Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans...

Chapter 119 Second-Tier Mid-Grade Talisman Master
With the auction about to begin, a large number of cultivators flocked to Tianxuan City.

Although it wasn't as lively as the last time, it was still very attractive to Foundation Establishment cultivators and late-stage Qi Refining cultivators overall.

"You didn't see the scene three years ago. The scale of that scene far surpassed what we see now."

"Even more lively than now?"

"What do you think! The last auction had some Core Formation spiritual items, and several Core Formation cultivators from the three major sects, as well as Pseudo-Core Formation cultivators from the neighboring country, all came."

"This trade fair is divided into three sessions, each three months apart. These nine months are also the busiest time in Tianxuan City..."

The streets of the market were bustling with activity. Some of the rogue cultivators who were visiting for the first time looked on in astonishment at the prosperity of this holy land for rogue cultivators.

Some came from other countries, having missed it last time, but finally caught up this time.

Juxianlou was also packed with people, which made Shen Lie very happy. He kept arranging for people to greet the arriving cultivators.

Only the top floor had few cultivators, making it relatively quiet.

None of the cultivators downstairs expressed dissatisfaction, nor did any of them say they wanted to go to the top floor.

Because everyone knows that only Foundation Establishment cultivators can go up to the top floor of the Gathering Immortals Pavilion.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, you've brought two youngsters here today to broaden their horizons."

When Chen Qing, along with his two grandsons Chen Wen and Chen Feng, reached the top floor, they politely bowed to everyone before finally looking at Lin Chang'an.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, you're too kind."

Lin Chang'an nodded with a smile, while Chen Qing gave the two juniors a wink.

Having already been instructed, Chen Wen and Chen Feng respectfully bowed to everyone and addressed them as "seniors."

There weren't many Foundation Establishment cultivators on the top floor, only seven, and they all nodded slightly.

The two then respectfully began to pour tea and water for the seniors.

"With the auction about to begin, Old Hu has saved up quite a few spirit stones. Let's see if we have a chance to buy something we like this time."

A burly man laughed heartily with a broad smile, and everyone else smiled and nodded in agreement.

People come to Juxianlou not only for regular transactions, but also to exchange information.

After all, many Foundation Establishment cultivators spend anywhere from several months to several years in seclusion for cultivation.

"Everyone, we've been chatting for so long, so bring out whatever good stuff you have. I, Old Hu, have the claw of a late-stage Tier 1 demon beast. If any of you want to forge a high-grade magic weapon for your juniors, you can take a look."

Beneath Old Hu's rugged smile, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator who has long been adventuring and hunting demonic beasts, he always possesses some valuable items.

"It's all thanks to Lao Hu's impatient temper; he doesn't even give us time to drink tea."

Amidst laughter and teasing, Old Hu nonchalantly took out the good stuff from his storage bag.

I plan to exchange for some necessary items or spirit stones before the auction.

"Goodness, it seems Lao Hu has gotten his hands on a lot of good stuff lately."

Amidst gasps of surprise, it became clear that the parts Old Hu had removed from the monsters were not just one or two.

Faced with the crowd's gasps, Old Hu waved his hand with a broad smile and said:

"All the animal hides have been sold; these are all the materials left."

Upon seeing these materials, Lin Chang'an frowned, as if Old Hu hadn't hunted a second-tier demon beast in a long time.

Of course, it is very risky for Foundation Establishment cultivators to hunt second-tier demonic beasts, but he remembered that the demon-hunting team that Old Hu and a few others had formed together had a pretty good harvest.

"Fellow Daoist Hu, do you have any second-tier demon cores?"

Lin Chang'an couldn't help but ask the question that had been bothering him, since both refining second-tier pills and cultivating the secret technique of Condensing Yuan required the consumption of demon cores.

However, upon hearing Lin Chang'an's question, Old Hu waved his hand dismissively and said:

"Fellow Daoist Lin, please stop talking. Although the territory of the Cloud Mist Mountain Range bordering our Tianxuan City is not small, it cannot withstand so many cultivators hunting us down."

The outer areas are almost deserted from being hunted. To hunt second-tier demonic beasts again, one would have to venture deep into the Cloud Mist Mountains, but besides the demonic beasts, the Cloud Mist Mountains are also rife with poisonous miasma.

After listening to Lao Hu's description, everyone suddenly understood and smiled.

Yes, before, there were only a few markets and a few cultivators within a thousand miles, so naturally we didn't realize it.

But now Tianxuan City is almost entirely populated by the Yue Kingdom, and nearly half of the independent cultivators from the surrounding neighboring countries.

No matter how rampant the monsters were, they couldn't withstand the greed of the numerous rogue cultivators.

"Alright, this time I'd rather exchange for some spirit stones. Of course, if there are any antidote pills or similar medicines, we can exchange those too."

Old Hu smiled and waved his hand. This scene made Chen Wen, who was standing behind Chen Qing after pouring tea for everyone, feel a little tempted.

Chen Feng, standing to the side, looked on with envy at the group of Foundation Establishment cultivators; this was the symbol of strength.

Chen Qing also saw through his grandson's thoughts and couldn't help but chuckle and say:

"I don't have any antidote pills, so I'll exchange some spirit stones for some materials with you."

"it is good."

Compared to Chen Qing, an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator who didn't have much money, Lin Chang'an chuckled and took out two talismans.

"Fellow Daoist Hu, do you have any Tier 2 materials?"

Lin Chang'an's status as a second-tier talisman master is quite significant; otherwise, people wouldn't have given him the face to use Juxianlou as a trading hub.

After Lin Chang'an spoke, everyone showed respectful smiles, while Old Hu scratched his head and finally helplessly took out two jade bottles from his storage bag.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, it’s not that I’m reluctant to part with it, but the deep part of the Cloud Mist Mountains is infested with poisonous miasma, and most of the monsters are poisonous insects, which are extremely difficult to deal with.”

There are many kinds of demonic beasts, but most cultivators, besides flying demonic beasts, least want to deal with poisonous insect-type demonic beasts.

Not only are they incredibly ferocious, but their venom alone makes cultivators avoid them like the plague.

"I still have two bottles of fire-attribute demonic beast blood left over from before. Fellow Daoist Lin, you can give them to me as you see fit."

Old Hu laughed heartily, while Lin Chang'an needed fire-attribute demonic blood essence to increase the power of his Firebird Talisman and Explosion Talisman.

"Alright, but fellow Daoist, these two spirit talismans of mine aren't enough for you."

"Fellow Daoist Lin, you must be joking. Although the price of spirit talismans has increased recently, it's not that high..."

Then, picking up the two talismans from the table, Old Hu, who still had a rough smile on his face, suddenly froze, and the next moment his expression changed drastically.

"My goodness, Fellow Daoist Lin, you're right. Look at me, I'm just talking nonsense. I'll replenish two more bottles of demonic beast essence blood."

The transformation of Old Hu, a cultivator in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, was astonishing.

That's a quick change of expression.

However, the next moment, everyone realized that they were not stupid. When they saw the talisman that Lao Hu was holding like a treasure, their expressions changed.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lin."

"Fellow Daoist Lin, you've kept this from us for so long!"

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lin, on your progress in talisman skills."

The faces of the crowd were almost identical to those of Lao Hu, and this scene made the two younger members, Chen Wen and Chen Feng, stare wide-eyed.

What kind of talismans are these? Two of them were exchanged for four bottles of second-tier demon beast blood essence.

Faced with the compliments from the crowd, Lin Chang'an smiled and waved his hand, saying:
"I was lucky. After studying talismans for decades, I have finally achieved some success in this field."

"Fellow Daoist Lin, you are too modest. A mid-grade second-tier talisman master can be considered to have made some progress?"

"That's right, in the entire Tianxuan City, you can count the number of mid-grade second-tier talisman masters on one hand."

