Chapter 347 : Five Years of Time
Chapter 347: Five Years of Time
The trading gathering on Azure Wave Island soon came to an end.
For a time, within the dim and misty Fog Sea of Tongtian, streaks of escape light flashed rapidly one after another.
Among them, the cultivators who had exchanged for Fragment Map of the Beast Sea Abyss Secret Realm were the first to flee. Immediately after, several others chased after them.
Seeing this scene, some people became greedy and wanted to follow to see whether they could fish in muddy waters, while others hurriedly fled, unwilling to get involved in this matter.
“I’m afraid the outer seas will not be peaceful before the Secret Realm Opening.”
Seeing this scene, Lin Chang’an could not help but sigh softly, hoping it would not affect his peaceful cultivation.
Afterward, Lin Chang’an brought Sword Attendant with him, and together with Fairy of Rainbow Skirt the three of them traveled toward the Five Dragon Island Sea Region.
On the gloomy Azure Wave Island, as they watched the departing crowd, the Meng Couple could not help revealing solemn expressions.
“Husband, doesn’t this scene look familiar? The last time before the Secret Realm Opening, it was also this turbulent.”
After hearing this, the middle-aged man nodded and sighed.
“But it is precisely this turmoil that gives countless people opportunities.”
Chaotic times produce heroes. Whether in the mortal world or the World of Cultivation, this principle was universal.
Without chaos, how could there be a chance to rise?
However, that opportunity to rise had to be paved with piles of corpses.
“This time we did the right thing. We threw away that hot-potato Secret Realm Fragment Map early and let them fight over it.”
“Yes… our lifespan is already running short. We cannot care about so much anymore. We should take advantage of this period to accumulate more resources.”
The Meng Couple sighed softly. Then they took out a Voice-recording Talisman and transmitted the events of this gathering to Bihai Palace.
This trading gathering held by the two of them had also been carried out under the instructions of Bihai Palace.
“There are still less than seventy years before the Secret Realm Opening. Once the struggle within the Secret Realm ends, that will be the true turmoil. For these great powers, what is happening now is merely minor skirmishes.”
When mentioning the words “minor skirmishes,” a trace of unwillingness appeared in the eyes of the Meng Couple.
For Nascent Soul True Lords, this matter was not even worth mentioning. But for those below the Nascent Soul Realm like them, it was a storm that could change everything.
This time, when Lin Chang’an and the other two left the Black Market, they did not encounter any Robber Cultivators along the way and safely returned to the Five Dragon Island Marketplace.
At the same time, the news that the Four Seas Merchant Guild had purchased a Secret Realm Fragment Map at a high price spread out. For a time, the Four Seas Merchant Guild took advantage of this to expand its business.
At the same time, the Four Seas Merchant Guild announced that five years later it would hold an auction and auction off that Secret Realm Fragment Map.
Not only in the Five Dragon Island Sea Region, but throughout the entire Beast Sea Abyss. With the Secret Realm Opening approaching, and with various major forces secretly scheming and fanning the flames, the entire outer sea became increasingly chaotic.
All sea regions grew restless.
Even Core Formation Cultivators who had been in seclusion for many years emerged one after another from the outer seas. Slaughter, chaos, and framing others occurred endlessly.
…
As the stars shifted and time flowed, five years passed in the blink of an eye.
During these five years, Lin Chang’an continued his arduous cultivation as usual, while his three avatars continuously refined and improved various skills.
【Lifespan: 220 / 787】
【Realm: Mid Core Formation (41 / 100)】
Inside the Cave Abode, Lin Chang’an slowly opened his eyes. Looking at the progress of his cultivation over the past five years, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
Over these years, with Spirit Wine that enhanced cultivation assisting him, his cultivation had steadily increased. Breaking through to Late Core Formation before the Secret Realm Opening should not be a problem.
“However, the earlier I break through, the better.”
There was also his Spiritual Sense. With the lingering effects of the Clear Spirit Powder from earlier years, its improvement had not been inferior to his mana. It had even slightly surpassed it.
【Third-rank Mid-grade Formation Master (Proficient 938 / 1000)】
“These past years my formation mastery has advanced rapidly. In about three more years, I will definitely break through to Third-rank High-grade.”
Lin Chang’an’s gaze flickered.
Among the various skills he had cultivated over the years, the Path of Formation was the most outstanding.
After all, aside from the teachings of the Sixth Elder of Bihai Palace, the inheritance of the Sinister Soul Sect also contained a large number of formation techniques.
Especially the Formation-breaking Insight Jade Slip he had obtained back then—it had benefited him greatly over the years.
“However, even if I break through to a Third-rank High-grade Formation Master, it would be better to reveal it later.”
According to the expected time of the Secret Realm Opening, it would likely occur when he was around two hundred and eighty years old.
Therefore, the news of his breakthrough in formations would best be revealed when he was around two hundred and fifty or two hundred and sixty years old.
First, his talent in formations was good—considered a genius, but not yet monstrous.
Second, there would still be some time before the Secret Realm Opening, giving him enough opportunity to obtain more treasures from the Sixth Elder.
“But the treasures I obtained from that Sinister Soul Sect cultivator who passed away in meditation… their origins are actually so significant.”
Lin Chang’an’s expression became serious as he took out the four treasures he had obtained earlier from his Storage Pouch.
The Secret Realm Fragment Map.
The Secret Realm Entrance Token.
A jade pendant whose function was still unknown. According to his speculation, it should be an item of the Sinister Soul Sect. Unfortunately, that region had now turned into a ghostly domain, and he did not dare investigate rashly.
The remaining two were jade slips.
One was a Formation-breaking Jade Slip, worth around the Fourth-rank.
The other was a Labyrinth Map of the Secret Realm.
Looking at the two jade slips before him, Lin Chang’an fell into deep thought.
“This Labyrinth Map should record the exploration maps of the Secret Realm gathered by the Sinister Soul Sect over thousands of years. And the several red-marked locations…”
“Those should be the legendary treasure vaults hidden within the labyrinth.”
“Each one is an independent space protected by different formation restrictions. That is why that Sixth Elder had planned for hundreds of years.”
Thus, the two jade slips in his possession were actually complementary.
And the corpse he had found in the Sinister Soul Sect ruins must have been a core member of the sect—likely even a master of formations. Otherwise, he would not have possessed such items.
“It is said that within this labyrinth there are countless treasures. Besides the formation restrictions protecting them, there are also various mechanisms that must be handled carefully.”
When mentioning mechanisms, one could not avoid talking about puppet mechanisms.
It was also considered one of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation.
However, simple mechanisms were often used by cultivators to hide treasures, aside from setting concealed traps.
“All the treasures in this labyrinth are hidden extremely secretly. And the Sinister Soul Sect is one of the few sects in the Beast Sea Abyss proficient in puppet mechanisms.”
Back then, the Sinister Soul Sect had relied on their expertise in puppet mechanisms to discover several treasure-restricted locations inside the labyrinth.
【Second-rank Mid-grade Puppet Master (Proficient 652 / 1000)】
Over these years, with plenty of materials and the inheritance obtained from the Sinister Soul Sect, Lin Chang’an had also made good progress in puppet mechanisms.
Since he intended to enter the Secret Realm, he naturally would not miss the chance to learn this art.
After all, the Secret Realm was filled with dangers. The more abilities he possessed, the greater his ability to protect himself.
“If not for the Avatar Technique, even with good talent I would not dare research several skills alone.”
Puppet mechanisms were started from scratch.
The required resources were not too expensive in Spirit Stones, and more importantly, he was now a Core Formation Cultivator.
His energy, wealth, and soul power all far exceeded those of low-rank cultivators.
That was why, in less than twenty years, he had raised this skill to the Second-rank Mid-grade.
“Without realizing it, my overall strength now is comparable to that of a medium-sized Core Formation sect.”
Carefully assessing his strength and foundations, if he were to establish a sect now, he would definitely have the capital to do so.
At this thought, Lin Chang’an suddenly recalled the Three Major Sects of Yue Country from the Seven Kingdoms.
The three great sects that once seemed like towering mountains in his heart.
Without him realizing it, his strength had now reached the same height—or even surpassed them.
“So in just over a hundred years, I have become this powerful.”
“But unfortunately, when one reaches the summit, one realizes it is only the first mountain on the path of cultivation.”
Lin Chang’an sighed softly.
Then a determined smile appeared on his face.
His path had only just begun.
…
Celestial Spring Peak.
“Moo!”
The Azure-Horned Ox anxiously circulated its mana, forming a powerful earth-yellow mana shield in front of itself.
However, facing what appeared to be ordinary sword gleams containing faint lightning, its petrified defensive shield—whose defense had greatly increased—began to show dense cracks under the sword gleams.
Some parts had even been pierced halfway through by the sword gleams.
“Moo!”
The Azure-Horned Ox swung its horns and shattered all the sword gleams.
Its opponent was Sword Attendant.
Sword Attendant, dressed in dark-green combat attire, held a treasure sword that continuously released streams of sword gleams.
Compared to her earlier sharp and aggressive style, her sword gleams were now extremely restrained.
The Azure-Horned Ox had powerful aura fluctuations. It originally possessed an Upper-grade Bloodline, and when it advanced to the Third-rank its bloodline mutated.
Petrification was an excellent mutation among earth attributes.
Not only had its strength increased, but its potential had grown as well.
After years of stabilizing its foundation, its cultivation had reached the peak of the early Third-rank stage—only one step away from breaking through to the mid stage.
Sword Attendant had formed her core more recently, but the power of the Heavenly Spirit Sword Body had begun to manifest.
Watching Sword Attendant and the Azure-Horned Ox spar inside the formation after coming out of seclusion, Lin Chang’an nodded in approval.
“There are countless spiritual bodies in the World of Cultivation.”
“Some show great power in the early stages, while others erupt later. This Heavenly Spirit Sword Body clearly belongs to the latter.”
