Chapter 132 : Seventieth Year of Life

Chapter 132: Seventieth Year of Life

Inside the pavilion.

“Brother Lin is open and straightforward, I, Old Hu, also understand the rules.

One matter is one matter.

As for the token needed by Old Ning’s descendants, I and Old Jia will contribute Spirit Stones or resources in exchange.”

Hu Jin, with some grief, selected the tokens needed for the descendants of another Daoist friend from his Storage Pouch, and then returned the pouch.

At the same time, he also took away two spiritual artifacts belonging to the late cultivator surnamed Ning.

The defensive armor was already heavily damaged, and the offensive weapon was also somewhat broken.

“Brother Lin, this time Old Ning risked his life for the sake of preparing Foundation Establishment for his descendants, and he also saved me and Old Jia.

Therefore, Old Jia and I intend to assist this junior in forming his foundation.

I will keep these two spiritual artifacts for now, and once the junior establishes his foundation, they will be returned to him.

That way, he will also have a means of self-protection.”

Old Hu then brought out the resources and Spirit Stones he and Old Jia had prepared, all exchanged at fair market price.

Lin Changan did not suffer any loss.

Instead, when he looked at Old Hu and the unfamiliar Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed Jia, their deep loyalty moved him to sigh in admiration:

“Old Hu, you and Fellow Daoist Jia are truly righteous.”

“Righteous my ass!

Who would want this?

But we owe Old Ning a life.

If not for that, who would bother with this matter?”

Although Old Hu cursed under his breath, the sorrow in his eyes could not be hidden.

From the days of their Qi Refining squad, only the three close friends had remained.

Now, one of them had fallen.

This scene reminded Lin Changan of Li Erniu and the others, making him sigh inwardly.

They had been lucky.

Li Erniu and his group had not been obsessed with demon-hunting.

Otherwise, as the saying went—if you always walk by the river, how could your shoes not get wet?

Among their group, aside from Yun Yao, only he had reached Foundation Establishment, but the fact that everyone was still alive was already a blessing.

As for Old Hu and his friends, the bond they carried along their journey was enviable, yet also sorrowful.

“Old Hu, I will drink to you!”

“Good!

I, Old Hu, will also drink to Brother Lin’s life-saving grace.”

The two began to converse heartily within the pavilion, especially when Lin Changan asked in curiosity about Old Hu’s most recent demon-hunting expedition.

“Brother Lin, I, Old Hu, am not boasting.

The three of us crawled out from mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

If we compare ourselves to those disciples of sects and noble clans, we admit we may not match them.

But when it comes to caution, we would never dare show the slightest carelessness.

Yet those Cultivator Robbers, with noses sharper than dogs, still managed to track us down.”

Old Hu was still frustrated.

In the days since returning, he and Old Jia had repeatedly gone over the events, yet still could not find where the mistake had been.

In the end, they could only chalk it up to bad luck and falling into the robbers’ ambush.

But the reasoning felt flimsy.

“Old Hu, in the World of Cultivation, methods change endlessly, impossible to guard against.

For now, it is best to stay cautious.”

Lin Changan frowned as well.

Not finding the flaw was the most troubling thing.

Cultivators like Old Hu, relying on hunting demon beasts to exchange for cultivation resources, were countless.

But these elusive Cultivator Robbers remained a serious threat.

“However, I have already reported this incident to Tianxuan City.

I heard that Master Lu’s disciple, Daoist Song, is personally leading a squad to search for this group of robbers outside Tianxuan City.”

Hearing Old Hu’s words, Lin Changan frowned again.

As long as these robbers were not eliminated, they would never have peace.

“Where exactly did the flaw get exposed!?”

Using his powerful perception to check repeatedly, Lin Changan confirmed that Old Hu carried no unusual aura.

He could only shake his head helplessly.

Troublesome times indeed.

Old Hu did not stay much longer.

After all, he still needed to handle the affairs of the deceased Daoist Ning’s family.

He hurriedly departed, saying he would thank Lin Changan properly in the future.

This left Lin Changan filled with emotion.

To have made such a loyal friend in the cultivation world—Daoist Ning could rest in peace.

At the very least, his descendants would be protected.

In truth, Daoist Ning’s Storage Pouch did not contain many resources.

After all, cultivators who spent years hunting demon beasts would never carry their entire fortune with them.

Other than some necessities for self-defense, most resources were either used for cultivation or left behind for descendants.

Few would ever bring their whole fortune to the hunt.

This thought made Lin Changan reveal a strange look, as he himself seemed like one of those fat sheep who always carried everything whenever he left.

But with the outside situation turbulent, Lin Changan continued with cultivation.

What others considered dull, he found joy in.

Thanks to the abundant gains from his recent expedition, he had no plans to leave his abode anytime soon.

It also gave him an excuse to avoid the trouble caused by the robbers.

In cultivation, there were no days or nights.

In the blink of an eye, another year passed.

On this day—

“The seventieth year of life, early-stage Foundation Establishment at peak, just one step away from breaking through to mid-stage Foundation Establishment.”

Sitting cross-legged in his cave abode, Lin Changan slowly opened his eyes, satisfaction on his face.

Given his age and aptitude, reaching this cultivation was already commendable.

Especially since his cultivation speed was not slow at all.

“A second-rank mid-grade Talisman Master, also hunting second-rank demon beasts for cultivation resources.

If my cultivation speed still could not rise, then I really should just enjoy the rest of my life.”

Lin Changan laughed and shook his head.

This was the proper pace.

With such abundant resources, if his speed still lagged, that would be the real problem.

“Those clan Foundation Establishment cultivators, while advancing quickly in the early stages thanks to family support, often become both bound and hindered by their clans.

After Foundation Establishment, they become part of the family’s foundation, and usually dare not act rashly.”

Thinking of this, Lin Changan secretly shook his head.

The greatest advantage of rogue cultivators like Old Hu, who had no attachments, was that they dared to risk it all.

But for most family Foundation Establishment cultivators, they had the will but not the freedom.

Once they formed their foundation, they avoided risks, which caused their cultivation speed to slow in later stages.

Instead, they shifted their focus to managing their families.

Perhaps this allowed the clan to endure for centuries, but it also eroded their spirit of advancement.

Take Chen Qing for example.

As soon as he reached Foundation Establishment, he was trapped in Tianxuan City.

He dared not venture outside, yet also lacked any skill to sustain his cultivation.

As a result, his cultivation stagnated.

Of course, some clans with deep foundations could still provide the massive resources needed for Foundation Establishment cultivators.

“This is why, after Foundation Establishment, some rogue cultivators gradually catch up.”

Lin Changan shook his head with a smile.

Of course, many rogue cultivators also chose instead to enjoy the rest of their lives.

Like himself, Old Hu, and that Jia cultivator, the few who continued to cultivate diligently after Foundation Establishment were rare.

Just as Lin Changan stretched his body, he heard the cheerful cry of the Green-Horned Ox outside his cave abode.

He immediately knew that Bingyun had arrived.

Today was the day they had agreed upon for handing over the resources needed for her spirit pet.

By the pond outside the cave abode—

“Moo! Moo!”

The Green-Horned Ox affectionately rubbed against Zhou Bingyun.

After receiving some Spirit Grass, it swayed its tail in satisfaction.

“These wounds.”

Zhou Bingyun, smiling as she stroked the ox, noticed the scars and silently nodded to herself.

She had long since noticed that the Green-Horned Ox occasionally bore new scars over the years, but being clever, she never mentioned it.

After all, no cultivator liked being spied upon.

When Lin Changan stepped out from the cave, Zhou Bingyun could not help but praise.

“Brother Lin, your Green-Horned Ox is truly thriving.

Even in our Zhou Family, we have few that are raised so well.”

As a member of the Beast-controlling Zhou Family, Zhou Bingyun could clearly sense how dense the demon aura of this second-rank ox had become—it was already at a threshold.

However, hearing her praise, Lin Changan only laughed and shook his head.

“Your Zhou Family’s Guardian Spirit Beast is already late-stage second-rank.

My ox cannot compare.”

At the mention of her family’s Guardian Spirit Beast, Zhou Bingyun’s face showed pride.

The foundation of the Zhou Family lay not only in their beast-controlling techniques but also in that Guardian Spirit Beast, thanks to their ancestor’s foresight.

It was with the help of this beast that the Zhou Family had survived several periods of weakness.

“Brother Lin, here are this year’s resources.”

As Zhou Bingyun handed over the resources, Lin Changan smiled and also took note of her cultivation realm.

“Miss Zhou, you have already reached the peak of Qi Refining.

It won’t be long before you prepare for Foundation Establishment, will it?”

“Not at all.

Isn’t everyone outside saying that I failed my Foundation Establishment?”

At this, Zhou Bingyun could not help but smile.

Most of those rumors came from her family itself.

After all, sometimes keeping a low profile made development easier.

“But one cannot rush Foundation Establishment.

Now that the family is stable, if possible, I still want to polish my foundation for another two or three years.

That way, my Foundation Establishment will be more secure, and I will be able to go further afterward.”

On this point, Lin Changan strongly agreed.

When he had formed his foundation, he too had felt that, though he thought he was already at the peak of Qi Refining, further polishing had still brought progress.

However, this was not suitable for ordinary rogue cultivators.

When they planned for Foundation Establishment, they were already not young.

If they continued to polish themselves, their age would increase.

Gains and losses balanced out, and it was not necessarily a good thing.

But for those sects and great clans with deep foundations, it was different.

For example, Zhou Bingyun before his eyes.

“Yes, many people understand this principle, but how many actually have the time?”

For cultivators, Zhou Bingyun at thirty-seven years of age was at her prime.

Polishing her foundation for another two or three years would not affect her at all.

Back then, the spiritual energy at Bamboo Mountain Marketplace could not compare to Tianxuan City at all.

Afterward, Zhou Bingyun asked him some questions about Foundation Establishment.

Lin Changan could feel her sincerity, so he gave her serious guidance.

In recent years, Zhou Bingyun had also been secretly managing some Zhou Family businesses, gaining much experience.

Lin Changan silently calculated in his heart.

With her mid-grade spiritual root aptitude, good temperament, and clear understanding of her own needs, as well as the patience to polish further—

this Foundation Establishment was almost certain to succeed.

“Thank you, Brother Lin, for your guidance.”

As one who experienced it herself, Zhou Bingyun naturally knew whether Lin Changan had taught her sincerely, so she looked at him with gratitude.

But Lin Changan only smiled and waved his hand.

“Your aptitude is not bad, and your Zhou Family is not lacking in Foundation Establishment experience.

I only added flowers to brocade.”

Soon after, Zhou Bingyun took her leave.

Lin Changan nodded slightly and watched her depart from the training grounds.

However, just as she left, the scene outside made Lin Changan frown.

Outside the cave abode.

At this moment, a lively crowd had gathered at the neighboring residence.

They were all Chen Family members, faces brimming with joy.

It was the Chen Family’s Foundation Establishment celebration.

And just as Zhou Bingyun walked out of Lin Changan’s cave, she happened to run into Chen Wen, whose face glowed with radiance, having just formed his foundation.

“Fairy Zhou.”

Faced with the enthusiastic Chen Wen, Zhou Bingyun was momentarily stunned, but then she showed her proper upbringing and bowed with utmost respect.

“So it is Senior Chen.”

It was reasonable for a Qi Refining cultivator to address a Foundation Establishment cultivator as senior.

Chen Wen approached, eyebrows exuding confidence.

Looking at Zhou Bingyun, a trace of pride rose in his eyes, as he pretended to comfort her.

“Fairy Zhou, I heard some time ago that you failed at Foundation Establishment.

