Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans...

Chapter 441 Lingyou's Three Visits to the Heavenly Talisman's Relic [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Within the sect.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, I truly have no other choice but to ask you to come out of seclusion. I promise that once the matter is settled, you will be allowed to choose one treasure from the cave ruins."

The person who came to visit this time was Lingyou Sanren, a thin old rogue cultivator in a green robe, who stroked his short beard with an extremely helpless look.

Lin Chang'an nodded secretly after hearing this. Ten years ago, this person had visited him once, also because of the matter of this cave ruins, but he had made an appointment with Fellow Daoist Mingyue, so he declined.

Unexpectedly, this fellow Daoist came to visit again.

"The cave ruins... Could it be that even with your cultivation level, you haven't broken through them after ten years?"

Lin Chang'an looked puzzled, while the Spirit Wanderer grinned awkwardly, revealing two rows of neat white teeth. He picked up the spiritual tea beside him, took a sip, and then sighed helplessly before speaking.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, not everyone is a fourth-order array master, and the location of this cave ruins is within someone else's sphere of influence."

If I were to forcefully break the formation, it's not that I lack the means, but it would alert the local cultivators. As you know, we rogue cultivators... hehe..."

Lingyou Sanren smiled awkwardly, spreading his hands to indicate that he was a lone cultivator with no help and no chance of competing with others.

That made perfect sense, and Lin Chang'an nodded to himself.

"Fellow Daoist, you must have put in a lot of effort over the past ten years."

However, out of caution, Lin Chang'an still spoke with a meaningful smile, constantly probing for information.

Lingyou Sanren looked embarrassed, as if to say that if he really had a solution, he definitely wouldn't have come to him.

"To be honest, there is only one fourth-tier array master in the Dao Protection Alliance, and I don't know about the others in private."

Over the years, I also sought out a high-grade third-tier array master, a late-stage Core Formation cultivator, but after several years and numerous visits, I still couldn't find a solution.

It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned it. As soon as the matter was brought up, Lingyou Sanren put down his teacup on the table with a disgruntled expression.

"This restriction is truly extremely difficult to deal with. To break it, we would probably need to gather five third-tier high-grade array masters. While it's easy to gather them, the secret would likely be impossible to keep."

Five array masters—some must belong to different factions; how could I possibly dare to do that?

Lingyou Sanren looked helpless, tugging at his beard, and glancing at Lin Chang'an from time to time, as if to say that he had no choice but to come to you.

Lin Chang'an laughed after hearing this. Just as the other party said, things are accomplished in secrecy and ruined by being revealed.

Finding five top-tier third-level array masters greatly increases the chances of the matter being leaked.

If word gets out, this cave ruins won't belong to that old man Lingyou Sanren anymore.

At the same time, this old ghost Lingyou was also cunning. Although he didn't say it outright, he could tell that the old ghost had found a rogue cultivator.

This way, he can easily control the situation. Once the restrictions are broken, all the treasures inside the cave ruins will be in his hands.

Let alone Nascent Soul cultivators, even in the cultivation world and among mortals, who would be willing to share a treasure with others if they could keep it all for themselves?

Listening to the other party's description, Lin Chang'an was somewhat tempted. After all, he had made a fortune from his previous experience in the secret realm with Fellow Daoist Mingyue.

However, out of caution, he remained tight-lipped.

"Fellow Daoist, how about this? I'll help you break the restriction, then I'll turn around and leave, and I absolutely won't participate in the treasure hunt."

"Oh my, Fellow Daoist Lin, please stop joking."

Upon hearing this, Lingyou Sanren's face turned green. Clearly, this ancient cave was somewhat special, leaving him feeling both frustrated and helpless.

"It's not that I don't trust you, fellow Daoist, but this place is rather special. If there are any restrictions within the ruins, and the commotion is a little too big, I really can't afford to offend any of them."

This Lingyou Sanren seemed to want to do it, but he didn't dare; better to be safe than sorry.

Lin Chang'an remained calm and composed, which was the source of his confidence as a fourth-tier formation master.

