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

Chapter 151 Puppet Acquired, Foundation Establishment and Elixir Seeking
In Qingxi Villa.

"A stroke of good luck, nothing more."

Looking at Yan Mingyi's pretty face, Lin Changheng's gaze was indifferent as he chuckled softly.

Is this rumor true?
Yan Mingyi received the answer and a look of deep surprise appeared on her face. She then smiled sweetly and said, "Congratulations, Brother Lin!"

"Thank you."

Lin Changheng nodded secretly. The news had reached the ears of the reclusive Yan family grandfather and grandson. It seemed that Deng Changsheng had done a good job, and the effect was immediate.

It is believed that before long, many people will come to him seeking pills, but Lin Changheng wants Foundation Establishment cultivators to come and ask him to refine second-tier pills.

Only when the success rate and quality of refining second-tier pills are verified can cultivators with Foundation Establishment Pill materials be attracted.

After all, no one is stupid. People will be cautious about such precious materials as Foundation Establishment Pill materials and will not easily give them out to newly promoted second-level alchemists to practice on.

There will be a process involved.

It requires demonstration of strength, verification over time, and proof of reputation...

Lin Changheng has the patience and enough time to wait.

There's no rush.

……

Yan Mingyi was clearly happy for Lin Changheng, and then suddenly asked, "Brother Lin, are you moving to Waihu?"

"Ok?"

Lin Changheng was asked this question, one he hadn't thought about before.

After a moment's thought, he said, "I don't have that plan yet. I'm quite comfortable living in 'Cloud Palace' and I'm reluctant to move away anytime soon."

That's true. Lin Changheng won't change his residence because of the environment or the comforts he enjoys, since the connections he's built here are still very useful.

If there's to be a change, there's only one reason: there's a greater incentive to do so.

"Is that so?" Yan Mingyi's expression relaxed, and she suddenly smiled.

Lin Changheng was taken aback by what he saw.

Such a daughterly demeanor...

No way……

An outrageous idea popped into my head.

He quickly came up with a reason, probably because the two families were quite close and had known each other for a long time, and he wouldn't want to lose a good neighbor he knew well.

"Master Lin, you've kept me waiting."

At this moment, Master Yan Kui came out of the house, still dressed in black cloth clothes, his figure even more hunched over.

"Haha, I came here hoping to freeload a meal, after all, Miss Yan's cooking is excellent and truly unforgettable."

Lin Changheng laughed heartily and rose from his seat to greet him.

Upon hearing the praise, Yan Mingyi readily accepted it, a slight smile curving her lips.

Master Yan approached, looked at his granddaughter with affection, gently stroked her black hair, and then smiled at Lin Changheng:
"Come on over if you like. It's just a matter of adding a bowl and chopsticks. There's no need to worry about it eating this old man out of house and home. Hehe, after being a puppeteer for so many years, I still have some savings."

Lin Changheng smiled and nodded.

"Then I'll go make some food. Grandpa and Brother Lin, you two continue your chat."

With her grandfather accompanying the guests, Yan Mingyi excused herself, rolled up her sleeves, and went into the kitchen.

The two watched the female cultivator go off to work. Master Yan picked up a piece of candied fruit, put it in his mouth, and said with a smile, "Master Lin's arrival is just in time. I have just finished preparing what you requested."

"Oh?"

Lin Changheng looked pleasantly surprised.

Yan Kui Shi nodded, reached out and wiped his hand on the storage bag, and immediately a series of black shadows flashed.

Two dark, chest-high puppets appeared before him.

"If Master Lin Dan wishes to assist in the battle and protect the Dao, a puppet beast would be a good choice." The explanation came to his ears at just the right time.

Lin Changheng's gaze had already swept over the two puppet beasts:
It is jet black, and the material resembles both gold and wood, yet it gives people a feeling of extreme hardness.

They were all chest-high, casting a shadow, their figures as heavy as iron towers.

It was just a tiger with a slightly hunched back, ready to pounce at any moment, with sharp teeth and claws, and two rows of sharp barbs protruding from its shoulder blades.

The other one folded its wings, stood upright, and had a sharp beak; it was clearly a giant eagle puppet.

“Good craftsmanship!”

Lin Changheng couldn't help but praise it and reached out to touch it.

It felt cold and hard, and was fearless and painless, making it an excellent aid in combat.

"If you like it, that's fine."

Master Yan stroked his beard, a hint of pride in his eyes, and tossed over a jade slip. "This is the corresponding [Puppet Control Technique]."

Holding the jade slip in his hand, Lin Changheng waved his hand and put away the two first-grade high-quality puppet beasts.

At the same time, a considerable amount of spirit stones were also provided.

A high-grade magic weapon costs around 600 spirit stones, while a superior-grade fine magic weapon can sell for 900 spirit stones, which is enough for temporary use even in the early stages of Foundation Establishment.

The price of a top-grade exquisite puppet is several times higher than that of a similar exquisite magic weapon, but there are also significant differences between different types and sizes of puppets.

