Immortality and Cultivation: I Have Too Many Talents

Chapter 364 A Sword Hanging Overhead (Seeking Subscriptions)

Ten days later.

Shen Xuan followed the head of the Wei family and boarded the Wei family's warship to arrive at White Crane Island.

As its name suggests, this island is shaped like a white crane, about 100 li long and 30 li wide, and is about 2,000 li away from Weihai Xiancheng.

In this sea area, there are more than a hundred second-tier islands, collectively known as the Dongshan Islands.

White Crane Island is the highest grade among them.

The spiritual veins on the island were originally of the second-tier superior grade.

Through the Wei family's tireless cultivation over a thousand years, it has advanced to the highest grade a century ago.

In addition, there are two second-tier mid-grade spiritual veins and seven low-grade spiritual veins on the island.

White Crane Island's income primarily comes from hunting sea monsters, supplemented by running markets, cultivating spiritual fields, and mining spiritual minerals.

The Wei family has over a thousand cultivators, including more than a dozen at the Foundation Establishment stage.

The patriarch of the Wei family was a renowned veteran of the pseudo-alchemy world.

Three thousand outside cultivators lived in Baihefang, working for the Wei family in boating, farming, and mining.

In the Dongshan sea area, the Wei family of Baihe Island, the Lu family of Canglong Island, and the Zhang family of Yunmeng Island are known as the three major families in the Dongshan sea area.

More than a hundred second-tier islands, interlocking like jagged rocks, are all occupied by Foundation Establishment cultivator families, becoming vassal forces of the Divine Sword Sect, Beast Emperor Pavilion, and Thousand Machine Sect.

The Wei family of White Crane Island, the Lu family of Azure Dragon Island, and the Zhang family of Cloud Dream Island are the pillars of the island cultivation families under the jurisdiction of the three major sects, and each family has a pseudo-core cultivator in charge.

The Zhang family of Yunmeng Island is alright; they focus on refining weapons to earn spirit stones and have always remained neutral, rarely provoking trouble.

The Wei family of White Crane Island and the Lu family of Azure Dragon Island are sworn enemies with a history spanning a thousand years.

The kind that can't be resolved.

White Crane Island was originally the sacred site of the Lu family.

A thousand years ago, the ancestor of the Wei family achieved the True Core Realm and, with the help of the Divine Sword Sect, drove out the Lu family cultivators and occupied White Crane Island.

Three hundred years ago, the Lu family patriarch condensed a false core and bought Canglong Island from the Beast Emperor Pavilion, where he once again spread his influence and made a comeback.

With the support of their respective sects, the two sides engaged in open and covert struggles.

Various subtle actions continued.

Fighting was commonplace.

Compared to a family war, all that's missing is a public declaration of war.

After arriving at White Crane Island.

The head of the Wei family assigned Wei Anping, the elder in charge of foreign affairs, to be in charge of contacting Shen Xuan and helping him handle various miscellaneous matters.

Accompanied by Wei Anping, Shen Xuan specially chose the second-tier mid-grade cave dwelling at the very top of White Crane Island as his new cave dwelling.

It's close to the sea, so you can go out to sea anytime.

There is a spiritual pool in the cave, and some low-level spiritual plants are planted around the pool, which is suitable for the Silver Horned Pegasus to live in.

"Mr. Shen prefers tranquility and has been diligently cultivating the Dao of Alchemy in recent years. Do not disturb him unless necessary."

"If you have any second-tier high-grade water spirit blood, please Elder Wei give it to me at market price."

Wei Anping, a shrewd and perceptive person, nodded in agreement.

That very evening, a portion of the essence blood of a shapeshifting octopus was delivered.

A second-tier superior-grade item, priced at 50,000 spirit stones, isn't too expensive.

"The Wei family only possesses one copy of a second-tier superior-grade water fairy blood. If the Wei family obtains any in the future, it will certainly, as agreed, sell it to Alchemist Shen first."

"can."

Shen Xuan was quite pleased to see the shape-shifting octopus.

This octopus is a top-tier disguised sea monster in the deep sea. Its body is not flexible, but it can change its color and shape at will, possessing the ability to transform into various environments and sea monster appearances, making it incredibly lifelike.

"By the way, Wei Yaqian wants to meet Master Shen."

"Wei Yaqian? See you tomorrow."

"Master Shen, there's one more thing. When do you have time, take a look at the Wei family's promising young talents and see which one has the aptitude for alchemy?"

Seeing that Shen Xuan's complexion was still acceptable, Wei Anping quickly said something.

