Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans...

Chapter 429 Enlightenment at Green Bamboo Mountain
Cloud-shrouded mountains.

Surrounded by clouds and mist, the towering trees, which should have exuded boundless vitality, were instead deathly silent.

There wasn't even the chirping of insects or the gentle breeze; time seemed to stand still here, with only slowly swirling clouds that shimmered with iridescent colors under the sunlight.

This place is like a paradise on earth.

"Master, this aura feels so comfortable."

Just then, in the deathly silent environment, the sound of a phoenix bird came from within his consciousness, leaving Lin Chang'an speechless.

The colorful beauty of the clouds reflected in the sunlight is actually a deadly poison.

"The miasma here would affect even ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators."

Under Lin Chang'an's spiritual eyes, penetrating layers of poisonous miasma, one could clearly see a giant tree radiating rich spiritual energy in the distant forest.

"This is the Spirit Spring Tree!"

Lin Chang'an's expression turned solemn. According to his memories, the Blood Fiend True Man encountered a great change in this outer area and fled in a sorry state. He didn't even have time to leave the Cloud Mist Mountain Range and could only die in a sorry state.

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an, as if he had been prepared, made a hand seal, and a spirit beast bag opened in the distance. The next moment, a group of second-tier vultures that he had captured during his travels flew out.

The beasts instinctively felt fear. If Lin Chang'an hadn't injected his Xuan Tian magic power beforehand, they would have died the moment they came into contact with the miasma.

However, in the instant the birds took flight, the desolate forest seemed to come alive, and in a flash, vines and giant, man-eating flowers suddenly sprouted out.

In just a short moment, hundreds of second-tier vultures were devoured.

Upon seeing this scene, Lin Chang'an's pupils shrank immediately. With the powerful divine sense and perception of a Nascent Soul cultivator, he naturally saw through it all.

"This tree of spiritual spring has actually taken on a physical form by separating its spiritual energy from its body."

At this moment, Lin Chang'an was secretly shocked. When a wood-attribute spiritual object is born with pure spiritual energy, it will have preliminary intelligence. After passing the first heavenly tribulation, it can separate its spiritual energy from its body, which is the so-called spiritual body incarnation.

They have embarked on the path of cultivation, but those that are particularly fierce are also known as Wood Spirit Ferocious Objects.

Although it was just a test, Lin Chang'an had already figured it out. Combining the experiences of Blood Fiend True Man and the situation of Lu Zhenjun, he had already deduced most of the truth.

Using Blood Fiend Master as bait, Master Lu seized the opportunity to steal the spiritual liquid from the Spirit Spring Tree.

"This can no longer be called a Spirit Spring Tree, but a mutated Poisonous Miasma Spirit Spring Tree. Although the spirit spring is polluted, it is still possible to extract pure Nascent Soul Spiritual Objects by paying a certain price."

For cultivators aiming for the Nascent Soul stage, this is already a godsend opportunity, at least providing a direction.

"No wonder it took Blood Fiend True Man so long to pass away, while this True Man Lu has only just formed his Nascent Soul. It must have taken him some time to refine the pure Nascent Soul Spiritual Material."

Lin Chang'an watched from the big tree as the wood spirit devoured its blood and flesh, and at the same time, he sensed the strength of the creature.

This ferocious wood spirit should have the strength of a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, and with the added strength of the terrifying miasma, ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators really don't want to fight against such a creature.

“Master, that spiritual spring is a treasure for nascent souls.”

Meanwhile, the phoenix bird on the side was already very tempted. This kind of rare and precious material was even more effective for demonic beasts.

"If you're so capable, then you do it."

Lin Chang'an smiled irritably, while the phoenix bird's eyes widened in surprise.

On it?

Shall we offer this monster some blood?

"Master, you can't do this."

The phoenix looked on with a pitiful expression. Wasn't the whole point of this adventure to come here for this magical creature?

Although Lin Chang'an has now reached the Nascent Soul stage, the Phoenix Cry Bird is about to break through, and it would be difficult to prepare and purchase a breakthrough item in a very short time using conventional methods.

Therefore, the reason for traveling to the Cloud and Mist Mountains was also because there were spiritual beings capable of forming infants in this place.

"However, the Xuan Tian Spirit Body's ability to conceal itself is truly remarkable. It can perfectly blend with the surrounding spiritual plants, and even the naturally born wood-type evil spirits did not detect it."

Just as Lin Chang'an was feeling sentimental, the voice of the remnant soul in red came from behind.

"Where is this?"

After the remnant soul in red appeared, it landed on a treetop nearby with great nonchalance, demonstrating its perfect concealment.

"You, Golden Flame Divine Phoenix, should have come from the sealed land with me. I don't remember the specifics, but I do remember that someone entered the sealed land and that's how I was brought out."

But this person was too cautious and missed the best opportunity, ultimately dying peacefully.

At this moment, the woman in red pointed to the Spirit Spring Tree in the distance and said with a troubled expression.

