Eternal Life from Talisman Painting-Chapter 254 - 165: All My Alternate Identities

Qin Feng took a deep breath, aware that in this East District Black Market, those with the surname Lin and Hu openly revealed their identities.

Moreover, they have connections within Celestial Profound City, which is crucial.

If he wants to get a share, he must show more sincerity.

"Friend, I am from the Qin Family Market in the West District."

Then Qin Feng slowly removed his cloak, revealing his true face.

This made Lin Chang’an, disguised as Medicine Master, pause for a moment, then quickly regain composure.

"Ah, the Qin Patriarch, but that’s not enough. I know about the West District too, but it’s far inferior compared to here, and we’ve grown accustomed to this place over the years."

Lin Chang’an’s words instantly intrigued Qin Feng.

We! Doesn’t this imply he has accomplices?

As for being accustomed to this place’s rhetoric.

In his eyes, let alone loose cultivators, even cultivators from sects and clans could turn against each other because of opportunity and profit.

Among cultivators, what loyalty exists?

"Friend, I sincerely invite you; as long as you’re willing to go, we’re willing to offer more..."

Following this, the Qin’s sincerity was impressive, with various temptations that even made Lin Chang’an secretly tempted.

This old fellow is truly despicable, coming here to poach talent.

Originally, you mind your business, I mind mine, without interfering.

Yet you come here to poach my people, don’t blame me then.

"Friend Qin, though your invitation is sincere, we loose cultivators are always cautious, and we still have some dealings with the market here..."

Finally, after negotiating, Lin Chang’an, taking a pragmatic stance, agreed to trade some elixirs.

But he will not recklessly venture into unfamiliar markets.

The trade is set at the foot of Celestial Profound Peak, where Qin Feng will purchase elixirs at a high price; what he chooses to sell them for is his matter.

As their initial contact, there’s no trust between them, which is reasonable.

Hence Qin Feng didn’t doubt much, rather continued inviting with a smile, wanting to meet other fellow cultivators.

Lin Chang’an hesitated for a moment, but under the allure of great profit, nodded in agreement, though the meeting place must be at the foot of Celestial Profound Peak, for safety.

After Lin Chang’an, in his disguise, departed, Qin Feng, alone in the tavern box, gazed at the bustling scene outside, his face revealing a smile.

"Follow the vine to the melon; once we find one, the others shouldn’t be hard to locate. I’m in no rush, let’s take our time, and then see how long those surnamed Lin and Hu can remain complacent."

With a cold snort, Qin Feng drank a cup of wine and then took away the remaining spirit wine and spirit flesh from the table.

Being purchased with flower spirit stones, the Qin Family isn’t doing well lately, and as a patriarch, thriftiness is needed.

However, Qin Feng is unaware that the cultivators he is reaching out to, supposedly hiding their identities, are actually all Lin Chang’an.

...

In the ensuing months, Qin Feng and several cultivators secretly visited this place, indeed forming ties with numerous skilled cultivators.

Yet everyone carefully concealed their identities upon visiting here, with no cultivator daring such risks despite temptation.

Of course, if you offer a high price, they’ll sell, but won’t easily venture into unfamiliar black markets.

At the West District Black Market, Qin Feng and several Foundation Establishment cultivators, although consuming a lot of spirit stones and materials, had their own gains.

One by one wore smiles, unhurried, believing gradual association will eventually succeed.

After all, small increments accumulate over time, allowing the acquisition of many high-level materials.

Yet they remained unaware that among the twenty plus associates, eighteen were different identities of Lin Chang’an.

"Patriarch, talismans and elixirs have increased, recent market business shows improvement."

"Indeed, only high-level goods can attract high-level cultivators, but we still aren’t distributing enough."

"Progress requires patience, at least this is a good start."

The ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, seeing some progress at the black market, let go of most worries.

And as Qin Feng, overseeing the black market, wore an ambitious smile.

