Eternal Life from Talisman Painting

...

"Unfortunately, what I need now is Core Formation!"

After leaving Duo Bao Tower, Lin Chang’an’s eyes shone with determination. This Core Formation cultivators’ trade fair made him feel the importance of cultivation.

As long as one’s cultivation is strong, they can take whatever they desire in the Immortal Cultivation Realm.

Some were tempted to stay, while others, like him, chose to leave.

But those who stayed weren’t just looking to become tributors of the Profound Sound Pavilion.

Having outstanding disciples marry into the Profound Sound Pavilion is also a means for families to expand their influence and networks.

"I observe that your skills are impressive. If the opportunity arises in the future, how about we hunt some demon beasts together?"

After stepping out, the Fake Pill cultivator in the yellow robe smiled and cupped his hands as he spoke.

Lin Chang’an, in turn, smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Sure, if the opportunity arises, I’ll definitely seek you out."

These were merely polite words. Lin Chang’an cautiously observed the two people emerging in the distance, seemingly targeting him.

But Lin Chang’an merely sneered. While chatting with the yellow-robed man, he discreetly patted the Phoenix Cry Bird inside his Spirit Beast Bag.

In an instant, the aura of a True Pill cultivator enveloped the area, causing the two in the shadows to sweat profusely.

This person has backing!

"Let’s go, quickly!"

Lin Chang’an also smiled and cupped his hands to bid farewell to the crowd, then disappeared from the market street.

"I told you a long time ago, anyone daring to hunt the Yin Spirit Beast King isn’t someone with good intentions."

The yellow-robed man glared at the two, expressing his opinion.

However, both of them sighed with lingering fear, and one of them said with a bitter smile:

"It was a misunderstanding. It’s just that we saw this fellow daoist needs a Wood Attribute Demon Pill and traded for that storage bag with isolating material.

It’s obvious he’s planning for Core Formation Spiritual Objects for his juniors. We brothers were thinking of recruiting this fellow daoist to hunt demon beasts together."

The other hurriedly waved his hand, saying, "Better not! This fellow daoist has a hidden True Pill cultivator outside. He doesn’t need us."

From beginning to end, they believed there was a hidden True Pill cultivator backing Lin Chang’an.

Perhaps it was a real misunderstanding, but greed isn’t something innate; it grows gradually.

Many friendships break when greed over a precious treasure magnifies, leading someone to want it all for themselves, resulting in conflict.

This happens too often.

Lin Chang’an, hidden among the crowd, used his powerful concealment technique to constantly change disguises and identities.

Only when his Fake Pill Realm divine sense and strong perception detected no one following him did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"In any case, being cautious is never wrong. If others discover that my Fake Pill status is fake, who wouldn’t be tempted?"

Lin Chang’an shook his head, and in secret, stuck the concealed storage bag right onto his chest skin.

Inside, he placed precious items: a Tier Three Lower Grade Wood Attribute Demon Pill, a Tier Three Corpse Pill, a Tier Three Turtle Shell, and a nearly empty bottle of Profound Water Liquid.

"This way, even if I encounter a powerful cultivator, I won’t have to worry about anything being discovered."

Especially this Core Formation Spiritual Object, he didn’t want it to be sniffed out by some tribulation cultivator’s spirit pets.

Spending ten thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones to buy himself insurance can avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble. Worth it.

"Next is acquiring resources. I fear something big will happen at Five Dragons Island, so I need to stock up more."

Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered as he looked at the current prosperous and stable Five Dragons Island, always feeling the urge to escape.

At least Yun Yao wouldn’t deceive him.

With Yun Yao’s status as the Saintess of the Profound Yin Divine Sect, she must be aware that something significant is going to happen.

...

The next day.

Lin Chang’an and Hu Jin appeared in a restaurant near the harbor of Five Dragons Island.

"Finally got it figured out: to go to other sea areas, or to Sea Abyss City, one can only take these trading merchant ships coming and going.

But these ships have high requirements, and those without a clear background aren’t allowed on..."

Seeing Old Hu speak with anger, he boasted he was a loose cultivator with a clear background.

However, Lin Chang’an simply smiled and shook his head: "Come on, Old Hu, stop complaining. These merchant ships are just being cautious."

It’s reasonable too. These ships carry heavy cargo; if they let anyone aboard for a few spirit stones, what if there’s someone secretly colluding with tribulation cultivators?

With such internal and external collusion, who wouldn’t be worried?

"In other words, now the only option is to take the spirit ships specially designed to cross sea areas."

Lin Chang’an’s expression became solemn, knowing that these spirit ships for crossing seas were operated by big forces from behind the scenes.

This differs from catching a ride on merchant ships with cultivators — the price is extremely high.

After Lin Chang’an mentioned this, Hu Jin more helplessly spread his hands, saying:

"These merchant ships are too greedy, charging eight hundred Middle Grade Spirit Stones for one berth. Outrageous! And often only once or twice every three to five years, only available on Five Dragons Island."

"Of course, if you don’t want to pay the spirit stones, you can team up with other cultivators to cross the sea."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang’an’s eye twitched, and he shook his head speechlessly, choosing to dismiss the idea.

Lin Chang’an pondered this, clearly seeing through Hu Jin’s intentions, suspecting he was planning to leave.

But with the Phoenix Cry Bird in his possession, Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea became a rare opportunity for him.

"Old Hu, I’m afraid I have to stay here for a while this time."

Though Lin Chang’an didn’t explain much, Hu Jin understood and looked at him with envy.

Lin Chang’an felt puzzled; why did Old Hu look at him so strangely?

"Old Lin, you’re truly lucky, role model among us cultivators, I get it! Get it!"

Hu Jin looked on enviously, amazed at Old Lin, who used to mooch off Mr. Yun, a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator, back in Celestial Profound City.

Now that she’s reached Core Formation, he can still continue mooching; it truly makes him green with envy.

It’s the classic case of fearing your friend won’t live well, yet fearing your friend lives too well.

"I never expected that after so many years apart, Mr. Yun has already formed her core."

Hu Jin sighed with sentiment, having seen the escape light clearly that night.

More importantly, Yun Yao didn’t conceal anything from him.

And Lin Chang’an, after listening to Hu Jin, felt speechless.

What could he even say to that!?

"Fine, after tomorrow’s auction, we’ll depart."

"Alright."

Both of them were over a hundred years old, with no sense of sorrow for parting.

They understood that temporary separation was for their future.

Hu Jin’s eagerness to leave stemmed from the matter with the Bi-Crocodile Turtle. Another reason was likely related to forming his core.

Similarly, Lin Chang’an stayed behind for preparations related to his own core formation.

Yet, in certain people’s eyes, he seemed to become someone who lives off others.