Cultivating Immortality: I Have a High-Martial World

Chapter 106 Reveals Foundation Establishment Cultivation

Two months later.

In the territory of Yanlai, in a deep mountain.

Lin Chen hovered high in the sky, activating his true essence.

He wielded six high-grade magical throwing knives around his body as if they were his own arms, drawing arcs in the air.

Each flash of the blade was followed by a spray of blood, eliciting cries of agony from the surrounding area.

Within moments, dozens of corpses lay on the ground.

Lin Chen scanned the area with his divine sense, and after confirming that there were no living Tribulation Cultivators, he slowly descended.

At the same time, two figures stepped forward, their faces showing respect.

"Junior Brother Lin... oh no, Senior Brother Lin!"

"Although Senior Brother has only just entered the Foundation Establishment stage, the depth of his true essence is probably comparable to that of a cultivator at the third level of Foundation Establishment!"

The two people speaking were naturally the inner disciples who had traveled with Lin Chen earlier.

After profiting handsomely from that annihilation of the bandit cultivators, Lin Chen occasionally cooperated with them to earn some sect contributions.

"You flatter me, senior brothers! I've only managed to reach the Foundation Establishment stage by sheer luck; my qualifications and experience are far from sufficient..."

Lin Chen put away the flying knife magic weapon and humbly bowed.

He addressed these two Qi Refining disciples as Senior Brothers, a humble way of addressing them because they were older than Lin Chen.

They called Lin Chen "Senior Brother" because Lin Chen was the first to reach the Foundation Establishment stage, a common way of addressing disciples in sects when ranking them by seniority.

Seeing Lin Chen's humility, the two disciples exchanged a glance and smiled:

"Senior Brother Lin is too modest... With such abundant true essence, could you be a high-grade Foundation Establishment cultivator?"

"Heh, I just barely managed to achieve perfect Foundation Establishment..."

Lin Chen did not hide anything; perfect Foundation Establishment would be an important cover for him to fight against opponents of higher levels in the future.

"What? Perfect Foundation Establishment!"

Upon hearing this, the two disciples showed even greater respect, and at the same time, they couldn't help but feel a little envious.

Lin Chen smiled without saying a word, then looked at Li Zhengqian behind the two of them, and said with a hint of teasing:

"Junior Brother Li's magical power is at its peak; he must be close to Foundation Establishment now?"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhenqian's face immediately turned red.

He stammered, "No...that's right!"

"I was also preparing for a perfect Foundation Establishment, but I didn't expect Senior Brother Lin to beat me to it..."

Li Zhenqian's voice grew softer and softer as he spoke, and his head drooped lower and lower.

In fact, he originally only planned to reach the upper-level Foundation Establishment stage.

But to his surprise, Lin Chen not only achieved Foundation Establishment before him, but also achieved perfect Foundation Establishment, which dealt him a heavy blow.

"No, if I'm only at the upper-grade Foundation Establishment level, wouldn't I be unable to catch up with Lin Chen for the rest of my life?"

"Does this mean... I really have to call him 'senior brother' for the rest of my life?"

At this moment, Li Zhenqian was filled with a myriad of thoughts.

He secretly resolved that he too must achieve perfect foundation building in order to have any hope of surpassing Lin Chen.

Lin Chen saw through Li Zhenqian's little scheme but didn't expose it. Instead, he said:

"Haha, in that case, let's wish Junior Brother Li all the best in achieving Foundation Establishment in advance!"

After saying that, Lin Chen activated his true essence and took out all the storage bags from the bodies of those tribulation cultivators.

Li Zhenqian and his group also took action, clearing out the spoils of war.

A moment later.

After the two inner disciples finished collecting the spoils, they came to Lin Chen's side.

"Thank you so much for taking care of us over the past two months, Senior Brother Lin... We've finally gathered enough resources and are preparing to return to the sect to begin our Foundation Establishment journey. We don't aspire to achieve a perfect Foundation Establishment like you, Senior Brother; we'll be satisfied as long as we reach the intermediate level..."

