Mortal Cultivator: Lin Tianzun

Chapter 68 Returning home to find medicine and meeting my mentor

Lin Fan spent years exploring every market town under the jurisdiction of the seven major sects. He endured the hustle and bustle of the market town, sleeping in the open air and traveling day and night. He shuttled back and forth through the bustling and noisy markets, interacting with all kinds of immortal cultivators. They bargained for prices, traded what they had, all in the pursuit of the precious elixir.

Now, he had finally achieved his wish, and with a heavy harvest in his arms, he embarked on the journey back to the cave abode in the Yellow Maple Valley. Recalling this journey, Lin Fan's heart was filled with emotion, and every step he took was thrilling.

The world of immortal cultivation is like a dark jungle teeming with dangers. The robber cultivators lurk in the shadows, constantly coveting the wealth and opportunities of passing cultivators. A single misstep can lead to irretrievable doom. Those righteous cultivators harboring evil intentions often reveal their ferocious fangs, resorting to any means necessary for their own selfish gains, repeatedly forcing him into desperate situations.

But Lin Fan never flinched. With his tenacious will and extraordinary courage, he repeatedly escaped the brink of death. Now, as he gazed at the approaching cave, he knew that soon, after his retreat to refine these elixirs, his magical powers would be further enhanced. All the near-death experiences he had endured would become solid steps towards a higher realm.

After a month of traveling day and night, Lin Fan, exhausted both physically and mentally, finally returned to his cave abode in Yellow Maple Valley. The familiar door slowly opened before him, and a familiar aura filled his face, instantly relaxing his tense nerves. He stumbled into the cave abode with unsteady steps, and the first thing he did was to collapse headfirst onto the bed.

This sleep, as if cut off from the world, left Lin Fan in a deep, dark sleep. Three days later, the morning light filtered through the cracks in the cave, casting a glint on his face. Lin Fan slowly awoke. The moment he opened his eyes, a bright light flashed across them. His fatigue vanished, and he felt refreshed.

He stood up and went to the spiritual field behind the cave. The soil here was fertile, and the air was thick with spiritual energy, making it an ideal place for cultivating spiritual herbs. Lin Fan carefully held out the spiritual herbs he had collected over the years. Over a hundred rare and precious medicinal herbs were on display. There were plump seeds, each one shimmering with light, as if imbued with endless vitality. There were also fresh seedlings, their leaves emerald green, their veins clearly visible, swaying gently in the breeze, seemingly fragile yet permeated with tenacity. There were also some young plants, their roots not yet thick, but already emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.

Lin Fan, his hands smeared with dirt, buried each seed in the soil, carefully cultivating it to ensure it was securely planted. He handled the seedlings with even more care, digging a suitable hole to allow the roots to spread, then watering them with spiritual spring water to help them take root. For the spiritual herbs that had aged for a while, he adjusted their placement in the spiritual field, striving to ensure that each one could absorb the most spiritual energy. After finishing all this, Lin Fan straightened up and gazed at this spiritual field that held such hope. The corners of his mouth curled up unconsciously, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Next, Lin Fan eagerly pulled the ancient, yellowed "Ancient Alchemy Scripture" from his storage bag. The handwriting on the cover was vigorous and powerful, revealing the vicissitudes of time. He carefully opened it, and as he stroked the pages, a scent of ageless yet spiritual charm filled his face.

Lin Fan sat upright at the stone table within the cave, absorbed in his study. His gaze wandered across the pages, sometimes frowning slightly, lost in thought; other times, a flicker of sudden realization crossed his eyes, a look of delight on his face. When he encountered difficult passages, he would read over and over, analyzing them word by word, occasionally jotting down his thoughts and insights in the margins to the side.

Every seven days, Lin Fan would punctually visit the spiritual field. He would retrieve the Taiqing Jade Purifying Bottle, pour clear water into the basin, and then drop in the Taiqing Immortal Liquid. The two blended, creating a faint glow. Then, holding the basin, he would evenly sprinkle the liquid over the medicinal herbs in the field, each drop landing precisely on the plant, infusing it with vitality.

Just like that, after a month of dedicated study, Lin Fan had completely grasped the Foundation Establishment stage elixir recipes in the Ancient Alchemy Classic. He knew that refining elixirs was no easy task, requiring not only precise control of the heat and the perfect proportions of the herbs, but also a thorough understanding of the properties of each elixir.

Lin Fan then meticulously planned the steps for producing the elixir, following the order in which the herbs were needed. He meticulously categorized the herbs in the spiritual field and created a detailed timetable based on the requirements of each elixir recipe.

For example, he prioritized the growth of the "Purple Ganoderma" and "Green Veined Vine" needed to refine the "True Essence Pill," ensuring they matured at the perfect time to ensure a perfect blend of medicinal properties. This way, each spiritual herb could be used in the pill at the most appropriate time, rather than blindly ripening them without any specific method.

Lin Fan couldn't bear to let such a divine object as the Qiankun Creation Cauldron sit idle. Although he had no plans to refine pills at the moment, he had other plans and set his sights on cultivating mid-level spirit stones.

During his twenty years of seclusion, whenever he had a moment of free time, Lin Fan would use the Qiankun Creation Cauldron to cultivate low-level spirit stones. After a long time, he finally succeeded in cultivating approximately three hundred mid-level spirit stones. Unfortunately, this trip to collect spiritual herbs was extremely expensive, and most of these painstakingly accumulated mid-level spirit stones had been used up.