Sword Attendant had been in the Core Formation Realm for less than ten years, yet her strength was already comparable to the Azure-Horned Ox.
This showed just how terrifying her talent in the Sword Path was.
Mutated spirit beasts were powerful and far stronger than cultivators of the same rank.
However, overall combat strength depended on many factors.
For example, Sword Attendant’s lightning power naturally suppressed the earth attribute. That was why the Azure-Horned Ox’s defensive shield appeared weaker.
“In recent years, Sword Attendant’s combat style has also taken shape.”
“She excels in extreme speed and overwhelming attacks of sharp sword gleams.”
“The Azure-Horned Ox is powerful, but it is inferior in speed.”
While watching their sparring, Lin Chang’an evaluated Sword Attendant’s strength.
Her strength was no weaker than that of an ordinary Mid Core Formation Cultivator.
“This divine ability Sword Shadow at Will… she has practiced it for only a few years, yet she has already caught up to decades of my own cultivation.”
Just as Lin Chang’an appeared in the pavilion, Sword Attendant suddenly noticed him from the corner of her eye.
Joy immediately appeared on her face.
“Master has come out of seclusion!”
The fierce battle stopped instantly.
Sword Attendant descended in a streak of escape light, not forgetting to toss two Spirit Fruits to the Azure-Horned Ox.
“Moo!”
Receiving the Spirit Fruits as compensation, the Azure-Horned Ox immediately mooed happily, without the slightest dissatisfaction.
Inside the pavilion.
“Master.”
After respectfully bowing, Sword Attendant habitually brewed Spirit Tea for her master.
Lin Chang’an glanced at the greedy Azure-Horned Ox and shook his head helplessly.
Even after so many years, the foolish ox had not changed its gluttonous nature.
“Not bad. It seems your Sword Path has become increasingly proficient over the past few years.”
The cultivation method and divine abilities Sword Attendant practiced were all ones Lin Chang’an himself had cultivated before, so he understood them very clearly.
“It is all thanks to Master.”
Looking at the obedient Sword Attendant, Lin Chang’an waved his hand with a smile.
“Your talent speaks for itself. Has anything happened in recent years?”
“Reporting to Master, the outer seas have become turbulent. Chaos has appeared everywhere—robber killings, revenge killings, treasure snatching… countless incidents.”
“Some time ago, even a merchant ship of the Four Seas Merchant Guild was robbed…”
Hearing the report, Lin Chang’an remained calm.
It did not matter if other places were chaotic.
As long as it did not affect his cultivation.
However, with the Secret Realm Opening approaching, the chaos in the Beast Sea Abyss was not entirely without benefits.
One benefit was that the Four Seas Merchant Guild, Xuanyin Pavilion, and the Long Clan of Five Dragon Island had once again united due to shared interests.
With external pressure increasing, none of the three forces wanted internal conflict to give outsiders an opportunity.
This internal stability allowed Lin Chang’an to cultivate peacefully over the past few years.
“Oh right, Master. Earlier the Four Seas Merchant Guild came to visit.”
“It seems they lost a certain treasure this time and left behind a Voice-recording Talisman.”
Looking at the jade talisman handed over by Sword Attendant, Lin Chang’an revealed a curious expression.
The Four Seas Merchant Guild had once tried to recruit him.
However, after the three factions formed their alliance again, the guild had behaved very cautiously in recent years to avoid internal conflict.
Yet this time they had personally left him a message.
With a surge of mana, the Voice-recording Talisman began to echo with the guild’s message.
After listening, Lin Chang’an revealed a puzzled expression.
“The Four Seas Merchant Guild is actually so generous this time?”
The message was simple.
They wanted to invite him to deal with the Robber Cultivators who had attacked their merchant ship.
The reward offered was extremely generous.
A Late-stage Third-rank Earth-attribute Demon Core.
“Three months ago… it seems I have already missed this opportunity.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head and did not think much about it.
Instead, his thoughts shifted to the Four-Phase Dragon Scale Armor.
Five years ago at the Azure Wave Island trading gathering, he had obtained a Fire-attribute Demon Core.
Over the past years, he had also traded for a Late-stage Third-rank Water-attribute Demon Core.
Among the power of the Four Phases of Wind, Fire, Water, and Earth, he was now only missing wind and earth.
He had never hidden his demand for these items.
Naturally, the Four Seas Merchant Guild knew what he needed.
“Right now, there is still no news about a Late-stage Third-rank Wind-attribute Demon Core.”
“There are clues about earth attribute ones, but most of them seem suspicious.”
Over the years there had been two pieces of information.
One claimed it was located in a distant region of the outer sea—possibly a trap.
The other was even more absurd.
It said there were clues within the ghost domain.
He had not even considered it.
“I can only continue searching slowly. Earth-attribute demon cores will appear eventually.”
“But wind-attribute ones are simply too rare.”
Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an sighed and shook his head.
“Also, these are letters sent while Master was in seclusion.”
When Sword Attendant brought out several letters, Lin Chang’an raised his hand and began reading them.
The second chapter will be released in twenty minutes.