Chapter 122 : Time Flows, Things Change

Chapter 122: Time Flows, Things Change

Inside the pavilion.

“Brother Lin, this was sent by my father. It's this year’s Spirit Field rent and the resources for raising the Azure-Horned Bull.”

Zhou Bingyun obediently took out the Storage Pouch.

As Lin Changan looked over the resources, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Prices outside had been rising, yet for the past two years, the Zhou Family hadn’t increased the resources they provided him.

Moreover, Zhou Bingyun specifically mentioned it was from her father, not the Zhou Family. Lin Changan naturally understood the implication and smiled faintly as he nodded.

“Help me thank Fellow Daoist Zhou.”

“Brother Lin, rest assured. Although prices are rising everywhere, as long as our Zhou Family isn’t taking a loss, we won’t raise your price.”

After completing the family matters, Zhou Bingyun’s face immediately lit up with a smile, and her eyes had already turned to the Azure-Horned Bull behind her, which was constantly fawning over her.

This scene left Lin Changan speechless for a moment. Although the Azure-Horned Bull lacked some dignity, over the years, it had indeed benefited from a good number of resources.

Of course, all thanks to him.

Taking advantage of Lin Changan’s good mood, Zhou Bingyun fed the Azure-Horned Bull two Spirit Fruits, then humbly began asking questions about cultivation.

Lin Changan also smiled lightly as he gave her some guidance. This girl was clever and knew to draw from the strengths of many.

Or rather, she didn’t let any opportunity to grow stronger slip by.

With her status, she certainly wasn’t lacking cultivation insights, but every Foundation Establishment cultivator had their own unique understanding.

“Miss Zhou, with your cultivation progress, I imagine it won’t be many years before you begin preparing for Foundation Establishment.”

Zhou Bingyun had just broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refinement, something that could not escape the eyes of Lin Changan, a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Usually optimistic, Zhou Bingyun showed a rare trace of apprehension on her face when Foundation Establishment was mentioned, though she concealed it well.

“Still a long way to go. I just reached the ninth level of Qi Refinement. I’ll need to reach the peak at least before there’s even a chance. And nowadays, Foundation Establishment materials are hard to come by.

Don’t be fooled by how large the Zhou Family business is. With so many people top to bottom, the resource consumption is an enormous figure.”

Listening to her words, Lin Changan secretly shook his head.

He understood very well the choices these major families made.

If there was a choice, families naturally leaned toward investing in male cultivators. After all, female cultivators were more prone to emotional decisions. Once cultivated, if they got involved with outsiders—

Wouldn’t it be raising someone else's heir?

“Miss Zhou is exceptionally gifted. The Zhou Family wouldn’t dare neglect a First-rank Premium-grade Alchemist like you.”

Facing Lin Changan’s teasing, Zhou Bingyun responded with a sweet smile. She hoped it would be so.

Her path as an Alchemist leaned toward Spirit Beasts, but it still served the family greatly.

“Thanks for your kind words, Brother Lin. I hope I can become a Foundation Establishment cultivator someday.”

When she finally left, Zhou Bingyun wore a sincere smile, prompting Lin Changan to nod and offer his blessings.

Even after her figure vanished, the Azure-Horned Bull kept mooing in farewell.

Meanwhile, Lin Changan sat alone in the pavilion, recalling the faint hint of Baleful Energy lingering around Zhou Bingyun. He couldn’t help but smile.

“Seems this Zhou Family Patriarch really is quite the doting father.”

He naturally understood the internal competition within families, especially over Foundation Establishment resources, which were always a top priority.

For disciples like Zhou Bingyun, what they lacked was a heart tempered by trials.

“This Zhou Family Patriarch... truly a cunning one.”

Lin Changan smiled at the extra Spirit Stones he found in the Storage Pouch—clearly a subtle bribe from the Zhou Family Patriarch, asking him to quietly help prepare some of the Foundation Establishment resources for his daughter.

Favors—if unused now, who knows when they’ll come in handy later?

