Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans.

Chapter 233 Parting [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Under the night sky, various magical lights shone brightly.

A grand event on Wulong Island.

It is even larger and more prosperous than Tianxuan City was back then.

"Look, even the fake core ancestor of the Helian family has come."

"Look, that's the genius from Qingming Island."

"They are the Luan brothers..."

People came and went; the auction of the Long family of Five Dragon Island was a gathering of countless cultivators.

Lin Chang'an concealed his presence and mingled into the auction hall.

There are Core Formation cultivators who are admired by all, and there are also many prodigies who are envied and resented.

However, Lin Chang'an secretly shook his head. These things were none of his concern, as long as they didn't disturb his cultivation.

As the auction began, Lin Chang'an paid little attention, instead looking down at the catalog of tonight's auction in his hand.

Aside from the few final treasures, all other items up for auction tonight are described in the catalog.

The only problem is that this guide is a bit pricey, costing ten mid-grade spirit stones.

"This powerful force really knows how to make money. No wonder even Nascent Soul cultivators, if they don't establish sects or families, still need to have some subordinates. It's just too convenient."

Lin Chang'an watched with envy as the auction began.

During this time, he spent 1,300 mid-grade spirit stones to bid for a complete guide to materials from the Demon Beast Sea Abyss.

It contains descriptions of most of the spiritual ores and herbs in the Demon Beast Sea Abyss, as well as various rare and precious materials.

"Although it's a bit pricey, it's worth it."

Looking at the jade slip he had just received, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but nod secretly after scanning it with his divine sense.

With this item, he won't waste it when he explores places where evil spirits gather.

"After this, Jade Spirit Island will be dispensable to me, and I'll probably have to spend a long time cultivating in places where Yin spirits gather."

Just as Lin Chang'an was considering his future cultivation location, many cultivators at the auction were determined to acquire the last few spiritual items.

"What a pity, Core Formation spiritual objects attract too much attention."

The last few spiritual items, although not explicitly stated, were announced to include those that had reached the Core Formation stage.

Lin Chang'an shook his head as he looked at the less than 20,000 spirit stones in his storage bag.

Even if I wanted to auction it off, I wouldn't have enough spirit stones.

"Next up is Master Jiang's Crystal Condensation Pill formula. As we all know, every alchemist's formula will have some differences."

"And this alchemist Jiang's Crystallization Pill formula has an extremely high success rate. Furthermore, relying on this skill, this third-tier low-grade alchemist has refined eight exquisite Crystallization Pills in his lifetime, which shows how precious they are..."

The atmosphere at the auction was stirred up by the enthusiastic speech of a well-to-do Foundation Establishment cultivator.

However, when everyone saw that it was a pill formula, most of the cultivators had no objections.

Those who are proficient in alchemy are few and far between, and those capable of refining this Crystal Condensation Pill are mostly large forces and sects.

However, these sects and forces also have their own unique pill formulas.

This makes the prescription somewhat awkward.

"The recipe for a third-tier Crystallization Pill, along with detailed insights from Alchemist Jiang on refining this pill before his passing, is available for auction. Starting bid is 6,000 mid-grade spirit stones! Each bid must be at least 300 spirit stones higher!"

The recipe and the refinement tips piqued the interest of many powerful forces.

After all, stones from other mountains can attack jade.

"Six thousand five hundred mid-grade spirit stones!"

"Six thousand eight hundred mid-grade spirit stones!"

As more and more people started bidding, Lin Chang'an joined in.

This is a valuable resource, and it even comes with insights; he doesn't want to waste it.

The price quickly rose to nine thousand mid-grade spirit stones, causing many forces to shake their heads and choose to wait and see.

"Nine thousand three hundred spirit stones! Anyone else? No fellow Daoist yet? Nine thousand three hundred mid-grade spirit stones, once! Twice! Three times, sold!"

With the sound of a gong, the goods were received.

There were no major setbacks; these powerful forces have no shortage of such things.

"Nine thousand three hundred spirit stones, that's really expensive!"

Reluctantly, Lin Chang'an handed over the spirit stones and put the jade slip containing the pill formula into his storage bag.

The reason this pill formula is so expensive is largely due to the alchemist's insights.

"I don't have any extra spirit stones to buy a third-tier talisman inheritance."

Lin Chang'an shook his head. Yesterday, he exchanged the demon core of a third-tier Yin Spirit Beast King for a third-tier wood-attribute demon core, as well as some pills.

They bought a lot more, preparing materials for their usual cultivation in the Yin Spirit Land.

This allowed him to spend quite a bit.

"I don't have many spirit stones left in my storage bag these days, so it's best to keep some just in case."

Besides, he was going to a place where spirits gathered, not to hunt third-tier demonic beasts.

"Moreover, the three major markets in the Tongtian Mist Sea also have trading fairs for Golden Core cultivators. As long as you have spirit stones, there are plenty of opportunities."

