After the snow and wind, spring rain once again fell on the eaves, making a pitter-patter sound.
Inside the house, as the spiritual brush was slowly lifted, an Upper Grade Flying Sword Talisman was completed, and Lin Chang'an couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
"It's been a year."
Since the awakening of his talent last year, a year had passed. Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market had expanded rapidly within a few months, and with the development efforts of the two major sects, it had become a famous large market.
Countless loose cultivators flocked in, and during this time, he experienced the benefits of prosperity. Selling Middle Grade Talismans became exceptionally easy, which accelerated his cultivation significantly.
[Name: Lin Chang'an]
[Life Span: 41/99]
[Realm: Qi Refining Fourth Layer (58/100)]
[Cultivation Technique: Chang Chun Skill (Grandmaster: 138/5000)]
[Skills: Golden Light Talisman (Mastery 106/1000), Divine Movement Talisman (Mastery 16/1000), Flying Sword Talisman (Mastery 9/1000)]
Looking at his attribute panel, a smile appeared on Lin Chang'an's face.
"The Chang Chun Skill notebook from Elder Lu was really helpful to me, but thinking about it, it's understandable. After all, it's a summary of experiences from a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator with more than fifty years of immersion."
With a deeper understanding of the Chang Chun Skill, coupled with the assistance of Spirit Stones, his cultivation speed once again accelerated.
The additional year of life he gained was due to the longevity effects of the Chang Chun Skill.
"If mastery corresponds to Middle Grade skills, then grandmaster must be Upper Grade skills."
This period of exploration had made Lin Chang'an realize that skills are merely proof of reaching a certain level of ability, and the corresponding heritage is still needed.
"The skills of a Tier One Middle Grade Talisman Master allow me to quickly master newly learned talismans. Although I currently only have the Golden Light Talisman and Flying Sword Talisman for Middle Grade Talismans, they are sufficient for now."
Looking at his progress with the Flying Sword Talisman, in a few months, he had become proficient enough to master producing Middle Grade Flying Sword Talismans.
"The cultivation of Qi Refining Fourth Layer is still somewhat weak for now. I must quickly improve my skills to obtain more resources."
The inheritance of a Tier One Upper Grade Talisman could possibly be missed, but skill mastery must first be achieved.
...
In the span of a few months, the market had bloomed anew, expanding several times over.
The market was bustling with people coming and going, noisy and lively.
As for the previous demon beasts, they had long become Spirit Stones in the eyes of numerous cultivators. Even the Tier Two Late Stage Wolf King had been severely wounded and fled.
As he stepped out of the courtyard, he saw Erniu's child playing with several children from the Zhou Family.
"Zhou Yifan, you're not allowed to have the Zhou surname!"
"Exactly, your dad's surname is Li, so you should be called Li Yifan."
"Beat this child with a different surname."
A group of children were playfully fighting, and Erniu's child, Zhou Yifan, who was detected to have a Spirit Root, was angrily wrestling with kids older than him without any fear.
"Yifan, you naughty boy."
Li Erniu came out at this moment, and upon seeing the scene, his instinct to avoid trouble kicked in. He hurried to pick up his child's ear, scaring the other children into dispersing.
Seeing Lin Chang'an return at this moment, he wore an embarrassed expression.
"Brother Lin, you're here. These kids are just too unruly."
"Come on, call him Uncle Lin."
Li Erniu pulled out his son Zhou Yifan from behind.
Though only five years old, perhaps due to the environment, Lin Chang'an only saw stubbornness and resilience in the child's eyes.
Lin Chang'an gently stroked the child's head, sighing, realizing that life is full of challenges.
Moreover, this was a family affair.
"Erniu, your leg seems much better now."
Lin Chang'an smiled to change the topic, and Li Erniu patted his healed leg.
"It has indeed recovered."
But this time out, Lin Chang'an was puzzled to see the red decorations hanging at the Zhou Family's place.
"Erniu, does the Zhou Family have some happy occasion?"
"Brother Lin, recently they discovered many resources while opening up new land, and the clan is planning an alliance through marriage with the Wang Family."
Li Erniu's expression was somewhat complex. Not long ago, the two families were at odds, and now they were planning intermarriages.
Two female cultivators with Spirit Root talent from the Zhou Family were marrying into the Wang Family, while three female cultivators from the Wang Family were marrying into the Zhou Family.
Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an understood. As the market expanded recently, not only did more external cultivators come, but also many cultivator clans from outside.
The most typical example being two branches of Foundation Establishment Clans settling under the jurisdiction of the Profound Sound Pavilion, posing a clear external threat to the local Wang and Zhou Families.
Only by joining forces could the Wang and Zhou Families face this impact.
"So that's it."
Lin Chang'an was not too surprised. After all, a family cannot act recklessly like an individual.
During their conversation, the sensible child, Zhou Yifan, had quietly returned home.
Li Erniu looked somewhat embarrassed, eventually scratching his head and saying:
"Brother Lin, a decision was made within the clan recently. I'm afraid I can no longer be your neighbor."
Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an smiled and nodded.
"That's a good thing, Erniu. The Zhou Family didn't expect anything to happen in the market previously. Now, with you moving into the clan, you no longer have to worry about the safety of your family."
Perhaps before, they were careless or didn't take it seriously.
But now, even though Erniu was not powerful, still being a cultivator at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer warranted attention.
Receiving Lin Chang'an's congratulations, Li Erniu smiled, and the two began chatting about the market's development during that time.
"Recently, disciples from the Li Huo Palace and the Profound Sound Pavilion led numerous cultivators in hunting a lot of demon beasts. Even the wolf pack that attacked the market last time was crippled."
"The little Commandery Princess has also ventured deep into the area multiple times, recently slaying a Tier One Late Stage demon beast. Business in the shops is gradually improving."
Listening to this, Lin Chang'an felt a surge of emotions, recognizing that everyone was striving to survive.
"But I heard from the clan that recently there have been many tribulation cultivators outside, and it seems many of them were enticed by the Divine Sword Sect."
Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an understood. What the Li Huo Palace and the Profound Sound Pavilion were doing, the Divine Sword Sect naturally did too.
Using loose cultivators to create chaos and deplete the opponent's power.
Before sect wars break out, the loose cultivator forces within the Yue Kingdom are either to be consolidated under control or consumed entirely.
This is the survival rule of the jungle.
"This is no longer a simple market conflict, but one that could escalate into a war involving the Three Major Sects at any time. The Yue Kingdom has become a place of turmoil."
Lin Chang'an's gaze deepened as he secretly plotted his moves.
He actually wanted to flee, but leaving the country, aside from how difficult it would be, with his fragile self, wouldn't it be obvious he's an easy target?
Leaving here would be even more dangerous.
"At the very least, the cultivation must reach late-stage Qi Refining. Only then, if war breaks out, will there be a chance of escaping safely."
At this moment, Lin Chang'an felt somewhat relieved, grateful that he, unlike Erniu, didn't have family ties holding him back.
Li Erniu had no idea that his travelling companion Brother Lin was already planning an escape plan.