Chapter 134: Foundation Establishment Mid Stage
Tianxuan City, the stars shifted with the turning of the heavens.
This day, Lin Chang’an sat cross-legged within his cave abode, surrounded by a dense fluctuation of mana, brimming with vitality.
Under the mysterious aura encircling him, the mana in his body seemed to reach a critical point, then suddenly surged like a flood into his dantian, returning to the sea.
Only after a long while did the fluctuations of mana within him stabilize.
At the same time, the mana in Lin Chang’an’s body had nearly doubled.
【Lifespan: 71/242】
【Realm: Foundation Establishment Mid-stage (0/100)】
“Foundation Establishment Mid-stage, I’ve finally broken through!”
Lin Chang’an slowly opened his eyes, feeling the changes in his strength.
Sensing the increase in lifespan brought by the breakthrough, he could not help but reveal a joyful smile.
“If I hadn’t lost thirty years of lifespan when refining my Life-bound Spirit Plant back then, my lifespan in Foundation Establishment Mid-stage would now reach over two hundred and seventy years.”
Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an sighed inwardly.
If he broke through to Foundation Establishment Late-stage, wouldn’t his lifespan exceed three hundred years?
Still, this wasn’t bad either.
As his mana nourished his body in Foundation Establishment Mid-stage over time, his lifespan would increase slightly again.
When he eventually broke through to Foundation Establishment Late-stage, his lifespan could indeed reach nearly three hundred years.
“Seventy-one years old, finally breaking through to Foundation Establishment Mid-stage. Now, even among Foundation Establishment cultivators, I can be considered to have the strength to protect myself.”
Lin Chang’an laughed freely.
He now had the confidence that even when facing a Foundation Establishment Late-stage cultivator, though he might not win, he could still escape.
As long as it wasn’t a Golden Core cultivator.
Throughout the Yue Kingdom, how many Golden Core cultivators and False Core cultivators were there?
It wasn’t as if he would just stumble into one.
【Cultivation Methods: Eternal Evergreen Art (Proficiency: 168/500), Killing Origin Sword Art (Grandmaster 3214/5000)】
Lin Chang’an then looked at his cultivation methods and nodded inwardly.
This ancient cultivation art progressed slowly, but it was incomparably profound.
At Foundation Establishment Mid-stage, his mana was nearly double that of cultivators at the same level.
As for this demonic sword art secret technique, he was even more satisfied.
“With Grandmaster-level proficiency in this sword art, combined with my current Foundation Establishment Mid-stage strength, I wonder how great its power will be now!”
The next moment, Lin Chang’an’s expression changed.
With a wave of his hand, a mid-grade Second-rank Vajra Talisman turned into a golden bell glowing with radiance in the air.
In an instant, the Green Bamboo Sword in his palm exhaled a blood-colored sword aura filled with baleful energy.
At the moment of their metallic clash, the golden bell’s light resisted for half a breath before being pierced through by the sword aura.
Seeing the power of his sword aura, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but let out a hearty laugh.
“A mid-grade Second-rank Vajra Talisman, with defenses equal to the mana shields of ordinary Foundation Establishment Mid-stage cultivators, was pierced through by a single strike of mine.”
At this moment, Lin Chang’an was confident that even among Foundation Establishment Mid-stage cultivators, he was a strong one.
“The power of Killing Origin Sword Art at Grandmaster-level proficiency already matches the strike of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Late-stage sword cultivator.”
Lin Chang’an nodded in satisfaction.
As expected of a demonic cultivation method, its power was overwhelming.
At Foundation Establishment Mid-stage, he could already unleash the might of Foundation Establishment Late-stage attacks.
Though the side effects were severe, with his Regenerative Body, he wasn’t afraid of fighting war-of-attrition battles.
【Second-rank Mid-grade Talisman Master (Proficient 691/1000)】
【Second-rank Mid-grade Alchemist (Proficient 15/1000)】
“My talisman craft should be able to break through to Second-rank High-grade in about five years.
By then, my status in Tianxuan City will allow me access to higher-level resources.”
Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an pondered deeply.
