Chapter 338 : Corpse Puppet He Yan! Huang Tianxiao!
Chapter 338: Corpse Puppet He Yan! Huang Tianxiao!
This journey passed without any disturbance. After all, Lin Chang’an and the Sword Attendant were both Core Formation Cultivators, and they were accompanied by a Third-rank Azure-Horned Ox.
With such strength, unless it was a Late Golden Core Cultivator, who would dare easily block their path for robbery?
Sea Abyss City.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, you have come at just the right time. Five days from now, our pavilion will hold a Core Formation Cultivator Trading Gathering.
This trading gathering will assemble quite a number of Core Formation Cultivators from both the inner and outer seas. By then, there will certainly be items that fellow Daoist requires.”
After arriving at the pavilion of treasure radiance, Lin Chang’an could not help but smile upon hearing about the auction.
Last time, he had missed the trading gathering that Old Hu had mentioned. Unexpectedly, this time he happened to catch the Core Formation Cultivator Trading Gathering organized by the pavilion.
“Five days, is it.”
Lin Chang’an smiled and cupped his hands. Having come to Sea Abyss City several times, this was actually the first time he had caught one of the auctions here. It was quite rare.
When Core Formation Cultivators went into seclusion, it often lasted several years, and even the shorter ones lasted several months.
Moreover, Sea Abyss City was extremely far away. Unless it involved rather rare and precious spirit items, few would travel such a long distance.
“No wonder when I arrived this time, I saw quite a few merchant ships from major factions outside Sea Abyss City. It seems there will be rare treasures appearing in this auction.”
Lin Chang’an spoke with a teasing smile, using the opportunity to gather information.
The shopkeeper naturally understood his intention, yet a trace of pride still appeared on his face as he laughed.
“This is because certain petty figures from the outer seas were stirring things behind the scenes. Previously, the Chief Elder brought Master Lu, who had just come out of seclusion, to make a trip to the outer seas and gave them a demonstration of strength…”
Seeing the proud smile on the shopkeeper’s face, Lin Chang’an suddenly understood.
In the cultivation world, strength ultimately spoke the loudest.
Those factions had constantly been probing Bihai Palace, but once Bihai Palace displayed its fist, no one wished to be the first bird shot down. Thus the situation had become what it was now.
“So that’s how it is. No wonder so many merchant ships have arrived.”
Lin Chang’an muttered inwardly. Ever since Master Lu arrived at the Beast Sea Abyss, he had been extremely low-key.
Even Fellow Daoists Su Miaoyin and Song Tingfeng seemed to have vanished over the years.
He had even asked someone to deliver two letters, yet received no reply.
It was said that Master Lu had directly sealed off the island and entered seclusion.
“It is normal for a Nascent Soul Cultivator to enter seclusion for a hundred years.”
However, Lin Chang’an always felt that Master Lu was deliberately keeping a low profile and reducing his influence.
“Shopkeeper, the reason I came this time is to look for one or two treasures of the lightning attribute.”
The trading gathering was one matter, but if the pavilion already had something he needed, he naturally wanted to obtain it immediately.
“Lightning-attribute treasures?”
Facing the probing gaze of the shopkeeper, Lin Chang’an pondered briefly before transmitting his voice.
“Preferably defensive spirit items. Recently, in the Fog Sea of Tongtian, I discovered a lightning-attribute Demon Beast that feeds on Sinister Spirits.”
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper immediately understood.
“I see. That is indeed troublesome. Please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist Lin.”
Lin Chang’an then sat at the tea table with the Sword Attendant, sipping spirit tea while the shopkeeper turned into a streak of light and moved through the pavilion.
After quite some time, he finally returned.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, there is no treasure in the Beast Sea Abyss that our Bihai Palace does not possess.”
The returning shopkeeper spoke with a proud face. With a raise of his hand, he took out a jade slip, and with the circulation of mana, illusory images of various treasures appeared.
“Mid-grade Third-rank Magical Artifact Thunderfire Shield, Low-grade Third-rank Magical Artifact…”
As the shopkeeper continued his introduction endlessly, Lin Chang’an could not help but marvel at the foundation of Bihai Palace.
