Chapter 27 : Treasure Pavilion

Chapter 27: Treasure Pavilion

It had been half a month since the last time at Juxian Tower.

Today, Yun Yao personally came bearing gifts, and in doing so, delivered a piece of news that shocked him deeply.

"The friction between the Three Major Sects has intensified again."

"It's been too dangerous lately—even drifting talisman masters and alchemists are now being placed under bounty."

Lin Chang’an was secretly alarmed. Previously, the bounties had only targeted disciples from rival sects.

For example, inner disciples of Lihuo Palace had bounties depending on their cultivation and status; some key figures even had Foundation Establishment Pills as rewards.

"Their methods are truly ruthless—bounties were placed on Lihuo Palace and Xuanyin Pavilion, yet not on the families affiliated with the sects."

This was clearly a blatant tactic of sowing discord and offering temptation. There would always be someone who couldn't resist, especially with Foundation Establishment Pills involved.

And now, they were even placing bounties on middle-grade alchemists and talisman masters among drifting cultivators. It was a clear move to incite chaos using them.

"To think that even I would be placed under a bounty one day... but why is my bounty so low?"

Lin Chang’an slammed the table in anger—not because of the low bounty itself, but because he would now need to be more cautious when going out.

Though angry, Lin Chang’an suddenly thought of something and rubbed his chin in contemplation.

"It seems... this might be more beneficial than harmful for me."

Everything came with both gains and losses.

For him, the benefit was that talisman masters and alchemists in the marketplace, unless they turned to sects or major clans, would likely hide their identities.

That made it easier for him to sell talismans. After all, everyone would be operating in secret—it wasn’t just him.

"That being the case, I might even make a fortune from this."

With that thought, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but smile. Other talisman masters didn’t have the advantage of his State Lock talent.

This was a perfect opportunity for him to shine.

"Impressive—Yun Yao truly deserves to be a disciple of a major sect. These spells, which are unavailable no matter the price outside, she could actually bring out."

At this moment, Lin Chang’an lowered his head and looked at the return gift from Yun Yao for his support.

"Wood Spirit Thorn—this is actually a high-level spell meant to be used in conjunction with magical artifacts. Its advantage lies in extremely low mana consumption and extremely high concealment."

"The difficulty lies in the cultivator’s comprehension of wood-attribute cultivation techniques, control over mana, and also requires coordination with a hidden-weapon type artifact for full effect."

Upon reading the jade slip's introduction, as well as its detailed cultivation method and artifact compatibility, Lin Chang’an marveled in secret. The cultivation world was indeed full of hidden talents.

It seemed Yun Yao had long noticed his comprehension of Evergreen Art was no weaker than that of late-stage Qi Refining cultivators. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have given him such a defensive spell.

"But this description... is it exaggerated?"

Lin Chang’an frowned. This spell was created a hundred years ago by a Lihuo Palace cultivator based on the basic spell Spirit Flick. Using this spell, he once fought three cultivators of the same level alone and achieved a record of one killed, one crippled, one escaped.

It was well known that the advantage of wood-attribute cultivation techniques was in longevity and gentle mana. Only those with deep cultivation could exhibit mana that was continuous and rich.

"Let’s give it a try."

No sooner thought than done, Lin Chang’an raised his hand and summoned a mid-grade Golden Light Talisman, which immediately activated and protected the wall.

Under the faint golden light, with a tentative mind, Lin Chang’an raised his hand and manifested a wooden spike enveloped in mana.

A flash of green light streaked by!

With a soft clang, only faint ripples appeared on the Golden Light Talisman on the wall, and the wooden spike had already turned to dust.

However, Lin Chang’an noticed something and couldn’t help but gasp in shock.

"So fast!"

And its concealment was extremely strong. In a close-range ambush, even someone like him at the Fifth Level of Qi Refining would struggle to dodge without full vigilance.

"And this power!"

When the mana of the Golden Light Talisman on the wall had drained to the level of a low-grade talisman, Lin Chang’an flicked his finger and instantly cast five consecutively.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

On the fifth hit, it actually pierced through the Golden Light Talisman’s defense and left a shallow pit on the wall.

