Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans...

Chapter 67 Preparing for Hunting
Inside the cave.

As the 'Wooden Armor Binding Spirit Array' was activated, vines continuously sprouted from all around, frantically binding and restraining him. Lin Chang'an hurriedly controlled his Green Bamboo Sword to slash or dodge rapidly.

"As expected of a quasi-second-tier formation, the vines are exceptionally tough. Although a high-grade magic weapon can cut them, it consumes a great deal of magic power. At the same time, as long as the formation remains intact, these vines are virtually inexhaustible."

Even within the formation, the caster's use of wood-attribute spells consumes significantly less energy, while their power is actually enhanced…

Lin Chang'an, who was familiar with the formation, couldn't help but admire it. He could make such a powerful formation even when he used low-grade spirit stones. He really didn't know how powerful a second-order formation could be when it was activated with mid-grade spirit stones.

"If you are trapped in this formation, you will face endless vines until your magic power and physical strength are exhausted. Of course, although this kind of single-attribute formation is powerful, it is also very easy to be restrained."

"First of all, the formation is countered by fire and metal magic, which will weaken its power. At the same time, the formation needs to be set up in advance, which means that the demon beasts must be lured into the formation. Its flexibility cannot be compared with magic artifacts."

Even the location of the formation is important. If it is placed in a rocky desert area, its power will be greatly reduced, while if it is placed in a jungle area, its power will be enhanced.

Two months have passed since Lin Chang'an bought the formation. He has been familiarizing himself with its operation every day, using low-grade spirit stones to activate it.

After two months, he finally managed to operate the system smoothly.

……

On this day, Shen Lie arrived with a face full of excitement.

"Brother Lin, there's news about the Spirit-Protecting Grass you requested."

The Spirit-Protecting Grass is one of the main ingredients for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill. With his cultivation at the ninth level of Qi Refining, he had been preparing for Foundation Establishment for many years, which naturally could not be kept secret from outsiders.

Shen Lie, who runs a restaurant, is naturally the most well-informed, and Lin Chang'an had previously instructed him to keep a close eye on things.

"Two cultivators, finding the materials scarce, decided to gather them together to refine pills. However, when they checked the materials, they discovered that they had several duplicate materials, including the Spirit-Protecting Grass."

After Shen Lie's excited explanation, Lin Chang'an suddenly understood.

Ordinary cultivators would find it extremely difficult to gather all the materials on their own, and when they hire someone to refine Foundation Establishment Pills, they usually need about two pills per batch.

Therefore, many cultivators, after gathering most of the materials, will seek out others and make arrangements in advance, which is known as crowdfunding for alchemy.

If you're unlucky and only get one Foundation Establishment Pill, then it depends on how the agreement was negotiated.

Most of them are obtained by the cultivators who contribute the most materials, and then they are compensated with some spirit stones or the like.

However, in most cases, you can still get two Foundation Establishment Pills; the only problem is the quality.

However, producing two Foundation Establishment Pills does not necessarily mean that two Foundation Establishment cultivators will be created.

"Which alchemist refined the pills?"

Although there were clues about Foundation Establishment materials, the cautious Lin Chang'an still asked in a low voice. It wasn't that he was cautious, but any cultivator preparing to establish their foundation was a fat sheep and could easily be targeted.

Shen Lie naturally understood and couldn't help but say:

"It's Master Song, a veteran second-tier alchemist. He's widely recognized for his excellent skills and is a serving alchemist in Tianxuan City, not belonging to either of the two sects. In less than two years, he has already opened six batches of Foundation Establishment Pills, all of which have yielded results."

Since Master Lu of the Mysterious Turtle is stationed in Tianxuan City, he is naturally a force to be reckoned with and has attracted many worshippers.

"I see."

Listening to Shen Lie's introduction, Lin Chang'an nodded secretly. This Master Song's skills were quite remarkable. In less than two years, he had produced six batches of Foundation Establishment Pills without a single incident.

……

Danxin Residence

When Lin Chang'an and Shen Lie arrived outside Master Song's cave, they couldn't help but nod in approval upon seeing the beautiful pavilion and the plaque on the door.

