Cultivation: Being Immortal

Chapter 82

In the cultivation world, there are some cultivators who are really death-defying in their practice. They may spend twenty-four hours a day cultivating.

Hungry?

Non-existent, let me introduce you to the Inedia Pill. Taking one can allow you to go without food for several months.

Sleeping?

Sorry, during the Building Foundation Period, you can go without sleep for several months. If pushed to the extreme, even half a year without sleep is no problem.

Entertainment?

Isn't cultivation a form of entertainment? When tired from meditation, you can practice spells or take a break with secret techniques.

This type of person is called a Scroll King in Blue Star and a Ascetic Practitioner in the cultivation world.

Lin Jiang really wanted to become an Ascetic Practitioner, but he eventually gave up after trying for a few days. This lifestyle was too boring and difficult, and there were also many potential problems.

Almost every cultivator uses elixirs, even if they are top-quality ones. They might contain a bit of drug poison. If elixirs are taken continuously, the drug poison accumulates and has a huge impact on the future. Each elixir must be taken with a two-day interval.

So Lin Jiang's cultivation only meant giving up his time for farming, giving up time to play with Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao, and reducing time for drawing symbols. His daily practice time increased to ten hours, which rounded up to being a hardworking person.

·······

Blinking his eyes, Lin Jiang was already 175 years old. After years of arduous cultivation, Lin Jiang decided to reward himself by going to Yunzhong City.

Equipped with Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao, Lin Jiang once again arrived at Yingchun Pavilion. He was a sentimental person, visiting Yingchun Pavilion eight out of ten times. Each time, he engaged in heart-to-heart conversations with different little fairies, discussing the true meaning of life.

"Taoist Friend Lin？"

Just as Lin Jiang entered the grand gates of Spring Coming Tower, he heard someone call out from behind. Lin Jiang turned around confidently and saw a young man with a smile catching up to him.

"So you are Taoist Friend Lin?"

Lin Jiang greeted him with a smile. The independent cultivators of Yunzhong Mountain Range are constantly changing. In just a few years, Sun Man and his group were no longer around, replaced by new Building Foundation independent cultivators.

The person in front of Lin Jiang, Xie Youjia, was his new neighbor, not even thirty miles apart. Xie Youjia was a Formation Master who once tried to sell his formations to Lin Jiang, but Lin Jiang didn't need them since he already had second-tier formations. They had interacted a few times but weren't very close.

"I thought Friend Lin was a dedicated cultivator. I didn't expect to meet Friend Lin here."

"Friend Lin is also righteous, I see."

"Haha, we're both honorable. How about we exchange some tips?"

"I don't have that interest."

"Haha, me too. Let's wait a bit and meet in a private room to chat. It's a good opportunity for me to talk to Taoist Friend Lin about something."

"Sure, but with my abilities, it takes at least two hours. Can Taoist Friend wait?"

"I'm sorry, I'm busy for four hours. I also have to switch partners in the middle. My Xie Family talent is quite impressive."

"Haha..."

The two of them smiled slyly, then went their separate ways, pretending not to know each other for now.

Two hours later, they dressed up and arrived at the private room in Spring Coming Tower. Many people gathered there, and after finishing their tasks, they would chat together. The social function of Spring Coming Tower was also very important. They not only provided quiet rooms, but also served tea and fruit.

"Taoist Friend Lin, what do you need from me? If it's to exchange experiences, there's no need. I'm skilled in all eighteen martial arts."

"Taoist Friend Lin, I'm also a serious person, you know."

Xie Youjia forced a smile. Why was Taoist Friend Lin so playful? He always threw curveballs at him. Was it really time for wise people now? Is he really that powerful?

"I am also a serious person, so go ahead, what's the matter?"

"Has Taoist Friend Lin considered settling in other places?"

"Would Taoist Friend not like to start a sect for fun?"

Lin Jiang asked. Independent cultivators face many difficulties, so after reaching the Building Foundation Period, they start seeking new paths. Either they, like Lin Batian, marry multiple wives and establish a family, or they, like the Five Immortals Sect, establish a sect.

Generally speaking, it is easier to establish a family, as it involves one's own bloodline and naturally feels more intimate. Establishing a sect is more difficult, mainly because reliable people are hard to find.

"No, I am still young and have some strength in the Golden Core realm. I meant to settle in a better place."

"Please explain it more clearly."

"Do you know Anhua City?"

"Yes, it's a major city in the southwest of Yun State and holds a significant position in the whole Yun State."

"That's right, Anhua City has changed ownership in the past two years. During the change of leadership, a war broke out, causing significant damage to Anhua City and driving away many independent cultivators. The current owner of Anhua City, in order to develop the city, has recently come to Yunzhong City and has been coaxing many independent cultivators to join. If someone has achievements in Pills, Talismans, Items, and Formations, they can receive great benefits. They approached me, a Formation Master in the early second stage. If I go to Anhua City, I can have a house and establish a business with three years of tax exemption and a half reduction in tax for ten years."

"It seems that Anhua City is being managed by extraordinary individuals. Who is the current ruler of Anhua City?"

Lin Jiang's heart stirred. He remembered hearing people talk about it a few years ago. It seemed that it was the Lin family who was plotting for Anhua City. Could it be the doing of Lin Batian?

