Chapter 78: A Transaction with the Zhou Clan
“Foundation Establishment technique……”
After receiving the jade token for his status as a guest cultivator of Tianxuan City, Lin Chang'an went straight to the Transmission Hall to select a Foundation Establishment technique.
Looking at the vast majority of Foundation Establishment techniques that were well-known throughout the world of cultivation, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but shake his head inwardly.
“This Longevity Technique will do.”
The Longevity Technique was the advanced version of the Evergreen Art, and its characteristics were the same.
Both belonged to the type that focused on solid fundamentals and gradual buildup, possessing the ability to extend lifespan.
More importantly, it could conceal the ancient technique he was currently cultivating.
“With the Longevity Technique as a cover, ordinary people wouldn’t easily notice. After all, the two techniques are very similar—just one is an enhanced version.”
Lin Chang'an nodded silently. Though it was somewhat overly powerful, everything had to be handled with caution.
Afterward, Lin Chang'an selected three types of second-rank talisman legacies: the Vajra Talisman, the Divine Speed Talisman, and the Firebird Talisman.
“The Vajra Talisman is an upgraded version of the Goldlight Talisman. The two talismans are quite similar, but the Vajra Talisman can be cast outward, forming a golden shield-like mana barrier.
The Divine Speed Talisman simply boosts speed, while the Firebird Talisman is the upgraded version of the Fireball Talisman. A firebird a zhang long shoots forth like an arrow from the string—whether in flexibility or power, it's vastly improved.”
Lin Chang'an nodded to himself. The three talismans he chose embodied defense, speed amplification, and offense.
One could say it had both attack and defense, more than enough for him.
Though he would have to sell his skills for thirty years, it was still worth the value.
……
Just as Lin Chang'an left, atop a loft behind him, Su Miaoyin—dressed like a Daoist nun—was reading a report with great interest.
“Lin Chang'an, born in the mundane world, became famous for his swift sword technique. Later joined the Cloud King Manor and by chance participated in a banquet where he was tested for spiritual roots…
Then joined the Bamboo Mountain Marketplace as a rogue cultivator. Combined mundane martial arts master techniques with cultivator methods and served in the demon-hunting squad for five years and eight months……”
Lin Chang'an’s intel was laid out in detail before her, yet Su Miaoyin narrowed her eyes, somewhat puzzled.
Judging from this intelligence, Lin Chang'an was merely a steadfast and diligent cultivator, nothing particularly extraordinary.
In terms of talent, he only stood out a bit in talisman drawing.
“Didn’t expect that, Junior Sister Yun. This Fellow Daoist Lin you specially asked me to look after is this unremarkable.”
For reasons unknown, Su Miaoyin actually smiled directly—a rare occurrence. Beside her, Yun Yao, face cold while sipping tea, remained expressionless.
“You’re overthinking it. It’s merely due to years of friendship, and this recent pill refining matter provoked that vicious dog of the Huang Clan. Since it was because of me, I just mentioned it to you. Didn't think Fellow Daoist Su would personally meet him.”
Yun Yao’s cold voice echoed, but out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a corner of the intelligence jade slip that Su Miaoyin had deliberately exposed.
[At the age of forty, feeling disheartened, in a brothel with his friend Li Erniu, got three entertainers dead drunk……]
Seeing this, Yun Yao’s eye twitched slightly. Truly speechless.
“Junior Sister Yun, this is the spiritual item Ice Soul you wanted. But let me offer a word of advice—your cultivation of the Water Yin Demonic Art is extremely cold and incomplete. Though powerful, you must beware of backlash from the technique.”
Su Miaoyin shook her head as she gave the warning to the stubborn Yun Yao, merely as advice between friends.
“I understand. But the world of cultivation is ever-changing. Even as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, going to the frontlines still makes me no more than a stronger ant.”
Yun Yao concluded the transaction with a cold demeanor, while Su Miaoyin shook her head but understood.
In the world of cultivation, strength was everything.
……
Upon returning to his cave abode, Lin Chang'an happened to run into Erniu, who had been waiting for quite a while, along with Zhou Clan head Zhou Renmao behind him.
“Brother Lin.”
“Erniu, Clan Head Zhou.”
Seeing the two who had been waiting for some time, Lin Chang'an smiled and cupped his fists.
This veteran Foundation Establishment cultivator, Zhou Clan head Zhou Renmao, had an extraordinary presence. Though clearly anxious, he still returned the salute with a calm and steady manner.
“Fellow Daoist Lin.”
Lin Chang'an smiled and invited the two inside the cave abode. Though he had no servant girls here, Erniu was very tactful and adeptly served tea inside.
It was obvious the two were quite familiar.
Of course, part of it was likely to put on a show for the Zhou Clan head—after all, being a friend of a Foundation Establishment cultivator naturally elevated his status.
