Chapter 365 ·Using the Fairy as Bait

Celestial Spring Peak.

“Master!”

On this bright and sunny day, Lin Chang’an was rarely relaxing beneath the peach trees, reclining upon a chair with narrowed eyes, enjoying the ripples stirred up by the Trading Gathering he had personally orchestrated over this period of time.

At that moment, a figure walked out from the cultivation chamber.

It was Sword Attendant, who had been in secluded cultivation for a long time.

After seeing how relaxed and pleased her master looked, Sword Attendant could not help but reveal a trace of joy. She stepped forward skillfully and replaced the pot of Spirit Tea for him.

“Not bad. Looks like this secluded cultivation brought considerable gains.”

Although she had yet to break through to the Mid Core Formation stage, Sword Attendant’s aura surged powerfully. It was obvious her cultivation had greatly advanced.

“Thanks to Master’s blessings, this servant’s cultivation improved considerably during this retreat.”

Looking at Sword Attendant crouching before him while preparing fresh tea, Lin Chang’an gently stroked her smooth blue-black hair and smiled as he shook his head.

“Between life and death often lies great terror, but also opportunity.”

Two years ago, when facing the Meng Clan’s assassination attempt, Sword Attendant had suffered severe injuries, yet fighting a peak late Core Formation cultivator had also brought her tremendous gains.

Especially that experience between life and death.

It was simply that such a method was far too dangerous.

Sword Attendant had only formed her Golden Core slightly over twenty years ago.

Most likely, within another ten years or so, breaking through to Mid Core Formation would not be difficult.

This was the talent of a top-tier Sword Dao Spirit Body.

Whether it was the Sword Dao Spirit Body or the Baleful Origin Sword Art she cultivated, both belonged to the type that advanced courageously and relentlessly.

The more they fought—

The braver they became.

“This inner armor has already been repaired. Also, keep this Blackblood Divine Needle for self-defense.”

Looking at the freshly brewed Spirit Tea, Lin Chang’an smiled in satisfaction before taking out the repaired inner armor from his storage pouch.

“Thank you, Master. It’s just that this Blackblood Divine Needle is a top-tier Third-rank magical artifact…”

Top-tier Third-rank magical artifacts were ordinarily difficult for an early Core Formation cultivator’s Divine Sense to control.

However, Sword Attendant had once consumed a Clear Spirit Pill.

The lower a cultivator’s cultivation, the better the effects of the Clear Spirit Pill.

Now, Sword Attendant’s Divine Sense had already nearly reached the peak of early Core Formation.

If she merely treated this top-tier Third-rank magical artifact as a trump card killer move, she could still barely use it.

Once her Divine Sense broke through to Mid Core Formation, its effects would naturally become even greater.

“In two months, the Five Dragon Island Marketplace will hold a Trading Gathering. Let’s see whether there’s an opportunity there to help your Divine Sense break through.”

Lin Chang’an waved dismissively.

Sword Attendant did not say much further and respectfully accepted the two magical artifacts, though sweetness welled up within her heart.

The Blackblood Divine Needle was a top-tier Third-rank magical artifact.

Even that peak late Core Formation cultivator had treated it as a trump card killer move, proving just how formidable it was.

But Lin Chang’an now possessed the Yin Spirit Drill—

That concealed weapon left behind by the Shape-shifted Sinister Spirit Beast King.

Whether in power or effect, it far surpassed the Blackblood Divine Needle.

With both overlapping, the Blackblood Divine Needle naturally became somewhat redundant.

It was better to leave it to Sword Attendant as a hidden killer move.

This way, it would not be wasted and would also provide her with another method.

Moreover, even if Sword Attendant exposed the treasure while using it, it would not attract any trouble.

After all, the one that surnamed Meng originally tried to assassinate had been Sword Attendant.

To the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, this treasure residing in Sword Attendant’s possession was perfectly justified.

Furthermore, the treasure was too sinister.

He had no intention of returning it to the Meng Family.

“A Trading Gathering?”

Sword Attendant had been in secluded cultivation for two years and was still somewhat unclear regarding the recent situation.

Lin Chang’an chuckled softly as he discussed recent cultivation progress and changes in the current situation with her.

Whenever Core Formation cultivators entered seclusion, it would often last at least several months or even years.

Thus, every time they emerged, the first thing they needed to do was understand the current situation.

Just like how he previously always learned everything from Sword Attendant.

……

The Golden Crow descended in the west while the Jade Rabbit rose in the east.

The Seven Kingdoms Alliance led by Xuanyin Pavilion was preparing to host a Trading Gathering on Five Dragon Island.

For a time, the Five Dragon Island Marketplace became bustling with excitement.

After half a year of advance publicity, many cultivators from nearby sea regions also arrived.

Although the Seven Kingdoms Alliance was strong, its members had previously been scattered across various sea regions without shared interests binding them together. Thus, they had always been merely a loose collection of sand.

But now, relying on Bibo Island and the mining of several Spirit Mines, the Seven Kingdoms Alliance had become tied together by shared利益.

They were no longer the scattered group from before.

Their momentum had even surpassed the once-glorious Four Seas Merchant Guild.

With more than twenty Core Formation cultivators gathered together and backed by True Lord Lu, a Nascent Soul cultivator, the Seven Kingdoms Alliance had become an undeniable force in the surrounding sea regions.

Naturally, the Trading Gathering hosted by the Seven Kingdoms Alliance attracted many cultivators.

Marketplace.

“Fellow Daoist Lin.”

“Formation Master Lin’s bearing surpasses even before.”

On this day, when Lin Chang’an arrived at the marketplace pavilion hosting the Trading Gathering, whether familiar or unfamiliar, everyone along the way revealed flattering smiles and cupped their fists in greeting.

Lin Chang’an’s status was no longer what it once had been.

Possessing a Mutated Spirit Beast, his strength was no longer merely approaching late Core Formation.

Even late Core Formation cultivators now had to treat him as an equal.

A mid Third-rank Mutated Spirit Beast—

If one day Lin Chang’an broke through to late Core Formation, and both he and his spirit beast advanced further—

Then within the Core Formation realm, hardly anyone would dare provoke him casually.

“You all flatter me too much, Fellow Daoists.”

Lin Chang’an smiled and returned greetings with cupped fists, regardless of whether they were true Core Formation cultivators or False Core cultivators.

These were all potential customers.

At present, only Core Formation cultivators could afford the formations he crafted.

Inside the grand hall, as cultivators continuously arrived, acquaintances exchanged greetings with one another.

There were also many unfamiliar faces.

Some had even deliberately hidden their identities when arriving.

No one minded this.

Meanwhile, seated within the hall while enjoying Sword Attendant’s service beside him, Lin Chang’an narrowed his eyes while observing everyone arriving.

The reason he brought out so many magical artifacts this time was all to lure the Meng Clan into the trap he arranged.

“I hope Meng Xinghai doesn’t disappoint me.”

Knowing the secret technique Meng Xinghai cultivated and the opportunities he was scheming for, Lin Chang’an understood that the Meng Clan was already declining.

Once Madam Meng passed away, the Meng Clan would completely fall into ruin.

Thus, Meng Xinghai was more anxious than anyone else to break through to late Core Formation as quickly as possible.

To arrange this trap, Lin Chang’an had paid a tremendous sacrifice.

Whenever he thought about his sacrifice, Lin Chang’an could not help but secretly swear that this matter absolutely could not be discovered by others.

……

“Looks like no one is watching us.”

After entering the Five Dragon Island sea region, Meng Xinghai secretly sighed in relief.

Traveling together with him were his mother and another Core Formation cultivator from the clan.

“Mother, it seems Father’s incident last time truly was only an accident.”

For the past two years, he had cautiously avoided stepping even a single foot outside Bibo Island, fearing that someone might secretly be monitoring the Meng Clan.

Madam Meng also nodded solemnly.

“It seems we were overly suspicious these past two years. But caution is never a mistake. Do not become careless.”

As their Escape Light flew onward, they encountered many other Core Formation cultivators also heading toward Five Dragon Island.

Whenever they met, regardless of whether they knew each other or not, as same-realm cultivators they merely nodded lightly from afar in greeting.

Not approaching one another was to avoid misunderstandings.

