Chapter 192 : Lu Clan and Wang Clan

Chapter 192: Lu Clan and Wang Clan

The beast tide was imminent, and the seas near Five Dragon Island were about to welcome a frenzy.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, these so-called beast tides in each sea region are nothing more than the migration instinct of sea beasts. In the area around our Five Dragon Island, Star Pole Island, and Celestial Star Island, it is mainly the Giant-bone Sea Fish Beast.

Of course, there will also be other sea beasts, but overall, their numbers are far fewer than the Giant-bone Sea Fish Beast. The tides that occur once every ten years are minor ones, with mostly first-rank sea beasts appearing.

But this time, it is the great beast tide that occurs once in a century. I fear that sea beasts of the second rank will appear in varying numbers…”

After Lin Chang’an returned to the island, the Ping, Feng, and Li clans also came with gifts, their faces filled with harmony.

Lin Chang’an listened to the other’s explanation about the beast tide with an indifferent expression, as if accustomed to it, only secretly nodding.

Perhaps after he lived and cultivated here for decades, he too would regard it as commonplace.

But he also understood the true reason for their visit.

However, when speaking of this great beast tide, the other party clearly revealed a look of anticipation. For these cultivation clans, a once-in-a-century beast tide was undoubtedly a grand feast.

“Fellow Daoist, you’ve brought such generous gifts this time. I am truly unworthy.”

Lin Chang’an waved his hand modestly, but the cultivator only smiled and nodded.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, you are too polite.”

“I came here only seeking to cultivate in peace, hoping one day to break through to the late Foundation Establishment stage. I do not wish to be entangled in all these disputes…”

Lin Chang’an had practically spoken his mind.

The enmity between the Three Clans and the Lu Clan was not something he wished to be involved in. He only wanted to cultivate peacefully.

Previously, the Lu Clan had secretly sent him letters, which the Three Clans must have known about, hence their visit to curry favor.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, rest assured. We are guarding this island together, and before long, we will stand side by side to defend against the beast tide. Should you need anything, just speak up.

Our Three Clans have merchant ships traveling back and forth, and we can help carry some resources for our fellow Daoists.”

Seeing the other party speak so, Lin Chang’an smiled and cupped his hands.

“In that case, many thanks.”

The two then enjoyed tea together. Though the other felt some regret at failing to recruit him, a man dedicated only to cultivation was still preferable to someone entangled with the Lu Clan.

Lin Chang’an also took the opportunity to probe into local matters.

After all, intelligence from jade slips was mostly fragmented. Some things could only be understood through the accounts of cultivators who had lived here for centuries.

Especially regarding changes in local celestial phenomena and experience in dealing with sea beasts—these were not matters a simple intelligence record could explain fully.

When the visitor left a gift and departed, Lin Chang’an stood at the entrance of his cave abode, watching the figure disappear, narrowing his eyes.

“A struggle over family interests, and I have gained a free advantage.”

Just then, the Green-Horned Ox gave a moo, and Lin Chang’an released the Wind-Chirp Bird.

“But all this has nothing to do with me. As long as it does not disturb my cultivation, it is fine.”

Lin Chang’an shook his head, then returned to his cave abode, resuming his daily routine of cultivation, drawing talismans, alchemy, and studying formations in preparation for the beast tide.

At the same time, he secretly resolved that once this beast tide ended, he would go into seclusion. Until he broke through to late Foundation Establishment, he would not come out.

And during this beast tide, he must strive to gather as many resources as possible.

…

Five Dragon Island.

As the festivities continued, the island’s major clans and merchant guilds made huge profits, smiling from ear to ear.

At this moment, however, inside one merchant guild, where smiles had just filled the room, a single item brought forth made the five Foundation Establishment cultivators present instantly darken their expressions.

“Elder Brother, this is the Flaming Sun Sword, our nephew Wang Lin’s magical artifact!”

None had expected this merchant guild to be none other than the Wang Clan, who once clashed with the Zhou Family in Bamboo Mountain Marketplace, but after a secret realm disaster, had been cast into exile.

