[Name: Lin Chang'an] [Lifespan: 46/115] [Realm: Qi Refining Seventh Layer (1/100)] [Art: Evergreen Art (Perfect Realm: 1236/10000)] [Skills: Spirit Eye (Proficient 26/500), Golden Light Talisman (Grandmaster 1956/5000), Fireball Talisman (Grandmaster 1228/5000), Flying Sword Talisman (Grandmaster 879/5000), Godly Travel Talisman (Grandmaster 121/5000)] [Spells: Wood Spirit Thorn (Perfect Realm 2688/10000), Fireball Technique (Grandmaster 1088/5000), Breath Concealment Technique (Grandmaster 2332/5000), Invisibility Technique (Grandmaster 898/5000), Object Manipulation Technique (Grandmaster 693/5000)...]
Looking over his attributes, especially the extra years of life his breakthrough had brought him, Lin Chang'an could not help smiling.
"The Evergreen Art truly is extraordinary at prolonging life. I already have over a hundred years of lifespan at Qi Refining Late Stage. My battles when I was younger probably cost me some years; otherwise, it might be even higher."
That was true not only in the Mortal Realm. Even during his first few years in the Cultivation World, he had served in a Monster Hunting Squad.
"More importantly, I now have two High-Grade Magical Tools. Ordinary Qi Refining Late Stage cultivators don't have that kind of wealth."
That gave him a measure of security.
"The best thing about armor-type magical tools is that you wear them. Even if someone launches a sneak attack, they'll protect you when you have no time to react."
Thinking back to his encounter with Zhou Qing, Lin Chang'an could not help sighing inwardly. Now there was a good man.
Not only had Zhou Qing given him so many resources, he had taught him a lesson: a defensive magical tool was useless if you could not bring it out in time.
"I wonder how powerful the Wood Spirit Thorn will be when paired with a High-Grade Magical Tool."
Curiosity flickered across Lin Chang'an's face. With a lift of his hand, he placed a high-grade Golden Light Talisman on the pitted stone wall.
Wood Spirit Thorn!
Pfft!
A flash of green light left another fine hole in the stone wall. Only then did the Golden Light Talisman's glow slowly dim and fade.
"It pierced a high-grade Golden Light Talisman with ease!"
Lin Chang'an's pupils contracted. He had seen it clearly: the talisman's defense had been pierced in an instant, offering almost no resistance.
"The High-Grade Magical Tool helped, but the spell's own power matters more."
Flying Needle-type magical tools were naturally effective against protective spiritual light.
Lin Chang'an was delighted. Paired with the magical tool, the spell's power was astonishing.
That meant if he successfully ambushed a cultivator of the same level at close range, he could kill them in an instant.
"No wonder they call this spell a Minor Divine Ability. It truly shines in the Qi Refining Realm."
At that moment, Lin Chang'an felt far safer, especially with the world outside growing ever more chaotic.
He had not discarded the three damaged flying thorns, either. He only had one true High-Grade Magical Tool; a few more weapons in hand gave him more options.
Snowstorms howled outside, draping the entire Yue Kingdom in a layer of silver frost.
Lin Chang'an returned to his daily routine of cultivation and Talisman Drawing. In private, he kept practicing the Wood Spirit Thorn as well.
Most of his combat strength now rested on that spell, so naturally he had to practice it diligently.
The spell also consumed little power. Even practicing it a hundred times a day barely drained his spiritual energy.
His fingers suffered for it, though. They grew red, swollen, and painful every day, and he often had to go out and buy Spirit Liquid to apply to them.
After the snowstorms came warm spring days, blooming flowers, and a world stirring back to life.
They were far behind the front lines. As for how the fighting was actually going, every report that reached them was a victory. Things sounded so promising that it seemed the Two Major Sects might join forces and swallow the Divine Sword Sect whole.
Experienced cultivators merely scoffed at such news.
The main forces of the Three Great Sects had yet to enter the fray. For all the reported victories, the front line had not advanced a single step. That said enough.
Meanwhile, the Market grew more chaotic. As access to various resources opened up, the number of Rogue Cultivators exploded, and the disorder bred countless Cultivator Bandits.
That year, Lin Chang'an turned forty-seven.
At the Gathering Immortal Pavilion.
"Er Niu is coming back?"
Yun Yao had returned and brought the news to their small gathering at the Gathering Immortal Pavilion. Lin Chang'an was stunned.
With a war raging at the front, how could Er Niu return so soon?
He was not the only one confused. Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing looked equally puzzled.
Whether Yun Yao's cultivation had improved while she was away or she had gained something from hunting Cultivator Bandits, Lin Chang'an, who had cultivated the Evergreen Art to the Perfect Realm, could faintly sense a trace of cold energy about her.
