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 consumes 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 metal spells, which would reduce its power. Also, the formation must be set up in advance, meaning one needs to lure the beast into the array, so it lacks the flexibility of magical artifacts.”

Even the placement 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 came over, his face full of excitement.

“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 Establishment Pill. With a cultivation at the ninth level of Qi Refinement, he had been preparing for Foundation Establishment for years, a fact that could hardly be hidden from others.

Since Shen Lie ran a restaurant, he was naturally well-informed. 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 someone to refine a Foundation Establishment 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 refinement.

If luck was poor and only one Foundation Establishment Pill resulted, its ownership would depend on prior agreement.

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 merely in quality.

Still, having two Foundation Establishment Pills didn’t guarantee that both cultivators would succeed in reaching Foundation Establishment.

“Which alchemist is handling the refinement?”

Though there was now a lead on Foundation Establishment ingredients, the cautious Lin Chang’an still asked solemnly. His caution was understandable—any cultivator preparing for Foundation Establishment 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 Establishment 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 seemed skilled. To have six successful batches of Foundation Establishment 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 Refinement cultivators preparing for Foundation Establishment. 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 moment, 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 time with unnecessary talk.”

  “Of course, after all, the Foundation Establishment 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 Establishment 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 time, there won’t be a second chance. So these materials are useless to us. Might as well exchange them for some 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 something unexpected happened, he would need to gather everything again.

“For these three Foundation Establishment 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 time 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 Establishment materials. I have finished my preparations. It’s the perfect time to begin the pill refinement.”

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 Establishment cultivator.

“Alchemist Song.”

Lin Chang’an and the others immediately clasped their hands in salute, then watched as the two cultivators preparing for Foundation Establishment 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 Establishment. 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 Refinement, 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 Refinement, unlike me, 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 some time.

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 Establishment. 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 extremely high success rate for Foundation Establishment.

But rogue cultivator Lin Chang’an only had a low-grade spirit root. His only strength was in talisman crafting. His chances at Foundation Establishment were clearly much slimmer.

However, having just broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refinement, 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 Concealment Technique”, posed as a seventh level Qi Refinement cultivator and quietly left Tianxuan City.

He headed deep into the Cloudmist Mountain Range.

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