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

Chapter 223 Successive Soul Steals, Effects Erupt

Inside Cave 98 of Waihu.

"Zhao Li sent a letter?"

Lin Changheng raised an eyebrow, already having a guess in his mind.

Each time he went into seclusion, he would give his [Purple Extreme Sect] token to Yan Mingyi, precisely to prevent such a situation from occurring.

At the same time, she was also tasked with managing the "blood donation missions" for the [Deep Lake Spirit Clam] and the [Black Armored Earth Turtle].

"Not bad." Yan Mingyi smiled and handed over a letter.

Where is Deng Changsheng?

Lin Changheng did not open the letter directly, but asked Yan Mingyi instead.

Not counting the time Deng Changsheng returned midway, it had been more than five years since he left.

It seems that this time, he must have collected all the thousand portions of [Turbid Fiend Essence Blood] before reporting back.

The battle at the front line of the beast tide had basically come to an end. The Qingxia Temple led its cultivators to push the battle line back more than fifty miles, and then the stalemate ended.

Although hundreds of territories have fallen, there is no intention to advance further, and the beast tide on the other side shows no signs of gathering or attacking again.

Whether it's true or not, as the rumors suggest, the Core Formation cultivator of Qingxia Temple and the high-level demon beasts in the wilderness reached an agreement to end the conflict.

Overall, Qingxia Temple suffered huge losses, but the major sect had no choice but to accept it.

It means that the pioneering cultivators who died earlier... died in vain.

This gave Lin Changheng a deeper understanding of the "man-made disaster" theory he had heard before.

……

"He rented a courtyard in the inner city of the Immortal City and was given a communication jade talisman. Brother Lin can summon him at any time by sending the talisman," Yan Mingyi said.

As he spoke, he handed over another communication jade talisman.

"Alright! Then tell him to come tomorrow."

Lin Changheng nodded, indicating he understood. He then used his divine sense to inscribe the message onto the jade talisman and propelled himself away, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
"As for tonight, we should enjoy a proper feast."

……

Seeing Yan Mingyi leave with a smile, Lin Changheng opened the letter in his hand and glanced at it.

Besides exchanging greetings and pleasantries, Mo Zhaoli mentioned two points.

Firstly, after delivering the [Ice Pool Jade Spring], she completed an urgent mission assigned by the sect before returning to her cave to begin breaking through the barrier.

Before the end of the year, I finally broke through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

He then consolidated his cultivation for a period of time before emerging from seclusion and writing a letter to inform others. By the time he arrived, it would probably be a year later.

The timing was indeed close to what she had predicted.

In other words, Mo Zhaoli broke through to the mid-stage only one year faster than Lin Changheng.

Lin Changheng has basically caught up with the progress.

Secondly, the sect elder who possessed the [Crimson-Eyed Fire Demon] changed his mind again after their negotiations had gone very well.

He directly sold the mountain spirit he had to someone else.

Even a clay figure has a temper, and Mo Zhaoli was extremely angry, so she directly turned against that person and cut off all contact.

Upon seeing this, Lin Changheng also felt a surge of inexplicable anger, and his expression darkened.

Are they playing a trick on them?!

If I run into this person again, I might have to "ask" him for an explanation!

He immediately wrote to Mo Zhaoli to congratulate her, while comforting her that these were trivial matters to him and that it wouldn't matter if they didn't succeed. However, he was very sorry for wasting Li'er's time.

……

After a hearty main banquet and a relaxing evening snack, Lin Changheng suddenly remembered something else.

"Where is the blood that the two spirit beasts donated during this time?"

Yan Mingyi then snapped out of her reverie and remembered, stretching her graceful waist as she untied the storage bag from the loose fabric of her skirt.

They took out a wooden box that had been sealed with a spirit-sealing talisman.

"Brother Lin, the essence blood that Xiao Hei and Xiao Bai extracted is all here."

When Lin Changheng took it, he looked at Yan Mingyi in surprise and asked, "Why didn't you call me that just now?"

"what?"

Yan Mingyi was taken aback, then seemed to remember something, and her pretty face flushed red as she stammered, "I..."

Lin Changheng chuckled lightly, then got up and left.

They went straight to the secluded chamber.

Looking at the dazzling array of essence blood inside the open wooden box, Lin Changheng's eyes brightened slightly.

The deep blue comes from the Deep Lake Spirit Clam, while the earthy yellow comes from the Black-Armored Ground Turtle.

Then take out the portion you previously extracted, and put them together, each about a hundred portions.

First, gather the essence and blood of the [Deep Lake Spirit Clam] together and then seize its spirit.

"Buzz!"

The cauldron trembled slightly, its essence and blood being completely drawn out. Blue light gathered at the cauldron's mouth, gestating within the azure glow.

【Deep Lake Spirit Clam Treasure Seed - First Stage】

[Spirit Stealing: 100/100]

The blue seed trembled, already formed, and when Lin Changheng touched it, it provided feedback.