This Patriarch was clever in getting Lin Changan to help, essentially adding an external ally for Zhou Bingyun and silencing other dissenters.

“Family disciples... they really are enviable.”

With Zhou Bingyun’s aptitude and the clan's resource supply, she had already reached the ninth level of Qi Refinement at just over thirty.

She would likely be ready to prepare for Foundation Establishment in three to five more years.

Lin Changan couldn’t help but feel envious. Starting from scratch as a penniless drifting cultivator was too hard, leading to wasted years early on.

Only after much difficulty could they stabilize their resource supply, often not until they were in their thirties or forties.

As such, for cultivators without backing, reaching late-stage Qi Refinement typically occurred after forty or even fifty, and many only attempted Foundation Establishment in their fifties or sixties.

...

“Fairy Zhou.”

Just as Zhou Bingyun exited her cave abode, she was spotted by Chen Wen, who had been waiting. He immediately approached with an eager smile.

“So it’s Fellow Daoist Chen.”

Seeing who it was, Zhou Bingyun nodded politely with a courteous smile.

“Fairy Zhou just came from Senior Lin’s cave abode, right? Perfect, we’re heading in the same direction.”

One had to admit, the cultivation world was never short on cultivators looking for shortcuts.

Marrying the Zhou Family Patriarch’s daughter would skip countless hardships.

Just forming an alliance with the Zhou Family came with immense benefits.

No one knew this better than Chen Wen, which was why he had been especially attentive over the past two years.

Especially since Zhou Bingyun was also rather attractive.

“I still need to return to the family and refine a batch of pills for my Spirit Pet, so I’ll take my leave.”

Zhou Bingyun maintained her polite smile as she cupped her hands and departed.

Chen Wen, with a gentlemanly smile, politely saw her off.

Once her figure disappeared, his eyes revealed a naked ambition.

However, this scene was all clearly seen by Lin Changan inside the formation barrier of the pavilion.

“Though I don’t oppose this kind of shortcut, always keeping your eyes on my domain is out of line.”

Lin Changan’s tone was calm. He didn’t object to cultivators taking shortcuts—

If they succeeded, it was still their own ability.

But once it affected him, it was no longer acceptable.

And for Chen Wen to behave this way repeatedly, Lin Changan wouldn’t believe for a second that it wasn’t with Chen Qing’s silent approval.

“In just a few years, everything has changed.”

He reminisced about the past, thinking of how firm and unyielding Chen Qing once was, and now how deeply he was mired in family affairs with not a trace of his former ambition.

It was like he had become a completely different person, scheming constantly for his descendants and the family’s benefit.

Lin Changan couldn’t help but sigh deeply. Time flows, things change—people change too much.

Back then, among their group, only he and Yun Yao still held fast to the heart of bitter cultivation.

Had he not awakened his talent and obtained fortuitous encounters, he might have turned out no different.

“Still, Fellow Daoist Chen Qing... I hope you know what you’re doing.”

At this moment, Lin Changan shook his head. Though Chen Qing wasn’t personally watching his cave abode, his repeated indirect meddling was enough to draw Lin Changan’s displeasure.

...

Inside Chen Qing’s abode.

“Grandfather.”

Upon returning, Chen Wen wore an aggrieved expression. He had persevered like this for two or three years, yet Zhou Bingyun remained the same.

Her meaning was already very clear, but some people simply refused to give up.

In just three years, the once scholarly youth had become a face of worldly shrewdness, with no trace of his former perseverance.

“Wen’er, don’t lose heart.”

Chen Qing showed no frustration. Instead, he encouraged him:

“This girl is the daughter of the Zhou Family Patriarch and extremely talented—it won’t be easy.”

Ninth level of Qi Refinement, a First-rank Premium-grade Alchemist, a Premium-grade Spiritual Root, plus her background—it all made Chen Qing’s heart burn with desire.

Even setting aside her identity, her value to the Chen Family was significant.

“Grandfather, is this really the right thing to do?”

