Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans...

Chapter 33 You scoundrel! How dare you harm my grandson!
Zhou family.

"A first-tier high-grade talisman master, this person is quite talented, but unfortunately he is a bit too old."

Zhou Renmao, the head of the Zhou family, shook his head, seemingly lamenting that Lin Chang'an, at his age, was still persisting in his arduous cultivation, believing that he simply hadn't come to terms with reality.

Zhou Antai below nodded in agreement:

“Patriarch, this person has a clean background and is a promising talent. I had Erniu hint at it before, but unfortunately, he still insists on ascetic cultivation as always, and his heart for the Dao remains undiminished.”

Erniu had previously hinted that the Zhou family was planning a marriage alliance, and Lin Chang'an, being a talisman master, could marry a woman from the Zhou family who had spiritual roots.

"The heart that yearns for the Way!"

Zhou Renmao, the head of the Zhou family, had a complicated look in his eyes, as if he was thinking of countless familiar figures who had all fallen on this road.

"A first-tier talisman master, backed by this genius Foundation Establishment disciple of the Li Huo Palace, this favor is worth our Zhou family winning over. You've done a great job."

Zhou Renmao, the head of the Zhou family, said approvingly, "A first-level talisman master wouldn't make them lower themselves like this, but the person behind them is different."

Especially considering their relationship as a son-in-law of the Zhou family, maintaining good relations without offending them is the Zhou family's way of life.

"Recently, the family has been preparing for the Foundation Establishment Pill. It's a time of great turmoil. Later, you will personally go to the Yun Clan Chamber of Commerce in the name of the Zhou family to place the next batch of long-term orders."

Remember, there's no need to deliberately offer discounts; just pick orders from chambers of commerce that offer similar deals.

Hearing the patriarch's instructions, Zhou Antai, an old man who had devoted his life to the Zhou family, respectfully bowed and said:
"Master, I have already instructed my servants to take care of these matters."

Zhou Renmao, the head of the Zhou family, smiled and nodded in satisfaction at his cousin's composure.

"Tell everyone to be careful lately. My father's lifespan is coming to an end, and the Foundation Establishment Pill is likely to attract unwanted attention."

At this moment, the Zhou family patriarch's expression was extremely solemn.

"We were lucky this time. The previous attack on the market by the Rending Wind Eagle allowed our Zhou family to obtain a wind-attribute demon core."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Antai's brows relaxed, and he nodded in agreement:
"Patriarch, this is Heaven's favor upon our Zhou family. Young Master Feng happens to have a unique spiritual root, so his Foundation Establishment is absolutely a sure thing."

However, upon hearing Zhou Antai's words of comfort, Zhou Renmao, the head of the Zhou family, frowned and shook his head, saying:
"No! Times have changed. There are countless people watching Guangfang City. If our Zhou family wants to survive this turmoil, it is far from enough for me to do it alone."

At the same time, news that the Zhou family had prepared the materials to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill and had asked the alchemists of the Li Huo Palace to refine it spread like wildfire.

For a time, countless people in the market were watching.

……

Juxianlou.

"Brother Lin has accumulated a lot of experience and has actually managed to create a first-grade high-quality golden light talisman. We have been keeping it a secret for a long time."

Young Marquis Shen Lie looked on with envy, first offering congratulations and then teasing him, which brought the two of them very close.

Especially the way this sense of distance was maintained, which was just right, made Lin Chang'an feel a sense of goodwill towards her.

"Brother Shen, please don't make fun of me."

Lin Chang'an smiled and waved his hand, then sighed:
"Six months ago, my skills had just made some breakthroughs and were not yet mature. In the past six months, I have wasted a lot of spirit stones dealing with fellow talisman masters. Fortunately, Fellow Daoist Yun gave me the complete inheritance of the Golden Light Talisman."

What he said was all true: purchasing first-grade high-quality talisman paper and cinnabar, and visiting other talisman masters to discuss their experiences. Of course, all of this was for show.

