Chapter 43: Breakthrough! Power Built Over Time

Half a month later, Li Erniu followed the recruited cultivators to the frontline.

The Zhou Family recruited a total of seven cultivators this time.

Lin Chang’an and Shen Lie came to see them off. As for the little junior sister Lu Qingqing, she had just given birth, delivering a chubby boy for Shen Lie.

The Commandery Princess Yun Yao, being a Foundation Establishment cultivator responsible for the market’s safety, had many tasks at hand. Though she couldn’t come, she entrusted Shen Lie to remind Erniu that she would try her best to arrange a safer position for him.

Watching Erniu and the group of cultivators’ backs disappear, Lin Chang’an pondered for a long time.

If he hadn’t awakened his talent, perhaps he would also head to the frontline to seize that rare opportunity.

It’s uncertain how many could return this time.

"The Immortal Cultivation Realm is ever-changing, I hope this battlefield does not affect us here."

Lin Chang’an reflected, feeling fortunate for his earlier choices.

Recently, he had heard that several markets near the frontline had already turned into battlefields.

Meanwhile, Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market was located deep in the rear of the Li Huo Palace and the Profound Sound Pavilion.

...

In a secret chamber.

Lin Chang’an, clad in a white robe, sat cross-legged, cultivating the "Chang Chun Skill."

Though an ordinary cultivation technique, Chang Chun Skill focuses on solidifying foundations and progressing gradually. Its initial effects are not as pronounced as other techniques, but over time, its results become increasingly significant.

Especially its characteristic of accumulating strength gradually, becoming more evident as cultivation rises.

At the Perfection Realm of the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, Lin Chang’an could clearly feel the solid and unending mana within him continually impacting the bottleneck.

That day, a strong mana fluctuation surged inside the secret chamber.

"Qi Refining Seventh Layer!"

The breakthrough was a natural progression, showcasing the distinctive quality of the Chang Chun Skill in accumulating strength steadily and releasing it explosively.

Slowly opening his eyes, Lin Chang’an felt the substantial increase of pure mana within him, and couldn’t help feeling elated.

"After twenty-six years of cultivation, approaching the age of forty-seven, I’ve finally broken through!"

Entering the late-stage Qi Refining, he not only gained a substantial increase in mana but also doubled the power of the "Wood Spirit Spike" spell, giving him a slight sense of security.

Of course, earning Spirit Stones through talisman painting made it possible to sustain his efforts longer.

"Breaking through to the late stage of Qi Refining before forty-seven, if I maintain this cultivation pace, Foundation Establishment is within hope!"

At this thought, excitement rose in Lin Chang’an’s heart. Before sixty is indeed the best age for Foundation Establishment.

Given the current chaotic situation, being at the late stage of Qi Refining offers only a minimal self-preserving capability. Only by reaching Foundation Establishment would there be a chance to leave the whirlpool that Yue Kingdom is.

Nearby cultivators couldn’t help but sense it too.

"Who’s the newly advanced Qi Refining Seventh Layer?"

"Seems to be Talisman Master Lin."

"Lin Chang’an, it’s actually him!"

Many cultivators directed their attention towards Lin Chang’an’s courtyard, while Lu Qingqing, playing with a child in a loft of Gathering Immortals Tower, showed an expression of astonishment in her beautiful eyes.

"It’s actually Senior Brother Lin!"

This powerful mana fluctuation, coupled with the familiar direction, left Lu Qingqing in awe.

"I didn’t expect it to be Senior Brother Lin leading the way."

Meanwhile, Shen Lie, who had recently broken through to the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, entered with a hearty laugh.

"Qingqing, did you see that? I didn’t expect Brother Lin to break through to the late stage of Qi Refining, but thinking about it, with the ability of an upper-grade talisman master and the steady build-up of the Chang Chun Skill, it’s understandable."

In everyone’s eyes, Lin Chang’an’s decades of diligent cultivation, without a trace of slack, made his breakthrough understandable.

"Alright, the situation is tense lately, even many disciples of the Li Huo Palace have been positioned at the rear. We shouldn’t fall too far behind in our cultivation."

Lu Qingqing advised, and Shen Lie nodded with a serious expression.

...

[Realm: Qi Refining Seventh Layer (1/100)]

Three days later, when Lin Chang’an emerged from seclusion, many nearby neighbors came to congratulate him, even bringing gifts.

"Brother Lin, you truly make others envious."

With a cordial smile, Shen Lie stepped forward for a big hug.

"Brother Shen, you’re not far behind either. Business at Gathering Immortals Tower is thriving; your cultivation progress will catch up in no time."

Lin Chang’an replied with a teasing smile, having observed the development of Gathering Immortals Tower during this period.

While Yun Yao had earned quite a bit, Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing had invested a significant amount of original capital too and gained a considerable amount as well.

A spiritual root talent is important, but cultivation resources are even more important.

Facing Lin Chang’an’s teasing, Shen Lie maintained a smiling face without modesty.

As long as the resources are ample, anyone’s cultivation progress would be swift.

"Alright, both of you are old enough. Today, Senior Brother Lin’s cultivation reached the later stage of Qi Refining, and I’ve already arranged a private room to celebrate for Senior Brother Lin."

Lu Qingqing, holding a child, said with a smile.

This tiger-headed, tiger-brained child was the fruit of Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing’s union.

In the blink of an eye, the once young girl, Lu Qingqing, is now a mother.

"Come on, let’s celebrate for Brother Lin."

Under Shen Lie’s hearty laughter, Lin Chang’an didn’t refuse and headed toward Gathering Immortals Tower.

...

Inside the private room.

Amidst laughter, Shen Lie’s face was full of smiles as he commented on the recent situation, since merchants are the most sensitive to information.

"Apparently, many sect cultivators have arrived at the market again."

Hearing this, Lin Chang’an nodded, but Shen Lie, his face flushed, lowered his voice and transmitted a message:

"Brother Lin, I have portraits of these people’s information and features, you need to be cautious. These are all descendants with connections from above."

With Shen Lie’s reminder, Lin Chang’an realized.

The descendants or connected disciples of a certain Golden Core Elder from the Li Huo Palace being arranged at the rear is rather normal.

Such scenarios are prevalent in any world.

Shen Lie’s advice was a reminder that these cultivators had backgrounds and likely harbored some arrogant individuals. To avoid causing unintended offense.

"I wonder how Erniu is doing now."

Discussing Erniu at the frontline during the feast, Shen Lie’s mood clearly turned somber, and after exchanging a glance, the two raised their cups, hoping they could gather again here next time.

Amid laughter in the private room of the restaurant, outside the cold wind howled, and large snowflakes were falling.

As Lin Chang’an stepped out of Gathering Immortals Tower, he saw the market adorned in silver frost, and couldn’t help a soft sigh of nostalgia.

"It’s truly fleeting."

A person’s life is just like when he entered Gathering Immortals Tower, the outside was one scene, and upon leaving, the world had donned new attire.

Time waits for no one.

In the wind and snow, Lin Chang’an’s figure disappeared into the street. Along the way, he disguised himself several times, even taking two Hangover Pills to rid himself of the alcohol scent.

"With Yun Yao not in the market and having intoxicated Shen Lie earlier, this is the perfect time to dispose of this shady item."

Lin Chang’an mused silently to himself, earlier his low cultivation and fear of the Zhou Family fishing restrained him.

His frequent visits to Gathering Immortals Tower essentially boosted its business.

Logically, Yun Yao and Shen Lie should thank him for that.

Thinking of this, the disguised Lin Chang’an wandered the market for half an hour until he absorbed some other people’s aura, then turned to Gathering Immortals Tower.

Amidst the howling wind and snow, outside Gathering Immortals Tower, a hunchbacked cultivator with a bamboo hat slowly passed by.