Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans...

Chapter 122 Immune Miasma
Tianxuan City.

"Fellow Daoist, do you have any low-grade second-tier demon cores? If not, near-second-tier demon cores will do."

Quasi-second-tier demon cores are demon cores that some powerful demon beasts can generate in their bodies when they reach the peak of the late first-tier stage.

If nothing unexpected happens, these monsters will all advance to the second tier in the future.

“Fellow Daoist, it’s not that we don’t have them, but rather that these kinds of resources are extremely scarce. The demand is too great, and the supply can’t keep up.”

In the market trading area, Lin Chang'an, disguised, walked past several shops selling monster resources, but received no response.

"Or rather, the current market is one of supply not meeting demand."

Lin Chang'an frowned slightly, realizing that he had a high demand for demon cores and couldn't afford to run out of supplies.

Demon cores are not only the main ingredient for Foundation Establishment Pills, but also one of the main materials for second-tier cultivation-enhancing pills, and are even needed for weapon refining and formations.

“In recent years, the price of raw materials has gradually stabilized, but some materials have become scarce.”

The Yunwu Mountains are indeed a treasure trove, but the increased difficulty has created a significant market gap.

In addition, the situation in the Yue Kingdom was turbulent, and these powerful forces had been accumulating resources to strengthen themselves.

Such strategic materials will naturally not be easily allowed to flow out again.

"The wood-attribute core crystal in my body is almost unable to support my continued cultivation."

Through divine sense, it was observed that the wood-attribute crystal core within Lin Chang'an's body was now almost filled with black impurities.

This is the third wood-attribute crystal core he has obtained since he began cultivating the Condensation Technique.

"It takes about a year to consume one crystal core, and alchemy requires several crystal cores a year. Currently, a low-grade demon core costs nearly ten thousand low-grade spirit stones in the market."

In other words, a second-tier low-grade demon core costs sixty to seventy mid-grade spirit stones.

Even if he could earn money, he could only make about a hundred mid-grade spirit stones a month, through both overt and covert means. Although that was comparable to the annual income of a cultivator of the same level.

But the expenses for alchemy, spirit beasts, purchasing spiritual liquids to feed one's natal spirit plant, and daily cultivation costs are staggering when you actually calculate them.

As Lin Chang'an strolled through the market trading area, he couldn't help but frown slightly when he thought of this.

"The majority of the effort is spent on feeding the natal spiritual plant and cultivating the Qi Condensation Technique, but the natal spiritual plant is related to the future, and the core-penetrating ability of the Qi Condensation Technique is even more related to the future formation of the core."

Although Core Formation is still a long way off for me, everyone knows that the purer one's magical power and the more perfect one's body, the greater the chance of success.

"Most of the demon cores are now in the hands of major powers. After all, they are strategic resources, especially in the current situation. If we reveal our identities, we may not lack resources, but the problem is that we cannot be exposed."

Otherwise, even if monsters are difficult to hunt, it wouldn't be this difficult.

There were even cultivators who used demon cores as bait before; the cultivators these days are really wicked.

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but feel a headache. After all, how many Foundation Establishment cultivators could cultivate by taking pills every day like him?

The problem is that the ancient cultivation technique he practiced was powerful, but the cultivation speed was also incredibly slow; without taking pills, the speed simply wouldn't pick up.

……

Juxianlou.

Lin Chang'an arrived at Juxian Tower. Although he usually needed to hide his alchemy, he did not need to hide the wood-attribute crystal cores needed for cultivating secret techniques.

After all, every Foundation Establishment cultivator has their own secrets, and crystal cores can also be used to assist in cultivation; many Foundation Establishment cultivators do this.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, the second-tier crystal cores you requested are already rare, let alone those with the wood attribute."

“Indeed, it’s not that I, Old Hu, am stingy, it’s just that crystal cores are rare these days. Qi Refining cultivators need crystal cores to refine Foundation Establishment Pills for breakthroughs, and Foundation Establishment cultivators also need these things.”

Old Hu, a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator with a rugged face, helplessly shrugged; he truly didn't have this rare item anymore.

"Furthermore, Fellow Daoist Lin, you know that many cultivator teams that hunt down demonic beasts prefer to trade with Tianxuan City, partly because they have more options."

Whether it's elixirs, magical artifacts, or cultivation techniques, there's a wide selection—things you can't normally buy with spirit stones outside. More importantly, those who provide long-term trade services to Tianxuan City will receive a certain degree of protection for their clansmen and descendants…

Don't let Lao Hu's usual carefree attitude fool you; he has an extremely insightful perspective.

Even if you, Lin Chang'an, are a mid-grade second-tier talisman master, what can you offer in exchange?
Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an sighed helplessly; what Old Hu said was indeed true.

Besides talismans, the only other things he could offer were some pills, but Tianxuan City had a wider selection.

As for raising the price? How much can he raise it?

Moreover, many things cannot be bought with spirit stones. What Foundation Establishment cultivators need more are magical artifacts and cultivation techniques.

And the protection of future generations is something Lin Chang'an can't offer them.

"Fellow Daoists, if you have any wood-attribute demon cores in the future, I will raise the price."

Old Hu and another middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator exchanged glances upon hearing this, but in the end, Old Hu laughed heartily:

"Brother Lin, I don't like to brag. This demon-hunting team isn't something I, Lao Hu, can decide on by myself. Sometimes it depends on the needs. But I'll definitely keep an eye on things for you."

"Thank you both very much."

"Haha, come on, Brother Lin is treating us today, let's have a few more drinks."

On the top floor of Juxian Tower, amidst laughter and cheerful conversation, although the situation in Yue Kingdom was turbulent, it did not have a significant impact on Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Unlike Qi Refining cultivators, who are easily frightened by the slightest disturbance.

……

Inside the cave.

【功法：万古长青功（熟练：38/500）、凝元诀（精通203/1000）、煞元剑诀（精通856/1000）】

Looking at his cultivation technique section, Lin Chang'an nodded secretly.

The main cultivation method is the most difficult, and progress is relatively slow, which is understandable.

"As expected of a demonic cultivation technique, as long as one can withstand the side effects, progressing by leaps and bounds in a day is not an exaggeration."

Lin Chang'an sighed with emotion, realizing that these demonic cultivation techniques were indeed the best, with low barriers to entry and rapid progress.

His last secret technique, the 'Fierce Yuan Sword Art,' actually surpassed others, and his progress in it was the most profound.

"However, without this ancient technique, no matter how powerful other secret techniques are, they are all rootless duckweed."

Lin Chang'an knew perfectly well that the 'Eternal Green Technique' was the key. Without the self-healing body brought by the ancient technique, he would not be able to cultivate this demonic secret art at all.

"Now, with the blessing of this demonic secret technique, my strength is no less than that of an ordinary mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator. In addition, with the second-tier spirit pet, the Azure Horned Ox, even a late-Foundation Establishment cultivator has the power to escape."

As Lin Chang'an pondered this in silence, he began to consider exploring the Cloud Mist Mountains.

If it were truly fraught with danger, he would rather slow down his cultivation than take that risk.

At worst, I can wait until I reach the mid-Foundation Establishment stage and improve my strength to another level before giving it a try.

"In fact, the poisonous miasma of the Cloud Mist Mountains, which everyone fears, is like a fish in water for me, and is even more advantageous to me."

He had this idea because when he was refining second-tier antidote pills to exchange for cultivation materials, he naturally had to test the power of this poisonous miasma first.

In the market, many people use jade bottles and other precious items to store some of the poisonous miasma and sell them.

"Let's try this bottle of poisonous miasma from deeper within the Cloud Mist Mountains."

Just in case, Lin Chang'an took out the poisonous miasma he had specially purchased that day.

As the jade bottle was opened, a wisp of deep purple miasma slowly drifted out. Lin Chang'an dared not be careless and used magic to restrict it around him.

He didn't want all the spiritual plants decorating his cave to wither away.

The next moment, a deep purple miasma swirled around him.

The poisonous miasma, which other Foundation Establishment cultivators feared like tigers, posed no threat to him.

After waiting for a while, he didn't sense anything unusual. Instead, he felt refreshed and invigorated, and couldn't help but nod in approval. "In that case, the poisonous miasma deep in the Cloud Mist Mountains has no effect on me."

"But we'll have to try again next."

For some unknown reason, Lin Chang'an suddenly smiled and got up to walk out of the cave.

Outside the cave, the Green Horned Ox was lazily basking in the sun in the pool.

Upon seeing its owner walking towards it with a beaming smile, the Green Horned Ox immediately adopted a fawning expression and excitedly emerged from the pool.

"Moo moo."

The gentle moo of the cow splashed water all over the ground, making Lin Chang'an overjoyed. He had raised this cow for so many years, and now it was time to put it to good use.

Deep within the Cloud Mist Mountains, poisonous miasma rages, and the monsters that thrive there are mostly poisonous insects.

These poisonous insects become much weaker once they are free of poison. For monsters like the Green Horned Ox, which are known for their strength, as long as they are not afraid of poison, they will usually have the upper hand.

"Good cow, suck some up, this is good stuff."

When Lin Chang'an took out the jade bottle, the Green Horned Ox immediately showed a fawning expression and mooed excitedly.

However, the moment the jade bottle was opened, the beast's instinct kicked in, and the Green Horned Ox's eyes widened, its previous excitement vanishing.

Instead, terror filled their eyes, and their large, round eyes stared at their master with a panicked and pitiful look, mooing incessantly.

It seems to be saying, "Master, you can't really stew me!"

Seeing this, Lin Chang'an slapped the bull's head hard in annoyance and glared at it, saying:

"You good-for-nothing idiot, what are you afraid of with me here?"

Although Lin Chang'an has antidote pills, these are very expensive. Let's try his Evergreen Magic first to see if it can help the Green Horned Ox become immune to the poisonous miasma.

"Moo!"

The green-horned ox had pitiful eyes, but it couldn't refute the argument. It could only suppress its instinctive fear, stop sniffing, close its eyes, and stick out its tongue to suck the bottle into its mouth.

"Crack! Click!"

The sound of the jade bottle being chewed echoed, prompting Lin Chang'an to laugh and scold, "You stupid ox."

Despite his cursing, Lin Chang'an was also filled with emotion.

No wonder many cultivators, though selfish and self-serving, cherish their spirit pets immensely.

There's no other reason than that in this cruel world of cultivation, spirit pets may be the last companions a cultivator can trust.

"Moo!"

After chewing and swallowing the bottle, the green horn beef's face visibly turned green, and its eyes turned red, clearly indicating that it had been poisoned.

"Don't worry."

Seeing this, Lin Chang'an nodded secretly. As expected of a demon beast, it was born with some immunity to poisonous miasma, far surpassing human cultivators.

With the physique of a demon beast, he should be able to get through this without much trouble, although his quantity is a bit small.

He then extended his palm, and as he channeled his own life-giving Evergreen Magic into it, the visible signs of poisoning in the Green Horn Beef began to subside.

"As expected, my guess was right."

When Lin Chang'an saw that his evergreen magic, full of vitality, could resist toxins, he revealed a satisfied smile.

He had previously discovered that his magic had a healing effect, so he thought that his ability to resist toxins should also be useful.

Although it didn't have the same effect on him, it was still quite remarkable.

"As expected of an ancient cultivation technique, it's a pity that there are few people in the cultivation world who can let down their guard and allow the other party to inject their magic power?"

Lin Chang'an smiled and shook his head. Even among husband and wife Daoist partners, there are many who are wary of each other in the cultivation world.

This ancient martial art has excellent healing effects and is also remarkably effective against poisons, which made him even more satisfied.

As a result, when entering the depths of the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, even Foundation Establishment cultivators of the same level, including those in the late Foundation Establishment stage, must proceed with extreme caution.

But he was completely unafraid; deep within the Cloud Mist Mountains, he was able to unleash his full power.

Human cultivators were weakened by the poisonous miasma.

The poison that posed the greatest threat to him, even to venomous insects and monsters, had no effect on him.

With this shift in power, he could gain the upper hand regardless of whether he encountered a cultivator with ill intentions or a poisonous insect or demonic beast.

Security capabilities have been greatly improved.

"In this way, the depths of the Cloud Mist Mountains are actually to my advantage, as I can easily retreat even against late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators."

Seeing the effects of his technique, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

Just then, after the toxins subsided, the Green Horned Ox let out an excited moo.

"For your reward."

In a great mood, Lin Chang'an smiled and took out a spirit fruit from his storage bag, then tossed it to the Green Horned Ox.

The green-horned ox happily opened its mouth and began to chew, completely forgetting that its owner had previously tested it for poison.

……

"The depths of the Cloud and Mist Mountains, perhaps, are a treasure trove for me."

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an, sitting upright in the pavilion, couldn't help but reveal a satisfied smile.

"However, we cannot be careless; we still need to prepare more methods."

Strange insect-type monsters are often more valuable than monsters of the same level, and their abilities are also very bizarre.

He wasn't afraid that he might end up in the market and have his secrets discovered.

Although he had a stable income thanks to his second-tier mid-grade talisman master skills, his spiritual root aptitude was poor, so he went on an adventure to hunt monsters.

To outsiders, this is perfectly normal, since not every cultivator is like Chen Qing, content and no longer seeking breakthroughs.

To break through, one needs to constantly take risks to find resources.

Fighting can temper one's will, and second-tier monsters can also provide abundant resources.

Risk and reward are always directly proportional.

His actions would not be suspected by anyone.

This is perhaps the true ascetic.

"In this way, I can also hide my behavior of secretly taking pills to quickly improve my cultivation, and I can also openly display some normal cultivation materials."

After all, wood-attribute techniques are inherently slow to progress, and they are all the kind of techniques that require gradual accumulation before a breakthrough.

"There are many benefits, and whether it's a rapid increase in strength or the provision of some precious resources, no one will suspect anything."

After all, those who hunt monsters are usually poor at midnight and rich at dawn.

Ordinary skilled cultivators have stable incomes and considerable wealth.

The cultivators who hunt demonic beasts are either dirt poor or possess several spiritual artifacts, and their cultivation resources are in no way inferior to those of the true disciples of great clans and sects.

"However, we should still be cautious. We should look for early-stage second-tier demonic beasts first, and avoid those in the mid-to-late stages for now."

Just as Lin Chang'an was calculating what else might have been overlooked, Zhou Bingyun's voice came from outside the cave.

(End of this chapter)