Chapter 78: Trading with the Zhou Family

"Foundation Establishment Technique..."

After obtaining the identity jade token as an Honored Guest Elder of Celestial Profound City, Lin Chang’an went to the Instructor Hall to choose a Foundation Establishment Technique.

Seeing mostly the well-known Foundation Establishment Techniques in the Immortal Cultivation Realm, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but shake his head silently.

"I’ll choose this Longevity Skill."

The Longevity Skill is the advanced version of the Chang Chun Skill and has the same characteristics.

Both belong to solid foundational techniques that promise long-term development and longevity.

More importantly, it can conceal the ancient cultivation technique he is currently practicing.

"Using the Longevity Skill as a cover, ordinary people won’t easily recognize it, after all, the two techniques are quite similar, only that one is a more enhanced version."

Lin Chang’an nodded silently; although it was exceedingly strong, it was prudent.

Then Lin Chang’an selected three kinds of Tier Two talisman legacies: the Vajra Talisman, the Divine Speed Talisman, and the Firebird Talisman.

"The Vajra Talisman is an upgraded version of the Golden Light Talisman. The two talismans are quite similar, but the Vajra Talisman can be cast outward to form a golden shield-like mana barrier.

The Divine Speed Talisman simply increases speed, while the Firebird Talisman is an upgraded version of the Fire Bomb Talisman. A ten-foot-long firebird shoots forth like an arrow, greatly enhancing flexibility and power."

Lin Chang’an nodded quietly, the three talismans he chose encompassed defense, speed enhancement, and attack.

They could be described as well-balanced in offense and defense, enough for his use.

Though he would perform for thirty years, it was well worth the value.

...

After Lin Chang’an left, Su Miaoyin, dressed as a Taoist nun in the pavilion behind, was quite interested in the intelligence at hand.

"Lin Chang’an, born in the mundane world, made a name with a swift sword, later joined the Prince Yun Mansion, and by chance encountered a spirit root test at the mansion’s banquet...

He later joined the Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market as a loose cultivator, combining mundane martial grandmaster methods with cultivator techniques, staying with the Demon Hunting Squad for five years and eight months..."

Lin Chang’an’s detailed intel was laid out before Su Miaoyin, who squinted her eyes in doubt.

Judging from this information, Lin Chang’an seemed to be a determined ascetic, without anything unusual.

In terms of talent, it was merely in talisman painting.

"Unexpectedly, Mr. Yun, whom you specially asked me to look after, turned out to be so uninteresting."

After seeing something, Su Miaoyin uncharacteristically smiled, while Yun Yao, with a cold face sipping tea beside her, was indifferent.

"You’re overthinking. It was merely years of friendship, and due to the alchemy incident with the Huang Family’s bad dog, it was me who mentioned it to you. I didn’t expect Mr. Su to personally meet him."

Yun Yao’s cold voice echoed, but her side-eye saw a corner of the intelligence jade scroll Su Miaoyin intentionally revealed.

[At forty, disheartened, he and his friend Li Erniu got three courtesans drunk in a brothel...]

Seeing this, Yun Yao couldn’t help but twitch the corner of her eye, truly at a loss for words.

"Sister Yun, here’s the Ice Soul spiritual object you requested. But heed my advice, the Gui Water Demonic Skill you practice is extremely yin and cold, incomplete, though immensely powerful, you must be cautious of technique backlash."

Su Miaoyin shook her head, merely advising as a friend to the stubborn Yun Yao.

"I understand, but the Immortal Cultivation Realm changes rapidly; even as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, I’m but a stronger ant on the front lines."

With a cold look, Yun Yao completed the transaction; Su Miaoyin shook her head but understood.

In the Immortal Cultivation Realm, strength is paramount.

...

Returning to his cave abode, Lin Chang’an happened to encounter Li Erniu and Patriarch Zhou Renmao of the Zhou Family, who had been waiting for some time.

"Brother Lin."

"Erniu, Patriarch Zhou."

Seeing the two who had waited for some time, Lin Chang’an smiled and clasped his hands in greeting.

The seasoned Foundation Establishment Cultivator and Patriarch Zhou Renmao also appeared dignified, even though anxious, he responded in a calm and steady manner.

"Mr. Lin."

Lin Chang’an invited them into his cave abode with a smile; he didn’t employ any maids, but Erniu adeptly brewed tea within the abode.

Clearly, he was quite familiar with Lin Chang’an.

Of course, some of it was a show for Patriarch Zhou, as having a Foundation Establishment Cultivator as a friend naturally elevated his status.

