s aptitude was not poor, his cultivation had been shallow. Now that he urgently wished to break through into Late Core Formation, how could he possibly achieve it so quickly without relying upon external means?

“There’s also Huang Tianxiao of the Profound Yin Demonic Sect. In recent years, he has appeared within the Fog Sea of Tongtian and was previously jointly besieged by Meng Xinghai and the cultivators of the Four Seas Merchant Guild…”

The Sword Attendant’s solemn report indicated that Huang Tianxiao possessed extraordinary strength, capable of calmly retreating despite being besieged by so many cultivators.

After hearing this, Lin Chang’an merely shook his head.

Right now, he had no time to concern himself with such trivial matters.

The secret realm was about to open, and he still needed to make the best possible preparations for entering it.

【Third-rank High-grade Formation Master (Grandmaster 3462/5000)】

“The secret realm will open within the next few years. Even if a Fourth-rank Formation Master personally instructed me now, it would still be impossible to break through within such a short time.”

Looking at the progress he had made in formations over these years, Lin Chang’an secretly pondered.

Since there was no possibility of making a breakthrough in formations within a short period of time, he could only focus on improving elsewhere.

After all, the secret realm was filled with danger. Even if he did not venture into the final layer and avoided encountering those Nascent Soul old monsters, every additional bit of strength increased his chances of obtaining Nascent Soul spiritual objects.

“My cultivation has already reached Late Core Formation, while my body cultivation is currently at Mid Third-rank. However, it’s impossible to break through further in the short term.”

At this moment, Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered.

Since his own strength was difficult to improve further, he could only rely upon increasing combat power through external means.

He lacked nothing in terms of magical artifacts. That left only spirit pets and talismans.

【Third-rank High-grade Talisman Master (Grandmaster 2302/5000)】

Looking at his progress in talismans, Lin Chang’an could not help but sigh.

“What a pity. The Nascent Soul-grade magical artifact of Crimson Fire is in my possession. If I could break through into Fourth-rank, I could extract the magical artifact’s power and create Nascent Soul-grade talisman treasures.”

As for causing damage to the Nascent Soul-grade magical artifact, Lin Chang’an never even considered that.

No matter how precious a treasure was, if one could not use it, then it was simply wasted.

“However, within the inheritance of the Yin Soul Sect, there is a method. True Nascent Soul-grade talisman treasures cannot be created, but defective versions are still possible.”

Using formations as assistance to create Nascent Soul-grade talisman treasures allowed them to be used only once.

“The price is normal damage to the Nascent Soul-grade magical artifact, while the talisman treasure itself becomes a one-time consumable.”

Lin Chang’an secretly pondered.

Although it could only unleash a single effect, at a critical moment it might save his life.

Unlike the Fire Spirit Beads he obtained earlier—even though they could unleash ordinary casual attacks from an Early Nascent Soul cultivator, there was still some difference in reality. At most, they possessed seventy to eighty percent of the original power.

Against ordinary Core Formation cultivators beneath the Nascent Soul realm, they held tremendous deterrence.

But with this secret realm opening, who knew how many disciples from top-tier powers would enter? The treasures upon them would absolutely not be inferior to his own.

Some Nascent Soul seeds might even possess true Nascent Soul-grade talisman treasures.

“With the power of this Nascent Soul-grade magical artifact left behind by the Crimson Fire Old Monster, the talisman treasure created from it could unleash one-third of its original might, equivalent to the full-force strike of an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator.”

The main reason was that this magical artifact was a sword-type treasure, specialized in penetration and possessing extremely powerful offensive capabilities.

Meanwhile, the Fire Spirit Beads were more suited toward area attacks.

More importantly, among the many treasures left behind by the Crimson Fire Old Monster was a shed piece of skin from a fire-attribute demon beast after enduring heavenly tribulation lightning. It was perfectly suitable for creating talisman treasures.

“As for spirit pets, the Fengming Bird still cannot be casually exposed. If it is exposed, then preparations for complete extermination must already be made.”

