Free Web NovelChapter 625: Chapter 313: Calamity of Ghosts, Opportunity in Disguise
The Sixth Elder, with a calm demeanor, had already arranged everything by the Second Palace Master.
Before long, some secret techniques and Cultivation Techniques of Ghost Control and Puppet Refining would spread across the surrounding seas.
The ghost disaster is called a disaster because hunting Yin Spirits is thankless, and most cultivators avoid it.
Everyone minds their own business, hence the ghost disaster.
But if these Yin Spirits became as alluring as Demon Beasts, countless cultivators would naturally hunt them in the surrounding areas without the need for the intervention of Bihai Palace.
"Ghost disaster!? Humph, it’s just another resource on the path of cultivation."
Thinking of this, the Sixth Elder smiled faintly.
"Wise Sixth Elder!"
As the five people showed admiration, the short figure of Master Tan appeared outside the hall, causing the five to cleverly lower their heads and withdraw with cupped hands.
The Sixth Elder naturally saw Master Tan outside the hall—short, with flaring nostrils and a sparse tuft of yellow hair on his head.
"Subordinate Tan Hai pays respects to the Sixth Elder!"
While others thought Master Tan to be sycophantic, every time he faced the Sixth Elder, his expression was earnest, not daring to waste any of his sister’s favors.
Seeing the earnest Master Tan, the Sixth Elder revealed a rare satisfied expression. Although his appearance was lacking, his heart was in the right place.
His actions over the years were much better than others.
"Reporting to the Sixth Elder, a Tier Three Middle Grade Array Master has been discovered on Five Dragons Island, who might assist the Sixth Elder."
Following Master Tan’s report, the Sixth Elder raised his eyebrow, a rare look of curiosity appearing.
An Array Master is not easy to find, especially one who is Tier Three.
"A Tier Three Middle Grade Array Master, how rare. If only the Sea Palace’s Array Masters could be easily moved, this old man wouldn’t have spent so many years searching."
Master Tan respectfully unfolded the Jade Scroll, and the light screen revealed the portrait of Lin Chang’an.
"Lin Chang’an, a former loose cultivator from the Yue Kingdom... became acquainted with Elder Lu’s daughter, Su Miaoyin, in Celestial Profound City, where his talent in arrays was discovered..."
As Master Tan introduced him, the Sixth Elder stroked his long beard and seemed to recall something, revealing a sudden realization.
"I remember now, that junior who formed a core in Sea Source City; unexpectedly, that idle move turned into an unexpected gain. Reincarnation Cultivator indeed took courage.
He formed his core at the age of 139 and was suspected of mastering Tier Three Array Skills before that. At the age of 190, he broke through to Tier Three Middle Grade in arrays."
The Sixth Elder nodded in acknowledgment.
Though lacking somewhat in Cultivation, his talent in arrays was indeed commendable.
"With this in mind, this person might break through to become a Tier Three Upper Grade Array Master within a century."
Hearing the Sixth Elder’s words, Master Tan secretly breathed a sigh of relief; he had finally accomplished something significant for his sister in front of the Sixth Elder.
"Reporting to the Sixth Elder, observing Lin Chang’an from the start of his cultivation journey shows how determined he is, coupled with his talent in arrays. Absolutely likely to break through to Tier Three Upper Grade Array Master within a century, before that place opens, thereby assisting the Sixth Elder."
Master Tan spoke with excitement. Despite having helped his sister earn numerous Spirit Stones through the merchant guild over the years, these were minor achievements.
Assisting the Sixth Elder with something of interest is a major achievement.
"That place! It seems you know quite a bit."
However, the next moment, the Sixth Elder glanced meaningfully, frightening Master Tan, who paled and hastily cupped his hands:
"Subordinate deserves death!"
"Enough, I’ve been looking for Tier Three Array Masters for the past century; it’s likely someone with intentions has noted it."
The Sixth Elder was not angered by his exposed motives but waved his hand casually, yet when he looked back at Lin Chang’an’s information, he shook his head.
"These loose cultivators, despite discovering their talent in arrays, waste time on Talisman Painting for petty gains, simply squandering their talent."
The records clearly indicated Lin Chang’an as a Tier Three Middle Grade Array Master, but the Profound Sound Pavilion had been secretly collecting Tier Three Talisman materials, suggesting that Lin Chang’an had also broken through to Tier Three in Talisman.
Master Tan seemed to understand; it wasn’t that Mr. Lin wanted to waste his talent, but the difficulties faced by loose cultivators.
