Both Ghost Three Blades and He Yan eagerly stared at this account.
The two of them had invested everything they could, but lacking skills and resources, their investments were relatively small.
It goes without saying that the biggest investors were Lin Changâan, Hu Jin, and Yun Yao.
Of course, in Celestial Profound City, many people initially acquired quite a few Spirit Field Titles, but then hesitated at the shifting situation.
To cut their losses, they sold at low prices in advance, never expecting that soon after, Su Miaoyin in Celestial Profound City would reach Core Formation, leaving these people utterly regretful.
"Old Hu, your family must be quite wealthy."
"Naturally, Old Huâs ancestors once produced a Core Formation Great Cultivator, nearly becoming a Nascent Soul powerhouse back then."
Everyone burst into laughter at Old Huâs boastful demeanor,
and Lin Changâan, pointing at him, reflected that in life, having a friend or two is rare, and with Old Hu, at least, thereâs no need for any scheming.
Even though Yun Yao hadnât shown any special skills, she was the wealthiest among them all.
This made Lin Changâan mutter to himself, "Truly, crime does pay." Back when Yun Yao looted the True Treasure Tower of Li Huo Palace, who knows how much she earned.
"Weâre going to be well-off, brother Lin. We wonât have to worry about cultivation resources anymore, no need to risk our lives for it."
Old Hu laughed heartily, this time everyone took advantage of the lull to invest cheaply and ended up making a fortune.
Lin Changâan also raised his cup, smiling at everyone:
"Come, letâs toast to our future, to Celestial Profound City."
"Cheers! We must celebrate with a toast. Celestial Profound City truly is Old Huâs place of fortune."
In Celestial Profound City, some rejoiced while others lamented.
Some cultivator clans who had sold their properties stared blankly in disbelief.
At this time, who would be willing to leave? Celestial Profound City, with its rich spiritual energy, why would anyone trade that for an uncertain future elsewhere? Even dogs know that choice.
Especially now that, publicly, Su Miaoyin and Master Lu, master and disciple, have both achieved True Pill, along with two Fake Pill disciples.
Adding a late-stage Tier Three Spirit Pet like the Profound Water Turtle, and an early-stage Tier Three Gold-Eating Rat,
even if Master Lu leaves, the foundation of Celestial Profound City is no less than that of any of the Three Major Sects of Yue Kingdom.
With such deep foundation, would Celestial Profound City willingly let it go?
Thus, many cultivators were filled with regret.
"Now that the beast tide has passed, Celestial Profound City is probably going to be lively for a while."
"Indeed, the demon beast materials from this beast tide in Celestial Profound City have caught the attention of many commerce guilds from the Seven Kingdoms."
"All the better, our black market can take this opportunity to profit and make up for the losses over the past six months."
At the banquet, everyone laughed and chatted, at least they had bet correctly, the only difference being how much they profited.
Yun Yao, having changed her appearance with a magical artifact, looked on calmly, her gaze twinkling with memories as she surveyed the layout of the Gathering Immortals Tower.
Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing had aged, but everyone was doing well.
"Perhaps we are no longer traveling the same path."
Yun Yao sighed inwardly; despite meeting again, what of it? During this demon-hunting trip, she had also seen Li Yifan, Wei Yingying, and Shen Fan, the descendants of old acquaintances.
She had secretly watched over them, but the chasm between Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining was vast.
Even newly Foundation Establishment Li Yifan had a chasm of lacking foundation with them.
She had her own path to follow.
...
"Core Formation celebration?"
Returning to his cave mansion, seeing the invitation sent from Celestial Profound City, Lin Changâan couldnât help but smile.
"Indeed, now that Celestial Profound City is flourishing, a newly formed Core Formation cultivator, along with a Fake Pill cultivator, warrants a celebration."
In the Seven Kingdoms, forming a True Pill signifies a player in the game.
Every Core Formation cultivator holds a grand celebration to showcase strength and reassure hearts.
"With such foundation, Celestial Profound City wonât easily withdraw from the affairs of Yue Kingdom."
Putting away the invitation, Lin Changâan returned to his cave mansion, and upon feeling the aura fluctuations from inside, he nodded with satisfaction.
A double celebration, the major situation of Celestial Profound City is stable, and inside the cave mansion, the Phoenix Cry Bird is also breaking through, with its aura gradually stabilizing.
