Chapter 43: Breakthrough! The Power of Accumulation
Half a month later, Li Erniu followed the drafted cultivators to head to the frontlines.
This time, the Zhou family had a total of seven cultivators summoned.
Lin Chang’an and Shen Lie both came to see him off. As for their little junior sister, Lu Qingqing, she had just given birth, delivering a chubby boy for Shen Lie.
As for the little princess Yun Yao, being a Foundation Establishment cultivator and responsible for the safety of the marketplace, had many matters to attend to. Though she could not come in person, she entrusted Shen Lie to pass on a message that she would try her best to arrange a safer position for Erniu.
Watching Erniu and the group of cultivators disappear into the distance, Lin Chang’an remained deep in thought for a long time.
If he hadn’t awakened his innate talent, perhaps he would also have to head to the frontlines to grasp that slim chance.
It was hard to say how many would return this time.
"The world of immortal cultivation is ever-changing. Hopefully, this battlefield won’t extend to here."
Lin Chang’an sighed with emotion, also feeling somewhat grateful for the choice he made back then.
During this period, he had heard that several marketplaces near the frontline borders had already become battlefields.
But the Bamboo Mountain Marketplace was situated deep in the rear of the Palace of Blazing Fire and the Pavilion of Mystic Sound.
…
Inside the secret chamber.
Dressed in a white robe, Lin Chang’an sat cross-legged, cultivating the Evergreen Art.
The Evergreen Art, although a common technique, emphasized a solid foundation and gradual progression. Its initial effects were inferior to other techniques, but over time, its results became increasingly significant.
Especially with its characteristic of accumulated strength leading to a burst, the higher the cultivation, the more evident the effect.
At this moment, Lin Chang’an, having reached the peak of the sixth level of Qi Refinement, could clearly feel the abundant and vigorous mana within him continuously impacting the bottleneck.
On this day, a strong wave of mana surged within the secret chamber.
"Seventh level of Qi Refinement!"
The breakthrough happened as naturally as flowing water, the trait of the Evergreen Art’s gradual buildup manifesting clearly.
Slowly opening his eyes, Lin Chang’an felt the significant surge of pure mana within his body and couldn’t help but feel excited.
"Twenty-six years of cultivating immortality, nearly forty-seven years of age, and I’ve finally broken through!"
The seventh level of Qi Refinement marked the beginning of the late-stage Qi Refinement. Not only did his mana increase greatly, but paired with the Wood Spirit Thorn technique, its power would be doubled, providing him with a bit more safety.
Of course, with his usual talisman drawing to earn spirit stones, his resources could last longer.
"Breaking through to late-stage Qi Refinement before turning forty-seven—if I continue cultivating at this pace, Foundation Establishment is within reach!"
At this thought, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but feel a burning excitement. Before sixty was the best age for Foundation Establishment.
Given how chaotic the current situation was, even late-stage Qi Refinement only granted a sliver of self-preservation. Only by reaching Foundation Establishment would there be a chance to leave the whirlpool that was Yue Kingdom.
At the same time, nearby cultivators sensed the fluctuation.
"Who just advanced to seventh level of Qi Refinement?"
"Seems like it’s Talisman Master Lin."
"Lin Chang’an? It’s actually him!"
Many cultivators turned their attention toward Lin Chang’an’s courtyard. Meanwhile, inside a pavilion in the Gathering Immortals Tower, Lu Qingqing, who was playing with her child, showed a look of astonishment in her beautiful eyes.
"It was Senior Brother Lin!"
That powerful surge of mana, coupled with the familiar direction, made Lu Qingqing exclaim in surprise.
"To think Senior Brother Lin was the one who got ahead!"
Not long after, Shen Lie, who had recently broken through to the sixth level of Qi Refinement, burst in laughing.
"Qingqing, did you see that? Who would’ve thought Brother Lin actually broke through to late-stage Qi Refinement! But then again, considering his ability as a top-grade Talisman Master and the Evergreen Art’s explosive growth from accumulation, it makes sense."
In everyone’s eyes, Lin Chang’an had cultivated diligently for decades without a hint of slacking. A breakthrough seemed only natural.
