Chapter 94: Time Leaves No Trace
The auction had ended.
Countless cultivators buzzed with excitement over what they had seen and heard.
Some shouted about the number of Foundation Establishment Pills auctioned this time, while others pounded their chests in regret over missing out on precious treasures.
There were also those who sighed repeatedly, feeling the trip had not been in vain.
"To witness so many Foundation Establishment Pills today, even spirit artifacts appearing one after another—these sixty years of cultivation have not been wasted."
An elderly man in the late-stage Qi Refinement realm spoke with a hearty laugh. Although he had no hope of breaking through, at the very least, he had witnessed a grand spectacle—it had been worth it.
Meanwhile, Lin Changan had already returned to his cave abode.
Behind the pavilion was a connected cave. Above the cave, he had chiseled an opening, allowing the moonlight to shine through perfectly.
The surroundings were dotted with spirit plants, making the environment exceptionally elegant.
"At last, I can focus on alchemy and cultivation."
Returning to the cave abode, Lin Changan’s face was filled with a smile. He finally had some means of protecting himself.
A second-rank spirit beast, the Azure-Horned Bull, combined with two spirit artifacts used by Foundation Establishment cultivators (top-grade magical tools). On the surface, he had the Bamboo Sword; in secret, he possessed the Gilded Needle.
One in the open, one in the shadows.
"Though I still lack a defensive item, my pockets are empty."
Shaking his head, Lin Changan decided to temporarily continue using the two top-grade defensive magical tools from his Qi Refinement days.
The Gold-threaded Scale Armor had been purchased from the Many Treasures Pavilion, and the Blackiron Shield had been gifted by that Talisman Master Ge. Both were top-grade defensive magical tools.
One was worn beneath his magical robe, the other kept for on-hand defense.
"At the very least, having just reached Foundation Establishment within two years, possessing two spirit artifacts already puts me far ahead of many cultivators of the same realm."
Lin Changan nodded silently. He had prioritized self-preservation. Otherwise, all these resources would have been poured into cultivation.
"Over the past half year, my cultivation progress has slowed significantly. I must make use of every day moving forward."
As for the following auctions, Lin Changan had no interest. He resumed his daily routine of cultivation, drawing talismans, and secretly refining pills.
Outside, the stir caused by the first auction made Tianxuan City livelier than ever.
Especially cultivators preparing to enter seclusion for Foundation Establishment—they had rented every available cave abode.
Left with no choice, Tianxuan City had temporarily arranged formations to partition several dozen unused Foundation Establishment cave abodes and offered them for rent.
With snowstorms roaring, the hearts of cultivators in Tianxuan City burned with fervor.
…
"Heavens, so many Foundation Establishment breakthroughs this month."
"I heard the He Clan produced two Foundation Establishment cultivators. I'm so envious."
"Look, someone just succeeded in breaking through again!"
"Look over there—the one leaving with their head hung low—isn't that the Li Clan's genius?"
The biting wind could not scatter the fervent passion in cultivators’ hearts.
At this moment, Lin Changan stood at the mouth of his cave abode halfway up the mountain, watching all of this unfold, unable to suppress a feeling of emotion.
Foundation Establishment cultivators were the lifelong pursuit of most rogue cultivators.
The emergence of a Foundation Establishment cultivator could ensure a family's legacy for a hundred years.
And for rogue cultivators, producing a single Foundation Establishment cultivator could establish a Foundation Establishment family.
"Bull, this is the pursuit of cultivators."
Lin Changan’s deep gaze fell on this year’s snowy scenery, recalling the first time he had seen such a sight—right after his own Foundation Establishment breakthrough.
【Lifespan: 57/208】
Unknowingly, it had been two years since his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.
He was now 57 years old—already half a lifetime for a mortal.
"Fifty-seven years old... for a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the path of cultivation is only just beginning."
Thinking of the lifespan of Foundation Establishment cultivators, Lin Changan couldn’t help but show a sighing smile.
Perhaps this was the allure of immortal cultivation.
As he looked back once more at the beauty of the spiritual vein, Lin Changan was filled with endless emotion.
"Whether kings and nobles or commoners and peasants, all ultimately return to dust. Only these green mountains remain unchanged—and is this not what we cultivators pursue?"
Seemingly sensing something, a smile appeared on Lin Changan’s face.
