Eternal Life from Talisman Painting-Chapter 266 - 170: The Long Road of Cultivation (Part 2)

"Given my understanding of a Tier Two Array, adding an extra layer of security shouldn't be a problem. If fortune favors me and I acquire a Tier Three Array set up by a Golden Core Cultivator, that would be quite a profit."

Lin Chang'an's eyes flickered as he contemplated the preparations for this trip.

"A Water Attribute Spiritual Artifact, the Thunder Shock Talisman to counter the Blood Evil Qi, and the Phoenix Cry Bird—all of these preparations should suffice; there should be no issues."

What's more, he also possessed the Cyan Scale Sword and the Yellow Dragon Bell, a pair of top-grade Spiritual Artifacts, one offensive and one defensive. Coupled with his Self-Healing Body, the power of the Evil Essence Sword Formulas was extraordinary.

"Unknowingly, I've already reached such a level of strength; the path of cultivation is truly addictive."

Lin Chang'an sighed at the constant growth of his power, feeling an ever-increasing sense of security that was quite intoxicating.

"But it's still better to be prepared; though the Self-Healing Body is strong, healing and mana recovery elixirs, Tier Two Upper Grade talismans, and even quasi-Tier Three talismans..."

Over the years, he and Yun Yao had been preparing for the Secret Realm, and although this trip was just for a sneak peek, Lin Chang'an meticulously packed all his possessions.

He brought hundreds of Tier Two Upper Grade talismans and as many as thirty-two quasi-Tier Three talismans, not to mention various elixirs.

After ensuring he missed nothing, he started preparing for this Secret Realm exploration.

During this period, Old Hu visited, mentioning he had discovered one of those ten Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the West District Market three years ago, the one who had spoken harshly with resentment.

The person had joined the Shayun Country Commerce Association three years ago to escape disaster, but unexpectedly, they had sneaked back and returned mysteriously from the Cloud Mist Mountain Range.

"Old Hu, I've recently gained some insights and need to go into secluded cultivation for a while."

However, Lin Chang'an's thoughts were wholly focused on preparing for the Secret Realm, leaving him uninterested in this matter, so he found an excuse.

Old Hu didn't suspect much, instead laughed heartily and waved it off, thinking that a mere early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator couldn't stir much trouble.

Yet Old Hu didn't let his guard down, secretly keeping an eye on the person.

He even suspected that this person, having sneaked into the Cloud Mist Mountain Range multiple times, might have discovered something.

"The Shayun Country Commerce Association has come such a long way; surely, they wouldn't just ignore trade resources. That this Foundation Establishment Cultivator keeps an eye on the Cloud Mist Mountain Range; perhaps they've found something?"

Walking out of the cave residence, Old Hu pondered deeply.

The Shayun Country Commerce Association dispatched six or seven Foundation Establishment Cultivators for escort; they seemed overly cautious.

"There might be something fishy going on. Let's observe secretly. If anything arises, we can inform Old Lin and the others then."

Old Hu nodded secretly, confident in his tracking skills. His family heirloom had the ability to conceal and alter auras, unless encountered by a Core Formation Cultivator.

...

Three months later.

Deep in the Cloud Mist Mountain Range.

The engulfing Poisonous Miasma Area made even Lin Chang'an frown.

"The miasma here is incredibly dense."

Over the years, due to the Black Market, he had not delved into the Cloud Mist Mountain Range for demon hunting, but he was once a regular here.

He was also quite familiar with the density of miasma in this place.

Beside him, Yun Yao, whose face was hidden by a black veil, also looked grim. Her breathing released a faint chill as she operated her cultivation technique.

"So, the depth of the Cloud Mist Mountain Range surely holds secrets, but these have nothing to do with us Foundation Establishment Cultivators."

Such secrets were far beyond their reach as Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Instead, the Golden Core Cultivator's cave residence was the most tangible profit at hand.

"Brother Lin, we're almost there."

The closer they got to their destination, the more somber their expressions became.

They had discovered traces of several cultivators probing deeper along the way.

After all, with the demon beasts in turmoil deep in the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, too many cultivators wished to explore its secrets.

The whole way, Lin Chang'an rode the Cyan-Horned Bull, which made things much easier.

Yun Yao took out two Magical Artifacts and one Spiritual Artifact from her storage bag.

"Brother Lin, I've painstakingly procured these artifacts, one of which is a Spiritual Artifact, designed to detect arrays."

Looking at Yun Yao, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but sigh inwardly, impressed by her connections to the powerful Profound Yin Demon Sect. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

The resources she could access were far beyond what a regular Loose Cultivator like him could match.

Finding such artifacts quietly was beyond his reach.

After all, anything related to arrays was closely watched by all major factions.

Visiting Duo Bao Tower or Treasures Tower could quickly get one noticed.

"Brother Lin, it's right there in front of us, that mountain hollow."

After half a day's journey, they arrived at a mountain hollow dense with miasma.

Yun Yao pointed solemnly at the place.

It was Lin Chang'an's first visit here, and his expression was extremely grave, activating his Spiritual Eye to cautiously observe the surroundings.

"Is this the cave residence of a Golden Core Cultivator? It's indeed well-hidden, though the miasma is quite dense."

Yun Yao gravely nodded and reminded him:

"Brother Lin, although the place is obscured by a Tier Three Array, it's a lair of Poisonous Scorpions, so we must be careful."

The two cautiously approached the edge of the distant hollow.

Looking ahead, they saw a rotten marsh covering up to hundreds of acres.

Even from a distance, Lin Chang'an could smell the stench.

It was the toxic gas from the marsh, mixed with the miasma.

"The miasma here could easily make a Foundation Establishment Cultivator feel dizzy just from a single breath."

Lin Chang'an was secretly alarmed, grateful that his cultivation technique could immunize him against poisons of the same tier.