Er Niu Is Coming Back [Please Follow]

[Name: Lin Chang'an]

[Lifespan: 46/115]

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[Realm: Qi Refining Seventh Layer (1/100)]

[Technique: Evergreen Art (Perfect: 1236/10000)]

[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 2688/10000], 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, especially after his cultivation had broken through and his lifespan had gained several more years, Lin Chang'an could not help but smile.

"The Evergreen Art's life-prolonging effect truly is extraordinary. At the Qi Refining Late Stage, I already have more than a hundred years of lifespan. I'm afraid the battles I fought in my younger days have affected it; otherwise, it could have been even higher."

Not only in the Mortal Realm—even when he had first entered the Cultivation World, he had spent his first several years in a Monster Hunting Squad.

"More importantly, I now possess two High-Grade Magical Tools. Ordinary Qi Refining Late Stage cultivators don't have this kind of wealth."

This undoubtedly gave him a measure of security.

"The greatest advantage of armor-type magical tools is that they're worn directly on the body. Even if I'm ambushed, I'll have some protection in a moment of haste."

Thinking back to when he had faced Zhou Qing, Lin Chang'an could not help but sigh inwardly. This was what a good person was like.

Not only had Zhou Qing given him so many resources, but Zhou Qing had also taught him a lesson: having only a defensive magical tool was useless if he did not have time to take it out.

"With a Wood Spirit Thorn paired with a High-Grade Magical Tool, just how powerful will it be?"

As that thought arose, curiosity appeared on Lin Chang'an's face. With a lift of his hand, an upper-grade Golden Light Talisman appeared on the pockmarked stone wall.

[Wood Spirit Thorn]

Pfft!

A streak of green light flashed, and another fine hole appeared in the stone wall. Yet the glow of the Golden Light Talisman only slowly faded from bright to dim before gradually dispersing.

"An upper-grade Golden Light Talisman was pierced through so easily!"

Lin Chang'an's pupils contracted. He had seen it clearly just now—the Golden Light Talisman's defense had been pierced through in an instant, with almost no resistance at all.

"Though the advantage of the High-Grade Magical Tool played a role, the more important factor is still this spell's power."

Flying Needle magical tools inherently countered protective spiritual radiance.

Lin Chang'an was delighted. This magical tool combined with this spell produced astonishing power.

In other words, if he successfully ambushed a Qi Refining Late Stage cultivator of the same rank at close range, he could kill his opponent instantly.

"No wonder this spell bears the name of a Minor Divine Ability. It truly shines brilliantly in the Qi Refining Realm."

At that moment, Lin Chang'an felt greatly reassured. After all, the outside world was becoming more and more chaotic.

He had not given up on the three damaged flying-thorn magical tools from before, either. After all, he only had one genuine High-Grade Magical Tool. Having a few more in hand gave him some backup.

Outside, wind and snow howled, draping the entire Yue Kingdom in a layer of silver frost.

Lin Chang'an returned once more to his daily routine of cultivation and talisman drawing. At the same time, he did not abandon his private practice of the Wood Spirit Thorn spell.

At present, most of his combat strength was supported by this spell, so naturally he had to practice it diligently.

Moreover, this spell consumed little energy. Practicing it hundreds of times a day did not consume much spiritual power.

Only his fingers suffered for it, red and swollen with pain every day. He often had to go outside to buy Spirit Liquid to apply externally and reduce the swelling.

After the wind and snow passed, spring returned with warmth, and all things revived.

They were stationed deep in the rear. As for the exact state of the war on the front lines, only reports of victory were sent back. The situation seemed excellent, carrying the momentum of the Two Major Sects joining hands to swallow the Divine Sword Sect whole like a whale.

Yet experienced cultivators merely laughed at such news with disdain.

The main forces of the Three Great Sects had not yet entered the fray. No matter how many victories were reported from the front, not a single step had been advanced. One could imagine what the true situation was.

Meanwhile, the situation in the Market grew increasingly chaotic. As all manner of resources became available, rogue cultivators erupted in number like a geyser. At the same time, the chaotic circumstances created far too many Cultivator Bandits.

This year, Lin Chang'an was forty-seven years old.

Gathering Immortal Pavilion.

"Er Niu is coming back?"

When Yun Yao returned, she brought news during a small gathering at the Gathering Immortal Pavilion that left Lin Chang'an utterly stunned.

They were fighting on the front lines. Could he come back so soon?

Not only him—even Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing wore puzzled expressions.

This time, whether Yun Yao's cultivation had improved or she had gained something while hunting Cultivator Bandits, Lin Chang'an, who had cultivated the Evergreen Art to the Perfect Realm, could faintly sense a trace of chilling yin energy from her.

"It isn't just Er Niu. All seven members of the Zhou Family are coming back. However, this time, they have the Zhou Family Patriarch to thank."

Even Yun Yao, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, showed a rare smile at the thought of Li Erniu returning from the front lines. She slowly explained the matter to everyone.

It turned out that during the previous conscription, the Zhou Family Patriarch had secretly gone along as well. He had merely remained hidden on the front lines, and even the Zhou Family members had not known.

At last, he waited for an opportunity. This Zhou Family Patriarch, whose lifespan was nearly exhausted, appeared directly on the battlefield and ambushed two Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Divine Sword Sect, dragging them into self-destruction with him.

As Yun Yao recounted this, her expression became melancholy as she sighed.

"Knowing that his lifespan was running short, he used himself to pave the way for the Zhou Family. In light of the great merit the Zhou Family rendered this time, two Foundation Establishment Pills are insufficient to demonstrate the reward for their contribution.

"Therefore, the Two Major Sects have decided to grant the Zhou Family one Foundation Establishment quota, as well as two slots for people who can directly enter the sects as disciples."

Upon hearing this, everyone understood. No wonder Er Niu and the others could return—it was all thanks to the Zhou Family Patriarch.

In other words, even if the two Foundation Establishment Pills both failed, the Two Major Sects would continue providing pills until the recipient successfully achieved Foundation Establishment.

Yet Lin Chang'an saw through it as clearly as a mirror. He knew that Li Fire Palace and Mystic Sound Pavilion were setting an example. Letting the Zhou Family cultivators return was also for publicity.

They wanted more cultivators to follow their example.

"So the Zhou Family's Foundation Establishment candidate can go to either of the Two Major Sects to receive a Foundation Establishment Pill and choose to enter seclusion there to attempt a breakthrough."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lie could not help but say enviously, "That old man of the Zhou Family truly turned the tide before the raging storm."

"Such character is worthy of our admiration." Even Lin Chang'an nodded in praise.

There were many Foundation Establishment cultivators whose lifespans were nearly exhausted, but those with such resolve were few and far between.

Of course, more often than not, they never had such a good opportunity. It had to be said that the Zhou Family Patriarch had chosen an excellent moment.

"It seems the Zhou Family will produce its third Foundation Establishment cultivator before long."

Lin Chang'an spoke with emotion. Envy was envy, but he was not jealous.

After all, they had traded their lives for it.

At the same time, it left him somewhat silent. Because Er Niu had a family, he had no choice but to toil for his children. The Zhou Family Patriarch had risked his life to pave the way for his lineage's descendants.

The weight of it filled his heart with countless emotions.

"The Cultivation World changes like wind and clouds. My road is still long. Now is not the time to stop moving forward."

Just then, after Yun Yao finished sharing the good news of Er Niu's imminent return, she turned to him and revealed a faint smile.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, congratulations on breaking through to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer. Foundation Establishment is within sight."

With the sudden turn in the conversation, Lin Chang'an finally reacted. He could not help but smile as he raised his cup.

"May your auspicious words come true, Fellow Daoist Yun."

When Lin Chang'an had broken through previously, Yun Yao had not been in the Market. It was only natural for her to offer congratulations now.

"Come, let us all celebrate Brother Lin's breakthrough."

Shen Lie laughed heartily, livening the atmosphere.

Foundation Establishment was within sight! If Lin Chang'an had merely been an ordinary Qi Refining Late Stage cultivator, it would have been extremely difficult.

But with the status of a First-Order High-Grade Talisman Master added to the equation, Lin Chang'an might truly have a chance to attempt it once.

Inside the private room, they discussed strange tales and unusual happenings from the Cultivation World. Yun Yao also spoke of cultivation insights and her experiences with Foundation Establishment.

Lin Chang'an listened with utmost attention. Seeing this, everyone understood without saying a word.

Lin Chang'an had cultivated bitterly for twenty-seven years. He had not relaxed after breaking through to the Qi Refining Late Stage. Instead, he genuinely wanted to touch that distant and unreachable realm of Foundation Establishment.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, this is a jade slip containing cultivation insights compiled after Foundation Establishment by a senior from my sect who cultivated the Evergreen Art a hundred years ago."

As they were about to part, Yun Yao gave Lin Chang'an a Jade Slip as a congratulatory gift for his breakthrough to the Qi Refining Late Stage, leaving Lin Chang'an deeply grateful.

He knew clearly in his heart that if he had been content with his current state, this Jade Slip likely would not have been given to him. Yun Yao had only offered it because she saw that his heart in pursuit of the Dao was resolute.

Although the difficulty of Foundation Establishment with his Low-grade Spiritual Root was immense, Yun Yao still remembered the investments everyone had made back then.

And upon seeing this, Shen Lie seemed to find a trace of fighting spirit as well.

In terms of cultivation resources, he was now not much worse off than an upper-grade Talisman Master. Foundation Establishment was still too distant, but the Qi Refining Late Stage was something he could still fight for.