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

Chapter 255 Identifying Spirits Through Sound and Words: A Bountiful Harvest (6.4K)

Lin Changheng's heart skipped a beat, and the smile on his face faded slightly: "Caution? What makes you say that, fellow Daoist?"

"hey-hey!"

Old Daoist Wu raised his cup again to toast Lin Changheng, sniffed, and squinted his drunken eyes: "Although you did not use your divine sense just now, you used some kind of special spiritual eye to look me up and down."

"If it weren't for my keen senses, and with your superb abilities, even a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator probably wouldn't have noticed anything."

As he spoke, he downed another cup of spirit wine, and reached for the wine jug, only to find it empty.

He immediately looked at Lin Changheng with a hint of resentment.

Lin Changheng raised an eyebrow and sent a telepathic message to the palace-clad female cultivator waiting outside. He then heard the soft footsteps of her quickly departing.

Then he said calmly, "Since I'm the host, I can afford to offer you some spirit wine. I won't say you can drink as much as you want, but I won't let you not have enough fun."

"Fellow Daoist is truly generous and magnanimous. It is an honor for this old Daoist to befriend you."

Old Taoist Wu laughed heartily and looked at Lin Changheng with a delighted expression.

After saying this, Lin Changheng immediately changed the subject: "I wonder if your perception is so sharp, fellow Daoist? Is it because you have learned a special secret technique, or is it something you were born with?"

Clearly, his "divine light" detection, formed by the combination of the three arts of "Insight into Other Methods," had been virtually flawless and had never been detected by anyone. However, it was discovered at this moment by a disheveled old Taoist of the same level who was engrossed in drinking.

This surprised him, and he couldn't help but want to test the waters.

"Senior, please enjoy your 'Azure Cloud Distillery'."

At this moment, a female cultivator in palace attire entered carrying a tray, and with her delicate hands, she presented the spirit wine to Lin Changheng.

Lin Changheng raised his eyes slightly and nodded in acknowledgment. He saw that the girl was quite beautiful, and her beautiful, watery eyes were looking at him with curiosity and admiration.

"Thank you, please leave now."

He immediately gave a slight, warm smile.

The palace-dressed female cultivator gently bit her red lips with her pearly teeth, bowed softly, and quietly departed.

Wu Jiu didn't even lift his eyelids, nor did Lin Changheng sense or release his divine sense, yet he seemed to see everything: "Tsk tsk, is this the treatment for a handsome and dashing man? I've never been looked at so delicately by a female cultivator before."

"My question has not yet been answered by you, fellow Daoist."

Lin Changheng neither confirmed nor denied this, and continued to ask the question from earlier.

"Hehe, this is naturally a secret method."

Wu Jiu, the old Daoist, spoke directly, and before Lin Changheng could speak, he continued, "Does Fellow Daoist wish to learn this method? However, this method is indeed quite beneficial to Fellow Daoist's cautious nature."

"At the very least, it can help us avoid some dangers in advance."

These words directly hit Lin Changheng's key need.

Upon hearing this, Lin Changheng knew exactly what Wu Jiu meant. But the more he said this, the more wary Lin Changheng became.

But on the surface, he still said, "To be honest, I do have such thoughts. I wonder... what do you mean, fellow Daoist?"

Lin Changheng knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch, so he deliberately let the other party make demands, and at the same time, he also took the opportunity to see the other party's true intentions.

Old Daoist Wu chuckled, the drunkenness in his eyes quickly fading, replaced by a solemnity completely different from his previous demeanor. At the same time, he reached out and set up an isolation array:

“Fellow Daoist is a straightforward person. Although this secret technique of mine is not some earth-shattering supernatural power, it is a ‘method of change’ based on ‘ancient wonders’ and has been summarized and reconstructed through years of hard work and struggle. It is never passed on to outsiders in a casual manner.”

He paused, observing Lin Changheng's expression, and continued, "However, I find the old Taoist priest pleasing to the eye, and we even share a connection over wine. I can pass on this method to you, but there are two conditions."

"Please speak, fellow Daoist." Lin Changheng's expression remained unchanged, but he sneered inwardly, his vigilance growing even stronger.

"Firstly," Wu Jiu, the old Daoist, held up a finger, "this method is not recorded on jade slips, but is passed down orally. You must guarantee that no third party knows about it. I need three thousand low-grade spirit stones as payment for teaching this method."

Lin Changheng felt a slight sense of relief upon hearing this.

