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

Chapter 169 The Wondrous Use of Demonic Magic, The First Signs of Cruelty

Lin Changheng used both his magical power and divine sense to investigate very clearly.

Tantai Feiyue's magical foundation is quite good, rather solid, and full in her dantian, suggesting that she has used a lot of resources.

However, the problem lies in the fact that the magical power is too mixed, which is clearly caused by the excessive consumption of various elixirs.

At that time, liquefying mana will be extremely difficult.

It hinders the exploration of the "Mountain of Qi".

The remaining poison will also cause the body to weaken and lose its essence, making it unable to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth without leaking it out, and making it difficult to break through the [Mountain of Essence].

There are also two pieces of good news.

Firstly, Tantai Feiyue heeded Lin Changheng's advice and did not use any breakthrough pills, thus prematurely consuming her potential and preserving her hope of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.

Secondly, her progress in the art of talismanic arts was quite rapid. She often drew talismans, which would tire her spirit, and then she would recover. This cycle repeated itself and had a certain tempering effect on her soul.

It can help him decipher the [Mountain of God].

Even so, considering her low-grade spiritual root, Lin Changheng estimated that Tantai Feiyue's chances of achieving Foundation Establishment were no more than 20%.

If they rush in rashly, failure and serious injury are inevitable, and the probability of death is not low.

Realizing this, Lin Changheng couldn't help but frown.

He also had a headache.

Giving this woman the [Inferior Foundation Establishment Pill] only increases the chances by 15%.

Even if you give away the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Item as well, it will increase the chance by a total of 25%.

This is the limit that external aids can provide. In essence, one still needs to lay a solid foundation within oneself before external aids can be effective.

However, the combined chances are only 45%, which, given Lin Changheng's cautious nature, is practically equivalent to failing to establish a foundation.

However, Lin Changheng was by no means a heartless person, and he did have feelings for the female cultivator he was holding in his arms.

Although it's said that the path to enlightenment is ruthless, it's one thing to be ruthless once you reach the pinnacle, but I'm only at the Foundation Establishment stage...

Lin Changheng genuinely felt that it was unnecessary for someone in the Foundation Establishment stage to be all alone.

Once Tantai Feiyue breaks through to the Foundation Establishment stage, with her talent in talismanic arts, it wouldn't be impossible for her to break through to the second-tier talisman master.

It can also bring considerable benefits to oneself.

Therefore, I was also thinking about ways to solve this problem.

"If the Nine-Leaf Purple Ganoderma in my possession matures, I might be able to use the crowdfunding alchemy method again to refine a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill, which would further increase the probability."

But in the end, it was just a thought; it didn't come true, nor was it reality.

Suddenly, an idea popped into my head.

Lin Changheng's heart immediately started racing slightly.

[Poison-Dispelling Demonic Technique]!
This method was able to remove the crimson powder from Xu Hanji's body back then, and it may be able to remove the poison from Tantai Feiyue's body now.

This process removes some impurities from the body's magical power, removes the "hidden stakes" formed by erysipelas, and plugs up some of the gaps.

Lin Changheng was extremely efficient and took immediate action.

With his fingertips pressed against the back of Fei Yue's heart, the [Poison-Dissolving Demon Technique] immediately and slowly seeped into her body, its pure and ethereal energy cleansing her body.

"uh-huh……"

Tantai Feiyue, who had fallen asleep due to the combined impact of exhaustion and satisfaction, couldn't help but feel a little strange, and let out a low hum.

After half a stick of incense.

Lin Changheng discovered that the accumulated and dormant poison in this woman's body melted away with a single swirling motion when it encountered the pure spiritual energy transformed by the [Poison-Dissolving Demonic Technique], just like ice and snow meeting the sun.

A significant amount has already been cleared out!
"it works."

Lin Changheng was immediately relieved and continued to cast the [Poison-Transforming Demonic Technique].

The process isn't fast; it will take at least a month, or even longer, to completely eliminate them.

If it works, that's a good thing; the time frame is acceptable.

Not long after, Tantai Feiyue slowly woke up and felt an unusual comfort in her body. Immediately, her watery eyes, full of spring-like joy, looked at her husband in surprise.

"Don't ask any questions yet. Just start practicing the method of circulating qi and blood."

With a slight shake of his head, Lin Changheng immediately withdrew his hand, used his magic to push the woman up, and made her sit in meditation, while giving her some instructions.

"it is good!"

Tantai Feiyue was no fool; she could sense that her body felt much more relaxed, indicating some kind of positive change. Without the slightest hesitation, she did as instructed.

Instantly, the magical power within the woman's body surged forth, and her blood and qi circulated accordingly, accelerating their flow through her meridians and channels.

"good."

Lin Changheng praised him, placed his hand on his back, and used the [Poison-Transforming Demon Technique] again.

This time, with the boost from the "wave" of Qi and blood, Lin Changheng's detoxification and clearing Qi circulation became even stronger, more efficient, and reached a deeper level.

All the erysipelas encountered, whether new or old, stubborn or not, were washed away.

Half an hour later, Lin Changheng stopped, his eyes showing satisfaction.

