Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans...

Chapter 51 The Conspiracy Begins to Emerge
Time flies, and two years have passed in the blink of an eye.

【Lifespan: 49/116】

[Realm Level: Qi Refining Level 8 (1/100)]

Inside the secret room.

"I've finally broken through to the eighth level of Qi Refining. My cultivation speed is much faster than I expected."

Inside the secret chamber, Lin Chang'an's clothes fluttered loudly in the wind due to the fluctuations of pure and powerful magical energy.

Due to his practice of the Everlasting Spring Technique, the years have not left many marks on Lin Chang'an's face; instead, he has gained a sense of maturity.

As he slowly opened his eyes and sensed the changes within his body, a smile involuntarily appeared on his face.

His rapid progress in cultivation was largely due to the Everlasting Spring Technique of the Supreme Realm, and of course, it was also inseparable from the ample supply of spirit stones.

The Everlasting Spring Technique at the Supreme Realm cultivates even purer and more powerful magical energy.

Compared to other cultivators who also practiced the Changchun Gong at the eighth level of Qi Refining, his magical power was at least 30% greater.

"Not only in terms of cultivation level, the Wood Spirit Thorn technique has also become the second technique after the cultivation method to reach the Supreme Realm, and its power is even stronger than that of its creator."

At the same time, all spells and talismans have been significantly improved.

"At my current cultivation speed, I should be able to attempt Foundation Establishment in another five or six years."

Looking at his own attributes, Lin Chang'an nodded secretly. He had previously thought about trying to establish his foundation before the age of sixty, but now it seems he can try before the age of 55.

In fact, he had already started preparing for this over the past two years, and whenever he had the chance, he would start collecting foundation-building materials in the market, starting with those that were easy to collect.

"Moo..."

Pushing open the door, the guard, now large enough to carry a man and a blue ox, came up to Lin Chang'an and affectionately and reliantly held his trouser leg.

"You thick-skinned, gluttonous, and simple-minded ox."

Lin Chang'an chuckled and cursed, but still took out a few spiritual herbs from his storage bag to eat.

In the past two years, the Green Horned Ox has grown at an astonishing rate, after all, it has never lacked resources and has already grown to the mid-stage of the first tier.

It is associated with cultivators in the mid-stage of Qi Refining, but as everyone knows, in battles between cultivators of the same level, demonic beasts are stronger.

"At the eighth level of Qi Refining, I have no shortage of magical artifacts, spirit beasts, and spells. Among those of the same level, unless they are geniuses from sects or clans, ordinary rogue cultivators may not be my match."

Having embarked on the path of immortality for nearly thirty years, he finally possessed the power to protect himself. Overjoyed, he couldn't help but let out a few soft laughs.

"However, it's time to prepare the key materials for foundation building."

Lin Chang'an thought to himself, "Let alone rogue cultivators, even Yun Yao, a disciple of a major sect, spent several years preparing for Foundation Establishment."

It's perfectly normal for an ordinary, independent cultivator to spend ten or more years preparing.

Furthermore, it is best to prepare the main materials for foundation building in secret, as being known to others makes it easy to attract their attention.

"Strive to break through to the ninth level of Qi Refining within three years, achieve the Great Perfection of Qi Refining before the age of fifty-five, and then prepare for Foundation Establishment!"

……

Juxianlou.

"Brother Lin, I've had your Green Bamboo Sword forged into a top-grade magic weapon by the clan. Take a look."

Li Erniu took out the green bamboo sword with a face full of envy. It was a symbol of the pioneering of this market town.

A year ago, Lin Chang'an asked Erniu to reforge it at the Zhou family, and it was upgraded to a mid-grade magic weapon. Now it has been upgraded to a high-grade magic weapon.

The edge of the cyan sword gleamed with a faint golden light. Lin Chang'an held it in his hand, feeling an unprecedented sharpness, and couldn't help but sigh:
"As expected of a magical artifact infused with a trace of gold essence."

As a first-grade high-level talisman master and a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, it's normal for him to have one or two high-grade magic artifacts.

"Brother Lin, Brother Li."

Shen Lie pushed open the door to the private room with a big smile, and greeted the two of them with a bow, but there was an unconcealable weariness between his brows.

"Brother Shen."

The three sat upright in the private room, but their expressions were somewhat unnatural, especially since the Juxianlou seemed much quieter than it had been two years ago.

“Brother Li, Brother Lin, I will not be going to the Yun Clan Chamber of Commerce for the time being. I am currently managing Juxianlou with Qingqing. I will probably have to go there in person to handle the supplies you usually purchase.”

Shen Lie feigned ease, which made Li Erniu fall silent, while Lin Chang'an was somewhat suspicious.

Half a year ago, Yun Yao began to distance herself from them, and even put on the aloof demeanor of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Now, even Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing have been kicked out of the Chamber of Commerce.

The reason is simple: Shen Lie, who was in charge of the Chamber of Commerce, was found out by Yun Yao for embezzling funds.

"Brother Shen, today is your celebration banquet for breaking through to the late stage of Qi Refining. Come, have a drink."

Seemingly sensing the awkward atmosphere, Li Erniu forced a smile and changed the subject.

Shen Lie, after two years of arduous cultivation, was still unable to break through. He took a Breakthrough Pill and recently broke through to the seventh level of Qi Refining, officially becoming the second late-stage Qi Refining cultivator after Lin Chang'an.

