Eternal Life from Talisman Painting

This Master Li gritted his teeth and shouted, and immediately his aura exploded around him.

A loud boom resounded.

After escaping the array, Master Li didn’t dare to stop for a moment. He directly used a secret technique, consuming his essence blood as he fled wildly.

"This isn’t over!"

Fleeing in haste, Master Li was full of anger, yet his eyes also showed fear.

He almost failed miserably this time.

"My Copper Armor Corpse!"

The biggest loss this time was the Copper Armor Corpse. Losing such an important battle strength was akin to losing a limb.

Yet just as Master Li was fleeing in panic, on the original island, Lin Chang’an didn’t hesitate at all.

He quickly put away the array and, with the Phoenix Cry Bird, hurriedly fled in another direction with the spoils.

"Let’s go quickly!"

This time Lin Chang’an didn’t bother keeping a low profile. He directly stood on the back of the Phoenix Cry Bird, transforming into a golden light and rapidly escaping.

If he forcibly activated the array, leaving this Master Li wouldn’t be a big problem.

But he couldn’t guarantee his own safety. If he got heavily injured, it would be to his detriment.

Moreover, this location wasn’t far from Five Dragons Island. If reinforcements came, he would have nowhere to run.

After all, he was a Fake Pill Master in name only.

And Master Li, fleeing in panic, was also worried about being besieged and killed.

After all, he faced a fellow cultivator of the same tier and a Tier Three ferocious bird. He didn’t dare gamble on how long he could hold out.

One wanted to escape, and the other didn’t want to risk his life, which led to the current situation.

Both parties fled.

...

Lin Chang’an fled continuously for over a month.

He hid along the way, put away the Phoenix Cry Bird, and only after reaching the Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea did he find a deserted island to hide temporarily.

Yet he didn’t know that half an hour after he fled, two escape lights flew over to the original deserted island.

"Brother Long, this is the place. My Tier Three Copper Armor Corpse was harmed by this scoundrel cultivator, along with my magical treasure!"

Master Li, who had brought reinforcements, pointed mournfully to the traces of their battle on the island, lamenting how much he lost for Five Dragons Island this time.

And this Golden Core Early Stage cultivator frowned as he observed the surroundings, indeed sensing terrifying fire attribute spiritual energy and corpse qi.

"Mr. Li, can you still sense the opponent?"

"I..."

Master Li felt aggrieved. How could he sense anything?

The Tier Three Copper Armor Corpse was gone. He hadn’t cultivated any tracking techniques, how could he sense anything?

The opponent had long escaped who knows how far away.

"It shouldn’t be!"

However, this Golden Core cultivator named Long frowned and muttered to himself:

"Logically, Tier Three Array, Tier Three Spirit Pet, and he himself being a Fake Pill in name only, how could he be overpowered by your three almost Tier Three Talismans and escape..."

As if realizing something, this Golden Core cultivator named Long glanced at Master Li and calmly said:

"Mr. Li, he was probably also worried about facing people from Five Dragons Island; you should have kept him occupied."

Though it made sense, Master Li’s face turned red, seemingly embarrassed by the ridicule but internally cursing.

Keep him occupied, perhaps there was a chance to capture him, but what about himself?

What if he got killed before reinforcements arrived?

His life was his own, after all.

He was a tributor to Five Dragons Island, but he hadn’t sold his life to them.

"Mr. Long, you must seek justice for me; everything I did was for Five Dragons Island."

Master Li desperately explained, seemingly trying to cover up his embarrassing escape.

However, this Golden Core cultivator named Long felt a disdainful sneer inside; indeed, what a waste.

And Master Li, who appeared cowardly, seemed to be full of remorse for his severe losses.

All these years, he must have been blinded by desires, to have provoked a cultivator of the same level for no reason.

He recalled how cautious he used to be, only bullying Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Reflecting on his actions over the years, he realized it was purely because he had dealt with two Fake Pill cultivators of the same tier before that made him arrogant.

He swore that in future, he would only bully Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Issue a bounty; if this person is found in future, let him regret it."

This Golden Core cultivator named Long shook his head and was about to prepare to return.

"Mr. Long, what about my Tier Three Copper Armor Corpse? I was doing this under Island Master’s name..."

Master Li lamented, though he was bleeding inwardly over his monumental losses.

...

Having hidden in the Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea for two months, after thoroughly checking there were no tracking marks left on him, Lin Chang’an secretly returned to Jade Spirit Island.

"Finally, back."

Returning to his cave abode, Lin Chang’an sighed with relief.

He placed the Cyan-Horned Bull outside the cave and, with the Phoenix Cry Bird, entered the abode.

The Cyan-Horned Bull remained outside, looking forlornly at its owner.

"This haul is substantial!"

With a satisfied smile, Lin Chang’an examined the water attribute magical treasure bead covered in cracks. Though of low quality, it was still a magical treasure.

He also disposed of the Copper Armor Corpse’s body, posing as a Fake Pill cultivator at the marketplace in the Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea.

Although the materials were rare, keeping them was always a hidden danger.

"Of course, the biggest gain this time is the Phoenix Cry Bird reaching Tier Three."

Turning to the Phoenix Cry Bird perched on his shoulder, Lin Chang’an smiled contentedly.

A Tier Three Spirit Pet meant hunting Tier Three Demon Beasts in the future would be no problem.

"A Tier Three Spirit Pet is akin to having a Golden Core cultivator wholeheartedly assisting in preparing for Core Formation."

"Mas...master, I want to eat."

Just then, the Phoenix Cry Bird on his shoulder uttered a childish voice.

Surprised initially by the Spirit Pet speaking, after some understanding, he realized it.

Generally speaking, demon beasts only after reaching Tier Four and the Nascent Soul Realm, referred to as Transformed Great Demon, speak human language normally.

For a Tier Three Demon Beast to speak wasn’t unheard of; it was just rare.

Some specific Spirit Pills or Exotic Fruits could aid a beast in refining voice cords earlier and allow early speech.

"They say deep in the Sea Abyss, there’s a Tier Two Demon Beast that can mimic female cultivators’ voices to lure and deceive cultivators."

Lin Chang’an nodded silently. As an Exotic Beast of high intelligence, the Phoenix Cry Bird speaking wasn’t surprising.

"Master..."

The young, crisp voice echoed, and though intelligent, the Phoenix Cry Bird was still awkward at speaking.

"Still want to eat?"

Seeing the greedy Phoenix Cry Bird staring at his Storage Bag, Lin Chang’an glared playfully.

"To help you evolve into Core Formation, do you know the cost? I gave you my Core Formation Spiritual Object and even got pursued by a Golden Core cultivator, offending Five Dragons Island..."

Lin Chang’an displayed a "for you, I lost big" demeanor.

So the Phoenix Cry Bird lowered its head slightly, a hint of awkwardness in its eyes, and chirped:

"Ma...master, then I’ll eat later."

"No way, this Tier Three Corpse Pill is invaluable. I’m considering trading for a wood attribute demon core soon."

Lin Chang’an claimed the Phoenix Cry Bird’s trophy without hesitation.

"Ma...master, don’t worry. From now on, I’ll catch sea beasts for you."

The Phoenix Cry Bird, with a flattering expression, perched on his shoulder and flew around the abode handling the Spirit Tea with mana.

Seeing this, Lin Chang’an looked pleased.

No matter whether it’s a Tier Three Great Demon or primeval species, it must behave obediently.

This time’s nine-death-one-life ordeal made the bird fiercely loyal.

The Phoenix Cry Bird knew through bloodline inheritance that each Great Realm needs the trial of rebirth through fire, to eventually become the Golden Flame Divine Phoenix.

Leaving, freedom?

How important is life? Following its owner ensures each evolution will be a lifesaver.

"Still, the favor from Profound Sound Pavilion is noted."

Lin Chang’an pondered silently; if there’s an opportunity with little difficulty, he didn’t mind paying back the favor.

But he also kept the grudge from Five Dragons Island in mind, for forcing him to flee so long.

"First cultivate steadily, then venture out to find Core Formation Spiritual Objects."

Lin Chang’an, full of determination, now had newfound confidence with a Tier Three Phoenix Cry Bird.

The next trip to Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea, surely there are valuable items on the islands of those Tier Three Yin Spirit Beast Kings.