Chapter 128: Three Years of Time
The sun and moon passed like a shuttle.
During this time, many things happened in Tianxuan City, and Master Lu had already been in seclusion for three years.
There were rumors outside that Master Lu’s lifespan was nearing its end, and he was already like the fading glow of the setting sun.
But this did not affect the prosperity of Tianxuan City in the slightest.
After all, within the seven surrounding kingdoms, rogue cultivators simply could not find a place with spiritual energy more abundant than this.
Therefore, Tianxuan City still attracted countless drifting cultivators to arrive.
Some established their Foundation, while others disappeared within the Yunwu Mountain Range.
Only the mountains and rivers remained unchanged.
【Lifespan: 69/218】
【Realm: Foundation Establishment Early Stage (94/100)】
Inside the cave abode, looking at the cultivation progress he had made over these three years, Lin Changan slightly frowned, then shook his head with a sigh.
“This path of cultivation indeed becomes harder and harder the further one goes.”
After entering Foundation Establishment, every small realm advancement was a qualitative change.
Over the past three years, thanks to pills and dual cultivation with Yun Yao, his progress was considered rapid.
In the first year, his experience increased by 11 points, and he was overjoyed.
But in the second year, it only rose by 8 points.
He realized then that it was not his cultivation speed slowing, but that each small realm advancement became more difficult.
By the third year, it increased by only 7 points.
Recently, he even sensed that this feeling was similar to when he was preparing to break through to Foundation Establishment.
“When I broke through to Foundation Establishment back then, those last few points of experience crawled at a tortoise’s pace, because it was a process of transformation.
And now, it is the same again.”
However, seeing his lifespan, Lin Changan still felt some relief.
“At the very least, I am only 69 years old.
Even if this small realm advancement is slow, in at most two or three years I can break through.
At my current cultivation speed, I am not considered slow among rogue cultivators.”
He was already very content.
Not yet seventy years old, and he had already touched the threshold of mid Foundation Establishment.
And how many years had it been since he first reached Foundation Establishment?
Only fifteen years.
“Mid Foundation Establishment in one’s early seventies is not considered slow.”
Besides, there were still twenty to thirty years before the weakest time of the secret realm.
He had more than enough time.
Thinking of this, Lin Changan secretly nodded.
Actually, he also knew there was another reason.
That was, the quality of the pills he refined could no longer keep up with his cultivation progress.
“As my cultivation improves, the effect of low-grade second-rank pills grows weaker.”
To refine mid-grade second-rank pills that increased cultivation, the demon cores of mid second-rank demon beasts were required.
Even though this was only a small realm’s difference, Lin Changan still did not wish to risk hunting mid second-rank demon beasts.
“In any case, waiting another two or three years makes no difference.
It won’t be too late to do so after my cultivation has advanced further.”
Lin Changan secretly nodded.
Now that he was already hunting demon beasts, there was no need to increase risk just for a little faster cultivation speed.
After all, it was only a matter of two or three years.
It wasn’t as if his cultivation was stagnating.
Once his realm advanced, it would not be too late to seek mid second-rank demon beasts.
Of course, another reason was that he had yet to advance to mid second-rank alchemist.
……
Outside the cave abode, at this moment Yun Yao was feeding a Spirit Fruit to the Green-Horned Ox in the pavilion.
When she saw Lin Changan walk out, dressed in white robes, she could not help but smile and salute.
“Before, Yun Yao underestimated Brother Lin.
I never thought that in less than five years, Brother Lin would already touch the threshold of mid Foundation Establishment.
I believe in another two or three years, breaking through will be no problem.”
Time seemed to have left no mark on their faces.
After all, at their age, they were still considered young among Foundation Establishment cultivators.
“It was all thanks to Fellow Daoist Yun’s secret art.
Otherwise, I would not have progressed so quickly.”
Lin Changan truly felt moved.
In this cultivation world, there were simply too many things that could improve cultivation.
Pills were only the most basic.
One had to admire the predecessors of this cultivation world, who had devised so many methods.
Inside the pavilion.
The two sat across from each other at the stone table, drinking tea and discussing Dao.
From this high vantage point, they could overlook the entire Tianxuan City.
It was truly a scene of utmost leisure.
However, this time, a red invitation letter on the stone table made Yun Yao a little wistful.
“The years fly by so quickly.”
Yun Yao sighed.
Beside her, Lin Changan picked up the invitation and lightly nodded.
“Yes, in the blink of an eye, Shen Fan and Yingying are already getting married.”
Lin Changan also sighed with emotion.
Who would have thought that the little girl and silly boy from back then were now both in their twenties, about to be married?
They had also gone from being newcomers just stepping into the cultivation world, to Foundation Establishment cultivators step by step.
Looking back, it all felt as if it were only yesterday.
Seeing Yun Yao’s silence, Lin Changan also understood.
Back then, the Little County Princess also cherished those emotions in her heart.
Unfortunately, her identity was too sensitive.
Back then she faked her death, and now she was entangled with the Demonic Sect.
“Brother Lin, please deliver this gift for me.”
