Eternal Life from Talisman Painting-Chapter 56: Foundation Establishment Scheme

"What’s going on!"

Everyone was startled awake. Lin Chang’an and Shen Lie quickly got onto the rooftop to assess the situation, their expressions grave. Even Wei Buyi, who leaned on an iron crutch, poked his head out, looking extremely tense.

The wind and snow howled, but the two on the rooftop exchanged a glance, both seeing shock and unease in each other’s eyes.

"It’s a demon beast!"

Shen Lie nervously swallowed his saliva, while Lin Chang’an gravely gazed into the distance, speaking firmly:

"Indeed, from the sound and presence, it’s a Tier Two demon beast, and not just one."

In the darkness, screams and chaos emanated from the outskirts of the market, while within the area protected by two major sects, the defense barrier of the array slowly activated.

Some major clans also drew back their clan members, activating smaller defense arrays.

This left the loose cultivators on the outskirts in a tough spot. Although they paid spirit stones, the cultivators responsible for protecting them were only at late-stage Qi Refining at best, which couldn’t possibly safeguard them.

Thus, in the darkness, the roles of attack and defense reversed, and the cultivators became food for the demon beasts.

Seeing the defense array rising, Shen Lie couldn’t help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

"Those ten spirit stones were not paid in vain."

However, Lin Chang’an remained grave, recalling the recent actions of the sects and these major clans.

"Could it be that these major clans and sects were already aware of the spiritual energy leakage and the impending beast attack?"

This thought sent chills down Lin Chang’an’s spine. These sects are indeed the true predators that devour everything.

"Brother Lin!"

Beside him, Shen Lie nervously swallowed, his panic unmistakable even beneath the curtain of night.

"Have you noticed? This winter, under the snow, the spiritual energy seems denser than before."

Having activated the Celestial Eye Technique, Shen Lie naturally detected the abnormal spiritual energy.

Shen Lie seemed to have thought of something terrifying, while Lin Chang’an’s expression grew somber, as if verifying his earlier suspicions.

This secret realm likely harbors a high-level spirit vein, which unwittingly attracts various demon beasts to gather here.

The disaster brought by the demon beasts will also draw countless cultivators swarming in.

Establishing a new market centered on a high-level spirit vein!

After all, the Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market was established upon discovering a low-tier spirit vein, using the same method.

"Brother Shen, be cautious with your words!"

Lin Chang’an’s throat was somewhat dry as memories of his first arrival at the market flooded his mind. He was all too familiar with the establishment of Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market.

Just a low-tier spirit vein caused such chaos. He couldn’t imagine how much more disorderly it would be with a high-level one.

"But I’m no longer the person I used to be, relying solely on youthful passion!"

Lin Chang’an gritted his teeth silently. Back then, with low cultivation, he relied on his innate martial arts to survive. Now, being a Great Cultivator at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, things were different.

With magical artifacts, spirit pets, and spirit stones, he lacked nothing, unlike the low-tier cultivators on the outskirts.

Demon beasts represent countless resources, requiring no deep ventures. It’s irresistibly tempting.

...

The next morning.

The thick snow, three feet deep, was blown away by spells, and the market restored its former bustling state.

"How many people did the demon beasts feed on this time?"

Witnessing this, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh, realizing his heart had grown colder without him noticing.

Hunting demon beasts to acquire resources, while demon beasts feast on human cultivators.

"Friend Shen, what are you planning to do?"

Early in the morning, Lin Chang’an saw Shen Lie and his wife having a brief argument. Eventually, Lu Qingqing lowered her head, leaving Lin Chang’an puzzled.

The couple usually had a good relationship.

"The Gathering Immortals Tower is gone, and unlike Brother Lin and Brother Wei, I don’t have any special skills. I can’t just sit idly by,"

Shen Lie chuckled helplessly, then put on his confident smile and patted his storage bag.

"I may have no other skills, but I’m good at seizing opportunities and running a business. With the demon beasts rampant now, there’s definitely profit in the demon beast meat business."

As he said this, Shen Lie looked back at Lu Qingqing, who was holding their child with a worried gaze, and he laughed heartily:

"Qingqing, don’t worry. I’m not going to hunt demon beasts myself. I’m just going to find some old acquaintances in the market, buy some demon beast meat, and make a few spirit stones."

In response to this, Lin Chang’an’s mouth twitched.

Indeed, some are born for business, like a rat’s offspring born knowing how to dig.

Shen Lie truly lived up to Yun Yao’s recognition; he’s naturally gifted in business.

He foresees chaos, while Shen Lie directly sees a way to make money.

One really can’t compare one person to another.

"Demon beast meat, if possible, Friend Shen, help me procure some high-level demon beast meat too."

"Rest assured, Brother Lin, I won’t earn a dime from the demon beast meat you want."

Hearing Lin Chang’an’s request for high-level demon beast meat, Shen Lie grinned.

Although genuine, it seemed as if not profit-driven yet inherently profitable.

High-level demon beast meat is precious and naturally expensive. Lin Chang’an’s demand essentially opened a door for Shen Lie.

Meanwhile, Lin Chang’an nodded quietly too; the nourishing effects of high-level demon beast meat are beneficial for late-stage Qi Refining cultivators.

After Shen Lie left, Lin Chang’an also headed to the market to gather information.

...

"Have you noticed, after this heavy snowfall, the spiritual energy seems much denser?"

"You can sense it with the Celestial Eye Technique. I dare say this secret realm is definitely a domain of some great power; otherwise, how could it affect from so far away?"

On the market streets, countless cultivators whispered to each other, not discussing last night’s demon beast attack, but rather the secret realm.

After all, for cultivators, life and death are routine—demon beast attacks may seem dangerous but are also opportunities.

In fact, Lin Chang’an already saw several demon hunting squads gathering personnel, preparing to set traps, just waiting for the demon beasts to strike.

"The increase in demon beasts might have its benefits."

Along the way, Lin Chang’an, while disguised and continually selling talismans, observed many cultivators preparing to retaliate against the demon beasts, giving him another idea.

To refine a Foundation Establishment Pill, one main ingredient is a demon core.

But Tier Two demon beasts are mostly deep within the Cloud Mist Mountain Range; now, with a large number of demon beasts coming out, perhaps hunting opportunities have increased.

"Perhaps I can buy a demon core outside,"

Lin Chang’an nodded quietly. If it could be bought with spirit stones, why risk one’s life?

However, such resources are strategic and, even if they enter the market, will be hoarded by sects and major clans, hardly reaching loose cultivators.

"Be prepared for both scenarios; I shouldn’t neglect talismans either."

Lin Chang’an always plans for the worst—his skills must advance early to craft the finest high-tier talismans, ensuring his own safety and future demon beast hunts.

The cold wind howled as more loose cultivators arrived, even attracting cultivators from other countries.

After this snowstorm, Lin Chang’an turned fifty.

Meanwhile, the Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market flourished even more.