Eternal Life from Talisman Painting-Chapter 64: Preparing for Foundation Establishment
[Celestial Profound City]
"This is Celestial Profound City!"
Once inside the Immortal City, countless people were awed by the scene before them.
Built against the mountains, waterfalls cascade down, and the peaks are clearly marked by the pathways protected by the array barriers.
"Those three largest peaks with the densest spiritual energy, the middle one is the Dao Field of Master Lu of the Black Tortoise, the left belongs to Master of the Li Huo Palace, and the right belongs to Master of the Profound Sound Pavilion."
"Beneath, the series of mountains serve as Dao Fields for Foundation Establishment cultivators. As long as you have spirit stones, even Qi Refining cultivators can reside at the Foundation Establishment cultivators’ Dao Fields for cultivation."
Upon reaching this point, the crowd prepared to disperse; hearing the introduction, Lin Chang’an and his companions were inwardly stunned.
"No... that’s not right!"
Suddenly, Lin Chang’an was taken aback. As he observed the well-constructed Immortal City, regardless of the cultivators’ divine techniques, could such a city be built overnight?
It’s apparent that the Li Huo Palace, the Profound Sound Pavilion, and Master Lu of the Black Tortoise had likely reached an agreement long before, but only announced it after the city was constructed.
"Zhou Family cultivators, come with me to the clan land."
With a greeting from a Zhou Family cultivator, Li Erniu excitedly bid farewell with cupped fists, and at that moment, Lin Chang’an suddenly realized.
Indeed! The benefits at the top had long been divided before they were informed.
Erniu might not know, but the upper echelons of the Zhou Family definitely knew this ahead of time. Otherwise, how could they have already secured clan land upon arriving at the Immortal City?
"Such dense spiritual energy."
Lin Chang’an, snapping out of his thoughts, felt invigorated. Beside him, Shen Lie couldn’t help but exclaim:
"Brother Lin, we’ve just entered the city, and the spiritual energy is already denser than Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market. I can’t imagine how dense the spiritual energy can be at the Foundation Establishment cultivators’ Dao Fields."
"No wonder so many cultivators are flocking here."
Lin Chang’an nodded in agreement. Outside the city gates, one could see an endless stream of cultivators daily. In no more than half a year, this place might become the most prosperous Immortal City in the Yue Kingdom.
"Let’s go rent a place."
...
Lin Chang’an and Shen Lie, along with their group, arrived at the steward in charge of rental affairs within the Immortal City.
Recently, a large number of cultivators have been pouring in daily, making this place exceptionally busy.
"Fellow Daoists, you have come at a good time. Master Lu of the Black Tortoise is overseeing this city, which is divided into inner and outer layers, with different levels of spiritual energy density.
Prices are clearly marked, and there are still countless empty houses available within the Immortal City. Even fellow cultivators preparing for Foundation Establishment can co-rent a cave dwelling, which is sufficient to accommodate Foundation Establishment cultivators for cultivation, with conceivable dense spiritual energy."
Upon seeing the prices within the Immortal City, even though they were prepared, Shen Lie and Wei Buyi’s expressions changed.
"Brother Lin, we’re not accompanying you."
Shen Lie and Wei Buyi, being far from reaching Foundation Establishment, gritted their teeth and chose the inner city at most.
Even so, it cost five lower-grade spirit stones a month.
One must know that a Tier One Middle Grade Talisman Master or Pill Master earns only about ten spirit stones a month without affecting their cultivation.
Seeing this, Lin Chang’an gently nodded, but still laughed and said:
"We are all cultivating within the city, so we’ll surely meet again in the future."
The two of them nodded with smiles, cupping their hands, although there was a hint of bitterness in Shen Lie and Wei Buyi’s smiles.
The gap between them became apparent at that moment.
Ten years ago, Lin Chang’an was only at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, a Tier One Middle Grade Talisman Master. The gap between them was not that significant.
In just a decade, Lin Chang’an had surpassed them.
But they had witnessed Lin Chang’an’s diligent cultivation over the years.
Unlike them, who had started families and put much of their effort and resources into nurturing their descendants.
"The area at the foot of the mountain has Dao Fields with slightly less spiritual energy."
After looking around, Lin Chang’an chose a Dao Field he was satisfied with.
"Fellow Daoist has a good eye. This area is particularly prepared by Master Lu for cultivators preparing for Foundation Establishment, and it costs just 200 spirit stones a year."
Upon hearing this price, Lin Chang’an reluctantly handed over the spirit stones.
For a Tier One Upper Grade Talisman Master, earning two hundred spirit stones in one or two months is achievable, with a good state, possibly in a month.
But for a loose cultivator preparing for Foundation Establishment, every spirit stone is split in half to spend.
