Chapter 338 - 230: Core Formation Cultivators Gather, Re-encountering an Old Acquaintance

Chapter 338: Chapter 230: Core Formation Cultivators Gather, Re-encountering an Old Acquaintance

In terms of cultivation, the Female Core Formation Cultivator’s aura was immense. She had at least a True Core, with a slight possibility of a Golden Core. The difference between that and a Fake Core was a vast, unbridgeable chasm.

From a standpoint of status, though the Noble Families were powerful and not without influence, they were still inferior to a Sect of this caliber. After all, such Sects ruled over cultivators by "heaven’s mandate," and the families had to live at the mercy of the Purple Extreme Sect, which governed their territory. It would be a different story if a family could instantly overthrow the Purple Extreme Sect and gain the approval of a Nascent Soul Sect like the Extreme South Palace. But if the conflict dragged on, the Extreme South Palace would be forced to annihilate the "rebellious faction" just to save face.

Therefore, laying low and seeking compromise was the prevailing strategy for the Noble Families of the Song Territory.

...

Additionally, many more Foundation Establishment Cultivators arrived, looking weary from their journeys.

In total, there were nearly a hundred of them.

Lin Changheng even saw a familiar face.

It was a woman.

Despite the many years that had passed, Lin Changheng recognized her in an instant.

She was the woman with the spiritual eyes, one of the three who had come to the Xu Family for a meeting years ago, representing the Spirit Fox Mountain Liu Family.

Lin Changheng had obtained a sufficient amount of Lantern Grass Essence Blood from them, using it to create the True Intent of his Rongsheng Divine Abilities through Metamorphosis—now one of his most important assets!

That was why the memory was so vivid!

Now, this woman from the Liu Family was also a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Her Spirit Root talent must be quite good, though her aura indicated she was only in the Early Stage, which was weaker than Lin Changheng.

After all, with the Liu and Xu Families jointly operating the Cyan Spirit District, their profits were bound to be substantial. It was reasonable that they could afford to cultivate an additional Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

They made brief eye contact, but she clearly didn’t recognize the disguised Lin Changheng.

Furthermore, Lin Changheng spotted an old man in the crowd.

He was cloaked in a black robe, and a long, centipede-like scar ran across his gloomy face. His cultivation was around the Peak of Early Stage Foundation Establishment.

It was none other than the Qiu Family Ancestor—the mortal enemy of the Xu Family and the mastermind who had attacked Xu Hanji, crippling his Dantian.

He was also the one responsible for the death of his friend and fellow cultivator, Bai Fengxian!

Lin Changheng had once stood before Bai Fengxian’s grave and promised to avenge Old Bai. But his strength had been insufficient at the time, so he could only console himself with the thought that revenge is a dish best served cold.

Now, Lin Changheng was strong enough, and this presented a perfect opportunity!

However, with so many eyes around, it wasn’t the time to act rashly. ’When he comes out of the Secret Realm, I might as well see him off!’

’Of course, that’s assuming he makes it out of the Secret Realm alive...’

...

After a moment of thought, Lin Changheng decided to stand and walk toward the Liu Family’s female cultivator.

They had crossed paths before, after all. Perhaps they could discuss some business.

For Lin Changheng, there was nothing to lose even if he was rejected. It was worth a shot.

As he walked through the crowd, wary eyes followed his every move.

Fortunately, he kept his hands hanging naturally at his sides, making no sudden moves. In the tense atmosphere before the Secret Realm’s opening, any misunderstanding could have unpredictable consequences.

As he drew near the Liu Family’s female cultivator, her eyes—and those of her companion—snapped toward him.

Beside the woman stood an elderly Foundation Establishment Cultivator whose aura placed him at the Middle Stage.

’Probably another member of the Liu Family traveling with her.’

’Two of them are going in?’

Lin Changheng didn’t personally agree with the decision, but he understood it. After all, families in the Cultivation Realm were diverse, and each had its own philosophy. Some were cautious and preferred to lay low, some were aggressive and battle-ready, some were daring risk-takers, and others seized opportunities directly. There was no single formula for success.

Perhaps the Liu Family was the type to contest every opportunity, or maybe... some crisis within the family had forced their hand. It was impossible to know for sure.

...

"Fellow Daoist, may I ask your business?"

The elderly cultivator spoke first, his voice smiling, though his heart was wary.

"Fairy Liu, surely you haven’t forgotten me?"

Lin Changheng didn’t know the elderly Foundation Establishment Cultivator—they’d never even crossed paths—so he turned directly to the female cultivator of the Liu Family and spoke with a smile.

Hearing this, the Liu Family’s female cultivator studied Lin Changheng carefully, her eyes filled with confusion and suspicion. She truly had no memory of the man before her and couldn’t recall ever interacting with such a powerful Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

His aura was formidable, indicating he was already at the Middle Stage.

"Forgive my poor memory, Fellow Daoist, but I don’t recognize you, nor can I recall when we might have met."

At her words, Lin Changheng just smiled slightly. He paid no mind to the wary expression on the elderly cultivator’s face as he flipped his hand over, producing a vial of mottled, emerald-green Essence Blood and offering it to the woman.

It was the very same Lantern Grass Essence Blood from their past transaction—the portion left over after his Spirit Stealing and Metamorphosis.

Seeing that they both recognized it at a glance, Lin Changheng cut to the chase. "Fellow Daoists, decades ago, I spent five years purchasing a thousand portions of this blood from your esteemed family for my Alchemy. Do you recall? It was a tremendous help to me at the time."

"Fairy Liu, you were there as well."

The keywords—"a thousand portions," "Alchemy"—were enough of a prompt. The female cultivator’s spiritual eyes widened as the connection clicked into place, and the memory returned with perfect clarity.

She stammered in disbelief, "Alchemist Lin... is that you?"

"Your cultivation..."

She struggled to reconcile the man before her with the Alchemist Lin from her memories, but the two just didn’t match.

Her own cultivation progress was already considered rapid, and her Spirit Root was more than adequate. ’But Alchemist Lin... how is he even faster than me? I have an entire family supporting me with resources.’

’I heard he even left the Xu Family to become a Loose Cultivator...’

GASP!

It was too shocking.

Seeing Liu Yuhuan’s expression, the elderly Foundation Establishment Cultivator at her side grew pensive and did not interrupt.

"I had a fortunate encounter in the Alchemy Dao that led to a breakthrough, allowing me to reach the Tier Two Middle Grade. This, in turn, boosted my cultivation. As for my face, it’s a slight disguise."