Eternal Life from Talisman Painting-Chapter 46: Tribulation Cultivator Ghost Three Blades
Two months later, Erniu returned.
Along with him were not only disciples from the Zhou Family who went to the front line, but also a newly-minted Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Zhou Family.
In just a few short years, the Zhou Family, once on the brink of collapse, had suddenly stabilized its position.
Li Huo Palace and Profound Sound Pavilion used a total of three Foundation Establishment Pills to cultivate a Foundation Establishment Cultivator for the Zhou Family.
"These two Major Sects are making a statement to all cultivators that those who have contributed, even if they die in battle, shall have their wives and children protected by the sects."
Lin Chang’an was as clear as a mirror, and in fact, everyone knew.
Yet the two Major Sects indeed created a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with Foundation Establishment Pills, so despite knowing this, countless cultivators were still tempted.
Sure enough, after the news about the Zhou Family spread, countless cultivators were moved, especially many late-stage Qi Refining cultivators who were struggling to advance to Foundation Establishment, choosing to head to the front line.
Li Huo Palace and Profound Sound Pavilion were naturally pleased to see this, and were generous in rewarding the cultivators who contributed.
"The first one truly sets an example, and the Zhou Family’s elder was indeed decisive."
Lin Chang’an shook his head; three Foundation Establishment Pills were indeed an exceptional reward.
In the future, even with great merits, such rewards would not be easily given.
"Yet Erniu is truly fortunate."
Thinking about Erniu’s luck in the future, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but feel envious, as Erniu often turned danger into safety.
When he first entered the Immortal Cultivation Realm, Erniu was weak in the Demon Hunting Squad and struggled to hold on, but ended up being favored by the Zhou Family, becoming a live-in son-in-law.
Last time, when the Zhou Family arranged for him to manage their business externally, he managed to avoid the Zhou Family’s turmoil and even cleared any suspicions of mistrust, landing himself a good job.
This time, just as he was about to set out, who would’ve thought that the Zhou Family’s elder secretly followed, resulting in this.
"Could it be that Erniu truly is a man of great fortune?"
Lin Chang’an stroked his chin, pondering, as the Immortal Cultivation Realm was not short of cultivators blessed with good luck.
...
"Brother Lin, Brother Shen, and Little Junior Sister, the front line is too dangerous, many markets have become chaotic, and there are tribulation cultivators everywhere..."
Shen Lie, Lu Qingqing, Lin Chang’an, and Li Erniu were all in a private room at the Gathering Immortals Tower, welcoming back Erniu.
After all, Yun Yao was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, usually either cultivating or carrying out sect tasks, and she had her own circle of Foundation Establishment Cultivators, only occasionally gathering with them.
"Erniu, you truly turned misfortune into a blessing this time."
Even Shen Lie couldn’t help but envy Li Erniu’s luck.
With the Zhou Family set as an example, at the very least, the Zhou Family wouldn’t be sending cultivators to the front line anymore.
After all, only a prosperous Zhou Family could become an example.
"Good luck."
Li Erniu’s face was full of joy; this time, at least he didn’t have to worry about going to the front line again and could comfortably spend some peaceful days with his wife and children.
Moreover, thanks to his family elder, there were rewards for all seven of them.
"Erniu, what’s the situation like on the front lines?"
After a few rounds of drinks, Lin Chang’an curiously asked; although they were in the rear, the front line’s battles greatly affected the overall situation in the Yue Kingdom.
Even Lu Qingqing and Shen Lie wore serious expressions.
Speaking of the frontline situation, Li Erniu’s expression was complex, and he eventually sighed, starting to recount the brutality of the front line.
"To be honest, the front line is very chaotic, with cultivators infiltrating each other’s territories, disrupting and disturbing the peace in the markets. It’s said that some powerful late-stage Qi Refining cultivators are forming groups.
They specialize in infiltrating the enemy’s territory to plunder resources, and several have already gathered enough Foundation Establishment materials, with several Foundation Establishment Cultivators appearing on the front line."
As Erniu narrated, they learned about the brutality and madness of the front lines.
Especially as some achieved Foundation Establishment, whether through accomplishments or plundering, this undoubtedly drove people even more insane.
But overall, the main forces of the Three Major Sects hadn’t participated directly, keeping the situation in a stalemate.
This was undoubtedly a good thing for them.
"By the way, I didn’t expect you, Brother Lin, to have broken through to the late-stage Qi Refining, congratulations."
Li Erniu raised a cup to celebrate but revealed a hint of hesitation, finally saying earnestly:
"Brother Lin, don’t go to the front lines for the sake of Foundation Establishment; I was just lucky."
Seeing Erniu’s worry, Lin Chang’an waved his hand with a smile, saying:
"Erniu, you’re overthinking it; I’m only at Qi Refining stage seven, still a long way from Foundation Establishment."
"Yeah, and with the current rising prices of materials, Brother Lin’s skills as a Tier One Upper Grade Talisman Master mean there’s no need to risk going to the front."
Shen Lie also spoke enviously, while Lin Chang’an nodded with a light chuckle, though his mind had already wandered away.
A normal Tier One Upper Grade Talisman Master, aside from costs, would earn around a hundred Spirit Stones a month, a thousand or so a year. Yet he was exceptionally talented.
Foundation Establishment Pills are strategic materials, but they are not unpurchasable. Yun Yao had mentioned before that a pill costs about five or six thousand Spirit Stones within the sect.
Of course, prices fluctuate during wartime; if possible, he would prefer to save Spirit Stones to purchase one, or prepare Foundation Establishment materials in advance, which is safer.
"No wonder they say the Hundred Skills of Cultivation is truly the way to make money."
This is also why Shen Lie envied Lin Chang’an; with his talents as a Tier One Talisman Master, he indeed had a chance to attempt Foundation Establishment, though the success rate was low.
"By the way, as the market has been developing recently, there’s going to be an auction in half a year. If you’re interested, you can check it out."
Shen Lie smiled, mentioning the auction jointly hosted by the Two Major Sects and major family businesses, marking the most bustling event in the market’s history.
"An auction!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Chang’an showed a contemplative expression; his cultivation had just broken through, and he still had a number of Spirit Grass in his storage bag meant for feeding Spirit Pets.
Since his cultivation wouldn’t progress much for a while, raising a Spirit Pet seemed worthwhile, but he wasn’t going to emulate the Zhou Family by raising a Profound Water Turtle.
A turtle lived long but had a slow developmental cycle; without a family, he naturally chose ones that grew quickly.
Even Erniu seemed somewhat interested, since thanks to the family elder’s grace, they received numerous rewards, including plenty of Spirit Stones.
...
While learning about the front line at the tavern, suddenly a loud voice came from outside the market.
"How dare you rob Li Huo Palace’s supplies!"
"Ha ha, with Li Huo Palace’s Golden Core monsters staying at the sect, just you wait!"
"Not good, it’s Ghost Three Blades, you actually reached Foundation Establishment!"
Tumult erupted outside the market, as the haggard-looking Ghost Three Blades’ eyes gleamed red, laughing maniacally in revenge.
"That’s right, thanks to your Li Huo Palace disciples’ heads, I got to Foundation Establishment, now go tell Huang Yuntian that I’m back!"
"Ha ha, listen up, cultivators in the market, whoever brings me Huang Yuntian’s son’s head, I’ve got a Foundation Establishment Pill!"
Amidst the booming fight and screams, by the time the two sects’ Foundation Establishment Cultivators arrived angrily, outside was already in ruins.
Ghost Three Blades had already plundered supplies, beheaded Li Huo Palace disciples, and disappeared into the forests.
The gathering of Lin Chang’an and others in the tavern was abruptly interrupted.
"Brother Lin, could this really be Ghost Three Blades?"
Li Erniu spoke in shock; they were all too familiar with the name.
Only Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing were puzzled, unfamiliar with this person.
Yet Lin Chang’an had a grave expression, nodding:
"The voice is very similar; more than twenty years ago, this person was a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator in a Demon Hunting Squad. Later, it was heard he nearly gathered the necessary materials for Foundation Establishment but had them forcibly bought by some sect cultivator..."
Though Lin Chang’an spoke vaguely, everyone understood, fearing it was a case of coercion.
"Later, it’s said he was unwilling, becoming a tribulation cultivator, but he disappeared for over twenty years; who knew he was still alive."
Moreover, he had reached Foundation Establishment!
Of course, it’s uncertain whether this person is true or false.
But this sudden chaos outside the market made everyone inside buzz with discussions.
"Ghost Three Blades! This old bastard’s nearly seventy and reached Foundation Establishment!"
"No way, achieving Foundation Establishment at this age; the heavens are unfair!"
"Damn it, if that old bastard can do it, so can I!"
Ghost Three Blades, a person who had disappeared for more than a decade, was once again dug out and spread among the market.
