Chapter 95: Progress in Alchemy
Winter passed and spring came.
Time flowed like water. The first auction in Tianxuan City saw a surge in Foundation Establishment Pills, and the final centerpiece even included materials for refining magical artifacts, causing a great stir.
It especially attracted countless rogue cultivators from neighboring countries, many of whom brought spirit herbs and treasures unique to their homelands.
For a time, Tianxuan City became the largest trading hub in Yue Country.
Countless cultivation clans that had been observing from the sidelines could no longer sit still and sent designated personnel to Tianxuan City.
The most bustling part of Tianxuan City was undoubtedly the marketplace trading zone.
Foundation Establishment materials that were usually rare appeared one after another. Through mutual exchanges, many cultivators had already gathered enough resources.
Inside a cave abode.
At this moment, Lin Changan was holding his breath and concentrating, his expression solemn as he drew a talisman with a spirit brush.
With a swish, at the moment he finished the final stroke, the talisman paper emitted a faint spiritual glow.
At the same time, the red cinnabar on the pale-golden talisman paper slowly converged to form the pattern of a flying bird.
"A Quasi-second-rank Firebird Talisman. It's also a spell used by Foundation Establishment cultivators. Its power is tremendous. Most Foundation Establishment cultivators only barely grasp it, and few have mastered it deeply."
As he slowly set down the spirit brush, Lin Changan formed a hand seal. In front of him appeared a firebird, about ten feet long, circling and soaring through the air.
"As expected, talisman drawing and this spell share the same origin. The progress in this spell has also been extremely swift."
[Spell: Firebird Technique (Proficient 12/1000)]
As the spell advanced from skilled to proficient, Lin Changan noticed a significant improvement in both agility and power.
Of course, the mana consumption also increased.
"However, my mana is threefold more robust than that of cultivators at the same stage. More importantly, it recovers quickly. So, this kind of high-consumption spell is actually the most suitable for me."
Nodding silently, Lin Changan waved his hand and dispersed the firebird.
A terrifying wave of scorching heat swept through the area, stirring bursts of hot wind.
"This grand event in Tianxuan City brings great benefits to me. Not only are talismans much easier to sell, but countless rare resources have also surfaced.
Especially the alchemy journals crafted under various national environments. Cultivators often improve pill formulas based on their country’s unique conditions."
Looking at an alchemy journal he had recently acquired through trade in the marketplace, Lin Changan couldn’t help but nod in approval.
The environment in Liang Country was hot and dry, and the formulas improved based on local geography leaned towards fierce and domineering effects.
The greatest characteristic of these pill formulas was how alchemists adapted them according to local conditions for more fitting modifications.
The most typical example was the Foundation Establishment Pill, which initially required spirit herbs, but later demon cores could be used instead. Some even had formulas exclusive to major sects.
"Before this prosperity fades, I should buy a few more alchemy insight journals."
Originally, Lin Changan had planned to continue selling talismans in exchange for mid-grade spirit stones to purchase some treasures.
But upon discovering the presence of cultivators from various countries and the diverse insights into the Hundred Arts of Cultivation shaped by different environments, he was completely drawn in.
[First-rank Alchemist (Master 1850/5000)]
Looking at the rapid advancement in his alchemy skills, Lin Changan couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction.
Such swift progress was entirely due to drawing on the strengths of various schools during this period.
"Whether these are useful to other alchemists may vary, but for me, this is an unparalleled treasure that allows me to progress rapidly in alchemy."
At this rate, he was confident he could break through to Second-rank Alchemist within one or two years. By then, he could achieve his goal of using alchemy to enhance his cultivation.
Using second-rank pills to aid cultivation and accelerate his advancement.
"Step by step. In the future, if I get the chance, I must also seek a secret technique or spiritual item that can cleanse spirit roots."
Relying on pills to enhance cultivation was merely treating the symptoms, not the root cause, but it was the best method within his current capability.
The root problem was still his poor spirit root aptitude.