After saying that, they asked:

"Senior brother, would you like to come back to the sect with us?"

Lin Chen shook his head after hearing this and said:

"I have some personal matters to attend to. You two should head back first."

Upon hearing this, the two then flew back to their sect using their magical artifacts.

At this moment, Lin Chen noticed that Li Zhengqian had not yet moved, so he asked:

"Junior Brother Li, are you returning to the sect?"

Li Zhenqian shook his head after hearing this, "I'm going home. Something came up at home and I need to go back..."

Actually, Li Zhenqian wanted to go home and ask for more resources to see if he could break through to the Perfect Foundation Establishment stage.

After hearing this, Lin Chen cupped his hands and said:

"In that case, I'll take my leave first..."

Having said that, Lin Chen summoned the Purple Jade Gourd and leaped onto it.

Their Foundation Establishment stage cultivation was on full display as they headed off into the distance.

Li Zhenqian stood there, envious for a long time.

After a while, he also rode his weapon and traveled in one direction.

Lin Chen circled around the area within a hundred miles several times, and after confirming that no one was following him, he took out his clothes and changed his appearance.

They changed direction and flew towards Yanlai City on their swords.

……

As the flying sword sped through the air, Lin Chen also recalled the situation over the past two months.

The situation in Yanlai has been volatile over the past two months.

First and foremost, the most significant changes have naturally occurred in the forces of the Jiexiu within Yanlai territory.

Since the Changchun Sect issued the mission, hundreds of large and small cultist forces have been wiped out one after another.

Logically speaking, these cultivators should hide themselves and blend into the ranks of independent cultivators to avoid trouble.

But who would have thought that these forces of the Tribulation Cultivators would be absorbed by the largest of the eighteen Tribulation Cultivators?

Ultimately, there were still more than twenty Tribulation Cultivation forces within Yanlai territory, and each of them had Foundation Establishment cultivators stationed there, posing an even greater threat than before.

What Lin Chen didn't expect was the change in the Wild Wolf Faction.

Originally, after losing its sect leader, Wild Wolf, the Wild Wolf Sect should have fallen apart and been at the mercy of the Changchun Sect.

But out of nowhere, a cultivator claiming to be Senior Brother Wild Wolf appeared and reorganized the Wild Wolf Sect.

And this "Senior Brother Wild Wolf" is actually a true Golden Core cultivator.

As a result, the struggle between the two factions intensified.

In the past two months, Shan Linchen knew that no fewer than a hundred disciples, both inner and outer, of the Changchun Sect had died in battle…

Of course, the Wolf Faction suffered even greater casualties.

Of the more than a thousand disciples from various sects, at least three hundred were likely killed or injured.

After the two sects clashed, Changchun Sect demonstrated the courage and strength befitting a sect with a history of over a thousand years.

After three hundred years of peace, Changchun Sect has accumulated a vast amount of cultivation resources, including elixirs, magical treasures, and so on.

It is open to all disciples, and as long as they make contributions to the sect, Foundation Establishment Pills will be supplied in unlimited quantities!

This has led to the situation in just two months.

Changchun Sect has more than ten inner disciples who have advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage.

These inner disciples were all stuck at the Qi Refining Perfection stage for a long time and didn't have enough spirit stones to buy Foundation Establishment Pills.

Now that sect contributions have been relaxed, killing two groups of cultivators who have undergone tribulation can earn you a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Therefore, the number of Foundation Establishment disciples naturally exploded.

Lin Chen estimated that as long as the war continued, Changchun Sect would have at least several dozen more Foundation Establishment disciples within the next year...

"The struggle between the two factions is still in the initial probing stage, with disciples taking the lead... no elders or peak masters have personally intervened yet."

"However, the independent cultivators and immortal cultivation families within Yanlai territory are the first to get restless."

A playful look flashed across Lin Chen's face.

The term "free cultivator" is euphemistically described as someone who lives alone, independent of any sect, and free and unrestrained.

