Eternal Life from Talisman Painting

Inside the cave residence.

Gazing at the various Yang and Fire Attribute Magical Artifacts and Spiritual Artifacts collected by the Three Fierce of the Zhong Family, Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered.

"The place for Core Formation Spiritual Objects, unexpectedly, is on a deserted island in the Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea where Yin Spirits gather."

It is rumored that in places where Yin Spirits gather, some Yin Vein Spiritual Springs will give birth to a type of Spirit Liquid, called Profound Water Liquid.

And Profound Water Liquid, with its gentle attributes, is an excellent Core Formation Spiritual Object.

"No wonder these three would target me, they must be short on resources and wanted to prepare more."

Lin Chang’an nodded silently, if it truly is a place of Yin Spirits gathering, other cultivators would need to prepare well.

But he seems not to need that many Yang and Fire Attribute Magical Artifacts and Spiritual Artifacts.

"The Phoenix Cry Bird restrains Yin Spirits, and can even feed on them, plus the Evil Essence Sword Formulas have also reached a bottleneck over the years."

[Evil Essence Sword Formulas (Perfect 4698/10000)]

Looking at his comprehension of the Evil Essence Sword Formulas, Lin Chang’an learned from the remnants of the Blood Evil Master’s memory.

To cultivate this sword formula to mastery, endless Evil Energy is required.

"My main Wood Attribute Technique doesn’t restrain Yin Spirits, but the Sword Aura filled with Evil Energy is not inferior to these Yang Attribute treasures."

However, after this battle, Lin Chang’an found himself pondering.

His strength is considerable, but he’s better at long-lasting, attrition warfare, lacking in burst power.

If not for the Talisman Treasure, the previous battle wouldn’t have ended so quickly, especially since the leader was a Tier Two Late Stage Body Refining Cultivator—he might have escaped.

"Moreover, using the Talisman Treasure takes time; my strongest technique is the evolved form of the Giant Sword Technique, the Sword Shadow Following Heart Technique Divine Technique."

[Sword Shadow Following Heart Technique/Giant Sword Technique (Skilled 368/500)]

Looking at the proficiency of this divine technique, Lin Chang’an’s expression turned solemn as he operated the technique.

In an instant, a cyan Sword Aura appeared around him, surrounding him defensively and transforming into a layer of sword shield for protection.

During offense, it was extremely sharp, essentially the evolution of the Giant Sword Technique, smoother in manipulation, and without the need for lengthy charge-ups.

"This is a supreme Sword Dao divine technique that even the Blood Evil Master at the Golden Core Late Stage highly valued."

Lin Chang’an was greatly tempted by the power of this divine technique.

In the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, manifesting a Sword Aura was equivalent to gaining a top-grade Spiritual Artifact with both offensive and defensive capabilities.

Once he breaks through to Core Formation, three Sword Auras could rival three lower-grade Magical Treasures.

Yet, using this divine technique comes with extremely harsh conditions, and slight negligence could lead to being countered by the sword energy.

"With my current Divine Sense at the Fake Pill Realm!"

Thinking this, Lin Chang’an forcibly activated this divine technique, and the next moment, the sword energy backlash inside his body revealed a trace of pain on his forehead.

His internal meridians suffered damage, but with his powerful Self-Healing Body, he ultimately endured it.

He was forcing this divine technique with his Divine Sense at the Fake Pill Realm.

Two Sword Auras vaguely formed around him, but ultimately one dissipated due to lack of strength.

[Sword Shadow Following Heart Technique/Giant Sword Technique +100 (Skilled 468/500)]

The next moment, only two Sword Auras surrounded Lin Chang’an, the momentum even more formidable.

"Indeed, it succeeded!"

Lin Chang’an showed a joyful expression, it was worth it to force this divine technique with his Fake Pill Divine Sense, even if the two Sword Auras still felt slightly unstable.

But he had truly succeeded.

Now he was in a balanced state between the Foundation Establishment Late Stage and the Core Formation Realm with this divine technique.

He could summon two Sword Auras.

"Moreover, these two Sword Auras have become even more powerful!"

Feeling the power of the Sword Auras, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but smile.

However, this state couldn’t last long, and as he let out a muffled groan, the Sword Auras in front of him slowly dissipated, but the smile on his face perished not.

This was the best use of his Self-Healing Body.

"I can burst out attack power comparable to a Fake Pill Cultivator for a short time, but can’t maintain it."

This was already quite impressive, it was indeed right for him to continue cultivating his Lifebound Spirit Plant previously.

With such a method at his disposal, he had the confidence to strategize for this dangerous place where Yin Spirits gather.

Though Talisman Treasures are strong, they inevitably deplete over time.

And refining Talisman Treasures is damaging to the Magical Treasure itself.

He couldn’t truly deplete this Magical Treasure, rendering it useless, could he?

That would be far too wasteful; he even thought of trading this Magical Treasure for one or two Demon Cores when necessary in the future.

"If this place where Yin Spirits gather truly has Profound Water Liquid, wouldn’t that mean there is a Yin Vein Spiritual Spring here?"

A Spiritual Spring, whether for his own cultivation or nurturing his Lifebound Spirit Plant, is an excellent treasure land.

Ever since breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, Lin Chang’an had been troubled by his poor Spirit Root quality and slow cultivation speed.

[Life Span: 106/283]

[Realm: Foundation Establishment Late Stage (12/100)]

At this cultivation progress, it would be two experience points per year, and the later it gets, the harder it becomes.

Ordinary Tier Two Upper Grade pills to increase cultivation have become ineffective for him now.

And Tier Three elixirs are beyond his consumption capacity.

"Previously, Yun Yao gifted two bottles of Tier Three elixirs to enhance cultivation, clearly intending for me to use them when encountering a bottleneck."

Lin Chang’an pondered silently; an Upper Grade Spirit Root might not hit a bottleneck until reaching 97, but with his Low Grade Spirit Root, he could hit a bottleneck at 90.

If there are no elixirs to aid, the cultivation remains stagnant. Even with a Core Formation Spiritual Object, the success rate is still very low.

This is also why cultivators with poor Spirit Root resources find it difficult to break through.

"These two bottles of elixirs, even if taken now, will merely increase a bit of mana. They are far more valuable in the later stage."

If he were at the critical breakthrough point of the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, of course, he wouldn’t leave them to gather dust.

After all, breaking through small realms significantly boosts strength.

But he had just broken through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage a few years back, so the effect isn’t big.

"I hope the information from the Three Fierce of the Zhong Family is accurate, that there is a rich Yin Vein Spiritual Spring, which will greatly benefit cultivation."

With determined eyes, Lin Chang’an began preparing for the upcoming journey to the Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea.

...

During his preparation, the disappearance of the Wen couple and Fang Tie went unnoticed until months later, when the Lu Family’s visit discovered it.

It seemed they had dealings with the Lu Family, hence the discovery; otherwise, who knows how long it might have taken.

The sudden disappearance of three Foundation Establishment Cultivators was surprising, but in the Demon Beast Abyss, it seemed somewhat routine.

Not to mention Foundation Establishment Cultivators, even Golden Core Cultivators disappearing isn’t uncommon.

The Lu Family reported to Five Dragons Island, and subsequently arranged for other Foundation Establishment Cultivators to maintain the stability of the arrays.

On this day, Hu Jin paid a visit.

"The disappearance of the Wen couple and Fellow Daoist Fang likely indicates misfortune."

In the pavilion, Hu Jin shook his head and sighed with melancholy.

After all, today’s Wen couple might very well be oneself in the future.

"I heard that this time, the two new Foundation Establishment Cultivators arrived with their families. Though not many in number, it’s clear the Lu Family isn’t pleased."

Hu Jin shared recent intelligence, and Lin Chang’an nodded lightly.

"By the way, I’ve recently befriended a few fellow daoists and plan to hold a trade fair on Five Dragons Island next February."

"A trade fair, huh? I’ll surely attend then."

Lin Chang’an nodded lightly, knowing that if a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator organizes a trade fair, there are bound to be good things.

I must say, Old Hu, with his sociable nature, coupled with being an Artifact Refiner, managed to make quite a number of acquaintances here shortly after arriving.

Lin Chang’an often gathered intelligence from Old Hu.

"Alright, here’s the Spiritual Artifact you entrusted me to repair, but still, be cautious in all matters. If something cannot be achieved, withdraw in time."

Old Hu presented two Spiritual Artifacts, which were damaged during Lin Chang’an’s battle with the Three Fierce of the Zhong Family.

These Spiritual Artifacts were newly acquired by them recently, so he knew they were clean. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked Old Hu to repair them.

With Hu Jin’s experience, he immediately saw that the two Spiritual Artifacts had rare Yang Attributes, and could vaguely guess where Lin Chang’an intended to go.

He gave a reminder for this reason.

Facing his old friend’s concern, Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded:

"Old Hu, my Spirit Root aptitude is poor, reaching this point has already consumed many resources. If I don’t fight at this critical juncture, I’d regret it to death."

Only Lin Chang’an himself knew how much preparation he secretly did to attempt this.

Everyone has their own secrets, just as Lin Chang’an never asked how many good things were left by Hu Jin’s ancestors.

Old Hu nodded, "Alright, with your caution, Old Lin, you’ll be fine."

The two then had drinks and exchanged a lot of information.

For instance, someone discovered a wounded Tier Three Demon Beast in the Outer Sea, how many cultivators went, and how many ultimately perished or survived.

Or who gained what opportunity.

The Immortal Cultivation Realm never lacks death and opportunity.

Sadly, most cultivators are just ordinary people without a chance to touch these opportunities.

After Hu Jin left, Lin Chang’an began preparations for the journey to explore the Core Formation Spiritual Object.

...

"The things prepared by the Three Fierce of the Zhong Family are now in my hands, and I have plenty of Thunder Attribute Talismans, which are just perfect."

Lin Chang’an nodded secretly during inventory, especially since he had the Phoenix Cry Bird.

This Exotic Beast restrains Yin Spirits, feeding on them, fitting in perfectly like being at home.

With the strength of the Phoenix Cry Bird, even encountering a quasi-tier three Yin Spirit, it could devour it under attribute restraint.

"Even if there is no Core Formation Spiritual Object this time, it would greatly benefit the Phoenix Cry Bird."

Looking at the Phoenix Cry Bird on his shoulder, fawning over him.

After raising it for years, feelings have grown, making Lin Chang’an silently shake his head.

"Chirp, chirp!"

"Alright, you’ll have a feast this time."

With a light smile, Lin Chang’an gently stroked the bird as a determined look flashed in his eyes.

If the clue to the Core Formation Spiritual Object from the Three Fierce of the Zhong Family led to a Tier Three Demon Beast, he might need to reconsider.

But a place where Yin Spirits gather?

His Sword Aura filled with evil energy, the Tier Three Blood Evil Red Sun Array, and the Phoenix Cry Bird; all are suppressive against Yin Spirits and evil souls.

He even had the confidence that if there truly were a Tier Three Yin Spirit, once trapped in his array, he could defeat it under attribute restraint.

Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an’s eyes turned resolute.

To leave opportunities unpursued leads to regrets, to not act timely invites disaster.

The opportunity lay before him, especially with attribute restraint. Not exploring it would indeed be a regret.