Eternal Life from Talisman Painting-Chapter 82: Something Happened to Erniu of the Zhou Family
In the private room, Lin Chang’an’s shock had long transformed into calmness. Watching the departing silhouette, he sneered, "Idiot."
There was shock, but most of it was for show to the opponent; otherwise, he wouldn’t know what the opponent was up to.
"But what Huang Shaohai said is likely not false."
Lin Chang’an secretly frowned. After all, as a mere Loose Cultivator, his greatest confidence now was being under the protection of Celestial Profound City.
"If Master Lu is truly injured, then Su Miaoyin’s Core Formation won’t be smooth sailing."
The title of the number one Loose Cultivator was earned through battles; to say he had no enemies was impossible, especially when the Immortal Cultivation Realm had rumors that Profound Water Master Lu had obtained ancient opportunities and possessed a secret technique to cleanse Spirit Roots and enhance talent.
Moreover, such a secret technique is something even the Three Major Sects would covet jealously.
If Master Lu were still at his peak, alongside a late-stage Tier Three Profound Water Turtle, ordinary Golden Core Cultivators would not dare to provoke him.
But now, if truly severely injured and planning Core Formation for successors, who with the means wouldn’t want to take advantage?
"A secret technique that cleanses Spirit Roots and ancient opportunities is truly tempting."
With a furrowed brow, Lin Chang’an realized that this made the reliance on Celestial Profound City unstable.
"But Huang Shaohai’s character is really vile; don’t let me catch an opportunity in the future."
Lin Chang’an kept this matter in mind, and if given the chance later, he wouldn’t mind taking a page from Ghost Three Blades’ book.
"It seems the relationship between Li Huo Palace and Master Lu may not be as friendly as it appears; otherwise, how did Huang Shaohai gain this information?"
Lin Chang’an even speculated that perhaps the interests of Celestial Profound City were so alluring that, for a Core Formation Cultivator with less than a hundred years of lifespan, they were patient enough to wait; but for a new Core Formation Cultivator, they were impatient.
"After all, Master Lu’s lifespan is limited, but the Profound Water Turtle can indeed be inherited."
Thinking of this made Lin Chang’an somewhat envious. Comparing Huang Shaohai and Su Miaoyin, there was no comparison.
This was a genuine ’second generation immortal’ indeed.
Plans for Core Formation were already in place, with even a late-stage Tier Three Spirit Beast waiting to be inherited, winning right from the starting line.
Unlike him being a Loose Cultivator, even a grain of Spirit Rice needed to be earned with his own hands.
"However, this piece of news is indeed valuable to me."
With a calm expression, Lin Chang’an felt a sense of solemnity in his gaze, realizing he needed to enhance his strength as quickly as possible.
Cultivation couldn’t be enhanced overnight, but a cultivator’s strength included Magical Artifacts, Spirit Pets, and more as part of their power.
...
As time passed day by day, following the gathering at Gathering Immortals Tower, Lin Chang’an discreetly cultivated even more diligently.
After all, one never knew when Celestial Profound City might descend into chaos, and he had to prepare in advance.
Since that day with Huang Shaohai, Lin Chang’an had kept an ear to the winds outside.
Indeed, five months later, news spread like wildfire in Celestial Profound City that Profound Water Master Lu was injured after hunting two Tier Three Demon Beasts in the Demon Beast Abyss.
Now within his cave dwelling, illuminated by the firelight, Lin Chang’an gazed solemnly at the Pill Furnace.
"This Hundred Spirits Fruit is less than a hundred and twenty years old; it must not be added too early or it may affect the Pill Effect..."
With Lin Chang’an’s analysis, under his delicate control of True Fire, the medicinal properties of the Spirit Grass and Spirit Fruits within the Pill Furnace were extracted.
Then they began to merge in order and rhythm, a standard Lin Chang’an established from countless failures.
"Boom!"
With a flash of firelight, Lin Chang’an maintained a calm expression, gazing at the gradually forming elixirs inside the Pill Furnace.
"Done!"
[Tier One Pill Master +15 (Mastery 78/1000)]
As the Pill Furnace opened, eighteen elixirs emanating gentle warmth slowly appeared.