Shen Lie was deeply moved by Lin Chang'an's seemingly nonchalant demeanor as he spoke, despite the bitterness hidden within his words.

It's not that easy.

Only those who have entered the world of cultivation know how difficult it is for a rogue cultivator to climb up step by step through sheer talent.

After just six months of trying, Shen Lie realized that only Lin Chang'an's own people could truly understand the joys and sorrows involved.

However, Shen Lie was unaware of the bittersweet experience, while Lin Chang'an only experienced the sweetness.

"Brother Lin, I won't waste words. With things so chaotic outside, even the First-Rank High-Grade Talisman Merchant Guild isn't making money, but it's indispensable; otherwise, all the independent cultivators would be opportunistic." Speaking of the Merchant Guild, Shen Lie was eloquent and knowledgeable, showing no intention of taking advantage of anyone, but simply smiling and nodding.
"Brother Lin, just give me your talisman. I guarantee you won't lose out."

Lin Chang'an nodded with a smile.

"In that case, we should not trouble two people with one matter. We will have to trouble Brother Shen with the special talisman paper and cinnabar for this first-grade high-level talisman."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lie's face immediately lit up with a smile.

Gifts should be exchanged in return; human relationships require reciprocity.

Besides, it doesn't matter who he buys his talisman paper and cinnabar from.

"Don't worry, although business is business, Brother Lin, you've introduced quite a few talisman masters to the Chamber of Commerce over the years. The talisman paper and cinnabar are definitely top-quality goods and the price won't be inflated."

After exchanging a glance, the two burst into hearty laughter.

The two have known each other for twenty-five years, and maintaining contact in the cultivation world is already a rare and precious thing.

Shen Lie then arranged another private room for him at Juxianlou. Lin Chang'an nodded with a smile, and the two chatted happily in the room.

Now, one-third of the talismans he produces each month are sold to the Zhou family's merchant guild. After all, they just gave him face, so he can't really look up to them now.

He was self-aware that this courtesy from the Zhou family was more out of respect for Yun Yao, who was a Golden Core Elder disciple of the Li Huo Palace.

He was just incidental.

……

After Lin Chang'an broke through to the first-tier high-grade talisman master, his former neighbors in the market, or cultivators with whom he had some acquaintance, all came to congratulate him.

The status of a first-tier high-grade talisman master is higher than that of a cultivator in the late stage of Qi Refining.

Lin Chang'an initially greeted each acquaintance with a smile, since they were all there to offer congratulations and bring gifts. As the saying goes, you shouldn't hit someone who comes to your door with a gift.

However, as it began to affect his normal cultivation, he chose to announce to the outside world that he was going into seclusion, which made the once bustling place quiet down.

It's definitely not that they look down on the paltry gifts.

However, the peaceful days did not last long before the market was thrown into turmoil once again.

"This is a battle between Foundation Establishment cultivators!"

The deafening roar startled even Lin Chang'an, who was drawing talismans inside the house. He stepped out of the house and leaped onto the roof, staring in shock at the scene unfolding in the distance.

"The grand market array has actually shattered!"

From afar, one could see a huge array barrier on the east side of the market. Now, amidst the deafening rumble, a large gap had clearly appeared in the array barrier.

It was precisely because of this that the battle within the formation alarmed the entire market.

"This is the power of a Foundation Establishment cultivator in battle."

Lin Chang'an was completely stunned. Couldn't he just live a peaceful life?

Just as the formation shattered and the aftershocks of the battle leaked out, several angry shouts came from the direction of the Zhou family and Xuan Yin Pavilion.

"You scoundrel! How dare you harm my grandson!"

A furious roar came from the direction of the Zhou family, accompanied by a beastly howl.

What followed was a shocking scene witnessed by countless people in the market: the Zhou family's guardian spirit beast, the Xuan Shui Turtle, appeared in the world.

"You thief, don't run away!"

Several delicate shouts also came from Xuan Yin Pavilion, and in an instant, two Foundation Establishment cultivators headed towards the direction of the commotion.

(End of this chapter)