"I really wonder what kind of opportunity Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle encountered to cleanse his spirit roots and advance to where he is today."
Only those who personally experienced the limitations of low-grade spirit roots could understand how great an opportunity it must have been for a rogue cultivator like Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle to reach his current level.
"Secret techniques, spiritual pills, or treasures that can alter spirit root aptitude... such things are likely only within reach of Golden Core cultivators. For a Foundation Establishment cultivator like me, it’s still far too distant."
Lin Changan shook his head silently. That Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle had quite the substantial backing; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been targeted.
It was said that during this period, Huang Tianxiao of the Palace of Blazing Fire, along with the male cultivators of the Pavilion of Mystic Sound, had been diligently offering their attentiveness.
Resources to enhance one’s spirit root, the foundation of Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle, the number one rogue cultivator, and a third-rank alchemist at that.
Aside from these, there was also a late-stage third-rank Blackwater Turtle.
Thinking it through in such detail, Lin Changan couldn’t help but sigh emotionally.
"This world of cultivation—sometimes marrying and having children is also a great way to make a fortune."
Not to mention, there was also a peerless beauty with the potential to form a core.
What sudden riches through some tribulation path? That was utterly laughable in comparison.
This was truly a heaven-sent opportunity, and it didn’t even require risking one’s life.
"I should just honestly go have a look around the marketplace."
Amused by his own thoughts, Lin Changan let out a laugh.
Ever since receiving that heaven-sent opportunity, the ambitions in his heart had quietly died down.
Master Lu’s fortune was no small matter, but his own opportunity held infinite possibilities.
...
Marketplace.
"Brother Lin, these are the spirit herbs our shop recently acquired—they’re especially beneficial to the Azure-Horned Bull."
During this time, Zhou Bingyun had begun taking charge of the Zhou Clan’s shop in the marketplace.
It specialized in treating spirit pets for cultivators, or offering targeted nurturing.
At the same time, the shop also sold all kinds of spirit herbs and spirit fruits favored by spirit beasts. This, too, was a major source of income for the Beast-Taming Zhou Clan.
"Very well, I’ll take a bit of these spirit herbs and spirit fruits."
Lin Changan gave a slight nod and made some purchases at the Zhou Clan’s shop.
Now that he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and also a lower second-rank talisman master, spending some spirit stones to feed his spirit pet was nothing out of the ordinary.
"Brother Lin, rest assured—if you ever need anything, I’ll personally deliver it to your doorstep."
Zhou Bingyun’s face was full of smiles, and the prices she offered were heavily discounted.
Lin Changan gently nodded. Looking at the marketplace, teeming with signs of everyday life, he couldn’t help but feel deeply moved.
Even someone like Zhou Bingyun, a genius of the Zhou Clan, had to take up some responsibilities for the family business.
It was just like Li Ernai and Shen Lie now. Once, they had both devoted themselves to arduous cultivation, striving for another breakthrough.
But as they aged and their children grew up,
They gradually let go of that drive for bitter cultivation and turned to nurturing the next generation, placing their hopes upon them instead.
"Uncle Lin."
Just as Lin Changan was stepping out of the shop, he happened to run into Zhou Yifan.
In his early twenties, Zhou Yifan had already reached the fourth level of Qi Refinement, far surpassing others of his generation.
Lin Changan smiled and nodded. After exchanging a greeting, Zhou Yifan eagerly entered the shop.
From within came Zhou Bingyun’s slightly annoyed voice, along with Zhou Yifan’s sheepish laughter.
Watching this scene, Lin Changan couldn’t help but chuckle.
The next generation had already grown up. For the first time, he felt the passage of time as a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"So this is what cultivation is."
Watching the years go by while they left no trace upon him—this feeling came to Lin Changan even at just the Foundation Establishment level.
"Ernai and Shen Lie have their own pursuit of happiness, and so do I."
Having seemingly figured something out, a smile appeared on Lin Changan’s face as his figure gradually disappeared into the marketplace.