How Can You Repay Uncle Lin Like This?

Green Bamboo Mountain Market, rear mountain.

"Old Man He, you were quite fortunate. Even after death, someone gave you a proper burial."

Under the drizzle, Lin Chang'an had gone out to purchase supplies. On his way back, he happened to pass the rear mountain and came to take a look at Old Man He's grave.

Who knew how many cultivators in the Cultivation World died without even a place to be buried.

Yet just as Lin Chang'an shook his head and prepared to leave, he seemed to notice something and narrowed his eyes.

"Someone... has been here!"

Before Old Man He's grave, although someone had deliberately erased the traces, the weeds around it had clearly been cleared away.

"Could Old Man He have had relatives?"

Lin Chang'an was astonished. He clearly remembered that all of Old Man He's relatives were dead. Surely no one had simply had a fit of kindness and come to clear up the rear mountain?

"Could someone have even cried at the wrong grave!?"

With a grave expression, Lin Chang'an stared at the weeds. They had clearly been removed by hand.

He pinched a Wood Spirit Thorn in his hand, while an Upper-Grade Golden Light Talisman stuck inside his Dharma Robe was already poised to activate.

Damn it, sure enough, one shouldn't visit graves for no reason. It was too easy to run into ghosts!

Had Cultivator Bandits really fallen so low that they now squatted by graves waiting to ambush people?

Under the drizzle, Lin Chang'an narrowed his eyes and pretended that nothing was amiss. Inwardly, he swore that even if he passed by this place in the future, he would never again come near the graves.

Under the drizzle, as Lin Chang'an's figure disappeared into the distance, a figure wearing a bamboo hat slowly emerged from beneath a tree on the rear mountain.

"Uncle Lin."

Beneath that hoarse voice, the figure under the bamboo hat was unexpectedly He Yan.

Old Man He's grandson—the He Yan rumored to have already died.

Yet the current He Yan no longer possessed his former youthful recklessness or high-spirited vigor. Strands of gray had appeared at his temples, and traces of hardship lined the corners of his eyes.

He clearly looked like a middle-aged man.

Lin Chang'an hurried all the way home. After confirming that no one had followed him, he grew somewhat suspicious.

"The market has been far too chaotic lately. I need to be more careful."

Yet just as Lin Chang'an returned to his courtyard, a jade talisman flickering with spiritual light slowly appeared, along with a jade slip.

"This is a Sound Recording Jade Talisman! Who's so wasteful?"

Lin Chang'an was stunned. A single Sound Recording Jade Talisman cost one Spirit Stone. Only sects and cultivators from certain great lineages used them; ordinary cultivators would never spend money on such a thing.

"This is!"

The Sound Recording Jade Talisman did not transmit any cultivator's voice. Yet the jade slip below it bore none other than the Fireball Talisman inheritance.

"Tier 1 Complete Fireball Talisman Inheritance!"

Yet upon seeing this windfall that had fallen from the sky, Lin Chang'an's first reaction was vigilance.

But after checking it again and again, he found that it truly was the complete First Tier Fireball Talisman inheritance.

"This..."

The incomplete mark on the back of the jade talisman, along with the character "He," connected every clue in Lin Chang'an's mind.

"Could that old man's boasting have actually been true!"

Old Man He had once bragged that a Foundation Establishment Cultivator had emerged from his ancestors. Unfortunately, after several generations, the family had declined.

Lin Chang'an fell silent, seeming to have already guessed something.

He Yan was not dead, yet he had not returned, nor had he joined Li Fire Palace.

That gave Lin Chang'an a bad feeling.

Li Fire Palace was one of Yue Kingdom's Three Great Sects. What could make He Yan afraid to show his face? He had even abandoned the identity of a Li Fire Palace Disciple.

"Don't tell me this kid joined the Divine Sword Sect!"

Thinking of everything that had happened recently, Lin Chang'an's heart tightened. The jade talisman in his hand was a scorching hot potato.

"My dear nephew, is this how you repay your Uncle Lin?"

