Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans.

Chapter 339 Corpse Puppet He Yan! Huang Tianxiao!

The journey was uneventful, thanks to the presence of two Core Formation cultivators, Lin Chang'an and the Sword Servant, along with a third-tier Azure Horned Ox.

With this level of strength, unless one is a cultivator in the late stage of Core Formation, who would dare to easily block their way and rob them?

Haiyuan City.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, you have come at just the right time. In five days, our sect will be holding a trading fair for Core Formation cultivators."

This trade fair has gathered many Core Formation cultivators from both the inner and outer seas; surely you'll find what you need there.

Upon arriving at Baoguang Pavilion, Lin Chang'an overheard the other party mentioning the auction and couldn't help but smile.

I missed the trade fair that Lao Hu mentioned last time, but I didn't expect to catch the Core Formation cultivator trade fair held by Baoguang Pavilion this time.

"Five days?"

Lin Chang'an smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. He had been to Haiyuan City several times, but this was the first time he had attended an auction here, which was quite rare.

Core Formation cultivators typically spend several years in seclusion for cultivation, or at least several months.

Furthermore, Haiyuan City is quite far away, so unless it is a rare and precious spiritual item, it would not travel such a long distance.

"No wonder I saw many merchant ships from various major powers arriving outside Haiyuan City this time. It seems there are some rare treasures at this auction."

Beneath Lin Chang'an's teasing laughter, he was also taking the opportunity to gather intelligence.

The shopkeeper, of course, knew perfectly well what was going on, but still wore a hint of arrogance on his face and said with a smile:
"This wasn't instigated by some petty people in the outer seas. The Grand Elder took Lu Zhenjun, who had just emerged from seclusion, on a trip to the outer seas to intimidate them..."

Seeing the other person's proud smile, Lin Chang'an suddenly realized.

In the world of cultivation, strength ultimately prevails.

These forces kept testing the Azure Sea Palace, but after they showed their strength, no one wanted to be the first to stick their neck out, and that's how things turned out.

"I see, no wonder so many merchant ships have come."

Lin Chang'an muttered to himself, "This Lu Zhenjun has been keeping a very low profile ever since he came to the Demon Beast Sea Abyss."

Even fellow Daoists Su Miaoyin and Song Tingfeng have seemed to have disappeared over the years.

He did send two letters through someone, but received no response.

I heard that this Lu Zhenjun directly sealed off the island and went into seclusion.

"It's normal for a Nascent Soul cultivator to go into seclusion for a hundred years."

However, Lin Chang'an always felt that this Lu Zhenjun was deliberately keeping a low profile to reduce his influence.

"Shopkeeper, I have come here to find one or two treasures with the attribute of lightning."

The trade fair is one thing, but Baoguang Pavilion has what he needs, and he naturally wants to get it now.

"A treasure with lightning attributes?"

Faced with the shopkeeper's probing gaze, Lin Chang'an pondered for a moment, then transmitted his voice:

"Ideally, it should be a defensive type of spirit creature. I recently discovered a lightning-attribute demon beast in the Tongtian Mist Sea that feeds on yin spirits."

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper immediately understood.

"I see. This is indeed a tricky situation, but please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist Lin."

Then Lin Chang'an sat down at the tea table with his sword attendant. While they were enjoying the spiritual tea, the shopkeeper transformed into a beam of light and darted between the pavilions.

After a while, they returned.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, there is no treasure in the entire Demon Beast Sea Abyss that our Azure Sea Palace does not possess."

The returning shopkeeper, with an arrogant expression, took out a jade slip and, with the flow of his magic, projected illusory images of various treasures.

"Third-tier mid-grade magic weapon Thunderfire Shield, third-tier low-grade magic weapon..."

As the shopkeeper continued his eloquent introduction, Lin Chang'an was also impressed by the profound heritage of the Bihai Palace.

There were more than a dozen magical artifacts, all of them defensive, as well as other types of treasures, which broadened Lin Chang'an's horizons.

There were over seventy items in total, a dazzling array.

They even have high-grade third-tier magic weapons.

However, the price and its intended use made Lin Chang'an frown.

"Fellow Daoist, what is this Lightning Absorbing Pearl?"

When Lin Chang'an's gaze fell on a bead, he feigned a look of confusion.

He knew about this unorthodox spiritual object from the Yin Soul Sect's historical records, but he still kept his abilities hidden when necessary.

After all, he came from a background of independent cultivation, and sometimes he knows too much. Who knows if he will arouse suspicion?

When the shopkeeper saw that Lin Chang'an didn't recognize the item, he wasn't surprised. Instead, he smiled and explained:

“Fellow Daoist, this is a spiritual object from the body of the deep-sea monster Thunder Whale. This object can absorb the power of lightning and is even a top-grade material for refining Heavenly Thunder Seeds…”

After listening to the other party's explanation, Lin Chang'an suddenly understood.

In fact, he knew perfectly well that, as a third-tier weapon refiner, this Thunder Absorbing Pearl was, to put it bluntly, a top-grade material for Heavenly Thunder.

Absorbing saturated lightning power and then refining it slightly, it becomes a powerful, one-time enhanced Heavenly Thunder Particle.

"Such a strange object exists; it truly broadens one's horizons."

Lin Chang'an looked tempted, but his gaze then drifted to several other magical treasures.

"This lightning-absorbing bead can seal in lightning. The refining method is extremely simple, requiring no weapon refiner's intervention, and it can also be used as a trump card."

Moreover, the price of this lightning-absorbing bead isn't very high. After all, it's best to absorb and seal lightning of the same attribute, otherwise..."

Hearing the other party's explanation, Lin Chang'an nodded secretly.

The Lightning Absorbing Bead is rather unorthodox, but there are several techniques for refining it recorded in the Yin Soul Sect's heritage.

It must be said that the Yin Soul Sect has a deep understanding of the art of restraining lightning and fire.

After all, as the name suggests, the Yin Soul Sect's techniques are countered by lightning and fire attributes, so they naturally have a deep understanding of this.

"Moreover, this is a rare refining material, which is perfect for adding some of these materials to the sword servant's magic weapon."

Finally, Lin Chang'an pretended to hesitate for a moment, his gaze finally settling on the lightning-absorbing bead.

"Fellow Daoist, I'd like two of these Lightning Absorbing Pearls, but regarding the price..."

Lin Chang'an, looking pained, began to haggle with the shopkeeper.

After he agreed to the Sixth Elder's conditions, he knew that his information had reached the Azure Sea Palace.

Therefore, he naturally couldn't spend lavishly on such spiritual items.

We're on the same side now, but who knows what will happen in the future?

It's always good to have some cards up your sleeve.

In the end, Lin Chang'an obtained the item with a mid-grade third-tier Yin Spirit Demon Core and a low-grade third-tier Yin Spirit Demon Core.

Although the Thunder Absorbing Pearl is a spiritual object within a late-stage third-tier Thunder Whale, it is not a late-stage third-tier demon core.

The value of a lightning-absorbing bead only increases significantly if it is inside a fourth-order transformed demon.

Afterwards, Lin Chang'an purchased some rare materials before leaving Baoguang Pavilion.

……

"This servant has troubled my master."

Along the way, the sword attendant naturally knew that many of the materials Lin Chang'an purchased were intended for him to refine magical artifacts.

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an was quite satisfied and gently patted the sword servant's head.

"Not bad, it seems you haven't been slacking off in reading the ancient books in the cave all these years."

For Lin Chang'an, investing in Jian Shi was more valuable.

As for wasting resources, if it were the former Lin Chang'an, he might have really been short of money.

However, ever since the Yin Spirit Beast King, the Two-Headed Tiger, was released into the Sky-Piercing Mist Sea, the effect has been extremely remarkable.

The surrounding sea area was marked with numerous gathering places of Yin spirits, especially traces of third-tier Yin spirit beast kings. Lin Chang'an would clean them up whenever he had time, so he would no longer have to waste a lot of time searching the vast ocean.

Immediately afterwards, the Yin Spirit Two-Headed Tiger moved to a different location, which allowed Lin Chang'an to expand the markings of his Tongtian Mist Sea map by thousands of miles in just a few years.

It also brought Lin Chang'an a large amount of spiritual stone wealth.

"Owner!"

Hearing Lin Chang'an's praise, the sword servant revealed a smile of enjoyment.

However, at that moment, Lin Chang'an suddenly sensed something and his expression changed.

A cry of an eagle rang out, and in the distance, a majestic third-tier flying beast was seen pulling a luxurious carriage.

The carriage was magnificent and dazzling, adorned with carved dragons and painted phoenixes. Thin, colorful gauze curtains hung all around, moving without wind. At each of the four corners of the carriage's eaves hung a delicate jade bell, which tinkled in the wind with a clear and melodious sound that contained a captivating power.

Such a high-profile appearance naturally aroused discussion and exclamations among countless cultivators in the city.

"Look, they're from the Xuan Yin Demonic Sect!"

"Who is this person, to be so arrogant?!"

"This person should be Huang Tianxiao, the personal disciple of the Xuan Yin Old Demon."

"Rumor has it that this person is ruthless and extremely powerful..."

A former acquaintance, a prodigy of the Li Huo Palace, is now the personal disciple of the Nascent Soul Demon.

His cultivation level has now reached the late stage of Core Formation.

However, this familiar feeling did not come from Huang Tianxiao.

At this moment, Lin Chang'an's somewhat unpleasant gaze was fixed on a corpse puppet on the chariot.

It had a ferocious and terrifying face, with protruding fangs that crisscrossed like sharp blades, and a pair of oily green eyes filled with the purest desire for killing and destruction.

"He Yan!"

There's no mistake, this aura means that this corpse puppet was He Yan in his previous life.

At this moment, Lin Chang'an's face turned ugly, and various images of He Yan flashed through his mind.

The smugness of a young man achieving initial success, and the composure after experiencing setbacks—scenes flashed through my mind.

No wonder He Yan hasn't come to visit all these years; it's always Yun Yao who comes in person.

At the same time, Yun Yao did not mention He Yan.

The world of cultivation is ever-changing, and even he has to be careful. But he never expected that his reunion with He Yan would be like this.

"Owner!"

The sword attendant beside him seemed to have noticed Lin Chang'an's change in mood and couldn't help but ask him in a telepathic message. However, his bright heterochromatic eyes, with their ice blue and pale gold hues, revealed a solemn expression.

The intelligent woman could naturally tell that the change was brought about by the person who flew overhead.

This made her vaguely sense something, and she couldn't help but raise her head and take a deep look at the person, making a mental note of him.

This person must be the master's enemy.

"gone."

With a shifting expression, Lin Chang'an finally took a deep breath and, watching the Xuan Yin Demonic Sect disciples pass by in a grand procession, his mind was focused on gathering information.

"Old Ghost, He Yan!"

Just as Lin Chang'an was leading his sword attendants away into the distance, Huang Tianxiao, wearing a tall crown on his head, was frowning.

"What a scheme! Destroy my Fire Palace, and then take me as his personal disciple. This old demon is probably using me as cultivation material!"

Huang Tianxiao's eyes were filled with malice, and his heart was filled with anger.

I never imagined that after serving as Xuan Yin Lao Mo's lackey for so many years at Li Huo Gong, he would end up like this.

"Nascent Soul! Only by becoming a Nascent Soul cultivator can we escape the old demon's control and avenge our sect and our Huang family!"

The events on Li Huo Island were extremely strange, which caused their Li Huo Palace to lose its foundation.

Unexpectedly, the Grand Elder of the Azure Sea Palace and Lu Zhenjun came knocking on his door some time ago, and his elite troops from the Fire Palace were wiped out in one fell swoop.