But in reality, more than half of the independent cultivators have criminal records.

They diligently cultivate themselves, trading resources and improving their spiritual level in their daily lives.

Perhaps he was the owner of a pill shop, or perhaps a shop assistant at a magic item shop.

But once they get an opportunity, they'll pull off a big heist, plundering a lot of resources...

Then, one must diligently cultivate oneself again, and so on in a cycle.

Just like the rogue cultivators Lin Chen encountered in the black market, most of them were like this.

Now, the situation within Yanlai has made even the independent cultivators restless.

Some of the independent cultivators chose to side with Changchun Sect.

Although they cannot accept sect missions, they can negotiate with disciples to sell intelligence or directly participate in the suppression of cultivator raids in order to earn spirit stones.

Some independent cultivators simply joined the forces of the Tribulation Cultivators.

They plundered everywhere, indiscriminately robbing disciples of sects, mortals, and immortal cultivation families alike.

These changes among independent cultivators also led to a shift in the attitudes of cultivation families within Yanlai.

The four great immortal cultivation families in Yanlai City—Xiao, Li, Meng, and Cai—all suffered undeserved calamities.

This also forced the four major families to join the siege against the calamity cultivators.

On the one hand, they cracked down on small groups of bandits and cultivators; on the other hand, they made large-scale purchases of magical treasures and elixirs.

The two recent auctions in Guangyuan Town brought Lin Chen an income of 15,000 spirit stones.

At the same time, even within Yanlai City, such items were extremely scarce.

Whether it's a family of cultivators or a rogue cultivator, they're all secretly acquiring high-grade magical artifacts...

Lin Chen's trip to Yanlai City was naturally also for the purpose of selling magical artifacts.

……

More than an hour later, Lin Chen arrived at Yanlai City.

He first strolled around the city for a while, then turned around and went into a shop.

"Fellow Daoist, are you looking to purchase an array formation?"

As soon as Lin Chen entered, a servant respectfully stepped forward to inquire.

"You can't make the decisions I need to discuss. Call your shop owner here..."

Lin Chen said calmly, his tone filled with arrogance.

Upon hearing this, the servant's expression changed slightly, and he carefully examined Lin Chen once more.

Seeing that Lin Chen's appearance and speech were extraordinary, and more importantly, his cultivation was unfathomable.

So he said respectfully:

"Please wait a moment, senior."

Lin Chen nodded slightly, casually found a seat in the shop, and closed his eyes to rest.

A moment later, a young man dressed in fine clothes walked over.

Lin Chen opened his eyes, slightly surprised, but remained outwardly calm.

"Hmph, now even a random little kid can replace the Li family of Yanlai City?"

Indeed, the shop that Lin Chen entered was owned by the Li family.

The boy in front of them was... Li Zhenqian!

Lin Chen didn't expect to run into this guy again so soon.

After being subtly mocked by Lin Chen, Li Zhenqian's face flushed red.

However, he couldn't discern the depth of Lin Chen's cultivation level, so he could only awkwardly reply:

"Fellow Daoist..."

"Um?"

Lin Chen's heart stirred, and he revealed his mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation.

Li Zhengqian's expression immediately changed, and he quickly changed his form of address:

"Senior, what brings you to my Li Family Array Shop? You don't seem to be here to buy array formations..."

Lin Chen almost burst out laughing when he saw Li Zhengqian's respectful demeanor.

But considering his current position, he still kept a straight face and said:

"Who are you? I wish to make a deal with the Li family, a huge transaction involving tens of thousands of spirit stones... Do you think you can make that decision?"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhenqian hesitated.

Although he is the eldest grandson of the Li family, he cannot make a deal worth 10,000 spirit stones.

Furthermore, the senior in front of me is a mid-Foundation Establishment expert, so he probably wouldn't lie.

Therefore, Li Zhenqian respectfully said:

"Please wait a moment, senior, while I inform my father..."

After saying that, Li Zhenqian took out a communication jade slip and contacted his father.

