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

Chapter 195 Transformation of the Profound Root? The Blood of the Netherworld Demon (5K chapters, including a bonus chapter for 800 monthly votes)
Now that the Xu family members had received another hint from their ancestor who had achieved the Foundation Establishment stage, they could no longer contain their cheers. The cheers were deafening and joyous, no less than those during a festival.

Lin Changheng hadn't expected this to happen either, and he looked at the two of them with a questioning gaze.

Tantai Feiyue simply covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her beauty captivating, her eyes filled with tenderness and joy as she looked at Lin Changheng.

Xu Xujun shrugged and spread his hands, indicating that it was not his arrangement or a rehearsal in advance.

It was a spontaneous act.

Shaking his head with a strange expression, the three of them, at Xu Xujun's invitation, transformed into three streaks of light and entered the heart of the clan's territory together.

"Master Lin, why don't you rest first? We can attend the welcome dinner later?"

Xu Xujun asked with a smile.

"No need to trouble yourself. I returned to my clan this time for two reasons. First, to see Feiyue, as I have missed her dearly after so many years. Second, I heard from Feiyue that Fellow Daoist Xu has found a way to repair the young lady's dantian. Moreover, the young lady will be attempting Foundation Establishment soon, so I came here specifically to see if I can be of any help."

Lin Changheng refused, not wanting to go to great lengths or engage in excessive socializing, and thus uttered these words.

Hearing this, he saw Tantai Feiyue beside him beam with joy, clearly extremely happy.

"Very well. Thank you for your help, Master Lin."

Xu Xujun readily agreed, and also thanked Lin Changheng for his hard work.

"When will the young lady begin her Foundation Establishment training? What preparations have she made?"

Lin Changheng asked again.

Xu Xujun didn't hide anything, "Two months from now, I will take Ji'er to [Canri Valley] to attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage."

"And the preparations include... a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Item and a Second-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill."

"Oh?"

Lin Changheng was slightly surprised upon hearing this, and then nodded slightly.

This is within a reasonable range. The Foundation Establishment Spiritual Item was obtained by Xu Hanji through a chance encounter while he was out adventuring, while the Inferior Foundation Establishment Pill should have been the result of the Xu family's preparations over the years.

Xu Jiajin has been at the Foundation Establishment stage for over thirty years, and has also co-founded the Qinglingfang for over twenty years. His accumulated resources must be considerable. If he were to collect them with a purpose, he should be able to obtain even a substandard Foundation Establishment Pill.

This also means that the probability of foundation building from external objects is increased by 25%.

not bad.

It's just unknown whether the injuries and interruptions during this period have affected Xu Hanji's preparations for Foundation Establishment.

How is the refinement of your magical power progressing? To what extent has your cultivation of the "Evergreen Body" reached? And what about your spiritual soul?

These are all crucial, determining one's chances of establishing a foundation.

However, one thing he could confirm was that the woman's character was sound and that she provided some support for Foundation Establishment.

……

"only……"

Xu Xujun looked troubled, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Just what?" Lin Changheng asked.

"The physician I sought help from back then said that Ji'er's cultivation could be preserved, but advised against attempting to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage."

Xu Xujun sighed softly.

"Why?"

He once asserted that if the foundation building was successful, all would be well, but if it failed, the dantian would inevitably crack again under the impact, and at that time, even a god could not save it.

"So serious?"

Lin Changheng frowned.

“Not bad.” Xu Xujun’s expression was not good.

Lin Changheng fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Please arrange for me to meet with Miss tomorrow, so I can also see how she is doing."

"it is good."

Xu Xujun naturally wouldn't refuse. He even secretly hoped that Lin Changheng had a way to at least save Xu Hanji's life.

……

After parting ways with Xu Xujun, Lin Changheng and Tantai Feiyue went to her pavilion together.

This is a pavilion with a courtyard, nestled against the mountain and beside a pool, with a waterfall overhead.

Furthermore, there is a protective array to block out moisture and noise, ensuring not only beautiful scenery but also extreme comfort.

In Tantai Feiyue's boudoir, the two sat facing each other.

Tantai Feiyue took out her treasured second-grade mid-level spirit wine to entertain Lin Changheng.

Over this fine wine, the two poured out their hearts to each other and talked for a long time.

Suddenly, Tantai Feiyue got up and sat in Lin Changheng's lap, pursing her lips as she looked at him and said, "It is said that Brother Lin's cave is hiding a beautiful woman?"

"She is the granddaughter of Master Yan, whom I told you about before. She has a great talent for puppetry. In accordance with Master Yan's last wishes, he asked me to take care of her for a period of time, and he also gave me a generous gift."