Even when exploring secret realms with Yun Yao in the future, having Second-rank High-grade talismans would give him more assurance.
“Not just cultivation. My alchemy skills also broke through to Second-rank Mid-grade earlier. It’s time to prepare materials for refining some Second-rank Mid-grade pills.”
Previously, when he was only at Foundation Establishment Early-stage, he had refrained from hunting Second-rank Mid-stage demon beasts out of caution.
Now, with his strength greatly increased, if he did not hunt Second-rank Mid-stage demon beasts, he wouldn’t be able to refine Second-rank Mid-grade pills to speed up his cultivation.
This made Lin Chang’an calculate carefully.
Back when he established his foundation at fifty-four years old, it had taken him seventeen years to advance from Foundation Establishment Early-stage to Mid-stage.
This cultivation speed wasn’t unreasonable.
“I thought I would only break through this realm next year.
Fortunately, it was thanks to the demon beast materials hunted by Old Hu and his group last time.”
Lin Chang’an sighed.
He had saved Old Hu and his group before and received materials from three demon beasts, two of which were Second-rank Mid-stage demon beasts.
That was why his cultivation progressed so quickly this year.
Of course, part of the credit belonged to the Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Secret Art he practiced with Yun Yao.
“Though I broke through, this time my cultivation resources were almost entirely consumed.”
Lin Chang’an slowly stood up and looked at the storage pouch filled with used-up resources, shaking his head.
His cultivation speed was delightful, but the consumption was also immense.
Especially with his Life-bound Spirit Plant.
After years of nurturing, its vitality had grown stronger, and in turn, it fed back into him.
Not only had his Regenerative Body grown stronger, but his divine sense had also reached a level comparable to Foundation Establishment Late-stage cultivators.
“At the very least, I can now control this Gilded Needle at will.”
Lin Chang’an’s expression remained calm as a golden streak of light hovered before him—it was the Gilded Needle.
“It’s time to hunt some Second-rank Mid-stage demon beasts. Otherwise, my cultivation speed won’t keep up.”
With a relaxed smile, Lin Chang’an pushed open the cave abode he had secluded himself in for several months and walked outside.
In the pool, the Green-Horned Ox was still soaking leisurely, enjoying its rare moment of peace.
But the instant Lin Chang’an came out, the Green-Horned Ox sensed him.
It leapt out of the pool joyfully, splashing water everywhere.
“Moo—Moo—!”
The Green-Horned Ox was both excited and a little aggrieved.
During its master’s seclusion, its food supply had been cut off.
If it weren’t a Second-rank demon beast, it would have starved to death already.
But Lin Chang’an, in a cheerful mood after his breakthrough, glared at it when he saw it still at Second-rank Early-stage.
“It’s been so long, and you eat so many of my spirit stones every year. If you can’t break through to Second-rank Mid-stage within two years, you can find yourself a big pot.”
The ox’s eyes instantly widened, and then it let out pitiful moos.
Too unfair!
Its master cultivated with pills, sometimes even with dual cultivation.
But what about it?
It only had this pool outside.
Not even a single cow companion.
As for pills? Forget about it.
“Moo—Moo—!”
Seeing its grievance, Lin Chang’an remained indifferent.
“This time, when we go hunting, I’ll push you harder. Maybe then you’ll break through sooner.”
He then stored the Green-Horned Ox into the Spirit Beast Pouch.
The ox, bewildered, had no idea what it would face this time.
“This trip, work hard. I’ll try to get you a demon core to help with your breakthrough.”
After that, Lin Chang’an changed his appearance.
He used the Breath Concealment Technique to suppress his cultivation to Foundation Establishment Early-stage.
Then he left the cave abode and headed to the Marketplace Trading Zone.
After purchasing some supplies, he left Tianxuan City and set off toward the Yunwu Mountain Range.
Several days after Lin Chang’an left Tianxuan City.
Two drifting cultivators disguised themselves while passing outside Tianxuan City.
One of them suddenly moved and felt the fluctuation from the Spirit Beast Pouch at his waist.
“There’s prey coming out.”
