Eternal Life from Talisman Painting-Chapter 90: The Unlucky Duo

Celestial Profound City has become even more prosperous since the last battle of Golden Core cultivators.

The auction personally hosted by Master Lu, the first renowned loose cultivator of Yue Kingdom, had such a tremendous impact that it affected neighboring countries.

Countless loose cultivators swarmed in, and Celestial Profound City welcomed the most prosperous era since its establishment.

Ever since personally witnessing the battle of Golden Core cultivators, Lin Chang’an has been practicing cultivation even more diligently.

"The auction is only two months away."

At that moment, inside the cave mansion, Lin Chang’an slowly put down the spiritual brush, and in front of the table appeared sheets of Tier Two Talismans, at which he nodded with satisfaction.

"Indeed, the self-healing body is powerful. Not only in healing physical injuries but even the restoration of divine sense and mental fatigue far exceeds that of ordinary cultivators."

Lin Chang’an mused that during this period of exploring the self-healing body, he never expected such amazing results.

He could maintain peak condition for talisman painting and alchemy, producing ten times as much as other cultivators of the same tier.

Whether it be the Hundred Skills of Cultivation or spell cultivation, the consumption of mana was secondary, but more important was the mental consumption.

But the self-healing body even greatly enhanced mental restoration.

This allowed him to double his output in both talisman painting and alchemy again.

"In less than half a year, I’ve earned nearly five hundred middle-grade spirit stones through talisman painting."

In just four months, he earned nearly five hundred middle-grade spirit stones; in another two months, he could earn over two hundred more.

"Including what I’ve accumulated before, I am finally close to gathering a thousand middle-grade spirit stones."

At this point, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but reflect that with a thousand middle-grade spirit stones, a top-grade flying needle magical artifact was no longer a mere dream; he truly believed he could acquire one at the auction.

Thanks to the increased number of incoming cultivators during this period, especially the Foundation Establishment cultivators, his talisman sales became even smoother.

"However, there are still so many things I want to buy."

Even though the auction hasn’t started, news has already been leaked that various top-grade magical artifacts, Hundred Skills of Cultivation inheritances, and Foundation Establishment Pills rarely seen by Qi Refining cultivators will all appear, each in tens. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Moreover, among the three finale treasures, one has been revealed to be a spiritual object for forming the Golden Core.

It is precisely because of this that Foundation Establishment cultivators from neighboring countries are traveling long distances to come here.

Recently leaked auction treasures alone filled Lin Chang’an with envy; he thought he wouldn’t worry about spirit stones.

Instead, he realized that he was still quite poor.

"Tier Two Pill Formula, top-grade magical artifacts, talisman inheritances, elixirs to enhance cultivation, there are so many things I want."

Lin Chang’an shook his head helplessly, knowing that his financial resources were limited, especially with the growing chaos in Yue Kingdom. In comparison, having a top-grade flying needle magical artifact to go along with his secret techniques for safety was more secure.

"Top-grade magical artifacts are rare, especially flying needle class ones are extremely rare, I must not miss this opportunity, while the Tier Two Pill Formula can be purchased at another time."

Just at this moment, a voice came from outside the cave mansion.

...

"Grandpa, with my middle-grade Fire Spirit Root aptitude, I will surely rejuvenate the family in the future."

Outside the cave mansion, a middle-aged, skinny pale-faced scholar led a proud-looking young man.

Being gifted in Spirit Root but also youthful and arrogant.

The middle-aged man saw this and shook his head.

"Wen’Er, you must temper this nature of yours; all who dwell here are Foundation Establishment cultivators."

Then, he raised his hand, a Sound Transmission Jade Talisman appeared.

"Friend, I am Chen Qing, your new neighbor next door, greetings."

As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the middle-aged man left the jade talisman with a smile and was preparing to leave when, suddenly, the array of the cave mansion slowly opened, revealing a cheerful smile.

"Grandpa, the cave mansion’s array has opened."

"I never thought I had timed my visit just right today."

As Lin Chang’an saw the visitor, the visitor saw him too, both were stunned, recognizing each other as acquaintances, and greeted with cupped hands.

"Mr. Lin!"

"Mr. Chen!"

Lin Chang’an greeted with a smile, though his expression was somewhat peculiar.

