Chapter 373 - 247: A Volatile Situation, Courting Disaster

Chapter 373: Chapter 247: A Volatile Situation, Courting Disaster

「The next day.」

Early in the morning, Chef Zeng came to take his leave. Lin Changheng wasn’t in seclusion at the time, so he personally saw him off.

But they didn’t exit from the same place he had entered; instead, they went in a different direction.

At the edge of the western mudflats, he opened a small gap in the array. It allowed a person to slip silently into the water, swim submerged for a distance, and then resurface to fly away.

Actually, Chef Zeng was quite perceptive.

He had likely realized the risk of being exposed, for he had altered his appearance and even slightly adjusted his physique. Of course, under Lin Changheng’s gaze, such techniques were amateurish and crude; there was nowhere to hide.

Still, it was more than enough to fool the notice of cultivators who lacked mastery in such arts.

"Brother Lin, about that new Profound Spirit Essence Blood I mentioned... it will have to be delayed for a while. We can only proceed once this current affair is over."

Chef Zeng had successfully accomplished his goal of retrieving the elixirs. But when he remembered Lin Changheng’s request... he couldn’t help but sigh and explain apologetically.

"Let’s just focus on getting through this crisis first."

Lin Changheng seemed very understanding. He knew what was important and comforted him instead.

"Thank you for your understanding."

In truth, Chef Zeng had spoken up because he worried Lin Changheng would be displeased that his family had yet to fulfill their promise. During wartime, the demand for elixirs was immense, and they had to rely on Lin Changheng. This put them in a very difficult position.

Hence, this explanation was necessary.

...

Lin Changheng stood rooted to the spot, his expression darkening as he watched the array slowly close.

’The Huang Family had indeed spent considerable thought and energy on the promised new Essence Blood. They hadn’t even stopped their efforts when Huang Jiuyuan’s end was approaching.’

’The Huang Family cultivators who came for elixirs each year had reported on their progress.’

’But just when it seemed I would be able to acquire it in batches within the next few years, this whole mess had to happen.’

’Dammit...’

’On top of that, the Huang Family’s enemies might make a move against me, forcing me to cut ties with them.’

’After all, my reputation in the Immortal City and the area around the Huang Family’s territory is quite significant—partly because they deliberately built it up. If I cut ties, many of the people who are just watching and waiting would flee.’

’Furthermore, my public cultivation level in the Outer World is only Early Stage Foundation Establishment, a fact that isn’t widely known. That’s even more likely to attract trouble.’

’They’d think I’m an easy target they can just push around.’

’But there are pros and cons to this. To kill an Early Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, they would, at most, send one or two Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators. And that would be considered taking me seriously.’

’If that’s the case...’

’I wouldn’t mind killing those blind fools who deliver themselves to my doorstep.’

’Anyone with malicious intent toward me has to die. Only then can I be at ease.’

’It would also conveniently relieve some of the direct pressure the Huang Family is facing.’ 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

’If someone asked me to help the Huang Family fight or fend off their enemies, I would be absolutely against it. It’s not even up for discussion.’

’But if they’re people I want to kill anyway, there’s nothing wrong with giving the Huang Family a gift of a few heads.’

’They can only blame themselves for targeting me.’

...

Another two years passed just like that.

Lin Changheng was ninety-three years old this year.

Still, nothing happened.

Of course, given these troubled times, Lin Changheng never left his cave residence.

Just as Lin Changheng was beginning to think his enemies were sensible enough to stay away, his killing intent had started to fade.

By now, the Huang Family’s situation had reached a stalemate.

A stalemate that was not in their favor.

Individually, none of the three families that had moved against the Huang Family could compare to the Huangs at their peak. Even two of them combined could only fight to a draw, and all three together couldn’t gain much of an advantage.

But now, the Huang Family had lost its most senior and formidable Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Huang Jiuyuan’s power had been immense. Among cultivators of the same stage, he could take on two at once without breaking a sweat.

He could even withstand two blows from a Fake Core Cultivator and still manage to escape.

Now, without Huang Jiuyuan, the Huang Family’s strength was significantly weakened. They couldn’t even withstand two enemy families joining forces, let alone three.

The importance of having a top-tier powerhouse was self-evident.

By the same token, if something were to happen to the Nascent Soul Cultivator of the Extreme South Palace in the Song Territory, the entire region would lose its pillar of support. The Song Territory would become a prize for the taking, attracting the covetous gazes of several neighboring states and inevitably provoking war.

The Wilderness Border of the Song Territory stretched for a great distance. It was both a source of crisis and an inexhaustible repository of resources.

Its unique advantages made it a coveted prize.

The Huang Family had now been forced to abandon most of its resource points, hunkering down to defend only the area around its main residence.

Their situation was dire, but they remained resilient.

The entire family was holding in a collective breath, one formed from a seething hatred that refused to dissipate.

Moreover, the elixir brought back for Huang Qingshan last time had worked quite well, saving his life. However, not long ago, he was killed in battle because his cultivation foundation was insufficient. His head was severed by the enemy, placed in a brocade box, and sent back to Spirit Dome Mountain.

He was the first Foundation Establishment Cultivator to die in this long, drawn-out war.

Generally speaking, Foundation Establishment Cultivators were very cautious. Unless they were completely overpowered or fell into a trap through carelessness, they were difficult to corner and kill.

Thus, some in the Huang Family suspected that the "old monster" from the Gold Devouring Yang Family—a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator—had made the move.

But they had no way to retaliate and could only commit this grudge to memory.

After all, the Grand Elder of the Gold Devouring Yang Family was also a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator. He had been at that stage for many years and possessed terrifying techniques.

While he might not have been a match for Huang Jiuyuan, the Huang Family’s Second Elder, Huang Chenshan, was certainly no match for him either. Huang Chenshan was also at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment but had only advanced twenty-some years ago and was completely outclassed.

Afterward, Chef Zeng visited two more times.