Eternal Life from Talisman Painting-Chapter 51: The Plot Begins to Unfold
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, two years have passed.
[Life Span: 49/116]
[Realm: Qi Refining Eighth Layer (1/100)]
Inside the secret chamber.
"Qi Refining Eighth Layer, finally broke through, my cultivation speed is much faster than I imagined."
Inside the secret chamber, with the pure and majestic fluctuations of mana, Lin Chang’an’s clothes fluttered loudly.
Due to the cultivation of the Chang Chun Skill, time hadn’t left many marks on Lin Chang’an’s face, instead adding a sense of depth.
As he slowly opened his eyes and felt the changes within his body, a smile involuntarily appeared on his face.
The reason for his rapid progress in cultivation was largely thanks to the Supreme Chang Chun Skill, and of course, the ample supply of Spirit Stones.
The Supreme Chang Chun Skill cultivated mana that was purer and more majestic.
Compared to other cultivators at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer practicing the same Chang Chun Skill, his mana was at least thirty percent more.
"Not just in cultivation, the Wood Spirit Spike spell has also, following the cultivation technique, reached the Supreme Realm; its power is even stronger than that of its original creator."
At the same time, various spells and talismans have improved significantly.
"With my current cultivation speed, I can attempt Foundation Establishment in another five to six years."
Looking at his attributes, Lin Chang’an silently nodded, he initially thought of attempting Foundation Establishment before sixty, but now it seems he can try before fifty-five.
In fact, over the past two years, he had already started preparing, collecting Foundation Establishment materials at the market whenever the opportunity presented itself, of course starting with the easier ones.
"Moo..."
Opening the door, the Cyan-Horned Bull, which had grown to a size capable of carrying a person, approached Lin Chang’an, affectionately and dependently rubbing against his pant leg.
"You thick-skinned, gluttonous silly bull."
Lin Chang’an scolded with a laugh, but still took out a few Spirit Grass from his Storage Bag for it to eat.
In the past two years, the growth of the Cyan-Horned Bull was astonishing, given that resource supply was never lacking, it had grown to a middle-stage Tier One realm.
Equivalent to a cultivator of the middle stage of Qi Refining, but it was well known that in a same-tier battle, Demon Beasts were stronger.
"Qi Refining Eighth Layer, I am not lacking in magical artifacts, spirit beasts, or spell techniques now, among the same tier, unless it’s geniuses from sects or major families, ordinary loose cultivators are not necessarily my opponents."
Nearing thirty years on the Immortal Path, he finally had the power to protect himself, feeling relieved, he couldn’t help but let out a few light laughs.
"However, it’s about time to prepare the core materials for Foundation Establishment."
Lin Chang’an mused silently, not to mention loose cultivators, even Yun Yao, a major sect disciple, spent several years preparing for Foundation Establishment.
For ordinary loose cultivators, preparing for ten years is quite normal.
Moreover, it’s best to prepare the core main materials for Foundation Establishment in secret, as being known would easily attract unwanted attention.
"Aim to break through to Qi Refining Ninth Layer within three years, achieve Qi Refining Great Perfection before fifty-five, and then prepare for Foundation Establishment!"
...
Gathering Talent Tower.
"Brother Lin, this Cyan Bamboo Sword has been entrusted to the clan to be crafted into a top-grade magical artifact, take a look."
Li Erniu, full of envy, took out the Cyan Bamboo Sword, which was a symbol of the pioneering of this market.
A year ago, Lin Chang’an asked Erniu to have it reforged at the Zhou Family, upgrading it to a middle-grade magical artifact, now it had been further enhanced to a top-grade magical artifact.
The cyan blade edge glimmered with a faint golden light, as Lin Chang’an held it, he felt an unprecedented sharpness, and couldn’t help but sigh:
"No wonder it’s an artifact with a trace of Golden Essence added."
He was a Tier One top-grade talisman master, and also a late-stage Qi Refining great cultivator, having one or two top-grade magical artifacts was quite normal.
"Brother Lin, Brother Li."
Shen Lie opened the compartment with a smile on his face, greeting the two with clasped hands, yet there was an unmistakable fatigue in his brows.
"Brother Shen."
The three sat in the compartment, but their expressions were somewhat unnatural, especially compared to two years ago, the Gathering Immortals Tower seemed much quieter.
"Brother Li, Brother Lin, I won’t be going to the Yun Clan’s Commerce for now, currently managing the Gathering Immortals Tower with Qingqing, you may need to procure the materials yourselves."
Shen Lie pretended to be casual, but Li Erniu fell silent, while Lin Chang’an was a bit skeptical.
Half a year ago, Yun Yao had already started distancing herself from them, even taking on the aloof demeanor of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, now even Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing were kicked out of the commerce.
The reason was quite simple, Shen Lie was discovered by Yun Yao for embezzlement while managing the commerce.
"Brother Shen, today is your celebration for breaking through to the late-stage Qi Refining, come, have a drink."
Seeing the atmosphere was a bit awkward, Li Erniu forced out a smile, changing the topic.
Shen Lie, after two years of hard cultivation, still couldn’t break through, so he took a Tier-Breaking Pill, recently breaking through to Qi Refining Seventh Layer, becoming the second late-stage Qi Refining cultivator after Lin Chang’an.
Yet Li Erniu was still stuck at Qi Refining Sixth Layer.