At this rate of efficiency, within half a month, at least 95% of the erysipelas in this woman's body will be cleared and eliminated!
If the [Poison-Dissolving Demonic Technique] is continued for a longer period, the effect will naturally be better.

The problem is that Lin Changheng's mana in his dantian is already half depleted, and he feels insecure if it continues to deplete.

Therefore, I will give up and come back tomorrow.

As Fei Yue said, there are still six months until the end of the term, so there is no need to rush.

By then, her physique will be even purer, her magical power even more refined, and her chances of achieving Foundation Establishment will increase by at least 15%.

It has reached 60%!

With a 60% chance, even an ordinary rogue cultivator would choose to take the risk.

Not everyone can be as well-prepared as Lin Changheng was back then, with his spirit and energy honed to near perfection, leaving him flawless.

They cannot be like true geniuses who possess heavenly and earthly spiritual roots, who have a high chance of being admitted to the Foundation Establishment stage and are almost guaranteed admission.

Or like the descendants of powerful beings, they consume Foundation Establishment Pills and Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects like candy or water, forcefully pushing them to the Foundation Establishment stage through external forces.

Most independent cultivators would be willing to risk their lives if they had even a 30% chance of success.

Even 50% would be more than enough!

"Although it's low, it's still acceptable. The problem is that the protective effect of the [Inferior Foundation Building Pill] is also a weakened version. If a problem occurs, there is still a risk."

Shaking his head, Lin Changheng had no other choice; ultimately, everything depended on Tantai Feiyue herself.

Strength, preparation, belief, and a little bit of luck.

Ultimately, one must walk one's own path; no one can do it for you.

……

The next day, the Xu family hosted a grand welcome banquet for Lin Changheng in the evening.

Before attending the banquet, Lin Changheng met Xu Fugui, who had traveled a long way from his post to return to the Xu family overnight.

"Brother Lin!"

Xu Fugui is now fifty-eight years old, but he doesn't look old at all. However, his body is extremely dark and robust, and he doesn't look as prosperous as he used to.

Thinking back on all these years of fighting and struggling, I must have suffered a lot and endured a lot of hardship.

"Fugui, how have you been?"

Lin Changheng was filled with emotion, and stepped forward to give Xu Fugui a big hug.

"Brother Lin, I've heard you've already reached the Foundation Establishment stage? That's wonderful."

Xu Fugui glanced at Lin Changheng several times, his thick eyebrows and big eyes filled with emotion and happiness for Lin Changheng.

Lin Changheng, Xu Fugui, and Bai Fengxian once made a pact after drinking, hoping that one of them could reach the Foundation Establishment stage and show them the true splendor of the cultivation world.

At that time, Lin Changheng was considered to be the one among the three who had the best chance of achieving Foundation Establishment.

Although his spiritual root is slightly inferior, his temperament and skills are excellent.

Now his words have come true. Lin Changheng smiled slightly. He hadn't told him back then, but the news eventually got out.

Because he did not ask Tantai Feiyue not to leak this information, but instead suggested that if she encountered any problems, she could appropriately use his name.

So the Xu family found out.

Naturally, it was impossible to avoid Xu Fugui, who held a prominent position among the high-ranking officials.

Then Lin Changheng took out two bottles of second-tier pills that used the pill-dividing method and handed them to Xu Fugui.

It can alleviate the aftereffects of excessive loss of vital essence, reduce negative impacts, and has a certain probability of extending lifespan by a few years, thus making up for the lifespan lost due to this cause.

"This is?"

Xu Fugui uncorked the bottle, took a sniff, and immediately felt incredibly refreshed.

Then, as if remembering something, her eyes widened in shock, "Brother Lin, this...this is too precious, I..."

"Just accept it. There's no need for such formalities between us."

Lin Changheng waved his hand and smiled nonchalantly.

"it is good."

Xu Fugui carefully accepted it and grinned at Lin Changheng.

"Brother Lin, are you planning to visit Old Bai's grave? I go to sweep his grave every year. That young pine tree is growing very well, its branches spreading out like a canopy."

Then suddenly he said.

"Right on my mind."

Lin Changheng nodded and took out the Dharma Boat, ready to fly away.

"Brother Lin, could you please take me for a ride using your escape light? I'd like to experience what it's like for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to soar through the skies and travel by escape light."

Xu Fugui remained motionless, prompting Lin Changheng to turn around in confusion. Only then did he see Xu Fugui's longing expression as he softly made his request.

Looking at Fugui's weathered face, Lin Changheng fell silent, a strange emotion welling up inside him, and he suddenly felt a pang of sorrow.

Forty-four years ago, the two met at the Spirit Testing Conference. They both failed to be selected and entered the Xu family together. At that time, watching the Foundation Establishment cultivators from various sects and immortal clans move about so high and mighty, he had said something similar to himself.
"Brother Lin, do you think it's really impossible to establish a foundation with inferior spiritual roots?"

"Do we have a chance in this lifetime... to escape like them?"

The voice rang out again, transcending time and space. For some reason, Lin Changheng suddenly responded softly, "Yes."

