...
As Lin Changāan left the market, he frowned, clearly noticing someone following him from behind.
In the end, the escape light of a Fake Pill Cultivator was indeed faster than his.
"Mr. Ge, it seems we are truly destined to meet."
Two escape lights flickered, one belonging to the previously fierce-looking Fake Pill Cultivator surnamed Yu, who now greeted with a full smile, as if encountering an old friend.
After leaving the market, the Fake Pill Cultivator surnamed Yu pondered for a moment and, being cautious, called for another.
Two against one, it shouldnāt possibly fail.
"So, it was you who previously exchanged for Brother Yuās Heavenly Crystal Flower!"
The Fake Pill Cultivator, a pale-faced scholar, expressed dissatisfaction as soon as they met, and the Fake Pill Cultivator surnamed Yu hurriedly explained:
"A misunderstanding! Itās all a misunderstanding, my friend here also heard about this matter and came in haste to find you..."
The two, in this way, displayed a sense of regret over the previous transaction.
This scene made Lin Changāan sneer inwardly.
"Fellow Daoists, letās not joke around. Transactions in the market are money for goods. Are you perhaps new to the Immortal Cultivation Realm?"
"You!" The pale-faced scholarās face turned red, facing Lin Changāanās words, he directly spoke with a gloomy tone:
"Daoist, we are two, and you are alone!"
Between the lines, there was already a threat.
Or rather, from the beginning, the two were cautious, trying to test the otherās confidence with their act.
"Fellow Daoist, itās better to speak less of threats."
Lin Changāan, facing the two, remained unfazed. In the echo of his calm voice, the Phoenix Cry Bird in the Spirit Beast Bag at his waist exuded the aura of a True Pill Cultivator.
In that instant, the two clearly sensed it, and their expressions changed.
"Misunderstanding! Itās all a misunderstanding!"
The fierce-looking Fellow Daoist Yu quickly changed his expression, pulling his companion aside, awkwardly smiling and explaining.
Until the two turned into escape lights and left, Lin Changāan couldnāt help but reveal a faint smile.
"All are cultivators who have lived for over a hundred years. Being a Tribulation Cultivator is also an art. From the initial probing, if I had shown weakness, I might have been oppressed."
Fighting with Fake Pill Cultivators, unless necessary, he wouldnāt want to either.
After all, defeating and killing are two concepts, though his strength isnāt weak when paired with the Phoenix Cry Bird.
But leaving behind these two Core Formation Cultivators would still be somewhat difficult.
Besides, the longer a cultivator lives, the more cautious they become; after all, you donāt come across reckless youths who charge in blindly.
Unless thereās some compelling reason.
"Moreover, everything is ready now, no need to invite trouble!"
Lin Changāan altered his appearance, once again taking on the form of a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator, heading towards Five Dragons Island.
Now that his Core Formation Spiritual Object preparations were almost done, he aimed to find a place to refine the Crystal Condensing Pill after returning.
At the same time, find the Spirit Ship heading for Sea Abyss City.
...
As for the two in the distance, after escaping back to the market, they cursed aloud.
"Damned, there was secretly a True Pill Cultivator hiding."
"Indeed, fortunately, we were cautious, or we would have made a big mistake."
The fierce-looking Cultivator Yu, also scared, patted his chest, having been careless.
If they had broken all pretense, the two wouldnāt have ended well.
"Alright, clearly the other side didnāt want a confrontation this time either."
...
Five Dragon Sea Region.
Upon returning, Lin Changāan felt a different atmosphere than before.
Be it merchant ships or demon-beast-hunting ships, they all exuded a murderous aura.
"To refine a Crystal Condensing Pill, the better the quality of the Pill Furnace, the better. And among the three-tier pill furnaces, only a few factions on Five Dragons Island possess them.
Moreover, according to the alchemy insights of that Pill Master Jiang, having a location with ground fire is best, as it can increase the pill formation rate."
This made Lin Changāan think of the Profound Sound Pavilion.
Not a single other faction falls behind; one is too strong, and if he goes, it would be troublesome should he be unable to leave.
"And the Profound Sound Pavilion, with only two Core Formation Cultivators, and itās said that the elderās lifespan is nearing its end, they have no reason to offend at such a time."
Thinking it through, Lin Changāan ultimately set his sights on the Profound Sound Pavilion.
"It seems the identity of the Fake Pill Cultivator Mr. He from before still needs to make a reappearance."
Thinking of this, Lin Changāan smiled, concealing his aura, and transformed into the Mr. He who had helped a Spirit Pet with Core Formation at the Profound Sound Pavilion in the past.
