Chapter 332: Chapter 196: Gathering Intelligence (Part 2)

“I’d rather spend more time and hunt on my own using an array than go with these cultivators. At the very least, I have more control over my safety, and the prey is mine to keep.”

Lin Chang’an thought to himself, realizing that even if he were in Celestial Profound City, he wouldn’t go.

“Besides, Old Hu, didn’t you say you weren’t going?”

Hearing this, Old Hu couldn’t help but sigh helplessly:

“Old Lin, it’s not that I’m not tempted. It’s just that I took on a big order from the Lu Family, and I won’t be free for the next two years.”

Soon after, the Wen couple came to congratulate him. After all, the circle of Foundation Establishment cultivators on the island was only so big, and being a Tier Two Upper Grade Talisman Master, Lin was naturally worth socializing with.

…

However, the first thing Lin Chang’an did after coming out of seclusion was to secretly visit Five Dragons Island, where he sold his accumulated stock of talismans and other goods in exchange for cultivation materials.

He was truly running out of spirit stones.

During his six years in seclusion, although he painted talismans and practiced alchemy, most of his focus was still on cultivation.

The elixirs he concocted were all used to enhance his own cultivation, not a single one was wasted.

And just when he publicly claimed he was stabilizing his cultivation, many from the Lu Family heard the news that a new late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator had appeared on the island.

“The newly advanced late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator is that Talisman Master Lin!”

“Wasn’t his spirit root aptitude poor?”

“What does poor aptitude matter? He’s a Tier Two Upper Grade Talisman Master, and I heard he even ran a market before. No wonder he had so many cultivation resources, it’s not surprising he broke through.”

“It’s him! Talisman Master Lin!”

Many cultivators from the Lu Family were filled with envy.

Although the Lu Family had reclaimed Jade Spirit Island, it was no longer the same Lu Family as before.

Over the years, working to return to Jade Spirit Island had nearly exhausted the Lu Family’s foundation.

“It doesn’t matter, we still have our young master in Sea Abyss City. One day, he’ll surely form a core!”

“That’s right!”

In the Lu Family’s residence, seeing the vigorous expressions of all the Lu Family members, Madam Lu’s tired face showed a trace of a smile.

“It seems the morale boost worked well.”

“Indeed, thanks to your strategy, Patriarch, everyone is now full of energy and dedicated to their cultivation.”

“That’s good, this is exactly the spirit we need.”

Madam Lu had a broad smile on her face. What she was most satisfied with was that after this hardship, the pride of the Lu Family members was completely gone.

Through the flames they were reborn, and although the Lu Family’s century-old resources had been squandered, the foundation remained.

As long as they develop steadily, it won’t be long before the Lu Family can rise again.

However, in the meeting hall, Lu Yujian, clutching his treasure sword, remained silent, murmuring:

“I truly want to test the sword skills of that loose cultivator who fought his way through against the odds!”

Seeing Lu Yujian in the hall, several other Foundation Establishment cultivators shook their heads in resignation.

This person’s spirit root aptitude was only middle grade, but his comprehension in the Sword Dao was astonishing.

Still, it’s a pity.

Though the Patriarch’s son, this Madam Lu was very calm, understanding what the Lu Family needed and didn’t favor him with resources.

Instead, all of the Lu Family’s current resources were focused on their young master in Sea Source City.

With top-grade spirit root and decent aptitude, perhaps he has the potential to become the Lu Family’s first Core Formation cultivator.

…

On Five Dragons Island.

“Fellow Daoist, these are all the messages within the last seven years about the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, and detailed information on the Lu Family from Jade Spirit Island and the three previous clans.

There’s also intel on the Wen couple from Liang Kingdom and Fang Tie, the Foundation Establishment loose cultivator from Sha Yun Kingdom.”

After walking out of Duo Bao Tower, Lin Chang’an looked at the familiar sign with a sense of nostalgia.

He never expected that after so many years, he would see Duo Bao Tower on Five Dragons Island again; it was truly heartwarming.

He hoped that one day, after forming a core, he could see Duo Bao Tower and Treasures Tower in Sea Abyss City, though he wouldn’t count on True Treasure Tower of Li Huo Palace.