"Not just Er Niu. All seven members of the Zhou Family are coming back. They have the Zhou Family Patriarch to thank for it."
Even Yun Yao, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, showed a rare smile at the news of Li Erniu's return. She slowly explained what had happened.
It turned out the Zhou Family Patriarch had secretly gone along during the last conscription. He had remained hidden at the front the entire time, without even the Zhou Family knowing he was there.
At last, he found his opportunity. With little lifespan left, the Zhou Family Patriarch appeared on the battlefield, caught two Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Divine Sword Sect off guard, and dragged them into his self-destruction.
As Yun Yao recounted it, her expression turned wistful. She sighed and said:
"He knew he had little time left, so he gave his life to pave the way for the Zhou Family. In light of the Zhou Family's great contribution, two Foundation Establishment Pills were not enough to honor it.
"Therefore, the Two Major Sects have decided to grant the Zhou Family one guaranteed Foundation Establishment place, along with two places for disciples who may enter either Sect directly."
Everyone understood then. No wonder Er Niu and the others could return. It was all thanks to the Zhou Family Patriarch.
In other words, even if both Foundation Establishment Pills failed, the Two Major Sects would continue supporting the chosen cultivator until they succeeded.
But Lin Chang'an saw it clearly: Li Fire Palace and Mystic Sound Pavilion were making an example of the Zhou Family. Bringing its cultivators back was part of spreading the story.
They wanted more cultivators to follow suit.
"So the Zhou Family's Foundation Establishment candidate can go to either of the Two Major Sects to receive a Foundation Establishment Pill, then enter seclusion within the Sect to attempt a breakthrough."
Hearing this, Shen Lie could not help saying enviously, "That old man of the Zhou Family truly turned the tide."
"Such character deserves our admiration." Even Lin Chang'an nodded in praise.
Plenty of Foundation Establishment Cultivators were nearing the end of their lives, but very few would make such a choice.
Of course, most never got an opportunity like this. The Zhou Family Patriarch had chosen his moment well.
"Looks like it won't be long before the Zhou Family has a third Foundation Establishment Cultivator."
Lin Chang'an spoke with feeling. He envied them, but he was not jealous.
After all, that opportunity had been bought with a life.
It also left him quiet. Er Niu had a family now and had to work for his child's sake. The Zhou Family Patriarch had fought to the death to pave the way for his descendants.
The weight of it filled Lin Chang'an with emotion.
"The Cultivation World changes like wind and cloud. I still have a long road ahead. This is no time to stop."
Just then, having shared the good news of Er Niu's impending return, Yun Yao turned toward him with a faint smile.
"Fellow Daoist Lin, congratulations on reaching Qi Refining Seventh Layer. Foundation Establishment is within sight."
The sudden change of subject caught Lin Chang'an off guard. Then he smiled and raised his cup.
"May your words come true, Fellow Daoist Yun."
Yun Yao had not been in the Market when Lin Chang'an broke through, so it was only natural for her to congratulate him now.
"Come, let's all toast Brother Lin's breakthrough."
Shen Lie gave a hearty laugh, lifting the mood.
Foundation Establishment within sight! For an ordinary Qi Refining Late Stage cultivator, it would have been a difficult prospect.
But as a First-Order High-Grade Talisman Master, Lin Chang'an might truly have a chance to make an attempt.
In the private room, they talked about strange tales from the Cultivation World, while Yun Yao shared insights from her cultivation and her experience with Foundation Establishment.
Lin Chang'an listened with utmost attention. Everyone saw it and understood.
After twenty-seven years of arduous cultivation, Lin Chang'an had not relaxed upon reaching Qi Refining Late Stage. He truly wanted to touch the seemingly unreachable realm of Foundation Establishment.
"Fellow Daoist Lin, this is a Jade Slip containing the cultivation insights of a senior from my Sect who practiced the Evergreen Art a century ago. The senior compiled them after reaching Foundation Establishment."
As they were about to part, Yun Yao gave Lin Chang'an the Jade Slip as a gift to celebrate his breakthrough to Qi Refining Late Stage. He was deeply grateful.
He knew that if he had been content with where he stood, she probably would not have given it to him. She had done so because she saw how steadfastly he pursued the Dao.
Foundation Establishment would be difficult with his Low-grade Spiritual Root, but Yun Yao had never forgotten the support they had given her back then.
Seeing this, Shen Lie seemed to find a spark of fighting spirit too.
In terms of cultivation resources, he was not far behind a high-grade Talisman Master now. Foundation Establishment was still too distant, but he could at least strive for Qi Refining Late Stage.
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