Chapter 324 : Parting on Bad Terms
Chapter 324: Parting on Bad Terms
Five Dragon Island Marketplace, restaurant.
“Nine-hundred-year-old Profound Yin Fruit!?”
Inside the private room, when Hu Jin heard the spirit fruit Lin Chang’an asked him to inquire about, his eyes immediately widened. Then he said irritably:
“I knew it. Old Lin, you never visit the temple without a reason. Whenever you have time, you're either cultivating or reading those ancient texts. Why else would you suddenly invite me to drink Spirit Wine?”
Facing Hu Jin’s teasing, Lin Chang’an also teased back:
“When we were in Tianxuan City, you seized every opportunity to come to my Cave Abode to drink Spirit Wine for free. How can this be called ‘suddenly inviting you’?”
As the two teased each other, both of them soon revealed smiles.
Now both of them had reached the Golden Core Realm and each had their own affairs. It was no longer like their time in Tianxuan City, when they huddled together for warmth and frequently gathered.
But those days were still rare memories for the two of them.
“Alright, alright. Next month when the merchant ship returns to Sea Abyss City, I’ll have someone inquire about it for you.”
“Remember, report my identity.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. Now you, Formation Master Lin, are someone favored by the Sixth Elder. Who doesn’t know that…”
Under Hu Jin’s playful teasing, Lin Chang’an simply shook his head.
It was perfectly normal for Golden Core cultivators to ask others to refine pills, search for special spirit fruits needed for cultivating certain techniques, or nurture spirit pets.
Therefore, Lin Chang’an searching for the Profound Yin Fruit—a relatively rare spirit fruit—would not attract attention.
After all, it wasn’t a Nascent Soul breakthrough spirit item.
“However, Old Lin, I don’t know about the Profound Yin Fruit, but would the Divine Essence Fruit work as a substitute?”
“Divine Essence Fruit!?”
Hearing this, Lin Chang’an could not help but reveal a surprised expression.
Since Old Hu brought it up, it naturally meant someone in the marketplace possessed it.
The Profound Yin Fruit and Divine Essence Fruit had extremely similar medicinal properties.
If used for pill refinement, many spirit herbs listed in pill formulas could be improved or replaced by alchemists through experience.
Just like many ancient pill formulas: countless spirit herbs had already gone extinct. Many current pill formulas in the cultivation world had been improved generation after generation by alchemists.
Even some spirit items required by special cultivation methods could be replaced by spiritually similar objects.
Only in certain special cases would a specific spirit item be irreplaceable.
“The Divine Essence Fruit could indeed serve as a substitute.”
As a Third-rank Mid-grade Alchemist, Lin Chang’an quickly determined whether this fruit could replace the original ingredient.
【Third-rank Mid-grade Alchemist (Proficient 594/1000)】
The difficulty was not great. It only required slight adjustments, and it would have almost no effect on refining the Clear Spirit Pill.
“That works perfectly then. Half a year ago, that couple from the Red Fire Sect obtained a Divine Essence Fruit—less than nine hundred years old—in the Fog Sea of Tongtian. They were planning to trade it at the next Core Formation Cultivator Trading Gathering.”
Hu Jin began explaining with a smile.
The Red Fire Sect was also a Nascent Soul cultivator sect. Although it was not one of the Sixteen Sects of Zhenhai, its methods leaned toward the demonic path.
“That old monster of the Red Fire Sect is in the Nascent Soul early stage and extremely domineering. Because of this, his disciples tend to be arrogant. These two have decent cultivation—both are in the mid Core Formation stage…”
Listening to Hu Jin’s description, Lin Chang’an nodded.
Within the Beast Sea Abyss, aside from Bihai Palace and the Sixteen Sects of Zhenhai, there were many independent sects, great clans, and rogue cultivators.
The Red Fire Sect was originally just a small family. But over two hundred years ago, a Nascent Soul cultivator known as the Red Fire Old Monster was born among them.
They then rose rapidly, relying on overwhelming strength to occupy a spirit island and establish a sect, becoming one of the famous Nascent Soul forces of the Outer Sea.
Situations like this were not uncommon. There were also some Nascent Soul rogue cultivators who lived alone in the Outer Sea and refused to participate in faction conflicts.
“However, Old Lin, is less than nine hundred years of medicinal power enough?”
Seeing Hu Jin’s kind reminder, Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded.
