Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Spoils of War

The market chaos, the Foundation Establishment cultivators of Profound Sound Pavilion and Li Huo Palace were all enraged and took action.

Meanwhile, outside the market, two Foundation Establishment cultivators fled in distress, their faces full of anger.

“Damn Zhou Qing, he only said that the Zhou Family’s Clan Guardian Spirit Beast was in a weak period, but didn’t mention that Zhou Tieshan was secretly breaking through to Foundation Establishment within the family!”

“Where’s that bastard Zhou Qing!?”

The two Demonic Cultivators at Foundation Establishment level were furious.

“Sir, Zhou Qing didn’t come at the agreed time; he might have gotten caught in the chaos!”

The cultivator waiting outside hastily explained, and upon hearing this, the two Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn’t help but curse under their breath.

“That traitor got away with it.”

“Let’s move quickly, the Zhou Family has a new Foundation Establishment cultivator, and the market chaos is almost pacified. Profound Sound Pavilion and Li Huo Palace are closing in fast.”

A group of Demonic Cultivators swiftly retreated into the mountains.

Though the market seemed chaotic, under the suppression of the cultivators from Profound Sound Pavilion and Li Huo Palace, it didn’t turn into a full-scale riot.

Most of the Loose Cultivators seemed like they were watching from the sidelines, but it was more like there wasn’t enough bait yet.

…

Amidst the chaos and fire within the market, Lin Chang’an was nervously cleaning up traces.

“What Zhou Qing said before was clearly a sign of betrayal, and he must have concealed himself before coming.”

Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an decided to ignore the situation in the market, went home, and used the Fire Bomb Technique on the rewards for Zhou Qing and his Spirit Beast, erasing all traces completely.

“And these spoils of war.”

As Lin Chang’an opened the two Storage Bags and the Spirit Beast Bag Zhou Qing carried, his eyes immediately lit up.

“No wonder a fleeing cultivator is like a greasy fat sheep.”

Given the need to flee, naturally, one would bring all their belongings, and besides, Zhou Qing was not only an Alchemist but also held important positions within the family.

“My goodness, Zhou Qing was really ruthless, playing both sides thoroughly.”

In Zhou Qing’s Storage Bags, there were more than three hundred Spirit Stones, but this was not the most important thing.

The truly valuable items were the Spirit Grass and Elixirs, numerous Spirit Grass apparently freshly uprooted with soil still clinging to them.

“This old fellow, didn’t he just clean out the Zhou Family’s herb fields?”

Lin Chang’an could hardly contain his joy, realizing that riches often accompany risk.

However, this can also become addictive, as the quick wealth one gains can entrap many Tribulation Cultivators, who may start out just wanting to make a single strike, but end up getting addicted under the influence of greed.

A middle-grade Alchemy Furnace, Alchemy Scripture, Herbal Scripture, a middle-grade Magical Artifact for both attack and defense, various bottles of Elixirs and Spirit Liquid, plus the Beast Taming Jade Manual.

“Not bad for the wealth of a late-stage Qi Refining Alchemist.”

Although Zhou Qing took advantage of the chaos within his clan.

When Lin Chang’an saw the Defensive Magical Artifact, he warned himself inwardly, it’s useless having a Magical Artifact but not using it timely. He reminded himself to get a personal one for future use.

Even if caught off guard by an attack, having the artifact on you is better than having it in the Storage Bag.

“However, it’s a pity about the Alchemy Furnace and the Alchemy Dao inheritance…”

Touching the ancient bronze Alchemy Furnace, Lin Chang’an shook his head. Currently, he had no luxury of time to delay his cultivation progress for alchemy.

After all, he was planning to achieve Foundation Establishment before sixty.

“Let’s keep this Alchemy Furnace for later; when I’m at Foundation Establishment with a two hundred year lifespan, there will be enough time to hone my skills.”

As Lin Chang’an counted his spoils, he did not forget to erase traces and scents, to avoid being noticed.

“These things, just in case, should either be used personally or destroyed; they must not enter the market yet.”

