The more impurities in the crystal core, the worse the effect.
Even if it is utilized to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill, the excessive amount of pill poison makes it completely unusable.
So it can only be a consumable, but Lin Changâan nodded with satisfaction.
Spending a few more Spirit Stones is nothing in comparison.
"Now everything is ready, except for the final push. Next is to cultivate steadily and strive to advance my Alchemy Skill to Tier Two as soon as possible."
At this moment, Lin Changâan was filled with energy for the future.
...
"Mr. Lin, I have come to visit, sorry for the disturbance."
On this day, Chen Qing from the adjacent cave residence came to visit with a smile, carrying a pot of Spirit Wine.
Lin Changâan naturally greeted him with a smile.
The two of them sat in the pavilion, enjoying the beautiful scenery within the cave residence and overlooking the entire Celestial Profound City from a high vantage point. The beauty of this place was undeniable.
"Mr. Chen, youâre too polite."
The two chatted joyfully, sharing cultivation insights and some intriguing stories from the Immortal Cultivation Realm.
After three rounds of drinks, Chen Qing painfully purchased two Tier Two Golden Light Talismans for protection from him.
For an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator, resources are not that abundant.
After all, not every Foundation Establishment Cultivator possesses a Tier Two skill.
It can be said that people like Chen Qing are the typical reflection of most ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators; while their strength has seen a breakthrough, in other aspects, they remain unchanged.
Many cultivators are willing to take risks for unexpected gains before their breakthrough.
But once they break through to the Foundation Establishment, becoming the forebearer of the clan, they find themselves restricted within the clan, often unable to do much.
And the clan cannot provide too many resources, leaving them in an awkward situation.
Thus, many ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators are truly financially strained.
"Mr. Lin, sometimes I really envy you."
After putting away the talismans, Chen Qing couldnât help but express his envy, whether for Lin Changâanâs unattached life or his Tier Two skills.
But Lin Changâan merely smiled and said:
"Sometimes I envy you, my friend. Enjoying the title of forebearer within the clan would be envied by many."
Returning home in glory is a desire ingrained in everyoneâs bones.
But even though Lin Changâan had reached the Foundation Establishment, no one acknowledged him.
Hearing this, Chen Qing showed a proud smile and nodded.
Indeed, ever since my breakthrough, I have become the most admired within the clan, and even my memorial tablet would be placed at the top in the ancestral hall for the best offerings in the future.
After a few more casual exchanges, Chen Qing hesitated before smiling and probed:
"Mr. Lin, since we are both Loose Cultivators, I wonât beat around the bush. The reason for todayâs visit is to ask if you happen to have any free Spirit Field?"
At this point, Chen Qing continued, clasping his hands in explanation:
"Mr. Lin, I mean no offense, itâs just that our clan has grown in numbers. Of course, if you have any idle Spirit Field, the rent will surely be fair; business is business."
Chen Qingâs frank manner left Lin Changâan with a good impression; if he had just a hundred acres of ordinary Spirit Field, he might indeed have considered leasing it to Chen Qing.
Unfortunately.
"Mr. Chen, I truly apologize, as I have already leased that Spirit Field to the Zhou Family."
Lin Changâan wore an apologetic expression, yet Chen Qing was not disappointed, instead waved it off with a smile:
"Mr. Lin, youâre too polite. I was just making an inquiry."
Chen Qing secretly regretted, realizing he had been a step too late, having heard before that Mr. Lin had several friends, one being the Zhou Familyâs son-in-law.
It is likely that the son-in-law secured it first.
After all, with the backing of the Zhou Family, how could a mere Qi Refining Cultivator easily lease a hundred acres of Spirit Field?
Moreover, Chen Qing thought it reasonable that Lin Changâan might be using this to strengthen ties with the Zhou Family.
"It seems I will have to inquire at other friendsâ residences. Mr. Lin, with your connections as a Tier Two Rune Master, if thereâs any news, do let me know."
"Mr. Chen, youâre too kind. If thereâs news of Spirit Field, Iâll inform you first."
The two of them then laughed heartily, raising their cups to drink together.
Before the Foundation Establishment, Chen Qing might have been a person with firm resolve, but after the breakthrough, having struggled his entire life.
Finally becoming the pillar of the clan, coupled with the various trivial matters within the clan, his resolve gradually waned.
This is the norm for most cultivators, not just limited to Loose Cultivators.
The reason Lin Changâan persists in cultivating diligently comes from his self-confidence derived from his talent and the fortune of an Ancient Cultivation Technique.
Following Chen Qingâs departure, Lin Changâan sat alone in the pavilion, gazing at the scenery of Celestial Profound City while hearing the mooing of a Cyan-Horned Bull behind him.
"Moo!"
The mighty Cyan-Horned Bull showed a pleasing demeanor, causing Lin Changâan to shake his head with a smile.
"You silly bull, you eat too much."
Fetching a Spirit Fruit from the Storage Bag and tossing it over, the Cyan-Horned Bull emitted satisfied moos, happily munching away.
Sneaking a glance at the bustling dojo next to Chen Qing, Lin Changâan couldnât help but feel emotional.
"In the realm of Loose Cultivators, Mr. Chen is indeed a dragon among men, having fought all his life, now planning for his descendantsâ enjoyment, which is common sense. However, I wonder how long the peace in Celestial Profound City will last."
With a shake of his head, Lin Changâan then entered the cave residence to begin his daily routine of cultivation, alchemy, and talisman painting.
This habit has persisted for decades, a seemingly dull routine to others, yet he had grown accustomed to it.
Especially when seeing the clear progress on the attribute board, he found it all the more enjoyable.
Cultivation is truly addictive.
...
In the neighboring cave residence of Chen Qing.
"Clan leader, did you manage to get any lease?"
"Grandpa, how did it go? How much of Mr. Linâs hundred-acre Spirit Field were you able to lease?"
As Chen Qing returned, the clan members who had been waiting in the cave residence looked expectant.
However, Chen Qing dismissively shook his head and hand.
"Mr. Lin has already leased the Spirit Field to a friend, but I told him that if there is any news he will inform me."
Upon hearing that not even one acre was leased, the clan members appeared somewhat disappointed.
An older man in the mid-stage of Qi Refining, of the same generation as Chen Qing, nodded thoughtfully.
"The clan leader has worked hard for the clan; if we could lease it, that would be great. But if not, this hundred-acre Spirit Field is enough for our Chen Family to develop steadily."
"Indeed, this is a hundred acres of Spirit Field. Something we dared not even dream of before."
"Exactly, with just a small amount of tax to pay annually, Master Lu truly deserves being the foremost Loose Cultivator."
Most clan members were still quite satisfied, but the younger Chen Wen seemed somewhat dissatisfied, grumbling.
"Grandpa, in my opinion, this Mr. Lin does not think much of our ordinary Foundation Establishment Clan because he is a Tier Two Rune Master."
"Mind your words!"
Chen Qing glared, stopping his beloved grandsonâs complaints. Saying such things here might be fine, but outside, it would spell trouble.
"Grandpa, I know I was wrong."
Facing his grandfather, also the clanâs only Foundation Establishment Cultivatorâs warning gaze, Chen Wen immediately lowered his head to admit his mistake.
However, resentment still filled Chen Wenâs heart at this moment, silently grumbling.
"Heâs just looking down on us because heâs a Tier Two Rune Master. I donât believe that all hundred acres of Spirit Field can be leased out."
Watching the crowd, Chen Qing shook his head and began to explain.
"Donât speculate wildly. In the future, be cautious with your words. This Mr. Lin has a friend who is the Zhou Familyâs son-in-law..."
Listening to Chen Qingâs explanation, the members of the clan all understood.
"So thatâs how it is."
"The Zhou Family, they were a prestigious family back at the Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market."
Nevertheless, the young Chen Wen felt even more resentful after hearing the clan membersâ reflections.
"This is obviously an attempt to please the Zhou Family. This person clearly looks down on our Chen Family."
At this thought, Chen Wen made a silent resolve that one day, after becoming a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he would lead the Chen Family to rise and challenge illustrious families like the Animal-Taming Zhou Family.
Then, he wanted to see if this person would still behave in the same way.
"Big brother, with the clan having a hundred acres of Spirit Field, we should focus on cultivation."
Chen Feng, with an earnest and energetic nature, enthusiastically spoke to his elder brother.
"Indeed, with Wen and Feng, in the future, our Chen Family might have another Foundation Establishment Cultivator after the clan leader."
"Right, with the clan leader, there is still hope."
Seeing each clan member filled with vigor and determination, Chen Qing revealed a contented smile.
The Chen Family has risen under his leadership.