Eternal Life from Talisman Painting

"Let’s go!"

After inspecting the area and finding no other treasures, like that Phantom Stone, Lin Chang’an shook his head and, along with his two Spirit Pets, rode on the gourd and disappeared into the thick fog.

...

Two months later.

Bibo Island.

Lin Chang’an skillfully disguised himself and entered the Market.

He had become very accustomed to this place over the years.

"Yo, isn’t this Mr. Ge? Finally, you’re here."

As soon as Lin Chang’an, disguised as a Fake Pill Cultivator, entered, the plump Mr. Lei greeted him with a beaming smile.

"Mr. Ge, I’ve got news about the Heavenly Crystal Flower you asked me to find."

With a secret transmission from Fatty Lei, Lin Chang’an’s expression changed, and the two of them, like old friends, laughed as they entered the back room.

"Come, come, Mr. Ge, try some fresh Dragon Leaf Tea."

With an elegant smile, Fatty Lei took a sip, only to spit it out immediately.

"What kind of Spirit Tea is this? It’s so awful yet so expensive."

Fatty Lei complained with displeasure, while Lin Chang’an gently shook his head and tasted the tea.

This Fake Pill Cultivator, Fatty Lei, couldn’t be underestimated. Lin Chang’an didn’t believe he was so carefree on the surface.

If he trusted people easily, he wouldn’t know where he would have died long ago.

"Mr. Lei, let’s discuss the news about the Heavenly Crystal Flower first."

Lin Chang’an put down the teacup with a calm smile, and a Spirit Stone Bag appeared on the table.

Seeing the Spirit Stone Bag, Fatty Lei gave a thumbs-up, laughed, and said:

"Mr. Ge, you’re really generous, unlike others who are so stingy."

Weighing the Spirit Stone Bag, Fatty Lei showed a satisfied smile, pocketed it, and then said seriously:

"Recently, a fellow cultivator has a Heavenly Crystal Flower and wants to trade it for materials to craft a Magical Treasure, or other treasures would also be fine."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang’an frowned.

He only had a few Tier Three materials.

Despite hunting Yin Spirits these years, life was still tight because Yin Spirits were notoriously poor.

If not for the rich spiritual energy of the Yin Meridians attracting him, he wouldn’t have hidden on a deserted island for cultivation.

Fatty Lei seemed to understand his thoughts and squinted with a smile:

"It’s normal for someone who recently achieved Core Formation not to have Tier Three Spiritual Objects. In ten days, there’ll be a gathering of five Fake Pill Cultivators at this shop.

This fellow cultivator will also be there, maybe you can check for opportunities."

After hearing this, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction. A gathering of three to five Fake Pill Cultivators was quite good.

As for why Fatty Lei assumed he recently achieved Core Formation, it was mainly because he, as a Fake Pill Cultivator, had unstable energy, giving the impression of a recent breakthrough.

This Mr. Ge was an alias he adopted six years ago.

Then the two started chatting over tea. Although Fatty Lei seemed straightforward, he didn’t let any useful information slip.

But under Lin Chang’an’s Spirit Stone incentive, Mr. Lei turned into a warm-hearted friend.

He eagerly shared the current situation.

"Five Dragons Island is still in chaos. Since the Peak of Core Formation Late Stage Dragon Island Master retreated twenty years ago due to a major upheaval, he may have been seriously injured and is healing.

Some say the Dragon Island Master is trying to achieve Nascent Soul Formation, but achieving Nascent Soul is not easy. Among all Demon Beast Abyss, there are many Core Formation Late Stage cultivators, but those who can actually form Nascent Soul are few!"

Listening to the information about the power struggles on Five Dragons Island, Lin Chang’an learned that the Long Family had suffered significant losses over the years.

Many families even started to outwardly obey but secretly disobey.

"Who would have thought the situation is still a mess."

Lin Chang’an shook his head. Meanwhile, under Fatty Lei’s expectant gaze, he continued to drink cup after cup of Spirit Tea.

"Friend, this Jade Scroll contains information on the current forces on Five Dragons Island."

Seeing the Spirit Tea wasted, Fatty Lei, feeling distressed, quickly took out the Jade Scroll with the information.

Lin Chang’an, after receiving it, displayed a satisfied smile.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Lei."

"Mr. Ge, no need to be polite."

After Lin Chang’an left, Fatty Lei looked at the teapot to find the Spirit Tea nearly depleted, and his small eyes bulged in disbelief.

