Eternal Life from Talisman Painting

The passage of time is vast and leisurely, and the winds of this Immortal Cultivation Realm shift just like the mortal world.

The rise and fall of various forces happen in an instant.

In the brief one hundred plus years since Lin Chang’an arrived at the Demon Beast Abyss, the world has transformed.

He witnessed the Long Family’s dominance at its peak, followed by its humble decline.

He also witnessed the Profound Sound Pavilion, after many trials, finally finding a foothold, and the Four Seas Commerce Association, which quickly rose by taking advantage of the Long Family’s decline.

Now, as the Four Seas Commerce Association is shaken internally, its influence rapidly shrinking, by the time the major families react and unite against outsiders again,

the Four Seas Commerce Association has already lost nearly a third of its market share at the Five Dragons Island Market.

The Profound Sound Pavilion took advantage of the opportunity to devour a fat piece of meat, but knowing its insufficient strength, fearing it may become a target, it directly dragged the Seven Kingdoms Alliance into the fray.

Many forces within this Seven Kingdoms Alliance have not fared well over the years, and having finally seized an opportunity, how could they let it go?

In no time, a drama unfolds at the Five Dragons Island Market where one side exits the stage, and another enters.

On Celestial Spring Peak, Lin Chang’an looks down at the changes in the world over time, with only the unchanging mountains and rivers evoking great emotion within him.

"Fellow Daoist, when we first came from Yue Kingdom to this place, in just over a hundred years, it feels like the dynastic change of the mortal realm, truly a time of great transformation, a landscape as picturesque as a painting."

Standing tall in white clothes, Lin Chang’an finds that observing the transformations of the world over the years only strengthens his resolve in the path of cultivation.

[Lifespan: 226/789]

[Realm: Golden Core Middle Stage (56/100)]

If one’s lifespan were shorter, who would be in the mood to watch the changes of the world?

Seeing his lifespan, Lin Chang’an feels content, because if it were shorter, who would be in the mood to observe the changes of heaven and earth?

At the same time, over the past five years, his cultivation has progressed considerably, largely thanks to the Spirit Wine that is the Ice Marrow Jade Liquid, with its lingering strength.

"Only someone like Mr. Lin can be so carefree."

In the pavilion, Fairy Ni Chang gazes at the graceful figure dressed in white, unable to hide a touch of envy.

The two of them, in different circumstances and identities, view the turbulent century quite differently.

For her, a hundred years represents a heavy responsibility.

Watching the Long Family, Four Seas Commerce Association, and even the Divine Sword Sect, and Li Huo Palace that once suppressed the Profound Sound Pavilion in Yue Kingdom, rise and fall, even fading away in the long river of time within the Immortal Cultivation Realm.

There is in her heart only a sense of urgency.

Fearing that the Profound Sound Pavilion might one day follow the same path as these forces.

"Only by achieving the Nascent Soul can the Sect be preserved for a thousand years."

Although she envies Lin Chang’an’s ability to dissipate like this, Fairy Ni Chang has no regrets and slowly steps forward to stand side by side, looking at the magnificent scenery below.

"It’s a pity that, no matter how beautiful the scenery here is, it doesn’t compare to Yue Kingdom’s beauty."

"I hadn’t expected that Mr. Ni Chang is someone with a fondness for home."

Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but tease with a smile, and Fairy Ni Chang also nodded with a smile.

"It’s hard to leave one’s homeland, and if given a choice, who would want to wander in the storm outside?"

The two exchanged a look and chuckled softly, then fell silent in the pavilion.

In the past five years, Fairy Ni Chang’s injuries have long since healed, but she has been keeping a low profile, barely venturing out, yet there were many rumors outside about Fairy Ni Chang’s damaged foundation.

"I must thank Mr. Lin for saving my life back then; otherwise, I fear I would have long been disheartened, no longer aspiring to this path."

Faced with Fairy Ni Chang’s toast, Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded, but inwardly, he didn’t believe a word.

