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

Chapter 165 Second-Tier High-Grade, Huang Family's Sincerity (Eight chapters complete, please vote and subscribe)
One hundred and twenty-one!

This means that the [Azure Wave Spirit Turtle Treasure Seed] can once again seize another level of spiritual power.

"Tattoo..."

One hundred portions of essence blood were extracted and poured into a copper basin by Lin Changheng. He then reached in and simultaneously connected with the [Yuan Ding].

"Absorb it!"

Swish!
A thin layer of clear water was left in the copper basin.

The blood color is gone, and the unique bloody smell of essence blood is no longer detectable.

At this moment, within the cauldron of his consciousness, azure light rippled continuously, as if nurturing life.

Then, a blue treasure seed that solidified again rose and fell at the mouth of the cauldron, its blue light dazzling. Lin Changheng seemed to see the phantom of a jade turtle raising its head and roaring to the sky.

【Azure Wave Spirit Turtle Treasure Seed - Second Layer】

[Can continue refining the demon race's innate talent: Life Extension]

Lin Changheng directly "plucked" the solidified blue seed.

[Already refined: Longevity Divine Gift - Spiritual Movement]

Immediately, as the precious seed entered his body through his divine soul, Lin Changheng sensed a strong life force, like a sudden awakening, pouring into his body.

"It feels so familiar! It's really refreshing."

If the comfort level of other treasures is "one", then the comfort level of this [life extension] is "ten"!
After all, it involves the essence of life, which is the most fundamental substance and theoretically can reverse aging!

It's no exaggeration to say that it brings any kind of feeling.

“——Buzz!”

A warm current exploded throughout his body, instantly sweeping through his limbs and bones. Lin Changheng's pores opened up, and every inch of his flesh greedily devoured this vitality.

He could clearly feel that his originally extremely strong and robust body was now experiencing a rare feeling of being parched and refreshed, thirsting for more and more, and bursting with vigorous vitality.

At the same time, his lifespan continues to increase!
[Effect: Continues to internalize the effects of hibernation, extending lifespan by another eight years]

"My lifespan..."

"Two hundred and seventy-eight years!"

Lin Changheng looked at himself in the mirror.

Looking down at his increasingly youthful appearance, a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes. "Such a secret, if it were to leak out, those old monsters would fight tooth and nail for it!"

If Lin Changheng was in his late twenties before, he now looks like he's in his late twenties.

"We can't keep 'rejuvenating' like this, or we'll really end up looking younger and younger..."

Lin Changheng felt that this state was the best; it was neither immature nor overly mature or world-weary, representing the best state in life.

At the same time, Lin Changheng's water spirit root also underwent a transformation, gaining another wisp of spiritual energy, bringing the total to seven wisps.

……

Finding a suitable second-tier cultivation technique became Lin Changheng's top priority in the following period.

Cultivation should not be abandoned. Although the "Li Huo Zhao Ye Yin" technique can still be used, its effects are not satisfactory.

After searching around the Immortal City for a while, Lin Changheng had seen many fire-based foundation-building techniques, including a mid-grade second-tier technique, but none of them were suitable for him.

There's no other reason than low potential and a predictable future.

Only second-tier or even third-tier cultivation techniques are worthy of consideration.

If this drags on any longer, we'll have to wait for the grand auction in the Immortal City.

"Does this really mean we need to reconsider joining a certain faction?"

Lin Changheng looked helpless; the cultivation world was far too obsessed with its own possessions.

During this period, Lin Changheng also refined some pills that Mo Zhaoli needed and sent them to him through the Ziji Sect's channels as a thank-you gift for his help and protection last time.

Of course, many Foundation Establishment cultivators also came seeking pills.

He accepted several pills that interested him and continued to hone his alchemy skills, while also pondering the first-tier mid-grade array Dao inheritance he had obtained from the Jin family.

He had already entered the Array Dao realm and was now steadily advancing towards the middle grade of the first rank.

However, Lin Changheng had to admit that compared to alchemy, which combines theory and practice, array formation is almost a purely mental activity. It is extremely difficult and requires a talent for array formation. It is very difficult to get started and advance. In contrast, the processes of refining array flags and array plates, setting up and dismantling arrays are relatively simple.

However, it is much better for Lin Changheng, who has five levels of "divine enlightenment".

Progress is welcome, especially when it comes to occasional moments of sudden insight.

……

"Chirp—"

Lin Changheng was currently taking a medicinal bath in the courtyard to refine his body. The black-armored earth tortoise, unusually, was not sleeping and was crawling around his tub, making low noises incessantly.

Are you hungry? Or just craving something sweet?

