Mortal Cultivator: Lin Tianzun

Chapter 61 A trip to the city
On a clear, azure morning, Lin Fan strode out of his cave, his mind composed and composed. His spiritual energy surged like a raging undercurrent, surging freely and unrestrainedly, fully displaying the majestic aura unique to a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Looking out into the distance, Lin Fan's sharp gaze, like a torch, instantly pierced through the layers of mist. He had already carefully planned the purpose of this journey.

He turned gracefully, his movements as natural and fluid as flowing water, and raised his hand to gently tap the storage bag at his waist. In an instant, the storage bag was filled with a faint glow, and a dazzling stream of light flew out from it. It was the famous Star-Breaking Sword, which could cut through iron like mud.

As the Star-Shattering Sword emerged, its blade vibrated violently, emitting an excited humming sound, as if cheering for the adventure that was about to begin. A sharp, cold light emanated from the blade, dazzling and piercing, as if it threatened to rend the gloomy sky apart, its sharp edge revealing its unparalleled power and extraordinary origins.

Lin Fan tapped his toes, his figure as lithe as a swallow skimming the water, landing steadily on the Star-Breaking Sword. The sword's whirring grew louder and louder, carrying him like a meteor chasing the moon, hurtling towards the Yellow Maple Valley Marketplace at lightning speed. His path left only a fleeting afterimage, startling birds in the forest and fluttering their wings in a rustling chorus.

Time flew by, and an hour passed in a flash. The Star-Breaking Sword, carrying Lin Fan, came to a steady stop five miles from the Yellow Maple Valley market. Ahead, a layer of barely discernible restriction flickered faintly; this was the restricted airspace designated by the market.

This restricted-fly zone, like an invisible yet impenetrable barrier, completely blocks low-altitude flight. Only cultivators who have advanced to the Core Formation stage can, with their powerful spiritual energy, freely traverse it, unfettered by these restrictions.

Lin Fan's gaze narrowed slightly, his expression calm, as he silently lamented the strict rules of the market. He sheathed his flying sword, landed steadily on the ground, and walked towards the market. Before long, the market was within sight.

The market gates stood majestically, their vermilion lacquer gleaming with an ancient sheen in the sunlight, like giants standing for millennia, quietly bearing witness to the vicissitudes of time. The guards on either side had stern expressions, their gazes like two sharp, cold blades, scrutinizing every person entering and leaving, not missing a single sign of abnormality.

Lin Fan straightened his clothes, his expression composed, and he entered the market with neither arrogance nor servility. Instantly, a clamorous bustle of noise washed over him, the sounds of hawking and bargaining intertwined, creating a lively and bustling melody.

Before me was the north gate of Tainan Market, a bustling scene abounded. Street stalls were densely packed, mostly run by independent cultivators, selling a wide variety of items. From the fragments of rare magical instruments to spiritual herbs of varying ages, everything was available.

Between the stalls, there were also many simple dwellings, where ordinary people lived. Some of them were busy with housework, washing clothes and cooking, while others did small business with passing cultivators, trading daily necessities, full of the atmosphere of daily necessities.

In stark contrast, the South Gate, at the other end of the market, was the only place on the other side. I'd heard that half of the area around the South Gate was filled with shops run by cultivators, selling rare treasures and supplies. If you wanted to buy what you needed for cultivation, you had to go to the South Gate.

The entire Tainan Market was a north-south street, with attics and small houses scattered along its sides. The large attics, with their carved beams and painted buildings, were magnificent, their flying eaves and brackets exuding extravagance. It was obvious at a glance that the shops were owned by powerful people, and the goods they sold were of the rich and the noble.

The smaller houses are unpretentious, mostly owned by small-scale vendors. Though unassuming, they exude a distinct air of everyday life. Beneath the eaves, signboards sway in the breeze, their calligraphy flowing and graceful, or vigorous and powerful, each one inviting passersby to come inside and explore.

Walking in this market, Lin Fan felt as if he was in a unique world, where the lives of immortal cultivators and mortals blended wonderfully, colliding into a different kind of fireworks and fantasy that was dazzling.

Lin Fan had a clear goal and no distractions as he headed straight for the most eye-catching Wanbao Tower in the market. This Wanbao Tower was famous in the original novel and was well-known.

Back then, Han Li made his first fortune on the road to immortal cultivation thanks to a transaction here. Han Li exchanged two thousand-year-old spiritual herbs for several powerful treasures in the Wanbao Tower.

It was these treasures that Han Li relied on to navigate the Crimson Forbidden Land, allowing him to conquer the perilous land with divine assistance, unleashing a wave of destruction. Furthermore, Han Li leveraged the power of these treasures to forge a bond with Nangong Wan, creating a legendary story that brought him both fame and fortune, and a fortune of immense wealth.