I was in seclusion, and only just heard of it.

I truly apologize.”

At this moment, Chen Wen’s smug expression left Fairy Zhou somewhat astonished.

So this man really believed the rumors.

But seeing his posturing, she sighed inwardly.

This man revealed all his emotions on his face, clearly not someone who could achieve great things.

“Thank you for your concern, Senior Chen.”

Zhou Bingyun did not wish to become entangled with this sort of person.

She merely put on a slightly dim look, satisfying his petty arrogance and conceit.

“Fairy Zhou, why so polite between you and me?”

Chen Wen, having just reached Foundation Establishment, was naturally full of pride.

Especially when facing this woman who once paid him little attention.

So what if she was from the Zhou Family?

Between Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment lay an uncrossable chasm.

Now, looking at the once lofty Zhou Bingyun, Chen Wen raised his brows.

His former inferiority had already vanished.

Now, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he believed that marrying a Zhou Family Qi Refining woman was no longer beyond his reach.

Chen Wen smiled broadly as he conversed with Zhou Bingyun.

He even began to share his experiences with Foundation Establishment, offering encouragement.

He told her that she would definitely succeed next time.

But his intentions were obvious to all.

As the protagonist of the Chen Family’s Foundation Establishment celebration, here he was, lingering outside the cave with a Qi Refining female cultivator.

Naturally, it drew the attention of many Chen Family members.

“So it’s Miss Zhou.”

Even Chen Qing, who had suffered severe injuries, came out.

Seeing who it was, his face lit with joy, and he nodded with a smile.

With his grandson establishing his foundation, if they could truly tie relations with the Zhou Family, it would be a double blessing.

Even Chen Qing believed that now his grandson had reached Foundation Establishment, he was completely worthy.

“Greetings, Senior Chen.”

Surrounded by Chen Family members, Zhou Bingyun showed not the slightest panic.

Instead, she smiled and offered congratulations.

“Miss Zhou must have come to attend my grandson’s Foundation Establishment celebration.

My grandson has some talent.

This time, we were fortunate to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill from Alchemist Song, and he luckily succeeded in forming his foundation…”

Since Chen Wen’s success, Chen Qing’s smile had not left his face.

The Chen Family now had two Foundation Establishment cultivators.

It was truly bringing honor to their ancestors.

For ordinary families, this would already make others envious.

“There are still clan matters to attend.

On behalf of the Zhou Family, I offer Senior Chen a congratulatory gift.”

Although Zhou Bingyun felt somewhat speechless inside, her face revealed nothing but courtesy and a smile.

Anyone would believe she truly came just to deliver congratulations.

Especially since the gift she gave was generous.

“Grandfather, Miss Zhou specially came to see me.”

Seeing the gift, Chen Wen’s face grew even redder, proud to show off before his clansmen.

“So this is the Zhou Family’s eldest daughter.”

“My goodness, our Chen Family has really risen.

Even the Zhou Family’s daughter has come to us.”

“I always knew Chen Wen would achieve great things.”

“Chen Wen, quickly invite Miss Zhou inside.”

A group of narrow-minded clansmen, blinded by the glory of having two Foundation Establishment cultivators, now believed their Chen Family could stand alongside the Zhou Family.

This feeling of being cornered stirred a trace of anger in Zhou Bingyun’s heart, but she suppressed it.

“Everyone, I must return to report to my family.

I won’t intrude further.”

It had to be said, Zhou Bingyun’s conduct was impeccable.

Though most Chen Family cultivators were shallow and did not grasp the difference between the Zhou and Chen families, Chen Qing and Chen Wen certainly knew.

But at this moment, Chen Qing was happy to feign ignorance.

No matter what, his grandson, now a Foundation Establishment cultivator, showing interest in the Zhou Family’s daughter was no shame.

A rogue family needed to seize every opportunity before them.

Chen Wen, standing at the side, understood perfectly, and a smile spread across his face.

He was not intending to do anything excessive—

merely to show his intentions.