【Deep Lake Spirit Clam Treasure Seed - Double Layer】

[Can continue refining the demon race's innate talent: Spirit Condensation]

With a thought, the precious seed flew out of the cauldron and into his body. Instantly, Lin Changheng felt a sense of joy and felt an unprecedented, profound warmth wash over his entire body.

[Already mastered: Spirit-Containing Mystic Technique - Spirit Movement]

At this moment, Lin Changheng's body already contained that azure glow.

Still like smoke and mist, without form, untouchable, yet truly existent.

However, the moment the [Spiritual Enchanting Technique - Spiritual Movement] was integrated, it seemed to be injected with brand new vitality.

Its size suddenly increased slightly, no longer the size of a palm.

Its color has also become deeper, adding a touch of deep blue to the original clear blue, making it even more mysterious and unpredictable.

Moreover, the speed of the glow's flow increased significantly, and it was no longer a scattered mist, but rather vaguely presented a semi-solid, viscous texture, like liquid energy.
Although it is still impossible to touch it, its "physicality" has been greatly enhanced, as if it has gained some weight.

Lin Changheng's mind stirred slightly as he began to carefully perceive the changes in the [treasure talisman] within the transformed azure radiance.

A moment later, Lin Changheng withdrew his senses and received an affirmative answer.

The speed and efficiency of energy cultivation have been significantly improved.

Moreover, the number of rare objects nurtured has also increased accordingly.

[Effect: Simultaneously nurtures two wondrous objects, continuously increasing their respective powers]

"good."

Lin Changheng nodded.

Soon he will be able to obtain five genuine treasure talismans, plus the semi-finished treasure talismans he is currently nurturing, for a total of six.

He can only nurture two at the moment; he might have to trouble the [Deep Lake Spirit Clam] for the rest.

After all, Xiaobai has nothing better to do than idle around.

At the same time, Lin Changheng's water-based spiritual roots and spiritual essence were also increased to twelve strands.

……

With this thought in mind, Lin Changheng turned his gaze to the newly collected essence blood of the Black-Armored Earth Turtle.

They directly reached out and snatched the spirit.

[Black-Armored Earth Turtle Treasure Seed - Spirit-Seizing and Rebirth in Progress]

[Spirit Stealing: 100/100]

[Effect: Possesses the bloodline of a Xuanling demon beast, naturally endowed with earth element, and possesses innate talents: heavy armor, load-bearing capacity, and earth control. Upon successful spirit-seizing, one can choose to refine one of these talents.] ...

[With essence and blood fully absorbed, the soul-seizing technique is complete!]

Then, under Lin Changheng's gaze, a blue glow flickered at the mouth of the cauldron, and a solid, earthy-yellow treasure seed slowly emerged, with a black-shelled tortoise beast standing on it. Instantly, it split into three phantom treasure seeds.

【Black-shelled Ground Turtle, First Grade】

[You can choose one to cultivate into your demon race's innate talent: Heavy Armor, Load-Bearing Capacity, or Earth Control]

……

Immediately, Lin Changheng fell into deep thought.

"These three innate talents... how should I choose?"

Lin Changheng was naturally familiar with the talent [Heavy Armor], which was considered the passive talent of [Black Armor Earth Turtle], possessing outstanding defensive capabilities.

Lin Changheng had tested it, and with this talent and at the early stage of the second tier, its tortoise shell possessed strength comparable to a mid-grade second-tier defensive spirit weapon.

Truly remarkable!
It's just unknown whether this [heavy armor] relies on the existence of the tortoise shell to obtain sufficient enhancement.

In other words, will the power of the innate ability be reduced due to the absence of the tortoise shell...?

Now that Lin Changheng has also seized so many precious seeds, he vaguely discovers that he may not have the corresponding organs or parts to use this [talent], or... a [different method] modified by the Yuan Ding.

Just like the [Spirit-Gathering Technique] that he just used to seize the spirit, he didn't have the innate conditions like clam meat and clam shell that Xiaobai had, but he could still use it, only through the most essential method rather than the appearance.

However, regarding the power level, because an effective comparison could not be made, Lin Changheng had no way of knowing whether there was any specific reduction.

After all, the tortoise shell itself does have defensive capabilities.

……

With this question in mind, Lin Changheng continued looking down at the [Load].

It should be its natural talent in terms of load-bearing capacity.

After all, the earth bears all things, and it is normal for the Black-Armored Earth Turtle, as an earth-type spirit turtle, to possess the same capacity to bear weight.

But does this mean that if Xiao Hei continues to develop, the extraordinary situation described in the storybooks, where he carries the weight of an entire region and city, will truly occur?

But this talent was useless to Lin Changheng.

His back was straight; he couldn't bend down.

……

The final talent, [Earth Control], caught Lin Changheng's eye.

Fire control, water control, soil control...

This is the third one Lin Changheng has encountered.

The first is the [Fire Crow Treasure Seed] which brings the [Fire Control] ability, and later it transforms into the [Fire Mastery] divine power.

