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

Chapter 147 The Essence Blood Agreement is Finalized, Azure Wave Spirit Turtle

After seeing Deng Changsheng off, Lin Changheng held the letter and was about to hand it over, also taking the opportunity to sell off the stolen goods he had kept on his person for many years.

Three years have passed, and even the feud between brothers would no longer be pursued.

This is the perfect time to sell the stolen goods.

Finding a secluded corner, he used the [Illusory Appearance Shift Technique - Transformation] to instantly change his appearance, donning a black robe that made him unrecognizable as Master Lin Dan.

In less than an hour, after changing two outfits and visiting three shops, Lin Changheng finished his work.

More than 700 spirit stones were added to the storage bag.

The process is extremely simple.

There was hardly any communication.

Lin Changheng took out several old ritual implements that he had acquired and placed them on the counter.

The shopkeeper barely glanced at Lin Changheng before taking out his appraisal artifact without a word. He then judged the items by sight and, expressionless, quoted prices one by one.

The final price was within Lin Changheng's expectations.

The transaction was completed immediately.

Without a single pleasantry or unnecessary chatter, the transaction was completed smoothly.

"Outside the Immortal City, there are also wild wildernesses. Fighting and plundering treasures should not be too frequent there, and the stolen goods should have flowed into these shops."

"Over time, the current simple trading model naturally emerged, and it certainly makes people feel much more at ease."

After all, it's something that can't be done in the light of day, and the more you talk about it, the more dangerous it becomes.

Lin Changheng's storage bag now contains over eight thousand spirit stones.

It looks like a large sum of money.

However, it is still 1,500 yuan short of the final price of the Foundation Establishment spiritual item auctioned in the last Desolate Ruins Market.

Thinking of this, Lin Changheng couldn't help but sigh, "It seems that even if Foundation Establishment spiritual items and Foundation Establishment pills appear at the auction, they are basically out of my reach."

The price of Foundation Establishment Pills is at least twice that of Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects, or even higher.

After all, the Foundation Establishment Pill increases the chance of Foundation Establishment by 20%, while Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects increase it by 10%, which is double the chance.

Moreover, the ability to protect the dantian and reduce damage after a failed breakthrough is also very important.

No matter how many spirit stones one person has, how can one compete with a family or a powerful force?
"Therefore, my goal this time is to do everything I can to acquire the second-tier alchemy inheritance, and then rely on [Enhanced Enlightenment Heavenly Gift - Cave Source] to quickly become a second-tier alchemist."

"With my current reputation, I'm sure I'll attract many people to come to me seeking pills, including some Foundation Establishment cultivators!"

"At that time, on the one hand, we can quickly amass wealth and accumulate spirit stones to prepare for the large-scale auction five years later; on the other hand, we can come into contact with the [Mysterious Spirit Blood] to continue to seize spirits and transform them. This level of essence blood is rare among Qi Refining cultivators, but it will definitely be different among Foundation Establishment cultivators!"

"In addition, there might be a few Qi Refining cultivators who bring materials to my door asking me to refine Foundation Establishment Pills. The probability is not high, but it is still possible."

The above statement is not unfounded; it is a unique method for refining Foundation Establishment Pills in the Immortal City.

It should be understood that the power of a single cultivator is ultimately limited; they may spend their entire lives without being able to gather all the necessary materials to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill.

But there are always lucky cultivators who can encounter one or two of these materials in the wilderness or buy them through various channels.

These cultivators would then find each other and gather a complete set of materials to ask the alchemist to refine them.

When Lin Changheng learned about this model, he was also puzzled: Isn't it true that one piece of material can only be used to refine one pill?
So I tried every means to find out.

This was also explained.

It turns out that the materials used to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill are all second-tier materials! If all of them were refined into a single pill, the medicinal power would be too great and pure, exceeding the tolerance limit of a Qi Refining cultivator. There have even been precedents of Qi Refining cultivators being bursting out of their bodies due to excessive force.

Through long-term exploration, a solution has been found.

The pills are separated after the "medicine mixing" step!
Divide into three!
In this way, the medicinal properties of the Foundation Establishment Pill are preserved, but the medicinal power is broken down so that it can be perfectly absorbed by the Qi Refining cultivator.

But the problem came again.

This significantly increases the demands on alchemists' skill level and ability to coordinate and collaborate.

It is easy to produce inferior pills, substandard pills, or even unusable pills.

Often, some second-tier alchemists, in order to ensure the quality of the pills produced, deliberately abandon two pills and focus on refining one.

The results are usually quite good.

However, it also dashed the hopes of other crowdfunding cultivators for Foundation Establishment, and when the news spread, his reputation was ruined.

Therefore, there is an extreme demand in the market for alchemists who can refine two genuine Foundation Establishment Pills.

Even refining one or two batches is acceptable.

Lin Changheng was quite confident that as long as he obtained the second-tier alchemy inheritance, he could outshine all the other alchemists.