"Tell the Wei family to prepare. I will personally set the test questions in three days."

"Listen to Master Shen! I'll have the seedlings prepare."

……

the next day.

New Cave Abode.

Wei Anping, accompanied by Wei Yaqian and holding a six-month-old baby boy, came to personally thank Shen Xuan.

Shen Xuan chatted with her for a few minutes.

Return the jade pendant, Wu Wenping's token of love, to her.

It was clearly stated that Wu Junjie went on an adventure, his soul tablet shattered, and he perished.

Wei Yaqian's face was pale, as if she had just recovered from a serious illness.

Sitting opposite Shen Xuan, his brows were furrowed with worry.

I had long anticipated the death of my lover.

However, upon hearing the news, his expression became even more distressed.

“I have a past relationship with Fellow Daoist Wu, and I was entrusted by him. If this child has spiritual roots, I can offer some guidance.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Yaqian's face regained some color, and she seemed somewhat excited and thrilled.

"Yaqian thanks Master Shen!"

"Take good care of your health. Bring this child to see me again when he is seven years old!"

"Yes, when Nian'er was seven years old, Yaqian brought him to see Master Shen."

Wei Yaqian held the baby boy, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed repeatedly.

Shen Xuan turned to the side, only accepting a half-bow.

"Go back! If you have spiritual roots, lay a solid foundation first."

Tears welled up in Wei Yaqian's eyes. She turned back every few steps, bowed repeatedly, and left the cave.

Women are weak, but mothers are strong.

She knew that her child most likely possessed spiritual roots, and of exceptional quality.

Master Shen gave her hope to live a good life.

After Wei Yaqian left, Wei Anping smiled at Shen Xuan and said, "Master Shen is known for his integrity and loyalty. I admire him."

"Entrusted by others, loyal to others."

Shen Xuan said dismissively, "It's a trivial matter, not worth mentioning."

Whether the baby boy will still be on White Crane Island when he grows up is a question.

If it's convenient, he'll give you some pointers.

If it's inconvenient for him, you can't blame him.

At least, his intentions were good.

"Master Shen, what about the Immortal Seed Assessment?"

"At Chenshi (7-9 AM) the day after tomorrow, gather at the clan affairs hall for my personal assessment."

"it is good!"

Two days later.

Shen Xuan selected two twelve- or thirteen-year-old boys from among the thirty-odd promising talents of the Wei family.

He had the two of them each choose a Taoist name: "Gentle Breeze" and "Bright Moon."

Although they didn't know what it meant, the two obediently agreed.

In fact, these two promising young talents of the Wei family were not the best in alchemy.

However, he is calm and composed, acts steadily, and has a mature demeanor beyond his years.

They meet Shen Xuan's criteria for selecting and appointing personnel.

All he needed was an obedient apprentice.

There was a female immortal seedling who had a very good talent for alchemy, but her speech and behavior were frivolous, and she was also a young girl, so Shen Xuan decisively gave up on her.

Wei Anping proposed that the Wei family was willing to offer maidservants.

Shen Xuan politely declined.

The Wei family of Baihe Island is different from the Su family of Feiyun Mountain back then.

At that time, it was all aboveboard, and we were following our master's orders to support the Su family.

It's only natural for him to accept a young and beautiful concubine from the Su family to help him with daily life and incidentally satisfy his physical needs.

At this time, he came to the Wei family on White Crane Island, hiding his identity, with impure motives.

He was naturally unwilling to accept the female cultivator from the Wei family, lest he expose his true nature and affect his cultivation.

Afterwards, Shen Xuan began to set up the new cave dwelling.

Since it was already a mid-grade second-tier Daoist temple, Shen Xuan did not intend to make any major changes.

However, three additional formations were set up inside and outside the new cave.

The illusion array outside the cave, the wind and thunder killing array in the outer area, and the flying talisman thunder array in the core area.

The illusion array is used as a warning.

The Wind and Thunder Killing Formation is a warning.

The Flying Talisman Thunder Array consisted of over a hundred [Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Talismans].

Even someone at the peak of Foundation Establishment would find it difficult to withstand such an attack for a short time.

With these three formations, even the head of the Wei family would find it difficult to spy on or trespass into the new cave.

Shen Xuan named his new cave dwelling "Longevity Abode".

Beside the spiritual pool in the mansion, a fire-generating nozzle was introduced to build an alchemy room.

Normally, the Silver Horned Heavenly Horse would stand guard outside the alchemy room.

Unauthorized entry is strictly prohibited.

Shen Xuan was new to the area and planned to proceed gradually.