However, Lin Chang’an was secretly pondering, even Erniu knew not to lightly attempt taking a Tier-Breaking Pill, with Shen Lie’s personality, how could he have taken it?
One must know that using the Tier-Breaking Pill to break through bottlenecks comes at the cost of one’s own potential.
Shen Lie, and even little junior sister Lu Qingqing, shouldn’t be so unwise.
Something’s off!
"The business at the Gathering Immortals Tower is enough for Qingqing and me to get by, let alone with my cultivation at the late-stage Qi Refining."
Under Shen Lie’s feigned carefree smile, Lin Chang’an and Li Erniu also suppressed their doubts, all celebrating Shen Lie’s breakthrough.
Over the past six months, it seems Yun Yao has been intentionally distancing herself.
Although he didn’t know the reason, every time they met, he could feel the increasingly intense yin-cold mana within her.
Everyone wasn’t foolish, avoiding too many questions, as sometimes it’s better to remain oblivious to stay alive a bit longer.
...
Yun Clan’s Commerce.
"Senior Yun, here are this month’s accounts."
Lu Qingqing respectfully handed over the business handover of Yun Clan’s Commerce, while Yun Yao, seated opposite, remained indifferent, nodding slightly.
"Junior Sister Lu, with the outside becoming increasingly chaotic, it’s best to leave the commerce to others and focus on your cultivation, lest you fall behind."
In her deep blue palace attire, Yun Yao’s cold voice echoed, leaving Lu Qingqing pale and silent, nodding gently.
The intelligent Lu Qingqing understood one thing: if even Yun Yao, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, had to act this way, she, merely a Qi Refining Cultivator, had no power to resist.
From the moment she handed over the accounts, Lu Qingqing severed all ties with Yun Clan’s Commerce.
After Lu Qingqing’s figure disappeared, leaving Yun Yao alone in the room, a trace of coldness appeared between her brows.
"Heh heh, this Gui Water Divine Skill truly lives up to being an extremely yin and cold cultivation technique, enough to freeze a person to death."
A shadow slowly emerged, a conical hat obscuring their snow-white skin and a taunting smile.
"I heard three female Foundation Establishment Cultivators from Li Huo Palace have been murdered. Tsk tsk, how is Fairy Yun considering?"
Faced with this person from the Demon Cult, Yun Yao remained silent.
A year ago, when she went out to eliminate a Tribulation Cultivator, she encountered him, a Fake Pill Realm cultivator!
She thought she was doomed, but once they exchanged blows, upon seeing her cultivation technique, he instead revealed a teasing smile and then disclosed a secret.
In the Huang Family of Li Huo Palace, a Golden Core elder had been secretly recruiting disciples with Water Spirit Roots, teaching them the Gui Water Divine Skill, all for dual cultivation.
Simply put, they were used as a ’furnace.’
Among the three mentioned female Foundation Establishment Cultivators was a senior sister she knew since Qi Refining, who greatly aided her during Foundation Establishment.
She and this senior sister practiced the same cultivation technique.
"Li Huo Palace can’t be trusted, but you Demon Cult people can be?"
Yun Yao smiled sarcastically, as did the Demonic Cultivator, only his laughter was somewhat jarring.
"Fairy Yun, I am Xiang Jing, a protector of the Profound Yin Divine Sect."
"Protector Xiang!"
The moment Yun Yao addressed him as Protector Xiang, it signified the necessity for their conversation to proceed.
"Rest assured, the old ghost from Li Huo Palace only obtained a fragment of our sect’s incomplete cultivation technique. Also, you’re still too weak now, and the old ghost needs to keep you alive for a while longer.
During this time, you can safely increase your cultivation, and we can also join forces. With your talent, Fairy Yun, as long as you join our sect, the complete version of the Gui Water Divine Skill will be presented to you."
"Alright!"
Yun Yao’s cold voice echoed, crisp and straightforward, without a hint of hesitation. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
Her decisive demeanor left Protector Xiang of the Demon Cult somewhat taken aback, then he revealed a smile.
"Interesting, Fairy Yun, you’re much more decisive than those dithering male cultivators. You’re inherently one of us."
"Rest assured, you’re not like those useless ones. We share a common enemy; you just need to secretly let the Profound Sound Pavilion, Li Huo Palace, and several major families in the market know about this Secret Realm."
Hearing this, Yun Yao slightly furrowed her brows.
"A Secret Realm! It’s not so easy to make the Profound Sound Pavilion and Li Huo Palace turn against each other."
"But what if this Secret Realm is real?" Protector Xiang of the Demon Cult revealed a meaningful smile.
This girl is quite thoughtful, even using the opportunity to probe.
Upon learning that the Secret Realm was real, Yun Yao was secretly shocked by his cunning nature.
He obviously wanted to use the Foundation Establishment cultivators within the market as bait, while he, a Fake Pill Cultivator, could play the role of the oriole in ambush. Who could stop him?
"Collaborating from within and without—I understand."
Yun Yao did not hesitate in the slightest, as the disparity in strength was evident. However, one thing was certain—they shared a common enemy.
After realizing she was merely a prepared furnace for the sect back when she believed herself to be a prodigious daughter of heaven, she fell directly from the clouds.
No wonder she was suddenly taken as a disciple by the sect’s Golden Core patriarch; it was all a conspiracy.
Now, to survive, she had no choice but to continually strengthen herself.