Upon arriving at Five Dragon Island, Madam Meng secretly observed the surroundings.

It seemed that ever since her husband’s death, she truly had become somewhat overly cautious.

At the same time, two figures descended in the distance as well.

“Big Sister, is this the Five Dragon Island Marketplace? It’s so lively. Do you think this Trading Gathering will have Core Formation spiritual items available?”

A young girl wearing a feather-green dress revealed a sweet smile while lively and energetic, tugging at the side of a False Core female cultivator beside her.

Upon her fair wrist hung a bracelet of seven-colored crystal stones that emitted crisp jingling sounds.

Her lively movements made her resemble a forest spirit.

Meanwhile, the elder sister beside her wore her cloud-like hair piled elegantly atop her head, with only a translucent jade phoenix-tail hairpin inserted diagonally through it.

Tassels hung gently down, displaying noble elegance.

She wore a flowing moon-white dress embroidered with pale violet cloud patterns, its wide sleeves fluttering gracefully, carrying an innate rhythm of calm composure in every movement.

“Little Sister, how many times have I told you? Be more cautious.”

The elder sister’s gentle tone carried traces of caution as she smiled dotingly at her younger sister.

The sisters were secretly communicating through voice transmission, so outsiders could not hear them.

The two girls had even secretly donned veiled hats to conceal their appearances.

However, this scene just happened—

Or rather, under deliberate calculation—

To be noticed by Meng Xinghai, who had likewise disguised himself while entering the marketplace.

“Mother, are these two suspicious?”

Meng Xinghai, dressed in elegant green robes, was not dazzled by beauty.

Instead, he calmly asked his mother through voice transmission.

Madam Meng secretly glanced at them before gently shaking her head.

“One is a False Core cultivator, the other late Foundation Establishment. But remember why we came here this time.”

Thus, the two parties almost traveled together.

However, the sister pair clearly sensed that Meng Xinghai’s group had concealed their cultivation levels.

Without realizing it, they subtly altered direction, seemingly wishing to avoid misunderstandings.

Their behavior perfectly resembled cautious rogue cultivators.

Instead, this caused Meng Xinghai to relax his vigilance considerably.

After all, there were simply too many cultivators arriving today.

Core Formation and False Core cultivators alike were participating in this rare grand gathering.

Normally rare-to-see False Core and Core Formation female cultivators had appeared in considerable numbers today.

Meanwhile, the sister pair who had cautiously paused elsewhere curled their lips into cold smiles after watching the Meng Clan group leave.

“You know nothing about me—

“Yet I already understand nearly everything about your Meng Clan!”

After reading the memories of the one surnamed Meng, Lin Chang’an learned that the Meng Clan possessed a secret technique capable of eavesdropping upon voice transmissions from cultivators with lower cultivation levels.

The sister pair were both created through Lin Chang’an’s External Avatar Divine Ability.

With the top-tier wood-attribute cultivation technique he cultivated, together with the support of his Natal Spiritual Plant, the Profound Heaven Immortal Vine—

Unless the opponent was a Nascent Soul cultivator, no one could see through his disguise.

Furthermore, the female cultivator identities he disguised himself as had genuinely existed before.

Even if others investigated, he had nothing to fear.

……

Night gradually descended.

The grand hall gathered many Core Formation cultivators.

After disguising themselves, the sisters sat near the outer perimeter of the hall.

After all, with False Core cultivation, they could only sit there.

As for the younger sister, although merely a late Foundation Establishment cultivator, she stood respectfully behind her elder sister, so no one found it strange.

After all, too many people brought juniors here to broaden their horizons.

“Young Master, we investigated them. These two women are from the Wang Family of the Green Bamboo Mountain Marketplace in Yue Kingdom. They arrived even earlier than the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.

“They originally sought refuge under the Dragon Clan.

“Later, for unknown reasons, they fled into the Fog Sea of Tongtian. Afterward, their clan…”

“…”

“While entering, the two women conversed with cultivators from Xuanyin Pavilion, which was how they revealed their origins.”

After hearing the report, Meng Xinghai secretly nodded.

It seemed he truly had become overly suspicious.

Ever since his father’s death, he had indeed become excessively paranoid.