Master Yan only charged the cost price, which was equivalent to working for free. Lin Changheng naturally remembered this kindness.

Now, given the worsening of his injuries, Lin Changheng has begun to understand his thoughts.

……

While eating.

Master Yan suddenly asked, "Master Lin should be almost sixty, right?"

“That’s right, it won’t be more than a few years.” Lin Changheng nodded.

Master Yan was immediately filled with emotion. Despite being less than ten years apart in age, he looked like a frail and old man, while Master Lin was in his prime. To an uninformed person, he would have looked like he was not yet thirty...

Is the combination of wood-based techniques and the [Youth Enhancement Pill] really that effective?

"I wonder what Master Lin's thoughts are on Foundation Establishment? Are you willing to take a gamble?"

"Although I'd like to give it a try, it all depends on fate."

Lin Changheng was unwilling to lie, so he could only give a vague answer.

"That's true. Forcing yourself to establish your foundation without Foundation Establishment Pills is too dangerous and not worth the risk."

Master Yan sighed.

Lin Changheng's mind raced, "Could it be that Master Yan's injury is due to this?" But he didn't ask.

He sighed softly, "But who wouldn't want to experience the scenery of the Foundation Establishment stage?"

Hearing this, Yan Mingyi, who had been quietly listening to the two talking, opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately did not say anything.

……

Two days later.

Lin Changheng waved his sleeve and put away the two quiet puppet beasts.

Although the [Puppet Control Technique] for a first-tier high-grade skill is much more complex than that for a first-tier low-grade skill, it is nothing special for Lin Changheng.

In less than two days, I had mastered it and could control it with ease.

However, the yard is small, making it difficult to control and perform some violent and large-scale movements, such as lunging or flying.

You can only control them to walk, flap their wings, raise their claws, peck, etc.

Later, Lin Changheng came up with an even better idea.

Let them perform fine motor skills to hone their micro-management abilities.

For example, make the tiger puppet beast use its sharp claws to cut grass, and make the giant eagle puppeteer use its beak to lift buckets.

Although it was undoubtedly a failure, it greatly improved Lin Changheng's ability to control him.

As for the black-armored earth tortoise standing to the side, it was already terrified when it saw the giant beast that suddenly appeared in front of it. It burrowed into the mud, shrank its head into its shell, lowered its breath, and pretended to be dead.

Lin Changheng was even more furious than himself.

After politely declining several cultivators who came seeking pills, Lin Changheng planned to visit Alchemist Cheng again.

Master Cheng, a close friend of Master Mo, is a top-grade alchemist who has lived in the Immortal City for over twenty years and has a wide circle of friends. Lin Changheng visits him regularly.

He did not live in the area where Lin Changheng lived, but in another corner of the adjacent area of ​​the inner city.

Inside a pill-making shop called "Hundred Herbs Shop".

"Old Cheng."

Lin Changheng carried some spiritual fruits and stepped into the shop.

"Hey, Senior Brother Lin."

A middle-aged man with a square face looked up from behind the counter, saw the visitor, and immediately put down his pen in delight to greet him.

This Senior Brother Lin was highly praised by his own father.

Not only was he the prized disciple of his father's old friend Uncle Mo, but he also broke through to the realm of a superior alchemist, becoming comparable to his father.

He rose to fame in the Immortal City for his exceptional alchemy skills.

What's even more shocking is that recently, rumors have been circulating in the Immortal City that this Senior Brother Lin has broken through to the second level of alchemy!
How can it not be amazing?

Not only that, but when Master Cheng heard this, he couldn't help but sigh, "Brother Mo has taken on a good disciple. Not long ago, he was still criticizing him for being unambitious and didn't like him!"
But he didn't take it to heart, and just chuckled.

"Junior Brother Cheng."

Lin Changheng handed over the gift, looked around the shop, and asked with a smile, "Is Old Master Cheng not here?"

"Yes, yes."

Junior Brother Cheng lowered his voice and pointed upwards, "There are guests talking to Father up there."

"Then I'll wait."

Lin Changheng nodded. He had come here to ask Elder Cheng for help with something: to use his connections to find clients for second-tier pills and break the deadlock.

"Okay, senior brother, please sit here."

Junior Brother Cheng immediately made tea and came over to chat with Lin Changheng, actually to confirm whether he had really advanced to the second-level alchemist.

Lin Changheng naturally had no need to hide anything and explained his purpose.

"A customer who sells second-tier pills?"

Junior Brother Cheng was taken aback upon hearing this, and then said in surprise, though his voice was very low, "The one up there is a Foundation Establishment senior."

Lowering his voice was clearly an attempt to evade divine sense detection and avoid being overheard by Foundation Establishment cultivators mentioning him behind his back.

Lin Changheng knew that divine sense could penetrate everywhere, so this might not be effective.

"Oh?"

