Chapter 430: Chapter 271: Five Elements Spirit Ointment, Fake Core Inquiry

However, Cheng Suling did not enter recklessly. She stopped from a distance to observe. After a preliminary assessment, she felt she couldn’t fully gauge the situation and feared it harbored unacceptable risks, so she decided to abandon the idea.

Xu Maoling had great faith in Cheng Suling’s Geomancy Skill. Although they had profited last time and he was itching for a repeat, he still chose not to explore.

Looking back now, they realized there might have been a trap inside.

When the fish didn’t take the bait, the Luo Cultivator sought another opportunity to persuade them, even bringing along a Cultivator of the same tier whom he claimed was a friend who could help mitigate the risks.

In the end, however, Cheng Suling let her guard down. She never imagined they would actually dare to attack a territory leased by the Purple Extreme Sect, and she ended up leading the wolves into her own home.

And that led to what happened next.

Which was precisely what Lin Changheng stumbled upon.

"Were they after the [Gui Water Essence] in your possession?"

Lin Changheng asked thoughtfully.

"That’s a possibility, but Mr. Xu and I aren’t entirely sure what they were actually after."

Cheng Suling wasn’t certain because their opponents never revealed their true objective. Was it the [Gui Water Essence]? Complete control of the [Water Eye Spirit Acupoint]? Or something else entirely unknown?

Lin Changheng turned to look at Xu Maoling. The man’s dark, deeply wrinkled face, like that of a farmer, was nodding at him.

"Thank you both for the information. I think I understand now. It’s the age-old story of how possessing a treasure turns an innocent man into a target. You’ll have to be more cautious from now on."

Lin Changheng spoke slowly.

After a pause, he continued, deciding to reveal a piece of confidential information. "However, according to the news I’ve received, the Purple Extreme Sect is already planning to take concrete action. They will likely come to the Jade Belt Lake Dojo to investigate the truth. You two should think carefully about your story."

"As for the deaths of those brigands, I hope you two can share the burden with me. Let’s say... some escaped, some died, and we each killed a few..."

"I am by nature aloof and solitary. I don’t like too much attention, as it would disturb my peaceful life of cultivation. I wonder what you two think?"

Clearly, Lin Changheng was making a demand.

After all, with his true battle record—killing two Late Stage and three Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators—he could look down on all his peers in the Late Stage. He would, at the very least, be on par with the famous Loose Cultivator, Ye Wuji.

In reality, however, Lin Changheng’s aura was only at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

Both Xu and Cheng had noticed this point.

If he were truly in the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, his feat would be far too terrifying. To kill across a small tier like that meant he was destined for a fearsome reputation in the future.

But if he were a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator hiding his cultivation, it would be much more understandable—at least within the realm of comprehension.

After all, the gap between small tiers in the Foundation Establishment Realm was enormous, with a difference in Magical Power of about two-fold.

Moreover, as one’s realm increased to Core Formation or Nascent Soul, successfully fighting and defeating those at a higher level became increasingly rare.

...

"Alright! We will do as Brother Lin says."

After a moment of consideration, Cheng Suling nodded in agreement.

At this, Xu Maoling also nodded. "Agreed."

Having received a satisfactory answer, Lin Changheng slowly withdrew his gaze from their faces. "Then let’s align the details of our stories so there aren’t any major discrepancies."

Since they knew the Purple Extreme Sect was sending people to investigate, all three of them were bound to be questioned. It was only natural to discuss the details now to ensure their accounts were generally consistent.

Otherwise, if the loopholes were too big, it would be obvious something was amiss, and they would only bring more trouble upon themselves.

Everyone present was a sharp individual; none of them would be so foolish.

...

About another half a month went by.

On this day, the sky was clear and the air fresh, and the skies above Jade Belt Lake were as peaceful as ever. However, this tranquility was quickly shattered.

A streak of purple light appeared on the horizon, approaching from a distance at incredible speed. One moment it was a speck in the sky; a few breaths later, its silhouette was already clear—it was a magnificent Spiritual Ship, about ten zhang long, wreathed in a flowing, hazy Purple Qi!

The Spiritual Ship was archaic yet majestic in design. Its hull was inscribed with intricate cloud patterns and faintly radiated a heart-palpitating Spiritual Pressure.

The most eye-catching feature was the symbol clearly branded on the side of the Spiritual Ship: a tower spire wreathed in lightning—the emblem of the Purple Extreme Sect!

The Spiritual Ship made no attempt to conceal its presence. On the contrary, it flew with the unique reserve and authority characteristic of Sect Cultivators, heading straight for the airspace above Jade Belt Lake. It slowly decelerated, finally coming to a stop over the center of the lake between the Three Islands. A powerful Spiritual Pressure radiated outwards like ripples on water, instantly alerting every Cultivator on the Three Islands.

Lin Changheng, Xu Maoling, and Cheng Suling flew out of their respective cave residences at almost the same time. They hovered in mid-air, outside their arrays, gazing with grave expressions at the purple Spiritual Ship.

Generally speaking, a flying ship that is a Tier One Magical Artifact is known as a Dharma Ship. A Spiritual Ship, on the other hand, is a flying ship that is a Tier Two Spiritual Artifact.

However, the price of a Spiritual Ship is typically much higher than other Spiritual Artifacts of the same tier, so it is rare to see a Foundation Establishment Cultivator using one.

They usually use Dharma Ships.

If one really needed to travel quickly, they could just ride their Escape Light. There was no need to waste money on a Spiritual Ship.

Except, of course, for the fabulously wealthy sects.

...

As everyone watched,

The cabin door of the Spiritual Ship opened, and several figures flew out.

The one in the lead was an elderly man dressed in a purple robe. He had a gaunt face and eyes as sharp as an eagle’s.

He did not deliberately release any pressure, but merely by standing there, a Spiritual Charm far exceeding that of any Foundation Establishment Cultivator naturally flowed around him, causing the surrounding Spiritual Qi to resonate faintly in response.

Far beyond the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment.

He was, without a doubt, a High Tier Cultivator in the Fake Core Realm!

Behind him followed four Cultivators, both men and women, all dressed in the attire of Purple Extreme Sect Inner Sect Disciples. Their cultivation was impressively at or above the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, and they carried themselves with arrogant expressions and sharp, powerful auras.

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