Chapter 486: Chapter 286: Mastermind, Seeing Hengwan Again

For the Purple Extreme Sect, having their home base catch fire while they were fighting a war abroad was unacceptable. They needed stability. So, when a group of Tribulation Cultivators conveniently served themselves up on a platter, it was the perfect opportunity to make an example of them!

Even a Fake Core cultivator was killed without hesitation!

And their heads were displayed for all to see, a stark warning to everyone.

The message to all cultivators was clear: the dragon has a reverse scale—touch it, and you die.

Lin Changheng figured this move would be effective in the short term, but its effects wouldn’t necessarily last.

After all, people have short memories. Once fear fades, they rarely learn their lesson.

...

In the days that followed, Lin Changheng didn’t just wait idly by; he went to pay a visit to Bai Hengwan.

It had been a while. When Lin Changheng saw her again, she was still dressed in a simple white gown, her temperament as cool and aloof as a lone orchid in a deep valley. She sat alone in the main hall.

Hearing footsteps, she slowly raised her head.

"Mr. Lin, it’s been a long time."

She smiled and rose to greet him, giving the encounter the feel of a reunion between old friends.

"Greetings, Bai Zhenchuan."

Lin Changheng performed the proper courtesy.

His gaze swept over her, and he noticed that she had indeed grown stronger. Though her aura was suppressed, he could still perceive a hint of its true might.

Late Stage Foundation Establishment!

’Hiss!’ Lin Changheng inwardly drew a sharp breath.

’She’s not even seventy, and with enough resources... at this rate, she could genuinely reach Core Formation by the time she’s a hundred!’

’Are Earth Grade Anomalous Spirit Roots really this terrifying?’

Lin Changheng himself had only recently obtained an Upper Grade Fire Spirit Root, and he could already feel a distinct boost in his cultivation speed. At the very least, the time it would take him to reach the Sixth Layer Foundation Establishment would be significantly shortened!

But compared to her monstrous progress, his little boost seemed utterly insignificant. It drove home just how massive an advantage top-tier talent was on the path of cultivation.

"Mr. Lin, just call me Mr. Bai. Please don’t use the title of ’True Inheritance’ again; it feels too distant!"

Bai Hengwan was direct, asking Lin Changheng to address her more casually.

"Alright!"

Lin Changheng chose his words with care, adopting a tone of someone seeking guidance. "Pardon my forwardness, Mr. Bai, but what are your thoughts on this war between the Song Country and the Jin Country? How far will it go? When will it end? We Loose Cultivators are caught in this whirlpool, and frankly, we’re adrift. I’m afraid of taking a single wrong step."

By posing the question from the perspective of a Loose Cultivator seeking guidance, he avoided the appearance of prying for secrets while still broaching the subject.

Upon hearing this, Bai Hengwan gave Lin Changheng a look with her placid eyes, seeming to see through his tactic of playing the underdog, but she didn’t point it out.

She extended her slender fingers, gently tracing the rim of her warm teacup. After a moment of contemplation, she spoke slowly:

"I wouldn’t say I have any ’great insights.’ The situation is already clear. Having sent out its army, the Song Country will not turn back easily. The established plan is to annex the Jin Country’s border territories and plunder its resources to strengthen ourselves. The Extreme South Palace deliberately planned this—their intentions are self-evident."

Lin Changheng said nothing, listening quietly.

"However, we don’t know the specific details. The initial decision was planned jointly by the Extreme South Palace and the Five Great Sects, and remains top secret. Our Immortal City and the major Noble Families will only be gradually integrated into the framework as the campaign progresses."

Her voice was calm, yet it held the detached insight of someone who sees through worldly affairs. "Currently, my master is meeting with the Core Formation Master from the Extreme South Palace."

With this, Bai Hengwan revealed another secret.

Lin Changheng’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’Contacting the Qing Lan Wanderer... they must be discussing the dispatch of cultivators for the campaign.’

’An influence as powerful as the Floating Immortal City probably can’t refuse to participate. Otherwise, they’d be branded as "sabotaging unity and disregarding the nation," a charge that even the Qing Lan Wanderer would have trouble deflecting.’

’He’s strong, but he’s not the strongest!’

’In the Song Territory, there’s still the Extreme South Palace and a Nascent Soul True Monarch! Their power crushes the entire region!’

"Then this really won’t be over for a good while..."

Lin Changheng sighed and shook his head.

