Xu Qiuhui's reminder made Li An wary.
The minor beast tide in the Spirit Beast Mountain Range had persisted for nearly a year, and the whereabouts of that mysterious spirit beast remained unknown. Later, the sect suddenly suspended all tasks related to the Spirit Beast Mountain Range.
Now, Xu Qiuhui suddenly reminded him to be careful…
Something must have happened over at the Spirit Beast Mountain Range, and it might even affect the Spirit Plant Mountain?!
He couldn't help but feel grateful that he had always diligently maintained a good relationship with Xu Qiuhui.
A single sentence from her could save him a lot of trouble and also let him know many things in advance.
…
Out of caution, he went to Zhengyi Residence of the outer sect again.
——The residence of the registered disciples.
There were errand boys at the entrance responsible for visiting registration. After completing it, before long, Wang Dazhu had already run out from Zhengyi Residence.
"Brother An, you finally came, that's great!"
Seeing Li An, he was very happy.
What surprised Li An was that coming out with him was actually Zhao Xian's Story.
Zhao Xian's Story looked somewhat haggard and dispirited. Upon seeing Li An, he forced a smile:
"We haven't seen each other for over six months, let's go drink, my treat!"
…
Before long, by the Moon Lake of the outer sect, in a pavilion.
Li An told the two of them about his Spirit Root's recovery.
Wang Dazhu was very happy and pulled the three of them to raise a toast in celebration.
Even Zhao Xian's Story didn't say any unpleasant mocking words, being very easygoing, seemingly without hostility towards Li An.
He drank quickly, and soon his face turned bright red.
"Li An, congratulations, your Spirit Root recovered... that's great."
"You're smarter than me, you're sensible, I'm a fool... come often in the future, from now on we are brothers, and we'll drink together!"
He drunkenly spoke, laying on the table, and fell asleep.
Wang Dazhu sighed and said, "Last month, he went to Yangdao Residence to find Mu Qingwan, only to discover another man was very close with Mu Qingwan. The two had a conflict, and he ended up having his hand broken by the other guy and was also stripped of his formal disciple status…"
Li An couldn't help but be speechless.
Zhao Xian's Story was different from Li An and the others, coming from a Cultivation Clan, his family had a Foundation Establishment Stage expert, so in a way, he was a little second-generation cultivator.
How could he be bullied like this?
"That guy's name is Han Cheng, reportedly the grandson of an inner sect elder, cultivated to Qi Refining Sixth Layer, and both his background and power far surpass Zhao Xian's Story..."
"This past month, Zhao Xian's Story has drowned his sorrows in alcohol every day, being very dejected..."
Li An understood, the second generation encountered a more powerful second generation.
Actually, the initial hostility Zhao Xian's Story had towards Li An was mainly because, among that batch of entry disciples, Li An was closest to Mu Qingwan.
Secondly, back then, Li An had good aptitude and posed a threat to him.
Now, he also became a failure, and furthermore, having adapted to the sect's harsh and difficult cultivation environment, looking back on their past entry-level competitions, it now seemed laughable.
Thus, Zhao Xian's Story felt a sense of mutual sympathy with Li An, and his attitude changed accordingly.
"Dazhu, do you know what's happening on the Spirit Beast Mountain Range side?"
Li An wasn't concerned about these issues but instead asked solemnly.
Wang Dazhu said, "Not quite sure, we were mostly at the outskirts doing some simple tasks at that time. Later we heard that something happened in the depths, it seems a Foundation Establishment Stage Great Cultivator got injured, and all tasks were stopped."
A Foundation Establishment Stage Great Cultivator got injured?
Based on Li An's experience, if the news spread out like this, the truth would generally be more severe.
Probably that Foundation Establishment cultivator wasn't injured… but killed!
Otherwise, Profound Yang Sect wouldn't stop all tasks just because a Foundation Establishment cultivator was injured.
There is danger...
A sense of urgency struck his heart.
"Brother An, keep going, in another year and a half it's the sect's major examination, then you can become a disciple!"
Wang Dazhu was very expectant.
Li An, however, couldn't help but smile bitterly.
He spent nearly two years to cultivate to Qi Refining Second Layer.
Wang Dazhu and Zhao Xian's Story were already at Qi Refining Third Layer.
Still lagging a lot.
…
In the evening, Li An returned to Spirit Plant Mountain and ate dinner.
He immediately started making talismans.
"Spirit Gathering Talismans are too low grade and not very useful..."
He began pondering, grabbing the brush, and started making Fire Talismans.
