Eternal Life from Talisman Painting-Chapter 145 - 122: Times Have Changed

Inside the pavilion.

"Brother Lin, this is what my father asked me to bring over. It’s this year’s Spirit Field rent and the resources for cultivating the Cyan-Horned Bull."

Zhou Bingyun obediently took out the Storage Bag.

When Lin Chang’an saw these resources, he couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. The prices outside were rising, yet the resources the Zhou Family gave him hadn’t increased in the past two years.

Moreover, since Zhou Bingyun mentioned it was from her father rather than the Zhou Family, Lin Chang’an naturally understood the implication and couldn’t help but smile and nod.

"Please thank Mr. Zhou for me."

"Brother Lin, don’t worry. Although the prices for resources are increasing, as long as our Zhou Family doesn’t make a loss, we won’t raise prices for you."

After handling the family’s affairs, a smile bloomed on Zhou Bingyun’s face, and her eyes glanced at the Cyan-Horned Bull behind her that was constantly trying to please her.

This scene left Lin Chang’an speechless for a moment, but despite the Cyan-Horned Bull’s shamelessness, it had indeed benefited from many resources over the years.

Of course, this was all because of Lin Chang’an’s influence.

Taking advantage of Lin Chang’an’s good mood, Zhou Bingyun fed the Cyan-Horned Bull two Spirit Fruits before humbly inquiring about cultivation issues.

Lin Chang’an also smiled and began to give guidance. This girl was clever and knew how to learn from the strengths of many families.

Or rather, she never missed an opportunity to grow stronger.

With her status, she naturally didn’t lack insights in this area, but every Foundation Establishment Cultivator had their unique perspectives.

"Miss Zhou, with your cultivation improving, I suppose it won’t be long before you start planning for Foundation Establishment?"

Zhou Bingyun had just broken through to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, which naturally could not escape Lin Chang’an’s discerning eyes as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

The usually optimistic Zhou Bingyun showed a rare trace of anxiety on her face when Foundation Establishment was mentioned, although she hid it well.

"It’s still early. I just broke through to Qi Refining Ninth Layer. I need to at least reach the Peak of Qi Refining to have a chance, and currently, Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects are scarce.

Despite the size of the Zhou Family’s business, with so many people, the consumption of resources is a massive number."

Listening to Zhou Bingyun’s words, Lin Chang’an shook his head silently.

He understood these large families’ choices clearly.

If given a choice, the family would naturally prefer to invest in male cultivators. After all, female cultivators are most likely to be swayed by emotions. Once trained, if there are entanglements with outsiders.

Isn’t it like raising someone else’s child?

"Miss Zhou, you have remarkable talent. The Zhou Family wouldn’t be willing to give up on a Tier One Upper Grade Pill Master like you."

Faced with Lin Chang’an’s banter, Zhou Bingyun responded with a charming smile. She also hoped for this outcome.

As a Pill Master, she leaned towards the spirit beast type, but her role was still significant for the family.

"Thank you for your kind words, Brother Lin. I hope to become a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the future."

When leaving, Zhou Bingyun gave a sincere smile, and Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded in blessing.

Even after her figure disappeared, the Cyan-Horned Bull kept mooing in farewell.

Left alone in the pavilion, Lin Chang’an reflected on the faint traces of Evil Energy around Zhou Bingyun and couldn’t help but smile.

"It seems that the patriarch of the Zhou Family truly dotes on his daughter."

He was well aware of the internal competition within the family, especially for Foundation Establishment resources, which were always of utmost importance.

For family disciples like Zhou Bingyun, what they lack is the tempering of their mindset.

"This Patriarch Zhou is truly a shrewd person."

Lin Chang’an smiled as he looked at the extra Spirit Stones in the Storage Bag. It was evident that this Patriarch Zhou was openly and secretly asking him to help gather some Foundation Establishment Materials for his daughter.

Favors, if not used now, might not be useful later on.

The wisdom of Patriarch Zhou lay in enlisting Lin Chang’an’s help to gather Foundation Establishment Materials, effectively securing an external ally for Zhou Bingyun while silencing others.

"Family disciples are truly enviable."

With Zhou Bingyun’s talent, coupled with the family’s resource provision, she had already reached the Qi Refining Ninth Layer just after turning thirty.

It’s likely that in another three to five years, she will be ready for Foundation Establishment.

This made Lin Chang’an somewhat envious. Starting from scratch as a Loose Cultivator was extremely difficult, causing a lot of time to be wasted in the early stages.

By the time they had grown enough to secure stable cultivation resources, they were often in their thirties or forties.

This often resulted in these unsupported Loose Cultivators reaching the late stage of Qi Refining well into their forties or fifties.

As such, the average age for these Loose Cultivators to try Foundation Establishment was usually after fifty, with many attempting it even in their sixties.

...

"Fairy Zhou."

Just as Zhou Bingyun stepped out of the cave abode, she was spotted by Chen Wen, who had been waiting eagerly, his face lit up with an enthusiastic smile as he approached.

"So it’s Mr. Chen."

Seeing who it was, Zhou Bingyun also gave a polite smile and nodded.

"Fairy Zhou has just come out from Senior Lin’s cave abode, right? It’s perfect, we can travel together."

One must admit, the Immortal Cultivation Realm was never short of cultivators wanting to take shortcuts.

Marrying the daughter of the Zhou Family’s patriarch would save countless detours.

Just forming an alliance with the Zhou Family had enormous benefits.

Chen Wen understood this better than anyone, which is why he was more attentive than anyone else over the past two years.

Especially since Zhou Bingyun herself was quite attractive.

"I must return to the family to refine a batch of Elixir for my Spirit Pet, so I’ll take my leave first."

With a polite smile, Zhou Bingyun clasped her hands in farewell.

And Chen Wen, with the demeanor of a courteous gentleman, watched Zhou Bingyun leave with a polite smile.

After Zhou Bingyun’s figure disappeared, the naked ambition in Chen Wen’s eyes became apparent.

However, this scene was all seen by Lin Chang’an from within the Array Barrier in the pavilion.

"While I don’t oppose such an act, constantly eyeing my dojo is crossing the line."