"Mr. Lin, you truly do appreciate stability—not just in your own actions, but in your surroundings as well."

Bai Hengwan covered her mouth, chuckling lightly.

"Cultivators are quite fragile. We can’t withstand much turmoil, and that’s even more true for Loose Cultivators. We have no choice but to tread as if on thin ice..."

Lin Changheng nodded in open agreement.

Bai Hengwan nodded. She paused, an imperceptible, grave look flashing in her eyes. "Every situation has two sides. Even though the battlefield is in the Jin Country, I’m afraid things in the Song Country won’t be peaceful from now on."

She lifted her gaze to Lin Changheng and said meaningfully, "Since you feel adrift, Mr. Lin, why not find a safer place to ride out the storm? Some conflicts are truly not for Foundation Establishment Cultivators like us to meddle in."

Her words seemed like a piece of advice, but Lin Changheng read another meaning between the lines. Bai Hengwan seemed to be hinting that she herself was caught up in some trouble, and she didn’t want him to get involved.

Lin Changheng’s mind raced, but his expression was that of someone gratefully receiving advice. He cupped his fist. "Thank you for the pointer, Mr. Bai. I will certainly be cautious."

He didn’t probe further; some things were best left unsaid. But from Bai Hengwan’s words and demeanor, he had already gathered plenty of useful information: the situation was complex and dangerous, a larger conspiracy might be unfolding, and Bai Hengwan herself seemed to be in a difficult position.

The reason she hadn’t been more explicit with him was that, for the time being, she had no use for him.

However, Lin Changheng had no intention of choosing another location and moving his Dao Field.

After all, the Purple Extreme Sect had just made an example of someone, and a Core Formation Master had even taken action. For a while, no one would dare to stroke the tiger’s whiskers!

Jade Belt Lake should be safe.

He just needed to upgrade his Array a level or two—get his hands on a Tier Two Upper Grade Masterpiece Array—and he could essentially rest without a care in the world.

If that proved impossible, even just a standard Tier Two Upper Grade Array would do.

...

Now that he had the information he wanted, Lin Changheng continued to chat with Bai Hengwan.

They hadn’t seen each other in a long time, and this conversation had invisibly closed the distance between them. There was less polite formality and more of the casual ease of old friends talking.

Several rounds of tea later, with the sun starting to set, Lin Changheng was about to take his leave when Bai Hengwan suddenly brought up something from the past.

Her slender fingers gently stroked the rim of her cup. With her eyes slightly downcast, her voice became even softer than before. "Mr. Lin, back during your hundredth birthday celebration, I came to Moonrest Island on a Spiritual Ship to congratulate you, but I never got off to have a drink... I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to explain."

Lin Changheng was taken aback for a moment, then gave a carefree smile. "You’re being too serious, Mr. Bai. It was a trivial matter. I’d long since..."

Before he could finish, Bai Hengwan gently cut him off.

"It wasn’t a trivial matter." She looked up, her gaze bright and clear, but it held a complex mixture of apology and helplessness. "That day, it wasn’t that I didn’t want to... I couldn’t."

She paused, as if choosing her words carefully, before finally continuing, "At the time, I was under a secret order from my master and had to rush to a hidden location without any delay. Having the Spiritual Ship pass by your island was already a small detour. I simply couldn’t afford to stop."

"And as for Elder Kong’s gift, I was the one who offered to deliver it. It wasn’t his idea."

The explanation was perfectly reasonable. A sect’s mission took precedence over all else, especially a secret one that allowed for no personal indulgences.

He was especially surprised by that last part; it was something he’d never even considered.

A task that should have been for a messenger was taken on by Bai Hengwan, a True Inheritance disciple. Being held in high regard by a Tier Three Pill Master and personally receiving congratulations from a True Inheritance disciple... it had made his reputation soar!

How profound a gesture was that?

Any faint, lingering resentment Lin Changheng might have held in his heart now dissipated completely. He was, in fact, quite moved by her earnest explanation.

"I see." Lin Changheng nodded gravely. "The mission was the priority. You needn’t have worried about it, Mr. Bai. Surely you don’t think I’m an unreasonable man?"

Seeing that his expression wasn’t fake and that he truly understood, the faint trace of tension in Bai Hengwan’s brow seemed to ease, and a shallow but genuine smile touched her lips. "I’m glad you understand, Fellow Daoist."

In all her dealings, Bai Hengwan strove for perfection.

This too was something her master had taught her.

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