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

Chapter 179 Body Refinement Breakthrough, Second-Order Spirit Furnace (5K chapters, including a bonus chapter for 400 monthly votes)
At this moment, the number of spirit stones in Lin Changheng's storage bag finally exceeded 30,000.

His revenue-generating ability is indeed quite good, but his expenses are also astonishingly high.

Monster blood essence and body-refining materials are all money pits.

Fortunately, the pills can be produced and sold domestically; otherwise, there would be another huge expense.

However, although these spirit stones seem like a lot, they would only amount to about three hundred mid-grade spirit stones, which is not very useful during the Foundation Establishment stage.

……

Two months later, time flew by.

On this day, Lin Changheng put down the Dragon-Slaying Stone and was soaking in a medicinal bath, slowly circulating the "Evergreen Body of Azure Wood".

It was slowly drawn into the body, strand by strand.

Despite the pain, Lin Changheng remained resolute, waiting for it to become part of his own accumulation and foundation.

At the same time, the remaining power of the [Dragon Blood Fruit] within his body continued to be released and completely refined.

"Whoo~"

Lin Changheng suddenly felt a sense of fullness, not from his abdomen, but from his skin and flesh.

This means the accumulation is about to reach its limit.

Half an hour later.

Suddenly, the emerald green spiritual liquid in the iron bathtub surged violently, and countless tiny blue dark lights seemed to be activated, drilling into Lin Changheng's pores and converging into a raging torrent within his body, washing away everything in its path.

"Right now."

As he changed the hand seals, ancient and simple green tree patterns faintly appeared on his body, each branch shimmering with profound meaning.

"Om-"

Lin Changheng's bones began to creak, the teeth-grinding sound clearly emanating from them. It was as if the tree patterns had opened some kind of channel, allowing the pent-up energy within his body to be released.

Instantly, Lin Changheng's originally white bones gradually turned a bluish-green color.

From skin to flesh and blood, and now to bones, it's a step-by-step progression!

The rich color of the medicinal liquid in the bathtub faded at a visible speed, as all the medicinal power was frantically consumed.

"hiss!"

Lin Changheng gasped, sweat beading on his forehead; the pain was excruciating.

It felt like scraping bone with a knife.

If it weren't for his willpower, how many people could endure such pain?
In fact, this method leans towards the body-refining techniques of ancient times, when there were abundant natural treasures and body cultivators could compete with ancient cultivators of the same level.

"The Evergreen Tree" can be considered a simplified and environmentally adapted version.

The body-refining methods of ancient times were several times more painful than this, but their power was also far greater than that of the present day.

The power of this "Evergreen Body" is stronger than the current body-refining methods, but the latter are at least not very painful.

Unless they get close, they still cannot compete with cultivators of the same level, but they have retained a lot of their ability to protect themselves.

At the same time, blue wood grain rapidly formed on Lin Changheng's bones, unfolding layer by layer like the rings of an ancient tree.

"This is... my opportunity!"

Lin Changheng knew this was a crucial juncture, and continued to circulate his cultivation technique, not daring to relax in the slightest.

As more and more blue patterns appeared on the bones inside his body, the remaining power of the [Dragon Blood Fruit] within him was completely drained.

Absorb completely.

"boom!"

His internal energy surged like a dragon, his bones emitted subtle popping sounds, and the bone structure became completely fixed and solidified.

"Click——"

With a loud bang, his aura surged suddenly, and the iron bathtub beneath him could not withstand the pressure, cracking open with countless fissures.

Lin Changheng suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as lightning, and leaped forward.

"It's done!"

Sensing the terrifying changes in his body, he murmured, gently clenched his fist, and easily created a sonic boom in the air.

The Evergreen Body has finally reached its fifth level!

Second-stage mid-level body refinement, breakthrough successful!
He felt satisfied, then suddenly joined his fingers like a knife, activated the [Limb Hardening Demonic Technique] to empower his right hand, and slashed his left arm fiercely.

"Break!"

When the fingertips touched the skin, they produced a metallic clanging sound, and after a series of dazzling sparks, only a white mark remained on the arm, which disappeared in an instant.

"This physical body can probably withstand a few attacks from a mid-grade spiritual weapon now."

He turned his head and looked around, wanting to give it a try. This was the most prominent characteristic he brought from his previous life: to speak with facts and to always explore the truth through his own attempts or experiments.

He quickly shook his head.

The hardest thing in this cave is probably himself; even if the cave were dismantled, it wouldn't reveal anything.

You can only press it.

"I need to find an opportunity to acquire a magical artifact so I can test myself."