Lin Chang’an listened as the commotion outside the market gradually subsided, secretly planning his next moves.

Normally selling stolen goods was harmless, but given the magnitude of the incident with the Zhou Family this time, if Zhou Qing’s traitorous belongings appeared in the market, the Zhou Family would surely pursue it relentlessly.

Tribulation Cultivators are detested, but less so than traitors!

The Zhou Family might even release news of Zhou Qing stealing their treasures, inciting everyone to hunt him down.

“Better safe than sorry.”

Having already made a significant haul, Lin Chang’an wasn’t in need of those spirit stones, so after clearing away traces, he had no intention of selling Zhou Qing’s spoils.

He wasn’t planning to spend the spirit stones from the Storage Bags either, choosing instead to use them for the Spirit Gathering Array and daily cultivation.

…

On the next day, a shocking news spread across the market.

A new Foundation Establishment cultivator has emerged in the Zhou Family!

This meant there were now three Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Zhou Family, along with a Clan Guardian Spirit Beast, totaling four Foundation Establishment combat powers.

“Brother Lin, you have no idea how dangerous it was yesterday.”

Li Erniu spoke with excitement about the current situation of the Zhou Family, a true underdog reversal.

“The familial request to Profound Sound Pavilion for the crafting of a Foundation Establishment Pill was just a cover; the pill had long been exchanged for, and Zhou Tieshan had been in closed cultivation within the family. Only the patriarch and the ancestor knew about it.

Everything done previously was just to cover this up.”

As Li Erniu spoke excitedly, Lin Chang’an suddenly understood; the Zhou Family’s ancestor and patriarch had played a perfect ruse, deceiving everyone.

“Who knew which traitor actually leaked family information? Fortunately, brother Zhou Tieshan broke through at a critical moment, joining the ancestor in killing the Tribulation Cultivators who came to plunder.”

Li Erniu was animated in his storytelling, having his previous discontent wiped away by the turn of events.

In fact, the Zhou Family ancestor’s secret plans were unknown not just to an outsider like him, but to the whole family with even the surname Zhou.

“Erniu, this might just be a blessing in disguise for you.”

Lin Chang’an looked at Erniu with a smile, and Li Erniu happily nodded, scratching his head with a broad smile.

“Now the family is thoroughly investigating the traitor, and since I’ve been managing assets outside during this period without involvement in the family’s arrangements, I’ve conveniently cleared suspicion.”

Indeed, personal fortune is unique; look at Erniu, not only did he land a perfect task by chance, but he also effortlessly secured a position of trust.

“But our family lost many people this time, even Brother Zhou Qing is gone.”

Suddenly, Li Erniu’s tone turned somber, looking at Lin Chang’an with a hint of melancholy.

However, upon hearing this name, Lin Chang’an’s heart skipped a beat and he discreetly glanced at Erniu, feigning surprise.

“Brother Zhou Qing? Wasn’t he the one in charge of the herb fields, often swapping Spirit Talismans with me?”

“Yes, it was too chaotic this time, and those Tribulation Cultivators had a clear purpose, heading straight to the back mountain. All the herb fields along the way were ransacked and burned. Even Brother Zhou Qing died in battle, leaving no remains. However, the family will take care of his offspring.”

Goodness!

Lin Chang’an’s eyes widened at this, previously concerned about being implicated, it turned out Zhou Qing was now mistakenly believed to have died heroically in battle.

And to his surprise, Zhou Qing was that ruthless, forsaking even his family in pursuit of Foundation Establishment.

“Though Brother Zhou was somewhat greedy, when it came to family righteousness, he was indeed a model for us all!”

Li Erniu spoke of Zhou Qing with genuine admiration, as if venerating the noble spirit of the man.

“Indeed, such conduct is truly admirable.”

Lin Chang’an nodded solemnly, but what he truly thought remained unknown.

Yet, he knew not to be careless; what if it was a message deliberately released by the Zhou family?

So, none of the spoils from before could see the light of day yet.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep