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

Chapter 225 Magic Treasure Embryo, Body Refining Materials

Treasure Exchange Event!
Lin Changheng had received the invitation but hadn't really considered coming, so he didn't give a clear reply.

There are concerns about uncontrollable dangers involved.

But two subsequent events changed his mind.

Firstly, news has spread that the location for this "Treasure Exchange Meeting" is in the Immortal City, in the outer lake.

Furthermore, with many cultivators involved and the city located right under the noses of the Immortal City's core, the enforcement team could arrive at any time.

It is not only safe, but also controllable.

This reduced his concerns considerably.

Secondly, his cultivation had broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, giving him a certain level of confidence.

In addition, his powerful skills allow him to deal with unexpected dangers.

Combining the two, the risk is extremely low, so it's worth a visit.

After all, they are all cultivators with second-tier cultivation or second-tier skills, possessing considerable treasures and of a high level. Perhaps, we can obtain some useful treasures.

And so, Lin Changheng came to participate.

……

The scholar surnamed Luo continued, "I'm sure you've all guessed most of the rules by now, so I'll set an example. I'll offer three treasures as a starting point. If any of you are interested, you can make an offer to exchange them. Unless the trader agrees to accept the price in spirit stones, we'll generally only compensate for the difference."

"After that, it will be your turn to come up on stage, present your treasures, and state what you wish to obtain. Transactions are voluntary, and success or failure is irrelevant, but please maintain order and refrain from forced buying or selling."

After saying that, he clapped his hands.

A female attendant of the scholar surnamed Luo, carrying a jade tray, gracefully walked up to the high platform. The jade tray was covered with red silk.

The scholar surnamed Luo unveiled the plate, and a warm, emerald light flowed out. A spiritual herb, resembling an orchid, with its vibrant green color and seemingly flowing liquid between its veins, lay quietly in the dish, emanating an aura that calmed the mind.

"The first item is a 60-year-old [Soul-Tranquilizing Grass], a second-tier precious medicine."

The scholar surnamed Luo spoke, “This item is remarkably effective in nourishing the injured soul and resisting inner demons during cultivation. It is also a key auxiliary material for refining various third-tier soul-soothing pills, and it is quite rare. I wish to exchange it for an equivalent third-tier fire-attribute spiritual material, or a third-tier fire-attribute medicinal herb.”

As trading began, the atmosphere in the trading room gradually heated up.

A murmur of sighs and whispers arose.

Lin Changheng sat upright behind the desk, his gaze sweeping over the Soul-Soothing Grass, without uttering a sound. While it was a good item, it wasn't essential to him at the moment.

He waited patiently to see if anything of interest would appear, or if there were any treasures worth his effort.

However, medicinal materials involving the soul are indeed rare and scarce. Exchanging a 60-year-old second-tier [Soul-Calming Grass] for a third-tier fire-attribute spiritual material is a reasonable price within a certain range.

The audience glanced over, each with their own thoughts.

Soon, a cultivator in hemp robes with mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation stood up, his lips slightly moving, clearly transmitting his voice to the scholar surnamed Luo: "I have a third-tier [Earth Flame Marrow Crystal] here, Brother Luo, would it be suitable for you?"

Then, a storage bag wrapped in magic was thrown over.

"Oh?"

The scholar surnamed Luo took it directly and began to examine it immediately.

A short while later, he looked up and transmitted his voice, "The item is fine, but the quantity is insufficient. We need at least half the size of this item more."

The cultivator in hemp robes shook his head: "I'm sorry, I don't have any more of this item. If Brother Luo thinks it's not valuable enough, I can offer some more spirit stones as compensation."

"This……"

The scholar surnamed Luo fell silent.

The monk in hemp robes continued to press the issue, sighing and applying pressure: "If Brother Luo thinks it won't work, I have no better ideas. After all, obtaining this item was a matter of chance, and I have nowhere else to look for it."

Unaffected by this, the scholar surnamed Luo turned his attention to others, hoping for new offers.

As it turned out, someone actually stood up and sent a telepathic message, but the scholar surnamed Luo shook his head, clearly not satisfied, and only then did the other party sit down.

After a silent performance, the scholar surnamed Luo still made a deal with the monk in hemp robes. It was unclear what price the monk in hemp robes had paid, but he seemed somewhat resentful and ultimately agreed.

Soon, the scholar surnamed Luo took out two more items, one of which was a dual-element demon core, a second-tier high-grade one.

Fire and wood intertwined, making it a different species.

The other item is a piece of second-grade high-quality sharp metal spiritual material, suitable for forging swords.

Lin Changheng glanced at the sharp metal spiritual material again. It was a bright yellow, irregularly shaped ore with obvious cutting marks. It should be leftovers from the work of the scholar surnamed Luo.