"Similarly, even the high-grade alchemy furnace is not enough. It cannot withstand the intense medicinal power of the second tier when in use, and there is a risk of the furnace exploding. It needs to be replaced."

The alchemy furnace is a small matter, but destroying the medicine is a big deal!
A thought flashed through Lin Changheng's mind, and he suddenly chuckled. Others buy magical artifacts to kill people, but he mainly uses them to kill himself...

This is truly a strange story.

……

The next day.

Lin Changheng, accompanied by Yan Mingyi, who had also been away from home for a long time, piloted the magic boat to the inner city.

He tossed the woman a bag of spirit stones and told her to wander around and buy what she needed for her cave dwelling.

He then went on his own to find a shop that could craft magical artifacts.

In fact, Yan Mingyi's wealth is also terrifying. With the support of her grandfather's life's inheritance, buying two Foundation Establishment Pills is not a problem. Moreover, she herself is a mid-grade puppeteer who can customize and sell puppets to earn spirit stones.

But you can't expect someone's "maid" to work and also pay for their job, right? Wouldn't that make the boss a heartless person?

In the past few months, Lin Changheng's cave dwelling has undergone a significant transformation. Not only is there spiritual food and wine available daily, but it is also clean, pleasant, and well-maintained.

Aside from taking care of Baozhi and accelerating its growth, Lin Changheng basically let go of everything else, focusing solely on alchemy and cultivation, while still finding time to make friends and maintain connections.

Soon, Lin Changheng, having slightly adjusted his appearance, came out of a weapon-refining shop. His family did not have any second-tier weapon refiners.

Naturally, they would be unable to forge magical artifacts.

I visited three or four places in a row, but I still couldn't succeed.

One of the larger shops did have a second-tier weapon refiner, but their schedule was already booked for two years from now, so you'd have to wait.

Shaking his head, Lin Changheng continued into several shops selling finished artifacts. They did have magical artifacts, but he didn't find any that appealed to him, so he had to give up on them.

After all, a low-grade spiritual weapon costs at least six thousand low-grade spirit stones, while the finest ones can cost as much as eight or nine thousand.

Although you have many spirit stones, you shouldn't spend them recklessly.

Lin Changheng would not act rashly, after all, his spirit stones were hard-earned, refined one pill at a time.

After browsing around again, Lin Changheng found that alchemy furnaces were easy to buy, as there weren't many different styles to choose from. As long as the quality was good, he could get one for 6,300 low-grade spirit stones.

This is a crimson alchemy furnace. It is five feet tall, with three legs and two handles. Nine lifelike fire pythons are carved in relief on the furnace body, with faint golden light flowing between their scales.

It is called the "Nine Pythons Devouring Flame Furnace".

Made primarily of red-hot hard copper, the furnace belly is engraved with a triple fire-gathering array that can concentrate the flames.

Good quality.

……

However, magical artifacts for both offense and defense are hard to find.

Lin Changheng quickly decided to give up, thinking it would be better to find a second-tier weapon refiner and ask them for a weapon.

If others can ask me for pills, why can't I ask others to refine weapons?

With quality control, Vaillant's bottom line, and the product meeting your expectations and preferences, why not?

I had previously met a second-tier weapon refiner at Qinglingfang and even refined a Heavenly Thunder Stone for him. Unfortunately, the distance was too far, and I had to go back because the cost of refining weapons was too high.

There should be quite a few second-tier weapon refiners in the outer lake area, right?

Having made up his mind, he immediately turned back, where Yan Mingyi was already waiting for him at the agreed place.

……

Over the next few days, Lin Changheng took some spirit wine and visited a few neighbors.

They all received an incredibly warm welcome.

The neighbors had long heard of Lin Changheng's reputation, and now that they learned that Lin Changheng had refined a [Premium Foundation Building Pill], they were even more eager.

Except for one Foundation Establishment cultivator who had no offspring and seemed indifferent, the other Foundation Establishment cultivators with family backgrounds, or those with children and grandchildren, all directly addressed Lin Changheng as their elder brother.

There was even a scene where a silver-haired old man was smiling and addressing a cultivator who looked no more than twenty-four or twenty-five years old as "Brother Lin" repeatedly—it was all too strange…

As for the old alchemist neighbor who was always eager to teach others and acted like a senior, he also took the initiative to greet Lin Changheng when he saw him. Lin Changheng simply nodded slightly in response, without any intention of stopping to talk.

Lin Changheng also got the answer he wanted from his neighbors.

There are several second-tier low-grade weapon refiners living in the outer lake area, but only one of them has both a good reputation and excellent skills.

His name was Guo Jinye, also known as Guo Qishi.

Having learned the location of his cave, Lin Changheng planned to visit him soon.

As a result, a neighbor named "Lu Tong" who had built a foundation said that he was acquainted with Master Guo and could introduce him.

Lin Changheng naturally wouldn't refuse.

……

The next day.

The two met and headed together toward Cave Number Thirty-Eight.

Lu Tong, who had a round face and was somewhat chubby, stepped forward and knocked on the door. A short while later, a young man came to open the door.

Upon seeing this and hearing Lü Tong mention "your ancestor," Lin Changheng felt reassured.

The young man exchanged a few words with Lü Tong, and then they both looked at Lin Changheng. The young man nodded repeatedly with a look of surprise in his eyes, and then opened the door to invite him in.

Because Lü Tong was a senior Foundation Establishment cultivator, Lin Changheng did not recklessly use his divine sense.

It's just knocking on the door; there's no need to use any other means.

"You are Alchemist Lin? The renowned Alchemist Lin of Immortal City?"

As Lin Changheng passed by the boy, the boy suddenly asked curiously.

"That's right. Or perhaps I don't look like it?"

Lin Changheng smiled gently. That youthful spirit was so far removed from him; nearly fifty years had passed, and he couldn't even remember it anymore.

"It's not that you don't look like it, it's just that you're too young, Master Lin."

The boy seemed very excited, as if he had met his long-admired idol in a past life.

At this moment, Lü Tong, who was walking in front, suddenly turned around with a smile, "Master Lin is an alchemist, so naturally he has methods to maintain youth. Have you heard of the [Youth-Preserving Pill] or the [Youth-Stabilizing Pill]?"

"Of course I've heard of it, I see!"

The young man looked enlightened. "I will also seek out this elixir and, like Alchemist Lin, remain forever young."

"Hahaha……"

Lin Changheng and Lü Tong exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.

What makes you so happy?

At this moment, an elderly man with half-white hair and beard, dark skin, but vigorous spirit, came out and deliberately said.

"Great-grandfather, Senior Lü and Master Lin have come to pay a visit."

The boy ran up to Guo Qishi with a whoosh and said excitedly.

"Oh?"

Guo Qishi glanced at the boy, a kind smile on his face, then nodded to Lü Tong before carefully examining Lin Changheng.

"They say seeing is believing, and Master Lin's name is well-known. Meeting him today, I can see he is indeed extraordinary. I had some business to attend to the other day and was unable to visit him. I hope you will forgive me."

Upon hearing Guo Qishi's words, Lin Changheng couldn't help but wonder, "Could it be that Guo Qishi also needs something from me?"
He immediately replied, "Master Guo, why do you say that? I am new here, and I should first visit my old neighbors."

"Hahaha……"

The two men immediately smiled and, together with Lü Tong, entered the hall and sat down.

Lu Tong quickly spoke first: "The reason I brought Alchemist Lin here is because he wants to refine a second-tier artifact."

Guo Qishi turned his gaze to Lin Changheng.

"good."

Lin Changheng smiled faintly and transmitted his voice, "I would like to ask Master Guo to help me forge a low-grade spiritual weapon flying sword."

Seeing this, Lü Tong didn't find anything unusual. Cultivators value their privacy, so this was perfectly normal.

He simply continued to enjoy his tea.

"Are there any requirements?"

As was customary, Guo Qishi asked the question, which meant he had agreed to accept the order.

"Extreme speed".

Lin Changheng stated his only request. After interacting with Foundation Establishment cultivators, he also discovered that his divine sense was much stronger than that of ordinary early Foundation Establishment cultivators. If he then enhanced it on his extremely fast flying sword, he might be able to launch a surprise attack to kill or injure the cultivator.

"Oh?"

Master Guo's eyes flickered slightly. He was used to this. These cultivators who came to ask for artifacts had all sorts of ideas. There were quite a few who wanted both offensive and defensive artifacts, or even both. At first glance, one might think they wanted him to forge immortal artifacts...

In comparison, Lin Changheng's suggestion is more reasonable.

“In the days to come, I will take some time to produce a basic draft. Master Lin can come and confirm it then, and we will proceed with the refining.”

Guo Qishi thought for a moment and said.

"Alright, then I'll trouble Master Guo."

The two then discussed issues such as materials and prices, and basically reached a consensus.

Lin Changheng held a number of second-tier spirit ores given to him by various forces during their visits. Although the quantity of each type was small, there were many different kinds. He would select some of them as base materials later.

This also avoids stockpiling materials.

The remaining portion will be provided by Guo Qishi as needed.

The price for opening the furnace is three thousand spirit stones.

Including some auxiliary materials, the total is about 3,500 spirit stones.

Overall, it's significantly cheaper.

……

After discussing the matter of weapon crafting, Master Guo also asked Lin Changheng for elixirs.

It turns out he also had a shop in the inner city of the Immortal City.

It is managed by his eldest son, but he is currently stuck in the mid-stage of Qi Refining and cannot advance any further. He wants to obtain a Breakthrough Pill.

Lin Changheng said that it was no problem at all; as long as the formula and medicinal materials were collected, he could start the furnace.

Guo Qishi immediately expressed his gratitude, and the group dispersed happily.

……

Five days later, Lin Changheng made another trip and finalized the design drafts of the flying sword.

Once Master Guo finishes refining the spiritual weapon in his hand, he can begin refining it soon.

All we have to do is wait.

In the following days, Lin Changheng received two letters in succession.

They were all sent by Mo Zhaoli.

In her first letter, she said that she would soon be coming to the vicinity of the Immortal City to handle a mission to kill a calamity cultivator, and that we could meet then.

Lin Changheng naturally welcomed this.

The two had not seen each other for more than three and a half years since their last parting at the Purple Extreme Sect.

Although letters keep us in touch, how can they compare to meeting in person?
The second letter, in a supplementary manner, mentioned one point:
She learned that "Senior Brother Feng" would also be coming to handle the mission, after she sent the letter. She wondered whether she should come to see him.

This will likely cause trouble for Lin Changheng.

In response, Lin Changheng wrote directly to say: There is no need to worry, you are welcome to come.

……

In addition to Mo Zhaoli's letters, Tantai Feiyue and Xu Fugui also wrote to her regularly every year.

However, Tantai Feiyue comes a little more frequently.

Over the years, Tantai Feiyue's seven letters mentioned no more than three major events.

Firstly, she did indeed heed Lin Changheng's advice and went into seclusion to consolidate her cultivation for a year before returning to the Blackwater River. The Qiu family patriarch, who originally intended to fight the Xu family to the death, immediately backed down upon learning of the news that the Xu family had two Foundation Establishment cultivators. He dared not harbor any further schemes and decisively adopted a strategy of retreating entirely.

Gradually relinquish various peripheral resources to avoid war.

The Xu family has now seized many resource points and is gradually digesting them, presenting a thriving situation.

The second thing was that in the second year after Lin Changheng left the Xu family, Xu Qianyan successfully refined a second-tier pill and officially entered the realm of a second-tier alchemist.

The Xu family's alchemy business has completed the first step of its transformation.

The third thing is that she also successfully advanced to the second-tier rune master half a year ago.

With her status as a second-tier talisman master and a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she held an unparalleled position in the Xu family.

However, she was intentionally controlling her influence, focusing on talismanic arts and cultivation, and began to reduce her public appearances to avoid interfering too much in clan affairs.

She also said that she could give him a surprise next time they met.

Upon learning of these three pieces of news, Lin Changheng remarked that the Xu family is now maintaining a cautious and steady approach, avoiding reckless expansion, and adhering to a solid and pragmatic strategy. The future of the family is limitless.

……

Xu Fugui was also in a very good mood.

I was told some very good news:

His youngest son, born to his third son, possesses a superior spiritual root. If nothing unexpected happens, he has a high probability of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage after joining a sect or Daoist school.

Now he is troubled about which sect or Taoist school to send his grandson to for a better future.

……

Lin Changheng also asked Tantai Feiyue about the current situation of Xu Fugui's two children with mid-grade spiritual roots. The answer he received was that the fifth child was now forty-two years old and had a cultivation level of the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Although it encountered a bottleneck in the later stages, it still has the potential to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

They have also entered the core training sequence of the Xu family.

The eighth child is a daughter, now thirty-four or thirty-five years old, and has reached the sixth level of Qi Refining.

Although its progress is not as good as its elder brother's, it may not be impossible for it to catch up.

In response, Lin Changheng remarked that although Fugui might not have been able to establish a foundation, his descendants were all exceptionally talented, which could be considered a way of achieving his dream indirectly.

……

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

A magic boat flew in from the horizon and landed in front of Cave No. 98.

A Foundation Establishment female cultivator with a flowing fairy dress, gentle temperament, and a vermilion mark between her eyebrows stepped down from above.

"Senior Mo."

The door opened, and Yan Mingyi immediately bowed obediently.

(End of this chapter)