“My son!”

The Wang Clan patriarch, upon seeing this ordinary high-grade magical artifact, revealed eyes filled with hatred and fury.

“This artifact was found within the marketplace, its source entirely untraceable.”

“Isn’t it obvious? It was the Lihuo Palace that destroyed our Wang Clan, forcing us into exile, leaving us now to trade openly in this place while secretly doing the work of robber cultivators.”

The Foundation Establishment cultivators all spoke angrily, the hatred toward Lihuo Palace still burning fiercely within the Wang Clan.

“Say no more. This is Lin’er’s fate! It is also his mission!”

The patriarch of the Wang Clan stopped them, his expression gloomy.

Back then, when treasures from the Wang Clan’s secret realm were discovered by Lihuo Palace disciples, in order to preserve the family, he had no choice but to order the clan to scatter and flee.

As the young master, Wang Lin had naturally been the largest target.

But those who appeared less significant had smaller targets, and whether they survived or not depended entirely on fortune.

“The debt with Lihuo Palace will one day be repaid, but not now.”

The Wang Clan patriarch’s cold voice echoed, and the others nodded gravely.

“Indeed. Lihuo Palace has already become a dog of the Mystic Yin Divine Sect. Who knows when that dog might be slain.”

Some sneered, while others revealed unwillingness.

“Enough. Our most urgent matter now is our cooperation with the Lu Clan. The Lu Clan promised us that once the deed is done, we can plunder the three clans of Yuling Island at will.”

“Elder Brother, the Lu Clan has only a few Foundation Establishment cultivators. Shouldn’t we…?” A greedy Foundation Establishment cultivator wanted to devour even the Lu Clan.

But he was rebuked by the patriarch.

“Even as robber cultivators, we must value trust. Otherwise, who would ever deal with us in the future?”

“That’s right. By colluding with the Lu Clan, they will surely need our help with difficulties in the future. A steady flow is the true way.”

“Enough. Remember Five Dragon Island’s orders—no one is allowed to act recklessly!”

At the mention of Five Dragon Island, everyone’s faces turned solemn, while the Wang Clan patriarch’s expression also grew darker.

Back then, the Wang Clan had fled all the way into the Beast Sea Abyss and eventually became robber cultivators, but in truth, they were merely robbers fostered by Five Dragon Island.

As for the island’s purpose, no one was foolish—it was nothing more than eliminating rivals while seizing wealth.

…

Time flew by.

【Lifespan: 94/253】

【Realm: Foundation Establishment Middle Stage (92/100)】

Inside the cave abode, Lin Chang’an slowly opened his eyes. Seeing his cultivation progress, he could not help but sigh softly.

“As expected, with a low-grade spiritual root, not only is cultivation speed slow, but the bottlenecks are even greater. The higher the realm, the more obvious this becomes.”

He had only just reached 90 experience points in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, yet already felt the bottleneck. If he had a mid-grade spiritual root, he might only sense this bottleneck after 93 points.

His cultivation experience had increased by merely two points this past year, making him shake his head.

“But the beast tide is coming soon. Perhaps I can use this opportunity to gather a large amount of resources, then go into long seclusion.”

Lin Chang’an rose slowly, came to his desk, and picked up the quasi–third-rank spirit brush he had acquired at the Five Dragon Island marketplace a year ago.

As the brush moved, a talisman radiated arcs of electricity, with the character “Thunder” appearing at its center.

【Second-rank High-grade Talisman Master (Grandmaster 3635/5000)】

Looking at the Thunderclap Talismans before him, Lin Chang’an revealed a satisfied smile.

For over a year, he had been preparing for the beast tide.

After all, the best way to restrain sea beasts was with lightning attribute attacks.

He had accumulated quite a few second-rank high-grade Thunderclap Talismans, and had even drawn over thirty quasi–third-rank talismans for self-preservation using materials he had bought at the marketplace.

“But if I want to be more secure, even to slay beasts in large numbers, I must rely on formations.”

