Chapter 200 : Withered Vine

Chapter 200: Withered Vine

Inside the cave abode.

The Wang Clan’s Chief Elder fell silent. In the end, with a complicated expression, he slowly took out a jade box from his storage pouch.

As the jade box was opened, half a fingertip-sized, withered yellow vine root appeared.

This withered vine root looked as though it would crumble into ashes with the slightest touch, yet around it emanated a strange aura.

“At that time, within the secret realm, my Wang Clan was fortunate to obtain this ancient cultivation method. Together with this vine root, perhaps it was once a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root in ancient times.

But now, its spirituality has completely dissipated. I fear that even as a material for artifact refinement, it has little value…”

As the hoarse voice echoed, Lin Chang’an’s pupils contracted. He saw sharp tool marks on this vine root.

Yet the instant this item appeared, the life-bound spirit plant within his dantian trembled, clearly revealing a desire. This was the reason he had lost his composure.

Others might not know what it was, but in his heart, he vaguely had a guess.

The remnant leaf of the Mysterious Sky Immortal Vine he had obtained actually resonated. Could it be that this item was the root system of the Mysterious Sky Immortal Vine?

A life-bound spirit plant was tied to his future. Just a single remnant leaf had such divine abilities. If he were to obtain this vine root, would it not mean…

At this moment, the Wang Clan’s Chief Elder revealed a mocking cold smile. Naturally, he had seen through the greed in the eyes of the female cultivator disguise Lin Chang’an wore.

Yet he casually waved the jade box over.

“At that time, even Island Lord Long examined it without result. He tried every method and found it was only a severed root that had lost its spirituality. Even common iron could leave marks on it—utterly useless.

Thus, for years, my Wang Clan plundered merchant ships, and even used blood sacrifice methods… but in the end, it was still just a piece of trash. My Wang Clan has tried its best.”

Blood sacrifice methods—demonic techniques that devoured the flesh and essence of cultivators.

The Wang Clan’s Chief Elder’s expression darkened. For withered wood to see spring again, there had to be at least a thread of vitality.

But to create life from nothing—perhaps only the legendary means of immortals could achieve that.

At first, there had been people watching it. But later, seeing no sign of vitality, they gradually gave up.

After all, this thing no longer had much value.

“Spirituality dissipated!”

Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered. It was said that many ancient spiritual plants, once they lost their spirituality, would turn into mere mundane wood.

Losing all spirituality—this was not uncommon in the world of cultivation.

At the very least, he himself knew of a third-rank spiritual fruit. After its fruits were picked, the plant itself would swiftly wither and lose all spirituality, directly becoming a mortal plant.

Only the fallen leaves still retained some use.

At this moment, the other party had brought out this item, clearly intending for her to return it together to Five Dragon Island.

“Chief Elder, I understand.”

Lin Chang’an swallowed hard, carefully closed the jade box, and even pasted two talismans on it to ensure absolute safety before finally putting it into his storage pouch.

This scene, seen by the Chief Elder, looked greedy but cowardly—exactly the conduct of a petty man.

Lin Chang’an took a deep breath. Originally, he had come here for the Art of Body Refinement. But now, it seemed he had obtained something even more extraordinary.

He even felt that he should leave this place immediately—there was no need to risk himself for the Art of Body Refinement.

Just as Lin Chang’an wanted to quit while ahead, a thought struck him. He hesitated, then raised his head and tentatively looked at the Wang Clan’s Chief Elder.

“Chief Elder, with so many resources this time, I, a mere mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, fear there may be accidents on the long journey…”

Lin Chang’an, disguised as the female cultivator, spoke nervously. Although greedy, who would dare covet a Golden Core cultivator’s resources?

His timid and cautious demeanor did not arouse the Chief Elder’s suspicion. On the contrary, it was understandable.

After all, this woman once had two helpers. Now, she was alone, while the rest of the Wang Clan had already departed.

“Very well. I will accompany you to Five Dragon Island.”

The Wang Clan’s Chief Elder nodded indifferently, without the slightest suspicion.

Lin Chang’an was secretly delighted. If he acted here, who knew what hidden measures the other party had in this territory?

But if it was on the road—he had previously set up a formation on an island as a precaution for a safe retreat.

If he could lure this person there, then at that time, the old man would be isolated and helpless.

“Chief Elder, please.”

With a respectful look, Lin Chang’an even made sure to avoid suspicion. The storage pouches filled with high-grade resources were split between the two of them.

…

The sea was calm, a streak of green light flashing. Lin Chang’an, disguised as a female cultivator, traveled all the way in constant anxiety, yet to his surprise, everything went smoothly.

Sitting on the flying vessel, the Wang Clan’s Chief Elder gazed at the scenery of heaven and earth. His eyes occasionally showed traces of reluctance.

This was, after all, the mentality of a cultivator nearing the end of his lifespan.

After all, who would be willing to die?

“Chief Elder, let us descend and restore our mana first.”

Lin Chang’an, in disguise, spoke calmly while guiding the flying vessel toward a small island below.

