Chapter 229: Chapter 154: Return to Celestial Profound City (Part 2)

“Senior Sister Su, we’ve arrived.”

As soon as they entered the city, Song Tingfeng and others greeted with joy on their faces.

“That person surnamed Hao is no good either. When you sent the message saying you were on the way back to Celestial Profound City, he secretly colluded with outsiders to relay messages…”

Listening to the reunion talk, Lin Chang’an frowned, and Yun Yao beside him exuded a chill, staring intently at Su Miaoyin.

“Mr. Su, shouldn’t you explain this to us?”

Yun Yao’s expression was grim, implying that the whole journey, the opposite side had already relayed the news back to Celestial Profound City, posing extreme danger to them.

If any slip-ups occurred, they would be the first to face misfortune.

Lin Chang’an seemed to think of something, casting a discreet glance at Mr. Su’s intentions, a silent warning.

This person was not simple, just as surviving in Sea Abyss City was no ordinary feat for a cultivator.

Perhaps this person and Master Lu orchestrated a grand play to root out those with divergent interests within Celestial Profound City.

There might be deeper schemes, but these were beyond the reach of a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like him.

“Sister Yun, Mr. Lin, thanks so much for escorting me all the way here.”

Entering the city, Su Miaoyin gracefully flicked her duster, nodding warmly at the two, seemingly grateful for their escort.

Yet in Lin Chang’an’s heart, he sighed quietly; these power plays were indeed not suited for him. He decided that once back, he’d focus solely on painting talismans and alchemy, avoiding these intrigues entirely.

“Brother Lin, truly grateful to you this time.”

Song Tingfeng beside him showed an endearing smile, friendlier than before.

“Not at all, Celestial Profound City is also the root for us loose cultivators; without it, the loose cultivators of the Seven Kingdoms would truly not know where to go.”

Lin Chang’an humbly clasped his hands and brought his spirit pet Cyan-Horned Bull into the Spirit Beast Bag, clearly just wanting to concentrate on cultivation.

Meanwhile, Yun Yao silently nodded, also secretly breathing a sigh of relief; indeed, Su Miaoyin had more hidden depths.

Luckily, she hadn’t been greedy earlier.

…

Inside the cave residence.

Finally back, Lin Chang’an released a long breath, waving to release the Cyan-Horned Bull and the Phoenix Cry Bird from the Spirit Beast Bag.

Instantly, the cave residence burst into a lively atmosphere.

The Phoenix Cry Bird fluttered onto his shoulder, chirping cheerfully despite being stashed away for so long, fanning him as if to curry favor.

“All right, you two go rest well now.”

The Phoenix Cry Bird excitedly chirped away, while the Cyan-Horned Bull mooed tiredly, not in the mood for play.

Throughout the journey, it was the one fighting demon beasts and encountering tribulation cultivators, tirelessly contributing its efforts.

Returning to his cave residence, Lin Chang’an unguardedly let himself relax a bit.

“Finally back. This trip hunting quasi-Tier Three demon beasts really was full of twists and turns, thankfully safe and sound.”

Back in the residence, Lin Chang’an took out all the spoils he acquired this trip.

“Aside from the low-tier demon beast materials obtained at Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market, there were also tribulation cultivators encountered along the way.”

After sorting them out, Lin Chang’an displayed a satisfied smile; these materials would sell well on the black market.

The most important was the harvest from the quasi-Tier Three demon beast.

“Quasi-Tier Three demon beast essence, snake skin, poison fang, poison sac, snake bone, though unfortunately, not much flesh is left.”

No wonder cultivators are willing to hunt demon beasts; the returns are indeed substantial.

Seeing his haul, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but smile.

“The snake skin can be tanned into Tier Three material talisman paper, a chance to reveal my Tier Two Upper Grade Talisman Master identity.”

The biggest gain this time was actually leveraging Yun Yao’s advantage to escort Su Miaoyin back.

“Extra snake skin can be used to craft two pieces of defensive inner armor, especially with this quasi-Tier Three demon beast essence; enough to create a top-grade spiritual artifact in Celestial Profound City.”

Seeing the substantial harvest, Lin Chang’an sighed; no wonder they say hard cultivation neither starves nor kills.