Taking a sip of tea, Patriarch Zhou chuckled, driven by the temptation of the Foundation Establishment Pill, initiating the conversation.

"Congratulations to Mr. Lin on achieving Foundation Establishment."

"You’re too kind, Mr. Zhou. If it weren’t for the Zhou Family’s help in the Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market, I don’t know when I would have achieved Foundation Establishment."

The two exchanged pleasantries, while Li Erniu, bowed, kept refilling the family head’s cup.

Thanks to everyone’s cultivation and the Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s constitution, everything was fine.

"To be honest, I heard from Erniu that when Mr. Lin achieved Foundation Establishment, he still had a Foundation Establishment Pill left?"

Finally, Patriarch Zhou couldn’t hold back, as the Zhou Family, though a Foundation Establishment Great Clan, only had three Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Any addition would significantly enhance the family’s foundation.

Especially in these turbulent times, the Foundation Establishment Pill is a strategic resource, not easily available in the market.

"Indeed, thanks to Mr. Yun’s blessing, I managed to refine two Foundation Establishment Pills. Among them, the premium one was consumed by me, and now one remains."

Lin Chang’an nodded with a smile, slowly taking a delicate jade bottle from his storage bag.

As the jade bottle opened slightly, a faint purple spiritual light and a unique herbal fragrance emanated, stirring Erniu’s heart.

Just by smelling it, it made the mana in his body stir, attesting to the pill’s potent effects, filling Erniu with envy.

This is the goal pursued by all Qi Refining Cultivators, but sadly he’s still in the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.

"Foundation Establishment Pill!"

Patriarch Zhou’s face twitched slightly, taking a deep breath to regain composure, looking at Lin Chang’an earnestly.

"Mr. Lin, name your terms, and I’ll see to it."

Since Lin Chang’an had Erniu relay a message to the Zhou Family, it naturally wasn’t merely for spirit stones.

He couldn’t believe Lin Chang’an would sell the pill to the Zhou Family simply due to friendship with Erniu.

Lin Chang’an nodded with a smile, knowing they’d all lived through decades and sometimes there’s no need for excessive concealment.

"When you came in, Patriarch Zhou, you saw the Cyan-Horned Bull I’ve raised outside my cave. It’s now at late-stage Tier One but its growth has slowed."

The Cyan-Horned Bull had been raised for nearly eight years, but Lin Chang’an noticed the slow progress. If it continued, it would never reach Tier Two.

If raising spirit beasts were simple, the Zhou Family wouldn’t be famed as a Beast Taming Clan, nor would the Immortal Cultivation Realm have a dedicated Beast Taming Sect focusing on spirit beasts’ training.

Moreover, six to seven thousand spirit stones exchanged for a Foundation Establishment Pill weren’t significant to him; enhancing his spirit pet’s combat power was more secure in the tumultuous Immortal Cultivation Realm.

"Cyan-Horned Bull!"

Understanding Lin Chang’an’s aim, Patriarch Zhou realized and silently breathed a sigh of relief.

If he wanted other treasures, there’d be hesitation, but in beast taming, it’s the Zhou Family’s forte.

"Mr. Lin, your Cyan-Horned Bull was well-raised; it must have taken much effort. But beast taming is profound, and our Zhou Family has improved proprietary Spirit Feeding Pills. As for breaking through Tier Two!"

At this point, Patriarch Zhou slightly shook his head and clasped his hands:

"Our Zhou Family is willing to exchange one Tier Two Beast Spirit Pill, ten bottles of Spirit Feeding Pills, and some insights on spirit beast nurturing for your Foundation Establishment Pill."

Whether a demon beast breaks through to Tier Two is akin to a late-stage Qi Refining Cultivator breaking through to Foundation Establishment; it’s challenging for everyone.

"Beast Spirit Pill!"

Lin Chang’an mused, knowing the Beast Spirit Pill has a chance of aiding a spirit beast’s breakthrough, akin to a cultivator’s Foundation Establishment Pill.

Though not as precious as a Foundation Establishment Pill, combined with ten bottles of Spirit Feeding Pills, the value isn’t less.

"Alright."

Lin Chang’an nodded gladly, and the Zhou Family smiled.

At this moment, Patriarch Zhou felt some regret; it seemed this person wanted to join their family back then. If only the chosen clan member hadn’t left, he would’ve vented his anger.

A Foundation Establishment Seed was rejected by the Zhou Family back then, choosing the unremarkable, simple-smiling Li Erniu.

A sin indeed!