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

Chapter 228 Obtaining the Iron, Embryo Refining Method

The path to immortality is indiscriminate; the struggle for breakthrough resources is cruel and ruthless—it's either you die or I die.

However, the person who competed with Xu Wufang failed and died, and the resources were also taken back by his remaining breath. Because his cultivation path was completely destroyed, he handed them over to his sister, who was Xu Fugui's eighth daughter, who also possessed a mid-grade spiritual root.

Now I've reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, nearing perfection.

With this resource, at the very least, the resource pressure required for his sister's Foundation Establishment path will be much less.

But that's still not enough. Now, Xu Fugui is turning his grief into strength and is desperately planning to lay a foundation for his daughter.

The fact that neither of them is currently in the clan is another major reason why Lin Changheng has not received the letter.

……

This is the specific situation of the Xu family, which has a close relationship with Lin Changheng. As for the other Lingqiong Mountain [Huang family], Lin Changheng also heard some rumors from the Foundation Establishment cultivators present at the Treasure Exchange Meeting yesterday, namely that Huang Jiuyuan, the eldest elder of the Huang family, may really be nearing the end of his life.

The entire family exhibits a steadfast and composed attitude.

Although it hasn't shrunk, it's also lost its previous aggressive expansion.

Lin Changheng had a premonition about this.

After all, in recent years, those who came to the Huang family to request pills were not the Huang family's direct descendants or key figures whom they usually dealt with, such as Chef Zeng, but unfamiliar faces.

Lin Changheng speculated that it might be to downplay the target and avoid attracting attention.

After all, a family can only get to where it is today by force, not by peaceful means, but by military conquest and war.

In doing so, you will inevitably make enemies.

Previously, when the Huang family was at its peak, the other party dared not make a move and chose to lie low. However, once a problem arises, especially the major event of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator falling into obscurity, they will definitely take the opportunity to strike or add fuel to the fire, taking advantage of your weakness to kill you.

This also brought Lin Changheng pressure and a sense of crisis.

After all, he was nominally a retainer of the Huang family.

There is a certain possibility that they will be eliminated, with the aim of cutting off the Huang family's wings.

Instead of being alarmed or hiding, Lin Changheng remained calm.

Someone might want to kill you for various reasons, even baseless ones. You cannot stop this, nor can it be changed by your actions.

We can only cope with it.

"Strength! In the end, it all comes down to strength!"

Lin Chang-heng was already aware of this.

……

"Brother Lin, someone has come to visit."

Just then, Yan Mingyi strode in.

The woman had received Lin Changheng's instructions and came directly to report upon hearing the knock on the door.

"it is good."

Lin Changheng carefully packed the reply letter, sealed it, and handed it to Yan Mingyi. Then he walked to the gate and personally opened it to greet her.

As soon as it was pulled open, an old man's laughter rang out:
"Haha, young friend Lin, I have come to bother you as promised!"

Standing outside the door was a sprightly old man with white hair and beard, wearing a hearty and warm smile. He was the same old man in black robes whom I had met at the treasure exchange yesterday.

He was at the late Foundation Establishment stage and possessed a piece of [Binzhou Iron] the size of half an infant's fist.

Today, however, he changed out of his solemn and dignified black robe and put on a simple linen robe, giving him the appearance of an old man next door.

Lin Changheng also showed a perfectly timed smile and stepped aside to greet him: "I am honored that Senior Zhang expressed his intention to visit yesterday. I have already put aside my cultivation matters and prepared tea, just waiting for you, Senior."

"Please come in quickly!"

"Alright, alright, then this old man won't stand on ceremony."

Zhang Shouyi stroked his beard and chuckled. Lin Changheng's attitude and words made him quite comfortable. Naturally, his attitude couldn't be any worse.

Smiling, he stepped across the courtyard and into the hall, his gaze sweeping over the room discreetly. He saw that the windows were bright and the tables were clean. A set of elegant tea utensils was already laid out on the table, and a pot of fine tea was steaming, emitting a refreshing aroma. Clearly, it had been prepared in advance.

As for the three spirit beasts, Yan Mingyi had already put them away in a spirit beast pouch, not wanting to show them to outsiders.

The two were seated separately.

Lin Changheng poured him a cup of spiritual tea, the steam rising and the aroma filling the air.

Zhang Shouyi picked up the teacup, took a gentle sniff, and praised, "Excellent tea! Its spiritual energy is clear and pure; it must be a second-tier [Mist and Rain Tranquility], right? Young friend Lin is indeed a refined person."

"Senior has a good eye." Lin Changheng smiled slightly. "It's just a little hobby in my spare time, hardly worthy of serious consideration."

After exchanging pleasantries for a while and finishing their tea, Zhang Shouyi put down his teacup, his expression becoming slightly more formal. He smiled and said, "Young friend Lin, we only had a brief meeting at the treasure exchange yesterday, so we couldn't talk in depth, nor was it appropriate to. I was afraid it would cause you trouble, so I decided to come and visit you privately."

"In fact, I had long heard of Master Lin's reputation. His ability to refine Foundation Establishment Pills is flawless, producing only the finest examples, a feat far beyond the reach of ordinary alchemists..."

"Senior Zhang is too kind."

Lin Changheng poured tea again, smiling modestly, "It's just a matter of practice makes perfect."

Zhang Shouyi listened but didn't take it seriously. After all, the ingredients for Foundation Establishment Pills were rare, and who could practice on them multiple times?

He simply looked at Lin Changheng and asked with a smile, "I wonder if Master Lin is interested in the precious material [Binzhou Iron] that I have?"

