Eternal Life from Talisman Painting-Chapter 42: Erniu Goes to War

War in the Immortal Cultivation Realm.

In the Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market, situated far from the frontlines, Lin Chang’an and other cultivators did not deeply feel the war’s brutality; at most, there were more tribulation cultivators outside, causing some pressure on the cultivators.

Compared to the slight chaos in the market, the tribulation cultivators outside were more rampant, so countless loose cultivators squeezed in to join the market.

Due to the opening of many rare materials and strategic resources by the two major sects, the market became increasingly prosperous.

Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market.

From the initiation of the war to the recruitment of cultivators, more than half a year had passed, and the market was bustling.

"Master Lin, the sect is preparing to recruit more cultivators this time."

One day, a sect cultivator in the market came to him, politely explaining the current frontline situation.

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang’an was astonished. "Is the frontline really that tense already?"

"Master Lin, you overthink. It’s merely some minor skirmishes."

The elite cultivators of the Three Major Sects had not yet participated, and a real battle had not commenced; it was merely preliminary attrition.

"I understand, so I need to provide one upper-grade talisman monthly, or a varying quantity of tier one middle-grade talismans, correct?"

Understanding their intention, Lin Chang’an realized that the recruitment was simply a matter of selling life for others, whereas cultivators with exceptional skills like them were selling their expertise.

The one who came to notify was merely an outer disciple of the Li Huo Palace, at the middle stage of Qi Refining, and he faced Lin Chang’an with a courteous smile.

"Rest assured, Master Lin, the sect will provide corresponding compensation."

Lin Chang’an knew this so-called compensation was probably just some cost materials and resources, but it was better than receiving nothing.

"That’s good then."

Lin Chang’an courteously responded, even gifting a middle-grade talisman to the visitor before he left, learning more about the frontline situation.

After the visitor left, returning to his room, Lin Chang’an’s expression gradually grew solemn.

"It seems the war is advancing faster."

From the war’s beginning to the second recruitment and frontline news, it was evident that Li Huo Palace and Profound Sound Pavilion were on the offensive, given their two-to-one advantage.

[Name: Lin Chang’an]

[Life Span: 46/111]

[Realm: Qi Refining Sixth Layer (97/100)]

[Cultivation Technique: Chang Chun Skill (Perfect: 963/10000)]

[Skills: Spiritual Eye (Proficient 26/500), Golden Light Talisman (Grandmaster 1956/5000), Fire Bomb Talisman (Grandmaster 1228/5000), Flying Sword Talisman (Grandmaster 879/5000), Divine Movement Talisman (Grandmaster 121/5000)]

[Spells: Wood Spirit Spike (Perfect 2658/10000), Fire Bomb Technique (Grandmaster 1088/5000), Breath Concealment Technique (Grandmaster 2332/5000), Invisibility Technique (Grandmaster 898/5000), Exorcism Technique (Grandmaster 693/5000)...]

Looking at his attributes, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but nod to himself.

"In another couple of months, I can break through to the late stage of Qi Refining, and for tier one upper-grade talismans, I have mastered the Golden Light Talisman and Fire Bomb Talisman; others lack complete inheritance."

In the past half year, Lin Chang’an persisted in arduous cultivation under the war pressure, making significant progress, with considerable advancements in other spells as well.

Especially in his understanding of Chang Chun Skill, progressing this fast was thanks to the resources released by the major sects.

Of course, all this was based on the continuous supply of spirit stones.

Especially the cultivation resources Zhou Qing left him; aside from two nearly four-hundred-year-old precious spiritual medicines and those not needed, the rest that could aid cultivation was almost exhausted.

"It’s been more than half a year. These two nearly four-hundred-year-old medicinal materials should be sellable."

Lin Chang’an pondered secretly, but to be safe, he preferred to break through to the late stage of Qi Refining first, then look for an opportunity to sell them at the Gathering Immortals Tower.

After all, knowing oneself and the enemy is crucial.

During the past half year, under Yun Yao’s influence, the Gathering Immortals Tower and the trade association grew bigger, especially after hiring an upper-grade alchemist, making it an ideal place to sell.

"But as Shen Lie mentioned earlier, Yun Yao, serving as one of the Foundation Establishment stewards of the market, must join forces with major families to eliminate some tribulation cultivators at times."

Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help nodding to himself.

He had to seize the opportunity when Yun Yao wasn’t in the market, knowing the ins and outs of the Gathering Immortals Tower, where currently no cultivator could threaten or expose him while he discreetly disposed of the illicit goods.

Moreover, this stealthy transaction had its traces cut off, leaving him unafraid of discovery.

Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but feel elated.

"What I’m doing also assists the Gathering Immortals Tower; even if discovered by the Zhou Family, they won’t suspect the tower, as there was no motive or opportunity back then, especially with an upper-grade alchemist present at the tower."

Lin Chang’an was confident that these two spiritual grasses would most likely be refined into elixirs by the alchemist or exchanged by Yun Yao for sect contribution.

The Zhou Family’s chance of discovery was minimal.

...

A month later.

"Brother Lin, I am going to the front!"

That day, Li Erniu came with a forced smile of worry on his face.

Startled, Lin Chang’an asked, "Erniu, did something happen?"

Upon inquiry, Lin Chang’an discovered the whole story.

During the second recruitment of cultivators, the Beast Taming Zhou Family responded to the sect’s call.

Some of the Zhou Family’s disciples with poor aptitude were preparing to draw lots to respond, and Li Erniu surprisingly volunteered.

"Brother Lin, I can avoid it once, but not twice. The current frontline situation is still quite favorable, so I might as well respond and head to the front, which is better than joining the later more dangerous batches."

Clenching his teeth, Li Erniu, though simple-minded, wasn’t foolish; he knew the situation would grow more perilous as time went on.

It’s better to join early; perhaps he might even obtain some resources to elevate his cultivation level, thereby enhancing his chances of survival on the battlefield.

Looking at Erniu’s decisive decision on the critical matter, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but comfort him:

"Erniu, don’t be pessimistic. You’re participating as a major family member; as long as you endure, you can probably be transferred to the rear later on."

To Lin Chang’an’s comfort, Li Erniu forced a smile and nodded.

"Don’t worry, Brother Lin. Actually, it’s not a loss for me even if something unexpected happens, as the family will take good care of my wife and children. There’s a chance that if I earn credit on the front line, Yifan could enter the sect."

Facing Erniu’s optimism, Lin Chang’an sighed emotionally, retrieving two Golden Light Talismans from his storage bag.

"Brother Lin, this is too precious!"

A tier one upper-grade talisman, specifically of the defense type, costing as much as eighty or ninety spirit stones per piece; Li Erniu blushed and hurriedly waved them away.

"Erniu, take them. I look forward to you coming back to treat me to a drink."

Lin Chang’an teased with a smile, the friendship of twenty-six years perhaps marking this as their final meeting.

Lin Chang’an, not being stingy, found the two Golden Light Talismans trivial.

Li Erniu, blushing, didn’t refuse, aware the talismans might enable his return; anyone surviving the front wouldn’t wish to die there.

"Brother Lin, I’ve come to terms. I was merely a farmer’s son lucky enough to accompany uncle delivering vegetables to the Prince Mansion, getting selected by Old Lu, and accompanying you, the Commandery Princess and the young Marquis.

These twenty-six years, practicing immortal cultivation, hunting demon beasts, living in grand homes, donning dharma robes, having a wife and child, have been remarkably fulfilling."

Finally, Li Erniu offered a rare optimistic smile, and Lin Chang’an, too, nodded lightly in empathy.

Reflecting back on the twenty-six years, it felt like yesterday.