Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans...

Chapter 79 The Demand for Elixirs

Inside the cave.

"What, the Zhou family head's daughter?"

After the Zhou family head left, Li Erniu, who was left behind, awkwardly rubbed his hands and told him about the task his family had given him.

Lin Chang'an almost spat out his tea, while Li Erniu awkwardly scratched his head and began to explain.

"Brother Lin, don't worry. Our family head's daughter, Zhou Bingyun, has a mid-grade spiritual root and is quite talented in alchemy. Moreover, she is extremely beautiful."

"Of course, this is a family mission, and I have to tell you everything I need to say, Brother Lin."

Looking at Li Erniu, Lin Chang'an shook his head with a smile. This was the impact of the change in status after becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

When you lack ability and talent, even if you marry into a family, people will be picky.

In just a few decades, even the daughter of the Foundation Establishment patriarch of the Zhou family is now able to marry into the family.

Lin Chang'an is now experiencing firsthand the impact of his strength.

“Erniu, the cultivation world is in turmoil, and the situation in Yue Kingdom is so tense. How dare you marry and have children?”

However, Lin Chang'an still shook his head and refused, as he had too many secrets.

More importantly, he has no time right now to marry, have children, or take care of future generations.

All he wants to do now is earn spirit stones, buy spirit liquid, and cultivate immortal vines.

Seeing Lin Chang'an refuse, Li Erniu looked on with envy.

"Brother Lin, I really envy you. You know, this is the apple of the family head's eye. But what you said is also true, Brother Lin. The cultivation world is precarious. Didn't the Wang family just disappear like that?"

At this point, Li Erniu was filled with emotion.

Who can predict what tomorrow will bring?

Just like the Wang family back then, how powerful they were, suffocating the Zhou family. But times have changed, and now, where in Qingzhushan Market is there a single member of the Wang family?
There's also Lin Chang'an, who was rejected when he wanted to marry into the Zhou family, but today he's a Foundation Establishment cultivator on par with the Zhou family head.

“Erniu, you know that the world of cultivation is ever-changing. Sometimes you have to give up some things.”

Under Lin Chang'an's meaningful gaze, how could Li Erniu not know?

That's just talking about him. Use the Breakthrough Pill when you need to; strength is the only thing that matters.

"Brother Lin, how could I not know?"

Li Erniu gave a wry smile, then shook his head and sighed, "But everyone has some unrealistic fantasies. I never thought I was as great as Brother Lin. I just wanted to break through through my own efforts."

This way, perhaps there will be a chance to glimpse the ninth level of Qi Refining in the future, and then the Zhou family can provide shelter and protection for Yifan and the other children.

Once you reach the ninth level of Qi Refining, you can become a high-level manager in the Zhou family, and your status and position will naturally be different.

"However, Brother Lin is right. In the cultivation world, strength is paramount. I'll go back and prepare before using the Breakthrough Pill."

At the same time, Lin Chang'an was also well aware that the marriage alliance was real, but it was also a cover-up.

If Lin Chang'an is interested, the Zhou family will naturally be happy to facilitate the matter.

Even if it fails, it's still to cover up the fact that we exchanged Foundation Establishment Pills today.

At the very least, we must wait until the Zhou family has used this Foundation Establishment Pill before we can reveal its source to the public.

The two looked at each other and gave each other a refreshing smile.

The two boys from back then have been in the cultivation world for over thirty years, and now they are no longer naive.

……

After the snowstorm, Tianxuan City was full of life.

Standing on the mountainside and looking down at Tianxuan City, Lin Chang'an was filled with emotion at this commanding view.

"No wonder everyone wants to climb higher; only by standing higher can you see a wider view."

After moving to the Foundation Building Cave, Lin Chang'an was filled with emotion as he looked at the completely different scenery.

Looking back, Lin Chang'an caught a glimpse of the three highest mountain peaks, where his spiritual eyes clearly saw the gathering of spiritual energy, which filled him with longing.

"A Golden Core cultivator? Perhaps I cannot!"

Under that unwavering gaze, Lin Chang'an revealed a faint smile.

