Longevity Begins With Zongmen Handyman

Chapter 11: Crisis

Xu Qiuhui's reminder made Li An alert.

The small beast tide in the Spirit Beast Mountain Range had been going on for nearly a year, and the whereabouts of the mysterious spirit beast remained unknown. Later, the sect suddenly suspended all tasks related to the Spirit Beast Mountain Range.

Now, Xu Qiuhui suddenly reminded him to be careful...

Something must have happened in the Spirit Beast Mountain Range, and it might even affect the Spirit Plant Mountain?!

He couldn't help but feel fortunate that he had always been persistent in befriending Xu Qiuhui.

With just a few words from her, he could avoid a lot of trouble and get advance knowledge of many things.

...

Out of caution, he went to the main residence of the outer disciples.

-The residence of named disciples.

There were attendants at the entrance responsible for registering visitors. After completing the registration, not long after, Wang Dazhu had already rushed out of the main residence.

"Ange, you finally came, that's great!"

Seeing Li An, he was extremely delighted.

What surprised Li An was that Zhao Xianchuan came out with him.

Zhao Xianchuan looked a bit haggard and spiritless. When he saw Li An, he forced a smile.

"It's been half a year since we last met. Let's go, let's have a drink. My treat!"

...

Not long after, in a pavilion by the Moon Lake outside the sect.

Li An told the two of them about his restored spiritual roots.

Wang Dazhu was extremely happy and raised his cup to celebrate with the three of them.

Even Zhao Xianchuan didn't say anything unpleasant or mocking. He was very easygoing and seemed to have no hostility towards Li An anymore.

He drank quickly and soon his face turned red.

"Li An, congratulations on your restored spiritual roots... That's great."

"You are smarter than me, more sensible. I am a fool... Come often in the future. From now on, we are brothers. Let's drink together, drink together!"

He slurred his words and fell asleep on the table.

Wang Dazhu sighed and said, "Last month, he went to the Daoist Residence to find Mu Qingwan, but he found another man who was very close to Mu Qingwan. They had a conflict, and the other person broke one of his hands and stripped him of his status as a formal disciple..."

Li An couldn't help but be speechless.

Zhao Xianchuan was different from Li An and the others. He came from a cultivation family with a Foundation Building stage expert, so in a sense, he was a small second-generation immortal.

And yet he was bullied like this?

"That person is called Han Cheng. It is said that he is the grandson of an inner sect elder and has a cultivation level of Qi Refining stage six. His background and strength are far superior to Zhao Xianchuan..."

"In the past month, Zhao Xianchuan has been drowning his sorrows in alcohol every day and is very depressed..."

Li An understood. The second generation had encountered an even more formidable second generation.

In fact, the main reason why Zhao Xianchuan had animosity towards Li An in the beginning was that Li An and Mu Qingwan were the closest among the group of new disciples.

Secondly, at that time, Li An had good aptitude, which posed a threat to him.

Now that he had become a failure, and having adapted to the harsh and difficult cultivation environment of the sect, looking back at the competition they had when they first entered, it now seemed ridiculous.

Therefore, Zhao Xianchuan felt that he and Li An were in the same boat, and his attitude changed accordingly.

"Dazhu, do you know the situation in the Spirit Beast Mountain Range?"

Li An didn't care about these things, but asked with a serious tone.

Wang Dazhu said, "I'm not very clear. We mainly stayed on the outskirts and did some simple tasks. Later, we heard that something happened deep inside, and it seems that a Foundation Building stage cultivator was seriously injured, so all tasks were suspended."

A Foundation Building stage cultivator was seriously injured?

Based on Li An's experience, if the news that came out was like this, then the truth would generally be more severe.

I'm afraid that Foundation Building stage cultivator didn't just get injured... but died!

Otherwise, the Xuan Yang Sect wouldn't suspend all tasks just because a Foundation Building cultivator was injured.

It's dangerous...

A sense of urgency surged in his heart.

"Ange, keep it up. In another year and a half, it will be the sect's major examination, and by then, you will become a disciple!"

Wang Dazhu was looking forward to it.

Li An couldn't help but smile bitterly.

It took him nearly two years to cultivate to the second level of Qi Refining.

Wang Dazhu and Zhao Xianchuan were already at the third level of Qi Refining.

He was still far behind.

...

In the evening, Li An returned to the Spirit Plant Mountain after dinner.

He immediately started making talismans.

"Spirit Gathering talismans are too low-level and not very useful..."

He began to contemplate, holding the brush, and started making fire talismans.