In the end, Yun Yao smiled freely.
Since she had chosen to press forward courageously, she would not regret it.
When Lin Changan saw the jade slip Yun Yao handed him, he was stunned, then revealed a smile.
This Little County Princess was still the same—sharp-tongued yet soft-hearted.
It seemed that over the years she had secretly visited her old friends.
Otherwise, she would not have prepared such a gift.
“They are only twenty-four years old.
But Shen Lie and Wei Buyi, considering the difficulty of Foundation Establishment, did not stop them.
If fate allows, the two of them as husband and wife may create a beautiful story.
If fate does not allow, then as a good couple living together in the mortal world, it would not be a wasted life.”
Lin Changan spoke with a smile about the different views Shen Lie, Lu Qingqing, and Wei Buyi had on this matter.
Before Foundation Establishment, most cultivators maintained purity, only to increase the slightest chance of success in establishing the Foundation.
But Shen Fan and Wei Yingying’s childhood affection was seen clearly by both families.
They had also gone through so much together.
They could not let a distant hope of Foundation Establishment delay such a good match.
“With Fellow Daoist Yun’s dual cultivation secret art, as long as the two of them truly join hands sincerely, their chance of Foundation Establishment will not necessarily fail.”
What Yun Yao had taken out was the dual cultivation secret art they had practiced before.
Although it only had the Qi Refining section, it could increase the chance of Foundation Establishment by ten percent.
“Brother Lin, this dual cultivation secret art is not precious.
What is rare is a fellow Daoist who can be trusted.”
Yun Yao shook her head.
For proper dual cultivation secret arts, the harsh condition was trust—or fellow Daoists who were of one heart.
In contrast, the harsh condition for demonic techniques of harvesting Yin to supplement Yang was to find the best possible furnace cauldron.
“For them, this is already the most precious gift.”
Lin Changan smiled and nodded, then put the gift away into his Storage Pouch.
Although Shen Lie, Lu Qingqing, Wei Buyi, and Erniu did not know, Yun Yao had secretly visited several of her old friends.
“Brother Lin, recently there have been quite a few robber cultivators acting under the Demonic Sect’s banner, be careful when you go out.”
After lightly sipping a mouthful of Spirit Tea, Yun Yao revealed a trace of seriousness as she spoke of the current unrest outside.
She also mentioned that she had important matters to handle over the next three months and would not be coming.
As the teacup was set down, Yun Yao’s figure in the pavilion had already disappeared.
“Moo!”
Only the Green-Horned Ox reluctantly watched this generous cultivator leave, eagerly awaiting her return next time.
Meanwhile, Lin Changan could not help but secretly envy the technique Yun Yao used to alter her appearance before leaving.
“This kind of spirit artifact that can change one’s appearance, and even one’s aura, is truly enviable.”
Such spirit artifacts could only be encountered by chance, and were considered extremely rare.
If one said they were useless, they indeed had no use in combat.
But for those who needed them, their value far surpassed that of an ordinary spirit artifact.
“But since you sent this gift, what should I, as an elder, give in return?”
Thinking of this, Lin Changan shook his head helplessly.
Yun Yao was straightforward, throwing the troublesome question entirely onto him.
He simply decided not to dwell on it, and would think about it again when the wedding banquet came half a month later.
……
Half a month later.
On this day, Juxian Tower was filled with joy, holding a grand banquet, though one person wore a very forced smile.
On such a joyous day, his expression stood out all the more.
Yet everyone else was all smiles, as if they had not noticed his unpleasant face.
“Brother Wei, we are one family now, no need to speak like outsiders.
From now on, Fan’er will call you father.”
With a face full of smiles, Shen Lie, reeking of alcohol, stepped forward and wrapped his arm around Wei Buyi’s neck as he spoke.
Compared to the happy Shen Lie, Wei Buyi glared with bloodshot eyes and fiercely downed a cup of wine.
“Damn it, Shen Lie, you and Lu Qingqing must be taking revenge on me for what happened back then.
Now you’ve succeeded, and the family I spent my whole life building will all bear the surname Shen.”
Wei Buyi was beyond aggrieved.
The daughter he had raised for so many years was now being taken away just like that.
“Father, don’t drink too much today.”
Suddenly, Wei Yingying’s voice came.
Originally still sulking, Wei Buyi turned his head and instantly smiled.
“Yingying, your father is just happy.
You also shouldn’t drink too much.”
It had to be said, when it came to his daughter, Wei Buyi was faultless.
At the banquet, all the guests were cheerful, especially when Foundation Establishment cultivator Lin Changan arrived, causing gasps of amazement.
Although they had long known there was a Foundation Establishment cultivator behind Juxian Tower, and that he was a second-rank Talisman Master, many were seeing him for the first time.
In the cultivation world, the strong were respected above all.
When Lin Changan appeared, no one hesitated.
They all stood and saluted respectfully.
“Greetings, Senior.”
“Mm.”
Lin Changan rarely revealed a smile, but this time he nodded lightly.
Though everyone knew this smile was not out of politeness to them, but to give face to the hosts of the day.
