Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans.

Chapter 380 Sword Servant's Scheme in the Secret Realm [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Five Dragon Island is a spiritual island rich in spiritual energy.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, I come from other sea areas. I heard that the waters around Five Dragon Island are relatively safe, so I invited you here today."

"I've long heard of your talent in array formations, and I'd like to ask you to help me set up an array for this spiritual peak..."

This mature female cultivator surnamed Ye, still possessing considerable charm, wore a fawning smile that also hinted at ingratiation.

Lin Chang'an was invited here, naturally for business purposes.

After all, a third-tier formation is not cheap, and he can make a considerable profit from it.

As for this relatively mature middle-aged female cultivator, whose cultivation level was only at the early stage of Core Formation, she was naturally extremely polite to him.

Of course, Lin Chang'an wasn't stupid; he could easily see through the other person's thoughts, given the captivating look in their eyes.

But one thing is one thing, he came here to earn spirit stones.

This isn't the first time these temptations have arisen in recent years.

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an felt a sense of disdain in his heart.

"Dream on. At least pay for the formation first, and then we can talk about other things."

If you're thinking of getting something for free from him, don't even think about it.

Therefore, Lin Chang'an nodded with a light laugh, seemingly not understanding the other party's meaning.

“Indeed, this spiritual island is rich in spiritual energy. Fellow Daoist, you will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort in your cultivation here. May I ask what type of cave dwelling array Fellow Daoist Ye would like?”
Is it primarily defensive, or a form of illusionary trapping and killing, or perhaps a killing formation…?

Lin Chang'an spoke eloquently about the art of formations, while the female cultivator surnamed Ye maintained her charming smile, but inwardly she was cursing.

Just as the rumors say, this guy surnamed Lin is obsessed with money.

But heh heh, my money isn't so easy to earn.

If Lin Chang'an knew what the other party was thinking, he would only sneer. Without spirit stones, one cannot become powerful, and without power, how can one attract such advances?

He would naturally welcome it if the other party paid him spirit stones first and then offered himself to him.

The problem is that these people are all trying to get something for nothing, or even get it for free.

What do they take him for!

"Fellow Daoist Ye, let's focus on the defensive trap formation."

Finally, the female cultivator surnamed Ye, who came from overseas, put on a pitiful expression and began to haggle over the price.

“Fellow Daoist, you cultivate a water-attribute technique, so this water-attribute formation will definitely unleash even greater power. As for the price, it’s not that I’m unwilling, it’s just that the prices of resources have been rising recently…”

When the topic of formations came up, Lin Chang'an shook his head frankly, but deep down he had a feeling that the other party had ulterior motives.

However, after sensing the other party several times, no abnormalities were found. It was indeed only at the early stage of Core Formation. As for whether there were any other aspects that were being concealed, that remains to be seen.

This has little to do with him, after all, in the world of cultivation, everyone has a few tricks up their sleeve.

"Fellow Daoist Lin."

The still-charming female cultivator surnamed Ye, with her alluring and seductive gaze, left Lin Chang'an speechless.

Ultimately, it can be categorized as the type where the other party has shallow cultivation and wants to find a relatively wealthy late-stage Core Formation cultivator like him to rely on.

This kind of thing is all too common in the cultivation world.

Over the years, there have been female cultivators who have tried to visit him, and even the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce has secretly considered it.

After the two parties reached an agreement, Lin Chang'an received another hint from the still charming female cultivator surnamed Ye when he received the deposit.

However, he remained unmoved.

After leaving the island, Lin Chang'an headed towards the Five Dragons Island Market.

While meeting up with the sword attendant, they also took the opportunity to purchase some materials for refining formations.

……

Inside a restaurant in Wulong Island Market.

“Master, according to the information we have recently gathered, there are several aspects, including two major events. One is that the Ghost Realm seemed to have some activity half a year ago, which was suspected to be the aftermath of a battle between Nascent Soul cultivators.”

The second incident occurred four months ago when the Crimson Fire Sect was attacked by an unknown, transformed demon. Rumor has it that this demon was skilled in using poison and slaughtered the entire sect. Throughout the entire attack, the Crimson Fire Demon himself never appeared.

The Nascent Soul Demon Lord did not appear and watched as the sect's dojo was destroyed. Doesn't that mean something bad has happened?

At this point, the sword attendant lowered his voice and said solemnly:
"Some say it was done by the Azure Sea Palace, while others say it was because the Crimson Fire Demon and the Water Nether Sect of the Sixteen Sects of Zhenhai were at odds. Now, many cultivators in the outer sea are in a state of panic."

It is said that some independent cultivators or neutral Nascent Soul cultivators in the outer seas have secretly reached an agreement to join forces in a defensive posture, while publicly claiming that they do not want to get involved in any trouble…

Listening to the sword servant's report, Lin Chang'an frowned secretly. This Demon Beast Abyss was truly going through a turbulent time.

"This secret realm hasn't even opened yet, and a Nascent Soul cultivator has already died. That's too outrageous!"

Lin Chang'an couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine; Nascent Soul cultivators were no ordinary breed.

In the seven kingdoms over a thousand years, only one Nascent Soul cultivator, Lu Zhenjun, has emerged.

Nascent Soul cultivators are already considered top-tier combatants in the cultivation world, but now there's not a single one left, and even the sect's gate has been breached.

"No wonder there are so many unfamiliar faces in the waters around Wulong Island this time I came back."

Lin Chang'an sighed inwardly. With the turmoil in the outer sea, the most affected were the weak cultivators at the bottom.

Some people would rather flee to the treacherous Tongtianwu Sea than stay in their homeland, which shows how chaotic the outer seas are now.

The Five Dragons Island waters are located in a remote area, and with the Ghost Realm still guarding it, it is actually one of the more stable of the seventy-two outer sea areas under the jurisdiction of the Azure Sea Palace.

The mature female cultivator from before, I heard, fled from the sea area occupied by the Crimson Fire Demon.

"This world is getting more and more chaotic."

After that, Lin Chang'an lost interest in the restaurant and instead gathered information from various places in the market.

……

Half a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

【Lifespan: 254/869】

[Realm Level: Late Golden Core (1/100)]

Lin Chang'an was 254 years old that year, but when he looked at his cultivation level in the cave, he frowned.

"After breaking through to the late stage of Core Formation, the cultivation speed slowed down even more, with a progress of one point per year. It would take at least a hundred years to reach perfection."

After all, it becomes increasingly difficult to cultivate as you progress.

"No wonder many Nascent Soul stage monsters are depicted as middle-aged or even elderly."

At this moment, Lin Chang'an understood something.

Apart from a few exceptional individuals, most people only begin planning to form their Nascent Soul at the age of three or four hundred, which naturally leaves traces of time on their faces.

In addition, most male cultivators do not care about their appearance, unlike female cultivators who pay more attention to this aspect.

This results in female cultivators being more beautiful and charming, with very few depictions of old women.

"A spiritual object to form a baby!"

At this moment, Lin Chang'an frowned and sighed inwardly. How difficult it was to form a Nascent Soul spirit object! He had no clue whatsoever.

He only knew that it existed within the secret realm, but he had no idea exactly where it was.

I have no idea.

There was one place he knew of where spirits could be bound to infants, but that place was Ghost Island, the Island of Yin Souls.

There is a mid-stage fourth-tier transformed Yin Spirit Beast King on the island, making it even more dangerous and difficult.

"Many cultivators in the late stage of Core Formation do not lack the talent to form a Nascent Soul, but rather the opportunity to do so."

In the cultivation world, countless late-stage Core Formation cultivators have wasted their lives pursuing Nascent Soul Formation artifacts, gradually declining in strength, and ultimately giving up in despair. This doesn't even include those cultivators who have fallen on this path.

Ultimately, those who can find the spiritual object for forming an infant and successfully form an infant are even fewer.

"Let's take it one step at a time. For me right now, the most important thing is the secret realm. There's still a chance."

Looking at his lifespan, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but comfort himself.

After his body refinement reached the late stage of the third level and he cultivated the Mysterious Heaven Spirit Body, his lifespan was enough to exceed a thousand years.

With a lifespan of over a thousand years, it is comparable to some Nascent Soul cultivators with shorter lifespans.

It is twice the lifespan of some ordinary Core Formation cultivators, which means he has more time to search for Nascent Soul spiritual objects.

They also have many times more opportunities than others.

"Moo!"

As soon as he stepped out of the cave on Bibo Island, the Green Horned Ox, which was lying outside cultivating, sensed him and raised its head to give a friendly moo.

"Yes, cultivate diligently."

Looking at the Green Horned Ox, who was unusually diligent in its cultivation, Lin Chang'an nodded secretly. It seemed that the Phoenix Cry Bird's recent cultivation attempt to break through to the late stage of the third rank had also stimulated the Green Horned Ox.

After all, competition brings pressure.

Lin Chang'an casually tossed two spirit fruits to the Green Horned Ox and then made his way to the pavilion, where he began to brew himself tea.

Judging by the time, the promised formation has been completed, and I'll go to trade it in a while.

He didn't waste a moment cultivating his main body, so he naturally left tasks like crafting formations to his clone.

“The Phoenix Bird has also been cultivating recently, but breaking through the bottleneck is not so easy, and it is also quite difficult to purchase high-level fire-attribute spiritual items.”

He did have a bottle of mid-grade third-tier pills to enhance cultivation, but they wouldn't be very effective for the Phoenix Crying Bird, which was currently at the peak of the mid-third-tier stage.

"The Phoenix Bird has an extraordinary bloodline. Even without external assistance, it can take at most ten years to hone its skills and take this step. It shouldn't be a problem."

This is the benefit of having a strong bloodline. It's normal for someone to be stuck at a bottleneck for life if their bloodline isn't strong enough, which is no different from human cultivators.

"Speaking of which, this simple-minded ox is quite lucky; its bloodline has actually mutated."

Lin Chang'an stared at the Green Horned Ox, who was completely absorbed in the taste of the spiritual fruit in the icy pool, and was speechless.

It's true that even a fool has good fortune.

The mutated bloodline of the demon beast is comparable to a heavenly-grade bloodline, and its potential is far greater than that of the former superior-grade bloodline.

"Looking back now, I realize I really need a lot of things."

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an gave a self-deprecating smile, brewed himself a pot of spiritual tea, and then gathered his thoughts.

I should now focus all my efforts on planning my path to Nascent Soul.

The Xuan Tian Spiritual Body must reach this stage, but three conditions must be met before that: body refinement, technique refinement, and spirit refinement must all reach the late stage of the third rank.

"Body refinement is inherently a major consumer of resources. Even with the help of demonic energy, progress may be slow, but ultimately, one's own cultivation time is still relatively short."

Currently at the early stage of the third tier, it will likely take some time before I can break through to the middle stage of the third tier.

Just as Lin Chang'an was pondering his future path to the Nascent Soul stage, a streak of light flashed and appeared directly inside the cave.

"Master, you've emerged from seclusion!"

Upon seeing Lin Chang'an brewing tea alone in the pavilion, the sword attendant respectfully stepped forward to pour tea for his master.

"Now that you are a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator, you don't need to do these things."

However, upon hearing this, the sword attendant smiled and shook his head, focusing intently on pouring tea for his master.

Seeing this, Lin Chang'an didn't say much. He had personally trained the sword servants and knew their temperaments well.

Especially after so many years of Core Formation cultivation, and with both of them being Core Formation cultivators, their resolve remained unwavering.

"I think you are aware of this secret realm. With your current cultivation level, it's not impossible for you to make some plans for it."

With the support of the Heavenly Spirit Sword Body, a sword servant with mid-stage Core Formation cultivation is no less powerful than a sword cultivator in the late-stage Core Formation stage.

They already possess the ability to explore secret realms.

As for danger? Let alone sword servants, even Nascent Soul cultivators would be in danger if they went in.

However, if you stay only on the periphery, the level of danger will be greatly reduced.

"Ling'er, do you want to enter the secret realm?"

Lin Chang'an stared at the sword attendant, and the sword attendant, upon hearing this, nodded firmly with clear eyes.

"I think that with my current strength, if I can enter the secret realm, I can definitely help my master."

In the secret realm, having a swordsman like this is not a hindrance, but rather an asset.

Moreover, with a sword attendant present, the chances of his success in this secret plot with Yun Yao would be much greater.

"Then you'll need to make some preparations."

As for needing a fragment of the secret realm map to enter the secret realm, there just happened to be a fragment of the secret realm map among the corpses he brought out from the Yin Soul Sect Island.

This fragment of the map is perfect for the sword servant to use, while his own copy will naturally be prepared for him by the Sixth Elder of the Azure Sea Palace.

This leaves only one problem: what defensive measures the sword servants need to take when entering the secret realm. Naturally, this needs to be prepared in advance.

"By the way, Master, when I was purchasing cultivation materials on the island, I received news from the disciples of Xuan Yin Pavilion that a celestial phenomenon of Core Formation occurred at Tianquan Peak some time ago."

At this point, the sword attendant paused, then said softly, "According to the description of the Core Formation celestial phenomenon, Li Tianmo was still a bit impatient, and ultimately failed to form his core."

"Failed!"

Upon hearing the news that Li Tianmo had failed to form his core, Lin Chang'an sighed softly. Although he had expected it, he still felt a slight unease, but he quickly calmed down.

After all, by Li Tianmo's generation, the old friendship had faded considerably.

Furthermore, the spiritual items bestowed upon him this time were not only for him personally, but also for Yun Yao.

But the song ends and the bond is broken. So many generations have passed, and the kindness and affection cannot continue forever.

Moreover, after this secret realm, what he needs to do is offend a Nascent Soul old demon's force, and having too deep a relationship may not necessarily be a good thing.

"Success is certainly gratifying, but failure is also normal. Even those with top-grade spiritual roots who have formed their cores cannot guarantee 100% success."

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an shook his head secretly.

"However, Zhou Xiuwan successfully established her foundation in Xuanyin Pavilion."

This is another piece of good news, right? Just then, the communication jade talisman in Lin Chang'an's arms lit up.

Under Lin Chang'an's divine sense, Li Tianmo's voice came from the sound transmission jade talisman.

After listening, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but show a hint of relief.

"Although the failure to form the core this time was a big blow to Li Tianmo, life is never a smooth road."

In the telepathic message, Li Tianmo first thanked his great-uncle for his help, and then promised to repay the resources for this Core Formation spiritual object in the future.

Finally, he said that he planned to return to Yue Kingdom on the spirit ship of Xuan Yin Pavilion in six months, and that the Li family needed him now.

At the same time, he plans to hold his wedding with Zhou Xiuwan within the Xuan Yin Pavilion sect.

"It's actually good for people to have self-awareness sometimes."

Li Tianmo's decisiveness earned Lin Chang'an's secret praise. No wonder Li Yifan would skip his son and directly appoint this grandson as the clan leader.

Besides his late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, it's probably also this mental fortitude.

To be able to recover from a failed attempt to form a golden core in such a short time is truly something that few people can do.

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(End of this chapter)