There were more than a dozen Magical Artifacts, all defensive in nature. There were even other types of treasures as well, greatly broadening Lin Chang’an’s horizons.
The dazzling collection contained over seventy items.
There were even High-grade Third-rank Magical Artifacts.
However, the prices and practicality of some items made Lin Chang’an frown.
“Fellow Daoist, what is this Lightning-Absorbing Pearl?”
When Lin Chang’an’s gaze settled on a pearl, he deliberately revealed a puzzled expression.
He actually knew of this unusual spirit item from the inheritance records of the Sinister Soul Sect, but there were times when it was better to hide one’s knowledge.
After all, he came from a Drifting Cultivator background. Knowing too much could arouse suspicion.
When the shopkeeper saw that Lin Chang’an did not recognize the item, he did not appear surprised. Instead, he smiled and explained.
“Fellow Daoist, this is a spirit item from the body of the deep-sea Demon Beast, the Thunder Whale. This item can absorb lightning power and is also a top-tier material for refining Heavenly Thunder Seeds…”
After hearing the explanation, Lin Chang’an suddenly understood.
In truth, he already knew. As a Third-rank Artifact Refiner, he clearly understood that the Lightning-Absorbing Pearl was essentially top-tier material for Heavenly Thunder Seeds.
Once filled with lightning energy and refined slightly, it would become a powerful one-time enhanced Heavenly Thunder Seed.
“To think such a strange item exists. It truly broadens one’s horizons.”
Lin Chang’an pretended to be tempted, yet his gaze also moved toward several other Magical Artifacts.
“This Lightning-Absorbing Pearl can store lightning energy, and the refining method is extremely simple. It does not require the involvement of an Artifact Refiner and can serve as a powerful trump card.
Moreover, its price is not very high. After all, when absorbing lightning, it is best if the user shares the same attribute. Otherwise…”
Hearing the explanation, Lin Chang’an nodded inwardly.
This Lightning-Absorbing Pearl was somewhat obscure, but in the inheritance records of the Sinister Soul Sect there were several refining methods for it.
It had to be said that the Sinister Soul Sect had conducted deep research into methods of countering lightning and fire.
After all, judging by the sect’s name, its techniques were restrained by lightning and fire attributes. Naturally, they would research such matters deeply.
“And this material is also rather rare. It would be perfect to add such material into the Sword Attendant’s Magical Artifact.”
In the end, Lin Chang’an pretended to hesitate before finally letting his gaze settle on the Lightning-Absorbing Pearl.
“Fellow Daoist, I will take two Lightning-Absorbing Pearls. However, regarding the price…”
With a pained expression, Lin Chang’an began bargaining with the shopkeeper.
Ever since he agreed to the conditions of the Sixth Elder, he knew that his information had already been recorded by Bihai Palace.
Therefore, when purchasing such spirit items, he naturally could not spend extravagantly.
Right now they were allies, but who knew about the future.
In any case, it was always better to keep more trump cards.
In the end, Lin Chang’an obtained the items using one Mid-grade Third-rank Sinister Spirit Demon Core and one Low-grade Third-rank Sinister Spirit Demon Core.
Although the Lightning-Absorbing Pearl came from a Late Third-rank Thunder Whale, it was not a Late Third-rank Demon Core.
Only if it came from a Fourth-rank Shape-shifting Great Beast would its value increase drastically.
Afterward, Lin Chang’an purchased several other rare materials before leaving the pavilion.
……
“Your servant has caused the master trouble.”
Along the way, the Sword Attendant naturally understood that many of the materials Lin Chang’an had purchased were intended for refining a Magical Artifact for her.
After hearing this, Lin Chang’an smiled in satisfaction and gently stroked the Sword Attendant’s head.
“Not bad. It seems you have not been lazy these past years while reading the ancient books in the cave abode.”
For Lin Chang’an, investing in the Sword Attendant had greater value.
As for wasting materials, if it had been the former Lin Chang’an, he might indeed have felt the burden.