Lin Changheng coughed lightly and answered truthfully.

"It's still uncertain who will take care of whom," Tantai Feiyue said with a smile.

“That’s true, I can only provide some security protection at most.” Lin Changheng nodded.

Upon hearing this, Tantai Feiyue didn't say much, but instead sighed softly, "It's not bad to have a girl take care of Brother Lin and manage his cave while I'm not by his side."

Lin Changheng wanted to say something more, but Tantai Feiyue pulled him up, saying, "You've had others do it for you for so long, so let me serve you myself today."

"Otherwise, it would really seem like I haven't been dutiful enough..."

Lin Changheng was about to speak again, but Tantai Feiyue covered her lips with a jade finger, shook her head, and then, like an ordinary wife, pulled Lin Changheng into a room on the side.

Steam rose and mist sprayed, revealing an indoor natural hot spring pool.

Tantai Feiyue gently and softly touched Lin Changheng's shoulder and back with her delicate hand.

Slowly removing Lin Changheng's outer robe, her fingertips inadvertently brushed against his skin, feeling a slightly cool touch, yet instantly sensing the resilience and strength of his skin and even his body!
The steaming hot spring water accentuated the woman's beautiful features, making her eyes seem to sparkle like stars.

Lin Changheng's appetite was whetted, and he grabbed Feiyue and they both plunged into the hot spring.

The candlelight flickered in the damp air, casting the shadows of the two figures onto the stone wall, intertwining and blending like ink-wash landscape paintings.

Tantai Feiyue's black hair fell down like a fine silk ribbon spread across the water, gently swaying with the ripples.

He sensed something coming from underwater, and Lin Changheng's breath hitched.

The fog thickened, blurring the view but making the sense of touch even more acute.

Meanwhile, the rippling water pushed and pulled the two closer together, sometimes close, sometimes distant.

Outside the window, shrouded in an array, a night-blooming cereus quietly bloomed, its delicate fragrance wafting in the air, subtly mingling with the increasingly disordered breathing inside.

Moonlight filtered through the gauze curtains, casting dappled patterns of light on the water's surface. As the water rippled with movement, the light flickered, like a cascading galaxy shattering across the pool.

……

That evening, someone from the Xu family came to extend an invitation.

Although Tantai Feiyue was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she was facing a much stronger Foundation Establishment cultivator whose physique was at the mid-stage of the second rank. Naturally, she was no match for him and was now like a pool of spring water melting on the bed.

In fact, this spring water flowed from the hot spring room through every corner of the boudoir, including the dressing table, desk, and window railings.

Lin Changheng did not disturb the woman. He put on his robes, set up several more arrays, and then went as invited.

The people who met were still the head of the Xu family, Xu Xuheng, who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, and Xu Qianyan, the chief alchemist.

Among them, the head of the Xu family, Xu Xuheng, looked even older, with a slightly hunched back and obvious signs of fatigue, likely due to the shock of his daughter's accident.

Lin Changheng even sensed a desolate aura emanating from him.

This only occurs when one's lifespan is nearing its end, and then he becomes aware of it.

He couldn't help but take another look at this person. When he returned to the Xu family, he encountered a group of calamity cultivators on the way. It was this person who came to the rescue in his magic boat, scaring away the group of calamity cultivators and saving the situation from collapse and destruction.

At that time, he was in his prime, upright as a pine tree, exuding an aura of authority.

Indeed, more than forty years have passed since then...

Who in this world can escape aging and death?
But... isn't the purpose of cultivating immortality precisely to break free from this fate?!
Noticing Lin Changheng's gaze, Xu Xuheng chuckled, "Has this old man changed so much that even Alchemist Lin doesn't recognize him?"

"No one can compare to Master Lin Dan. Not only has his cultivation broken through to a higher realm, but his skills are also superb, and he is also proficient in the art of health preservation. He is the kind of person we all dream of being."

Lin Changheng shook his head and smiled, "Patriarch, you flatter me."

Then he looked at the other two and asked, "May I ask what brings you here?"

The three exchanged a glance, and finally decided that Xu Qianyan should speak first. He took a few steps forward, bowed to Lin Changheng, and then said, "Master Lin, it's like this..."

Lin Changheng did not stop the other party from bowing. This old man was really stubborn. Even after ten years, he still remembered the kindness of his teacher and showed respect to him.

But upon hearing Xu Qianyan's next words, Lin Changheng's gaze suddenly sharpened, and the intense surprise in his eyes was forcibly suppressed. "Is this true?"

"really!"

Xu Qianyan nodded and took out the jade box magic artifact that he had seen many times before. It was undoubtedly filled with the essence blood of demonic beasts that the Xu family had collected over the years.

