Chapter 385 ·Returning to Sea Abyss City Once Again

After ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Lin Chang’an emerged from seclusion, the news quickly spread outward.

Late ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Core Formation cultivation, a Third-rank High-grade Formation Master, and connections with the Sixth Elder of Bihai Palace—

Any ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍one of these three points alone was enough to attract attention.

Profound ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Sound Peak.

Only ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍a few days after Lin Chang’an and Fairy of Rainbow Skirt began discussing the Dao, visitors had already arrived at the Profound Sound Pavilion.

“Greetings, ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Elder Lin.”

The first to arrive were the Zhao Sisters, who had been cultivating upon the mountainside of Celestial Spring Peak.

Speaking of which, Lin Chang’an could be considered a benefactor to the two sisters. The sisters had formed their Golden Cores at Celestial Spring Peak and continued cultivating there afterward. No matter what, they owed him this favor.

“The two Fellow Daoists are too polite.”

Afterward, the two sisters respectfully reported in detail regarding the management and industries of Celestial Spring Peak over the years, finally presenting the spirit stone resources accumulated during these twenty-plus years of seclusion.

Lin Chang’an calmly accepted them. After all, he had not lent Celestial Spring Peak to the two sisters for free.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, with the secret realm about to open, the Demon Beast Sea Abyss will likely experience another wave of turmoil. I plan to arrange for Zhao Lingyue and Zhao Lingxing to return to Yue Kingdom…”

Fairy of Rainbow Skirt looked toward Lin Chang’an and did not conceal certain sect plans from him.

“Return to Yue Kingdom!”

After hearing this, Lin Chang’an looked at Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s solemn expression and seemed to understand something.

Although the Profound Sound Pavilion had developed well within the Five Dragon Island sea region, Yue Kingdom was ultimately still their foundation.

After all, this place was too chaotic. Furthermore, no one knew what kind of turmoil this disturbance would bring, so protecting one’s own foundation was naturally the wisest choice.

“Lingyue and Lingxing still lack sufficient cultivation, and the cultivation techniques they practice are wood-attribute techniques not suited for combat. Although Yue Kingdom is affected by miasma, it won’t greatly affect the two of them.”

That was indeed true. Although wood-attribute cultivation techniques were weaker in combat, they were stronger in poison resistance.

The miasma affecting the spiritual veins of the Seven Kingdoms was not necessarily a bad thing for wood-attribute Core Formation cultivators.

Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an could not help but glance at the Zhao Sisters.

These two girls were truly fortunate.

He wondered whether Fairy of Rainbow Skirt had already considered this point when cultivating the two of them back then.

Currently, there truly were no more suitable candidates within the Profound Sound Pavilion to return.

If stronger cultivators like Xu Lingfeng or Liu Ruyu returned, the miasma would instead affect them and hinder their cultivation.

The spiritual veins of the Seven Kingdoms had become tainted by miasma, making the region somewhat worthless, but for Early Core Formation cultivators like the Zhao Sisters, it was just right.

If anything truly happened within the Demon Beast Sea Abyss, at least the Profound Sound Pavilion’s inheritance would not be severed.

“Fellow Daoist Fairy of Rainbow Skirt truly plans far ahead.”

In the end, Lin Chang’an could not help but sigh emotionally regarding Fairy of Rainbow Skirt. The Profound Sound Pavilion was truly fortunate to have produced someone like her.

“You flatter me, Fellow Daoist.”

Although the Zhao Sisters wished to remain behind, they also understood the sect’s greater plans and silently obeyed the sect master’s orders.

After the two sisters departed, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt finally spoke softly:

“Fellow Daoist Lin, regarding this secret realm journey, I hope there will still be another day for us to meet again.”

Lin Chang’an naturally understood the hidden meaning behind her words and solemnly nodded.

“There will be.”

It seemed this Fairy of Rainbow Skirt had somehow already obtained a fragment of the secret realm map, and these arrangements were preparing a retreat path for the Profound Sound Pavilion.

……

After leaving Profound Sound Peak, Lin Chang’an rode the Green-Horned Ox toward Celestial Spring Peak.

A short while later, the Green-Horned Ox landed upon all four hooves, and Lin Chang’an together with the Sword Attendant returned once more to this cave abode after many years apart.

