27: Chapter 27: A Test of the Mind, Preparing to Break Through to the Fifth Level of Qi Refining!

Ye Linchuan walked to the entrance of his Courtyard Jia-7.

Just as his hand touched the door, a soft laugh came from behind him, the sound bewitchingly tender.

Ye Linchuan's body stiffened.

He slowly turned around.

Liu Ruyan stood a few steps away, her purple-green dharma robe shimmering in the moonlight.

Her eyes were filled with smiles, and that red mole was particularly eye-catching.

"Fellow Daoist."

Ye Linchuan cupped his hands, "The hour is late, and I..."

Before he could finish, Liu Ruyan's eyes flickered.

A sweet, cloying fragrance wafted towards him.

Ye Linchuan's vision blurred.

The small courtyard vanished.

Shen Qingyan stood not far away, her thin gauze dress slightly undone, her eyes brimming with passion.

Su Wanqing was on the other side, her clothes half-slipped off, looking shy and timid.

They walked towards him.

One step, two steps.

Getting closer and closer.

The thin gauze slipped down.

Ye Linchuan's mind buzzed.

His lower abdomen felt like it was on fire.

All thoughts vanished, leaving only the impulse to pounce forward.

"Fellow Daoist..."

Liu Ruyan's voice whispered in his ear, "Come here..."

Ye Linchuan's feet moved.

He was about to pounce over.

Just at that moment.

"Little Girl Liu."

An aged voice rang out.

It wasn't loud, but it was like a basin of cold water poured over Ye Linchuan's head.

The illusion shattered instantly.

The small courtyard returned.

The moonlight was still there, the door was still there.

Liu Ruyan was still standing a few steps away, the smile gone from her face.

Ye Linchuan was covered in cold sweat, his clothes soaked through.

"We are all neighbors," Zhong Ming's voice came from Jia-8 Courtyard, "Why make things difficult for a Junior?"

Liu Ruyan bit her lip, "Old Zhong, you really love to meddle."

She glared at Ye Linchuan, turned around, and left.

The sound of footsteps faded away.

Ye Linchuan's legs went weak.

He bowed deeply towards the direction of Jia-8 Courtyard, "Junior Ye Linchuan, thank you, Senior Zhong, for the rescue!"

"Thank you, Senior Liu... for showing mercy!"

His voice trembled slightly.

"Junior's strength is meager, and I do not understand the rules. If I have offended you, please forgive me, Seniors!"

"In the future... I will definitely keep to my place!"

He remained bent over, not daring to move.

Until the sound of a door closing came from Jia-8 Courtyard.

Creak—

Ye Linchuan straightened up, wiped away his sweat, his hands still shaking.

Pushing the door to enter the house, Shen Qingyan and Su Wanqing greeted him.

"Husband is back?"

"Why is your face so pale?"

Ye Linchuan shook his head, "It's nothing, it's windy outside."

He forced a smile and went upstairs.

Closing the door, he leaned against the door panel, panting heavily.

His back was completely wet.

Fear.

Genuine fear.

Just a moment ago, he had completely lost control.

What Talisman Dao, what Medicinal Pill, what System.

In the face of such bewitchment, it was all empty.

If Liu Ruyan wanted to kill him, it would be as easy as lifting a hand.

The gap between Late Stage and Qi Refining Level 4 is just that large.

His previous pride was completely shattered.

Moving house, auctions, earning Spirit Stone.

He thought he was doing well.

Now looking at it, it was laughable.

In the face of true strength, he was nothing.

Fortunately.

Fortunately, he had always been careful.

He didn't go to Chunxiao Pavilion, didn't talk to random people, didn't show off his wealth.

If he were like that Han Li, getting entangled with a woman like Liu Ruyan.

He would probably be finished by now.

Strength.

Ye Linchuan clenched his fists.

Only strength is real.

For the next month.

Ye Linchuan seemed like a different person.

He cultivated for six hours every day.

Dual Cultivation was not neglected.

The remaining time was all used for Talisman Making.

Drawing, drawing, and drawing again.

Spirit Protection Talisman, Startling Thunder Talisman, Golden Light Talisman...

Drawing over and over.

When his wrist grew sore, he switched hands.

When his Qi was exhausted, he meditated to recover.

Then continued drawing.

Shen Qingyan and Su Wanqing watched with heartache.

But they didn't dare to persuade him otherwise.

They could only cook meals and silently accompany him.

Ye Linchuan's experience in Talisman Dao increased every day.

His control over Qi became increasingly refined.

One afternoon.

He spread out the talisman paper, preparing to draw an Ice Explosion Talisman.

He had failed this talisman dozens of times.

This time, his heart was very calm.

The tip of the brush fell.

Qi flowed.

The talisman runes spread across the paper.

Very smooth.

Surprisingly smooth.

The places where he had previously been stuck were passed easily this time.

The final stroke fell.

The talisman paper lit up with a deep blue light.

A chill permeated the air.

A layer of frost formed on the table.

An Ice Explosion Talisman lay quietly there.

It was a success.

Ye Linchuan looked at the talisman, stunned for a moment.

Then he smiled.

Everything fell into place.

A few days later.

Ye Linchuan went to Baibao Pavilion.

