Chapter 34: The Temptation of the Foundation Establishment Pill

In broad daylight, the Foundation Establishment battle occurring in Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market attracted the attention of countless cultivators.

Array spiritual light glimmered, and awe-inspiring spells shot up into the sky.

Lin Chang’an, seeing this scene from a distance, was not only shocked but also filled with longing.

"Is this... the battle of Foundation Establishment cultivators!"

Throughout the market, countless young cultivators were equally astonished by this Foundation Establishment cultivator battle, their hearts stirred with excitement.

Even cultivators at the late-stage Qi Refining level had a resolute look in their eyes.

"Haha, old Zhou, I didn’t expect an extra gain today, and your grandson with the Wind Spirit Root is not bad."

Amidst the rumbling noise, a heroic laugh came from afar.

This moment made countless people in the market realize that the Zhou Family had been planning for the Foundation Establishment Pill, a fact known to all, but no one expected that the Zhou Family had already obtained the pill.

Yet, it seemed trouble had arisen!

"Feng’Er!"

Amidst the booming explosions, came the beastly roar of a giant tortoise and the heart-wrenching, fury-laden howl of the Zhou Family’s ancestor.

"You are the remnants of the Demon Cult!"

Suddenly, a female Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Profound Sound Pavilion shouted in surprise and anger, yet the escaping figure turned back with a sinister laugh and said:

"Haha, the head of this young girl from the Profound Sound Pavilion is enough to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill at the Divine Sword Sect."

Amidst the wild laughter, the market’s array emitted another round of rumbles, revealing another group that broke through the market’s array.

Lin Chang’an, hiding on the rooftop, shrank his neck.

"Considering what’s being said, not only was the Foundation Establishment Pill of the Zhou Family and the Profound Sound Pavilion disciple taken, but even the head of the genius from the Profound Sound Pavilion can be exchanged for a Foundation Establishment Pill!"

In his heart, a bold idea emerged out of nowhere, causing Lin Chang’an to break out in cold sweat.

"Even I’m tempted, let alone others."

A Foundation Establishment Pill! Who wouldn’t be tempted by it.

The brief battle of Foundation Establishment cultivators amazed countless loose cultivators in the market.

The appearance of the Foundation Establishment Pill stirred people’s hearts.

The market calmed down, yet everyone was aware of the undercurrents beneath this calm.

...

Gathering Immortals Tower.

The next day, as the market seemed calm, Lin Chang’an couldn’t resist his curiosity and came to the Gathering Immortals Tower to gather information.

"Brother Lin, I just learned about this too, something big has happened."

Upon meeting, Little Marquis Shen Lie’s expression was unpleasant, lowering his voice as he spoke:

"The Zhou Family hid a descendant with a Wind Spirit Root; unknown when they became allied through marriage with a female cultivator family from the Profound Sound Pavilion. Both sides are reportedly gifted individuals.

Originally, Foundation Establishment cultivators from both families came to fetch the Foundation Establishment Pill, introducing the juniors. But unexpectedly, they met tribulation cultivators, facing disaster, and the Foundation Establishment Pill was stolen, even the two juniors were implicated."

While Shen Lie was shocked, he couldn’t help but be a bit gleeful.

And Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but marvel.

"Such a situation, it seems the market has been flooded with many outside tribulation cultivators."

"More than just that!" Shen Lie shook his head, gazing out the window at the market, his eyes both eager and worried.

"I am worried that the market will descend into chaos, yet also hopeful, because only in chaos can the business of the guild prosper."

Shen Lie’s blatant words left Lin Chang’an speechless, but upon careful consideration, it seemed quite reasonable.

For him, it seemed the same logic applied.

The more chaotic the market, the easier it was to sell his talismans.

At that moment, as if tacitly understood, both had some ideas.

"It’s not that simple."

However, at this time, Lu Qingqing walked in with her hair styled maturely, her expression carrying a touch of solemnity.

"Little Junior Sister."

