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

Chapter 190 The Request for the True Inheritance, The Black Turtle's Fortuitous Encounter

The two walked one after the other and soon arrived at a side hall.

"Master Lin, the True Disciple Bai is inside. Please forgive me, but I can only guide you this far and cannot go in."

The yellow-robed cultivator stopped at the entrance of the side hall, gestured for him to enter, and explained with a forced smile.

"Yes! I'll take my leave!"

Seeing Lin Changheng nod slightly, the man immediately took his leave as if granted a pardon and fled as if he were escaping.

They were terrified that staying even a second longer would be life-threatening.

Ignoring the yellow-robed cultivator, Lin Changheng stood at the entrance of the hall, his gaze already fixed on the interior.

The interior of the hall was simple and grand, with landscape screens hanging on the four walls and dark blue jade bricks paving the floor.

One of the slender female sages stood with her back to the palace gate in front of a table, her delicate hand slightly raised as she flipped through something.

The woman wore a light blue long dress with shoes, and a silver sash around her waist, which made her figure look slender and tall like bamboo.

Her long, jet-black hair was loosely tied up with a single jade hairpin, with a few stray strands falling to the side of her neck, swaying slightly with her movements.

There was no one else present.

"This woman must be the true disciple of Bai Zhen."

Lin Changheng's mind stirred slightly.

At this moment, seemingly sensing the gaze behind her, the female cultivator paused slightly in her reading, then slowly turned around—

An extremely beautiful face came into view.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes like cold pools, and her lips were very pale. Only a touch of light pink at the corner of her eyes, like rosy clouds reflecting snow, added a touch of liveliness.

"Since Fellow Daoist Lin has arrived, why not come in for a chat?" Bai Hengwan spoke, her voice as clear as ice water striking jade, devoid of any emotion.

"Entering uninvited would be considered theft, so I must wait for my master to invite me in."

Lin Changheng smiled slightly, stepped inside, and stopped halfway, keeping a certain distance from the woman. "I wonder what business Bai Zhenchuan has sent people to guard me outside the Tianzi Pavilion?"

Bai Hengwan bowed slightly, "I originally sent someone to invite Master Lin to come and have a chat, but I didn't expect that he would wait outside the VIP room to save trouble."

"It was indeed my subordinates who acted rashly, and it is also my fault for not explaining things clearly. I apologize to Master Lin and ask for your forgiveness."

"Ok?"

Lin Changheng was taken aback. He had only mentioned it briefly to subtly express his dissatisfaction, but the woman had apologized so readily.

It should be known that this female cultivator's status in the Immortal City of Floating Life is just like that of a princess or even a crown princess in the imperial palace or the entire country in the mortal world—her status is incomparably noble.

Now you've actually bowed down because of something I said?

After all, many people can endure any hardship and bend any posture when they are at the bottom; but once they climb to a higher position, their status rises, and things are different from before, hey, they can't bend their backs anymore, they are very stiff.

Lin Changheng immediately realized that Bai Hengwan was no ordinary person. With such a temperament and spiritual root talent, her future was truly limitless.

If possible, it would be beneficial to cultivate a good relationship with them.

Lin Changheng, who stepped aside to avoid the female cultivator's curtsy, smiled and said, "Master Bai, there's no need for that. It was just a joke."

Bai Hengwan shook her head slightly and got down to business: "The reason I invited Master Lin to have a chat is because I have long heard that your name is known throughout the Immortal City and your alchemy skills are praised by everyone. I felt that this matter could not be left unattended without Master Lin's involvement."

"It's just empty praise from many fellow Daoists in the Immortal City. Master Bai, just listen to it and don't take it to heart."

Lin Changheng shook his head, refusing to fall for the sweet talk, and remained clear-headed. Then he asked, "I wonder what matter Master Bai wants me to be involved in?"

"Modify the elixir formula."

Bai Hengwan parted her lips slightly and uttered four words.

"Modify the elixir formula? What do you mean by that? Master Bai, you might as well explain in more detail."

Lin Changheng frowned slightly, keenly sensing that this was a troublesome matter.

"That's right. My master obtained a supplementary pill formula from a secret realm that could help a first-order spirit beast break through to the second order. It was suspected to have been passed down from ancient times, but now several of the main and auxiliary ingredients have disappeared and cannot be found at all."

"Therefore, I would like to ask Master Lin and two other outstanding second-level alchemists to replace the medicine with the available medicinal materials and adjust the alchemy formula accordingly so that it can still be effective in the present day."

Bai Hengwan explained it very carefully, and Lin Changheng understood it immediately.

The pill formula that helps a first-order spirit beast break through to the second order sounds very ordinary at first glance. At most, it's just a second-order pill. Why would a true disciple of the Immortal City ask for it and condescend to do so?
However, a different approach can lead to a different answer.

