Chapter 108 : Secret Technique

Chapter 108: Secret Technique

Inside the cave abode.

Yun Yao's face was pale, her forehead covered in a fine sheen of sweat. Her opened collar revealed a severely injured chest.

However, a wave of cold air emanated from the area around the wound, actually suppressing the spread of the injury.

“What terrifying cold energy—what cultivation method is this!”

After bringing Yun Yao into the cave abode, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but be secretly shocked upon seeing the injury.

He took out some healing pills from his belongings. As he administered them internally and externally, Yun Yao weakly and hoarsely explained.

“You’re saying you faked your death to escape from the Lihuo Palace!”

Hearing Yun Yao’s explanation, Lin Chang’an suddenly understood.

No wonder Yun Yao had been reclusive all these years. So the Golden Core Elders of Lihuo Palace truly treated their disciples as cauldrons. It wasn’t just outside rumor.

Especially the cultivation method passed on to Yun Yao—it had been that way from the very beginning.

“Fellow Daoist Lin… I have some talent, and I’ve been progressing rapidly in cultivation over the years. That’s why I’ve not yet suffered their hands. But that day was bound to come. I could only fake death using a secret technique to avoid the soul lantern, or else…”

Yun Yao squeezed out a smile on her pale cheeks. She seemed to want to call him “Big Brother Lin,” but fearing abruptness, she changed it to “Fellow Daoist Lin” instead.

“Fellow Daoist Yun, you’re too polite. You’ve helped me quite a bit before. There’s no need for words between us.”

Lin Chang’an shook his head. Yun Yao wasn’t a wanted cultivator thief. He naturally had no fear of being discovered.

Moreover, Yun Yao had helped him several times in the past.

He didn’t consider himself a good man, but he wasn’t someone who kicked others while they were down. As long as it was within his ability, lending a helping hand was something he could do.

Now that the Yue Kingdom’s situation had stabilized, even Master Lu had yet to declare war against Lihuo Palace.

The cultivators of Lihuo Palace within the city weren’t being obstructed—they were in the process of withdrawing.

Besides, Tianxuan City had taken in many female disciples who had defected from Lihuo Palace.

“Fellow Daoist Yun, these are some healing pills.”

Placing the pills in front of her, Lin Chang’an also sighed inwardly. He finally understood why Yun Yao’s temperament had changed so drastically over the years.

So being a disciple of a major sect wasn’t all that enviable after all.

“Thank you, Fellow Daoist Lin.”

Adversity reveals true feelings. Even when she was in such a dire state, Lin Chang’an hadn’t set his sights on her storage pouch. That warmed Yun Yao’s heart slightly.

After all, she had long grown accustomed to the cold warmth of human relationships in the world of cultivation.

...

Tianxuan City, after experiencing a change in sovereignty, had not declined. On the contrary, it had ushered in a vibrant new vitality.

Countless drifting cultivators saw the stability of Tianxuan City. Master Lu was no longer alone—he now had a true ally, Xuanyin Pavilion, one of the Yue Kingdom’s Three Major Sects.

Especially under the lure of Tianxuan City’s abundant resources, countless rogue cultivators from neighboring countries had decided to relocate.

And Master Lu’s actions were clearly aimed at turning Tianxuan City into a true sanctuary for rogue cultivators.

“Senior Lin, this is the location of your one hundred mu of spirit fields.”

On the third day, the spirit fields in Tianxuan City had been allocated. The one hundred mu Lin Chang’an received turned out to be high-grade spirit fields.

Seeing this, Lin Chang’an was a bit surprised, but seemed to understand, and cupped his hands in thanks. “Many thanks.”

To the messenger, Lin Chang’an cupped his hands with a smile. But this late-stage Qi Refining cultivator didn’t dare to receive it, bowing respectfully before retreating.

“This must be a token of appreciation from before.”

Spirit fields also varied in quality. A one hundred mu high-grade spirit field could generate considerable income annually.

He had indirectly helped Tianxuan City previously—at the very least, he had proven his intention to cultivate peacefully.

More importantly, Su Miaoyin had probably truly seen through his disguise last time.

Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an couldn't help but wonder silently. Could it be that Su Miaoyin possessed some kind of special eye technique?

At this moment, Chen Qing from the adjacent cave abode, having just received his spirit field allocation, happened to see him outside and approached with a face full of joy.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, I’ve been allocated spirit fields!”

“Then congratulations, Fellow Daoist Chen.”

Lin Chang’an greeted him with a broad smile, having already put away his own spirit field token.

It wasn’t the time to dampen someone else’s joy.

After all, they both received spirit fields, but his were high-grade, while Chen Qing’s were ordinary.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, you don’t understand!”

Chen Qing’s face flushed with excitement as he cupped his hands. “With these one hundred mu of spirit fields, my entire Chen Family finally has a place to settle.”

These spirit fields alone were enough to sustain everyone in the clan and even provide some cultivation resources for him.

Chen Qing shared his joy enthusiastically. He tried to speak several more times but, seeing Lin Chang’an’s smiling expression, felt awkward and swallowed his thoughts.

“When personal benefit gets involved, things become unpleasant.”

After Chen Qing left, Lin Chang’an shook his head slightly. He had no intention of getting entangled—trouble followed close behind.

Today you lease him spirit fields, tomorrow he might want reduced rent, and in the future, should any issue arise in his clan, they’d come knocking for help.

Besides, this high-grade spirit field couldn’t be utilized effectively by an ordinary Foundation Establishment clan.

So from the beginning, he had no intention of leasing this field to Chen Qing.

His plan was to trade this spirit field for something he needed.

...

Upon returning to the cave abode—

“Fellow Daoist Lin.”

Dressed in black, Yun Yao’s injuries had mostly healed. Even Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but be amazed—this recovery speed, although not as fast as his regenerative body, was still impressive.

Just three days ago, she was on the brink of death, and now she looked like this. One could imagine her cultivation method was extraordinarily powerful.

“It seems Fellow Daoist Yun’s injuries have improved quite a bit.”

Lin Chang’an smiled as he spoke. Yun Yao, for once, returned a smile and nodded slightly.

“Thank you, Big Brother Lin, for taking care of me these past few days. Yun Yao will remember this kindness.”

As expected, Yun Yao’s true nature was valiant and straightforward, never one to beat around the bush. Her previous demeanor was simply due to the heavy weight in her heart.

“Fellow Daoist Yun, you’re too polite.”

In the pavilion, Yun Yao offered tea in place of wine with a hearty smile.

Beside them, the Azure-Horned Bull looked at Yun Yao with round copper bell-like eyes full of flattery, still chewing spirit grass.

Seeing this, Yun Yao chuckled and took out another spirit fruit from her storage pouch to feed the Azure-Horned Bull.

“Big Brother Lin, I owe you my life this time.”

From the side of her long boots, Yun Yao rustled out seven or eight storage pouches, causing Lin Chang’an’s eyes to widen in surprise.

Where had she picked up this habit—hiding storage pouches in such a place? And that quantity…

Had she looted the Gathering Treasures Pavilion during the chaos?

Noticing Lin Chang’an’s astonished gaze, Yun Yao let out a bright, carefree laugh.

“I remember Big Brother Lin once said to always make multiple preparations. Naturally, one must have several storage pouches prepared.”

“A life-saving grace cannot be repaid easily. Observing that you’re now a Second-rank Talisman Master and not lacking in other things, I present this secret technique to you.”

So it turned out the habit was learned from him.

A jade slip flew out from a storage pouch. Lin Chang’an took it carefully. On the first page of the slip were three clear characters—

《Essence Condensation Method》

“This is?”

Yun Yao gently brushed the hair by her ear and softly said, “Don’t worry, Big Brother Lin. This secret technique originates from the Xuanyin Divine Sect. It now circulates among the upper echelons of the Three Major Sects. It’s not too important—surely it’ll be of use to you.”

