Chapter 232 : Farewell

Chapter 232: Farewell

Under the night sky, various spells and spiritual lights dazzled.

The grand gathering of Five Dragon Island.

Compared to back in Tianxuan City, it was even larger and more prosperous.

“Look quickly, even the False Core ancestor of the Helian Clan has arrived.”

“Look, that’s the genius from Clear Bright Island.”

“It’s the Duo Heroes of the Luan Clan…”

Amid the bustling crowd, countless cultivators gathered for the Five Dragon Island Long Clan’s auction.

Among them, Lin Chang’an had concealed his presence and slipped in with the crowd into the auction venue.

There were Core Formation cultivators surrounded like stars around the moon, and many envied geniuses among them.

But Lin Chang’an merely shook his head secretly. None of this had anything to do with him—as long as his cultivation was undisturbed, it was fine.

As the auction began, Lin Chang’an didn’t pay much attention. Instead, he looked down at the auction catalog in his hands for the night.

Other than the final highlighted treasures, all other auction items were introduced in the catalog.

It’s just that the catalog was rather expensive, costing ten mid-grade spirit stones.

“These major powers really know how to make money. No wonder even Nascent Soul cultivators, without establishing sects or clans, still gather underlings—it’s just too convenient.”

Envious, Lin Chang’an followed the auction proceedings.

During it, he spent 1,300 mid-grade spirit stones to win a complete compendium of materials from the Sea Abyss of Beasts.

It recorded most of the spiritual mines, spirit herbs, and various rare treasures from the Sea Abyss of Beasts.

“Though pricey, it’s definitely worth it.”

Holding the jade slip, Lin Chang’an only scanned it slightly with his divine sense before nodding silently in satisfaction.

With this item, when searching in areas where sinister spirits gathered in the future, he would certainly make good use of it.

“After this, this Yuling Island might be dispensable to me. In the future, I’ll likely cultivate long-term in regions rich in sinister spirits.”

While Lin Chang’an was considering his future cultivation locations, many cultivators at the auction were determined to win the last few spiritual items.

“A pity, though. Core Formation spiritual items draw too much attention.”

Though not explicitly stated, it was already announced that the final few spiritual items were Core Formation-grade.

Looking at the spirit stones in his storage pouch—barely twenty thousand—Lin Chang’an shook his head.

Even if he wanted to bid, that amount of spirit stones wouldn’t be enough.

“Next up is Alchemist Jiang’s Crystal Condensing Pill formula. As everyone knows, each alchemist’s formula varies slightly.

This Alchemist Jiang’s formula is known for its exceptionally high success rate. With this technique, he, as a third-rank lower-grade alchemist, produced eight premium-grade Crystal Condensing Pills in his lifetime—imagine how valuable it is…”

As a portly Foundation Establishment cultivator spoke excitedly, the atmosphere among the audience stirred.

However, once everyone saw that it was a pill formula, most cultivators lost interest.

After all, those skilled in alchemy were few, and those capable of refining the Crystal Condensing Pill were generally larger sects or factions.

And these sects typically had their own exclusive formulas.

That made this formula somewhat awkward in value.

“A third-rank Crystal Condensing Pill formula, along with detailed refining insights from Alchemist Jiang before his passing. Starting price: 6,000 mid-grade spirit stones! Each increase no less than 300!”

With the formula including the refining insights, some larger forces became mildly interested.

After all, one can learn from another's strengths.

“6,500 mid-grade spirit stones!”

“6,800 mid-grade spirit stones!”

As more cultivators began bidding, Lin Chang’an also joined in upon seeing the situation.

This was a good item—with insights included—he wouldn’t let it go to waste.

The price climbed to 9,000 mid-grade spirit stones, causing many factions to shake their heads and observe from the sidelines.

“9,300 spirit stones! Anyone else? No more? 9,300 mid-grade spirit stones going once! Twice! Sold!”

With the sound of a bronze gong, the item was secured.

No twists or turns. To these powerful forces, such items weren’t rare.

“9,300 spirit stones… really expensive!”

Lin Chang’an winced in pain, paid the spirit stones, and stored the jade slip containing the formula into his storage pouch.

This formula was so costly mostly because of the included insights from that alchemist.

“Next, I won’t have any spare spirit stones to purchase third-rank talisman inheritances.”

Lin Chang’an shook his head. Yesterday, he exchanged a third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast King’s demon core for a third-rank wood-attribute demon core and some pills.

He had also bought many materials useful for future cultivation in sinister spirit regions.

That had cost him quite a bit.

“Now, there aren’t many spirit stones left in my storage pouch. Better save some for emergencies.”

Moreover, he wasn’t heading to sinister spirit regions to hunt third-rank demon beasts.

“Besides, in the Fog Sea of Tongtian, there are trading conferences held by Golden Core cultivators in the three major marketplaces. As long as I have spirit stones, opportunities will arise.”

