Eternal Life from Talisman Painting-Chapter 151 - 124: Fire Flame Evil Qi (2)

Walking in Celestial Profound City, the discussions of a group of cultivators reached Lin Chang’an’s ears, making him nod silently.

The words were blunt but made sense. How many sect disciples would defect to become loose cultivators? If it were a Nascent Soul opportunity, perhaps someone would take the risk.

But a Foundation Establishment opportunity? Being listed on the sect’s traitor list would mean endless pursuit through generations.

The risks and rewards are not at all proportionate.

Loose cultivators, however, are different. They can earn bounties and even join a sect. Countless people would be eager for that opportunity.

"This Master Lu is already over five hundred years old, and his strength has started to decline. He’s considered quite long-lived among Golden Core cultivators."

Recalling the intelligence about Master Lu, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but shake his head silently.

Normally, a Golden Core cultivator can live five to six hundred years without issues. But for those who have struggled their way up, especially loose cultivators, to still live to be six hundred is already quite an achievement.

"But all this is too far away for me. I can only hope this Master Lu can hold on for a few more decades."

Then Lin Chang’an collected his thoughts and headed towards the direction of the Treasures Tower in Celestial Profound City.

...

Celestial Profound Peak.

"Master, lately there has been an uprising of tribulation cultivators outside, with rumors flying everywhere. Although the city remains stable, the situation outside is clearly becoming more chaotic."

Su Miaoyin’s expression was grave as she spoke of the outside world’s intelligence. However, her brows did not reflect any worry at all; rather, she discreetly watched Master Lu above.

This Master Lu wore a green robe, giving the image of a withered old man. Upon hearing the words, his lips curled into a mocking sneer.

"If they wish to test this old man, they better weigh their worth first."

At this, Master Lu seemed to remember something, and a malicious smile emerged.

"People are ignorant, only knowing that Golden Core cultivators can live five or six hundred years. Yet they don’t realize the vastness of the Immortal Cultivation Realm, where secret techniques, elixirs, and cultivation techniques all have means of extending life.

Even arrays, I have seen with life-extending, defying capabilities."

At this point, Master Lu inwardly sneered.

He once had the fortune to acquire a Turtle Breath Longevity Secret Technique. By practicing this secret technique, he could greatly extend his lifespan.

According to his current lifespan, he could live at least eight hundred years.

Nobody knew that this over five-hundred-year-old man was still in his prime.

"Master, what about next?"

Su Miaoyin frowned. She didn’t understand the intentions of her "bargain" father, nor did she wish to. She only wanted to cultivate in peace.

But sometimes these matters were unavoidable.

"Next, as this old man has been injured before and is over five hundred years old, I simply want to live a few more years, so I’ll enter seclusion.

My dear daughter, you should prepare as well. Next time, let’s catch something big together; after all, we must give these people some hope, right?"

Under Master Lu’s teasing smile, Su Miaoyin remained silent.

"Master, your return to the Yue Kingdom this time, is it really to plan the Core Formation for me?"

Finally, it was Su Miaoyin who couldn’t resist lifting her head, looking at her "bargain" father, and voicing her doubts.

She could never see through what he was ultimately planning.

This direct gaze made Master Lu puff his cheeks, slap his chest, and say: "Of course!"

"Good!"

Without any hesitation, Su Miaoyin turned and left.

However, behind her, Master Lu stroked his beard, watching her departing figure, and mumbled quietly to himself:

"Dear daughter, I didn’t lie to you. The plan for your Core Formation is just a part of the whole."

...

Treasures Tower.

"Tier Two Centipede Shell, Double-tailed Poison Scorpion, Ink Green Insect Venom Sac..., Mr. Lin, you have truly opened my eyes."

The Foundation Establishment elder with the surname Feng couldn’t help but show a hint of surprise upon seeing this pile of Tier Two demon beast materials.

The materials from five Tier Two demon beasts weren’t a big deal to him; he had seen even Tier Three demon beast materials alongside Master Lu.

The surprise was merely because Lin Chang’an had always been cautious, usually relying on talisman painting for diligent cultivation.

"Mr. Feng, don’t tease me."

Faced with Mr. Feng’s emotional value offering, Lin Chang’an shook his head helplessly. He would believe this from a Qi Refining cultivator, but considering Mr. Feng’s age...

In the Demon Beast Abyss, he had seen all sorts of storms.

Seeing Lin Chang’an’s expression, Mr. Feng rarely laughed mischievously.

"Mr. Lin, this is what a true cultivator should be. Previously, you only wanted to rely on talisman painting for diligent cultivation. Perhaps your resources are better than those of the average loose cultivator, but only to a limited extent.

You must know, after Foundation Establishment, every step is like walking on thin ice. If we loose cultivators don’t even have the courage to fight, how can we dream of pursuing the Immortal Dao, or aspire to achieve Core Formation?"

Mr. Feng’s hearty laughter was underlined with a sense of weariness in his eyes, as if he had experienced too much.

Lin Chang’an also nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, just one adventure can yield harvests equal to years of hard work, no wonder they say both tribulation cultivators and demon beast hunts are addictive for cultivators."

The temptation of sudden wealth is too great; once accustomed to it, who would want to continue making spirit stones slowly through talisman painting or alchemy?

Even Lin Chang’an, despite his extraordinary talent and overt and covert earnings, felt tempted, not to mention others.

"Mr. Lin, we at the Treasures Tower will accept all your materials. Would you like to exchange them for treasures, or convert them into spirit stones?"

"Exchange for a defensive spiritual artifact, and convert all the rest into cultivation resources."

Lin Chang’an had no hesitation, or rather, from the beginning of hunting demon beasts, he hadn’t intended to hide.

Sometimes, a cultivator can’t always stay hidden; when necessary, they must show some edge.

He wanted to use these demon beast materials to obtain some high-level resources available only in Celestial Profound City and the Three Major Sects.

He couldn’t help but expose them.

Moreover, as a loose cultivator with low aptitude, he could conveniently use this to disguise his future cultivation progress.

If they’re envious, they should go and risk their lives.

"A defensive spiritual artifact, is it? This Profound Iron Flying Heaven Shield is astonishingly defensive, perfectly suitable for you, my friend."

Seeing the heavy shield, Lin Chang’an nodded internally. With this defensive spiritual artifact, his safety level was significantly enhanced.

"Give me six bottles of Tier Two Upper Grade Spirit Liquid, and also..."

With the jade token Su Miaoyin previously provided, he could exchange for many strategic high-level resources not available to the public in Celestial Profound City.

Of course, some precious internal resources naturally wouldn’t easily flow outside.

"There’s actually Fire Flame Evil Qi!"

Seeing the Fire Flame Evil Qi among the redeemable resources, Lin Chang’an was startled.

Mr. Feng smiled broadly and nodded:

"There used to be a fissure on Li Huo Peak, connected to the earth’s fire, occasionally naturally producing some Fire Flame Evil Qi.

This Fire Flame Evil Qi is excellent for both body refining and artifact refining, and even for cultivating certain techniques, it can significantly enhance their power."

In the Immortal Cultivation Realm, it’s not uncommon for cultivators to use evil energy, so Mr. Feng wasn’t surprised.

Lin Chang’an nodded in acknowledgment. Previously, the Blood Slaughter Sword Formulas had already demonstrated the strength of this secret technique, just perfect for auxiliary cultivation.

"Give me two bottles of Fire Flame Evil Qi."

After exchanging for a heap of cultivation resources, Lin Chang’an felt a wave of emotion. No wonder Old Hu was always penniless shortly after returning from a full expedition.

Now he finally understood.

This sudden windfall makes cultivators splurge on cultivation resources.

When the cultivation resources nearly run out, of course, they want to go haul another fortune.

It’s a vicious cycle; loose cultivators have no resources without braving risks.

Fortune is sought in danger, but also lost in danger.

This still doesn’t deter the steps of cultivators, for if they don’t risk it, they have no chance at all.

A gamble might just win them a future.

The most outstanding in the Yue Kingdom over the past five hundred years is none other than Master Lu, the current Lord of Celestial Profound City.

"Thank you, Mr. Feng."

After exchanging, the elderly Mr. Feng chuckled warmly, without inquiring about the demon cores.

Because demon cores are equally versatile; many Foundation Establishment cultivators often use them to aid their cultivation.

"Congratulations, Mr. Lin."

As Lin Chang’an exchanged many cultivation materials, preparing to store them away, Su Miaoyin happened to appear, seeing this scene made her smile and salute.

"So it’s Mr. Su."

Seeing the visitor, Lin Chang’an also smiled and returned her salute.

The black-clad, veiled female cultivator beside Mr. Su and the latter exchanged a glance discreetly before showing odd expressions.

Yun Yao!