Although it lacked a bit of age, it could still be adjusted with additional ingredients. The problem was not serious.
Alchemy was inherently a flexible profession. After all, it was impossible for every ingredient to perfectly match the age and potency recorded in the formula.
“The impact isn’t large. I only hope the items these two fellow Daoists want are not too difficult. Otherwise, I may have to make a trip to Sea Abyss City later.”
After saying this with a smile, Hu Jin nodded and took out a Voice-transmission Talisman to contact the shopkeeper of a Bihai Palace-affiliated shop in the marketplace.
Through that person, he would contact the two visiting Core Formation cultivators.
Whether they were still on the island or when they would respond could only be waited on.
Fortunately, their luck was good this time. Not only were the two still on the island, but they were also not in closed-door cultivation.
However, after reading the Voice-transmission Talisman, Hu Jin’s expression turned slightly serious.
“Old Hu, is there a problem?”
Seeing this, Lin Chang’an looked puzzled.
Hu Jin shook his head.
“According to the report, these two seem to have some connection with the Four Seas Merchant Guild. Since you’re now an elder of Xuanyin Pavilion, if they raise the price too high, just ignore them.”
At this point, Hu Jin even revealed a proud expression.
“As long as you’re not in a hurry, Old Lin, let alone a nine-hundred-year Profound Yin Fruit—even a thousand-year one definitely exists in Sea Abyss City. It’ll just take some time to go there and back.”
That was indeed true. That was why Lin Chang’an first asked someone to inquire locally.
Moreover, traveling to Sea Abyss City involved risks along the way.
…
Half an hour later.
A middle-aged man and woman with faint arrogance between their brows entered the private room.
“Greetings, fellow Daoists.”
When the two met Hu Jin, they seemed to deliberately maintain a certain arrogance.
Lin Chang’an could understand this.
These Nascent Soul forces roaming the Outer Sea were not strong, but they were still not easily offended by others.
After all, they lived outside the watch of major factions.
And regardless of anything else, they had a Nascent Soul cultivator backing them.
Therefore, when facing cultivators of Bihai Palace, they naturally did not want to appear weak.
Although Bihai Palace was powerful, it was also vast. They couldn’t possibly flatter every Core Formation cultivator under it.
“Fellow Daoists are too polite.”
Hu Jin showed no displeasure. Instead, he laughed boldly and invited them to sit down while introducing Lin Chang’an.
“This is Fellow Daoist Lin. He heard that the two of you possess a Divine Essence Fruit approaching nine hundred years in age, so he asked me to arrange this meeting.”
Under Hu Jin’s introduction, Lin Chang’an also smiled and cupped his hands.
“Greetings, fellow Daoists.”
The other party returned the greeting. Especially the middle-aged woman, who suddenly realized something.
“So you are Formation Master Lin. My husband and I have only recently arrived here, but we have already heard about your Core Reforging and Re-cultivation. Truly admirable.”
After secretly exchanging a few Voice-transmission messages between themselves, once they learned Lin Chang’an’s true identity, the middle-aged man’s initially indifferent expression also revealed a trace of enthusiasm.
Hu Jin also noticed that after learning Lin Chang’an was a Third-rank Formation Master, the two became noticeably more enthusiastic.
Clearly they wanted something.
For both sides of a trade, that was actually a good sign.
Hu Jin was naturally pleased to see this.
After all, Lin Chang’an was his close friend.
At their level of cultivation and status, most transactions were conducted through treasures rather than Spirit Stones.
Spirit Stones rarely tempted them unless they were high-grade ones.
However, high-grade Spirit Stones were precious and usually reserved for recovering mana in critical moments or powering formations.
“Come, fellow Daoists. Let us first drink this cup.”
Hu Jin’s bold personality was indeed well-suited for social interactions.
Before arriving, he had already ordered a fresh table of Spirit Dishes and Spirit Wine.
The four raised cups and chatted, and the atmosphere soon became harmonious.
However, the middle-aged female cultivator from the Red Fire Sect seemed the first to lose patience. After putting down her wine cup, she smiled and cupped her hands.
“I heard that Formation Master Lin needs the Divine Essence Fruit. My husband and I obtained this fruit with great difficulty in the Fog Sea of Tongtian.”
Lin Chang’an smiled faintly.
Raising the value of one’s own treasure was perfectly normal.
“Spirit Stones, Demon Cores, or formations. These are about the only things I can offer.”
