Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans.

Chapter 152 Returning to Qingzhushan Market [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Deep in the misty mountains.

Even though Lin Chang'an had already escaped a great distance, he could still feel the intense turbulence amidst the terrifying aftershocks of the battle.

"Brother Lin, let's go quickly."

After escaping a certain distance, the two no longer needed to conceal their escape and fled quickly, while the monsters deep in the Cloud Mist Mountains were also in an uproar.

Meanwhile, the protective array of Tianxuan City was activated.

Under the watchful eyes of countless cultivators, a thin, gray-haired old man in a blue robe stood upright on a Xuan Shui turtle.

"Master Lu! He..."

In Tianxuan City, under the watchful eyes of countless cultivators, some couldn't help but shed tears. It was because even ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators like them could sense the aura of twilight emanating from Master Lu.

"This air of decline shows that Master Lu has truly aged."

Although some people are unwilling to accept it, they still have to admit it.

The first group of rogue cultivators, Cang Mu, were saddened by the fact that once Master Lu passed away, there would be no more rogue cultivators in the Seven Kingdoms.

"These despicable sects can't stand to see us rogue cultivators have a place to stay."

“Sometimes, we independent cultivators don’t even have the qualifications to compete for a place with abundant spiritual energy.”

"Yes, in the past thousand years of the Seven Kingdoms, only one True Man, Lu, has emerged..."

Inside the city, countless rogue cultivators couldn't help but shed tears. Master Lu had truly grown old. What would become of them in the future?
"Master Lu, I admire you as the number one rogue cultivator in the Seven Kingdoms, but your era has passed!"

"Having reigned supreme for so long, if you, True Person Lu, are willing, our Li Huo Palace is willing to help your daughter achieve the Golden Core stage."

One after another, Core Formation cultivators exuding terrifying auras appeared.

The Fire Palace and the Divine Sword Sect produced a total of four Core Formation cultivators.

Upon seeing his opponent, Master Lu outside Tianxuan City couldn't help but smile.

"Heh heh, I never thought that someone would still remember this old man."

The hoarse voice echoed, and the aura of antiquity caused the four Core Formation cultivators to secretly shake their heads.

In just a few years, it has aged so much that if it weren't for this late-stage third-tier Xuan Shui Turtle, it would never have caught their eye.

"Master Lu, stop deceiving yourself. You can't break through the heavens of Yue."

Although the old man, Master Lu, stood atop the Xuan Shui Turtle, no one dared to underestimate him at this moment.

It was a withered dragon in its twilight years.

"Lu Turtle, if you remain stubborn today, be careful not to ruin your reputation in your later years!"

Among the four Core Formation cultivators, some were arrogant, while others offered kind advice, but without exception, none of them wanted to fight to the death with this aging True Person Lu.

"Ahem, since you all covet Tianxuan City, which I have fought so hard for, do you dare to step forward and fight?"

Dressed in a green robe, Master Lu pretended to be old and weak, but the group of people were all very cautious, which made him curse inwardly.

A bunch of cowards. Even though he's so old, he still doesn't dare to come forward.

Isn't this taking advantage of the fact that he's an old man who can't catch fish?

The four Core Formation cultivators were wary of this True Person Lu, but they weren't actually afraid of him.

"Lu Turtle, do you really think you've got everything planned out? Your daughter is preparing to form her core in the Cloud Mist Mountains, do you really think we don't know that!"

As a Golden Core elder from the Li Huo Palace sneered and mocked, the aging Master Lu suddenly unleashed a murderous aura and instantly attacked.

"court death!"

The four Core Formation cultivators were overjoyed; as long as the old tortoise stayed away from Tianxuan City, they had nothing to fear about traps.

However, Master Lu, whose temper had been flared, flew into a rage and immediately unleashed his natal magic weapon, the Xuan Shui Turtle, which unleashed a soaring aura.

"Rest assured, Master Lu, we have no intention of harming you. We simply wish to invite young friend Su to our sect as a guest."