Their identities and origins all checked out.

After all, being able to converse with Xuanyin Pavilion cultivators without exposing any flaws practically confirmed they were very familiar with Yue Kingdom.

It could basically be determined that even if their identities were false, they still originated from some insignificant place within Yue Kingdom without any backing.

“A False Core female cultivator, and a younger sister preparing to seek Core Formation spiritual items…”

At this moment, Meng Xinghai secretly calculated inwardly.

He was not lustful by nature, nor the type to lose his head upon seeing women.

To him, female cultivators with stronger cultivation resembled thousand-year spirit fruits in the eyes of ordinary cultivators—

They were peerless cultivation treasures capable of improving strength.

“Xinghai, remember the primary purpose of our visit today.”

Madam Meng also glanced at her son before lowering her voice in transmission.

However, she casually swept her gaze across the female cultivators present.

Now that her lifespan was nearly exhausted, once she passed away, if her son’s strength failed to break through to late Core Formation—

He would inevitably suffer oppression.

This also caused her inward grief.

“Later, have someone bring out a Core Formation spiritual item. Act carefully.”

“Yes.”

Meng Xinghai had not forgotten the purpose of today’s visit.

The reason he paid more attention to those two female cultivators was purely because he sensed the possibility of cultivation advancement from them.

Just like all cultivators—

When facing spiritual objects capable of increasing cultivation, greed would inevitably arise within their hearts.

In fact, not only those two women.

He had secretly observed all the female cultivators present.

“Fairy Rainbow Skirt.”

Suddenly, as the Fairy of Rainbow Skirt from Xuanyin Pavilion arrived, Meng Xinghai immediately revealed a gentlemanly smile while cupping his fists.

“Madam Meng, Fellow Daoist Meng.”

The Fairy of Rainbow Skirt chuckled softly while greeting acquaintances.

This scene caused Meng Xinghai’s heart to stir intensely.

Not merely because of the harvesting cultivation aspect—

But also because of the temptation posed by Xuanyin Pavilion’s vast foundation.

“Damn it! That surnamed Lin actually possesses a Mutated Spirit Beast!”

Thinking of this, Meng Xinghai could not help but direct his gaze toward Lin Chang’an, his heart filled with towering hatred.

However, Lin Chang’an seemed to sense something and turned his gaze toward him.

Instantly, Meng Xinghai revealed an apologetic expression.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, regarding the previous misunderstanding…”

Yet before he could finish speaking, Lin Chang’an directly revealed a cold expression, turning away without looking at him again while instead conversing with others.

This scene instantly made Meng Xinghai awkward beyond measure.

The others naturally witnessed it as well.

Some watched the spectacle.

Others took pleasure in Meng Xinghai’s embarrassment.

Meanwhile, the cultivators of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance collectively treated the Meng Clan with cold indifference.

After all, the one surnamed Meng had targeted the Seven Kingdoms Alliance’s Spirit Mines.

He had merely failed.

As for Lin Chang’an—

Regardless of the reason, the one surnamed Meng had originally attempted to assassinate his personal attendant concubine.

Had it not been for the Mutated Spirit Beast Greenhorn Ox, that attendant concubine would already be dead.

Whether publicly or privately, giving the Meng Clan no face was entirely reasonable.

“Welcome, Fellow Daoists, to the Trading Gathering hosted by our Seven Kingdoms Alliance…”

Today’s Trading Gathering was hosted by Liu Ruyu, the Core Formation cultivator from Xuanyin Pavilion.

Her face brimmed with smiles as she welcomed everyone’s arrival.

Besides the Core Formation cultivators from nearby sea regions, many rogue cultivators had also come.

Even cultivators from the Four Seas Merchant Guild and the Dragon Clan attended.

Watching the increasingly powerful Seven Kingdoms Alliance caused the Four Seas Merchant Guild to feel a sense of crisis, secretly transmitting messages with the Meng Clan.

These years, the two sides had remained in close contact.

After all, neither faction alone could rival the current Seven Kingdoms Alliance.

Naturally, they sought cooperation.

Only the Dragon Clan appeared somewhat declined.

These recent years, they had kept such an unusually low profile that no one wished to provoke them.