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

Chapter 133 Parting and Gathering (3K)

If you throw out a bunch of them at once, it would be good if they could just graz the edge and hit a Foundation Establishment cultivator, causing them some injury.

Wait, after thinking about all this... why do I have to go up against a Foundation Establishment cultivator?
Lin Changheng was almost misled by the old man, but he immediately realized that this item was just a last resort for self-defense, not something for active attack.

The principle of prudence must not be abandoned!

"Then I'll call you 'Tian Lei Zi'."

By some strange twist of fate, Lin Changheng gave this thing such a name.

Having received the item, Lin Changheng did not linger, but then saw several more people arrive, presumably also seeking the item.

"Luckily we arrived early, otherwise we might have had to wait in line."

Lin Changheng thought to himself, if he, a first-level high-grade alchemist, is already like this, then a second-level weapon refiner must be even more so.

……

In the following period, Lin Changheng devoted himself to alchemy. He not only finished refining the pills he had promised the Jin family, but also refined a variety of rare pills that could be distributed among the Qinglingfang auction houses for ten years.

Just as they ran out of spiritual wood and spiritual liquid for body refinement, they sought out Xu Hanji to borrow a lot more.

He then handed over the refined pills.

At the same time, it also subtly mentioned that he would be leaving.

Xu Hanji was taken aback upon hearing this, clearly having never considered this possibility before.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, is there something your clan has done to wrong you?" A pair of beautiful eyes, filled with incomprehension, stared unblinkingly into Lin Changheng's eyes as she asked.

Lin Changheng shook his head: "Miss, you're overthinking it. The clan and I have always cooperated amicably, and there's no such situation. It's just that I'm already fifty-two. If I continue to waste my time in the clan, I'm afraid my path to immortality will truly be cut off, and my hope of establishing a foundation will be lost..."

Xu Hanji was clearly not prepared for this answer either, and stood there stunned for a moment.

If she remembered correctly, Fellow Daoist Lin should have mixed spiritual roots, yet he still had such thoughts?

In the cultivation world, those with mixed spiritual roots have virtually no hope of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. While it's not to say there's no precedent in the entire Song Dynasty cultivation world, it's certainly unheard of under the rule of the Ziji Sect.

But she couldn't bring herself to deny such vicious words.

Not only could it damage Lin Changheng's Dao heart, but it could also very likely cause them to turn against each other due to the "curse on the path of cultivation," accelerating their separation from the Xu family.

"Fellow Daoist Lin's unwavering devotion to the Dao truly fills me with admiration. If all cultivators in our clan possessed such a heart for the Dao, how could the Xu family not rise to prominence?"

Finally, Xu Hanji smiled and said.

"Now, our clan is the envy of all other Qi Refining clans. The foundation for the nine-story platform has been laid, and the future looks promising!"

Lin Changheng spoke his true feelings.

In the rigidly hierarchical world of cultivation, there are few variables, and pioneering is one of them. Among them, there are very few opportunities to obtain Foundation Establishment Pills, and the Xu family just happened to seize this opportunity.

Luck, ability, and courage combined are what brought him to this point.

The two chatted for a few more minutes, but Xu Hanji seemed somewhat distracted. Just before leaving, he suddenly asked, "Is it possible that Fellow Daoist Lin will stay?"

She didn't want Lin Changheng to leave, but she couldn't figure out whether it was out of concern for the family or her own selfish desires. She couldn't use the Xu family's kindness to force him to stay.

Because she knew very well that the Xu family's treatment of the Immortal Seedling and the Son-in-Law was a mutually beneficial arrangement, or even, to put it more realistically, a transaction.

Indeed, these promising talents who joined the Xu family did not receive funding for nothing; they also made contributions.

Marrying into a family depletes one's potential to produce offspring;
Those who learn a skill begin as apprentices. Those who do not advance to a higher level go to the front lines to reclaim wasteland, while those who advance continue to engage in various crafts.

Take Lin Changheng as an example. He was an apprentice for twelve years, and for the next twenty-two years, he never failed to complete the clan's tasks. He was also deducted from the alchemy commission. Even if they really fell out, they could be considered even.

However, Lin Changheng would not do that; he still remembered the kindness of the Xu family.

……

When Xu Hanji asked this question, Lin Changheng knew that she was not only trying to persuade him to stay, but also indicating that he could set conditions and make demands.

Just stay.

Lin Changheng didn't think about romantic feelings at all. If he had to think about it, it was that he had been taken advantage of by this woman when she was in a daze after he saved her.

But if feelings actually develop from this...

Even Lin Changheng would find it outrageous.

However, Lin Changheng's resolve to pursue the path of immortality was unwavering, and there was absolutely no possibility of him staying any longer.

Because even if the Xu family obtains Foundation Establishment Pills or Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects someday, even if you push the line back ten times, it won't be his turn.

Therefore, he shook his head and said, "I would like to trouble Miss to inform the clan about this matter. If we fail in our pursuit of the Dao in the future, there may still be a chance to continue our relationship."

Xu Hanji's eyes dimmed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure: "Very well, I'll take care of it shortly. Please wait for news from the clan, Fellow Daoist Lin."

"Of course, I still have some matters to hand over at the alchemy shop, so that things can be completed properly."

Lin Changheng nodded and smiled.

Suddenly, Xu Hanji remembered something and asked with a slight change in expression, "Fellow Daoist Tantai... are you coming along too?"

Even if Lin Changheng were to leave, the Xu family still has Xu Qianyan, a top-grade alchemist, to hold the fort, so the Xu family's alchemy path won't collapse.

