Chapter 115: Acting from the Shadows

「One day later.」

Through Xu Fugui’s introduction, Li Chang’an attended a small trade fair.

The Cultivators qualified to attend this kind of trade fair either had powerful backgrounds or possessed exceptional Cultivation Immortality Techniques.

"Big Brother, this is Daoist Zhou Xuan. He is a Top Grade Beast Master."

At the trade fair, Xu Fugui introduced a Beast Master to Li Chang’an.

This person’s origins were quite extraordinary.

He was a disciple of the Beast Taming Zhou Family, one of the Seven Great Noble Families.

Although the Zhou Family had no Golden Core Master, they had raised a Tier Three Spirit Beast whose combat power was no weaker than that of an ordinary Golden Core Master.

And Zhou Xuan just so happened to have the Cold Nether Pill that Li Chang’an needed.

"Greetings, Daoist Zhou."

Li Chang’an said with a smile, striking up a conversation.

Zhou Xuan also smiled, but his words carried a faint trace of arrogance.

This was to be expected.

Born into a Great Noble Family, it would have been strange if he wasn’t arrogant when facing a Loose Cultivator like Li Chang’an.

The main reason he was willing to trade with Li Chang’an was the rumor that a Foundation Establishment Cultivator stood behind him.

"Daoist Li, I do have a Cold Nether Pill, but a family elder entrusted me with selling it."

"Daoist Zhou, how does your elder intend to sell it?"

"A flat price: two thousand Spirit Stones!"

This price was indeed steep, comparable to a Vein Protection Pill needed for a Human Race Cultivator’s breakthrough.

But Li Chang’an didn’t hesitate and bought it on the spot.

Afterward, Li Chang’an continued to chat with him and bought several more Elixir Pills that could aid a Demon Beast’s breakthrough.

"Daoist Zhou, do you have any Treasures that can increase the success rate of a Demon Beast’s advancement?"

"Increase the success rate?"

Zhou Xuan frowned and shook his head slightly.

Treasures of this kind, much like the Foundation Establishment Pill for Human Race Cultivators, were rare and expensive. Qi Refining Cultivators had a hard time getting their hands on them.

Even as a disciple of the Beast Taming Zhou Family, he rarely obtained such Treasures.

"My Zhou Family’s Treasure Vault has them, but I’m not qualified to exchange for Treasures directly from the vault."

"Daoist Zhou, could you perhaps think of a way?"

As he spoke, Li Chang’an took out a glittering golden stone.

It was the very same Tier Two Treasure Material he had found as a bargain in the Immortal City’s trading district—the Bright Gold Stone!

The moment he saw the Bright Gold Stone, Zhou Xuan’s eyes lit up, for he himself possessed a Gold Spiritual Root.

"Daoist Li, rest assured. I’ll return to my family tomorrow and find someone to ask around for you."

"Excellent. Then I’ll have to trouble you, Daoist Zhou."

Li Chang’an secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

’The most direct way to interact with other Cultivators is through mutual benefit.’

...

「Two days later.」

Zhou Xuan returned with news.

Due to the Zhou Family’s strict control over such Treasures, he was only able to get his hands on a Tier Two Treasure called "Sea Blue Marrow."

This Treasure could increase the breakthrough success rate for a Water Element Demon Beast by five percent.

"Only five percent?"

Li Chang’an frowned.

That was too low, not even ten percent.

"Daoist Li, don’t underestimate this Sea Blue Marrow. It can be used together with other Treasures. The effects won’t be canceled out; they will stack."

"Oh?"

Li Chang’an’s eyes brightened.

’This is just like the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects that Human Race Cultivators need.’

The effects of a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object can stack with a Foundation Establishment Pill, which is why they are so highly sought after.

"Daoist Zhou, name your price."

"Two thousand eight hundred Spirit Stones!"

"Done!"

Li Chang’an still didn’t hesitate, signing the trade Spirit Contract on the spot.

Soon, the two parties completed the transaction.

As payment, Li Chang’an gifted the Bright Gold Stone to Zhou Xuan, which left Zhou Xuan overjoyed.

He thumped his chest and repeatedly assured him, "Rest assured, Daoist Li! I will definitely find a way to get you more Treasures suitable for a Demon Beast’s advancement!"

"I’m counting on you, Daoist Zhou."

Li Chang’an smiled and put away the Sea Blue Marrow.

...

After Zhou Xuan left,

the Profound Water Turtle immediately popped out.