Wasn’t this the unlucky loose cultivator who had been forced into a transaction for the Foundation Establishment Pill by Huang Shaohai?

In fact, they had met before, during a transaction for Foundation Establishment materials outside Pill Master Song’s cave mansion when he was preparing for Foundation Establishment.

One was a brawny man, the other a pale-faced scholar; the current Foundation Establishment cultivator Chen Qing was that pale-faced scholar.

After he purchased materials from the other, he prepared for two years and then achieved Foundation Establishment, while the other had failed in the process.

But two years later, this person was once again preparing for Foundation Establishment when he was targeted by Huang Shaohai.

Two times trying Foundation Establishment, neither was successful.

"Mr. Lin, I never expected it to be you."

Chen Qing also recalled something, showing an awkward expression, while the young Chen Wen behind him obediently lowered his head and listened.

After all, in the presence of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he knew how to observe courtesy.

"Mr. Chen, I didn’t expect you to be back."

Lin Chang’an smiled as he greeted, initially thinking it was a normal neighbor, never expected it was a fellow unlucky friend.

The two seemed destined, one had his Foundation Establishment Pill transacted, while the other had his Beast Spirit Pill taken.

Five years later, neither thought they would meet again, now as neighbors, sharing the unique understanding of loose cultivators reuniting as Foundation Establishment cultivators.

On the journey of preparing for Foundation Establishment, too many fellow cultivators fall, and too many leave in dimness.

Meeting again, a single ’friend’ speaks of the trials and tribulations, deeply resonates with them.

Inside the pavilion.

Lin Chang’an and Chen Qing sat together, drinking tea and discussing dao, while the young Chen Wen respectfully served tea and water to them.

"It’s been five years, now we sit here in this Foundation Establishment cave mansion discussing dao, truly a delightful event."

Lin Chang’an sighed, as the two exchanged experiences of the past years.

"Ah, indeed I was unlucky, first time failing in Foundation Establishment, the second time barely crafting two Foundation Establishment Pills, only to encounter this situation. And yet that Huang fellow also Foundation Established, and somehow blamed me."

Chen Qing expressed his frustration; even as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, as a loose cultivator, he had no choice but to endure.

"Though there are undercurrents in Celestial Profound City, it’s also an opportunity for loose cultivators like us. So, I decided not to hide and wander anymore, instead moved my family to Celestial Profound City, under Master Lu’s governance..."

With Chen Qing’s account, Lin Chang’an nodded quietly, acknowledging his decisiveness.

Recalling the situation of Ghost Three Blades, no one could guarantee safety while hiding.

Taking advantage of the turmoil in Celestial Profound City, as everyone watched, daringly placing all bets by joining it as a Foundation Establishment Tributor Cultivator.

If Celestial Profound City stabilized, he and his family could take root there.

If not, then plan for a retreat.

"Mr. Lin, I originally considered fleeing to another country, but the current outside situation isn’t any better than ours."

Chen Qing spoke with a look of helplessness, sharing the state of surrounding countries, which greatly intrigued Lin Chang’an.

"There’s war in other countries?"

Lin Chang’an asked with a face of bewilderment, Chen Qing sighed and explained: "Not only war, but us foreign cultivators often face exclusion, especially us Foundation Establishment cultivators, many cultivators would focus on us..."

Hearing this, Lin Chang’an nodded secretly; it was manageable alone, but for a friend like Mr. Chen with family, it was indeed challenging.

Moreover, newly arrived Foundation Establishment cultivators in foreign lands would naturally be targeted, whether joining a faction or otherwise, it was easy to become cannon fodder.

"Our neighboring countries are adjacent to the Boundless Sea, and the Sea Abyss is known as the Sea of Ten Thousand Demons, filled with countless ruthless in the Immortal Cultivation Realm or those seeking Core Formation, all crossing several countries just to reach the Demon Beast Abyss..."

The Sea Abyss, with its endless resources, even Master Lu traveled there and formed a Golden Core, becoming a legendary cultivator of Yue Kingdom.

The Chen Qing family once had Foundation Establishment cultivators, so their broad knowledge intrigued Lin Chang’an.

Both belonging to the Celestial Profound City faction, and both eager to make connections, they quickly found joy in conversation.