A terrifying battle between Core Formation cultivators erupted outside Tianxuan City, while countless cultivators within the city wore solemn expressions.

Some cultivators from the seven kingdoms, as well as some cultivators undergoing tribulation, were also observing from the shadows.

Even if one tries to profit from the chaos, one must wait until the situation becomes clear.

Otherwise, if they were to disrupt it now, the great formation of Tianxuan City would trap them all inside.

Old Hu, who was stationed in the black market, watched the battle between the Golden Core cultivators outside the city with a solemn expression, and silently prayed:
"Brother Lin, you and Fellow Daoist Yun really went out at the worst possible time. I hope you don't die out there, or I, Old Hu, will have to renege on this favor."

When the turmoil occurred, they tried to contact Yun Yao and Lin Chang'an telepathically, but received no response, so they knew that the two had probably gone out.

……

Deep in the misty mountains.

As the two warships launched a powerful attack, the Four Symbols Black Tortoise Formation roared and its golden light dimmed.

"Senior brother, we can't hold on much longer!"

At this moment, everyone in the formation looked tense. If it were the Four Symbols Black Tortoise Formation at its peak, it would be fine, but there were two traitors.

"Fellow Daoists of the Divine Sword Sect, stop holding back. Be careful of unforeseen events if you continue down this path."

After such a long attack, the warships, though powerful, had also suffered considerable losses.

Huang Tianxiao gritted his teeth, leaped into the air, and a talisman appeared in his palm.

"Haha, good! Let's join forces to break the formation."

A Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Divine Sword Sect also summoned a talisman.

"Oh no! This is a third-tier barrier-breaking talisman!"

With the flashing light of the two third-tier barrier-breaking talismans, cracks instantly appeared in the Four Symbols Black Tortoise Formation.

Upon witnessing this scene, Su Miaoyin, who was inside the formation, changed her expression and coldly shouted, "Everyone, move out!"

Song Tingfeng let out a long howl, summoning his spirit beast. He stared intently at the two traitors and roared:
"One day I will make you two traitors wish you were dead!"

Su Miaoyin gritted her teeth and launched the final attack of the formation.

In an instant, the Four Symbols Xuanwu Formation erupted with terrifying light, causing the cultivators from the two major sects to exclaim in surprise.

"Everyone, be careful!"

The Four Symbols Black Tortoise Formation shattered, yet the four terrifying golden Black Tortoise phantoms roared and crashed directly into the two flying boats.

Huang Tianxiao was even more shocked and furious upon seeing this scene.

"A third-tier demon core!"

This was clearly Su Miaoyin detonating the third-tier demon core at the last moment.

Even the Fire Palace has very few third-tier demon cores, which shows how precious they are.

With a deafening roar, the four golden giant tortoise phantoms crashed into the flying boat of the Li Huo Palace.

With a deafening roar, the airship billowed black smoke. Seeing this, Huang Tianxiao, knowing it was a trap, could only grit his teeth and roar in anger:
"We can't let the Divine Sword Sect get ahead! Chase them!"

The alliance between the two major sects was driven by self-interest, but Su Miaoyin's final blow caused discord between them.

There is only one Su Miaoyin, and Li Huo Palace naturally doesn't want Shen Jian Sect to get her.

……

Half a month later.

Lin Chang'an and Yun Yao had also escaped the battle area between the two major forces early on.

"Brother Lin, judging from the situation, the ruins and cave have not been discovered."

At this moment, Yun Yao revealed a hint of relief.

It's been half a month, and her other sensing jade talismans haven't reacted, proving that the ruins are still there.

"Now is not the time to talk about these things. Let's hide first. Returning to Tianxuan City now would probably be fraught with danger."

Based on Lin Chang'an's calm assessment, since the Li Huo Palace and the Divine Sword Sect dared to make a move, Tianxuan City must be in no better shape now.

“That’s right. Tianxuan City has a protective mountain formation. As long as Master Lu is still alive, Tianxuan City will exist. But if we go back now, it’s easy for something to happen.”

