Chapter 60: Second-Rank Talisman
When Plotting for the Foundation Establishment Pill, introducing a seasoned second-rank alchemist is only a critical step.
The biggest challenge is collecting the materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Lan Chang'an knew the recipe for the Foundation Establishment Pill.
He knew more than one recipe for the Foundation Establishment Pill, with different material combinations and refining methods.
The major powers in the cultivation world were as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River.
For countless years, the number of forces that had mastered the recipe for the Foundation Establishment Pill was innumerable, and with the changing times, the recipe had even seen slight improvements.
Common recipes for the Foundation Establishment Pill were certainly not secrets, and it was not difficult to obtain them with some effort.
The recipe was not hard; the difficulty lay in the gathering of the materials and in finding an alchemist skilled in the refining process.
The key ingredients and auxiliary herbs for the Foundation Establishment Pill were monopolized by major powers.
Lan Chang'an had planned for this when he first arrived at Huanglong Immortal City.
...
Two years ago, he had written to Zhao Siyao, entrusting her with the task of monitoring and collecting the materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill within the sect.
As long as they weren't the main ingredients or critically rare auxiliary herbs, they had a chance of being bought within the sect.
Some herbs were not only used for the Foundation Establishment Pill but also had other uses. The sect did not control non-strategic resources that strictly.
He trusted Zhao Siyao's character.
For a Foundation Establishment cultivator, collecting non-critical materials was not a difficult task.
Once a certain amount was collected, Lan Chang'an would visit Jin Yun Valley to buy them with spirit stones.
Lan Chang'an would not rely entirely on Zhao Siyao.
He would continue to monitor and slowly collect materials in Huanglong Immortal City.
Every year in Huanglong Immortal City, there were small auctions, and every three to five years, there were medium to large auctions.
As long as one had sufficient financial resources and was not afraid of being high-profile or taking risks, there was theoretically a chance to buy a Foundation Establishment Pill.
...
Time passed.
Over the next two years, Lan Chang'an's life in Huanglong Immortal City became more stable and leisurely.
He continued cultivating and refining his body, feeding his pet, and delving into various techniques.
Currently, there was the additional task of collecting materials..
The materials he collected were not limited to those for the Foundation Establishment Pill but also included materials for second-rank talismans.
Half a year ago, Lan Chang'an bought a second-rank talisman brush from a high-end talisman shop, spending fifteen hundred spirit stones.
This drained his spirit stone reserves considerably, forcing him to sell some of his superior-grade talisman reserves.
A senior first-rank superior talisman master could barely wield a second-rank talisman brush, increasing the success rate of drawing talismans.
Though this purchase revealed his wealth, his actions were not beyond reason, as he was not a wandering cultivator without any roots.
With the second-rank talisman brush in hand, Lan Chang'an needed only to buy second-rank talisman paper and spiritual ink to draw more second-rank talismans.
However, he needed to be cautious when buying materials for second-rank talismans.
Lan Chang'an did not want to expose his true talisman-drawing skills, which were his greatest reliance before reaching the Core Formation Realm.
...
Over the two years, Lan Chang'an's relationship with Du Wei had grown closer, often visiting each other without needing to bring gifts every time.
Shortly after the concubine banquet, Du Wei learned that Lan Chang'an had a friend who was a Foundation Establishment cultivator within the sect, and his regard for him increased.
Later on, Lan Chang'an divided the worst part of a second-rank low-grade alchemist's inheritance into two halves. The part belonging to a first-rank inheritance was given to Du Wei.
Du Wei, receiving the partial inheritance, guessed that Lan Chang'an had more, and naturally paid close attention.
Du Wei no longer only sought benefits from Lan Chang'an but also reciprocated with cultivation pills for the late Qi-Refining stage.
With mutual exchanges, they developed a genuine friendship, deepening their relationship day by day.
...
One day, Lan Chang'an was drawing second-rank talismans in a secret chamber.
Fully focused, his magic power was nearly exhausted, and sweat beaded on his forehead.
The final arc-like talisman stroke connected end to end on the second-rank talisman paper, as if an invisible current flowed through all the talisman lines.
A fearsome spiritual pressure flashed and solidified on the second-rank talisman paper.
"Second-rank low-grade Thunderbolt Talisman." Lan Chang'an wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled.
The Thunderbolt Talisman, a second-rank talisman, came in low, middle, and superior grades.
Its power was slightly stronger than ordinary second-rank talismans.
The Thunderbolt Talisman drawn by Lan Chang'an, if used properly, could pose a threat to an early Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Using talismans had limitations. The higher the grade, the more restrictions there were.
It wasn't that a Qi-Refining cultivator could freely slaughter Foundation Establishment cultivators with third-rank talismans.
High-ranked talismans had terrifying power and wide ranges.
They not only required mana to activate but also needed the cultivator to guide and control them, demanding a certain level of spiritual sense and mana control.
Did anyone really think talismans were like playing cards, thrown around by the hundreds during combat?
If that were the case, the cultivation world would be ruled by talisman masters.
A Qi-Refining cultivator guiding the power of a second-rank talisman was already strenuous, with any carelessness likely to result in self-harm.
As for a Qi-Refining cultivator activating third-rank attack talismans?
