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

Chapter 224 The Three-Legged Fire Fox, Adding Fuel to the Storm

The next day.

Deng Changsheng came to pay his respects.

Lin Changheng personally strode out to greet him, showing him great respect.

"Chang Sheng, it's been a long time. Are you well?"

Lin Changheng stepped forward, patted the other person on the shoulder, and laughed.

He didn't hold back his mid-Foundation Establishment aura, which Deng Changsheng instantly sensed. He was startled, then delighted: "Master, your cultivation level..."

"I have made some progress in my cultivation."

Lin Changheng nodded with a smile.

This was something he did deliberately; a combination of kindness and severity, along with a deterrent effect, was necessary.

As expected, Deng Changsheng immediately cupped his hands and bowed respectfully, saying, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on your breakthrough in cultivation, bringing you one step closer to forming the Golden Core."

Lin Changheng smiled with satisfaction, and only after the other party finished did he reach out to help him up.

"We have known each other for many years, so there is no need for formalities; our hearts are already clear."

Then, taking Old Deng's hand, he led him into the cave hall, his overall demeanor reminiscent of Cao Mengde's barefoot greeting of Xu You in his previous life.

After the host and his entourage took their seats, Yan Mingyi served them mid-grade spiritual tea of ​​the second rank to entertain them.

"Try this tea."

Lin Changheng raised his hand in greeting.

"Yes."

Deng Changsheng took a sip and couldn't help but show a surprised and delighted expression, savoring the taste. He couldn't help but praise, "Truly excellent tea."

"I'll take some back with me later."

Lin Changheng waved his hand.

"Thank you, my lord." Deng Changsheng was astute and knew that this was a sign of the lord's high regard for him. He dared not refuse the lord's gift.

Seeing Lin Changheng sipping his tea without saying anything more, Deng Changsheng changed his mind and spoke directly: "My lord, this return can be considered as having fulfilled my mission."

"This trip has lasted for many years, you must have worked hard."

Lin Changheng then put down his teacup and smiled.

"It's not hard work, it's not hard work. Serving the Lord is my duty."

Deng Changsheng scratched his head and smiled, just like before, completely unlike a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Then the other party began to explain the situation.

Very detailed.

During this period, he had been obtaining essence blood from his friend Qian Fusheng, a junior disciple of the Qingxia Temple who was a fake alchemist.

This time, the other side had clearly made progress and was quite cautious. They even deliberately paused for a period of time when the situation fluctuated and things weren't going well.

Although the time frame has been extended, no major issues have arisen.

This caused the monster's essence blood to stop flowing halfway, just like the [Eclipse Crow] essence blood from last time.

"Oh? How many portions are there in total?"

Lin Changheng nodded in satisfaction.

"As the Lord said, one thousand two hundred portions, no more and no less."

Deng Changsheng did a great job in this matter, and he was quite confident in it. He personally got up and delivered a batch of carefully sealed essence blood to Lin Changheng.

His attitude remained respectful.

"What kind of essence and blood is it?"

Lin Changheng flicked his sleeve, and the container filled with essence blood popped open.

The eye was met with a fiery and dazzling crimson, like a box piled high with maple leaves, or like a bursting flame.

In an instant, a scorching and violent aura rushed towards me, almost burning my eyebrows and eyes.

"This is... the essence blood of a fire-type demon beast."

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Lin Changheng's eyes. He made his judgment and, with his knowledge, naturally recognized who this item belonged to.

He stretched out his finger and gently guided it from a distance. A bottle of crimson demonic beast blood floated up, and when you got close, you could even hear a faint, clear, and sharp sound coming from it.

Seeing this, Deng Changsheng lowered his head slightly and explained, "Reporting to my lord, this is the essence blood of the Three-Legged Fire Fox. Obtaining this blood is not as common and easy as obtaining other mortal demon blood; it took some effort. However, in the midst of a beast tide, it is not that difficult. It's just that my friend, once bitten by a snake, is now extremely timid. Otherwise, obtaining one or two more of this amount of Turbid Fiend Blood would not be a problem."

Upon hearing this, Lin Changheng first nodded, then shook his head. "Acquiring things one by one in a stable way is the best option. If there is an opportunity in the future, Changsheng can still communicate and negotiate with the other party."

There was no regret in his eyes, only indifference.

"Yes," Deng Changsheng replied with a smile, "I will continue to maintain contact with him."

"By the way, my lord, this is information I specially collected about the [Three-Legged Fire Fox], a type of demonic beast. This beast is not commonly seen in the wilderness around the Immortal City, and it may be helpful to you."

Then a jade slip fell into Lin Changheng's hands.