When the strong fight, the ants are the first to suffer.

"Let's go to Qingzhushan Market to lay low for a while." "Okay, we'll return to Tianxuan City once this storm has passed."

Yun Yao was also a decisive person, and the two of them headed towards Qingzhushan Market.

Not only Lin Chang'an, but countless independent cultivators, upon discovering this turmoil, immediately fled Tianxuan City and sought refuge in the nearest markets.

……

half a month later.

When they arrived at Qingzhushan Market, it was a market that had once prospered due to land reclamation but had become desolate after the emergence of Tianxuan City.

Now, due to the turmoil in Tianxuan City, it has become prosperous again.

Countless late-stage Qi Refining cultivators and Foundation Establishment cultivators gathered there.

This caused some panic among the local low-level cultivators who had lived peacefully for over twenty years and had become accustomed to their newfound status.

After all, everyone who came was filled with murderous aura, and there were quite a few Foundation Establishment cultivators who were not even found in the entire Qingzhushan Market.

"Returning to my homeland, everything has changed."

After a long and tiring journey, Lin Chang'an and Yun Yao arrived at Qingzhushan Market and walked along the market streets.

Looking around at the familiar market where I had lived for more than 30 years, I felt a pang of melancholy.

"My homeland!"

For Lin Chang'an, having wandered aimlessly in the mortal world without a fixed abode, he instead came to the world of cultivation and settled down in Qingzhushan Market for more than 30 years, naturally developing a different kind of feeling.

But Yun Yao didn't feel that way; instead, she felt rather down.

She left the palace when she was young, and her childhood memories were filled with endless rules, raising birds, and envying those who could fly freely.

When she arrived in the world of cultivation, she thought that Li Huo Palace was her hometown, but she never expected that it would be a nightmare prison.

Then she joined the Xuan Yin Divine Sect and wandered for so many years. Thinking back, it seems that this was the happiest time of her life.

It was the month-long journey that the four of them took when they set off for the world of cultivation.

The honest and simple Erniu went from being self-conscious at the beginning to becoming a skilled barbecue chef, winning everyone's laughter.

Young Marquis Shen Lie is naturally sociable, whether it's the farmer Er Niu or Lin Chang'an, a master who was first a chivalrous swordsman, then joined the army, and finally became a disciple of the royal family.

Under the night sky, everyone looked at the starry sky and enjoyed the warmth of the campfire. That time was also the first time Yun Yao felt free.

That was also the happiest period of my life.

"Brother Lin, it seems this isn't going to end anytime soon. We'll have to stay here a while longer."

After calming her emotions, Yun Yao looked at the somewhat chaotic market with a serene expression. Her powerful divine sense as a Foundation Establishment cultivator allowed her to hear every detail of the conversations outside.

Outside Tianxuan City, Core Formation cultivators have already fought several battles.

It's clear that the Fire Palace and the Divine Sword Sect are trying to trap Master Lu.

"I heard that the Grand Elder of Xuan Yin Pavilion has passed away."

"impossible!"

"It's true. I heard that two Core Formation cultivators from Xuan Yin Pavilion were intercepted on the way, and the Grand Elder has not appeared yet."

After hearing this news, Lin Chang'an pondered silently.

If the Grand Elder of Xuan Yin Pavilion were to pass away, then the three Core Formation cultivators would truly become the bottom of the three major sects of Yue Kingdom.

After all, no matter how talented this Fairy of Rainbow Robes is, she is only a newly formed Core Formation cultivator, and her cultivation level cannot compare with these veteran Core Formation cultivators.

As more and more cultivators flock to the bustling market town of Qingzhu Mountain, some conflicts are inevitable.

The original rules of Qingzhushan Market were simply unable to restrain this group of powerful cultivators.

Lin Chang'an and Yun Yao arrived at the Zhou family's residence.

When the Zhou family steward learned of the arrival of the visitors, he was overjoyed and hurriedly came out to greet them, even clearing out the best cultivation courtyard in the clan's territory.