He is exceptionally talented and has the opportunity to use ancient secret techniques; there's no reason why he shouldn't succeed.

【Lifespan: 55/205】

After the snowstorm, Lin Chang'an, a rogue cultivator in Tianxuan City, was fifty-five years old that year.

……

Inside the cave.

At this moment, Lin Chang'an was concentrating intently on drawing a second-tier talisman with his spirit brush.

The moment the brush touched the paper, a flash of inspiration appeared, and the second-tier talisman was completed.

[Tier 2 Rune Master +2 (Proficiency 1/500)]

As the panel data changed, Lin Chang'an's second-tier rune mastery progressed from beginner to proficient, and he couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

"From now on, I am a true second-tier low-grade talisman master."

A second-tier low-grade talisman is worth 1-2 mid-grade spirit stones, and one mid-grade spirit stone can be exchanged for 150 low-grade spirit stones.

It should be noted that a first-grade high-quality talisman previously cost only fifty low-grade spirit stones, and that was only because of the price increase due to the turbulent situation.

"I never thought I'd actually be able to earn mid-grade spirit stones one day."

Lin Chang'an couldn't suppress the smile on his face. Even though they were both Foundation Establishment cultivators, most of their skills were still at the first level, and breaking through to the second level was no easy feat.

It all depends on talent.

"A talisman master genius like me with exceptional talent can create near-second-tier talismans in the late stage of Qi Refining. It is reasonable and logical for me to break through to the second tier after Foundation Establishment, and no one will doubt me."

"However, these second-tier talismans are not as easy to sell as the previous first-tier talismans."

After all, those who can use second-tier talismans are all Foundation Establishment cultivators. How many Foundation Establishment cultivators are there in the entire Tianxuan City, and how many of them can draw talismans? Suddenly realizing the drawbacks, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but frown slightly.

Some talented talisman masters can produce more talismans than ordinary talisman masters without any problem. After all, as far as he knows, there are two genius talisman masters in Tianxuan City whose talisman production is three times that of ordinary talisman masters.

"The problem is that my talisman production rate is at least ten times that of an ordinary talisman master."

Encountering this thorny problem at once made Lin Chang'an ponder deeply, but of course, it didn't mean there was no way to solve it.

"We can't just secretly sell it to demonic cultivators, calamity cultivators, or the Divine Sword Sect, can we?"

The next moment, he immediately dismissed the dangerous idea. Why take such a big risk when you can just earn a few spirit stones?
"I can produce twice as many talismans myself, and secretly sell one or two times that amount in the market to exchange for supplies. I'll spread them out and mainly exchange with the cultivators in those demon-hunting teams. It shouldn't be a big problem."

In this way, he solved the problem of four times the production, and there is still six times left.

"However! My biggest problem right now is cultivation. Even if I can sell ten times the amount of second-tier talismans without any risk, so what?"

Upon suddenly realizing this, Lin Chang'an frowned.

[Realm: Early Foundation Establishment Stage (2/100)]

【Technique: Everlasting Youth Technique (Beginner Level: 1/100)】

Looking at the realm and cultivation technique frames, Lin Chang'an fell silent.

He could understand the cultivation method; after all, it was an ancient cultivation method that allowed one to directly cultivate to the Nascent Soul realm, so it was normal that it was more difficult to comprehend.

Although he had only recently broken through to the next level and it was understandable that he hadn't made any progress, Lin Chang'an could clearly feel the slowness of his cultivation speed.

"My biggest problem right now is my low spiritual root, which has caused my cultivation speed to almost stagnate. Even if I could exchange ten times the amount of second-tier talismans for spirit stones, it would still be a drop in the ocean."

The limitations of low-grade spiritual roots become particularly apparent after becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator. This means that the usual methods of accelerating cultivation, such as using spirit stones, which he relied on before the Qi Refining stage, are no longer as effective after he reaches the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Although the Everlasting Green Technique is powerful, it also shares the characteristics of other wood-attribute techniques. The early stages of cultivation are slow, focusing on building a solid foundation, and it is a gradual process of accumulation before unleashing its full potential."

"Does this mean I have to spend another fifty or sixty years cultivating in the early stages of Foundation Establishment?"

