Chapter 340 : Someone Testing the Waters
Chapter 340: Someone Testing the Waters
The trading gathering at the Treasure Pavilion had ended.
At this gathering, Lin Chang’an had exchanged several rare materials, and also obtained He Yan, who had been refined into a Third-rank Corpse Puppet.
“Senior, someone asked me to wait here and deliver this to you.”
As Lin Chang’an walked out of the Treasure Pavilion, a Serving Maid with Qi Refinement cultivation respectfully handed over a jade slip. Her gaze lingered on Lin Chang’an’s handsome white-robed figure.
Coupled with his status as a Core Formation Cultivator, the beautiful maid’s eyes revealed a trace of admiration.
“Master!”
The Sword Attendant stepped forward, took the jade slip, and turned to hand it to her master.
However, while taking the jade slip, the Sword Attendant’s pair of heterochromatic eyes swept coldly over the maid. Instantly, the Qi Refinement maid felt as if she had fallen into an icy abyss, sensing the terrifying aura.
Her face turned pale, and she hurriedly lowered her head, cupped her fists, and quietly withdrew.
“A… a Core Formation female cultivator!”
Just as Lin Chang’an took the jade slip and prepared to examine it, another female cultivator approached from behind.
This time, however, it was a False Core Cultivator—one of the two False Core female cultivators who followed Huang Tianxiao.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, my Young Master says that what happened earlier was all a misunderstanding.”
The alluring False Core female cultivator walked forward with lotus-like steps. As she moved, her waist and hips swayed naturally with each step, like a supple willow in the wind—graceful and enchanting.
“Daoist~”
The False Core cultivator dragged out her soft tone. Her body leaned forward slightly, and the spring scenery at her neckline became even more enticing.
At that moment, a cold voice rang out like jade struck by an icy spring, devoid of any emotion.
“Insolence.”
The Sword Attendant stepped in front of her master, blocking the woman. Her icy gaze swept across the False Core cultivator, causing cold sweat to pour down her back.
“Dao—”
Originally, the False Core cultivator intended to shift her gaze toward Lin Chang’an, but she discovered that he remained calm and indifferent, not paying the slightest attention to her.
The seductive smile on her face instantly stiffened. She awkwardly withdrew her flirtatious posture, though deep in her eyes flashed a trace of unwillingness and envy as she looked toward the Sword Attendant.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, my Young Master asked me to deliver this to you.”
The female cultivator respectfully took out another jade slip and left it behind before cupping her fists and departing.
Lin Chang’an looked at the two jade slips in his hand and could not help but smile.
“Having a powerful backing really does make things different.”
Two jade slips had been delivered one after another.
Lin Chang’an first scanned the first jade slip—it had been left by the yellow-toothed, ugly old man.
Earlier at the trading gathering, that man had quietly left midway.
As Lin Chang’an expected, the jade slip contained a sincere apology, along with an explanation of how the misunderstanding had arisen.
The message clearly stated that he had not killed his wife out of cruelty. Rather, his wife had committed adultery with another man and framed him. In the end, he had fought desperately and killed them both in retaliation.
After that incident, he began to hate female cultivators. The jade slip described his miserable life, how he carried the stigma of infamy, and eventually degenerated into the kind of evil cultivator despised by all.
“But what does that have to do with me?”
Lin Chang’an sneered.
There were countless cultivators in the cultivation world with tragic pasts. Was he supposed to personally care about every single one?
He did not have that kind of time. As if he himself did not have a tragic past.
With a flick of his hand, the jade slip turned to ash.
When he looked at the second jade slip, however, Lin Chang’an revealed an even more mocking smile.
“This Young Master of the Mystic Yin Divine Sect truly is as arrogant and vicious as ever.”
The letter contained only a single sentence, stating the hiding place of the yellow-toothed old man after he had left Sea Abyss City.
Whether it was sincere or a trap, Lin Chang’an had neither the time nor the inclination to hunt that man down.
However, the tone of the message carried an unmistakable sense of superiority, as if granting charity from above. It was truly unpleasant.
With another casual motion, the second jade slip also turned to ash.
“Let’s go. We’ve already delayed here long enough.”
“Yes, Master.”
Without any nostalgia for Sea Abyss City, Lin Chang’an left the Immortal City with the Sword Attendant. Mounting the Azure-Horned Ox, he headed toward the Outer Seas.
He had already wasted considerable time regarding the Thunder Flood Dragon’s territory in the Outer Seas. He did not want someone else to seize the opportunity first.
After all, if Yun Yao could discover traces of the Thunder Flood Dragon, other cultivators could naturally do the same.
……
After Lin Chang’an left, inside the Treasure Pavilion, the seductive False Core female cultivator respectfully approached Huang Tianxiao and reported the entire incident.
