Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans.

Chapter 336 Love at First Sight [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

The moon, like a mirror, hangs high in the sky, illuminating the mountains and rivers.

The pavilion hangs alone on the mountainside, its upturned eaves seemingly covered with a layer of frost, gleaming with a cool light under the moonlight.

"Brother Lin."

There was no one around, only the soft rustling of leaves in the wind.

The silence between the two was suddenly broken by a cow's moo, which annoyed Lin Chang'an.

"Moo!"

The blue-horned ox in the pool stared intently at its owner, the woman who had fed it since it was a calf, with a fawning expression.

Yun Yao, who was usually cold and aloof, suddenly smiled and casually took out two spiritual fruits from her storage bag.

She had developed this habit at some point, always keeping some spiritual fruits needed by the Green Horned Ox and the Phoenix Bird in her storage bag.

"Alright, let you and your companion meet them."

Immediately afterwards, Yun Yao gently patted the spirit beast pouch, and a huge ice dragon appeared in the pool as a stream of light.

The two, a cow and a dragon, had been friends for many years, and were naturally overjoyed to see each other again.

Seeing this, Lin Chang'an withdrew his gaze and then took out a bottle of pills from his storage bag.

"I wanted to give you this bottle of pills after I finished making them, but I couldn't get in touch with you before."

This bottle of pills naturally contains the Qingling Pill.

After listening to Lin Chang'an explain the effects of the pill, Yun Yao smiled broadly and, without any hesitation, put it into her bosom.

"Brother Lin, your pills came at just the right time. They will help me break through to the late stage of Core Formation."

Late stage of elixir formation!

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but show a hint of surprise.

I didn't expect Yun Yao to have gone this far, but thinking about it, it makes sense. Yun Yao robbed the True Treasure Pavilion of Li Huo Palace when she was in Tianxuan City.

This provided Yun Yao with a resource during her Foundation Establishment stage that greatly accelerated her cultivation speed.

After reaching the Core Formation stage, she competed for the position of Holy Maiden within the Xuan Yin Demonic Sect, so her resources were naturally far beyond those of ordinary cultivators.

It's not surprising that his cultivation speed has reached this point.

However, what he was thinking of at this moment was Fairy Ni Chang, the former pride of the Yue Kingdom, who had become a Core Formation prodigy when he had just established his foundation.

However, even after reaching the Core Formation stage, although there are advantages from the sect, they are still incomparable to the Xuan Yin Demonic Sect, not to mention the burden of the sect.

Now that distance is getting closer and closer.

"There's one more gift."

Under the moonlight, Yun Yao, who had been calm before, suddenly showed a hint of panic in her beautiful eyes when Lin Chang'an took out this item.

For some reason, I felt a sense of anticipation deep down.

"This hairpin is made of pure jade and engraved with several magic arrays. It has the effect of calming the mind and assisting in cultivation."

After refining the materials used to cut the jade gourd, he used the remaining materials, after a moment's thought, to refine this jade hairpin.

Perhaps he had also come to some understanding of his own true nature.

Although it is not a magic weapon, it is still a rare spiritual object that can assist in cultivation.

"Brother Lin, can you help me put it on?"

The barely audible sound echoed, tinged with a slight tremor.

Lin Chang'an looked at Yun Yao, a gentle smile on his face, and nodded slightly.

The two have known each other since they were young, and have supported each other through the long years. They both know the feelings between them.

However, both sides are in a difficult situation and lack the strength to deal with the problem.

When Yun Yao saw Lin Chang'an personally take out a jade hairpin, she felt flustered yet also reassured.

A century has passed, and at this moment she seems dazed, as if she has returned to the past.

"Sit down."

Lin Chang'an nodded and smiled slightly. With a wave of his hand, a peach tree branch planted outside the pavilion snapped off and flew into his palm, already under his exquisite control.

Wood chips flew up and landed in my palm, turning into a wooden comb.

Her black hair was meticulously tied into a high bun, adorned with an icicle-shaped jade hairpin.

“Brother Lin, the last time you combed my hair was also in a pavilion one night.”

With her black hair clinging to the person behind her, Yun Yao gazed at the moonlight tonight, a carefree smile blooming on her face.