The first four pieces of paper in front of him all failed.

But thanks to his breakthrough in cultivation and the Super Sensing Technique, his use of spiritual power has greatly improved. On the fifth piece of talisman paper, a vivid flame pattern is finally drawn in its entirety!

A low-grade first-tier Flame Talisman, successfully crafted!

Moreover, the quality is not bad. Li An feels that if a Qi Refining third-level cultivator were to be hit, they would probably be seriously injured!

He didn't stop and continued to draw forty pieces of talisman paper in one breath.

Five of them were successful!

Flame Talismans are much more difficult to make than Spirit Gathering Talismans and are considered high-quality among first-tier low-grade spiritual talismans. This success rate is considered good.

This is mainly due to his experience from his previous life. Otherwise, beginners would need at least half a year to successfully craft a Flame Talisman!

"Flame Talismans are mainly for attack, but I also need to refine some talismans for control and defense."

He pondered and began to craft two other types of talismans.

Frost Wind Talisman, when activated, can form a wind domain of about three meters in diameter, lasting for several seconds, causing the movements of the enveloped enemies to become sluggish.

Earth Shield Talisman, mainly for defense, can form an earth shield when used.

The difficulty of refining these talismans is comparable to that of Flame Talismans.

In fact, these three types of talismans are also the most popular among Qi Refining cultivators in the early stages and are in high demand.

Due to the change in talisman types, Li An wasted thirteen pieces of talisman paper before successfully crafting the first Frost Wind Talisman.

Soon, he completed four Frost Wind Talismans.

The Flame and Frost Wind Talismans consumed seventy-six pieces of talisman paper.

Just the four Frost Wind Talismans alone have already made back the money he spent on buying talisman paper.

He has only twenty-four pieces of talisman paper left.

"I need to make another Earth Shield Talisman!"

Li An focused his attention.

Finally, on the thirteenth piece of talisman paper, he successfully crafted an Earth Shield Talisman!

"Ten high-quality talisman papers!"

Li An felt a sense of security in his heart.

He hid the ten talismans in his sleeve pocket and fell into a deep sleep.

...

In the following month, besides his daily practice, Li An occasionally entered the nearby mountains and forests.

He constantly honed his Water Arrow Technique and investigated the changes in the mountains and forests. He even tried to go deeper several miles into the forest.

He dared to do this mainly because he had talismans with him, and his Life Seed could hide his aura, making it very safe.

Li An's Water Arrow Technique can currently be activated about twenty times in a row, launching four arrows at once with a range of up to sixty meters.

This is already the limit for a Qi Refining second-level cultivator.

With the talismans, he can probably kill a Qi Refining third-level cultivator, and even against a Qi Refining fourth-level cultivator, he is not without a chance of winning.

"There are more wild beasts in this forest than before. Leopards and lynxes that didn't belong here have appeared... It seems that something is coming."

After killing a leopard with his Water Arrow Technique one day, Li An fell into contemplation.

This place is close to the Spirit Plant Mountain. Previously, there were only some rats and rabbits, but these days, he has already killed more than one fierce beast.

In any case, he needs to be prepared in advance.

"There are mountains on both sides, and if something is really coming, this narrow passage is a must-pass."

He walked around the surroundings and, relying on his experience from his previous life, began to deduce various possibilities in his mind.

What if it's a person?

What if it's a spirit beast?

What should he do if he faces danger here?

He conducted a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the terrain and environment. In one afternoon, he had already planned four relatively safe escape routes for this mountain pass!

Including where to set traps along the routes and where to hide... he had a clear understanding of everything.

"Just knowing the escape routes is not enough. If I'm not fast enough, I won't be able to run..."

With a thought, he realized that he needed to cultivate his body movement technique.

"In the early stage of Qi Refining, the most practical one is Light Body Steps!"

He began to practice in the mountains and forests, his figure constantly flashing among the trees.

...

In the evening, when he returned to his residence, he prepared to continue crafting talismans.

"Li An, are you home?"

Suddenly, Zhang Susu knocked on his door.

Li An immediately hid the talisman paper and talisman pen before opening the door and asking, "Susu, what's wrong?"

After more than a year, Zhang Susu had become even more mature and charming. She had a well-developed figure, fair skin, and an alluring appearance.

She entered Li An's room and closed the door behind her. There was a hint of uncontrollable blush on her face as she whispered, "Fan Jie has been gone for three days, and it's estimated that he won't be back for a few more days. I've been feeling really uncomfortable during this time. Can you help me?"

Li An frowned.

...

(End of this chapter)