Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans...

Chapter 57 The Temptation of Foundation Establishment [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

【Lifespan: 50/117】

"Changchun Gong strengthens the foundation and nourishes the vital energy, prolonging life and prolonging life; it is indeed extraordinary."

Inside the secret chamber, Lin Chang'an slowly opened his eyes. Although his cultivation had not broken through, his lifespan had increased by one year.

This can also be considered a characteristic of Changchun Gong.

"Even some of the hidden injuries in my body are slowly healing."

Lin Chang'an was filled with emotion, recalling the battles in the mortal world, the demon-hunting team when he first entered the world of cultivation, and the battles between cultivators.

He's been through a lot, and some injuries and hidden wounds are inevitable.

"However, this high-grade demon beast meat is extraordinary. Long-term consumption can not only enhance one's cultivation but also strengthen one's foundation and nourish one's vital energy. It's just that the price is really not cheap."

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but admire that Shen Lie was truly born to do business.

In just two short months, the business of selling high-grade monster meat has been doing quite well, far better than hunting monsters outside.

……

"Brother Lin."

Inside the Zhou family's shop, Li Erniu, with his down-to-earth personality, managed to establish himself in the Zhou family and was in charge of the business of one shop, which he did quite well.

"Erniu, you're doing a pretty good job with this business."

Faced with Lin Chang'an's teasing, Li Erniu smiled and nodded, saying:

"Isn't this all thanks to Brother Lin and Brother Shen?"

Lin Chang'an provides the shop with several first-grade high-quality talismans every month, while Shen Lie regularly provides Erniu with high-grade demon beast meat, which naturally attracts many cultivators to come here regularly.

"However, recently there have been more and more cultivators coming to the market, especially high-level cultivators. The Tribulation Cultivators outside are rampant, especially that Ghost Three Blades."

Shops are always the place with the most information. Listening to Erniu's story, there may be some exaggeration or misinformation, but Lin Chang'an listened quietly.

A reckless cultivator who doesn't gather intelligence won't always be blessed with good fortune.

He has been able to get to where he is today through his cautious and meticulous approach.

"Erniu, bring some high-grade talisman paper and cinnabar."

"Okay, Brother Lin, don't worry, I'll pick the best for you."

With a ruddy complexion, Li Erniu's physique was no longer as robust as before, and he looked somewhat plump.

Li Erniu was already quite satisfied with his cultivation level of the sixth level of Qi Refining.

However, just as he finished collecting the goods and was about to leave, he ran into an acquaintance he had met at Madam Han's place some time ago.

"Master Lin, it's been a long time."

"So it's Fellow Daoist Ge."

Lin Chang'an smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. Ge Li was at the ninth level of Qi Refining and was also a high-grade talisman master, a few years older than him.

After the two met, Ge Li warmly invited him to chat at the restaurant next door.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, your Golden Light Talismans are renowned for their excellent quality. I would like to exchange a few with you."

Inside the private room, Ge Li, who was rather thin and had a short goatee, wore a sincere smile.

"I dare not accept such praise. Fellow Daoist Ge's fireball talisman is truly exceptional."

After chatting for a while, the two exchanged resources in a friendly manner, although defensive talismans were a bit more expensive than offensive ones.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, given our age and aptitude, even with the skills of a top-grade talisman master, a Foundation Establishment Pill would cost at least seven thousand spirit stones, and even then, it would be priceless…”

After a few rounds of drinks, Ge Li couldn't help but feel melancholy, saying that although they, as high-grade talisman masters, seemed noble, they also had their worries.

Don't be fooled by the fact that talisman masters earn a lot of spirit stones. Their daily cultivation and expenses require a lot of spirit stones. Earning seven thousand spirit stones and accumulating seven thousand spirit stones are two different things.

Lin Chang'an, however, understood the hidden meaning in the other party's words and asked in confusion:
"Fellow Daoist Ge, what are your thoughts?" Seeing Lin Chang'an's feigned ignorance, Ge Li smiled and then secretly transmitted his voice:

“Fellow Daoist, at our age, saving money on a daily basis is far from enough. Why not find two or three friends and hunt demonic beasts together? Perhaps we can compete for the opportunity to establish our foundation.”