Preparing for Foundation Establishment requires spirit stones, purchasing defensive magical artifacts also needs them, and various resources for regular cultivation, not to mention if one has a family, there are additional expenses.
"No wonder the two Major Sects cooperated to establish this Immortal City together."
With the Dao Field Jade Token in hand, Lin Chang’an realized that, in mortal terms, this Immortal City is a gold mine.
"At the same time, this Immortal City has gathered most of the capable loose cultivators from the Yue Kingdom and neighboring countries. Whether it’s to win them over or otherwise, it’s not a good thing for the Divine Sword Sect."
Lin Chang’an thought inwardly, but all of this had little to do with him. His sole goal now was to prepare for Foundation Establishment.
"For now, I’ll focus on cultivation, striving to break through to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining as soon as possible, and then, when things stabilize, I can start preparing for Foundation Establishment." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
Thinking about Foundation Establishment made Lin Chang’an’s heart heat up, which was also the reason he came here.
As for Shen Lie and Wei Buyi, it was more about providing a better cultivation environment for their children, so they wouldn’t follow in their footsteps.
...
Adjacent to the Yinchuan Waterfall is a series of beautifully constructed cave dwellings with extremely dense spiritual energy.
Further up, there are the Dao Fields for Foundation Establishment cultivators located among the mountains.
"This truly is a beautiful spot."
Upon arriving at the rented cave dwelling, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but smile contentedly; the two hundred spirit stones were well spent.
The pavilion was exquisite, the yard had a pond with lotuses, and a Cyan-Horned Bull comfortably wandered among the flowers.
Adjacent to the magnificent Yinchuan Waterfall, one could clearly feel the water spiritual energy in the air.
"Besides being suitable for cultivators practicing Water Attribute Techniques, this place is also fit for those practicing Wood Attribute Techniques."
Water gives birth to wood; Lin Chang’an, with his Supreme Realm Chang Chun Skill, could distinctly feel the mana within him becoming more active.
"Indeed, the environment of a cultivator’s cave dwelling matters."
Having never had the means before, experiencing it firsthand this time made Lin Chang’an reflect deeply. The mysterious veil of the cultivation path is truly captivating.
Over the next few months, Celestial Profound City became more bustling by the day, with a constant influx of loose cultivators.
Surrounding Lin Chang’an’s cave dwelling, many new neighbors appeared; everyone was a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator with intentions of preparing for Foundation Establishment, visiting and forming new acquaintances with each other.
He also noticed that most of those who could reside here had skills they depended on.
Most were Talisman Masters, followed by Pill Masters. As for Artifact Refining and Array Formation, they were few and far between.
Of course, quite a few cultivators exuded a murderous aura, primarily focusing on demon beast hunting.
Then there were those late-stage Qi Refining cultivators with less skill or who were not adept in skills, sharing this spiritually enriched location with three to five friends or as couples.
Inside the cave dwelling, Lin Chang’an, with a serious expression, wielded a Tier Two Spiritual Brush gracefully, with each spirit talisman glowing with spiritual light.
"Tier One High-grade Superior Talisman!"
Seeing the talisman emitting spiritual light, Lin Chang’an revealed a satisfied smile.
Arriving at the Celestial Profound Immortal City, the greatest benefit was the abundance of cultivators, with many more continuing to arrive each month. His few talismans thrown into the city barely caused a stir.
Ordinarily, with caution and several disguises, he could easily sell off the talismans.
A typical Upper-grade Talisman Master, not accounting for expenses, after factoring in the costs of talisman making, earns just over a thousand spirit stones annually.
If he painted talismans with all his strength, he could earn over ten thousand spirit stones a year.
Lin Chang’an thought to himself, though he couldn’t easily flaunt his wealth. To ensure Foundation Establishment, he’d still best either purchase or hunt for a demon core.
After all, seeking someone to refine into elixirs, a lucky batch could yield three Foundation Establishment Pills, while a less lucky one at least one, unless terribly unlucky or the alchemist was new, resulting in wasted pills.
With a low-grade spirit root, even if Chang Chun Skill was cultivated to the extreme, achieving Foundation Establishment would likely require at least two Foundation Establishment Pills, possibly three to be safe.
"Buying one Foundation Establishment Pill might seem normal, but two or even three would clearly arouse suspicion."
Lin Chang’an shook his head silently. To be safe, he decided to prepare materials and use a two-pronged approach.
Whether the pill refinement yielded one or two pills, he’d later seek an auction to buy another.
After all, his Talisman Master status, along with previous gains from slaying tribulation cultivators with Yun Yao, were considerable.
Buying another Foundation Establishment Pill was still within a reasonable scope.
At least preparing two Foundation Establishment Pills would allow him to seclude himself for Foundation Establishment.
