Chapter 141 : Opening the Black Market

Chapter 141: Opening the Black Market

Juxian Tower.

“Brother Lin, it’s really you who’s living the good life. A mid-grade Second-rank Talisman Master, and even has ties with Master Lu’s disciples—truly enviable.”

At the wine table, Hu Jin spoke with admiration, while Lin Chang’an simply shook his head with a smile.

“Old Hu, you’ve kept things hidden quite well too—your Artifact Crafting skills are solid, and you even go out hunting demon beasts.”

“Brother Lin, stop making fun of me.”

When the subject came up, Old Hu looked completely helpless and waved his hand repeatedly.

“With my level of skill, sure, I wouldn’t worry about regular cultivation. But both of us are determined in our Dao hearts—we’re aiming for the Great Dao. Naturally, we won’t settle for what we have. These few resources simply aren’t enough.”

Lin Chang’an nodded with a smile. On this point, he agreed.

Old Hu’s low-grade Second-rank Artifact Crafting skill looked impressive, but for someone like him in the mid Foundation Establishment Stage, it was only enough for a comfortable life. If he still had the ambition to improve…

The spirit stones and resources earned were simply not sufficient.

“Sigh. Ever since Old Ning left, Old Jia hasn’t broken through in the last two years, and his spirit’s dropped. Now there’s only me left. Hunting demon beasts has become really hard.”

Although Hu Jin was usually rough and straightforward, he was unusually persistent and resolute when it came to cultivating and pursuing the Dao.

Over the years of conversation, at the very least, Lin Chang’an had never seen this Old Hu show even a hint of discouragement.

His catchphrase was: “It wasn’t easy for Old Hu to reach Foundation Establishment. If I don’t fight for the Golden Core Dao, wouldn’t I be wasting it all?”

“Brother Lin, you invited me for drinks today—must be something you need. Just say the word. But as for a wood-attribute Second-rank demon core, I truly don’t have one. I’ve been nursing my injuries the past two months.”

The burly Old Hu spread his hands with an innocent expression, indicating he truly wasn’t being stingy—it was just that Second-rank demon beasts were difficult enough to handle already, and Lin still wanted a wood-attribute one.

Difficult!

Seeing this, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but chuckle. He raised his cup, toasted, and then spoke.

“Old Hu, just as you said, we’re both people who refuse to stop here on the path of cultivation. The reason I invited you today is actually to discuss a business opportunity.”

“Business? Old Hu here doesn’t really understand such things.”

“Tianxuan City is in turmoil, and the beast tide is imminent. A few friends and I, using our connections…”

As Lin Chang’an explained the business, Old Hu’s eyes gradually lit up.

“Brother Lin, your brain’s still sharp as ever. I nearly forgot—you have ties with both of Master Lu’s disciples in Tianxuan City.

Other people might not dare to deal in black market goods, but who would dare cause trouble for us in Tianxuan City? Besides, we buy everything at clear and fair prices.”

Compared to hunting demon beasts and risking life and limb, doing business in Tianxuan City’s marketplace was much safer. If they could grow the operation and stabilize it…

The spirit stones earned would far surpass those from hunting.

“But this business is a bit risky. If we mess up, we might lose everything.”

“Come on, Brother Lin. When we rogue cultivators go hunt demon beasts, when is it ever not risky? This is nothing.”

The more Old Hu heard, the more tempted he became. In the end, he even patted his chest, saying honestly that this kind of risk was nothing compared to risking one’s life.

Old Hu’s straightforwardness made Lin Chang’an smile.

“Alright. Let’s gather again in a few days and talk about the profit split.”

Friendship was one thing; business was another. These were separate matters.

Especially since he had the Tianxuan City connections—he naturally deserved a larger share.

“Old Jia is trustworthy, but you know how it is—he’s got a family and descendants. He definitely won’t be able to invest too many spirit stones into something risky.”

Hearing this, Lin Chang’an smiled and waved his hand.

“It doesn’t matter how much. What matters is that he can be relied upon.”

This Fellow Jia cultivator was someone he’d dealt with before—an old Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Now, with Old Hu, Old Jia, and himself, that made three Foundation Establishment cultivators. Adding in Yun Yao and her two friends...

