Longevity: My Talents Are a Bit Abundant-Chapter 451: Emerging from Bitter Cultivation
Cave Mansion.
Inside the bathhouse.
Shen Xuan lay naked, soaking in the hot water with a look of contentment.
All the fatigue in his body vanished without a trace.
Bai Xiaomeng, with a flushed face, wished to come in and serve him.
He sent her out.
After taking a high-quality Creation Pill, Bai Xiaomeng’s Water Spirit Root Talent fortunately broke through to twenty-one points.
During the test at the Chen Family on Divine Dragon Island, upon learning the result, Bai Xiaomeng wept with joy.
First she was silent, then she cried, and finally she was ecstatic.
That night, Bai Xiaomeng stayed outside Shen Xuan’s bedroom, thanking him repeatedly.
She knelt all night long.
Shen Xuan never let her into the room.
In the morning, as he went out.
Shen Xuan casually said, "Do your work well, and don’t let your imagination run wild."
That one sentence made Bai Xiaomeng feel utterly ashamed.
At that moment, she finally understood.
The master didn’t want her body.
From beginning to end, he just regarded her as a maid.
His kindness to her was simply to make sure she did her job well, managing the trivial affairs of the cave mansion.
No other intentions.
Shen Xuan closed his eyes slightly and began contemplating his next plan.
"Zheng Ziyi is a good person."
From his observation, Pill Master Zheng was a cultivator with principles.
At the very least, he was worthy of a loyal friend’s trust.
Though serious and somewhat rigid, he clearly distinguished between kindness and enmity.
"Mu Ling’Er is quite interesting."
Mu Ling’Er maintained the temperament of a young lady from an aristocratic family, vibrant, youthful, and pleasing to the eye.
Shen Xuan looked at his own naked body.
His stature was tall like a pine, with smooth and strong lines, exuding abundant vitality.
From the outside, he seemed like a forty-year-old cultivator.
"Luckily, I chose ’Endless Life’ back then!"
The ’Endless Life’ bloodline talent made Shen Xuan’s body seem to return to its youth, with an extremely vigorous metabolism.
Most cultivators use their Divine Sense to scan the other’s body, judging their age from their vitality.
Judging solely from vitality, Shen Xuan’s age wouldn’t be more than fifty.
On the Mysterious Jade Talisman.
"Lifespan: 133/329."
Shen Xuan’s lifespan limit didn’t break through but increased by two years.
Moreover, he hadn’t consumed the Longevity Spirit Pill yet.
"So, at the Perfection of the Foundation Establishment Realm, my lifespan might break through four hundred years?"
Shen Xuan felt quite happy inside.
As long as his lifespan was long enough, he could outlive those enemies by enduring.
"I didn’t expect such a poor and low-spiritual area like Starsea to have so much trouble!"
Shen Xuan couldn’t waste time in vain.
Apart from his daily cultivation, devouring Fake Pills to improve his physical skills.
He definitely couldn’t give up on Alchemy.
However, this matter had to be conducted in secret.
The fewer people who knew, the better.
Alchemy required purchasing a lot of herbs.
Spirit Pills also needed to be traded outside to exchange for high-tier spiritual objects.
This coming and going required a strong and powerful intermediary.
Shen Xuan chose the Wei Family of Lion King Island.
The two sides probed each other once.
Further cooperation had not yet begun.
"Collaborating with the Wei Family, the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment’s strength is insufficient!"
Even if he claimed the Spirit Pills were refined by his master, he must have enough strength himself to intimidate the Wei Family.
Therefore, Shen Xuan announced he was going into seclusion to impact the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.
As for hunting Water Demons, it was of utmost importance.
The profits from hunting a Fake Pill Demon King, valued at millions of Spirit Stones, were enough for several years of his cultivation needs.
Even a Tier Two Top Grade Water Demon could be sold for hundreds of thousands of Spirit Stones.
Moreover, he could now use the Eight-Colored Precious Lotus to purify the resentment in Demon Cores and refine its Spiritual Power using the ’Devouring All Things’ skill, benefiting himself.
"Ultimately, the Cultivation Realm respects strength above all. All disputes are finally settled by fists."
This is the most primitive and real fundamental rule of the Cultivation Realm.
Weakness is a sin, left to be slaughtered at will.
The strong are not bound by any rules.
"Swallow a Golden Core and realize my fate is not controlled by heaven!"
...
Divine Dragon Island ranks among the top islands in the Starsea Sea.
Shen Xuan was originally an unknown name.
But soon, rumors began to spread.
Divine Dragon Island’s newly hired Talisman Master was an Ice Technique prodigy Talisman Master.
Surely it wasn’t spread by Pill Master Zheng, Mu Ling’Er, or the Sea Dragon Girl.
The biggest possibility was still the Xu Family.
Shen Xuan guessed that Xu Ningyu was playing tricks.
Flattery to kill?
Or fabricating a story about him and Mu Ling’Er?
It didn’t matter anymore.
These rumors, for the time being, could not harm Shen Xuan.
"I publicly claimed to have broken through to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment and then produced high-quality Ice Talismans, which is reasonable."
"The same flying Ice Formation using high-quality Ice Talismans, its power more than doubled. Even Late Stage Foundation Establishment wouldn’t dare provoke its edge lightly."
"In this Starsea, the high-quality flying Ice Formation should be enough for self-preservation!"
As for Foundation Establishment Perfection, it was rare.
Among the islands in Starsea, only a few family ancestors reached Foundation Establishment Perfection.
Furthermore, they were all people with declining vitality and nearing the end of their lifespan.
Unless absolutely necessary.
They wouldn’t make a move to fight.
Like the ancestor of the Wei Family, already one of the peak cultivators in the Starsea water region.
After all, these family cultivators considered more about the survival and overall development of their families.
Reluctant to easily involve themselves in disputes.
...
Shen Xuan went into seclusion for a full three months.
He wasn’t pretending to be in seclusion.
He was genuinely and wholeheartedly devoted to his cultivation.
This day, Shen Xuan suddenly opened his eyes, and a flash of brilliance passed through them.
"So exhausted!"
During the three months, Shen Xuan dedicated all his time to cultivating.
Spiritual Power, Divine Soul, Divine Sense, and Flesh Body all received significant enhancements.
The way of literature and martial arts, one must balance work and rest.
At this moment, Shen Xuan felt deeply exhausted.
"Let’s go out!"
Shen Xuan adjusted his bodily aura to the Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer.
With this, he could showcase his strength as a Tier Two Middle Grade Talisman Master.
After exiting seclusion.
Bai Xiaomeng brought a few secret letters.
She told Shen Xuan that Mu Ling’Er had come by a few times.
Seeing that Shen Xuan had never left seclusion, she asked Bai Xiaomeng to convey a message.
To meet her after he came out of seclusion.
Shen Xuan opened the letter from Mu Ling’Er.
The letter explained that she and Xu Ningyu were not engaged.
At that time, the ancestor of the Mu Family was in seclusion.
This marriage alliance between the Mu and Xu Families was decided by her eldest uncle, the clan leader.
Without the approval of the Mu Family Ancestor.
Mu Ling’Er herself also does not acknowledge it.
In the letter, Mu Ling’Er speaks candidly.
Xu Ningyu is a beast in gentleman’s clothing, vulgar and despicable, indulging in places of leisure, toying with female cultivators.
Even if she were to lose her life and path, she would never form a union with this person.
Shen Xuan sighed softly.
Miscalculation.
At that time, when transforming, the appearance should have been altered to be uglier.
The next letter is from Pill Master Zheng.
Firstly, Pill Master Zheng shared good news; the success rate of his Spirit Gathering Pill is continually increasing.
With one vigorous effort, he has also refined a True Essence Pill for the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.
The pill success rate is fairly low, less than thirty percent.
But there is room for improvement.
Following that, Pill Master Zheng wrote some insights from his breakthrough to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.
How to consolidate the realm, strengthen the Dao Foundation Spirit Sea, and train the Divine Soul and Divine Sense.
Although useless for Shen Xuan.
They come from the bottom of the heart.
"This Zheng Ziyi is indeed a good person."
Shen Xuan continues reading.
Next is the Dragon Girl’s letter.
After receiving Shen Xuan’s guidance, the Dragon Girl’s Ice Technique has become smoother.
She can already successfully create Ice Talismans.
Although the talisman success rate is somewhat touching, less than twenty percent.
As long as she persists, there will surely be achievements.
The key is that the Dragon Girl has made significant progress in the application of the Ice Technique.
The power has increased.
The speed of spell casting has improved significantly.
The combat power has evidently enhanced.
Even the Sea Dragon King has given praise generously.
In addition, the Dragon Girl mentioned one matter.
The people from Autumn Moon Island, including Qiu Haoran, besieged a lone loose cultivator.
That person’s strength is extremely high, likely in the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment.
Many of Qiu Haoran’s men were injured, retreating in defeat.
Based on comprehensive information gathered, the Dragon Girl believes that the person is likely a rebellious cultivator from the Song Country.
The last letter is from Patriarch Chen.
Firstly, he congratulated him for making Ice Talismans and for breaking through to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.
He invites him to visit Shenlong Island, the Chen Family estate, after exiting seclusion.
The Chen Family plans to throw a grand banquet to celebrate him.
Shen Xuan felt amused.
Patriarch Chen’s intention is to use his name to showcase the Chen Family’s strength externally and inspire the Chen Family’s morale internally.
Additionally, to win him over.
A masterstroke achieving multiple aims, his strategic maneuvering at its finest.
Shen Xuan pondered for a moment, then wrote a reply to the Dragon Girl.
In the letter, he asked her to help gather intelligence on Song Country.
The focus is on major events happening among the Seven Sects of Song Country.
If she has time, she may visit Spring Wind Island.
Implying that she can receive guidance on making Ice Talismans and deploying the Flying Talisman Ice Formation.
As for the other three individuals, since they are nearby, there is no need to reply.
After exiting seclusion, Shen Xuan rested for two days.
Then he began making Ice Talismans in the Talisman Room.
This time, he did not deliberately hide his strength.
Each piece of talisman paper resulted in a successful talisman.
High-quality talismans reached an eighty percent success rate.
"After all, it’s just Tier Two lower-grade Ice Talismans."
Shen Xuan mused internally.
Even high-quality Ice Talismans do not possess the power of an ordinary Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Talisman.
"Xiaomeng."
"Master, the maidservant is here."
"Go tell Chen Dafu that I have exited seclusion."
"Yes, Master."
...
"Congratulations to Talisman Master Shen for breaking through to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment!"
Chen Dafu saluted respectfully.
His face was full of smiles.
Spring Wind Island has three honored guests: one is an old acquaintance of the Ancestor, another is a descendant of an old friend.
Though both have the title of honored guests, they are merely staying temporarily and might depart any time.
Only Talisman Master Shen is the genuine article.
"Does the Patriarch have time?"
"For Talisman Master Shen’s exit from seclusion, the Patriarch must have time!"
Shen Xuan chuckled and said, "That’s good. Arrange for me to meet the Patriarch."
"Yes, Talisman Master Shen."
Chen Dafu hurriedly retreated.
He has Communication Talismans, capable of reaching Patriarch Chen at any time.
But, the breakthrough of Talisman Master Shen to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment is of great importance.
He must meet Patriarch Chen in person to report in detail.
Spring Wind Island is not large.
Shen Xuan’s exit from seclusion couldn’t escape the observation of the attentive Mu Ling’Er.
"Shen Fei, you’ve exited seclusion, why don’t you come to see Ling’Er!"
Shen Xuan had grasped Mu Ling’Er’s temper.
Whenever she addresses him as "Shen Fei," it means she’s in a bad mood.
"Just exited seclusion."
Shen Xuan presented Patriarch Chen’s letter to Mu Ling’Er.
"The Patriarch’s letter demands a reply first."
Mu Ling’Er scanned it with her Divine Sense.
Her mood shifted from dark to partly cloudy.
"A banquet celebration? Patriarch Chen truly values Talisman Master Shen!"
"It’s my Talisman Dao skills that he appreciates."
Seeing Mu Ling’Er’s anger subside, Shen Xuan laughed and said, "I was planning to visit you for some help."
"What help?"
Mu Ling’Er asked warily.
"I’m not good at dealing with strangers. This banquet, I hope Fairy Mu can lend a hand."
Shen Xuan said somewhat awkwardly, "During the banquet, there will definitely be various external forces coming to visit. If their strength is mediocre, Fairy Mu help me decline them."
"If they indeed possess strength worth collaborating with, Fairy Mu can entirely represent me, negotiating cooperation terms."
Mu Ling’Er’s eyes shifted.
"What’s in it for me?"
"What do you want in return?"
"Ling’Er hasn’t thought of anything yet. I’ll let you know once I do."
"So I’ll rely on Fairy Mu then?"
"Rest assured, it’s no big deal! I’m well acquainted with the forces of the many islands in the Starry Sea."
Mu Ling’Er straightened her slightly protruding chest.
Inside, she was musing.
After it’s all done, she planned to extort something significant from Talisman Master Shen.
The two of them headed to Pill Master Zheng’s cave mansion.
Mu Ling’Er sneaked a glance at Shen Xuan.
"Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, Ice Cultivator, still young, probably without a Dao partner."
"Perhaps..."
Mu Ling’Er suddenly recalled the parting words from the Sea Dragon Girl.
"Talisman Master Shen is truly nice. Ling’Er should cherish him well."
Her cheeks flushed with a rosy tint.
