Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans.

Chapter 197: Exploring information
"In recent years, the G7 alliance has been practically defunct. Before, it was because it hadn't established a firm foothold. Now that it has, it's been plagued by endless conflicts of interest."

When the Seven Kingdoms Alliance was mentioned, Old Hu's face was full of melancholy and helplessness, after all, they were fellow cultivators from the same hometown.

"Xuanying Pavilion is the weakest in terms of power, but it managed to join Five Dragons Island early on through connections, which can be considered as a decent development."

The Divine Sword Sect fared much worse. They must have offended someone; their sect was breached three years ago, and now it no longer exists…”

Listening to Lao Hu's story, Lin Chang'an felt even more alarmed.

I never imagined that so much would happen in just six short years of seclusion.

But thinking about it, it's normal. After all, the seven kingdoms had just arrived, and it was natural that they would have to go through some twists and turns before they could settle down.

"The most infuriating thing is that Li Huo Palace. Oh, and the Vajra Sect actually followed Li Huo Palace and hid in the Tongtian Mist Sea to become tribulation cultivators..."

Upon hearing about the Vajra Sect, Lin Chang'an nodded secretly. This sect was originally skilled in plundering, and coming to the Demon Beast Sea Abyss was like coming home.

"By the way, Lao Hu, how are our fellow Daoists on the island? And the Lu family?"

"The Lu family is really good. Right now, they seem to be focused on development and avoiding trouble. They have five Foundation Establishment cultivators on the island, so their strength is not weak either."

However, I've heard that before the Lu family suffered their calamity, the most talented member of the clan joined Haiyuan City, and I've heard that he had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage..."

Lin Chang'an nodded secretly, listening to Lao Hu's analysis.

"In other words, the Wen couple are still the same as before, a loving couple, and the Fang cultivator with the highest cultivation level is rarely seen."

Lin Chang'an's eyes flickered, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

As for other tribulations or other cultivators who have obtained fortuitous opportunities, Lin Chang'an just smiled and let it go, but he kept them in mind.

"By the way, that guy surnamed Fang will probably come looking for you, Lao Lin, soon."

"Find me?"

Lin Chang'an looked puzzled, but before Lao Hu could explain anything...

Sure enough, the taciturn late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator who had come to Jade Spirit Island with them but had secretly colluded with the Lu family came to visit.

……

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lin, on your progress in cultivation."

This late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, Fang Tie, came with gifts to congratulate him, but his stiff manner suggested he was indeed not good at socializing.
However, since they had brought gifts and come to congratulate him, Lin Chang'an naturally greeted them with a smile.

As for their previous secret dealings with the Lu family, one can only say that everyone has their own choices, and perhaps it was the temptation posed by Madam Lu that was so great back then.

The late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was tempted.

"Fellow Daoist Fang, we are both on Jade Spirit Island, so we should visit each other more often in the future."

Old Hu, standing to the side, was even more familiar with the man, speaking with a smile on his face, but secretly he had already conveyed the purpose of Fang's visit to him.

Lin Chang'an suddenly realized, "So that's how it is."

"Fellow Daoist Lin, I have visited Fellow Daoist Wen and his wife, as well as Fellow Daoist Hu, before. This time, I came here because I discovered a near-third-tier demon beast cave."

This monster has both a male and a female; otherwise, I wouldn't be at a loss. Based on my observation and deduction, this monster has most likely already laid eggs..."

Upon hearing the purpose of Fang Tie's visit, a cultivator who was already in the late Foundation Establishment stage, Lin Chang'an feigned a look of sudden realization.

"A near-Tier 3 Monster Cave!"

Meanwhile, Lin Chang'an secretly glanced at Lao Hu, since he had been in seclusion for the past few years and his specific situation was still unclear.

Fang Tie, the cultivator with an ordinary appearance and somewhat taciturn demeanor, looked somewhat embarrassed.

It seems to be saying that if he could handle it on his own, he would never ask for help.

"The Wen couple have already agreed. I wonder what about you, Fellow Daoist Lin?"

After learning about the situation, Lin Chang'an pondered silently.

If one wants to prepare for Core Formation, it is indeed not enough to earn spirit stones solely through one's skills.

The two quasi-third-tier demonic beasts mentioned by this person, if the five of them joined forces, would consist of three late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators and two mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

With some additional measures, it seems to be not very dangerous.

However, after pondering for a moment, Lin Chang'an politely declined:
"Fellow Daoist Fang, my cultivation has just broken through, and I need to consolidate it for a while. I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."

Fang Tie was taken aback by Lin Chang'an's refusal, but he didn't feel embarrassed. Instead, he grinned and nodded.

"It's alright. Fellow Daoist Lin has just broken through and does need to consolidate his cultivation."

