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

Chapter 68 Mountain and Marsh Spirits

As Xu Hanji spoke, a subtle, strange expression flickered across her pretty face beneath the veil.

Clearly, they were puzzled by the Liu family's request to see Lin Changheng, and even harbored some concerns.

In fact, when they learned of this news, the Xu family's senior members had some speculation as to whether the Liu family had somehow learned of Lin Changheng's name and had the idea of ​​recruiting him.

This is also the difficulty of not having blood ties or family bonds; you're really afraid they'll run away.

Although the Xu family was unwilling to see the meeting happen, they could not suppress the fact that it was an open matter, otherwise they would offend both the Liu family and Master Lin, and end up pleasing neither side.

Now, we can only hope that Lin Changheng won't be swayed, otherwise we'll suffer a huge loss.

Therefore, he also instructed Xu Hanji to carefully conduct ideological work to prevent the two sides from reaching an agreement too easily, thus avoiding a situation where "carelessness leads to the loss of the alchemist"...

"The Liu family wants to see me?" Lin Changheng hadn't expected this, but for the sake of his essence blood, he still said, "Very well."

Xu Hanji was about to say some prepared remarks when Lin Changheng stopped him: "The Xu family has been kind to me. When I go there, I will only talk about the essence blood and nothing else."

"Excellent, Fellow Daoist Lin is truly virtuous!"

Xu Hanji's expression relaxed slightly upon receiving this promise, knowing she could live up to the clan's expectations. Her beautiful eyes, which were fixed on Lin Changheng, brightened slightly, as if sparkling with starlight.

……

The meeting was held in the reception courtyard next to the main hall.

The Liu family envoys all stayed here, where the pure spiritual energy from the main trunk of a mid-grade spiritual vein was introduced, allowing for short-term cultivation.

The scenery and furnishings are pleasant, clearly showing that the Xu family put a lot of thought into it, so there's no fear of not getting used to living there.

Accompanied by a steward from the Xu family in charge of reception, Lin Changheng walked through the small courtyard and into the main hall.

Only the elderly man in hemp clothing and the young woman from the Liu family were present; the middle-aged man was not there, presumably busy with other matters.

"I have met the Liu family elders and the fairy here."

Lin Changheng instantly felt two gazes directed at him. He responded with a slight glance, greeting them politely and respectfully.

"Fellow Daoist is Alchemist Lin?"

Hearing the slightly hoarse old man's voice, Lin Changheng nodded and replied, "That's right."

Glancing at the Xu family steward standing to the side like a wooden stake, the old man in hemp robes showed a hint of amusement, but he didn't say anything more. Instead, he smiled and said to Lin Changheng, "Fellow Daoist's talent in alchemy is a model of late bloomer. I have heard about it several times, and today I finally get to see it for myself. It is truly well-deserved."

What seemed like mere polite words, when they reached Lin Changheng's ears, startled him.

The phrase "great talents mature late" is particularly apt, making it seem less like a fabrication. So the question arises: how did his reputation spread?
He usually keeps a low profile and doesn't go out much, so how did the news get to the Liu family?
As the saying goes, "People fear becoming famous, just as pigs fear growing fat." For someone as steady as him, fame is a terrible thing.

Unable to figure out the problem for a moment, he could only laugh and say, "Senior, you flatter me. I usually stay at home and devote myself entirely to the Dao of Alchemy. I keep the furnace burning day and night, and I can only make up for my shortcomings with diligence. I really don't deserve such a title."

The old man in hemp clothing didn't argue, but just smiled and said, "If you have time in the future, you are welcome to visit my Liu family. We have a large collection of alchemy classics, and we also have family members who specialize in alchemy. We can learn from each other and make progress together."

"If there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely visit you with my clan."

Lin Changheng wouldn't hit someone who was smiling, but he also wouldn't agree in his personal capacity, since there was a huge third wheel standing there.

"Hahaha." Lin Changheng's watertight words amused the old man in hemp robes. If he had said something casually, Lin Changheng would have pounced on him, and he would have doubted the rumors. How could someone lacking in determination easily achieve mastery of alchemy?

But the old man's thought process was something Lin Changheng hadn't expected; if he had known, he would have been utterly astonished.

Then, each with their own thoughts and judgments, the two put aside the previous topic and began to discuss the matter of the demon beast's essence blood.

The young woman from the Liu family remained silent, simply watching the two talk, her eyes darting around with obvious interest. Finally, the old man offered three choices.

Hearing this, Lin Changheng couldn't help but mutter to himself.

Of these three choices, two are from the blood essence of demonic beasts with the [Mortal Bloodline], while only one belongs to the [Turbid Fiend Bloodline].

How can we choose then?
This is equivalent to locking the option directly.

Lin Changheng originally thought that the [Turbid Fiend Bloodline] would be the essence blood of an old acquaintance – the [Flame-Tailed Spirit Fox].

But it isn't; it's the essence blood of a wood-type monster, originating from the [Lantern Grass Spirit].

"It seems that the Flame-Tailed Spirit Fox has the masked cultivators of the Desolate Ruins Market as a backer for its purchases, so it doesn't have to worry about sales."

Lin Changheng pondered to himself, and had some guesses.

In fact, that was largely the case. The Liu family agreed so readily and offered a choice because they wanted to clear out their inventory, gave face to the Xu family, and also made the acquaintance of a promising mid-grade alchemist—a triple win.

But this did not diminish Lin Changheng's slightly bright eyes, feeling that his painstaking planning had not been in vain.

This also means that his [Green Wood Serpent Treasure Seed], which had been stuck for a long time, can enter the "transformation" stage.

Thus, they will possess new [Ancestral Demonic Arts]!
"Then I will trouble you, senior."

Lin Changheng stated his choice directly, then casually asked, "I wonder how many [Lantern Grass Spirits] your clan has raised? How much essence blood can they provide?"

Upon hearing this, both the old man in hemp clothing and the young woman showed strange expressions, but the woman could not hide her emotions and immediately burst out laughing.

The old man in hemp clothing looked at her and could only smile helplessly.

Seeing this scene, Lin Changheng couldn't help but wonder if he had said something wrong. However, he didn't feel embarrassed and instead asked for advice frankly.

"Fellow Daoist Lin may not know this, but although this [Lantern Grass Spirit] is also called a demon beast, it is not a 'demonic beast' in the traditional sense. A more accurate term would be 'spirit,' a spirit of the mountains and marshes."

The young woman explained directly, without hiding anything.

"Mountain and marsh spirits?"

Lin Changheng seemed thoughtful when he first heard the term.

"That's right. Some wild beasts, when imbued with some kind of spiritual energy from heaven and earth, will transform into demonic beasts..."

Lin Changheng nodded. He had been told this by Manager Liu at the Spirit Fox Beast Pavilion.

The young woman continued, "Similarly, some plants may also be infected by this spiritual energy by chance and transform into 'mountain and marsh spirits,' developing basic consciousness, generating essence blood within their bodies, and cultivating on their own. In the cultivation world, they are generally categorized as 'demonic beasts' without making detailed distinctions."

"But it is important to understand that this kind of 'contamination' is rare, about the same as the probability of an ordinary person being struck by lightning on a rainy day."

The woman explained it very clearly, and Lin Changheng had a basic understanding of it:

"Then this [Lantern Grass Spirit] must be a Lantern Grass that has been imbued with spiritual energy?"

"Fellow Daoist Lin is indeed exceptionally intelligent; he understands things immediately."

The young woman smiled and praised.

"Then how do you distinguish the bloodline grade of these spirits?" Lin Changheng asked, seizing the opportunity.

(End of this chapter)