Anyway, a mid-grade second-tier cave dwelling is enough for his daily cultivation.

The gentle breeze and bright moon were both arranged to be placed on the outer perimeter of the cave.

Without Shen Xuan's summons, no one may enter the core of the cave.

“The Wei family patriarch is a fake Core Formation cultivator. Although I am no match for him, I have the Divine Thunder Talisman and have achieved great success in body refinement, so escaping will not be difficult.”

"I am destined to obtain the essence blood of the Wei family's divine tortoise. If I have the chance, I will get my hands on it even if it means turning against the Wei family."

“The sea is deeper here. Families like the Wei, Lu, and Zhang families can hunt high-grade sea monsters, so they should be able to acquire high-grade water monster blood more easily.”

"There are high-ranking members of the Qingyun Sect who are colluding with demonic cultivators. It may seem peaceful, but it's not. I'm too prominent, and I need to be wary of people who might have ill intentions. It would be better to stay here in seclusion for a few years and improve my cultivation level first."

"I have enough thunder talismans, so I can put them aside for now. I can take this opportunity to study alchemy and prepare myself to refine high-grade spiritual pills."

Shen Xuan made various plans and arrangements.

……

At this moment, in the Wei family's forbidden area, in the ancestral cave.

The Wei family patriarch, the Wei family head, and Wei Anping sat facing each other.

Wei Anping gave a detailed report on everything he had learned about Shen Xuan.

"Wu Junjie's friend? The Holy Son of the White Bone Sect, what kind of friends could he have! There must be something wrong with this person's identity!"

After listening, the head of the Wei family couldn't help but speak up.

The White Bone Sect's Holy Son, disguised as a disciple of the sect, seduced Wei Yaqian. They knew the truth all along and decided to play along.

"Anping, you excel at discerning the subtle and hidden, have you noticed anything?"

Wei Anping shook his head.

“Patriarch, Shen Changsheng is a man of great hidden talent. Anping is ashamed to admit that he cannot fathom his true abilities.”

"However, Shen Changsheng is undoubtedly a second-tier water-based alchemist. Yafei has sent information that he sold more than three hundred Spirit Gathering Pills to the Divine Sword Pavilion, which he recently refined at the Alchemy Hall in Weihai Immortal City."

The Wei family head nodded: "This person is indeed a newly promoted second-level water-based alchemist. When I talked with him, his alchemy skills were quite exquisite."

"But I wonder what he has to rely on to dare come to the Wei family of White Crane Island alone, and what his intentions are!"

Wei Anping pondered for a moment and said, "Shen Changsheng said that he needs some high-grade water demon blood to refine pills."

“Recently, I sold him the essence blood of the shapeshifting octopus in my clan, and he was overjoyed, which did not seem fake.”

"Could it be..."

The Wei family patriarch, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them and found them to be as clear and bright as a child's, without a trace of impurity.

"Heh, a second-tier water-based alchemist! What a grand gesture!"

"This person must be a disciple of some major sect, hiding his identity and disguising himself."

"Our Wei family only possesses the remains and essence of the divine tortoise; is that something such a person would covet?"

Upon hearing this, both the head of the Wei family and Wei Anping nodded in agreement.

The Wei family head asked, "Ancestor, neither Anping nor I can see through this person's cultivation level. Would you like to take a closer look yourself?"

The Wei family patriarch pondered for a moment, then gently shook his head.

"No need!"

"Whatever his intentions may be, with me here, he cannot stir up any trouble."

"Since this person has infiltrated our Wei family and is willing to serve as an alchemist, it is a good thing."

"If we reveal our true colors and turn against each other, it won't be good."

"The most urgent task is to collect spiritual treasures for Core Formation to help An Xin break through to Core Formation!"

The head of the Wei family and Wei Anping exchanged a glance and both bowed in submission.

“The ancestor is right.”

The two of them knew it.

The old ancestor is getting on in years and his lifespan is nearing its end.

The Lu family of Canglong Island is aggressive and domineering.

The Wei family should not offend the disciples of major sects and make another powerful enemy.

The most urgent task at present is to mobilize the entire clan to help Wei Anxin, the seed of the Wei family's Core Formation, to condense his inner core.

As for Shen Changsheng...

At best, he is only in the mid-stage of the Foundation Establishment realm.

Even with a special identity and extraordinary background, how high could his combat power be as a second-tier water magic alchemist?

At this point, cooperation between the two parties is mutually beneficial.

As for the future, we'll see.

There is no need to rush.

(End of this chapter)