Lin Changheng was somewhat tempted. The cultivators who came to this pill shop must have a need for refining first-grade pills.

However, as long as one is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, there will be a need for second-tier pills.

The only question is whether the Foundation Establishment cultivator is willing to believe him and whether he will seek his help to refine the items.

"Should I go and tell my father?"

"Junior Brother Cheng suddenly said."

Lin Changheng looked up at his junior brother Cheng in surprise. Just as he was about to say something, he heard footsteps coming from the top of the stairs.

The two chatted and laughed, appearing quite amicable as they descended the stairs.

An elderly man with still jet-black hair, a ruddy complexion, and good overall appearance.

It was indeed Elder Cheng.

The other was a middle-aged male cultivator in white robes, whose aura was astonishing and whose pressure was faintly emanating from him; he was at the Foundation Establishment stage!

These are the clients that Brother Cheng mentioned.

"Hey, Changheng, you're here?"

As Old Cheng was chatting and laughing, his eyes swept across the shop as he went downstairs. He saw his son talking to someone, and when he looked closer, he recognized Lin Changheng's face.

"I met with Master Cheng and paid my respects to the seniors."

Lin Changheng smiled and stood up, greeting him respectfully without being humble or arrogant.

"This is the alchemist Lin that I just told Brother Wu. He is renowned in the Immortal City and has now broken through to become a second-level alchemist."

Old Cheng introduced them with a smile, treating them as his own nephews and nieces, looking quite proud of them.

"Oh?"

The Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed Wu immediately cast his gaze upon them, sharp and imposing, as if he could see right through people's hearts.

After a few breaths, he suddenly smiled warmly and said, "Master Lin, there's no need for such formalities. Master Cheng has mentioned you to me several times, praising you highly. Now that I've met you, you are indeed young, promising, and extraordinary."

"Senior, you flatter me. I have only taken the [Youth Preservation Pill] and mastered some health preservation techniques. My actual age is almost sixty. Otherwise, how could I have achieved such a high level in alchemy and entered the second stage?"

Lin Changheng deliberately corrected his age.

Some professions truly become more sought after with age, which also signifies credibility.

"Haha, I see."

The Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed Wu immediately changed his attitude, looking at Lin Changheng with a hint of trust in his eyes.

As they approached, Elder Cheng stood smiling beside him. After a few more words, the Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed Wu suddenly said, "I happen to need some second-tier pills. I wonder if I could ask Alchemist Lin to help me refine a batch?"

"No problem."

Lin Changheng nodded with a faint smile.

"How much do you have a chance of getting there?" the Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed Wu asked again.

"One furnace produces five pills, with about 80% being genuine pills." Lin Changheng gave a satisfactory answer, which was good for others but conservative for himself.

"That's worth a try!"

The Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed Wu's eyes lit up. Even the second-tier low-grade senior alchemist he had previously found could not have promised anything better.

The two then began to discuss the cost of starting the furnace and the profit-sharing method.

The final method adopted was different from the method for obtaining first-tier pills.

The most obvious change is the elimination of profit sharing from pills!
details as follows:

The pill formula and ten portions of medicinal materials were provided by a Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed Wu. Lin Changheng did not charge a furnace opening fee or share the profits. After half a month, he was required to deliver eight genuine pills, based on an 80% success rate.

For each pill successfully formed, one will receive a reward of one hundred low-grade spirit stones.

The remaining pills, regardless of their quality, belong to Lin Changheng.

They can also be sold to Foundation Establishment cultivators surnamed Wu at market price, for two hundred low-grade spirit stones each.

However, if the target is not met, one unit will be paid out at market price for each unit missing.

Lin Changheng's heart raced slightly as he realized that while being a second-tier alchemist was difficult, their ability to generate income was also theoretically very strong!

If all ten pills are successfully formed, one can earn 1,200 low-grade spirit stones, or about 12 mid-grade spirit stones. However, this requires extremely high skill and is difficult for anyone but a seasoned alchemist to achieve.

If only eight pills are successfully formed, one batch can earn eight hundred low-grade spirit stones.

However, there are also risks:
If there are five or fewer genuine pills, this order will be a waste of money, and I will even have to pay out of pocket.

However, given Lin Changheng's current skill level, it would take about seven days to refine five pills per batch, and half a month for two batches.

Even after calculating it this way, the profit is less than twice that of refining a first-grade high-quality pill in the same amount of time.

However, as the skill improves, it becomes possible to refine ten pills in one batch, which is more efficient and yields even greater profits.

If another high-quality second-tier pill could be produced, with each pill fetching three hundred spirit stones, the price would be even higher.

Ultimately, it all comes down to skill.

Lin Changheng was also prepared; this was the initial growing pains, and he awaited the powerful follow-up force.

same,

Second-tier rune masters are theoretically slightly less capable of making money, but not by much.

No wonder the Xu family is so desperate to train Tantai Feiyue to become a second-tier talisman master.

That is right here.

(End of this chapter)