Er Niu Goes to War [Seeking Monthly Votes]

War in the Cultivation World.

In the rearward Green Bamboo Mountain Market, cultivators like Lin Chang'an did not feel the war's brutality too deeply. At most, there were more cultivator bandits outside, and every cultivator felt a little more pressure.

Compared to the Market's slight unrest, cultivator bandits rampaged even more wildly outside. Countless rogue cultivators therefore squeezed their way into the Market.

Moreover, because the Two Major Sects had opened up many rare supplies and strategic resources, the Market grew increasingly prosperous.

Green Bamboo Mountain Market.

More than half a year had flashed by since the war began and cultivators were first conscripted. The Market was flourishing.

"Master Lin, the higher-ups are preparing to conscript another batch of cultivators."

That day, a sect cultivator came to his door in the Market, speaking with great courtesy as he explained the current situation on the front lines.

After hearing this, Lin Chang'an could not help but ask in surprise, "Are the front lines already this tense?"

"Master Lin, you worry too much. It is merely some minor skirmishing."

The elite cultivators of the Three Great Sects had yet to enter the fray, so the war had not truly begun. This was merely the early-stage attrition.

"I understand. In other words, I need to provide one high-grade talisman each month, or a varying number of first-tier mid-grade talismans, correct?"

Lin Chang'an suddenly understood the other party's purpose. Put bluntly, it was merely a different kind of conscription. Others sold their lives, while cultivators with outstanding skills like them sold their craft.

The one who had come to deliver the notice was merely an outer disciple of Li Fire Palace, also at the Qi Refining Mid-Stage. He wore a courteous smile before Lin Chang'an.

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

Lin Chang'an understood this perfectly well. This so-called compensation would likely be nothing more than materials and resources to cover costs, but that was still better than receiving nothing.

"Then I understand."

Lin Chang'an responded just as politely. Before the man left, he even gave him a mid-grade talisman and learned a little more about the front-line situation.

After the man left, Lin Chang'an returned to his room, his expression gradually turning grave.

"The war seems to be developing a little faster."

From the start of the war to this second wave of conscription, along with the news from the front lines, it was obvious that Li Fire Palace and Mystic Sound Pavilion held the offensive advantage this time. After all, it was two against one.

[Name: Lin Chang'an]

[Lifespan: 46/111]

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

[Cultivation Method: Evergreen Art (Master: 3932/5000)]

[Skills: Spirit Eye (Proficient 26/500), Golden Light Talisman (Master 1956/5000), Fireball Talisman (Master 1228/5000) Flying Sword Talisman (Master 879/5000), Godly Travel Talisman (Master 121/5000)]

[Spells: Wood Spirit Thorn [Perfect 2658/10000], Fireball Technique (Master 1088/5000), Breath Concealment Technique (Master 2332/5000), Invisibility Technique (Master 898/5000), Object Manipulation Technique (Master 693/5000)...]

Looking at his attributes, Lin Chang'an secretly nodded.

"In another two or three months, my cultivation should break through to the Qi Refining Late Stage. As for first-tier high-grade talismans, I currently have both the Golden Light Talisman and Fireball Talisman mastered. I have no complete inheritances for the others."

Over these past six months, under the pressure of war, Lin Chang'an had persisted in his arduous cultivation, and his progress had been quite good. His other spells had also improved considerably.

Of course, all of this rested upon an unceasing supply of Spirit Stones.

Especially the cultivation resources Zhou Qing had left him back then. Other than the two precious spirit herbs nearly four hundred years old, which he had not used, and the spirit herbs he had no use for, almost everything else that could promote cultivation had been exhausted.

"It has been more than half a year. These two herbs, nearly four hundred years old, should be able to change hands."

Lin Chang'an pondered in secret. But for the sake of caution, it would be best to first break through to the Qi Refining Late Stage, then find an opportunity to sell them at the Gathering Immortal Pavilion.

After all, know yourself and know your enemy.

Over the past half year, under Yun Yao's influence, the Gathering Immortal Pavilion and the Chamber of Commerce had grown bigger and bigger. They had even invited a high-grade Alchemist, making it the perfect place to dispose of them.

"However, Shen Lie mentioned some time ago that as one of the Market's Foundation Establishment stewards, Yun Yao also has to join forces with the major Lineages to wipe out cultivator bandits from time to time."

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an secretly nodded.

He had to act while Yun Yao was away from the Market. He knew the Gathering Immortal Pavilion inside and out; for the time being, there were no cultivators there who could see through him or threaten him. It was perfect for concealing himself while disposing of stolen goods.

Besides, this was a one-shot deal. Every trail had been cut off, so he was not afraid of being discovered.

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an could not help but feel greatly pleased.

"By doing this, I am helping the Gathering Immortal Pavilion. Even if the Zhou Family discovers it, they will not suspect the Gathering Immortal Pavilion. After all, it had neither the motive nor the opportunity back then, and more importantly, the Gathering Immortal Pavilion has a high-grade Alchemist."

Lin Chang'an was confident that eight or nine times out of ten, those two spirit grasses would either be refined into medicinal pills by that Alchemist or exchanged by Yun Yao for sect contribution.

The chance of the Zhou Family discovering it was very small.

One month later.

"Big Brother Lin, I'm heading out to war!"

That day, Li Erniu came looking for him, his face carrying a worried expression beneath a forced smile.

Lin Chang'an was startled. "Er Niu, what happened?"

After asking, Lin Chang'an learned the whole story.

During the second conscription of cultivators, the Beast-Taming Zhou Family had received the sect's summons.

Some Zhou Family disciples with poor aptitude were preparing to draw lots to answer the call, but Li Erniu had actually stepped forward voluntarily.

"Big Brother Lin, I can hide from it once, but not twice. The situation on the front lines is still fairly good right now, so I might as well answer the call and go there. It is better than joining the later batches."

Li Erniu gritted his teeth. Though honest by nature, he was not stupid. Naturally, he knew that the farther things went, the more dangerous the situation would become.

It would be better to join sooner. Perhaps he could obtain some resources to raise his cultivation, and then survive on the battlefield.

Seeing Er Niu's decisiveness in the face of a major matter, Lin Chang'an could not help but comfort him.

"Er Niu, don't be too pessimistic. You are taking part in the conscription as a member of a great Lineage. As long as you endure it, you should be transferred to the rear in the later stages."

In response to Lin Chang'an's comfort, Li Erniu forced out a smile and nodded.

"Don't worry, Big Brother Lin. I'm not really losing out either. Even if something happens to me, the family will take good care of my wife and children. Maybe if I earn military merit on the front lines, that brat Yifan can even enter a sect."

Faced with Er Niu's optimism, Lin Chang'an sighed emotionally and took out two Golden Light Talismans from his Storage Bag.

"Big Brother Lin, these are far too precious!"

They were first-tier high-grade talismans, and defensive ones at that. Those two alone were worth eighty or ninety Spirit Stones. Li Erniu's face immediately reddened as he repeatedly waved his hands in refusal.

"Er Niu, take them. I'm still waiting for you to come back and buy me a drink."

Lin Chang'an smiled as he teased him. They had known each other for twenty-six years. Perhaps this would be their final meeting.

Lin Chang'an was not so stingy, and two Golden Light Talismans were not that important to him.

Li Erniu's face flushed red, but he did not refuse. Those talismans might just allow him to return. So long as one could come back alive, who would be willing to die on the front lines?

"Big Brother Lin, I've come to terms with it too. Back then, I was merely a farmer's son. By luck, I followed my uncle to the Royal Mansion to deliver vegetables, only to be chosen by Elder Lu to travel alongside Big Brother Lin, the Little Princess, and the Little Marquis.

"Over these twenty-six years, I learned cultivation methods, hunted demon beasts, lived in a grand house, wore Dharma Robes, and had a wife and children. This life has been splendid. I have no regrets."

At last, Li Erniu even gave a rare, optimistic smile. Lin Chang'an likewise nodded softly with a sigh.

Twenty-six years had passed. Looking back now, it felt as though it had all happened only yesterday.