Lin Chang’an silently calculated—six Foundation Establishment cultivators. That would be considered a solid force even in the outside world.

More than enough to deter small-time troublemakers.

However, he still needed to pay a visit to this Fellow Song. And although Fellow Su was in seclusion, as well as the less-familiar Wu Yan…

Familiar or not, he couldn’t leave out any of Master Lu’s three disciples.

…

Many Treasures Pavilion.

“Tsk tsk. Brother Lin, you’re treating me like a stranger. As long as the business follows the rules, you can rest easy.”

Song Tingfeng patted his chest in reassurance, while Lin Chang’an clasped his hands with a smile.

That may be true, but he still had to give what needed to be given—not a bit less.

The so-called give-and-take of human relationships must involve actual give-and-take.

In future dealings, he would deliver a monthly gift—that would form the basis of maintaining this relationship.

Maybe others would think little of it, but he could use it to keep the connection.

After all, it had been two years since he helped Tianxuan City eliminate the robber cultivators. Though he had received compensation, relying solely on past favors would fade with time.

“Fellow Daoist Song, this is not just me alone, but a few friends as well. As for Senior Wu and Fellow Daoist Su—this is just a small token of appreciation.”

Hearing Lin Chang’an’s words, Song Tingfeng’s face lit up with a smile.

Profits didn’t matter—the attitude and sincerity did.

“Looks like Fellow Daoist Lin has high hopes for my Senior Sister Su to form her core, huh?”

Song Tingfeng teased, clearly seeing that Lin Chang’an was placing his bet on Tianxuan City’s stability.

When Su Miaoyin was mentioned, Lin Chang’an nodded with a slightly solemn expression.

“Fellow Daoist Su’s guidance in formation theory helped me immensely. As a mere drifting cultivator, the more stable Tianxuan City is, the better chance I have of finding a place to cultivate peacefully.”

Lin Chang’an spoke with emotion—this was truly how he felt.

The spiritual energy in Tianxuan City was so dense—not just in the Yue Kingdom, but even in the surrounding seven kingdoms, such areas were all occupied by sects or great clans.

Rogue cultivators like them could crack their skulls and still not find a place with such spiritual density.

He could even imagine—once Su Miaoyin successfully formed her core, Tianxuan City would flourish even further.

“Fellow Daoist Su is extraordinarily talented. I believe she will succeed in forming her core!”

With Lin Chang’an’s firm tone, this time was different from the last.

Tianxuan City was no longer like before when two major sects ruled—the formation was almost like an empty shell.

Now, Master Lu stood unrivaled, backed by a late-stage Third-rank Blackwater Turtle and the Immortal City Grand Formation.

So long as nothing unexpected occurred, the chances of Su Miaoyin’s successful Core Formation were high.

“Good. With those words from Fellow Daoist Lin, my Senior Sister Su will surely be pleased when she hears of it.”

Song Tingfeng, too, felt a sense of camaraderie with Lin Chang’an.

Lin Chang’an smiled and cupped his hands. Yun Yao truly lived up to her noble heritage—bold and daring.

With Tianxuan City in upheaval, doing business now was like betting everything, maybe even her entire fortune, on it.

In that sense, they were all on the same boat. Naturally, Song Tingfeng was overjoyed.

The two then sipped tea and discussed the Dao in Many Treasures Pavilion. But when it came to formation theory, their debate became fiery and impassioned.

Yet Lin Chang’an didn’t feel the same “moment of clarity” that he did when talking to Su Miaoyin.

【Premium-grade First-rank Formation Master (Grandmaster 3968/5000)】

Looking at his progress in formation mastery, Lin Chang’an quietly shook his head. No wonder Su Miaoyin didn’t often seek out Fellow Song to discuss formations.

Even Lin himself, under their shared discussions, was close to breaking through to Second-rank.

And yet, this Fellow Song was still stuck in place.

Among the hundred cultivation arts, formation mastery depended most on comprehension.

If one got it, they got it. If not, they didn’t.

When Su Miaoyin guided him, Lin Chang’an often had moments of sudden enlightenment, with his proficiency panel increasing.

