Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Traces of Time

The auction has ended.

Countless cultivators excitedly discussed this time’s sights and experiences.

Some shouted about the number of Foundation Establishment Pills auctioned, while others beat their chests in regret over missing out on treasures.

Others repeatedly commented that it was a worthwhile trip.

“Witnessing so many Foundation Establishment Pills today, and even one spiritual artifact after another, at least makes my sixty years of cultivation not in vain.”

An elderly cultivator in the late-stage Qi Refining, with a hearty smile, thought that although he had no hope of breaking through, at least he had witnessed a grand occasion; it was worth it.

Meanwhile, Lin Chang’an had already returned to his cave mansion.

The pavilion was connected to a cave behind it. He had also carved a hole in the ceiling of the cave so that the moonlight could shine in.

The surrounding spirit plants set off the elegance of the environment.

“Finally, I can focus on alchemy and cultivation.”

Back in his cave mansion, with a broad smile on his face, Lin Chang’an felt he finally had some means of self-protection.

A Tier Two spirit pet, the Cyan-Horned Bull, plus two spiritual artifacts (top-grade magical artifacts) used by Foundation Establishment cultivators. On the surface, he had the Cyan Bamboo Sword; in secret, he had the Gilded Needle.

One overt, one covert.

“Although still lacking a defensive one, I’m too short on cash.”

Lin Chang’an shook his head, deciding temporarily to use the two upper-grade defensive magical artifacts from his Qi Refining Stage.

The Golden Silk Scale Armor was something he bought at Duo Bao Tower, and the Profound Iron Shield was a gift from that Talisman Master Ge; both belong to upper-grade defensive magical artifacts.

One could be worn under the dharma robe, the other was convenient for personal defense.

“At least I just established my Foundation two years ago, and having two spiritual artifacts is already far superior to many cultivators of the same level.”

Lin Chang’an secretly nodded; it was also for self-defense; otherwise, all these resources would have been invested in cultivation.

“Over the past six months, the progress in cultivation has been significantly affected; now, I must seize every day.”

Lin Chang’an had no interest in the subsequent auction. He returned to his routine of daily cultivation, talisman painting, and secretly practicing alchemy.

Outside, Celestial Profound City was buzzing with excitement after the first auction caused a sensation.

Especially those cultivators about to go into seclusion to establish their Foundation, who had rented out all available cave mansions.

Helpless, Celestial Profound City opened several dozen unused Foundation Establishment cultivator caves and temporarily set up arrays to divide them into seclusion caves for rent to the public.

As the wind and snow howled, the cultivators in Celestial Profound City were ablaze with excitement.

…

“My goodness, so many Foundation Establishment cultivators have broken through this month.”

“I heard the He Family produced two Foundation Establishment cultivators; truly enviable.”

“Look, someone else succeeded in breaking through!”

“Look there, that dejected figure leaving, isn’t it the genius from the Li Family?”

The biting wind couldn’t dampen the passionate blood of the cultivators.

At this moment, standing at the mouth of his cave mansion halfway up the mountain, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but sigh at the scene.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator has already been most of the goal pursued by loose cultivators for their entire lives.

To produce a Foundation Establishment cultivator means the family can continue its lineage for another hundred years.

And a Foundation Establishment cultivator emerging from loose cultivators means establishing a Foundation Establishment Clan.

“Niu’Er, this is the pursuit of cultivators.”

Lin Chang’an’s deep eyes observed this year’s snowy scene, seemingly reminiscent of the scene he saw right after his own Foundation Establishment breakthrough.

Lifespan: 57/208

Unknowingly, he had already broken through the Foundation Establishment two years ago.

He was already 57 years old, having lived over half a life for an ordinary person.

“Fifty-seven years — for a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the path of cultivation is just beginning.”

Thinking of the lifespan of Foundation Establishment cultivators, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but show a contemplative smile.

Perhaps this is the charm of immortal cultivation.

Turning back to admire the beauty of the spirit vein, Lin Chang’an sighed deeply.