Lin Chen closed his eyes and pretended to sleep, waiting quietly.

In reality, he had been observing Li Zhenqian all along.

He was seen serving tea and water, bustling about.

I must say, he really does have the demeanor of a family disciple.

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, a lean man with a mustache walked in, followed by two servants.

Lin Chen's heart stirred slightly, knowing that the person in question had arrived.

As expected, after entering the shop, he first exchanged glances with Li Zhenqian.

After understanding the situation, he walked up to Lin Chen and said:

"Fellow Daoist, may I ask your name? I am Li Dongkun, the head of the Li family."

"My son has already informed me of the general situation, but I'm wondering what kind of business you'd like to start?"

After hearing this, Lin Chen looked around but remained silent.

Li Dongkun understood immediately and extended his hand, saying:

"Fellow Daoist, shall we go into the backyard for a chat?"

Lin Chen nodded and followed Li Dongkun into the backyard of the shop.

Seeing that there were no other people around, Lin Chen revealed his purpose.

"I am not very talented, but I am the sixth child in my family. You can just call me Han Laoliu."

Lin Chen casually made up a name, then reached out and took out three top-grade magic weapons.

These are three flying swords, all forged from millennia-old iron essence, and they look very similar.

"Patriarch Li, are you interested in this top-grade magic artifact?" Lin Chen asked in a deep voice.

Li Dongkun was taken aback when he saw the flying sword. He tentatively asked:

"Fellow Daoist Han...may I take a closer look at this magic artifact?"

Lin Chen nodded after hearing this, and Li Dongkun took the flying sword and examined it carefully.

Because it contains millennia-old iron essence, this flying sword is extremely heavy.

Li Dongkun infused his true essence and carefully sensed it.

A moment later, he looked surprised.

"These are truly top-grade magical artifacts... and there are three in a set, seemingly from the same source?"

After a moment's thought, he asked:

"Fellow Daoist Han, do you know Master Wu Leizi?"

As the head of the Li family, Li Dongkun naturally knew a great deal.

Over the past six months, Master Wu Leizi's reputation has spread throughout the independent cultivation community.

His identity is mysterious, he possesses superb weapon-refining skills, and seems to have an endless supply of excellent magical artifacts.

The incredibly powerful Five Thunderbolts have become a representative magical weapon.

Li Dongkun had bought two sets of high-grade flying swords, so he could easily tell that the forging methods and techniques of these flying swords were very similar.

Lin Chen had already thought of this, and he didn't intend to hide it.

So he pretended to recall for a moment and said:

"You mean my seventh son? That kid sold quite a few magical artifacts recently and gained the higher-ups' favor..."

Lin Chen's words were vague, only indicating that he and "Master Wu Leizi" seemed to come from the same place.

It was precisely this ambiguous attitude that made Li Dongkun even more unsure of what to do.

As a shrewd man, Li Dongkun knew better than to ask too many questions.

So he focused his attention on the flying sword in his hand.

"Master Han... how much do you want for this flying sword?"

Lin Chen had already decided on the price, and he casually said, "One flying sword, 1,500 spirit stones."

Li Dongkun nodded upon hearing this.

This price isn't expensive!

Top-grade magical artifacts were previously priced at around a thousand spirit stones.

However, due to recent political turmoil, prices in the entire market for religious artifacts have risen sharply.

This price of 1,500 spirit stones is a fair deal.

So Li Dongkun tentatively asked:

"Fellow Daoist Han, I'll take all three of these top-grade flying swords... but I wonder how many you have on hand?"

Lin Chen smiled gently after hearing this and said calmly:

"That depends on how much you want, fellow Daoist..."

He possesses a hundred top-grade magical artifacts, and apart from the Changchun Sect, no one in Yanlai can rival him.

He was certain that Li Dongkun wouldn't buy too much.

As expected, after pondering for a long time, Li Dongkun gritted his teeth and said:

"I wish to purchase a set of nine flying swords... I wonder if Fellow Daoist Han could sell them to me?"

(End of this chapter)