Chapter 209 - 172: Trouble Finds Its Way, Cultivation Finally Advances
Chapter 209: Chapter 172: Trouble Finds Its Way, Cultivation Finally Advances
"As it happens, I’ve collected some Essence Blood, too. I was just planning on finding some time to bring it to you, Brother Lin."
Mo Zhaoli’s limpid eyes shone, and her voice was gentle and graceful.
Lin Changheng glanced over and saw that most of it was Mountain-moving Ape Essence Blood—a full hundred portions. The rest was the deep red Essence Blood of the Red-eyed Fire Demon, totaling around thirty portions.
"Thank you."
Lin Changheng accepted the Essence Blood and expressed his gratitude.
’With these, all I’m missing is the Earth Element Profound Spirit Essence Blood.’
He paused for a moment before adding with a smile, "You can stop collecting Mountain-moving Ape Essence Blood; I have enough now. Thanks to you collecting so much Essence Blood for me, Li’Er, my progress has been very smooth."
"Okay."
Mo Zhaoli nodded slightly. Without asking further, she simply gave a sweet smile. "There’s no need to be so formal, Brother Lin."
At noon, Mo Zhaoli played the host, inviting Lin Changheng to a Spirit Wine Tower in the Sect’s Marketplace for a taste of their wares.
Lin Changheng didn’t mind sparing the time, so of course, he accepted.
The two of them arrived shortly after.
This particular Marketplace was situated directly atop a high mountain.
Amidst swirling clouds and mist, numerous pavilions with flying eaves and elaborate brackets were perched precariously on the cliffs. Spiritual Cranes circled above, and occasionally, Cultivators on spiritual artifacts or as streaks of Escape Light would fly past.
The tower was named the Drunken Immortal Inn. It was perched on the highest peak, seemingly standing on the clouds themselves. It felt like drinking in the High Heavens, an experience with a unique charm all its own.
Lin Changheng tasted the wares and found them to be truly delicious.
However, he didn’t linger for long. He suggested they explore the Sect Marketplace, explaining that as a mere Loose Cultivator, he was interested in not just seeing the sights but also experiencing the culture of a Sect.
Mo Zhaoli, of course, happily agreed and accompanied him with a smile.
After strolling for a short while, Lin Changheng lost interest, which made Mo Zhaoli, who was beside him, purse her lips in a soft chuckle.
It turned out that while the Sect Marketplace was quite good and the goods for sale were abundant, they were almost all Tier One; there were no Tier Two items to be seen.
Mo Zhaoli later explained that this was because the Tier Two items provided directly by the Sect offered better value.
Far better than what was available in the Marketplace.
If a Foundation Establishment Cultivator needed anything—from Spiritual Artifacts and Talismans to Elixirs and Arrays—they could directly exchange Contribution Points or Spirit Stones for them at the Sect’s various halls.
Due to this long-term market dynamic, the Marketplace naturally stopped selling many Tier Two items.
However, this was all relative. The Sect’s exchange system was still inferior to the model of providing your own Materials and commissioning a Pill Master to craft something for you.
...
When Lin Changheng took his leave, Mo Zhaoli saw him off as before.
"Junior Sister Mo!"
On their way, they ran into the white-robed male Cultivator from Mo Zhaoli’s Foundation Establishment celebration, the one called "Senior Brother Feng." He was riding his Escape Light to catch up with them.
His master was a Fake Core Master, and he had previously made a point of toasting the Ink Master, hoping to make an impression and curry favor.
He was clearly interested in Mo Zhaoli.
However, the last time Lin Changheng had seen him, the man was at the Second Layer of Foundation Establishment; now, he had already reached the Third Layer.
"Senior Brother Feng."
Mo Zhaoli stopped her Escape Light and greeted him, her expression lukewarm.
"I just came out of seclusion and was planning to find you for a chat, Junior Sister Mo. I never imagined I’d run into you on the way—what a coincidence! I wonder, would you call this fate?"
"Senior Brother Feng" was dressed in robes whiter than snow and was quite handsome. His every gesture had a debonair flair, making it difficult for one to take an immediate dislike to him.
"It is a coincidence in a way, but in another... not really. I’m currently seeing my Senior Brother off, so I’m afraid I can’t chat for long, Senior Brother Feng."
Mo Zhaoli said, her tone slightly apologetic.
"And I was wondering who this was. So it’s you, Mr. Lin. It’s been a while. Your Qi Cultivation is as stable as ever."
Only then did "Senior Brother Feng" turn his attention to the green-robed Lin Changheng beside Mo Zhaoli. Though the man wasn’t old, his Cultivation still lacked the aura of Foundation Establishment. He smiled warmly and said,
"Next time you visit the Sect, Mr. Lin, if Junior Sister Mo isn’t around and you can’t get past the Mountain Gate, feel free to look for me. I’d be more than happy to play the host on her behalf."
Hearing these words—needles hidden in cotton—Lin Changheng wasn’t angry at all. Instead, he felt a stir in his heart. ’This veteran Early Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator actually can’t see through my real Cultivation...’
’It seems the Concealing Breath, this Abnormal Technique from the Jade Horned Snake Treasure Seed, First Layer, is really something special.’
’Thinking about it now, I feel like I got a great deal.’
He immediately smiled and cupped his hands. "Heh, then I thank you for your kind offer, Fellow Daoist."
This, in turn, left "Senior Brother Feng" stunned. ’Can this guy not tell when he’s being insulted?’
’My plan was to needle him with backhanded comments, throw him off balance, and make him lose his composure. It would have been a perfect contrast in front of Mo Zhaoli. But the result... was this?’
It almost threw him for a complete loop. Just as he was about to speak again, Mo Zhaoli suddenly cut in, her voice cold. "Senior Brother Feng, let’s chat another time. We’ll be taking our leave now."
Without waiting for a reply, her Magical Power flared, and her Escape Light enveloped Lin Changheng, shooting off into the distance.
"Hmph!"
"If my master weren’t summoning me so urgently, I’d definitely test that Lin’s mettle... Fine. Next time we meet, don’t blame me for what happens. If I have to, making you disappear from Junior Sister Mo’s world... isn’t out of the question!"
"Senior Brother Feng" stood there alone, watching the two of them depart. His face darkened, a vicious glint hidden in his eyes. With a flick of his sleeve, he shot off towards the inner depths of the Sect.
...
The Escape Light reached the Mountain Gate.
"Brother Lin, I’m so sorry. I..."
The displeasure on Mo Zhaoli’s face was plain to see as she began to apologize to Lin Changheng.
She knew that her Brother Lin disliked trouble, yet trouble had found him because of her.
"It’s nothing."
Lin Changheng reached out and gently stroked Mo Zhaoli’s long, black hair. "It’s not your fault. Exceptional people always attract attention and scrutiny. It’s only natural, and certainly not what you intended."
"Brother Lin may not like trouble or go looking for it, but that doesn’t mean he’s afraid of it, either."