Then, relying on the main ingredient, the Nine-Leaf Purple Ganoderma, he can raise funds through crowdfunding as an alchemist, and the Foundation Establishment Pill will be completed!
……

The plan is wonderful, but in reality, it needs to be done and implemented step by step.

Lin Changheng was well aware of this.

They returned to their original state and went straight back to "Cloud Palace".

"Master Lin Dan."

A deep voice suddenly came from behind.

Lin Changheng turned his head and saw a burly, middle-aged man smiling at him.

This person's aura is at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining, even stronger than his.

"Fellow Daoist Zeng."

Lin Changheng cupped his hands in greeting, "It's been a long time."

His surname was Zeng, and this person was none other than the second-tier spirit chef who was the right-hand neighbor of "Qingyuan Xiaozhu".

"I wonder if Master Lin has some free time? Since we've met, why don't you come to my home for a visit?"

Chef Zeng chuckled and surprisingly asked a question.

"Of course, I happen to have something to ask Fellow Daoist Zeng."

Lin Changheng readily agreed.

If one of the core uses of monster materials is to refine pills with their essence and blood and monster cores, and to forge weapons with their claws, teeth, scales, and hides, then another crucial use is to cook monster meat into spiritual food.

If we use the flesh of demonic beasts, what happens to their blood?

Moreover, this is a second-tier spirit chef; surely she shouldn't be reduced to cooking first-tier spirit food? That would be a waste of her talent.

To cook second-tier spiritual food, you need second-tier demon beast meat...

Based on this reasoning, it's possible that this Fellow Daoist Zeng has or knows about channels for obtaining the essence blood of second-tier demonic beasts.

The blood essence of a second-tier demon beast has a very small probability of being at the [Mortal Filth] level, at least at the [Turbid Fiend] level, and the [Mysterious Spirit] level is more likely.

……

Soon the two arrived at Chef Zeng's "Snowfall Pavilion".

Upon first seeing this name, Lin Changheng assumed the owner of this place was a pretentious scholar, but it turned out to be a spirit chef in charge of cooking.

The contrast is quite significant.

"I heard a long time ago that a top-grade alchemist came to 'Cloud Palace'. His alchemy skills are superb, and he quickly made a name for himself in the Immortal City. Everyone praises him. It's a pity that he has been busy with his duties and even went out for a while recently. We haven't had a proper chance to talk to him."

Chef Zeng served Lin Changheng a cup of second-tier spiritual tea and smiled with a touch of emotion.

"I regret that I had no chance to get to know or interact with Fellow Daoist Zeng before, but fate has brought us together. Now, aren't we sitting together enjoying tea and discussing the Dao?" Lin Changheng thanked him, but his words were perfectly polite.

"Haha, that's exactly right."

Chef Zeng laughed heartily, showing great magnanimity. He raised his cup, took a sip, and said, "This tea is called 'Mountain Bamboo Spring Flow,' and it has some unique characteristics among second-tier spiritual teas. Please enjoy."

Second order?

Lin Changheng nodded and smiled, then drank his tea with a hint of surprise upon hearing this.

At the same time, a dark golden flame rose from his dantian and quietly entered his stomach. In just one turn, it consumed the spiritual tea he had just drunk.

Whether poisonous or not, they were all annihilated.

The first-tier poison was naturally harmless to Lin Changheng's [Poison-Dissolving Demon Technique], which could neutralize it.

If it involves the second order, then it's uncertain; Lin Changheng dared not gamble.

We must be careful.

"Excellent."

Lin Changheng then revealed an expression of enjoyment and praised him.

"Haha, I think so too."

Chef Zeng then chatted with Lin Changheng for a long time before revealing something.

"Seeking elixirs?"

Lin Changheng was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Of course there is no problem. Neighbors should help each other. Moreover, Fellow Daoist Zeng's reputation for being warm and open is well-known and praised by everyone, so it is even more appropriate to do so."

Chef Zeng immediately clapped his hands and said, "Then thank you, Master Lin Dan."

"I wonder what kind of pill you are refining, and what grade it is? Have the medicinal materials and the prescription been prepared?"

Lin Changheng asked as usual.

Chef Zeng only said, "It's a high-grade elixir, I think it's called the Five Spirits Elixir."

"It seems so? Could it be that this pill wasn't used by Fellow Daoist Zeng?"

Lin Changheng said in surprise that this was actually against the rules of seeking elixirs, but his expression remained unchanged.

"Yes, it's what my wife's younger sister needs."

Chef Zeng's face flashed with a hint of embarrassment at being exposed, but he quickly became serious and told the truth, "However, the refining of this pill is quite complicated and difficult, and only the finest quality is effective. Many alchemists cannot refine it or do so with low efficiency, so I have shamelessly come to ask for your help."

"Oh? There are so many alchemists in Immortal City, yet none of them meet the requirements?"

Lin Changheng, however, grasped the key words and was somewhat skeptical.

"Either the cost is too high, or the skill is insufficient, and this pill requires long-term use..."

Chef Zeng gave a simple explanation, seemingly indicating that he had something difficult to say.