Beside them, Chen Feng wore a troubled look. He understood the intent, but the girl clearly had no interest. Wasn’t it improper to persist like this?

“What do you know!”

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing rarely showed a trace of anger and scolded him with a glare.

“These clan disciples are born without ever needing to worry about resources. And us? Your grandfather risked death countless times to finally reach Foundation Establishment, only to be scared into hiding at a single word from some major family’s disciple.

So what if one reaches Foundation Establishment? These past years, I haven’t improved a single bit. You think I don’t want to?”

As he said this, Chen Qing’s eyes were filled with deep unwillingness.

Why should these major clans and sect disciples be entitled to everything?

“Wen’er, you’re the grandson I value most. Don’t let your grandfather down.”

“Rest assured, Grandfather. Chen Wen will surely lead the Chen Family to rise.”

With firm determination, Chen Wen wasn’t afraid of disgrace. As long as he could succeed, he could endure any humiliation.

It had to be said, Chen Qing’s transformation over the years had clearly influenced the next generation, who now single-mindedly sought to elevate the Chen Family.

At that moment, a Voice-recording Talisman flickered outside the formation.

“Grandfather, is this a Voice-recording Talisman from Senior Lin next door?”

With a wave of Chen Qing’s hand, the talisman passed through the formation, and Lin Changan’s familiar voice slowly emerged.

Yet, as the voice echoed, the expressions of both Chen Wen and Chen Feng changed.

The familiar tone now carried a subtle sense of unfamiliarity.

More importantly, though the words conveyed he was going into seclusion and thus could not assist with talisman purchases, the implication was clear to anyone who heard it.

“Grandfather!”

Chen Qing nodded with a grim face, then grasped the Voice-recording Talisman, crushing it into powder in his palm.

“From now on, do not fix your eyes on Fellow Daoist Lin’s cave abode.”

He understood—this was Lin Changan’s warning, a line drawn between them.

But did he regret it!?

At that thought, Chen Qing looked at his two grandsons and gave a self-mocking laugh.

“Fellow Daoist Lin is a Mid-grade Second-rank Talisman Master, while I, your grandfather, am just a drifting cultivator. We are not of the same world—far beyond our reach—so you need not dwell on it.

Cultivate well. When the Chen Family rises, there will naturally be many who hold you in high regard.”

Perhaps from the very beginning, Chen Qing had anticipated such an ending.

But since Lin Changan could not offer much help, he tacitly accepted it.

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Chen Wen and Chen Feng both cupped their fists respectfully.

And in the neighboring cave abode, Lin Changan, having done all this, remained calm and composed.

They had long since become people of two different worlds.

…

This insignificant matter didn’t affect Lin Changan in the slightest. Instead, he focused entirely on secretly preparing for his journey to the Cloudmist Mountain Range.

Although Su Miaoyin had given him a token granting access to some high-tier resources in Tianxuan City, it was limited to what Guest Elders could reach.

More critically, the amount of Second-rank Crystalline Cores he needed was abnormally high. To avoid drawing attention, he had no choice but to give up.

Several days later, just as Lin Changan was quietly preparing for his journey to the Cloudmist Mountain Range, Shen Fan and Wei Yingying arrived to pay a visit.

“Greetings, Uncle Lin.”

Seeing the two bringing gifts, Lin Changan smiled and nodded.

“Yingying, you really are just like your Aunt Lu.”

Teased by Lin Changan, Wei Yingying’s face flushed slightly, but she still responded with a hearty smile.

“Uncle Lin, please don’t tease me. This time, Fan-ge and I returned specially to bring you Spirit Wine and Spirit Fruit. Along the way, Fan-ge said so many good things about you.”

Shen Fan, standing nearby, turned red from head to toe at Wei Yingying’s nonsense. He wished he could dig a hole and crawl inside.

This scene amused Lin Changan. He could laugh at such nonsense—it wasn’t like he was some great beauty. There’s no way Shen Fan had been thinking about him.

“Uncle Lin, you must try it.”

