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After this small breakthrough, Lan Chang'an briefly consolidated his gains and took the opportunity to nurture his treasure talismans.
On the spirit wood table lay thirteen treasure talismans.
Two years ago, he attended a private transaction meeting for Foundation Establishment cultivators near Wuqi Mountain and was fortunate enough to purchase a piece of high-quality second-rank spirit wood, which he then used to make four treasure talismans.
The earliest three treasure talismans had been nurtured for nearly twenty years. These three treasure talismans faintly surpassed the scope of second rank, comparable to the lowest quality of talismanic treasures. A good talismanic treasure could reach thirty percent of the original magic treasure's power.
If a late-stage Core Formation magic treasure was used as the original model, its power could pose a threat to Fake-Dan cultivators.
Creating talismanic treasures was costly, and it would reduce the power of the original magic treasure for a period, so very few Core Formation Immortal were willing to do it.
For a Foundation Establishment cultivator like Lan Chang'an, spending around twenty years to nurture entry-level talismanic treasures was highly cost-effective.
"However, the material of these treasure talismans is only around the peak of the second rank. Limited by their potential, their enhancement speed will gradually decrease down the road."
…
A few days later, Lan Chang'an left seclusion. The Profound Water Turtle followed him out, absorbing the residual aura.
As Lan Chang'an's cultivation improved, the growth rate of the Profound Water Turtle also increased slightly.
Upon exiting the cave mansion, the Profound Water Turtle sprinted towards the lotus pond, looking around for Guan Qiaozhi but finding no sign of her.
On the other side, Mu Bingyun controlled a puppet, performing a small cloud rain spell, and tended the herb field with the Earth Burrowing Rat.
In the past three years, Guan Qiaozhi had diligently cultivated, occasionally going into seclusion, to prepare for Foundation Establishment.
Some of the mountain peak's chores fell upon Mu Bingyun.
Mu Bingyun was silent and reserved. Due to her talisman drawing skills her spiritual sense was refined, making it easier to control the puppet.
Lan Chang'an sat in the pavilion by the lotus pond, enjoying the mountain scenery and the golden spiritual grains in the distance.
"Uncle Lan."
After sitting for a while, a young girl in a blue dress, her complexion as clear as snow, brought tea and spoke softly.
Lan Chang'an nodded and took the spiritual tea.
Previously, Mu Bingyun did not have such attentiveness.
She was exceptionally talented, and skilled in talismans, with a master who was a second-rank talisman master, making her a favored daughter of her family. Coupled with her aloof personality, she wasn't accustomed to serving others.
This change was due to her current status as a freeloader, as well as being influenced by Guan Qiaozhi.
Half a day later, Guan Qiaozhi finished cultivating and came to see Lan Chang'an.
"How are your preparations for Foundation Establishment?"
Under Lan Chang'an's gaze, Guan Qiaozhi appeared somewhat uneasy, lowering her head guiltily:
"Senior Brother Lan, I'm still a bit away from the peak of the ninth layer of Qi-Refining."
"To attempt Foundation Establishment, reaching the peak of Qi-Refining is not always necessary. Mental state and age are important factors as well." Lan Chang'an could see that Guan Qiaozhi lacked confidence.
"I'll be more prepared if I wait another year."
Guan Qiaozhi gathered her courage, clenching her fists lightly.
"To attempt Foundation Establishment, one must have a firm Dao heart and advance resolutely." Lan Chang'an encouraged her.
Another year would make Guan Qiaozhi fifty-nine, still within an acceptable range. Since following Lan Chang'an, Guan Qiaozhi has cultivated steadily and maintained her health well. She hadn't developed any lingering illnesses or suffered damage to her foundation.
…
Two months later.
Shi Manrong returned from outside and sent a voice transmission talisman, inviting Lan Chang'an to her residence for a talk.
After the transaction three years ago and their deeper interactions, the two had become more familiar with each other.
"The restriction on this woman will trigger in no more than two years." Lan Chang'an noted and did not refuse, heading to the cave on Xiao Pan Peak.
Today, when they met, Shi Manrong looked haggard, her makeup not as exquisite as usual, her hair slightly disheveled, giving her an air of languid beauty.
"Fellow Daoist Lan, please chat with me for a while." In the tea room, Shi Manrong's voice was warm and gentle, forcing a smile as she poured wine.
The two drank a few cups slowly, chatting leisurely.
Shi Manrong nestled in his arms, her dress neat and tidy, without the temptation of the past.