“It’s been over twenty years, yet this place remains the same.”

Although the cave abode remained sealed shut, the pavilion and surrounding spiritual herbs were maintained in an extremely clean and orderly fashion. It was obvious the Zhao Sisters had put considerable effort into it.

After entering the cave abode and seeing many familiar arrangements, Lin Chang’an revealed a trace of melancholy before speaking solemnly:

“Ling’er, clean things up. After the secret realm expedition, we’ll probably be leaving for quite some time.”

“Yes, Master.”

The Sword Attendant did not hesitate in the slightest.

Although she felt somewhat reluctant, as long as she could follow her master, that was what mattered most.

“In two months, the merchant ship of the Profound Sound Pavilion will head toward Yue Kingdom. The Zhao Sisters will escort the shipment.”

Thinking of Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s words before leaving, Lin Chang’an could not help but smile knowingly.

It was obvious that Fairy of Rainbow Skirt intended to borrow his reputation. Coincidentally, he himself was heading toward Sea Abyss City.

With his reputation accompanying them, many unnecessary troubles could naturally be avoided along the journey.

“And these spiritual herbs and spiritual fruits planted and nurtured upon Celestial Spring Peak… many have already been cultivated for over a hundred years. It really is somewhat difficult to part with them.”

Walking out of the cave abode and looking at the beautiful scenery of Celestial Spring Water, Lin Chang’an shook his head.

Without reaching the Nascent Soul realm, one would forever remain an ant.

After this, once he and Yun Yao defected, they temporarily would not be able to remain within the Demon Beast Sea Abyss.

Following this, Celestial Spring Peak began clearing out its cultivation resources, with the majority purchased by the Profound Sound Pavilion.

This scene did not attract much surprise. During such turbulent times, many cultivators chose to do the same.

Even those not entering the secret realm feared leaving behind all their accumulated wealth for others to inherit.

As for cultivators preparing to enter the secret realm, it went without saying.

If one was fortunate enough to survive and emerge alive, they would still need to hide for a period afterward.

Claiming to have obtained no treasures?

Who would believe that?

Only cultivators backed by top Nascent Soul powers could afford not to care about such matters.

For loose cultivators like them, or cultivators originating from small places, caution was the most important thing.

Likewise, after every secret realm disturbance passed through several decades or even centuries, some cultivators would reappear with greatly advanced cultivation—such as the Crimson Fire Old Monster.

Back then, after the secret realm expedition ended, everyone believed he had fallen. Yet who would have thought that upon returning, he would form his Nascent Soul and stage a shocking comeback?

Such things were extremely common within the cultivation world.

……

Several days later, Zhou Bingxuan, who had condensed a False Core, returned from outside and immediately came to Celestial Spring Peak to visit Lin Chang’an.

“Senior Lin!”

When Zhou Bingxuan saw Lin Chang’an, gratitude filled her eyes as she respectfully bowed.

“Now that you too are a Core Formation cultivator, the two of us can interact as equals.”

A False Core cultivator was still considered a Core Formation cultivator. According to convention, there was indeed no longer any need to address him as senior.

However, after personally experiencing Core Formation, Zhou Bingxuan understood the difficulty involved even more clearly. Over these years, she had also gained a deeper understanding regarding the hierarchy among Core Formation cultivators.

How could she truly believe herself qualified to stand on equal footing with the Lin Chang’an before her?

“Without Elder Lin’s care, how could Bingxuan possibly possess today’s fortune?”

Zhou Bingxuan respectfully bowed as she spoke, her gratitude completely sincere.

However, changing the title to Elder Lin already displayed her respect.

Lin Chang’an did not find this inappropriate. Although the Zhou Clan had paid resources, Core Formation spiritual objects were still priceless treasures impossible to purchase.

To Zhou Bingxuan, calling him a benefactor was no exaggeration.

“Elder Lin, currently Bingxuan is responsible for some of the Profound Sound Pavilion’s merchant guild affairs, as well as trade with the Lu Clan…”

After condensing a False Core, Zhou Bingxuan would likely remain at this stage for the rest of her life without extraordinary fortune. After all, not everyone could undergo Core Reforging and Re-cultivation.