Everyone looked at Lin Chang'an with envy. They were both Foundation Establishment cultivators, but their fates were completely different.

For this group of rogue cultivators to even reach the Foundation Establishment stage was already a feat they had used up most of their luck in their entire lives.

As for those who can make breakthroughs in the various arts of cultivating immortality, they are few and far between.

Even Old Hu, whose cultivation level was the highest and who was at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, was all smiles as he chatted with Lin Chang'an.

A mid-grade second-tier talisman master is a distinguished guest, whether he goes to the three major sects or Tianxuan City. "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lin."

Chen Qing was also overjoyed, excitedly cupping his hands in congratulations. He never expected that his neighbor Lin Chang'an would become a second-tier mid-grade talisman master. This was quite impressive.

Furthermore, by befriending a mid-tier second-level talisman master, they can purchase talismans in advance if needed in the future.

"My spiritual root aptitude is limited, but fortunately, the heavens have taken care of me, and my aptitude for talismans is not bad."

Lin Chang'an spoke with a melancholy expression, and everyone nodded in agreement, sharing his sentiments.

Only they can understand the hardships they endured as independent cultivators.

After exchanging supplies, the group smiled, clasped hands in farewell, and headed towards the auction as the sun set.

The once bustling streets are now much quieter.

Through the window, it was clearly visible that cultivators at the late Qi Refining stage and Foundation Establishment stage were heading towards the auction venue.

Meanwhile, Lin Chang'an, sitting alone in the Juxian Tower, was secretly frowning as he analyzed the intelligence he had gathered.

"Tianxuan City controls a limited territory. Although there are many demonic beasts in the Cloud Mist Mountains, they are mostly deep inside, where poisonous miasma rages."

"Legend has it that deep within the Cloud Mist Mountains, divine sense is unfathomable, and even unfamiliar Foundation Establishment cultivators can lose their way, not to mention the extremely poisonous miasma, which even Foundation Establishment cultivators cannot stay in for long..."

Sitting upright at the table, Lin Chang'an tapped the surface lightly and frowned slightly.

"No wonder prices have been rising recently; this is probably a big part of the reason."

Monsters are treasures from head to toe. Their hides can be made into magical artifacts, and talismans are also needed. Their essence and blood have even more uses, whether for medicinal baths or for drawing talismans and refining elixirs.

Sharp parts such as claws and teeth are excellent materials for refining weapons.

Even the meat of demonic beasts is considered a top-grade tonic.

"However, it seems that the market for this antidote pill will be even larger in the future."

After thinking about this, Lin Chang'an had a clue and a smile appeared on his face.

Indeed, it was the right thing to gather intelligence from other Foundation Establishment cultivators regularly.

If possible, try to bid for the recipe for a second-tier detoxification pill at this auction.

This will be easy to sell in the future.

"It's time to head to the auction."

Looking at the sky outside, Lin Chang'an smiled.

……

On the streets of Tianxuan City.

Chen Qing, with a solemn expression, repeatedly gave instructions to the two younger generation members.

"Listen up, you two. Once inside, observe and learn as much as you can, but don't say a word."

"Yes."

Looking at Chen Wen and Chen Feng, two juniors who were already at the late stage of Qi Refining, Chen Qing couldn't help but show a rare smile of satisfaction. Perhaps the Chen family was really going to rise again under his leadership.

"But Grandpa, that Senior Lin actually became a mid-grade second-tier talisman master."

Chen Wen was already feeling uneasy about the matter of the spirit field, and seeing Lin Chang'an being fawned over by everyone today made him even more jealous.

"Be careful!"

Seeing Chen Wen's indomitable spirit, Chen Qing felt both gratified and somewhat troubled.

If a cultivator doesn't have this indomitable character, how can they possibly build a foundation in the future? But Chen Wen's character is also prone to problems. Fortunately, this kid knows how to humble himself and isn't stubborn.

"What do you know? A mid-grade second-tier talisman master would have a high status even in the three major sects."