Hunt down monsters!

When Lin Chang'an heard that Ge Li wanted to invite him to hunt monsters together, his eyes flickered slightly.

"Fellow Daoist Ge, how easy is it to hunt down a second-tier demonic beast? And even if you succeed, who gets the demonic core?"

Seeing that Lin Chang'an seemed somewhat interested, Ge Li pressed his advantage and said urgently:
"Fellow Daoist, have you ever heard of the Five Friends of Mount Meng?"

How could anyone not have heard of the Five Friends of Mengshan? This is a legendary story among independent cultivators.

Legend has it that in Mengshan Market, five like-minded rogue cultivators swore brotherhood when they first entered the world of cultivation. Each of them had their own strengths, and together they purchased a second-tier formation.

After that, the five of them secretly hunted demonic beasts, obtained demonic cores, and refined Foundation Establishment Pills. They first helped one person to reach the Foundation Establishment stage, and so on. In just over ten years, they all reached the Foundation Establishment stage one by one.

This friendship is commendable and has become a widely praised story.

"This……"

Lin Chang'an pretended to hesitate, but he was speechless. The Five Friends of Mengshan had grown up together since childhood and were more like brothers than brothers.

They had been hunting monsters together since the early stages of Qi Refining, sharing hardships and joys, and had trusted each other for decades.

What makes them comparable to the Five Friends of Mengshan?

“Fellow Daoist Lin, with the financial resources of us talisman masters, and by joining forces with a few others, it wouldn’t be difficult to purchase a second-tier array. We can then sign a spirit contract together.”

Seeing Ge Li's excited expression, Lin Chang'an pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head and said:
"Thank you for your kind offer, Fellow Daoist Ge. I have been drawing talismans for many years and am not good at fighting. Moreover, I have only just broken through to the eighth level of Qi Refining. It would be more reassuring to practice drawing talismans in the market first."

Seeing Lin Chang'an's tactful refusal, Ge Li shook his head helplessly.

Foundation Establishment requires prior preparation; it's not something you can prepare for once you've reached a certain level of cultivation. Do you think you're a descendant of some Golden Core ancestor? That you'd receive Foundation Establishment Pills just because you're at the ninth level of Qi Refining?

"Since Fellow Daoist Lin is unwilling to take the risk, then I will find someone else first. However, please keep this matter a secret."

"sure."

Ge Li did not insist, and Lin Chang'an solemnly clasped his hands in a gesture of assurance.

When hunting demonic beasts, the most dangerous thing is not the demonic beasts themselves, but the cultivators who cooperate with each other.

As for the so-called joint signing of the spirit contract, Lin Chang'an sneered inwardly. In the process of hunting monsters together, if anyone goes easy on the other, some casualties are inevitable.

Isn't this just doing all the work for someone else?

However, the mention of the Five Friends of Mengshan reminded him that with the current turbulent situation, there might be an opportunity to purchase a formation.

He hadn't considered a second-tier formation, not because he couldn't afford it, but because his cultivation level wasn't high enough to control it.

Whether it's a second-tier talisman, an array, or a top-grade magic weapon, they are not only powerful, but also have extremely high limitations on cultivators.

It requires not only the activation of magical power, but also the guidance and control of divine consciousness, as well as the mastery of magical power.

"Even I can only control a maximum of eight first-grade high-quality talismans in battle at the same time. Any more than that and I'll easily hurt myself."

If we also consider the magical artifacts that can be operated simultaneously during combat, Lin Chang'an can manipulate a maximum of five more talismans.

"The reason why the Five Friends of Mengshan can operate a second-tier formation is because there are five of them, and they are of one mind. I am only one person, so it seems that I can only try to buy a first-tier high-grade formation."

Lin Chang'an thought to himself, he was self-aware that he himself could not even trust others, so how could he expect others to trust him?

However, we can wait and find out more about the formation first.

On Monday, I'm asking all my fellow readers for your monthly votes to help me climb the new book charts.

[Thanks to fellow Daoist '年年知为你生' for the 100 Qidian Spirit Stones]

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(End of this chapter)