Eternal Life from Talisman Painting-Chapter 63: Celestial Profound City
"Three top-grade magical artifacts, five middle-grade magical artifacts, talismans, spiritual brushes, cinnabar, elixirs, and over thirteen hundred spirit stones..."
After counting the spoils, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but smile with joy, his face beaming, and he even gained a tier two spiritual brush.
After all, not everyone is as wealthy as he is, with a full set of top-grade magical artifacts.
As they say, ’Killing and arson bring a golden belt’; this group of tribulation cultivators, bah! These demon cult remnants truly deserved their fate.
"To think there are so many duplicate Foundation Establishment materials; it’s clear how many fellow cultivators Ge Li, that demon cult scoundrel, has harmed."
Although these Foundation Establishment materials are mostly auxiliary and easy to obtain, the total value is substantial.
"It’s a pity about this array disc, it’s so damaged."
An upper-grade tier one array, the first time Lin Chang’an had seen such an item, and it’s much more expensive than a top-grade magical artifact.
At this moment, he was fondly stroking the array disc, quietly pondering today’s battle.
"This array seems easy to break, but Yun Yao cannot be judged as an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator. After all, she’s a direct disciple of a Golden Core elder; her cultivation technique is far beyond ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators."
"Moreover, each array has different properties. This one is clearly a trapping array, strong within but relatively weak externally, and not a defense array, hence it was easily breached."
Lin Chang’an nodded silently; the art of arrays is truly profound. The Talisman Master was a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, and despite the suspicion of poisoning, he hadn’t been inside for long.
But when Yun Yao broke the array, the battle inside was fierce, yet there was no sign or fluctuation outside.
"No wonder they say, to extract a demon core, arrays are the best tool."
The three demon cult remnants of Ge Li, the wealth of three late-stage Qi Refining cultivators combined, were truly abundant, a rich haul indeed.
"What a pity for this Talisman Master."
Lin Chang’an shook his head; this Talisman Master had offspring, and since the incident happened in the market, the Li Huo Palace must return his belongings to his offspring.
After all, the Li Huo Palace is ostensibly a major sect; they can’t act disgracefully.
Otherwise, who would still pay spirit stones to the Li Huo Palace?
"But this isn’t too bad; I’ve gathered most of the Foundation Establishment materials, and the duplicates can be exchanged for spirit stones."
Previously, he lacked many materials, and now they had conveniently arrived.
"Others hoard grain, I hoard blades; neighbors are my granary."
Sure enough, the sayings of the ancestors hold great wisdom.
"I can’t be careless; until I achieve Foundation Establishment, these things in the storage bag are just dead items."
Lin Chang’an quietly reminded himself.
This time, it was his caution that saved him. If he had fallen into such a situation himself, despite having thicker mana than cultivators of the same stage and being covered in top-grade magical artifacts.
But facing three cultivators of the same stage, plus this array—
He might not have escaped this disaster.
...
Two days later.
The market that was bustling yesterday is noticeably quieter today, with visibly fewer cultivators.
Outside the market, countless cultivators grouped together and headed towards the newly built Celestial Profound City.
Seeing this scene, Lin Chang’an shook his head.
"Mid-stage and late-stage Qi Refining cultivators might survive, but early-stage cultivators struggle to survive in Cyan Bamboo Mountain’s small market; changing places won’t help."
In the past two days, he sold off almost everything the Talisman Master had gifted them.
He sold all five middle-grade magical artifacts, keeping only one Profound Iron Shield from the three top-grade magical artifacts; after all, no one dislikes having too many defensive magical artifacts.
With the Golden Silk Scale Armor inside and the Profound Iron Shield outside, safety was greatly enhanced.
"Brother Lin."
"Brother Lin."
Shen Lie, Lu Qingqing, and also Wei Buyi, with his pair of iron crutch magical artifacts, arrived, and they rented a carriage from the Zhou family. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦
Inside the carriage were Shen Lie’s son and Wei Buyi’s daughter.
"At least I have a skill in alchemy; once in Celestial Profound City, I won’t have to worry about my livelihood."
Wei Buyi, having gone through a major life change, had become much more stable in character.
As they waited, the Zhou family’s convoy approached.
This time, the Zhou family moved to Celestial Profound City with two Foundation Establishment cultivators and nearly a hundred Zhou family cultivators.
It’s said they brought half of their strength.