"Alright, the situation is tense lately. Even many disciples from the Palace of Blazing Fire have been stationed deep in the rear. We can’t fall behind in our cultivation either."
Lu Qingqing reminded seriously, and Shen Lie also nodded gravely.
…
[Realm: Seventh Level of Qi Refinement (1/100)]
Three days later, Lin Chang’an emerged from seclusion, and many neighbors came to offer congratulations, some even bringing gifts.
“Brother Lin, you truly make others envious.”
With a warm smile, Shen Lie stepped forward and gave a big hug.
“Brother Shen, you're not bad either. The Gathering Immortals Tower is thriving now—your cultivation will catch up sooner or later.”
Lin Chang’an also replied with a teasing smile. He had taken note of the recent growth of the Gathering Immortals Tower.
Although Yun Yao had earned quite a lot, Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing had entered with the initial capital, and they too had made a good fortune.
While spiritual root talent was important, cultivation resources were even more crucial.
Shen Lie didn’t respond with modesty, still smiling at Lin Chang’an’s teasing.
As long as the resources were sufficient, anyone’s cultivation progress would naturally be fast.
“Alright, the two of you are grown men. Today, Senior Brother Lin has broken through to the late-stage of Qi Refinement. I’ve already arranged a private room to celebrate for him.”
Lu Qingqing, holding her child, said with a smile.
This round-headed, chubby child was the offspring of Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing.
In the blink of an eye, the once-young girl Lu Qingqing had already become a mother.
“Come on, let’s celebrate for Brother Lin.”
With Shen Lie’s hearty laughter, Lin Chang’an did not refuse and followed them toward the Gathering Immortals Tower.
…
Inside the private room.
Laughter and cheerful conversation filled the air. Shen Lie wore a beaming smile while discussing the current situation. After all, merchants were always the most sensitive to intelligence.
“So quite a few sect cultivators have arrived in the marketplace again?”
Hearing this, Lin Chang’an nodded slightly in realization. However, the flushed-faced Shen Lie leaned closer and sent a voice transmission in a lowered tone:
“Brother Lin, I have portraits of these people’s appearances and details. You should be cautious—these are all descendants with connections above.”
With Shen Lie’s reminder, Lin Chang’an suddenly understood.
Descendants of certain Core Formation elders from the Palace of Blazing Fire, or disciples with personal connections, being assigned to the rear was only natural.
No matter the world, such situations always existed.
Shen Lie’s warning was essentially telling him that these cultivators all had powerful backings. Among them, some might inevitably act arrogantly. Better to avoid offending them unintentionally.
“I wonder how Erniu is doing now.”
At the banquet, when the conversation turned to Erniu on the frontlines, Shen Lie’s mood visibly dipped. After exchanging glances, both of them raised their cups, hoping that next time, they could all reunite here once more.
Inside the private room of the restaurant, amidst joyful laughter, the outside world was swept by roaring winds and swirling goose-feather snowflakes.
When Lin Chang’an stepped out of the Gathering Immortals Tower, he saw the marketplace already blanketed in silvery frost, and couldn’t help but sigh softly in melancholy.
“It truly passes in the blink of an eye.”
A person’s life was just like this—the world outside had one face when he entered the Gathering Immortals Tower, and by the time he came out, it had already donned a new look.
Time waits for no one.
In the wind and snow, Lin Chang’an’s figure vanished down the street. Along the way, he changed disguises several times and even consumed two Sober-Up Pills to eliminate the alcohol scent from his body.
“Yun Yao isn’t in the marketplace, and I’ve just about gotten Shen Lie drunk—this is a great opportunity to finally offload those shady items.”
Lin Chang’an thought to himself. Previously, it had been because of his low cultivation and the fear that the Zhou family was baiting a trap.
Now, his visit to the Gathering Immortals Tower only boosted its business.
Logically, Yun Yao and Shen Lie ought to thank him.
With that thought in mind, the disguised Lin Chang’an strolled around the marketplace for half an hour, letting others’ spiritual auras cling to him, and then turned back toward the Gathering Immortals Tower.
As the howling wind and snow swept past, outside the Gathering Immortals Tower, a hunched cultivator wearing a bamboo hat slowly passed by.