For cultivators traveling without urgent matters, it was normal to keep their mana above ninety percent.

Resting midway to recover was also normal.

Otherwise, if mana consumption reached thirty or forty percent and they encountered robber cultivators, the loss would be fatal.

Thus, the Chief Elder did not suspect Lin Chang’an’s actions. Instead, he nodded in approval.

All of them were Foundation Establishment cultivators who had lived for over a hundred years. If they lacked such cautious experience, they would have perished long ago.

“Chief Elder, please enjoy the scenery first.”

After landing on the island, Lin Chang’an, in disguise, lightly nodded, then found a clean rock to sit cross-legged and begin restoring mana.

Meanwhile, the Chief Elder was unhurried, leisurely surveying the surroundings. His cloudy eyes occasionally revealed traces of nostalgia.

“So many beautiful sights in this world. What a pity this old man will soon see them no more.”

The Wang Clan’s Chief Elder sighed wistfully. Only when lifespan was nearly exhausted would such sentiments arise.

Sceneries once ordinary and familiar now seemed precious.

The sea breeze, the glimmering waves—even a barren island had its unique charm.

“Such beauty. It seems I have missed too much.”

As the Chief Elder lamented how many sights he had missed in life, suddenly, his pupils contracted sharply.

“This is—!”

His gaze shifted, and he seemed to notice something. His expression changed, and his aged demeanor erupted with a terrifying aura.

“Not good! There is a formation ambush here, leave quickly!”

Even in that instant, he did not forget to warn the disguised female cultivator.

Yet just as the Chief Elder shot forward, a streak of blood light struck from behind.

【Blood Spirit Thorn】

“You!”

With a sharp sound, the Wang Clan’s Chief Elder’s face twisted in shock and rage, his eyes filled with disbelief.

The assailant from behind—was the female cultivator.

That female cultivator laughed lightly, “It seems the Chief Elder is very fond of this scenery. Why not let it serve as your burial ground?”

Suddenly, a formation barrier arose around them, and the Chief Elder’s face darkened.

“Well, well, well! So Island Lord Long did not intend to keep me alive, striking at this moment.”

Lin Chang’an was stunned at these words.

The old man actually believed it to be an order from Five Dragon Island’s Island Lord.

But thinking again, it made sense. For a hidden blade in the dark, once used, wasn’t it always disposed of cleanly?

“Chief Elder, will you surrender quietly, or must you suffer?”

“Arrogant!”

The formation around them turned crimson, surging with searing heat as fire-devouring demon spirits condensed into being.

At this moment, the Wang Clan’s Chief Elder revealed a touch of madness.

“Good! So this merchant ship raid was a conspiracy all along, meant to exterminate my Wang Clan. In that case, do not blame this old man for fighting to the death!”

“Chief Elder, I fear your Wang Clan is already gone.”

Lin Chang’an, disguised, spoke mockingly from within the formation.

Sure enough, faced with life-and-death crisis, the Wang Clan’s Chief Elder panicked.

With his furious roar, his strength burst forth. As expected of an old Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivator, his power when fighting desperately was terrifying.

One after another, the fire-devouring demon spirits were shattered.

“This is a second-rank high-grade grand formation!”

Seeing the fire-devouring demon spirits constantly reforming, and feeling the strength of the formation barrier, the Wang Clan’s Chief Elder was both shocked and furious. This was truly a plan to wipe him out completely.

“Not good! That old thing actually has a quasi–third-rank Restriction-Breaking Talisman.”

Lin Chang’an, who had intended to slowly wear down the Chief Elder, turned pale when he saw the talisman the other party had taken out.

Immediately, voices of conversation echoed within the formation between him and the disguised female cultivator.

“What are you still standing there for? Don’t let this old man escape.”

“Hmph! Let me be the one to deal with this old thing.”

A golden streak of light flashed. With a long cry, the Wind-Chirp Bird directly lunged at the Chief Elder.

Lin Chang’an’s figure followed closely, unleashing a terrifying sword radiance that shot straight forward.

“Late-stage Foundation Establishment! And also a late second-rank spirit pet!”

Seeing that the other party still had helpers, the Chief Elder’s face grew tense. Damn it! This woman was so cunning—not only did she have helpers, but they had even been hiding in the dark.

The difference in intelligence left the Chief Elder furious and cautious, fighting with all his might while also guarding against the hidden female cultivator.

Lin Chang’an’s plan had worked.

For a time, the battle was extremely intense. Lin Chang’an’s strength was superior, but the other party was fighting desperately. Lin Chang’an did not want to risk his life recklessly.

“Daoist friend, Five Dragon Island acts tyrannically. Today it is my Wang Clan, but tomorrow it could be yours.”

Amidst the fierce battle, the Wang Clan’s Chief Elder’s face was filled with urgency. He did not mind his own death, but he absolutely could not allow the Wang Clan to be destroyed.

He had to send word back.