Although the Zhou family moved to Tianxuan City, they still left behind some low-level cultivators in the area.

"Seniors, this place was once the cultivation courtyard of my Zhou family's Foundation Establishment cultivators. The spiritual energy here is not as good as that of Tianxuan City, but it is still one of the best places in Qingzhu Mountain Market."

Faced with the politeness of the Zhou family elder at the eighth level of Qi Refining, Lin Chang'an nodded calmly.

"You've gone to so much trouble."

"No, no! With two seniors here, my Zhou family is safe and sound."

The elderly Zhou family member who stayed in Qingzhushan Market warmly invited the two to move in with a big smile.

Yun Yao nodded slightly.

"Then please find out about the situation outside and report back immediately if there are any developments."

"Yes, yes, seniors, rest assured. My Zhou family is based in Qingzhushan Market and has many eyes and ears. We will definitely report the latest situation to you two seniors."

The two of them didn't come to the Zhou family's house randomly; rather, as the local strongmen, the Zhou family was the perfect place for them to gather intelligence.

The Zhou family has been working incredibly hard, and with so many powerful cultivators recently arriving in the market, they are quite worried.

Although the Zhou family is powerful, most of its cultivators have moved to Tianxuan City, leaving only some elderly and low-quality individuals behind.

Now that two Foundation Establishment cultivators who are on good terms with the Zhou family have arrived, they naturally want to cling to their coattails.

……

inside the house.

After setting up security measures, Lin Chang'an, who had been on the run for so long, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"It was a false alarm; it's a stroke of luck amidst misfortune."

The fact that the ruins and cave dwellings had not been discovered was a great blessing for both him and Yun Yao.

Just think about it, even Master Lu, the number one rogue cultivator, went to such lengths to help his daughter form her core, which shows how difficult it is to have the opportunity to form a core.

"Fellow Daoist Su, with your mid-grade spiritual root aptitude, still needs True Person Lu to scheme like this for your Core Formation. So what about my low-grade spiritual root aptitude..."

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an fell silent. He didn't have such a cheap father.

Core-forming spiritual objects are already rare, and it is even more difficult for cultivators with poor spiritual root aptitude to form a core.

"It seems I need to make proper preparations for this cave dwelling."

Lin Chang'an pondered to himself that if the ruins' formation hadn't been discovered by now, even if it was at its weakest point more than a decade later, he really needed to venture in with Yun Yao.

"Yun Yao needs a spiritual object to form her core, but for me, the insights and experiences gained from forming my core are the most important."

He had previously tried using his natal spiritual plant in secret, but it could only read some incomplete memories from the corpses of dead cultivators or demonic beasts.

The longer the time since death, the fewer memories can be retrieved.

"I hope that the Golden Core cultivator who passed away in the cave within the ruins can provide me with some useful insights or secret techniques."

It's not unheard of for someone with low-grade spiritual root aptitude to form a core; aside from this True Person Lu, there have been other legends about it in recent centuries.

But all of these are extremely difficult, requiring either secret techniques or great fortune to obtain some kind of spiritual object that helps one achieve the Core Formation stage.

"The cultivator who created this ancient technique really didn't consider the aptitude of future generations at all."

Lin Chang'an shook his head helplessly, thinking that he had created this ancient technique for these geniuses.

Unfortunately, he was exceptionally gifted and managed to cultivate to the point of mastery despite having only a low-grade spiritual root.

"But for now, let's wait for this turmoil in Tianxuan City to pass."

Lin Chang'an pondered for a moment. Core formation was still a long way off for him, but the current situation was right before his eyes.

However, while he and Yun Yao were in charge of the Zhou family, the situation outside became increasingly turbulent.

On the fifth day, perhaps due to the battle in the Cloud Mist Mountains, a small-scale beast tide was stirred up.

This caused misfortune for the markets and towns surrounding Tianxuan City.

"Seniors, a beast tide has appeared, and the market's formation is about to collapse."

Half a month later, the Zhou family's steward came in looking panicked and asked to see him.

(End of this chapter)