Chapter 67: Preparing for the Hunt
Inside the cave dwelling.
With the activation of the ‘Wooden Armor Spirit-Binding Formation’, vines continuously sprouted from all directions, wildly entangling and binding. Lin Chang’an hastily controlled the Green Bamboo Sword to slash swiftly or dodge quickly.
“No wonder it’s a Quasi-second-rank Formation. The vines are extraordinarily tough. Though a premium-grade magical artifact can sever them, it consus a great deal of mana. Moreover, as long as the formation remains intact, these vines are virtually endless.
In fact, within the formation, if the array caster uses wood-attribute spells, the consumption is greatly reduced, and the power is even enhanced…”
Becoming more familiar with the formation, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but admire it. Even using low-grade spirit stones, the Quasi-second-rank Formation already displayed such might. He could hardly imagine how powerful a true Second-rank Formation would be when powered by mid-grade spirit stones.
“Once trapped in this formation, one would face an endless tangle of vines until their mana and stamina are completely exhausted. Of course, while this kind of single-attribute formation is powerful, it’s also easily countered.”
“First of all, the formation is countered by fire and tal spells, which would reduce its power. Also, the formation must be set up in advance, aning one needs to lure the beast into the array, so it lacks the flexibility of magical artifacts.”
Even the placent of the formation required careful consideration. If it were placed in rocky deserts, its power would naturally diminish. In contrast, placing it in forested areas would amplify its effect.
It had already been two months since he bought the formation. Lin Chang’an had been familiarizing himself with its operation every day, always using low-grade spirit stones to activate it.
After two months, he had finally mastered its operation.
…
On this particular day, Shen Lie ca over, his face full of excitent.
“Brother Lin, there’s news about the Spirit-Protecting Grass you were looking for.”
The Spirit-Protecting Grass was one of the main ingredients used to refine the Foundation Establishnt Pill. With a cultivation at the ninth level of Qi Refinent, he had been preparing for Foundation Establishnt for years, a fact that could hardly be hidden from others.
Since Shen Lie ran a restaurant, he was naturally well-inford. Lin Chang’an had previously asked him to keep an eye out.
“Two cultivators, finding it difficult to gather all the ingredients, decided to combine their efforts. When they checked the materials, they found a few extras among them—one of which was the Spirit-Protecting Grass.”
As Shen Lie explained excitedly, Lin Chang’an suddenly understood.
For ordinary cultivators, it was nearly impossible to collect all the required materials alone. Furthermore, hiring soone to refine a Foundation Establishnt Pill typically produced only around two pills per batch.
Thus, many cultivators, upon gathering most of the materials, would seek others and agree in advance—what was commonly known as crowd-funded pill refinent.
If luck was poor and only one Foundation Establishnt Pill resulted, its ownership would depend on prior agreent.
Usually, the cultivator who contributed the most materials would receive the pill, while the other would be compensated with spirit stones or other resources.
However, in most cases, two pills could be refined, with the difference rely in quality.
Still, having two Foundation Establishnt Pills didn’t guarantee that both cultivators would succeed in reaching Foundation Establishnt.
“Which alchemist is handling the refinent?”
Though there was now a lead on Foundation Establishnt ingredients, the cautious Lin Chang’an still asked solemnly. His caution was understandable—any cultivator preparing for Foundation Establishnt was like a fat sheep, easily targeted.
Shen Lie understood this well and replied, “It’s Alchemist Song. He’s considered a veteran Second-rank Alchemist, widely recognized for his skills. He’s one of the alchemical experts serving in Tianxuan City, not affiliated with either of the two sects. In less than two years, he’s already completed six batches of Foundation Establishnt Pills, all successfully.”
Since Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle presided over Tianxuan City, it was naturally a power center, and he had attracted many retainers.
“I see.”
Hearing Shen Lie’s introduction, Lin Chang’an nodded silently. This Alchemist Song indeed seed skilled. To have six successful batches of Foundation Establishnt Pills in less than two years, without a single mishap, was no small feat.
…
[Danxin Residence]
When Lin Chang’an and Shen Lie arrived outside Alchemist Song’s cave dwelling, they could not help but nod in quiet approval at the elegant pavilion and its plaque.