Whereas Fellow Song simply scratched his head in confusion, staring blankly as if saying: “Fellow Lin, you can’t just flatter my senior sister like that.”

“Clearly neither of us understands—you can’t pretend to get it and just leave me behind!”

But as time passed, Song Tingfeng learned a trick: putting on a face of sudden realization as well.

The two went from talking about formations, to the myriad demon beasts in the Sea Abyss of Beasts, to the legendary cultivators of the Yue Kingdom in the past hundred years.

“Fellow Daoist Song, your knowledge is truly outstanding. Lin feels ashamed.”

“Brother Lin, you’ve simply been confined to this little Yue Kingdom. You’ve yet to see the wider world. One day, I’ll gift you a bestiary of the Sea Abyss of Beasts.”

“In that case, I must thank you in advance, Fellow Daoist Song.”

As they descended the stairs, hearing that this generous Fellow Song was giving him something else, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but reveal a grateful look.

What a good man.

And Song Tingfeng was thoroughly satisfied. After all, the gift he was giving was nothing more than common merchandise in the Sea Abyss of Beasts—worthless, really.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, now that your cultivation has advanced to the mid Foundation Establishment Stage, I suppose you’ll eventually have to go out and explore. After all, if you want to form a core, even the Yue Kingdom, or the surrounding seven nations, are too small.

Only the Sea Abyss of Beasts has abundant resources. Among the cultivators of the seven nations, even those from major sects and clans, many form their cores in Abyss City.”

When Song Tingfeng mentioned Abyss City, his tone was filled with melancholy, as if he harbored some deep emotion.

Lin Chang’an quietly nodded at his words. The Sea Abyss of Beasts, huh… Perhaps he truly would need to go there when the time came to plan his Core Formation.

But right now, that was still too far off.

He was still just a drifting cultivator who had only recently broken through to the mid Foundation Establishment Stage.

“We’ll talk about future matters when the time comes.”

Lin Chang’an humbly waved his hand, though Song Tingfeng cast him a meaningful glance.

If he lacked such aspirations, why would he be so invested in matters of the Sea Abyss of Beasts?

Still, both men understood that while dreams were important, reality was often harsh.

Before anything else, Lin Chang’an would at least need to reach the late Foundation Establishment Stage before he'd be qualified to go.

Yet, among cultivators at the mid stage, few truly advanced to late Foundation Establishment.

“Farewell, Fellow Daoist Song.”

“Don’t worry, Brother Lin. Once my Senior Brother Wu returns, I’ll be sure to relay your goodwill—and to Senior Sister Su as well.”

Watching Song Tingfeng pat his chest in assurance, Lin Chang’an smiled and cupped his hands.

With this, everything was in place—it would all depend on Tianxuan City’s future prospects.

Let’s hope everything goes smoothly.

As Lin Chang’an left Many Treasures Pavilion, he silently prayed in his heart.

His current efforts would be enough to open the way for selling his talismans and pills.

…

Three days later.

On the top floor of Juxian Tower, everyone arrived as promised.

Lin Chang’an brought two of his friends—Old Hu, who was in the mid Foundation Establishment Stage, and Old Jia, who had just reached the early stage.

Yun Yao brought two friends of her own—one was a mid Foundation Establishment cultivator with long grayish-white hair, the other a middle-aged man at the early stage.

“Just call me Old Ghost,” one of them said.

“I am He Yan,” said the other.

Well, well. The moment he saw the two Yun Yao had brought, Lin Chang’an’s eyes twitched. These were both old acquaintances.

Old Ghost—wasn’t that Ghost Three Blades? Others might not recognize him, but Lin was far too familiar with that aura of spiritual power.

These days, tales of Ghost Three Blades were everywhere in the Yue Kingdom—his reputation was nearly on par with Core Formation cultivators.

“He Yan.”

Looking at the middle-aged man who appeared even older than himself, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but feel emotional.

He Yan didn’t hide it either. He grinned widely.

“Uncle Lin.”

Perhaps due to all he’d been through, there wasn’t a shred of arrogance left in He Yan now.