This price is not outrageous for a unique secret technique; in fact, it could be considered somewhat cheap.

If this technique is indeed as expected...

"Secondly," Wu Jiu Laodao extended a second finger, his tone becoming even more solemn, "I need you to use your strange fire to help me refine something."

Strange fire!

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere suddenly became solemn, as if even the air itself had frozen.

Lin Changheng's originally calm gaze suddenly turned sharp as a knife, and his gentle aura instantly vanished, replaced by an invisible, cold sense of oppression that even caused the cups and saucers on the table to tremble slightly.

The hidden [Crimson Sky Profound Flame] within his body seemed to sense its master's emotions and stirred slightly.

This is the deepest technique he keeps hidden within his body, a secret he will never reveal to outsiders! He has never shown it to anyone, and those who have witnessed him wielding his strange fire... have all been reduced to ashes, leaving no trace of their bodies!

But this seemingly disheveled and eccentric old Taoist priest revealed the truth in one breath! How could Lin Changheng not be alarmed?
A murderous intent surged into his heart almost uncontrollably in an instant, almost subconsciously, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees.

Old Daoist Wu seemed completely oblivious, still slightly drunk. He picked up the wine pot, poured himself another cup, and slowly said:

“Fellow Daoist, there’s no need to be so tense. This old Daoist has no ill intentions, much less pry into your privacy. It’s just…”

He sipped his wine, pointed to his nose, and said, “This old Daoist’s spiritual sense is exceptionally sensitive because I once saw a kind of extremely Yin fire and remembered its aura. Although you hid it very well, just now, when your magical power moved slightly, a trace of extremely Yang and pure fire aura, which contained a violent inner force, was released. It was completely different from the extremely Yin fire I saw last time, but its power was the same. It couldn’t hide it from me.”

“Such extraordinary fire is extremely rare in the world. I happen to have a stubborn spiritual material that ordinary earth fire and true fire cannot temper even a fraction of, which has troubled me for a long time. Today, I happened to be here and sensed that you possess extraordinary fire, so I shamelessly stepped forward to make this impertinent request.”

He put down his wine cup and looked calmly at Lin Changheng: "This old Daoist is willing to offer you the secret technique of 'Discerning Spirits by Hearing the Wind,' only asking that you, fellow Daoist, lend me your assistance in refining that object. Whether it succeeds or not, once this matter is settled, this old Daoist will depart and will never reveal a single piece of your information to anyone. If you disobey, may your inner demons backfire and your path to Dao be utterly destroyed!"

After saying this, Wu Jiu Lao Dao made an extremely serious oath against his inner demons.

"Oh?"

Lin Changheng was surprised that the other party made a vow.

"What should be forged, and how long will it take?"

Lin Changheng neither admitted that he possessed a certain kind of strange fire nor rashly agreed to the other party's request.

"It can be completed in as little as seven days, or at most half a month."

"As for what it is, you will know when the time comes."

Wu Jiu Laodao's face lit up with joy, and he expressed his opinion, but he still chose not to reveal what the item was.

Could it be some kind of treasure?
Lin Changheng had a thought, and then said directly, "The training location should still be in this workshop. I cannot go anywhere else."

"The first condition is also debatable, because I don't have that many spirit stones. I also need to participate in the auction, so I don't have any spare spirit stones."

First of all, he couldn't possibly follow an unfamiliar Taoist priest to a place he wasn't familiar with. What if the other party set an ambush and led him into a trap?
Secondly, he wasn't being taken advantage of. The old Taoist's secret technique might be valuable, but did he really think he could refine treasures with fire without paying a price? And being able to control treasures was also a form of value. Otherwise, why wouldn't he ask someone else?

So he immediately started haggling.

"This……"

After some deliberation, Wu Jiu Laodao agreed.

But Lin Changheng wouldn't let it go so easily and continued to haggle, eventually turning it into a one-to-one exchange.

Not a single extra spirit stone will be given.

Wu Jiu Lao Dao was dumbfounded. He hadn't expected that the fellow Daoist who had been so generous and willing to sit at the same table earlier would be so decisive in bargaining, and so forceful that he couldn't say anything more for fear of breaking off the cooperation.

In the end, they had no choice but to agree to everything.

Fortunately, this was within the other party's expectations. They couldn't very well ask a Core Formation cultivator to help them with their alchemical fire, could they?

Not only can I not afford the price, but what if the other party is after my money and wants to kill me?
He was fearless among Foundation Establishment cultivators, but Core Formation cultivators were different; the difference in their strength levels was too great.

Therefore, Foundation Establishment cultivators who possess a different kind of fire are his primary targets for cooperation. He has waited for many years to finally find one!
Naturally, they wouldn't be willing to give it up.

After agreeing on the details of their collaboration and the specific timeframe, the two parted ways.

……

After a stick of incense.

Lin Changheng's figure floated in the night sky like a ghost, watching the disheveled old Taoist priest stagger out of the city.

Holding a gourd of wine, he made no attempt to conceal it.

Just like an ordinary drunkard.

Lin Changheng only turned back quietly after the other party disappeared into the shadows outside the city.

Although the old Taoist priest didn't show any other problems, Lin Changheng still wanted to be on the safe side and hoped to discover something.

The result was not as expected.

"That's fine..."

Since the other party has agreed to my conditions and has what I need, cooperating once within my control is not a big deal.

……

Lin Changheng spent the rest of his time either shopping or cultivating.

The auction was about to begin.

At dawn, streaks of light or figures riding magical artifacts landed on the lowest peak on the west side.

Lin Changheng also transformed into a burly Foundation Establishment cultivator in a yellow robe and mingled into the crowd to enter.

Upon arrival, Lin Changheng was immediately surprised.

This place is not an indoor scene, nor is it in a main hall, but an extremely open outdoor area!

The mountaintop appeared to have been cleaved flat by a single sword strike from a powerful being, forming a vast blue stone plaza. No buildings were erected on the plaza; instead, thousands of prayer cushions were arranged in a staggered and orderly fashion, following the natural contours of the mountain.

These cushions are not placed randomly; they subtly form a huge ring, rising in layers, like the grandstand of a martial arts arena, ensuring that every participant can clearly see the central area of ​​the square.

In the center of the square is a slightly raised, round stone platform, smooth as a mirror, which is presumably where the auction items are displayed.

By this time, many cultivators had arrived and found their own prayer mats to sit down. Although there were many people, there was not much noise. Most of them were talking in hushed tones or closing their eyes to rest, and the atmosphere was somewhat solemn and oppressive.

In the sky, there were faint, powerful array fluctuations, which were probably meant to maintain order and also to protect the auction from external interference.

What caught Lin Changheng's attention even more was that most of the cultivators present, like him, either used simple illusions, wore hats and veils to block divine sense, or simply covered their bodies with wide robes. They were clearly unwilling to show their true faces and were full of caution and vigilance.

This open-air auction format, though seemingly crude, gives people a peculiar sense of fairness and secrecy—everyone is exposed under the same sky, yet everyone hides their identity, and only money matters.

Lin Changheng found a relatively secluded futon with a good view and sat down. His gaze swept across the entire venue, and he thought to himself, "It's an open-air auction... quite ingenious." Soon, Lin Changheng's mind stirred slightly, and a powerful aura descended from the sky, landing directly on the venue.

Sit cross-legged.

"A fake Core Formation cultivator!"

Lin Changheng made a judgment immediately, his heart filled with dread.

Although the spiritual pressure was deliberately concealed, its unique power, far exceeding that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator who had not yet fully condensed their True Core, was unmistakable.

The visitor was an elderly man dressed in a black Taoist robe, with a withered face whose exact age was impossible to discern.

His hair was casually tied up with an ebony hairpin, his eyes were half-closed, and his face was expressionless. He sat directly on a futon in the innermost circle of the square, which was also the best spot, seemingly unaware of the various gazes cast upon him, as if he had only come here to sit in meditation.

His arrival was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly silencing the previously subdued discussions. Everyone's gaze involuntarily focused on him, and the oppressive atmosphere intensified. Many cultivators subconsciously straightened their posture or further concealed their aura.

Although a pseudo-core cultivator cannot compare to a true core or golden core cultivator, the appearance of such a person means that there must be treasures in this auction that are enough to tempt them!
"Even pseudo-core cultivators have been attracted..." Lin Changheng's mind raced. "It seems that the scale of this auction is far from ordinary."

He became even more cautious in concealing all his aura, no longer using the [Insight] technique, and his divine sense did not overflow indiscriminately, but remained only around himself to avoid attracting any unnecessary attention.

In the presence of such a person, any subtle investigation could be detected.

Immediately afterwards, as if by prior arrangement, several more powerful auras descended in succession.

A middle-aged man in gray robes, exuding a sharp sword aura as if he himself were a drawn sword, possessed a cultivation level that was clearly at the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage. His sharpness even caused the surrounding cultivators to feel a slight stinging sensation on their skin.