Everything now was in preparation for Core Formation—he didn’t want to waste time.

For the rest of the auction, Lin Chang’an simply treated it as a learning experience, until the final treasures triggered the fiercest bidding wars.

Even usually aloof Core Formation cultivators would argue red-faced over items for their juniors.

Core Formation spiritual items were too rare.

After the auction ended, Lin Chang’an blended into the crowd, exited the venue, and contacted Hu Jin.

The two wasted no time and directly headed back to Yuling Island.

Their goals had been accomplished, and with few spirit stones left, staying would be just for the spectacle.

Ordinarily, it wouldn’t matter, but right now Hu Jin was fully focused on preparing for Core Formation—he wouldn’t waste time.

As for Lin Chang’an, he still remembered Yun Yao’s reminder deeply.

…

Yuling Island.

In the blink of an eye, five months had passed. The grand gathering on Five Dragon Island still hadn’t ended, leaving Lin Chang’an, who had been monitoring it, puzzled.

“Could the plan have changed?”

In the pavilion, Lin Chang’an gently shook his head and put down the material compendium of the Sea Abyss of Beasts.

“This Sea Abyss of Beasts really is vast and resource-rich. Too many treasures lie hidden in the deep sea—some naturally formed coral, after death, become incredibly tough.

Even third-rank demon beasts use them as weapons. There’s also a clam-type beast with an extremely hard shell—not only do human cultivators use it in artifact crafting, but demon beasts also fight and use it as defensive tools…”

The catalog, which cost over a thousand mid-grade spirit stones, had taken Lin Chang’an several months to go through—and he still hadn’t finished.

Truly worth every spirit stone.

Some unique spiritual lands, mineral veins, and strange stones were all recorded within.

“This catalog is so expensive not only because of its comprehensive content but also because it details the origins and identification methods of each material.”

For instance, if a material came from a demon beast, it would indicate which sea regions the beast frequented.

Some materials, like Phantom Stones, were found in sinister spirit gathering regions, typically within Yin Spring spiritual veins—but they concealed themselves and blocked divine sense detection.

Cultivators could only spot them with their eyes.

“Phantom Stones—these are valuable! If I gather enough, whether for crafting Invisible Needles or other artifacts, they’ll be top-grade weapons—undetectable by divine sense, only visible to the naked eye!?”

At this thought, a gleam of light flashed across Lin Chang’an’s eyes.

【Spiritual Eye (Supreme)】

The basic Spiritual Eye, he had already cultivated to the max level.

“Cultivated for decades, consumed so much spiritual liquid—and finally mastered the basic Spiritual Eye.”

Satisfied, Lin Chang’an activated the Spiritual Eye. He could clearly sense the change within himself.

Nothing within his field of vision could escape him. Even the traces of formations became easily visible.

“In the Fog Sea of Tongtian, this Spiritual Eye is way more useful than divine sense.”

Though he had divine sense at the Pseudo Core Realm, over the years in the Fog Sea of Tongtian, the Spiritual Eye had proven far more practical.

“Moo!”

Just then, the massive Azure-Horned Bull approached and—surprisingly—tried to mimic the flattering expression of the Wind-Chirp Bird.

But some things were just… natural. When the Azure-Horned Bull tried to flatter, its face was comically awkward, making Lin Chang’an burst into laughter.

“Alright, you've been cultivating well lately.”

After taking out a spirit fruit from his storage pouch as a reward, the Azure-Horned Bull immediately revealed a satisfied grin.

Ever since the Wind-Chirp Bird had a breakthrough and Lin Chang’an began preparing for Core Formation, even the Azure-Horned Bull—dim-witted as it was—understood that if it didn’t put in effort, it would fall behind.

So during this period, it really had changed quite a bit.

Even the Wind-Chirp Bird rarely perched on the Azure-Horned Bull’s horn, and now passed its own spirit fruit to the bull with a seemingly disdainful look.

After all these years together, bull and bird had grown used to one another. Or perhaps, the Wind-Chirp Bird’s intelligence was simply too high—unconsciously, it had already adopted some human cultivator-like habits.

Maybe it didn’t want to see this simple-minded ox fall behind either.

“Old Lin, there’s a merchant ship about to depart—are you really not going?”

At that moment, outside the cave abode, Hu Jin had already packed everything and couldn’t help but ask once more.

Seeing Hu Jin step into the cave abode, Lin Chang’an smiled and shook his head.

“No need. What would I even do elsewhere? Wouldn’t it be the same old routine? At least I’m more familiar with things here.”

“Alright then.”

Hu Jin shook his head helplessly. Although he already knew the answer, he couldn’t help asking again.

What a pity.

“Come on, all good feasts must end. Today, I’ve brought spirit wine I had stashed away since back in Tianxuan City. I originally wanted to drink it when forming my core.