The three then discussed the Dao. It seemed that Fang Tie was just like that; he would only get excited and talk non-stop when it came to matters of cultivation.

However, when it comes to mentioning interesting things he has seen or heard, his delivery sounds incredibly stiff.

After the other party left, Lao Hu was filled with doubt.

"Old Lin, why aren't you going?"

"Nonsense, why would I risk my life now that I've just broken through and need to consolidate my cultivation? Besides, how are five people going to divide up two near-third-tier demonic beasts and their eggs?"

Lin Chang'an's calm expression suggested that the danger was not high, but in reality, he still did not want to take the risk.

Going with three monks you have absolutely no trust is the greatest risk in itself.

Furthermore, how to divide the spoils among five people? This is the biggest problem in the cultivation world, and also the cause of the greatest casualties.

Moreover, the two near-third-tier demonic beasts may not seem strong, but they are most ferocious during the incubation period.

Are there any traps involved? Has anyone else discovered them? These are all potential risks.

If Yun Yao or He Yan asked them to go, there would at least be some basic trust between them, and he might consider it.

"I'd rather spend more time hunting with these cultivators using the formation. At least it's much safer to go or stay, and the prey will be mine."

Lin Chang'an pondered silently. Let alone this Demon Beast Sea Abyss, he wouldn't go even if it were in Tianxuan City.

"Besides, Lao Hu, didn't you say you weren't going?"

Upon hearing this, Old Hu couldn't help but sigh helplessly:
"Old Lin, it's not that I'm not interested, it's just that I took on a big order from the Lu family before, and I haven't had time for the next two years."

Afterwards, the Wen couple came to offer their congratulations. After all, the Foundation Establishment cultivator circle on the island is only so big, and he is a second-tier high-grade talisman master, so it is naturally worthwhile to socialize with him.

……

However, the first thing Lin Chang'an did after leaving the seclusion was to secretly go to Five Dragon Island and sell his stockpiled talismans and other goods in exchange for cultivation materials.

He really is running out of spirit stones.

During his six years of seclusion, although he also practiced drawing talismans and refining elixirs, he focused most of his attention on cultivation.

The pills he refined were all for enhancing his cultivation; not a single one was wasted.

Just as he was publicly declaring that he wanted to stabilize his cultivation, many members of the Lu family heard the news that a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator had appeared on the island.

"The newly promoted late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator is actually that Lin Fu Master!"

"Isn't his spiritual root aptitude poor?"

"So what if his aptitude is bad? He's a second-tier high-grade talisman master. I heard he even ran a market before. He must have a lot of cultivation resources. It's not surprising that he broke through in cultivation."

"It's him! Master Lin!" Many cultivators from the Lu family were filled with envy.

Although the Lu family has regained control of Jade Spirit Island, it is no longer the same Lu family it once was.

In recent years, the Lu family has almost exhausted its resources in its efforts to return to Jade Spirit Island.

"It's alright, our Lu family still has our young master in Haiyuan City, he will definitely be able to form his core in the future!"

"Not bad!"

Inside the Lu family's residence, looking at the Lu family members' spirited faces, Madam Lu smiled despite her exhaustion.

“It seems to be working well.”

"Yes, thanks to your methods, Patriarch, everyone below is full of enthusiasm for cultivation after hearing about it."

"That's good, that's the kind of trend we need."

Madam Lu had a big smile on her face. What she was most pleased about was that after this ordeal, the arrogance of the Lu family had completely disappeared.

Reborn from the ashes, the Lu family had squandered all the resources they had accumulated over a century, but their foundation remained.

As long as things develop steadily, it won't be long before the Lu family can turn their fortunes around.

However, inside the council hall, Lu Yujian, who was holding the sword, remained silent, muttering to himself:
"I really want to see just how strong the swordsmanship of this rogue cultivator who has fought his way here is!"

Inside the council hall, the other Foundation Establishment cultivators shook their heads helplessly upon seeing Lu Yujian.

Although this person's spiritual root aptitude is only mid-grade, his comprehension in swordsmanship is astonishing.

But it's a pity.

Although she was the son of the family head, Madam Lu was very calm and knew what the Lu family needed, so she did not allocate resources to them because of this.

Instead, all of the Lu family's resources are now being poured into the young master who is far away in Haiyuan City.

With a superior spiritual root and decent aptitude, he might become the first Core Formation cultivator in the Lu family.

……

Five Dragon Island.

"Fellow Daoist, this is all the information about the Seven Kingdoms Alliance in the last seven years, as well as specific information about the Lu family of Jade Spirit Island and the previous three clans."

Information on the Wen family of Liang Kingdom and their spouses, both former members of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, and Fang Tie, a Foundation Establishment cultivator from Shayun Kingdom.

After walking out of Duobaolou, Lin Chang'an looked at the familiar signboard and felt a surge of emotions.

Unexpectedly, after so many years, he was able to see Duobaolou again on Wulong Island. It was truly a sight to behold.

Hopefully, one day, after he reaches the Core Formation stage, he will still be able to see the Treasure Pavilion and the Myriad Treasure Pavilion in Haiyuan City. As for the True Treasure Pavilion of Lihuo Palace, let's forget about it.

"No wonder the Lu family was driven away before. But this Madam Lu truly turned the tide; she's a heroine among women..."

"This Mr. and Mrs. Wen, from childhood, were disciples of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. They grew up together... deeply in love. The couple cultivated a combined attack technique, and once..."

Lin Chang'an admired the Lu family's intelligence, but after seeing the intelligence on the Wen couple, he couldn't help but feel a little envious.

This is truly a rare loving couple in the world of cultivation.

Childhood sweethearts, a couple who have gone through thick and thin together, and who have both achieved Foundation Establishment cultivation, are truly a rare breed in the cultivation world.

"It seems that the combined strength of the Wen couple should be comparable to that of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, or even a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator. Their strength should not be underestimated."

Even though the couple is in love, when it comes to interests, everyone else is an outsider.

The other person's affection isn't with him, so going to hunt monsters together is quite dangerous.

"However, this Iron Cultivator is quite strange. In this poor and remote place like the Shayun Kingdom, he is surprisingly taciturn?"

Although the intelligence seemed normal, Lin Chang'an still felt that something was amiss.

"However, Fang Tie is indeed worthy of being from the Shayun Kingdom; he is actually a body cultivator."

A body cultivator at the late Foundation Establishment stage possesses extremely formidable strength.

Looking at the intelligence in his hand, Lin Chang'an pondered to himself, perhaps he was being a bit too suspicious.

However, he preferred to be suspicious rather than put himself in danger, so if he had the ability, he wanted to know information in advance about any cultivator who could threaten him.

Among the seven kingdoms, Yue was the most powerful, possessing three sects and several Core Formation cultivators.

In some small places, there may only be two Core Formation cultivators in the entire country, or even just one.

Therefore, there are not many Foundation Establishment cultivators in each country, and information about them is almost always traceable.

Xuan Yin Pavilion, in particular, is renowned for its expertise in intelligence gathering and business.

"Body cultivation! Now my cultivation has reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and the improvement of my cultivation is slow. More importantly, everything now needs to be done in preparation for Core Formation."

Lin Chang'an's eyes flickered. He hadn't thought about body tempering before because of time and resources, and also because he needed to prioritize.

If he tries to advance at the same time, he might end up failing at both. He's already thankful that his cultivation level is at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

Although he cultivated both physical and magical techniques and possessed great strength, it also hindered his cultivation progress.

"Moreover, even now, I still have the advantage when facing my own mid-Foundation Establishment stage self who cultivates both Dharma and Body."

Lin Chang'an's gaze remained calm, showing no sign of regret, but the situation was different now.

Planning to form the Golden Core is not something that can be done overnight, and now that he is planning to form the Golden Core, he really needs to prepare for body tempering.

“Spiritual root aptitude, purity of magical power, and auxiliary spiritual objects for core formation all affect the success rate of core formation.”

Legend has it that ancient cultivators did not need spiritual objects for core formation, but now spiritual energy is scarce, and without such objects, it would take forever to cultivate on one's own.

"And one important aspect of Core Formation is the crystallization of magical power. During this process, if the cultivator's physique is strong enough..."

Even some targeted body-refining techniques can provide some assistance.

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an fell silent. From Huang Shaohai's memories, he learned that the Li Huo Palace really did have several such auxiliary techniques.

Unfortunately, Huang Shaohai's cultivation level was not high enough, so he did not come into contact with these body-refining secret techniques that aided in the formation of the Golden Core.

"This kind of thing isn't easy to come by. According to the information I've gathered before, some families and sects can provide it."

But undoubtedly, the conditions were almost all like indentured servitude, far too harsh.

Lin Chang'an finally shook his head and sighed softly. Let's take it one step at a time. Let's buy some resources first. He's only in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, so there's no rush. Let's take it slow.

"However, in the past few years, quite a few traitors have emerged from the disciples of these sects and clans within the Seven Kingdoms Alliance. Perhaps we could give it a try if the opportunity arises."

His natal spiritual plant can read memories, so if he finds a disciple with low cultivation level to target, he might actually have a chance.

"Moreover, these auxiliary body-refining techniques consume a lot of resources and do not significantly increase the chances of forming a core. If the difficulty is too great, we can only give up for now."

Lin Chang'an nodded secretly. Right now, he was mainly preparing to cultivate the Three-Turn Core Formation Technique, since this secret technique increased the success rate of core formation.

While Lin Chang'an was purchasing supplies at the market, he was secretly being watched.

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(End of this chapter)