Eternal Life from Talisman Painting-Chapter 287 - 178: The Conspiracy Begins (Part 2)

"The path of the talisman steadily improves, and in about a decade, it should break through to Tier Three, while the Array Master’s progress in the recent three years has been rapid, thanks to the inheritance of the Tier Three Array."

It can be said that the last harvest from the cave dwelling ruins was absolutely abundant for the three of them.

"What a pity, now I need to increase my cultivation as fast as possible."

Ultimately, Lin Chang’an shook his head, sat cross-legged in front of the alchemy furnace, and began to refine the Tier Two Upper Grade Elixir with full concentration.

As one by one, spirit grass and spirit fruit drifted into the pill furnace, they were slowly refined with true fire to extract the essence, and then, with rich and experienced skills, they melded together to eventually form the spirit pill.

Time flew by, and half a month later, as the first rays of moonlight filtered through the array, the fiery heat of the alchemy furnace gradually dissipated.

"The pill is complete."

This kind of alchemy had been repeated countless times, Lin Chang’an’s expression was calm, having long since gotten used to it.

There was none of the anxiety or apprehension other Pill Masters experienced during alchemy, fearing making wasted pills and ruining the valuable materials in the furnace.

"With my talent of proving once and for all, as long as there is no external interference, I can always maintain the best state."

With a confident smile, Lin Chang’an slowly raised his hand and opened the pill furnace.

Thirteen pills, exuding a fragrant aroma and radiating spiritual light, slowly fell into the pre-prepared jade bottle.

One of them fell directly into his hand, and without any hesitation, Lin Chang’an swallowed a pill and then sat cross-legged to cultivate.

...

After an unknown period of time, until the medicinal effect had passed, Lin Chang’an slowly opened his eyes, feeling the progress in cultivation during this period.

"The medicinal power of the Tier Two Upper Grade Elixir has increased considerably compared to the Tier Two Middle Grade Elixir before, but it is still limited."

Lin Chang’an frowned; if before, he wanted to break through to late-stage Foundation Establishment around the age of one hundred and ten.

Now, with the help of Tier Two Upper Grade Elixir, it could be accelerated by at most five or six years.

"It’s still not enough. It would be great if I could have a quasi-Tier Three Elixir or even a Tier Three Elixir."

Knowing his own situation, he understood that his spirit root aptitude was lacking. If he wanted to prepare for Core Formation, the required Core Formation spiritual objects had to be of good quality.

Otherwise, the hope for Core Formation would be even lower.

Moreover, preparing for Core Formation also requires time.

"Recently, Old Hu mentioned this, saying that the Seven Kingdoms are barren, and cultivation progress is slow, with an intention to go to the Demon Beast Abyss."

Lin Chang’an mused; it was not Old Hu’s fault, but rather the disparity he had experienced firsthand.

Just like before, the Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market and Celestial Profound City, these two places for cultivation were worlds apart.

Upon arriving at Celestial Profound City, even Li Yifan and Shen Fan started attempting Foundation Establishment around the age of forty.

It can be said that Celestial Profound City accelerated their loose cultivation progress by at least a dozen years.

This is the "place" among the "law, place, wealth, companion" in cultivation.

"The Demon Beast Abyss, I’ve heard Yun Yao and Mr. Song mention, its spiritual energy is far denser than that of the Seven Kingdoms.

But it also faces constant threats from sea beasts and tribulation cultivators, full of chaos and dangers."

Although Lin Chang’an was somewhat tempted, he considered his lifespan of two hundred and fifty-one years, and even after a breakthrough to late-stage Foundation Establishment, his lifespan could be enhanced once again.

He abandoned this impulse.

"When I reach late-stage Foundation Establishment, my lifespan will be at least two hundred and seventy-eight years. Steady progress is key; the Demon Beast Abyss will eventually be visited, but let’s wait for the breakthrough to late-stage Foundation Establishment first."

Lin Chang’an mused, and there was another reason—he had asked Yun Yao, who advised against going alone, as it was extremely dangerous.

"It would be better to form an alliance with Old Hu to first venture to the Demon Beast Abyss than to find some quasi-Tier Three Elixirs to accelerate cultivation speed."

...

While Lin Chang’an was cultivating, on the outskirts of the Cloud Mist Mountain Range,

two figures, using sword control, swept low through the air, swiftly traversing the forest.

"Brother Fan, we’re almost at Celestial Profound City!"

Shen Fan and Wei Yingying were in disarray, with some evil energy on them.

At this moment, a Foundation Establishment cultivator was pursuing them from behind.

"Damn it, leave the Demon Beast Crystal Core behind!"

"Fellow Daoist, the other materials from the demon beast have been left for you, don’t push us too far!"

"Rude! This demon beast was already critically wounded from my pursuit a few days ago, and you two little thieves not only stole my work but also injured my nephew..."

The Foundation Establishment cultivator pursuing them was full of anger.

Though both were at the initial stage of Foundation Establishment, Shen Fan had clearly just broken into this realm, nearly at the bottom among his peers.

Moreover, they had already obtained the crystal core for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill; Shen Fan naturally did not want any further trouble.

What’s more, Wei Yingying quickly pulled Shen Fan to flee.

"Brother Fan, go that way, there is a demon beast tribe."

With Wei Yingying’s quick thinking, the two led the pursuer into the demon beast’s territory.

Sure enough, the pursuing cultivator got bogged down.

"You two little thieves! This isn’t over!"

Sounds of angry shouts came from behind, and Wei Yingying finally breathed a sigh of relief, then with Shen Fan, they rushed towards Celestial Profound City without delay.

In the forest behind them, after Wei Yingying and the others left, the cries of demon beasts could be heard, soon falling silent.

"It seems they got away."

The Foundation Establishment cultivator with the surname Gu behind them smirked coldly, showing none of the previous irritation.

Meanwhile, another figure appeared in the woods.

"Hehe, Brother Gu truly has good means, even scheming against your nephew."

The figure gradually emerged, revealing the true appearance under the hat, turning out to be Qin Feng, who had been missing for several years.

Back when the West District Black Market collapsed, Qin Feng left Celestial Profound City, crying hysterically and lost to the world; unexpectedly, he had become a tribulation cultivator.

Seeing him, the Gu cultivator sneered directly:

"My good brother is too pedantic, holding fast to Celestial Profound City, what use is it? Now Master Lu is like the setting sun, knowing nothing of adaptation. I’m only trying to leave a way out for the Gu family."

Hearing this, Qin Feng maintained his smile but was full of contempt inwardly.

If he hadn’t known what this individual secretly did, he might have believed him.

Pompous with dignity, he was nothing but a selfish and greedy individual.

In contrast to himself, who engaged in tribulation cultivator activities, all to rebuild the family.

"But are you sure letting him go will make the plan succeed?"

Faced with Gu’s inquiry, a look of hatred flashed in Qin Feng’s eyes as he replied with a sneer:

"That person is the descendant of the Tier Two Upper Grade Talisman Master in the East District Market. All you need is to return and provoke your good brother, going ahead as planned.

In our joint efforts and with Li Huo Palace’s elite disciples, ambushing, when the six Foundation Establishment cultivators of the East District Black Market come, will there not be chaos?"

With hatred in his eyes, Qin Feng reckoned that with only Master Lu seldom appearing, they were not afraid at all. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Once chaos erupted in the East District Black Market, it would become a fuse, igniting other means they had set up in Celestial Profound City.

At that time, they would blame the spread of this grandeur on the scattered cultivators of Celestial Profound City’s prosperity.

The Gu Foundation Establishment cultivator wasn’t foolish, responding in a deep tone:

"This move is probably Li Huo Palace testing Master Lu."

"What does it matter? We have already pledged allegiance to Li Huo Palace’s forces. Mr. Huang has promised that after this, both our families can move under Li Huo Palace."

Upon hearing that they could soon relocate their families after this event, the Gu Foundation Establishment cultivator silently nodded lightly.

As for Qin Feng, he remained impassive, for years having pulled strings and manipulated events to draw many cultivators to Li Huo Palace, all in the name of revitalizing the Qin Family.

He was determined to prove he wasn’t the disgrace of the Qin Family!

In his hands, the Qin Family would once again regain their ancestral glory.

"Uncle!"

At this moment, a distant voice called to the Gu cultivator, who snorted coldly as Qin Feng disappeared, adopting a worried look of injury once again.

"Nephew!"

The Gu Foundation Establishment cultivator, now appearing disheveled and injured, quickly regained composure.

Meanwhile, Shen Fan and Wei Yingying, having returned to Celestial Profound City earlier, didn’t go home to heal but instead headed straight for Lin Chang’an’s cave dwelling.