Taking a sip, the familiar taste made Lin Changan curiously ask:

“This is the Spirit Wine unique to Bamboo Mountain. Did you go to Bamboo Mountain?”

Hearing this, Wei Yingying nodded proudly with a smile.

“Uncle Lin, you truly deserve to be a Foundation Establishment cultivator—you recognized it instantly. Father and Aunt Qing said we still lacked tempering, so Fan-ge and I joined the Patrol Cultivator Squad.”

She then excitedly began recounting their six months of experience in the Patrol Cultivator Squad of Tianxuan City.

Shen Fan stood awkwardly at the side, not knowing what to do until Wei Yingying gave him a signal with her eyes, prompting him to fumble forward and pour the wine.

This scene made Lin Changan shake his head with a smile. This boy was lucky—but his greater fortune lay in having a good mother.

Lu Qingqing had always been clever and strategic.

She likely had her eye on this girl for some time. Although Wei Yingying was cunning, the older are wiser.

“Not bad. Cultivators cannot afford to work behind closed doors.”

“Uncle Lin, you don’t know how many Robber Cultivators we’ve encountered in the past six months. Some of them are truly vile, even harming their own friends and family...”

As Wei Yingying chattered on, Lin Changan squinted, quietly absorbing the outside information.

From the moment they entered, he had sensed a murderous aura on both of them—the mark of those who had truly braved the world.

Such is the heart of parents. They spare no effort for their children.

Wei Yingying was also sharp. From Aunt Lu Qingqing, she had learned that Lin Changan enjoyed hearing about the outside world.

So she cleverly shared recent changes, details about the Yue Kingdom, and other light-hearted anecdotes.

“Brother Yifan has reached the seventh level of Qi Refinement. Unfortunately, he’s quite reclusive. He only smiles when he sees Sister Bingyun. Uncle Li has aged a lot...”

She spoke of many things, stirring Lin Changan’s emotions.

Li Erniu had spent recent years taking care of his children and shouldering important duties in the clan, long forgetting his once firm resolve to reach the ninth level of Qi Refinement.

Still, he was living a fulfilling life—and that was enough.

Wei Buyi had become a First-rank Premium-grade Alchemist but, due to bounties on his head, continued refining pills in secret. According to Yingying, he was saving up for a dowry.

As for Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing, their resources in recent years had all been funneled toward Shen Fan.

In other words, everyone was living full lives—but they had all grown older.

“At the age of sixty, to live peacefully is already heaven’s favor.”

Lin Changan shook his head with a smile. Yet as Wei Yingying spoke of various Robber Cultivator rumors she had heard from the patrol squad, his brows furrowed slightly.

Robber Cultivators were increasing. Many might never have intended to become one—but the temptation of their peers proved irresistible.

Once they tried it, they could never return.

“Cultivate well. Especially you, girl. In the cultivation world, strength is everything. Don’t let your little cleverness turn into a joke.”

“Uncle Lin, rest assured. I’ve always worked hard at cultivating.”

Saying this, Wei Yingying proudly revealed her fourth level of Qi Refinement.

Lin Changan smiled and shook his head, then offered some cultivation pointers to the two.

This girl was clever and always showed proper manners when visiting. Every time, she brought fine gifts.

Now, most of the Spirit Plants inside and outside his cave abode had been planted by her—at great cost to Wei Buyi’s Spirit Stone Pouch.

It was clear she did all of this for Shen Fan. This was why every time Wei Buyi saw Shen Fan, his eyes widened.

Wei Yingying’s smile was even more radiant. Her visit, aside from bringing Shen Fan to receive guidance, was largely to maintain this relationship.

After all, the bonds between parents were of little concern to their children’s generation.

If they didn’t maintain them well, those relationships would fade into nothing.

Before leaving, Wei Yingying also helped tidy up the Spirit Plants in Lin Changan’s cave abode—she was, after all, a Spirit Plant Caretaker.

After they left, Lin Changan had already begun preparing to head to the Cloudmist Mountain Range. To the outside world, he claimed he would be going into secluded cultivation for some time.