If the Profound Yin Old Monster discovered that even his spirit pet had already been cultivated into Late Third-rank, he would definitely not let him off.

“As for the Sinister Spirit Twin-headed Tiger, although it successfully broke through into Mid Third-rank as well, its strength has temporarily reached its limit. Without several decades of cultivation, further major breakthroughs are impossible.”

After carefully calculating everything, only the Green-Horned Ox remained. It had already remained at Mid Third-rank for many years, and its cultivation had reached a bottleneck.

“There are still plenty of cultivation resources left behind by the Crimson Fire Old Monster. If I can find another Third-rank High-grade earth-attribute demon core and refine two cultivation-enhancing medicinal pills, there may still be a chance for a breakthrough before entering the secret realm.”

After thinking everything through, Lin Chang’an helplessly sighed.

He truly was burdened with a laborious fate.

He genuinely envied the Nascent Soul seeds nurtured by those top-tier powers. They practically never needed to worry about cultivation resources.

They were even bestowed life-saving treasures.

Unlike him, everything he possessed had been earned entirely through his own hands.

Afterward, Lin Chang’an and the Sword Attendant enjoyed a meal of spirit wine and spiritual dishes within the restaurant, treating themselves after more than twenty years of fasting cultivation.

Then the two headed toward Five Dragon Island.

Whether creating Nascent Soul-grade Fourth-rank talisman treasures or refining great pills for the Green-Horned Ox, he still lacked certain materials.

Thus, he still needed to make a trip to the Profound Sound Pavilion.

As a Late Core Formation cultivator, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt naturally knew of many rare resources impossible to find elsewhere.

“There are rumors outside that Fellow Daoist Fairy of Rainbow Skirt was injured?”

Lin Chang’an inwardly felt puzzled. Something felt off to him.

With the strange cultivation technique possessed by Fairy of Rainbow Skirt, he had personally witnessed it before.

Unless encountering someone whose cultivation technique specifically countered hers, among cultivators of the same level, even if she could not defeat them, her escape methods remained first-rate.

……

Meanwhile, Lin Chang’an rode the Green-Horned Ox openly out of Bibo Island without the slightest concealment, naturally causing both the Seven Kingdoms Alliance and the Four Seas Merchant Guild to receive the news.

Within the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, numerous Core Formation cultivators revealed complicated expressions.

“This Fellow Daoist Lin has remained in seclusion for so many years. His cultivation has probably advanced significantly once more.”

“I truly envy Fellow Daoist Lin. He has likely been preparing for the secret realm all these years.”

“What’s the point of envy? Even if we had the opportunity, how many of us would dare enter the secret realm? You? Or you?”

One person snorted irritably. As he glanced around, everyone fell silent.

It was not that they lacked courage to enter—

They simply feared never returning.

Over these decades, their sects and clans had only recently begun improving through their mining alliance. If something happened to pillars like them, who knew what disasters might occur?

Especially with the current turbulent situation, even the Seven Kingdoms Alliance remained tightly united in preparation for surviving the coming difficulties.

“Over these years, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt also intended to scheme for the secret realm. Unfortunately, she was seriously injured several years ago while fighting someone in the Outer Sea, so now she can only recuperate first.”

There were far too many Late Core Formation cultivators like Fairy of Rainbow Skirt who had been injured competing over secret realm map fragments. Quite a few had even fallen.

Regarding this matter, they held little suspicion, because many had personally witnessed those injuries back then. Without at least ten years or so, recovery would have been impossible.

In the eyes of outsiders, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt had clearly already lost the qualifications to enter the secret realm.

……

Within the Meng Clan cave abode of the Four Seas Merchant Guild.

“He’s emerged from seclusion!”

After hearing that Lin Chang’an and the Sword Attendant had emerged from seclusion, Meng Xinghai, who had entered Late Core Formation, revealed a cold expression.

Now he too was a Late Core Formation cultivator, no longer the timid Mid Core Formation cultivator of the past.

“That bitch from the Profound Sound Pavilion!”