However, Chen Wen, unconvinced, focused his mind and said:

“Grandpa, didn’t you say that cultivation level is the most important thing, and the various arts of immortal cultivation are just side paths?”

"That's because you're lucky. You have your grandfather's protection and your clan has a hundred acres of spirit fields. Otherwise, where would you get the resources to focus on your cultivation?"

Chen Qing glared at his ambitious grandson with a hint of annoyance.

Everyone knows to focus on cultivation and improve their cultivation level, but do they have a choice?

Cultivation is not about starving; everything requires resources, but where do those resources come from?

These independent cultivators, don't they have to rely on their own hands?

Lin Chang'an's success today is entirely due to his talent in talismans, which provided him with the resources to build his foundation.

"I know grandpa."

Seeing that Chen Qing was somewhat angry, Chen Wen quickly lowered his head and admitted his mistake, while Chen Feng, who was standing to the side, also spoke up:

“Grandpa, my eldest brother is also focused on cultivation in order to strengthen the family.”

Finally, Chen Qing shook his head, gave the two some instructions, and headed towards the auction venue.

However, Chen Wen harbored a strong resentment. In his eyes, what did it matter if Lin Chang'an, this senior, had a low-grade spiritual root and excellent talent for drawing talismans?

Ultimately, a cultivator's spiritual root aptitude is what matters. He believed that he would definitely be able to establish his foundation in the future and then gradually surpass his opponent.

Today he stands like an ant, treated like a servant, but in the future he will sit at a table and be treated as an honored guest.

……

"This trade fair, held every three years, will be bustling for nine months. That's really great."

Thanks to Tianxuan City's influence, Juxianlou's business is booming, and Shen Lie is overjoyed every day.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, with your Qi Refining Level 8 cultivation, aren't you going to join the fun?"

Seeing that Shen Lie had packed up but showed no intention of leaving, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but look puzzled.

Shen Lie, however, smiled nonchalantly and waved his hand, saying:
“I’m not going. The cultivators who go to auctions now are either trying to advance their cultivation or planning for their offspring. Fan’er is still young and doesn’t need these things.”

I'd better save up some spirit stones over the years, so this kid doesn't follow in his father's footsteps. Let's give it a shot; whether it succeeds or not, we'll leave it to fate."

Shen Lie's mindset made Lin Chang'an nod with a light smile.

"That's fine. Sometimes it's not necessarily a good thing for young people to be too insightful. Being overly ambitious is a major taboo for us cultivators."

“Yes, yes, that’s why when I’m teaching this brat, I tell him that the business of Juxianlou is all yours, Brother Lin. If you don’t cultivate properly, you’ll have to wait for Yingying to suffer in the future.”

It must be said that everyone has a different way of educating people.

Erniu's method of educating his children is to let them grow up freely.

Aside from providing some cultivation resources, Zhou Yifan didn't care about anything else, since the Zhou family would provide the education anyway.

Even with the children now, Erniu happily provides them with cultivation resources as much as he can every day.

"Everyone has his own destiny."

As Lin Chang'an grew older, his understanding of this statement deepened.

Shen Lie had good resources back then and was not without the opportunity to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage. However, he married early and had children, so he gradually focused his attention on raising his offspring.

Wei Buyi could be said to have the best initial resources among them, but unfortunately he was too ambitious when he was young, wasting his time and squandering a lot of resources.

By the time they realized what had happened, it was too late, and they ended up at the bottom of the group.

Li Erniu was content with his current situation. From being able to cultivate immortality to marrying into the Zhou family, he was still in a daze. He thought that being able to marry a woman who cultivated immortality and have children was already a blessing.

After having children, he also showed great determination and was once considered the person with the greatest potential and staying power among them, second only to Lin Chang'an.

However, because he had many children and received a lot of resources, he gradually lost interest in them as he got older and his sons grew up.

Everyone makes different choices, and their fates are all different.

(End of this chapter)