"Madam." Shen Lie awkwardly scratched his head, while Lin Chang’an referred to her as Little Junior Sister.

Yet Lu Qingqing shook her head and sighed.

"I just came back from Sister Yun, do you know the situation about those Demon Cult remnants?"

Both were confused, not even Lin Chang’an had heard about them.

However, Lu Qingqing began to explain with a shake of her head.

"The Demon Cult was originally the Profound Yin Divine Sect. Over four hundred years ago, the Nascent Soul True Monarch of the Demon Cult went missing, and then the cult fell into chaos. The entire Yue Kingdom was chaotic for nearly a hundred years, leading to the emergence of the Three Major Sects which stabilized the situation..."

Listening to Lu Qingqing’s words, Lin Chang’an and Shen Lie were tremendously shocked, having never imagined this hidden history of the Yue Kingdom.

However, although the words sounded nice, none of the three were fools.

To put it bluntly, the current Three Major Sects might well have originated from the Profound Yin Divine Sect.

"I see."

Nonetheless, under such clarifications, neither Lin Chang’an nor Shen Lie openly acknowledged it.

Lu Qingqing spoke with a grave voice: "According to Sister Yun, the Profound Yin Divine Sect fled to the Sea of Ten Thousand Demons over three hundred years ago. Who would have thought there’d still be remnants."

"This time, the casualties are secondary; more importantly, it’s the trust!"

Following Lu Qingqing’s words, both Shen Lie and Lin Chang’an’s expressions became more solemn.

Due to their own interest, slight chaos outside gave them joy, but if things got too chaotic, their own safety could be compromised.

"Don’t laugh at Brother Lin; even I felt tempted when I first heard."

Lu Qingqing patted her chest in lingering fear, while Lin Chang’an sighed deeply.

"Not just you, Little Junior Sister, anyone in the market would be tempted by the allure of the Foundation Establishment Pill."

There are three paths to obtaining a Foundation Establishment Pill: first is preparing it oneself, which takes time, involves the difficulty of hunting Tier Two Demon Beasts, and requires gathering other materials - easily becoming a wedding dress for others.

The second option is robbing someone else’s Foundation Establishment Pill, despite them having support from Foundation Establishment cultivators, the difficulty of hunting Tier Two Demon Beasts is not less challenging than facing Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Most importantly, it only requires a single venture.

Now the bounty offered by the Divine Sword Sect provides countless loose cultivators a third option.

That is hunting the geniuses of the two Major Sects - also enough to acquire a Foundation Establishment Pill; after all, no matter how talented one is, they’re still at the late-stage Qi Refining.

Although the two Major Sects might counteract, but deciding where to assassinate - a place unfamiliar versus familiar territory, the success rate is clear.

Given a choice, why not pick the least challenging one?

"Stirring waves, the Immortal Cultivation Realm will not be peaceful."

Lin Chang’an sighed deeply, then shook his head to dismiss the matter from his mind; he was only at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, Foundation Establishment was still far away.

Moreover, a Foundation Establishment Pill costs so many Spirit Stones, why risk one’s life?

Just give him time, with his earnings as a Tier One Upper Grade Talisman Master, buying a Foundation Establishment Pill is not difficult.

"Besides, the one involved in the mishap is the most talented genius in a century from Profound Sound Pavilion, Fairy Ni Chang’s clan sister. Recently, it’s best to be careful in the market."

"Indeed, she’s the Fairy Ni Chang, who’s reached late-stage Foundation Establishment, only a step away from Core Formation!"

Shen Lie exclaimed, even Lin Chang’an was amazed, his eyes reflecting a hint of reminiscence.

The last time he heard this name was when they first entered the Immortal Cultivation Realm, on the journey before the assessment, old Lu spoke of the legendary talents from the Three Major Sects.

Among them, Fairy Ni Chang was touted as the foremost genius among the Three Major Sects in a century.

In other words, at the same age when they just began their cultivation, she had already reached Foundation Establishment.

Comparison is truly maddening!