What cultivators pursued, besides great power, was nothing more than longevity alongside heaven and earth, and brilliance shared with the sun and moon.
Just then, the bellow of the Azure-Horned Bull came from behind, pulling Lin Changan back to reality.
He saw the Azure-Horned Bull looking at him with a fawning expression, occasionally rubbing its head against his shoulder.
Seeing this scene, Lin Changan couldn’t help but laugh and lightly patted the bull’s head.
The Azure-Horned Bull had grown even larger; it could no longer reach his pant leg even when it lowered its head.
“You silly thing really don’t have many worries.”
He took out a handful of spirit grass from his storage pouch, and the Azure-Horned Bull immediately let out two excited bellows, happily chewing on the spirit grass.
Though interrupted, Lin Changan wasn’t annoyed. Instead, he smiled as he gently stroked the bull’s fur.
The path of cultivation was long and lonely. With this bull as his companion, perhaps a hundred years later, when he looked back, he would suddenly recall everything from the beginning.
……
“Brother Lin, the influence of this auction has, in just over a month, created nearly a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators. Truly, it’s a rare grand event in Tianxuan City.”
Business at the Gathering Immortals Tower had also been unusually booming during this time, which left Shen Lie beaming with joy as he couldn’t help but speak with a smile.
“Indeed. Not only was it the Foundation Establishment Pills from the auction, but due to the widespread impact of the event, countless cultivators were drawn in. Naturally, this brought in abundant resources, and many cultivators managed to gather enough Foundation Establishment materials through exchanges.”
Zhou Clan’s Second Bull had also managed to find time to come by, speaking with a face full of envy.
Foundation Establishment—something they had likely lost hope of achieving in this lifetime.
Thanks to the Zhou Clan being attacked last time, though the clan lost an important exotic beast, Second Bull’s loyal and courageous actions had also been seen and remembered by the Zhou Clan.
He had been specially permitted to attend high-level clan meetings and was even placed in a respectable position.
In just half a year, not only had Second Bull’s injuries fully healed, his build had also become noticeably more prosperous.
“The grand age of Tianxuan City also comes with hidden dangers. After the final auction, we should all remain cautious.”
Lin Changan was not blinded by the prosperity before his eyes. Whether it was the disciple of Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle preparing to form a core, or the Foundation Establishment spirit items at this auction—
These were all things that could spark fierce competition.
“Mm, don’t worry, Brother Lin. We know our limits.”
Zhou Clan’s Second Bull patted his chest, smiling broadly as he nodded. Now at the Seventh Level of Qi Refinement, he had gradually let go of his desire to pursue cultivation advancement.
After all, he felt this life had already been worthwhile.
He would often think back to his youth and couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear.
A peasant boy back then, he had stumbled into the world of cultivation by sheer coincidence, and eventually became a son-in-law to the Zhou Clan.
He had risen swiftly through the ranks and now held a high position in the Zhou Clan.
Though his life might not be as colorful as that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, for an ordinary rogue cultivator, it was nothing short of legendary.
“Brother Lin, the trading meets at the Gathering Immortals Tower have also temporarily ceased. After all, the marketplaces in the city are now livelier than ever.”
The trading meets hosted by Foundation Establishment cultivators at the Gathering Immortals Tower had been halted, which Shen Lie found a bit regrettable—but he didn’t feel any remorse.
After all, who knew what could happen in times like these?
“Mm, everyone should just be careful lately.”
Lin Changan nodded lightly. This time, he had come out not only to browse the marketplace and purchase some materials for pill refining and talisman drawing.
More importantly, he wished to see the rare spiritual materials brought in by cultivators from other countries. Even if they weren’t of immediate use, they could still broaden his knowledge.
At the wine table, the three exchanged smiles and raised their cups. However, as Zhou Clan’s Second Bull and Shen Lie looked at Lin Changan, whose appearance was no different from twenty years ago, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of melancholy.
Time spared no one. Even though they had reached the Late-stage Qi Refinement, compared to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the gap was like heaven and earth.
Lin Changan was in the prime of his life, yet the years had already etched indelible marks on the appearances of the other two.
Perhaps it was also because neither of them practiced any wood-type longevity-preserving techniques.
The disparity between the Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment stages had already begun to show between them.