He blinked his large eyes and stared eagerly at Li Chang’an, having smelled the aura of the Treasure.

"Xiaohai, don’t be anxious. Be patient."

Li Chang’an smiled and patted his head.

"Daoist Zhou is from the Beast Taming Zhou Family. With his help, we’ll be able to get more Treasures soon, and your chances of success will be even higher."

As expected,

just a few days later,

Zhou Xuan brought back another Treasure. It also increased the success rate by five percent, and its effect could stack with the Sea Blue Marrow.

"You’ve worked hard, Daoist Zhou!"

Li Chang’an said with a smile as he signed a Spirit Contract with him.

Over the next two days, Li Chang’an continued to wander around the Immortal City, searching for opportunities.

During this time, he got to know his two neighbors.

His neighbor to the left was named Wang Dong, a Tier One Top Grade Artifact Refiner.

The neighbor to his right was called Ye Luo, a Tier One Top Grade Spirit Plant Master.

’As I thought. The ones who can afford to live in this area are basically all Tier One Top Grade artisans.’

Li Chang’an spoke with the two of them several times and came to be on familiar terms.

He also made a trade with Ye Luo, exchanging for some Spirit Medicines needed for refining Elixir Pills.

...

「The next day.」

Xu Fugui came running over again, bringing good news for Li Chang’an.

However, this news wasn’t about a Demon Beast’s advancement, but about a Human Race Cultivator’s Foundation Establishment.

"Big Brother, my Senior Martial Sister obtained a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object, but her Meridians were severely damaged while fighting for it. It will be very difficult for her to pass the Magical Power Barrier of Foundation Establishment now."

"Fugui, you call this good news?"

Li Chang’an was surprised. No matter how you looked at it, this was bad news.

Xu Fugui immediately explained.

"Big Brother, my Senior Martial Sister has temporarily given up on Foundation Establishment. She’s preparing to trade that Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object in exchange for a promise."

"Oh? What kind of promise?"

"Whoever gets the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object must help her find Spirit Medicine to heal her Meridians if they succeed in reaching Foundation Establishment."

"I see."

Li Chang’an pondered.

This matter wasn’t a good thing for Tang Suran.

However, for other Cultivators who wanted to reach Foundation Establishment but didn’t have a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object, it was indeed good news.

’To get a Spiritual Object for just a promise...’

"Big Brother, come with me, quickly."

Xu Fugui had come, of course, to help Li Chang’an obtain that Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object.

Li Chang’an didn’t refuse and immediately followed him to the Yuelai Restaurant.

...

「At the same time.」

In the very center of the Inner City, on Yellow Crane Mountain.

In a private courtyard at the foot of the mountain.

Huang Feng’s face was pale as he swallowed a few Healing Elixirs.

After several days of recuperation, his injuries had somewhat recovered.

"Junior Martial Uncle Pei was too ruthless. I suspect she really wanted to kill me."

"Serves you right! Who told you to use Tribulation Cultivator methods to control those two? Don’t you know Junior Martial Uncle Pei hates Tribulation Cultivators the most? Her own disciple died at the hands of Tribulation Cultivators."

Across from him, a gaunt-looking middle-aged man spoke.

This man’s name was Huang Liang, and he was Huang Feng’s senior martial brother.

Huang Feng’s expression was ugly as he gritted his teeth. "Senior Martial Brother, help me. I just can’t accept this."

Huang Liang chuckled lightly. "If you can’t accept it, then just make another move."

"But... but what if Junior Martial Uncle Pei steps in to help him again?"

"Don’t worry."

Huang Liang shook his head slightly.

"Li Chang’an’s talent is abysmal; it’s nearly impossible for him to reach Foundation Establishment. How could Junior Martial Uncle Pei possibly value him? In my opinion, he just happened to help Junior Martial Uncle Pei once and earned a favor from her. Her previous intervention has already used up that favor."

It had to be said, his speculation was remarkably accurate.

But Huang Feng still didn’t dare to act, terrified of the ’what if’.

He had no desire to be beaten by Pei Yingyao a second time.

"Sigh. Junior Martial Brother, one cannot be afraid to risk their own skin to achieve great things. When will you understand this?"

Huang Liang sighed softly, seeming a little disappointed.

After a moment, he said to Huang Feng, "Forget it. Since you don’t dare to act openly, then do it covertly. I’ll introduce you to someone."

"Senior Martial Brother, who?"

"This person is the Big Master of Black Wind Mountain. His strength is considerable, and several Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivators have died at his hands. He is especially skilled at assassination..."