Chapter 369 ·Mystic Yin Divine Flame

Celestial Spring Peak.

“Yun Yao, the Mystic Yin Divine Flame within your body is continuously growing. If this continues, I fear it may cause irreversible damage.”

After returning and meeting Yun Yao again after many years apart, Lin Chang’an first examined her body.

Inside the cave abode, however, Yun Yao showed not the slightest concern. Instead, she lazily narrowed her eyes in rare relaxation, shifted into another posture, and softly said:

“It’s fine. The old devil still needs me to enter the Secret Realm. Moreover, there are other cultivators within the sect cultivating the Water Yin Demonic Art. My good senior sister has already been tormented to the point of suffering severe lifespan damage.

“Before the Secret Realm opens, she may perhaps become a seedling of the Mystic Yin Divine Flame.

“There are five people in the sect altogether…”

Yun Yao spoke lightly, yet toward this senior sister with whom she once competed, her heart still carried faint sorrow.

If she failed, she too would meet the same fate.

The cultivation world was this cruel.

“I’ve already purified the Mystic Yin Divine Flame within your body. This time in the Secret Realm, Yun Yao, how much confidence do you have?”

Although he had long since planned matters out, as the opening of the Secret Realm drew ever closer, Lin Chang’an still frowned slightly with concern.

Scheming against a Nascent Soul cultivator required not only courage, but also meticulous planning.

“Don’t worry. The Secret Realm contains all kinds of restrictions. After entering, Big Brother Lin, first help me completely refine this Mystic Yin Divine Flame, then leave a strand of pure mana within my body.

“The old devil still needs me to help retrieve that treasure for him. Before that, I’ll remain safe. And after obtaining the treasure, the Secret Realm will contain numerous traps and restrictions…”

Regarding Yun Yao’s plans, Lin Chang’an merely nodded lightly.

This Secret Realm truly was a rare opportunity, unlike anything before.

Soon afterward, the two conversed further, exchanging large amounts of information.

For example, the internal situation of the Mystic Yin Divine Sect, along with many hidden disturbances within the Outer Sea unknown to outsiders.

“Troubled times indeed. There are only around forty years left before the Secret Realm opens.”

Inside the cave abode, the two once more confirmed their conspiracy plans.

After all, this matter carried enormous consequences.

Within the cave abode, Lin Chang’an sensed the considerably strengthened Mystic Yin Divine Flame and could not help but reveal a solemn expression.

“Previously, it may only have been a tiny spark. Yet after growing slightly stronger, it actually caused my life-bound magical artifact to react.”

As Lin Chang’an’s expression grew serious, he raised his hand and the Sun-Piercing Divine Sword appeared within his palm.

Regarding this point, he did not avoid Yun Yao’s gaze.

“Big Brother Lin’s life-bound magical artifact was refined from the Fusang Divine Tree. According to what Big Brother Lin previously said, the Fusang Divine Tree grows from the mutual support of Yin and Yang twin trees.

“Yet Big Brother Lin’s magical artifact lacks Yin. As the saying goes, lone Yin cannot grow, solitary Yang cannot thrive.”

Yun Yao also became solemn as the two seemed to realize something simultaneously.

Lin Chang’an likewise nodded seriously.

Over these years, all the demonic energy within the Sun-Piercing Divine Sword had already been purified and sealed within a container.

However, the restoration of the Sun-Piercing Divine Sword’s spirituality had progressed extremely slowly.

Yet today’s reaction caused the two to think of something.

Only then did Yun Yao inhale deeply as a strand of幽蓝色 flame slowly emerged from her mouth.

The instant this strand of幽蓝色 flame appeared, an icy sinister aura spread out, causing the entire cave abode’s temperature to suddenly drop drastically.

Yet after this strand of幽蓝色 flame landed upon the Sun-Piercing Divine Sword, a strange scene occurred.

The Sun-Piercing Divine Sword flickered with spiritual light. The strand of幽蓝色 flame first puffed as it expanded several times larger—

Then it was greedily devoured by the Sun-Piercing Divine Sword.

Meanwhile, Lin Chang’an could clearly sense the condition of his life-bound magical artifact, causing joy to appear upon his face.

“So it truly is lone Yin cannot grow, solitary Yang cannot thrive!”

He could clearly sense that the instant the flame was devoured, his life-bound magical artifact improved by the slightest amount.

At this moment, Lin Chang’an achieved sudden understanding and discovered a method to rapidly restore the spiritual essence of his life-bound magical artifact.

Either he found another Yin-attribute Fusang tree.

With Yin and Yang mutually nourishing each other, restoration would naturally accelerate.

Yet this was undoubtedly the hardest option.

At the very least, based on the clues he currently possessed, this Fusang Divine Tree was likely related to the secrets of the clouds and mist.

A secret capable of causing even Nascent Soul cultivators to perish was far beyond what he could currently touch.

The second method was finding other Yin-attribute spiritual flames.

Their quality could not be too low.

Only then could they form a mutually generating Yin-Yang cycle and accelerate the recovery of the Fusang Divine Tree’s spiritual essence.

Naturally, in terms of restoration, it could not compare to the first method.

However, there was also a problem.

The spiritual flames could not be too weak.

Otherwise, the current situation would repeat itself, where they would be directly devoured.

Yin and Yang mutually generated and restrained one another.

If the balance broke, then one side would simply suppress and devour the other.

“Big Brother Lin, the Mystic Yin Divine Flame within my body is currently only a spark. Once this divine ability reaches completion, even within the Nascent Soul Realm it will not be weak. At that time, it will definitely help improve the quality of Big Brother Lin’s magical artifact.”

Yun Yao revealed a delighted expression while Lin Chang’an also nodded.

Finding a way to rapidly strengthen a magical artifact’s power was naturally a joyous matter.

Although the difficulty was not small, it was still far better than lacking direction altogether.

“Not to mention Yin-attribute spiritual flames—even throughout the entire cultivation world, any flame worthy of being called a spiritual flame is an exotic treasure. Obtaining one is absolutely no easy task.

“Moreover, with the Secret Realm opening imminent, even if we found a spiritual flame now, it would be impossible to improve things too much in a short time.”

However, after calming down, Lin Chang’an still lightly shook his head solemnly.

What he currently needed most was strengthening his power and planning for the Secret Realm. Forming a Nascent Soul as soon as possible was the true priority.

Only after becoming a Nascent Soul cultivator would he possess the qualifications to scheme for other matters.

“Big Brother Lin is right. And as long as our plan succeeds, then afterward I’ll be able to refine this Mystic Yin Divine Flame…”

At this point, Yun Yao revealed a bold expression as she looked toward Lin Chang’an.

Lin Chang’an likewise nodded solemnly.

Moments of reunion were always brief.

Especially now that Yun Yao, as the Saintess of the Mystic Yin Divine Sect, possessed an extremely sensitive identity.

This trip to Celestial Spring Peak had only been possible because she was under orders to arrange transactions with the Shape-shifted Sinister Spirit Ghost King within the Ghost Domain.

Only then did she gain the opportunity to visit once.

At the same time, she also needed to purify the increasingly powerful and gradually uncontrollable Mystic Yin Divine Flame within her body.

However, before parting, when Lin Chang’an spoke about the Yue Kingdom’s situation, although his tone sounded relaxed, hearing news about the aging descendants of old acquaintances still caused him to reveal melancholy.

“Yifan has grown old as well. Time truly is merciless.”

Walking out of the cave abode beneath the peach trees, Yun Yao revealed a nostalgic expression.

Along this path, all the old friends from the past had already departed.

Having Big Brother Lin accompany her until now already made her incredibly fortunate.

Yet hearing about the descendants of old acquaintances—especially Li Yifan, or rather Zhou Yifan from back then, whom she had personally instructed once before—

“Big Brother Lin, the longer one lives, the fewer attachments remain instead.”

It was difficult to say whether this was fortunate or unfortunate for the two of them.

“Don’t worry. They’re doing very well in the Yue Kingdom now. And with me, a Mid Core Formation elder of the Xuanyin Pavilion, watching over them, if Erniu and Shen Lie learned about it, they’d probably laugh themselves silly.”

Lin Chang’an jokingly teased.

Yun Yao also smiled.

That was true.

At the very least, they were fortunate.

With the protection of a Core Formation senior, they already surpassed ninety-nine percent of people within the cultivation world.

At last, the two parted.

Lin Chang’an stood alone beneath the peach tree, silently gazing at the figure disappearing once more into the horizon.

He remained silent for a very long time.

“Searching for Yin-attribute spiritual flames… I simply don’t have the time for that right now. It can only be temporarily shelved.”

Inside the pavilion, Lin Chang’an secretly pondered how all his energy was currently focused upon planning for the Secret Realm.

“Right now, I can more or less report my advancement as a third-rank high-grade Formation Master to this Sixth Elder. But waiting for the best timing would undoubtedly be even better.”

Once his cultivation touched the bottleneck of the Late Core Formation Realm—

At that time, he would report his breakthrough into third-rank high-grade Formation Mastery.

Wouldn’t he then be able to fleece several breakthrough pills from this Sixth Elder of Bihai Palace?

Without question, that would be the choice most beneficial to him.

To him, those pills were incomparably precious.

But to a Nascent Soul cultivator, they were nothing significant.

Maximizing利益 was his chosen path.

A third-rank high-grade Formation Master possessing Late Core Formation battle power would undoubtedly prove useful for future plans.

“Moo!”

The Azure-Horned Bull lazily lay within the pond.

Although Bibo Island possessed denser spiritual energy, the eternally gloomy weather and sinister cold spiritual energy clearly made it prefer Celestial Spring Peak much more.

……

Only a few days after Lin Chang’an returned to Celestial Spring Peak, visitors began arriving one after another.

After all, amid the current turbulent situation, Lin Chang’an—whose strength rivaled Late Core Formation great cultivators on Five Dragon Island—naturally became an object many people wished to curry favor with.

“Master!”

On this day, Sword Attendant respectfully stood behind him, reporting recent intelligence regarding the Five Dragon Island marketplace along with dividends collected from various shops.

At the same time, Sword Attendant also informed him that the Three Juniors had come to pay a visit.

Naturally, Lin Chang’an understood clearly why the three had come.

This time, the Xuanyin Pavilion’s internal grand competition was being held, and news had already leaked that the sect-planned Core Formation spirit items would be distributed.

Not long afterward, the three arrived respectfully at Celestial Spring Peak.

“Shen Zhuang, Li Tianmo, Zhou Bingxuan greet Elder Granduncle/ Senior Lin.”

The three respectfully bowed while Lin Chang’an secretly nodded as he observed their cultivation.

Among the three, Li Tianmo had once caught up to Zhou Bingxuan and become the strongest among them in cultivation.

Yet rigidness easily led to breaking.

Temporary speed meant nothing.

Maintaining stable cultivation progress afterward was the true hard truth.

Of course, this did not mean Li Tianmo’s choice was wrong.

After all, within the cultivation world, one additional measure of strength might allow you to survive the next unexpected disaster.

Only the living possessed a future.

There was no absolute right or wrong.

Now among the three, Zhou Bingxuan possessed the steadiest foundation, advancing steadily step by step.

Combined with both her talent and the cultivation resources the Zhou Clan could provide far surpassing the other two—

With her Late Foundation Establishment cultivation, she would likely touch the Core Formation bottleneck within at most another ten years.

Meanwhile, Li Tianmo’s fierce advancement in the early stages had caused his later momentum to weaken somewhat.

However, his firm determination also counted as a plus.

Finally, Shen Zhuang had only just broken through into Late Foundation Establishment. His foundation was solid, but he still remained far from Core Formation.

“Not bad. It seems your cultivation hasn’t fallen behind over these years.”

Lin Chang’an lightly nodded.

The three did not dare reveal the slightest arrogance and respectfully cupped their fists.

“Elder Granduncle/Senior Lin, the sect grand competition is about to begin. The three of us were ordered to come respectfully invite you.”

Lin Chang’an lightly nodded without saying much more.

As he slowly rose, the Azure-Horned Bull within the pond released a deep sound.

Sword Attendant respectfully followed behind him.

With a sweep of mana, the Three Juniors were already positioned atop the bull’s tail.

The Azure-Horned Bull stepped through the air toward the Xuanyin Pavilion while the Three Juniors wore awkward expressions.

The words weighing upon their hearts still remained unspoken.

Meanwhile, Lin Chang’an’s expression remained calm.

He was not intentionally teasing the three.

Rather, he was observing their temperaments when facing this Core Formation opportunity.

Within the cultivation world, nothing was ever obtained for free.

Even considering his friendship with Erniu, Shen Lie, and Junior Sister—

After three generations had passed, how much still remained?

If resentment arose within their hearts, such endlessly greedy individuals were naturally people he would not mind abandoning.

Moreover, human nature often viewed things obtained too easily as something deserved by right.

While the three remained lost in thought, the Azure-Horned Bull had already carried everyone across mountains and rivers toward the Xuanyin Pavilion’s headquarters.

“Welcome Elder Lin, Elder Qiu.”

The Azure-Horned Bull’s majestic aura as a Mid Third-rank Great Demon remained completely unconcealed, naturally making it visible from afar.

The cultivators welcoming them at the mountain gates all respectfully bowed.

Escape light flashed as the Azure-Horned Bull shrank back to normal size and everyone descended to the ground.

“Fellow Daoist Lin.”

After Lin Chang’an landed, the first person to greet him was unexpectedly Xu Lingfeng.

This man approached with a face full of smiles, acting extremely familiar.

This scene left Lin Chang’an speechless.

Fellow Daoist Xu’s change in attitude truly was astonishingly fast.

He still remembered that the last time he attended a sect grand competition, this fellow had not behaved like this.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, you’ve finally arrived. Senior Sister has been waiting for you for a long time.”

Xu Lingfeng deliberately raised his voice so that nearly all the Foundation Establishment disciples nearby heard him.

Any disciple capable of cultivating to Foundation Establishment was naturally shrewd.

Each lowered their brows as though hearing nothing.

Yet inwardly, all their thoughts stirred as they seemingly connected this with the rumors of recent years.

“Fellow Daoist Lin.”

A familiar voice rang out.

Meng Xinghai had also just arrived, cupping his fists with the bearing of a gentleman.

“Fellow Daoist Meng.”

Seeing this person, Lin Chang’an did not inquire why he had come to the Xuanyin Pavilion’s internal grand competition.

Meanwhile, Xu Lingfeng beside him revealed a strangely mocking smile.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, I nearly forgot to tell you. Fellow Daoist Meng personally escorted a batch of cultivation materials over here and just happened to arrive during our sect grand competition.”

When saying the words “just happened,” Xu Lingfeng deliberately emphasized his tone.

Anyone could hear the hidden meaning.

Yet Meng Xinghai merely smiled warmly and deeply while cupping his fists, as though hearing nothing at all.

One had to admit that his surface-level conduct truly was excellent.

Naturally, Lin Chang’an did not wish to become entangled in this matter.

At the very least, not openly.

However, due to his previous grievances with the Meng Clan, Lin Chang’an’s expression remained visibly indifferent.

Outsiders naturally could not find fault with this.

Meanwhile, Sword Attendant beside him revealed a cold glint as her hands silently clenched tightly.

She inwardly snorted coldly and secretly resolved that if an opportunity arose, she would definitely eliminate this man.

At the same time, Lin Chang’an also secretly pondered whether an opportunity might appear to secretly eliminate this person.

Yet recalling how True Lord Lu had already spoken previously, he did not wish to become implicated because of this.

“However, just because I have no opportunity to kill this person doesn’t mean others won’t.”

Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered.

After all, many people outside were secretly watching the Secret Realm opportunities in this man’s hands.

“Come, come. The sect grand competition is about to begin. Fellow daoists, please.”

At this moment, Liu Ruyu arrived.

Although she inwardly hated Meng Xinghai even more than Xu Lingfeng did, nothing could be seen on the surface as she smiled and invited everyone upward.

Meng Xinghai also maintained a gentle smile while cupping his fists.

Throughout his words and behavior, he repeatedly and intentionally revealed that the Meng Clan possessed two Core Formation spirit items.

ㄴ The second chapter will be updated tonight. Also requesting monthly votes—the double monthly vote event has begun.