"But his cultivation is somewhat lacking; with this level, it’s inadequate for that place."
Thinking this, the Sixth Elder shook his head.
Among loose cultivators, finding a Tier Three Array Master with matching strength is indeed rare; he had only found three suitable ones over the years.
The rest were like Lin Chang’an, merely having potential but not yet meeting the standard.
To venture into that Secret Realm, one needs to amass at least five Tier Three Upper Grade Array Masters, with strength keeping up as well.
"Let’s hope it won’t disappoint this old man."
The Sixth Elder then casually waved his hand, and a bundle of Jade Scrolls flew from his Storage Bag.
"Since you found the person, the task is yours to handle."
"Thank you, Sixth Elder!"
Master Tan looked at the Jade Scrolls in his hand, revealing an excited expression.
If successful, as long as Lin Chang’an strives to break through to Tier Three Upper Grade in arrays within a century, who would dare mock his sister in the future.
...
[Life Span: 193/607]
[Realm: Core Golden Early Stage (77/100)]
Amid the howling wind and snow outside, the Spirit Plants within Celestial Spring Peak emitted robust vitality.
The Cyan-Horned Bull lazily lay in the icy pool, continuously absorbing the Spiritual Energy and traces of Demonic Qi from the bottom of the pool for cultivation.
Meanwhile, within his cave abode, Lin Chang’an was concentrating, holding a Spiritual Brush, energetically painting on a Tier Three Talisman Paper.
In one smooth stroke, as he completed the final touch, an ancient ’Jia’ character gathered at the center of the Talisman paper, exuding rich Spiritual Light.
"Tier Three Middle Grade Spiritual Armor Talisman!"
Looking at his creation, Lin Chang’an revealed a satisfied look, as once activated, this talisman would form an unbreakable Mana Shield before him.
[Tier Three Middle Grade Talisman Master (Mastery 298/1000)]
Setting down the Spiritual Brush, Lin Chang’an observed his progress in Talismans and nodded with satisfaction.
At this moment, a stream of light flickered within the cave abode, as the clone Wen Danshi emerged directly from the Earth Fire Cave, appearing in front of him.
Twelve bottles of Elixir were neatly arranged on the table, masterpieces completed after borrowing the Earth Fire Chamber from the Profound Sound Pavilion for Refining Elixir.
"These twelve bottles of Tier Three Middle Grade Elixir are sufficient to assist me in breaking through to the Core Formation Middle Stage early."
Gazing at these elixirs, Lin Chang’an nodded secretly. Although previously driven by the Secret Realm’s necessity, he sought an insurance to quickly elevate his power.
The current transformation of the Secret Realm into a ghostly oubliette might not guarantee safety.
In the Immortal Cultivation Realm, strength is everything; thus, enhancing one’s power is never a loss.
"To acquire these elixirs, I’ve nearly emptied my resources."
After returning from the journey to Sea Abyss City, Lin Chang’an found himself unusually destitute, possessing barely two thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones in total.
"Instruct those below to slowly gather materials for the Ice Marrow Jade Liquid Spirit Wine; with these elixirs to aid me, I will seclude myself and strive to break through to Core Formation Middle Stage within ten years."
Just as Lin Chang’an looked at the twelve bottles of elixir, preparing to seclude himself, a familiar figure showed up outside his cave abode.
"Mr. Lin."
Master Tan!
Upon sensing the cultivator’s aura outside his cave abode, Lin Chang’an was momentarily surprised.
What’s he doing here from Sea Abyss City? Previously, when he visited Sea Abyss City, he had intended to pay a visit, but found that Master Tan was away.
Unexpectedly, he turned up on Five Dragons Island; it was a rare guest indeed.
Given the person’s connections, and having accumulated quite a few Spirit Stones partly due to the merchant guild, Lin Chang’an naturally intended to host him well.
...
Celestial Spring Peak.
"Mr. Tan, last year I visited Sea Abyss City intending to call on you, but you weren’t in your cave abode. Unexpected that you would be on Five Dragons Island."
Opening the array, Lin Chang’an displayed an apologetic expression, as if feeling guilty for not knowing the other was on Five Dragons Island and failing to host him as a local.
However, the short-statured Master Tan waved it off, looking at him with a hearty laugh:
"Mr. Lin, you have a fortunate encounter this time!"
Opportunity!
A major one!? Hearing this, Lin Chang’an’s nerves instantly tensed, staring in surprise at the other party, feeling a strange familiarity with the setup.
Back at Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market, wasn’t this the same tactic Mr. Ge used to lure him out of the market?