This Alchemist Song’s residence was indeed a very pleasant place.
“Fellow Daoists, this is Talisman Master Lin.”
Introduced by Shen Lie, the two cultivators outside the cave dwelling smiled and nodded upon seeing Lin Chang’an.
After all, they were all ninth-level Qi Refinent cultivators preparing for Foundation Establishnt. Any one of them might one day succeed, so no one would offend another lightly.
“Greetings, fellow Daoists.”
Lin Chang’an also clasped his hands with a polite smile. For a mont, the three addressed each other respectfully as fellow Daoists.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, the two of us will be waiting for Alchemist Song to reach his optimal state. Let’s not waste ti with unnecessary talk.”
“Of course, after all, the Foundation Establishnt of the two fellow Daoists is a major matter.”
Lin Chang’an also nodded with a smile, after which the two of them brought out the Foundation Establishnt materials.
“These materials are the surplus ones we both had.”
A burly man nodded as he spoke, while the other, a scholar-like cultivator with a pale complexion, shook his head and sighed.
“With our aptitude and age, if we fail this ti, there won’t be a second chance. So these materials are useless to us. Might as well exchange them for so spirit stones.”
“Spirit-Protecting Grass, Azure Beard Vine, and Rainbow Skirt Herb—I'll take these three.”
Lin Chang’an didn’t hesitate. Of these three, only the Spirit-Protecting Grass was missing; the other two he already had, but it never hurt to be more prepared.
If sothing unexpected happened, he would need to gather everything again.
“For these three Foundation Establishnt materials, five hundred spirit stones will do, fellow Daoist.”
The transaction went smoothly. After receiving the materials, Lin Chang’an looked at the two with a hint of envy and clasped his hands in blessing.
“Today, I’m fortunate to benefit from your good fortune. I wish both fellow Daoists success in establishing your foundation.”
The two also nodded and smiled at Lin Chang’an’s words of blessing.
At a ti like this, everyone liked to hear kind words.
Just then, as their transaction ended, the formation protecting the cave dwelling slowly opened.
“Both of you, bring in the Foundation Establishnt materials. I have finished my preparations. It’s the perfect ti to begin the pill refinent.”
An elderly man with white hair and a youthful face, with a slightly plump figure, walked out of Danxin Residence with a smile. Mana exuded from his body—it was clear he was a Foundation Establishnt cultivator.
“Alchemist Song.”
Lin Chang’an and the others imdiately clasped their hands in salute, then watched as the two cultivators preparing for Foundation Establishnt entered.
“Brother Lin, stop staring. I believe your turn is coming soon too.”
After everyone entered and the formation closed, Shen Lie couldn’t help but speak with envy.
He had given up hope of ever reaching Foundation Establishnt. He only hoped to raise his cultivation by one more level in the next two years. He didn’t dare dream of the ninth level of Qi Refinent, but the eighth level was still within reach.
“Then I’ll borrow Brother Shen’s lucky words.”
Lin Chang’an also nodded with a smile, and from the earlier conversation, he had learned the price paid to request Alchemist Song’s services.
“Those two fellow Daoists from earlier, their mana was brimming. They were clearly at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refinent, unlike , who has just stepped into the ninth level. I should go into seclusion and cultivate, aiming to reach the peak as soon as possible.”
Lin Chang’an waved modestly, sincerely expressing that he still needed so ti.
After they parted, Shen Lie stared at Lin Chang’an’s departing figure, deep in thought.
“Although Brother Lin is a talisman master, it’s too hard for a rogue cultivator to reach Foundation Establishnt. Maybe I should discuss this with Qingqing when I get back.”
Back then, what made sponsoring Yun Yao different was that Yun Yao had a high-grade spirit root, giving her an extrely high success rate for Foundation Establishnt.
But rogue cultivator Lin Chang’an only had a low-grade spirit root. His only strength was in talisman crafting. His chances at Foundation Establishnt were clearly much slimr.
However, having just broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refinent, Lin Chang’an publicly announced he would go into seclusion for several months.
In secret, he disguised himself and, using the hard-earned Perfect Realm “Breath Concealnt Technique”, posed as a seventh level Qi Refinent cultivator and quietly left Tianxuan City.
He headed deep into the Cloudmist Mountain Range.
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