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

Chapter 161 Such Unexpected Wealth, A Beautiful Woman Invites Me to the Night
In the inner city of the Immortal City, there is a shop called [Wanjuanlou].

Inside, upon hearing the waiter's words, Lin Changheng's eyes flashed.

This shows that second-tier cultivation techniques and spells are not their main focus.

It's fine as long as it's available; I'll take a look first.

So he casually found a seat, waved his hand, and asked, "Do you have any fire-based cultivation techniques, spells, or soul-searching secret arts?"

"Please wait a moment, senior. The second-tier books and the like are quite valuable. Our shopkeeper is in charge of managing and selling them. I will go and ask our shopkeeper to introduce them to you."

The waiter asked cautiously.

"Go." Lin Changheng uttered two words stiffly upon hearing this, lacking his usual approachability and instead adopting the airs of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Yes."

But the waiter didn't find it strange at all; on the contrary, he thought it was perfectly normal and immediately took his leave with a smile.

Before long, a middle-aged male cultivator strode over, followed by a smiling waiter carrying a tray, who followed behind with small, quick steps, and respectfully presented it to him.

"Senior, you've been waiting for a long time."

The middle-aged shopkeeper greeted them with a bow upon meeting.

Lin Changheng glanced at the shopkeeper; he was at the seventh level of Qi Refining, which was not bad. Then he turned his gaze to the tray, on which was a thin book and two bluish-white jade slips.

"What's all that's on there? Tell me about it."

"Yes, senior."

The middle-aged shopkeeper's attitude was also excellent, making Lin Changheng secretly marvel at how different and extremely comfortable it felt to be a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

He immediately pointed to the thin book and introduced it, saying, "This is the secret technique that you requested, senior."

"Oh?"

Lin Changheng reached out and summoned the thin book into his hand. He opened the blank cover and looked inside; it was indeed the "Soul Searching Secret Technique".

However, only the first page of content can be seen; the subsequent pages cannot be opened. They are covered by a thin layer of white light, as if they are glued together.

"What about the other two?"

Lin Changheng did not put the book back, but held it in his hand and continued to ask questions.

The middle-aged shopkeeper's face lit up with joy, knowing that the deal was almost done. He continued his introduction, his voice becoming even more enthusiastic: "The jade slip on the left is called 'Returning Flame Guarding the Origin Technique,' and the one on the right is 'Azure Flame Nine Forging Scripture.' Both are second-tier, low-grade techniques."

After speaking, he noticed the expression on the face of the Foundation Establishment senior.

"Only a second-tier, low-grade?"

Lin Changheng frowned slightly.

Clearly, a second-tier low-grade cultivation technique has almost no potential and is useless to him.

"These are the only two second-tier fire-type cultivation techniques in our shop," the middle-aged shopkeeper nodded.

"really."

Lin Changheng was already mentally prepared, but he just needed to confirm it again. All the powerful high-level techniques were tightly guarded by the major forces, and not a single detail could be revealed.

Even if the owner behind this shop obtained it from somewhere, unless it was obtained through legitimate channels or the roots of the problem were eradicated, openly selling it would risk attracting the hostility of families who practice this method.

That's it.

Lin Changheng gave up and had to find another way, so he asked about the price of "The Secret Technique of Soul Searching".

"Three hundred low-grade spiritual stones."

The shopkeeper quoted a price.

If it were a rare second-tier secret technique, this price would be normal. But the problem is that the "Soul Searching Secret Technique" is widely circulated, and even most Foundation Establishment cultivators have it. It's so common that selling it at this price is just taking advantage of Lin Changheng.
"Three hundred?" Lin Changheng immediately sneered. "Does the shopkeeper think this technique is unique to your shop? Are you trying to trick me?"

"In such a vast immortal city, which shop doesn't have this kind of business? Since the shopkeeper isn't sincere, let's just drop this matter."

With that, he put down the book in his hand, flicked his sleeves, and left.

At the same time, the Foundation Establishment spiritual pressure flashed by, and the two of them were immediately struck as if by lightning. Their hearts pounded like drums, their faces turned pale, and they were drenched in sweat.

Foundation Establishment cultivators are terrifying...

The middle-aged shopkeeper was terrified and immediately called out to Lin Changheng, "Senior, please wait, this price is negotiable."

Lin Changheng stopped, turned his back to them, and said in a cold voice, "Don't waste my time."

To the two people in the shop, this figure, with the pressure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, seemed like a towering mountain, making it hard to breathe.

The guy at the fourth level of Qi Refining almost collapsed to the ground.

"One hundred spirit stones! Senior, one hundred spirit stones is fine. Any less, and I'll be in trouble."

This time, the middle-aged shopkeeper didn't hesitate too much and gritted his teeth to agree.

……

Having obtained the "Soul Searching Secret Technique," Lin Changheng once again changed his appearance and concealed his cultivation level. He returned to Qingyuan Xiaozhu, and as soon as he sat down, someone came to visit.

"Who is this fellow Taoist?"

Lin Changheng opened the barrier and found a Foundation Establishment cultivator standing in front of the door, with a long beard and robe, and a smile on his face.

His face was completely unfamiliar, and he was carrying a gift basket.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator chuckled, immediately introduced himself, and handed over the gift basket.

Lin Changheng, not one to hit a smiling face, warmly received him. It turned out that he was a cultivator from the nearby Foundation Establishment family, the "Wu Family of Changwu Mountain," who had come to recruit Lin Changheng as a family retainer.

It is said that he was cultivating in seclusion in his family, but upon hearing the news of Master Lin's return, he immediately came out of seclusion to visit him.

The sincerity is overwhelming.

But Lin Changheng had already made up his mind about this.

He immediately thanked the family for their high regard and then politely declined.

"No reward for no merit."

At the same time, Lin Changheng appeared embarrassed to accept the gift basket and tried to hand it back.

It is a major taboo to accept a gift without doing anything in return.

As a result, the Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Wu family, with his long beard and robe, reached out and pressed down on him, sternly refusing, saying that there was no reason to take back a gift that had been given. Even if they could not be of the same clan, they could still be friends.

It's like they're saying you have no choice but to accept it.

Lin Changheng reluctantly accepted it, and the Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Wu family finally smiled.

Clearly, a second-tier alchemist who has achieved such a success rate in refining Foundation Establishment Pills on his first attempt, despite his advanced age, still has a bright future ahead of him. Moreover, the older he gets, the more refined his skills become and the more sought-after he becomes. It is worthwhile for him and his family to maintain a good relationship with him.

Before long, amidst laughter and conversation, Lin Changheng saw the man off at the gate. As he left, the Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Wu family clasped his hands in a salute, smiled, and said, "Until we meet again, Master Lin," before disappearing into the void.

In the past, Lin Changheng would have found it hard to believe that a Foundation Establishment cultivator would treat a Qi Refining cultivator with such courtesy.

But now it has truly happened.

Returning to the courtyard, Lin Changheng looked at the gift basket, and even through the red silk, he could feel a faint spiritual fragrance wafting over him.

Upon opening the lid, one finds two second-tier spirit fruits and several sealed second-tier spirit ores.

"So generous?"

Lin Changheng couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

Furthermore, considering what the Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Wu family mentioned earlier, this spirit ore comes from all the spirit mines in his clan and can be used to refine spirit weapons to enhance their sharpness.

It is called "red-striped tungsten".

Worth a fortune.

At least several hundred spirit stones.

Lin Changheng knew that this was a way for the Wu family of Changwu Mountain to subtly display their family strength and enhance their attractiveness.

……

Just as I was satisfied with putting away the gift basket and about to sit down, there was another knock at the door.

"And who is it?" "Master Lin, I have long admired you."

Lin Changheng opened the door and went out, only to see a fat old man at the peak of Qi Refining standing at the door, smiling at him.

He was also carrying a gift basket, which he handed over directly.

This time, it was the owner of a shop in a celestial city who came to extend an olive branch on behalf of his family.

As usual, Lin Changheng first praised the gift and then politely declined, while also picking up the gift basket to return it.

Upon hearing this, the plump old man's expression remained unchanged, and he still insisted that Lin Changheng accept the gift basket.

Seeing that Lin Changheng finally accepted it after some initial refusal, he left satisfied.

Seeing this, Lin Changheng understood that recruiting him was the primary choice for these forces, but even if they failed, they still needed to establish a good relationship!

Family power is not comparable to sect or individual power. Which family doesn't have a few promising descendants and vital forces who need Foundation Establishment Pills?

This is a fixed requirement.

If it's gone, it means the family is not far from decline or even extinction.

……

The same thing happened for the next three days.

One after another, Foundation Establishment cultivators or family cultivators came to visit, all carrying gift baskets and showing extremely good manners.

Although Lin Changheng was very tired, having said the same things countless times, he still felt very fulfilled.

It wasn't because I got to know so many cultivators and families, but because those dozens of gift baskets were just too delicious!
He made his refusal clear from the beginning and handed the gift basket back, but they insisted on putting it back in his hands. He couldn't refuse, so what could he do?
And they asked for nothing in return; they simply wanted to "visit" and "make friends."

Moreover, each gift basket is quite valuable, ranging from one or two hundred spirit stones to five or six hundred spirit stones, but mainly falling around two hundred spirit stones in value.

In other words, he gained nearly ten thousand low-grade spirit stones from this single gift-giving experience.

It's much faster than alchemy.

Lin Changheng sighed with regret, and understood how pleased Fugui had been with his multiple weddings, births, banquets, and the gifts he had received...

On the evening of the third day.

Lin Changheng was eating a spiritual fruit that some fellow Daoist had sent him, and he figured that everyone who was supposed to come had come and it should be over when the knocking on the door sounded again.

"besides?"