Lin Chang'an nodded and said softly:

"Yes, that was when we had just come out of the Prince's mansion."

After leaving the palace, the group traveled through wind and rain to reach the Immortal Sect. Although they did not encounter any dangers, this period of time was the most unforgettable time in Yun Yao's heart.

"If only we could stay in that time forever."

Under the moonlight, the two leaned against each other in the pavilion, their only comfort being each other.

Lin Chang'an didn't say anything, and neither did Yun Yao.

It felt like going back to the past, to the days when we were all just ordinary people.

The two had cultivated for over a hundred years, and this was a rare opportunity for them to completely open their hearts and be together in peace.

They sat peacefully together in the pavilion until the moonlight gradually faded and a golden glow appeared on the horizon. Then, Yun Yao looked up and revealed a tired smile.

"Brother Lin, I'm tired."

"it is good."

He gently lifted her slender waist and embraced her, nestling once again in the chest that she had felt safe in when she was a girl.

Yun Yao, a cultivator at the peak of the mid-stage of Core Formation, actually closed her eyes wearily and fell into a deep sleep, drifting into a dreamland without any warning.

With this dream, Yun Yao let go of all the pressure in her heart.

In her dream, free from the pressures of the royal palace, the Li Huo Palace, and the Xuan Yin Demonic Sect, she felt as if she had returned to that most beautiful time.

……

When I woke up again, it was already the night of the second day.

The moonlight shone through the opening above the cave, transforming into a beam of light that illuminated the cave interior.

"Brother Lin, I've come here to discuss the matter of this secret realm with you."

Yun Yao sat upright in front of the pool, occasionally gazing at her reflection in the water, or rather, at the hairpin on her head, and couldn't help but smile.

"Yes, I'm also making preparations for the secret realm..."

The two had been planning the secret realm all along, so naturally they wouldn't hide anything from each other.

Moreover, their relationship became even closer after last night.

“Brother Lin, while dealing with traitors within the sect, I obtained a damaged ancient treasure and a crafting manual. Although it has lost all its power, it only needs minor repairs to become a rare and invaluable protective magic weapon…”

When Yun Yao took out a heavy, dull suit of armor from her storage bag, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but show a look of shock.

"Ancient treasure!"

Ancient treasure, this is a legendary magic weapon, a kind of magic weapon crafted by ancient cultivators, possessing an extremely singular power, and its techniques are different from ordinary magic weapons.

Although many of the traditions still exist today, most of the materials needed for refining them have disappeared. In addition, due to the difficulty of refining them, few cultivators would still attempt to refine ancient treasures.

Therefore, ancient treasures are rare and mostly belong to Nascent Soul cultivators.

"Don't worry, Brother Lin. This thing has lost all its spiritual power and is just an empty shell. With the current restoration method, the ancient treasure's aura will not be restored."

Yun Yao chuckled as she spoke, pointing to the pale gold armor and magical artifact.

"Yun Yao, do you mean to use what we have now to repair it a little?"

Lin Chang'an wasn't stupid either. Looking at the jade slip that Yun Yao handed over, he couldn't help but start reading about the ancient cultivator's method of refining ancient treasures.

It must be said that even if he couldn't refine the ancient treasures using this method, he would still benefit greatly from it in the art of weapon crafting.

"The Four Symbols Dragon Scale Armor, once forged, can ward off wind, fire, water, and dust. With the power of the four symbols, its defense is greatly enhanced..."

Looking at the jade slip containing the crafting recipe, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement. Many of the materials on it were ones he had never even heard of before.

You should know that he is now a third-tier weapon-refining master, yet he didn't even know he had so many materials.

Moreover, he understood that this armor was a purely defensive ancient treasure that combined the power of the four elements.

The Four Symbols refer to the four elements: earth, water, fire, and wind.

"Only a Nascent Soul cultivator has the ability to fully repair them, but I've heard that some incomplete ancient treasures, though ruined, can be repaired."

However, by repairing it with similar materials, it can achieve 20-30% of its power, which is sufficient for us Core Formation cultivators.

If this were a complete ancient treasure, even a Nascent Soul cultivator wouldn't dare to take it out lightly.

Only some incomplete or now-repaired ancient treasures, whose power has been greatly diminished, will fall into the hands of Core Formation cultivators. This is because true ancient treasures are very difficult for Core Formation cultivators to activate with their magical power.

At this moment, Yun Yao smiled as she looked at Lin Chang'an. She had originally intended to take it out last night, but it had been delayed until now.

"This item isn't of much value to me anyway. The old demon will definitely prepare a treasure for me to live on when the time comes."

When the Xuan Yin Old Demon was mentioned, Yun Yao's expression gradually became solemn.

After all, she was facing a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Lin Chang'an understood Yun Yao's meaning. As the strongest force in the Demon Beast Sea Abyss, the Bihai Palace's foundation was far superior to that of ordinary Nascent Soul forces.

Now, because of the Sixth Elder's matter, many of the Treasure Pavilion's internal resources are open to him, and he may be able to find the treasure needed to barely repair this artifact.

However, Yun Yao's tendency to deal with traitors from the sect at the drop of a hat made Lin Chang'an look strange.

Although Yun Yao didn't hide it from him, the Xuan Yin Demonic Sect truly lived up to its name, having a lot of traitors.

"If repaired, it will lose its ancient treasure aura and become a top-tier protective magic weapon."

Lin Chang'an didn't hesitate and immediately put away the magic weapon that Yun Yao had given him.

As long as there is no aura of an ancient treasure, even if people know that he has a protective armor, they will at most think it is a top-tier third-order magic weapon, and will not think that it is an ancient treasure.

Unless he can one day find the rare materials used to refine this ancient treasure, it will be impossible to fully restore it.

The two then exchanged information again inside the cave and plotted about the secret realm once more.

Lin Chang'an then used his Xuan Tian magic power again to help Yun Yao purify the wisp of Xuan Yin divine fire within her body.

……

a few days later.

"Moo."

In the pool outside the cave, the Green Horned Ox played happily with the Ice Dragon.

However, the Ice Dragon greedily curled up at the bottom of the pool, enjoying the cultivation ground of the Green Horned Ox.

Through the array at the bottom of the pool, strands of pure demonic energy are extracted. For demonic beasts, this spiritual energy, which strengthens and cleanses the body, is simply the best material for cultivation.

"You two."

Lin Chang'an shook his head. Some time ago, Yun Yao had taken the Qingling Pill in his cave, and her spiritual sense naturally broke through to the late stage of Core Formation.

After all, Yun Yao's foundation and strength were already at the peak of the mid-stage Core Formation, and she was only halfway to break through to the late-stage Core Formation.

His elixir merely accelerated this process.

Inside the pavilion, the two sat upright at the stone table.

Are you leaving?

As the Holy Maiden of the Xuan Yin Demonic Sect, Yun Yao could not stay long and had to come secretly each time.

"Yes, Brother Lin, the secret realm will only open in about seventy years. We need to be prepared. Cultivation is important, but it's not something that can be improved overnight."

"And to significantly increase one's strength in a short time, one only needs to rely on powerful supernatural abilities and magical treasures. The item needed to repair the Four Symbols Dragon Scale Armor is a dragon's essence..."

Then Yun Yao slowly revealed the location of a thunder dragon that she knew of.

If the restoration method for this ancient treasure is followed, the best requirement would be the essence of a pure, fourth-order transformed metal-attribute dragon demon.

But he didn't have that ability, so he had to settle for second best.

"A late-stage, third-tier demonic dragon, the Thunder Flood Dragon!"

Among monsters of the same level, dragons and the like are powerful and require careful handling.

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an nodded secretly, but also glanced at Yun Yao inadvertently.

He understood her intentions, and he was sure that Yun Yao had put in a lot of effort to find out where the Thunder Dragon was.

When the two parted, there weren't many complicated emotions; all they felt was hope and anticipation for the future.

After all, both of them were cultivators who had been practicing for two hundred years.

"By the way, Brother Lin, you must not let your demonic energy leak out."

When Yun Yao recalled how powerful the pure demonic energy had been in her cultivation deep within the cave, she couldn't help but be shocked.

The speed at which she cultivated the Gui Water Demon Art nearly doubled.

At the same time, the two of them vaguely guessed something.

It is rumored that the truly top-tier demonic cultivation techniques in the current cultivation world were all derived from the techniques of powerful demonic beings in the ancient world by ancient cultivators.

"Well, take care."

Lin Chang'an nodded solemnly. Before parting, Yun Yao also brought two bottles of purified demonic energy.

"Moo!"

"Ow!"

Inside the pool, the Ice Dragon and the Green Horned Ox were also somewhat reluctant to part, after all, they had to say goodbye to their playmates whom they hadn't seen for a long time.

Step out of the pavilion, under the peach tree.

The gentle spring breeze ruffled the blossoms on the trees and stirred the clothes of those who were parting.

The two stood side by side, gazing at the beautiful scenery of the mountains and rivers.

They remained silent, all unspoken words stuck in their throats, turning into a sigh lighter than flower petals.

Finally, the two smiled and realized their feelings for each other.

With a wave of her hand, Yun Yao put the ice dragon into her spirit beast pouch. Just before parting, she suddenly turned around and whispered something in Lin Chang'an's ear before transforming into a streak of light and disappearing into the horizon.

Lin Chang'an, standing under the peach tree, watched the figure disappear into the horizon, the lingering fragrance still on his lips.

After a long while, he lowered his head and slowly raised his palm. A ball of flame appeared in his palm, and his gaze gradually became firm.

"Having lived for over two hundred years, I never imagined I would be so enraged."

Amidst the echoing laughter, Lin Chang'an showed no trace of regret in his eyes; instead, his expression remained extremely calm.

Even as he put the hairpin on Yun Yao's head, his mind suddenly felt at ease.

He was cautious and even unwilling to take risks easily.

But some things are optional; some things are permissible while others are not.

"Anyway, I plan to fulfill my promise to the Sixth Elder within this secret realm and then seek out a Nascent Soul opportunity. After leaving the secret realm, I will definitely need to lay low for a while."

Even without the Yun Yao incident, he wouldn't have returned to Five Dragons Island.

After all, as long as he leaves the secret realm alive and doesn't join the Azure Sea Palace, he'll definitely be targeted.

You say you didn't get any treasures in the secret realm, but who believes you?
When that time comes, every Core Formation cultivator of his age who enters the secret realm will be aiming for the Nascent Soul stage.

Whether you find it or not, greed is human nature.

Why did the Blood Fiend Master disappear after leaving the secret realm? Wasn't it because he was on guard against this move?

He was merely secretly pursuing the opportunity to form his Nascent Soul, and his body and soul perished along the way.

At worst, after the secret realm ends, he and Yun Yao can simply flee to another country.

He knew exactly what Yun Yao was planning to do, and the two of them were even plotting to defect from the Xuan Yin Demonic Sect after the secret realm ended.

"After the journey to the secret realm is over, it's time to prepare for Nascent Soul formation. Once you become a Nascent Soul cultivator, you can go anywhere in the cultivation world."

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an's eyes were filled with determination.

……

As Yun Yao transformed into a streak of light and departed, her resolute gaze now held an even stronger intensity.

But recalling the whispered words before parting, I couldn't help but smile at the future.

"Perhaps I have found my freedom."

She used to believe that as long as she broke free from constraints, she would find the freedom she had always been pursuing.

But the moment she put on the hairpin, she seemed to understand something.

A sense of clarity washed over me.

　This is the first time I've written a chapter and it's taken me this long.

　　I don't know if it's well written or not. I talked to some friends about this plot, and some said that since my protagonist is a coward, it's best not to write this plot, as it's easy to cause readers to feel disgusted.

　　Some friends also said that the two of them have supported each other along the way, and you have written more than a million words. This kind of writing is more in line with a real, flesh-and-blood protagonist.

　　However, after thinking about it, the author decided to stick to his own ideas and the original outline.

　　I hope you all enjoy the romance between the protagonist and the female lead.

　　[Ahem, because this chapter took too long, I will update the second chapter this afternoon. Please understand, fellow cultivators.]

　　
　
(End of this chapter)