Immortality and Cultivation: Starting with Harvesting the Talents of Demonic Beasts

Chapter 129 Temptation Arrives
Stumps?

Lin Changheng, who was somewhat sensitive to this word, felt a slight stirring in his heart.

But then he heard Old Master Fang ask, "Master Lin has been immersed in alchemy for a long time and is naturally well-versed in pharmacology. Could you please take a look?"

"Alright."

Lin Changheng did not refuse. He raised an eyebrow and gestured for Fang Laodao to open the wooden box. Only after confirming that there were no hidden weapons or similar items inside did he take it to look at it.

What comes into view is indeed a set of roots, which are relatively well preserved.

It was grayish-brown, about half a foot long and two fingers thick, with some semi-dry, semi-wet sacred soil still clinging to its surface, making it look like it had just been dug up.

Even though only roots remained, Lin Changheng still keenly sensed a lingering spiritual energy emanating from them.

"Such thickness, a second-tier spiritual plant."

Lin Changheng immediately made a judgment.

In the past two months, Lin Changheng has also been busy. In order to determine the state indicated by the leaves of the Nine-Leaf Purple Ganoderma, he obtained some scriptures about medicinal herbs and precious plants from two shops in Xujia and Fang that sell related knowledge books.

It was also confirmed that "complete nine leaves" is the maturity period of the [Nine-Leaf Purple Ganoderma], which can be utilized.

"These are the roots of the Solomon's seal."

After racking his brains, he quickly came up with an idea and said calmly, "Based on the length and intertwining of its roots, this plant is probably fifty years old."

"Fifty years?"

Old Master Fang immediately breathed a sigh of relief, his face relaxing. "The difference isn't that big. It seems I didn't suffer too much of a loss."

"good."

Lin Changheng pushed the wooden box containing the root back, but suddenly asked, "Fellow Daoist Fang, what do you intend to do with this root?"

"Thank you for your help, Master Lin... Hmm?"

Old Master Fang had just thanked him and was about to put the wooden box away when he heard Lin Changheng's words. His hand paused in mid-air, and his expression changed slightly as he said, "What else can I do? I'll just put it in my storage bag and look for another buyer. However, if Alchemist Lin is interested in it, I can give it to you first."

Then he put the wooden box back on the table and simply pushed it to the opposite side.

"Oh? Then thank you very much, Fellow Daoist Fang, for parting with it. I am indeed quite interested in this root."

Lin Changheng didn't stand on ceremony; he rolled up his sleeves and brought the wooden box directly to his front.

"Ha ha……"

Old Master Fang chuckled and discussed a price with Lin Changheng. The two quickly reached an agreement.

The reason it went so smoothly was because Master Fang took the initiative to back down.

In his words, he owed this achievement to Master Lin Dan, and since the two had a friendship, he no longer cared about such minor matters.

With the money and goods exchanged, the transaction was complete, and Lin Changheng put the wooden box away with satisfaction.

But then, Old Master Fang fell into deep thought, and then suddenly gritted his teeth, as if he had made a decision.

At the same time, the voice transmission quietly entered Lin Changheng's ears.

"I wonder if Master Lin is interested in such a precious plant?"

"What do you mean by that? Could it be that Fellow Daoist Fang possesses such a precious plant's roots? Or perhaps the entire precious plant?"

Lin Changheng's eyes flickered slightly, and he transmitted his voice with great interest.

Old Master Fang shook his head. "I don't have any more, but the secret cave I mentioned to Alchemist Lin last time has some." Lin Changheng was taken aback and fell into thought, not replying. Old Master Fang glanced at him and then continued to transmit his voice: "After I swallowed the [Detoxification Pill], I went deep into the secret cave in the mountain stream. I knew nothing about the growth characteristics of precious plants, and I was like a headless fly. After many twists and turns, I almost ran out of pills before finally obtaining this fifty-year-old [Earth Vein Solomon's Seal].

"As I excitedly gathered the herbs, I could still smell a faint medicinal fragrance in the cave, like a divine brew that was intoxicating. But it was not coming from the [Earth Vein Polygonatum] before me. I can confirm that."

"There should be even more precious plants growing inside! Even more precious than the one before us!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Changheng looked surprised: "Fellow Daoist Fang, why aren't you picking them together?"

"What a pity..." This remark made Old Daoist Fang shake his head and sigh, "If I had had enough pills on me back then, or if I had a better understanding of the growth characteristics of precious plants, perhaps I could have..."

He stroked the teacup he was holding, his face full of regret.

"That's a pity indeed."

Lin Changheng couldn't help but shake his head.

Old Daoist Fang had no choice but to speak up after Lin Changheng, who had been expressing his feelings without saying a word. "I have an idea. I wonder if Master Lin would be interested?"

"Oh? Please tell me."

"I am quite familiar with Master Lin Dan, and we have established a basic level of trust."

Seeing Lin Changheng nod slightly, Fang Laodao was overjoyed. "There are indeed many precious plants growing in that mountain cave, but the cave is complicated and I don't know the growth characteristics or preferences of the precious plants. So I just wander around like a headless fly. Even if I have a lot of pills on me, it will only increase my consumption and I will not be able to harvest a lot."

“But Master Lin is different. He is not only proficient in alchemy, but also familiar with the growth characteristics of precious plants. He can quickly eliminate unsuitable places to grow, improving the search efficiency. In addition, you have an excellent reputation in Qingling Workshop, so I am not worried that you will harm me…”

"Therefore, this old Taoist priest would like to invite you to travel with me, share the secret cave, and prosper together, splitting the spoils fifty-fifty!"

"I wonder what you think?"

As he spoke, Old Master Fang looked at Lin Changheng with a sincere and earnest expression.

At this moment, Lin Changheng, who had glanced at Fang Laodao, lowered his eyes and tapped his fingertips rhythmically on the armrest of the chair, lost in thought.

Old Master Fang didn't disturb them, but simply waited for the result.

But he didn't expect that no matter how reasonable, perfect, sincere, or impeccable his question was, Lin Changheng would only have one answer.

That’s it——

"No way!"
Lin Changheng was clearly deep in thought, but he wasn't thinking about the question that already had an answer. Instead, he was wondering if the old Taoist priest had any ill intentions.

Therefore, anyone who tries to get him out of the workshop will face this scrutiny.

I can decide to go out on my own, disguise myself, and leave quietly, but I cannot be propelled by others.

This is especially true when traveling with others; caution is required.

However, there were no deliberate traces or obvious logical flaws in the old Taoist's words, so Lin Changheng could not make a hasty judgment.

After some thought, he sighed and declined, saying, "I appreciate Fellow Daoist Fang's kind intention to bring me wealth and honor, but I am preoccupied with many affairs, have many fellow cultivators seeking pills, and am bound by the agreement and mission with the Xu family, so I really cannot get away."

"Alas, I am destined to be a hard worker by the hearth, and I will never make a fortune. I can only live my life step by step."

Old Master Fang was taken aback. He was rejected? He wasn't even tempted?
Then she quickly spoke, still trying to persuade him: "It won't take too long, only fifty miles, it can be done in a day at the fastest..."

"No need to say more. I, Lin, still have important matters to attend to in alchemy. Fellow Daoist Fang, please find someone else to cooperate with."

As if afraid that his will might waver, Lin Changheng waved his hand and strode towards the alchemy room in the backyard.

(End of this chapter)