Chapter 66: Everyone's Happy
A moment later, Lan Chang'an and Zhang Tieshan arrived at Su Xuetong's courtyard.
The arrival of a Foundation Establishment cultivator easily drew the attention of nearby cultivators. Lan Chang'an activated a second-rank illusion array that could create the illusion of a vacuum period during combat.
Zhang Tieshan surveyed the traces of battle within the courtyard and approached the corpse of the Evil-Faced Flying Eagle.
As a cultivator of the Law Enforcement Hall, he knew how to conduct autopsies.
"Although the Evil-Faced Flying Eagle was old and weak, no longer at its peak, it's truly remarkable that Fellow Daoist Lan could secure victory in this battle."
After examining the corpse and confirming its identity, Zhang Tieshan couldn't help but praise.
When he was at the ninth layer of Qi-Refining, he had fought the Evil-Faced Flying Eagle and knew its capabilities.
"Fellow Daoist Lan, may I have this person's head and identifying items? If you have any needs, feel free to ask." Zhang Tieshan straightforwardly said.
Lan Chang'an couldn't help but think more highly of Zhang Tieshan.
The other party didn't even ask about the process of killing the Evil-Faced Flying Eagle, nor did he seek to uncover other cultivators' secrets.
Lan Chang'an had already prepared responses for such inquiries.
Lan Chang'an once assessed that Zhang Tieshan had ordinary qualifications but managed to stably advance to the Foundation Establishment stage. His combat talent was extraordinary, possibly due to some fortuitous encounters.
Moreover, it seemed that Zhang Tieshan, who had just advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage, valued this merit highly?
"I need several key materials to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill: Xuanling Fruit, Illusory Heart Grass, February Tears..."
Lan Chang'an stated his primary needs.
"I have some Illusory Heart Grass, picked from the Black Mist Mountains six months ago. I was planning to exchange it for sect contributions."
Zhang Tieshan took out a jade box.
Lan Chang'an accepted the jade box and opened it to see a heart-shaped spiritual herb inside. Just one look at it made one's mind drift.
It was indeed Illusory Heart Grass, and the portion was very large.
"This Zhang here also has the fur and blood of a second-rank demonic beast, as a talisman master, Fellow Daoist Lan should need it, right?" Zhang Tieshan confidently produced a piece of second-rank beast fur and a large bottle of demonic blood.
"I do." Lan Chang'an responded without hesitation.
Second-rank demonic beast fur and blood were raw materials for talisman paper and spiritual ink.
In his past life, he was a third-rank talisman master, so he naturally knew how to make talisman paper.
This labor-intensive craft could be handed over to the dexterous Guan Qiaozhi, with Lan Chang'an passing on to her the know-how.
Lan Chang'an accepted the second-rank demonic beast fur and blood, satisfied with this transaction.
A first-rank talisman master, theoretically, could use second-rank talisman paper and spiritual ink; using them to draw first-rank talismans would enhance their quality, though it would be quite wasteful.
A superior first-rank talisman master aiming to become a second-rank talisman master would also need second-rank materials.
...
After completing the transaction.
The bodies in the courtyard and the identifying items of the Evil-Faced Flying Eagle all belonged to Zhang Tieshan.
Zhang Tieshan examined the bisected corpse of the black eagle and was visibly moved.
Such a clean cut, killing it instantly, could only be achieved with the power of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Lan Chang'an timely explained, "To resolve the crisis at that time, I used a second-rank attack talisman to quickly eliminate this eagle. Otherwise, I wouldn't have lived to see you today, Brother Zhang." This reply was more or less what Zhang Tieshan's expected.
A top-notch first-rank talisman master could potentially craft a low-grade second-rank talisman if they didn't care about the cost.
Lan Chang'an's premium Golden Blade Talisman had the power to reach the threshold of the Foundation Establishment stage, not far off from an ordinary low-grade second-rank talisman.
"Brother Lan, can you now draw second-rank talismans?" Zhang Tieshan asked curiously.
"Far from it! I've barely touched that level, and it took a great deal of effort to make just one." Lan Chang'an replied with a bitter smile.
low-grade second-rank talismans were almost unattainable for Qi-Refining cultivators. But for Foundation Establishment cultivators, it was just an ordinary spell attack.
Revealing some of his strength was beneficial for Lan Chang'an in forming connections with Foundation Establishment cultivators within the sect.
Otherwise, with the large gap in their cultivation realm and lack of mutual benefits, even if there was friendship, they would be estranged.
...
Next, Lan Chang'an voluntarily recounted the process of killing the Evil-Faced Flying Eagle.
Zhang Tieshan didn't ask out of respect.
Whether to speak about it was a personal choice.
"Su Xuetong tried to seduce me with her beauty and spread poison fragrance. Fortunately, I was cautious and noticed it, and with my body cultivation, I instantly severely injured her. Then, I cooperated with my peak first-rank spirit pet to kill her."
Lan Chang'an let the Earth Burrowing Rat show itself briefly.
"If I hadn't killed that black eagle, I definitely wouldn't have escaped. Therefore, I decisively used my strongest card, the second-rank attack talisman, to instantly slay it."
"Finally, relying on the advantage of my body cultivation and a large number of talismans, I narrowly killed the Evil-Faced Flying Eagle." Lan Chang'an's account restored about ninety percent of the truth but left out some details about his true strength.
Zhang Tieshan revealed a look of appreciation as he listened. Since it was a truthful recount, there were no obvious flaws.
However, he wasn't foolish and guessed that Lan Chang'an might have hidden some details.
"Fellow Daoist Lan practices body refinement on the side as well? And has reached the late stage of Qi-Refining?" Zhang Tieshan asked with slight surprise.
He had decent talent in body cultivation but limited time and resources, so he prioritized advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage.
Currently, Zhang Tieshan's body cultivation was at the peak of late stage Qi-Refining.
"After decades of grinding, my body cultivation has achieved some results. I look forward to discussing it with you in the future, Brother Zhang." Lan Chang'an said modestly.
Body refinement was quite rare, and in this life, it was the first time Lan Chang'an had encountered another practitioner.
...
Half an hour later.
Zhang Tieshan cleared the scene and took away the corpse of the Evil-Faced Flying Eagle and related items.
Zhang Tieshan agreed to Lan Chang'an's request to claim that he alone killed the Evil-Faced Flying Eagle, not mentioning Lan Chang'an.
In the Qi-Refining stage, the Evil-faced Flying Eagle was invincible. It made sense that he would be killed by someone in the Foundation Establishment Realm.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang, the merit of killing the Evil-Faced Flying Eagle shouldn't be that important to you?" Before parting, Lan Chang'an curiously asked.
Both sides were pleased with the transaction.
He personally gained a lot, obtaining key materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill and second-rank talismans, while letting Zhang Tieshan take the spotlight and attract potential enemies.
For a Foundation Establishment cultivator, killing a notorious ninth-level Qi-Refining rogue cultivator would only yield some sect contributions and rewards.
Normally, it wouldn't be particularly attractive.
Zhang Tieshan frankly said, "I'm at a critical juncture for promotion within the Law Enforcement Hall and need contributions and reputation."
Lan Chang'an suddenly understood, "Then I congratulate you in advance on your promotion, Fellow Daoist Zhang."
A Foundation Establishment cultivator holding an important position within the Law Enforcement Hall would make them a significant figure within the sect.
Deepening relations with such a person was an unexpected delight.
"Thanks for your good wishes. The Evil-Faced Flying Eagle wreaked havoc for twenty years, cunning and ruthless. Taking its head back should secure my position." Zhang Tieshan seemed in good spirits and revealed some information.
Perhaps he valued Lan Chang'an's potential and wanted to build goodwill.
"Many years from now, I might be able to witness the day when Brother Zhang becomes an elder of the Law Enforcement Hall." Lan Chang'an subtly flattered.
If Zhang Tieshan really did reach that point, his status would be at least as high as it had been in Lan Chang'an's previous life. Therefore, the flattery was well deserved.
Zhang Tieshan smiled without a word.
His ambitions were so great that revealing them might startle Lan Chang'an.
"Fellow Daoist Lan, no need to see me off."
Zhang Tieshan gave him a meaningful look and flew away.
...
"Brother Lin, you left too early!"
Lan Chang'an thought of the late Lin Yi, who had been good friends with Zhang Tieshan.
Lin Yi had a keen eye.
Even after Lin Yi's death, Zhang Tieshan took good care of his descendants, bringing them to Huanglong Immortal City for training, arranging tasks, and bestowing breakthrough pills.
He truly went above and beyond.
With such character, combined with the willpower and mental state of the number one disciple at the Illusion Heart Platform, it was no wonder he earned the sect elders' appreciation.
...
Returning to Water Moon Residence.
Lan Chang'an dismantled the small second-rank concealment array and buried it in his courtyard.
Why did the Evil-Faced Flying Eagle buy this array instead of an attack array?
Firstly, this type of second-rank array was cheap and didn't require much human manipulation.
Secondly, without powerful concealment abilities, ordinary arrays couldn't hide the sounds of combat, easily detected by nearby cultivators.
Combat within the city was prohibited, and if detected by the city's third-rank grand array, law enforcement cultivators would quickly arrive.
In the days following Zhang Tieshan's departure.
Law enforcement cultivators from Huanglong Immortal City came to seal off Su Xuetong's courtyard.
Soon, the explosive news that Su Xuetong was the Evil-Faced Flying Eagle's concubine spread among the neighbors.
Du Wei from the adjacent Pill Heart Residence broke out in a cold sweat.
He invited Lan Chang'an over for a drink to calm their nerves.
"So, Nie Xiang was the Evil-Faced Flying Eagle in disguise? This villain almost succeeded in using my goodwill to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm?" Du Wei shivered with fear.
If the Evil-Faced Flying Eagle had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, the harm would have been immense.
If it was discovered that he had helped the Evil-Faced Flying Eagle obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill, Du Wei would have been in big trouble.
"The Evil-Faced Flying Eagle is dead, Brother Du can rest easy." Lan Chang'an reassured.
"I'm envious of Brother Lan for knowing a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Jin Yun Valley Law Enforcement Hall, eliminating potential threats early."
"By the way, did you assist in killing the Evil-Faced Flying Eagle?" Du Wei asked with a smile.
"How could I have such ability? It was Brother Zhang who tracked here, inquiring about details and deducing the outcome." Lan Chang'an naturally didn't admit it.
He had already reaped the benefits, leaving the fame to Zhang Tieshan.
...
The turmoil caused by the Evil-Faced Flying Eagle soon subsided.
After all, it was just a ninth layer Qi-Refining rogue cultivator. Notorious in small market towns, it was nothing in the Huanglong Immortal City.
One day.
Lan Chang'an took out a first-rank Life Extension Pill from the spoils he had sorted.
(End of Chapter)