Meanwhile, her clan could no longer provide much assistance. Instead, after years of nurturing, Zhou Bingxuan had already begun supporting the clan in return after forming her False Core.

Listening to Zhou Bingxuan’s account of these years, Lin Chang’an nodded approvingly.

The clan cultivated you, and after achieving success, repaying the clan’s value was the proper course of events.

Only a tiny minority of ingrates would drain their clans dry before kicking them aside.

“Not bad. Although you possess only a False Core, you must not become complacent. Every additional portion of condensed magical power increases your strength further.

“That Blackwater Turtle is the guardian spirit beast of your Zhou Clan and should not be moved lightly. However, with your current strength and your clan’s beast-taming methods, you can also raise a spirit pet to appropriately enhance your combat strength.

“You must understand that in times of chaos, there are also opportunities.”

“Yes, many thanks for Elder Lin’s guidance. Earlier, Bingxuan already adopted a Green Feather Eagle from the sect.”

The Beast-Taming Zhou Clan, now with Zhou Bingxuan having condensed a False Core and supported by the clan’s guardian spirit beast, could be said to bask in unmatched glory.

The combination already qualified them as a Core Formation clan.

Yet it was precisely because of this that the Profound Sound Pavilion definitely would not permit Zhou Bingxuan, a False Core cultivator, to return to Yue Kingdom.

After all, regardless of location, the Profound Sound Pavilion needed to maintain a certain degree of authority.

Lin Chang’an held no objections toward this. After all, where there were sacrifices, there were gains. The Zhou Clan had only grown increasingly powerful over these years because of the Profound Sound Pavilion.

The Zhou Clan also clearly understood this point, which was why Zhou Bingxuan operated externally while the guardian spirit beast remained within the clan.

Afterward, Lin Chang’an guided Zhou Bingxuan regarding several cultivation issues. While she felt grateful, the hidden feelings long suppressed within her heart also began to stir.

Back when she was still in Yue Kingdom, she had already heard many legends regarding this Elder Lin from her clan.

Later, after arriving within the Demon Beast Sea Abyss, she personally witnessed this handsome and refined Core Formation cultivator.

Unfortunately, her cultivation had been shallow at the time, allowing her only to suppress such thoughts deep within her heart. But now, she herself was already a False Core cultivator.

Even someone like the sect master had been moved, much less herself.

“Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Zhou on forming your Golden Core.”

At this moment, Zhou Bingxuan no longer concealed the emotions within her eyes. How could that possibly escape others?

Right then, the Sword Attendant’s cool voice sounded out.

The Sword Attendant skillfully brewed a pot of spiritual tea, pouring cups for both Zhou Bingxuan and her own master.

“Sister Qiu.”

Faced with the Sword Attendant’s calm gaze that seemed to see through her completely, Zhou Bingxuan became somewhat embarrassed and hurriedly stood to bow respectfully.

It was precisely beneath the Sword Attendant’s calm gaze that Zhou Bingxuan regained clarity.

That’s right—even a heaven’s favored genius like the sect master had still failed to shake Elder Lin’s Dao heart.

Yet she herself was merely a False Core cultivator!

Thinking of this, bitterness could not help but rise within Zhou Bingxuan’s heart.

After the three conversed for some time, Zhou Bingxuan became so embarrassed she could barely remain seated. Finally, she cupped her fists and took her leave.

Meanwhile, Lin Chang’an saw everything clearly.

It was not that he was unmoved by beauty. The real issue was that he was already preparing to flee.

Becoming entangled with too many things would instead become the root of future disaster.

Moreover, what he pursued was the Great Dao of Nascent Soul immortality. Since he already knew they could not accompany each other for long, why begin in the first place?

……

Two months later, after the Third-rank spirit ship of the Profound Sound Pavilion concealed itself within clouds and mist, it vanished into the skies through the effects of formations.

The low-level cultivators escorting cargo aboard the spirit ship for the first time stared at the rapidly passing scenery in shock.

“What incredible speed! This should already rival the escape light of a Core Formation cultivator, right?”

“So ignorant. This Third-rank spirit ship is equivalent to a moving Third-rank grand formation. At full speed, naturally it’s no weaker than a Core Formation cultivator’s escape light.