In the span of six months, the swift progress in his Alchemy Skill was entirely due to his current power.
In his Foundation Establishment Stage, regardless of the consumption or control in alchemy, it was unmatched compared to when he was in the Qi Refining Stage. More importantly, his circles had changed.
Precious Medicine Scriptures from the Qi Refining Stage could now be easily bought at the shops.
Not to mention having Zhou Bingyun, someone with familial insight since childhood, whose understanding was like a walking Medicine Scripture.
"Now I can craft Tier One Middle Grade pills; this speed has been rapid."
Lin Chang’an’s face couldn’t hide a calm joy. If five months of research hadn’t borne results, then his talent would have been wasted.
"Indeed, my talent and effort yield rewards."
With a full smile, Lin Chang’an had dedicated each day of the past half year to studying pharmacology, particularly the Spirit Grass in pill formulas, researching it countless times.
The heavens reward diligence, and he finally had a good start.
...
In the courtyard of the dojo.
Amid splashing water and laughter, Zhou Bingyun’s beaming face was framed with rolled-up trousers as her smooth and slender legs playfully kicked at the water in the pond, frolicking with the Cyan-Horned Bull.
The bull, with a lazy demeanor, seemed to enjoy this human cultivator who brushed its fur.
At the very least, this mild human cultivator always brought delicious Spirit Fruits and Spirit Grass each visit.
"You big water buffalo."
As splashes danced in the sunlight, reflecting Zhou Bingyun’s smile.
Just then, the array outside the cave dwelling disbursed, and Lin Chang’an emerged, witnessing the scene.
"Brother Lin."
Watching Zhou Bingyun’s cheerful smile, Lin Chang’an, buoyed by his alchemy progress, nodded with a smile:
"Miss Zhou, you truly take great care of my Cyan-Horned Bull."
From earlier "Young Friend Zhou" to now "Miss Zhou," Lin Chang’an’s intention was clear, indicating no consideration for marriage now.
After all, with great opportunities at hand, the road ahead was long; even if he sought a Dao Companion, it should be one who could journey alongside him.
Not stopping halfway, adding more sadness to the lonely immortal path.
"Brother Lin, I’m undertaking family duties."
With a genuine smile, Zhou Bingyun understood, and didn’t push obstinately.
She just aimed to take advantage of Lin Chang’an, befriending a Foundation Establishment Cultivator so her family wouldn’t rush to marry her off.
This way, she could cultivate more, and once reaching the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining, even if she wished to marry, the family would hesitate to let go.
"Family duties?"
"Indeed, Brother Lin, you’re a Tier Two Rune Master, aren’t you? The family sent me to purchase a few talismans."
Zhou Bingyun spoke with a playful tone, her smile complemented by hands gracefully retrieving a Spirit Fruit from her Storage Bag, handing it to the Cyan-Horned Bull.
Instantly the bull chomped joyfully, bringing Zhou Bingyun delight.
"I don’t have many Tier Two Talismans, as I must make monthly payments to Celestial Profound City."
Lin Chang’an smiled and shook his head, recalling thirty years of loan payments; though not much for him, the thought brought a touch of pressure.
He swore to never easily take a loan again.
"Who doesn’t know Brother Lin’s talent in Talisman Dao."
Zhou Bingyun playful pouted, her flattery amused Lin Chang’an.
"In appreciation of your care for the Cyan-Horned Bull, I’ll sell you a few."
Not ashamed as the current patriarch’s daughter, Zhou Bingyun took out several Middle Grade Spirit Stones from her Storage Bag, causing Lin Chang’an’s eye to twitch with envy.
When he was her age, let alone Middle Grade Spirit Stones, he hadn’t touched a Lower Grade one.
Back then, he entered the Immortal Cultivation Realm with Spirit Crystals, also known as Broken Crystals.
Yet during the talisman trade between the Zhou Family and Lin Chang’an, a panicked voice suddenly came from outside the cave dwelling.
"Miss, disaster struck the family! And Lin Senior, Brother Erniu also ran into trouble!"
