Eternal Life from Talisman Painting

Mentioning the word mechanism, one cannot overlook the Mechanism Puppetry Art, which is considered one of the Hundred Skills of Cultivation.

However, pure mechanisms, besides setting hidden traps, are also commonly used by cultivators to hide treasures.

"All the treasures within this labyrinth are extremely hidden, and the Yin Soul Sect is one of the few sects in the Demon Beast Abyss that excel in mechanism puppetry."

Initially, it was thanks to the Yin Soul Sect’s mastery of the Mechanism Puppetry Art that they were able to discover several treasure-restricted areas within the labyrinth.

[Tier Two Middle Grade Puppet Master (Mastery 652/1000)]

Over the years, using various materials and the legacy obtained from the Yin Soul Sect, he made good progress in the Mechanism Puppetry Art.

If he were to enter the Secret Realm, he would naturally seize the opportunity to learn this Mechanism Puppetry Art.

After all, the Secret Realm is fraught with danger; an extra skill means an extra chance of survival.

"Without this Avatar Divine Technique, even with great talent, I wouldn’t dare to delve into multiple skills alone."

This Mechanism Puppetry Art, starting from scratch, not only requires fewer Spirit Stones, but even more importantly, he is now a Core Formation Cultivator.

Whether it’s energy, financial resources, or Divine Soul Power, all far exceed those of a Low Tier Cultivator, which is why he managed to elevate this skill to Tier Two Middle Grade in less than twenty years.

"Unknowingly, my overall strength now is comparable to that of a medium-sized Golden Core Sect."

Upon closely examining his own strength and various foundations, if he were to establish a sect, he would definitely have enough capital.

At this thought, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but recall the Three Sects of Yue Kingdom, the strongest among the Seven Kingdoms at that time.

They once seemed like mountains in his heart, the Yue Kingdom’s Three Major Sects.

Somehow, his current strength has reached an equivalent level, or even a higher peak.

"Over more than a hundred years, I have become so strong, but unfortunately, upon reaching the summit, I realize this is just the first peak on the path of cultivation."

Lin Chang’an sighed lightly with melancholy, but soon a determined smile appeared on his face.

His journey has just begun.

...

Celestial Spring Peak.

"Moo!"

The Cyan-Horned Bull anxiously harnessed its mana, forming a strong earth-yellow Mana Shield in front of it.

Yet facing seemingly ordinary sword aura laced with a hint of thunder, its petrified mana shield, with enhanced defense, began to show dense cracks under the sword aura.

In some places, the sword aura had already pierced halfway into the Mana Shield.

"Moo!"

The Cyan-Horned Bull swung its horns, directly shattering all the sword aura.

Its current opponent was the Sword Servant.

Wearing a dark blue outfit, the Sword Servant, with a serious expression, wielded a Treasure Sword in its hand from which streaks of sword aura emanated.

Compared to its previous aggressive demeanor, now every sword aura was extremely restrained.

The Cyan-Horned Bull’s aura was substantial, with an upper-grade bloodline. Upon its breakthrough to Tier Three, its bloodline mutated; petrification is considered a superior mutation among earth attributes.

Not only did its strength increase but its potential grew significantly.

Over the years, with a solid foundation, its cultivation reached the peak of Tier Three Early Stage, just a step away from breaking through to the Middle Stage.

Though the Sword Servant had formed its core relatively recently, the Celestial Spirit Sword Body had only begun to show its power.

Having just come out, observing the sparring between the Sword Servant and the Cyan-Horned Bull within the array, Lin Chang’an nodded in approval.

"In the Immortal Cultivation Realm, there are countless Spirit Bodies. Setting aside a few useless ones, some exhibit significant power early on, while others manifest strength later, and the Celestial Spirit Sword Body clearly belongs to the latter."

The Sword Servant, having formed its core less than a decade ago, possessed strength arguably equal to the Cyan-Horned Bull, showing the remarkable talent in the path of the Sword Cultivator.

The powerful Mutated Spirit Beast’s strength far exceeded same-tier counterparts.

However, overall combat strength is influenced by many factors.

For instance, the Sword Servant’s Power of thunder and lightning had a suppressive effect on the earth attribute factor, contributing to the Cyan-Horned Bull’s Mana Shield looking somewhat weak.

"Over the years, the Sword Servant’s combat style has become apparent, excelling in extreme speed and intense sword aura assaults like a storm.

Though strong, the Cyan-Horned Bull falls short in speed."