Lin Chang’an cupped his hands and jokingly teased.
A Divine Essence Fruit less than nine hundred years old certainly did not qualify to exchange for one of his Third-rank formations.
Creating a Third-rank formation from scratch required a great deal of time.
“In fact, Fellow Daoist may not know. My husband and I are over three hundred years old and finally had a child. But when he attempted Core Formation, he was secretly sabotaged by villains and only formed a False Core.
“We heard that Fellow Daoist once performed Core Reforging and re-cultivated…”
The couple spoke alternately, and Lin Chang’an soon understood why they suddenly became enthusiastic.
They had their eyes on his Core Reforging secret technique.
“The Core Reforging secret technique is easy to discuss.”
“Formation Master Lin, please do not joke. If it’s just the Core Reforging secret technique, our ancestor possesses several such techniques.”
Looking at their fixed gazes, Lin Chang’an narrowed his eyes slightly.
Indeed, although the Core Reforging secret technique was precious, it was nothing extraordinary for a Nascent Soul faction.
So what did they want?
“Let’s speak frankly. Since Fellow Daoist was able to reforge his core and cultivate again, you must have encountered a great opportunity. We hope Fellow Daoist can understand our situation.”
Their meaning was clear.
They wanted the spirit item he used for Core Reforging.
“A Core Reforging spirit item!”
Lin Chang’an smiled calmly.
He actually did possess such a thing.
Back then, he had relied on refined Demonic Energy to successfully form a High-grade True Core.
However, that item absolutely could not be exposed.
Moreover, even if it could be revealed, any Core Reforging spirit item was far more valuable than their Divine Essence Fruit.
“Fellow Daoists, it is true that I once obtained a Core Reforging spirit item by chance in the Fog Sea of Tongtian. But how could such a treasure still remain…”
Lin Chang’an cupped his hands and explained that if he had such an item, it would have already been completely used during his Core Reforging.
However, upon hearing this, the middle-aged woman became visibly anxious.
Especially the woman—impatience and baleful energy appeared between her brows as she waved her hand.
“Formation Master Lin, let us not hide things. Back then, Blood Fiend True Lord—who was as famous as our ancestor—also performed Core Reforging and re-cultivated.
“You obtained the inheritance of Blood Fiend True Lord and also performed Core Reforging.
“My husband and I sincerely wish to trade. We hope Fellow Daoist will not be stingy.”
Over two hundred years ago, the Red Fire Old Monster and Blood Fiend True Lord were equally famous Core Formation cultivators of the Outer Sea.
Later, after emerging from a secret realm, it was the slightly less talented Red Fire Old Monster who successfully reached the Nascent Soul Realm.
The cultivation world often proved that opportunity mattered more than talent.
From the fact that both Blood Fiend True Lord and Lin Chang’an successfully performed Core Reforging, they concluded that Blood Fiend True Lord’s inheritance must contain a high-grade Core Reforging spirit item or secret method.
“Fellow Daoists!”
Lin Chang’an frowned slightly.
Before he could continue, the woman took out a jade box from her Storage Pouch.
“Fellow Daoist, my husband and I actually obtained three Divine Essence Fruits in the Fog Sea of Tongtian. One of them has reached a thousand years in age. That should be enough value, right?”
As the jade box opened, three crystal-clear spirit fruits appeared inside.
One large and two smaller ones.
The large fruit was indeed a thousand years old, while the other two were eight to nine hundred years old.
Among spirit herbs and fruits, although the difference between nine hundred and one thousand years was only one hundred years, the value was vastly different.
A thousand-year spirit fruit was extremely rare.
“A thousand years!”
Even Hu Jin frowned slightly.
A thousand-year spirit fruit was indeed rare.
But he had explored Blood Fiend True Lord’s relic cave with Lin Chang’an back then.
How could he not know what was inside?
Lin Chang’an was tempted.
But the refined Demonic Energy absolutely could not be exposed.
Thus, although he wanted it, he could only sigh helplessly and cup his hands.
“Fellow Daoist, it is not that I am unwilling. I truly have no means.”
Seeing that Lin Chang’an still insisted he had none, the middle-aged woman grew increasingly impatient.
“I’m afraid Fellow Daoist doesn’t know—our Red Fire ancestor once had enmity with that old ghost Blood Fiend.”
This threatening remark instantly changed the atmosphere.