He set the spirit brush down gently, and with a wave of his hand, several formation plates and flags of varying sizes floated out from his storage pouch.

The main formation plate was naturally the “Blood Fiend Scarlet Sun Formation” he had obtained in the secret realm, while the other auxiliary plates and flags were custom-made over the years.

In fact, he had already begun preparing for this back in Tianxuan City.

“It’s just a pity I have no time to study artifact refinement. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have to trouble myself like this.”

Lin Chang’an sighed. His most urgent priority was to focus on cultivation and planning for Core Formation. He had no time to study artifact refinement.

Thus, over the years, in order to complete his formation plates and flags, he could only commission others to forge similar ones.

“A third-rank high-grade formation… It’s a pity that in recent years I could only find low-grade materials to make them. As it stands, the formation’s power may at best reach second-rank strength.”

Looking at the different materials of the auxiliary plates and flags—some second-rank, two quasi–third-rank—Lin Chang’an felt helpless.

To avoid exposing that he possessed a third-rank grand formation, he had always commissioned the crafting of plates and flags at merely second-rank strength.

【Second-rank Mid-grade Formation Master (Proficient 349/1000)】

If it were a cultivator not proficient in formations, flaws would naturally be easy to detect. But he was a genuine second-rank mid-grade Formation Master.

When hiring others to refine formation plates and flags, he naturally left no room for error.

“The power of a formation, aside from the cultivator’s own strength, depends greatly on the wielder’s comprehension of the Formation Path.”

For example, with the same formation, a cultivator unskilled in formations would rigidly rely on formation plates and flags, achieving at most seventy to eighty percent of its power.

But a cultivator proficient in formations could unleash its full potential, and even greater if leveraging geographical advantage.

“The Blood Fiend Scarlet Sun Formation is a large-scale killing array with concealment. It is perfectly suited to deal with the beast tide.”

Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered. This time, he would use the beast tide to experience the true power of this formation.

…

“Old Lin, so this is the beast tide of the Beast Sea Abyss? These omens are nothing like what we imagined.”

As the rainy season came to this sea region, fierce storms struck every few days, with dark clouds looming over the sky.

Even as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Lin Chang’an could not help but feel awe at the might of heaven and earth.

“Old Hu, the migration of the Giant-bone Sea Fish Beasts covers a vast range…”

“Enough, Old Lin. You’re talking in circles. I, Old Hu, am just a rough man. Isn’t it simply that every ten years these beasts return to their birthplace to mate on shore?”

Good heavens.

Lin Chang’an was rendered speechless by Old Hu’s blunt words.

Crude as they were, they were not wrong.

The Giant-bone Sea Fish Beast resembled a tuó or zhūpólóng (crocodilian species), its body massive, armored in hard scales, with four limbs and a razor-sharp maw.

“All right then, Old Lin. If anything comes up, remember to send me a voice transmission.”

Casting a glance at the storm-darkened sea, Old Hu shook his head, left behind a parting remark, and prepared to depart.

Lin Chang’an only smiled and nodded. At that moment, the Green-Horned Ox let out a bellow, its massive body emerging, leaving Old Hu speechless once more.

“Old Lin, if I run into trouble, you must not stand by and watch.”

Though he had broken through to late Foundation Establishment, Lin Chang’an’s strength was not weak. With a second-rank mid-stage spirit pet, his strength was not necessarily much inferior.

Feeling embarrassed, Old Hu nevertheless grinned shamelessly as he spoke.

“Never mind. With the island’s protective array, as long as you have enough spirit stones, the sea beasts won’t break in.”

Lin Chang’an waved with a smile, watching Old Hu depart, his gaze shifting toward the formation tower.

The Three Great Clans of the island and the Foundation Establishment cultivators like him would never open the formation tower lightly, for its operation consumed their spirit stones.

Still, Lin Chang’an made his way to the tower, noting the grooves already filled with spirit stones, and nodded secretly.

They had activated it twice before, but only to resist storms, consuming little.

But this time, it was the beast tide.

“Judging from the signs, based on what I know, the beast tide should arrive within two months. I should prepare the formation in advance.”

