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

Chapter 249 Like squeezing a chicken egg, information exchange

With a crisp crack, the bone shield let out a mournful cry.

The light dimmed instantly and was blasted away, with several fine lines appearing on it. The black figure, who had hastily gotten up, was also pressed down by the force, and his body sank into the ground!

In that split second when his old strength had vanished, his new strength had not yet arisen, and his body was restrained—

"laugh!"

The lightning bolt formed by the lapis lazuli flying sword struck first, precisely seizing the opening he had made while resisting the giant seal, and instantly pierced through his magical shield.

But the man twisted around at lightning speed to dodge, but it was still too late. The flying sword pierced through his back and emerged from his chest!

It brought out a splash of warm blood!
"Ugh!"

The dark figure let out a shrill scream, its body trembled violently, and the magic power it had gathered instantly dissipated.

Almost simultaneously, the ice spears, fire snakes, and vines formed from several second-tier talismans were upon him! Without effective defense, he was instantly overwhelmed by this violent magical energy!
"Boom!"

Ice crystals shattered, flames raged, and vines entangled!
A series of explosions and energy shocks raged wildly in the area, and smoke and dust mixed with spiritual light shot into the sky, obscuring the view.

Lin Changheng had already retreated to a safe distance, staring expressionlessly at the center of the explosion. With a flick of his hand, he sent the black seal flying back, hovering in front of him and spinning rapidly, ready to deal with any dying struggle or deliver the final blow.

The smoke slowly dispersed.

A sizable crater had appeared on the spot, and the surrounding vegetation was completely destroyed, leaving a scene of utter devastation.

The dark figure collapsed at the bottom of the pit, its body charred black, its clothes torn, and covered in frost, burns, and marks from the strangling vines. The sword wound on its chest was particularly horrifying, with blood gushing out. Its breath was extremely weak, only exhaling and not inhaling.

His eyes, filled with horror, resentment, and disbelief, were fixed on Lin Changheng as he slowly walked towards him.

"Lin...Linlin..."

He seemed unable to understand why, as a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator skilled in stealth and assassination, he had been so easily defeated by a mere alchemist, without even being able to mount a proper counterattack.

Hunting others only to be hunted in return?

He was filled with shock, his body trembling violently, unsure whether it was from the pain or the fear of death.

Lin Changheng walked to the edge of the pit, looking down at him with cold, unwavering eyes. He pointed his fingers like a sword and lightly tapped it.

"call out!"

A thin yet sharp line of fire instantly pierced the opponent's brow.

The shadowy figure stiffened abruptly, the light in its eyes dimmed completely, and it died instantly.

From the sudden attack to the target's annihilation, the entire process took only a few breaths.

This mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, who hadn't even had a chance to unleash his full potential, perished in this devastating and meticulously planned sneak attack.

After quickly looting the corpses and conducting a soul search, Lin Changheng flicked a spark to incinerate them into ashes before quietly flying back to Qiyue Island.

Looking at the storage bag in his hand, Lin Changheng sat in the pavilion under the moonlight.

His brows were slightly furrowed, clearly indicating that he was thinking about something.

The contents of his soul search were incomplete. He didn't know if the other party had deliberately sealed them with a secret technique or for some other reason, but they appeared particularly scattered.

The full picture is unavailable.

But from the few fragments he could glean, he knew that this person was a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Wang family of Yunhuang Lake.

They were also one of the three clans that besieged the Huang family.

The purpose of this trip is related to myself.

After all, he was a retainer of the Huang family, with a considerable reputation, and had been providing the Huang family with elixirs, making him a new option for them to conquer Lingqiong Mountain after a long siege.

Hopefully, this will speed things up.

Chef Zeng's frequent trips to Jade Belt Lake convinced them that Lin Changheng had provided considerable support.

However, they dared not rashly attack the Jade Belt Lake spiritual land, since it was a place belonging to the Purple Extreme Sect, only temporarily rented out.

Of course, if we can quickly break through and resolve the situation, then it's fine to withdraw.

The dead have no way to testify, and the thief has no stolen goods to catch.

However, if the opposite is true, it would attract the attention and attacks of the Ziji Sect, which would be disastrous.

They were well aware that their grand plan to exterminate the Huang family would have a devastating impact, and naturally, they would not do it.

However, the result was that a mid-Foundation Establishment combatant was lost silently.

"Serves him right, he deserved to die."

Lin Changheng sneered.

Then, open the storage bag directly for inspection.

At the same time, suspicious items were investigated.

Any item suspected of having markings, symbols, or location capabilities was completely destroyed by the Crimson Sky Flame.

Seeing the flames leaping nearby, which were noticeably hotter and more powerful, Lin Changheng's eyes flashed with satisfaction.

The [Lava Fire Crystal] that I obtained from Ye Wugui in the Jiazi Secret Realm has now been completely absorbed and refined.