“Whether prince or commoner, in the end, all turn to dust. Only these green mountains remain unchanged, and is this not what we cultivators pursue?”

With a slight realization, Lin Chang’an’s face broke into a smile.

What cultivators chase, besides great power, is to live as long as heaven and earth, to shine as brightly as the sun and moon.

Just then, the mooing of the Cyan-Horned Bull behind him brought Lin Chang’an back to reality.

The Cyan-Horned Bull looked at him with a fawning expression, occasionally rubbing against his shoulder.

Seeing this, Lin Chang’an laughed, gently patting the bull’s head.

The Cyan-Horned Bull had grown larger still, now unable to reach his trouser legs even by lowering its head.

“You silly thing, you don’t have so many worries.”

Taking some spirit grass from the Storage Bag, the Cyan-Horned Bull mooed excitedly twice, then began happily munching on the spirit grass.

Lin Chang’an, though disturbed, wasn’t annoyed, and instead smiled as he stroked the bull’s hide.

The journey of immortal cultivation is long and lonely; with this bull as his companion, perhaps in a hundred years when he looks back, he will suddenly recall everything from the past.

…

“Brother Lin, the impact of this auction created nearly a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators in just a month. It truly is a rare spectacle for Celestial Profound City,” Shen Lie commented, his face flushed with excitement due to the bustling business at the Gathering Immortals Tower lately.

“Indeed. Not just the Foundation Establishment Pills at the auction; the huge influence of this event brought in countless resources, allowing many cultivators to gather enough materials for Foundation Establishment,” Li Erniu said, visiting with a rare chance to spare, full of envy.

Foundation Establishment — they had no hope of achieving it in their lifetime.

Thanks to the previous Zhou Family incident, although they lost an important exotic beast, Erniu’s loyalty and bravery were noticed by the Zhou Family.

They especially allowed him to participate in high-level family meetings, and assigned him a good position.

In just six months, Erniu not only recovered from his injuries, but he also became a little plumper.

“Celestial Profound City’s prosperity comes with crisis; after the last auction, we must be cautious,” Lin Chang’an cautioned, not blinded by the current prosperity in Celestial Profound City, whether it was Master Lu’s disciple’s upcoming Core Formation or the Core Formation Spiritual Object’s auction.

All of it would trigger competition.

“Yes, don’t worry Brother Lin, we know our own limits,” Li Erniu assured, patting his chest with a smile. He was only at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, gradually letting go of his desire for cultivation.

After all, he felt he already lived a worthwhile life.

Often, he reminisced about his youth, unable to suppress a grin.

The once farm boy who stumbled into the Immortal Cultivation Realm and eventually became the Zhou Family’s son-in-law.

Later rising steadily, now a part of the Zhou Family’s leadership.

His life experiences may not rival those of Foundation Establishment cultivators, but they certainly are legendary for an ordinary loose cultivator.

“Brother Lin, the trade fair at the Gathering Immortals Tower has also temporarily stopped, given how lively the city’s market is now.”

The suspension of the Foundation Establishment cultivator trade fair at the Gathering Immortals Tower made Shen Lie regretful, but he didn’t want to push it.

After all, who knows what might happen these days?

“Yes, everyone should remain cautious lately.”

Lin Chang’an nodded lightly; he came out wanting to explore the market to procure some ingredients for alchemy and talisman painting.

Mostly, he wanted to see the rare spiritual materials brought by cultivators from other countries; perhaps he wouldn’t need them but it would expand his knowledge.

At the table, the three exchanged glances, smiling and raising their cups; however, Li Erniu and Shen Lie couldn’t help but feel melancholic when looking at Lin Chang’an’s unchanged appearance compared to twenty years ago.

Time spares no one; even though they were in the late-stage Qi Refining, the difference between them and Foundation Establishment cultivators was like heaven and earth.

Lin Chang’an was undoubtedly in his prime; time, however, had left indelible marks on their faces.

Perhaps they hadn’t cultivated the Youthful Appearance Wood Element Technique.

But the gap between Qi Refining Stage and Foundation Establishment Stage had already become obvious among them.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep