Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans.

Chapter 141 Yellow Dragon Bell

Time flies, and two years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Since the last time Tianxuan City eliminated a group of cultivators who had fallen into the trap, the city's security has been much more stable for a time.

Meanwhile, something unknown has happened deep within the Cloud Mist Mountains; in the past two years, many monsters from deep within have fled out.

This has led to many cultivators suffering tragic fates when encountering unfamiliar or strange demonic beasts.

Of course, there are also advantages. As cultivators can hunt demonic beasts without having to venture too deep into the territory, the high prices in Tianxuan City have actually come down.

The price of Foundation Building Pills has fallen back to around 10,000 low-grade spirit stones.

【Lifespan: 73/245】

[Realm: Mid-Foundation Establishment (6/100)]

"My cultivation level has increased by 6 points in two years."

Inside the cave, Lin Chang'an slowly opened his eyes and looked at his attribute panel.

His inferior spiritual root aptitude, coupled with the fact that this ancient cultivation technique did not offer an advantage in terms of cultivation speed in the early stages, meant that he was at a lower level.

From the middle to the later stages of foundation building, it only takes a little over thirty years, which is not slow.

"More than 30 years later, I am only a little over 100 years old, in the prime of my life. Compared with ordinary rogue cultivators, I have cultivated very quickly."

It took him seventeen years to go from the early to the middle stages of Foundation Establishment.

Exhaling slowly, Lin Chang'an looked at his cultivation speed and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

Nine out of ten ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators can only hone their skills in the early stages of Foundation Establishment for their entire lives.

Only one in ten can break through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, and among those ten, only a handful can reach the late stage.

"It's difficult for independent cultivators. They face too many limitations: lack of Dharma, financial resources, and suitable land; poor aptitude."

"Moreover, I am among the last 10%, and even one of the very few who will be able to break through to the late Foundation Establishment stage in the future. This already surpasses many Foundation Establishment cultivators."

He didn't dare mention his partner, after all, it's too rare to find someone who can be called a teacher, friend, or companion on the path of cultivation. Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an secretly shook his head.

He is in the late stage of Foundation Establishment at just over one hundred years old, and the Golden Core stage is in sight in the future.

What more could you ask for?

"However, in the past two years, signs of a beast tide have been confirmed. This is a carnival for the strong and a disaster for the weak. Tianxuan Immortal City has a mountain-protecting formation and Master Lu."

Even if a beast tide comes, this place is actually the safest. And if there is any unrest, we can still escape in the chaos..."

As a celestial city in the Cloud and Mist Mountains, Tianxuan City's spiritual veins naturally attract demonic beasts.

However, these were no longer things for Lin Chang'an to consider; he was merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

[Second-Tier Mid-Grade Talisman Master (Proficiency 893/1000)]

[Second-Tier Mid-Grade Alchemist (Proficiency 169/1000)]

In the past two years, his talisman skills have continued to improve, and in another year or two, he will be able to break through to become a second-tier high-grade talisman master.

This was all thanks to the fact that two years ago, after he made a meritorious contribution, Tianxuan City gave him a copy of the insights of a near-third-tier talisman master, which enabled him to progress so quickly.

The improvement in alchemy skills was largely thanks to Master Song's generosity. He made significant progress in alchemy by relying on the unique soul-searching ability of his natal spiritual plant.

"It's a pity that this Master Song is only a mid-grade second-level alchemist."

Lin Chang'an shook his head with a regretful look. If only this old man were a second-tier high-grade alchemist.

Lin Chang'an was very satisfied with the rewards he received from Tianxuan City.

As long as he stays in Tianxuan City, he can obtain two bottles of third-tier spirit liquid every year. Whether it is to assist in cultivation or to nurture his natal spirit plant, these are high-level resources that he cannot access.

You must know that his natal spiritual plant is his foundation.

"And this top-grade spiritual artifact, as expected, only the upper echelons have such good things."

With a wave of his hand, a golden bronze bell appeared and swirled in front of him.

He knew from Huang Shaohai's inheritance that there were even top-grade spiritual artifacts above this spiritual artifact.

Besides the difference in quality, the most important factor in a top-tier magical artifact is that it possesses a spirit.

"The spirit of a weapon can only withstand the refinement of true fire by the essence of a near-third-tier demon beast. Once refined into a spiritual weapon, it can greatly increase the power of the spiritual weapon. This is already a method for refining magic treasures."

There was a golden bell with a yellow dragon spiraling around it, called the 'Yellow Dragon Bell'.

Upon seeing this treasure, Lin Chang'an nodded secretly. If he had had this large bell back then, he wouldn't have been in such a sorry state when facing Huang Shaohai's talisman treasure.

At the very least, it can withstand some damage.

This was also the compensation that Tianxuan City gave them back then.

"Unfortunately, top-grade spiritual artifacts are priceless and unavailable. If it weren't for the great contribution you made last time, Tianxuan City wouldn't have compensated you with this item."

Lin Chang'an played with the golden bell for a while, then put it on his waist so he could use it to defend himself if he encountered an enemy.

This treasure boasts unparalleled defense and the ability to trap enemies.

……

Stepping out of the cave, I saw the Green Horned Ox lazily basking in the sun by the pool. In the past two years, the Green Horned Ox had successfully broken through to the mid-stage of the second tier.

The broken horn has also grown back.

When Lin Chang'an came out, Qingjiao Niu suddenly glared at him, his eyes filled with anger.

A golden light landed on Lin Chang'an's shoulder first, and the palm-sized phoenix bird actually opened its wings to massage his shoulder in a human-like manner.

"Okay, stop making trouble."

Seeing the green-horned ox bellowing and emerging from the pool in a huff, Lin Chang'an smiled and tried to soothe it.

This phoenix is ​​opportunistic and adept at getting things done.

After Lin Chang'an took out spiritual herbs and fruits for the two spirit pets, they were finally calmed down.

However, the phoenix bird turned around and landed on the horn of the green-horned ox, chirping and pushing its half-eaten spirit fruit towards it.

The green-horned ox, which had been angry just moments before, looked at the phoenix with a simple and honest expression, and couldn't help but moo. Not only did it refuse the spirit fruit, it even shared some of its own spirit herbs.

Lin Chang'an was speechless at the sight.

"If this bird could talk someday, it could sell this cow."

After two years of interaction, the Phoenix Bird truly lived up to its reputation as the nemesis of poisonous insects, and it was almost always able to hold its own against spirit insects in the Cloud Mist Mountains.

A Phoenix Crying Bird at the early stage of the second tier can crush most spirit insects at the mid stage of the second tier.

Moreover, this phoenix bird is extremely intelligent and adept at navigating social situations, making it a true bird spirit.

"Alright, come in now, someone will be here soon."

He glared at the phoenix, warning it not to bully the green-horned ox, and then put the bird spirit into his spirit beast bag.

He then sat down in the pavilion and began to brew tea, waiting for the person he had arranged to meet that day.

A moment later, the spiritual tea was brewed, and the other party arrived as promised.

"Brother Lin, this spirit tea is brewed just right."

"Fellow Daoist Yun, you still look as dashing as ever after half a year."

Inside the pavilion, Yun Yao, dressed in a white outfit, radiated a heroic and spirited smile.

"Brother Lin, please don't make fun of me. For the past two years, the Divine Sect has been sending us to explore the Cloud Mist Mountains frequently, as if there is some great secret inside."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an's expression turned solemn: "Fellow Daoist Yun, could it be the disappearance of the previous Nascent Soul Sect Master of the Xuan Yin Divine Sect?"

In front of outsiders, he needed to be called the Demonic Cult, but in front of Yun Yao, he followed local custom and also called it the Divine Cult.
"If only it were that simple."

When this matter was mentioned, Yun Yao's brows furrowed with worry, and she sighed helplessly.

"You say the secret that could cause a Nascent Soul cultivator's demise is big enough? That's why the three major sects are so eager to find it." The legacy of a Nascent Soul cultivator, and the secret of his demise—no wonder the three major sects are greedy.

But Lin Chang'an was only a Foundation Establishment cultivator and dared not be greedy in the slightest. If this thing were placed in front of him, it would be a death warrant.

"Fellow Daoist Yun, could it be that the rampage of demonic beasts in the Cloud Mist Mountains in recent years is related to the three major sects?"

"No, it should be the Li Huo Palace and the Divine Sword Sect. The Xuan Yin Pavilion's seriously injured elder seems to be in bad shape, so how could he have the strength to investigate these matters?"

After the Grand Elder of Xuan Yin Pavilion was seriously injured, coupled with his advanced age, it seemed that he was on the verge of passing away.

Listening to Yun Yao describe the current situation in Yue Kingdom, Lin Chang'an nodded secretly.

At least he had access to some information from higher-ups, so he wasn't completely ignorant.

However, seeing Yun Yao's worried expression, Lin Chang'an had a bad feeling.

"Fellow Daoist Yun, could it be that there's a problem with the secret realm you mentioned?"

Yun Yao shook her head after hearing this and said, "It hasn't been discovered yet, but it will be more than ten years before the formation weakens."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an fell silent.

Besides the cultivators from the three major sects, many independent cultivators also venture into the Cloud Mist Mountains to investigate the anomalies.

This is why many ancient cultivator ruins or secret realms in the cultivation world were first discovered by independent cultivators.

There's no other reason than that there are many independent cultivators, and they are equally willing to risk their lives.

"Let's wait until then to talk about it."

No one knows whether an accident or tomorrow will come first.

If you can discover opportunities, other cultivators can too.

If opportunities are not transformed into strength, then one may end up benefiting others.

This is perfectly normal in the world of cultivation.

"Now let's get down to business. The communication jade talisman you left behind, Fellow Daoist Yun, has indeed surprised me."

After the two finished discussing the recent secret movements of the Yue Kingdom, Lin Chang'an smiled and mentioned the communication jade talisman left by Yun Yao during his last period of seclusion.

"Brother Lin is joking."

Mentioning this matter, Yun Yao chuckled softly, gazing at the beautiful scenery of Tianxuan City through the pavilion, and couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.

"Brother Lin, you should have felt it too. Every step of cultivation after Foundation Establishment is extremely difficult. How many spirit stones can you earn by just relying on advanced skills and hunting demonic beasts?"
With the beast tide approaching, Tianxuan City is poised for a prosperous future. I wonder if Brother Lin is willing to take the gamble?

As Yun Yao recounted the story, Lin Chang'an suddenly realized that more and more cultivators were discovering signs of a beast tide, which naturally caused panic among some people in Tianxuan City.

Nobody's a fool. Master Lu has been in seclusion for years, and it's highly likely that his lifespan is coming to an end. With the beast tide looming, it's natural to be worried.

This has led to a very strange phenomenon: Tianxuan City is prosperous because of the demonic beasts, but it is also a place that makes people feel uneasy.

"Does Fellow Daoist Yun mean to take this opportunity to acquire the spirit fields and shops in the market at low prices?"

Lin Chang'an was not surprised by Yun Yao's business acumen.

After all, when he was planning to build his foundation, he took advantage of the convenience of developing the Qingzhushan market and gathered connections and resources.

It's just that I was unlucky back then and encountered natural disasters and man-made calamities.

"Fellow Daoist Yun, have you received any specific information?"

Lin Chang'an's mind raced. After all, no one would complain about having too many cultivation resources, but since Yun Yao brought this up, she probably knew some inside information.

Seeing Lin Chang'an's cautious demeanor, Yun Yao smiled and shook her head.

"Brother Lin, what do you really think Yun Yao is? Within the Xuan Yin Divine Sect, Yun Yao, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, is insignificant, which is why she wants to move up the ranks."

The resources needed for Foundation Establishment cultivators, and those for future Core Formation, can only be prepared in advance; there's never any last-minute scrambling.

Hearing Yun Yao's words, Lin Chang'an suddenly realized, and at the same time, it gave him a reminder.