But, that's not the point.

The key point is that Xu Qianyan then took out a crystal-clear jade bottle.

Its surface exudes a chilling aura, clearly indicating that it is made of some kind of cold jade.

Among them, five drops of blood were clearly visible.

Its color is deep blue, and each part is in clusters, like mercury, making its weight and extraordinary nature immediately apparent.

Lin Changheng had seen essence blood of this quality and form before!
I've received it before!
It was a drop of essence blood and a feather of the Wind-Splitting Falcon that was auctioned at the Wilderness Market!
If nothing unexpected happens, that's the [Netherworld Bloodline] and the [Turbid Core Demon Bird]!
They belong to the same realm as the pseudo-core cultivators of the human race, specifically the third tier!

"Could it be that these five drops are also the essence blood of a demon beast with the [Netherworld Bloodline]?"

The more Lin Changheng looked at it, the more it seemed plausible, and the more likely it appeared to be true. Just now, Xu Qianyan had said that after the family implemented a period of contraction, they began to carry out a plan of retaliation.

He also assassinated key members of the Qiu family while away from home!
Even Xu Xujun personally took action.

Over the past year, they have unexpectedly killed two people.

They are all core members of the Qiu family, one of whom is even a Foundation Establishment seed.

This incident was a huge blow and a huge shock to Qiu Jia Laogui, but while his loved ones were in pain and his enemies were happy, the Xu family leaders who carried out the act were extremely pleased!

They also found the five drops of essence blood in the storage bag of this foundation-building seed.

I don't know where the Qiu family got it from, or what they plan to do with it.

However, this item was useless in the hands of the Xu family. They only knew that it was the essence blood of a turbid pill demon beast. Rather than letting it gather dust, they would rather give it to Lin Changheng.

This led to the scene described above.

Faced with the gift, Lin Changheng did not refuse, but nodded and accepted the essence blood.

At the same time, he said he would do his best to help Xu Hanji tomorrow.

Lin Changheng enjoys a very high level of credibility within the Xu family. He rarely lies or makes empty promises. Upon hearing this, the three members of the Xu family immediately relaxed, relieved that their goal had been achieved.

That's exactly what they wanted to hear.

If Lin Changheng has no other choice, then Xu Hanji will truly have no choice but to risk his life.

This was the last straw.

Whether it's useful or not, they have to do everything they can to seize it.

……

After sitting for a while, Lin Changheng took his leave and flew away with a whoosh. As he flew away, he was pondering something, the core of which was... the Qiu family!
Since this family has a batch of such blood essence, is it possible that there is a second batch?
This is a crucial and tempting question...

"Whoosh!"

A beam of light landed directly in Tantai Feiyue's pavilion.

"Brother Lin is back?"

It was already night, but Tantai Feiyue didn't dress formally. Instead, she simply wore a plain house robe with her hair tied up. She immediately went to greet Lin Changheng when he returned.

"Well, I'm back."

Lin Changheng was immediately drawn to Tantai Feiyue.

"what happened?"

Tantai Feiyue thought she had gotten something dirty on her face and hadn't washed it off properly.

"No, I just think that Feiyue is becoming more and more beautiful and charming."

Lin Changheng told the truth.

This woman's current state is completely different from her previous state. She has undergone a change, like a long-awaited rain after a drought. Her cheeks are rosy, her skin is glowing, and she is exceptionally beautiful.

Before Tantai Feiyue could say anything more, Lin Changheng spoke up, "Where is the secluded cultivation chamber?"

"I have just gained some insights, and I need to go into seclusion to digest them."

"Come with me quickly."

Tantai Feiyue looked surprised, then excitedly and eagerly led the way.

A sudden enlightenment is rare and should not be missed.

Lin Changheng originally meant the literal meaning, but Tantai Feiyue misunderstood. Whether it was a misunderstanding or not, he didn't explain and went straight into the secluded room.

Just as the stone gate was about to close, Tantai Feiyue suddenly reminded him, "Brother Lin, don't forget our appointment for tomorrow."

"I understand..."

With a loud crash, the heavy stone door slammed shut, completely shutting out Lin Changheng's voice.

Such a thick, specially made stone cannot be directly penetrated by divine sense.

Extremely safe and discreet.

Lin Changheng went straight to the table, preparing to seize the spirit.

Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he directly looked inward into his sea of ​​consciousness. At the very center of the Yuan Ding, it was no longer a golden seed, nor a Dao fruit or a true core, but a section of golden root.

This was the first time Lin Changheng had ever seen that the Yuan Ding could actually give birth to such an image!
Furthermore, it did not appear at the very beginning of the transformation stage, but rather it slowly grew as essence and blood were extracted once a month.