Through the layers of clouds and mist, Lin Chang'an also saw that the vines spreading around the Spirit Spring Tree concealed some kind of altar.

The patterns on the altar seem very similar to those of the abyss that was suppressed in the final labyrinth hall of the first secret realm of the Demon Beast Sea Abyss.

"The Sealed Demon Abyss!?"

Legend has it that the ancient sealing altar that sealed the demon race, the Demon Beast Sea Abyss Secret Realm, the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, and the Demon Abyss Forest bordering the territory of the Guardian Alliance.

Without exception, all of these are related to the legendary Sealed Demon Abyss.

"The secrets of the cultivation world are really getting more and more numerous."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but take a deep breath. It seemed that only after becoming a Nascent Soul cultivator did he gradually begin to unveil the mysterious veil of the cultivation world.

It's no wonder that the phoenix bird got along so well with the two people in red; they were from the same place.

"Fengmoyuan, we should probably ask Elder Cheng about this when we get back. After all, he is a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, a fourth-level alchemist, and has lived for over a thousand years."

……

"Hehe, this is truly delicious."

In the distance, a half-foot-tall spirit infant radiating a deep green color revealed a ferocious smile as it greedily devoured the blood and flesh it had captured.

It exudes a rich wood-attribute spiritual energy, and its form is somewhere between a nascent soul and a demon infant.

Such a Wood Spirit Infant should possess pure and clear spiritual energy, but this spirit creature exudes a dense poisonous miasma and a faint demonic aura.

"who!"

Just then, an aura burst forth from afar. The infant spirit let out a cold shout, but upon sensing that it was a living being, it couldn't help but laugh cruelly.

"Hehehe, great, more food has come to our door."

In an instant, the infant spirit transformed into a ghastly green light.

However, just as it disappeared, a figure appeared from the other side.

"Master, hurry! This place is full of the spiritual sap from the Spirit Spring Tree."

Beneath the giant tree's vines, a pool of spiritual spring water had accumulated.

Using the spiritual spring to lure blood-eating creatures is entirely consistent with the ability of spiritual plants that possess the capacity to devour.

"What's the rush? This spiritual liquid has been corroded by miasma, and ordinary magic treasures simply cannot store it."

With a solemn expression, Lin Chang'an raised his hand and channeled his Xuan Tian magic power. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he drained the entire pool of spiritual spring water, which was the size of a water vat and had accumulated for thousands of years.

After obtaining the treasure, Lin Chang'an didn't stay there any longer; he transformed into a streak of light and slipped away.

The infant spirit seemed to have also discovered that its lair had been destroyed, and angrily cursed, "Cunning human cultivator, don't let me catch you."

A terrifying aura emanated from behind, and at the same time, the trees within a hundred miles seemed to come alive.

However, Lin Chang'an had long since vanished without a trace.

He dared not destroy the spirit tree itself. Not to mention that the spirit tree was one with the spiritual veins of this place and could be considered a companion spirit, he did not have the ability to do so.

If it's destroyed, it'll be like the Yin Spirit Beast King in the Demonic Beast Sea Abyss—its physical body destroyed, practically severing its path. At that point, the nascent spirit will have no physical body to restrain it, and it'll come at you to fight to the death. Who would be crazy to do that?

And this time he has already obtained what he needed.

This is also why he is so powerful. If it were any other Nascent Soul cultivator, even one at the mid-Nascent Soul stage, under the influence of the terrifying miasma, without the advantage of terrain, very few would dare to provoke this thing.

The Wood Spirit Infant, who possesses both extremely strong stealth and perception abilities, encountered him, which is why things were so easy for her.

After Lin Chang'an fled, the wooden spirit infant cursed angrily, but it was unable to sense any of his presence.

It seems that this person, like it, is a wood spirit born from the Spirit Spring Tree.

……

half a month later.

In the Yue Kingdom, there was a market town called Qingzhushan.

"It's monster meat, freshly slaughtered."

"The Bigu Pill is an essential item for pioneering and venturing into new lands."

On the simple cobblestone streets of the market town, cultivators at the Qi Refining stage hawked their wares on both sides.

This feeling of being surrounded by life made Lin Chang'an stare in a daze.

This was the place where he had lived for decades. These unfamiliar faces, yet the familiar atmosphere, made him feel as if he had returned to where his dreams began.

"Qingzhushan Market has been gone for almost three hundred years. Things have really changed."

Dressed in simple robes, Lin Chang'an walked along the familiar streets of the market town. Looking at the bustling yet unfamiliar market town, only the trees that had grown much stronger in the mountains and forests gave him a sense of familiarity.

"Bring me a pot of green bamboo wine."

"okay."

Stepping into the restaurant in the market, Lin Chang'an skillfully ordered several local specialties that he hadn't tasted for over a hundred years.

Juxianlou is still the same restaurant, but it has changed drastically and is no longer the same as it used to be.

It is now run by the descendants of the Shen family.

