In this remote small town where even outsiders couldn't remember people's names, strange events had been happening frequently lately. On a hill not far from the town, heavenly tribulations appeared from time to time. Once or twice could be brushed aside, as some cultivators would choose to undergo their tribulations in desolate places. However, the number of heavenly tribulations occurring had reached over ten, which was astonishing.
Could it be that some power was intentionally nurturing their own people here, preparing to do something major?
"Look, it's happening again! Yet another Golden Core heavenly tribulation. Heavens, since when could so many Golden Core cultivators appear clustered together?" Seeing another heavenly tribulation manifest not far away, the town's residents cried out in shock.
"Haven't you noticed the drastic change in those cultivators from the manor west of town? It seems they're the ones crossing the Golden Core tribulation, with several Golden Core cultivators appearing already."
"Them? Don't they rarely come out? We seldom see them, and when we do catch a glimpse, they look gloomy and creepy, even children don't dare go near that area."
Not only were the residents baffled, just having a Foundation Establishment cultivator here was good fortune. The sudden emergence of so many Golden Core cultivators was alarming, making some suspect they were up to shady business and might kill people to keep secrets. However, as the frequent heavenly tribulation phenomena here attracted outside Golden Core cultivators over, this unease was somewhat alleviated. Killing them would be easy, but killing those external cultivators would be hard.
The cultivators coming from outside were shocked upon inquiring - this was the eleventh person crossing the Golden Core tribulation. It really was mass-producing Golden Core cultivators! Since when did condensing Golden Cores become so easy? What's next, mass-producing Nascent Soul cultivators?
Zhou Yuanjiang was the first to condense a Golden Core. After stabilizing his cultivation, he successively provided protection for the other brothers, and still does so now.
Seeing outside cultivators come over, they were not surprised - it would be strange if the anomalies here went unnoticed.
"Brother Zhou, they're here." Seeing unfamiliar cultivators approach, everyone was vigilant. To be honest, after experiencing what they did, they harbored some rejection towards cultivators other than Guyao.
"As long as they don't interfere with the tribulations, let them be," Zhou Yuanjiang glanced over briefly before withdrawing his gaze, focusing on the brother undergoing his tribulation, hoping everyone could successfully form their Cores.
Booms and rumbles sounded for a long time before the lightning tribulation finally ended. Sweet dew descended from heaven and earth as the people protecting around cheered loudly.
The attracted Golden Core cultivators took one look - each of these cultivators had a Golden Core. Needless to say, they must be the culprits behind the recent frequent heavenly tribulation phenomena, which surprised them greatly. Every single one emitted an aura of bloodlust, clearly possessing formidable combat strength.
Some wanted to step forward to exchange information and probe for news. However, Zhou Yuanjiang and the others completely ignored them, only protecting the cultivators who had just crossed the tribulation as they withdrew into secluded cultivation.
"Can we really not find out anything about them?"
"Should we send someone to scout their residence?"
"What if there's a profoundly powerful cultivator inside? Don't forget, whoever could mass produce Golden Core cultivators, how could they be ordinary Golden Cores?"
Seeing more and more people get drawn over, soon their identities would inevitably be exposed. Guyao and Chi Changye simply brought Zhou Yuanjiang and the others away, sending word to Tian Feirong and the rest to rendezvous elsewhere.
Before forming their Cores, Zhou Yuanjiang and the others had already sworn allegiance to Guyao and Chi Changye. The mentality of these people was perhaps different from ordinary cultivators, but Guyao and Chi Changye still believed in their loyalty, especially after making such vows - the consequences of going back on them would be severe.
These Golden Core cultivators were not completely useless either. Guyao and Chi Changye led them straight towards the location of the Changxian Sect. The 10-year period was drawing nearer - the teleportation array there would activate soon, so a batch of cultivators from the Heavenly Forest Continent would arrive before long. With Zhou Yuanjiang and the others present, it added another layer of protective force.
En route to the teleportation array site, Guyao informed Zhou Yuanjiang and the rest about the real situation. If they were unwilling, Guyao would not force them. Though he claimed to have saved them, Guyao's original intention was also to study their physical conditions for his own research gains during their treatment process.
"We shall follow Pill Master Guyao's arrangements," Zhou Yuanjiang said resolutely, with the others sharing similar looks.
Along the way, knowing of Guyao's liking for food and drink, they would go hunting in the vicinity during breaks, bringing back the choicest parts of the prey for the cultivator proficient in spirit cooking to prepare meals and deliver them to Guyao and Chi Changye. This spirit chef cultivator even planned on further honing his skills to elevate his culinary prowess.
"Not bad, in case he goes wandering alone in the future, he can open a restaurant or tavern with these skills," Chi Changye said to Guyao.
Guyao could only let them be, trying to restrain them from doing things would probably make them uncomfortable instead.
Following the map Luo Huaijing gave, Guyao and company found the location of the teleportation array, hidden within a secluded valley. The entire valley was concealed by the array's formations.
Leaving Zhou Yuanjiang and the others outside, Guyao and Chi Changye entered the array to survey the surroundings. Indeed, no one was left guarding this place, and it was some distance away from the Changxian Sect. The teleportation array was also undamaged. Both were quite satisfied and decided to settle here, using the array as the core to establish a town for now, considering further expansion depending on future developments.
Not long after their arrival, Tian Feirong and Fatty, whom Guyao had contacted, also rushed over. Although Luo Huaijing was guarding it, the outer formations of the teleportation array still needed careful inspection, preferably improving on the original foundations. This required Fatty.
To Guyao's pleasant surprise, during Tian Feirong and Fatty's recent adventure seeking opportunities, Fatty had chanced upon a great fortune. While Tian Feirong gained nothing, Fatty obtained the legacy of a 6th grade array master in some ruins they stumbled upon by accident. Hence his overflowing excitement.
Previously fumbling blindly without systematic learning, his foundations were less than solid. This legacy perfectly complemented his deficiencies and pointed the way forward.
As if injected with chicken blood, Fatty took over all the defensive outer formations of the teleportation array and the entire town, determined to construct a perfect grand defensive formation.
Zhou Yuanjiang also led his brothers to build a town centered around the valley with the array. Those yet to form Cores and overcome tribulations continued closed door cultivation to strengthen their foundations before attempting again. Having come this far together, they were unwilling to see anyone die under the Heavenly Tribulations - the more survivors the better.
The town's construction was first consulted with Fatty, who produced a blueprint after finalizing the grand defensive formation. The buildings on the blueprint were designed to complement his grand formation. All the town's cultivators could then power the defensive formation when activated to its maximum capacity.
"Let's call this town Tianlin Town. Perhaps one day it can develop into Tianlin City," Fatty suggested. He missed his grandfather and wanted his grandfather to see his current achievements. Although he had no talent in pill refinement to inherit his grandfather's legacy, he could still make his grandfather proud.
"Good, nice name," Guyao and Tian Feirong agreed unanimously, with Chi Changye naturally having no objections.
With all the hammering and visits to nearby cultivator settlements to purchase supplies over time, passing cultivators would eventually discover the situation here and immediately report it to their sects. This was still Changxian Sect territory after all. External cultivators wanting to build a town here must obtain Changxian Sect's approval.
This area was special with prior instructions not to interfere. So the local stewards reported it up the ranks. The news happened to reach Luo Huaijing, who was immediately excited. Other than Chi Changye and Guyao's group, he couldn't think of anyone else interested in that area. He promptly went to the Patriarch.
After listening to his disciple's detailed report, Patriarch Luo was also surprised. This was preparing for long-term residence! Understandable though, no one else could be entrusted with that teleportation array, better to watch it personally. This was extremely beneficial for the Changxian Sect. Top-grade Infant pills, the Changxian Sect wanted them too!
"Huaijing, send a batch of supplies over on my behalf and ask Pill Master Guyao if they need any help from our disciples," the Patriarch instructed.
"Yes, Patriarch! I'll head over now."
Luo Huaijing brought along Ying Muqing and set off excitedly towards the teleportation array site. Indeed, large-scale construction was underway. But the two were overly eager, charging straight in, nearly getting attacked by Zhou Yuanjiang and company who spotted the intrusion.
Fortunately, they promptly yelled that they were here to visit Pill Master Guyao, causing Zhou Yuanjiang's group to halt their attacks but remain wary as Guyao's group's whereabouts were secret. Who knew what these two were up to?
When informed, Guyao guessed that someone from the Changxian Sect must have noticed them, so the visitors now should be familiar people.
Sure enough, it was Luo Huaijing and Ying Muqing. After telling Zhou Yuanjiang and company they were friends, Guyao brought them to the newly built palace as guests.
The others came out too, exchanging greetings with Luo Huaijing's group, old friends happy to meet again. Luo Huaijing also delivered a large batch of construction materials, delighting Guyao further.
Procuring these materials would have required tremendous effort. But the Changxian Sect could acquire them just by issuing a few orders, such were the benefits of a major sect. While not wanting to join the Changxian Sect, they didn't wish to make enemies either. This territory was allocated by the Changxian Sect after all, so they would still be neighbors needing the Sect's care in the future.
Guyao declined the offer of Changxian Sect disciples coming to help. Without revealing their identities, those disciples probably wouldn't be very willing. Also, the town was not meant to be too big for now. Considering Zhou Yuanjiang and company were Golden Core cultivators, construction would have been near complete already if not for coordinating with the grand defensive formation's requirements.