Eternal Life from Talisman Painting

...

Jade Spirit Island.

In the blink of an eye, five months have passed, and the grand event on Five Dragons Island is still ongoing, leaving Lin Chang’an, who has been keeping an eye on it, somewhat confused.

"Could there be a change in plans?"

In the pavilion, Lin Chang’an gently shook his head and slowly put down the "Comprehensive Illustration of Demon Beast Abyss Materials" he was reading.

"The Demon Beast Abyss is truly vast and rich. There are so many treasure materials in the deep sea, even certain naturally grown corals, after they die, become incredibly hard.

Some Tier Three demon beasts use these as weapons. There is also a type of shellfish demon beast with extremely hard shells, which not only human cultivators use for artifact refining, but demon beasts use for fighting and defense as well..."

He spent a thousand middle-grade Spirit Stones on this illustration and had been looking through it for several months, yet he hadn’t finished it.

It’s safe to say it wasn’t a loss at all.

It even records some special Spirit Lands, mentioning various ore veins and Exotic Stones.

"The reason this illustration is so expensive, besides its comprehensive content, is likely due to its details on the sources of various materials and methods for identifying them."

For example, if a material comes from a demon beast, it records the sea area where the beast’s activity is tracked.

Other materials, such as Illusion Stones, are found in places where Yin Spirits gather, typically within Yin Spring Spirit Veins, but because of their ability to hide and block Divine Sense detection.

Cultivators can only carefully explore them with the naked eye.

"Illusion Stone, this is a good thing, as long as the quantity collected is enough, it will be a rare weapon for crafting Shadowless Needles or other Magical Treasures. Divine Sense can’t measure them, only the naked eye can!"

Thinking of this, a light flashed in Lin Chang’an’s eyes.

[Spiritual Eye (Supreme)]

He had cultivated his basic Spiritual Eye to the maximum level.

"After decades of cultivation, spending so much of my Spirit Liquid, the basic version of the Spiritual Eye has been directly cultivated to the max level."

With a satisfied smile, Lin Chang’an activated his Spiritual Eye and could clearly feel his transformation.

Nothing could escape his sight, and he could easily see through traces of arrays.

"In the Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea, the Spiritual Eye is much more useful than Divine Sense."

Though he had the Divine Sense of the Fake Pill Realm, over the years in the Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea, the practicality of the Spiritual Eye was indeed greater than that of Divine Sense.

"Moo!"

At this moment, the large Cyan-Horned Bull came over and surprisingly showed a flattering expression like the Phoenix Cry Bird.

But some things are just innate, the Cyan-Horned Bull’s attempt to please looked a bit funny, making Lin Chang’an laugh.

"Alright, your cultivation has been pretty good recently."

After taking out a Spirit Fruit from his Storage Bag as a reward, the Cyan-Horned Bull immediately showed a delighted expression.

Ever since the Phoenix Cry Bird broke through and Lin Chang’an also prepared for Core Formation, even the somewhat foolish Cyan-Horned Bull knew it needed to work hard not to fall behind.

Thus, during this period, it had indeed been different.

The Phoenix Cry Bird, rare as it was, landed on the bull’s horn and disdainfully handed its Spirit Fruit over.

The bull and bird, for so many years, had grown accustomed to each other, or perhaps the Phoenix Cry Bird’s intelligence was too high, unknowingly picking up some human cultivator habits.

Perhaps it didn’t want the silly bull to fall behind.

"Old Lin, there’s a merchant ship leaving, are you really not going?"

At this time, outside the cave, Hu Jin had already prepared everything and couldn’t help but come and ask again.

Seeing Hu Jin entering the cave, Lin Chang’an shook his head with a smile and said,

"No, what can I do in other places? It’ll be just the same as always, at least I’m familiar with things here."

"Alright then."

Hu Jin shook his head helplessly; though he had expected this, he couldn’t help but ask once more.

What a pity.

"Come, come, there is no feast in the world that does not end. Today I have brought the Spirit Wine I privately stored back in Celestial Profound City. I originally planned to save it for drinking after forming my Core.

Today isn’t bad either, let’s take it as an early celebration for both of us forming our Cores in the future, and when we meet again, Old Lin! Mr. Lin, you must treat me to a drink!"

In the pavilion, as Hu Jin brought out Spirit Wine and Spirit Flesh, Lin Chang’an smiled.

He too raised his cup, and after exchanging glances, they both drank it all in one go.

Perhaps the camaraderie between men is all in the drink.

"Having lived for over a hundred years, who would’ve thought the longer I live, the more I reminisce, and the harder it is to let go."

"Indeed, the flowers blossom again, but people don’t return to their youth. Along this journey, we’ve lost so much."

The drinking never stopped, both were full of smiles, but their eyes were filled with memories.

This journey, Lin Chang’an also felt a lot of melancholy.

Back then, outside the Immortal Gate, unable to achieve what we sought, countless disheartened youngsters left together.

As we journeyed, slowly but surely, at some point, many figures had already disappeared. He hadn’t cared much at the time, but thinking back now, he couldn’t help but sigh.

Erniu, Shen Lie, Little Junior Sister Lu Qingqing, one by one, all fell behind and stopped moving forward, watching the friends of his youth age.

"This path of cultivation is too lonely!"

Hu Jin, rare as it was, lost his composure as he expressed his sorrow over his journey — the departure of family, betrayal of friends, some friends stopping altogether.

The higher a cultivator’s cultivation, the lonelier they become.

"No wonder those who live the longest often have strange personalities, earning the title of ’Old Monster’."

But he considered himself fortunate.

Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an filled Hu Jin’s cup with a smile.

"Old Hu, when we meet again in the Core Formation Realm, don’t forget to call me a fellow Daoist!"

"Alright, when we meet again, don’t you dare call me elder, Old Lin!"

Amid hearty laughter, the two clinked their cups in the pavilion.

Old Hu left, and Lin Chang’an didn’t see him off.

As Hu Jin said, he’s just going to find his path and will return.

The pavilion returned to its usual quietness.

This time, Lin Chang’an sighed lightly. Although he was used to it, today it felt a little different.

Just like when he first arrived at the Demon Beast Abyss, and Yun Yao left.

"We’re all on this path, may we never stop, always moving forward."

Lin Chang’an’s calm smile carried a hint of determination.

...

Seven days later!

Old Hu left on a merchant ship, but he sent back a letter through the Lu Family, along with another letter delivered from the Yue Kingdom through Duo Bao Tower.

"Our Old Hu has gone outside to seek the Dao and form his Core, so rest assured. My ancestors, Old Hu, were quite established, almost had a Nascent Soul Patriarch..."

Looking at Hu Jin’s letter, Lin Chang’an laughed and shook his head.

As expected, Old Hu seemed rough but was actually very meticulous.

The letter hinted that his ancestors left him some legacy, and forming his Core shouldn’t be a big issue.

Everyone has their secrets, and sometimes it’s best not to reveal certain things.

Once exposed, many times even life-and-death brothers may turn against each other.

"Is that so? You have your ancestors’ opportunities, but I’m not doing too badly either."

Lin Chang’an shook his head with a smile, letting Old Hu’s letter turn to ash in his hand. He didn’t want any oversight from a letter to leave potential troubles.

Next were letters from Erniu, Shen Lie, and others in Yue Kingdom.

Although the letters said everything was well, a trace of concern lingered in Lin Chang’an’s brows, followed by a long sigh.

"Birth, aging, sickness, and death, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, I still can’t escape the suffering of the cycle."

Wei Buyi’s letter directly revealed everyone’s situations over the years.

Erniu was getting on in years, and though he had the cultivation of Qi Refining Late Stage to support him, he had too many wives and concubines, and even more children.

No matter how much he didn’t want to manage things, he still had to worry.

This led to Erniu being quite worn out, and at just a little over a hundred and ten, his health was no longer what it used to be.

But halfway through reading the letter, there were a few ink blots, showing that a few people had written the letter together, and later Li Erniu wrote, saying he had brought glory to his ancestors, considering this life worthwhile.

"But now, with Erniu having a full household of descendants, the Li Family is beginning to take shape. For Erniu, this life is indeed worth it."

Seeing this, Lin Chang’an smiled.

No rules, no order; establishing an Immortal Cultivation Clan isn’t easy.

The letters mostly talked about the current stability in Yue Kingdom, how they’re doing well now, and blessings for his Core Formation.

At the end, Lin Chang’an chuckled softly as he picked up his pen to write a reply.

Even though he was far in the Demon Beast Abyss, thanks to the Profound Sound Pavilion’s merchant ships from Yue Kingdom, sending letters every two or three years wasn’t difficult.

After all, they were all Foundation Establishment cultivators and had quite the reputations in various market towns.

Even though sending letters was a bit expensive, sending and receiving messages every two or three years was acceptable.