Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans.

Chapter 196 Seclusion! Late Foundation Establishment Stage

Inside the restaurant.

After Madam Lu left, only he, Lao Hu, and the Wen couple remained in the private room.

The four of them looked rather solemn, as the treatment they had received from Madam Lu before was quite generous.

"In addition to the spirit fields that originally belonged to us, the Lu family is also willing to give us 20% of the profits from the Chamber of Commerce's operations each year, and we only need to serve as guest elders in name."

For a moment, the four of them couldn't help but have their eyes flicker.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, Fellow Daoist Hu, what are your thoughts?"

In the end, it was this beautiful lady, Madam Wen, who was somewhat moved and spoke first.

Lin Chang'an pondered for a moment, then finally nodded and said:

"The Lu family has given quite a lot, which is obviously just to win us over."

Even if you become a guest elder of a clan in name only, you cannot easily betray them. Otherwise, not only will your reputation suffer, but you will also be disliked by any faction you join in the future.

They might even be put on a bounty, so there's not much benefit to be gained, and very few retainers or servants would betray them.

Finally, it had to be Old Hu. Seeing everyone's worried expressions, he waved his hand and said:
“I’m just a rough man, but I know that if the four of us join forces, the Lu family won’t dare to act recklessly. Besides, the Lu family came here this time to put our minds at ease.”

As for that late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed Fang, he was directly excluded.

After all, they've somehow gotten involved with the Lu family.

After some discussion, the four of them concluded that, while they couldn't say they trusted each other completely, they shared a common interest in Jade Spirit Island.

Only by working together can we safeguard our common interests.

After the Wen couple left, Old Hu let out a long, melancholy sigh.

"The prosperity of the three races is still fresh in our minds, but in the blink of an eye, it has become like this."

"Who says it isn't?"

Lin Chang'an shook his head, got up and continued to buy cultivation materials in the market. This time, he was preparing to go into seclusion.

Of course, a lot of things had to be prepared, and more than twenty near-third-tier talismans were even secretly sold.

Several days later, the four met at the agreed location and, finding no one was following them, headed towards Jade Spirit Island.

……

After returning to Jade Spirit Island.

They also saw the clan lands on the island where the flags had been changed, and the Lu family had disappeared and been replaced by the Lu family.

After a brief period of chaos, the independent cultivators and ordinary people on the island resumed their normal lives.

After all, the visitors were from the Lu family, and this place was ruled by the Lu family more than ten years ago, so it wasn't unfamiliar.

After returning to their cave, the Lu family once again sent lavish gifts.

"That's the advantage of having strength."

Lin Chang'an nodded secretly. If he had just established his foundation, he definitely wouldn't have received this treatment.

However, Lin Chang'an shook his head and directly refused the offer of a pretty female cultivator as a concubine from the Lu family.

Isn't this like having an eye on your own back?

I heard that the Lu family didn't send any beautiful maids to the Wen couple.

"There are always a lot of troubles wherever I go. When I have the strength in the future, I will definitely go to the outer sea to find an island with rich spiritual energy, so as not to be affected."

Lin Chang'an shook his head and then set up an array outside the cave, sending out the message that he was going into seclusion for cultivation.

At the same time, he released the Green Horned Ox and the Phoenix Bird, and then turned and entered the cave.

Looking at the countless cultivation materials and the alchemy furnace in front of him, Lin Chang'an took a deep breath.

"I will not emerge from this seclusion until I break through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment!"

【Lifespan: 94/253】

[Realm: Mid-Foundation Establishment (92/100)]

……

His seclusion this time was not for a breakthrough to a higher realm, nor for overcoming a major bottleneck that required a closed-door retreat to seek a breakthrough.

Instead, he focused intently on his studies, diligently cultivating in his cave every day, tending to the spirit beasts, drawing talismans, refining elixirs, and comprehending the mysteries of formations—he did not neglect any of these tasks.

Three years later, Lin Chang'an discovered that his cultivation had stagnated due to a bottleneck caused by his spiritual root aptitude, so he had no choice but to secretly go to Five Dragons Island.

He sold off all the talismans and pills he had collected over the years, and then exchanged them for a considerable amount of materials for near-third-tier pills before returning to continue his seclusion.

Years are like a shuttle.

Inside the secret chamber, Lin Chang'an sat cross-legged, circulating his internal energy, his body radiating a rich and ancient life force.

After an unknown amount of time, suddenly, a powerful surge of magical energy appeared amidst the surging aura of magical power around him.

Because the cave was protected by an array, it remained undisturbed by outsiders.

However, the Green Horned Ox and the Phoenix Bird sensed something and couldn't help but turn around and look into the cave.

"A breakthrough has finally been achieved in the centenarian era."

Late foundation building!

Inside the secret chamber, Lin Chang'an felt a surge of excitement as he sensed that his magical power had nearly doubled.

No wonder the bottleneck was so difficult, it actually made him go into seclusion for a full six years.

"This technique's power only began to slowly emerge after a while. With my current magical strength, I'm already comparable to 60-70% of a pseudo-core cultivator."

If I were to cultivate to the late-stage perfection of Foundation Establishment, my magical power would probably be comparable to that of a pseudo-Core Formation cultivator.

Lin Chang'an's eyes flickered. Although the quality was slightly inferior, the quantity was just as good, and he was even better in terms of recovery ability.

With this shift in power, it's not unrealistic for him to have the strength of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator comparable to a pseudo-Core Formation cultivator.

"This is more in line with the name of an ancient cultivation technique."

At this moment, Lin Chang'an felt completely at ease, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

He said, "It's an ancient technique, after all. It can't just be a self-healing body, can it?"

Sure enough, how could the cultivation techniques practiced by ancient cultivators be weak? It can only be said that his cultivation level was too low.

【Lifespan: 100/291】

[Realm: Late Foundation Establishment (0/100)]

Looking at his lifespan, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh inside the cave.

"His lifespan is nearly three hundred years, which is comparable to that of cultivators who practice other wood-attribute techniques."

He has only just broken through. If his cultivation reaches the Foundation Establishment Perfection Realm, after a long period of nurturing with magical power, it would be very easy for his lifespan to exceed three hundred years.

Furthermore, he had previously consumed decades of his lifespan while refining his natal spiritual plant; otherwise, his lifespan would have been even greater.

"However, we cannot be careless. The cultivation world is ever-changing, and I must keep a low profile with my current strength. Although my magical power will be similar to that of a pseudo-core cultivator after I reach the Foundation Establishment stage, a pseudo-core cultivator can already master low-grade magic treasures."

Lin Chang'an secretly warned himself not to get carried away.

The pseudo-core cultivator has already mastered the use of a low-grade magic weapon, and his overall strength is still quite strong.

It's not something a Foundation Establishment cultivator can easily pull off.

"However, I am not without trump cards. Once my talisman skills break through, I will be able to create talisman treasures."

Thinking of the dusty magic item in his storage bag, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but nod secretly.

Although crafting talismans will weaken the power of magic weapons, compared to one's own safety, magic weapons are nothing more than external possessions.

"The magical artifacts can gradually regain their spiritual power later, but my safety is the most important thing right now."

At that time, the fake Core Formation cultivator will have magic treasures, and he will also have talisman treasures.

Blood Fiend True Man's natal magic weapon is a top-grade magic weapon of the Golden Core realm. Even though its power has been greatly reduced, the talisman treasures made from it are still no less powerful than the magic weapons of a pseudo-Core cultivator.

After all, there is a difference between a pseudo-core cultivator and a true core cultivator. A true core cultivator can unleash the full power of a low-grade magic weapon, while a pseudo-core cultivator can only unleash about 70% or 80% of it.

Of course, a pseudo-core cultivator can gain a basic grasp of magic weapons, which shows considerable strength.

He can't afford to be careless.

……

Stepping out of the cave, after six years of seclusion, the trees outside the cave's barrier seemed to have grown several inches taller.

"Moo!"

With a moo, the Green Horned Ox excitedly ran out of the pool, exuding the aura of a peak mid-stage second-tier ox.

However, a golden light was faster than him, landing directly on Lin Chang'an's shoulder, excitedly rubbing its little head against him while chirping excitedly.

"Alright, it seems you haven't been slacking off lately."

Looking at his two spirit pets, Lin Chang'an nodded in satisfaction.

Especially this Phoenix Bird, luckily we didn't kill it to extract its demon core, otherwise we would have suffered a huge loss.

However, the bloodline of this Phoenix Bird, a mythical beast, is indeed uniquely blessed.

The two, one human and one ox, initially surpassed the Phoenix Bird in cultivation level. However, in just a few decades, the Phoenix Bird unexpectedly surpassed them.

Looking at the two spirit pets in front of him, especially the very cunning Phoenix Bird, which started patting its shoulders and fanning itself again.

He seemed to have thought of something, and his eyes flickered.

This phoenix bird has such good bloodline; if it had broken through to the third rank before him, it would have become a Golden Core Realm demon beast.

Doesn't that mean he can extract demon cores?
Or, selling this bird and exchanging it for a top-grade Core Formation spiritual item wouldn't be too difficult, after all, it's a rare beast, and a living one at that.

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but nod to himself, it seemed that it really could work.

However, the phoenix, who was fawning over its master while massaging his shoulders, was unaware that its master was ready to sell it off.

"However, a third-tier spirit pet is even more valuable, just like Master Lu!"

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but show a strange expression. Although Master Lu was pretending, a third-tier Xuan Shui Turtle couldn't have faked a weakness.

"Cultivate diligently and strive to break through to the third rank as soon as possible. Then your master will take you to eat a third-rank demon core."

Lin Chang'an stroked the phoenix with a smile on his face. At this moment, he suddenly felt that the bird's fawning expression was more and more pleasing to the eye.

Although the songbird is highly intelligent, it is no match for the cunning of humans.

Upon hearing that he would have the opportunity to eat a third-tier demon core in the future, his pale golden eyes immediately began to glow, revealing excitement.

The constant chattering echoed in my ears, which made the green-horned ox beside me look aggrieved.

"Alright, here's a spirit fruit for you."

Faced with its owner's perfunctory reassurance, the Green Horned Ox's eyes widened in anger.

It's like the feeling that the owner has gotten a new bird and forgotten the old ox.

At the same time, in the eyes of the Green Horned Ox, anger turned into motivation, and it vowed to work hard to cultivate and catch up with this stinky bird.

……

With Lin Chang'an emerging from seclusion, coupled with his undisguised aura of late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, he became even more formidable.

The first to arrive was not Old Hu, but the Lu family, the number one immortal cultivation clan on Jade Spirit Island, who came to visit.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lin, on your progress in cultivation. You will soon reach the Core Formation stage."

Madam Lu arrived with a smile on her face, and she also brought a Foundation Establishment cultivator with her.

"Lu Yujian greets Senior Lin!"

Lu Yujian, a middle-aged man, was taciturn and held a precious sword as if it were a treasure. He was at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, but judging from his unstable aura, he must have just broken through not long ago.

"Our cultivation levels are similar, so we can address each other as fellow Daoists."

Lin Chang'an was also taken aback. This person looked older than him. Although his cultivation level was a bit lower, he was still a Foundation Establishment cultivator and actually addressed him as a senior.

However, after Madam Lu explained with a smile that this person was her biological son, he suddenly realized.

However, since we are both Foundation Establishment cultivators, it is fine to address each other as fellow Daoist.

It must be said that after suffering a great loss, the once arrogant Lu family is gone forever.

At least in these few encounters, the Lu family has completely lost the arrogance he had heard people say about them.

"You're too kind, Patriarch Lu."

Lin Chang'an was very pleased with the attention shown to Madam Lu, who personally came to visit him and even brought her own child.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, you are too kind. At such a young age, as a rogue cultivator, you have been able to cultivate to this point. Becoming a Core Formation cultivator in the future is just around the corner."

Upon learning that Lin Chang'an had broken through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment, Madam Lu was surprised, but her face remained warm and welcoming.

After all, she came from seven countries, and she had been gathering intelligence over the years. Lin Chang'an's information was also readily available, so it wasn't difficult to find out.

Born into a rogue cultivator, she possessed exceptional comprehension and had been on good terms with two disciples of True Lord Lu of Tianxuan City. In addition, she had also run a black market. It's not surprising that she had achieved her current level of cultivation.

After all, in the world of cultivation, spiritual root aptitude is only the starting point; comprehension, opportunities, cultivation resources, and so on are all crucial.

Lu Yujian, who was holding the sword, stared straight at Lin Chang'an.

"Senior Lin, I've heard you're also a sword cultivator. I am..."

Lu Yujian, who looked like a sword fanatic, was about to say something when he was stopped by a glare from his mother.

The sword fanatic then lowered his head awkwardly and remained silent.

"Master Lu, you're too kind."

Lin Chang'an laughed it off, saying he was willing to make acquaintances with this sword cultivator, at least he wouldn't have to put in so much effort to communicate with him.

After seeing off Patriarch Lu, Lin Chang'an looked at the gifts that had been delivered and was very satisfied.

This is also why he released his breakthrough aura; if there's a gift, why not accept it?

As for concealing his cultivation level, he never even considered it.

If I don't reveal my late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, I might be underestimated.

All he needs to do is conceal some of his strength.

"Tsk tsk, we'll be working together on Jade Spirit Island from now on. Whenever the Lu family has any happy occasions, we'll definitely have to exchange gifts. Let's collect some today first."

It must be said that after Madam Lu became the head of the family, she became very generous.

However, at that moment, Old Hu's laughter came from the cave.

"Old Lin, you've finally come out of seclusion! Look at me, Old Hu, I brought you some spirit wine and spirit meat to celebrate."

……

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lin, on your progress in cultivation. You will soon be able to form your core."

"Old Hu, if you ever reach the Core Formation stage, don't forget me, Lin."

Inside the pavilion, Lao Hu brought him a table full of wine and meat, and Lin Chang'an raised his glass with a big smile and drank it all in one gulp.

Having broken through in cultivation, one should naturally be happy.

At the same time, his thoughts drifted to the Yue Kingdom while he was at the dinner table, and he sighed inwardly.

Every breakthrough I made back then happened at Juxianlou. I wonder how Shen Lie, Erniu, Lu Qingqing, and Wei Buyi are doing now.

However, considering the cultivation levels of his old friends, who were likely to live past a hundred years old, he figured they should still be able to eat meat and drink alcohol.

"Come, Old Lin, let me tell you all about what happened on the island and in the surrounding seas during the years you were in seclusion."

After the two exchanged toasts, Old Hu, with a solemn expression, recounted in detail the intelligence he had been missing over the past few years.

Among the events were the turmoil within the Seven Nations Alliance and the affairs of this sea area; many of these events truly made his heart pound.

　I'm begging for your monthly votes, fellow cultivators.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)