Ordinary cultivators with talent in skills might lack Spirit Stone resources, yet it’s enough just for their own cultivation, not much left over otherwise.

[Evil Essence Sword Formulas (Grandmaster 4972/5000)]

“And then there’s this sword formula. The crisis in Celestial Profound City has not yet passed; I must break through soon.”

Lin Chang’an quietly pondered; despite Su Miaoyin’s return, it’s an indisputable fact that Master Lu is nearing the end of his life.

And there’s the anomaly in the Cloud Mist Mountain Range; even the initial small beast tide wave had such a major impact.

One can only imagine how terrifying the beast tide will be once it fully erupts.

“But all of this has little to do with me. I’m just a minor mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator in Celestial Profound City, unable to handle such grand affairs.”

Lin Chang’an shook his head, deciding to stick with talisman painting, alchemy, and cultivation within the city.

After all, the beast tide ensured no shortage of demon cores in Celestial Profound City.

Had it not been for the allure of the quasi-Tier Three demon beast, he wouldn’t have ventured out with Yun Yao.

In the following days, Lin Chang’an returned to his routine of talisman painting, alchemy, and cultivation.

To outsiders, no one knew he had gone out to hunt a quasi-Tier Three demon beast, nor were they aware of his involvement with Su Miaoyin.

…

Three days later, instead of receiving a grand thank-you from Celestial Profound City, Shen Lie and Li Erniu came to visit.

Outside, the cold wind was biting, yet indoors it felt like perpetual spring.

In the pavilion, Shen Lie and Li Erniu, both nearly eighty years old, with white-specked temples, gazed through the array barrier at Celestial Profound City adorned in snow-white armor, faces full of melancholy.

It was unclear if they lamented missing the chance to cultivate in their youth, or the realization that Foundation Establishment cultivators are far beyond their reach now.

“Brother Lin, today we come to visit with a request.”

Despite the vast difference in cultivation levels, even over decades of friendship, Lin Chang’an could sense the respect emanating from the two.

“With our friendship, there’s no need for such courtesy.”

In the pavilion, the two elderly men, who despite looking well for their age due to cultivation, appeared to be from a different world compared to the unchanged appearance of Lin Chang’an.

Li Erniu and Shen Lie, at their age, blushed slightly in embarrassment before Lin Chang’an.

Finally, Shen Lie awkwardly spoke first: “Brother Lin, as you’ve seen, the situation in Celestial Profound City is fraught with danger no matter where you look.

With the beast tide approaching, the extent of danger is unknown. We heard Brother Lin set up a black market with other seniors. We are aware of our limited cultivation…”

Li Erniu hesitantly stated their purpose.

Seeing the two, Lin Chang’an quickly showed a smile, wondering what it could be.

They merely wanted to do some business in the black market, seeking his protection rather than any extravagant resources.

This was but a slight favor for him.

Watching the two, Lin Chang’an nodded gently, waving a hand:

“Previously, at the black market’s inception, it was to prevent you from unnecessary involvement, fearing it might bring trouble. But now, as you mentioned, with Yue Kingdom unstable, nowhere is truly safe…”

Seeing Li Erniu personally coming instead of Li Yifan, Lin Chang’an understood they weren’t looking to overreach but sought reasonable protection for themselves in his black market.

“Thank you, Brother Lin.”

Shen Lie and Li Erniu grinned, raising their cups in toast, and Lin Chang’an nodded with a smile.

Shen Lie, with years of business experience, had both connections and channels.

This move reflected not only the instability in Yue Kingdom, as he wanted to accumulate more resources for Shen Fan,

but probably also stemmed from seeing Li Yifan’s Foundation Establishment and his own ambition to prepare his son Shen Fan for Foundation Establishment.

Regardless of success, Shen Lie felt he must try, at least to prevent regret for himself or his son.

And Li Erniu, from a son-in-law of the Zhou Family to his own man as Li Yifan became a Foundation Establishment cultivator, was all the more driven.

Seeing his two old friends doing well, Lin Chang’an was filled with joy.

Yet he wondered how long Celestial Profound City’s peace could persist amidst the snowstorm.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep