Eternal Life from Talisman Painting-Chapter 319 - 191: Auction House

Lin Chang’an pondered silently; he had been here for only two years, and usually, the expenses for cultivation were not insignificant.

Now in his storage bag, he had merely accumulated over four thousand middle-grade spirit stones; it seemed he could only prioritize purchasing a spiritual pen.

After all, his priority now was to elevate his talisman skills to tier three.

"Indeed, only after coming here did I realize that I am still a pauper."

Lin Chang’an sighed lightly; for many skill cultivators, he was quite wealthy.

But compared to some cultivators with backgrounds, he still fell short in terms of foundation.

There were also some cultivators who hunted demon beasts; these were often poor at one moment and rich the next, maybe getting lucky once in a while, but he wasn’t envious because they traded their lives for it.

"However, the gap in foundation, as cultivation level increases, I alone will be able to equate to a sect in the future."

After all, in the Hundred Skills of Cultivation, their value and scarcity increase the further one goes.

"Next up for auction is a quasi-tier three spiritual pen, starting bid at three thousand three hundred middle-grade spirit stones!"

"Three thousand four hundred!"

"Three thousand five hundred!"

As soon as the necessary spiritual pen appeared, Lin Chang’an began bidding, but when the price exceeded three thousand seven hundred, he directly gave up.

"Anyway, it’s not like there’s only one or two quasi-tier three spiritual pens; there’s no need to waste an extra couple of hundred middle-grade spirit stones."

Currently, there were too many places he needed to spend spirit stones on, forcing Lin Chang’an to calculate carefully.

Even when returning home, he had to carefully manage the income from the spirit field, although the chances of being deceived were low.

Eventually, after a while, with the appearance of the second quasi-tier three spiritual pen, Lin Chang’an secured it for three thousand seven hundred middle-grade spirit stones.

Instantly, the spirit stones in his storage bag were exhausted.

"I really miss the days back in Celestial Profound City when I ran the black market."

Looking at the spiritual pen in his hand, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but feel nostalgic.

Back then, the black market earned quite a lot; now, after coming here, he could only earn spirit stones relying on his own efforts.

But with giving up comes gaining.

Just then, a bottle of elixir appeared, making many Foundation Establishment cultivators present show eager expressions.

"This is a quasi-tier three elixir that can enhance cultivation, made from tier three materials, accidentally downgraded by a tier three alchemist.

But among quasi-tier three elixirs, it’s absolutely top-grade; now the starting bid is..."

Soon after, the auction house buzzed with activity, many cultivators quickly started bidding, and even some offered equivalent resources to trade.

Lin Chang’an also felt some desire; with this bottle of elixir, he might breakthrough to the late-stage Foundation Establishment faster.

But due to a tight budget, ultimately, the bottle of elixir ended up with a cultivator who traded demon beast materials.

"One cannot envy others; they risk their lives for it."

Lin Chang’an shook his head silently.

In the Demon Beast Abyss, it was never short of a few Foundation Establishment cultivators teaming up to hunt demon beasts.

Some sects or influential clan cultivators even teamed up with a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators, using arrays to assist in hunting tier three demon beasts, was also present.

Though demon beasts are strong, humanity’s strength lies in overcoming weakness, thus utilizing talismans, elixirs, arrays, and magical artifacts.

After the auction ended, countless cultivators, hidden by arrays, streamed out of the venue.

The Five Dragons Island event had only just begun, with this auction being the first.

Furthermore, the auction provided a safe venue for Foundation Establishment cultivators to trade resources anonymously.

However, after glancing at the spirit stones in his pocket and realizing he hadn’t traded any high-level resources, Lin Chang’an shook his head in exasperation.

"Still poor; it’s time to return home and cultivate diligently, aiming to breakthrough to late-stage Foundation Establishment early and then plan for Core Formation."

On the bustling market street, Lin Chang’an wandered around, eventually buying a high-level Sea Abyss Demon Beast Atlas and gathering some recent intel before preparing to leave.

"Is this saying there’s nothing major lately?"

Looking at the recent intelligence, Lin Chang’an felt speechless.

Sea beasts attacked merchant ships, one big clan suffered considerable losses, and a Golden Core cultivator ventured into the Demon Beast Abyss, currently presumed dead to the beasts.

Following the direction of the Golden Core cultivator’s disappearance might yield inheritance.

Natural disasters strike, tribulation cultivators wreak havoc...

Reading through the records, Lin Chang’an sighed helplessly.

Back in the Seven Kingdoms, any of these incidents would have been major events.

Yet here, they amounted to nothing significant.

However, after seeing some intelligence on the nearby seas, Lin Chang’an slightly frowned.

"No wonder Five Dragons Island hosts a market event every ten years; turns out, this sea region abundantly produces Giant Bone Sea Fish Beasts, migrating aggressively about every decade."

The Five Dragons Island event was obviously to prepare for this Beast Tide.

Giant Bone Sea Fish Beasts, massive, with extremely hard scale armor, are challenging to deal with.

"Also excellent refining materials, while the meat is delicious; each Beast Tide is a celebration for countless cultivators and a disaster."

Upon finishing reading this intelligence, Lin Chang’an frowned; there weren’t any real methods to counter these sea beasts.

They could only fight head-on.

"But with about a year and a half until the Beast Tide, there’s no rush."

...

The Five Dragons Island Market event gathered many cultivators, though quite a few left after purchasing coveted items.

After all, with few spirit stones left, staying only meant watching idly.

"Fellow Daoist, are you leaving? If it’s convenient, perhaps we could travel together."

"Any interest in jointly hunting demon beasts?"

Before leaving, many cultivators were inviting companions to either journey back or set up agreements to hunt demon beasts.

But Lin Chang’an wasn’t idle; he directly left on his sword.

Seeing departing cultivators, some fellow cultivators secretly observed.

"Boss, just now that kid seems to have left alone."

"Don’t act recklessly; daring to travel alone here, would you really dare to provoke him? It might just be a trap luring impulsive cultivators like you."

A seasoned middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator scoffed coldly, warning a young man eyeing greedily, with a solemn look on his face.

Tribulation Cultivation isn’t that easy after all.

"Boss, is it really that mysterious? With our group of five, even a quasi-tier three demon beast must behave."

The young Foundation Establishment cultivator grumbled, looking regretfully at the departing cultivators.

Sometimes, hunting cultivators could be easier than hunting demon beasts.

But cultivators who came here were all extremely cautious, especially with the impending Beast Tide; no one wanted unnecessary complications.

...

The journey back was rather smooth, with each encountered cultivator looking cautiously at each other.

Seeing Lin Chang’an traveling alone, some deemed it a trap, while others thought him bold for his skills.

In any case, he didn’t meet any impulsive robbers.

Or rather, those tribulation cultivators valued their lives, at least assessing before acting.

While flying halfway, Lin Chang’an received Old Hu’s sound transmission talisman.

Old Hu emerged from seclusion, successfully breaking through to late-stage Foundation Establishment.

Returning swiftly to Jade Spirit Island.

"Old Hu, congratulations on your major cultivation progress."

"Don’t say that; Old Lin, your cultivation isn’t lacking either; let’s not be too modest."

The two headed to the cave residence, and upon seeing the letters left outside Lin Chang’an’s cave residence, Old Hu’s expression changed slightly.

"This place really has its fair share of troubles; during your absence, Old Lin, some cultivators secretly came to visit, leaving letters."

Lin Chang’an curiously reached for a letter left at his cave residence by unknown cultivators and another one handed over by Old Hu.

It was a letter from the Lu Family, with simple contents.

The letter mentioned their enmity with three clans, hoping Lin Chang’an and others wouldn’t interfere, promising generous gifts if they were willing to assist.

Offering substantial profits, like shares in a local island commerce association, providing various benefits from the island.

After reading the two letters, Lin Chang’an raised an eyebrow.

He didn’t want to get involved in this family feud.

Now, he only wished to cultivate peacefully.

"Old Lin, that’s the right choice; I think so too, why get involved in these matters? As for what they’re claiming, generous profits, those are merely illusions."

Seeing Lin Chang’an choosing to ignore, Old Hu grinned, signaling he also wanted no involvement.

Although others might not feel the same way, that didn’t concern them.

They only wished to cultivate in peace, and perhaps it’s better that the island’s three clans remain as they are.

Subsequently, the two discussed cultivation, Lin Chang’an listened to Old Hu’s breakthrough experiences, and their conversation shifted to the Beast Tide expected to occur in the coming years.

The Beast Tide also presented a great hide-and-wait opportunity for them.

After all, sea beasts arriving at your doorstep were undoubtedly safer than hunting.