As the bittersweet aftertaste of the low-grade spirit wine mingled with a hint of bamboo fragrance lingered, Lin Chang'an gazed at the bustling market town and couldn't help but smile.

came back.

After a three-hundred-year absence, he has returned once again.

He failed to be selected by a sect when he first entered the world of cultivation, and it was here that his dream of cultivating immortality began.

Now, three hundred years later, the world has changed, and people have changed. He is now the powerful cultivator he once dreamed of being in the cultivation world.

At that moment, he seemed to understand the meaning of cultivating immortality.

"Cultivating immortality, besides traversing the world, also offers a unique experience of witnessing the vicissitudes of life, in addition to its bitterness."

At this moment, Lin Chang'an's mind cleared up, and he looked at Qingzhushan Market again, a carefree smile appearing on his lips.

There's no need for so much pessimism. I'm already a Nascent Soul cultivator, even though many of my old friends who came along the way have passed away after stopping.

But Lin Chang'an could still see the Zhou family's residence from afar.

Life is short, so make the most of it.

"Hehe, my mind is clear. After returning to settle my worldly ties, this path to the Nascent Soul stage has only just begun. I cannot stop yet."

After drinking another cup of spiritual wine, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh.

After this spiritual elevation, he vaguely felt that his divine sense had actually advanced to the peak of the early Nascent Soul stage.

"The master is really something, what's so good about this kind of wine?"

At the wooden table, the Phoenix Bird, disguised as an ordinary spirit pet, took a sip of the spirit wine and couldn't help but show its disdain.

This spirit wine is terrible.

At this moment, Lin Chang'an and his bird in the restaurant naturally attracted the attention of many people.

"Shh, keep your voice down. This guy has a perfect aura and looks like a master at the ninth level of Qi Refining. Don't cause trouble."

"The quality of the robes and the mannerisms suggest an extraordinary background. Could it be the Zhou family?"

"Alright, hurry up and eat. Then let's go buy some talismans. Next time, we must team up to hunt down a mid-stage first-tier demon beast."

"Yes Yes."

Inside the restaurant, a group of Qi Refining cultivators were gathered, including young people who were just beginning to dream of becoming powerful immortals, as well as experienced middle-aged cultivators who had seen through the realities of life.

There were also some older Qi Refining cultivators with sharp eyes. They gathered in groups of three or five, and even when they talked, they used soundproofing techniques to keep their conversations quiet.

No one will easily provoke others.

"Have you heard? We've heard that the Xuan Yin Pavilion in our Yue Kingdom has offended someone they shouldn't have. Recently, two Core Formation cultivators came to our door."

"What's there to be afraid of? The two Fairy Zhaos of Xuan Yin Pavilion are also Core Formation cultivators. I've heard that when the two fairies join forces, they can even withstand a late-stage Core Formation cultivator."

"Alright, we're just a small place here. Let's focus on our cultivation. I just hope this time we don't start a war."

"However, in recent years, the main force of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance seems to have been retreating, and many Core Formation Ancestors have returned."

The telepathic messages from some of the cultivators in the restaurant did not escape Lin Chang'an's divine sense.

Upon hearing this, he simply smiled calmly; such was the nature of power struggles in the cultivation world.

"However, it is interesting that many Core Formation cultivators from the Seven Kingdoms Alliance have returned."

Lin Chang'an chuckled and shook his head, then paid the spirit stones and carried a pot of spirit wine out of the restaurant.

After arriving at the desolate back mountain, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but sigh softly.

“Old He, it seems we won’t be able to find your grave. But that’s fine, at least it won’t be disturbed.”

However, Lin Chang'an still came to a familiar big tree, poured three cups of spirit wine, and shook his head as he looked at the lush wild grass.

"Old He, what you said back then was just a joke. Now I'm much stronger than a Core Formation cultivator."

From the desolate back mountain came a burst of self-talking laughter, and Lin Chang'an gazed at the setting sun with a dreamy look in his eyes.

A pot of spirit wine remained among the wild grass, and under the glow of dusk, it seemed to recreate the scene of the two young people in their youth.

A burly man wielding a large sword and a novice cultivator gradually disappeared into the distance.

The words of their past jokes still faintly echoed in my ears.

"Hey, I will definitely become the Core Formation Ancestor of Yue Kingdom in the future."

"Haha, aren't you afraid the wind will hurt your tongue?"

As the setting sun shone, a pot of spirit wine was drunk dry, and the figure vanished without a trace. The joke made three hundred years ago also dissipated in the wind, gradually fading into the long river of time.

　I initially considered whether or not to write this article, but after thinking about it, I decided to write it anyway, even if I get criticized for it.

　　This can be considered a combination of the content from the first few chapters of this book, and the path to becoming a Nascent Soul cultivator will follow.

　　[The Cloud Mist Mountains and the Sealed Demon Abyss are also foreshadowing elements, right? Whether it's the Phoenix Bird or the Red-Clothed One, as the Nascent Soul story unfolds, this longest-buried foreshadowing will also be revealed.]

　　Thank you all for your support.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)