Eternal Life from Talisman Painting-Chapter 84: Who Took My Foundation Establishment Pill!
Half a year later.
The sixth year since the establishment of Celestial Profound City.
After the snowstorm, all things revive, presenting a scene of vibrant life.
However, the entire situation in the Yue Kingdom grows more turbulent and chaotic. First, the war among the Three Major Sects intensifies, then the Celestial Turtle Master Lu of Celestial Profound City hasn’t been seen for a long time.
"The war on the front line has intensified, and now all three major sects are conscripting cultivators under their rule."
"With Master Lu in Celestial Profound City, surely the Li Huo Palace and Profound Sound Pavilion won’t forcibly conscript us?"
"They won’t forcibly conscript, but have you joined Master Lu’s faction?"
"Sigh, I don’t even know how Master Lu’s injuries are now. It’s not easy for us loose cultivators to have a safe haven."
Within the city, the loose cultivators whispered among themselves, discussing the situation. Some were concerned, while others were eager to act.
In Celestial Profound City, although nominally led by the Celestial Turtle Master Lu, everyone knows it’s just a shared governance among three parties.
As for the loose cultivators living in the city, Celestial Turtle Master Lu has no reason to protect them without cause.
Only those who have joined as tributors or honored guest elders of Celestial Profound City can avoid being conscripted by the two major sects.
But under Celestial Turtle Master Lu’s rule, not many have been recruited, and although the war has intensified, many cultivators now want to join, only to be rejected with the reason of lacking sufficient cultivation resources.
[Life Span: 56/208]
[Realm: Foundation Establishment Initial Stage (6/100)]
Inside the cave residence, Lin Chang’an sat cross-legged in front of the pill furnace. With a calm demeanor, the mild disturbances outside couldn’t affect a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him anymore.
But the increasingly tense situation outside was not good news for him either.
"I’m 56 years old now. A year’s hard cultivation only increased my experience by four points. This means that if I follow the regular path of cultivation, it would take at least twenty-five years to advance from the initial to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment."
This cultivation progress made Lin Chang’an shake his head quietly. In the current situation, he only hoped that the Celestial Turtle Master Lu could hold on for a few more decades.
"The pills are ready."
With that, Lin Chang’an shook his head as he looked at the opened pill furnace. Over a dozen Spirit Pills, shimmering with spiritual light, floated out from the furnace. The quality was excellent.
This scene filled Lin Chang’an’s face with a smile, and he couldn’t help but nod.
[Tier One Pill Master +5 (Grandmaster 2/5000)]
"Finally, my alchemy skills have broken through to upper grade of Tier One."
Looking at the upper-grade Tier One pills in his hand, Lin Chang’an’s face was full of smiles.
Who would have thought that within just a year, he could elevate his alchemy skills to such a realm?
Apart from his extraordinary talent and constant learning during this time, it was also largely due to the strength of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, allowing him to easily perform continuous alchemy.
"I need to start preparing for the auction in half a year."
Lin Chang’an thought to himself. The most exciting event in Celestial Profound City recently was undoubtedly the auction planned for half a year later.
...
After clearing the aura of alchemy, Lin Chang’an stepped out of the cave residence and happened to see Zhou Bingyun playing with the Cyan-Horned Bull by the pond.
"Brother Lin, this Cyan-Horned Bull seems to be at the late stage of Tier One and will likely break through to Tier Two soon."
With a face full of smiles, Zhou Bingyun frequently came by to feed the Cyan-Horned Bull. In the past year, Lin Chang’an, having taken benefits from her, naturally learned a lot in the way of beast taming.
"Little friend Zhou, although the way of beast taming is profound, in the Immortal Cultivation Realm, strength still reigns supreme."
Speaking with the demeanor of an elder, Lin Chang’an said loftily.
After hearing this, Zhou Bingyun covered her mouth and laughed, nodding, "Brother Lin, you’re kidding. I don’t feed the Cyan-Horned Bull for nothing. The concentration of spiritual energy here is almost on par with my father’s cultivation chamber."
Moreover, Zhou Bingyun had her own thoughts. At the very least, everyone in the Zhou Family knew she had a good relationship with Lin Chang’an, a Tier Two Rune Master, which gained her many resources within the family.
Even talks of marriage alliances were no longer mentioned.
Lin Chang’an lightly shook his head. This girl wasn’t foolish; she understood the benefits of cultivating here and was not annoying. Every time she came, she brought spirit grasses and spirit fruits to feed the Cyan-Horned Bull.
It was as if she had paid rent.
"Oh, Brother Lin, this is our Zhou Family’s Spirit Beast Treasure Manual. There are not many records of the Phoenix Cry Bird race, but it’s known that this bird is a spirit of fire, extremely yang and avian, fond of eating venomous insects, and specializes in subduing yin spirits and malevolent souls."
Zhou Bingyun handed over a handwritten copy of the family’s Spirit Beast Treasure Manual, which made Lin Chang’an look at it and chuckle, shaking his head, "Be careful not to be scolded when you go back."
