"Li Huo Palace!"
At this moment, a chill flashed through Lin Changâanâs eyes. Back in Celestial Profound City, he had been hunted by Li Huo Palace because of his identity as a Tier Two Talisman Master.
Even Huang Shaohai had threatened him back then.
Truly, enemies are bound to meet on a narrow path, it never ends.
Patience for today; once he reaches Core Formation, he will seek revenge.
He hasnât forgotten that Li Huo Palace still has treasures from the ancient ruinsâ cave dwelling.
...
After Lin Changâan left, three Foundation Establishment cultivators from Li Huo Palace flew to the deserted island.
"The aura of our two junior brothers disappeared here."
"Damn it, they even destroyed the corpses to remove traces!"
"Thereâs still a line of writing left."
Upon seeing the line âThe killer is Ghost Three Bladesâ, all three of them displayed anger.
"Search for the battle traces; Li Huo Palace will never let this person go."
"Yes!"
After learning of this, Huang Yuntian of Li Huo Palace personally hurried to the scene to investigate, finally identifying the traces of battle and finding the real culprit.
"The Three Fierce of the Zhong Family from Sha Yun Kingdom! How could my son be killed so easily by a Loose Cultivator? It turns out it was you who murdered him!"
Huang Yuntian roared in anger, finally understanding.
Only such vicious Tribulation Cultivators, teamed up as three, could kill his son.
They even took the Exotic Beast Phoenix Cry Bird.
Everyone thought the Three Fierce of the Zhong Family were dead, but unexpectedly, they exposed their location.
"Search! We must not let the Three Fierce of the Zhong Family escape!"
...
Meanwhile, Lin Changâan was unaware of all this, having returned to Jade Spirit Island.
He intended to purchase some materials, ready to continue investigating the Yin spirit convergence area in the Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea.
Whether it is Core Formation Spiritual Objects or Yin Vein Spiritual Springs, these are all needs of his.
However, upon returning to Jade Spirit Island, he encountered the patrol law enforcement team from Five Dragons Island.
Inside the cave dwelling.
"Master Lin."
Rong Qing, the head of the patrol law enforcement team from Five Dragons Island, a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator, was all smiles, appearing scholarly.
"Mr. Rong."
Lin Changâan politely invited him in for tea and understood his purpose after some conversation.
It turned out that recently, there had been frequent robberies by Tribulation Cultivators in the Five Dragons Island Sea Region, so the patrol law enforcement team was dispatched to investigate, also notifying the Foundation Establishment cultivators on various Spirit Islands.
However, this patrol law enforcement team was not weak, and maintaining order in the sea region was not done for free.
Of course, this part was already covered in the cave dwellingâs rental price they paid earlier.
"Master Lin, the main responsibility for Jade Spirit Island was originally shared by three clans. Now itâs the Lu Family..."
Mr. Rong explained in a somewhat tactful manner, allowing Lin Changâan to understand his point.
By rules, the rent was determined by the size of the cave dwelling or Spirit Land occupied by a cultivator.
Now, the Lu Family, which occupies the lands of the three clans, should be paying the major share.
But ever since Lu Yushu apprenticed to a Core Formation cultivator, this situation has changed.
"The Lu Family, occupying the lands of the three clans, transformed and only needs to pay for one landâs rent, leaving the rest to these Loose Cultivators to bear."
Lin Changâan remained silent, aware that human relations in the Immortal Cultivation Realm always existed.
This might not have been the Lu Familyâs intention.
But does that matter?
"I see, thank you, Mr. Rong."
Lin Changâan feigned a slightly helpless smile at the mention of paying more Spirit Stones, but still reluctantly agreed.
Seeing this, Rong Qing, as if embarrassed, awkwardly raised his teacup.
The two then engaged in a discussion; Lin Changâan nodded inwardly, impressed by Mr. Rongâs not only high cultivation but also extensive knowledge.
Their conversation was enjoyable, and the scholarly Rong Qing left Lin Changâan with a good impression.
Likewise, Lin Changâanâs mastery of a skill, coupled with his dedication as an Ascetic, pleased Rong Qing.
Itâs best if no conflict arises.
Later, this friend Song accompanied several other magic cultivators from Five Dragons Island, clearly leaving Old Hu and the cultivators from the other two families feeling somewhat aggrieved.
...
After they left, Old Hu came to his cave dwelling to complain.
"Old Lin, if it werenât for Five Dragons Island being so domineering, how could there be so many Tribulation Cultivators?"
Hu Jin wasnât distressed about the Spirit Stones but was dissatisfied with the rampant Tribulation Cultivators in the Five Dragons Island Sea Region.