Immediately, Lin Changheng had a thought. The half-human-sized puppet standing beside him flashed with yellow light in its eyes and went into the house. A short while later, it came out holding a pill with an acrid medicinal fragrance.

"Chirp~"

When the black-armored tortoise saw the puppet move, it immediately became incredibly obedient, remaining still with its head stretched out and its mouth slightly open, waiting to be fed.

"Woo~"

The half-human-sized puppet approached, threw the pill directly into the turtle's mouth, and then walked back to its original spot without looking back. The black-armored turtle, however, was full of satisfaction and acted extremely human-like, licking the pill in its mouth with its tongue.

Seeing this, Lin Changheng couldn't help but shake his head. This turtle was extremely greedy, but its progress in strength was very limited.

Four or five years have passed since the last breakthrough, and the white patterns on the turtle's shell have mostly been covered with dark yellow, with the crystallization of the shell only just beginning to show.

It will take at least two or three more years before I can reach the late stage of the first tier.

That's right, it's much faster than other tortoises, but the resources invested are also considerable.

The pills this turtle is currently consuming were gifts from the desperate couple next door. As long as they are not poisonous, the turtle can eat them.

This also saves Lin Changheng the trouble of finding a place to sell the pills, as secondhand pills don't fetch a good price.

It would be better to just give it to the turtle.

Half an hour later.

The bathtub was filled with clean water. Lin Changheng got up and finished his "Evergreen Body" body refinement.

The materials used for body refining have now been completely replaced with second-tier materials.

Based on the previously obtained "Auxiliary Body Refinement Method", the second-tier spirit wood [Ta Long Wood] used at the beginning remained unchanged, while the first-tier [Lu Song Spirit Liquid] was upgraded to a second-tier spirit liquid called [Xuan Mu Teng Lu].

Fortunately, these are not uncommon in the Immortal City and can be easily obtained.

However, Lin Changheng could clearly sense that the progress of "The Evergreen Body" slowed down considerably after reaching the fourth level.

It requires long-term refinement or the use of appropriate body-refining treasures to accelerate the process.

Lin Changheng said he didn't care, since he had a long lifespan and could take it slow.

He could buy the corresponding body-refining treasures with spirit stones, no problem, but he would never take risks for a little progress.

……

half a month later.

Chef Zeng came looking for him again, accompanied by a rather mature and beautiful young woman.

The young woman looked to be in her early thirties, wearing a pale yellow fairy dress that accentuated her voluptuous figure.

What was most striking was her oval face—her skin was as white and translucent as a freshly peeled lychee, and a beauty mark at the corner of her eye added a touch of allure. Even though I didn't recognize her, she looked vaguely familiar.

"Who is this?"

Lin Changheng welcomed the two inside.

Chef Zeng smiled and said, "Brother Lin, let me introduce you. This is my Daoist partner, Huang Linglin. You can call her Fellow Daoist Huang."

"I see. No wonder you looked so familiar... I've met Fellow Daoist Huang before."

Lin Changheng immediately smiled in realization and bowed respectfully. In his heart, he thought, "It seems this woman also has the art of preserving her youth. To be able to marry Chef Zeng, she must be over thirty years old."

"I have met Master Lin before. However, since Master Lin has met my sister before, he will naturally find her somewhat familiar."

Huang Linglin covered her mouth and chuckled softly, exuding a mature and alluring charm.

Lin Changheng invited the two to sit down, and after exchanging pleasantries, he took the initiative to ask them the purpose of their visit.

Chef Zeng didn't speak, but looked at his Daoist partner.

Lin Changheng knew from this action that this woman was most likely another lobbyist.

He simply smiled and looked on with interest, wondering what their plans were and what price they were prepared to offer.

Sure enough, the woman pursed her red lips and uttered words of recruitment.

Lin Changheng blinked, and as expected, he was about to speak as usual.

Having politely declined so many people's requests so many times, he has developed a set of speaking templates.

"Master Lin, please don't be in such a hurry to refuse. Listen to my sincerity first."

Huang Linglin maintained a smile on her face, her eyes sparkling, and spoke calmly and unhurriedly.

"Oh? Then I, Lin, am all ears."

Lin Changheng glanced at Chef Zeng, who was looking down at his nose and not saying a word. As soon as he had a thought, he stopped talking.

"My old master Zeng told me about Master Lin's refusal last time, and he felt it was a great pity. So I went to report to the ancestor and decided to invite Master Lin with the utmost sincerity."

Huang Linglin said these words with a smile.

Lin Changheng simply smiled.

He thought to himself that the reason he rejected her last time was just the least hurtful one, the one that was easiest to say on the surface, and he didn't believe that this woman could really move him.

"There are three main points."

Huang Linglin didn't hesitate and went straight to stating her price and negotiating terms.

