Chapter 178 : The Conspiracy Begins

Chapter 178: The Conspiracy Begins

Tianxuan City.

Ever since Wang Lin’s Alchemist identity had been exposed, Lin Chang’an had been moving about these past years as Daoist Wood.

“Daoist friend, this is merely a second-rank low-grade Crystalline Core.”

“Daoist Wood! Senior Wood! I’ll add a bit more.”

While walking through his own marketplace (the black market), Lin Chang’an, disguised as Daoist Wood, remained calm and expressionless as he exchanged second-rank pills for the cultivation resources he needed.

He had long since grown accustomed to such matters.

However, when he once again saw a quasi–third-rank cultivation-enhancing pill appear in the market, a trace of desire flickered across his face.

Since the end of the relic exploration three years ago, the Fu Family, unwilling to accept their loss, had leaked the matter.

Naturally, many cultivators went secretly to investigate.

Once the existence of the cave abode relic was confirmed, everyone knew that the treasure inside must have already been taken by someone in secret.

Thus, over the past three years, there would occasionally be people who used quasi–third-rank pills or spirit items to trade for third-rank equivalents—fishing for clues.

After all, following the relic expedition, many things still needed to be absorbed and digested. As long as one or two items flowed into the market, there would be traces to follow.

But what these people did not know was that Lin Chang’an and his two companions were no longer lacking in cultivation resources, and thus would not take such risks lightly.

“It seems these people are still unwilling to give up, waiting for the one who secretly explored the relic to slip up.”

Lin Chang’an thought to himself, but still wore a smiling face as Daoist Wood and approached.

“Daoist friend, for this quasi–third-rank pill, how about I exchange spirit stones plus two second-rank high-grade Crystalline Cores with you?”

Yet the man in the bamboo hat simply glanced at Lin Chang’an silently, before rasping:

“Daoist friend, I only exchange for things of equal value.”

In the end, Lin Chang’an left with a regretful shake of his head.

Changing identities along the way, he finally returned to his cave abode.

……

“Moo!”

Once released, the Azure-Horned Bull gave an excited bellow and immediately trotted toward the pool.

The golden-plumed Wind-Chirp Bird circled once in the air before perching on his shoulder, grooming his hair and fanning his neck affectionately.

Over the years, he had grown used to this. This bird could practically be called a bird spirit.

“All these years, you’ve eaten so much, yet your cultivation is about to be overtaken by the Wind-Chirp Bird.”

Seeing the lazily sprawled Azure-Horned Bull in the pool, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but shake his head.

The Wind-Chirp Bird was indeed worthy of being a rare exotic spirit beast. In just a little over a decade, its cultivation had already caught up to the Azure-Horned Bull.

“Moo!”

As if sensing its master’s comparison, the Azure-Horned Bull let out a wronged low.

It wanted to grow stronger too, but the problem lay in its superior bloodline being no match for the exotic bloodline of this mischievous bird.

“All right, don’t fall behind.”

Stroking the bull’s fur, Lin Chang’an sighed.

With age, he had become increasingly sentimental.

Perhaps it was because he had seen old acquaintances like Li Erniu and Shen Lie grow old one after another, stirring his emotions.

“Cultivate well, and do not disturb me.”

After instructing the two beasts, Lin Chang’an entered his cave abode.

Passing through the outer pavilions, he stepped into the hidden depths of the abode.

When the stone gate of the secret chamber opened, a second-rank high-grade Alchemy Furnace was revealed.

“With these materials, I can refine several furnaces of second-rank high-grade pills.”

Lin Chang’an began carefully sorting the collected resources, especially certain Spirit Fruits and Spirit Herbs, sealing them with special methods to preserve their spiritual essence.

【Second-rank High-grade Alchemist (Grandmaster 2/5000)】

“With second-rank high-grade cultivation-enhancing pills, I wonder how much faster my progress will be.”

He pondered silently. Not long ago, he had just advanced to become a second-rank high-grade alchemist, and since then had been collecting materials for such pills.

“With my mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation, taking a second-rank high-grade cultivation-enhancing pill should greatly accelerate my progress. Of course, if it were a quasi–third-rank pill, that would be even better.”

Thinking of the occasional quasi–third-rank pills and even third-rank items appearing in the market these past few years, Lin Chang’an shook his head.

Perhaps he was being too cautious, but he always felt these baited offerings were deliberately aimed at him.

“It’s just a pity these third-rank pills have lost so much of their spiritual potency.”

Looking at the few bottles of third-rank pills in his hand, Lin Chang’an felt a pang of distress.

They were all top-grade third-rank healing and mana-restoring pills, yet in their hands they were utterly wasted.

As for trading them outside? Forget it. Even Old Hu had never hesitated—these things could never be leaked.

