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

Chapter 128 The Old Taoist's Precious Planting
Faced with the female cultivator's good intentions and concerns, Lin Changheng could only say that he had a strong talent for body refining and had the energy to do so, and that he knew what he was doing.

Xu Hanji seemed to be thinking about something, but did not press the matter. After all, who doesn't have some special qualities?
She also had her own secrets, and after giving him a final instruction, she arranged the quantity required by Lin Changheng.

Lin Changheng breathed a sigh of relief. He paid the full amount of spirit stones for the materials. Roughly estimated, he had spent nearly a thousand spirit stones on these materials alone over the years.

The saying "the poor study literature, the rich study martial arts" has even reappeared in the world of cultivation.

After all, body tempering is also a form of "martial arts" in a certain sense...

……

After an unknown amount of time, Lin Changheng felt that the medicinal bath was like plain water, with no further effect, so he got up and got out of the tub.

As he dressed, looking at his skin which glowed with a bluish light, Lin Changheng had a sudden thought and immediately activated the "Evergreen Body of Azure Wood".

Without any apparent reason, a blue light began to appear on Lin Changheng's body.

Lin Changheng stretched out his palm, and it was quietly covered with a bluish-green color, resembling a piece of mottled green jade.

If Xu Hanji's "Evergreen Body" was a piece of pure jade, without flaws or textures, then...

The "impurities" that Lin Changheng has now are not impurities, but rather the ancient wood grain patterns that are faintly visible beneath his skin.

This is a unique effect of the second level of the technique, and also its hallmark.

He flicked his finger lightly, striking his arm, producing a dull, hard wooden sound.

Even low-grade magical weapons and swords cannot cause any damage.

With this by his side, Lin Changheng felt even more secure.

"It can be said that my current physique is comparable to that of a mid-stage first-tier demon beast, and I can be described as having thick skin and tough flesh."

But this does not mean that Lin Changheng can directly fight the demon beast in physical combat.

He's not stupid; why would he willingly enter the territory that demonic beasts are proficient in and fight them? He should use the ranged attack methods of a cultivator to fully utilize his advantages and kite the demonic beasts.

……

Seven days later.

"Master Lin, the old Taoist has come to collect the pills again."

Lin Changheng was chatting with Manager Jin Geng in the Golden Light Array Shop across the street when he heard a greeting.

Then, a rogue Taoist priest dressed in a gray robe walked quickly and smiling into the Xu family's alchemy shop.

"Please examine it carefully to see if there are any errors."

Lin Changheng gave Jin Geng a look, then stood up to greet him, handing him a porcelain bottle of pills that was about a hand's length tall.

"How could I not trust Master Lin? Your alchemy skills are well-known and widely recognized."

Old Master Fang didn't even glance at it before putting it away.

Because Jin Geng was present outside, the old Taoist priest didn't say much. After a brief exchange, he took his leave.

But the excitement and anticipation on his face were clearly visible. He was obviously going to retrieve the treasure from the mountain stream, just as he had said.

Lin Changheng shook his head at this.

Treasures can be captivating, but they can also be deadly.

He expressed respect and understanding for Master Fang's treasure hunting and exploration activities, but said he was not tempted by them.

He wouldn't leave Qingling Market unless absolutely necessary!
……

Turning back, Lin Changheng continued his conversation with Jin Geng.

Previously, the elders of the Jin family ultimately refused to "transfer" a formation inheritance to Lin Changheng, which infuriated Jin Geng.

But there was nothing we could do.

This is, after all, an unspoken rule in the cultivation world where everyone cherishes their own knowledge. Although Jin Geng is a genius in his clan, he is only a "genius" and his power is insufficient to challenge or overturn this deeply ingrained consensus.

Lin Changheng naturally agreed to drop the matter and expressed his gratitude for Jin Geng's efforts.

However, with the revelation of Lin Changheng's identity as a top-grade alchemist, the Jin family elders seemed to soften their stance and even expressed their desire to meet Lin Changheng.

"Brother Jin, is it possible that the noble elders want us to sell ourselves into servitude?"

Lin Changheng chuckled and teased. "I don't know what they're thinking, what they're up to." Jin Geng scratched his head, gave a simple, honest smile, and his massive body trembled as a result, his mountain of flesh shaking violently.

Lin Changheng pondered for a moment, then said seriously, "If the noble elders do not have the above intentions, then it is still possible to meet them."

"But if you're hoping I'll switch allegiance, that's out of the question. I've been with the Xu family for over thirty years, where I'm respected and quite content, and I have no intention of betraying the family. We have an excellent relationship, so it's best to say this upfront to avoid affecting our friendship later, isn't it?"

"Hahaha! I know this all too well. Brother Lin previously rejected offers from several families. Others may not know, but I do. Don't worry, I will pass on the message to the clan."

"Alright, then I, Lin, will await your message."

Lin Changheng smiled.

He is only slightly interested in formations and plans to explore them, but it's not something he absolutely needs to do right now; there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.

It is absolutely impossible for the Jin family to allow him to switch allegiances and disrupt their current stability by inheriting a dispensable array technique, thus plunging him into potential trouble.

Moreover, he didn't know enough about the Jin family. What if they were wolves in sheep's clothing and he fell into their den? Wouldn't that be even worse?

Moreover, stable development and steady progress are the top priorities set by Lin Changheng.

It's irreversible!

……

The next two months.

Lin Changheng did not see Fang Laodao's shadow.

Besides asking Lin Changheng for pills, he would occasionally come to the Xu family's alchemy shop to buy some commonly used pills, so he was considered a regular customer.

But we still haven't been able to see it—

"Could they be trapped in that mountain ravine?"

A thought naturally, reasonably, and smoothly arose in my mind.

Lin Changheng shook his head, feeling a pang of regret, and silently mourned for him.

This kind of treasure hunting carries risks that outweigh the rewards, making it even more terrifying than the stock market in my previous life.

Lin Changheng had anticipated this and tried to avoid it.

……

Just when Lin Changheng thought the old Taoist was dead, he reappeared full of life half a month later.

He only has a slight limp in his leg; there's nothing seriously wrong.

When Lin Changheng saw him, Old Daoist Fang was speaking into the counter, saying, "Give me two high-grade Qi-stabilizing pills and a bottle of mid-grade Water Essence Pills." He then produced a mid-grade spirit stone.

"Master Lin Dan."

Old Master Fang, with his sharp eyes, spotted Lin Changheng and greeted him warmly.

Before long, he mysteriously shared with Lin Changheng the old story from two months ago.

"You really obtained a precious plant? And you only suffered minor injuries?"

Lin Changheng's pupils dilated slightly, and he asked in surprise.

"That's right. The reason I haven't been around for a while is twofold: first, to recuperate, and second, to sell the precious plant in exchange for spirit stones and resources."

Old Master Fang lowered his voice, his face beaming with undisguised joy.

"Then congratulations."

Lin Changheng smiled and stopped talking, not intending to ask any more questions.

Instead, the old Taoist priest took out a wooden box sealed with a talisman and handed it to Lin Changheng. "Master Lin, please take a look at the age of this medicine. The more I think about it after I made the purchase, the more suspicious I feel. I suspect I've been tricked."

"Oh?"

Lin Changheng was taken aback, but did not take it.

"The main plant of Baozhi has been removed, and these are the remaining roots. I don't know if that's enough to determine its nature?"

(End of this chapter)