In the alley.
"Third Brother."
Another Tribulation Cultivator came over from the other side, and upon seeing the figure lying on the ground, was both shocked and furious. He hurried forward, using the Exorcism Technique to help his brother.
After confirming there was no trickery, he realized that Third Brother had already lost his breath, leaving him terrified. Killing his brother so quickly, unacceptable!
He must leave quickly!
However, as he prepared to leave, he reached for his brother's Storage Bag, but the next moment, a scorching heat hit him, reddening his cheeks.
"Not good!"
The firelight was reflected in his pupils, and just as he hastily released a Mana Shield, a green light flashed across his back. The Mana Shield flickered, and a small crack showed it had been pierced by something.
Bang!
As the flames burned, Lin Chang'an calmly swept past from the shadows, simultaneously collecting the two now-speechless Storage Bags into his arms.
In the quiet alley, the firelight blew away in the wind, leaving only a trace of scorched evidence.
...
Along the way, he changed disguises several times in the market, even visiting a brothel filled with the decadent sounds of rouge and powder, to confuse his scent.
Meanwhile, he fenced the two Storage Bags, which contained only a dozen Spirit Stones.
After repeatedly confirming no one was following, Lin Chang'an finally returned home.
In the cultivation room.
"The power is so great when combined with a Magical Artifact!"
Back home, Lin Chang'an couldn't hide his shock. These were two genuine Cultivators of his level.
While the ambush played a major role, it was more important that the Mana Shield was pierced in an instant.
At the same level, a Mana Shield shouldn't be so easily pierced.
"Let's try it."
With a grave expression, Lin Chang'an attached a Middle Grade Golden Light Talisman to the wall. The next instant, he released a minor divine technique with a wave of his hand.
Puff!
A green light flashed, and with a dull sound of piercing stone, the Golden Light Talisman on the wall was penetrated, and the pale golden light slowly dissipated.
"The Middle Grade Golden Light Talisman, pierced with one strike!"
He had tested this Spell's power before, but the enhanced power with a Magical Artifact made Lin Chang'an gulp.
The defense of a Middle Grade Golden Light Talisman was equivalent to the Mana Shield of a mid-stage Qi Refining Cultivator.
This meant that in same-level combat, he could instantly kill an opponent if they weren't prepared at close range.
Of course, it also assumed the opponent had no Defensive Magical Artifact.
"What about a top-notch Intermediate Talisman!"
Seemingly having thought of something, Lin Chang'an solemnly took out another Talisman.
The top-notch Intermediate Golden Light Talisman, reputedly nearly as defensive as the Mana Shield of a late-stage Qi Refining Cultivator.
Following the same steps.
[Wood Spirit Spike]
Puff!
This time, visibly, the pale golden Mana Shield resisted for a moment, but was still penetrated.
"How is this possible!"
In shock, Lin Chang'an suddenly heard the sound of a skill breakthrough in his mind.
[Wood Spirit Spike +80 (Perfect 1/10000)]
In just over three months, using the low consumption and Spirit Stone recovery, he had directly advanced to the Grandmaster Realm.
Of course, another reason for such swift progress was Yun Yao's gifted notebook, which meticulously documented the creation of the Spell, allowing him to comprehend it so quickly.
He never expected there to be another level beyond Skill Grandmaster.
The insight of Perfect Level skills made Lin Chang'an once again immerse himself in a wondrous understanding.
At this moment, it was as if he became the cultivator who created the minor Spell, from the simplest Spirit Bouncing Finger to developing a powerful minor divine technique with a Magical Artifact.
"So that's it!"
After a while, Lin Chang'an opened his eyes in realization. This epiphany made him equally accomplished in the Spell as the original creator.
Of course, assuming the creator hadn't held back any secrets.
"So Perfect Level makes the Cultivator reach a perfect resonance with the creator."
With a wave of his hand, two Wooden Spikes flew out from the wall filled with dense pit marks, and Lin Chang'an grinned.
"Three Wood Spirit Spikes, no wonder this Spell is named a minor divine technique by Foundation Establishment Cultivators, its power is surprisingly great. This means now, even against late-stage Qi Refining Cultivators, I have a fighting chance."
Of course, this is only in close-range ambushes; in actual combat, too many factors must be considered.
Late-stage Qi Refining Cultivators have sharper senses and more Magical Artifacts, unlike the paupers at mid or early stages.
With a Protective Magical Artifact, the odds of failure are high.
One can only say that the Perfect Level compares to the creator of the Spell, possessing a trump card.
"And this is still an incomplete Top-grade Magical Artifact."
Lin Chang'an thought greedily, but then lightly shook his head and sighed.
Top-grade Magical Artifacts require thousands of Spirit Stones.
Although he could earn that in a year, he couldn't unleash the full power of a complete Top-grade Magical Artifact with his current cultivation, and it would attract others' greed.
"With a thousand Spirit Stones, I could cultivate to late-stage Qi Refining."
Lin Chang'an shook his head with a smile, but his thoughts drifted to Yun Yao.
It's been almost half a year since lending those Spirit Stones, he hoped they would be returned, as Yun Yao owed him quite a few Spirit Stones.
If not returned, the favor would be lost.
...
With a means of protection, Lin Chang'an and Erniu went to the Gathering Immortals Tower together, where Young Master Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing were also worried.
But Yun Yao had a higher cultivation level than them, and they didn't know what she was doing.
They could only pray for her safety and smooth return, as time would offer plenty of opportunities.
Afterward, Lin Chang'an returned to his daily routine of Talisman Painting and cultivation, now with the addition of practicing the Wood Spirit Spike Spell.
Unfortunately, the wall in the secret room suffered, riddled with pinholes as if strafed by a torrential rain of needle-like projectiles.
However, a fortnight later, the market's tranquility was broken once more during the night.
"Demon beasts again!"
The entire market was thrown into chaos, with countless cultivators staring in astonishment at the array activated above the market.
This time, as soon as the commotion began, Foundation Establishment Cultivators from Li Huo Palace and the Profound Sound Pavilion barked commands, and in an instant, the entire market was illuminated as if it were broad daylight.
"That's a Wind-split Eagle!"
Stepping outside and seeing the sky lit up like day, Lin Chang'an couldn't hide his shock.
In the sky above the market, giant Tier Two Demon Beasts, the Wind-split Eagles, circled in groups of dozens. These were social Tier Two Foundation Establishment Level Demon Beasts.
"Who dared to provoke a nest of Tier Two Demon Beasts!"
Watching the scene of the eagles continuously attacking the market's barrier, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but curse whoever was responsible.
The heaven-forsaken ones, these aren't Black Wind Wolves, but dozens of Tier Two Foundation Establishment Demon Beasts.
And they're flying Beast, meaning at the same cultivation, human Foundation Establishment Cultivators have no advantage in the sky.
That night, the market saw no rest. Enraged, the Foundation Establishment Cultivators from various families, along with those from Li Huo Palace and the Profound Sound Pavilion, released spells and magical artifacts within the market.
Through the barrier, under a dazzling rainbow feast of spells, they spent the night fighting birds. No! Eagles.