"Check the identity of accompanying personnel, one spirit stone per person, except for children, and follow behind the Zhou family convoy, do not approach easily along the way..."
A Zhou family late-stage Qi Refining cultivator issued the order sternly.
This time, the cultivators following the Zhou family were all chosen for their clean backgrounds and families.
Such people are less likely to turn traitor.
"Brother Lin."
Li Erniu was also in the convoy, his face aglow, holding a middle-grade magical artifact long blade as he approached to greet them.
"Alright, it’s not early anymore; this time, we head deep into the Cloud Mist Mountain Range; everyone, depart immediately."
The Zhou family didn’t waste words. Their grand procession, with the Zhou family-reared spirit beasts most conspicuous, set out.
Over a hundred cultivators set off in grand style, causing no small amount of envy among the loose cultivators in the market.
"No rush; we can go to Celestial Profound City after advancing further in cultivation."
"True, Celestial Profound City is newly built, spiritual energy leakage has attracted many demon beasts; we’ll wait until things stabilize before going."
The cultivators remaining in the market were mostly those with low cultivation or those who were cautious, given the recent chaotic demon beasts.
As the market behind them grew more indistinct, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but feel a multitude of emotions. He had spent thirty years in this market, becoming a true cultivator here.
"If it weren’t for planning Foundation Establishment, I wouldn’t want to leave here."
Sects and family powers were all clearly moving to Celestial Profound City, leaving the market here to grow increasingly deserted. Even if he gathered all the materials, there were no Tier Two Pill Masters to refine Foundation Establishment Pills.
Celestial Profound City, with three Golden Core True Men overseeing it, especially under the reputation of Master Lu the Mystic Turtle, attracted a flood of loose cultivators from the Yue Kingdom, and even cultivators from neighboring countries were flocking here.
...
Over a month later.
Celestial Profound City was now in sight.
From afar, shrouded in mist, the majestic giant city appeared in view. Its towering walls resembled a giant dragon, connected to the mountains, coiling around the city.
The entire Immortal City lay among the mountains, with white mist encircling it, and the Yinchuan Waterfall shimmered with radiance in the morning sun, resembling an earthly paradise.
A few miles away, Lin Chang’an and his companions could already feel the oppressive, terrifying fluctuations of mana.
Clearly, this Immortal City was cloaked in an invisible City Defense Array.
"Brother Lin, is this Celestial Profound City!"
A group of ragged figures, upon seeing the Immortal City from afar, were all stunned by the sight.
Li Erniu, his voice hoarse, momentarily forgot his fatigue as his eyes were riveted on the scene, his scalp tingling.
"This... is Celestial Profound City!"
Even Lin Chang’an at this moment, as he gazed upon the awe-inspiring Immortal City, couldn’t hide the shock in his eyes.
Thirty years ago, during the Li Huo Palace assessment, he had caught a glimpse from a distance of the Immortal Sect shrouded in mist, akin to a fairyland.
And this city before him, nestled in the majestic mountains, exuded a colossal aura, with shuttling sounds echoing amidst the surrounding clouds.
Magical artifacts, flying boats, flying creatures—though Foundation Establishment cultivators were previously rare, today he saw so many.
"There are so many Foundation Establishment cultivators!"
The crowd was astonished, and some even shed tears, whether for their longing for Foundation Establishment or the hardships of the journey.
"Brother Lin, we’ve finally arrived."
Shen Lie, exhausted, finally breathed a sigh of relief; Lin Chang’an also relaxed slightly, tiredly sighing and nodding.
"This journey wasn’t easy."
Though the spirit stones initially collected by the Zhou family were returned, Lin Chang’an and his companions looked at the Zhou family with peculiar expressions.
No other reason; on the way to Celestial Profound City, they were targeted by a pack of Black Wind Wolves.
Who would have thought, these beasts remembered their grudges even after so many years!
If not for the Zhou family’s two Foundation Establishment cultivators, and the injured Wolf King, it would have been very difficult.
"Let’s go, into the city."
As the raspy voice of the Zhou family’s leader echoed, the exhausted group let out a cry of excitement.
[Celestial Profound City]
The three large characters were visible from afar, making countless cultivators dazed, as if this place held the dreams they pursued.
"Celestial Profound City! I hope this will be the place where I achieve Foundation Establishment."
As the Immortal City became increasingly clear in their view, Lin Chang’an’s gaze grew more determined.
