Chapter 41: War Begins

The war has begun!

The news spread like a hurricane from the Zhou family’s Foundation Establishment ceremony.

As night fell, Lin Chang’an, Li Erniu, Shen Lie, Lu Qingqing, and the long-unseen Wei Buyi gathered in the Gathering Immortals Tower.

The oil lamp cast shadows on each person’s cheeks, highlighting the oppressive atmosphere. They waited until nearly dawn before the person they were expecting finally pushed the door open and entered.

"Sister Yun."

"Mr. Yun!"

Yun Yao, now dressed in a deep blue palace outfit, entered with a dignified expression and nodded lightly at everyone.

"The war at the frontline has started, but the situation has not yet reached the worst-case scenario."

Among them, only Yun Yao had the highest status and was a disciple of a Golden Core elder from the Li Huo Palace, naturally knowing many secrets unknown to others.

"This time, there was a conflict between disciples from two sects at the border, which eventually escalated into a slaughter..."

As Yun Yao explained, everyone’s expressions turned grave.

Although Yun Yao stated it wasn’t the worst situation, for these Qi Refining cultivators, things were not looking favorable.

"The sects have decided to recruit cultivators from various markets, offering spirit stones, elixirs, cultivation techniques, and even Foundation Establishment Pills generously."

"Even Foundation Establishment Pills!" Wei Buyi couldn’t help but exclaim upon hearing the rewards from Yun Yao.

The others’ expressions varied, but only Lin Chang’an sighed inwardly; this was clearly a pre-war clearing.

Yun Yao nodded solemnly.

"This time, the sects have opened up many rare materials, including certain strategic resources, to loose cultivators and family cultivators responding to the call."

"Tier-Breaking Elixirs, high-level cultivation techniques, skill inheritances, Foundation Establishment Pills—achievements on the battlefield might even allow one’s descendants to directly enter the sect if they accidentally fall."

Goodness.

Hearing these compensations, Lin Chang’an’s mouth twitched, thinking of not just himself but also the potential benefits for the next generation if he perished in war.

These three major sects are truly ruthless.

However, upon hearing this, Lu Qingqing turned pale, and Shen Lie shook his head repeatedly, gesturing with his hand:

"Although it’s tempting, I’ve just broken through to the Qi Refining sixth layer, and Qingqing is carrying my child. I’d better honestly manage my business and make some spirit stones to support the family."

Shen Lie’s words caused Lu Qingqing to blush, and she secretly sighed with relief.

She was afraid her husband would lose his mind.

Besides, why bother risking their lives at the frontlines when they can make just as much money from business safely at the rear?

After Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing voiced their opinions, Li Erniu’s eyes showed panic as he sighed helplessly.

"I guess there will be someone from our family responding, but I’m not sure about the slots."

At this moment, Wei Buyi, who previously envied Li Erniu, showed a gloating expression.

He had only seen the good in Erniu before but failed to see Erniu’s lack of freedom.

Once joined with the Zhou family, getting out wasn’t easy.

"I probably need to purchase some medicinal materials soon, Mr. Yun."

Wei Buyi grinned widely, seeing the impending war as an excellent opportunity to earn spirit stones.

When everyone looked to Lin Chang’an, he simply waved his hand with a smile.

"I don’t have the drive I once had."

If he hadn’t awakened his golden finger talent and was on the verge of returning to the mundane before, would he have responded to the call?

The answer surely is yes.

After all, when he first entered the Immortal Cultivation Realm, he dared to join the Demon Hunting Squad, showing his inner unwillingness.

Almost none of them planned to heed the call, but upon closer thought, each of them was either well-off, had a unique skill, or had connections.

But in the cultivation world, many cultivators gamble their lives willingly.

"Don’t worry, this is just the initial recruitment, and the frontline won’t escalate heavily anytime soon."

Looking at everyone, Yun Yao put on a light-hearted smile and spoke.

She was lucky; having previously joined and learned under a Golden Core elder in the sect, even when the war began, her master simply advised her to focus on cultivating.

"I’ve recently invited a late-tier one alchemist in the sect. Although I cannot go to the frontlines, as a part of the sect, I, Yun Yao, have the responsibility to contribute."

Yun Yao solemnly stated her intentions, to which Lin Chang’an listened as his mouth twitched.

Well! That little girl from back then has quite the crafty mind now.

She speaks so grandly, but ultimately it’s about profiting from the war.

"Mr. Yun is right. Over the years, with Li Huo Palace’s protection, I naturally owe gratitude. I can’t say much, but in this market, I know some talisman masters."

With a serious expression, Lin Chang’an also expressed his willingness to join the venture.

Earning spirit stones, after all, isn’t disgraceful.

"I’m in as well." Wei Buyi hurriedly added; he too desired to earn spirit stones.

Only Li Erniu awkwardly scratched his head since he couldn’t decide for the Zhou family.

Meanwhile, Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing were already focusing their minds on their business.

Seeing this, Lin Chang’an nodded subtly, realizing why so many loose cultivators were determined to break new ground in the markets.

For nothing else!

It’s for this identity jade token.

For instance, now that the battlefield has opened, loose cultivators without identity jade tokens could be forcibly drafted to the frontlines.

And hiding outside? Once the frontline tightens, the sect would first target loose cultivators wandering outside.

...

With news spreading, the Li Huo Palace and Profound Sound Pavilion, two major sects, began the first wave of cultivator recruitment.

Loose cultivators without even an identity jade token were forcibly conscripted.

Of course, some were bold enough to gamble, knowing the frontlines weren’t yet most perilous; these cultivators eagerly joined the recruitment, seeking an opportunity.

Tier-Breaking Elixirs, high-level cultivation techniques, skill inheritances, and even Foundation Establishment Pills were usually strategic resources unavailable on the market.

In no time, the whole situation in Yue Kingdom shifted, and within the intertwining interests of the three major sects, cultivators fought at the borders or ambushed markets, and so on.

As the cloud of war spread, even Li Erniu devoted himself entirely to cultivation.

After all, being the Zhou family’s son-in-law, who knows when he might have to respond to the call to join the frontline battle?

At this time, at home, Lin Chang’an looked out at the turmoil, deep in thought.

"A tier one upper-grade talisman master, no matter how tense the situation, wouldn’t be easily drafted to the frontlines."

Compulsory conscription comes in varying degrees, such as an upper-grade talisman master who might only be required to provide some talismans monthly without being easily dispatched to the frontlines.

Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an nodded silently.

"The current situation is turbulent, and I must accelerate my cultivation, aiming to break through to late-stage Qi Refining soon, so I can have the power to protect myself. Fortunately, there are plenty of elixirs and spirit grass in Zhou Qing’s previous storage bag."

Taking out these shadowy spirit grasses from the storage bag, Lin Chang’an sighed helplessly.

In truth, refining these spirit grasses into elixirs would maximize their value or even exchanging them for spirit stones would be less wasteful than using them directly.

But who let these things be unsellable?

"Wasting them will have to do, given these were picked up for free."

With this thought, Lin Chang’an began selecting which ones could be ingested and which would be better used in a medicinal bath.

However, since the Zhou family is known for beast taming, most of the spirit grass cultivated by them is naturally intended for spirit pets, so he couldn’t use nearly half of them.

Among them were two spirit grasses nearly four hundred years old, items of great value that he couldn’t afford to waste.

But with so much spirit grass intended for spirit pets, it sparked his interest in possibly raising one.