Watching their sparring, Lin Chang’an assessed the Sword Servant’s overall strength.

Its strength was not below that of a typical Core Formation Middle Stage cultivator.

"The Divine Technique Sword Shadow Following Heart, cultivated for less than a hundred years, and yet has matched my decades of arduous cultivation."

Just as Lin Chang’an appeared in the pavilion without notice, the Sword Servant sparring with the Cyan-Horned Bull spotted him with a flash of joy.

"Master has emerged from seclusion!"

The once heated battle paused instantly as the Sword Servant transformed into an Escape Light, not forgetting to toss two Spirit Fruits to the Cyan-Horned Bull on its descent.

"Moo!"

The Cyan-Horned Bull, delighted with the compensation of Spirit Fruits, mooed jubilantly without a hint of dissatisfaction.

In the pavilion.

"Master."

After respectfully greeting, the Sword Servant habitually prepared Spirit Tea for its master.

However, Lin Chang’an found himself helplessly shaking his head as he watched the gluttonous Cyan-Horned Bull, unable to correct its greedy habit over the years.

"Not bad, you’ve grown more proficient in the Sword Dao these years."

Whatever cultivation technique or Divine Technique the Sword Servant was practicing, having cultivated them himself, he naturally understood the depths of each.

"All credit goes to Master."

Looking at the obedient Sword Servant, Lin Chang’an laughed softly and waved his hand, saying, "Your talent is unquestionable, has anything happened in recent years?"

"Reporting to Master, the Outer Sea is tumultuous with chaos, countless murders, vendettas, and treasure snatchings, and lately, the Four Seas Commerce Association’s cargo ships have been hijacked..."

Listening to the Sword Servant’s report, Lin Chang’an remained calm.

He cared little about the chaos elsewhere as long as his cultivation was unaffected.

However, with the opening of the Secret Realm, chaos starting in various places within the Demon Beast Abyss wasn’t without benefits.

The benefit was that the Three Forces—the Four Seas Commerce Association, Profound Sound Pavilion, and Long Family—again joined forces due to interests.

With external pressure increasing, none of the Three Forces wished for internal conflict to allow outsiders to take advantage.

Internal stability allowed Lin Chang’an to focus on cultivation peacefully for several years.

"Oh yes, Master, the Four Seas Commerce Association visited earlier, seemingly having lost a certain Treasure and left behind a Sound Recording Jade Talisman."

Receiving the Jade Talisman from the Sword Servant, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but display curiosity.

Previously, the Four Seas Commerce Association had tried to recruit him, but once the Three Forces joined, to avoid internal friction, the Four Seas Commerce Association had behaved quite prudently over the years.

This time they even left him a piece of Jade Talisman personally.

With a motion of mana, the Sound Recording Talisman gradually echoed the Four Seas Commerce Association’s message.

Upon hearing it, Lin Chang’an displayed a doubtful expression.

"This time the Four Seas Commerce Association is quite willing."

The message from the Sound Recording Talisman was simple, inviting him to deal with the Tribulation Cultivator who hijacked their cargo ships.

The offered condition was exceptionally rich, a Tier Three Late Stage Earth Attribute Demon Pill.

"Three months ago, it seems this opportunity has already been missed."

Lin Chang’an shook his head, not giving it much thought, instead pondering over his own Four Symbols Scale Armor.

Five years ago, he exchanged a Fire Attribute Demon Pill at a Bibo Island trading conference, and over the years, he traded for a Water Attribute Tier Three Late Stage Demon Pill.

The Four Symbols Power now only lacked Earth and Wind.

His external needs were not concealed; the Four Seas Commerce Association naturally knew of his requirements.

"Now, concerning the Four Symbols Power, there’s still no sign of a Wind Attribute Tier Three Late Stage Demon Pill, and while there are messages about the Earth Attribute Demon Pill, many seem dubious."

Over the years, two messages surfaced, one indicating a spot in the extremely distant Outer Sea—the veracity of which was uncertain.

The other message was even more absurd, suggesting clues in a ghostly haunt, which he immediately dismissed.

"I can only slowly seek information. An Earth Attribute High Tier Demon Pill will eventually have opportunities, but the Wind Attribute is indeed challenging."

Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an sighed lightly and shook his head.

"Also, these are the letters received during the Master’s closed cultivation."

When the Sword Servant brought out several letters, Lin Chang’an raised his hand and began reviewing them.