Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans.

Chapter 166 They're All My Identities [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

"We've been targeted!"

Upon sensing that someone was watching him, Lin Chang'an immediately sneered. There had been plenty of people trying to cause trouble in their market before.

But in the end, they all paid a price, especially since they had Tianxuan City backing them up.

As time went by, their eastern market district in Tianxuan City became the most famous.

"Today, Tianxuan City has two Golden Core cultivators and two Pseudo-Core cultivators, yet there are still people who are blind to their abilities."

Lin Chang'an shook his head. More than half of his reputation in the black market came from having powerful backers, and the intimidation of the six Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Fellow Daoist, you have followed me all this way. Do you really dare to commit violence here?"

Lin Chang'an, disguised as the old medicine doctor, unknowingly arrived at the center of the black market as his hoarse voice echoed.

If an outbreak were to occur at this moment, the two Foundation Establishment cultivators currently stationed in the black market, along with the grand formation, would be more than enough to give those who were tracking them a hard time.

"Fellow Daoist, it's a misunderstanding! It's a misunderstanding!"

When the follower realized he had been discovered, he panicked and waved his hands repeatedly. He hadn't even noticed that this early Foundation Establishment stage alchemist had actually spotted him.

Fortunately, he genuinely meant no harm.

"I only saw that you have a lot of pills, and I wanted to make a deal with you. It almost caused a misunderstanding."

Qin Feng, whose figure was concealed by a black robe, looked ashamed. He then pointed to a restaurant not far away, as if he had something to discuss.

The location of this restaurant also shows that he had no other intentions.

Lin Chang'an frowned, looking impatient, and turned to leave. However, he was stunned when the other party took out something and handed it to him.

"A second-tier demon core, fellow Daoist is quite generous."

Qin Feng was also extremely distressed, but since his market didn't have any second-tier alchemists, he had no choice but to use this method of spending money to win people over.

"Fellow Daoist, is my sincerity sufficient?"

Lin Chang'an toyed with the second-tier crystal core on his fingertip, pondering to himself what this person was planning to do, that he was so willing to part with it.

As he secretly circulated his cultivation technique, he was momentarily stunned upon sensing the familiar aura of magical power.

Qin Feng!

Good heavens, looking at the man in front of him, whose figure was concealed by a black robe and who looked like he was hiding something, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but frown.

This old scoundrel is plotting something in his market; he's up to no good!

"Very well, I have seen your sincerity, fellow Daoist."

Then Lin Chang'an, pretending to be the old man Yao Lao, nodded hoarsely and headed towards the restaurant next door with the other party.

He sneered inwardly, thinking, "This old bastard, I'll see what he's up to."

……

Restaurant.

Inside the private room, Lin Chang'an ordered a table full of the finest spiritual meat and wine, a sight that made Qin Feng curse inwardly.

These rogue cultivators who can't stand the light of day are just ignorant; they're trying to take advantage of such a small amount of spirit stones.

We really underestimated him.

No matter how bad the Qin family is, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse.

"Fellow Daoist, I have offended you in the past. Please accept this drink as a sign of respect."

Qin Feng, as expected of a cultivator who works in the market, is quite bold. With a smile on his face, he raised his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

They're nothing like the brats who used to come here crying and making a scene.

Lin Chang'an, pretending to be the old doctor, also nodded slightly.

"Fellow Daoist, such a generous gift must come from something. Why don't you tell me your purpose?"

However, at this moment, Qin Feng waved his hand boldly and said:
"Fellow Daoist, you are too kind. Let's have a drink first. There's no rush. Even if things don't work out, consider it a chance to make friends."

Lin Chang'an chuckled inwardly; Qin Feng's face really changed quickly.

However, seeing that the other party had sneaked into their market today and was so wealthy, and recalling the situation in the western market recently, he realized that...

I already had a hunch in my heart.

But if you don't eat it, you might as well eat it.

"Alright, fellow Daoist, you're quite straightforward."

Lin Chang'an, disguised as the old medicine master, showed no restraint and immediately began to focus on eating spiritual flesh and drinking spiritual wine.

Qin Feng was speechless at the sight, but he became even more certain that this group of people hiding their heads and tails were probably all rogue cultivators.

Any cultivator with a decent background would not act like this.

After a meal of wine and meat, Lin Chang'an, who doesn't usually drink much, drank five jugs.

However, out of the corner of his eye, Lin Chang'an glanced at the composed man surnamed Qin and nodded secretly.

They underestimated this person.

The way her mother-in-law used to cry and make a scene, behaving like a shrew, is completely different from how she is today.

"Fellow Daoist, you seem to enjoy wine quite a bit. Why don't you order two more jugs?"

With Qin Feng all smiles, Lin Chang'an, pretending to be the old apothecary, shook his head with a smile.

"Alright, fellow Daoist, I'm afraid you don't just want to exchange pills with me today."

Lin Chang'an lost interest in continuing the conversation and decided to lay his cards on the table.

Qin Feng, however, wore a broad smile and cupped his hands in greeting:

"To be honest, I've come here today to invite you, fellow Daoist..."

"Go to your market town!?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an thought to himself, "As expected," but the disguised Yao Lao gave a mocking, hoarse laugh.

"Fellow Daoist, please don't joke around. Although Tianxuan City is large, there are only a few black markets in the shadows. You think you can get me to go with you with just a drink and a demon core?"

"I fear you are a cultivator seeking to rob and kill me."

"Fellow Daoist is too kind." Qin Feng was not discouraged at all by the old medicine master's caution; on the contrary, he smiled broadly.

"I sincerely invite you to come. I am willing to pay half a percent more for the pills you have."

“Fellow Daoist, you are hiding your true colors, yet you are willing to take such a great risk for me. You must be joking.”

Lin Chang'an smiled calmly, his words showing no sign of yielding.

His behavior, on the contrary, is perfectly normal.

Qin Feng took a deep breath, knowing that in this black market of the Eastern District, those surnamed Lin and Hu openly revealed their identities.

Moreover, he has connections in Tianxuan City, which is the key point.

If he wants a share of the pie, he needs to show more sincerity.

"Fellow Daoist, I am from Qin Family Market in the Western District."

Then Qin Feng slowly removed his cloak, revealing his true face.

This startled Lin Chang'an, who was disguised as the old apothecary, before he quickly regained his composure.

"So it's Patriarch Qin, but that's not enough. I know about your West District, but it's far inferior to the East District. Besides, I've been waiting here for so many years and I've gotten used to it."

Lin Chang'an's words immediately stirred Qin Feng's heart.

Wait a minute! Doesn't this mean this person has accomplices?

As for the so-called "getting used to it" argument...

In his eyes, not to mention rogue cultivators, even cultivators from major sects and clans would turn against each other because of opportunities and benefits.

Where is the concept of trust and righteousness among cultivators?

"Fellow Daoist, I sincerely invite you. If you are willing to go, we are willing to offer our highest honors..."

Then this man surnamed Qin became incredibly sincere, showering Lin Chang'an with various temptations, which secretly made Lin Chang'an's heart flutter. This old bastard is really something else, actually trying to poach his man.

Originally, you did your thing and I did mine, and we had nothing to do with each other.

So you actually came here to poach my people? Well then, don't blame him.

“Fellow Daoist Qin, your invitation is so kind, but we rogue cultivators are used to being cautious, and besides, we have a business deal with this market town…”

After the two parties finally discussed the matter, Lin Chang'an, thinking that he might as well make a profit, agreed to trade a small amount of pills first.

But he would never risk going to an unfamiliar market.

The transaction was arranged at the foot of Tianxuan Peak. Qin Feng would buy the pills at a high price, and how much he would sell them back home was his business.

Since it was the initial contact, it was understandable that neither side trusted the other.

Therefore, Qin Feng did not suspect anything and continued to invite them with a smile, wanting to meet the other fellow Daoists.

Lin Chang'an hesitated for a moment, but tempted by the huge reward, he nodded in agreement. However, the meeting place had to be at the foot of Tianxuan Peak for safety.

Finally, as Lin Chang'an, disguised as the old apothecary, left, Qin Feng, alone in the private room of the restaurant, looked at the bustling scene outside and a smile appeared on his face.

“Following the clues, once we find one, we won’t have to worry about finding other second-tier skill cultivators. I’m not in a hurry, I’ll take my time. We’ll see how long you Lins and Hus can keep up your smugness.”

With a final snort, Qin Feng drank a cup of wine and then took the remaining spirit wine and spirit meat from the table.

It was bought with spirit stones after all. The Qin family isn't doing well these days, so as the head of the clan, he naturally has to be frugal and thrifty.

However, Qin Feng was unaware that the hidden cultivators he encountered by following the clues were all actually Lin Chang'an.

……

Over the next few months, Qin Feng and several other cultivators secretly visited this place and actually made quite a few friends among the skilled cultivators.

But everyone who comes here is hiding their identity carefully. No matter how great the temptation, not a single cultivator is willing to take such a risk.

Of course, they can buy it at a high price, but they would never easily risk going to an unfamiliar black market.

In the West District Black Market, Qin Feng and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators, although they had consumed a lot of spirit stones and resources, still managed to gain something.

They all had smiles on their faces. No rush, take it slow, we can win them over eventually.

After all, little by little, they gradually acquired a considerable amount of high-level supplies.

However, they were unaware that among the more than twenty people they had befriended, eighteen of them were actually Lin Chang'an in various different identities.

"Master, we have the most talismans and pills, and business in the market has improved recently."

"Indeed, only high-quality goods can attract these advanced cultivators, but we still have too few here."

"You have to eat one bite at a time; at least this is a good start."

The ten Foundation Establishment cultivators' worries lessened considerably after seeing that the black market seemed to be showing some improvement.