Whether the enemy would die was uncertain, but the user would most likely perish.
The residual aura of a Core Formation-level power released by a third-rank talisman would instantly burn the user to ash.
Therefore, when top geniuses from major powers ventured out, the high-rank talismans given by their elders were mostly defensive or life-saving ones.
Lan Chang'an was better off.
With his mental strength close to the early Foundation Establishment Realm, he could precisely guide second-rank talismans to exert Foundation Establishment-level power.
...
After drawing the talisman, Lan Chang'an sat down to meditate.
When his mana had recovered to about eighty percent.
Whoosh!
A sound transmission note flew into the courtyard, caught by Lan Chang'an.
"Talisman Master Lan, I have good news, please come to my residence!" Du Wei's voice emanated from the sound transmission note.
"Good news?"
Lan Chang'an felt a stir and, after his magic power had recovered, headed to Du Wei's Pill Heart Residence next door.
At Du Wei's residence.
Not only was Lan Chang'an there, but so was Su Xuetong, dressed in a palace gown with her hair tied up.
"Today my master is in a good mood and has some free time, so he will see you." Du Wei said, smiling with the ends of his mustache slightly raised.
Su Xuetong couldn't hide her joy.
She had befriended Du Wei for years, hoping to meet this Alchemist Hua.
"Let's go, I'll take you to my master's residence." Du Wei acted swiftly, leading them towards the inner city near Huanglong Mountain.
Close to the foot of Huanglong Mountain. A series of luxurious or elegant mansions came into their view.
"A spiritual environment with a second-grade spiritual vein."
Lan Chang'an keenly sensed that this place was in the transition area between the inner city and Huanglong Mountain, occasionally seeing Foundation Establishment cultivators flying by.
"This is Huanglong District. The owners of these mansions are mostly Foundation Establishment cultivators." Du Wei said, leading them into a garden-style mansion with numerous medicinal herbs.
"Wait here, I will inform my master."
Leaving the two in the courtyard, Du Wei went directly to one of the halls.
While waiting, Lan Chang'an noticed that the usually charming Su Xuetong was now nervous and uneasy.
This was the difference in cultivation realms.
No matter how stunning a beauty was, she would have to bow down when facing a senior of a higher realm.
Not to mention, Alchemist Hua was not an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator; he held the key to reaching higher realms for Qi-Refining peak cultivators.
After a while.
Du Wei returned, his expression unnatural.
"Alchemist Du, how is it?" Su Xuetong noticed something was off and asked cautiously.
"My fellow cultivators, I am sorry."
Du Wei took a deep breath, calming his emotions, and explained, "Today is unfortunate. An esteemed guest from Huanglong Mountain suddenly visited, discussing the art of alchemy with my master, so he cannot see you two for the time being."
"Our luck is just too bad." Su Xuetong sighed, not daring to complain in such a setting.
Huanglong District was at the foot of Huanglong Mountain.
It was normal for Alchemist Hua to know esteemed guests from Huanglong Mountain.
On Huanglong Mountain, besides the elusive Huanglong Immortal, there were numerous disciples and descendants.
Among Huanglong Immortal's disciples alone, there were two Fake-Dan Immortal masters.
Not to mention the other high-level Foundation Establishment experts.
...
The three of them left in disappointment.
On the way back, Du Wei repeatedly apologized.
Lan Chang'an didn't mind, as he only intended to familiarize himself with Alchemist Hua this time.
When he reached the ninth layer of Qi-Refining and had collected enough materials, he would then seek Alchemist Hua to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Returning to Jinxiu Lane.
Du Wei invited the two to his residence, hosting a banquet as an apology.
After a few drinks, Su Xuetong left midway.
"Brother Lan, this was my oversight."
Du Wei, holding a wine cup, leaned closer and lowered his voice, "To show my sincerity, besides two of my wives, you can choose anyone from my concubines to spend the night with you."
Patting Lan Chang'an's shoulder, he smiled suggestively.
"If one is not enough, you can choose two."
"Brother Du, don't joke. I really didn't take today's matter to heart." Lan Chang'an laughed helplessly.
Even if Du Wei didn't mind, he had no interest in becoming his "unusual" brother-in-law.
Given Du Wei's words, today's incident seemed indeed to be an accident.
Of course, Du Wei's "sincerity" was largely driven by his desire for the other half of the second-rank alchemy inheritance in Lan Chang'an's possession.
Du Wei had greatly benefited from the part he already had and was eager for the rest.
...
Back at Water Moon Residence.
Lan Chang'an returned to his peaceful days.
Every day he interacted with the Profound Water Turtle, feeding it spiritual grains and evergreen mana, keeping it by his side during his cultivation.
Beside Lan Chang'an, who sat cross-legged, the small turtle grew steadily over time.
Three years later.
The young turtle had grown to the size of a bushel.
On this day, the Evergreen mana in Lan Chang'an's body advanced one level further.
"Fifty-three years old, eighth layer of Qi-Refining!"
Lan Chang'an realized that he was one step closer to Foundation Establishment.
Not long after he reached the eighth layer of Qi-Refining.
A Foundation Establishment cultivator visited the Water Moon Residence.
(End of chapter)