Eternal Life from Talisman Painting

...

The sun and moon shuttle past, time fleeting like flowing water.

In these five years, several major events occurred in the Outer Sea, such as sightings of transformed great demons and magical combat between Nascent Soul cultivators, leading to the massacre of a branch of cultivators from Bihai Palace.

The stage of turbulence has gradually been unveiled, and the chaos among Core Formation cultivators is no longer noteworthy.

In the remote waters of Five Dragons Island, many foreign cultivators have arrived. Though a bit chaotic, perhaps it is due to its remoteness.

Moreover, with the joint efforts of Profound Sound Pavilion, the Four Seas Commerce Association, and the Long Family, major disturbances were avoided.

In the surrounding seas, over the past five years, the Seven Kingdoms Alliance led by the Profound Sound Pavilion has greatly developed its strength.

Foundation Establishment cultivators have continually emerged, and even Core Formation Spiritual Objects are being secretly collected by the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, striving for a substantial boost in strength before the arrival of further turmoil.

On Celestial Spring Peak, within the cave mansion, Lin Chang’an sat quietly at the desk, concentrating as he wielded a spiritual brush to intricately draw a Tier Three Spirit Talisman.

[Tier Three Upper Grade Talisman Master (Grandmaster 1/5000)]

As the talisman emitted restrained spiritual light, a satisfied smile appeared on Lin Chang’an’s face.

"Finally advanced to a Tier Three Upper Grade Talisman Master."

Having inherited a substantial portion of the Yin Soul Sect’s teachings, naturally, he gained much knowledge about the Hundred Skills of Cultivation, including talismans.

Although he focused more on arrays over these years, the stones from other hills can polish jade. Arrays encompass a multitude, and the drawing of array patterns is interconnected with talismans.

"Now that both talismans and arrays have reached Tier Three Upper Grade, with such skills, life won’t be difficult wherever I go among Nascent Soul influences."

With a broad smile, Lin Chang’an gently placed down the spiritual brush, and his surrounding aura surged with intensity.

[Life Span: 232/792]

[Realm: Golden Core Middle Stage (71/100)]

"However, as my cultivation deepens, the pace of progress is no longer as fast as it used to be."

In five years, he only gained eleven points of experience, prompting a silent sigh from Lin Chang’an, even though it would likely arouse envy from outsiders.

Yet he is well aware of how many resources he has consumed over these five years.

Thus, achieving his current realm is well deserved.

"There’s less than fifty years until the secret realm opens, and signs of unrest are already appearing outside."

Lin Chang’an pondered. His body refining has reached the pinnacle of Tier Three Early Stage, just a step away from breakthrough to Tier Three Middle Stage.

With his current mastery over the magic, body, and spirit three cultivations, his comprehensive strength may not be unrivaled at the same level, but it’s enough to crush most Core Formation Late Stage cultivators.

At this moment, the door to the cave mansion opened, and the sword servant walked in respectfully.

"Master, the Seven Kingdoms Alliance cultivators have visited several times, mentioning that the third spirit mine has been mined for two years, and they wish to know if another mine can be linked?"

Over the past five years, Lin Chang’an has gradually sold three spirit mines to the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.

This allowed him to acquire many rare cultivation materials from the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.

Openly, he also crafted arrays, so the Seven Kingdoms Alliance gave him benefits and were immensely grateful to him.

Of course, over these years, Lin Chang’an hasn’t only dealt with the Seven Kingdoms Alliance but also secretly sold several small spirit mines to other sea factions.

Initially, he feared suspicion, but who would have thought he wasn’t the only one with information about these spirit mines.

The Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea is filled with cultivators, and his explorations are just a drop in the ocean.

Two years ago, even the Four Seas Commerce Association managed to acquire two spirit mines from who knows where, and they were mined by their combined forces.

This actually made Lin Chang’an secretly relieved, as it reduced the risk of his exposure.

"They want another spirit mine. Do they think these are mere worldly gold and jewels?"

Facing the greed of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, Lin Chang’an shook his head helplessly.

He only has one relatively large spirit mine left.

There is a limit to one’s capacity.

Even with the assistance of the Yin Spirit Beast King, the two-headed tiger, how can it compare to exploration by countless cultivators?

"So Master, should we still pass the spirit mine information to the Seven Kingdoms Alliance?"

The sword servant couldn’t help but lower her voice, puzzled. Others might not know, but how could she not understand? This is just her master playing games with himself.

"There’s no rush with this last spirit mine. If it’s too easy, it could easily raise suspicions."

Lin Chang’an thought for a moment and decided to delay.

The storage capacity of this last spirit mine would be exhausted by the Seven Kingdoms Alliance in at most twenty years due to its rarity.

Currently, he doesn’t lack ordinary cultivation resources, so it’s better to trade this mine for materials he personally needs.

For example, a Wind Attribute Demon Pill of Tier Three Late Stage, along with some cultivation materials.

"By the way, Master, the copper ore needs to be escorted..."

The Sword Servant reported, and Lin Chang’an wasn’t surprised.

Every one and a half years, the Spirit Ship of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance would transport the mined Spiritual Ore, with a Core Formation Cultivator being assigned for escort.

As a Core Formation Cultivator, the Sword Servant was naturally among them.

"Since you must go, take the Cyan-Horned Bull along."

In the past five years, the Sword Servant had escorted twice and received considerable rewards; Lin Chang’an naturally did not oppose it.

However, for safety reasons, he habitually had the Sword Servant bring along the Cyan-Horned Bull.

With the Sword Servant’s own strength, coupled with the Tier Three Middle Stage Cyan-Horned Bull, they could stand against even a Core Formation Late Stage cultivator.

...

Bibo Island.

"Recently, the Seven Kingdoms Alliance has developed rapidly. It’s said they discovered a Spiritual Ore vein deep within the Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea. How infuriating!"

In the main hall, Mr. and Mrs. Meng looked at the recent developments of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, their expressions visibly displeased.

"This True Monarch Lu really is something. We offered up our family business, but he completely ignores Xinghai, his disciple."

Thinking of this, Mr. and Mrs. Meng felt quite aggrieved, but when facing Nascent Soul Cultivators, they could only complain in private, not daring to have any opinion.

However, to a Nascent Soul Cultivator, the Meng Family was in a precarious position, unable to maintain control over Bibo Island. Offering up their family business was merely for their own consideration.

Both sides essentially owed nothing to each other.

In True Monarch Lu’s view, he had at least shown some consideration, allowing the Meng Family to remain on Bibo Island.

Such a disciple taken out of convenience could never become a confidant.

Especially since Meng Xinghai was nearing two hundred years old and was a Core Formation Cultivator; even if he taught him sincerely, how deep could the master-disciple bond be?

After exchanging glances, the couple sighed lightly. Now, nearing the end of their lifespan, they could only leave more foundations for their descendants.

"How is Xinghai’s cultivation going recently?"

"Alas, since Fatty Lei and others betrayed us and we were injured, our business with female cultivators has plummeted, and Xinghai is now already in the Core Formation Middle Stage.

Even though the Harvest Secret Technique is powerful, it still requires matching female cultivators to be effective."

Mr. and Mrs. Meng seemed to be accustomed to discussing the matter of harvesting female cultivators.

After all, in a place like the Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea, isn’t everyone involved in some demonic or heretical path?

Moreover, the Harvest Technique isn’t absent in the righteous path, it’s just not overtly displayed.

"Xinghai’s talent and mind are stronger than either of us. We just hope that before we pass, he can break through to the Core Formation Late Stage, so we can rest in peace."

Mr. and Mrs. Meng appeared as a loving couple.

Meanwhile, in the cave abode of Meng Xinghai, weak and terrified pleas for mercy echoed continuously.

"Young Master, spare... spare me, leave me some... leave some mana..."

On the bed, a Foundation Establishment Female Cultivator’s wide eyes were visible as her skin, smooth as creamy jade, withered rapidly, resembling a tree drained of its flesh and blood.

Her once black hair turned gray in an instant, losing its previous color, and gradually lost life under the gaze of discontent.

"Useless!"

After a moment, the desiccated corpse, squeezed dry, was disdainfully discarded.

At this moment, Meng Xinghai, disheveled on the bed, bore no resemblance to his elegant gentleman image seen outside, now appearing every inch the cold, indifferent Demon Cultivator.

"Since Bibo Island changed hands, furnaces have become increasingly scarce."

Looking at the corpse on the ground, Meng Xinghai’s expression was somewhat gloomy.

The primary reason was twofold: one was that his parents were gravely injured with little lifespan remaining, and coupled with the previous turbulence in Bibo Island’s eastern situation, business had shrunk considerably.

The second reason was that, though True Monarch Lu was not a righteous individual, as a Nascent Soul Elder of Bihai Palace, he still needed to maintain some image.

This resulted in no one engaging in the business of trafficking cultivators on Bibo Island after the Seven Kingdoms Alliance took residence. Relying solely on the Meng Family clan, business shrank dramatically.

"They all pretend to be righteous, but in the end, the infighting for interest is no less than that of the Demon Dao."

Meng Xinghai sneered, with a flick of his hand, sending a fireball that turned the corpse into ashes in the flames.

"If I could have a Core Formation Furnace, I could break through to the Core Formation Late Stage in at most twenty years!"

At this thought, a firm gaze emerged in Meng Xinghai’s eyes.

Once his parents passed away, if the Meng Family had no Core Formation Late Stage cultivator, they would truly be suppressed by the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.