Hearing this, Lin Chang’an could not help but find it amusing. This Chief Elder likely did not know that all of this was Lin Chang’an’s self-directed performance.

“Daoist Wang, do you think I would dare let you leave?”

“Daoist friend, I know I cannot escape today. But if you let me… I am willing to tell you the Wang Clan’s secret.”

The Chief Elder’s voice transmitted into his ears, constantly tempting him.

Watching the other party panting heavily, his face gradually turning crazed and even threatening, Lin Chang’an revealed a hesitant expression.

“Daoist friend, that cheap woman hides in the shadows while you fight desperately. Of course I will not live today. But if you fight with your life, can you truly say you will not be injured?

You should know that cheap woman has already swallowed the storage pouches of her two companions. Would you really not leave yourself a retreat? My Wang Clan…”

Faced with the Chief Elder’s threats and temptations, Lin Chang’an appeared to be swayed.

“Fine! As long as Daoist Wang hands me this secret, later I will pretend to be careless. As for whether you can use your quasi–third-rank Restriction-Breaking Talisman to tear open a gap, that will be up to you.”

“Rest assured. My death is no matter. I only wish to leave some bloodline for the Wang Clan…”

The two secretly exchanged voice transmissions. At the moment of another clash, a jade slip landed in Lin Chang’an’s hand.

But Lin Chang’an, being cautious, did not even examine it. He directly stored it away in his storage pouch.

“It’s now!”

Without thinking further, upon hearing the transmitted voice, the Wang Clan’s Elder roared madly:

“Since I must die, then let us all die together!”

“Not good!” Lin Chang’an exclaimed, quickly retreating. But a sword radiance still shot straight toward the old man.

The crazed Elder, however, ignored the terrifying sword radiance. He directly sacrificed three quasi–third-rank Restriction-Breaking Talismans.

Rumble!

Under the terrifying power of the Restriction-Breaking Talismans, the formation barrier trembled violently, cracking open a fissure. Seizing this chance, the Elder revealed a look of joy.

Yet in that instant, a sword shadow pierced straight through his chest.

Blood spurted everywhere. Though shocked at the sword’s power, the Elder’s face revealed a smile.

In his hand, the Thousand-Mile Voice-Transmission Talisman had already been activated.

The moment the fissure appeared, his message had been sent out.

“Hoho… this old man is tired. But the Wang Clan still has a long road ahead. You must…”

His body fell to the ground, coughing out large amounts of blood. His eyes held unwillingness, lingering nostalgia, and deep regret.

If only the Wang Clan had not been so aggressive back then, perhaps it could still have developed steadily within the Seven Kingdoms.

As he lay dying, his dimming eyes vaguely saw the silhouette of a robber cultivator.

“At last, all of his mana has been sealed. This way, nothing will go wrong.”

Lin Chang’an secretly breathed a sigh of relief. After all, the other was still a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. If he could win through cunning, it was better not to risk his life.

If the other fought recklessly and injured him, that would be a huge loss.

“Wha… t…”

As his consciousness faded, the Wang Clan Elder’s blurred mind seemed to sense something was amiss.

But darkness flooded in, giving him no time to think.

“I am a kind person. I cannot bear to see someone die with regrets.”

This, in a way, was saving the Wang Clan. For them, being cleansed was only a matter of time.

Standing before the corpse, Lin Chang’an shook his head with a facade of pity. Yet his palm stretched out, summoning his life-bound spirit plant, and he immediately began reading the man’s memories.

He dared not delay for even a moment. If the inheritance of the Art of Body Refinement was missing, he would suffer a terrible loss.

…

A long while later.

On the deserted island, Lin Chang’an opened his weary eyes, sweat pouring down his face.

“It seems that reading memories works best when the target is weak. It actually exhausted me this much.”

Rubbing his aching brow, he could not help but admit the harvest was immense.

The other had not lied. Back then, the Wang Clan had indeed obtained only one cultivation method inheritance and this withered vine root from the secret realm.

But before they could study it, cultivators of the Palace of Blazing Fire discovered them and seized one part of it.

“And the Wang Clan truly handed over one part of this cultivation method to Five Dragon Island.”

Lin Chang’an, who had still harbored a bit of hope, could only sigh helplessly.

Five Dragon Island was a Golden Core power—not something he could scheme against.

“But this old thing was really devious.”

Lin Chang’an sneered, taking out the jade slip that the Elder had given him earlier.

Clearly, the other had left a trap in this so-called cultivation method, not even mentioning that cultivating a life-bound spirit plant required more than three thousand years.

“But that old thing didn’t know—I am cultivating precisely this method.”

After collecting the Elder’s storage pouch and other possessions, Lin Chang’an casually cast a Fireball.

He had promised to find this Elder a burial ground. He would keep his word.

Moreover, the Elder had gazed at this place for a long time with satisfaction.

Without hesitation, Lin Chang’an finished tidying the battlefield and immediately departed.

Before leaving, however, he deliberately left behind traces of battle unique to the Palace of Blazing Fire’s cultivation methods.