This Master Song's cave dwelling is truly quite comfortable.

"Fellow Daoists, this is Master Lin Fu."

As introduced by Shen Lie, there were two cultivators outside the cave. When they saw Lin Chang'an, they couldn't help but smile and nod.

After all, they were all Qi Refining Ninth Level cultivators preparing for Foundation Establishment, and none of them might become Foundation Establishment cultivators in the future, so naturally they wouldn't offend them easily. "Greetings, fellow Daoists."

Lin Chang'an also greeted him with a polite smile and cupped his hands in greeting, and the three of them addressed each other as fellow Daoists.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, we two need to wait for Master Song to adjust to his best condition, so we won't waste any more words."

"Of course, after all, the important thing is for the two fellow Daoists to establish their foundations."

Lin Chang'an nodded with a smile, and then the two of them took out the foundation-building materials.

"These materials are all duplicates from the two of us."

A burly man nodded as he spoke, while another cultivator, dressed as a pale-faced scholar, shook his head and sighed:
"Given our qualifications and age, if we fail this time, we won't have a second chance. Therefore, these materials are useless. We might as well exchange them for some spirit stones."

"I want these three: Spirit Protector Grass, Green Beard Vine, and Rainbow Grass."

Lin Chang'an didn't hesitate. Of the three plants, he only lacked the Spirit Protector Grass, but he had the other two. However, it's always good to have an extra one.

If something were to happen, he would have to make preparations all over again.

"These three Foundation Establishment materials can be provided by you for five hundred spirit stones."

The transaction went smoothly for both parties, and Lin Chang'an, after receiving the goods, looked at the two with envy and offered his blessings.

"Today I am also fortunate to share in the blessings of you two fellow Daoists. I wish you both success in attaining the Dao and establishing your foundation."

The two smiled and nodded in response to Lin Chang'an's words of blessing.

At this moment, no one wants to hear anything unpleasant.

Just as their transaction ended, the formation of the cave slowly opened.

"Please bring in your Foundation Establishment materials, both of you. I have finished adjusting them, and now is the perfect time to start refining pills."

A plump old man with white hair and a youthful face walked out of Danxin Residence with a smile, exuding an aura of magical power. He was clearly a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Master Song Dan."

Lin Chang'an and the others bowed respectfully, and finally watched as the two cultivators who were preparing to establish their foundations entered.

"Brother Lin, stop looking. I believe you'll be quick too."

After everyone went inside and the formation was deactivated, Shen Lie couldn't help but say enviously.

He doesn't expect to reach the Foundation Establishment stage in this lifetime. He only hopes that his cultivation can reach another level in the next two years. He doesn't dare to hope for the ninth level of Qi Refining, but he can still work hard to reach the eighth level of Qi Refining.

"Then I'll take Brother Shen's auspicious words as my guide."

Lin Chang'an nodded with a smile, and also learned from the conversation that this Master Song was paying for refining pills.

“The two fellow Daoists from earlier were full of magical power, and it’s clear that they are at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining, unlike me who has just entered the ninth level. I should go into seclusion to cultivate and strive to reach the peak as soon as possible.”

Lin Chang'an waved his hand modestly, indicating that he needed more time, which was indeed the truth.

After the two parted, Shen Lie watched Lin Chang'an's departing figure and pondered silently.

"Although Brother Lin is a talisman master, it is too difficult for a rogue cultivator to establish a foundation. Perhaps you can discuss it with Qingqing when you get back."

The biggest difference in sponsoring Yun Yao back then was that Yun Yao had a superior spiritual root, and her success rate in Foundation Establishment was extremely high.

As for the rogue cultivator Lin Chang'an, with his low-grade spiritual root, his only outstanding skill was in talismanic arts, making his Foundation Establishment significantly more difficult.

However, Lin Chang'an, who had just broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refining, announced to the public that he would be going into seclusion for several months to cultivate.

Secretly, he disguised himself and used the 'Concealing Breath Technique,' which he had finally mastered to perfection, to impersonate a Qi Refining Level 7 cultivator and leave Tianxuan City.

Heading deeper into the Cloud and Mist Mountains.

Thank you all for your support.
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(End of this chapter)