After drinking three cups of spiritual tea, Lingyou Sanren sighed helplessly and waved his hands repeatedly, saying:
"To be honest, Fellow Daoist Lin's cave dwelling ruins are located within the border area between the Great Qian Dynasty and the Sima clan. Now you know why I'm being so careful."

Lingyou Sanren stroked his short beard and shook his head with a helpless expression.

Lin Chang'an was also surprised upon hearing this, but then he suddenly realized what was going on.

No wonder this old man is so cautious and careful.

Although the Great Qian Dynasty suffered a loss of vitality, it has recovered over the years and now has a total of four Nascent Soul cultivators.

The Qian Emperor is a veteran mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator who has been stationed in the Great Qian for many years. In recent years, there has been one newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivator, so now there are three early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, for a total of four Nascent Soul cultivators.

The Sima clan also has three Nascent Soul cultivators.

In other words, if word gets out that this cave dwelling is located at the border between the Daqian and Sima clans, the seven Nascent Soul cultivators will just stand by and watch others take away the treasures.
Sharing a share? It would be good enough if we could share a share with outsiders.

Lin Chang'an understood after hearing this.

The four major powers—Da Qian, the Sima Clan, Corpse Valley, and the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect—occupy the area with the most abundant spiritual energy on the east side of the Guardian Alliance.

Of the four major powers, if any one of them truly had only one Nascent Soul cultivator left, it would have been ousted long ago.

"This...is really a bit tricky."

Lin Chang'an also frowned, revealing a solemn expression. Putting himself in their shoes, he realized that an outside Nascent Soul cultivator had come to his territory to explore the cave ruins.

If you are stronger than your opponent, would you let them find the treasure?
“Fellow Daoist Ling, what is it about this place that has made you travel so far, even risking your life to enter the border area between the two major powers?”

"You should know that the Great Qian Dynasty and the Sima clan are not easy to deal with."

Don't be fooled by the fact that the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect and the Great Qian Dynasty are now allies; it's purely for mutual benefit, and Lin Chang'an knows this better than anyone.

Therefore, Lin Chang'an frowned. He couldn't just let him go on an adventure just because you said you accidentally discovered the ruins of an ancient cultivator's cave.

Upon hearing this, the Spirit-Protecting Hermit gradually composed himself, a solemn expression appearing between his brows.

"This matter is of great importance. I have come to visit you today with sincerity. I hope you will keep this a secret. This matter is only between the two of us."

Even with that junior array master from before, I used magic to confuse him the entire time, and he still doesn't know the exact location of this secret realm.

Seeing the other party's solemn expression, Lin Chang'an nodded solemnly.

"Fellow Daoist, rest assured. Although I have only recently entered the Nascent Soul stage, as a fourth-order array master, I would never tarnish my reputation or ruin my future path."

In the second half of his sentence, Lin Chang'an's tone revealed a hint of self-deprecation.

After all, his status as a fourth-tier array master indicates a bright future. If his reputation is ruined because of this, who would dare to hire him in the future?

Isn't this ruining your future?

Lin Chang'an smiled jokingly, while thinking to himself, "Of course, only you and I know about this. The other person is just a remnant soul, so he doesn't count as a third person."

"I wonder if the relics related to True Lord Tianfu are significant enough!"

"True Lord of Heavenly Symbol!"

When Lin Chang'an heard this name, he was shocked, but then he frowned.

“Fellow Daoist Ling, I remember at the trade fair in Baibi City twenty-two years ago, didn’t you discover the ruins of the Heavenly Talisman True Monarch’s cave dwelling?”

Tianfu Zhenjun was a renowned late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator a thousand years ago. He was known for his unparalleled mastery of fourth-tier spirit talismans, hence his name.

However, upon hearing these words, Lingyou Sanren gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"Everyone knows that a thousand years ago, when the Heavenly Talisman True Lord was about to die, he went to the Sealed Demon Abyss to seek an opportunity, and then disappeared without a trace. During his lifetime, the Heavenly Talisman True Lord had many disciples."