However, losing Tantai Feiyue, the chief talisman master whom they had been nurturing with all their might, would shatter the family's entire plan for the rise of the talisman path, causing serious damage.

Moreover, the Xu family is a righteous family, and they cannot coerce people into leaving. This would inevitably put them in a dilemma.

This time, it was Lin Changheng's turn to be stunned. Looking at Xu Hanji's pretty face, his eyes flashed. He knew perfectly well that his affair with Tantai Feiyue was known to others. Then he shook his head and said, "This matter has nothing to do with Feiyue."

Xu Hanji's expression immediately relaxed.

……

After leaving the Xu family mansion, Lin Changheng went straight to the Golden Light Array Shop. "Where are the noble elders? The required pills have been refined."

After exchanging greetings, Lin Changheng whispered his purpose to Jin Geng.

“The clan elder has returned to the clan and has entrusted this matter entirely to me.”

Jin Geng chuckled and said.

"Oh? That's fine then. Does your shop have a quiet spot?"

Lin Changheng looked at the customers coming and going in the shop, clearly finding it inconvenient.

"Yes, please follow me to the VIP room in the back hall."

Jin Geng slapped his forehead and led the way.

After closing the door, Lin Changheng took out a small wooden box without saying a word, opened the lid to reveal rows of porcelain bottles containing medicinal pills.

"Please inspect it."

Jin Geng immediately took out a specially made magical artifact from his storage bag and began to examine it. After a short while, he was panting heavily: "No problem."

Clearly, this body fat is too restrictive.

After a short rest, Jin Geng took out a pile of the agreed-upon spirit stones and a scroll and handed them over.

Then, pointing to the scroll, he said, "This is the 'Ancient Mountain Four Symbols Array Manual,' a standard mid-grade array inheritance. It's not very profound, but it's basically sufficient."

Finally got it!
Hearing Jin Geng's consistently straightforward evaluation, Lin Changheng was clearly used to it. He smiled slightly, accepted the evaluation, and glanced at it briefly.

"I have already checked this array for Brother Lin. There are no alterations or omissions. I can guarantee that."

Jin Geng did not disturb Lin Changheng, and only made this promise when Lin Changheng rolled up the scroll again.

“I naturally trust Brother Jin. Your family is a prestigious clan, and they certainly wouldn’t do such a treacherous thing.”

Lin Changheng smiled slightly, checked the spirit stones to confirm that everything was correct, and then took his leave.

In business, neither of them made any move to feign trust as if "no verification was needed."

Timely detection and on-the-spot resolution of problems are more conducive to maintaining relationships.

……

Three days later.

A magic boat belonging to the Xu family arrived from afar and landed outside the neighborhood.

It was the head of the Xu family who, upon receiving the news, personally went to the Xu family's alchemy shop.

Beside him stood a white-robed male cultivator with phoenix eyes, his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes gleaming as he looked at Lin Changheng.

Although he tried to suppress his aura, it was still overwhelming and awe-inspiring.

Xu Xujun!
The Xu family's newly promoted Foundation Establishment cultivator, and also their only Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Two other high-ranking officials stood behind them, all looking at them.

"I've met you all."

Seeing this formation, Lin Changheng was not surprised at all. Instead, he straightened his back and stood like a pine tree, his gaze sweeping over the faces and bodies of the men.

He was remarkably calm.

But no one knew that the magical power within him was already surging, ready to immediately use the [Earth Escape Technique] to escape five miles underground if anything went wrong.

They even chose the direction in advance.

At the same time, with one hand behind his back, he could immediately take out the [Heavenly Thunder Spear], blast it forward, suppress the cultivators, and create an opportunity.

Of course, this was Lin Changheng's worst-case scenario.

But it was a plan he had to make. He couldn't allow his life to be in the hands of others, to rise and fall with their kindness.

It must be in our own hands!
After a silent standoff.

Xu Xuheng suddenly shook his head and smiled, breaking the deadlock, but his smile was somewhat bitter: "Is Changheng really leaving?"

"Miss should have conveyed the message that Lin's desire for immortality has not faded. He wants to take a chance at the Foundation Establishment stage at the age of sixty, otherwise he may not have peace in this life."

Lin Changheng's expression showed regret, which was clearly visible to everyone, before he regained his resolve and said firmly.

“I know that too. Otherwise, more than 30 years ago, Changheng would not have resolutely chosen the path of alchemy, but would have chosen to marry into a family like the other immortal seedlings who came with him.”

Xu Xuheng agreed and pointed out the past.

"Thank you for your understanding, Patriarch."

Lin Changheng looked on with a look of reminiscence and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Well... without further ado, I wish Changheng a long and prosperous immortal path, and that he may establish his foundation for immortality!"

Although Xu Xuheng felt regret, he was also quite open-minded.

Lin Changheng was slightly surprised. Was the patriarch so easy to talk to? He immediately thanked him. Then he suddenly heard Xu Xujun, the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had only been displaying his aura and had not spoken until now, say indifferently, "Does Alchemist Lin know about Elder Mo's departure from the clan the other day?"

Lin Changheng's gaze narrowed slightly, his mind racing. He quickly guessed that this was some kind of test, and immediately smiled and said, "Since Sister Zhaoli has established her foundation, Master Mo has been arranged to go to the Upper Sect ahead of her for a gathering. I was also invited and will be going to the Upper Sect to attend the ceremony soon."

He then glanced at the group and asked, "I wonder if anyone in our clan has been invited? We could go together and help each other out."

These words instantly dispelled the serious atmosphere in the room, filling it with a lighthearted mood.

"Master Lin can go on his own, but please be careful along the way. The clan will also invite Senior Mo home to celebrate..."

(End of this chapter)