“So, we’re all old acquaintances. That makes things easier. I’m Old Hu, this here is Old Jia. From now on, we’re all on the same side…”

What had initially been a rather awkward atmosphere suddenly warmed up under the outgoing personality of Old Hu.

“This is Fellow Daoist Yun, my friend.”

Yun Yao wore a black veil and robe today, radiating a sense of mystery. When Lin Chang’an introduced her to the others, he did not reveal her real name.

No one here was stupid. Friendships were one thing, business was another—they were two separate matters.

In fact, no one asked about anyone’s past or true identity. Everyone wisely kept silent.

After all, if they joined hands to do business and earned spirit stones, great. If things didn’t work out, they could part ways easily.

“Fellow Daoists, with Tianxuan City in disarray due to the beast unrest, it has attracted many rogue cultivators from other nations. These cultivators likely won’t stay here long.

But those who come are either preparing for Foundation Establishment or here to hunt demon beasts. The market is vast…”

Veiled in black, Yun Yao spoke calmly about the prospects of their business venture.

Naturally, Lin Chang’an wouldn’t undercut her. He nodded and added,

“With our combined strength, we can easily deter any riffraff. As for acquiring spirit fields, there’s no rush. Let’s focus on getting the business running first. My talismans, along with some of my personal connections…”

“I, Old Hu, am a low-grade Second-rank Artifact Refiner. While repairing magical artifacts is possible, it’s too time-consuming. It’d be better if Fellow Daoists could collect some shady items for me to modify…”

“Our Jia Family might not be a major clan, but we can still provide some low-grade goods like spiritual rice…”

As the group began discussing their plans, Old Ghost and He Yan exchanged glances. What they said next clearly changed Old Hu and Old Jia’s attitudes.

“I can get a good amount of shady materials from outside…”

No one here was a fool. Just among them, Lin Chang’an, Yun Yao, Old Ghost, and Old Hu were all mid Foundation Establishment cultivators. Adding the other two…

Six Foundation Establishment cultivators—this kind of force would even make the Zhou Family think twice.

With top-down connections and grassroots networks, and enough internal cohesion to keep order, this venture could succeed.

Seeing everyone sincerely willing to take a gamble, even Old Jia—who had deep roots in Tianxuan City—seemed determined to secure a better future for his descendants.

“I have a friend who’s a mid-grade Second-rank Alchemist, though he doesn’t like getting involved in these matters. He specializes in refining Foundation Establishment Pills and other pills that enhance cultivation.

For this venture, besides giving one-tenth to the higher-ups, I want thirty percent.”

Lin Chang’an smiled as he mentioned his alchemist friend—not just to claim a larger share, but to reasonably introduce his alternate identity.

Nowadays in Tianxuan City, most cultivators with decent skills kept their identities hidden, fearing bounties being placed on their heads.

No one found it suspicious.

When it came to business, Lin Chang’an’s tone was calm as he directly asked for thirty percent.

Beside him, Yun Yao, still veiled in black, added coldly, “Brother Lin has an alchemist behind him. Thirty percent is fair. I want twenty percent.”

With sixty percent taken, that left Old Hu, Old Jia, Ghost Three Blades, and He Yan with ten percent each.

“This black-robed Fairy Yun…”

Old Hu, a bit stunned, was about to say something when Yun Yao cut him off with a single line.

“Two Second-rank demon beast materials—per year at minimum.”

Hearing this, Old Hu’s expression changed drastically. He patted his chest and pledged,

“Fairy Yun is righteous. I, Old Hu, have no objections.”

This scene left Old Jia feeling rather awkward—Old Hu’s personality really knew no boundaries.

Soon, the group grew more familiar with each other over wine.

Whatever their reasons, everyone had put significant stakes into this venture—they were all in the same boat now.

Once the business started, it wouldn’t harm anyone’s individual profits.

After all, black market profits were black market profits.

For instance, if someone came offering Foundation Establishment materials for pill refinement, the black market would only earn the markup.

The real profit would go to Lin Chang’an’s alchemist friend.

The key was that everyone worked together to grow the black market into something stable—accumulating a steady and increasing stream of income.