Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans.

Chapter 132 A great harvest
Tianxuan City.

After returning cautiously, Lin Chang'an did not go directly back to his cave, but instead cleansed his aura.

Then he deliberately went to the market trading area and bought some magical items that mixed up magical energy.

Even the Green Horned Ox looked bewildered, realizing that its master's aura was completely different from before. Only then did Lin Chang'an secretly breathe a sigh of relief and head towards Wanbaolou.

"This group of cultivators is efficient and has formations, so they are probably disciples of a major sect. But how exactly did they find the cultivators?"

Lin Chang'an frowned inwardly along the way. Usually, he would search by aura or by setting up unique marks using some secret techniques.

However, as cultivators who hunt demonic beasts year-round, they would never be negligent in their caution.

"And this raging fire formation."

At the same time, Lin Chang'an thought of the array plate and array flag in the storage bag and couldn't help but shake his head with regret.

"These people are too decisive. They destroyed the array flags without hesitation and then fled."

Knowing the value of a second-tier formation, ordinary cultivators would never be willing to destroy and discard it like this.

The array plates were in somewhat better condition, but the array flags were all bare, with only broken flagpoles remaining.

It was obvious that the flags were destroyed before the other party left.

"Even a damaged second-tier formation is a rare find."

Lin Chang'an nodded secretly, deciding to ask Tianxuan City if it could be repaired.

He didn't even have a single second-tier formation until now, yet a group of Tribulation cultivators did.

Wanbao Tower.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, this is truly remarkable. The second-tier White Phosphorus Python is so complete."

When Lin Chang'an came to trade for monster resources again, the Foundation Establishment elder surnamed Feng from Wanbaolou couldn't help but nod in approval.

He admired these indomitable and hardworking cultivators, who brought considerable profits to Wanbaolou every year.

"Fellow Daoist Feng, this set of Xuan Iron Armor is severely worn and needs to be repaired."

When Lin Chang'an took out the armor worn by the Green Horned Ox, the old man surnamed Feng nodded secretly.

The armor bears numerous marks of venomous corrosion and battles with demonic beasts, suggesting how horrific the damage was.

However, this Fellow Daoist Lin has not repaired any spiritual artifacts in recent years, which suggests that he is quite powerful.

As an experienced Foundation Establishment cultivator, one can judge the general strength of an opponent by certain things.

Lin Chang'an had nothing to hide, after all, his strength was nothing special.

"However, Fellow Daoist Feng, on my way back I encountered a group of cultivators who had undergone tribulation and obtained a set of formations. I wonder how many spirit stones it would take to repair them completely?"

"No wonder Fellow Daoist Lin managed to acquire nine second-tier demonic beasts this time, and three of them were covered in messy battle marks."

The old man surnamed Feng suddenly realized that he had sensed something was wrong when he was examining the supplies from the nine-headed demon beast.

However, as the manager of Wanbaolou, he never inquired about the source of the cultivators' resources.

He's willing to buy anything from anyone who wants to sell it.

The old man surnamed Feng was all smiles and hadn't paid much attention to the formation. However, when Lin Chang'an took out the formation plate, his expression suddenly changed.

"Second-Order Blazing Fire Formation!"

"Fellow Daoist Feng, is there any explanation for this formation?"

Upon noticing that Fellow Daoist Feng's expression was off, Lin Chang'an frowned and inquired.

The old man surnamed Feng examined the array plates carefully for a long time, then sighed:
"There's no mistake, this is a formation that the Xuan Yin Demonic Sect, or rather, the Li Huo Palace, which is a branch of it, specializes in. It's somewhat different from the ordinary Blazing Fire Formation."

Just then, Su Miaoyin came down from upstairs, her clear voice echoing in my ears.

"The second-tier Blazing Fire Array only summons firebirds to attack, with power equivalent to a single strike from a Foundation Establishment cultivator. However, the quasi-third-tier Blazing Fire Array can summon a fire spirit puppet at the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm to fight."

As long as the formation remains intact, this fire spirit puppet will possess inexhaustible magical power and be extremely formidable.

"Fellow Daoist Su." Upon seeing the newcomer, Lin Chang'an respectfully cupped his hands.

At the same time, he was secretly shocked, realizing that it had such power.

He only learned some of the profound mysteries of formations over the years by picking up scraps and absorbing knowledge through observation and experience.

However, compared to true masters of formations, they are still far inferior.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, your array plate is a second-tier low-grade one, and all the array flags are damaged.”

Su Miaoyin walked over, took the array plate, glanced at it, and shook her head, concluding that it was not very valuable.

This left Lin Chang'an speechless. With your family's wealth and powerful connections, and the backing of Xuan Turtle Master Lu, you naturally wouldn't look down on us.

However, as a rogue cultivator, the array plate he picked up still had value, making it extremely precious.

"I wonder if it can be repaired?"

Lin Chang'an still asked a crucial question: although the formation has many limitations and needs to be set up in advance to lure the opponent in.

But it's a waste to just leave the things you find lying around, and it's an even bigger waste to exchange them for spirit stones.

