Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans...

Chapter 134 Traces of the Tribulation Cultivator
“Fairy Zhou, you just came from Master Lin’s place, didn’t you? In my opinion, why would the Zhou family need to arrange for you to personally deliver the items needed by these spirit beasts?”

At this moment, Chen Qing looked at you with pity, as if to say that he couldn't stand your status.

"Thank you, Senior Chen. The clan will naturally have its own considerations."

Looking at Chen Wen, who could no longer see himself clearly, Zhou Bingyun respectfully cupped her hands, feeling both angry and amused.

At that moment, she finally understood the meaning of the phrase "sitting in a well and looking at the sky".

Even the Zhou family only rose to prominence by taking advantage of the momentum of Tianxuan City and their hundreds of years of accumulated strength.

Even so, they dared not presume to call themselves a great clan.

As it turns out, the Chen family consisted of only two cultivators who had just entered the Foundation Establishment stage. They had neither the foundation to establish a clan nor the ability to continue a family lineage for a hundred years, yet they dared to be so arrogant.

It's really ridiculous.

"Miss Zhou!"

Seeing Zhou Bingyun's stubbornness, Chen Wen also showed a hint of anger. He was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet she was so arrogant.

Although the other party was arrogant, Zhou Bingyun kept in mind her mother's teachings: either be mortal enemies or try not to offend anyone.

"Senior, before I leave, my father asked me to go to the shop to get a spirit fruit, so I will take my leave now."

Zhou Bingyun politely bowed and took her leave again. At this moment, even the most foolish members of the Chen family could see through her act.

This Zhou family daughter is far too arrogant. She's just a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, yet she looks down on everyone, even the newly established Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Chen family.

Seeing that things had almost settled, Chen Qing stepped in to smooth things over, smiling and cupping his hands in a gesture of respect:
"In that case, I will not disturb young friend Zhou any longer."

The message is clear; he'll visit the Zhou family in a few days to gauge their opinion.

This matter cannot be rushed.

However, Chen Qing, being experienced and wise, forgot that his grandson had achieved success at a young age.

Upon being rejected again, Chen Wen's eyes flashed with anger, especially as he thought of Zhou Bingyun emerging from Lin Chang'an's cave.

In addition, he had heard many rumors over the years, and wondered if the Zhou family would use their daughter to win over Lin Chang'an.

Now that he had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, Chen Wen, increasingly enraged, blurted out a sentence without thinking.

“Miss Zhou, that Lin fellow only has a low-grade spiritual root. So what if he has some talent in talismans? In the cultivation world, strength is still the most important thing!”

"Shut up!"

In his haste, Chen Wen uttered those words, causing Chen Qing's expression to change drastically, and he immediately shouted to stop him.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Bingyun's expression gradually turned cold.

The look in his eyes as he gazed at Chen Wen was now completely undisguised.

This scene made Chen Wen feel ashamed.

"Wen'er, what did your grandfather teach you! How can you be so insolent!"

Faced with his grandfather's reprimand, Chen Wen, who would immediately admit his mistakes in the past, suddenly felt his pent-up resentment erupt, and he stubbornly retorted:
"Grandpa, am I wrong? I am now a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and my talent is far superior to that Lin fellow. It's not impossible for me to become a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator in the future!"

After uttering these ambitious words, Chen Wen felt that he had finally released all the emotions he had been suppressing.

Chen Qing's expression changed, and Zhou Bingyun's face became even more impassive, her expression indifferent as she cupped her hands and said:

"In that case, I wish Senior Chen a long and prosperous journey to immortality."

Zhou Bingyun dared not associate with such a person again. If she offended someone one day and implicated the Zhou family, it would be an undeserved disaster.

Late Foundation Establishment stage! Truly a frog in a well, unaware of the vastness of the cultivation world.

Zhou Bingyun, who grew up in the Zhou family, knew this very well.

There are many Foundation Establishment cultivators, but less than one in a hundred can reach the late Foundation Establishment stage.

Even his Zhou family has only one late-stage second-tier clan-guarding spirit beast so far, and even his father is still far from reaching that level.

"What arrogance! A junior who has only just established his foundation is already so ignorant of his own limitations."

Just then, a cold, clear voice rang out, and a tall, slender female Foundation Establishment cultivator with a black veil covering her face appeared calmly.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Zhou Bingyun exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't this the senior I met in Brother Lin's cave before?"

"I've met senior."

Zhou Bingyun bowed respectfully, and the person who came was Yun Yao.

When Yun Yao appeared, dressed in black, she exuded a powerful aura, especially the faint murderous aura, which made Chen Qing's expression change drastically.

"I am ignorant, fellow Daoist, please forgive me."

At this moment, not only Chen Qing, but even Chen Wen, who had been arrogant just moments before, turned pale after being given a cold look by the mysterious female cultivator Yun Yao.

A chill ran through him, rushing to the back of his head. This dangerous aura instantly snapped him back to reality, and he hurriedly lowered his head to admit his mistake:
"Senior, I was out of my mind. My words were offensive. Please forgive me."

After calming down, Chen Wen immediately showed his habit of admitting his mistakes.

However, Yun Yao glanced at him coldly, and a chilling aura emanated from her, causing Chen Wen to shiver involuntarily.

Zhou Bingyun respectfully watched Yun Yao head towards Lin Chang'an's cave, and then she left without saying a word.

At this moment, the members of the Chen family who were standing on the spot were also somewhat flustered. What was supposed to be a Foundation Establishment celebration banquet had turned into this mess.

"A female cultivator in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage!"

Chen Wen's face turned grim, and when he saw his grandfather's face, he couldn't help but show fear.

"grandfather!"

When Chen Qing turned around, a layer of frost had already covered his eyebrows and beard.

Just a moment ago, under Yun Yao's terrifying and chilling magical power, it was Chen Qing who stood in front of her.

"Shut up! All of you, get back here!"

"Ancestor..."

However, Chen Qing's chilling gaze frightened the Chen family members, who hurriedly returned to their cave.

However, as soon as they entered the cave and passed through the array barrier, Chen Qing, with his hunched back, shocked everyone by delivering a resounding slap across the face.

Everyone gasped in surprise. Although Chen Wen's cheeks were red from the beating, he still rushed forward to help his grandfather.

"Grandpa, I was wrong, please don't be angry."

puff!

A mouthful of blood spurted out, and as it fell to the ground, it emitted a chilling aura.

However, before Chen Wen could speak, Chen Qing shouted angrily:
"How have I taught you all these years? You became arrogant and conceited as soon as you reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Do you know that you almost provoked a great enemy today?"

"You've got quite the nerve, claiming to be in the late Foundation Establishment stage! Do you even know that we independent cultivators, after reaching Foundation Establishment, have everything we could possibly need: cultivation techniques, resources, spiritual artifacts, spells, and inheritances? Where do you get your confidence from?!"

"Who do you think you are? A disciple of True Person Lu of Tianxuan City? Or a prodigy of one of the three major sects? You're just a rogue cultivator! A rogue cultivator who cost the Chen family so much and used two Foundation Establishment Pills to barely achieve Foundation Establishment!"

Chen Qing was also furious, her eyes red as she angrily reprimanded him.

Previously, their behavior towards the Zhou family girl was at most a bit unpleasant, but not too excessive.

To directly slander and ridicule a Foundation Establishment cultivator like this, does the Chen family really think they're some kind of powerful clan?

Isn't this just creating enemies for no reason?

Chen Feng, who was standing nearby, also hurriedly stepped forward to comfort his grandfather.

However, Chen Wen was somewhat unconvinced. He admitted that he had said something wrong, but he just couldn't accept Lin Chang'an's words.

“Grandpa, the Zhou family is one thing, our Chen family can’t compare to them, but what is Lin Chang’an? He only relies on his talisman skills, why does he look down on us!”

The thought that Lin Chang'an hadn't even helped with this small favor before filled Chen Wen with resentment.

"Now I want everyone to know that I, Chen Wen, have reached the Foundation Establishment stage, and that Lin Chang'an misjudged me back then."

"You!" Chen Qing glared angrily at the good-for-nothing. As a rogue cultivator, he was always careful and never dared to offend anyone easily, but this bastard was something else.

A cunning fox in power is as fierce as a tiger, unaware of its own limitations.

Upon seeing this, Chen Feng and the other clansmen hurriedly stepped forward to greet the old ancestor.

"Ancestor, please calm down. Young Wen is young and impetuous, and he spoke rashly. Besides, we have already admitted our mistake."

"Yes, Ancestor, today is a joyous day for our Chen family. Are we really going to ruin today's celebration for the sake of outsiders?"

Faced with the persuasion of one clansman after another, Chen Qing shook his head in anger, wanting to continue scolding, but looking at the festive atmosphere in the cave today...

After Chen Wengang had just established his foundation, he was berated mercilessly. Chen Qing's eyes reddened, and he finally let out a soft sigh.

“Feng’er, you are steady in your actions. Later, take this spiritual herb of mine and go to apologize to them on my behalf.”

"Grandpa, that can cure you..."

Before Chen Feng could finish speaking, he swallowed his words upon seeing Chen Qing's angry glare and nodded, saying, "Yes, Grandpa."

Inside the Chen family's cave, the celebration banquet for the foundation-building ceremony was clearly dampened.

……

Meanwhile, inside Lin Chang'an's cave.

"Brother Lin, there are many blind people in this world who will inevitably cause trouble sooner or later."

Inside the pavilion, Yun Yao's brows still held a hint of murderous intent. This was in Tianxuan City; if they were outside, it wouldn't be so simple.

Lin Chang'an, standing to the side, chuckled, took a sip of his spiritual tea, and waved his hand dismissively, saying:
"A child's barking is ignorant; does it really affect one's mood? Just watch how arrogant he is today; tomorrow he'll attract powerful enemies, and when he falls from grace, everyone will kick him while he's down..."

Lin Chang'an shook his head with a smile. Since you can't kill this kind of person with one blow, you can't teach him a lesson; you have to indulge him.

Even if he commits a terrible crime and then regrets it, from your high vantage point, it will still be a pleasing sight to behold.

Seeing Lin Chang'an's thoughts, Yun Yao's eyes twitched. She thought Lin Chang'an didn't want to provoke anyone, but who knew he was even more petty.

Lin Chang'an shook his head with a smile.

For such a minor verbal offense, you might as well teach the person a lesson. Are you really going to brazenly kill someone in Tianxuan City?
This isn't some kind of evil cult.

“Brother Lin, I’ve discovered that you might be better suited to survive in the Monster Sea Abyss.”

"Fellow Daoist Yun, please don't talk nonsense."

"I'm serious, Brother Lin, you're so cunning and resourceful, you'll definitely survive."

Faced with Yun Yao's teasing, Lin Chang'an waved his hand righteously. Although he was a rogue cultivator, he was still upright and honorable.

He's definitely not a bad person.

Did he reprimand or physically punish Chen Wen in this matter?

No!

Therefore, he is absolutely magnanimous.

Just as Lin Chang'an and Yun Yao were enjoying tea and exchanging cultivation insights in the pavilion, Chen Feng came to visit and apologize outside the cave.

Outside the cave, Chen Feng respectfully apologized and presented a generous gift. Although he didn't see the person in the end, the brocade box in his hand was taken away from him remotely, which made him secretly relieved.

Meanwhile, inside the cave, after Lin Chang'an opened the brocade box and found a spiritual fruit inside, Yun Yao nodded slightly and said:

"A four-hundred-year-old earthworm fruit, this person does have some sincerity."

Earth Dragon Fruit grows around the caves of Earth Dragon Beasts, second-tier social monsters, and has the effect of strengthening muscles and bones for cultivators.

Lin Chang'an didn't pay any attention and casually put it into his storage bag.

……

Chen Wen, who had been waiting in the cave for a long time, couldn't help but show his joy when he saw his brother Chen Feng return empty-handed.

"Brother Feng, did Fellow Daoist Lin, the head of the spirit fruit forest, accept it?"

"Okay, I'll take it."

"That's good."

Upon hearing that Lin Chang'an had accepted the spirit fruit, Chen Wen smiled with satisfaction, while Chen Feng, standing to the side, looked somewhat suspicious.

"Big brother, Grandpa sent spirit herbs, why did you switch them?"

Upon hearing Chen Feng's question, Chen Wen remained expressionless, feigning guilt as he let out a long sigh.

“This matter started because of me. The herb was used by my grandfather to heal his injuries. I don’t want to be a burden to him anymore.”

Chen Wen's ashamed and remorseful expression made Chen Feng secretly breathe a sigh of relief; his elder brother had become arrogant after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.

Perhaps this lesson will be a good thing.

"Don't tell Grandpa about this. I'll find an opportunity later to refine this spiritual herb into a healing pill for him."

"it is good."

Chen Feng had no doubts about this, after all, Chen Qing had raised them both and they had a very deep bond.

Chen Wen's guilty expression finally managed to fool his brother Chen Feng.

Today's foundation-building celebration banquet for the Chen family, despite some setbacks, still brought immense excitement to the other members of the Chen family.

The Chen family has produced two Foundation Establishment cultivators, which can guarantee the family's prosperity for a hundred years.

……

After a banquet, Chen Wen went to Master Song's cave under the cover of night.

"Master Song, I've already found a target for the spiritual fruit you gave me: Lin Chang'an, a mid-grade second-tier talisman master with early Foundation Establishment strength. Is that enough?"

Upon hearing this, the white-haired alchemist Song nodded with a satisfied expression and said:
"Good, not bad. I knew I hadn't misjudged you. A mid-grade second-tier talisman master with early Foundation Establishment cultivation. You're quite valuable."

At this moment, Chen Wen looked uneasy. Everyone thought that his Chen family had come to Master Song's place to exchange spiritual fields for Foundation Establishment Pills, and that they had succeeded in the end.

But in reality, he still failed with the second Foundation Establishment Pill. Just when he was in despair, this Alchemist Song approached him.

From the moment he obtained the Foundation Establishment Pill, he embarked on a path of no return.

"Master Song, it was agreed that I would help you find three Foundation Establishment cultivators, and from then on we would have no further connection."

Chen Wen knew what he was doing; he was helping Jie Xiu, but he was being forced into it. All he wanted now was to break free.

Master Song had seen many people like Chen Wen, and couldn't help but reveal a sarcastic smile.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, you are also a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Don't you understand the differences between Foundation Establishment cultivators? What do you have in terms of cultivation techniques, spells, and post-Foundation Establishment cultivation resources?"
And your Chen family, even if you fight for another hundred years, you'll still be second-rate.

Hearing Master Song's disdainful words, Chen Wen, though unwilling, had to admit a fact.

That is, after he established his foundation, he simply did not have the corresponding cultivation resources.

Unless he goes to hunt monsters, the Chen family still needs him.

"Don't worry, it's not like I'm asking you to become a cultivator who has been robbed. You're just going to give some spiritual fruits and herbs to these Foundation Establishment cultivators at the right time. As long as they leave the city, they'll be watched."

You are perfectly safe. Even if you decide you don't want to stay in Tianxuan City in the future, you can go to Lihuo Palace with your Chen family.

Under Song Danshi's influence, Chen Wen's eyes gradually revealed a greedy desire.

As Master Song Dan said, it's not like he's being sent to fight.

The Chen family will rise to prominence under his leadership. Those who look down on him—Zhou Bingyun, Lin Chang'an, and that female Foundation Establishment cultivator in black today—will face consequences.

Thinking of the disdainful looks he received, Chen Wen's face twisted in a grimace.

He will definitely become a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator in the future.

He will make all those who look down on him regret it.

(End of this chapter)