With the addition of the crimson true essence gained from cultivation, the transformation and accumulation of the Crimson Sky Profound Flame has reached about 85%.

Compared to the previous 70%, it has surged by 15%.

Now, only 15% is left to accumulate enough to transform into the third tier.

……

Shifting his gaze from the flames, Lin Changheng looked again at the other items that had been taken out of the storage bag.

With divine sense, every detail was revealed.

Besides a pile of spiritual materials for refining weapons and alchemy, there were also spiritual teas, spiritual fruits, spiritual wines, and other things that were beneficial to cultivation.

There are also several second-tier talismans, a bottle of second-tier mid-grade pills for improving cultivation, and several auxiliary pills.

These are reasonably valuable, worth several thousand low-grade spirit stones.

In addition, there are more than eighty mid-grade spirit stones.

In total, it amounts to just over ten thousand low-grade spirit stones.

There was also a second-tier low-grade attack artifact that I hadn't had a chance to use.

A low-grade bone shield defensive artifact was directly crushed by the black seal, and Lin Changheng looked at it, knowing that if he wanted to use it, he would have to repair it. He couldn't help but feel a headache.

Not rich, but not poor either.

After all, reaching this stage of cultivation requires a considerable amount of spirit stones. Resources are only resources if they are consumed; those that are not consumed are simply someone else's spoils.

Lin Changheng never hesitates to accept unexpected windfalls.

He even hoped that the other side would send more people, and he wished that the other side would lose their minds and launch a siege.

If they dare to do it, I'll make sure they regret it.

He had already received a letter from Mo Zhaoli. She knew Lin Changheng's identity and the current situation of the Huang family.

I wrote this letter specifically to explain.

If anyone dares to make a move, record it directly with a recording artifact and send it to her. She can then mobilize the sect's resources to strike back.

Lin Changheng's eyes lit up when he saw this. The matter of leasing land could be a big deal or a small one.

On a minor level, it might be considered a minor friction between cultivators that can be resolved on their own; on a major level, it could escalate to... a matter concerning the prestige of the Purple Extreme Sect.

This level of judgment is not determined by external figures like Lin Changheng or the enemy, as they are irrelevant to them, but rather by the internal workings of the sect.

If Mo Zhaoli, as a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, makes such a proposal, and no one has a strong relationship with the other party to stop him, it will be considered an infringement on the dignity of the Ziji Sect and an undermining of the sect's stable rule. In this case, the consequences would be extremely serious.

Therefore, Lin Changheng was completely at ease.

If you're so capable, then come and try.

This is the confidence that comes from indirectly having a powerful backer!
In fact, Lin Changheng initially wrote to Mo Zhaoli to inquire about the Huang family's affairs and whether the Ziji Sect had any precedent for mediation.

But the answer was negative.

Mo Zhaoli spoke cryptically, but his cruelty was unmistakable.

To some extent, the Ziji Sect approves of and condones such wars between families.

There are roughly two points.

Firstly, the outbreak of internal conflicts among the various families prevented them from becoming a unified whole, thus making it impossible for them to influence or even shake the rule of the Ziji Sect.

It is an effective way to release internal pressure.

At this point, the Purple Extreme Sect's position was more like that of a magistrate, observing from the sidelines with nothing to worry about. As long as there wasn't a large-scale extermination of clans leading to a significant reduction in their power, the Purple Extreme Sect couldn't do anything about it.

……

Secondly, the family's strength has been reduced.

War results in death, and death breeds enmity.

The hatred is hard to dispel, and the mutual resentment will lead them to do everything in their power to prevent the other from growing stronger.

Even if a clan is wiped out, there is no need to worry about one side consuming the other and becoming excessively powerful.

Because in this situation, "such a war" would become a handle in the hands of the Ziji Sect, thus allowing them to firmly grasp the initiative.

If there is any risk or hidden danger of exceeding the limits of strength, it can be dealt with with a legitimate reason.

This is why the Huang family did not pursue and exterminate the entire family when they had the upper hand.

It's not that I don't want to, but I can't.

The powerful families are their ultimate goal; any further ambition will only lead to annihilation.

……

Having received Mo Zhaoli's hint, Lin Changheng understood the situation.

It's normal that the Purple Extreme Sect always sides with its own interests.

Ordinary people can hardly expect a just and upright official; they are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. How much more so in the even more brutally competitive world of cultivation.

If you actually believed that, the grass on your grave would probably be growing infinitely tall by now.

Regardless, with Mo Zhaoli as his "backer," Lin Changheng was not afraid of overt methods.

……

It is worth mentioning that Lin Changheng received two more letters from the Xu family.

It was still sent by Tantai Feiyue and Xu Hanji.

