Immortality and cultivation begin with drawing talismans...

Chapter 146 The Great Dao is both ruthless and compassionate.

The top floor of Juxianlou.

"May Fairy Yun break through to the next level."

"Congratulations, Fairy Yun."

The six of them gathered together, each with a smile on their face, offering their blessings, even though they weren't very familiar with each other.

However, the interests in the black market are intertwined, so generally speaking, everyone prospers or suffers together.

Yun Yao, her face veiled in black, nodded calmly, which could be considered a small celebration.

Lin Chang'an sighed with emotion. Although the six of them had banded together for mutual benefit, they were currently getting along very well.

After a celebratory banquet, everyone was filled with joy.

Everyone had tasted the benefits of the black market and naturally didn't want anything to happen.

Because Yun Yao had achieved Foundation Establishment, everyone at the dinner table offered half of their profits.

After all, the deterrent power of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator is worth the price.

Friendships are one thing, and everyone wants to work together long-term, but it's better to keep things separate when it comes to interests.

Since everyone here is a self-taught cultivator who has lived for decades, no one feels reluctant to give anything away.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, I will come to your cave to find you tomorrow night."

However, Yun Yao's nonchalant remark before leaving made the atmosphere somewhat strange.

Old Hu stared at Lin Chang'an in shock, as if to say, "Brother Lin, you've managed to live off a woman like this?"
Lin Chang'an glanced at everyone calmly, without the slightest embarrassment, and directly cupped his hands and said, "Okay."

This guy's gluttony made everyone's teeth ache.

"This Fellow Daoist Yun is truly meticulous in his work."

Only Lin Chang'an knew in his heart that Yun Yao had done this on purpose.

They were only working together for profit when they started a black market; they weren't really united.

After Yun Yao broke through to the late Foundation Establishment stage, the balance of power between the two sides became somewhat unbalanced.

On their side, Lin Chang'an and Lao Hu were in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, while Lao Jia was in the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

Once there is a significant disparity in strength between the two sides, it is easy for them to have various ulterior motives, making them vulnerable to exploitation.

But Yun Yao's deliberate remark made everyone secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

Although this caused some strange looks from the crowd, it was actually a stable development for the black market in the long run.

……

Inside the cave.

"This Yun Yao, after breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, is not satisfied at all. Instead, she is still so cautious. I really don't know what she went through to make her personality like this."

Upon returning, Lin Chang'an shook his head, recalling the satisfaction he felt when he first established his foundation and when he broke through to the mid-Foundation stage.

Compared to Yun Yao, the difference in their abilities is immediately apparent.

"No wonder they cultivate so quickly. I must never be complacent in the future."

Lin Chang'an secretly made up his mind that he really needed to learn from Yun Yao in this respect.

He then summoned his natal spiritual plant, and obtained the corpse of the early Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Vajra Sect, and began to read its memories.

After the two cultivators divided the spoils of war, the one in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage naturally belonged to Yun Yao.

As for the wealth of a cultivator in the early stages of Foundation Establishment, he and Old Hu divided it among themselves.

"The people of Shayun Kingdom are fierce and ruthless. No wonder they are known as the bandits of the Seven Kingdoms. They are really poor."

After a while, Lin Chang'an withdrew his natal spiritual plant, slowly opened his eyes, rubbed his brows, and shook his head.

He also learned about the Vajra Gate and the Kingdom of Chayun.

The Kingdom of Shayun, the country with the worst resources among the seven kingdoms, only has one Golden Core sect, the Vajra Sect.

However, the Vajra Sect was rejected by the cultivation forces of the six kingdoms.

"No wonder Yun Yao was so decisive; after all that, she was still bullying people."

But this feeling is really quite comfortable.

At this moment, Lin Chang'an had a big smile on his face. Who wouldn't feel comfortable with the feeling of killing someone and not being afraid of retaliation?

"However, these two body cultivators do have some extraordinary abilities. It's a pity that their talents are also limited. Their purpose in coming to Yue Kingdom this time is to seek some resources for their clansmen."

This time, I really wasn't acting under anyone's orders; I just never imagined they would actually go so far as to kill me.

After reviewing his memories, Lin Chang'an's expression turned somewhat strange. Upon closer examination, it seemed to be true.

Normally, one would just say a few harsh words, then leave and walk away.

Who would have thought that he would run right into Yun Yao's line of fire? He was just unlucky.

With Tianxuan City in turmoil, the black market also needs to establish its authority by taking action. The Vajra Sect, the most disliked sect among the six kingdoms, is the perfect example to make an example of.

"Indeed, when I am out and about in the future, I should be tolerant and never act impulsively, lest I lose my life for nothing."

Lin Chang'an shook his head, feeling no regret about the two unlucky people.

After all, this is the world of cultivation.

"The most famous body-refining technique, the Vajra Art, belongs to Jin Kaishan, a Nascent Soul cultivator and a giant of the demonic path in the Demon Beast Sea Abyss. It is said to be an ancient sect technique from ten thousand years ago."

Faced with the temptation of this body-refining technique, Lin Chang'an sighed with regret, for he no longer had that many resources.

He already feels he doesn't have enough time and resources for his own cultivation, so learning a body-refining technique would likely slow down his progress.

"Most ordinary cultivators who practice multiple disciplines do so because their cultivation has stagnated and they have reached a bottleneck. They only do so to increase their strength after they have no hope of breaking through in this lifetime. I don't need to do it now."

Moreover, this Vajra Mantra is incomplete and has many flaws.

The truly complete ancient Vajra Mantra has long been lost, but it is said that Jin Kaishan, a Nascent Soul cultivator and a powerful figure in the demonic path of the Demonic Beast Sea Abyss, seems to have obtained the complete version.

At this moment, Lin Chang'an recalled the knowledge he had gained about the cultivation world over the years, and finally shook his head with a smile.

These things are too far removed from his current situation. He should focus all his energy on improving his cultivation, breaking through to the late Foundation Establishment stage as soon as possible, and planning to form a Core Formation artifact.

"I wonder if that mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator has any more information in his memories."

Lin Chang'an pondered for a moment, then gave up on the temptation.

This was his secret to begin with, and if he were to ask Yun Yao for it again, it would easily arouse suspicion, since he wasn't practicing any kind of evil art.

Then Lin Chang'an raised his hand and waved it, and the phantom mask slowly fell onto the cultivator's cheek. The next moment, fine poisonous vines pierced into the flesh.

The terrifying sound echoed, and in less than half an incense stick's time, only a tattered robe remained.

The corpse was completely devoured.

"Bloodthirsty Poison Ivy, it really is a fitting name."

With a wave of his hand, he washed the mask and put it on his cheek. Lin Chang'an's aura began to slowly change, eventually transforming into that of the Vajra Sect cultivator who had died earlier.

"So far, this mask can mimic the aura of Huang Shaohai, Song Danshi, and this Vajra Sect cultivator."

Lin Chang'an was extremely satisfied with the mask's function, which was transformed from the Bloodthirsty Poison Ivy.

However, it's best to use Master Song's alchemy sparingly, and Huang Shaohai's alchemy only when doing something shady.

The situation in the Yue Kingdom remained turbulent, and the surrounding neighboring countries were also not at peace.

Ultimately, the reason is that the seven kingdoms are located in remote and impoverished areas with limited resources. As the major sects develop to a certain extent, conflicts are inevitable.

There are only two ways to leave the Seven Kingdoms: one is to cross the Cloud Mist Mountains.

However, it is rumored that deep within the Cloud Mist Mountains lies a poisonous miasma that even Nascent Soul cultivators fear.

Secondly, there is the vast desert bordering the Shayun Kingdom. Although this place also has some unique poisonous insects and monsters, it is generally much safer than the Cloud Mist Mountains. However, this place is even more barren, poorer than the seven great kingdoms.

The seven kingdoms were geographically well-off, living in a remote corner of the world.

……

Time flies, and the beast tides are becoming more and more frequent. Some people have even discovered the presence of several late-stage second-tier demonic beasts on the outskirts of the Cloud Mist Mountains.

"Brother Lin, Tianxuan City has transported a batch of rare resources from the Demon Beast Sea Abyss. It has now been officially announced that they can be exchanged for demon beast resources."

At the same time, Xuan Yin Pavilion has also gradually opened up a series of high-level resources to the public, including elixirs, talismans, magical artifacts, and cultivation techniques…

Inside the pavilion, watching the dashing Yun Yao speak with a solemn expression, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but frown slightly.

"Are you so anxious?"

This move was too obvious. To put it bluntly, it was a joint effort between Xuan Yin Pavilion and Tian Xuan City, using the power of these cultivators from the seven kingdoms to eliminate the beast tide disturbance as quickly as possible.

He even went so far as to open up some high-level resources, and Master Lu even transported a batch of rare materials from the seven kingdoms from the Demon Beast Sea Abyss.

While this also proves Lu Zhenren's connections as the top rogue cultivator, it also indirectly suggests that Lu Zhenren seems to be all bark and no bite.

"These are turbulent times. I hope Master Lu can hold on for a few more decades."

Faced with the situation in Yue, Lin Chang'an became secretly serious.

"Let's not talk about that anymore. We just need to do our own thing."

Later, in the pavilion, Lin Chang'an and Yun Yao chatted about the situation of Lu Qingqing, Shen Lie, Er Niu, Wei Buyi, and others over the years.

"With Wei Yingying around, Shen Fan won't suffer any losses. He hasn't neglected his cultivation over the years and has already broken through to the late stage of Qi Refining..."

"Qingqing is so lucky."

"That's right. Although Wei Buyi is old, he never gives Shen Lie a good look and glares at him angrily every time he sees him."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Wei Buyi and Erniu were incompatible according to their birth charts, but unexpectedly, in the second half of their lives, they ended up fighting against Shen Lie.

However, Shen Lie benefited greatly, always smiling, leaving Wei Buyi with nowhere to vent his anger.

"It's Erniu. After all, the Zhou family has many connections, so they naturally won't get many resources. Two years ago, Zhou Yifan secretly joined the demon-hunting team, which Erniu has always been concerned about..."

When talking about their former companions, Lin Chang'an and Yun Yao in the pavilion were filled with melancholy and deep emotion.

Some were happy for their former companions, while others felt sorry for those companions who had stopped along the way.

The spiritual tea in the cup reflected the unchanging appearances of the two. Finally, Yun Yao gazed at the scene of Tianxuan City, shook her head, and left.

Inside the pavilion, watching Yun Yao leave, Lin Chang'an smiled and released the Phoenix Bird from his spirit beast pouch.

As soon as the phoenix appeared, it eagerly landed on his shoulder, looking ingratiating, which made Lin Chang'an shake his head.

"Alright, just relax for now and don't go out for the time being."

The Phoenix Bird loves to eat poisonous insects in the Cloud Mist Mountains. No matter how good the spiritual fruits it usually gives you are, they can't compare to a second-tier spiritual insect.

Only the green-horned ox mooed, seemingly mocking the phoenix.

……

Another spring breeze has blown by, and Tianxuan City is full of vitality.

【Lifespan: 76/246】

[Realm: Mid-Foundation Establishment (15/100)]

Looking at the familiar scenery outside the Juxianlou restaurant, and the new faces appearing at the roadside stalls, Lin Chang'an felt a surge of emotion.

"The cultivators who came from Qingzhushan Market have gradually been replaced by a new generation."

Tianxuan City has been established for nearly thirty years. Originally, cultivator families from various markets migrated here. Some grew and prospered, while others disappeared into the long river of history in the cultivation world.

The cultivators who came from Qingzhushan Market naturally banded together and most of them chose to live in one area.

And Juxianlou was naturally located here.

Through decades of ups and downs, many familiar faces at the stalls have been replaced.

Yet you can still vaguely see familiar faces on some of them.

"Brother Lin."

As the people in the private room arrived, a faint layer of respect appeared on their once familiar and friendly smiles.

The gap between the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment realms, along with Lin Chang'an's rising status, have contributed to this.

Although they had all achieved Qi Refining, they still could not stop the erosion of time, with graying temples and mature wrinkles on their faces.

This made Lin Chang'an sigh deeply; this was the price of loneliness in cultivating immortality.

Shen Lie coughed lightly first, as if about to say something, but Li Erniu took a deep breath, cupped his hands, and said:

"I am very grateful to Brother Lin for taking the time out of his busy schedule to come."

"Erniu, you're exaggerating."

Although everyone has drifted apart on their path of cultivation, the friendship they shared back then remains real.

Lin Chang'an waved his hand and nodded with a light smile, naturally knowing the purpose of the gathering.

"Erniu, you don't need to say any more polite words. I heard from Shen Lie that you wanted to prepare for Yifan's Foundation Establishment."

When this matter was mentioned, everyone's expressions became somewhat solemn.

Erniu, however, looked much older and more haggard. Upon hearing this, he stood up and bowed to the crowd.

"Over the years, although Yifan has never said anything, I, as his father, have seen it all. He has been through life and death several times, and each time he has been covered in scars."

"And I've failed as a father. I didn't have a firm resolve to cultivate in my youth, and now my child is suffering..."

Erniu spoke with a face full of shame, and everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Over the years I've saved up some money, and today I'm swallowing my pride to ask you all for a loan..."

Erniu's face also turned red. This time, his preparations for building a foundation for his children were different from those for Yun Yao and Lin Chang'an back then.

After all, the bond between them will naturally fade considerably by the next generation, which is why they need to raise funds.

"You clearly want to cut off Yifan's feelings as soon as possible so that you can live a peaceful life."

The person who knows Erniu best is Wei Buyi, who astutely points out Erniu's thoughts.

Erniu didn't argue, but instead sighed helplessly.

Parents' hearts are always full of love and worry. Erniu didn't expect his child to become a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He only hoped that Zhou Yifan could try it out so that he could give up on him sooner.

That way, he won't have to worry.

"I have some spirit stones here, but we need to make some arrangements. I'll be planning for my daughter to establish her foundation in the future."

Wei Buyi stared wide-eyed, seemingly speaking to Erniu, but also telling Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing.

This left Shen Lie feeling helpless, while Lu Qingqing smiled and nodded, saying:
"Don't worry, I've watched Yingying grow up."

Seeing this scene, Lin Chang'an seemed to have an epiphany: the Great Dao is both ruthless and compassionate.

That's how they got through it too. It's just that as parents, it's not wrong to feel sorry for your children.

Just as Lin Chang'an was about to speak, Er Niu's second son suddenly burst in excitedly.

"What are you doing! So reckless!"

Erniu's second son, who had also grown up, said with great excitement:

"Father, my eldest brother is back! Mother told me to tell you to come back quickly, and if Uncle Lin is here, you must invite him over."

(End of this chapter)