Lan Chang'an knew she was merely seeking a temporary emotional harbor to pour out her heart. Or perhaps she was showing weakness to elicit sympathy.
"I have tried every method... Even a Fake-Dan cultivator would find it difficult to break this sea of consciousness-linked restriction." Shi Manrong's eyes dimmed, speaking bitterly.
Asking someone to break the restriction required opening up her sea of consciousness, essentially exposing all her secrets and unconditionally trusting the other person.
"Fairy Shi, your cultivation has reached the mid Foundation Establishment Realm. With your superior-grade second-rank formation skills, studying sea of consciousness-type restrictions and finding similarities should offer a glimmer of hope." Lan Chang'an comforted.
"Fellow Daoist Lan, do you have any insights?" Shi Manrong asked, her clear eyes turning slightly.
"In the cultivation world, there are many methods to break restrictions, such as special magic weapons or talismans. Restrictions have mutual counteractions..." Lan Chang'an shared some insights.
"Restrictions and formations share the same system. Fairy Shi, think about what means there are to break formations, and the same principles apply to restrictions."
Without summoning the second life soul imprint from the Nine Seal Stele, Lan Chang'an couldn't solve this restriction. However, he could provide some ideas and hints. At least he knew which methods were unfeasible and which had potential.
Shi Manrong listened carefully, occasionally showing a thoughtful expression.
Lan Chang'an's insights couldn't directly help her but could spark some inspiration.
"Lan darling, if it truly proves impossible, could you leave me a seed?"
Suddenly, Shi Manrong giggled softly and said half-heartedly, "If this matter comes to fruition, I am willing to bestow upon you all my lifetime's inheritance and legacy."
Lan Chang'an's face twitched, and he waved his hand: "I have no interest in having children."
"As long as Fairy Shi put out the word of seeking a child for heavy amounts of money, I believe that many cultivators would flock to your door."
"Hmph! You are heartless." Shi Manrong glared at him playfully, seemingly a bit annoyed.
"I'll leave now, lest your ex-husband shows up again." Lan Chang'an stood up.
Before he left, Shi Manrong hugged him gently from behind.
"Lan Lang, I've heard of a rare talisman that is highly effective against most restrictions. Do you know of it?"
"This talisman does exist, but it's only suitable for conventional restrictions, not for sea of consciousness-linked restrictions. Unless it's a custom-made talisman specifically designed for breaking soul-related restrictions, at least a third-rank one will be necessary for safety." Lan Chang'an explained.
Shi Manrong made a soft sound of understanding, her expression somewhat crestfallen. She let go of him and prepared to escort Lan Chang'an out of the cave mansion.
…
"Manrong, I have something important to discuss with you!"
Outside Xiao Pan Peak, a man's anxious voice called out.
"The Chen Family is in crisis and needs your assistance..."
"Ignore him." Shi Manrong's clear eyes turned cold.
"Shi Manrong! How can you be so ungrateful as to ignore your family who nurtured and supported you?" Chen Sheng shouted for a long time outside.
Lan Chang'an was not in a good position to go out directly. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
Bored, he spent over an hour indulging in tender moments with Fairy Shi to pass the time away.
Outside, Chen Sheng's throat was nearly hoarse from shouting. Seeing no response from Shi Manrong, he went to Little Turtle Peak several li away to shout.
Lan Chang'an wasn't at Little Turtle Peak, so naturally there was no response here either.
"Lan Chang'an! Did you go to visit Manrong's residence? To think Chen trusted you so much." Chen Sheng roared, his face filled with suspicion.
Lan Chang'an remained unfazed; this was nothing new.
Chen Sheng possessed a deeply suspicious nature. Every male Foundation Establishment peak master in Wuqi Mountain, including some male Qi-Refining cultivators, had been under his scrutiny.
Lan Chang'an was no exception, having been included in the list of suspects several years ago.
At this time, it was getting late.
"Leave through the back door."
Shi Manrong wiped the fragrant sweat from her forehead and said to Lan Chang'an.
"Alright."
Lan Chang'an knew the flaws and secret doors of Xiao Pan Peak's protective formation.
He left through a hidden back door in the rear mountain. Then, he flew towards Little Turtle Peak from another direction.
…
"Lan Chang'an! Come out—"
Chen Sheng was halfway through his shout when someone patted him on the shoulder.
"Brother Chen, were you looking for me?" came the even voice of another man.
Chen Sheng stumbled, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. Despite being a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he had been silently approached from behind without his knowledge.