The first four sheets of paper failed.
But benefiting from his breakthrough and the Super Sensing Skill, which enhanced his use of Spiritual Power significantly, on the fifth talisman paper, a lifelike flame pattern was finally drawn complete!
A first-grade low-tier Fire Talisman, successfully made!
Moreover, the quality was good, Li An felt that even a Qi Refining Third Layer cultivator would be seriously injured if hit!
He didn't stop and made forty sheets of talisman paper in one go.
Successfully made five!
The Fire Talisman was much harder than the Spirit Gathering Talisman, classified as a high-quality item among first-grade low-end spirit talismans, so this success rate was quite decent.
This was largely due to his experience from his past life; otherwise, a beginner would take at least half a year to successfully make a Fire Talisman!
"Fire Talismans are mainly for attack, I also need to refine control and defense talismans."
He pondered and then started crafting two other types of talismans.
The Cold Wind Talisman, which upon activation, could form a Wind Realm about three meters wide, lasting a few seconds, would slow down any enemy enveloped within.
The Earth Shield Talisman, primarily for defense, would create an earth shield upon use.
The crafting difficulty was similar to the Fire Talisman.
In fact, these three types of talismans were the best sellers among early-stage Qi Refining cultivators, categorized as scarce goods.
Due to switching talisman types, Li An wasted thirteen sheets of talisman paper before successfully making his first Cold Wind Talisman.
Soon, he successfully made four Cold Wind Talismans.
The Fire and Cold Wind Talismans used up seventy-six sheets of talisman paper.
Just four Cold Wind Talismans had already recouped the cost of buying the talisman paper.
Only twenty-four sheets of talisman paper left.
"Need to make another Earth Shield Talisman!"
Li An focused intently.
On the thirteenth sheet of talisman paper, he finally made an Earth Shield Talisman!
"Ten premium talisman papers!"
A sense of security grew in Li An's heart.
He tucked the ten talismans into his sleeve pocket and fell into a deep sleep.
…
Over the next month, aside from daily cloud and rain tasks, Li An occasionally ventured into the forests around Spirit Plant Mountain.
Continually honing his Water Arrow Skill and observing changes within the woods, he even attempted to delve several miles deeper to explore more.
He dared to do this mainly because he had talismans as a backup, and the Life Seed allowed him to hide his aura, making it very safe.
Li An's Water Arrow Skill could currently be executed approximately twenty times in succession, releasing four arrows in one shot with a reach of sixty meters!
This was the limit for Qi Refining Second Layer.
Combined with the talismans, even facing a Qi Refining Third Layer, he could likely kill instantly; facing Qi Refining Fourth Layer, it wasn't impossible to battle!
"There are more wild beasts in these woods compared to before, leopards, lynxes and other predators not native to this area have appeared... seems like something is indeed approaching."
On this day, after using his Water Arrow Skill to kill a spotted leopard, Li An fell into thought.
This place, near Spirit Plant Mountain, previously housed mainly stink badgers and wild rabbits, but in recent days, he has killed more than one predator.
In any case, he needed to be prepared in advance.
"Both sides are surrounded by towering mountains; if something is really on the way, this narrow passage is the only route."
He circled the area and, drawing from his past life experience, began simulating various scenarios in his mind.
What if people came?
What if a spirit beast arrived?
If he faced danger here, how should he escape?
He conducted a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the terrain, dedicating an entire afternoon to drafting four relatively safe escape routes at this mountain pass!
Including what paths could lead to trap construction and where to take cover… he had it all planned out.
"Knowing the escape routes isn't enough, if the speed isn't fast enough, escape won't be possible—"
A thought crossed his mind; he needed to practice his body technique further.
"At early-stage Qi Refining, the most practical is Light Body Step!"
He started his cultivation in the woods, with his figure darting swiftly among the trees.
…
Returning to his dwelling in the evening, he prepared to continue refining talismans.
"Li An, are you home?"
Suddenly, Zhang Susu knocked on his door.
Li An quickly hid the talisman papers and pen before opening the door, saying, "Sister Susu, what's up?"
In over a year, Zhang Susu had become more mature and alluring, her figure was curvaceous and her skin delicate, possessing a captivating beauty.
She walked into Li An's room, conveniently closing the door behind her, with an uncontainable blush on her face and whispered:
"Fan Jie has been out for three days, and might be back in a few more days. I've been feeling quite uncomfortable during this time, can you help me with something?"
Li An's brows furrowed.
…