Everything right now is in preparation for forming the Golden Core, and he doesn't want to waste any time.

Lin Chang'an treated the subsequent auctions as an opportunity to broaden his horizons, until the last few items were the highlight, when the competition became the most intense.

Even the usually aloof Core Formation cultivators will argue fiercely over their juniors.

Spiritual objects that have reached the Core Formation stage are extremely rare.

As the meeting ended, Lin Chang'an mingled in the crowd, walked out of the auction house, and then contacted Hu Jin.

Without lingering for a moment, the two headed straight back to Jade Spirit Island.

They had already achieved their goals and didn't have many spirit stones left, so they stayed to watch the show.

Normally it would be fine, but right now Hu Jin is focused on preparing for Core Formation and doesn't want to waste this time.

Lin Chang'an, however, still vividly remembered Yun Yao's reminder.

……

Jade Spirit Island.

It was already May, and the Five Dragons Island event was still going on, leaving Lin Chang'an, who had been keeping a close eye on Five Dragons Island, somewhat puzzled.

"Could it be that the plan has changed?"

Inside the pavilion, Lin Chang'an gently shook his head, and slowly put down the illustrated guide to materials from the Demon Beast Sea Abyss in the book.

"This Demon Beast Abyss is truly vast and rich in resources. There are so many treasures and materials in the deep sea, and even some naturally grown corals that are incredibly hard after they die."

Some third-tier demonic beasts use this as a weapon. There is also a type of clam-like demonic beast with an extremely hard shell, which not only human cultivators use to refine weapons, but demonic beasts also use it as a defensive weapon in battles..."

This illustrated guide, which cost him over a thousand mid-grade spirit stones, took him several months to read, but he still hadn't finished it.

You could say you're not losing out at all.

There are even records of special sacred sites, including the mineral veins and rare stones found there.

"The reason this illustrated book is so expensive is probably not only because it is comprehensive, but also because it records the sources of various materials and provides detailed identification methods."

For example, if a certain material comes from a monster, it will indicate which sea area has the activity trajectory of this monster.

There are also some materials, such as phantom stones, which are found in places where yin spirits gather, usually within yin springs and spiritual veins, but are hidden and cannot be detected by divine sense.

The monks could only examine it carefully with their naked eyes.

"Illusion Stones, these are truly valuable! If we collect enough, they will be invaluable tools for crafting Shadowless Needles or other magical treasures. They are undetectable by divine sense and can only be obtained with the naked eye!"

As he thought of this, a flash of inspiration appeared in Lin Chang'an's eyes.

[Spiritual Eye (Supreme)] He has already cultivated the basic spiritual eye to the maximum level.

"After cultivating for decades and consuming so much of my spiritual liquid, I have directly cultivated the basic version of the Spirit Eye to the maximum level."

With a satisfied smile, Lin Chang'an activated his spiritual eye and could clearly sense the changes within himself.

He could see everything within his sight, and even the traces of some formations could be easily discerned.

“In the Sky-Reaching Mist Sea, this spiritual eye is much more useful than divine sense.”

Although he possessed the divine sense of a pseudo-core cultivator, in the years spent in the Tongtian Mist Sea, the practicality of his spiritual eye far surpassed that of his divine sense.

"Moo!"

Just then, the enormous Green Horned Ox came over and, surprisingly, adopted the fawning expression of the Phoenix Bird.

But some things are innate. When the Green Horned Ox tried to please, its expression was somewhat comical, which made Lin Chang'an laugh.

"Alright, you've been doing well in your cultivation lately."

After taking out a spirit fruit reward from his storage bag, the Green Horned Ox immediately revealed a delighted smile.

Since the Phoenix Bird broke through, and Lin Chang'an has been preparing to form his core, even the dim-witted Green Horned Ox knows that if it doesn't work harder, it will fall behind.

Therefore, things have really been different during this period.

The Phoenix Bird, unusually, landed on the Green Horned Ox's horn and handed over its spiritual fruit with a disdainful expression.

Over the years, the ox and the bird have grown accustomed to each other, or perhaps the Phoenix Bird's intelligence is so high that it has unknowingly acquired some of the habits of human cultivators.

Perhaps they didn't want this simple-minded ox to fall behind.

"Old Lin, a merchant ship is leaving. Are you really not going?"

Just then, Hu Jin, who had finished tidying up everything outside the cave, couldn't help but come to ask again.

Watching Hu Jin enter the cave, Lin Chang'an smiled and shook his head, saying:
"No, what can I do if I go to other places? It'll all be the same. At least I'm more familiar with this place."

"alright."

Hu Jin shook his head helplessly. Although he already knew, he still couldn't help but ask again.

pity.

"Come, come, all good things must come to an end. Today I've brought some spirit wine that I secretly hoarded back in Tianxuan City, which I originally planned to drink when I reached the Core Formation stage."

Today is no less special; let's celebrate in advance our future Core Formation. Old Lin! Fellow Daoist Lin, you must treat me to a drink!

Inside the pavilion, Lin Chang'an smiled as Hu Jin took out the spirit wine and spirit meat.

He also raised his glass, and after exchanging a glance, the two of them drank it all in one gulp.

Perhaps the bond between men is found in alcohol.

"Having lived for over a hundred years, I never imagined that the longer I live, the more sentimental I become about the past, and the more reluctant I am to let go."

"Yes, flowers may bloom again, but youth never returns. We have already lost too much along the way."

The drinking hadn't stopped, and both of them had smiles on their faces, but their eyes were filled with memories.

Lin Chang'an was filled with melancholy throughout his journey.

Back then, outside the Immortal Gate, countless lonely youths, unable to obtain what they desired, left together.

As he walked along, slowly, without realizing it, many figures had disappeared. He hadn't paid much attention to it before, but now, thinking about it, he couldn't help but sigh.

Erniu, Shen Lie, and junior sister Lu Qingqing all fell behind one after another, standing still and watching their childhood friends grow old.

"The path of cultivation is too lonely!"

Hu Jin rarely lost his composure, speaking sadly about his journey, the departure of family members, the betrayal of friends, and the departure of friends.

The higher a cultivator's cultivation level, the more solitary they are.

"No wonder those cultivators who live the longest often have eccentric personalities and are called old monsters."

However, he was lucky.

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an smiled and filled Hu Jin's wine glass.

"Old Hu, when we meet again at the Core Formation stage, don't forget to call me a fellow Daoist!"

"Alright, when we meet again, we don't want to hear you, Old Lin, call us 'senior'!"

Amidst hearty laughter, the two raised their glasses and clinked them together in the pavilion.

Old Hu left, and Lin Chang'an did not go to see him off.

In Hu Jin's words, he was simply going to find his own path and would return.

The pavilion had returned to its usual quiet and deserted state.

This time, Lin Chang'an sighed softly. Although he was used to it, he felt something was different today.

Just like when Yun Yao left after arriving at the Demon Beast Sea Abyss.

"We are all walking this road, and I hope we will never stop and keep moving forward."

Beneath Lin Chang'an's calm smile lay a hint of determination.

……

Seven days later!
Old Hu left on a merchant ship, but entrusted the Lu family to send back a letter, as well as a letter from the Yue Kingdom sent back from Duobaolou.

"Old Hu has gone out to prove his Dao and form his core, so don't worry. My ancestors were quite wealthy; they almost had a Nascent Soul Grandmaster..."

Looking at the back of Hu Jin's letter, Lin Chang'an shook his head with a smile.

Sure enough, Old Hu, though seemingly rough, is actually very meticulous.

The rest of the text is almost explicit: he has a family tradition that allows him to form a core, so there shouldn't be much of a problem.

Everyone has their own secrets, and sometimes it's best not to reveal certain things.

Once exposed, many times, even brothers who have been through thick and thin together will turn against each other.

"Is that so? You have the good fortune from your ancestors, but I'm no less fortunate."

Lin Chang'an shook his head with a smile. Old Hu's letter turned to ashes in his hand. He didn't want to leave any hidden dangers because of a carelessness in writing the letter.

Next came letters from Yue Guo Er Niu and Shen Lie.

Although the letter said everything was fine, Lin Chang'an's brows always showed a trace of worry, and then he let out a long sigh.

"Birth, aging, sickness and death are the same as the cycle of reincarnation that I, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, cannot escape."

In Wei Buyi's letter, he directly revealed everyone's situation over the years.

Erniu was getting old. Although he had the cultivation level of the late stage of Qi Refining, he had too many wives and concubines and too many children.

Even if you don't want to care, you still have to worry about it.

This has led to Erniu working hard both mentally and physically. He's only 110 years old, but his health is already not as good as it used to be.

However, halfway through the letter, there were several ink smudges, clearly indicating that the letter was written together by these people. At the end, Li Erniu's handwriting said that he had brought honor to his ancestors and that his life had been worthwhile.

"But now Erniu has a house full of children and grandchildren, and the Li family is starting to look quite respectable. For Erniu, this life has been worthwhile."

Upon seeing this, Lin Chang'an smiled.

Without rules, nothing can be accomplished; establishing a cultivation family is no easy task.

The letters mostly mentioned the current stability of the Yue Kingdom and how well they were doing, while also wishing him success in achieving the Golden Core stage.

After reading to the end, Lin Chang'an chuckled and picked up his pen to write a reply.

Although it is far away in the Demon Beast Sea Abyss, it is not difficult to send a letter every two or three years with the help of the merchant ships of the Yue Kingdom's Xuan Yin Pavilion.

After all, the other party were all Foundation Establishment cultivators, and they were all influential figures in various markets.

Although sending letters can be a bit expensive, it's acceptable if we only exchange letters once every two or three years.

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(End of this chapter)