Chapter 337 : Nishang’s Visit
Chapter 337: Nishang’s Visit
Earthfire Cavern.
Under the illumination of blazing firelight, pieces of formation plates floated around the surroundings.
“The Four Symbols Black Tortoise Formation I obtained on Blazing Fire Island has now been reforged. Its quality has already reached the third-rank high-grade level.”
With solemn expressions, the three avatars outside the body worked together. Two jointly reforged the formation plates while the other refined the formation flags, their division of labor precise and orderly.
The shell of a late third-rank giant turtle demon was a top-tier third-rank material even when used to refine magical artifacts.
Yet now it had been extravagantly melted entirely into the formation flags and formation plates, greatly increasing the defensive power of the formation.
There were even materials such as essence souls mixed within. It could be said that Lin Changan had spared no expense for this formation.
Just as the three avatars were focused on refining the formation at a critical moment, the main body was instead in a pavilion, meeting a friend over tea.
……
Celestial Spring Peak.
“Congratulations, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt. Your cultivation has advanced further—Nascent Soul may be within reach in the future.”
When Fairy of Rainbow Skirt came to visit, Lin Changan immediately sensed the improvement in her mana aura.
Facing Lin Changan’s congratulations, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt let out a light laugh.
“If I had not known that quite a few factions have recently been visiting Fellow Daoist Lin, I would not have rushed over in such haste.”
Her meaning between the lines was clear—she would have preferred to stabilize her newly advanced cultivation before coming.
Hearing her blunt remark, Lin Changan waved his hand with a smile.
“Fellow Daoist jests.”
Fairy of Rainbow Skirt then looked toward the Sword Attendant at the side and cupped her hands with a smile.
“Congratulations to you as well, Fellow Daoist.”
“Palace Master is too polite.”
The Sword Attendant nodded politely in response.
Inside the pavilion, the Sword Attendant stood by in service. However, when she moved to pour tea, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt smilingly waved her off.
Previously, when the Sword Attendant had been a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she could accept such service without hesitation.
But now they were both Core Formation cultivators.
The first cup of spirit tea was acceptable—because she was a guest.
If she continued letting the other serve her, it would violate proper etiquette.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, let us play a game.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Changan felt a moment of speechlessness.
But Fairy of Rainbow Skirt appeared quite interested, a relaxed smile showing between her brows.
Soon, black and white stones began to fall continuously on the stone chessboard.
At the same time, the two also sipped tea and discussed the Dao, exchanging information about the recent turbulence on Five Dragon Island and the Beast Sea Abyss.
“I heard Fellow Daoist Lin has recently been collecting materials to refine formations. Our sect does possess some high-grade materials.”
“These are troubled times. Perhaps such materials may still prove useful.”
“I also heard that recently the Four Seas Merchant Guild has frequently tried to recruit Fellow Daoist. Within the sect there has already been quite a bit of discussion.”
Though they chatted casually, both of their attention remained on the chessboard.
Given their friendship, if Lin Changan truly intended to leave, he would naturally inform Xuanyin Pavilion in advance.
Black and white stones continued to fall.
Although Lin Changan had tempered his mental state quite a bit over the years, there was no need to suppress his emotions over victory or defeat.
Feeling dissatisfied after losing, or delighted after winning—these were normal emotions.
If one forcibly suppressed joy and anger, that would instead be a lower path.
True tempering of the mental state meant controlling one’s seven emotions and six desires.
Simply put, reason controlled desire.
No matter how great the joy or sorrow, one would not act impulsively.
For instance, at this moment—even though Lin Changan had lost several rounds in succession, he merely felt unconvinced. At worst, he would improve his chess skill in the future and win back his losses.
If cultivation required suppressing one’s desires entirely, would that not make one no different from a lifeless object?
“Fellow Daoist Lin, it seems you’ve lost another round.”
As the white stone fell, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt revealed a rare relaxed smile.
Whenever she had worries, she liked coming to Celestial Spring Peak to sit for a while.
The tranquil mountain streams and lofty peaks, combined with a confidant Daoist friend—and the chance to win at chess—naturally made her happy.
While she smiled, her eyes casually glanced at the Sword Attendant.
Although they were already familiar with each other, the Sword Attendant was now a Core Formation cultivator.
Yet while serving at Lin Changan’s side, she truly displayed not a trace of dissatisfaction.
The cultivation method Fairy of Rainbow Skirt practiced made her extremely sensitive to emotional fluctuations.
“Ah, I nearly forgot. The spirit wine Fellow Daoist Nishang gave previously is something I still cannot forget. Over the past few years I have also brewed two jars of spirit wine.
Today I will let Fellow Daoist Nishang taste it.”
While speaking, Lin Changan stood up and gently patted the Sword Attendant’s shoulder.
“Ling’er, play two rounds in my place.”
“Yes, Master.”
