Chapter 197 : Meeting an Old Acquaintance in a Foreign Land, Specializing in Targeting Familiar Faces

Chapter 197: Meeting an Old Acquaintance in a Foreign Land, Specializing in Targeting Familiar Faces

“You are certain this person is wealthy?”

“Fellow Daoist, this person is a Second-rank High-grade Talisman Master. He once even partnered with several Foundation Establishment cultivators to run a black market. Tell me, is that not wealthy?”

Inside the teahouse, three Foundation Establishment cultivators secretly whispered after seeing Lin Chang’an enter a shop.

“Hiss! Are you insane? Since this person dared to run a black market, he naturally has his means. I have no wish to throw my life away.”

A refined, fair-faced cultivator’s expression immediately darkened upon hearing news of Lin Chang’an, and he snorted coldly with displeasure.

Those who dared to run a black market—how many of them were easy to provoke?

Meanwhile, a withered old Daoist at the side coldly said: “If Fellow Daoist is unwilling, no one is forcing you. But I was once also a cultivator of Tianxuan City, and I am acquainted with him. I bought talismans from him regularly…”

Hearing the old Daoist’s words, a tall and alluring female cultivator at Foundation Establishment mid-stage revealed a charming smile.

“Enough, fellow Daoists, let us not argue. Let’s first probe him. If it works out, the three of us can act together. Even if he is a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, no matter how ruthless his means, so what?”

As she spoke, the alluring female cultivator clenched her palm with a ruthless force, as if crushing something in her hand.

“Very well. I have some past acquaintance with this person. It is only fitting that I join Fairy in probing him.”

Although Lin Chang’an had already broken through to late-stage Foundation Establishment, while traveling outside he always concealed his cultivation at mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

Some cultivators deliberately targeted late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, because such cultivators, so long as they were not too old, usually gathered resources for Core Formation. Their wealth was often abundant.

Though ambushing late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators was risky, compared to scheming for Core Formation, this was undoubtedly a shortcut.

Others spent decades hoarding Core Formation resources, only to have someone else seize them at the last moment.

……

“Fellow Daoist, here are the materials you requested.”

Inside the shop, after the other party gathered the resources he needed, Lin Chang’an showed a satisfied smile. He nodded lightly, then took out Second-rank Talismans to settle the payment.

After all, paying with Spirit Stones made bargaining difficult, but bartering with talismans often yielded a discount of several Spirit Stones.

It was not that he was stingy, but at this point, in order to prepare for Core Formation, he was so poor that he wished he could split even a single grain of Spirit Sand in half.

Just then, a familiar voice suddenly called out.

“Master Lin?”

With a look of disbelief, once he confirmed it was indeed Lin Chang’an, the withered old Daoist’s face instantly lit up with joy.

“It truly is Master Lin!”

“You are Fellow Daoist Guan!”

Lin Chang’an was momentarily stunned, then quickly understood. The Seven Kingdoms Alliance had brought countless drifting cultivators together. Encountering an acquaintance on Five Dragon Island was not unusual.

This Fellow Daoist Guan had been a familiar face back in Tianxuan City. They had often met at trade fairs, and later he had regularly purchased many talismans from him.

“Haha, meeting an old acquaintance in a foreign land is truly worth celebrating!”

Under Guan’s excited smile, it seemed as though he really was happy to meet an acquaintance.

“Master Lin, after we arrived here, you would not believe it—many fellow Daoists all scattered in different directions…”

Listening to Guan’s words, Lin Chang’an was filled with emotion.

Indeed, the fellow Daoists he had often met in Tianxuan City had all gone their separate ways in the blink of an eye. Some had even already met their end.

“Fellow Daoists, forgive my interruption.”

As the two were reminiscing after their long separation, a soft, melodious voice suddenly sounded.

A tall female cultivator in a purple dress walked over with a smile, her fragrance drifting like orchids and musk. She interrupted their conversation, though her eyes were fixed on Lin Chang’an.

“This Fairy is…?”

Lin Chang’an showed a doubtful expression—he did not seem to recognize her.

The alluring Foundation Establishment mid-stage female cultivator chuckled and nodded.

“Forgive my intrusion. I just saw this Fellow Daoist trade with Second-rank Talismans. Could it be that you are a Second-rank Talisman Master? My clan happens to be lacking a Talisman Master as Guest Elder. Would Fellow Daoist be interested…”

Hearing her words and seeing her gaze fixed upon him, Lin Chang’an suddenly understood—yet another clan cultivator trying to recruit him.

But he only smiled and declined. Previously, when he traded or sold talismans, quite a few had tried to recruit him.

This was nothing out of the ordinary.

“In that case, I will take my leave.”

Watching the female cultivator politely depart, Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded. Yet when he looked again at Fellow Daoist Guan—who was now all smiles and inviting him to a tavern for a drink—he also smiled and agreed.

But inwardly, he muttered: “This Fellow Daoist Guan, it seems his intentions are not friendly.”

He had not seen through their plot entirely, but with his strong perception, the moment the female cultivator approached him, he sensed something amiss.

There was a faint trace of her mana on Fellow Daoist Guan, though it was extremely weak and only noticeable when close.

But he knew that such a trace only appeared when two people had recently cast spells together—soundproofing or voice-transmission techniques, for instance.

Even for him, it was only detectable at such close range.

But one thing was clear—the two were already acquainted, though they now pretended not to be.

To say there was nothing suspicious? Even a dog would not believe it.

Since he had been targeted, he might as well watch and see. Otherwise, shaking them off would not be easy.

……

Inside the tavern.

“Come, come, Fellow Daoist Lin. That we can meet here is fate indeed. Today, this old Daoist must shamelessly ask to buy a few more Second-rank High-grade Talismans from you.”

In a private room, Fellow Daoist Guan ordered a full table of food and wine. With a broad smile, he personally poured Lin Chang’an a drink.

Lin Chang’an smiled, nodded, and accepted the hospitality with ease.

“Fellow Daoist Guan, you are too kind.”

The two clinked cups and began discussing what had happened over the past few years, and where they had settled.

Fellow Daoist Guan, with mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, was also a talisman master, but his skills remained stuck at the First-rank. His life mainly revolved around hunting demon beasts.

After coming here, he often ventured out to sea with others to hunt.

Listening to his experiences, Lin Chang’an could not help but admire him.

“Fellow Daoist Guan, your vigor remains. Surely it will not be long before you break through to late-stage Foundation Establishment and set your sights on Core Formation.”

Between cultivators, was not “Core Formation in sight” the most common form of praise?

Of course, everyone knew it was no different from mortals saying “may you prosper”—but in truth, how many actually prospered?

“Ah, I cannot compare to you, Fellow Daoist Lin. This old Daoist’s body, once I break through to late-stage Foundation Establishment and gather some resources, I shall return to Yue Kingdom. By then, hehe…”

Fellow Daoist Guan’s face beamed with pride as he spoke of one day establishing his lineage and becoming a local patriarch.

Given the current state of the Seven Kingdoms, if he did break through to late-stage Foundation Establishment, he truly could become a local ancestor.

After all, he was only around a hundred and thirty years old. Due to his cultivation method and years of hunting demon beasts in his youth, his appearance looked aged, but he still had more than a century of life ahead.

Returning home, he would have ample time to establish descendants. With some luck, the foundation of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator could indeed nurture one or two more Foundation Establishment heirs.

Lin Chang’an also smiled and shared that he had settled on Yuling Island, still living the same old life of drawing talismans and cultivating diligently.

When Guan heard that he lived together with Hu Jin, his expression flickered briefly before he smiled:

“Fellow Daoist Lin, since Fellow Daoist Hu is here too, why not invite him as well? Such reunions may not come often.”

Lin Chang’an waved his hand with a smile, explaining that Hu Jin was still on Yuling Island. Guan secretly let out a sigh of relief.

Since the two had met in the tavern, a long conversation was inevitable. Naturally, Guan seized the chance to purchase talismans from Lin Chang’an.

“Fellow Daoist Guan, that is quite a large order you are asking for.”

“Ah, but you know, Fellow Daoist Lin, this place is fraught with peril. It is far more dangerous than the Yunwu Mountain Range.”

Lin Chang’an feigned a bitter smile, claiming he had already nearly emptied his stock and truly had no more talismans to spare.

Only then did Fellow Daoist Guan relent, explaining with helplessness:

“Fellow Daoist Lin, this old Daoist and several companions discovered a beast’s nest and wish to investigate. Naturally, preparations are in order.”

Hearing this, Lin Chang’an found it reasonable. Everything fit perfectly.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, in the future, this old Daoist may even bring some companions to Yuling Island to trouble you.”

Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded, saying they would be welcome.

After all, if they brought guests to purchase talismans, that was good business.

……

Until Fellow Daoist Guan left, Lin Chang’an sat upright in the private room, gazing through the window at the disappearing figure. The smile on his face gradually faded.

“Fellow Daoist Guan, it seems you really have set your sights on me.”

Out traveling, meeting old acquaintances in a foreign land—yet most of the time, old acquaintances existed only to ensnare one another.

“Buying so many talismans from me, you really are cautious.”

Lin Chang’an gently sipped his wine. The food and drink were not poisoned, everything appeared perfectly normal, and the man had already gone.

Had it not been for discovering that he was acquainted with that female cultivator, most people would never have guessed—it was all in order to drain his talismans and weaken his strength.

“But no hurry, let’s take it slow. I have plenty of time.”

Smelling the nearly imperceptible fragrance lingering on his clothes, Lin Chang’an sneered.

That female cultivator’s scent seemed easy enough to cleanse, yet in truth a trace still remained. This was not a mana aura, and thus could not be sensed.

“It is truly thanks to the Zhou Family’s Record of Exotic Beasts.”

Lin Chang’an took out a bundle of jade slips from his Storage Pouch. Upon them were fine, delicate notes—these had once been gifted to him by Zhou Bingyun.