"My Spirit Tea! A wild boar can’t appreciate fine chaff, what a waste!"

...

Walking out of the shop, Lin Chang’an took precedence on the Market street.

"I’ve almost prepared enough Core Formation Spiritual Objects. Once I collect the Heavenly Crystal Flower, I can craft the Crystal Condensing Pill."

[Tier Three Lower Grade Alchemist (Proficient 3/500)]

Looking at his Alchemy Skills, Lin Chang’an showed a satisfied smile.

Over the years, without affecting his cultivation, he maintained steady progress in all skill fields.

In terms of Alchemy Skill, he was focused on crafting the Crystal Condensing Pill, for which he had worked hard on cultivation.

His advancements in Array techniques were purely due to practical experience over the years.

[Tier Two Upper Grade Array Master (Grandmaster 3798/5000)]

Whether hunting Yin Spirits or setting up Arrays, his skills had improved rapidly through practice.

He also honed his Talisman Master skills.

[Tier Three Lower Grade Talisman Master (Proficient 184/500)]

"Two Tier Three skills, and with about ten more years, I’ll reach Tier Three in Array techniques."

Seeing his talent across the Hundred Skills of Cultivation, Lin Chang’an nodded to himself.

He thought fate was fair, giving him a poor Low Grade Spirit Root but compensating with talent in other areas.

"But the Alchemy Skill can’t be exposed; as for Talismans, I was already a Talisman Master before, so it’s normal to continue pretending as a Tier Two Upper Grade Talisman Master.

Regarding Arrays, it involves a lot of comprehension. Back in Celestial Profound City, many knew my aptitude in Arrays, and exposure after achieving Core Formation will be harmless."

Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered as he considered future plans.

Outwardly, he excelled in Arrays, advancing to become a Tier Three Array Master, which wouldn’t be doubted.

After all, mastery of Arrays always relies on talent.

Furthermore, being a Tier Three Array Master allowed for easier wealth accumulation, much more so than a Tier Three Talisman Master.

"But all this planning is for the future. Right now, I must trade for the Heavenly Crystal Flower, craft the Crystal Condensing Pill, and then prepare for Core Formation in Sea Abyss City."

He didn’t want to risk forming his core here, fearing the possibility of being targeted.

In Sea Abyss City, the condition for forming a core was that successful cultivators must serve the Bihai Palace and guard the Outer Sea for a hundred years.

A hundred years was a worthy trade for safely achieving Core Formation.

"Moreover, Bihai Palace is reputedly fair to these Core Formation cultivators, and more crucially, it’s safe!"

In the Outer Sea, the presence of Core Formation energy primarily attracts Sea Demon Beasts, for whom human cultivators are a great supplement.

As for human cultivators, who wouldn’t want to take advantage and maybe snatch those Core Formation Spiritual Objects?

Of course, those backed by significant forces, residing within their Sect or clan, could form their cores securely with a Protector.

But he, being merely a Loose Cultivator, had no such privilege.

"As long as I can attain stable Core Formation, a hundred-year guard duty won’t hinder my cultivation. And seeking shade under a big tree is advantageous for a Loose Cultivator who just wants to cultivate peacefully."

"But all of this hinges on how to reach Sea Abyss City!"

Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an began to ponder deeply.

The Five Dragons Island Sea Region had been in turmoil for years, and the Spirit Ships capable of traversing the region were few.

As for merchant ships belonging to Major Sects, they were out of the question.

The unrest in recent years led to strict prohibitions on outsider access, even for those on good terms with the Sect. They wouldn’t easily allow them on board.

"I have too many things on my to-do list, like obtaining the Heavenly Crystal Flower and finding a Spirit Ship to cross the sea."

Moreover, in my Storage Bag, I still have this Tier Three Turtle Shell and that Long Family’s Talisman Treasure. These are things that mustn’t see the light, lest they invite trouble.

"If I take a Spirit Ship, there will undoubtedly be High Tier Cultivators aboard. If anything leaks, it could be disastrous, so for safety, these items must be dealt with beforehand."

Thinking about this, Lin Chang’an’s eyes gleamed thoughtfully.

The Talisman Treasure is manageable since I have a Storage Bag that hides and isolates probes, but the Tier Three Turtle Shell, even after twenty years, is still a dilemma.

I need to find an opportunity to eliminate this hidden danger.