"Brother Lan."
"This is a misunderstanding. I thought you were at Manrong's residence." Seeing the white-clothed man in front of him, Chen Sheng steadied himself, his face twisting into a smile as all traces of his earlier arrogance vanished.
The reason Lan Chang'an could approach undetected was that his cultivation had deteriorated, his mana flow uneven and impure, and he had lost his vigilance.
"Brother Chen, I observe that your steps are weak, and your yang essence is depleted. Have you been..." Lan Chang'an's words trailed off, replaced by a faint smile.
"Nothing of the sort! Brother Lan, please don't joke."
Chen Sheng reacted strongly, hurriedly interrupting Lan Chang'an mid-sentence, then taking a glance at Xiao Pan Peak.
"Brother Lan, I won't disturb you. I'll head back first..." With evasive words, Chen Sheng left dejectedly.
Lan Chang'an was not surprised. This man was notoriously shameless, bullying the weak and fearing the strong.
…
Half a year later, unusual spiritual energy fluctuations emanated from the sky above Little Turtle Peak.
Ten days later, the outline of a spiritual energy vortex appeared, trembling slightly.
"Someone is attempting Foundation Establishment?"
The other two main peaks and the dependent Qi-Refining cultivators looked towards Little Turtle Peak.
Attempting Foundation Establishment on a second-rank spiritual vein in the Liang Kingdom was not uncommon.
Ordinary cultivators couldn't afford Foundation Establishment Pills but could buy cheaper "Meridian Protecting Pills" to make a last-ditch effort before they got too old.
Meridian Protecting Pills only protected the dantian and meridians and reduced the risk of death during the breakthrough; they did not increase the success rate. Only a few lucky ones could succeed.
Whoosh!
The outline of the spiritual energy vortex in the sky suddenly collapsed.
"Failed."
From the other two main peaks, Lin Ye and Shi Manrong secretly kept watch as well.
They knew the one attempting Foundation Establishment was Guan Qiaozhi. Whether she used a Meridian Protecting Pill or a Foundation Establishment Pill was uncertain. For a concubine, obtaining a Meridian Protecting Pill was already fortunate.
…
In the secret room of the cave mansion.
"Senior Brother Lan, I'm sorry! It's my fault for wasting the Foundation Establishment Pill." Guan Qiaozhi's face was pale, showing disappointment and guilt.
"Don't blame yourself. With your qualifications, given that you took an inferior Foundation Establishment Pill at your age, it is quite normal to fail." Lan Chang'an placed his palm on Guan Qiaozhi's back.
She had suffered a backlash from the failed attempt, but he had promptly protected her and helped treat her.
Lan Chang'an cast the Evergreen secret spell, consuming a tiny amount of lifespan to conduct a certain test.
"It's effective! The backlash's injuries were promptly healed, avoiding damage to the foundation and severe loss of vitality." Lan Chang'an thought.
In other words, with the aid of the Evergreen secret spell, even if a Foundation Establishment attempt failed, there would be minimal impact on the cultivator. After a few months of rest, one could continue their attempts to breakthrough as before.
Could this apply to Core Formation as well?
"Senior Brother Lan, having reached this stage, I have no regrets. If I had stayed in Huanglong Immortal City, I wouldn't have even had this chance, I might not have been able to advance to the late stage of Qi-Refining, to begin with." Tears glistened in Guan Qiaozhi's eyes.
"Take this bottle of secret medicine and rest well."
Lan Chang'an didn't say much, handing her a medicine bottle.
He had seen a year ago that Guan Qiaozhi's faith in achieving Foundation Establishment wasn't strong enough.
The inferior Foundation Establishment Pill had weaker effects indeed. Moreover, Guan Qiaozhi had used breakthrough pills to advance to the seventh layer of Qi-Refining.
"Brother Lan, I've heard that failing to reach Foundation Establishment can cause severe vitality loss, leading to rapid aging..." Guan Qiaozhi suddenly began to weep sorrowfully, not daring to face Lan Chang'an.
"The backlash from Foundation Establishment failure varies from person to person, ranging from mild to severe." Lan Chang'an comforted.
"Your symptoms are relatively light. You didn't attempt Foundation Establishment at too old of an age. With my protection and the secret medicine, it won't cause rapid aging."
"Is that true?"
Guan Qiaozhi took out a mirror and examined herself briefly, seeing that her countenance remained unchanged, she broke into a smile through her tears.
(End of Chapter)