“No wonder the Lu Family was driven away before, but this Madam Lu truly turned the tide, a remarkable woman among women…”

“This Wen couple, they apprenticed under a Foundation Establishment loose cultivator from a young age, experiencing a deep bond and an enviable partnership, having practiced a combined attack secret technique…”

Though Lin Chang’an admired the Lu Family’s intelligence, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy upon seeing the Wen couple’s information.

They were truly a rare loving couple in the Immortal Cultivation Realm.

Childhood sweethearts, a couple through adversity, weathering storms together to both become Foundation Establishment cultivators—a rarity indeed.

“It seems the Wen couple together might be comparable to a late-stage, or even Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator; their strength shouldn’t be underestimated.”

Though they were loving, in the face of benefits, they were still outsiders to him.

Their affection wasn’t his, so going with them to hunt demon beasts carried inherent risks.

“However, this cultivator Fang Tie is indeed quite odd, living in the barren lands of Sha Yun Kingdom with such a silent and withdrawn demeanor?”

Though the intel seemed normal, Lin Chang’an always felt something was off.

“Yet, it’s noteworthy that Fang Tie came from Sha Yun Kingdom and is actually a body cultivator.”

A late-stage Foundation Establishment body cultivator is indeed formidable.

As he looked at the intel in hand, Lin Chang’an contemplated; perhaps he was being a bit paranoid.

But he’d rather be overly cautious than be caught in a perilous situation. He always wanted to learn about any cultivator that threatened him, if possible.

The Seven Kingdoms, Yue Kingdom being the strongest, possessing three sects and several Core Formation cultivators.

In smaller regions, an entire nation might only have two Core Formation cultivators, sometimes just one.

Therefore, intelligence on Foundation Establishment cultivators in each country was often traceable.

Especially with Profound Sound Pavilion, famous for its expertise in intelligence and commerce.

“A body cultivator! Now that I’m at late-stage Foundation Establishment, my cultivation progresses slowly. More importantly, everything must now be in preparation for forming a core.”

Lin Chang’an’s eyes gleamed as he recalled that he hadn’t considered body refining before due to time and resource constraints and the need to prioritize.

If he pursued both simultaneously, it might lead to failure in both, and being now at mid-stage Foundation Establishment was already a blessing.

Though dual cultivation of the body and technique provides great strength, it also slowed his cultivation progress.

“Moreover, now even if facing a dual cultivation mid-stage Foundation Establishment myself, I still hold an advantage.”

Lin Chang’an gazed calmly without regret, but things were different now.

Preparing for core formation is not an overnight task, and he truly needed to consider body refining now.

“Spirit root aptitude, purity of mana, and core formation auxiliary spiritual objects all influence the success rate of forming a core.”

It’s said that ancient cultivators didn’t need core formation spiritual objects, but now in this age of scarce spiritual energy, without core formation spiritual objects, self-cultivation could take forever.

“And core formation, a crucial part of it is mana crystallization. During this process, having a stronger physique can help.

Certain body refining techniques also have supportive roles,”

Reflecting on this, Lin Chang’an became silent. From Huang Shaohai’s memories, he learned that Li Huo Palace did have a few such auxiliary skills.

But unfortunately, Huang Shaohai’s cultivation was insufficient to access these body refining secret techniques supporting core formation.

“These things aren’t easily available externally. According to what I’ve previously gathered, certain families and sects could provide them,

but almost always under the condition of servitude contracts, which are too harsh.”

Lin Chang’an eventually shook his head and sighed. Step by step, he’d first purchase some materials. Having just reached late-stage Foundation Establishment, there was no rush, take it slowly.

“Though in recent years within the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, traitors among disciples of major sects and clans have emerged. Perhaps if there’s an opportunity, it’s worth a try.”

His lifebound spirit plant could read memories, so as long as he targeted a disciple with low cultivation, there might indeed be a chance.

“Moreover, these auxiliary body refining techniques demand substantial resources, and the increase in core formation probability isn’t significant. If it’s too challenging, it might be best to let it go for now.”

Lin Chang’an nodded to himself, with his main focus being on preparing to cultivate the Three-Turns Condensing Pill Formulas, as this secret technique significantly boosts the core formation rate.

While Lin Chang’an was purchasing cultivation materials in the market, he was unknowingly being watched.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep