Chapter 57: The Temptation of Foundation Establishment

[Life Span: 50/117]

"The Chang Chun Skill strengthens the foundation and nourishes the essence, prolonging life indeed is extraordinary."

In the secret chamber, Lin Chang’an slowly opened his eyes. Although his cultivation had not broken through, his lifespan had increased by a year.

This is also a characteristic of the Chang Chun Skill.

"Even some of the hidden injuries in my body are slowly healing."

Lin Chang’an sighed with emotion, whether in the mortal realm’s martial world kills or the demon hunting squad when he first entered the Immortal Cultivation Realm, or the combats among cultivators.

He had experienced many, and some injuries and hidden wounds were inevitable.

"However, this high-level Demon Beast meat is extraordinary. Long-term consumption can not only enhance cultivation but also strengthen the foundation and nourish the essence. It’s just that the price is really not cheap."

Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but admire, Shen Lie truly has a natural talent for business.

In just two months, the business of selling high-level Demon Beast meat has been quite successful, far better than going out to hunt Demon Beasts.

...

"Brother Lin."

In the Zhou family’s shop, Li Erniu, relying on his steady nature, managed to secure a position within the Zhou family, and was responsible for the shop’s business, doing rather well.

"Erniu, your business is doing quite nicely."

Facing Lin Chang’an’s teasing, Li Erniu smiled and nodded, saying:

"Isn’t it all thanks to Brother Lin and Brother Shen?"

Lin Chang’an provides a few upper-grade Tier One talismans to the shop every month, while Shen Lie regularly supplies high-level Demon Beast meat to Erniu, naturally attracting many long-term cultivators.

"However, more and more cultivators are coming to the market recently, especially high-level ones, and outside, the Tribulation Cultivators are rampant, especially that Ghost Three Blades."

The shop is always a source of numerous messages. Listening to Erniu’s storytelling, perhaps there was some exaggeration and rumor, but Lin Chang’an listened quietly.

A reckless cultivator who doesn’t gather intelligence can’t rely on luck forever.

His step-by-step progress also relied on caution and prudence.

"Erniu, bring some upper-grade talisman paper and cinnabar."

"Alright, Brother Lin, rest assured, I’ll pick the best for you."

With a face full of radiance, Li Erniu’s figure was no longer as sturdy, somewhat affluent instead.

Having reached the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, Li Erniu was already incredibly satisfied.

However, just as he was about to leave after collecting the goods, he happened to bump into a familiar face he’d encountered at Lady Han’s place earlier.

"Master Lin, it’s been a long time."

"So, it’s Mr. Ge."

Lin Chang’an smiled and cupped his hands. Ge Li, at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, was also an upper-grade Talisman Master, a few years older than him.

After meeting, Ge Li warmly invited him to a tavern next door for a chat.

"Mr. Lin, your Golden Light Talismans are known for their outstanding quality, and I also want to exchange a few with you."

In the private room, the slightly thin Ge Li with a tuft of goatee was smiling sincerely.

"I don’t dare claim so. Mr. Ge’s Fire Bomb Talismans are exceptional."

With a friendly chat, it was an amicable exchange of resources, though defensive types of talismans are somewhat more valuable than offensive ones.

"Mr. Lin, given our age and talent, even holding the craftsmanship of an upper-grade Talisman Master, a Foundation Establishment Pill costs at least seven thousand Spirit Stones, and it’s still in short supply..."

After a few rounds of drinks, Ge Li couldn’t help feeling melancholic, talking about how upper-grade Talisman Masters may seem prestigious, but in reality, they have their worries.

Don’t be fooled by how much Spirit Stones a Talisman Master earns, the expenses for cultivation and daily needs consume a large sum of Spirit Stones; earning seven thousand Spirit Stones is different from saving up seven thousand Spirit Stones.

But Lin Chang’an could tell there was more to Ge Li’s words, so he asked, puzzled, "Mr. Ge, any advice?"

Seeing Lin Chang’an feigning ignorance, Ge Li smiled and then secretly transmitted a message:

"Friend, at our age, saving diligently on daily expenses isn’t enough, why not gather two or three friends to hunt Demon Beasts together? Maybe there’s a chance for Foundation Establishment."

Hunting Demon Beasts!

After hearing that Ge Li wanted to invite him to hunt Demon Beasts together, Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered subtly.

"Mr. Ge, Tier Two Demon Beasts aren’t so easy to hunt, and even if successful, how do we divide the Demon Core?"

Seeing Lin Chang’an seemed interested, Ge Li spoke eagerly, "Friend, have you heard of the Mengshan Five Friends?"

The Mengshan Five Friends, how could he not have heard of them? It’s considered a legendary story among loose cultivators.

It’s said that at Mengshan Market, five like-minded loose cultivators sworn brothers when they first entered the Immortal Cultivation Realm, each excelling in different areas, cooperated to purchase a Tier Two array.

Later, they secretly hunted Demon Beasts, acquired Demon Cores, refined Foundation Establishment Pills, enabling one to Foundation Establish at a time, and in just a dozen years, they all reached Foundation Establishment.

This friendship was commendable and became a praised tale.

"This..."

Lin Chang’an feigned hesitation, but inwardly he was speechless, the Mengshan Five Friends grew up together, not quite brothers but better than brothers.

And they hunted and struggled together since the early stages of Qi Refining, trusting each other for decades.

What do they have to compare with the Mengshan Five Friends?

"Mr. Lin, with our financial power as Talisman Masters, it wouldn’t be hard to join forces with a few others to purchase a Tier Two array. By then, we can all sign a Spirit Contract together."

Seeing Ge Li’s enthusiasm, Lin Chang’an pondered briefly, then slowly shook his head, saying:

"Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Ge, but Lin Mou has been painting talismans for years, not really adept in magical combat, and I’ve just broken through to the Qi Refining Eighth Layer. It’s more prudent to stay at the market and refine my cultivation by painting."

Seeing Lin Chang’an politely refuse, Ge Li shook his head helplessly.

Regarding the Foundation Establishment, it requires early preparation, how can one prepare only when reaching the requisite cultivation level? You think you’re some descendant of a Golden Core ancestor? When you reach Qi Refining Ninth Layer, a Foundation Establishment Pill will just be handed to you?

"Since Mr. Lin isn’t keen on risks, I’ll look for others first. But please keep this matter confidential, friend."

"Of course, certainly."

Ge Li didn’t press further, while Lin Chang’an solemnly promised, cupping his hands.

When hunting Demon Beasts, the most dangerous isn’t the Demon Beasts, but the cooperating cultivators are the most dangerous.

As for the talk of signing a Spirit Contract together, Lin Chang’an inwardly sneered. In the mutual cooperation for hunting Demon Beasts, any lapse could lead to inevitable casualties.

This would only be making wedding clothes for others.

However, the mention of the Mengshan Five Friends did remind him, with the current turbulent situation, there might be an opportunity to purchase an array.

Tier Two array, he hadn’t considered it, not that he couldn’t afford it, but with his cultivation level, he couldn’t control it yet.

Whether it’s Tier Two talismans, arrays, or top-grade magical artifacts, not only are they powerful, but they also come with a high restriction for cultivators.

They not only require mana activation but also require divine sense guidance and control, as well as a command over mana.

"Even I can at most simultaneously control eight upper-grade Tier One talismans in combat; more than that risks harm to myself."

If also considering operating magical artifacts during combat, Lin Chang’an could control a maximum of five talismans.

"The Mengshan Five Friends could control a Tier Two array because they had five people, and they were in sync. I am alone, so it seems I can only think of buying a top-grade Tier One array."

Lin Chang’an pondered, he was self-aware, he couldn’t trust others, so how could he talk about earning others’ trust?

But this array isn’t urgent, let’s take time to inquire and investigate.