Lin Chang'an memorized the inheritance, then raised his hand and destroyed both the jade talisman and the jade talisman, erasing all evidence.

At a time like this, if anyone learned that he had ties to Cultivator Bandits from the Divine Sword Sect, then even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator would not come to a good end.

Although he understood that this might be He Yan's repayment, temptation was temptation; the traces that needed erasing still had to be erased.

"No, I have to move!"

He acted the moment the thought arose. Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Chang'an left his small courtyard, put on an unconcerned appearance, and made a trip to Gathering Immortal Pavilion.

He met with Shen Lie, then said that Er Niu had moved into the heart of the Zhou Family's territory. He wanted to move as well, so that they could look after one another.

Thus, naturally and logically, he moved near where Shen Lie lived. With Li Fire Palace right under their noses, even if someone wanted to stir up trouble, it would not be so easy, would it?

He observed cautiously for several days before finally letting out a quiet breath. It was not that he was overly careful, but these were troubled times, and he did not want to be dragged into the mire.

Yet during this time, major events occurred one after another within the market.

Cultivator Bandits ran rampant, demonic beasts caused chaos, and then news broke that Mystic Sound Pavilion had discovered a Purple Gold Mine. Danger and opportunity overlapped all at once.

"Tsk tsk, the Zhou Family really went all out this time. I heard they personally brought two Black Wind Wolf Cubs to visit Mystic Sound Pavilion."

"They really are willing to part with them. If this had happened before, they'd have been branded traitors."

"I heard the Zhou Family Patriarch doesn't have much lifespan left."

That day, Lin Chang'an came to the market. Listening to the rumors outside, he could not help muttering inwardly. Could the Zhou Family really let this news spread so wildly?

True Treasure Pavilion.

After passing through the bustling district and arriving at True Treasure Pavilion, he went straight to Shopkeeper Miao. With a wave of his hand, he produced two hundred Spirit Stones, making Shopkeeper Miao break into a grin.

"Oh my, Master Lin, you're a rare guest indeed."

The two had known each other for a long time, and news that Lin Chang'an had become an Upper-Grade Talisman Master had long since spread. Thus, Shopkeeper Miao was not surprised when Lin Chang'an brought out two hundred Spirit Stones. Instead, his gaze was full of envy.

"Master Lin's Dao Heart is resolute indeed, to even be willing to spend on a Small Spirit Gathering Array."

At Lin Chang'an's age, being willing to spend two hundred Spirit Stones on this truly qualified as having a resolute Dao Heart.

Yet Lin Chang'an merely shook his head and sighed.

"The world outside is so chaotic. Who knows when fighting might break out? While my vitality has yet to decline, I dare not dream of Foundation Establishment, but I can still make a bid for the Qi Refining Late Stage."

At Lin Chang'an's words, Shopkeeper Miao showed an understanding expression.

"Master Lin, this is the Spirit Gathering Array and the method for setting it up."

After learning how to use the Spirit Gathering Array, Lin Chang'an nodded inwardly. The Hundred Cultivation Arts truly each had their own applications.

Once he achieved Foundation Establishment in the future and gained two hundred years of lifespan, he would definitely learn another craft that could assist his cultivation.

After storing the Spirit Gathering Array in his Storage Bag, Lin Chang'an purchased a few more cultivation resources before turning to leave.

The market's shantytown.

Within a dark house, a group of figures had gathered.

Among them stood three Foundation Establishment Cultivators radiating sinister auras. Below them were more than a dozen Qi Refining Late Stage cultivators.

The difference was that every one of them had sunken eye sockets, sallow faces, and emaciated bodies. They had clearly cultivated Demonic Path techniques that squeezed out one's potential.

"Do you have any news?"

The group of Qi Refining Late Stage cultivators all shook their heads. One of the Qi Refining Cultivators was unexpectedly He Yan. With a solemn expression, he said hoarsely, "Reporting to my lords, things were too chaotic at the time. We pursued them for several days without result. I fear..."

Though He Yan did not say it outright, the three Foundation Establishment Cultivators could not help but roar in anger.

