Chapter 387 ·Remnant Soul of an Ancient Cultivator

Bibo ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Island.

Inside ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍the cave abode, Lin Chang'an sat with complete concentration, forming hand seals as he controlled the formation plate before him.

At ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍the center of the formation plate floated a crimson Nascent Soul-grade magical artifact sword.

Its ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍spiritual light flickered as the spiritual essence within it was continuously extracted.

The ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍extracted power transformed into strands of crimson light that were slowly absorbed by three crimson talismans.

The ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍high-grade spirit stones embedded around the formation plate were also being rapidly consumed.

This process had already continued for half a month.

"The energy contained within a Nascent Soul-grade Talisman Treasure truly is immense. Fortunately, this shortcut greatly reduced the difficulty by sealing only a single attack into each talisman. Otherwise, this simply wouldn't have been something I could produce so easily."

Several more days passed.

The Nascent Soul-grade magical artifact emitted a low hum as its spiritual light noticeably dimmed.

Extracting a magical artifact's power to create Talisman Treasures was something only cultivators nearing the end of their lifespan would normally do.

After all, it permanently damaged their own magical artifact.

"It's finally complete!"

As the terrifying fire aura surrounding the three floating talismans gradually dissipated, leaving behind what appeared to be three ordinary sheets of talisman paper, Lin Chang'an could not help but smile.

With a wave of his hand, the three talismans flew into his palm.

They felt soft to the touch and carried a gentle warmth.

Strange runes circled across each talisman, while at their center was the vivid image of a crimson longsword, so lifelike that it almost seemed alive.

Delighted, Lin Chang'an carefully stored away the three Talisman Treasures before reaching out to hold the Nascent Soul-grade magical artifact sword that had rendered such great service.

"Its spiritual light has dimmed considerably. After extracting this much power, it'll probably require a hundred years to fully recover."

As he gently stroked the scorching Fire-attribute magical artifact in his hand, Lin Chang'an inwardly shook his head.

Unfortunately, he was not a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Had he possessed Nascent Soul cultivation, nurturing the sword with Nascent Soul spiritual power would have restored its spirituality in merely a few decades.

Of course, that was also because he had extracted only a relatively small portion of its power while producing the Talisman Treasures.

"Unless my life is truly on the line, I absolutely cannot casually expose these Talisman Treasures."

The moment he used one, everyone would immediately realize it was connected to the Crimson Fire Old Monster.

He had no desire to become the target of everyone.

"I wonder how the Green-horned Bull's cultivation is progressing."

After putting away all the tools used to create the Talisman Treasures, Lin Chang'an slowly rose and walked out of the cave abode.

...

Ever since returning from Sea Abyss City, he had entered seclusion to create the Talisman Treasures while also refining Earth-attribute pills for the Green-horned Bull's breakthrough.

Before he realized it, an entire year had passed.

【Lifespan: 279 / 872】

【Cultivation: Late Core Formation (42/100)】

The closer the opening of the secret realm approached, the more relaxed Lin Chang'an became.

After all, he was about to risk his life.

It was only natural to unwind beforehand.

The path of cultivation required both tension and relaxation.

Only then could one maintain a stable Dao Heart and mental strength over the long term.

Mental strength stemmed from a cultivator's convictions, fighting spirit, determination, and similar qualities.

It was not inexhaustible.

Cultivators also needed to adjust themselves.

After all, cultivators were still human.

They possessed the seven emotions and six desires.

They were not emotionless puppets or lifeless objects.

On this day, Lin Chang'an sat inside the pavilion of his cave abode on Bibo Island, leisurely sipping spirit tea while enjoying the Sword Attendant's sword dance.

It had to be said that although she lacked the graceful dance style of the Fairy of Rainbow Skirt, her sword dance possessed an entirely different charm.

"Master, recently someone has been secretly investigating cultivators who have sold information regarding spirit ore veins over the past few years at the Black Market on Bibo Island."