“Let’s hurry back and report to Senior Brother Huang.”
“These ignorant drifting cultivators don’t even realize how marvelous Senior Brother Huang’s Earth Dragon Beast is.”
“Yes, Senior Brother Huang is truly generous.
He even uses a young Earth Dragon Beast’s blood to cultivate spirit fruits.
This aura can only be confirmed by its mother as her child.”
The two cultivators disguised as wanderers shared casual smiles as they secretly exchanged voice transmissions before heading into Tianxuan City.
No one would have guessed that the notorious robber cultivators had long been hiding within Tianxuan City.
Yet Lin Chang’an was unaware of this.
At this moment, he was cautiously venturing deep into the Yunwu Mountain Range, searching for suitable prey.
……
Inside Tianxuan City.
That day, Chen Wen came to Alchemist Song.
“Alchemist Song, could you stop contacting me unless necessary? This is too risky. And when exactly can I lead the Chen Family out of Tianxuan City?”
Chen Wen’s face was ashen.
Ever since he reached Foundation Establishment, he had been entangled with these robber cultivators.
Fortunately, this group wasn’t purely robber cultivators.
At least they were from the Lihuo Palace.
Thus, the thought of defecting to the Lihuo Palace had risen in his heart.
Going to one of Yue Kingdom’s Three Major Sects, the Palace of Blazing Fire, was far better than living in constant fear within Tianxuan City.
“Fellow Daoist Chen, why are you so anxious?”
“How can I not be?
The Palace of Blazing Fire promised to take in my Chen Family.
Yet here I am in Tianxuan City, always fearful that my grandfather will discover the truth one day.”
“Enough. The target you were watching finally left the city. You’ve waited a full year for this.”
Alchemist Song sneered coldly.
“With this little courage, you still think you’re fit to be a robber cultivator?”
If not for the fact that the Chen Family had a clean background and was the best target to develop, he would never have chosen such a drifting cultivator without any courage.
“Out of the city!”
Hearing this, Chen Wen was stunned at first, then immediately reacted.
He had only sent out two Spirit Fruits in total.
One had been traded at an auction, and the cultivator who took it had disappeared half a year ago.
So it could only be the other one.
“Lin Chang’an!”
The moment he thought of this man, Chen Wen’s face was filled with resentment.
If Lin Chang’an had helped him exchange for two Foundation Establishment Pills back then, he would never have been entangled with robber cultivators.
All of this was Lin Chang’an’s fault!
“Don’t worry.
Even if we fail, it has nothing to do with us.
After all, we are victims as well.
Who would have thought there was a problem with the Spirit Fruits?”
Alchemist Song, being already advanced in years, remained calm and steady.
This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.
All those who often worked as robber cultivators knew that the key at any moment was not to panic.
……
Deep within the Yunwu Mountain Range.
In a place filled with dense poison miasma came a piercing insect cry, along with the angry roar of the Green-Horned Ox.
“Moo!”
White vapor spewed from its nostrils as the Green-Horned Ox, enraged, directly impaled the insect that had latched onto its face, causing immense pain.
At the same time, blood-colored sword aura swept in from all directions.
As green venom splattered everywhere, the demon beast let out an ear-piercing cry.
This made Lin Chang’an frown.
Holding the Green Bamboo Sword, his meridians already injured, he forcefully pushed his sword aura, making its power multiply.
“Puchi!”
In the end, the demon beast was slain under the joint assault of man and beast.
“This piercing insect cry turned out to be a divine sense attack.”
Looking at the slain Poison Insect, Lin Chang’an frowned as he leaned against a tree, unable to suppress the pain on his face.
Right now, his head truly throbbed painfully.
This was his first encounter with a demon beast capable of launching divine sense attacks.
“Fortunately, after years of feedback from my Life-bound Spirit Plant, my divine sense has already reached a level comparable to Foundation Establishment Late-stage. Otherwise, I would be in unbearable agony today.”
This stabbing pain in the divine sense was indescribable—dizziness, nausea, and stinging throughout the body—yet it was not a physical wound.
“Moo!”