Yes, my cultivation level is only at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, while Yun Yao is different; she has already touched the threshold of the late-Foundation Establishment stage. Naturally, I need to start preparing resources for my future Core Formation in advance.

Whether it succeeds or not is another matter, but if you don't try, you'll regret it later.

After all, the Blood Fiend True Man's secret realm is still floating in the sky. It doesn't belong to him until he gets his hands on it.

"In that case, I need to prepare some resources in advance; it can't be wrong."

Lin Chang'an nodded secretly, his mind starting to race.

"Fellow Daoist Yun, how much can just the two of us possibly eat?"

Taking advantage of the turmoil in Tianxuan City, we bought the deeds to spiritual fields and shops at a low price. Although there were some risks involved, it was still much less risky than becoming a calamity cultivator.

“Nowadays, Master Lu is in seclusion year-round, and even Fellow Daoist Su has been in seclusion since he gave me a copy of his array formation insights two years ago. I wonder if he is preparing to form his core.”

Lu Zhenren's situation in recent years is well known, and Su Miaoyin has also begun to go into seclusion.

"Therefore, Brother Lin, we independent cultivators have limited resources. Why don't we get together with a few friends and take a gamble? If we succeed, we might have a chance to form our core in the future."

Yun Yao spoke with bright, determined eyes.

It turns out that Yun Yao had bigger plans; she actually wanted to recruit Lin Chang'an and others to set up a high-end trading shop.

"Now that the monsters in the Cloud Mist Mountains are in turmoil, it is unknown how many high-level cultivators will be created. We need to replenish and exchange spiritual rice, talismans, pills, magic tools and so on."

Although there are Wanbaolou and Xuanyinge, Tianxuan City is so large that some major clans also have their own specialized markets and shops..."

Listening to Yun Yao's words, Lin Chang'an became even more tempted.

As Yun Yao said, Wanbaolou and Xuanyinge are targeting the high-end market, but the market for independent cultivators is so large that some shady black markets have always been quite chaotic and have not been unified.

They could easily target the mid-to-lower-end markets and work together to create a relatively safe black market.

Moreover, other families in the market have also made a fortune.

“Brother Lin, you have extensive connections in Tianxuan City. You can find people to regularly purchase talismans, pills, and other supplies. I also have my own channels, especially for those shady items.”

We only sell spiritual items for late-stage Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators. With a few of us Foundation Establishment cultivators, we can keep them in check.

Seeing Yun Yao's courage, Lin Chang'an secretly admired her.

No wonder Yun Yao has gotten to where she is today. With her courage and determination, as long as she's not too unlucky, she's bound to achieve great things in the future.

"Now that Fellow Daoist Yun has said that, I am somewhat tempted."

Setting up your own market trading shop would be incredibly beneficial; you could secretly sell your own pills and talismans there.

Moreover, there's no need to deliberately hunt monsters; you can focus on cultivation.

This would be of great benefit to him.

"I have two good friends who are at the early stage of Foundation Establishment and have some resources that can't be exposed to the public."

Yun Yao frankly admitted that she was taking advantage of the chaos to buy up cheap goods and sell some shady, black-market products.

Lin Chang'an nodded in agreement. It seemed he really needed to bring along one or two friends, since balance was the most important thing in doing business.

“Brother Lin, you have a good relationship with Master Lu's disciple from Tianxuan City, and I also have some connections with Fellow Daoist Su. Perhaps we could take this opportunity to…”

When the beast tide comes, gold prospectors may not make money, but the various service industries near the gold mines will definitely make a fortune!
The opportunity is right now.

"This... has great potential."

Lin Chang'an nodded in satisfaction, but they still needed to make arrangements with Tianxuan City first.

Especially since he had made great contributions to Tianxuan City before, giving this Fellow Daoist Song another ten percent wouldn't be a problem.

Of course, all of this is predicated on the premise that Master Lu of Tianxuan City has a successor.

If people like Yun Yao dare to gamble, then he is exceptionally talented. At worst, he will just lose some resources. What is there to be afraid of?

(End of this chapter)