A female cultivator, dressed in magnificent palace attire, with her hair piled high and her appearance stunning yet exuding an aura of coldness that keeps strangers at bay, landed surrounded by several late-stage Foundation Establishment guards. Her aura was profound, indicating that she was also at the peak of the late-stage Foundation Establishment realm.

There was another cultivator draped in a wide cloak and shrouded in a blurry shadow. His aura was strange and elusive, making it difficult to determine his specific cultivation level and origin. However, the sense of danger he exuded was no less than that of the previous ones, and he was very likely also a pseudo-core cultivator.

In a short period of time, no fewer than ten late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators and even Pseudo-Core Formation cultivators appeared, each occupying the best positions in the inner circle.

The atmosphere in the auction hall grew increasingly tense. Although the spiritual pressure had subsided, the pressure in their hearts remained undiminished. The cultivators who had been whispering earlier fell completely silent, and the air seemed to be filled with invisible sparks of electricity.

Lin Changheng sat calmly in the crowd, like a rock, but his heart was in turmoil.

"What a gathering of talents..." he sighed to himself. He had only come to try his luck and see if he could find any materials he needed, but he never expected to run into such a scene.

Such a situation has never occurred even at the large-scale auctions of [Floating Life Immortal City].

It seems that gaining anything from this fierce competition will be no easy feat. Not only will it require ample spirit stones, but also keen insight into the situation and… a great deal of luck.

He took a deep breath, calmed himself completely, and waited for the auction to begin.

……

The auction soon officially began.

A middle-aged cultivator, dressed in brocade robes, with a prosperous appearance and a cultivation level at the late Foundation Establishment stage, landed on the central stone platform. He greeted everyone with a friendly smile and bowed to the surrounding area. His voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout the entire area:
"Welcome, fellow Daoists, to this auction. I am Ximen Gu, and I am honored to host this event. I believe you all know the rules: the highest bidder wins. If you do not have enough spirit stones, you may use items or treasures of equivalent value as collateral, but false bidding is not allowed... Without further ado, please take a look at the first item!"

Without much small talk, the auction began immediately, demonstrating a pragmatic and efficient approach.

The early auction items were mostly good pills, talismans, and some rare first and second-grade low-grade spiritual materials. Although the competition was fierce, it was mostly among Qi Refining and early Foundation Establishment cultivators. Most of the late Foundation Establishment peak and pseudo-core experts in the inner circle closed their eyes to rest and remained unmoved.

Lin Changheng waited patiently, and naturally wouldn't rush to make a move if there wasn't a suitable one.

Finally, after the auction had been going on for about half an hour, Ximen Gu took out a cold jade box from the stage. When the lid was opened, a green branch appeared in front of everyone, and a rich vitality and spiritual energy instantly spread out.

"The next item to be auctioned is a single [Azure Frost Branch]! It is a spiritual item used to assist in the breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm, increasing the chances of success and slightly strengthening the foundation! The starting price is eight thousand low-grade spirit stones, and each bid must be at least one hundred!"

Lin Changheng's gaze sharpened. This was the item he had seen at the auction in the [Wilderness Market], and it was the first time he had ever seen a Foundation Establishment spiritual item. Moreover, the appearance of this item meant that the auction was entering a higher stage.

"Eight thousand two hundred!"

"Eight thousand three hundred spirit stones!"

"I'll offer eight thousand five hundred!"

Prices were rising rapidly, and Lin Changheng knew without even guessing that the competition was mostly with independent cultivators, representatives of small families, or disciples of sects who were close to breaking through, so he made more thorough preparations.

Lin Changheng did not speak immediately. It wasn't until the price reached 9,900 spirit stones and the bidding began to slow down that he finally spoke. His voice was disguised, sounding rough and deep:
"Ten thousand five hundred spirit stones."

By raising the price by 600 yuan at once, they demonstrated their determination and immediately suppressed many competitors.

After a moment of silence, a voice came from another direction: "Ten thousand six hundred spirit stones."

"Ten thousand seven hundred spirit stones." Lin Changheng raised the price again without hesitation.

He was determined to get this item and wouldn't give up even a little bit.

This price clearly exceeded most people's expectations, and the room fell silent for a moment. After Ximen Gu asked three questions, the gavel finally fell:

"Congratulations to this fellow Daoist in yellow robes for winning this Foundation Establishment spiritual item with a bid of 10,700 spirit stones!"