Even the slightest rumor would bring disaster.

The allure of the Yunwu Mountain Range cave abode relic was such that even Golden Core cultivators would not resist.

Thus, they would rather keep these pills in their Storage Pouches, letting their medicinal properties fade, than risk trading them away.

“Ah, if only they were cultivation-enhancing pills. But they’re all just for healing and recovery.”

Though such pills were life-saving treasures in critical moments, in recent years neither he nor Old Hu had encountered danger, both cultivating safely within Tianxuan City.

The marketplace income was more than enough for them to cultivate in peace.

“For safety’s sake, better to keep storing them.”

Lin Chang’an put away the bottles of pills with a shake of his head.

Back then, the three of them had tightly concealed everything they gained in the relic, fearful of even the slightest leak.

This also led them to feel that any stir in Tianxuan City must surely be aimed at them.

“These past years, my other arts have also advanced well.”

【Second-rank High-grade Talisman Master (Grandmaster 2003/5000)】

【Second-rank Low-grade Formation Master (Proficient 463/500)】

“My Talisman Path has been progressing steadily. In a decade or two, I should be able to advance to the third rank. As for Formation Mastery, my progress these past three years has been quicker, thanks to the inheritance of the third-rank formation.”

It could be said that the harvest from the cave abode relic had been an absolute windfall for the three of them.

“Too bad. What I need most now is the fastest improvement in cultivation.”

At last, Lin Chang’an sat cross-legged before the furnace, focusing fully on refining the second-rank high-grade pills.

One by one, Spirit Herbs and Spirit Fruits floated into the furnace, tempered by his True Fire, their essences extracted and fused under his skilled hands into spiritual pills.

Time flew by. Half a month later, as the first beam of moonlight pierced the formation barrier, the heat of the blazing furnace slowly faded.

“Pills are complete.”

Having repeated this process countless times, Lin Chang’an remained calm, long used to it.

Unlike other alchemists who grew nervous and fearful of producing waste pills, ruining costly materials, he stayed composed.

“With my innate ‘Permanent Certification’ talent, as long as there is no external interference, I can always maintain my peak state.”

With a confident smile, Lin Chang’an raised his hand and opened the furnace.

Thirteen pills, fragrant and glowing with spiritual light, floated gently into the prepared jade bottles.

Among them, one fell into his hand. Without hesitation, Lin Chang’an swallowed it directly and began cultivating.

……

He did not know how much time had passed before the medicinal effect faded. Only then did he slowly open his eyes, sensing his progress.

“The medicinal strength of a second-rank high-grade pill is indeed much greater than a second-rank mid-grade pill, but still limited.”

Lin Chang’an frowned. If before, he had hoped to break through to late Foundation Establishment around age one hundred and ten—

Now, with second-rank high-grade pills, he could perhaps shorten that by five or six years.

“Still not enough. If only I had quasi–third-rank pills, or even third-rank pills.”

He knew his own shortcomings best. His spiritual root aptitude was poor. If he wanted to prepare for Core Formation, then the required Core Formation Spirit Items must be of the highest quality.

Otherwise, his chances of success would be even lower.

And preparing for Core Formation also took time.

“Lately Old Hu has mentioned this matter. He says the Seven Kingdoms are barren, cultivation progress is slow, and he intends to head to the Sea Abyss of Beasts.”

Lin Chang’an pondered. He could not blame Old Hu. The difference in cultivation environments was something he himself had experienced.

Just like back at the Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace compared to Tianxuan City—worlds apart.

After arriving at Tianxuan City, even Li Yifan and Shen Fan had both attempted Foundation Establishment around the age of forty.

It could be said that Tianxuan City had accelerated the cultivation progress of drifting cultivators by at least a dozen years.

This was precisely the “land” in the four essentials of cultivation: Method, Land, Wealth, and Companion.

“The Sea Abyss of Beasts—before, Fairy Yun and Fellow Daoist Song both mentioned that its spiritual energy is far denser than anything in the Seven Kingdoms.

But at the same time, facing sea beasts, robber cultivators, and endless chaos there, it is a place fraught with peril.”

Though Lin Chang’an was somewhat moved, considering his lifespan of two hundred and fifty-one years—and the fact that it could extend further after breaking through to late Foundation Establishment—

He no longer had that impulse.

“After I reach late Foundation Establishment, my lifespan will reach at least two hundred seventy or eighty. Steady progress is the key. I must go to the Sea Abyss of Beasts eventually, but only after breaking through to late Foundation Establishment.”

Lin Chang’an thought silently. There was another reason as well: he had already asked Fairy Yun, who had advised against going there alone, saying it was extremely dangerous.

“Compared to relying on Old Hu for support in the Sea Abyss of Beasts, it would be better to first find a way to obtain quasi–third-rank pills to accelerate my cultivation.”