The moment the divine sense touched it, it felt sharp and stimulating.

"This thing is not bad..."

Lin Changheng observed for a few moments, but had no intention of making a move.

Because this thing is useless to him at present, and he is not qualified to refine a magic weapon embryo in advance.

He immediately looked away and stopped looking.

……

But these things are different and very attractive to others, which makes the atmosphere in the room even more exciting.

Moreover, the third item, accepting bids in spirit stones, prompted many cultivators present to make offers, either bartering or offering spirit stones, resulting in fierce competition.

After all three treasures were sold, the scholar surnamed Luo looked satisfied and smiled as he bowed to the audience below.
"Alright, that's enough of my initial attempt to get the ball rolling. Now, fellow Daoists who are interested in exchanging treasures, please come up on stage one by one. Which fellow Daoist would like to go first?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a thin, sharp-eyed old man eagerly leaped onto the stage, clearly having been waiting for a long time.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Luo. I will go first."

He reached out and pulled out a fist-sized rock, tossing it onto the tray held by the maid beside him with a thud.

This is an irregularly shaped, dark blue metallic ore with what appears to be shimmering stardust inside.

Just as everyone's attention was drawn to him, he finally spoke, his voice shrill and piercing:

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is an extremely rare but quite famous spiritual material called [Netherworld Star Iron]. I believe you have all heard of it, right?"

Seeing the crowd's reaction, he raised his voice a few decibels, "This iron is formed from the cold veins of rivers, shaped by the combined forces of earthly evil and stellar energy over a hundred years. It is a top-grade second-tier material for refining water and ice attribute flying swords or defensive magical artifacts, and it can even imbue spiritual artifacts with a trace of stellar illusion power. I wish to exchange it for a Jade Liquid Pill that can help late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators quickly stabilize their realm and purify their mana, or you can offer me spirit stones that satisfy me."

Upon seeing this item, the eyes of many cultivators practicing water-attribute techniques lit up, especially several sword cultivators who stared intently at the dark blue metal.

However, the Jade Liquid Pill is a top-tier second-grade pill, difficult to refine, and its value is no less than that of the Netherworld Star Iron, and in some cases even surpasses it. A moment of silence fell over the room; it was unclear whether the people were weighing their options or felt that exchanging it for something unwise.

Lin Changheng did not speak.

He is currently unable to refine second-grade high-quality pills.

However, I did get a glimpse into the needs of late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators and learned about the situation.

This person ultimately did not obtain the Jade Liquid Pill as desired. Someone chose to exchange it for spirit stones, which was acceptable. After the transaction was completed, he immediately flew off the stage and returned to his seat.

As soon as he landed, a cultivator automatically flew up to him. They took out the items, began to introduce them, and stated their needs in exchange.

Someone is interested, and happens to have what the other party needs. After some whispered bargaining, the deal is done.

However, about 60-70% of the cultivators who went up there returned empty-handed.

But none of them left; instead, they returned to their seats and continued to wait.

After all, such opportunities are rare, and it's really hard to say what will happen until the very end.

……

After a long time.

An elderly cultivator in a black robe stood on the platform, pointing to a piece of [Binzhou Iron] he had taken out, only about half the size of an infant's fist, and laughed:

"I have no hope of breaking through, and the [Binzhou Iron] I prepared to use to refine the embryo of a magic weapon is also useless. Although it is not large, it is still good as an auxiliary material. What I want to exchange is either a second-grade high-quality spiritual medicine that is over a hundred years old, or a [Fine Foundation Establishment Pill], two or three [Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects], or other rare items. If any fellow Daoists are interested, please make an offer."

After saying this, the black-robed cultivator stroked his long beard, looked around, and then fell silent, waiting for a bid with a smile, seemingly very confident in what he had offered.

Swish swish!
As expected, everyone in the room looked up upon hearing this.

The reason is that the words "can be used to refine magical artifact embryos" are too astonishing.

The late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators present were particularly tempted, for possessing this material would give them the possibility of laying out the embryo of a magic weapon.

Immediately, someone couldn't help but stand up and speak: "Fellow Daoist, is the requirement really so strictly limited? I wonder if other treasures are acceptable?"

These words struck a chord with many, who all eagerly awaited the old man in the black robe's reply.

Sensing the many gazes, the old man in the black robe chuckled: "If other treasures are feasible, it means that I have not yet reached the end of the path to immortality. Even seniors who have just entered the Core Formation stage would be tempted by materials like [Fine Iron]. Why would I take it out to exchange for it?"

"Therefore, fellow Daoists, there is no need to say more. Only these three are acceptable; the rest are not worth discussing."

His words were blunt, resolute, and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.