After his disappearance, there were naturally many Nascent Soul cultivators in the cultivation world who searched for the various caves of this Heavenly Talisman True Lord before his death. These disciples were unlucky, after all, even Nascent Soul cultivators coveted the inheritance of the Heavenly Talisman True Lord..." When this Lingyou Sanren mentioned this history, Lin Chang'an nodded secretly. He had indeed heard this Senior Brother Cheng mention this matter before.

Nascent Soul cultivators are all as cunning as foxes. Even those with direct disciples or bloodline lineages will leave themselves one or two escape routes.

Before the Heavenly Talisman True Monarch disappeared, these disciples had already scattered and lay in wait for their master to return. Unfortunately, what awaited them was the greed of countless Nascent Soul cultivators.

Before the opening of this Lingyou Sanren Trading Fair, several ruins of what this Tianfu Zhenjun called cave dwellings had already been discovered.

However, most of them belonged to the disciples of the Heavenly Talisman True Monarch, or were the bewildering caves left behind by the Heavenly Talisman True Monarch.

"It is said that this Heavenly Talisman True Monarch has two Nascent Soul disciples. One of them escaped to the Abyss Sea, and the other has disappeared without a trace."

"Not bad!"

Lingyou Sanren nodded slightly, but his next words made Lin Chang'an's expression change.

"But what if this cave ruin is very likely the cave dwelling of this missing Nascent Soul cultivator?"

"what!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an was first startled, then narrowed his eyes and began to ponder.

Lingyou Sanren chuckled, as if to say that this temptation should be enough.

"Leaving aside the fact that this person is a Nascent Soul cultivator, he is very likely to possess the inheritance or even the treasures of the Heavenly Talisman True Monarch. You must know that this is the inheritance of a Nascent Soul Grandmaster."

The treasures alone possessed by a Nascent Soul cultivator who has just passed away are enough to arouse the greed of cultivators of the same level.

Not to mention the legacy it carries on.

"True Lord of Heavenly Symbol!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an's eyes also flickered. To outsiders, perhaps the most attractive thing was the treasure that this Nascent Soul cultivator passed on to his disciple.

But for him, it was the talismanic tradition of this Heavenly Talisman True Lord that was most attractive.

After all, he is no less fortunate in terms of treasures now.

"What I discovered before was also a deceptive formation. It is said that the Heavenly Talisman True Monarch set up seventy-two deceptive caves in the cultivation world, which caused quite a stir back then."

Nascent Soul cultivators are also divided into different levels, with those who cultivate to the late Nascent Soul stage being called Nascent Soul Grand Cultivators.

The entire Guardian Alliance only has one, and the overlord of the Demon Beast Sea Abyss, the Azure Sea Palace, only has two. One can imagine how valuable a Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator is.

Of course, all of this is no longer their concern; Lingyou Sanren is after the inheritance of this Nascent Soul cultivator.

"I'm not afraid of being laughed at by fellow Daoists, but I'm already over eight hundred years old this year, and I've been stuck at the bottleneck of the early Nascent Soul stage for over a hundred years."

Now I only seek an opportunity to break through my limitations, so that I can live another one or two hundred years.

Lingyou Sanren sighed helplessly, saying that this was also the desire of the vast majority of older Nascent Soul cultivators.

Cultivation level is linked to lifespan.

He had to admit that the cave ruins described by the hermit Lingyou were quite intriguing.

A fourth-tier spirit talisman inheritance is a rare find. Having witnessed the effects of a fourth-tier spirit talisman at the previous trade fair, it would be a lie to say I wasn't tempted.

Moreover, he happens to have all the materials needed to draw talismans.

The softest part of the dragon's hide from that mid-stage fourth-tier demonic dragon was the best material for making talismans.

Dragon whiskers and tails are the best materials for making fourth-tier spirit pens, as are dragon blood and dragon bones.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, let's cooperate. You will break the restrictions, and I will provide the cave ruins. We will split the treasures inside. If there is any inheritance, I will only need to make a copy."