After finishing her sword dance, the Sword Attendant respectfully reported the latest information she had received.

Lin Chang'an did not even raise his head.

Instead, he casually waved his hand.

"That's normal. Over the years, everyone has envied the Seven Kingdoms Alliance's spirit ore mining operations. Naturally, cultivators secretly selling spirit ore intelligence would attract attention.

"Forget outsiders—even the Four Seas Merchant Guild has been keeping an eye on them."

Taking another sip of spirit tea, Lin Chang'an paid little attention to the matter.

Over the years, he had used his Avatar to sell information regarding spirit ore veins.

Not only had he dealt with the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, he had also sold information concerning several ore veins to outsiders.

However, after discovering this, the Seven Kingdoms Alliance immediately panicked and contacted him.

Eventually, they agreed to permanently purchase all future spirit ore intelligence from him in exchange for increasing his commission by twenty percent.

As long as spirit stones were involved, how could he possibly refuse?

Nevertheless, there had always been people unwilling to give up.

This time, however, the Sword Attendant said solemnly,

"Master, this time it's different. This person is specifically searching for information because they wish to trade for Sinister Spirit Ash."

"Sinister Spirit Ash?"

Lin Chang'an was momentarily surprised.

Although it was valuable, very few people actually had any use for it.

It possessed remarkable effects for nourishing Divine Sense and the soul.

However, using only a small amount produced little effect.

Using a large amount was prohibitively expensive.

Only after the death of a third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast King could a tiny quantity be obtained.

As such, it was generally regarded as a rather awkward treasure.

"Unless it's being used to refine certain special pills... or to treat someone suffering soul injuries."

At that thought, Lin Chang'an frowned slightly.

If it was the former, then this person was definitely no ordinary cultivator.

He himself had only learned about such obscure medicinal formulas thanks to inheriting most of the Yin Soul Sect's legacy.

If it was the latter...

Cultivators suffering injuries to their souls were extraordinarily rare within the cultivation world.

That immediately made him think of the Ghost Domain.

"This person heard that Master knows those cultivators. They wish for Master to act as an intermediary, and they're willing to exchange a section of Thousand-year Soul Nourishing Wood for a large quantity of Sinister Spirit Ash."

"Soul Nourishing Wood!"

Even Lin Chang'an was astonished after hearing the Sword Attendant's report.

Compared to Sinister Spirit Ash, Soul Nourishing Wood was an even rarer treasure.

When it came to nourishing the soul, the former was clearly inferior.

However, for rapidly healing soul injuries, the one-time consumable Sinister Spirit Ash naturally performed better.

After all...

Who would ever willingly consume Soul Nourishing Wood?

"Could this person really be connected to the Ghost Domain?"

According to the memories of that Sinister Spirit Beast King, the Yin Soul Sect's supreme treasure had been a Soul Nourishing Wood tree.

This was an incredibly rare treasure.

Not only within the Demon Beast Sea Abyss, but throughout the entire cultivation world.

"If the Soul Nourishing Wood truly possesses sufficient age, its cultivation benefits would be extraordinary.

"It could even be used before attempting the Nascent Soul Realm, allowing one's soul to reach the Nascent Soul level in advance."

Lin Chang'an was undoubtedly tempted.

However, he could not afford to rush.

First, he needed to determine exactly how valuable the other party's Soul Nourishing Wood was...

And whether they were sincere.

As for the person's identity and purpose...

Those had absolutely nothing to do with him.

He merely wanted to complete a transaction.

"Since they've specifically delivered news about the Soul Nourishing Wood, they're clearly confident that we'll be interested.

"Arrange a meeting in the marketplace first."

Lin Chang'an instructed the Sword Attendant to arrange the meeting before discussing anything else.

Although he had no intention of robbing the other party...

He certainly intended to profit from both sides.

If he was acting as the middleman, surely he deserved some compensation.

"Yes, Master. This servant will contact them immediately."