Immediately, many people shook their heads and sighed, having no choice but to give up.

Lin Changheng, sitting at the table, remained motionless, slowly pouring and drinking wine, without any intention of speaking.

He seemed like an outsider.

But she felt several gazes subtly sweep over her.

Although there was no strong malice, they might indeed be thinking about something.

For example, one could obtain high-quality Foundation Establishment Pills from him.

After all, it's normal for someone to have a good reputation.

Lin Changheng remained calm, seemingly unaware, but he watched the stream of wine pouring from the spout of the wine pot in front of him and memorized the other party's aura.

……

After waiting for a while, no one spoke. The black-robed cultivator still showed no disappointment. He leisurely and decisively waved his hand to collect the ironware on the tray and left the stage.

Once the other person was seated, Lin Changheng, like everyone else, followed and gazed at them.

But then he saw that the monk in black robes was also looking at him.

After exchanging a glance, Lin Changheng smiled, raised his wine glass, and offered a polite toast from afar.

The old man in the black robe twitched slightly and returned the salute from afar.

However, none of them showed any signs of opening or closing their lips or transmitting sound.

This left those who had been paying close attention to the two of them somewhat puzzled.

……

time flies.

The treasure exchange will continue.

Most people have already gone up.

Lin Changheng also made a move, exchanging a rare pill formula offered by someone else in exchange for a spiritual material for body refinement.

It is recorded in the accompanying body-refining method of "The Evergreen Body of the Azure Wood".

It is a strange and magical herb that is one foot tall.

Its entire body was charred black, yet faint silver electric wires flickered and danced among the veins of the grass leaves, instantly fixing Lin Changheng's gaze on it.

The dark-faced cultivator explained, "...This [Lightning Strike Grass] was obtained by chance from the summit of a mountain where thunderstorms rage year-round. It contains some residual power of heavenly lightning, yet it remains intact. It is a rare treasure for cultivating lightning-attribute techniques."

Generally speaking, cultivators dare not use "lightning" to temper their bodies because the power is too violent, disordered, and difficult to control, and it is easy to injure themselves.

The exception is a cultivator specializing in thunder magic.

However, among the many Foundation Establishment cultivators present, very few practiced lightning magic, and they were also unable to provide what the other party needed.

So after he finished speaking about what he wanted, almost no one made a price offer; only Lin Changheng's calm voice transmission reached the other party's ears.

"I have one of the pill formulas you desire, fellow Daoist. How about exchanging it for this Lightning Strike Grass?"

Upon hearing this, the dark-faced cultivator on the stage was taken aback at first, but then a look of great surprise appeared on his face!

This formula is useful to his family and can be used in conjunction with their clan's traditional cultivation techniques, producing incredible effects.

He had been searching for a long time without success, but unexpectedly found it here, thus settling a major matter. How could he not be happy?
This is a valuable item that can be passed down through the family, far more precious than a lightning-struck grass with a relatively obscure use! He originally only intended to give it a try, but he never expected such a pleasant surprise!
"Change! I'll change!" He agreed almost impatiently, fearing that something unexpected might happen.

Many cultivators turned their heads in surprise upon seeing this. Master Lin's expertise was well-matched, and his collection was quite extensive, indeed far beyond what outsiders like them could compare to.

Some people wondered if Master Lin Dan, who was also a practitioner of lightning magic, might have been using this rare lightning-struck grass, which had limited uses.
The transaction was completed quickly.

The jade slip containing the pill formula flew into the hands of the cultivator above, while the [Lightning Strike Grass] that flickered with faint arcs of electricity landed on Lin Changheng's desk.

Lin Changheng picked up the spiritual herb, his fingertips feeling a slight tingling and numbness, as well as the restrained, violent power of heaven and earth's thunder. A hint of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.

This is exactly what he needs!

The "Evergreen Body of Azure Wood" that he obtained is a wood-based body-refining method, which focuses on vitality and resilience.

The accompanying method also records the relevant techniques: drawing the power of lightning into the body to stimulate the vitality of wood-type life force to flourish even more strongly amidst destruction, thereby achieving the miraculous effect of "lightning strikes wood, which grows and thrives instead of being destroyed," which can greatly accelerate the body refining process and enhance physical strength.

This [Lightning Strike Grass] is the perfect catalyst and auxiliary material for this kind of tempering. The ferocity of lightning spiritual power has been mostly purified, resisted, and eliminated, which can reduce the risk of body tempering.

"I didn't expect to find this here; it's quite a pleasant surprise."

Lin Changheng carefully placed the precious lightning-struck grass into a jade box and sealed it with a spirit-sealing talisman for preservation.

Acquiring this item was of great importance to him.

His body-refining skills will likely be further advanced through this.

(End of this chapter)