After learning that he was a fourth-tier formation master, Lingyou Sanren had sent him a telepathic message during the Nascent Soul Ceremony, wanting to invite him to explore the cave ruins.

However, he declined the offer because he had just formed his Nascent Soul and needed to consolidate his cultivation.

Ten years later, the other party invited him again, but he declined once more because of the Phoenix's breakthrough and his appointment with Fellow Daoist Mingyue.

As a result, this Lingyou hermit was unable to break the restriction. After plotting for ten years, he had no choice but to come back to find him again.

Putting everything together, there seems to be no problem, and this Lingyou Sanren (a Taoist priest) also seems very sincere.

However, out of caution, Lin Chang'an still pondered silently.

"Fellow Daoist, we can hold off on revealing the exact location of this ruin for now, but you should at least tell me what kind of restrictions are in place, so that I can be prepared."

Although Lin Chang'an did not directly agree, his words clearly showed that he was interested. Upon hearing this, Lingyou Sanren was overjoyed and kept talking about this troublesome restriction.

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an nodded secretly. This restriction was indeed not simple. If a Nascent Soul cultivator in the early stage broke it with brute force, it would only take a little effort.

However, if the commotion is too great, it will inevitably be discovered.

However, what came to his mind was the information about this Lingyou Sanren. This person was a rogue cultivator from the Protectorate Alliance, and he had not committed any particularly heinous acts.

At least as far as he knew, this person had previously explored secret realms and ruins with other cultivators of the same level, and the evaluations of his fellow cultivators were all reliable.

"However, Elder Cheng has had dealings with this person before, so it seems we need to inquire about him carefully, at least to find out his methods and specific strength."

Just as Lin Chang'an was deep in thought, the Spirit-Help Hermit chuckled.

"If you don't trust me, that's fine. As long as you help me break the restriction, you can leave. I can make a vow against my inner demons."

"Once it's done, I will make a copy of all the inheritance within these ruins for you, fellow Daoist. I will even bring some of the treasures from within the ruins, so you can choose one of them, how about that?"

Having said all that, they are certainly showing their sincerity.

Lin Chang'an nodded secretly, and finally he smiled and raised his teacup, saying, "Fellow Daoist is too kind. I was just pondering the restrictions on this ruin."

However, he had already vaguely leaned towards exploring together. Although the location of this cave ruins was somewhat dangerous, it was also an excellent location.

If the two were to turn against each other over the treasure, the slightest movement during the battle between the two Nascent Soul cultivators would inevitably attract the attention of the two major powers, the Great Qian and the Sima clan.

This is an outcome that neither side wants, nor dares to accept.

In the end, Lin Chang'an nodded in agreement, without mentioning whether he would simply help the other party break the restriction and leave, or whether they would go on an adventure together.

Both parties agreed to travel together six months later.

After all, he needed to prepare some things to break the array's restrictions, and the other party readily agreed.

Lin Chang'an saw the other party off, and then turned to find Elder Cheng to inquire about the strength and magical artifacts of this Lingyou Sanren.

As for character? He has more faith in strength and is prepared for the worst. If the other party is very strong, he will not accompany this person on the adventure.

This is when we witnessed the importance of having an elder in the family.

A Nascent Soul cultivator who has lived for over a thousand years is a living fossil in the cultivation world.

　[Just a reminder!!! There will be double monthly votes at the end of December. If you can't save up your monthly votes at the beginning of the month, give them to the author instead, hehe.]

I'll update as usual tomorrow. Tonight I'm just posting my thoughts, which feels a bit monotonous, and I'm afraid it might spoil everyone's fun.

Upon seeing the update, fellow cultivators excitedly opened it, only to find it contained only comments... inevitably leading to disappointment.

[Ahem, I'll post another 4,000 words tomorrow at noon. I'm really out of ideas right now, mainly for the sake of quality. Otherwise, if I padded it out, I could easily post 10,000 words a day.]

　
(End of this chapter)