Chapter 27: The Disappearance of Cultivators

Lin Yang returned to his own cave abode and, stepping through the formation, was greeted by five distinct regions, each marked by its unique elemental color. In the fire region, a lake of magma brimmed with strange vines that floated above its molten surface. At the heart of the fire, atop a rocky mountain, a cluster of peculiar flowers bloomed, their vibrant orange-red petals radiating a glow reminiscent of the magma itself.

The water region flourished with abundant aquatic plants. From time to time, large fish would surface, while numerous first-tier spirit beasts made their home in the waters. At the center of the lake stood a magnificent lotus, measuring a full meter in diameter and half a meter in height. Its petals were a perch for butterflies and bees, adding to the region’s vitality.

To the west, in the metal region, a bamboo grove grew. The leaves shimmered with sharp, metallic brilliance, and the newly sprouted bamboo shoots stood upright like spears, as if poised to pierce the sky.

The wood region was dense with towering trees, many of which had shot up in just three years. Birds and insects thrived among the branches, while the ground was carpeted with wild grass and flowers. Every plant pulsed with life.

Living here was a round, chubby creature named Panpan, a spirit beast who had reached the second tier thanks to Lin Yang’s care and nurturing over the years. Yet Panpan remained carefree, playing about as always. When hungry, he would dig for bamboo shoots in the neighboring grove, which had sharpened his claws to a knife-like edge.

Hidden beneath the ground, the earth region’s formation had caused veins to grow within the land, hinting at the gradual emergence of spiritual veins. Yet this transformation would take centuries—the earth’s veins needed to follow the array’s paths, and only after a hundred years of evolution would they form even the lowest grade of spiritual vein.

At the center, the formation produced a misty aura; beneath it, pure condensed spiritual liquid would drip once each month. Over the past three years, Lin Yang had collected twenty drops—a precious treasure for foundation cultivators, capable of restoring spiritual energy and aiding breakthroughs.

In the heart lay a small courtyard, suffused with the five elemental auras, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Sunlight poured in, casting multicolored hues that were subtle and ethereal.

Lin Yang entered the courtyard, where two flowerbeds were filled with delightful spirit herbs. Further in, he found three wooden huts: one was a kitchen, another a cultivation chamber.

Lin Yang appreciated the finer aspects of life. He had learned various seasoning and marinating techniques at school, and had hired two professional chefs to provide him with the best ingredients and condiments.

Yet he preferred to cook for himself. In his previous life, he often learned recipes from bloggers, so he was adept at preparing simple and delicious dishes.

He did not limit himself to the conventions of this era—stir-frying, pickling, eating raw; these methods came naturally to him.

He walked into the cultivation chamber and sat on a meditation cushion, relaxing and adjusting his state of mind.

“Open panel.”

Name: Lin Yang
Age: 19/240
Cultivation: Early Foundation Stage (560,000/1,000,000)
Technique: Five Elements Art (5,600/10,000) Initiate
Main Profession: Second Tier, Mid-grade Alchemist (next grade requires 10,000 attribute points)

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Secondary Professions: Second Tier, Low-grade Talisman Master; Second Tier, Mid-grade Array Master; Second Tier, Mid-grade Artifact Refiner; First Tier, High-grade Beast Tamer; Second Tier, Low-grade Puppet Master.

Skills: Sword Flight (Mastery—can double flying speed and increase sword technique speed by 20%; experience maxed); Soul Suppression Art (Mastery—can instantly combine three spiritual attack waves into one, affecting or intimidating everything within ten yards); Basic Swordsmanship (Mastery 300,250/500,000, endless—accelerates sword technique learning by 50%, refines sword intent to the point of responding to and mastering any move); Tai Chi (10,002/20,000) Master—can slightly integrate softness to overcome strength in combat; Dragon Elephant Power (6th layer 15,815/30,000)—each layer adds the strength of one elephant; thirteen layers equal the strength of a dragon.

Available Attribute Points: 2,800
Items: 52,654 spirit stones; two peak Foundation Stage puppets; five Golden Core Pills; twelve second-tier flying swords; one Golden Core Stage talisman treasure; one Heavenly Thunder Seed; one speed-type small flying ship...

“Well, not bad. At this rate, I’ll reach mid Foundation in three more years,” Lin Yang thought, satisfied with his current progress.

“It seems I should keep pace with the times.” Lin Yang resolved to join some beast-hunting expeditions. Since reaching Foundation, he hadn’t fought in any battles.

“If I remember right, the western part of Yue Country has a Forest of Ten Thousand Poisons—a place teeming with poison-type spirit beasts. I’ve heard the Spirit Beast Sect is in that direction. It’s a good place for cultivation experience.”

“That’s settled. I’ll set out tomorrow.”

...

Time always slips away unnoticed; now, the sun had set and dusk was upon him.

Lin Yang was preparing medicinal pills, specifically antidotes and calming pills, to avoid any awkward situations during his journey.

Suddenly, he sensed someone breaching his array.

“Who could it be?” Lin Yang’s residence was usually only visited by Mo Yang; others either couldn’t enter or weren’t permitted. For example, the newly arrived loose cultivator families in Purple Gold Town.

Soon, the figure reached his door, within Lin Yang’s perception.

“Come in.” Lin Yang remotely opened the door, and the disciple entered without a word.

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“Uncle Master.” He handed over a sect leader’s token.

Lin Yang inspected it to confirm its authenticity. “Speak, what’s the matter?”

“Tai Nan Valley has encountered an unusual situation. Many Qi Condensation cultivators have been ambushed and killed outside the valley.”

“Sect Leader sent me to notify Uncle Lin, hoping you can resolve the killings.”

“Alright, come in and sit for a while.” Lin Yang brewed tea and served it to the disciple, who was startled by the gesture, feeling honored.

“Have there been any major events in Yellow Maple Valley these years?” Lin Yang asked casually.

“Uncle, not much has happened. But I heard Uncle Bai from the Pill Pavilion failed his Golden Core formation, injured his lifespan, and has passed away.”

“Sigh, such a pity,” Lin Yang lamented. His age was too great; even Lin Yang doubted Bai’s success when he placed his bid.

“Such a shame.” Lin Yang chatted with the disciple for a while longer.

“Well, I won’t keep you any longer.” Lin Yang sent a message to Mo Yang, telling him to come over.

Mo Yang arrived quickly.

“Uncle Master, what do you need?”

Lin Yang gestured to the disciple. “Take him somewhere to rest, arrange a good room.”

“Yes, Uncle Master.”

“Then I’ll go rest. Farewell, Uncle Master.” The disciple followed Mo Yang to a hotel in Purple Gold Town.

Lin Yang returned to his cultivation chamber. His focus on cultivation had remained sharp. His strength had grown alongside his body. Now at nineteen, he had reached a height of one meter eighty-five, and it seemed his growth had stopped. That would likely be his final stature.

...

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