Eternal Life from Talisman Painting

"Huff!"

With a massive breath, the emerald crocodile turtle’s eyes widened, seemingly sensing something. The next moment, it let out an anxious roar.

"That beast has noticed!"

"No kidding, with the paralytic powder you used, how could it not?"

Last night in the illusion array, Hu Jin took the opportunity to apply a nearly Tier Three poison onto the emerald crocodile turtle.

This poison isn’t lethal; it was developed targeting large demon beasts and has a numbing, bone-softening effect.

To put it simply, it causes paralysis.

"Roar!"

Under the angry roar of the emerald crocodile turtle, the terrifying aura of a Tier Three Great Demon surged out, and the next moment, it unleashed a water-blue column of mana from its mouth.

Rumble!

Under the sweep of powerful mana, the surrounding illusion changed, and the scene reverted back to its original island.

However, the murky pool and the chaotic forest around clearly showed it had wandered around all night.

"Old Lin, get ready!"

Hu Jin didn’t hesitate at all, and the moment they were discovered, the two of them simultaneously activated the array.

The next moment, a wave of heat rose from all around, the moisture of the trees rapidly evaporated, and sparks flickered.

"This is not an illusion array; it’s a real Five Elements Array!"

With a serious expression, Lin Chang’an expertly controlled the array he had refined himself, as if it were an extension of his own body.

...

"Roar!"

Even as a Tier Three demon beast, under the terrifying power, it directly caused ripples in the nearly Tier Three array.

Thankfully, Hu Jin used upper grade spirit stones, which maximized the array’s power.

At least in terms of defense, it reached almost Tier Three.

"Old Lin, the emerald crocodile turtle has wounds on its tail and head, let’s target its tail!"

Hu Jin shouted, raising his hand to send fire-red orb magical artifacts towards the turtle’s tail.

Upon contact, each orb exploded, and the terrifying flames of the explosion tore open the recently scabbed wounds, causing flesh and blood to churn again.

The Tier Three demon beast emerald crocodile turtle let out a mournful, furious roar.

A tiger falling into the plains to be bullied by dogs, this was a true portrayal of its current state.

Lin Chang’an’s methods were no less impressive; two terrifyingly radiant sword auras shot directly forward.

In the explosion of light, they pierced into the tail.

Working together, the two used the array to relentlessly attack the wounds of the Tier Three demon beast emerald crocodile turtle.

The emerald crocodile turtle, in piercing pain, roared furiously as a water-blue protective mana shield burst from its body.

But maintaining such a shield consumed massive mana, and being trapped in the array, it was thoroughly stuck in Lin Chang’an and Hu Jin’s rhythm.

Their main strategy was to drain the opponent’s mana until it was weak, and then use a talisman treasure for the final strike.

...

While Lin Chang’an and Hu Jin were grinding down the Tier Three demon beast on the island, a spirit ship from the Outer Sea began sailing in their direction.

On the spirit ship.

"Young Master, we found it! Through the blood sacrifice method, I sensed my brother!"

An excited Foundation Establishment cultivator at the bow of the ship showed his delight when the magic disc finally responded; this was a great accomplishment for him.

He was originally a Foundation Establishment cultivator on a demon-hunting sea ship. While in the Outer Sea, upon witnessing the injured form of a Tier Three Great Demon, he hurriedly led the ship to avoid battle.

His younger brother was consumed by the beast.

The bond between them was extraordinary, having ventured out together for years, having developed useful means.

This was for safety and to avoid dying unknown deaths.

Several times, they had relied on this method to overcome crises.

Unexpectedly, even after his younger brother was eaten by the beast, he made one last contribution.

"Well done, you will be rewarded."

Long Changfeng dismissed the report with a calm wave, glad as long as they found their target.

He didn’t care for rewards.

"Young Master, the target is three days away."

"Advance at full speed; we aim to reach it in two days."

"Yes!"

Gently wiping his halberd, Long Changfeng revealed a satisfied smile.

"Next year marks the birthday celebration of the two Palace Masters at Five Dragons Island, where this demon core as a gift to the family’s ancestors will surely please them."

As he spoke, Long Changfeng glanced toward the nearby Tributor Li, smiling as he said:

"Elder Li, working for the Long Family as you did last time, I’m aware of the contributions. This time, the turtle shell of the emerald crocodile turtle can be refined into a defensive magical treasure."

Nearby, Master Li couldn’t misunderstand and immediately smiled.

"Rest assured, Young Master, I heard the emerald crocodile turtle’s essence blood is greatly beneficial to body refining cultivators."

An exchange of favors; otherwise, not even for the Long Family’s Young Master would Li be summoned so easily.

No profit, no effort.

Master Li beamed; the essence blood of the turtle was not only beneficial for body refining but was also a great supplement for his iron armor corpse.

However, Long Changfeng inwardly held a contemptuous smirk; a greedy elder was easy to control.

The turtle shell of a Tier Three demon beast had undeniable value, yet refining it into a defensive treasure required various materials, and ultimately someone would need to do the refining.

They would still need to come to Five Dragons Island for all of that.

Of course, this venture was a family decision, meeting at least their tributor’s expectations, fulfilling family duties without breeding resentment.

...

On the island.

After nearly two days of wear and tear, Lin Chang’an and Hu Jin were panting heavily.

"Old Lin, you draw its attention; this demon beast’s mana is nearly depleted."

Reluctantly, Hu Jin slowly brought out his talisman treasure.

This last strike could indeed be done without the talisman treasure, but given their state, they would need it to finish today.

On a hunt for demon beasts, the longer the delay, the greater the chance of unforeseen changes.

Luckily, this Tier Three demon beast was old and weakened, with its strength only 60-70% of its peak, further burdened by injuries.

They hit the jackpot.

Yet suddenly, Hu Jin’s expression stiffened; a suspended magic disc from his storage bag appeared in front of his face.

"Not good! Why is that Chang fellow appearing, heading straight for us!"

"What’s happening?"

Lin Chang’an furrowed his brow, looking at Hu Jin, whose face was solemn as he said:

"When I first discovered this Tier Three demon beast, I was on a demon-hunting sea ship. We stumbled upon this heavily injured beast, barely escaping."

Of course, I laid down a tracking spell then, waiting until returning before covertly coming to pursue it. Little did I anticipate encountering a hidden expert among us..."

Cursing under his breath, Hu Jin had Lin Chang’an frown after hearing it.

Though Hu Jin explained earlier, the sudden appearance of associated cultivators indicated more than mere coincidence.

"Old Hu, did you secretly place a tracking mark on your fellow cultivator?"

Lin Chang’an remarked with a calm demeanor, looking at Hu Jin.

Hu Jin’s face turned ashen green; he waved his hands quickly, saying:

"Old Lin, don’t misunderstand. It’s wise to be wary of others, but I am not that kind of person. I definitely didn’t mark you for tracking.

The Chang brothers on the demon-hunting sea ship clearly had malicious intent toward me, hence my precautions."

Hu Jin hurriedly explained, unwilling to have friction with Lin Chang’an over this.

There really was nothing to it.

"Really?"

"Really! Absolutely!"

"Alright, alright, old Lin, you’re just overly suspicious. After we return, I’ll give you this ancestral tracking technique. Then you’ll know its authenticity."

The two took a deep breath, realizing someone else was eyeing the demon beast.

They were poised for their final strike.

Handing over the advantage to others?

Lin Chang’an frowned; if someone dared approach, they were surely prepared.

"Finish quickly, then escape!"

At this moment, Lin Chang’an didn’t want to give up his prey; they could flee afterward if need be.

Moreover, they had trump cards left.

Hu Jin, with a pained expression, took out an elixir that restored mana, although much of its potency had faded over time.

Still, for a Core Formation Late Stage Blood Evil Master to make use of it, it had to be of high grade.

Swallowing an elixir, the mana rapidly replenished within him.

Lin Chang’an pretended to swallow one too; however, due to his cultivation technique and self-healing body, he excelled in sustained combat.

His mana remained at 70-80%, needing no elixir restoration.

"Let’s go together!"

With a sharp tone, Lin Chang’an also deployed his talisman treasure.

Talisman Treasure: Blood Evil Sword

Talisman Treasure: Golden Radiance Wheel