Then, seemingly afraid of Lin Changheng's further questioning, he continued, "If Master Lin needs my help, please feel free to ask, and I will certainly not refuse."

Lin Changheng disliked prying into other people's privacy and had no intention of asking further questions. Upon hearing Chef Zeng's words, he fell into deep thought.

Just as Chef Zeng was getting a little anxious, he suddenly said, "I'll take on this task."

"Thank you very much, Master Lin."

Chef Zeng hurried off, his face lighting up with joy, only to hear Lin Changheng speak again: "I do indeed have something I need Fellow Daoist Zeng's help with..."

"Go ahead."

Chef Zeng was always afraid of owing favors, but when he heard Lin Changheng say this, he relaxed. The exchange of benefits was the rule of the cultivation world; nothing else, except for family ties, was reliable.

In many cases, even kinship and romantic relationships are not as reliable as mutual interests!
"It's like this, I've recently started refining pills and I'm lacking some second-tier demon beast essence blood, or first-tier [Turbid Fiend Bloodline] or higher essence blood. I'm stuck here and it's giving me quite a headache. I wonder if Brother Zeng could help me?"

Lin Changheng slowly said, "Fellow Daoist Zeng" was also quietly changed to "Brother Zeng", after all, he was asking for help.

"Monster blood?"

Chef Zeng considered many possibilities, such as leveraging his Foundation Establishment connections, skills, and strength, or even requesting a VIP seat at the Spirit Restaurant...

But I never expected this one.

But for alchemists, it seems quite reasonable.

After a moment's hesitation, he finally said, "Okay."

Ok?
Lin Changheng didn't react at first, but then he was overwhelmed with joy and thanked him directly without asking for details, saying, "Thank you, Brother Zeng."

"Haha, Brother Lin, you're too kind."

Chef Zeng laughed and changed his form of address to "brother," then sighed with a wry smile, "I should be the one thanking you. You have no idea how much your sister-in-law has been nagging me day and night."

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Brother Lin, you don't have any specific requirements regarding the essence blood of demonic beasts, do you?"

Chef Zeng spoke again to confirm.

"No, as long as the level of the essence blood is high enough, it's fine."

Lin Changheng immediately replied.

"That's good. If there are still restrictions on the essence blood, then there's nothing I can do about it."

Chef Zeng was relieved.

"Brother Zeng, could you tell me about your essence and blood condition?"

Lin Changheng asked, "We still need to figure out the situation."

"Our Lingjiu Restaurant is one of the best in the Immortal City, with a great reputation. Not only is the food delicious, but it also enhances the essence of the food as much as possible. It is the only way to have fun and improve one's cultivation at the same time! So it is not only Qi Refining cultivators, but also Foundation Establishment cultivators who come here in large numbers, and Core Formation cultivators also come here occasionally!"

After briefly explaining the background, Chef Zeng's face showed a hint of arrogance.

"So powerful?"

Lin Changheng realized that he seemed to have misunderstood the art of spiritual cooking.

"Cooking low-grade spirit rice and demon beast meat is naturally average, but once the spirit cooking skill reaches the first grade of superior quality, it undergoes an initial transformation. When it reaches the second grade, it can be described as a huge change. Its effect on improving cultivation is no less than that of pills of the same grade, and it can also satisfy the appetite."

"The only limitations are the higher price and the lack of breakthrough effects like Foundation Establishment Pills and Golden Formation Pills!"

Chef Zeng gave a brief explanation, and only when he saw Lin Changheng's expression of realization did he get to the point.

"Therefore, we do have a great demand for second-tier demonic beasts, especially the Spirit Wine House's specialty, the [Azure Dragon Soup], which is a must-order. Its main ingredient is the second-tier [Azure Wave Spirit Turtle]. We even have a fixed Foundation Establishment demon-hunting team that hunts demonic beasts to provide this material."

“We buy the whole thing. The monster meat and blood can be used as ingredients, but the essence, blood, monster cores, leather, scales, and claws are sold to outsiders at a fair price. We only aim to break even and don’t seek profit. If Brother Lin needs them, just transfer them directly.”

【Azure Wave Spirit Turtle】, a second-tier demonic beast!
Lin Changheng's eyes brightened slightly.

"Should we use a premium of one or two percent as a pretext? I'm worried that exchanging the equivalent amount for essence blood will cause trouble for Brother Zeng."

Lin Changheng wasn't foolish or rich in spirit stones; rather, he considered things from a different perspective. This approach prevented him from appearing self-centered, left a good impression on Chef Zeng, and also helped him shed any sense of "taking advantage of someone's kindness," thus pursuing long-term connections.

More importantly, we must get our hands on this essence blood. It was originally a fair sale, but with a slight premium, it shouldn't be a problem.

After all, where do they buy it? Don't they want to make a profit?

"Hahaha, why bother?"

"Just transfer it at the fair price, Brother Lin, don't underestimate me! I may not be the absolute authority at Ling Restaurant, but when it comes to things like this, who dares to say no?!"

Chef Zeng glanced at Lin Changheng in surprise, then shook his head, his tone full of confidence.

(End of this chapter)