The Sword Attendant nodded solemnly.
However, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s eyes flickered at the sight. She wanted to say something to keep him, but Lin Changan had already transformed into a streak of escape light and entered the cave abode.
“Fellow Daoist Nishang, please.”
The Sword Attendant sat in Lin Changan’s place, her gaze sharp.
This caused Fairy of Rainbow Skirt—who had just won several rounds—to suddenly feel somewhat uneasy.
“Very well… please.”
She had no choice. Lin Changan had fled.
Soon black and white stones continued to fall.
Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s expression gradually grew serious.
Under the constantly shifting battlefield of the chessboard, her face slowly darkened.
At some unknown moment, Lin Changan had already returned.
Seeing Fairy of Rainbow Skirt completely routed on the chessboard, he revealed a satisfied smile.
Although it was not the first time, he had to admit—the Sword Attendant’s talent was not only in the Sword Path, but also in chess.
He had also realized something.
Fairy of Rainbow Skirt herself was actually quite poor at chess.
She had only been able to defeat him repeatedly because she had learned a few more years earlier.
After several rounds, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt set down her chess piece. Seeing the spirit wine Lin Changan had brought, she changed the topic with a smile.
“I did not expect Fellow Daoist Lin to also be skilled in brewing spirit wine.”
The Sword Attendant merely glanced calmly at Fairy of Rainbow Skirt.
That trick again.
Who exactly had taught her that tactic?
“This Ice Marrow Jade Liquid was something I obtained by chance in the Gathering Treasures Pavilion. It is brewed using a Yin-attribute sinister spirit demon core.”
Spirit wine brewed from Yin-attribute demon cores was suitable for nearly all cultivators.
As he spoke, Lin Changan personally poured a cup for Fairy of Rainbow Skirt.
Then the exquisite jade wine pot fell into the Sword Attendant’s hands.
“Master.”
The Sword Attendant respectfully stood and poured wine for Lin Changan.
The Ice Marrow Jade Liquid was crystal clear.
The moment the spirit wine flowed out, a faint cool aura spread throughout the pavilion, lowering the surrounding temperature noticeably.
Fairy of Rainbow Skirt smiled and drank a cup.
The next moment, she sensed the transformation within the wine and her expression changed.
After a while, she slowly set down the cup, her smile even deeper.
“This wine truly leaves an endless aftertaste.”
Lin Changan smiled and nodded.
With a casual gesture, he used Object Manipulation Technique to pour a third cup.
Clearly it was for the Sword Attendant.
When facing Fairy of Rainbow Skirt, the Sword Attendant showed respect appropriate for a powerful cultivator while maintaining the identity of a fellow cultivator of the same realm.
But before Lin Changan, she only sat on one-third of the stone stool.
Raising her cup respectfully, she said solemnly,
“Thank you, Master.”
Only Fairy of Rainbow Skirt, staring at the spirit wine before her, showed a thoughtful expression.
“Fellow Daoist Lin… do you need the sect to collect something for you?”
Although they were friends, taking out such precious cultivation-enhancing spirit wine made the intention obvious.
This spirit wine was comparable to—perhaps even superior in long-term effect to—cultivation-enhancing pills.
“Nothing major. Ling’er’s Core Formation cultivation has stabilized, and she now needs to refine a life-bound magical artifact.”
Upon hearing this, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt felt speechless.
As expected—the wine was not free.
“What materials do you want? I will have the sect collect them as best they can.”
Lin Changan smiled and listed several materials.
Fairy of Rainbow Skirt nodded after hearing them.
Before she left, Lin Changan gifted her a jar of spirit wine, which could be considered payment for the materials.
“Master.”
Now alone in the pavilion, Lin Changan did not hide anything and directly explained the concept for her life-bound magical artifact.
“If you had not awakened a bloodline divine ability, the Killing Origin Sword Art would have suited you perfectly. But if we follow the method recorded in that technique to refine your life-bound magical artifact, it would greatly reduce your future potential and the nurturing effect on the artifact.”
Simply put—
Since the Sword Attendant had awakened lightning divine abilities, her life-bound magical artifact should ideally possess lightning attributes.
The higher the compatibility between artifact and cultivator, the greater the benefit.
After much consideration, Lin Changan had decided on the direction for her artifact.
“With your bloodline, ordinary refining methods would actually be inferior. The methods of the demon race are better.”
Shape-shifting great demons often refined parts shed from their own bodies into magical artifacts most compatible with their bloodline.
Some third-rank great demons even possessed such instincts.
Humans had derived a similar method of artifact refinement from this demon practice.
However, such artifacts were usually associated with demonic cultivation paths.
“Using your own spiritual bones as the foundation, supplemented with other materials, we can refine a life-bound magical artifact perfectly linked to your bloodline.”
The greatest advantage of such artifacts was that they could grow together with the cultivator.
The drawback was severe harm to the cultivator during refinement.
After all, humans were not demons—they did not naturally shed parts of their bodies.
However, Lin Changan possessed Mysterious Sky mana, allowing the Sword Attendant to recover quickly without severely damaging her vitality.
“The Sword Attendant will follow Master’s decision.”
She nodded firmly without hesitation.
Lin Changan also nodded slightly.
“Prepare yourself. In half a month we will head to the outer sea. We can search for materials to refine your artifact.”
Materials from the Thunder Flood Dragon would be particularly suitable.
“Among demon beasts of the same rank, those with dragon bloodlines are extremely powerful—and correspondingly valuable.”
……
Half a month later.
“It’s finally done!”
Inside the scorching Earthfire Cavern, Lin Changan laughed with joy.
Floating around the formation platform were four formation flags and four formation plates.
The four plates circled in his palm, emitting faint golden light.
Within that light, the vague image of a roaring giant turtle appeared.
“The essence soul of turtle-type demon beasts truly suits this formation best.”
Just the faint turtle phantom formed by the four plates was enough to satisfy Lin Changan.
The next moment, several sword gleams flashed like lightning and struck the formation plates and flags.
Dull metallic sounds echoed.
Like metal striking thick mountain rock.
The formation plates and flags did not move at all.
“All those materials were not wasted.”
With a raise of his hand, a heavy formation flag fell into his grasp.
The material of the flagpole alone was sturdy enough to clash directly with magical artifacts.
The materials integrated into this formation far exceeded the normal amount.
The advantage was that the formation plates and flags were extremely durable.
They would not easily be damaged.
Formation power was not simply determined by the amount of materials used.
Lin Changan had already maximized the formation’s power while strengthening the durability of the plates and flags.
“With this level of sturdiness, trapping a late third-rank great demon should not be a problem.”
“Unfortunately, many methods from the Sinister Soul Sect inheritance are ineffective against lightning attributes.”
Lin Changan sighed helplessly.
Originally he had planned to refine a soul-banner magical artifact recorded in the Sinister Soul Sect inheritance.
But after Yun Yao arrived, the plan had been shelved.
Taking such a soul-type artifact to fight a lightning flood dragon would be like throwing meat to a dog—gone forever.
“Master.”
Ripples spread across the Earthfire Cavern barrier as the Sword Attendant entered.
“Take this artifact for now. Unfortunately I did not know you would awaken lightning divine abilities.”
Lin Changan raised his hand and removed a sword-type magical artifact from his Storage Pouch.
Time waited for no one.
The thunder flood dragon might move at any moment.
Thus once the formation was completed, he immediately prepared to depart.
This artifact had truly been refined by him personally.
However, the materials came from dismantling several unsavory magical artifacts.
“Let’s go to the Gathering Treasures Pavilion first. It would be best to purchase one or two lightning-attribute defensive magical artifacts.”
“Yes, Master.”
The Sword Attendant respectfully cupped her fists and followed behind him.
Lin Changan stored the formation and headed out of the cave abode.
His strength was considerable.
He even had confidence in battling late Core Formation cultivators.
But he was aware of his weaknesses.
For example—defense.
Before the Four Symbols Dragon Scale Armor ancient treasure was repaired, he had no truly reliable defensive artifact.
Normally he relied on his Regenerative Body and powerful third-rank body refinement to face opponents of the same realm.
But this time his opponent was a thunder flood dragon.
Its physical body rivaled body cultivators, and its lightning divine abilities were extremely destructive.
Naturally he had to prepare thoroughly.
“Demon beasts with dragon bloodlines are the strongest among their rank precisely because their physique resembles human cultivators who practice both body and magic.”
Lin Changan thought carefully.
This time there could be no mistakes.
If he failed and the thunder flood dragon escaped into the deep sea again, he would not have a second chance.
……
“Moo!”
The deep bellow of the Azure-Horned Ox echoed.
In midair it transformed into a giant beast over three zhang tall.
Lin Changan and the Sword Attendant landed on its back and headed directly toward Sea Abyss City.
This scene happened to be witnessed by Zhou Bingxuan, Li Tianmo, and their group who had come to deliver materials.
Their faces filled with envy.
“Core Formation cultivator!”
Their gaze was directed toward the Sword Attendant standing behind Lin Changan.
Other Core Formation cultivators were too distant from them.
In their memory, Lin Changan had always been a majestic Core Formation cultivator from the beginning.
But the Sword Attendant was different.
When they first met her, she had only been a Foundation Establishment cultivator—just like them now.
And now she had become a Core Formation cultivator.
Naturally, they felt a sense of resonance.
“Senior Sisters and Senior Brothers, Elder Lin has gone out on business.”
The cultivators at the foot of Celestial Spring Peak greeted them with smiles.
Zhou Bingxuan and the others nodded and handed over the materials.
The exchange was completed.