Faced with Lin Chang'an's question, Su Miaoyin hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded:

"Eight hundred mid-grade spirit stones. I'll repair and perfect this array plate for you, Fellow Daoist Lin."

Although I knew the formation was expensive, I never imagined that even repairing it would cost so much.

This made Lin Chang'an secretly feel the pinch. If Su Miaoyin hadn't said she would help him improve it, he really wouldn't have been willing to give it up.

"Alright, thank you very much, Fellow Daoist Su."

However, Lin Chang'an also made a huge profit this time, as he conveniently used a second-tier barrier-breaking talisman to save Lao Hu.

They also received three demonic beasts as resources, as well as all the wealth given to them by this unlucky, fallen cultivator.

"Fellow Daoist Feng, these can be exchanged for cultivation resources: second-grade high-level spirit liquid, spirit stones..."

Lin Chang'an, as always, exchanged all the materials for cultivation resources, which made Su Miaoyin, who was standing to the side, even more impressed.

After Lin Chang'an finished exchanging the items, Su Miaoyin invited him to sit aside and enjoy tea and discuss philosophy.

"Fellow Daoist Lin's aura is at its peak. He will likely break through to the mid-stage in just a few years. This is truly a cause for celebration."

Faced with Su Miaoyin's praise, Lin Chang'an smiled and nodded, saying:
"These past few years of adventures have not been in vain."

Su Miaoyin nodded secretly at Lin Chang'an's remarks.

Many cultivators, after years of arduous practice without success, eventually gave up in despair.

"This second-tier spiritual liquid can be used to assist in cultivation, and since Fellow Daoist Lin cultivates a wood-attribute technique, the effect will be even greater."

The effects of spiritual liquid in aiding cultivation vary depending on the attributes of the cultivation technique. Wood-attribute techniques are the best, followed by water-attribute techniques.

This can be considered good news for cultivators who practice wood-attribute techniques.

After all, ordinary wood-attribute techniques are somewhat lacking in power.

"It has to be Tianxuan City that opens up these resources to us independent cultivators."

Lin Chang'an remarked that although the situation in Yue was turbulent, the benefits were also relatively obvious, with some precious resources being opened to the outside world.

Otherwise, even a skilled cook cannot make a meal without rice.

The two enjoyed tea and discussed philosophy, but as they talked, Su Miaoyin shifted the conversation to the topic of formations, which greatly benefited Lin Chang'an.

This Fellow Daoist Su is the cultivator in Tianxuan City who has studied formations most deeply.

Every time he discussed the art of formations, he gained profound insights. The deeper one's understanding of formations, the greater the power one could unleash by manipulating them.

Ordinary cultivators who purchase formations can only unleash about 70-80% of their power using clumsy and rigid methods.

"Fellow Daoist Lin is exceptionally talented, it's just a bit of a pity."

Each time, Su Miaoyin sighed with emotion. There were already few cultivators who understood the art of formations, and she was a rare find, which was why she would occasionally talk to Lin Chang'an about it.

One was the tedious way to solve this formation, and the other was Lin Chang'an's extraordinary talent, which gave her a great sense of accomplishment.

"Fellow Daoist Su, you flatter me. If it weren't for my talisman skills, I wouldn't have reached where I am today."

Lin Chang'an, knowing his own family's situation, couldn't help but smile nonchalantly.

He couldn't be happier than to gain experience simply by providing emotional value to the other party.

With a cool expression and dressed as a Taoist nun, Su Miaoyin nodded slightly with a smile, but her alluring eyes were captivating.

Even Lin Chang'an, who had seen it all before, avoided the other person's gaze.

The rumors are probably true. This Fellow Daoist Su is born with a seductive nature. Otherwise, how could he be so swayed by those eyes every time he sees them, given his steadfast Dao heart?

"Fellow Daoist Lin has a firm will. In recent years, he has rarely purchased pills to enhance his cultivation or used external objects to improve his cultivation. This shows how broad his ambition is."

"Fellow Daoist flatters me. It's just that the situation is turbulent, and I only want to protect myself."

Lin Chang'an muttered to himself, "The reason he doesn't buy second-tier pills is because you guys sell them too expensively."

Left with no other choice, he secretly began to refine elixirs himself.

After a period of tea tasting and philosophical discussion, Lin Chang'an finally departed.

However, after leaving Wanbaolou, Lin Chang'an pondered to himself that Su Miaoyin seemed to be quite enthusiastic in her words.

Of course, he doesn't think he's of much value.

"The intention to win them over is quite obvious. Could it be that Tianxuan City has truly reached this point?"

Lin Chang'an pondered to himself. This Master Lu hadn't shown his face for several years, though it was said to be like the last rays of the setting sun.

But unlike ordinary people, even if a Golden Core cultivator only has one breath left, he should be able to stay alive for several years.

Now he could only pray that Master Lu would last a few more years, otherwise, if Tianxuan City fell into chaos, he would have no safe place to cultivate.

……

However, right after Lin Chang'an left, another person appeared at the table where Su Miaoyin of Wanbaolou was sitting.

"Fellow Daoist Yun, it seems that the lover you meet with every few nights has a truly steadfast Dao heart. Even my flirtatious glances couldn't sway him in the slightest."

Dressed in white, Yun Yao remained calm in the face of Su Miaoyin's teasing.

"Fellow Daoist Su, please don't joke like that. My dual cultivation technique is not the kind that is prevalent in the Demon Beast Sea Abyss."

Upon hearing this, Su Miaoyin smiled even more broadly, her flirtatious expression intensifying instinctively.

"I've been here for almost twenty years, and to be honest, I still don't quite get used to it. There's a lot of needing to pretend, unlike in the Demon Beast Sea Abyss."

"As long as you're strong enough to take whatever you want, there are definitely advantages, like fewer annoying stares. I haven't blinded anyone in years."

Su Miaoyin, dressed as a Taoist nun, was usually extremely dignified, but today she revealed a dangerous smile that resembled that of a demon.

This scene left Yun Yao speechless for a moment.

The Demon Beast Sea Abyss is rich in resources, and its desires are also more blatant, given that countless cultivators from all over the world have gathered there.

"Alright, the dual cultivation technique isn't coming to me. As far as I know, proper dual cultivation techniques never restrict men and women."

The next moment, Su Miaoyin, revealing her true nature as a female demon, raised an eyebrow, gently lifted Yun Yao's chin with her whisk, and revealed a seductive look.

She was dressed as a Taoist nun, a sight that even Yun Yao, a fellow female cultivator, couldn't help but feel her heart flutter.

However, the next moment, Yun Yao's expression changed, and she glared at her, saying, "Don't use your seductive skills on me."

Su Miaoyin covered her mouth and giggled, while Yun Yao coldly shook her head and said:
"I can't trust you."

"Sister Yun, you've really saddened me. How about this: when I reach the Core Formation stage, you secretly help me, and after it's done, I'll tell you Master's secret method for enhancing spiritual root aptitude, okay?"

Faced with Su Miaoyin's temptation, Yun Yao sneered.

"Is this really true? I had no idea that Master Lu was being so generous."

There was one more thing Yun Yao didn't say: in the Haiyuan City area, this Xuan Turtle Master Lu was notorious for being extremely shameless, petty, and vengeful.

I heard that a certain Core Formation cultivator who had offended him was approaching the end of his lifespan when this Master Lu came knocking on his door, not to find the cultivator himself, but to find his descendants.

Driven to the brink of death, the Golden Core cultivator was ultimately worn down and died in the chase.

"Why don't you help me leave the Xuan Yin Divine Sect, and I'll join Tian Xuan City?"

"No way, Tianxuan City is too small. The Xuan Yin Ancestor was a powerful figure who entered the Nascent Soul stage two hundred years ago."

With a charming laugh, Su Miaoyin shook her head. The Xuan Yin Demonic Sect was deeply entrenched and far beyond what they could afford to offend.

“Sister Yun, I still have a word of advice. This Gui Water Demon Art is far more complicated than you think. If you have the chance, you should make plans as soon as possible.”

As she said this, Su Miaoyin's expression gradually became serious.

Yun Yao, however, shook her head calmly.

“Unlike you, I don’t have a Golden Core father who can take you away from Haiyuan City. Right now, I have no choice but to fight for a chance.”

Faced with Yun Yao's stubbornness and determination, Su Miaoyin sighed and shook her head.

There's no such thing as willful and reckless behavior in the cultivation world; people only see that she has a renowned Golden Core master.

Little did she know that after the Su family was destroyed, she was left alone to cultivate in the open sea.

"Fellow Daoist Yun, will you come and help me then?"

"We'll see then."

Faced with the rejection, Su Miaoyin smiled and shook her head, but her alluring eyes gazed deeply at Yun Yao.

Yun Yao is just like her former self who refused to give in, someone who gambled her life for her future.

……

After returning to his cave, Lin Chang'an released the Green Horned Ox, and his usually tense expression relaxed, allowing him to rest for a few days.

However, on the fifth day, Lao Hu came to visit.

"Brother Lin, you are truly a man of great talent. I will remember your life-saving grace. I will never refuse you any request in the future."

Inside the pavilion, Old Hu brought spirit wine and spirit meat as a visitor, showing his utmost sincerity.

Lin Chang'an shook his head and said, "Fellow Daoist Hu is too kind. I also despised these rule-breaking cultivators back then."

"Yes, it's these Tribulation Cultivators who have made it impossible for us to have a peaceful day of cultivation. Now, when we go out hunting, we not only have to face the threat of demonic beasts, but we also have to be wary of these Tribulation Cultivators."

When the topic of the traitorous cultivators came up, Lao Hu couldn't help but fly into a rage. This time, they not only lost all their gains, but also lost one member of their three-person team.

"Alas, Old Ning is unlucky. He went too deep into the monster hunting area and was already injured. Who would have thought that he would be targeted by the Jie Xiu on his way back?"

Old Jia is still recovering from his injury, so I had to come; after all, Old Ning still has descendants.

At this point, Old Hu expressed his apology on behalf of the cultivator surnamed Jia.

Lin Chang'an naturally understood, and at the same time took out all the storage bags and spiritual artifacts he had obtained from the fellow Daoist surnamed Ning.

(End of this chapter)