From what he had come to understand over the years, he knew this person had a firm Dao heart, and even if her foundation were damaged, she would surely seek spiritual objects for healing.

"Mr. Ni Chang, over the past five years, you have pretended to be injured to draw in the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, truly a strategic move."

It appeared that she had forsaken many benefits, allowing the Seven Kingdoms Alliance to take hold.

However, the outside forces of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, without a foundation here, must rely on the Profound Sound Pavilion to establish roots.

This equates to having a foreign ally, and should any turmoil arise, the first to be struck would still be the rootless forces of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.

"Mr. Lin, I have come this time firstly to deliver a letter and secondly about an opportunity."

Standing in the pavilion, talking about serious matters, Fairy Ni Chang doesn’t have her usual affable demeanor and instead seems rather solemn.

"A letter?"

Lin Chang’an looked puzzled; he maintained contact with all the acquaintances he could, and even if it was a letter from Old Hu, it wouldn’t require Fairy Ni Chang to deliver it personally.

However, when Fairy Ni Chang handed over the letter and Lin Chang’an opened the seal rune with a puzzled expression, the content inside left him astonished.

"Fellow Daoist Su Miaoyin, and Song Tingfeng!"

After a hundred years without news, when he first arrived at the Demon Beast Abyss, this Fellow Daoist Su Miaoyin and Song Tingfeng followed Master True Monarch Lu and became tributes at the Bihai Palace.

Later it was rumored that Master True Monarch Lu had sealed the island, and some said True Monarch Lu had visited the Outer Sea Treasure Land, only returning in recent years.

Meanwhile, the letters he sent fell into a sea of silence.

First came the letter from Song Tingfeng, initially expressing shock, saying he had followed his master to the Death Sea region, which led to the loss of contact.

Upon returning and seeing these letters, he finally replied, saying over the years he miraculously reincarnated as a Pill Formation Cultivator, but that was all.

Having heard of Mr. Lin’s experiences, he’s truly envied by others.

The content of this letter left Lin Chang’an amused, it was the familiar nagging as always.

The Death Sea is a faraway sea area, full of crises and chaos, so it’s no surprise there was no news.

After all, it is beyond the jurisdiction of Bihai Palace.

"I’m afraid this Master Lu is still scheming something; this place isn’t somewhere Human Race Cultivators would easily set foot."

Lin Chang’an mused to himself. Although the letter didn’t reveal much information, he could also infer what was going on.

With Master Lu’s cautious nature, clearly having the strength to suppress the three sects of the Yue Kingdom, he still laid out and schemed for so many years just to be safe.

I’m afraid Master Lu sealed off the news for a hundred years to prevent any leaks.

And in the letter from Mr. Su Miaoyin, there were a lot of congratulatory notes: one being about his progress in the field of Array, and the other being about his Reincarnation Cultivation.

Afterwards, it also mentioned the agreement he had with the Sixth Elder, and the latter part of the letter provided more intelligence concerning the Secret Realm within.

...

After a long while, Lin Chang’an put away the letter and looked up, while Fairy Ni Chang explained further:

"In the past century, no one knows what Master Lu was up to. His three disciples disappeared for a hundred years, and when they returned, only two came back.

However, there are rumors saying that this Master Lu discovered an Ancient Secret Realm where, due to restrictions, only Core Formation cultivators could enter. Others say that Master Lu has ties with the great Demon Race clans..."

Fairy Ni Chang shared all the information she knew.

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang’an seemed to envision something and nodded slightly, deciding not to meddle in matters concerning Nascent Soul cultivators.

No matter the rumors, they have nothing to do with him anyway.

"However, since Master Lu surfaced, the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, and even Mr. Ni Chang, have gained some more confidence, haven’t they?"

Lin Chang’an remarked with a smile, recalling how the Seven Kingdoms Alliance managed to climb onto Master Lu’s ship with great difficulty back then.

Yet, upon reaching the Demon Beast Abyss, Master Lu simply secluded himself from the outside world and cut off communication.

Isn’t that exasperating?