The Sword Attendant respectfully cupped her fists before transforming into a streak of Escape Light and heading toward the marketplace.

Watching her efficient departure, Lin Chang'an shook his head helplessly.

Her work ethic was certainly admirable.

But could she not slow down just a little?

He had not yet finished enjoying her sword dance.

Besides...

If anyone should be anxious, it ought to be the other party.

"And that Green-horned Bull...

"How much longer is it going to take before it breaks through?"

Without the Sword Attendant's sword dance accompanying his tea, Lin Chang'an suddenly lost much of his interest.

He stood up and headed toward the cave abode where the Green-horned Bull was cultivating in seclusion.

...

Half a month later, the Sword Attendant arranged for both parties to meet at a restaurant within the marketplace.

On the appointed day, rather than meeting in a private room, they met openly in the bustling restaurant.

A black-robed figure whose face was hidden beneath a bamboo hat had already arrived and was quietly waiting.

"My apologies for keeping Fellow Daoist waiting."

Arriving slightly late, Lin Chang'an wore a green robe embroidered with bamboo patterns.

After reaching the agreed location, he smiled and cupped his fists.

"Not at all."

The other party's voice was deliberately hoarse, making it impossible to distinguish whether they were male or female.

However...

As Lin Chang'an smiled and sat down, he immediately sensed a familiar aura of spiritual power amid the noisy restaurant.

"It's him!"

His heart skipped a beat.

His brows furrowed slightly.

Huang Tianxiao!

Why had this man come here?

As the disciple of the Profound Yin Old Devil, and now openly hostile toward True Lord Lu, the forces under both sides had already become bitter enemies.

"I've troubled Fellow Daoist by requesting this introduction. Naturally, I won't let Fellow Daoist suffer any loss."

Still unaware that his identity had already been exposed, Huang Tianxiao chuckled hoarsely while cupping his fists.

"Of course. That's no problem."

Lin Chang'an smiled as well, suppressing his doubts.

Through careful perception, he clearly sensed that Huang Tianxiao's soul showed no signs of injury whatsoever.

Yet he still wanted to purchase Sinister Spirit Ash.

That left Lin Chang'an puzzled.

More importantly...

He sensed danger emanating from Huang Tianxiao.

And...

Two additional, extremely faint auras.

One aura somehow felt strangely familiar.

Yet he was absolutely certain he had never encountered it before.

The other aura, however...

He recognized immediately.

It belonged to the Shape-shifted Sinister Spirit Beast King from the Ghost Domain.

"Damn...

"There are two additional presences inside this man's body.

"Could he be connected to even more Nascent Soul old monsters?"

Without revealing anything, Lin Chang'an continued smiling as they chatted casually.

"I heard that Fellow Daoist enjoys fine wine. I happen to possess a brewing formula, which I'd like to present as a gift."

The disguised Huang Tianxiao smiled warmly as he produced a brewing recipe inherited from the Yin Soul Sect.

Rumors about Lin Chang'an enjoying wine had long spread throughout the cultivation world.

The reason was simple.

The Sword Attendant frequently carried his wine gourd while collecting precious spiritual herbs, tossing them into the gourd one after another.

Over time...

The rumor somehow evolved into Lin Chang'an being an avid wine enthusiast.

"A brewing formula?"

After only a brief glance, countless thoughts flashed through Lin Chang'an's mind.

Sure enough...

This man truly had connections with the Shape-shifted Sinister Spirit Beast King.

It seemed the Ghost Domain and the Profound Yin Old Devil had indeed reached some kind of agreement.

Still...

Trying to trade a Yin Soul Sect brewing formula with someone who already possessed the Yin Soul Sect's inheritance?

Wasn't this simply an attempt to take advantage of him?

"Fellow Daoist misunderstands.

"I don't particularly enjoy wine.

"I merely like to drink a few cups occasionally."

With a smile, Lin Chang'an returned the brewing formula after only a single glance.