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness." Lin Changheng flipped his hand to put away the jade slip, then looked at the essence blood in his hand. He raised his eyebrows slightly. Since it was fire-type, it meant that no matter what kind of talent the [Three-Legged Fire Fox] had to steal spirits, it at least meant that the spiritual essence of his fire-type spiritual root could be enhanced by five more strands.

It reaches forty-nine strands.

He was now only a hair's breadth away from the fifty-one-strand limit for a superior spiritual root.

"Indeed, you handled this matter well." Lin Changheng nodded, his tone carrying a hint of approval. With another flick of his sleeve, he resealed the opened container, instantly shutting out the scorching heat.

He looked at Deng Changsheng and said, "I have always been fair in rewarding and punishing. These pills will help you improve your cultivation. Take them."

As he spoke, three bottles of pills shot out.

It was packed full, including many high-quality pills, which were quite valuable.

"Thank you, Lord."

Upon hearing this, Deng Changsheng's face immediately lit up with excitement, and he bowed deeply: "Serving the master is my duty, and I dare not take credit for it!"

He was overjoyed, clutching the pills tightly in his hand. No pill formula or medicinal materials were needed; these second-tier pills were directly bestowed upon him. His master was truly generous, saving him time, effort, and worry.

His style is consistent with his previous one, making him worthy of following and working for.

"You should rest and cultivate during this time to digest the pills. I will give you instructions when necessary."

Lin Changheng glanced at Yan Mingyi, who was waiting to the side.

The latter immediately understood and turned around to take out some mid-grade second-tier spiritual tea and brought it over. This was a special gift from Lü Tong, both as a thank you gift for Lin Changheng's help in refining the Foundation Establishment Pill last time, and as a means to maintain their relationship.

When it comes to interpersonal relationships, the key lies in the "relationships" themselves. Lü Tong, who was skilled in this art, naturally handled it with ease and confidence.

"Thank you, Fairy Yan."

Deng Changsheng thanked him repeatedly, and then, seeing that there was nothing else to do, took his leave.

……

After Deng Changsheng left, Lin Changheng did not immediately deal with the essence blood. Instead, he gave Yan Mingyi a telepathic instruction and then planned to leave as well.

Halfway there, I thought about it and stopped in the courtyard.

He summoned the Black-Armored Earth Turtle, which crawled into his spirit beast pouch. Only then did a look of relief appear on his face, as if saying, "That's more like it." He then took it with him and went out. He didn't stray far from the cave clusters around the outer lake, but instead walked four or five miles to a cave.

"Master Lin has arrived!"

As soon as Fang knocked on the door, a graceful young female cultivator came out to greet him. Upon seeing Lin Changheng, she smiled and said, "Please come in quickly! Most of the fellow Daoists invited by my master have arrived and are waiting for you."

"Oh? I had something to attend to, so I am indeed a little late."

Lin Changheng looked slightly surprised and explained with a smile.

"Master Lin, this way please."

The young female cultivator simply smiled, not daring to make any rash statements, and led the way.

The vast hall was already properly furnished. Dozens of rosewood tables stretched from the inner hall to the outer hall, arranged neatly on both sides.

Spiritual fruits and spirit wines were laid out on the table, exuding a faint spiritual aura and fragrance. At this moment, the hall was already bustling with people, many of whom were already seated, some talking in hushed tones, others closing their eyes to rest.

When Lin Changheng appeared at the door and entered the hall under the guidance of the female cultivator,

"Master Lin's presence today truly brings honor to my humble abode!"

Seated in the main seat, a middle-aged male cultivator dressed as a scholar, with a feather fan and a turban, raised his eyes slightly and laughed loudly.

This person's cultivation level is at the late Foundation Establishment stage, clearly indicating that he is the owner of this cave dwelling.

Suddenly, the previously somewhat noisy sound subsided.

Countless gazes instantly focused from the doorway, a mixture of curiosity, inquiry, goodwill, and observation.

Immediately, several cultivators near the entrance reacted first, standing up abruptly, their faces beaming with warm smiles, and bowing in greeting:
"Master Lin Dan!"

"Master Lin Dan, I've heard so much about you!"

"I have always wanted to visit Master Lin Dan, but I have never had the opportunity. Now that I have finally met him, it is a pleasure to meet him."

The sound was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, quickly triggering a chain reaction.

As the crowd grew larger, more and more Foundation Establishment cultivators in the hall noticed the commotion at the entrance and rose to greet them.

"Master Lin Dan!"

"Greetings, Master Lin Dan!"

"I have long admired Master Lin Dan's name, and I am deeply honored to meet you today!"

Greetings rose and fell in waves, never ceasing. Many eyes followed him intently, trying to discern something from his calm face.

Some cultivators sitting a little further away, unable to use their divine sense, even craned their necks slightly, wanting to get a clearer look at what this alchemist, who had recently risen to fame and was even highly regarded by the core of the immortal city, actually looked like.

Lin Changheng remained calm, showing neither unease nor pride at the sudden surge of enthusiasm.

Slightly surprised, she calmly glanced at the main seat and nodded slightly to those around her, a gesture of return. Without pausing, she followed the female cultivator who was leading the way, walking unhurriedly towards the front row seats reserved in the inner hall.

Wherever he went, it was as if he radiated light; all eyes followed him, and whispers would quietly rise after he passed.

"This must be Master Lin Dan? He's even younger than I imagined..."

"I've heard that he not only refines the [Premium Foundation Establishment Pill] with ease, but he also modified an ancient pill formula for the Immortal City, contributing significantly to its improvement. It's said that this is the [Spirit Communication Pill] that can help spirit beasts break through to the second tier and is now highly sought after in the Immortal City!"

"Is this the [Spirit Connection Pill] that corresponds to the [Foundation Building Pill]?"

"More than that! It is said that even Elder Kong, a quasi-third-level alchemist, praised him highly and personally ordered that he be treated as a distinguished guest..."

"Wow... That's really impressive!"

Some of the transmitted sounds naturally could not escape Lin Changheng's perception; the huge difference in their spiritual senses made it easy for him to "eavesdrop."

But he seemed not to hear, his expression remaining calm, only a barely perceptible thought flashed deep in his eyes.

The hustle and bustle of this world of fame and fortune is nothing more than a fleeting cloud on his path of cultivation, and not worth taking to heart.

They were able to take their seats.

"Master Lin, please take a seat here. The treasure exchange will begin shortly. If you need anything, please let me know." The female cultivator bowed gracefully again before quietly withdrawing.

Lin Changheng nodded, remaining silent as he poured himself more wine, a basic understanding of the situation unfolding before him.

Originally, his influence in alchemy was only strongly attractive to some Foundation Establishment cultivators who came from certain families and had feelings or interests related to their families.

There is a certain reputation being built up among cultivators seeking alchemy in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, but since there are substitutes, such a situation should not occur.

Then the only solution was for the Immortal City to launch the [Spirit Communication Pill], which caused a huge stir and a great wave of influence.

But Lin Changheng did not step into the limelight. How did the news of his involvement leak out?

Master Kong was at a very high level, making it virtually impossible for him to do so. Bai Hengwan, the true disciple of Bai, with whom he had established a good working relationship, also seemed to have no such motive.

Moreover, the other party knew that I was quite cautious, after all, I was able to hide my cultivation level for so long back then!

This uncontrolled influence could even attract outsiders' attention to the formula for the [Spirit Communication Pill], which could be disastrous for him.

After all, self-interest is a powerful motivator.

Since they dared not attack the Immortal City, it was highly likely that they would turn their attention to the obviously weaker Lin Changheng.

Bai Hengwan would not do something so foolish as to destroy her own foundation.

It's worth mentioning that this Immortal City of Floating Life is not without hostile forces, but the [Qinglan Sanren] is too powerful, which has temporarily deterred a host of petty and scheming forces.

Surrounded by wolves, the fact that they didn't attack didn't mean they weren't planning to; they were simply waiting for an opportunity.

After simple elimination...

Of the three core members of the Immortal City whom Lin Changheng had interacted with or met, only one remained.

The answer is obvious: it's Bai Hengwan's senior sister.

The true lineage of the Yang family.

Last time, I politely declined her offer to cooperate, without openly breaking off relations, but I also didn't give her a chance.

Now it seems highly likely that she leaked the news to put him in a very difficult position.

"Could it be that the struggle between Bai Zhenchuan and her senior sister has taken some new turn? To the point that they can no longer tolerate the existence of me, a potential ally?"

Everything has a cause; there is no love or hate without a reason.

This is especially true in the world of cultivation.

Lin Changheng had a guess, though he couldn't be sure of the specifics, but it was enough to give him a heads-up.

This is enough.

This "invitation" was worthwhile.

……

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, when most of the guests had arrived, the scholar in the late Foundation Establishment stage stood up and took a few steps forward.

He gave a friendly smile, looked around, then cleared his throat and said loudly:
"Fellow Daoists, distinguished guests, welcome to my treasure exchange event. I am grateful for your presence and thanks you all."

"Everyone here is a cultivator with second-tier skills or a Foundation Establishment cultivator! You must all have some treasures in your possession. They may be useless to you, but they may be useful to others. Selling them for spirit stones would be too much of a loss. Under such circumstances, this is the real reason why I, Luo, am going to risk my reputation to hold this auction."

"Exchange treasures for treasures, each getting what they need."

Upon hearing this, the audience fell completely silent; everyone knew that the real show was about to begin.

(End of this chapter)