"Fellow cultivators, those few from the East District have merely seized the opportunity; you’ve witnessed it yourselves. Don’t you wish to replace them?"

Human greed has no bounds.

Even cultivators are no exception.

During Qi Refining, reaching Foundation Establishment satisfies, but after Foundation Establishment, eyes covet the Golden Core, and after Golden Core, they dream of becoming Nascent Soul ancestors.

A person’s life fixation ultimately stems from greed.

With ambition, Qin Feng displayed greater designs, eyeing everyone.

While they exchanged glances, the profits from the East District Black Market were enviable, but in Celestial Profound City, they dared not openly cause disruption.

"Given our current position, thanks to Qin Fellow’s foresight."

"Indeed, if Qin Fellow has a method, please share."

Under greed’s influence, indecision abounded, yet more were swayed, and a few remaining hesitant ones wanted to hear the strategy.

"Everyone, these months, it’s primarily our high-priced purchase of elixirs, talismans, and materials sustaining this market, which remains an illusion ready to fade at any time.

We need ample profit, ignoring immediate gains or losses, and completely win over this crowd..."

Under Qin Feng’s determined gaze, he embodied aggressive ambition and vision, employing competitive tactics.

This earned secret nods among the crowd; they all deemed it reasonable.

Even if the East District Black Market suffers, they can’t confront openly.

"We could even set a trap, causing a major setback for the East District, letting our West District rise..."

Following Qin Feng’s plans, everyone subtly nodded.

A senior elder from the Qin Family, worried, deemed it too risky, with high possibility of something going wrong.

"Patriarch, the market is progressing steadily, this move is excessively risky, unnecessary."

"Do you think I wish to? Earlier, our Qin Family lost its foundation; otherwise, we wouldn’t be like this!"

With resolute determination, Qin Feng, if the Qin Family’s foundation remained, wouldn’t take such risks and engage in black market schemes.

Looking at the patriarch striving for family revival, the elder hesitantly sighed.

The grand trend was unstoppable, and he could only pray nothing goes wrong.

...

At this time in the cave.

"Foundation Establishment must consolidate your base; never hastily pursue immediate gain..."

In the pavilion, Lin Chang’an solemnly advised the three before him.

Shen Fan and Wei Yingying, visiting with gifts, hadn’t neglected their cultivation over the years.

Both only thirty-six years old, still at Qi Refining Ninth Layer, already planning for Foundation Establishment.

Not that their talent exceeded Li Yifan, but their environments differed.

Li Yifan grew up in Cyan Bamboo Mountain, a small, spiritually scarce place with limited resources.

Whereas Shen Fan and Wei Yingying hailed from Celestial Profound City; their upbringing akin to major sect disciples.

Additionally, their parents provided resources, unlike Li Erniu’s family, where resources were sparse due to many offspring.

Shen Fan and Wei Yingying differed; raised by attentive elders.

"At your age, achieving this cultivation is rare; treasure Celestial Profound City’s abundant resources."

Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but envy; had he had such a cultivation haven early, he wouldn’t have endured hardships for so long.

Having elder protection versus lone loose cultivation were worlds apart.

Before forty, he utilized spirit crystals; spirit stones were precious treasures.

But they grew accustomed to spirit stones from childhood.

"Thanks, Senior Lin."

Additionally, Zhou Bingbing, handling Cyan-Horned Bull feeding, nodded appreciatively, benefiting from a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s insights.

Lin Chang’an nodded with a smile; over the years, Zhou Bingbing and Zhou Bingyun displayed vastly different personalities.

Her visits were quiet, diligently feeding Cyan-Horned Bulls and tending spirit plants outside the cave before respectfully departing.

As though afraid to disturb him.

If such occurred occasionally, it’d go unnoticed; but throughout years, actions expose intentions.

Knowing when to advance or retreat, coupled with business ties to the Zhou Family, mere Foundation insights are trivial; the Zhou Family has plenty.

He willingly provided cultivation guidance.