To avoid unnecessary trouble, Lin Chen decided not to take a ship from Canglan Island. The news of his return to Canglan Island must have already leaked out; even if he changed his appearance, people could still guess.
Traveling to other islands and then taking a ship to the Eastern Sea would avoid suspicion.
Lin Chen set his sights on Nine Mountains Island.
The first time he took the King’s Ship, he met several youths on board, many of whom came from Nine Mountains Island.
Nine Mountains Island is ranked among the top ten in strength among the many islands in the East Sea.
Due to Nine Mountains Island’s martial prowess, martial artists travel to the Eastern Sea daily; with Yin Yue by his side, he would go unnoticed.
Three days later.
With Lin Chen’s full-speed flight, he finally arrived at Nine Mountains Island.
From tens of miles away, he could see the outlines of nine tall mountains on the island, which is the origin of Nine Mountains Island’s name.
At this moment, Lin Chen had transformed into a fifty-year-old man once again, and Yin Yue beside him had black hair, with simple makeup that altered her appearance from before.
There are four major entry points to Nine Mountains Island. Lin Chen, with Yin Yue, flew directly overhead, while the guards below merely glanced up and then withdrew their gaze.
Guangwu City.
A major city on Nine Mountains Island.
Lin Chen, along with Yin Yue, entered the city and directly found an inn to stay.
"Shopkeeper, make a reservation for the Dragon King Ship for me."
"Dragon King Ship?"
After receiving Lin Chen’s payment for the stay, the shopkeeper’s eyes brightened upon hearing Lin Chen’s words: "Rest assured, sir, I will arrange for someone to notify the shipyard."
Lin Chen chose to book the Dragon King Ship through the inn, thinking that in Coastal City, those inns have business relations with the cruises, so it must be the same on other islands.
"May I ask, sir, how many days would you like to reserve for?"
"Three days later."
Staying three days on Nine Mountains Island is completely separated from his activities on Canglan Island, and the interested party cannot investigate it.
"Three days later?"
The shopkeeper’s eyes flickered with insight: "Are you here for the Nine Mountains Island auction?"
Those who can afford to ride the Dragon King Ship are either Innate Powerhouses or those with deep and prominent backgrounds. Given his age, this gentleman is certainly not one of those noble young masters; he must be an Innate Powerhouse.
Being an Innate Powerhouse, arriving at Guangwu City and immediately booking the Dragon King Ship for three days later, the shopkeeper immediately thought of the auction tomorrow.
This gentleman must be here for the auction, planning to leave Guangwu City once the auction ends.
Upon hearing the shopkeeper mention the auction, Lin Chen didn’t rush to deny it, while the shopkeeper continued: "Sir, our owner happens to be the auction host. If you’re here for the auction, we have a list of the treasures to be auctioned. Do you need it?"
"A list? Then bring me one."
Smiling broadly, the shopkeeper took a booklet from under the counter: "Please keep it well. If you need anything, feel free to instruct."
Having taken the auction booklet, Lin Chen and Yin Yue were personally escorted by the shopkeeper to the inn’s private quarters in the rear.
"Guangwu City’s auction serves as a perfect cover for us."
Just as Lin Chen was about to examine the auction booklet, he found that Yin Yue had already picked it up first.
"Lin Chen, you made the right move this time."
Yin Yue glanced at the auctioned items on the booklet, then looked at Lin Chen.
"You mean, there’s something good at this auction?"
Lin Chen wasn’t too surprised. Since it’s an auction, there would surely be good items; otherwise, why would martial artists be attracted to bid?
The key is not whether the items are good, but whether he can win the bid.
"There is an auction item that may not be significant to other martial artists, but it is very important to you."
Yin Yue pointed at an item on the booklet, and Lin Chen narrowed his eyes, murmuring: Quenching Crystal Sand.
"Yes, it’s Quenching Crystal Sand."
Upon Yin Yue’s confirmation, Lin Chen’s eyes held doubts: "Quenching Crystal Sand is extremely precious to martial artists at the Peak of Innate Second Realm. It can liquefy the Innate Crystals within them. Even if they are not at the Peak of Innate Second Realm, anything below the Innate Third Realm is significantly attracted to it."
The second realm involves condensing 365 Innate Crystals within, then liquefying them and converging the Innate Liquid in the Dantian. Thus, the Third Realm is referred to as the Abyss River Realm.
Completely liquid Innate Power flows like rivers, unlike now, where Innate Power mainly gathers in Qi Blood, operating through its flow.
Condensing Innate Crystals is difficult, but liquefying them is even harder.
Many martial artists at the Peak of Innate Second Realm have already condensed 365 Innate Crystals but are stuck at this final step of liquefaction.
Quenching Crystal Sand can increase the success rate of liquefying Innate Crystals by several percent.
Therefore, whether Peak Innate Second Realm martial artists or ordinary Second Realm ones, or even First Realm martial artists, they would be attracted to Quenching Crystal Sand. Current disuse doesn’t mean future disuse, so collecting it in advance is a wise precaution.
"For other martial artists, Quenching Crystal Sand is simply used to break through to the Innate Third Realm, but for you, it has other uses."
Yin Yue knew Lin Chen’s thoughts, tapping her fingers on the table: "When combined with Innate Stone, it can make the Innate Crystals you condense much superior in quality than ordinary ones. Most importantly, the Innate Crystals condensed with Quenching Crystal Sand do not appear in the main acupoint but occupy the position in hidden acupoints."
"What do you mean?"
Lin Chen studied Yin Yue, partly guessing her intention but not entirely sure.
"With enough Quenching Crystal Sand and Innate Stones, the number of Innate Crystals you can condense will far exceed 365. You will not only be invincible at the Second Realm but will surpass other Third Realm martial artists upon breaking through."
"Don’t other people know of Quenching Crystal Sand’s additional use?" Lin Chen curiously asked.
"Combining Innate Stone with Quenching Crystal Sand results in some energy loss for the Innate Stones. For most martial artists, Innate Stones are insufficient for cultivation, and using Quenching Crystal Sand to lose energy is seen as an extravagant waste."
"Is that so..."
Lin Chen’s eyes slightly narrowed; Yin Yue made a valid point; such behavior is truly wasteful.
He also believed that others must have tried it and abandoned it upon realizing the high cost.
Before heading to the Abyss, absorbing the Demon’s energy might have tempted him; but now, the appeal of Quenching Crystal Sand is less due to his Divine Soul’s strength, putting him in a state of invincibility at his realm.
"Your Divine Soul matches Innate Sixth Realm. Most times, you are indeed invincible at your level, but in special circumstances where the Divine Soul is sealed or restricted, your advantage would vanish. Many secret realms in the Flame Dynasty seal the Divine Soul of entrants."
"You seem keen for me to obtain Quenching Crystal Sand. If it has these effects, wouldn’t it require even more Innate Stone on your part?"
Lin Chen eyed Yin Yue; more Innate Crystals require more Innate Stones, logic suggests she would prefer conserving them.
"The year is nearly up; I’ve handed out so many Innate Stones, a few more don’t matter."
Confronted by Lin Chen’s gaze, Yin Yue was direct, expressing her wealth confidently.
"I just think since you have a sense of crisis, enhancing your strength should be comprehensive, not missing any opportunity."
"Really?"
Lin Chen stared at Yin Yue, who slightly awkwardly looked away, avoiding eye contact.
Seeing Yin Yue avoid eye contact, Lin Chen understood; it seems when the year is up, Yin Yue may propose another deal.
His strength is tied to Yin Yue’s opportunity after a year.
"Quenching Crystal Sand as a treasure will likely have fierce competition."
"In others’ eyes, although Quenching Crystal Sand is precious, they have a cap on its value. Once it exceeds this cap, most will forgo it."
Hearing Yin Yue’s remark, Lin Chen understood.
Throw money!
Throw money far exceeding others’ mental value cap!
This method is coarse but truly effective.

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