Huang Tianxiao was momentarily stunned but did not think much of it.

"In that case, Fellow Daoist certainly mustn't decline this token of appreciation.

"After all, I'll be troubling Fellow Daoist with this matter."

To Huang Tianxiao, Lin Chang'an himself meant very little.

His true objective was the group secretly selling information regarding spirit ore veins.

Since those people constantly hunted Sinister Spirit Beast Kings within the Fog Sea of Tongtian, they undoubtedly possessed considerable quantities of Sinister Spirit Ash.

That was exactly what he urgently needed.

Looking at the spirit stone pouch Huang Tianxiao pushed across the table, Lin Chang'an weighed it in his hand.

Immediately, a broad smile spread across his face.

"Fellow Daoist is far too generous."

Free spirit stones?

There was absolutely no reason not to accept them.

As for the other party's objective...

Lin Chang'an had no desire whatsoever to become entangled in matters involving Nascent Soul old monsters.

Right now...

He only wanted to wait for the secret realm to open, reunite with Yun Yao...

And leave.

Afterward, the two chatted amiably like old friends who had not seen one another for years, exchanging amusing stories from the cultivation world.

Finally, Lin Chang'an agreed to contact the relevant people as an intermediary.

After returning home, he briefly considered reporting Huang Tianxiao.

But he had no desire to become involved in disputes between Nascent Soul cultivators.

He ultimately decided to wait until after the transaction concluded.

"Once both sides complete their private trade...

"It'll have absolutely nothing to do with me."

Thinking this over after returning home, Lin Chang'an nodded inwardly.

...

Fog Sea of Tongtian.

Disguised in black robes, Huang Tianxiao carefully concealed his aura before entering an unremarkable deserted island.

Who would have imagined that the disciple of the Profound Yin Old Devil—

The man known throughout the outside world as the strongest beneath the Nascent Soul Realm—

Would actually be hiding on such a spiritually barren island?

"Hehehe...

"As long as you obtain enough Sinister Spirit Ash, you'll be able to cultivate this Yin Soul Sect cultivation method.

"With this seat assisting you, escaping from the Profound Yin Old Devil's control won't be difficult."

Inside a cave illuminated by firelight, another sinister, hoarse voice suddenly emerged from within Huang Tianxiao's body.

Apparently accustomed to this, Huang Tianxiao respectfully nodded.

"Many thanks for your guidance, Senior Soul. Should this junior fortunately succeed in forming a Nascent Soul in the future, I will certainly help Senior escape Yin Soul Island."

"Hehehe...

"You human cultivators are the most deceitful creatures alive. This seat doesn't believe a single word.

"You only need to understand one thing.

"Right now, our fortunes are intertwined.

"Once you've formed your Nascent Soul and helped this seat's Soul Fragment refine a Second Nascent Soul...

"This seat will hand over the entire inheritance of the Yin Soul Sect to you."

The hoarse, sinister voice belonged to none other than the Second Nascent Soul of the Shape-shifted Sinister Spirit Beast King.

Back then, during its transaction with the Bihai Palace, the Shape-shifted Sinister Spirit Beast King had received a Second Nascent Soul Secret Technique.

At the time, it had nearly exploded with rage.

The Bihai Palace had done it intentionally.

It had deliberately allowed the human cultivator known as the Crimson Fire Old Monster's Nascent Soul to escape.

Then they rewarded it with this technique.

Where was it supposed to find another Nascent Soul to refine into a Second Nascent Soul?

After much difficulty, it eventually contacted the Profound Yin Old Devil.

The latter desired the Yin Soul Sect's inheritance.

The former desired freedom.

Thus, both sides secretly entered into cooperation.

Naturally...

Each harbored their own ulterior motives.

Meanwhile, it secretly reached another agreement with Huang Tianxiao.

After all...

Leaving oneself an extra escape route was something it had learned from human cultivators.

Once it successfully refined a Second Nascent Soul...

It would devour its original body.

