By dusk, Li An finally returned to the talisman shop.
Just as he expected, though the market district had undergone reconstruction, the ancient well he had chosen remained well hidden, and the storage pouch was still safely in place.
Late at night, in the quiet, he took stock of his belongings.
At present, just in terms of spirit herbs, he already had one Second-Grade Ghostlight Lotus, one Second-Grade Violet Soul Grass, and two Second-Grade Thousand Spirit Vines!
“Only two herbs left. Once I have them, I’ll have all the ingredients needed for a Foundation Establishment Pill!”
He was quite pleased.
This was also why he had been willing to give up that Foundation Establishment Pill from the sect.
“I’m only at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining. Foundation Establishment is still decades away… no need to rush.”
He remained calm.
Now, the only thing weighing on his mind was the possibility that the Clear Sun Sect might be invaded by the Demonic Sect at any moment.
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that the sect had indeed fallen into the Horse Face of Death’s trap.
If that creature had truly infiltrated the sect, its motive was clear as day!
He had mentally prepared himself for the worst.
“The Clear Sun Sect has deep roots and a broad base. There’s no way the Demonic Sect could shake it without causing a stir. So before they make a move, there will surely be signs… I must keep one eye on news of the Demonic Sect within the Great Dawn Territory and the other on the sect itself!”
“If anything strange happens—I run immediately!”
He had made up his mind.
“These days of peace probably won’t last much longer. I need to focus on cultivation…”
“Thundercrash Palm… not a bad technique.”
He took out a scroll.
It was the High-Grade Yellow Rank technique rewarded by the sect.
This level of technique was rare even within the Clear Sun Sect, typically only accessible to elders. If Li An hadn’t slain the Horse Face of Death, he might never have had the chance to even lay eyes on one.
He already knew a few other techniques of this level, but Thundercrash Palm had one key advantage—it could be used openly!
“I’ll cultivate Thundercrash Palm first, then Cold Yin Finger…”
Cold Yin Finger was another High-Grade Yellow Rank technique he had mastered, completely opposite in nature to Thundercrash Palm.
Thundercrash Palm was fierce and explosive, while Cold Yin Finger was sinister and vicious!
Its greatest asset was its ability to generate Cold Yin Poison.
Li An’s choice was strategic—he would show his enemies the bold, overpowering Thundercrash Palm, making them assume he walked a path of pure force, never suspecting he also cultivated an insidious, venomous art like Cold Yin Finger.
Of course, cultivating both types was extremely difficult. Most cultivators would burn out trying to manage them.
But Li An possessed exceptional mental strength!
Without delay, he began training in Thundercrash Palm.
“There are thirteen forms of Thundercrash Palm. Each form is fiercer than the last. Mastery won’t come easy…”
By midnight, he had familiarized himself with the forms, but still hadn’t grasped the proper way to channel the force.
Fatigue set in, so he stopped practicing and walked over to a wooden tub, pouring in fifty jin of Molten Gold Liquid.
He stripped completely and stepped in.
Activating the Iron Tree Art—
“Hiss—”
Even with his Iron Skin and Silver Flesh, the pain made him grimace and grit his teeth!
The Molten Gold Liquid seeped into his skin, pierced through flesh and blood, and reached his bones. The bones felt like they were being stabbed by needles.
…
Five years passed in a flash in the market district.
This year, Li An was already fifty-four years old.
He was still at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining, but after six years of intense cultivation, he had mastered five forms of Thundercrash Palm and three strikes of Cold Yin Finger.
His “Golden Bone” was at the Minor Completion stage.
Meanwhile, his talisman-drawing skills had also improved—he could now produce First High-Grade Talismans nearly at will.
“If only my cultivation was higher… I could try crafting Second-Grade Talismans.”
He couldn’t help but feel some regret.
Crafting talismans required both spiritual energy and mental focus. Even though he cultivated the Life-Nourishing Immortal-Forging Art, and his spiritual energy was far purer than others, using mid-stage Qi Refining energy to craft Second-Grade Talismans was still incredibly difficult.
He’d have to wait until he reached the late stages of Qi Refining before attempting it.
“Li Lang,”
Tan Qingxue walked in. After eight years, fine wrinkles had appeared on her face.
Over the years, she had taken a Beauty-Preserving Pill, but those only slowed aging. Now nearing sixty, the traces of time could no longer be hidden.
Once the graceful and spirited talisman hall maiden, she was now a woman past her prime. Though beauty remained, signs of fading youth were clear.
“Sister Qiuhui sent another letter. She’s urging me to return to the sect.”