Of use? More than that!

Even a brief perusal told Lin Chang’an of the uniqueness of this secret technique.

By using spiritual items of the same attribute as one’s cultivation method, it refined one’s own mana, while also purging impurities and alchemical toxins.

This was entirely a high-level auxiliary cultivation secret technique.

“Big Brother Lin, the hardest part of this secret technique is finding spiritual items of the same attribute. The best is a Golden Core from a cultivator with the same cultivation method, followed by demon cores of the same attribute.”

“Of course, such spiritual items are extremely rare. Most people use Third-rank spiritual items or demon cores from Second-rank spirit beasts as substitutes.”

Listening to Yun Yao’s calm words, Lin Chang’an was secretly startled. As expected of a secret technique from the demonic path—it was indeed wicked.

But for someone like Yun Yao, purifying mana might be the most attractive part. For him, however, the purification of impurities and alchemical toxins was the true draw.

After all, he intended to consume pills long-term in the future.

“To think such a secret technique existed.”

When Lin Chang’an first heard about this secret technique, he could not help but feel a surge of emotion. No wonder these sects and great clans had stood firm for hundreds or even thousands of years without falling.

Such profound foundations were far from what ordinary drifting cultivators could bridge with one or two fortunate encounters.

Right in front of Lin Chang’an, Yun Yao activated the secret technique. She slowly opened her sandalwood lips, and a bead exuding chilling air floated out.

“This is a third-rank spirit item, the Ice Soul Pearl. It shares the same attribute as the Water Yin Demonic Art that I cultivate...”

After Yun Yao expelled her spirit item, Lin Chang’an secretly activated his Spiritual Eyes, observing the Ice Soul Pearl before him with solemn concentration.

When his finger touched it, an icy chill pierced to the bone. The temperature within the pavilion dropped significantly.

And the black sediment within the Ice Soul Pearl was likely the impurities and pill toxins from her body.

Thinking again of the ancient cultivation method he had obtained, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but sigh and shake his head.

Opportunities were one thing, but they still had to be transformed into strength.

The cultivator who created this ancient cultivation method probably never considered that future practitioners might have poor aptitude, and thus it contained no secret technique to enhance talent or accelerate cultivation.

Everything he had today was due entirely to his own hard work and exceptional talent.

“Many thanks, Daoist Yun.”

After witnessing this secret technique, Lin Chang’an could not help but show a look of gratitude.

To him at this moment, this secret technique was far more useful than anything else.

It was precisely what he needed most.

“Brother Lin, you’re too courteous.”

Retracting the Ice Soul Pearl and swallowing it again, Yun Yao gently shook her head.

“This secret technique isn’t much. The difficulty lies in how rare spirit items are, and this spirit item is also consumable.”

Upon hearing Yun Yao’s words, Lin Chang’an fell silent.

For drifting cultivators, lacking the right methods was the greatest dilemma.

Drifting cultivators weren’t afraid to risk their lives; they feared having no direction.

“Daoist Yun, you—!?”

Yun Yao let out a soft laugh. Right in front of him, she slowly put on a mask-type magical artifact. Her appearance transformed, once again becoming the previously unremarkable look.

“Brother Lin, my injuries have mostly healed. Moreover, Tianxuan City doesn’t reject cultivators like me from outside, so I won’t stay here and trouble you further.”

Seeing that Yun Yao was already prepared to leave, Lin Chang’an didn’t try to keep her. He only gifted her a few second-rank talismans for protection before her departure.

Everyone had their own path. Yun Yao had hers too.

In the end, Lin Chang’an raised his teacup, offering a quiet toast with tea in place of wine, softly blessing, “May the Immortal Dao remain evergreen.”

Under the setting sun, only Lin Chang’an remained in the pavilion.

Along with the Azure-Horned Bull lying by the pond, its bull eyes, as large as bronze bells, pitifully watched the disappearing figure.

In the Azure-Horned Bull’s heart, this cultivator was very generous—always feeding it high-grade spirit fruits and spirit herbs.

“Yun Yao.”

Bathed in the sunset glow, Lin Chang’an in the pavilion lowered his head to gaze at the jade slip in his hand.

The neat handwriting on the jade slip exuded a sharp edge; each stroke and line carried an air of killing intent. This let Lin Chang’an realize that it was likely copied personally by Yun Yao.

“One still needs to tread carefully in the world of cultivation.”

As for Yun Yao’s cautious thoughts, Lin Chang’an only smiled calmly.

Had he harbored evil intent from the start, the most he could have obtained was Yun Yao’s storage pouch.

This secret technique had only been transcribed after her injuries were mostly healed.

…

“The Essence Condensation Method—while singular in function, one must admit the brilliance of the predecessors who created it.”

Inside his cave abode, as he studied the method closely, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but marvel.

This secret technique took an entirely different approach—using a spirit item of a higher grade than the cultivator’s own to purify mana, thereby accelerating cultivation.

At the same time, he was filled with admiration for what constituted the foundation of great clans and sects.

“It’s just that such spirit items are hard to find. The Ice Soul Pearl Yun Yao used was a third-rank spirit item.”

Upon discovering that cultivating this secret technique required a spirit item as support, Lin Chang’an frowned. A third-rank spirit item like that wasn’t something he could easily acquire.

He cultivated a wood-attribute cultivation method, so naturally he needed a wood-attribute spirit item.

Even in the Treasure Pavilion, such spirit items were extremely rare, usually only appearing at auctions.

“Looks like I’ll have to temporarily use a second-rank demon core as a substitute.”

For him, second-rank spirit items were relatively easier to obtain.

Especially the cores of second-rank demon beasts, though wood-attributed ones were still somewhat rare.

“At present, the priority is to find a suitable spirit item and get started on cultivating this secret technique.”

His alchemical skills still needed more time to refine before a breakthrough, but this secret technique could be cultivated immediately.

“This is all thanks to the storage pouch Yun Yao left behind.”

After Yun Yao left, a storage pouch embroidered with a flying bird was left inside the cave abode. It was stuffed full—with hundreds of mid-grade spirit stones inside.

This white-embroidered storage pouch emitted a faint fragrance, which made Lin Chang’an show a strange expression.

Could it be that Yun Yao had really looted the Treasure Pavilion of the Lihuo Palace amidst the chaos? Otherwise, where did all this wealth come from?

…

Tianxuan City.

“The spirit fields previously occupied by the Lihuo Palace are all being relinquished.”

“I heard that this time Master Lu severely wounded a Golden Core Elder of the Lihuo Palace. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have withdrawn so easily.”

“Master Lu, indeed. Just look at how many spirit fields were under the control of Lihuo Palace and Xuanyin Pavilion.”

“It’s already generous that Xuanyin Pavilion gave up more than half the benefits.”

On the streets, drifting cultivators of all kinds could be seen everywhere. Disciples from major sects were now a rare sight, especially cultivators from Lihuo Palace, who had vanished without a trace in just two days.

Only some properties of Xuanyin Pavilion remained.

“This change really came swiftly.”

Walking in the Marketplace Trading Zone, watching the busy figures, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but shake his head.

He was hoping to see if there were any suitable second-rank spirit items, but it seemed he would have to wait for a period of stability first.

Right now, most cultivators in the city were busy trying to join Tianxuan City.

Especially the Foundation Establishment cultivators, who had been assigned spirit fields that all needed managing.

“Let’s hope this prosperity can last a few more years.”

Long-term stability was unrealistic. The Lihuo Palace had suffered a huge loss this time. And now that they had allied with the Shensword Sect, they would surely seek revenge in the future.

Lin Chang’an could only hope that Master Lu lived a few more years—to buy him a bit more time for cultivation.