These were the last remaining forces of the Li Huo Palace, and all of Huang's bloodline members were gone.

"I still have a blood feud with my clan, Father! Everyone!"

Thinking of the deaths of his father and clansmen, the old demon Xuan Yin smiled sinisterly and completely disregarded his subordinates.

These people are clearly being used to quell the anger of the Azure Sea Palace.

After the other party left, the Xuan Yin Old Demon cruelly turned his father and elders into corpse puppets.

The thought of seeing his father and clansmen again brought a deep, unforgettable hatred to Huang Tianxiao's eyes.

"Young Master, we've arrived."

Just then, the cultivators outside the carriage bowed their heads in fear and reported that this disciple of the patriarch was equally ruthless, and everyone in the sect was terrified.

Upon hearing that they had arrived at their destination, the hatred in Huang Tianxiao's eyes instantly vanished, replaced by a strong sense of arrogance.

……

"The personal disciple of the Nascent Soul cultivator Xuan Yin Old Demon, he is extremely cruel and powerful. He once hunted down two late-stage third-tier demons alone in the outer sea..."

Inside the restaurant, many cultivators were discussing what had just happened.

Lin Chang'an, meanwhile, gazed through the window at the direction the carriage had disappeared, his eyes deep and lost in thought.

"Master, I went outside to scout things out."

Upon returning, the sword attendant casually created a soundproof barrier around the private room and then recounted all the information he had gathered.

"The entire Li Huo Palace was destroyed, and several Golden Core cultivators died and were turned into corpse puppets..."

Upon hearing the sword servant's report, Lin Chang'an's expression became extremely solemn.

Yun Yao is still in the Xuan Yin Demonic Sect!

Only at this moment did he realize the true extent of the crisis Yun Yao faced within the Demonic Sect, a crisis far more brutal than he had imagined.

“Master, we hadn’t heard any of this before, but suddenly there’s news about the Xuan Yin Demonic Sect outside…”

The sword attendant frowned as he compared the previous intelligence, while Lin Chang'an waved his hand and said:
"In these turbulent times, it seems that the Azure Sea Palace intentionally spread these messages to let the rogue cultivators of the Demon Beast Sea Abyss know about the Azure Sea Palace's strength and stability."

These are merely the first moves made in the power struggle behind the scenes.

The real game has not yet begun.

"Judging from the aura just now, it seems that the Xuan Yin Demonic Sect and the Yin Soul Sect are indeed closely connected."

It is rumored that the founders of the Xuan Yin Demonic Sect and the Yin Hun Sect were two Nascent Soul cultivators from the Six Paths Demonic Sect. For some unknown reason, the Nascent Soul cultivators defected and came to the Demon Beast Sea Abyss.

Subsequently, the two Nascent Soul cultivators founded their own sects.

"Yin Sha Corpse Refining!"

At this moment, Lin Chang'an recalled the secret technique "Yin Sha Corpse Refining" that he had inherited from the Yin Soul Sect.

It requires a Core Formation cultivator who has recently died, then buried in a place where Yin energy gathers, and then fed with the essence blood of demonic beasts or cultivators, as well as various resources.

Finally, you will obtain a third-tier Yin Sha Corpse Puppet. This corpse puppet is impervious to blades and spears, fearless of death, and its strength is comparable to that of a body-refining cultivator of the same tier.

"It seems that we will need to study some of the secret techniques of the Yin Soul Sect in more depth in the future, especially the methods that the Xuan Yin Demonic Sect is good at."

Now that the Xuan Yin Old Demon has emerged from seclusion, Yun Yao has lost her chance to escape and can only lie low for now.

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an took a deep breath and suppressed the matter in his heart.

After this trade fair, I will go to hunt down the Thunder Dragon, and then return to improve my cultivation, preparing to use the treasures in the secret realm to plan my escape route.

And there's also the matter of He Yan!

　Ahem, today's update is a little late, and the author is too embarrassed to ask for monthly votes.

　　I only ask that my fellow Daoists understand.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)