After listening, Huang Tianxiao merely raised an eyebrow and waved his hand with a disdainful sneer.
“He’s nothing more than a chess piece raised by Bihai Palace. He’s not even worth being called a dog. Ignore him.”
Previously, he had shown some interest.
But after seeing that Lin Chang’an had immediately left Sea Abyss City, clearly trying to avoid trouble, Huang Tianxiao instantly lost all regard for him.
Although cultivation required caution, someone this timid was ultimately unworthy of standing on the stage.
“You two—how is your cultivation of the technique progressing?”
Huang Tianxiao’s calm voice echoed.
The two False Core female cultivators instantly turned pale, trembling as they replied:
“Young Master, we have already switched to cultivating this technique, but it will still take some time.”
“Useless trash!”
Upon hearing that they had not yet fully converted their cultivation method, a trace of vicious fury appeared in Huang Tianxiao’s eyes, frightening the two women even further.
“Half a year! If after half a year you still cannot let this Young Master harvest your Yin to increase my cultivation, then the two of you will become my Yin-Sha Corpses.”
“Young Master, spare us! We will definitely succeed!”
The two women trembled violently. Though their hearts were filled with sorrow, they could only bow their heads.
Cultivating this technique for others to harvest their Yin would greatly damage both their cultivation and lifespan. If it were not for survival, how could they possibly bow their heads?
At that moment, the alluring female cultivator suddenly recalled what had happened earlier. The jealousy in her heart toward the Sword Attendant surged uncontrollably.
Why were their fates so different?
She had believed that lowering her dignity and pleasing the Young Master of the Mystic Yin Divine Sect—even becoming a Concubine Attendant—would be better than being randomly taken by some Core Formation cultivator.
Who would have thought that it would lead her onto a road of no return?
……
More than half a month later.
In a region of the Outer Seas filled with numerous islands.
“Master, according to Mistress’s information, this Thunder Flood Dragon has three lairs. We have already investigated the other two.
But on the island of the third lair, we discovered an Early Third-rank Blackwater Turtle.”
Inside a marketplace on one of the islands, Lin Chang’an sat in a tavern listening to the Sword Attendant’s report, frowning slightly.
An Early Third-rank Blackwater Turtle?
He frowned while glancing at the marketplace.
The spiritual energy here was thin. The owner of this island was merely a False Core cultivator who had established a marketplace here to earn Spirit Stones for his clan.
“Master, I heard that several Core Formation cultivators have also recently arrived here, intending to hunt a Third-rank Great Demon.”
Upon hearing the Sword Attendant’s report, Lin Chang’an began tapping the table thoughtfully.
It was not unusual for demon beasts to relocate.
Especially intelligent demon beasts—they understood the principle of the cunning rabbit having three burrows. Some beasts even maintained more than ten lairs.
“Could it be that our luck is poor this time and the Thunder Flood Dragon has already left?”
Lin Chang’an frowned.
Treasure Pavilion did not lack the essence souls of late Third-rank great demons, and he had subtly inquired about them earlier.
Although the response had been polite, he understood the meaning clearly.
First, he was not a member of Bihai Palace.
Second, he had not yet become a Third-rank High-grade Formation Master, meaning he had not met the requirements of the Sixth Elder.
Resources were not yet open to that extent.
“The essence soul of a late Third-rank great demon, especially one of the flood dragon species, is extremely valuable. Even during the previous trading gathering, no one was willing to take one out.”
Even if someone had offered it, if Lin Chang’an had exchanged the necessary resources in full view of everyone, it would have aroused suspicion.
Thus, if he missed this Thunder Flood Dragon, it would not be easy to find another late Third-rank flood dragon demon beast.
“Let’s go. We’ll take a walk around the marketplace first.”
“Yes, Master.”
The two walked through the marketplace together.
Lin Chang’an quietly observed the surroundings.
The streets were filled mostly with Qi Refinement cultivators, with the occasional Foundation Establishment cultivator appearing.
The scene relaxed him somewhat—it reminded him of the small places from his earlier days.
Many local cultivators chatted and laughed while running their stalls.
Young Qi Refinement cultivators walked together with female cultivators, their brows filled with tenderness.
After strolling for half an hour, Lin Chang’an and the Sword Attendant gained little—only some local specialty materials.
After all, very few materials here could catch their interest now.
“Greetings, Fellow Daoists.”
Sure enough, while Lin Chang’an and the Sword Attendant browsed several shops—selecting only the most valuable items—the island’s owner of the marketplace appeared.
Seeing that he could not detect their cultivation levels despite being a False Core cultivator, he immediately stepped forward with a flattering expression.