Five Dragons Island.
Upon returning to Five Dragons Island, it was not as prosperous as before; the Five Dragons Island Sea Region had been quite chaotic these years.
But Lin Changāan proficiently arrived at the Profound Sound Pavilionās Treasure House.
"Senior."
"Young friend, I am here to borrow your Pavilionās three-tier Pill Furnace and the ground fire room."
Lin Changāan, exuding the superior aura of a Fake Pill Cultivator, and on this point, the shopkeeper not only had no displeasure, but reverently served Spirit Tea.
Half an hour later.
While admiring the resources of Profound Sound Pavilionās lovely female disciples and with celestial music in the air, Fairy Ni Chang arrived.
"Mr. He, itās been unexpected to meet again after parting last time."
Seeing that only Fairy Ni Chang was present, Lin Changāan couldnāt help but nod secretly.
Twenty years ago, during the Core Formation Cultivator exchange conference on Five Dragons Island, he had detected that this elderās lifespan was almost exhausted.
Even in the face of a Golden Core Cultivator, ultimately, thereās no escaping birth, aging, sickness, and death.
"Fairy Ni Chang, I have come this time to borrow your Pavilionās three-tier Pill Furnace and ground fire room. Of course, please donāt let it leak again as it did last time."
Between the lines, Lin Changāan meant that it was due to the Profound Sound Pavilionās leak last time that he was targeted by someone surnamed Li.
Hearing this, Fairy Ni Chang couldnāt help but show an apologetic smile.
"Sincerely sorry, but please rest assured this time. Nowadays, the Long Family on Five Dragons Island are too preoccupied to pay attention to others."
"But you wish to borrow the three-tier Pill Furnace and ground fire room, are you possibly a Tier Three Alchemist?"
Fairy Ni Changās eyes gleamed, if she could recruit a Tier Three Alchemist, it would be a tremendous help to the Profound Sound Pavilion.
Of course, Lin Changāan would not admit to this, he sighed and waved his hand, saying:
"Mr. He too wishes, but unfortunately, Iāve been stuck in the Tier Two Upper Grade Alchemist realm for many years. This time, by chance, I obtained a Pill Formula, hoping to explore the path of a Tier Three Alchemist..."
Listening to Lin Changāan, Fairy Ni Chang only believed about thirty percent, lightly chuckling and nodding:
"You should know, our elder is a Tier Three Alchemist. If you are willing to become a tributor to our Profound Sound Pavilion, the three-tier alchemy inheritance will be given to you willingly."
The offer from Fairy Ni Chang was indeed tempting, but Lin Changāan knew very well.
What if his deception as a Fake Pill Cultivator was exposed? That would be disastrous.
Lin Changāan did not refuse outright, pondering for a moment, appearing hesitant.
Fairy Ni Chang of Profound Sound Pavilion, naturally understanding the reasoning, softly said:
"I suppose you worry about the Long Family, but with the Profound Sound Pavilionās connections, even the Long Family on Five Dragons Island wouldnāt dare act openly.
And right now, the Long Family is in distress; itās rumored the Dragon Island Master seeks Nascent Soul Formation, but how easy is it to achieve Nascent Soul Formation!"
Mentioning the Nascent Soul, Fairy Ni Chang also gave a sarcastic laugh.
A Nascent Soul Cultivator is considered one among the elite on the Demon Beast Abyss stage.
"Daoist, let me consider a few more days, as this matter involves too much; I truly donāt want to be drawn into the struggle of major powers."
With a bitter smile, Lin Changāan clasped his hands and spoke.
Then the two began to enjoy tea and discuss Dao.
Meanwhile, Lin Changāan also learned a lot of useful information, such as the domineering conduct of the Long Family, which seemed to have aroused Bihai Palaceās discontent.
Which is why the Profound Sound Pavilion felt so secure.
"Who would have thought that formerly among the three sects of Yue Kingdom, now itās the weakest Profound Sound Pavilion faring the best."
Nodding secretly, Lin Changāan noticed Fairy Ni Chang gingerly divulging certain information.
For instance, the Profound Sound Pavilion joined under Bihai Palaceās banner, backed by Bihai Palace.
"Daoist, to prevent any additional complications, I shall return in two months to trouble you further."
Before leaving, Lin Changāan smiled as he clasped his hands, while also seeing that despite the Profound Sound Pavilion being good, it lacked high-level combat power.
Therefore, over the years, they tried hard to recruit cultivators.
But unfortunately, there were very few who pledged allegiance, given that the Long Family still loomed over Five Dragons Island.