By simply drawing an analogy with human cultivators, one will discover...

Isn't this the Foundation Establishment Pill from the Spirit Beast Realm?!
Thinking about it this way, it's no wonder that the true disciples of the Immortal City had to be mobilized, and it was even at the behest of that late-stage Core Formation cultivator and the Lord of the Immortal City!

The reason Lin Changheng was invited was because he had a profound understanding of the Foundation Establishment Pill, which could be used as a reference.

Otherwise, given the Immortal City's resources and prestige, it wouldn't be a problem to invite three mid-grade or high-grade second-tier alchemists.

"That's probably not easy..."

After realizing this, Lin Changheng fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said.

“We are aware of this, which is why we invited three alchemists who are proficient in pharmacology and have a very high success rate in alchemy to help us with this.”

"After we succeed, we will give you a generous gift."

"Even if it doesn't work out, there will still be a reward. At the same time, the three of you will become honored guests of our Immortal City, and will be given the 'Floating Life Token', enjoying great convenience and status. All shops directly under the Immortal City will be able to enjoy substantial discounts."

Bai Hengwan explained it in great detail.

Lin Changheng's eyes flickered at this. He had previously guessed two possibilities, and the result was the second one: it was for public good, not for private gain.

"Could you show me the prescription?"

"Of course, but we still need to trouble Master Lin to make a Heavenly Oath that it must not be revealed."

Bai Hengwan nodded, but also gave her conditions.

"it is good."

Lin Changheng had a sudden thought: if he could get his hands on this pill formula, it would not only help his own [Black Armor Earth Turtle] break through, but he could also refine a batch of pills and sell them.

Although its value is not as high as that of the Foundation Establishment Pill, it is a necessity for many families that own spirit beasts!

"Please look."

Bai Hengwan raised her hand and shot out a bluish-white jade slip, which landed in Lin Changheng's hand.

Lin Changheng immediately pressed the jade slip against his brow and quickly scanned it. His initial expectant gaze was quickly replaced by astonishment.

There was indeed an ancient prescription inside, and there were indeed two unfamiliar medicinal herbs listed.

This should be the ancient medicine that is now extinct.

Most importantly, this piece is only about a third of the way long.

Moreover, it lacks the crucial refining and alchemy techniques.

In other words... what Lin Changheng is seeing now is an incomplete prescription!
So this is where I was waiting.

Lin Changheng immediately understood. No wonder the Immortal City offered such generous compensation for their help; they had this in mind.

In reality, the process involves a second-tier alchemist within the Immortal City dividing a single pill formula into multiple parts, extracting the components of various ancient herbs, and then assigning each part to a different alchemist for processing and replacement. Finally, these parts are combined, and the internal alchemists refine and improve the refining method to obtain a completely new and usable pill formula.

The advantage of doing this is that both the old and new elixir formulas are kept in the hands of the Immortal City. They won't be leaked for at least several decades, allowing them to make a fortune.

Decades later, even the most solid walls will leak, and at that point, it won't matter.

"it is good!"

After pondering for a while, Lin Changheng finally nodded in agreement.

Faced with the invitation from the core of the Immortal City, as long as he wants to continue to live here, he still has to give them face.

Moreover, the other party has provided a liability waiver, so there is basically no risk. Even if it fails, there will still be a reward.

Of course, the rewards for success will be even greater; that goes without saying.

"But I am only a second-tier low-grade alchemist. I can only say that I will do my best and I dare not guarantee success."

Lin Changheng repeated it again.

"Of course. Then I'll have to trouble Master Lin."

Baiheng Wan's beauty shines through.

"By the way, I also have a spirit beast that may break through to a higher level in the future. I hope to have the priority to purchase this pill when that happens."

Lin Changheng suddenly laughed.

"It's impossible."

After exchanging a few more words, Lin Changheng took his leave.

Watching the figure in the green robe disappear through the palace gate, Bai Hengwan couldn't help but show a look of interest on her pretty face. "This Alchemist Lin actually broke through to the second level and became a Foundation Establishment cultivator long ago. He concealed it very well, and even the Immortal City's intelligence system didn't notice."

"If I hadn't mastered the 'Seeing Truth' technique passed down by my master, I probably wouldn't have been able to discover it..."

But she wasn't surprised.

After all, it's reasonable for a second-tier alchemist who can consistently refine three Foundation Establishment Pills, some of which are even of exceptional quality, to possess one and use it to establish their foundation. It would be strange if they didn't!
"I hope he can give me a surprise. After all, compared to the choices of my senior brothers and sisters, my choice is really a bit abrupt."

Shaking her head, Bai Hengwan took a few steps forward with graceful steps, and was immediately enveloped by a gentle breeze, lifted into the sky, and disappeared into the void at an extremely fast speed.