Now, with the support of a second-tier spiritual land, the replenishment of resources from the war, and the fact that Tantai Feiyue has cultivated for a sufficient period of time, she has finally broken through to the third level of Foundation Establishment.

It provides a glimpse into the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

This process took nearly seventeen years.

Time passed, and if it weren't for Tantai Feiyue's unwavering Dao heart and Lin Changheng's encouragement, she probably would have given up long ago.

The difference in spiritual roots has a profound impact, which manifests here.

Fortunately, her talent in talismanic arts was not bad, much better than that of spiritual roots, and she also entered the realm of a mid-grade second-tier talisman master.

Her status within the Xu family was even more extraordinary.

……

The other letter came from Xu Hanji.

This woman's mid-grade spiritual root was clearly much better. In addition to the usual pleasantries, she also mentioned her cultivation level, which she had now reached the perfect stage of the second level of Foundation Establishment.

It may accumulate enough at any time to make a breakthrough.

Now, only nine years have passed since the other party broke through to the second level of Foundation Establishment. In about ten years, he will be able to enter the third level of Foundation Establishment.

He caught up with Tantai Feiyue.

……

Lin Changheng wrote back, expressing his congratulations and encouragement to both women, hoping that one day they could both reach the Core Formation stage.

After all, in the world of cultivation, there is no more sincere blessing than "May your cultivation advance forever".

……

Come back to the present moment.

Lin Changheng didn't care about killing an ignorant cultivator and continued to cultivate and do things steadily.

This day.

Lin Changheng was drinking tea alone in the lake-viewing pavilion by the island, watching the three mythical beasts frolic, which brought him a unique sense of pleasure.

Suddenly, a faint fluctuation came from the cave.

"Oh? You've finally reached the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining?"

A hint of approval flashed in Lin Changheng's eyes.

This fluctuation in cultivation level was clearly emitted by Yan Mingyi, who was not present at the scene.

He immediately did some calculations with his fingers.

Yan Mingyi is now fifty-six years old.

There are still four years left, which is enough time for self-improvement.

If it weren't for the relocation and renovation of the cave dwelling, which consumed a lot of the other party's energy and time, the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining would have arrived much earlier.

Then, he began to ponder it to himself.

He now possesses two Foundation Establishment Pills.

One new [Premium Foundation Building Pill], and one [Genuine Foundation Building Pill] that was previously kept at the bottom of the box.

This [Premium Foundation Building Pill] comes from Master Chu Fu.

A year and a half ago, the other party brought a Foundation Establishment Pill made from a plant called the Seven-Star Spirit Moon Grass.

According to Master Chu, this was a major plant he had painstakingly acquired by going to great lengths to ask favors from all sides, making it an extremely difficult purchase.

He also brought along a fellow practitioner who was crowdfunding to refine elixirs.

I possess a [Heavenly Crystal Lotus Root].

In addition, as Lin Changheng previously stated, he has a sect friend who possesses a [Nine-Leaf Purple Cinnabar Fungus]. ​​Of course, this is a fabricated friend, but it can serve to deter petty people, and saying a word about it won't hurt.

The [Heavenly Crystal Lotus Root] in his hand was not yet mature. Because the amount of spiritual herbs needed to ripen it was large, the efficiency of spreading the ripening process would be slow. Since he had this opportunity, he did not wait any longer.

Then Lin Changheng immediately began his training.

Two premium products and one genuine product.

Master Chu and his invited companions were overjoyed. They handed over the spirit stones and left happily.

……

This [Premium Foundation Building Pill] can be given to Yan Mingyi to use later.

In addition, she has been refining her body, and although she has not reached the late stage of the first rank, she has reached the middle stage of the first rank, which can play a certain role.

At that time, Lin Changheng will use the [Poison-Dissolving Demon Technique] to help her sort things out.

Furthermore, since this woman has never conceived any children, her essence is basically intact, and she will not be in too much debt.

It shouldn't be a big problem.

However, to be on the safe side, it would be best to obtain a [Foundation Building Spiritual Item].

A single Foundation Establishment Spiritual Item costs only eight or nine thousand low-grade spirit stones; you just have to wait for the auction.

……

For the rest of the time, Lin Changheng focused on refining pills.

Fortunately, I can multitask and gain insights from it, effectively dividing my time in two.

However, his progress in alchemy is also extremely terrifying. He can now produce ten pills in one batch, including two high-quality mid-grade pills.

With further refinement, a second-tier superior-grade alchemy technique is within reach.

This kind of progress is too steady for Lin Changheng.

The so-called cultivation of immortality is not all about fighting and killing; steady management is also a way.

After all, who can guarantee they'll never get their shoes wet or their boat will never capsize?

……

Lin Changheng also paused his alchemy practice and emerged from seclusion once.

It was Cheng Suling, the owner of the neighboring [Floating Star Island], who hosted a banquet and extended an invitation.

(End of this chapter)