Just like the roots of a plant, it gradually flourishes.

This name is 【玄根】!
That's right, they both contain the word "root"! They are also the roots of "spiritual roots"!
Lin Changheng initially thought he had misread it, but after checking it repeatedly, it remained unchanged!
Is this [mysterious root] that is about to be generated related to the "spiritual root"?
Lin Changheng was puzzled.

With the slightest touch, azure light descended, and a message arrived, reaching Lin Changheng's attention—

【Original Treasure Seed - Tenfold】

[Spirit Stealing: 100/100]

[Biochemical Life: 0/10]

……

Over the past ten years, the Spirit Seizing has been completed, but the [Transformation] has remained completely untouched. Lin Changheng has no idea what its mystery is or what it requires!

Fortunately, Lin Changheng has enough patience and longevity to try things one by one, and one day he will achieve something!
……

Then they stopped paying attention to it.

He took out a box and a bottle of essence blood directly from the storage bag.

Upon opening the jade box, one finds a dazzling array of essence blood, all of which is the essence blood of the Jade Horned Serpent.

Without saying a word, he immediately poured the contents into the special basin he used year-round and began to extract the spirit.

The strong, fishy smell of the demonic beast's blood was immediately diluted, and its spirituality and the special substances it contained were completely drained.

Within the Yuan Cauldron, as if stirred by some force, the mouth of the cauldron trembled slightly, and the radiant light scattered, with each new treasure seed continuously solidifying and taking shape!
[Spirit Stealing: 100/100]

[Jade Horned Serpent Treasure Seed - Fourth Layer]

……

[Spirit Stealing: 100/100]

[Jade Horned Serpent Treasure Seed - Fifth Level]

……

The green light from within the Yuan Ding soared into the sky, dazzlingly bright.

[Can continue refining the demon race's innate talent: Concealing Breath]

"Refine it in!"

Without saying a word, Lin Changheng plucked the two perfect seeds, which immediately entered his soul and then his body.

[Already mastered: Breath Concealment Technique - Ascension to Immortality]

[Already mastered: Breath Concealment Technique - Advanced Level]

In an instant, two cool sensations flowed through my entire body.

Lin Changheng tried to circulate his magic power, only to find that the originally surging Foundation Establishment aura had vanished without a trace, like a clay ox sinking into the sea.

Even the fluctuations of magical power within his body became obscure and difficult to discern, as if they had merged with the spiritual energy drifting between heaven and earth, making them indistinguishable.

To some extent, he also felt his sense of presence was rapidly diminishing; even though he was standing still, he seemed to resonate with his surroundings.

It stands here like a piece of dead wood or a fallen leaf.

Not a single drop of body heat was lost.

If Huang Jiuyuan failed to see through Lin Changheng's cultivation level last time, it was because of the combination of multiple wonderful uses of illusion techniques, including the [Concealing Breath Technique - Clarity], the perfect-level [Concealing Qi Technique], and the [Illusory Appearance and Shifting Demon Technique], as well as the fact that Huang Jiuyuan couldn't directly use his divine sense to crudely investigate, that he barely managed to conceal it.

Now that [Breath Concealing Technique - Clarity] has directly transformed into [Breath Concealing Technique - Transformation], even without using multiple methods in combination and violently probing with divine sense, it is impossible to detect!

At this point, if all the aforementioned methods are added, even a fake Core Formation cultivator might not be able to see through his true nature!

Moreover, if he encounters danger or is being chased, Lin Changheng can even use this to conceal his presence and transform into a "withered tree" to evade the search.

They even use the [Earth Escape Demon Technique] to burrow underground. Using this technique again is like a dragon entering the sea; how can it be found?

The ground is clearly full of lifeless, dead things!

……

Lin Changheng didn't explore the five levels of the [Concealing Breath Technique] too much; he had more important things to do.

These are the five drops of [Netherworld Essence Blood] that he has just acquired.

Holding a drop of essence blood in his hand, he immediately felt a rich water-based demonic energy emanating from it.

"Indeed, it's a water system. Based on previous explorations, it should first transform into life, then seize the spirit..."

Lin Changheng only has one Xuanling-level water-type treasure seed waiting to be created.

That is the [Azure Wave Spirit Turtle]!
His chosen talent is [Longevity]!
"call out!"

The five drops of essence blood were directly extracted and incorporated into the cauldron, causing the radiant light to surge violently, far surpassing its previous intensity.

Then we saw,

【Azure Wave Spirit Turtle Treasure Seed - Fifth Level】

[Spirit Stealing: 100/100]

[Biochemical Life: 10/10]

[With essence and blood fully absorbed, the transformation is complete!]

(End of this chapter)