"You're all useless trash! We risked our lives, only for a bunch of Rogue Cultivators to reap the benefits!"

"Pah, isn't that the truth? The two Storage Bags belonging to the Zhou Family and Mystic Sound Pavilion contained Foundation Establishment Pills, yet some bastard fishing in troubled waters picked them up."

Just as the three Foundation Establishment Cultivators lowered their voices and berated them, a figure suddenly appeared inside the house.

"Greetings, Protector!"

The three Foundation Establishment Cultivators turned pale and hurriedly dropped to one knee, respectfully addressing him as Protector.

The newcomer was a pale and sinister-looking man. He swept his cold gaze across the crowd and directly barked, "A bunch of trash! Your task was to stir up civil strife in Yue Kingdom, not fight over some Foundation Establishment Pills. Is the Divine Cult's Foundation Seizing Method not enough for you!?"

That single sentence drained every trace of color from the faces of the three Foundation Establishment Demonic Sect cultivators, and they hurriedly cupped their fists.

"Please forgive us, my lord!"

"Trash!"

As his bloodthirsty voice echoed, cold sweat poured down the crowd's backs, yet no one dared refute him. One of them hurriedly lowered his head and reported in hopes of earning merit.

"Reporting to my lord, someone in the Zhou Family is unwilling to accept their lot and seeks Foundation Establishment..."

The crowd was shocked upon hearing this. It turned out that someone from the Zhou Family had betrayed the lineage in pursuit of Foundation Establishment, even revealing that the clan-protecting spirit beast, the Black Water Turtle, was weakened while giving birth.

"The Zhou Family's clan-protecting spirit beast, the Black Water Turtle, is currently giving birth! That truly is excellent news."

Upon hearing the Protector's praise, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator below secretly let out a breath and revealed a fawning smile.

As for the Protector radiating a sinister and terrifying aura, he bared his teeth in a horrifying smile.

"Heh heh, you useless trash have worked for so long. Do you know why things still haven't descended into chaos?"

The cultivators were stunned, and all lowered their heads with clasped fists, pretending not to know.

The Protector sneered. "Because these Rogue Cultivators aren't crazy enough! Their greed has not been fully unleashed. If one or two Rogue Cultivators achieve Foundation Establishment, what do you think will happen?"

That single sentence made everyone shudder.

Once one or two people successfully reached Foundation Establishment, those Rogue Cultivators would see hope. Once the gates of desire opened, they would go completely mad.

"Protector, you are wise!"

One of them put on a flattering expression. Yet upon hearing his praise, the sinister Protector revealed a savage smile.

"Very good! Then you will handle this matter!"

"Me?" The flattering Foundation Establishment Cultivator's eyes widened. Yet upon seeing the other man's terrifying gaze, he hurriedly cupped his fists and said, "Rest assured, Protector. This lowly one will definitely lure those traitors into taking the bait!"

"And you lot!" The Protector turned to the nervous group of Qi Refining Cultivators and revealed a frightening smile.

"I heard you say just now that you all wish to achieve Foundation Establishment, yes? The opportunity is right before you. So long as you render great merit, I will personally use the Divine Cult's Foundation Seizing Secret Technique to help you achieve Foundation Establishment."

Foundation Establishment! This was a realm they had never even dared dream of before.

Though the Foundation Seizing Method required paying an appropriate price, it was still better than having no chance at all.

"What are you still standing around for? Go do your work for me. Make Yue Kingdom descend into chaos."

"Yes!"

As the Demonic Sect cultivators departed, the Protector's gaze turned cold and sinister.

"Heh heh, the Old Ancestor was right. There truly are traces of a Secret Realm discovered within the Cloud Mist Mountain Range. While the Old Ancestor is in seclusion, this is the perfect chance to use these cannon fodder to scout the way.

"With my False Core Realm cultivation, this market contains nothing but a group of Foundation Establishment Cultivators. While the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole waits behind. I can also take advantage of the situation to sow discord and muddy the waters. I truly possess the makings of an Old Ancestor."

Within the dark space, hoarse laughter echoed.