Li Erniu is still stuck at the sixth level of Qi Refining.

However, Lin Chang'an pondered inwardly. Even Erniu knew not to easily try Breakthrough Pills. Given Shen Lie's temperament, how could he possibly take a Breakthrough Pill?

You must understand that taking a Breakthrough Pill to break through a bottleneck is essentially squeezing out your own potential. Shen Lie, and even his junior sister Lu Qingqing, wouldn't be so unwise.

has a problem!
"The business of Juxianlou is enough for Qingqing and me to make a living, not to mention that I am at the late stage of Qi Refining."

Beneath Shen Lie's feigned nonchalant smile, Lin Chang'an and Li Erniu suppressed their suspicions and celebrated Shen Lie's breakthrough.

For the past six months or so, it seems that Yun Yao has been deliberately distancing herself from him.

Although he didn't know why, each time they met, he could feel that the other person's cold magical power had become even stronger.

The people weren't stupid, so they didn't ask too many questions. Sometimes, it's better to be a little confused so you can live longer.

……

Yun's Chamber of Commerce.

"Senior Yun, this is this month's ledger."

Lu Qingqing respectfully handed over the Yun Clan Chamber of Commerce business, while Yun Yao, sitting opposite her, nodded slightly with a cold expression.

“Junior Sister Lu, things are getting more and more chaotic outside. We’ll leave the Chamber of Commerce to someone else. You should focus on your cultivation so as not to hold us back.”

Dressed in a deep blue palace gown, Yun Yao's cold voice echoed, causing Lu Qingqing to turn pale and silently nod slightly.

The intelligent girl understood one thing: even Yun Yao, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, had to do this, so she, a mere Qi Refining cultivator, had no power to resist.

The moment Lu Qingqing handed over the ledgers, she had no further connection with the Yun Clan Chamber of Commerce.

After Lu Qingqing disappeared, leaving only Yun Yao in the room, a chill appeared between her brows.

"Heh heh, this Gui Water Divine Skill truly lives up to its reputation as an extremely yin and cold technique; it's enough to freeze someone to death."

A dark figure slowly appeared, its pale skin and mocking smile revealed beneath a bamboo hat.

"I've heard that three female Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Li Huo Palace have already been murdered. Tsk tsk, what's your decision, Fairy Yun?"

Faced with these members of the demonic sect, Yun Yao fell silent.

A year ago, she encountered this person when she went out to eliminate the treacherous cultivators. He was a pseudo-core cultivator!
She thought she was doomed, but when they fought, her opponent revealed a mocking smile after seeing her technique, and then exposed a secret.

The Golden Core Elder of the Huang Family of Li Huo Palace has been secretly taking in disciples with Water Spirit Roots over the years, teaching them the Gui Water Divine Skill, all for the purpose of absorbing their essence.

Simply put, it's a 'furnace'.

Of the three female Foundation Establishment cultivators mentioned by the other party, one of them was a senior sister she had known since her Qi Refining stage, and who had even helped her a lot during her Foundation Establishment stage.

She and her senior sister practiced the same martial arts technique.

"The Fire Palace can't be trusted, but can you demonic sect members be trusted?"

Yun Yao laughed sarcastically, and the demonic cultivator laughed as well, though his laughter was somewhat grating.

“Fairy Yun, I am Xiang Jing, a Dharma Protector of the Xuan Yin Divine Sect.”

"Guardian Xiang!"

The moment Yun Yao addressed Protector Xiang, it proved that the two had a need to continue their conversation.

"Don't worry, the old ghost from Li Huo Palace only obtained a fragment of our Divine Sect's cultivation technique. Moreover, you are still too weak right now, so the old ghost will need to take care of you for a while."

Therefore, during this time, you can focus on improving your cultivation. We can also join forces; with your talent, Fairy Yun, as long as you join our sect, we will offer you the complete version of the Gui Water Divine Art.

"it is good!"

Yun Yao's cold voice echoed, decisive and without the slightest hesitation.

His straightforward manner surprised even Protector Xiang of the Demonic Sect, who then smiled.

“Interesting. Fairy Yun, you are much more straightforward than those hesitant male cultivators. You are a natural-born member of our Divine Sect.”

"Don't worry, you're not one of those useless people. We have a common enemy. All you need to do is secretly let the Xuan Yin Pavilion, the Li Huo Palace, and the major families in the market know about this secret realm."

Upon hearing this, Yun Yao frowned slightly.

"A secret realm! It won't be so easy to turn the Xuan Yin Pavilion and the Li Huo Palace against each other."

"What if this secret realm is real?" Protector Xiang of the Demonic Sect revealed a meaningful smile.

This girl is quite cunning; she actually took the opportunity to test him.

Upon learning that the secret realm was real, Yun Yao was secretly alarmed, thinking how cunning this person was.

He clearly intended to use the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the market as bait, while he, a mere Pseudo-Core Formation cultivator, acted as the prey. Who could stop him?

"I understand, it's a coordinated attack from within and without."

Yun Yao did not hesitate at all, because the two sides were not equal in strength, but one thing was true: they had a common enemy.

Upon learning that she was a vessel prepared by the sect long ago, Yun Yao, who considered herself a prodigy, fell from grace.

No wonder he was accepted as a disciple by the sect's Golden Core Ancestor; it turns out it was all a conspiracy.

Now, if she wants to live, the only way is to continuously strengthen herself.

(End of this chapter)