He needed to replenish some Materials.

Shopkeeper Chen was using an abacus behind the counter.

Seeing him, he smiled.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, a rare visitor."

"It's been a while."

Ye Linchuan also smiled, "I've been in seclusion drawing talismans recently and haven't gone out."

"Understood."

Shopkeeper Chen nodded, "Improving in Talisman Dao is the right thing to do. Fellow Daoist Ye is so diligent, you must have gained something."

Ye Linchuan thought for a moment.

He took out a talisman from his Storage Pouch and placed it on the counter.

Deep blue in color, emitting a cold chill.

"A few days ago, I was lucky enough to successfully draw an Ice Explosion Talisman."

Shopkeeper Chen's hand using the abacus stopped.

He looked up at Ye Linchuan.

Then looked down at the talisman.

He picked it up and examined it carefully.

He looked at it for a long while.

He put down the talisman, and the smile on his face became enthusiastic.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, congratulations!"

"To be able to draw an Ice Explosion Talisman, that is impressive!"

He slapped the counter, "The market price for this talisman is twenty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones."

"I will add two more for you, twenty-two!"

"In the future, if you have any more good goods like this, you must bring them to me first!"

"The price will definitely satisfy you!"

Ye Linchuan cupped his hands, "Certainly."

...

After walking out of Baibao Pavilion, Ye Linchuan couldn't help but feel emotional.

Compared to those Cultivators who lick blood from the blade in the swamps of Cold Fiend Valley.

He felt that his craft of Talisman Making and Alchemy, while also burning money and effort, was ultimately stable.

Pills, Talismans, Artifacts, Formations—the four arts of immortality cultivation.

None of these trades are easy.

Talent, time, Spirit Stones—each is indispensable.

How many Loose Cultivators have tried, only to find they lacked the Aptitude, and had to grit their teeth and give up.

They cannot afford the cost.

They already have mediocre Aptitude, making it difficult to increase their cultivation level, let alone divide their focus to learn a trade.

If they fail, they shouldn't even think about Foundation Establishment in this lifetime.

Like Ye Linchuan, being able to draw High Grade talismans while at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining is considered quite good.

That is why Shopkeeper Chen was so enthusiastic, even willing to pay extra.

A High Grade talisman master with potential is worth investing in.

Ye Linchuan understood this in his heart.

In the future, once his success rate in Talisman Making improves, he can regularly bring talismans to Baibao Pavilion to sell.

Not only can this provide an extra source of income, but he can also hear some news about the marketplace from Shopkeeper Chen.

Knowing more never hurts.

...

Returning to Lingyun Courtyard.

Ye Linchuan went into seclusion again.

Talisman Making, Cultivate, Dual Cultivation.

The days were simple and repetitive.

Other Cultivators might have endless Opportunities, exciting and thrilling.

But he preferred this stability.

A simple and ordinary life is the real truth.

Early June.

A notice was posted in the marketplace.

Issued by the Xuanming Sect.

Recruiting Cultivators to go deep into the swamps of Cold Fiend Valley to mine a newly discovered mineral vein.

A subsidy of ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones per month.

If they mine for twenty years, they will be given priority to purchase a foundation establishment pill.

The notice was surrounded by a crowd.

The eyes of the low-level Loose Cultivators lit up.

Ten Spirit Stones are enough to rent a house in the shantytown of the lowlands.

That qualification for a foundation establishment pill is even more like a glimmer of light in the unreachable hope.

But the passing Late Stage Cultivators, or those skilled workers with some family background, mostly sneered.

Twenty years?

Too many variables.

What they want is a channel to buy a foundation establishment pill now, not an empty promise.

Ye Linchuan passed by and glanced at it.

He shook his head inwardly.

Deep in the Cold Fiend Valley, that is a place only teams of Late Stage Cultivators dare to go.

These ten Spirit Stones are not easy to get.

He didn't linger and went straight home.

...

Late at night.

In the bedroom.

After the passion had subsided.

Ye Linchuan held Shen Qingyan, his mind calm.

He could clearly feel that every time he practiced Dual Cultivation with his deeply affectionate wife, the warm current nourishing his Wood Spiritual Root grew stronger by a fraction.

Even his Divine Sense became a little more refined.

Reflected in Talisman Making, it was a solid improvement.

Previously, if he drew the Ice Explosion Talisman ten times, it would be good if he succeeded once or twice.

Now, he could succeed once every three or four times.

Startling Thunder Talisman, Spirit Protection Talisman, and others were even more handy.

The success rate far exceeded that of ordinary High Grade talisman masters.

This was not just about hand familiarity.

It was that his control over Qi had reached a higher level.

Ye Linchuan did the math.

Now, relying on high-priced goods like the Ice Explosion Talisman, his net monthly income could reach about two hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.

His savings added up to enough to buy two decent High Grade dharma robes.

But he remembered Liu Ruyan's smiling eyes and that bewitchment that made one's heart run cold.

Almost without hesitation, he made a decision, "The matter of the dharma robe can wait."

"Must first Breakthrough to Qi Refining Level 5."

"Strength is the foundation."

There was a little guilt.

But it was quickly suppressed.

Without strength, nothing can be protected!