She scooped up a bowl of spirit rice porridge, placed it before Li An, her eyes carrying a hint of sadness.
“That’s good news. You should go back,” Li An said, lifting the warm porridge and taking a sip.
Ever since Xu Qiuhui had achieved Foundation Establishment, she had held considerable say within the sect. Having Tan Qingxue return was not difficult.
Li An had known of this for a while. At first, concerned about the sect’s potential danger, he had subtly tried to persuade her not to leave.
But Tan Qingxue’s heart had grown more resolute. She no longer wished to stay in Bright Sun Market District.
So he hadn’t tried to stop her again.
Tan Qingxue looked at the man who had been by her side for decades. Despite all the years, he still looked young—his appearance hadn’t changed at all.
His expression was still that same calm, detached look, as if nothing mattered to him.
“Li Lang, I’m nearly sixty now. If I don’t have a child soon… I never will.”
Her eyes held a pleading look as she gazed at him.
“I’m sorry.”
Li An finished the porridge, set the bowl down, and said nothing else.
A trace of sorrow and sadness flickered in Tan Qingxue’s eyes. “You hate me, don’t you? You hate me for not saving you in the Spirit Beast Mountains… for leaving you eight years ago.”
“You don’t love me. You love Sister Qiuhui…”
Li An suddenly spoke. “Qingxue,” He looked her in the eyes. “I don’t hate you. And I never loved her.”
“Really.”
Tan Qingxue looked back into his eyes. After all these years, she suddenly felt that, for the first time, she saw sincerity in his gaze.
Her heart was a tangle of emotions. She stood there for a long while, then slowly stepped forward, gave him a light hug, and kissed his forehead.
“Li Lang, I’m leaving now. I understand now—more than ever before. When you ascend the path to immortality, I hope you’ll remember… there was once a woman named Tan Qingxue who stayed by your side.”
With that, she turned and left.
The next morning, Li An quietly folded her daily clothes, along with a brand-new High-Grade Talisman Brush, a protective soft armor, and a pair of Cloudwalking Boots, placing them into a bundle.
These three items were handpicked from the market’s best gear, costing him 1,600 spirit stones.
“Be careful when you return. I’ll write to you often.”
Handing the bundle to her, Li An gave a final reminder.
Tan Qingxue took the bundle, put it into her storage pouch, then stood outside the talisman shop and smiled sweetly.
“Goodbye, Senior Brother Li.”
She had put on light makeup that morning, wearing her prettiest dress—just like in the old days.
It was as if she wanted Li An to see her at her most beautiful one last time before parting.
She turned and disappeared into the crowd.
…
Watching her figure vanish into the street, Li An turned calmly and quietly cleaned the talisman shop, laying out the talismans for sale just like every other day.
…
In the days that followed, he wrote to Tan Qingxue two or three times each month, maintaining a steady line of communication.
In his letters, he often inquired about the sect’s situation, and Tan Qingxue always replied with care.
So far, the sect seemed stable.
But Li An’s unease only grew deeper. The cultivation of the Life-Nourishing Immortal-Forging Art was agonizingly slow. He could not force it. All he could do was continue refining the Iron Tree Art, Thundercrash Palm, and Cold Yin Finger.
In the blink of an eye, another five years passed.
Li An was now fifty-nine years old, only a step away from sixty.
His peers had long since married and started families, while he remained alone, seemingly destined for a solitary end. At his age, even fathering a child would be difficult.
Yet he remained steady and undisturbed, continuing his cultivation with calm focus. His strength had finally reached the peak of the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining. He could soon break through to the late stage.
That day, he was in his room, cultivating Cold Yin Finger.
All ten fingers were submerged in blue medicinal liquid. The venom seeped into his skin, flesh, and bone. Before long, the basin of poison turned crystal clear.
“Cold Yin Finger has reached Minor Completion!”
He was very satisfied.
“Master Li! Master Li… someone’s here to see you!”
At that moment, the apprentice he had hired to watch the shop knocked on the door.
“Who?” Li An opened the door, puzzled.
“It’s a lady. She insists on seeing you.”
Li An was wary and instantly gripped a dozen talismans, ready to unleash them at the slightest sign of trouble.
But when he entered the shop and saw the visitor, he was momentarily surprised.
The guest was none other than Gu Hong, the woman he had saved more than ten years ago!
“Master Li, it’s been years!”
Gu Hong smiled slightly. Her appearance hadn’t aged at all, and her aura was astonishing…
She had reached Foundation Establishment!
…
(End of Chapter)