Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans.

Chapter 235 Time Flies [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

On an island in the misty sea that leads to the heavens, where evil spirits gather.

Under the cover of the formation, flames filled the sky within, and countless evil spirits began to dissipate.

As the phoenix cried out, a terrifying attribute suppression emanated from it, and a third-tier Yin Spirit Beast King finally turned to ashes amidst its unwilling howls.

"Finally done!"

As the evil spirit was eliminated, Lin Chang'an breathed a sigh of relief. With a wave of his hand, the fire-attribute spiritual energy within the formation began to dissipate, gradually returning to its previous gloomy state.

Upon arriving at the source of the Yin Vein Spirit Spring, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but show a look of joy.

"There's quite a lot of Xuan Shui liquid this time, so it wasn't a wasted trip after all."

Looking at the mess around him and the fact that his own robes were also tattered, Lin Chang'an sighed deeply.

"Time really flies. I've been in the Sky-Piercing Mist Sea for twenty years without even realizing it."

【Lifespan: 132/293】

[Realm: Late Foundation Establishment (88/100)]

Over the years, relying on the Phoenix Cry Bird, he hunted Yin Spirit Beast Kings, collected Core Formation Spiritual Objects, and cultivated in this place rich in Yin Vein Spiritual Energy.

The speed of his cultivation over the past twenty years can be described as incredibly fast.

"After all, a third-tier Phoenix Bird is equivalent to being guided by a Core Formation cultivator. If the cultivation speed slows down further, it would be better to give up sooner rather than later."

Lin Chang'an shook his head with a smile. He had to admit that with his spiritual eyes and the Phoenix Cry Bird, the Tongtian Mist Sea felt just like home.

In recent years, he has even discovered that his powerful senses can detect the weather patterns of the Demon Beast Abyss.

For example, on one occasion, he was terrified, sensing that the weather was off, so he hid on an island and set up a formation.

Sure enough, the next day, a terrifying gale swept through, making his heart pound with fear.

The fierce winds of the Demon Beast Abyss are so strong that even a Golden Core cultivator would be severely injured if caught in them, if not killed.

At first, he and the Phoenix Bird hunted Yin Spirits, but third-tier Yin Spirit Beast Kings were not easy to find, and he still needed to cultivate on the vast ocean.

Therefore, they could only kill one third-tier Yin Spirit Beast King every year or two. However, as they went deeper, the Yin energy became more and more concentrated, and the unknown dangers continued to increase.

"Although the Phoenix Bird is effective against Yin Spirits, this same extreme attribute counteracts it also greatly benefits them!"

He still remembered that eight years ago, he had carelessly stumbled upon an island with seven third-tier Yin Spirit Beast Kings.

The scene terrified him so much that his face turned green.

Even the Phoenix Cry Bird, which usually feeds on the Yin Spirit Beast King, stared wide-eyed and fled with him at top speed.

It took them more than two months to finally shake them off.

"The Phoenix Bird used the Yin Spirit Beast King as food, but when it encountered a powerful Yin Spirit Beast King, it also became greedy for the Phoenix Bird's flesh, blood, and demon core."

Over the years, he has seen many rare monsters in the Tongtian Mist Sea.

There were even some terrifying monsters that he only glanced at from afar before hastily fleeing, only daring to wander around the outskirts.

They also encountered a mermaid-like monster that could speak human language at the second level and had the upper body of a beautiful woman, which specifically lured and hunted human cultivators.

"Squeak!"

The phoenix circled around warily for a while, and only landed after finding no other danger.

The enormous body shrank and landed directly on Lin Chang'an's shoulder.

The phoenix chirped and spat out the third-grade low-level Yin Spirit Demon Core from its mouth, much to Lin Chang'an's satisfaction.

"Another low-grade third-tier demon core, not bad."

Over the years, he has continuously collected spiritual items for Core Formation, and the Xuan Shui liquid is enough for the two of them to use in their Core Formation.

However, since he was not very talented, having more wouldn't hurt, so he continued to collect them.

There's also the Three-Turn Core Formation Technique. He once obtained a third-grade low-rank wood-attribute demon core through a trade with an elder of the Xuan Yin Pavilion on Five Dragons Island.

Later, Yun Yao gave him a mid-grade, third-tier wood-attribute demon core.

Meanwhile, over the years, he had also traded a third-tier low-grade wood-attribute demon core for a Yin Spirit Demon Core in the black market of the Tongtian Mist Sea.

"Over the years, the three demon cores have been almost refined, and the Three-Turn Core Condensation Technique is just one step away from completion."

Lin Chang'an pondered to himself that he had made so many preparations because of his poor aptitude.

"We still have the materials for the Crystal Condensation Pill, but we're missing the most important one, the Heavenly Crystal Flower. Once that's done, we can start refining the Crystal Condensation Pill."

Two portions of Xuan Shui liquid, the Three-Turn Condensation Pill Technique, plus the materials for the Condensation Crystal Pill he had prepared.

It's true that he has poor aptitude, but with so many resources, if he still can't form a core, it would be simply outrageous.

"Moo!" Just then, the green-horned ox came out and rubbed against his trouser leg, which made Lin Chang'an laugh.

"Alright, we should head back now."

The most important reason why his cultivation speed has been so fast over the years is because he has been cultivating in this Yin Meridian Land for many years.

Ordinary cultivators might not be able to stand it, and even demonic beasts with attributes like the Green Horned Ox and the Phoenix Crying Bird would not be able to adapt to this place.

But his ancient cultivation techniques don't concern him with these things, and they can also assist his two spirit pets in their cultivation here.

"It's because the sea is too vast, and searching is too laborious. We also can't waste cultivation time. Otherwise, why would we have only hunted so few Yin Spirit Beast Kings?"

Over the years, he has only hunted down a total of eight early-stage Tier 3 Yin Spirit Beast Kings.

As for the mid-stage of the third tier, one reason is that he doesn't want to take the risk, and another is that any Yin Spirit Beast King at the mid-stage of the third tier can already make initial use of the terrifying Yin energy of the Yin Vein.

Although the Phoenix Bird has a superior attribute, it lacks both favorable timing and location in places where Yin spirits gather.

Therefore, Lin Chang'an only focused on the early stage of the third tier, and even the Phoenix Bird shook its head repeatedly, unwilling to risk hunting the mid-stage of the third tier Yin Spirit.

You have an elemental advantage, but they also have the advantage of terrain.

"go!"

After searching the area and finding no other treasures, such as the Phantom Stone, Lin Chang'an shook his head and, with his two spirit pets, rode the gourd and disappeared into the thick fog.

……

Two months later.

Bibo Island.

Lin Chang'an skillfully disguised himself and entered the market.

He's become so used to this place over the years.

"Oh, isn't this Fellow Daoist Ge? You've finally arrived."

As soon as Lin Chang'an, disguised as a fake Core Formation cultivator, entered, the portly Lei Pangzi greeted him with a broad smile.

"Fellow Daoist Ge, there's news about the Heavenly Crystal Flower that you asked me to inquire about."

Lei Pangzi secretly transmitted his voice, and Lin Chang'an's expression changed upon hearing it. Then, the two of them, as if they were old friends, smiled and entered the back room.

"Come, Fellow Daoist Ge, have a taste of the fresh Dragon Leaf Tea."

Despite his elegant smile, Fatty Lei spat it out the moment he took a bite.

"What kind of spiritual tea is this? It tastes awful and yet it's so expensive."

Fatty Lei grumbled irritably, while Lin Chang'an gently shook his head and took a sip of the spiritual tea.

This fat Lei, a fake Core Formation cultivator, is not to be underestimated. He doesn't believe that the other party is as magnanimous as he appears.

If he had trusted others, he would have been dead long ago.

"Fellow Daoist Lei, let's talk about the news about the Heavenly Crystal Flower first." Lin Chang'an put down his teacup, and with a calm smile, a spirit stone bag appeared on the table.

Upon seeing the spirit stone bag, Fatty Lei immediately gave a thumbs up and laughed loudly:

"Brother Ge, you're so generous, unlike the others who are so stingy."

Weighing the spirit stone bag in his hand, Fatty Lei smiled with satisfaction, casually put it away, and said in a deep voice:
“Recently, a fellow Daoist has some Heavenly Crystal Flowers and wants to exchange them for materials to refine magic weapons, or other treasures.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an frowned.

He doesn't have many Tier 3 materials.

Despite hunting spirits all these years, he has actually been living a very frugal life, since spirits are notoriously poor.

If it weren't for the rich spiritual energy of the Yin Meridian attracting him, he wouldn't have hidden away on the deserted island to cultivate.

Fatty Lei seemed to have read his mind, and couldn't help but squint and chuckle:

"Fellow Daoist, it's normal that you haven't formed your Core form long enough to have any Tier 3 spiritual items. In ten days, our shop will host a trade fair for five Pseudo-Core cultivators."

This fellow Daoist will also be coming; perhaps you could see if there's an opportunity.

After hearing this, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but smile with satisfaction. A trade fair for three or five pseudo-core cultivators was quite nice.

As for why Fatty Lei thought he had only recently formed his core, it was mainly because his status as a fake core cultivator was questionable, resulting in unstable aura and giving the impression that he had only recently broken through.

This Fellow Daoist Ge is the same person who changed his identity six years ago.

The two then began to drink tea and chat. Although this chubby Lei seemed very straightforward, he didn't utter a single word about some information.

However, under Lin Chang'an's barrage of spirit stones, this fellow Daoist Lei directly transformed into a warm-hearted Daoist.

Baba explained the current situation in detail.

"Five Dragons Island is still in a mess. The Dragon Island Master, who is at the peak of the late Core Formation stage, has been in seclusion since the riots twenty years ago. Some say he was seriously injured and is licking his wounds."

Some say that the Dragon Island Master is currently in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. But the Nascent Soul stage is not so easy to achieve. In the entire Demon Beast Abyss, how many cultivators are at the late Core Formation stage? But those who can truly form the Nascent Soul stage are extremely rare!

Listening to the intelligence gathered from the other side, and learning about the power struggles on Five Dragons Island over the years, the Long family had suffered considerable losses.

Many families have even started to outwardly comply while inwardly disobeying orders.

"I didn't expect the situation to still be a mess."

Lin Chang'an shook his head, and under Lei Pangzi's expectant gaze, he drank one cup of spiritual tea after another.

"Fellow Daoist, this is a jade slip that records the current situation of various forces on Five Dragons Island."

Seeing the spirit tea being wasted like this, Fatty Lei felt a pang of heartache and hurriedly took out the information jade slip.

Only after receiving it did Lin Chang'an reveal a satisfied smile.

"Thank you very much, Fellow Daoist Lei."

"Fellow Daoist Ge, you're too kind."

After Lin Chang'an left, Fatty Lei picked up the teapot and saw that the spirit tea was almost gone. His little eyes widened in surprise.

"My sacred tea! Wild boars can't eat fine chaff, what a waste!"

……

Lin Chang'an, who had just left the shop, took the lead and walked on the street of the market.

"The preparations for the Core Formation spiritual item are almost complete. As long as we collect the Heavenly Crystal Flower, we can refine the Crystal Condensation Pill."

[Tier 3 Low-Grade Alchemist (Proficient 3/500)]

Looking at his skills in alchemy, Lin Chang'an smiled with satisfaction.

Over the years, without affecting his cultivation, he has continued to steadily develop his various skills.

If we're talking about alchemy skills, he was diligently practicing them in order to refine Crystallization Pills.

So the progress of formations over the years has been entirely through practice.

[Second-Tier High-Grade Array Master (Grandmaster 3798/5000)]

Whether hunting evil spirits or cultivating and setting up formations, his formation skills have improved rapidly over the years through practice.

And his talisman-making skills.

[Tier 3 Low-Grade Talisman Master (Proficiency 184/500)]

"Two third-tier skills, and I can break through to the third tier in formations in about ten more years."

Seeing his own talent in the various arts of cultivation, Lin Chang'an nodded secretly.

Heaven is indeed fair; it gave him the inferior aptitude of a low-grade spiritual root, but at the same time, it also gave him a talent in another area.

"However, the alchemy skills cannot be exposed. As for talismans, I was a talisman master before, so it is normal for me to continue to pretend to be a second-tier high-grade talisman master."

As for formations, this field relies more on comprehension. Back in Tianxuan City, many people already knew of my talent in formations, so it wouldn't matter if it were revealed after I reach Core Formation.

Lin Chang'an's eyes flickered as he began to consider his future plans.

On the surface, he was exceptionally talented in formations, eventually surpassing others to become a third-tier formation master, a fact no one would doubt.

After all, formations have always been something that requires talent.

Moreover, third-tier array masters find it much easier to amass wealth than third-tier talisman masters.

"However, all of this is future planning. What I need to do now is trade for the Heavenly Crystal Flower, refine the Crystal Condensation Pill, and then go to Haiyuan City to form the core."

He didn't want to risk forming his core here; who knew if he'd be targeted?

There are also conditions for forming a core in Haiyuan City. One must serve the Bihai Palace and guard the outer sea for one hundred years after successfully forming a core.

It's only a hundred years; it's worth it for someone who can safely form their core.

"Moreover, the Azure Sea Palace has a good reputation among these Core Formation cultivators, and more importantly, it's safe and reliable!"

When a cultivator forms their core in the open sea, the first thing they attract is the sea monsters, since human cultivators are a great tonic for them.

Human cultivators, needless to say, all want to get a bargain; they might even be able to snatch this Core Formation spiritual item.

Of course, some people who have powerful backers, or those who have protectors within sects or clans, can naturally form their core safely.

But what can he do when he's just a rogue cultivator?

"As long as I can safely form my core, spending a hundred years here won't affect my cultivation. Besides, it's good to be under a big tree, which is very beneficial for a rogue cultivator like me who just wants to cultivate peacefully."

"However, all of this depends on how to get to Haiyuan City!"

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an fell into deep thought.

In recent years, the waters around Wulong Island have been in complete chaos, and there are very few spirit ships capable of traversing the area.

As for the merchant ships of those major sects, don't even think about it.

Due to the turmoil of recent years, all major powers have strictly prohibited outsiders from boarding their merchant ships, and even cultivators who are on good terms with their sects are not easily allowed to board.

"The Heavenly Crystal Flower, the spirit ship that spans the seas—I have so much to do."

There were even his third-tier tortoise shell and the talisman treasure from the Long family in his storage bag. These were things that couldn't be exposed to the light of day and could easily attract trouble.

"If we leave on a spirit ship, there will definitely be high-level cultivators on board. If their aura is leaked, it will be disastrous. Therefore, for safety's sake, we must dispose of these things before we leave."

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an's eyes flickered.

Fu Bao is alright, he has a storage bag that can hide and isolate detection, but the third-tier tortoise shell is already twenty years old.

We need to find an opportunity to deal with the hidden dangers.

(End of this chapter)