...

As Lin Chang’an left the market, he frowned, clearly noticing someone following him from behind.

In the end, the escape light of a Fake Pill Cultivator was indeed faster than his.

"Mr. Ge, it seems we are truly destined to meet."

Two escape lights flickered, one belonging to the previously fierce-looking Fake Pill Cultivator surnamed Yu, who now greeted with a full smile, as if encountering an old friend.

After leaving the market, the Fake Pill Cultivator surnamed Yu pondered for a moment and, being cautious, called for another.

Two against one, it shouldn’t possibly fail.

"So, it was you who previously exchanged for Brother Yu’s Heavenly Crystal Flower!"

The Fake Pill Cultivator, a pale-faced scholar, expressed dissatisfaction as soon as they met, and the Fake Pill Cultivator surnamed Yu hurriedly explained:

"A misunderstanding! It’s all a misunderstanding, my friend here also heard about this matter and came in haste to find you..."

The two, in this way, displayed a sense of regret over the previous transaction.

This scene made Lin Chang’an sneer inwardly.

"Fellow Daoists, let’s not joke around. Transactions in the market are money for goods. Are you perhaps new to the Immortal Cultivation Realm?"

"You!" The pale-faced scholar’s face turned red, facing Lin Chang’an’s words, he directly spoke with a gloomy tone:

"Daoist, we are two, and you are alone!"

Between the lines, there was already a threat.

Or rather, from the beginning, the two were cautious, trying to test the other’s confidence with their act. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Fellow Daoist, it’s better to speak less of threats."

Lin Chang’an, facing the two, remained unfazed. In the echo of his calm voice, the Phoenix Cry Bird in the Spirit Beast Bag at his waist exuded the aura of a True Pill Cultivator.

In that instant, the two clearly sensed it, and their expressions changed.

"Misunderstanding! It’s all a misunderstanding!"

The fierce-looking Fellow Daoist Yu quickly changed his expression, pulling his companion aside, awkwardly smiling and explaining.

Until the two turned into escape lights and left, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but reveal a faint smile.

"All are cultivators who have lived for over a hundred years. Being a Tribulation Cultivator is also an art. From the initial probing, if I had shown weakness, I might have been oppressed."

Fighting with Fake Pill Cultivators, unless necessary, he wouldn’t want to either.

After all, defeating and killing are two concepts, though his strength isn’t weak when paired with the Phoenix Cry Bird.

But leaving behind these two Core Formation Cultivators would still be somewhat difficult.

Besides, the longer a cultivator lives, the more cautious they become; after all, you don’t come across reckless youths who charge in blindly.

Unless there’s some compelling reason.

"Moreover, everything is ready now, no need to invite trouble!"

Lin Chang’an altered his appearance, once again taking on the form of a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator, heading towards Five Dragons Island.

Now that his Core Formation Spiritual Object preparations were almost done, he aimed to find a place to refine the Crystal Condensing Pill after returning.

At the same time, find the Spirit Ship heading for Sea Abyss City.

...

As for the two in the distance, after escaping back to the market, they cursed aloud.

"Damned, there was secretly a True Pill Cultivator hiding."

"Indeed, fortunately, we were cautious, or we would have made a big mistake."

The fierce-looking Cultivator Yu, also scared, patted his chest, having been careless.

If they had broken all pretense, the two wouldn’t have ended well.

"Alright, clearly the other side didn’t want a confrontation this time either."

...

Five Dragon Sea Region.

Upon returning, Lin Chang’an felt a different atmosphere than before.

Be it merchant ships or demon-beast-hunting ships, they all exuded a murderous aura.

"To refine a Crystal Condensing Pill, the better the quality of the Pill Furnace, the better. And among the three-tier pill furnaces, only a few factions on Five Dragons Island possess them.

Moreover, according to the alchemy insights of that Pill Master Jiang, having a location with ground fire is best, as it can increase the pill formation rate."

This made Lin Chang’an think of the Profound Sound Pavilion.

Not a single other faction falls behind; one is too strong, and if he goes, it would be troublesome should he be unable to leave.

"And the Profound Sound Pavilion, with only two Core Formation Cultivators, and it’s said that the elder’s lifespan is nearing its end, they have no reason to offend at such a time."

Thinking it through, Lin Chang’an ultimately set his sights on the Profound Sound Pavilion.

"It seems the identity of the Fake Pill Cultivator Mr. He from before still needs to make a reappearance."

Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an smiled, concealing his aura, and transformed into the Mr. He who had helped a Spirit Pet with Core Formation at the Profound Sound Pavilion in the past.