Lin Chang’an left the tower and went straight to the coastal forest outside.

With a pat on his storage pouch, streaks of spiritual light flashed as flags unfurled in the wind and pierced into the ground around him.

Driving the formation plate, an enormous array finally took shape.

A fiery red barrier formed slowly, then vanished into concealment.

Seeing this, Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered as the formation’s knowledge surfaced in his mind.

“The Blood Fiend Scarlet Sun Formation may not counter sea beasts by attribute, but its essence lies in baleful energy.

The more it kills, the denser the baleful aura, and the stronger its power becomes. It is perfectly suited for a beast tide.”

“Moo!”

The imposing Green-Horned Ox strode over, clearly sensing the looming danger from the depths of the sea.

Lin Chang’an chuckled, patting his spirit beast pouch, releasing the Wind-Chirp Bird, which burst out with excitement.

“And you, this time you’d better show me something. You are a ferocious bird, after all.”

The palm-sized Wind-Chirp Bird puffed out its chest proudly, making him doubt.

A rare beast—he only hoped this bird would not disappoint.

Though its previous power had been impressive—swift and sharp-beaked—he did not know how it would fare against sea beasts.

After all, by attribute, it might even be suppressed.

On Yuling Island, the Ping, Feng, and Li Clans were summoning their clansmen with anticipation, preparing for the beast tide.

With the island-protecting array activated, it was up to their individual strength to hunt beasts.

There were also the Wen couple and the reclusive Fang cultivator.

Everyone was preparing for the feast of demon beasts.

Meanwhile, along the outer reaches of the abyss, many cultivators could be seen banding together on deserted islands, setting up formations or lying in wait.

These were the drifting cultivators.

For cultivators, it was a carnival. For beasts, it was a feast.

To human cultivators, demon beasts were resources. To demon beasts, humans were food.

…

On a nameless deserted island.

Hundreds of cultivators had gathered, merchant ships docking in a hidden cave.

On the island, a powerful formation was erected, causing lone drifting cultivators who saw it from afar to frown and leave immediately.

It was clearly a large faction’s doing, and rogue cultivators had no wish to be entangled.

On the island, however, the hundreds of cultivators were divided into two camps.

“Madam Lu, giving up the spoils of this beast tide will cost us dearly.”

One group was the Wang Clan cultivators. The Wang Clan Patriarch cupped his hands with a smiling face as he spoke.

Opposite him, the Lu Clan Patriarch turned out to be a beautiful middle-aged woman. When faced with Wang Clan’s demand for benefits, she only smiled faintly.

“Once the beast tide passes, the harvest of the three clans on Yuling Island, together with their years of accumulation—won’t that be enough?

Or perhaps, if your strength is so overwhelming that you need no rest, we will not hinder you from hunting beasts.”

Their words revealed their true intent—to wait until the beast tide exhausted the Three Great Clans, then strike directly.

“Madam Lu, had your late husband possessed your cunning, the Lu Clan would never have fallen so low.”

At these words, anger flashed across the Lu Clan cultivators’ faces, but they could not retort.

The Lu Clan had been too arrogant back then—ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, and they had offended too many.

“Enough, Fellow Daoist. Rest assured, I have an insider on the island. When the time comes, we can strike with ease.”

“Good. Then we will follow Madam’s lead.”

Both sides conserved their strength. The Wang Clan looked forward to the coming plunder, while the Lu Clan burned with determination to reclaim Celestial Star Island.

As for repercussions afterward?

They were not wanted criminals, merely reclaiming what was theirs.

Just and legitimate.

The law of the jungle—nothing could be more normal in the Beast Sea Abyss.

The high and mighty did not care for the lives below, so long as lines were not crossed.

“And furthermore, Ping, Feng, and Li Clans—your mistake was failing to see the situation clearly.”

Madam Lu’s expression remained calm. If she dared to lead the Lu Clan back, it was because she was confident of gaining Five Dragon Island’s approval.

Five Dragon Island was not ruled by the Long Clan alone.