The apologetic smile on Lin Chang’an’s face gradually vanished, replaced by a trace of sharp Sword Intent.
“Fellow Daoist… are you threatening Lin?”
A cold light appeared in Lin Chang’an’s eyes.
Using the Red Fire Sect to pressure him?
He was no longer who he used to be.
It was not as if he lacked backing.
Behind him stood the Sixth Elder of Bihai Palace.
Even Hu Jin’s expression darkened as he sneered coldly.
“Back then, the relic cave of Blood Fiend True Lord was explored by me and Brother Lin together.
“Now this Fellow Daoist Lin is a Formation Master personally appointed by the Sixth Elder.
“I wonder if Red Fire True Lord would dare stand up for you after learning this.”
Aside from his friendship with Lin Chang’an, Hu Jin was also a Golden Core cultivator of the Enforcement Hall of Bihai Palace.
If someone threatened a transaction he facilitated, it would be a direct insult to Bihai Palace.
The atmosphere turned tense instantly.
The middle-aged woman’s face became ugly.
The middle-aged man beside her quickly smiled apologetically and attempted to smooth things over.
“A misunderstanding! Fellow Daoists, this is a misunderstanding. My wife is simply anxious for our son and spoke without thinking.”
However, although he tried to smooth things over, the atmosphere had already cooled.
Lin Chang’an’s attitude also became indifferent.
“If Fellow Daoists truly wish to trade, formations, Spirit Stones, or Demon Cores are all possible. But regarding the Core Reforging spirit item, Lin truly has none left.”
The woman silently put away the jade box and cupped her hands apologetically to Lin Chang’an and Hu Jin.
“My apologies. I was somewhat impulsive.”
The transaction clearly failed.
Both sides parted on bad terms.
Back in the private room of the restaurant, Hu Jin looked apologetic.
“Old Lin, this time it’s my fault. Who knew these two would become so desperate.”
“It’s nothing. As parents, it’s understandable. Besides, the Profound Yin Fruit isn’t urgent. Treasure Radiance Pavilion will surely have it.”
The two continued chatting and laughing afterward, without any resentment arising from the matter.
Hu Jin had acted out of good intentions.
Lin Chang’an was not the type to hold grudges over such things.
…
Meanwhile, after leaving the restaurant, the Red Fire Sect couple looked rather grim.
“My dear, I know you’re anxious. But this isn’t the Outer Sea territory of our Red Fire Sect.
“That man is backed by Bihai Palace. Even our ancestor cannot afford to provoke them.”
Although the Red Fire Old Monster was also a Nascent Soul cultivator, he was only in the early stage.
If they truly offended Bihai Palace, the first person the Red Fire Old Monster would kill would probably be them.
“Besides, even if it were a Core Reforging spirit item, would any remain?”
The middle-aged man spoke with a serious expression.
The woman’s expression, however, looked somewhat unwilling.
“Husband… our child cannot wait. Without a superior Core Reforging spirit item, the chance of successfully reforging the core and cultivating again is less than twenty percent.”
“And the Alchemist Wen of Red Fire Peak quietly succeeded in Core Reforging.
“That person is also a close friend and neighbor of Lin Chang’an!”
A cold light appeared in the woman’s eyes.
Judging from that alone, there was at least a thirty to fifty percent chance that Lin Chang’an still possessed such a spirit item.
The middle-aged man’s face was filled with worry.
They were already over four hundred years old, with only about a hundred years of lifespan remaining.
They had only this one son.
Naturally, they would do everything possible for him.
The gap between a False Core and a True Core was simply too great.
“Even if it fails, this man is extremely wealthy. Haven’t we done things like this many times before? One more fortune means one more chance of success.”
“Husband, we may not be able to provoke him here. But since he’s searching for this spirit fruit, if Five Dragon Island doesn’t have it, he will certainly travel to Sea Abyss City.
“And on the road…”
Baleful energy flashed through the woman’s eyes.
However, her husband shook his head gloomily.
“Not yet. Let’s first see the results of the trading gathering.
“If we truly cannot obtain what we need, then we will reveal this information to the Four Seas Merchant Guild.
“I believe the Four Seas Merchant Guild would very much like Xuanyin Pavilion to lose one elder.”
More importantly, by pulling the Four Seas Merchant Guild into the matter, it would become an internal issue of Bihai Palace—and they could hide themselves more easily.