Even so, for a second-rank Talisman Master to smile at them so courteously was enough for them to brag about later.
“Brother Lin.”
“Senior Brother Lin.”
Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing were both already in their sixties.
The years had carved deep marks on their faces, and white hair streaked their temples.
Looking at Lin Changan’s unchanged appearance, his black hair still lush, the two of them sighed with emotion.
“Congratulations.”
Looking at the two of them, and at Wei Buyi’s reluctant expression from the corner of his eye, Lin Changan cupped his hands with a smile to offer his blessings.
“Haha, Brother Lin, on this joyous occasion, I must come and share in the celebration.”
Unexpectedly, on this great day, Hu Jin also came, with a hearty grin.
The other guests immediately cupped their hands and addressed him as Senior.
As for this Foundation Establishment cultivator, Shen Lie, Wei Buyi, and Lu Qingqing did not dare neglect him, and all went forward to greet him respectfully as Senior.
“Congratulations.
I, Old Hu, am a rough man and not good with words, please don’t take offense.”
Seeing Hu Jin’s straightforward manner, Lin Changan smiled and returned the courtesy with cupped hands.
In the end, it was Lu Qingqing who stepped forward and invited Lin Changan and Hu Jin to the top floor.
None of the guests below expressed dissatisfaction.
After all, these were two Foundation Establishment cultivators.
One was a second-rank Talisman Master, the other also a well-known Foundation Establishment cultivator.
In recent years, Shen Lie had built up many business connections.
But today, as many people looked at him again, their eyes revealed newfound respect.
With two Foundation Establishment cultivators attending, Shen Lie’s influence was clearly greater than they had thought.
“Brother Shen, you truly hide your strength well.”
“Congratulations, Brother Shen and Brother Wei.”
“Come, drink.”
At the lively wedding feast, Shen Lie smiled broadly as he toasted with the guests.
And he even pulled Wei Buyi along to drink with him.
Although Wei Buyi felt wronged in his heart, in front of outsiders he had to give face for his daughter’s sake.
Thus he forced a hearty smile, hiding his true thoughts completely.
Compared to the bustling scene below, the top floor was much quieter.
At the exquisite wine table, surrounded by a soundproofing formation, they could overlook the streets outside.
“Old Hu, you’re injured?”
When there were no outsiders, Lin Changan poured a cup of Spirit Wine for Hu Jin, and noticed something unusual with his right arm.
When this was mentioned, Hu Jin only grinned and waved his hand.
“Your Old Hu has tough luck.
I ran into a robber cultivator called the Poison Demon, and never thought I’d still make it back alive.”
Poison Demon robber cultivator!
Hearing this name, Lin Changan was startled.
In recent years, this robber cultivator’s reputation had become quite notorious.
At first, he went by the name Ghost Three Blades.
Later, when some people escaped, they said his entire body was poisonous, which was how this new name came about.
“Brother Lin, when you go out in the future, you must be extra cautious.
This robber cultivator may very well be inside the city.”
As Hu Jin spoke, his expression also revealed a hint of solemnity.
“Don’t be fooled by Old Hu’s rough looks.
When I go out, I am very cautious.
This time, the three of us randomly chose a route, and still we ran into him.
I suspect this person is very likely a cultivator inside the city, secretly watching his prey.”
Lin Changan silently nodded at Hu Jin’s reminder.
“Thank you.
I will naturally be cautious.”
Hu Jin clearly knew that Lin Changan occasionally went hunting demon beasts, which was why he reminded him.
“But that poison was really vicious.
This time the three of us will probably have to rest for a while, and also take the chance to lie low.”
Hu Jin’s hearty grin made it seem like he didn’t care.
As for the other two cultivators Hu Jin mentioned, Lin Changan had seen them before.
They were also rogue cultivators, usually living as bitter cultivators like him.
If not for their ambitions, who would risk their lives so often hunting demon beasts?
All just for cultivation resources.
“Old Hu, I have here a bottle of second-rank Detoxification Pills, take it for protection.”
“As expected of you, Brother Lin.
If I get any wood-attribute Crystalline Cores in the future, I will definitely save them for you within my ability.
After all, your Old Hu is a lone man, with no descendants needing Tianxuan City’s protection.”
With a hearty laugh, Hu Jin raised his cup and clinked it against Lin Changan’s.
Lin Changan also smiled and nodded.
Hu Jin might look rough, but he was wise beneath it all.
He never pried into others’ private matters, and if one didn’t bring it up, he never invited them to join him in hunting demon beasts.
His character was dependable.
At least, as far as Lin Changan knew, ever since Qi Refining, Hu Jin had been hunting demon beasts all year round.
And he had never caused disputes over spoils due to greed.
“Brother Lin, apart from reminding you, I also came today to buy some talismans from you.”
“Don’t worry, I still have some talismans in stock.”
Lin Changan smiled as he toasted, and the two of them began chatting in the restaurant about the recent rampage of robber cultivators, or about cultivators in the marketplace who had been fortunate—or had fallen.