Soon, a waiter presented the jade box to Lin Changheng. He counted the spirit stones, completed the transaction, and put the jade box into his storage bag. His expression was calm, as if he had only done a trivial matter.

After another dozen or so rounds, when a pill the size of a longan, entirely crimson, with flame patterns swirling around its surface, was taken out, Lin Changheng sat up straight once more.

"【Wildfire Pill】!" Ximen Gu's voice rose a few decibels. "This pill contains violent demonic energy, specially designed to help spirit beasts break through bottlenecks, especially effective for spirit beasts stuck at a certain stage of the second tier! Starting price is six thousand low-grade spirit stones, with each bid increment no less than one hundred!"

Clearly, the prices of these pills, spiritual items, and even related medicinal materials that are related to or involve breaking through realms are not within the normal range and have extremely high premiums.

Moreover, breakthroughs in minor realms are merely a premium, while breakthroughs in major realms are strategic and subject to control.

The appearance of this pill immediately caused an even more enthusiastic response than before. There are quite a few cultivators who possess spirit beasts, and pills that can help spirit beasts break through are even rarer.

The price soared rapidly, soon breaking through the 9,000 low-grade spirit stones mark.

Lin Changheng rejoined the fray: "Nine thousand three hundred low-grade spirit stones."

"Nine thousand four!" someone immediately chimed in.

"Nine thousand six." Lin Changheng raised the price again significantly.

A brief silence fell over the room.

This price is extremely high for a second-tier spirit beast breakthrough pill.

However, at this moment, the palace-dressed female cultivator in the inner circle, who had been resting with her eyes closed, suddenly spoke calmly: "Ten thousand low-grade spirit stones."

His voice was cold and clear, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.

All eyes immediately turned to that direction. Before the pseudo-Core Formation cultivator could even make a move, the peak late-stage Foundation Establishment expert finally began bidding.

Lin Changheng frowned slightly and remained silent for a moment.

"Ten thousand three hundred!"

They decided to make an offer anyway.

"Ten thousand five hundred low-grade spirit stones."

The female cultivator in palace attire continued speaking, her tone utterly indifferent.

After several rounds of back and forth, the price soared to nearly 12,000 low-grade spirit stones.

Lin Changheng's lips twitched slightly, and he decided to give up.

It wasn't that he couldn't afford a higher price, but it wouldn't be wise for Dan to incur the wrath of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Although the woman did not turn around, the group of late-stage Foundation Establishment guards sitting beside her glanced at him several times.

His eyes were cold, with a faint, lurking threat flickering within them.

Clearly, this woman's identity is extraordinary, and she is likely of extremely high status.

After weighing the pros and cons, he chose to give up.

In the end, the palace-dressed female cultivator acquired the [Wildfire Pill] at a considerable premium.

Although he failed to acquire the elixir, he successfully bid for a Foundation Establishment spiritual item, so Lin Changheng was already satisfied with the trip.

He composed himself and continued to focus on the remaining items in the auction, hoping that other necessary items to help the spirit beast break through its limits would appear.

Moreover, the real highlight of this auction is probably yet to come.

After all, none of the pseudo-core cultivators or late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators had made a move yet.

……

It continued until the afternoon of that day.

The real show is about to begin.

But Lin Changheng had already made two major gains before this.

Firstly, Lin Changheng obtained a packet of substandard [Tidal Water Element Powder].

This medicinal powder is specifically designed to boost the advancement of water-attribute spirit beasts. It is made by processing special demon cores and using special techniques.

Moreover, it was not made by an "alchemist," but by a "pharmacist."

Although both alchemists and pharmacists deal with medicinal herbs, there are still significant differences between them. Moreover, pharmacists have a stronger purpose; they can treat or poison.

It involves preparing medicinal powders and prescribing medicine according to the symptoms.

However, alchemists' elixirs have stronger functional properties.

Of course, there is some overlap.

It's perfect for use on the [Deep Lake Spirit Clam].

Even if it's a defective product, it's still better than nothing.

Secondly, there was the [Lava Crystal] that Lin Changheng had longed for.

To my surprise, we met here again.

It wasn't as big as the one I got from Ye Wugui last time; it was only about the size of four adult fists.

However, Lin Changheng estimated that he could also advance the progress of [Crimson Sky Profound Flame] by about half a step.

Fortunately, there weren't many people vying for this item, and Lin Changheng acquired it at the lowest price.

But the next item up for auction made Lin Changheng's eyes widen in disbelief—

(End of this chapter)