Eternal Life from Talisman Painting-Chapter 37: Pill Master Zhou Qing
Inside the secret chamber.
The Spirit Gathering Array set up at the four corners, activated by the Spirit Stones, made the spiritual energy in the air even more abundant.
[Qi Refining Sixth Layer +1(23/100)]
Lin Chang’an slowly opened his eyes, a smile appearing on his face.
"It’s indeed worth the two hundred Spirit Stones spent on the Spirit Gathering Array."
Although it consumed three pieces of Spirit Stone every day, it undeniably accelerated his cultivation speed.
The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy is chaotic and unordered, and besides the cultivator’s own absorption, arrays could speed up this process.
In simple terms, it’s about gathering more spiritual energy to change the cultivation environment.
"But this small Spirit Gathering Array can only use up to three pieces of Spirit Stone a day."
Lin Chang’an was somewhat discontent; this month alone costs ninety Spirit Stones, even ordinary major family cultivators don’t squander like this.
"Qi Refining Sixth Layer is still not enough. With the Three Major Sects possibly going to war at any time, I need at least to reach Late-stage Qi Refining to have some means of self-defense."
While Lin Chang’an was pondering secretly, a familiar voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard.
...
"Brother Lin, I’m here to trouble you again today."
Zhou Qing, over fifty years of age, a side disciple of the Beast Taming Zhou Family, with the cultivation of Qi Refining Eighth Layer, was an alchemist.
Seeing the visitor, Lin Chang’an also smiled and stepped forward to greet them with cupped hands.
"Brother Zhou, your visit truly honors my humble abode."
During the five years with the Zhou Family, Zhou Qing was a pretty good acquaintance, and privately, they often exchanged elixirs and talismans. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖
After all, without middlemen making a profit, every bit saved matters.
"Brother Lin, don’t flatter me. Now, you’re an upper grade Talisman Master, living better than anyone."
As he said this, Zhou Qing’s gaze lingered on the Spirit Gathering Array inside the room, showing a hint of envy.
Lin Chang’an shook his head with a laugh, and once inside, the two drank tea, talking familiarly about the situation outside, then exchanged supplies.
"Brother Lin, this is an exquisite Golden Marrow Pill, exchanging it for your Tier One Upper Grade Talisman isn’t a loss."
"Brother Zhou, this can save a life at a critical moment."
Lin Chang’an said with a smile, but also showed some doubt, as it seemed this person had recently been frequent in trading for talismans.
Faced with Lin Chang’an’s suspicion, Zhou Qing sighed helplessly:
"What else could it be, the whole market knew about the previous incident, and recently, our family is preparing resources, getting ready for Brother Tieshan’s Foundation Establishment, just in case."
Lin Chang’an understood after hearing this, the Zhou Family was an obvious target, and Zhou Qing was afraid of more unrest, so he bought more talismans for protection.
It can be understood, after all, he always carried dozens of talismans with him for emergencies.
...
Half a month later.
Amidst the market turmoil, it was unusually bustling.
The emergence of the Purple Gold Ore had led to an abundance of magical artifacts at the Duo Bao Tower of Profound Sound Pavilion.
On this day, Li Erniu was in a bad mood, looking for him to drink away his sorrows.
"Brother Lin, during this time, our family is preparing Foundation Establishment materials, and the Zhou Family is on guard, yet they’ve entrusted me with a business."
Lin Chang’an, however, discerned that the Zhou Family, just in case, even placed Erniu on the outskirts to prevent any oversight.
Even the honest Li Erniu was somewhat dissatisfied, calling it the Zhou Family.
"Erniu, this might not be a bad thing; staying away from trouble and having a nice, decent job is better than risking going outside the market, isn’t it?"
Lin Chang’an comforted him with a smile, reassuring that the Zhou Family wouldn’t just arrange things then kick him out.
As a result, Erniu was somewhat blessed in disguise; handling a business not only earned him more but was also safe.
After a few drinks, Erniu pondered, and it seemed like Brother Lin was right, and he couldn’t help but nod and hum agreeably:
"Brother Lin, you’re right. This way, I can seize the time to cultivate and hopefully catch up with you soon."
At first, Li Erniu broke through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer before him, but now, Lin Chang’an had surpassed.
Currently, Lin Chang’an had reached Qi Refining Sixth Layer, while Erniu was still at Qi Refining Fifth Layer.
At their age, once past sixty, their vital energy would decline, so Li Erniu had a determined spirit, hoping to break through to Late-stage Qi Refining before aging.
Lin Chang’an typically didn’t enjoy drinking, but today he accompanied Erniu for a few cups, offering some consolation.
As he watched Erniu leave, Lin Chang’an’s eyelid twitched slightly, giving him an ominous feeling.
"Could it be the Zhou Family might be in trouble again?"
Even having arranged Erniu, the son-in-law of over twenty years, to the outskirts, the internal situation of the Zhou Family could be imagined.
"Hopefully, this peaceful life won’t be disturbed."
Lin Chang’an sighed inwardly, hoping not to be affected.
The news of the Zhou Family preparing for another Foundation Establishment spread, attracting the attention of many cultivators secretly focusing on the Tier Two Pill Master’s direction at Profound Sound Pavilion.
After all, the Patriarch of the Zhou Family had been inside this Tier Two Pill Master’s residence for several days, clearly preparing to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Among the loose cultivators outside, maybe none dared to rob, but if a Tribulation Cultivator made a move, they might dare to seize the chance amidst the chaos.
The market had noticeably quieted down in the past few days.
...
"Brother Lin."
On this day, a familiar voice came from outside the courtyard again, as Alchemist Zhou Qing visited again, looking rather awkward as he rubbed his hands.
"Brother Lin, you know how big the last incident was, this time I’m still worried and want to exchange for two more Upper Grade Golden Light Talismans. Of course, I won’t let you suffer a loss, I’ll give you a choice elixir in return."
Seeing Zhou Qing’s anxious face, seemingly fearing another turmoil, wanting to buy two more talismans to keep family members safe, Lin Chang’an smiled, immediately inviting him in.
"Brother Zhou, no problem."
After all, it wasn’t the first or second time they made private transactions, and both parties understood each other well.
Zhou Qing was merely a Tier One Middle Grade Alchemist, yet he could frequently come up with good elixirs, clearly making some personal gains.
But this had nothing to do with him.
"Brother Lin, you’re the best, don’t worry, I won’t let you suffer a loss."
Zhou Qing, with a face full of smiles, followed Lin Chang’an into the house, but as they entered, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Once inside the house, Lin Chang’an’s nose twitched slightly, and an inexplicable irritability surged from within his body.
No! Something’s not right!
Lin Chang’an’s eyes flashed with a peculiar light, sneaking a glance at the alchemist Zhou Qing, his old friend, behind him.
"Brother Zhou, sit down first, I’ll go pour you some tea."
Lin Chang’an maintained a familiar smile, but his palms were already sweaty.
[Chang Chun Skill (Perfect: 1/10000)]
If not for recently purchasing two books of insights into the Wood Attribute Chang Chun Skill from Yun Yao, he would’ve never detected anything.
Besides longevity and smooth energy flow, the Chang Chun Skill’s Wood Attribute Technique also naturally heightened sensitivity and immunity towards toxins.
At the Perfect Realm, in understanding the technique, Lin Chang’an had reached the level of the cultivator who created the cultivation technique.
Thus, he could detect the subtle toxins entering his body.
While Zhou Qing pretended a casual smile, a sachet at his waist inadvertently emitted a subtle scent.