If Lin Chang’an was only suffering from the pain in his divine sense, then the Green-Horned Ox, venting its fury beside the corpse, was suffering a double pain in both body and flesh.
Though it had armor for protection, the Poison Insect’s sharp barbs had carved deep gashes across its head and body, leaving its flesh torn and bloodied.
“Moo—Moo—!”
The Green-Horned Ox vented its anger, white vapor puffing out continuously from its nostrils.
“Alright, I’ll heal you now.”
Rubbing his temples, Lin Chang’an channeled Evergreen mana, and before the naked eye the wounds on the Green-Horned Ox began to close.
Demon beasts already had strong physiques, and the Green-Horned Ox, with its thick hide and flesh, was especially resilient.
Now, with Lin Chang’an’s Evergreen mana assisting it, its Regenerative Body’s power increased greatly.
“This Second-rank Mid-stage Poison Insect isn’t recorded in the Beast-taming Compendium. It must have come from deep within the Yunwu Mountain Range. I didn’t expect it to be so troublesome.”
Quickly tidying up the battlefield, Lin Chang’an carefully put away the mouthparts that had unleashed the divine sense attack.
Then he mounted the Green-Horned Ox and left.
While traveling, Lin Chang’an sat on the ox’s back and took out the Beast-taming Compendium he had bought in the marketplace.
It recorded the traits and attack methods of various spirit insects within the Yunwu Mountain Range.
But as a mass-produced work, many were left unrecorded.
Thus, Lin Chang’an took out his Spirit Brush and wrote down this insect’s details in the blank jade slip pages at the back.
At the same time, doubt stirred in his heart.
Why did a spirit insect from deep within the Yunwu Mountain Range come out to the outer regions?
Two months later.
Inside an underground cavern thick with poison miasma.
The Green-Horned Ox mooed ingratiatingly.
Within this damp cave, unlike the toxic stench outside, the environment was unexpectedly pleasant.
All around grew companion spirit herbs.
“You greedy fool of an ox, these companion spirit herbs are primary ingredients for refining Second-rank pills. How could I let you ruin them like a cow chewing peonies?”
Lin Chang’an, his face filled with excitement, carefully dug up each herb and stored them in his storage pouch.
The Green-Horned Ox at the side could only look on with envy.
It was already at Second-rank Early-stage peak.
At such a critical bottleneck, bloodline instincts made demon beasts even more greedy for spirit herbs and fruits that aided breakthroughs.
This was their instinct.
“Don’t worry. These herbs need another ten years of care to reach their best effect. When that time comes, you won’t be left out.”
It wasn’t that Lin Chang’an was unwilling to share, but that these companion spirit herbs hadn’t yet matured.
That was also why the demon beast inhabiting this nest hadn’t consumed them yet.
Otherwise, how could they have been left for him?
“It’s just a pity about these storage pouches and cultivators.”
After stripping the cavern bare, Lin Chang’an came out with the Green-Horned Ox.
Outside, a pile of bones lay beside cultivators’ storage pouches and robes.
Lin Chang’an shook his head in regret.
Poison miasma was not only deadly to living beings.
Even magical artifacts and spiritual energy would, under long corrosion, lose their spirituality and eventually become useless scraps of iron.
Clearly, not a single item among these was worth salvaging.
“It’s said that only the magical treasures of Core Formation cultivators are immune to the corrosion of most poisons in the world. Even the passage of time cannot harm them in the slightest.”
Lin Chang’an sighed, filled with yearning for Core Formation cultivators.
“I wonder when I will be able to form my core!”
Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an let out a silent sigh.
Don’t be fooled by the fact that between Foundation Establishment Mid-stage and Core Formation, there was only the Foundation Establishment Late-stage.
The distance between the two was like heaven and earth.
Even Foundation Establishment Late-stage cultivators numbered over a hundred across the Yue Kingdom.
But those who could truly reach Core Formation over all these years were only those of the Three Major Sects.
Even Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle had journeyed all the way to the Sea Abyss of Beasts back then in order to form his core.
One could imagine just how difficult Core Formation truly was for a cultivator.