"It was worth using this almost Tier Three Demon Core."
"Moo!"
At this time, the Cyan-Horned Bull approached with a fawning look, although it glared at the inside of the cave with some concern.
Though it didnât quite like the bird, at least it was a companion, so if ever used to lure enemies again, there would be another to share the risk.
"Alright, you train well too, aim to break through to Tier Three in the future."
As the Phoenix Cry Bird broke through to the middle stage of Tier Two, Lin Changâan was in high spirits and even took out a Spirit Fruit as a reward for the Cyan-Horned Bull.
Now, possessing two middle-stage Tier Two Spirit Pets, his strength was far beyond that of ordinary Loose Cultivators or even the Foundation Establishment cultivators of major sects and clans.
"Two middle-stage Tier Two Spirit Pets, not something ordinary cultivators can afford."
Lin Changâan was extremely satisfied, now he wasnât afraid to challenge even a cultivator at the peak of Foundation Establishment.
More importantly, the Phoenix Cry Birdâs breakthrough would greatly aid his future explorations of cave relics.
...
Overall, the feeling in Celestial Profound City was of an aging dragon rejuvenated with youthful vitality.
Where there was once lifeless confusion about the future, now hope replaced it all.
Under the beast tide, many cultivators may have fallen, but in the Immortal Cultivation Realm, death had long become commonplace.
The future and prosperity of Celestial Profound City overshadowed the mourning behind its splendor.
Black Market.
"Brother Lin, the Core Formation celebration in Celestial Profound City is a major event. All Foundation Establishment cultivators in the city are invited, so old Hu has to don a new Dharma Robe."
Seeing Old Huâs enthusiastic expression, it was clear everyone made significant gains by investing when prices were low.
"A Dharma Robe, you say? Truly, for such a grand celebration, we do need a new Dharma Robe."
Lin Changâan nodded with a smile.
The Dharma Robe has many benefits, and not only as a gesture of respect for the Core Formation celebration, but itâs also a good defensive magical artifact for oneself.
"Brother Lin, weâve sold off most of our Spirit Fields, but the prices of the shop titles will rise a bit more over time."
Old Hu gestured with a broad smile, causing Lin Changâan to nod approvingly.
Now among Foundation Establishment cultivators, they were quite well-off.
Just then, the building was suddenly filled with sad, crying voices, instantly ruining their good mood.
Old Hu showed a look of disgust, speaking with annoyance:
"That Qin Family dares to call themselves a great clan. It was all clearly written back then, but now they want their stores back.
Wishful thinking. When the beast tide persisted for months, I met one of them, and he sarcastically said, people like us are gamblers."
Old Hu carelessly spouted the words, clearly meant for those downstairs to hear.
Lin Changâan remained calm; as Old Hu said, they bore the risks back then.
You canât just see their laughter today and forget the risks they took.
At this moment, Qin Feng came upstairs, and upon seeing Lin Changâan and Old Hu, his eyes turned red with a look of miserable regret.
"Mr. Lin, Mr. Hu, I beseech you as fellow Foundation Establishment cultivators, please allow us to redeem our Qin Familyâs former shops."
Before Lin Changâan could refuse, Old Hu immediately taunted sarcastically:
"Oh, isnât this old Qin? I remember back then someone said, we gamblers are the least deserving of sympathy. I even told you, Old Hu,
that if you regretted it, you could redeem your shops, but someone was too disdainful."
Faced with Old Huâs ridicule, the Patriarch of the Qin Family, thick-skinned as he was, humbly bowed in embarrassment.
"Friends, I admit my mistake and ask for your merciful hands. Would adding another twenty percent to the previous industry be agreeable?"
"Twenty percent!"
Hearing this, Lin Changâan laughed at the manâs shamelessness. Did he really think just because they were fellow Foundation Establishment cultivators, they wouldnât want to offend anyone and would settle?
If they relent, whatâs the point of running a black market?
Moreover, who cared about the risks they took?
What if the situation were the opposite? Would anyone pity them?
"Mr. Qin, currently, the value of these shops has more than doubled, and I think their prices will continue to rise in a while."
"Also, back then, we exchanged the Foundation Establishment Pill with you. You Qin Family already added a Foundation Establishment cultivator during the beast tide thanks to it, and now doing this, arenât you afraid of being ridiculed?"
Lin Changâan plainly stated his position with calm demeanor.