Lin Changâan could only shake his head helplessly; he had heard of Five Dragons Islandâs exclusion of outsiders and suppression of any cultivator clan opposing their will.
But as a Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator, such a big matter was beyond his control.
"Alright, Old Hu, better to spend money to sidestep disaster. At least with the patrol law enforcement team around, traveling in the future would be somewhat safer."
Lin Changâan shook his head at hearing this; spending some Spirit Stones to ensure a relatively stable cultivation environment was still acceptable.
Later, two new Foundation Establishment cultivators visited the island for mutual introductions.
It was nice to be acquainted, but importantly, both subtly expressed interest in ordering some talismans, which Lin Changâan readily agreed to.
After all, as a publicly recognized Tier Two Upper Grade Talisman Master, he should still earn some Spirit Stones.
Time passed.
In the following days, Lin Changâan returned to his routine of cultivation and talisman painting.
Meanwhile, the outside sea region grew increasingly chaotic.
Since the Five Dragons Island Sea Region was adjacent to the Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea, it was infested with countless vicious Tribulation Cultivators.
Although there was a patrol law enforcement team from Five Dragons Island, it only curbed the arrogance of these Tribulation Cultivators compared to before.
Yet secretly, incidents still happened frequently.
After all, this was the Demon Beast Abyss, and true tranquility without Tribulation Cultivators would be unusual.
...
[Life Span: 107/284]
[Realm: Foundation Establishment Late Stage (15/100)]
Amidst the chilly wind, the cave dwelling remained like eternal spring under the protection of the array barrier.
The aura around the Cyan-Horned Bull was unstable, finally preparing to break through, which brought a satisfied smile to Lin Changâanâs face.
On his shoulder, the Phoenix Cry Bird stood with an air of arrogance, seemingly proclaiming its status as its masterâs primary Spirit Pet.
"Old Hu mentioned the trade fair. Itâs time to take a look, and while doing so, visit the market to purchase some materials. Then, announce a retreat, and continue secretly investigating the Yin spirit convergence area in the Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea."
Lin Changâanâs eyes flickered; the mists of the Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea obstructed divine sense probing, serving as a natural sanctuary for him.
With his powerful perception and Spiritual Eye, the so-called mists actually concealed his presence more effectively.
"Last time was merely an exploration, not intended for the long term. This time, I must prepare thoroughly, ready for an extended endeavor."
Having discovered the Yin Vein Spiritual Spring last time, he already tasted its benefits.
Especially with the Profound Water Liquid, though not plentiful, he would eventually collect enough over time.
If luck favored him, encountering a High Tier Yin Vein Spiritual Spring would yield enough Profound Water Liquid instantly...
Reflecting on this, Lin Changâan shook his head, dismissing the idea. Even if he found it, taking it might not be possible.
At that point, there could be several Tier Three Yin Spirit Beast Kings, making it far from easy to seize.
"And you, focus on cultivating, strive for an early breakthrough to Tier Three."
Gently patting the Phoenix Cry Bird on his shoulder, Lin Changâan contemplated silently.
Whether the bird could successfully break through was unknown, but before that, it shouldnât be wasted and should be well-utilized.
"No, these Yin spirits are valuable spiritual objects, nourishing for the Phoenix Cry Birdâs cultivation and breakthrough."
Justifiably patting the Phoenix Cry Bird, Lin Changâan softly spoke:
"If you break through to Tier Three, searching for Profound Water Liquid in the Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea will become easier. But if you fail, the Pure Yang Demon Pill canât be wasted either."
The Phoenix Cry Bird, eyes wide, watched its master plan its complete affairs and hastily flapped its wings in urgency.
If it successfully broke through, it benefitted its master.
If it failed and died, the demon core wouldnât go to waste either.
Was it not a futile breakthrough then?
"Donât think you can fly out of the palm of my hand after a breakthrough."
Affection aside, through the Beast Taming Token, Lin Changâan could occasionally sense the birdâs thoughts.
With a cold smirk, he spoke, and seeing this, the Phoenix Cry Bird stared wide-eyed, patting its chest with its wings, pledging absolute loyalty.
Once the Phoenix Cry Bird breaks through to Tier Three, the Beast Taming Token will lose its grip; or rather, if a cultivatorâs own strength is too weak, the Spirit Pet would break free.
Henceforth, the bird could roam freely.
But with his Fake Pill Realmâs stable divine sense, he was confident in preparing the birdâs breakthrough.
Otherwise, he wouldnât waste his effort for nothing.
Even in the Immortal Cultivation Realm, instances of spirit pets turning on their masters were not unheard of.