After finishing his tasks, Lin Fan thought about the spirit beast egg. It had a remarkable origin, and he'd been racking his brains trying to figure out how to hatch it. Suddenly, he remembered how Han Li had successfully hatched a demon beast using the Spirit Eye Spring in the original novel, and an idea struck him.

Lin Fan arrived at the Spirit Eye Spring, where the water gurgled and brimmed with spiritual energy. He leaned over, cupping the spirit beast egg in both hands and slowly lowering it into the water. The egg, as if sensing the water, glowed faintly as the spiritual energy within the spring entwined itself like a thread, nourishing it. Lin Fan stood by, his gaze fixed on the spirit beast egg, eagerly anticipating the day when a powerful spirit beast would hatch from it, aiding him on his perilous journey to immortality.

After arranging everything in his cave abode, Lin Fan set out for the Chen family. He was both respectful and apprehensive about this visit. After all, as his nominal master, Elder Chen Minghui was a renowned figure in the world of immortal cultivation. His cultivation was unfathomable, and his manner of conduct was truly awe-inspiring.

Lin Fan didn't dare slack off along the way, using his full strength to control his magical instruments. The light from the instruments beneath his feet shone, cutting through the sky and leaving behind a brilliant streak of light. After several hours of traveling, he could see the magnificent Chen family mansion from afar.

The Chen family mansion sits in a valley steeped in spiritual energy, shrouded in mist and clouds, resembling a fairyland. The massive stone gate is intricately engraved with runes, which emanate a faint glow, not only highlighting the Chen family's heritage but also serving as a powerful defensive formation. Within the mansion, pavilions and terraces are scattered throughout, spiritual plants abound, and rare spiritual flowers bloom with a strange brilliance. The air is filled with a rich spiritual energy, refreshing the senses.

Lin Fan arrived at the stone gate, straightened his clothes respectfully, and stepped forward to gently knock on the doorknob. After a moment, the door slowly opened, and a young monk in a cyan robe poked his head out. After taking a good look at Lin Fan, he asked, "Sir, what brings you here?"

Lin Fan quickly clasped his hands together, bowed, and said, "Please inform Elder Chen Minghui that I, your disciple Lin Fan, request an audience."

When the cultivator heard the name "Lin Fan," he was slightly startled, a flicker of surprise flashing across his face. He then said, "So it's Young Master Lin Fan. The ancestor instructed that you can enter directly upon your arrival. Young Master Lin, please follow me."

Lin Fan followed him through a long corridor. Scrolls hung on the walls on either side, depicting the heroic figures and great achievements of the Chen family's ancestors. Along the way, he could see many of the Chen family's children diligently training in the courtyards, practicing spells or exchanging skills.

After passing several rockeries, they arrived at a quiet courtyard. Stepping into the hall, Lin Fan immediately spotted Chen Minghui. Despite decades of cultivating immortality, this senior cultivator showed no trace of fatigue or age. His face was firm and composed, and he looked no more than forty years old.

Chen Minghui's sword-like eyebrows slanted into his temples, like two sharp blades, radiating a fierce and heroic aura. His eyes were deep and distant, like the endless night sky, with cold stars twinkling within. Every glance carried a sharp, all-seeing gaze. The occasional flash of brilliance seemed to penetrate layers of fog, reaching the essence of things and revealing the hidden mysteries of all things.

His high nose, like a towering mountain, added a sense of three-dimensionality to his features. Beneath his nose, his thin lips were slightly pursed, their lines strong and resolute, exuding an undeniable coldness. With a single movement of his lips, he could utter resounding words and make decisions that would determine life or death.

A neatly trimmed beard at his chin, like a meticulously crafted work of art, perfectly framed his face and accentuated the calm and dignity in his every gesture. This appearance, imbued with the transcendental aura of a cultivator, combined with the self-assurance and composure of time, filled anyone who beheld him with awe.

He quickly stepped forward, knelt on his knees, and bowed deeply, saying, "Disciple Lin Fan, I pay my respects to Master." Elder Chen Minghui put down his teacup, gazed at Lin Fan with a piercing gaze, and a gratified smile spread across his face. He said, "Stand up. It's been years since we last met. I'm very pleased to see you've grown so much."

Afterward, Patriarch Chen Minghui gestured for Lin Fan to sit down, and the two began a conversation. Patriarch Chen Minghui inquired in detail about Lin Fan's years of cultivation, his experiences outside, and the difficulties he had encountered. Lin Fan answered each truthfully. When he mentioned the various crises he had encountered while collecting elixirs, Patriarch Chen Minghui nodded frequently, expressing his appreciation for his responses.

As they talked, the sky gradually darkened, and spiritual lamps lit up in the courtyard, emitting a soft glow. Ancestor Chen Minghui had invited Lin Fan to a dinner at the Chen family's house. The meal consisted of carefully prepared spiritual dishes, which were not only delicious but also rich in spiritual energy, greatly beneficial for cultivation.

After dinner, Lin Fan bowed once more to Elder Chen Minghui and said goodbye. Elder Chen Minghui warned him, "The path to immortality is extremely difficult and perilous. You must not slack off even a little. If you encounter difficulties in the future, feel free to return to the Chen family and seek me out." Lin Fan nodded solemnly and left the Chen family, feeling deeply inspired and grateful.

(End of this chapter)