Eternal Life from Talisman Painting

The Celestial Spring Peak is shrouded in mist, the sound of flowing springs resembles the gentle notes of a zither.

An ancient pavilion stands by the cliff, with copper bells hanging from its corners, occasionally stirred by the mountain wind, emitting ethereal chimes.

"Yun Yao."

Gazing at Yun Yao’s hidden letter, Lin Chang’an, dressed in snow-white robes with cloud patterns subtly embroidered with silver thread at the hem and sleeves, couldn’t help but smile.

Yun Yao’s letter was simple, mentioning her significant advancement in cultivation over the years, with her strength within the Demon Cult just below the old demon.

The last four words, "hope you find peace," swept away Lin Chang’an’s years of worry.

Then came the letter from Old Hu.

The initial content amused Lin Chang’an, but the latter part made him increasingly solemn.

"The Demon Beast Abyss is indeed turbulent."

Hu Jin explicitly stated in the letter that in recent years, nearly half of the sea regions of the Outer Sea Seventy-two Islands have been unstable, with powers manipulating events from behind the scenes.

While advising caution, he cryptically reminded him that these are minor skirmishes among the various factions, with the Sixteen Sea Guardian Sects of the Outer Sea establishing secret contacts in recent years.

Many forces are even being drawn into alliances.

If the two Palace Masters of Bihai Palace do not come out of retreat, after the Secret Realm ends, it might lead to the greatest turmoil.

"In other words, the greatest turmoil in the Demon Beast Abyss would occur only after the Secret Realm."

Of course, if the two Palace Masters of Bihai Palace do exit retreat and suppress the situation with thunderous force, that would be another matter.

"However, whether or not I gain anything from the Secret Realm, I need to prepare for Nascent Soul Formation, no matter how turbulent the Demon Beast Abyss becomes."

Looking at the letter, Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered as he contemplated preparing for Nascent Soul Formation and temporarily avoiding trouble with Yun Yao.

After a while, the letter turned to ashes in his hand, and Lin Chang’an’s gaze fell upon three letters from the Yue Kingdom.

The letter from the Zhou Family was the same as usual, expressing gratitude for his care of their disciples in the Demon Beast Abyss over the years, along with sending some spirit stones as a token of appreciation.

Then there were the letters from Wei Yingying, Shen Fan, and Li Yifan.

"Unknowingly, it’s been a century since I left the Yue Kingdom; time truly flies."

Looking at these letters, Lin Chang’an gazed at the blooming peach blossoms outside the pavilion, his eyes calm but his heart rising with a sense of loneliness at the high place.

For nearly a century, with the frequent contact of the Profound Sound Pavilion with the homeland, his information had been known to old friends.

His cultivation had grown stronger, even the playful girl Wei Yingying, whose teasing in letters had gradually decreased over the years.

Instead, there appeared an invisible, yet palpable respect for the strong.

When he embarked on this endless path of immortal cultivation, he was prepared for it.

However, when experienced firsthand, there remained an indescribable loneliness within.

Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but glance at the nearby Sword Servant, a smile slowly spreading across his face.

"No wonder the more powerful the old monsters become, the more they nurture cultivators with great potential, aside from interests, it’s probably this companionship that can walk the path together."

Even among those of blood relation, cultivators in the Immortal Cultivation Realm, whether Golden Core or Nascent Soul Old Monsters, pamper those with good talent exceedingly.

This is probably the reason.

Good talent represents the ability to walk further, accompanying one on the longer journey.

"Master!"

Faced with her master’s gaze, the Sword Servant felt a sense of doubt; why did her master’s eyes seem much softer, almost filled with expectations?

"Cultivate well. With your talent, reaching Nascent Soul might not be impossible."

If, in the face of Nascent Soul Formation, the advantage of a Celestial Spirit Root is faster cultivation, granting more time for breakthrough than ordinary cultivators,

then the advantage of the Sword Servant’s Spirit Body is the higher chance of overcoming the Heart Demon during Nascent Soul Formation.

Combined with the Sword Servant’s longevity as a Human-Demon Mixed Blood, the chances of reaching Nascent Soul are considerable.

This is one reason Lin Chang’an puts effort into nurturing the Sword Servant.

However, the Sword Servant did not understand these; she only saw her master’s expectations for her, which made her nod with determined eyes.

"This servant will not disappoint Master."

For the Sword Servant, though reaching Nascent Soul is extremely difficult, she would never easily give up.

Atop Celestial Spring Peak, the distant cry of cranes was clear, the mountain breeze stirred a few strands of ink-black hair on his forehead, making the pavilion the scenery, spirit tea the companion, with the Sword Servant by his side.

The Cyan-Horned Bull occasionally lifted its head, staring in confusion at its master, making Lin Chang’an let out a clear and bright laugh.

"This path of immortal cultivation, so splendid and colorful, is truly irresistible."

Along the way, though there are many regrets, upon reflection, even regrets become an indispensable color on the path of life.

For a moment, Lin Chang’an’s mind was crystal clear, and though the Sword Servant beside him did not understand the reason behind her master’s laughter, she was naturally pleased as long as her master was happy.

...

This clarity of mind, as if one step closer to understanding heaven and earth, made Lin Chang’an look at the mountains anew, feeling differently.

The elevation of his mental state also made his cultivation feel much lighter.

A month later.

Cultivators from the Four Seas Commerce Association came to visit.

"Congratulations to Mr. Lin on leaving seclusion."

Lin Chang’an, smiling fully, clasped his hands in respect; guests are always welcomed, and after all, the Four Seas Commerce Association had delivered no few spirit stones to him over the years.

"To be frank, Mr. Lin, I come representing the Four Seas Commerce Association with a request. It wasn’t a wasted trip; we have already investigated the situation with this group of Tribulation Cultivators..."

The cultivator with the surname Zhu from the Four Seas Commerce Association straightforwardly stated the purpose of their visit without hesitation.