Chapter 489: Chapter 287: Secrets of Core Formation, Planning Ahead

’A Demon Cultivator?’

Lin Changheng’s heart skipped a beat!

No wonder the man’s behavior was so bizarre. His origins were truly "extraordinary."

Considering when he moved in, he was likely one of the surviving Demon Cultivators who had fled from the Bixiao Sect.

He had laid low all this time without revealing a single clue.

’He’s hiding his Cultivation and possesses a Demon Technique...’ Lin Changheng slowly retracted his gaze, the Tri-color Divine Light in his eyes fading as turmoil stirred in his heart.

He wondered if this man was connected to the Demon Cultivator who had placed a mark on him.

But the two of them had never met or interacted. And... with no conflict of interest between them, why would he do such a thing?

Lin Changheng couldn’t be sure, but that didn’t stop his guard from going up.

There was a reason why people like Demon Cultivators had no place in the Song Territory and were hunted by all. They were by no means good people. A venomous heart was just the baseline; massacring cities and wiping out villages simply to increase their own power was all too common.

He wondered if these Demon Cultivators would take advantage of the chaos to stir up trouble once the Song Territory’s elite forces were dispatched to the Jin Country battlefields, leaving the interior vulnerable.

’I should still make defensive preparations in advance.’

Lin Changheng didn’t spare the man another glance. He turned and left in a different direction, quickly disappearing from sight.

But what he didn’t know was that inside the gray-robed Demon Cultivator’s Storage Bag lay a newly acquired Communication Jade Talisman that had just flown in from the Immortal Lake.

It carried new instructions, which was the very reason he had rushed out during the day.

That was why the moment he saw Lin Changheng, he recognized him immediately. His heart pounded, but he suppressed the urge to strike.

His orders were not to alert the enemy and not to expose himself, because trading his life for another’s was the height of foolishness.

He could only manage a slightly stiff smile as a perfunctory gesture.

Fortunately, Lin Changheng didn’t try to engage in conversation or pay him much mind. They simply gave a brief nod before parting ways.

’Next time will be the end of this drawn-out mission.’

Sneering inwardly, the gray-robed Demon Cultivator slipped into the mountain forest outside the cave residences and vanished without a trace.

...

The Immortal City Auction was held as scheduled.

This time, Lin Changheng was arranged into a private room in the highest-level Celestial Pavilion. Located on the top floor of the auction house, it was constructed from precious Crystal Divine Wood and Warm Sun Jade. It was not only noble and luxurious but also had the wondrous effect of invigorating Qi and Blood and stimulating the emotions.

As he scanned his surroundings, he saw a Spirit Beast fur carpet as soft as clouds beneath his feet and a wide jade table before him. Spirit fruits and immortal tea were laid out on the table, and a beautiful maid stood quietly to the side, ready to attend to his every command.

Most importantly, the view was exceptional.

Directly in front was a massive, floor-to-ceiling crystal wall forged from one-way glazed crystal. From inside, one could clearly overlook the entire auction hall—the dark sea of people below and the brilliantly lit stage at the center were all in plain sight. From the outside, however, it was impossible to spy even a hint of the room’s interior, fully guaranteeing the privacy of its esteemed guests.

Lin Changheng sat peacefully on a wide chair covered with a soft brocade cushion, his gaze passing calmly through the crystal wall to the clamoring crowd below. He could sense that powerful auras were successively arriving in the other Celestial Pavilion rooms around him.

"One, two, three, four..."

At least four Cultivators at the Fake Core realm or higher had arrived.

Evidently, today’s auction had attracted a number of truly powerful Cultivators, which in turn suggested that there might be some excellent items up for bid.

’Interesting.’

Lin Changheng wasn’t particularly impressed by the appearance of Fake Core Cultivators; after all, they were on different levels and would surely have different needs.

In contrast, the Late Stage and Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivators present were his real competition in the auction.

"Senior, please have some wine."

The beautiful maid, with her graceful figure, took the initiative to pour Lin Changheng a cup of amber-colored Spirit Wine. She then lowered her body, held the cup with both hands, and brought it to him with delicate, lotus-like steps.

She deliberately slowed her movements, causing her already form-fitting silk dress to better accentuate the captivating rise and fall of her chest, and a faint fragrance wafted over with her.

Her gaze shimmered with a perfect blend of admiration and shyness as she said softly, "Senior, please enjoy the wine."

It was obvious that she saw Lin Changheng, who looked no older than twenty-three or twenty-four, occupying a room in the Celestial Pavilion. To her, this meant that his status, position, or power—at least one of them—was exceptionally prominent, perhaps even astonishing.

In her eyes, he was undoubtedly a young prodigy with limitless potential, someone worth her lowering her pride to seek a chance to latch onto. If she could win the favor of such a person, even if it was just a fleeting affair, it might change her destiny as a maid.

However, Lin Changheng merely gave her a brief, indifferent glance. His eyes were calm and rippleless, as if he were looking at a lifeless object. He didn’t take the cup, nor did he spare a second look at the tempting scenery she presented. He simply waved a hand dismissively, his tone distant:

"Just put it down and leave. There’s no need for you to serve in here."

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an unquestionable indifference and authority.

The smile on the maid’s face froze slightly, a flash of astonishment and disappointment in her eyes. She had always been quite confident in her looks and figure; even when facing some Fake Core seniors in the past, she had rarely been so directly ignored.

She didn’t dare say more. She quickly placed the cup gently on the jade table, bowed, and whispered, "Yes. This servant takes her leave." Then, she retreated from the room in slight discomposure and softly closed the door.

Lin Changheng didn’t even glance her way, completely unconcerned. He was not some lecher who would take whatever was offered. Besides, he already had beautiful confidantes by his side, each with extraordinary looks and unique personalities, all of whom possessed Foundation Establishment Cultivation. With their jade-like bones and ice-pure skin, how could he possibly be interested in a mere maid?

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