Lin Chang'an, who had just broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage and gained more than two hundred years of lifespan, was suddenly troubled.

Given his exceptional talent and the incredible opportunity he had obtained—an ancient cultivation technique and the Mysterious Heavenly Vine—he would certainly not be willing to let it slip away.

"Right now, I either need to improve my spiritual root aptitude, and all the problems will be solved, but that's simply not something I can do right now."

Secret techniques, elixirs, and treasures that can alter one's spiritual root aptitude do exist in the cultivation world, but these are beyond the reach of a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him, so he didn't even consider them.

"Then there's only one last option: elixirs!"

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an narrowed his eyes. If he could use a second-tier pill to enhance his cultivation, he could greatly increase his cultivation speed.

As for the fact that using too many pills would make it difficult to break through to the Core Formation stage later, that's not something he needs to worry about right now.

"If you can't even improve your strength, what's the point of talking about Core Formation?"

Lin Chang'an was very clear about this, and he would look for a solution after his cultivation level reached the late Foundation Establishment stage.

The cultivation world is never short of treasures; only those with the strength have a chance to obtain them.

"In this way, I can use the time I have freed up from drawing talismans to improve my alchemy skills."

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an nodded to himself.

It wasn't that he didn't want to use spirit stones to buy second-tier pills, but pills that could improve the cultivation of Foundation Establishment cultivators were extremely rare and were considered important strategic resources in the three major sects.

"Although second-tier pills are hard to come by, ordinary pill formulas and materials can be purchased with spirit stones."

As the saying goes, "Those who live near mountains live off the mountains, and those who live near water live off the water."

The Cloud Mist Mountain Range, which is adjacent to Tianxuan City, is rich in spiritual herbs and fruits. As long as you have spirit stones, you can buy whatever you want.

"Alchemy!"

Lin Chang'an secretly considered the matter and felt that there was great potential.

After all, no one would have thought that a second-tier talisman master would waste time learning another skill, alchemy.

As for the influx of second-tier pills into the market, it won't have any impact.

He produces and sells most of it himself, not to mention the current chaotic state of things outside.

There are too many cultivators in Tianxuan City now, openly or secretly buying up spiritual herbs and pills, whether for improving their cultivation or healing their injuries.

The most typical example is the spiritual herbs and fruits that cultivators preparing for Foundation Establishment purchase, as these are all things that Foundation Establishment cultivators can use to improve their cultivation.

Even if he secretly acquired one more, or even ten more, it wouldn't make a ripple.

He will then draw talismans to earn spirit stones, use the spirit stones to buy spirit herbs, and then refine them into pills for himself to improve his cultivation, forming a perfect closed loop.

"Who would have thought that a second-tier talisman master would also be a pill refiner behind the scenes?"

When Lin Chang'an thought of this, a smile involuntarily appeared on his face.

In this way, not only will his talent not be wasted, but his cultivation speed can also keep up.

Even if some second-tier pills enter the market, it's not a problem, since the demand for them is different from that for talismans.

The biggest problem with second-tier talismans is that they require powerful divine sense to control in order to be released, which is beyond the control of cultivators in the Qi Refining stage.

But elixirs don't care about these things.

Especially for cultivators in the late stage of Qi Refining, there is an overwhelming demand for second-tier pills, resulting in an astonishingly large market.

Unlike talismans, which are easy to sell secretly and could easily cause problems.

"However, I cannot slack off on the art of talismans, as it is my legitimate foundation."

Lin Chang'an knew that once he was able to create second-tier high-grade talismans, or even near-third-tier talismans, Master Lu of Tianxuan City would personally try to win him over.

Even among the three major sects, there are only a handful of near-third-tier or third-tier rune masters, which shows how precious they are.

At that time, it will be much easier to plan for Core Formation resources or other things.

The proficiency levels of each talisman are summarized into a simple and easy-to-understand term like 'Second-Tier Talisman Master,' which provides a general overview. Clicking on it will reveal a detailed breakdown.

This also avoids any accusations from fellow readers that the author is padding the word count.

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(End of this chapter)