The second one was the [Water Control] brought by the [Deep Lake Spirit Clam Treasure Seed], but Lin Changheng did not choose it. After all, the Song region is mostly mountainous with little water, and large rivers are rare, so there was no place for it to be used.

The third is the current [Earth Control].

Compared to the previous two talents, [Heavy Armor] and [Load], [Earth Control] is significantly more versatile.

Moreover, the ground beneath one's feet is all soil, and everything in sight is earth and stone.

The usage scenarios are naturally incomparable.

"Refine the [Earth Control] talent!"

After some deliberation, Lin Changheng made a decision.

Concentrating his inner vision, he slowly guided the earth-yellow treasure seed, which represented [controlling the earth], until it was completely refined and integrated into his body through his divine soul.

In an instant, an unprecedented sense of profoundness, enduring warmth, solidity, and groundedness welled up in my heart.

He felt as if his feet had formed a deep, inseparable connection with the earth beneath his feet. Without consciously channeling his energy, every pore on his body seemed to breathe subtly, possessing a profound power capable of manipulating the earth and rocks.

With a slight thought, he combined his knowledge of earth-based magic, raised his right hand, spread his five fingers, and aimed at an open space in front of him.

"rise."

With a whisper, a unique frequency began to ripple, and the solid ground in front of him seemed to come alive, rippling like water. Then, without warning, an earthen wall half a foot thick and about ten feet wide rose up and stood before him with a thunderous roar!
The wall surface was smooth with sharp edges, quite exquisite, and did not appear to be formed by magic.

"Congeal."

He slightly bent his fingers, and a yellow light flashed across the surface of the earthen wall. The texture became denser and harder at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the color also deepened, as if it had undergone thousands of years of compaction, greatly increasing its defensive capabilities.

"Disperse."

The five fingers loosened.

The solid earthen wall crumbled instantly, returning to its original state as pure soil, falling softly and merging back into the earth as if it had never existed, leaving barely a trace on the ground.

A look of delight flashed in Lin Changheng's eyes. This [Earth Control] talent was indeed profound. He could manipulate earth and rocks almost as if they were his own arms. The mana he consumed was far less than he had imagined. Moreover, it was swift and almost instinctive.

He continued testing.

He lifted his foot and lightly stomped on the ground.

"trap."

The ground several feet beneath their feet instantly softened, transforming into a quicksand-like trap, the soil churning and drawing in a powerful suction. Any enemy standing on it would be caught completely off guard.

He stomped his foot again.

"solid."

The quicksand instantly solidified, becoming harder than steel, completing the transformation from trapping the enemy to imprisoning them.

Next, Lin Changheng tried a more precise operation. He stretched out his finger and pointed at a scattered rock in the distance.

The rock seemed to be held by an invisible, skillful hand, swaying and floating in the air. With the movement of his fingers, it was quickly stripped of impurities and shaped in mid-air, eventually becoming a rough yet sharp stone spear!
"go with!"

The stone spear emitted a sharp whistling sound as it shot out and embedded itself firmly in an ancient tree in the distance, its tip still trembling incessantly.

Lin Changheng nodded in satisfaction.

This [Earth Control Technique] has extremely high practical value, whether for defense, control, attack, or changing terrain.

Just as he had expected, using this strange technique while standing firmly on the ground consumed less energy.

[Effect: Provides initial control over sand, soil, and rocks, and slightly enhances earth-based spells]

"and many more……"

Lin Changheng suddenly remembered something and immediately began to use the [Earth Escape Demon Technique].

"It can penetrate ten zhang underground and remain silently hidden for dozens of breaths!"

"If he moves, he can travel seven miles in one breath!"

After a series of tests, this conclusion was reached.

Compared to before, seven zhang and five li represent a significant improvement.

Lin Changheng was quite satisfied with this.

Driven by the magic power of the Foundation Establishment stage, it has the effect of turning decay into magic.

At this moment, Lin Changheng's earth-elemental spiritual root also gained eighteen strands of spiritual energy.

……

It is worth mentioning that,
Over the years, Bai Hengwan has indeed kept her promise.

[Azure Mist Toad Treasure Seed] Because Bai Zhenchuan continuously provided this kind of essence blood, it successively seized the spirit twice more.

We have reached the [Azure Mist Toad Treasure Seed - Triple].

He also mastered the [Hallucinogenic Technique: Clarity]!
Lin Changheng carefully examined the [Hallucination Technique] provided by the Xuanling Bloodline Demon Beast at this stage and found that it could already affect experienced Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivators.

This is another new trick and life-saving reliance for Lin Changheng, but it is still affected and constrained by the environment.

Overall, Lin Changheng's spiritual root condition has made significant progress again.

Fire Spirit Root, with forty-four strands of spiritual energy!

Wood spirit root, twenty-seven strands of spiritual charm.

The golden spiritual root has ten strands of spiritual essence.

……

(End of this chapter)