Lin Fan gazed at the imposing building before him with great anticipation. Its soaring eaves, brackets, carved beams, and painted buildings all exuded a sense of grandeur and luxury. The two guards at the door, dressed in ornate attire, shrouded in a hazy spiritual energy, like two hidden mountains, clearly possessed considerable strength, no ordinary men.

Lin Fan's spiritual energy quietly circulated throughout his body, and the pressure unique to the Foundation Establishment Stage overflowed like a tide. The two guards' originally stern expressions changed instantly, a trace of awe flashed in their eyes, and then they bowed their heads respectfully and stepped aside to make way, as if welcoming a distinguished guest.

Lin Fan stepped steadily into the Wanbao Building. Suddenly, his vision opened up to a spacious, brightly lit hall. Warm light illuminated every corner, bringing a sense of warmth to his heart.

In the hall, rows of red paulownia wood shelves are neatly arranged. The red paulownia wood exudes a light woody fragrance, blending with the surrounding spiritual energy to create a unique charm that is refreshing and pleasant.

On the shelves, a dazzling array of immortal cultivation items were neatly arranged. Here, shimmering magical instruments exuded a captivating aura, each one seemingly telling of its own extraordinary origins. Some had once slain demons and monsters at the hands of powerful warriors, achieving illustrious military exploits; others, weathered by the test of time, imbued with mysterious powers, waiting to be discovered by those destined to discover them.

Over there, all kinds of rare materials are in different shapes, some emit strange light, as bright as stars; some are filled with unique fragrance, rich and fragrant. All of them are excellent materials for refining magic tools and elixirs, and are treasures that cultivators dream of.

The talismans and cinnabar are neatly stacked, with the runes on the talismans flashing, as if ready to burst out with powerful power at any time, which can turn the tide of battle at the critical moment and avert danger; the cinnabar is bright in color, and its quality is obvious at a glance. It is a treasure in the eyes of alchemists, and can be used to refine magical elixirs that prolong life and improve cultivation.

Look at that corner again, there are many flags, and the runes painted on the flags are mysterious, as if they contain the power to change the world, able to control the spiritual power of heaven and earth, set up powerful magic arrays, trap and kill enemies, and are omnipotent.

Lin Fan glanced over, secretly amazed. As expected, the renowned Wanbao Tower truly had everything. With enough spirit stones or rare items, one could find nearly anything they needed here, satisfying every need on the path to immortality.

In the hall, seven or eight young maids moved lithely. They all wore moon-white dresses with pale blue spiritual patterns embroidered on the hems. As they moved, the patterns shimmered, creating a dreamlike illusion, like fairies descending to earth.

Some were concentrating on introducing various items to other cultivators, their voices soft and pleasant, like the sound of a clear mountain spring; others were standing by with their postures straight, ready to provide services to the guests at any time, with professionalism and enthusiasm in their eyes.

One of the sharp-eyed maids instantly spotted Lin Fan's entrance. With graceful steps and a gentle smile on her face, she approached Lin Fan, bowed slightly, and said respectfully, "Senior, please follow me to the second floor. The hall is filled with Qi training supplies. As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, everything you need is on the second floor."

With that, she leisurely led the way. Her every move betrayed a well-practiced demeanor, each step perfectly timed. Lin Fan felt neither hurried nor deliberately slowed down, leaving him feeling comfortable. Lin Fan followed, his gaze gazing with interest. The maid led him around row after row of shelves, heading deeper into the hall. There, a staircase carved from white jade wound upward, emitting a faint, warm glow, as if beckoning him to a higher realm of cultivation, to discover more rare treasures.

Lin Fan followed the maid up the stairs and into a room on the second floor. An air of simplicity and elegance filled the air.

Hanging on the walls are landscape paintings, each delicately brushed and imbued with profound artistic conception. The mountains and flowing water in these paintings seem to possess spirits, flowing with a vibrant rhythm in the tranquil space, making one feel as if they were immersed in the landscape, forgetting the worries of the world.

The floor is paved with thick sandalwood tiles with clear textures, emitting a light and elegant fragrance, calm and restrained, giving people a sense of solidity.

In the center of the room sat a coffee table crafted from a single piece of agarwood, its lines flowing and natural. Atop it, a delicate tea set shimmered in the dim light, a warm sheen evidently the work of a renowned artist.

The maid, with a graceful figure, gently lifted the teapot from the table and slowly poured the steaming hot tea into the cup. Suddenly, a rich tea aroma filled the air, mingled with a subtle spiritual aura that made one feel refreshed and exhausted, their fatigue swept away.

"Senior, please take a rest." The maid's voice was as gentle as the spring breeze. "Our boss will be here soon." After that, she bowed slightly and walked out of the door gracefully, leaving Lin Fan alone in this quiet and elegant room, waiting for the boss to arrive.