"The power is this strong?!"

Lin Chang’an was shocked. This wall was abnormally sturdy, and this was merely a regular wooden spike. On a cultivator’s body, it would definitely leave a bloody hole.

If paired with corresponding flying-needle-type magical artifacts, wouldn’t it be even more formidable?

"But this spell places high demands on the cultivator themselves."

Lin Chang’an looked down at his flushed fingers, frowning secretly. In terms of spell comprehension and mana control, he was already no weaker than an average late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

Yet after only a few attempts, his fingers were already swollen and aching.

"Extreme compression and rotation, combined with instant eruption—none can be lacking!"

In just a short moment, he had advanced from beginner to proficient in the Wood Spirit Thorn spell.

"If I were to match this with magical artifacts specialized in penetrating mana shields, like flying needles, wouldn’t that mean I could easily threaten cultivators of the same level?"

For a time, Lin Chang’an’s heart burned with excitement. More importantly, this spell consumed very little mana—it was completely feasible for him to grind it up to the grandmaster level.

"Though hidden-weapon magical artifacts are a bit pricey, compared to one's life, they are absolutely worth it."

As the outside world grew more dangerous, Lin Chang’an resumed his reclusive lifestyle—staying home for cultivation, drawing talismans, and restoring mana with spirit stones, focusing mainly on mastering this spell.

Of course, he had recently added one more routine—frequently applying spirit liquid to his fingers to relieve the swelling and pain.

Ever since Yun Yao borrowed spirit stones last time, it was said she spent nearly a thousand spirit stones on a high-grade defensive magical artifact—after which she disappeared without a trace.

Three months later.

Treasure Pavilion.

On this day, Lin Chang’an disguised himself as a hoarse old man, donning a bamboo hat and walking into the Treasure Pavilion run by Xuanyin Pavilion.

If Lihuo Palace was famed for its combat prowess, then Xuanyin Pavilion was most renowned not just for its female cultivators, but also for its diversity in pills, talismans, and artifact crafting.

"Though the pavilion is equipped with a Spirit Concealment Formation that better hides one's identity, it’s still best to remain cautious."

Upon entering, Lin Chang’an nodded to himself in secret. With the rising tensions in the past two years, Treasure Pavilion and Duobao Pavilion had publicly installed such formations to boost sales.

It was a clear statement to everyone—their security had been upgraded.

"Fellow Daoist, please come in."

Just upon stepping inside, he was greeted by a waft of fragrance and two scantily-clad female cultivators welcoming him with radiant smiles.

Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but sigh—how nice it would be if peace returned and he could spend his days here.

"I want to buy a magical artifact of decent quality."

Remembering the business at hand, Lin Chang’an didn’t hesitate and spoke hoarsely. One of the female cultivators immediately lit up upon hearing this.

"Senior, this way upstairs please."

Her face changed so quickly that Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but click his tongue. He wondered if she changed just as fast at night.

Anyone asking for a quality artifact would be at least after a mid-grade one, so the two female cultivators naturally received him with cheerful smiles.

However, both women were of inferior spiritual roots and were merely there for appearance; they had no qualification to go upstairs.

As Lin Chang’an ascended the second floor, a shopkeeper was already waiting at the entrance.

"Fellow Daoist, this way."

Spiritual tea and spirit fruit were served by graceful maids. The slightly plump shopkeeper clasped his hands with a beaming smile.

"I wonder what grade of magical artifact Fellow Daoist is looking for. Treasure Pavilion has it all. Even top-grade artifacts are auctioned off every year."

"You’re too kind, Fellow Daoist. This old man is merely looking for one or two mid-grade artifacts for self-defense."

Lin Chang’an replied in a hoarse voice, putting on the air of an elderly man.

Under the Spirit Concealment Formation, no one could discern another’s cultivation unless they were at the Foundation Establishment stage.

He was only here to buy a mid-grade artifact—what Foundation Establishment cultivator would be so hungry for spirit stones?

The plump shopkeeper’s smile grew even broader upon hearing this.