Chapter 45 : Erniu Is Coming Back

Chapter 45: Erniu Is Coming Back

【Name: Lin Chang’an】

【Lifespan: 46/115】

【Stage: Seventh Level of Qi Refinement (1/100)】

【Cultivation Method: Evergreen Art (Perfect: 1236/10000)】

【Skills: Spiritual Eye (Skilled 26/500), Golden Light Talisman (Grandmaster 1956/5000), Fireball Talisman (Grandmaster 1228/5000), Flying Sword Talisman (Grandmaster 879/5000), Swiftstride Talisman (Grandmaster 121/5000)】

【Spells: Wood Spirit Thorn【Perfect 2688/10000】, Fireball Spell (Grandmaster 1088/5000), Breath Concealment Spell (Grandmasterr 2332/5000), Invisibility Spell (Grandmaster 898/5000), Object Manipulation Spell (Grandmaster 693/5000)…】

Looking at his attributes—especially after his cultivation had advanced and his lifespan had extended by a few years—Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but smile.

“The life-extending effect of the Evergreen Art truly is extraordinary. At the Late-stage Qi Refinement, I already have a lifespan exceeding one hundred years. This must be due to the strain from fighting hard when I was younger—otherwise, it might be even longer.”

Not only in the mortal world—even during his early years in the cultivation world—he had spent the first few years in a monster hunting team.

“More importantly, I now possess two top-grade magical artifacts. Ordinary Late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators couldn’t afford that.”

This undoubtedly gave him a sense of security.

“Defensive armor-type magical artifacts are best because they’re worn on the body. Even in a sudden ambush, there’s still some protection.”

Thinking back to his encounter with Zhou Qing, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but silently sigh—that was truly a good person.

Not only had Zhou given him so many resources, but he had also taught him a crucial lesson: possessing a defensive magical artifact was useless if there wasn’t enough time to take it out.

“Paired with the Wood Spirit Thorn from the top-grade magical artifact, I wonder how powerful it will be.”

At that thought, Lin Chang’an’s face showed a trace of curiosity. With a flick of his hand, a top-grade Golden Light Talisman appeared on the pockmarked stone wall.

【Wood Spirit Thorn】

Puff!

A flash of green light passed by, and another tiny hole appeared in the stone wall. Meanwhile, the light from the Golden Light Talisman slowly dimmed and gradually faded.

“A top-grade Golden Light Talisman was pierced effortlessly!”

Lin Chang’an’s pupils contracted. Just now, he had seen it very clearly—the Golden Light Talisman’s defense had been instantly penetrated, with almost no resistance.

“Though the power of the top-grade magical artifact played a role, the spell’s own might was even more crucial.”

Needle-type magical artifacts were inherently effective against protective auras.

Lin Chang’an was overjoyed. The combination of this magical artifact and spell produced terrifying power.

In other words, if he succeeded in a close-range ambush, he could instantly kill another Late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator of the same stage.

“No wonder this spell is regarded as a minor divine ability—it truly shines during the Qi Refinement stage.”

At this moment, Lin Chang’an felt a great sense of security—after all, the outside world was getting more and more chaotic.

Even the three incomplete flying spike artifacts he had used before were not discarded. After all, he had only one genuine top-grade magical artifact; having a few more at hand gave him more confidence.

Outside, the wind and snow howled, covering the entire Yue Kingdom in a layer of silver frost.

Lin Chang’an once again returned to his daily routine of cultivation and talisman drawing, while privately continuing his practice of the Wood Spirit Thorn spell.

At present, most of his combat strength relied on this spell, so he naturally had to train diligently.

Moreover, this spell consumed little energy—he could practice it hundreds of times a day without using up much spiritual power.

Only his fingers suffered—red and swollen every day. He frequently needed to buy spiritual liquid to apply externally for reducing the swelling.

……

After the wind and snow passed, spring returned, and all things revived.

They were deep in the rear. As for the specific situation at the frontlines, all the reports that came back were victories. The situation seemed promising, with a strong momentum of the two great sects joining forces to swallow up Divine Sword Sect.

However, seasoned cultivators only sneered at such news.

The main forces of the three great sects hadn’t even entered the field. No matter how many victory reports came from the frontlines, there had been no real progress—anyone could imagine what that meant.

On the other hand, the situation at the marketplace was increasingly chaotic. With various resources becoming available, rogue cultivators began surging in number. The disorder also gave rise to many bandit cultivators.

This year, Lin Chang’an turned 47.

Gathering Immortals Tower.

“Erniu is coming back?”

Yun Yao had returned, and during a small gathering at Gathering Immortals Tower, she brought news that left Lin Chang’an utterly stunned.

The frontlines were still at war—how could he be back so soon?

Not only him, even Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing were filled with confusion.

This time upon Yun Yao’s return—whether due to her cultivation improving or her pursuit of bandit cultivators yielding results—Lin Chang’an, who had cultivated the Evergreen Art to the Perfect realm, vaguely sensed a trace of chilling aura.

“Not only Erniu, but all seven members of the Zhou family are coming back. This time, it’s all thanks to the Zhou family’s ancestor.”

Even Yun Yao, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, showed a rare smile when she spoke of Li Erniu’s return from the frontlines. She slowly began explaining to the group.

It turned out that during the last Drafted Deployment, the Zhou family’s ancestor had secretly gone along, staying hidden at the frontlines. Not even members of the Zhou family knew about it.

Finally, when the opportunity arose, this Zhou family ancestor—whose lifespan was nearing its end—suddenly appeared on the battlefield and launched a surprise attack, dragging two Foundation Establishment cultivators of Divine Sword Sect into a self-detonation.

As she recounted the event, Yun Yao’s expression turned somber with emotion as she sighed:

“Knowing his life was nearing its end, he paved the way for the Zhou family with his own body. In light of the Zhou family’s great merit this time, two Foundation Establishment Pills would not suffice to recognize their contribution. Thus, the two great sects decided to grant the Zhou family one Foundation Establishment slot, and two direct disciple entry slots into the sect.”

Upon hearing this, the crowd suddenly understood. No wonder Erniu and the others could return—this was all due to the Zhou family ancestor’s merit.

That is to say, this so-called Foundation Establishment slot ensured that even if both Foundation Establishment Pills failed, the two sects would still provide support until success was achieved.

But Lin Chang’an, clear-headed as always, knew this was the Palace of Blazing Fire and the Pavilion of Mystic Sound setting an example. Bringing the Zhou family cultivators back was also a form of promotion.

To inspire more cultivators to follow suit.

“In other words, the Zhou family’s Foundation Establishment candidate can now go to either of the two great sects to claim a Foundation Establishment Pill, and choose to enter seclusion within the sect for the breakthrough.”

Hearing this, Shen Lie couldn’t help but exclaim with envy, “That old master of the Zhou family really turned the tide.”

“Such character deserves our admiration.” Even Lin Chang’an nodded in approval.

There were many Foundation Establishment cultivators nearing the end of their lifespan, but those with such resolve were exceedingly rare.

Of course, in most cases, they simply didn’t have such a golden opportunity. One had to admit the Zhou family’s ancestor had picked a good moment.

“Seems like it won’t be long before the Zhou family produces a third Foundation Establishment cultivator.”

Lin Chang’an sighed with emotion. Though envious, he wasn’t jealous.

After all, it was exchanged with a life.

It also made him feel rather silent. Erniu, because he had a family, had to struggle for his child. The Zhou family ancestor had paved the way for future generations even at the cost of his life.

This weight made Lin Chang’an’s heart surge with emotion.

“The cultivation world is ever-changing. My path is still long. Now is not the time to stop.”

Just then, having finished sharing the good news of Erniu’s return, Yun Yao turned toward him with a faint smile.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, congratulations on breaking through to the Seventh Level of Qi Refinement. Foundation Establishment is within reach.”

The sudden shift in topic made Lin Chang’an come back to his senses. He smiled and raised his cup.

“Thank you, Fellow Daoist Yun, for your auspicious words.”

Lin Chang’an had broken through while Yun Yao was not in the marketplace. It was only natural that she now extended her congratulations.

“Come, let’s all raise a toast to Brother Lin’s breakthrough.”

Shen Lie enthusiastically helped liven the mood with a hearty smile.

Foundation Establishment within reach! If Lin Chang’an were just an ordinary Late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator, it would be very difficult.

But with his status as a First-Rank High-Grade Talisman Master, Lin Chang’an might truly have a chance to make the attempt.

Inside the private room, they chatted about strange tales and news from the cultivation world, while Yun Yao also shared insights from her cultivation and Foundation Establishment experience.

Lin Chang’an listened with utmost focus, and everyone present took note.

Lin Chang’an had cultivated diligently for twenty-seven years. He hadn’t slackened even after breaking through to Late-stage Qi Refinement. Rather, he truly wished to reach that distant Foundation Establishment stage.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, this is a jade slip compiled by a senior from our sect who cultivated the Evergreen Art and achieved Foundation Establishment a hundred years ago.”

Before they parted, Yun Yao gifted Lin Chang’an a jade slip as a congratulatory gift for his breakthrough to Late-stage Qi Refinement. Lin Chang’an was deeply grateful.

He knew full well that if he had been content with his current situation, this jade slip would likely never have been given. Yun Yao had recognized his sincere pursuit of the Dao, which was why she presented it.

Though his low-grade spiritual root made Foundation Establishment extremely difficult, the support from his previous investors had left a lasting impression on Yun Yao.

Witnessing all this, Shen Lie seemed to regain a bit of his fighting spirit.

In terms of cultivation resources, he was now not far behind a High-Grade Talisman Master. Foundation Establishment was still distant, but Late-stage Qi Refinement was within reach.