Lin Fan lifted the teacup and took a sip. The tea swirled on his tongue, its rich flavor spreading, and along with the spiritual energy, it slowly seeped into his body. He narrowed his eyes in satisfaction, quietly waiting for the shopkeeper to arrive, secretly pondering the upcoming transaction.

After a while, the door of the room was gently pushed open, and a beautiful young woman walked in. She was wearing a goose yellow brocade dress with delicate golden cloud patterns embroidered on the hem. As she walked, the cloud patterns seemed to flow like the glow of the sunset, shimmering and dazzling.

A silk ribbon of the same color was tied around her waist, and at the end of the ribbon hung a warm mutton-fat jade pendant, which swayed gently as she walked, making crisp and pleasant sounds, like the sound of nature.

Her face was beautiful, her skin whiter than snow, radiating a soft glow, as delicate and tender as a newly opened pear blossom. Her eyebrows were as dark as distant mountains in spring, their shape perfectly outlining a touch of gentleness, revealing her gentle temperament.

Her eyes are like a clear spring, limpid and transparent, revealing agility and intelligence. As they flicker, they seem to hold endless stories, drawing you in. Her slightly upturned mouth, with a perfectly balanced smile, is both friendly and dignified, bringing warmth and warmth to the eyes.

The young woman walked lightly to Lin Fan, bowed slightly, and said in a soft but clear voice, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. I'm the owner of Wanbaolou. I heard you were coming, so I came to greet you. I wonder if there's anything you'd like to see?"

Lin Fan raised his eyes, his gaze calmly fixed on the incoming shopkeeper. He reached into his bosom and unhurriedly pulled out a lustrous jade slip. The jade slip had a soft, smooth texture, its surface shimmering with a faint, pale green hue, as if nourished by spiritual energy for a long time, exuding a mysterious aura.

He gently placed the jade slip on the agarwood coffee table, his movements calm and steady, revealing a calm demeanor. "There are quite a few things I need, and they're all on this jade slip. Take a look for yourself," Lin Fan said, his voice low but revealing an undeniable calmness that made no one dare underestimate him.

The shopkeeper nodded slightly, a hint of curiosity and inquiry flashing in her eyes. She walked lightly to the coffee table, stretched out her scallion-white fingers, and gently picked up the jade slip.

Immediately afterwards, a wisp of spiritual energy escaped from her fingertips and slowly penetrated the jade slip. Instantly, her eyes widened slightly, and a hint of surprise crossed her face. The list of requirements within the jade slip clearly exceeded her expectations, including some extremely rare and elusive items.

After a moment, the shopkeeper calmed down and looked up at Lin Fan. He put on his professional, gentle smile again and said, "Many of the items you need are unpopular. We only have less than one-tenth of them here."

"Oh?" Lin Fan was surprised. After a moment's thought, he nodded and said, "Okay, you can get it."

The shopkeeper bowed slightly, turned, and walked to the side of the room, gently pressing a hidden mechanism on the wall. With a click, a secret door slowly opened. A light flickered inside, and faintly visible were various rare items placed inside, emitting an alluring glow.

She stepped into the dark room and emerged moments later, holding an exquisite tray. On the tray, several items emitting unique radiances were neatly arranged. Some were shimmering magical treasures imbued with powerful spiritual energy, while others were materials imbued with spiritual energy, key to refining high-level magical instruments and elixirs.

"Senior, these are the items currently stored in the building that meet your requirements." The shopkeeper gently placed the tray on the coffee table, looked at Lin Fan, and waited for his inspection.

Lin Fan gently reached out and picked up each item on the tray, examining it carefully. Talisman paper, cinnabar, elixir seedlings, and seeds—anything mentioned in the Ancient Alchemy Classics—Lin Fan would collect them. He nodded silently, quite pleased with the quality of the items. Each one exuded a unique spiritual energy, clearly meticulously selected and of the highest quality.

After checking, he looked up at the shopkeeper and asked calmly, "How many spirit stones?"

The shopkeeper smiled brightly, his voice clear and pleasant: "Senior, a total of 1,500 low-level spirit stones."

Upon hearing this, Lin Fan, without the slightest hesitation, raised his hand and pulled out fifteen mid-level spirit stones from his storage bag, handing them to the shopkeeper. In the world of immortal cultivation, one mid-level spirit stone was equivalent to one hundred low-level spirit stones. These fifteen mid-level spirit stones were worth exactly one thousand five hundred low-level spirit stones. His movements were quick and decisive, displaying a generous and magnanimous spirit.

The shopkeeper took the spirit stone with both hands, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes. He bowed again and said, "Thank you for your patronage. If you have any further needs in the future, Wanbaolou will be happy to serve you."

Lin Fan nodded slightly, then put the items into his storage bag. He turned around and walked out of the Wanbao Building with steady steps. Outside, the sun shone brightly, illuminating his tall figure.

(End of this chapter)