Chapter 57 : The Temptation of Foundation Establishment

Chapter 57: The Temptation of Foundation Establishment

“Evergreen Art strengthens the foundation and nourishes the origin, extends life—truly extraordinary.”

Inside the secret chamber, Lin Chang'an slowly opened his eyes. Although his cultivation had not broken through, his lifespan had increased by one year.

This was also one of the traits of the Evergreen Art.

“Even some hidden injuries in my body are slowly healing.”

Lin Chang'an couldn't help but sigh with emotion. Whether it was the life-and-death battles in the mundane martial world, the monster-hunting squads when he first entered the world of cultivation, or the clashes among cultivators—

He had experienced them all. Some injuries and hidden damage were inevitable.

“However, this high-grade demonic beast meat is indeed remarkable. Long-term consumption not only enhances cultivation but also has the effect of strengthening the foundation and nourishing the origin. It's just that the price isn't cheap.”

Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but praise—this Shen Lie really was born to do business.

In just two short months, the business of selling high-grade demonic beast meat had flourished, far more efficient than venturing outside to hunt beasts.

“Brother Lin.”

Inside the Zhou Clan's shop, Li Erniu had established himself in the Zhou family with his honest personality and was now in charge of a shop’s operations, performing quite well.

“Erniu, your business is going well.”

Faced with Lin Chang'an’s teasing, Li Erniu smiled and nodded:

“Isn’t it all thanks to Brother Lin and Brother Shen?”

Every month, Lin Chang'an provided a few premium-grade first-rank talismans to the shop, while Shen Lie regularly supplied Erniu with high-grade demonic beast meat, naturally attracting many cultivators as regular customers.

“But recently, more and more cultivators have been coming to the marketplace, especially high-level ones. Rogue cultivators outside are rampaging—especially that Ghost Three Blades.”

Shops were always the richest source of news. Listening to Erniu’s account, even though there might be exaggeration and hearsay, Lin Chang'an remained quietly attentive.

A reckless cultivator who didn't gather intelligence couldn't always rely on luck.

The reason he had made it step by step was because of his caution and prudence.

“Erniu, give me some premium talisman paper and cinnabar.”

“Alright, Brother Lin, rest assured. I’ll pick the best for you.”

With a face glowing red, Li Erniu no longer had the robust physique he once did—he now carried a slightly plump demeanor.

At the sixth level of Qi Refinement, Li Erniu was already quite content.

However, just as he grabbed the goods and was about to leave, he happened to run into a familiar face he'd encountered at Madam Han’s place not long ago.

“Talisman Master Lin, it's been a while.”

“So it’s Fellow Daoist Ge.”

Lin Chang'an smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. Ge Li was at the ninth level of Qi Refinement and also a premium-grade first-rank talisman master, a few years older than him.

After meeting, Ge Li enthusiastically invited him to the restaurant next door for a chat.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, your Golden Light Talismans are known for their excellent quality. I was hoping to trade for a few.”

Inside the private room, the slender Ge Li with a short goatee wore a sincere smile.

“Not at all. Fellow Daoist Ge’s Fireball Talismans are truly top-notch.”

Their conversation led to a friendly resource exchange. However, defensive-type talismans were generally more valuable than offensive ones.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, with our age and aptitude, even with the craft of premium-grade talisman masters, a single Foundation Establishment Pill costs at least seven thousand spirit stones—and that's if it's even available…”

After a few rounds of drinks, Ge Li couldn't help but feel melancholy, lamenting how talisman masters seemed noble but had their own worries.

Though talisman masters earned a lot of spirit stones, the cost of cultivation and daily expenditures was enormous. Earning seven thousand spirit stones and saving up seven thousand spirit stones were two entirely different matters.

But Lin Chang'an noticed there was more behind his words and asked with a hint of doubt:

“Fellow Daoist Ge, do you have any insights?”

Seeing Lin Chang'an pretending not to know, Ge Li chuckled, then secretly sent a voice transmission:

“Daoist friend, at our age, saving little by little is far from enough. Why not gather a few trusted companions to hunt demonic beasts together? Perhaps we might seize a chance at Foundation Establishment.”