Meng Xinghai’s hatred toward Lin Chang’an stemmed primarily from how he had ruined his schemes against the Profound Sound Pavilion.

To him, the numerous female cultivators of the Profound Sound Pavilion perfectly suited his interests.

“And Huang Tianxiao, just wait. Enjoy your arrogance for now. One day, I’ll make you repay my parents’ blood debt with blood.”

Toward Lin Chang’an, he merely felt resentment.

But Huang Tianxiao was his true mortal enemy.

……

Profound Sound Peak.

The sound of zithers echoed clearly while tea fragrance drifted through the air. Lin Chang’an sat within a pavilion overlooking the entire Profound Sound Pavilion sect while looking at the pale-faced Fairy of Rainbow Skirt before him, unable to help revealing a strange expression.

However, in the end, Lin Chang’an pretended nothing was unusual and lowered his head to sip spiritual tea.

“Excellent tea.”

The Sword Attendant beside him also lightly nodded, praising Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s tea art.

“The rumors outside were unavoidable measures.”

After seeing Lin Chang’an, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt lightly laughed. She displayed no surprise that her injuries had been seen through.

In fact, she had never intended to truly conceal her scheme of pretending to be injured.

“The secret realm will open within just a few years, yet Fellow Daoist Lin truly possesses elegant leisure. To think you can still calmly sit here tasting tea.”

Fairy of Rainbow Skirt lightly teased him without mentioning her own scheme of feigning injuries.

Lin Chang’an awkwardly smiled.

It seemed every time he visited Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s cave abode, it was because he needed something.

“Fellow Daoist, to be honest, with the secret realm about to open, I still require some resources to improve my strength. Having remained in seclusion for years, my channels naturally cannot compare to Fellow Daoist Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s…”

Lin Chang’an did not waste words and directly explained his purpose.

“Fourth-rank fire-attribute demon beast blood, and a Third-rank High-grade earth-attribute demon core!”

After hearing the items Lin Chang’an requested, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s eyelids twitched. None of these were ordinary resources.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, your appetite truly is enormous. With the secret realm about to open, these resources are all extremely useful within the secret realm and currently impossible to purchase on the market regardless of price.”

Fourth-rank fire-attribute demon beast blood was not suspicious enough for others to think he planned to create talisman treasures with it, because it had too many possible uses.

As for the earth-attribute demon core, it was obviously intended for the Green-Horned Ox. That was impossible to conceal from outsiders, so Lin Chang’an did not bother hiding it.

After all, neither item was something shameful.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, regarding the items you require, I think you should simply make a trip to the Treasure Light Pavilion in Sea Abyss City. Even if such treasures exist within the nearby sea regions now, they will not easily enter the market.”

After hearing this, Lin Chang’an helplessly sighed.

Sea Abyss City was quite far away. If he could obtain these items nearby, he naturally did not wish to travel such a long distance.

Moreover, with the current chaos, who knew what dangers he might encounter along the way?

“By the way, after just emerging from seclusion, I heard Fellow Daoist previously participated in the siege against Huang Tianxiao?”

Many things had happened during his seclusion.

It seemed True Lord Lu had some sort of dispute with the Profound Yin Old Monster in the Outer Sea and suffered a slight loss.

Then Huang Tianxiao happened to appear within the Fog Sea of Tongtian, so naturally the Seven Kingdoms Alliance and Four Seas Merchant Guild would not miss such an opportunity.

However, Lin Chang’an seriously doubted whether True Lord Lu had actually suffered a loss.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, there are many hidden matters involved.”

Fairy of Rainbow Skirt did not hesitate and slowly revealed many insider details regarding the major events circulating outside over these years.

This was also one reason high-level cultivators preferred associating with cultivators of the same level.

Even regarding basic intelligence, what Early Core Formation cultivators knew amounted only to superficial information.

As an old-established Late Core Formation cultivator, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt clearly knew many hidden details.

Lin Chang’an had only just emerged from seclusion, so the information he gathered was merely surface-level.

Thus, many cultivators would immediately seek out fellow Daoists for discussion after emerging from seclusion.

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