……

While Lin Chang’an cultivated, at that moment, on the outskirts of the Yunwu Mountain Range—

Two figures rode flying swords low above the ground, swiftly weaving through the forest.

“Brother Fan, we’re almost at Tianxuan City!”

Shen Fan and Wei Yingying looked rather disheveled, traces of baleful energy still lingering on them.

Behind them, a Foundation Establishment cultivator was in pursuit.

“Damn it, leave behind the demon beast’s Crystalline Core!”

“Daoist friend, we’ve already left the other materials of the demon beast to you—don’t push us too far!”

“Insolence! That demon beast was one I had hunted and grievously wounded days ago. You two little thieves not only stole my prize, but also harmed my nephew…”

Front and back, the Foundation Establishment cultivator chasing them wore an enraged expression.

Though also a Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivator, it was clear Shen Fan had only just broken through into this realm, ranking at the bottom among peers.

Moreover, since they had already obtained the Crystalline Core needed for refining Foundation Establishment Pills, Shen Fan had no wish to stir up further trouble.

Even more so with Wei Yingying at his side—she directly dragged Shen Fan along as they fled.

“Brother Fan, head that way—there’s a demon beast territory over there.”

Wei Yingying, quick-witted, led Shen Fan straight toward the beasts’ domain.

As expected, their pursuer was stalled.

“You two little thieves! This matter is not over!”

From behind came the furious roar, but Wei Yingying finally breathed a sigh of relief. Without daring to linger, she and Shen Fan hurried straight toward Tianxuan City.

Meanwhile, in the forest behind them, after they left, a chorus of beastly howls rose, only to be quickly silenced.

“Seems they escaped.”

The Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed Gu revealed a cold smile, his previous rage nowhere to be seen.

At that moment, another figure emerged from the forest.

“Hehe, Brother Gu, such skill indeed—to even scheme against your own nephew.”

The figure stepped forward, revealing beneath his bamboo hat none other than Qin Feng, who had vanished years ago.

Back when the Western District black market collapsed, Qin Feng had left Tianxuan City wailing like a madman. Since then, there had been no news of him. Who would have thought he had turned into a robber cultivator?

Upon seeing him, the Gu cultivator sneered:

“My elder brother is far too rigid. What use is clinging to Tianxuan City? Master Lu is nothing more than the setting sun, knowing nothing of adaptation. I only wish to secure a path for the Gu Family.”

Qin Feng heard these words with a smile still on his face, but in his heart he sneered.

If he didn’t already know of this man’s secret dealings, he might have believed him.

Sanctimonious, but in truth nothing more than selfish and self-serving.

Unlike himself—though he acted as a robber cultivator, it was all for the sake of reviving the Qin Family.

“But are you sure that letting those two go will make the plan succeed?”

At Gu’s question, Qin Feng’s eyes flashed with hatred, and he sneered:

“That man is a junior of the second-rank high-grade Talisman Master Lin in the Eastern District marketplace. You only need to provoke your dear elder brother and follow the plan.

With the two of us joining forces, plus the elite disciples of the Lihuo Palace lying in wait—when the six Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Eastern District black market arrive, how many will survive? Don’t you think chaos will erupt?”

With hatred glinting in his eyes, Qin Feng knew that nowadays, only Master Lu remained secluded in Tianxuan City. They had no fear.

Once turmoil broke out in the Eastern District black market, it would ignite the other schemes they had set in Tianxuan City.

At that time, it would appear as though the drifting cultivators—who had built Tianxuan City’s prosperity—were the very culprits who brought it down.

The Gu cultivator was not a fool. He said in a low voice:

“This must be the Lihuo Palace probing Master Lu.”

“What does it matter? We’ve already pledged allegiance under Lihuo Palace. Fellow Daoist Huang has promised that after this, our two families may migrate under Lihuo Palace’s protection.”

Upon hearing that their clans could be relocated afterward, the Gu cultivator nodded silently.

Qin Feng, however, remained calm. Over these years, he had enticed and entrapped many cultivators into Lihuo Palace’s fold—all for the sake of restoring the Qin Family.

He would prove he was not the disgrace of the Qin Family!

The Qin Family would one day reclaim its ancestral glory through his hands.

“Uncle!”

At that moment, his nephew’s distant cry came. The Gu cultivator snorted coldly. With Qin Feng vanishing into the shadows, he then put on a mask of concern.

“Nephew!”

The Gu cultivator looked the part of a battered, worried man, utterly different from his earlier composure.

Meanwhile, Shen Fan and Wei Yingying, who had returned to Tianxuan City ahead of them, did not go home to tend their wounds. Instead, they headed straight to Lin Chang’an’s cave abode.