Hunting demonic beasts!

When he heard that Ge Li wanted to invite him to hunt demonic beasts, Lin Chang'an’s eyes flickered.

“Fellow Daoist Ge, second-rank demonic beasts are not so easily hunted. And even if we succeed, who would the demon core belong to?”

Seeing that Lin Chang'an seemed somewhat tempted, Ge Li took the opportunity to press further and said urgently:

“Daoist friend, have you ever heard of the Five Friends of Mount Meng?”

The Five Friends of Mount Meng—how could anyone not have heard of them? It was considered a legendary tale among rogue cultivators.

It was said that in the Mengshan Marketplace, five like-minded rogue cultivators had sworn brotherhood upon entering the world of cultivation. Each of the five had their own strengths and together, they pooled their resources to purchase a second-rank formation.

After that, the five secretly hunted demonic beasts, obtained demon cores, and refined Foundation Establishment Pills, first supporting one person to step into Foundation Establishment, then following suit one by one. In just a little over a decade, they each reached Foundation Establishment.

This bond of loyalty earned widespread praise and became a well-known tale.

“This……”

Lin Chang'an pretended to hesitate slightly, but inwardly he was speechless. The Five Friends of Mount Meng had grown up together, and though not blood brothers, were closer than brothers.

They had faced hardships and shared blessings since the early stages of Qi Refinement, building trust over decades.

What did they have to compare with the Five Friends of Mount Meng?

“Fellow Daoist Lin, with our financial means as talisman masters, teaming up with a few others to purchase a second-rank formation wouldn't be difficult. By then, we could all sign a spirit contract together.”

Seeing Ge Li’s excited expression, Lin Chang'an, after some thought, slowly shook his head and said:

“Thank you for your kind offer, Fellow Daoist Ge, but I’ve been crafting talismans for years and am not skilled in combat. Moreover, I’ve only just broken through to the eighth level of Qi Refinement. It’s more practical for me to stay in the marketplace, draw talismans, and steadily improve my cultivation.”

Seeing Lin Chang'an decline tactfully, Ge Li could only shake his head helplessly.

As for Foundation Establishment, it required early preparation. Who waited until they were ready to make plans—did he think he was the descendant of some Golden Core Patriarch? That just because he reached the ninth level of Qi Refinement, someone would present him with a Foundation Establishment Pill?

“If Fellow Daoist Lin is unwilling to take the risk, I shall look for others first. But I hope this matter remains confidential.”

“Of course, of course.”

Ge Li did not insist, and Lin Chang'an solemnly cupped his hands to reassure him.

When it came to hunting demonic beasts, the greatest danger wasn’t the beasts themselves but rather the cultivators working alongside you.

As for so-called joint spirit contracts, Lin Chang'an sneered inwardly. In cooperative hunts, even slight hesitation or sabotage by one person could easily result in casualties.

Wouldn’t that just be making wedding clothes for someone else?

Still, the mention of the Five Friends of Mount Meng did remind him that the current chaotic situation might offer a chance to purchase a formation.

A second-rank formation—he had never considered it. Not because he couldn’t afford it, but because with his current cultivation, he simply couldn’t operate one.

Whether it was a second-rank talisman, formation, or top-grade magic tool, they were all not only powerful but also placed high demands on the cultivator.

They required not only spiritual power to activate but also the guidance and control of divine sense, as well as adept control over one’s mana.

“Even for me, at most I can simultaneously control eight premium-grade first-rank talismans in combat—any more and I risk injuring myself.”

If he included the simultaneous operation of magic tools during combat, Lin Chang'an could control only five talismans at most.

“The reason the Five Friends of Mount Meng could operate a second-rank formation was because there were five of them, and they shared a deep understanding. I’m alone, so it seems I can only aim to purchase a premium-grade first-rank formation.”

Lin Chang'an thought to himself. He had a clear understanding of his limitations. If he couldn’t even trust others yet, how could he expect them to trust him?

Still, there was no urgency with the formation—he would slowly make inquiries first.