Not only did Zhou Bingyun not get upset when scolded, she waved her hand playfully and said:
"Brother Lin, don’t worry. This isn’t really a secret of our Zhou Family’s beast taming techniques, just some records. Using this to befriend a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and also a Tier Two Rune Master, is something many in the family would wish for."
Inside the pavilion, Lin Chang’an nodded with a gentle smile. Taking advantage of his good mood, Zhou Bingyun would ask questions about cultivation.
Meanwhile, the Cyan-Horned Bull lay bored on the side after finding no spirit fruits or spirit grasses, lazily swishing its tail.
Their interaction was quite pleasant. Although each took what they needed, it must be said that Zhou Bingyun, with her intelligence, always managed to make their relationship even more harmonious.
The most important point is that Zhou Bingyun always understood that benefits never come for free; every time, she would give something in return.
"You have good talent. You should know that in the path of cultivation, spirit root aptitude is not the only thing that matters. Comprehension is also extremely important."
For Lin Chang’an, guiding someone like Zhou Bingyun, who was at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, was no trouble at all.
"Also, since the Phoenix Cry Bird was taken by marauding cultivators, these people might still be in Celestial Profound City, so we need to be well-prepared."
While guiding, Lin Chang’an did not forget to remind her.
Although Huang Shaohai had gone to the front line, it served as his excuse to investigate the Phoenix Cry Bird, just in case they might encounter it later; being well-prepared couldn’t hurt.
"Brother Lin is right. Recently, there have been more marauding cultivators outside, and even female cultivators are claiming the name of Ghost Three Blades."
Listening to Zhou Bingyun, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for this Ghost Three Blades.
This person has been blamed for a lot of things. Not to mention others, even the Huang Family is like this.
Ghost Three Blades is now a legend in the Tribulation Cultivation Realm, appearing everywhere. As for whether he’s really still alive, no one knows.
Nonetheless, the legends of Ghost Three Blades never cease.
...
Meanwhile, in Celestial Profound City, inside a certain house.
"Tsk tsk, yesterday, Ghost Three Blades committed another atrocity outside."
With a hoarse laugh and a teasing tone, the man removed his conical hat, revealing the face of a middle-aged man who had long joined the Profound Yin Divine Sect as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, He Yan.
Across from him, an old man in black snorted coldly, the annoyance evident in his cold eyes.
Too many people had posed as him in these past years.
"He Yan, kid, remember our current mission."
"Don’t worry, Protector Xiang will personally come in half a year. We’re just here to stir things up."
He Yan nodded calmly, his entire body exuding an evil energy. One could imagine that his experiences over the years were nothing short of extraordinary.
"Su Miaoyin, truly enviable, to have such a good father. She doesn’t even need to worry about Core Formation."
Recalling his own struggles during Foundation Establishment, the black-clad Ghost Three Blades couldn’t help but grit his teeth. If only he had such backing, how could the Huang Family have wronged him so much?
"Brother Ghost, curb your hostility, or you’ll be discovered."
Seeing Ghost Three Blades recalling unpleasant events again, He Yan sighed and tried to comfort him, while also feeling a bit fortunate himself; thankfully, he was alone.
"According to reports, this time at the auction hosted by Master Lu, a Tier Three Demon Core will be up for grabs. The purpose is to gather Core Formation materials. We must get our hands on this Demon Core.
The Protector plans to reveal the Core Formation materials, just to create chaos in Celestial Profound City."
Watching He Yan’s confident demeanor, Ghost Three Blades couldn’t help but frown and scoff, "Kid, don’t get too arrogant. Foundation Establishment cultivators are nothing more than bigger ants in front of Core Formation cultivators."
"I know."
"By the way, didn’t you return to Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market to pay respects to your grandfather? So why do you look so sullen upon return?"
It was better not to mention this. As soon as it was brought up, the smile on He Yan’s face froze, and an unnameable anger flared up within him, leaving him stifled.
After finally returning, he had wanted to pay respects to his grandfather at Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market and retrieve the Foundation Establishment Pill his grandfather had been keeping safe for him.
The plan was to exchange them for some spirit stones in Celestial Profound City, and coupled with his own savings, acquire a top-grade magical artifact.
Imagine his surprise when it was gone!
He had no idea which scoundrel had discovered it.
If not for his grandfather’s grave being intact, he nearly lost his mind.
"Don’t bring it up! This matter..."
Feeling stifled, He Yan explained the circumstances, causing Ghost Three Blades to burst into laughter.
Now that He Yan was a Foundation Establishment cultivator and the Foundation Establishment Pill was gone, there was naturally nothing to hide.
As for keeping the Foundation Establishment Pill a secret back then, if his own strength had been weak, it would’ve been a problem. But now that he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, does it matter?
In the Profound Yin Divine Sect, taking what you can is considered a skill.
Although it’s a bit cruel, there’s nothing wrong with it. At least the restrictions are few, and the rewards for merit are genuinely given.