I don't even know which question I'm answering.

"Whoo~"

A sudden gust of wind rises from the flat ground.

Xu Fugui felt an inexplicable force rise from the ground and support him. He murmured "Thank you" and then closed his eyes to feel it.

I felt as if his figure was a feather, floating up, and when I looked again, he was already on a cloud.

Is this what it feels like to build a foundation?
Beneath my feet, a blue rainbow pulsed with rosy light, and a sudden gust of wind billowed my robes.

Before long, the two landed on the top of the green mountain.

The mountains rise one after another, and the saplings that He Fugui planted one by one in the past have all grown tall, standing facing each other on the various mountain peaks.

They also accompanied each other from afar.

Each of them offered a libation and poured it on the roots.

……

The banquet that evening was very grand.

Lin Changheng, who dislikes crowds, did not refuse.

Among the high-ranking officials present, there were fewer familiar faces and more new ones.

Xu Xuzhong and Xu Xuyang, the stewards of the two halls, Xu Qianyan, the chief alchemist, and Lu Danshi, who once competed for alchemy, were all present.

Master Mo was also there, smiling at him. This wasn't surprising to Lin Changheng, because Mo Zhaoli had told him that Master Mo would most likely continue to live out his days in the Xu family.

However, Xu Qianhuan did not see it.

Only after asking did they learn that the powerful Qi Refining level eight elder who had guided and escorted them from Zichuanfang to Huizhou had been ambushed and killed by the enemy during a major battle with the Qiu family.

Fu Gui's father-in-law, Xu Qianzhan, a one-eyed old man who was fierce to others but kind to Lin Changheng, also died on the battlefield.

Xu Hanji was also nowhere to be seen; he had gone out to seek an opportunity to establish his foundation and had not returned.

As for the new faces, although they all smiled respectfully at Lin Changheng and Lin Changheng nodded in response, they had no intention of exchanging words with him.

no need.

His relationship and affection with the Xu family only extended to the three generations of the "Qian", "Xu", and "Han" families.

Tantai Feiyue attended the event in full regalia. Almost everyone in the Xu family knew about her relationship with Lin Changheng, so there was no need to hide it.

Regardless of Lin Changheng's identity, Tantai Feiyue's status as the chief of the Talisman Dao is enough to deter any gossip from the Xu family.

After the drinking session.

Lin Changheng was invited by Xu Xuheng and Xu Xujun to have tea to sober up.

He glanced at the two men and knew they probably had something to discuss, so he didn't refuse.

Why not give them a listen and show them some face?
They didn't force anything ten years ago, and they certainly won't do it ten years from now. Even if they change their minds now, they won't have the power to force anything anymore.

Lin Changheng has the confidence to do so.

……

In a quaint pavilion.

The two men invited Lin Changheng to sit down and served him fragrant tea.

They talked about the current situation of the Xu family and also subtly inquired about Lin Changheng's affairs outside.

Because the Immortal City was too far from the Blackwater River, Lin Danshi's illustrious name did not spread.

Lin Changheng also gained a deep understanding of the Xu family's situation at this time.

The situation is very good, but a crisis is also lurking.

The reasons why the Xu family has developed to such an extent can be mainly divided into two points:

Xu Xujun laid the foundation, and Qinglingfang opened for business.

One provided the strength, and the other provided the resources.

The Qiu family is currently in a weakened state, and the Xu family is poised to strike while the enemy is down. However, there is also a Foundation Establishment family called the Yun family of Yunmeng Lake, located two hundred miles away, which is actively getting involved.

The intention is to reconcile.

They did not want the Xu family to swallow up the Qiu family and allow the Xu family to become too powerful.

By then, once the Xu family has absorbed all of the Qiu family's resources and their power has expanded, they will likely feel threatened and the Yun family will face a formidable opponent.

Therefore, the Yun family will not sit idly by and watch the Xu family grow stronger, and will try to deter and prevent such a trend from emerging.

Subsequently, disagreements arose among the seemingly monolithic upper echelons of the Xu family.

The debate over whether to eradicate the Qiu family completely was divided into two factions.

After listening, Lin Changheng shook his head. While family is a great help, it can also easily become the biggest obstacle.

These conflicts of interest are far-reaching, with old ones coming and new ones emerging, and they will consume an unknown amount of energy and time.

Even a family head like Xu Xuheng, who could be considered a man of great talent and ambition, was worn down to an old man.

This gives us a glimpse into the situation.

When asked for their opinions, Lin Changheng smiled but did not answer.

However, Xu Xuheng still earnestly requested guidance, believing that since he was able to seek Foundation Establishment in the Immortal City, he must not only be knowledgeable but also intelligent and quick-witted. He swallowed his pride and asked for an answer.

With a sigh, Lin Changheng knew he couldn't refuse. He was about to speak when he suddenly remembered the spying on the Blackwater Riverbank—the resentful and cold gaze was most likely that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator who had a grudge against the Xu family…

His thoughts shifted again, and after taking a sip of tea, he uttered seven words:
"We should press on with our remaining strength to eliminate the enemy."

(End of this chapter)