But ever since he released the Sinister Spirit Beast King—the Two-headed Tiger—into the Fog Sea of Tongtian, the effect had been extremely remarkable.
The surrounding sea regions had been marked with many gathering points of Sinister Spirits, especially the traces of the Third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast King.
Whenever he had time, Lin Chang’an would go and clear them out. He no longer needed to search endlessly across the vast sea, wasting large amounts of time.
Afterward, the Sinister Spirit Two-headed Tiger would move to another location.
Within only a few short years, Lin Chang’an’s sea chart of the Fog Sea of Tongtian had expanded by a thousand miles.
At the same time, it had brought him enormous wealth in Spirit Stones.
“Master!”
Hearing Lin Chang’an’s praise, the Sword Attendant revealed an expression of enjoyment.
However, at that moment Lin Chang’an suddenly sensed something and his expression changed.
An eagle’s cry rang through the air.
In the distance, a majestic Third-rank flying Demon Beast was pulling a luxurious carriage.
The carriage glittered brilliantly, carved with dragons and phoenixes. Around it hung seven-colored gauze curtains as thin as cicada wings, moving without wind.
From each of the four corners of the carriage roof hung an exquisite jade bell. As the wind blew, they produced clear ringing sounds that seemed capable of captivating the soul.
Such a high-profile appearance naturally caused countless cultivators in the city to exclaim in discussion.
“Look! People from the Mystic Yin Divine Sect!”
“Who is this person, daring to be so arrogant!?”
“This should be Huang Tianxiao, the personal disciple accepted by the Mystic Yin Ancestor.”
“It is said that this man is ruthless and extremely powerful…”
An old acquaintance.
The former prodigy of the Palace of Blazing Fire had now become the personal disciple of a Nascent Soul demonic cultivator.
His cultivation was already at the Late Golden Core Stage.
However, the familiar aura Lin Chang’an sensed did not come from Huang Tianxiao.
At this moment, Lin Chang’an’s expression became ugly as he stared at a corpse puppet standing beside the carriage.
The corpse puppet’s face was ferocious and terrifying, with fangs protruding outward like blades. Its oil-green eyes were filled with pure killing intent and destruction.
“He! Yan!”
There was no mistake. That aura meant that this corpse puppet had been He Yan when he was alive.
Lin Chang’an’s face turned grim as memories of He Yan surfaced in his mind.
The youthful pride when he first gained success.
The steadiness he developed after experiencing setbacks.
Scene after scene passed through Lin Chang’an’s mind.
No wonder He Yan had not visited in recent years—only Yun Yao had come personally.
At the same time, Yun Yao had never mentioned He Yan.
The winds and clouds of the cultivation world changed unpredictably. Even Lin Chang’an himself had to tread carefully.
But he never expected that when he met He Yan again, it would be in such a manner.
“Master!”
The Sword Attendant seemed to notice the change in Lin Chang’an’s mood and transmitted her voice to ask.
Her bright heterochromatic eyes—one ice-blue and the other pale gold—revealed a trace of solemnity.
Her intelligence allowed her to see that the change came from the person flying overhead.
She vaguely sensed something and raised her head to take a deep look at the man, committing his appearance to memory.
This person should be the master’s enemy.
“Let’s go.”
After a change of expression, Lin Chang’an finally took a deep breath. As the Mystic Yin Divine Sect disciples passed by in grand display, what he thought of was investigating the matter.
“Old Ghost… He Yan…”
Meanwhile, as Lin Chang’an left with the Sword Attendant, Huang Tianxiao, wearing a high crown atop the carriage, frowned deeply.
“What a scheme. Destroy my Palace of Blazing Fire, then accept me as a personal disciple. That old demon is probably raising me as cultivation material!”
With a gloomy gaze, Huang Tianxiao’s heart was filled with rage.
He never expected that after the Palace of Blazing Fire had served the Mystic Yin Ancestor like a dog for so many years, this would be the result.
“Nascent Soul! Only by becoming a Nascent Soul Cultivator can I escape the old demon’s control and avenge my sect and the Huang Clan!”
The events on Blazing Fire Island had been extremely suspicious from the beginning, causing the Palace of Blazing Fire to lose its foundation.
Then, some time ago, the Chief Elder of Bihai Palace and Master Lu came knocking on the door, and the elite forces of the Palace of Blazing Fire were annihilated in a single day.
Those had been the last remaining forces of the sect.
They were also the entire bloodline of the Huang Clan.
“I still carry the blood feud of my clan… Father! Everyone!”
When Huang Tianxiao recalled the sinister smile of the Mystic Yin Ancestor at the moment his father and clansmen died, he realized the old demon had never treated his subordinates as people.
They had merely been used to appease Bihai Palace’s anger.
Afterward, once Bihai Palace left, the Mystic Yin Ancestor cruelly refined his father and elders into corpse puppets.
When he thought about seeing his father and clansmen again in that form, a deep hatred appeared in Huang Tianxiao’s eyes.
“Young Master, we have arrived.”
At this moment, a cultivator outside the carriage lowered his head in fear while reporting.
This personal disciple of the ancestor possessed equally cruel methods, and everyone in the sect feared him.
Upon hearing that they had arrived at their destination, the hatred in Huang Tianxiao’s eyes instantly disappeared, replaced by deep arrogance.
……
“The personal disciple of the Mystic Yin Ancestor, a Nascent Soul Cultivator. His methods are extremely ruthless and his strength extraordinary. In the outer seas he once hunted two Late Third-rank Great Demons alone…”
Inside the tavern, many cultivators were discussing what had just happened.
Lin Chang’an stood by the window, gazing at the direction where the carriage had disappeared, his eyes deep in thought.
“Master, I went out to gather information.”
After returning, the Sword Attendant raised her hand and placed a soundproof barrier over the private room, then reported all the information she had gathered.
“The Palace of Blazing Fire has been completely destroyed. Several Golden Core Cultivators died and were refined into corpse puppets…”
Hearing this information, Lin Chang’an’s expression became extremely solemn.
Yun Yao was still within the Mystic Yin Divine Sect.
At this moment, he finally realized the danger Yun Yao faced within that demonic sect—it was far more brutal than he had imagined.
“Master, these pieces of news did not exist before. Suddenly the outside world is full of news about the Mystic Yin Divine Sect…”
The Sword Attendant frowned while comparing the information.
Lin Chang’an waved his hand.
“These are troubled times. It seems Bihai Palace intentionally released these rumors so that the Drifting Cultivators in the Beast Sea Abyss know the strength and stability of Bihai Palace.”
These were merely the opening moves in the power struggle between major factions.
The true contest had not yet begun.
“That aura earlier… It seems the Mystic Yin Divine Sect and the Sinister Soul Sect are indeed closely connected.”
Rumor had it that the founders of both sects had once been Nascent Soul Cultivators of the Six Paths Demonic Sect.
For unknown reasons they fled to the Beast Sea Abyss.
Afterward, the two Nascent Soul Cultivators each founded their own sects.
“Yin Fiend Corpse Refinement!”
At this moment, Lin Chang’an recalled that within the inheritance he obtained from the Sinister Soul Sect there was a secret technique known as Yin Fiend Corpse Refinement.
It required the body of a recently deceased Core Formation Cultivator to be buried in a place where yin energy gathered.
Then it would be nourished with the essence blood of Demon Beasts or cultivators along with various materials.
In the end, it would produce a Third-rank Yin Fiend Corpse Puppet.
This corpse puppet would be impervious to blades and spears, fearless of death, and possess strength comparable to a body cultivator of the same realm.
“It seems that in the future I must study some of the secret techniques of the Sinister Soul Sect more deeply, especially those methods used by the Mystic Yin Divine Sect.”
Now that the Mystic Yin Ancestor had emerged from seclusion, Yun Yao had already lost the opportunity to escape.
For now, she could only lie low.
Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an took a deep breath and suppressed the matter in his heart.
After this trading gathering ended, he would hunt the Thunder Flood Dragon, then return to raise his cultivation and prepare a retreat using the treasures of the Secret Realm.
And there was also the matter of He Yan.