The Seven Kingdoms Alliance found it hard to complain. Whether to stop the tribute or not, who dares?

Perhaps Master Lu wouldn’t know who paid the tribute, but he would surely know who didn’t.

After all, backstabbing is all too common.

"Just as Mr. Lin thought, after Master Lu and his disciples returned, the Seven Kingdoms Alliance continued to pay their tributes without missing a beat."

Mentioning this matter, Fairy Ni Chang also felt a bit helpless, as her Profound Sound Pavilion also contributed consistently over the years.

"The second matter also relates to Master Lu’s return. Two years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Meng of Bibo Island in the Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea were injured, coupled with their dwindling life span.

Their only offspring, although with decent potential, lacked cultivation depth. Since the couple had old ties with Master Lu, they joined his sect..."

Listening to this, Lin Chang’an found the initial part agreeable, but everything afterward seemed increasingly peculiar, eventually leading him to exclaim with resignation:

"So you’re saying that Mr. and Mrs. Meng couldn’t hold down their subordinates any longer and handed over Bibo Island to Master Lu."

This disciple truly seems worthwhile!

By now, Lin Chang’an was somewhat envious. That’s the power of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

The benefits of Bibo Island are not much less than those of the Five Dragon Island Market, so the master-disciple ceremony must be exceptionally generous.

"Indeed. Over the years, the Seven Kingdoms Alliance has remained loyal, so Master Lu entrusted Bibo Island to the Seven Kingdoms Alliance’s management.

Yet, the problem lies within Bibo Island itself, where several factions exist. The actions of Mr. and Mrs. Meng naturally stirred discontent among others."

At this moment, Lin Chang’an was deep in thought, realizing this was the opportunity Fairy Ni Chang mentioned.

Bibo Island is essentially a large Black Market, just like the one he once established in Celestial Profound City.

By taking control of Bibo Island, they could keep a portion to themselves aside from what they must continue to give to Master Lu each year.

However, this time within the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, the Profound Sound Pavilion holds the greatest power, naturally granting it the strongest voice.

Being a part of it, Lin Chang’an could naturally secure a significant share of the interests.

Saying he wasn’t tempted by the Black Market’s benefits would be a lie.

"Mr. Ni Chang, it seems you’ve set your sights on me."

With countless thoughts swirling in his mind, Lin Chang’an eventually looked up and smiled.

And Fairy Ni Chang also smiled and nodded, saying:

"Mr. Lin, once we take Bibo Island, the cultivation resources will multiply, making it even more convenient to seek out hidden information and Demon Beast nests."

In that respect, Fairy Ni Chang wasn’t exaggerating. Bibo Island would be sufficient to make the Seven Kingdoms Alliance thrive.

Moreover, backing them are Master Lu and the Nascent Soul cultivator.

"If Nascent Soul cultivators intervene, Master Lu and even Bihai Palace..."

This was also an appealing point for Fairy Ni Chang.

Without Nascent Soul cultivators interfering, she understood the clear disparity between the Core Formation Late Stage and Early Stage, given her cultivation level.

Currently, within the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, she is the only Core Formation Late Stage cultivator; the others are mostly in the Early or Middle stages.

With Lin Chang’an joining forces with her and the underlying strength of the Profound Sound Pavilion, they could secure a substantial share of the profits.

Lin Chang’an also nodded silently, recalling his previous benefits from the Black Market, aware of its numerous advantages.

Cultivation resources are one thing, but what’s more important is that he has a way to clear out things like Artifacts, Talismans, and Pills, which aren’t suitable for public sales.

No one questions. If they did, they’d say it was someone else selling at the Black Market, using clones to let people witness mysterious figures peddling goods.

The various intelligence and its considerable perks were also substantial.

Even collecting Spiritual Objects often required significant effort, but within his Black Market, he was fully aware of where to find the good stuff and how to acquire them.

"Mr. Ni Chang, this truly is a tempting opportunity."

In the end, Lin Chang’an couldn’t deny his temptation, and Fairy Ni Chang flashed a smile.