Only then would it achieve true freedom.

As for Sinister Spirit Ash...

Back when it still resided within the Ghost Domain, such things had never been scarce.

However, after the great battle involving Nascent Soul cultivators...

Only around a dozen third-rank sinister spirits remained.

Nowhere near enough to satisfy its requirements.

Just as the Shape-shifted Sinister Spirit Beast King continued tempting Huang Tianxiao...

A faint, ethereal sigh suddenly echoed throughout the cave.

"Young one...

"Do you realize you're bargaining with a tiger?

"A Shape-shifted Sinister Spirit Beast King possesses no humanity whatsoever."

The moment those words sounded...

Huang Tianxiao frowned before he could even respond.

A mass of black qi surged from his body, forming the sinister face of the Sinister Spirit Beast King.

"Hehehe...

"This seat lacks humanity?

"And what use is a mere remnant soul like yours?"

At that moment...

A streak of light suddenly flew out from Huang Tianxiao's storage pouch.

It was an exquisitely crafted jade scroll.

As it slowly unfolded, the image of a woman dressed in crimson appeared within.

Her face, however, remained indistinct.

"Seniors."

Looking at the two of them, Huang Tianxiao frowned.

This scroll had originally been seized by the ancestors of the Blazing Fire Palace from the Mysterious Sound Pavilion during their battle within the Cloud Mist Forest.

Inside the scroll was sealed a remnant soul belonging to an ancient cultivator.

Faced with the Shape-shifted Sinister Spirit Beast King's mockery...

The remnant soul inside the scroll ignored it completely.

Although her fragmented soul had lost many memories...

Her instincts still prevented her from placing a mere Nascent Soul sinister spirit in her eyes.

"Hehehe...

"Human brat.

"Why not let this seat help you refine this remnant soul?

"It'll make for a rather useful artifact spirit."

The two had argued for many years.

Watching the familiar scene unfold, Huang Tianxiao's brows gradually filled with coldness.

This remnant soul served almost no purpose whatsoever.

Most of its memories had vanished.

Yet it constantly behaved as though it stood above everyone else.

Furthermore, judging from the skeleton left behind within that ancient cave abode...

Its original owner had been nothing more than an early Nascent Soul cultivator.

Compared to the Shape-shifted Sinister Spirit Beast King's late fourth-rank cultivation, its foundation, and the Yin Soul Sect's inheritance...

The two were not even on the same level.

Had he never encountered the Shape-shifted Sinister Spirit Beast King...

This remnant soul might have remained hidden within this magical artifact for countless more years.

For over a hundred years...

The Blazing Fire Palace had merely treated the scroll as an ordinary magical artifact.

Who could have imagined it secretly housed an intelligent remnant soul?

"Senior...

"You should simply continue serving as this treasure's artifact spirit."

Ultimately, Huang Tianxiao remained wary.

He even suspected the remnant soul intended to possess someone and be reborn.

The Shape-shifted Sinister Spirit Beast King might lack humanity...

But ultimately, it desired only freedom.

Between the two...

He knew perfectly well which one posed the greater threat.

Meanwhile...

A crafty glimmer flashed across the remnant soul's eyes within the scroll.

Countless thoughts passed through her mind.

She had indeed once planned to seize an opportunity to possess someone and be reborn.

But now...

Things had changed.

"The human cultivator from the restaurant...

"He carried a familiar aura.

"It was astonishingly similar to Profound Heavenly spiritual power.

"Could he have refined the Profound Heavenly Immortal Vine into his Natal Spiritual Plant?

"If that's truly the case...

"I must find an opportunity to leave this place.

"Only Profound Heavenly spiritual power can restore me..."

One man was cold-hearted and calculating.

The other was nothing more than a Sinister Spirit Beast King.

Both filled her with disgust.

It was finally time...

To begin making plans of her own.

Only by finding the Profound Heavenly Immortal Vine would she ever have a chance to escape her predicament.

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