Chapter 102: Unexpected Relations

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Lan Chang'an believed that the higher-ups of the cultivation sects had keener senses than ordinary cultivators.

Using others as whetstones was something Lan Chang'an had seen in his past life. But a stone too hard to crack would be left abandoned.

Tuoba Jin wouldn't challenge the Fake-Dan cultivators of the Flame Departing Palace.

His enmity with He Yuanwu was only a superficial reason.

With Tuoba Jin's sharpness, he must have crossed paths with many people, not just He Yuanwu.

The fundamental reason was that Huanglong Immortal City was a suitable target. It was strong, but not invincible, and thus Tuoba Jin was unafraid to offend them.

"The current Huanglong Immortal City—and Huanglong Immortal himself—may not be as formidable as one might think." Lan Chang'an mused.

Huanglong Immortal still had more than a hundred years of lifespan left.

As long as he remained as the stabilizing force, without major issues, Huanglong Immortal City might only decline slowly, not collapse rapidly.

"In a few decades, Huanglong Immortal's physical state will inevitably decline, as he enters the decline of old age."

Lan Chang'an speculated that the peak period of Huanglong Immortal’s prime was nearly over.

Huanglong Immortal’s weakness lay in not cultivating a True Dan-level successor.

Among his disciples, only two were Fake-Dan Immortals, and while there were other Core Formation cultivators within the Huanglong Immortal City, they would only follow orders from Huanglong Immortal himself.

A Fake-Dan Immortal could not control the interests within an entire immortal city, nor could weaker core cultivators.

...

The large auction concluded.

Zhao Siyao bid farewell and set off back to Jin Yun Valley.

Lan Chang'an also prepared to leave Huanglong.

Before leaving, he made another transaction with the Beast Taming Zhou Family.

This time, it was Zhou Qingxuan in charge again.

Lan Chang'an obtained a larger superior-grade second-rank demonic beast skin, along with some mid to low-grade second-rank materials suitable for creating talisman paper.

Not all demonic beast skins could be used as talisman materials, and even the specific parts of the hide used were carefully considered. Generally speaking, the heart, neck, and abdomen were preferred. The hides of captive beasts were far inferior to those of wild ones.

Lan Chang'an stayed at Water Moon Residence for a month to complete the transaction.

This time, besides earning a portion of excess materials, he also obtained five top superior-grade second-rank talismans.

Adding the previous three, he now had eight top superior-grade second-rank talismans in total.

"Unfortunately, at the mid to superior second-rank level, the excess material obtained is far less than at the first rank."

Lan Chang'an felt a bit regretful.

This was inevitable. As the talisman level improved, his advantages as a third-rank talisman master in his past life would diminish.

According to Zhou Qingxuan, the next transaction would be at least a few years later.

...

After completing the transaction.

Lan Chang'an vacated his Water Moon Residence and bid farewell to his neighbors.

He took Guan Qiaozhi and left Huanglong Immortal City, where he had cultivated for over twenty years.

Three days after Lan Chang'an left.

A Foundation Establishment aura arrived in front of Water Moon Residence.

The visitor was a clear-eyed youth wearing a large cotton coat.

"Am I too late?"

Looking at the empty courtyard, the youth's expression changed.

"Senior Fu, are you here to find Master Lan? He left Huanglong Immortal City three days ago." Du Wei from Heart Pill Residence warmly greeted him.

"I've raised you for over thirty years. It's time you learned to fend for yourself."

Lan Chang'an walked over and knocked on the turtle shell with the back of his hand.

"From today onwards, the task of watering the spiritual grains, medicinal herbs, and seedlings on the mountain is yours."

"Zizi!" The Earth Burrowing Rat crawled out of a hole, baring its teeth and raising its paws in agreement.

The Profound Water Turtle looked at Lan Chang'an with tearful eyes.

Seeing that he was unmoved, it moved its limbs and headed to the medicinal herb area.

In front of a medicinal field, it cast a minor spiritual spell.

A shower of rain fell, emitting a faint green glow.

Lan Chang'an nodded in satisfaction, noticing that the Profound Water Turtle’s spiritual spell contained the vitality of the wood element.

This Profound Water Turtle had leaf-like patterns on its shell when it hatched.

Lan Chang'an speculated that the Evergreen Technique, which cost him six months of lifespan to hatch the turtle, had influenced its physique.

...

After setting up the cave mansion on the mountain, Lan Chang'an invited the other two peak masters of Wuqi Mountain.

Under the witness of Jin Yun Valley cultivators.

Lin Ye, Shi Manrong, and Lan Chang'an signed a new joint spiritual contract.

The rent for Wuqi Mountain’s spiritual vein was twelve thousand spiritual stones every ten years, divided equally among the three.

The annual rental fee might not seem like much, but time passed swiftly for cultivators with their long lifespans. Renting for ten or twenty years at a time would be a considerable expense.

After signing the spiritual contract.

Lan Chang'an hosted a banquet in his cave mansion, entertaining Lin Ye and Shi Manrong.

The two Foundation Establishment cultivators highly praised Guan Qiaozhi’s culinary skills.

Guan Qiaozhi’s dexterity wasn’t limited to making talisman materials; she excelled at all crafts requiring hands-on skills.

She also did well in handling puppet parts.

"Daoist Lan, did you purchase the second-rank formation on your mountain from Huanglong Immortal City?" Shi Manrong, elegant and calm, her eyes clear as water.

"Daoist Lan, are you doubting Fairy Shi's formation skills?" Lin Ye’s dark red old face showed a hint of teasing.

Shi Manrong was a renowned formation genius in the area.

"Of course not! My original plan was to set up two formations: one for defense and the other for illusions and attacks, which I intended to entrust to Fairy Shi." Lan Chang'an explained his idea.

The formation he set up was from his past life, with good resistance to spiritual sense probing.

Shi Manrong nodded, inquiring about Lan Chang'an’s specific needs.

She didn’t stay for the drinks, bowing slightly and leaving early.

Lin Ye, an alchemist who loved alcohol, brought two jars of spiritual wine.

Lan Chang'an drank and chatted with him for a long time, learning about the surrounding conditions of Wuqi Mountain.

"Daoist Lan, do you know why I chose you to rent the third peak?"

After a few rounds, Lin Ye’s expression became mysterious, and he set up a soundproof barrier.

"Why is that?"

Lan Chang'an couldn’t figure it out.

Shi Manrong had a bad relationship with Gu Lai and wouldn't support him. In Wuqi Mountain, Lin Ye had the highest cultivation and skills, giving him more say.

Lin Ye’s next words startled Lan Chang'an:

"Alchemist Hua is my senior brother."

Lan Chang'an’s pupils contracted, feeling wary.

"Haha, Daoist Lan, don’t worry. We are friends, not foes. The way that animal Hua schemed against you, others might not see through it, but how could I not guess?"

(End of chapter)