Taking a light sip of tea, the Zhou Clan head chuckled softly. After all, the temptation of a Foundation Establishment Pill was too great, and he was the first to speak.
“First, congratulations to Fellow Daoist Lin on forming your foundation.”
“Fellow Daoist Zhou is too polite. Back when I was at Bamboo Mountain Marketplace, if not for the Zhou Clan’s assistance, I wouldn’t know when I’d have managed to establish my foundation.”
The two exchanged polite words with smiles, while on the side, Li Erniu lowered his head and continuously poured tea for the clan head.
Fortunately, all of them were cultivators, and coupled with the physique of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, there was no issue.
“To be frank, I heard from Erniu that when Fellow Daoist Lin broke through to Foundation Establishment, you still had one Foundation Establishment Pill left?”
At last, the Zhou Clan head could no longer hold back. Although the Zhou Clan was a Foundation Establishment family, there were only three Foundation Establishment cultivators in the clan.
Any additional one would greatly strengthen the clan’s foundation.
Especially now that the situation was turbulent, Foundation Establishment Pills had become strategic resources and would not easily circulate in the marketplace.
“That’s right. Thanks to Fellow Daoist Yun’s fortune, I managed to refine two Foundation Establishment Pills. I consumed the premium-grade one, and one still remains.”
Lin Chang'an nodded with a smile and slowly took out an exquisite jade bottle from his storage pouch.
As the bottle was slightly opened, a faint purple spiritual glow and a unique medicinal fragrance wafted out, causing even Erniu at the side to feel his heart stir.
Just a whiff made the mana in his body tremble, indicating how potent the Foundation Establishment Pill was. At the same time, Erniu also felt a bit envious.
This was the goal pursued by all Qi Refinement cultivators, yet he was still stuck at the sixth level of Qi Refinement.
“Foundation Establishment Pill!”
The Zhou Clan head’s face twitched slightly, then he took a deep breath to regain composure, and looked solemnly at Lin Chang'an.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, if you have any request, feel free to name it.”
Since Lin Chang'an had asked Erniu to pass a message to the Zhou Clan, it was clearly not just for spirit stones.
He didn’t believe that just for the sake of a friend like Erniu, Lin Chang'an would sell the Foundation Establishment Pill to their Zhou Clan.
Lin Chang'an smiled and nodded. They were all people who had lived for decades; there was no need to be overly reserved.
“Clan Head Zhou, as you saw when you came in, the Azure-Horned Bull I keep outside my cave abode is now at late-stage first rank, but its growth has slowed.”
The Azure-Horned Bull had been raised for nearly eight years, but Lin Chang'an clearly noticed the issue. Its progress had slowed. If things continued, it wouldn’t be able to reach second rank.
If raising a spirit beast were truly that simple, the Zhou Clan wouldn’t be a renowned Beast-Taming family, and the world of cultivation wouldn’t have sects dedicated to beast-taming.
Moreover, the six to seven thousand spirit stones from exchanging the Foundation Establishment Pill meant little to him. If he could instead enhance the strength of his spirit pet, it would offer better security in the turbulent world of cultivation.
“Azure-Horned Bull!”
Understanding Lin Chang'an’s intent, the Zhou Clan head suddenly saw the light and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
If it were some other treasure he asked for, he would have hesitated. But when it came to the art of beast-taming, this was the Zhou Clan’s specialty.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, I saw that Azure-Horned Bull when I entered. You’ve raised it well—it must have taken considerable effort. But the art of beast-taming is profound. My Beast-Taming Zhou Clan has an improved exclusive Spirit Nourishing Pill. As for whether it can break through to second rank…”
At this point, the Zhou Clan head shook his head slightly and cupped his hands.
“My Zhou Clan is willing to trade one second-rank Beast Spirit Pill, ten bottles of Spirit Nourishing Pills, and some insights on raising spirit beasts for the Foundation Establishment Pill in your possession.”
Whether the beast could break through to second rank was just like whether a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator could reach Foundation Establishment—everyone faced difficulty.
“A Beast Spirit Pill, huh!”
Lin Chang'an mused inwardly. A Beast Spirit Pill could increase the chance of a spirit beast’s breakthrough, the equivalent of a cultivator’s Foundation Establishment Pill.
Although not as rare as a Foundation Establishment Pill, combined with those ten bottles of Spirit Nourishing Pills, the value was a fair match for the pill.
“Alright.”
Lin Chang'an agreed with a pleased nod, and the Zhou Clan also broke into a smile.
At that moment, the Zhou Clan head felt a pang of regret. This person had seemed interested in marrying into their family in the past. If only the relative they had chosen then hadn’t already departed, he truly wanted to vent his frustration.
A Foundation Establishment seed had been turned away by their Zhou Clan back then, and instead, they had picked the plainly average and foolishly grinning Li Erniu beside him.
What a mistake!