“Found it.”

The Spirit Insect List, ‘Jade Crystal Bee’—a swarm-dwelling spirit insect fond of nectar, extremely venomous. It was said to be abundant in the Sea Abyss of Beasts. Many insect-taming clans raised them, as cultivating Jade Crystal Honey was highly valuable, with effects of preserving youth…

Looking at the recorded details, his gaze lingered especially on the fine characters marking a personal note.

【The finest of Jade Crystal Honey, Jade Crystal Nectar, has wondrous effects of preserving youth. A trace upon the body, and within dozens of days the queen bee can sense it…】

“I remember back during the Tianxuan City auction, Zhou Bingyun envied those female cultivators who applied this substance to their faces for its youth-preserving effect.”

Had he not seen it before, coupled with Guan’s clear familiarity with that female cultivator, he might have overlooked it.

Now, that faint trace lingering on his body was indeed Jade Crystal Nectar.

“No wonder Bingyun was so knowledgeable about such obscure insects. It must have been because of the youth-preserving effects.”

Lin Chang’an shook his head. What was originally a cultivation aid had become a treasure highly coveted by female cultivators, its value multiplied several times.

As he cultivated a wood-attribute technique, he naturally had youth-preserving effects, and thus never paid much attention to such things.

Besides, in the world of cultivation where strength was supreme, most cultivators would never waste such precious resources on beauty. Only some female cultivators would.

……

Afterward, Lin Chang’an continued shopping for supplies. Not until five full days later did he disguise himself and depart from Five Dragon Island.

“This valiant and extraordinary Fellow Daoist has finally left. Had he delayed any longer, I would have lost track of the scent.”

The alluring tall female cultivator patted her chest as she gazed at the direction Lin Chang’an vanished, a trace of greed flickering in her beautiful eyes.

“Hmph, lust brings ruin. He is, after all, a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. You had better be careful.”

The refined fair-faced cultivator beside her spoke in a stern tone, yet the female cultivator only giggled, licking her lips.

“I just like taking them by force. Lust may be a blade above one’s head, but in the end, does it not all turn into a soft knife?”

Her enchanting laughter sent a chill through the refined cultivator’s eyes.

This woman was a poison cultivator of the unorthodox path.

If he truly ended up with her, he too would suffer and become her food.

“Enough. Fellow Daoist Guan has long since grown impatient. I will send him a message to wait ahead. By then, the three of us together can handle him—just a mere mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.”

The refined cultivator nodded slightly. At that moment, the alluring female summoned a queen Jade Crystal Bee the size of a fist. The two then followed the queen bee in pursuit.

……

Over the sea, Lin Chang’an rode his flying sword. Feeling the sea breeze against his face, he squinted in delight, intoxicated by the sensation.

“After being in seclusion for so long, it is rare to experience the joy of soaring freely through the vast sky. What a pity.”

Lin Chang’an shook his head. A pity that someone had to spoil his good mood.

Behind him, a stream of light streaked across the sky. On the flying vessel, the alluring female cultivator laughed sweetly:

“My flying vessel is extremely fast. Even compared to late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators skilled in speed, it is not much inferior.”

Yet in his heart, the refined cultivator on board felt both envy and disdain. “Your flying vessel?” In truth, it had belonged to a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator whom she had poisoned to death two years ago.

Her words sounded far better than the truth.

Meanwhile, as Lin Chang’an flew back, he happened to encounter Fellow Daoist Guan.

“Master Lin? What happened here?”

“A moment’s carelessness. I had planned to hunt demon beasts with some fellow Daoists, but unexpectedly encountered robbers on the way. If not for your talismans, Fellow Daoist Lin, I might not have survived…”

The two met as if by coincidence, Guan even clutching his arm as though barely escaping with his life.

“It is well that Fellow Daoist Guan is unharmed.”

Lin Chang’an showed a look of concern, though inwardly he sighed. Acquaintances preying upon acquaintances—such a meticulous trap, clearly not their first time.

Few cultivators could avoid being deceived by such a scheme.

“Hehe, but this old Daoist is not so easily dealt with. Those two robbers did not fare well either.”

Fellow Daoist Guan smiled with ruthless intent, then feigned nonchalance.

“Fellow Daoist Guan, seeing you injured, why not return with me to the island to recuperate?”

If the man could act, Lin Chang’an could act even better. His face showed genuine sincerity.

But Guan, too, wary of arousing suspicion, merely waved his hand with a smile.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, since our paths coincide, we may as well travel together. But as for visiting your abode, let us leave that for another day.”

Guan’s manner of appearing familiar while secretly maintaining vigilance perfectly fit the mindset of a wounded cultivator.

After all, acquaintances were acquaintances, but not yet to that extent.

Traveling together for a while and restoring some mana along the way would not invite doubt.

Sure enough, Lin Chang’an feigned lowering his guard, while Guan revealed an awkward smile, as though embarrassed by his own caution.

Yet neither spoke further. They kept a measured distance, but still journeyed side by side.