Lin Changheng got up and opened the door, only to find that the person who came in was not an unfamiliar face, but a beautiful woman in a palace dress with exquisite features. Who else could it be but Cui Jianshui, the fairy from next door?

"Fairy Cui has arrived? It's been a long time. You've become even more beautiful. Just now, for a moment, I felt as if I had seen a fairy from the Moon Palace."

Lin Changheng immediately smiled warmly.

"Brother Lin, you flatter me."

A clear look of joy appeared in Cui Jianshui's eyes, and she smiled, pursing her lips.
"I hope my visit today has not disturbed Brother Lin? These past few days, I have seen many guests and visitors at Brother Lin's door, so I have not made it appropriate to come and bother him."

"It's nothing, I'm free right now."

Lin Changheng chuckled and stepped aside; there was indeed no one in the courtyard.

"That's good. But I've been bothering you at Brother Lin's house all this time. Would you be so kind as to invite Brother Lin to my humble abode for a short visit?"

"I have prepared some light wine, and I can also play the flute and pipe for Brother Lin to soothe his mind and relieve his desires, showcasing the wonders of the [Musical Musician]. Would Brother Lin be willing to do me the honor?"

Cui Jianshui, with her delicate features and fragrant breath, extended an invitation.

"Oh?"

Lin Changheng raised an eyebrow slightly. "I have never truly experienced the wonders of music, nor do I know the wonders of the [Music Lawyer]... It seems I have no choice but to be a guest today."

"Thank you for gracing me with your presence, Brother Lin. This way, please."

Cui Jianshui's face lit up with joy, and she immediately led the way.

Lin Changheng turned off the restrictions in his home. Looking at her beautiful face, he felt both admiration and regret. Without changing his expression, he followed her forward with his hands behind his back.

……

【Qingyin Yunju】

After glancing at the plaque above the door, Lin Changheng stepped into the woman's house. Although the layout of the house was exactly the same as that of Qingyuan Xiaozhu, it was indeed much more exquisite and had obviously been carefully maintained. Moreover, there was a refreshing fragrance in the air.

It smells like a woman's delicate fragrance.

It makes people feel relaxed and happy.

Furthermore, with the two standing quite close together, Lin Changheng couldn't discern the source of the delicate fragrance emanating from his nose.

"Brother Lin, please wait a moment."

The female cultivator turned around, closed the door, and set up a protective barrier. Lin Changheng simply waited with a smile.

"Come this way."

Cui Jianshui brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead, gave Lin Changheng a charming smile, boldly stepped forward, took his arm, and walked together toward the room.

Lin Changheng's face showed a conflicted expression, as if he was wavering between being a virtuous gentleman and a despicable beast, before he made a decision.

A large hand naturally wrapped around her slender, boneless waist.

"Brother Lin... don't be anxious..."

A soft, melodious hum escaped Cui Jianshui's lips as his large hand was pressed down by the woman's fair and delicate hand, and he quickly walked into the house.

Fine wines and delicacies were indeed prepared inside.

Pink gauze curtains also fluttered, creating a romantic atmosphere.

Lifting the gauze curtain, they came to the table, where Cui Jianshui gently pressed Lin Changheng down to sit.

Then, with her slender hands, she picked up the wine pot and cups, spun around on the spot, her skirt fluttering, and precisely sat in Lin Changheng's lap, beginning to pour the wine.

“Fairy Cui, you look like you’re playing with fire.”

Lin Changheng felt his nerves were being aroused by this woman, and pretended to be unable to bear it.

"Brother Lin, this fine wine is just right to cool you down."

Fairy Cui leaned close to Lin Changheng's ear, her breath sweet as orchids. Lin Changheng felt a tingling sensation, followed by a fleeting warmth on his earlobe, as if something soft had licked it.

"I'm afraid that's not the case..."

Lin Changheng opened his mouth and took a glass of wine, speaking indistinctly.

"No, no, could it be that Brother Lin doesn't trust my expertise in music?"

Cui Jianshui drew circles on Lin Changheng's chest with her hand.

"Then I will wait for Fairy Cui's performance."

Lin Changheng laughed heartily and continued drinking, his cup rising and falling, seemingly unable to stop.

After an unknown amount of time, the pot of wine was almost finished. Lin Changheng, who was burying his head on the mountaintop, admiring the red sun and lost in its beauty, raised an eyebrow and revealed a cold smile.

somebody is coming.

They broke the seal and entered silently.

The face above is not the real face, but a bronze mask that can prevent prying eyes.

Only a pair of eyes peeked out, their gaze chilling and cold, yet also carrying a certain longing and...greed!
Judging from his figure, he was slightly thin, but it was clear that he was a man.

His aura was also very powerful, enough to be at the peak of Qi Refining!

He is no worse than Lin Changheng before.

……

At this moment, Lin Changheng seemed completely unaware, lost in the beauty of the scenery.

Cui Jianshui, her palace dress disheveled, seemed to sense something and trembled. To cover herself, she hugged Lin Changheng even tighter with her jade-like hands.

(End of this chapter)