“I am Yao Feng. I was unaware of your arrival—truly shameful of me.”
The Island Lord Yao appeared as an ordinary middle-aged cultivator. Facing Lin Chang’an and the Sword Attendant, he could not help but sigh inwardly.
Normally, this spiritually poor region would not see a single Core Formation cultivator for decades.
Yet now several had arrived one after another.
As merely a False Core cultivator, how could he dare offend them? All he could do was greet them politely.
“Island Lord Yao is too courteous. My younger sister and I came here after hearing that a Third-rank great demon has been causing trouble nearby. We simply wished to investigate.”
Lin Chang’an had already disguised himself before arriving.
Now he wore a black combat outfit, while the Sword Attendant beside him wore dark-green combat attire with a cold demeanor. They truly looked like siblings.
“So Fellow Daoist also came for that beast.”
Island Lord Yao revealed an understanding expression and warmly invited the two of them to the Yao family’s tavern for a welcoming banquet while discussing the demon beast in detail.
“I will follow my elder brother’s decision.”
The Sword Attendant nodded calmly.
Lin Chang’an smiled and accepted the invitation.
“Then many thanks, Fellow Daoist.”
“You are too polite.”
After exchanging courtesy, the three headed toward the Yao family tavern.
……
Inside the tavern.
Island Lord Yao remained extremely courteous, even bringing out the finest Spirit Wine and Spirit Meat.
“You two may not know—this Blackwater Turtle only appeared a few months ago. Some people suspect the beast may be preparing to lay eggs.
Three Fellow Daoists had already arrived earlier, but each wanted to monopolize the treasure. I heard they fought among themselves and none of them returned…”
Island Lord Yao shook his head with a sigh.
“If the beast is a Mid Third-rank Blackwater Turtle and currently in its birthing period, then its strength should be somewhat weakened.”
However, Lin Chang’an felt puzzled.
Normally, demon beasts in their birthing period were extremely sensitive.
Previously, there had been a Late Third-rank Thunder Flood Dragon here. Even if it had abandoned this lair, a pregnant Blackwater Turtle should not occupy the place so casually.
Something felt suspicious.
After hearing Lin Chang’an’s question, Island Lord Yao bitterly cupped his fists.
“My strength is limited, and the rise and fall of my clan depends on me. After finally forming a False Core, how would I dare risk my life? I truly do not know the exact situation.
However, two days ago another Core Formation Daoist came here asking for information. It seems he went to find helpers.”
Lin Chang’an nodded, understanding.
He had seen many cultivators like this.
They began with outstanding talent and rapid cultivation progress.
But once their clan finally produced a Core Formation cultivator, that cultivator would stagnate there forever, focusing on protecting the family.
During their conversation, Island Lord Yao seemed to sense that Lin Chang’an had a relatively mild temperament and awkwardly cupped his fists.
“Fellow Daoist… the cultivator who came earlier was quite powerful. He may return soon to hunt that demon beast…”
His words trailed off, but the meaning was clear.
There was only one demon beast.
Now two parties had appeared.
How would the spoils be divided?
And would conflict occur?
These uncertainties remained.
After hearing this, Lin Chang’an simply smiled kindly.
“Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Yao.”
Having conveyed everything he knew, Island Lord Yao secretly sighed in relief.
What happened next would have nothing to do with him.
His intentions were not kindness—he simply did not want to get involved.
“Since someone has already arrived before us, my younger sister and I would rather avoid unnecessary trouble and withdraw from this matter.”
After the banquet, Lin Chang’an appeared cautious, which raised no suspicion.
Although the demon beast was still alive and the strongest would claim it, there were unwritten rules when hunting demon beasts.
If someone had arrived earlier and openly declared their intention to hunt, then later arrivals should ideally cooperate.
Otherwise, grudges could easily form.
Lin Chang’an had no intention of stirring unnecessary trouble.
Core Formation cultivators were extremely cautious.
Unless the spirit item involved was crucial to their cultivation path, they would rarely risk their lives.
After the banquet, Lin Chang’an left with the Sword Attendant, smiling.
Island Lord Yao watched them depart and sighed.
“I hope no trouble occurs. Once someone deals with that demon beast, the marketplace can return to peace.”
He had long passed the age of lofty ambitions.
After experiencing countless ups and downs in the cultivation world, he now only wished to protect his clan’s stability.
……
On a remote island in the Outer Seas, the Sword Attendant spoke with a serious expression.
“Master, do you suspect that demon beast is problematic?”
Lin Chang’an smiled calmly, gazing toward the distance.
“Whether there’s a problem or not doesn’t matter. Now someone else will help us scout the path.”
Since they had already come this far, the least they could do was test the waters.
And he would not even need to make a move himself.