“But who would normally waste spirit stones like that?”

A well-informed middle-aged cultivator looked at the ignorant young cultivators and could not help but lecture them irritably.

“Senior Tian, tell us more about Elder Lin.”

“That’s right. We’ve met the two Elder Zhao sisters over the years, but we rarely hear much about Elder Lin.”

After seeing the curiosity of the young cultivators, the middle-aged cultivator surnamed Tian could not help but reveal pride.

“You little brats, learn properly. Our Elder Lin also originated from Yue Kingdom back then. He was even a loose cultivator from humble beginnings…”

Upon hearing the discussions below, the Zhao Sisters aboard the spirit ship merely smiled and shook their heads.

“In just twenty-plus years, is this what Core Formation cultivators are like?”

Normally lively and active, Zhao Lingxing now radiated the dignity of a Core Formation cultivator. She had clearly sensed the difference between Core Formation cultivators and ordinary cultivators.

“For ordinary Qi Refining cultivators, several decades already constitute an entire generation. But for Core Formation cultivators like us, several decades are merely a single seclusion session.”

The Zhao Sisters, Zhao Lingyue and Zhao Lingxing, who had only formed their Golden Cores for several decades, felt this especially deeply.

Many fellow disciples who once cultivated alongside them, and who once aspired together toward Core Formation—

After failing to form their Golden Cores, the erosion of time had already added white hair to their heads.

Meanwhile, after becoming Core Formation cultivators, their appearances remained unchanged.

The contrast was extremely obvious.

“Elder Sister, do you think Elder Lin and Sect Master…”

Younger Sister Zhao Lingxing quickly shifted away from unhappy thoughts and directly voiced the curiosity occupying the hearts of many within the sect.

“You dare casually speculate about Sect Master’s affairs!”

Elder Sister Zhao Lingyue glared at her, while Zhao Lingxing merely grinned mischievously.

Their relationship with the sect master was quite subtle.

In order to conceal and protect them, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt had practically nurtured them as personal disciples in secret. After they formed their Golden Cores, she had also acted like a leading elder sister within the sect.

Combined with how precarious the Profound Sound Pavilion had once been, and how Fairy of Rainbow Skirt had personally guided the sect step by step to its current position—

The cultivators within the sect all held enormous respect toward this sect master.

“Younger Sister, after we return to Yue Kingdom this time, we must cultivate diligently. We absolutely cannot disappoint Senior Sister Sect Master or the sect’s cultivation.”

Elder Sister Zhao Lingyue spoke solemnly. Although this mission was nominally escorting merchant ships back home, many aboard the ship were actually younger-generation disciples of the sect.

One could say that after returning, they would not be returning to the Demon Beast Sea Abyss for quite some time.

“Elder Sister, don’t worry. Senior Sister Sect Master is the heaven’s favored genius of our Seven Kingdoms. I believe in her.”

Zhao Lingxing’s gaze also became firm.

……

Meanwhile, within the spirit ship, nothing escaped Lin Chang’an’s powerful divine sense and perception.

Naturally, he also understood Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s schemes.

“Those two girls really dare to gossip.”

The Zhao Sisters probably never imagined that their sound transmission conversation had been heard word-for-word by Lin Chang’an.

“However, Old Hu really hid things deeply. He actually found himself a Core Formation Dao companion.”

Immediately afterward, Lin Chang’an lowered his head and looked at the letters he only received after emerging from seclusion.

Among them was a letter from Old Hu.

Unfortunately, he had missed Old Hu’s wedding banquet. It seemed this trip to Sea Abyss City would require him to make up for it with a grand gift.

However, after reading Old Hu’s letter, Lin Chang’an could not help but sneer disdainfully.

Back then, who was it that claimed he would never live off a woman?

Yet this thick-browed, big-eyed Hu Jin had actually become the very first to do so.

His Dao companion was even the niece of the Sixth Elder of Bihai Palace.

Damn it!

He himself had worked tirelessly for so many years, relying upon becoming a Third-rank High-grade Formation Master just to barely latch onto a powerful backer.

Yet Old Hu simply found himself a Dao companion and directly boarded a massive ship.

RelatedRelatedRelated