"First, Master Lin will become our lineage's [respected figure]. He will not need to stay in the clan for long, nor will he be subject to any restrictions or tasks. All he needs to do is ensure that Master Lin keeps his promise to my elder that 'the Huang family has the priority to start refining pills.'"

Upon hearing this, Lin Changheng's eyes showed a hint of astonishment.

This is a direct dismantling of the reasons he initially gave for refusing, and an "accountability-free" treatment of his status as a worshipper.

Moreover, he did not lie about the promise he made to Chef Zeng; he was indeed able to keep it.

This is equivalent to just giving me my name?
"interesting."

Lin Changheng smiled as well, "Fellow Daoist Huang, please continue."

Huang Linglin smiled, as if to say, "I didn't mean to deceive you, did I?" and continued:
"Secondly, when news spreads that Master Lin is 'offering' to the Huang family of Lingqiong Mountain, Master Lin cannot deny it. Correspondingly, our lineage will also provide corresponding offering resources, not a penny less, all according to the prescribed standards."

Lin Changheng immediately understood that this was a supplementary measure to the previous point.

But having one more or one less title doesn't seem to have any impact on him, nor is there any need to deny it.

There is no risk unless the Huang family of Lingqiong Mountain dares to rebel against the [Southern Palace].

But how could the Huang family, who didn't even possess a single fake Core Formation, dare to challenge the [Southern Palace], which had a Nascent Soul True Monarch as its leader? Did they want their entire clan wiped out?
Therefore, this possibility is almost nonexistent.

Even if the current head of the Huang family dared to think that way, his subordinates would unite to immediately expel him from the family, declare him a traitor, and sever all ties with him.

……

At this point, Lin Changheng also became interested in the third point.

But it's just something I'm interested in.

Huang Linglin also noticed the change in Lin Changheng's attitude, knowing that this might be her last chance. Her expression immediately turned solemn, and she spoke earnestly:

"Third, our lineage patriarch has promised that Master Lin can make any request, as long as it is within the bounds of reasonable and normal logic, it will be granted as a welcoming gift for Master Lin to join our Huang family!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Changheng's expression immediately changed.

This is tantamount to giving Lin Changheng a "blank check," allowing him to fill in whatever he wants within a reasonable range.

However, what this ancestor presupposed should be within the range that a second-level alchemist or a cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining could need.

What a second-tier alchemist can ask for is nothing more than the [second-tier alchemy inheritance], and the spiritual artifacts and magical tools for the alchemy furnace.
The materials needed to reach the ninth level of Qi Refining are nothing more than those related to breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, or high-grade magic artifacts, etc.

Foundation Establishment Pills, Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects, and the main ingredients of Foundation Establishment Pills should not be included in this scope, as these are strategic resources of the clan and should not be given away lightly.

Given Lin Changheng's character and conduct, the Huang family estimated that he wouldn't have the nerve to ask him for it.

"What does Master Lin think?"

Huang Linglin took in Lin Changheng's expression and felt a slight joy in her heart.

Lin Changheng fell silent and began to think deeply.

After a long while, he asked, "May I ask what level of cultivation your ancestor possessed?"

Huang Linglin and her Daoist partner, whose expression had just changed, exchanged a glance and then told each other, "Late stage of Foundation Establishment."

"Later stage of foundation building?"

Lin Changheng began to feel a little tempted.

What he lacks most right now is a second-tier fire-type cultivation technique, and what he wants is a high-grade second-tier technique! Everything else can wait.

That's why I asked.

Second-tier fire-based cultivation techniques are not much different from second-tier alchemy inheritances, although the latter may be more valuable.

Therefore, from a value perspective, a second-tier high-grade fire-type cultivation technique is likely to be accepted.

Now that second-tier high-grade cultivation techniques are so rare, Lin Changheng has no choice but to turn his attention to them.

After thinking it over carefully for a long time, he suddenly smiled and said:

"Could it be that second-tier fire-based techniques are also possible?"

Huang Linglin was taken aback. Although she didn't understand why Lin Changheng had made this choice, since he was at the ninth level of Qi Refining, she quickly thought about it and decided that it was acceptable. She smiled and was about to agree.

The ancestor within her lineage granted her immense power; as long as it wasn't too outrageous, she could make the final decision.

As a result, Lin Changheng's second half of the sentence shut her up.

"Preferably a high-grade second-tier item..."

……

Chef Zeng and Huang Linglin left, bidding farewell with Lin Changheng's enigmatic smile in their minds and the doubts in their hearts.

They did not refuse, but asked Lin Changheng to wait a moment and reply after they had consulted with the patriarch.

Lin Changheng readily agreed and saw the two off with a beaming smile.

Within three days, news arrived...

(End of this chapter)