Today’s not bad either—let’s treat it as an early celebration for our future Core Formation. When we meet again someday, Old Lin! Fellow Daoist Lin, you better treat me to some wine!”

In the pavilion, as Hu Jin took out spirit wine and spirit meat, Lin Chang’an smiled.

He, too, raised his cup. The two exchanged glances and downed their drinks in one go.

Perhaps, the friendship between men was all in the wine.

“To think I’ve lived over a hundred years, and the longer I live, the more sentimental I get about the past, the harder it is to let go.”

“Indeed. Flowers may bloom again, but youth never returns. Along this journey, we’ve already lost too much.”

The wine didn’t stop. Their faces were full of smiles, but their eyes were filled with memories.

Through this journey, Lin Chang’an also felt deeply melancholic.

Back then, outside the immortal sect, they had sought admission in vain, and countless desolate youths had left together.

As time passed, he didn’t know exactly when, but many familiar figures had vanished. Back then, he hadn’t paid it much mind. Now that he thought about it, he could only sigh.

Erniu, Shen Lie, Junior Sister Lu Qingqing—one by one, they had fallen behind, stood still, aging as he watched the old friends of his youth fade away.

“This path of cultivation is far too lonely!”

Even Hu Jin, rarely emotional, lamented over the journey—his family’s passing, friends’ betrayals, and others choosing to stop.

The stronger a cultivator became, the lonelier he was.

“No wonder those who live the longest are always a bit eccentric, even earning the title of ‘old monsters.’”

But he considered himself lucky.

At this thought, Lin Chang’an smiled and filled Hu Jin’s cup again.

“Old Hu, when we meet again in the Core Formation Realm, don’t forget to call me Fellow Daoist!”

“Sure. When we meet again, I don’t want to hear you calling me Senior!”

Amid hearty laughter, the two clinked their cups in the pavilion.

Old Hu left. Lin Chang’an didn’t see him off.

In Hu Jin’s own words, he was just heading out to find his Dao—and he’d return.

The pavilion once again returned to its usual quiet.

This time, however, Lin Chang’an sighed lightly. Although he was used to it, today felt a little different.

Just like when he first arrived at the Sea Abyss of Beasts, and Yun Yao left.

“We’re all walking this path. I hope neither of us stops—always moving forward.”

A faint yet determined smile appeared on Lin Chang’an’s face.

…

Seven days later!

Old Hu had departed by merchant ship, but he had entrusted the Lu Clan to deliver a letter, along with another from Yue Kingdom, sent from Many Treasures Pavilion.

“Our Old Hu’s gone outside to pursue Core Formation—don’t worry. Our Hu ancestors were once wealthy, almost had a Nascent Soul ancestor…”

Reading the latter part of Hu Jin’s letter, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but smile and shake his head.

As expected, Old Hu looked rough but was actually quite meticulous.

The letter practically said outright—his ancestors had left behind inheritances, so forming a core likely wouldn’t be a problem.

Everyone had their secrets. Sometimes it was better not to reveal things.

Once exposed, even sworn brothers could turn against one another.

“Is that so? You have ancestral fortune, but I’m not lacking either.”

Shaking his head with a smile, Lin Chang’an let Hu Jin’s letter turn to ash in his hands—he didn’t want to leave behind any potential danger due to carelessness with the paper.

Next came letters from Erniu, Shen Lie, and the others in Yue Kingdom.

Though the letters all claimed they were doing well, Lin Chang’an’s brows still showed a trace of concern, followed by a long sigh.

“Birth, aging, sickness, and death—though I am a Foundation Establishment cultivator, I still cannot escape the cycle of reincarnation.”

Wei Buyi’s letter directly revealed everyone’s true circumstances over the years.

Erniu had grown old. Though he was in the late Qi Refining stage, he had too many wives and children.

Even if he didn’t want to care, he had to.

This had worn him out. At just 110 years old, his body was already not what it once was.

But midway through the letter, the ink was clearly smudged—evidence that the group had written the letter together. Toward the end, in Li Erniu’s handwriting, he said he had brought glory to his family and that his life had been worthwhile.

“But now that Erniu has a house full of descendants, the Li Clan has finally taken shape. For Erniu, this life was well lived.”

Seeing this, Lin Chang’an smiled.

Without rules, nothing could be established. Establishing a cultivator clan was never easy.

Most of the letters spoke of Yue Kingdom’s peace and stability, and how they were all doing well, while wishing him success in Core Formation.

By the end, Lin Chang’an chuckled lightly and picked up a brush to write a reply.

Although he was far away in the Sea Abyss of Beasts, thanks to the Xuanyin Pavilion’s merchant ships from Yue Kingdom, it wasn’t hard to send a letter every two or three years.

After all, the others were all Foundation Establishment cultivators—figures of status in their respective marketplaces.

Although forwarding letters was somewhat costly, writing every two or three years was acceptable.