If Lin Changheng were here, he would be surprised. As expected of someone with a wind-type unique spiritual root, this escape light is obviously much faster than his.

……

At this moment, Lin Changheng walked out of the building complex where the auction was held and drove away in his magic boat.

"here……"

Some members of the enforcement team at the gate tried to stop them, but they were pulled back, and the remaining two words "No Flight" were also muffled from their mouths.

"Didn't you read the special order issued a couple of days ago?"

A monk a few years older than him looked at him suspiciously.

"I saw it, it's about Master Lin Dan..."

The man nodded, then, seeing the look of disbelief from the cultivator beside him, it dawned on him:
"Holy crap, the one I tried to stop just now was Master Lin?"

"Thanks for stopping me, brother. Otherwise, if word got out and I disobeyed orders, I'd probably get a beating. I'll treat you to a drink after we're done with our shifts!"

The man felt as if he had escaped a disaster and quickly expressed his gratitude.

"Who would have thought that Master Lin was so young? I always subconsciously thought he would be mostly white-haired, mature and steady, with a convincing appearance... His actions just now were basically thoughtless."

"She's a second-tier alchemist, so maintaining health and beauty is a piece of cake for her, isn't it?"

The monk beside him smiled when he heard that there was wine to drink, which answered his question.

"Yes, yes, yes."

……

At this moment, Lin Changheng, who was speeding along in his magic boat, was unaware that Bai Hengwan had already given a special order to the core of the Immortal City to treat him with courtesy, to open the door to convenience as much as possible, and not to obstruct him, treating him as an honored guest.

This order was issued together with the "gift of the Tianzi Pavilion at the auction".

Compared to last-minute cramming, Bai Hengwan prefers to prepare in advance, as it avoids seeming abrupt, shows more respect, and lays a good foundation for cooperation.

Standing atop the Dharma Boat, Lin Changheng once again used the [Concealing Breath Technique - Clarity] to conceal his cultivation.

It was obvious that Lin Changheng had intentionally withdrawn his power just now, only using the perfect level of the "Qi Concealment Technique".

That's when Bai Hengwan saw through it.

Just as the saying goes, I can only show you if I want you to see it.

When dealing with powerful forces and the core of the immortal city, Lin Changheng intentionally revealed his cultivation level, because the higher the cultivation level, the more valued he would be.

Looking back, the portion of the pill formula that Lin Changheng obtained only required replacing two ancient herbs: one as the main ingredient and the other as the auxiliary ingredient.

It is necessary to combine its own medicinal efficacy and properties with the synergistic effects with other medicinal plants, and to gradually try and change them.

Before leaving, Bai Hengwan gave him a storage bag filled with the rest of the medicinal herbs.

And a "Floating Life Order" from the Immortal City, engraved with a city and a lake, which is the iconic geography of the Floating Life Immortal City.

Moreover, whether the medicinal properties are compatible can be judged through simple refining. After all, theory alone is not enough; practical verification is still necessary.

Furthermore, the woman stated that if alternative medicinal herbs were available, they could be obtained directly from the Spiritual Materials Hall using the Floating Life Token.

Like the original Pill Hall, the Spirit Materials Hall is directly under the jurisdiction of the Immortal City, specializing in the business of medicinal materials, timber, minerals, and other diverse products.

Lin Changheng previously obtained most of the cost-effective body-refining materials from this source.

Lin Changheng was not without clues about this; he already had some basic ideas and approaches.

There is a considerable probability that it can be achieved.

……

Back in Cave 98.

"Brother Lin, come and rest."

Yan Mingyi quickly came out to greet Lin Changheng, massaging his legs and back to relieve his discomfort.

The black-armored tortoise, also with a pill in its mouth, slowly strolled out while licking it, and lay down at Lin Changheng's feet.

Lin Changheng tapped the turtle's shell with his toe and laughed, "You're lucky. You might actually run into this [Spirit Communication Pill]."

Standing behind Lin Changheng, Yan Mingyi asked curiously, "Brother Lin, what is this [Spirit Communication Pill]? I've never heard of it before."

This woman had been with Lin Changheng for so many years, and although she hadn't learned alchemy, she had heard of and seen quite a few kinds of pills.

"An ancient pill formula, which can be tentatively considered as a Foundation Building Pill that can be used by demonic beasts and spirit beasts, and has the effect of assisting in breaking through realms."

"what?"

Yan Mingyi covered her mouth and gasped softly, then looked at the black-armored ground tortoise she had cared for for many years and had developed a deep affection for, a happy expression flashing across her face.

"Brother Lin, Little Black already possesses the [Mysterious Spirit Bloodline], which inherently grants it a chance to break through to the next rank. Now, with the aid of this [Spirit Communication Pill], does that mean its probability of breaking through to the second rank is extremely high?"

(End of this chapter)