Five Dragons Island.

Upon returning to Five Dragons Island, it was not as prosperous as before; the Five Dragons Island Sea Region had been quite chaotic these years.

But Lin Chang’an proficiently arrived at the Profound Sound Pavilion’s Treasure House.

"Senior."

"Young friend, I am here to borrow your Pavilion’s three-tier Pill Furnace and the ground fire room."

Lin Chang’an, exuding the superior aura of a Fake Pill Cultivator, and on this point, the shopkeeper not only had no displeasure, but reverently served Spirit Tea.

Half an hour later.

While admiring the resources of Profound Sound Pavilion’s lovely female disciples and with celestial music in the air, Fairy Ni Chang arrived.

"Mr. He, it’s been unexpected to meet again after parting last time."

Seeing that only Fairy Ni Chang was present, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but nod secretly.

Twenty years ago, during the Core Formation Cultivator exchange conference on Five Dragons Island, he had detected that this elder’s lifespan was almost exhausted.

Even in the face of a Golden Core Cultivator, ultimately, there’s no escaping birth, aging, sickness, and death.

"Fairy Ni Chang, I have come this time to borrow your Pavilion’s three-tier Pill Furnace and ground fire room. Of course, please don’t let it leak again as it did last time."

Between the lines, Lin Chang’an meant that it was due to the Profound Sound Pavilion’s leak last time that he was targeted by someone surnamed Li.

Hearing this, Fairy Ni Chang couldn’t help but show an apologetic smile.

"Sincerely sorry, but please rest assured this time. Nowadays, the Long Family on Five Dragons Island are too preoccupied to pay attention to others."

"But you wish to borrow the three-tier Pill Furnace and ground fire room, are you possibly a Tier Three Alchemist?"

Fairy Ni Chang’s eyes gleamed, if she could recruit a Tier Three Alchemist, it would be a tremendous help to the Profound Sound Pavilion.

Of course, Lin Chang’an would not admit to this, he sighed and waved his hand, saying:

"Mr. He too wishes, but unfortunately, I’ve been stuck in the Tier Two Upper Grade Alchemist realm for many years. This time, by chance, I obtained a Pill Formula, hoping to explore the path of a Tier Three Alchemist..."

Listening to Lin Chang’an, Fairy Ni Chang only believed about thirty percent, lightly chuckling and nodding:

"You should know, our elder is a Tier Three Alchemist. If you are willing to become a tributor to our Profound Sound Pavilion, the three-tier alchemy inheritance will be given to you willingly."

The offer from Fairy Ni Chang was indeed tempting, but Lin Chang’an knew very well.

What if his deception as a Fake Pill Cultivator was exposed? That would be disastrous.

Lin Chang’an did not refuse outright, pondering for a moment, appearing hesitant.

Fairy Ni Chang of Profound Sound Pavilion, naturally understanding the reasoning, softly said:

"I suppose you worry about the Long Family, but with the Profound Sound Pavilion’s connections, even the Long Family on Five Dragons Island wouldn’t dare act openly.

And right now, the Long Family is in distress; it’s rumored the Dragon Island Master seeks Nascent Soul Formation, but how easy is it to achieve Nascent Soul Formation!"

Mentioning the Nascent Soul, Fairy Ni Chang also gave a sarcastic laugh.

A Nascent Soul Cultivator is considered one among the elite on the Demon Beast Abyss stage.

"Daoist, let me consider a few more days, as this matter involves too much; I truly don’t want to be drawn into the struggle of major powers."

With a bitter smile, Lin Chang’an clasped his hands and spoke.

Then the two began to enjoy tea and discuss Dao.

Meanwhile, Lin Chang’an also learned a lot of useful information, such as the domineering conduct of the Long Family, which seemed to have aroused Bihai Palace’s discontent.

Which is why the Profound Sound Pavilion felt so secure.

"Who would have thought that formerly among the three sects of Yue Kingdom, now it’s the weakest Profound Sound Pavilion faring the best."

Nodding secretly, Lin Chang’an noticed Fairy Ni Chang gingerly divulging certain information.

For instance, the Profound Sound Pavilion joined under Bihai Palace’s banner, backed by Bihai Palace.

"Daoist, to prevent any additional complications, I shall return in two months to trouble you further."

Before leaving, Lin Chang’an smiled as he clasped his hands, while also seeing that despite the Profound Sound Pavilion being good, it lacked high-level combat power.

Therefore, over the years, they tried hard to recruit cultivators.

But unfortunately, there were very few who pledged allegiance, given that the Long Family still loomed over Five Dragons Island.