The current ruler of Anhua City is the Lin family, a prestigious family of cultivators. The family head is named Lin Batian. Speaking of Lin Batian, he is a legendary figure among us independent cultivators. About two hundred years ago, Lin Batian was still a relatively unknown cultivator at the Building Foundation stage. He settled in the southwest of Yun State and continuously expanded his influence, constantly improving his cultivation. He went from the Building Foundation Period to the Nascent Soul stage, experiencing smooth sailing all along.

The Lin family, which started with Lin Batian alone, has now grown to include eight hundred members and dozens of subordinate forces. They have become the dominant power in the southwest of Yun State, the only one.

Xie Youjia said that every successful independent cultivator is a legendary figure in the eyes of countless struggling independent cultivators. Pill King Li Ruoxu was also such a figure. Li Ruoxu's alchemy skills have surpassed those of the two major sects, and countless independent cultivators are proud of him, considering him a guiding light in life.

Now, Lin Batian's deeds have gradually spread to Yunzhong City, causing countless independent cultivators to envy him. With multiple wives and children, he has taken control of the city. But in the eyes of ordinary people, this is just an ordinary fulfillment in life.

"The Lin family is so powerful, I really want to meet them. Could you please show me the way, taoist friend?"

Lin Jiang nodded. He wanted to see who from the Lin family had come to Yunzhong City and if there were any familiar faces.

"Okay, okay, the people from the Lin family are in Yunzhong City. We'll go there early tomorrow morning, how about that?"

Xie Youjia nodded. There was one more thing he hadn't mentioned - he wanted to recommend a talented person from the Lin family. There would be a reward for that - not only would he receive spirit stones, but his tax exemption period for opening his store would also be extended. For this reason, he had been busy running around for several days.

"Then we'll see each other again tomorrow."

"Ah, Taoist Friend Lin, are you going back to battle again?"

"The beautiful lady feels lonely and can't sleep peacefully. How could I ever allow the lady to be like this? Goodbye."

"Haha, you're acting as if I'm someone who doesn't recognize others. Let's go then."

Xie Youjia burst into laughter and quickly bid his farewell. If someone with the surname Lin is so powerful, he doesn't want to be left behind either.

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Yunzhong City，West City

Lin Die, with more than ten members of the Lin family, directly rented a small inn. Early in the morning, Lin Die and the family members held a meeting with a list in hand.

"We came to Yunzhong City to recruit talented individuals. Talented individuals in Pill, Talisman, Item, and Formation, as well as in Spiritual Farming, Puppetry, and Construction Arts, are welcome. However, if one lacks any particular skill, we welcome them to Anhua City but cannot offer any benefits. We must strictly screen them..."

Lin Die emphasized again that the process of the Lin family taking over Anhua City was not smooth. Anhua City originally had a Nascent Soul Ancestor overseeing it, but that Nascent Soul Ancestor had been approaching the end of their lifespan for several decades without passing away.

Finally, news of their passing came a few years ago, but it turned out to be a sham. They wanted to use it as an opportunity to ambush Lin Batian, but fortunately, Lin Batian had extraordinary cultivation and managed to kill them when attacked.

However, after the battle, Anhua City was largely destroyed, and many cultivators fled the city. Later, the Lin family purged the cultivators aligned with the previous owners, resulting in Anhua City's cultivator population being less than one-fifth of what it used to be.

A city needs talented individuals to prosper, which would then provide wealth for the Lin family. However, ordinary independent cultivators are easy to attract, but those with true talent are not necessarily easy to find.

(Translated by Gravity Tales 😉)

Therefore, the Lin family's senior members sent Lin Die to Yunzhong City specifically to recruit talent, in order to develop Anhua City as quickly as possible.

As for what constitutes talent, for cultivators, isn't it just Pill, Talisman, Item, and Formation? These talented individuals are important for the city. With their arrival, the market will have more products, attracting more people to live and consume there, which will bring in tax revenue.

"Third Ancestor, we understand. We will never let go of a talented individual and will not allow any mediocrity to deceive us."

"It's okay if you know. Today is the same as yesterday. Me and Changrong, Changsheng are guarding the inn and assessing those people. Chao Yun, Chao Xia, you lead the team to promote at the three major markets in Yunzhong City. Remember not to cause trouble, even though Cloud Sword Sect and Zhonghang Sect have already been informed about us recruiting people and are not happy about it."

Lin Die nodded. This time, the members sent by the Lin family are all capable and mature. Hopefully, nothing goes wrong.

Lin Changrong, Lin Changsheng, Lin Chaoyun, Lin Chaoxia all agreed, and then Lin Chaoyun and Lin Chaoxia led the team and left the inn to go to the bustling market where independent cultivators gather to promote.

After a while, independent cultivators who had passed the Lin family's assessment came with people they recommended. The Lin family promised to reward them, and they were all very enthusiastic.

Lin Die personally assessed them. They reported their skills, and she had them demonstrate on the spot. It was easy to see if they had real abilities.

"Sixth Brother"

The inn was very busy. After a while, when Lin Die looked up, she saw a familiar figure. She exclaimed in surprise, and everyone's gaze followed Lin Die's words and looked toward a corner of the inn.