Qin Feng, who was in charge of the black market, was full of confidence and had a big smile on his face.

"Fellow Daoists, those few cultivators in the Eastern District gained the upper hand through opportunism, as you all have seen. Don't you all want to take their place?"

Human greed is never-ending.

Even cultivators are no exception.

When refining Qi, one is satisfied with just reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, but after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, one sets one's sights on the Golden Core stage, and after reaching the Golden Core stage, one desires to become a Nascent Soul Ancestor.

In the end, a person's obsession boils down to greed.

Full of confidence, Qin Feng clearly harbored even greater ambitions as he looked at the crowd.

As everyone exchanged bewildered glances, it would be a lie to say they weren't envious of the profits from the East District black market, but within Tianxuan City, none of them dared to openly cause trouble.

"We owe our present state to Fellow Daoist Qin's foresight."

"Indeed, Fellow Daoist Qin, if you have any ideas, please feel free to share them."

Driven by greed, some hesitated, but more were driven by greed. As one by one, those who remained hesitant also wanted to hear what the solution was.

"Gentlemen, in the past few months, it has only been the high-priced pills, talismans and other resources that have kept this market afloat. It is still just a mirage and could disappear at any time."

We must prioritize immediate gains and losses, and focus on winning them over completely…

Qin Feng's unwavering gaze revealed him to be an ambitious and enterprising individual with keen foresight and the ability to poach talent with lucrative incentives.

This prompted everyone to nod in agreement, indicating that everyone was using normal methods.

Even if the black market in the East District suffers losses, it cannot do so openly.

"We could even set a trap to make the East District suffer a major setback, allowing our West District to rise up in the process..."

After hearing Qin Feng's plan, everyone nodded secretly.

An elderly elder of the Qin family was deeply worried, believing that this move was too risky and could easily lead to trouble.

"Master, the market is gradually getting back on track. This move is too risky and unnecessary..."

"Do you think I wanted this? Our Qin family lost its foundation before, otherwise, how could things have come to this!"

Qin Feng's face was resolute. If the Qin family's foundation were still intact, why would he take such a risk and engage in the black market?

Looking at the patriarch who was wholeheartedly planning for the revitalization of the family, the elder could only sigh helplessly after trying to persuade him.

He couldn't stop the tide of events; he could only pray that nothing bad would happen.

……

Inside the cave at this time.

"The foundation-building process requires a solid base; one must never be impatient for quick success..."

Inside the pavilion, Lin Chang'an solemnly pointed at the three people in front of him.

Shen Fan and Wei Yingying visited with gifts, and their cultivation had not declined over the years.

The two were only thirty-six years old, but both had already reached the ninth level of Qi Refining and had begun planning their Foundation Establishment.

It's not that the two were more talented than Li Yifan, but rather that their circumstances were different.

Li Yifan grew up in the small place of Qingzhu Mountain when he was old enough to understand things. The spiritual energy was thin and the resources were pitifully scarce.

Shen Fan and Wei Yingying grew up in Tianxuan City, and their cultivation environment from childhood was similar to that of disciples of a major sect.

In addition, there were resources given by his parents, and since Li Erniu's family had many children, the resources were naturally not much after distribution.

Shen Fan and Wei Yingying are different; they are both descendants carefully nurtured by their elders.

"It is already remarkable that you have such cultivation at your age. You should cherish the resources that Tianxuan City has."

Lin Chang'an couldn't help but feel envious. If he had had a sacred cultivation ground like Tianxuan City when he first entered the world of cultivation, he wouldn't have had to endure so much hardship.

Having elders to protect you versus being all alone as a rogue cultivator, but the two are completely incomparable.

Before he turned forty, he used to consume spirit crystals, and he treasured spirit stones.

But they've been exposed to spirit stones since they were little.

"Thank you, Senior Lin."

And then there was Zhou Bingbing, who came to feed the Green Horned Ox. With a grateful nod, she also benefited a little by getting some Foundation Establishment insights from a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Lin Chang'an smiled and nodded. Over the past few years, Zhou Bingbing and Zhou Bingyun had completely different personalities.

Normally, when people come to his place, it is very quiet. They dutifully feed the Green Horned Ox, tend to the spiritual plants outside the cave, and then respectfully leave.

She seemed afraid of disturbing him.

If it were like this for three or five months, he wouldn't think much of it, but it has been like this for years, judging by the actions rather than the intentions.

With such a sense of when to advance and when to retreat, coupled with his cooperation with the Zhou family over the years, the Zhou family has no shortage of his mere Foundation Establishment experience.

He naturally wouldn't mind giving some pointers on cultivation.

　Thank you to fellow Daoist 'I am Master Qiu' for the 500 spirit stones donation and to fellow Daoist 'Myth Origin' for the 100 spirit stones donation.

　　I'm begging for your monthly votes, fellow readers! I'm only thirty places away from making it into the monthly vote rankings. I just want to increase my exposure. Thank you.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)