Lin Changheng was caught off guard by this direct approach, but he wasn't surprised either. After a moment's thought, he smiled and said, "Precious materials that can be used to refine the embryo of a magic weapon must be irresistible to cultivators who are on the path to the Great Dao, right?"

"Haha, young friend Lin is a very open-minded person."

Zhang Shouyi immediately laughed, then turned solemn, "That's true. If I hadn't given up on my path to enlightenment, I would never have been able to produce such a treasure."

As he spoke, he reached to his waist and pulled out the piece of [Binzhou Iron] he had seen before.

It was placed on the table between the two of them.

"really."

Lin Changheng agreed, reaching out to take it and playing with it, feeling its coolness and weight.

After examining it with my divine sense, I found no falsehood.

It's a pity it's a bit small. If it were larger, it would be qualified and excellent as the main material for a magic weapon embryo.

However, in that case, the value of giving away a single [Premium Foundation Establishment Pill] would be insufficient, and it wouldn't solve the key problem.

"I wonder if young friend Lin has any [Premium Foundation Establishment Pills]? The conditions I set at the treasure exchange meeting last time are still valid."

After Zhang Shouyi finished speaking, he looked at Lin Changheng with his cloudy old eyes, observing his reaction.

First, he needed to determine whether Lin Changheng possessed any readily available [Premium Foundation Establishment Pills].

If so, it's one way of speaking.

If not, then it's a completely different set of cooperation methods.

Upon hearing this, Lin Changheng put down the [Bin Tie] he was playing with, and a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

Seeing this, Zhang Shouyi understood and a slight smile appeared on his face. Clearly, this was the case because someone had the pill in hand; otherwise, he would have refused outright without even considering it. So he tentatively asked, "Young friend Lin, do you have any concerns?"

Lin Changheng tapped his fingertips lightly twice on the cool [Bin Tie], producing a soft tapping sound, his thoughtful expression still present.

"Senior Zhang's treasure is indeed rare and precious, and I am also tempted by it. To be honest, I do indeed possess such a pill..."

He paused briefly, seemingly considering his words, before explaining carefully, "However, I had already promised to provide this [Premium Foundation Establishment Pill] to another fellow Daoist, so it is not suitable for resale."

"Otherwise, I probably would have just opened the bid at the treasure exchange yesterday..."

As the saying goes, "Ask the sky, then bargain."

This is no longer a treasure exchange event; rather, the other party has something to ask for and has come to us. Lin Changheng naturally holds the initiative and must strive for greater benefits.

It's impossible to agree to everything the other party asks for.

Essentially, this is a process of testing each other's bottom line.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shouyi's expression remained unchanged as he pondered the matter.

Lin Changheng then spoke up, considering the other party's feelings: "I wonder which talented member of the clan you are so eager to obtain this pill for? If you weren't so close to a breakthrough, I could have made another batch as long as the materials were complete..."

His question was clever; it both inquired about the other party's purpose and returned the pressure of "time constraints" to them, leaving room for him to make demands or control the pace later.

Zhang Shouyi sighed, his face showing a complex expression of helplessness and anticipation: "To be honest, it's for my good-for-nothing grandson. He's been stuck at the peak of Qi Refining for nearly five years, and his attempt to break through on his own failed, resulting in slight damage to his foundation. If he can't get another high-quality Foundation Establishment Pill to protect him, I'm afraid... his path to the Great Dao is hopeless. Time is indeed running out, I'm afraid it's too late."

"Let's not beat around the bush. I'll be direct. If Master Lin is willing to give me this pill, you can make your request. If I can meet it, that's fine. But if I'm truly unable to afford it, then this transaction will have to be cancelled."

Clearly, he understood Lin Changheng's meaning, directly pointing out the key point, and in the end, he was resolute and unyielding.

"I see……"

Lin Changheng seemed oblivious to his meaning, his face only showing a look of realization and sympathy. He stopped tapping the [Binzhou Iron] and pondered, "If that's the case, then this junior can no longer refuse..."

He then looked at Zhang Shouyi's face and asked, "May I ask if this junior may borrow your method for refining [Magic Treasure Embryos]?"

"The method for refining [magical artifact embryos]?"

Zhang Shouyi was taken aback, thinking that Lin Changheng would ask for an exorbitant price, but it turned out to be just a matter of copying a jade slip.

He immediately smiled with relief. He had already taken out the materials, so why would he care about a refining method?
So he uttered four words, "Why not?"

“In that case, the deal can be made. Senior, you may wish to take a look.”

Lin Changheng smiled and decisively took out a pill box and handed it over.

Zhang Shouyi also took out a jade slip and exchanged it with him, and they looked at each other's slips.

"good."

"very good!"

Half an hour later, both of them gave their answers, then looked at each other and smiled, their goals achieved.

Zhang Shouyi did not stay long and took his leave.

Lin Changheng escorted him all the way to the door.

Zhang Shouyi took a few steps, then suddenly turned back and smiled. A voice transmission entered Lin Changheng's ears, "By the way, young friend Lin, our cooperation has been quite pleasant. I have a suggestion, I wonder if you would like to hear it?"

"Please advise."

Lin Changheng raised an eyebrow and nodded with a smile.

"It's best not to leave the outer lake of the Immortal City during this period."

Zhang Shouyi sent a message without any explanation, then waved his hand, turned and left, disappearing in a flash.

"Don't leave the lake outside the Immortal City..."

Lin Changheng turned and went back to his residence, but he was pondering the meaning of those words.

Could it be... related to the feeling of being spied on yesterday? Zhang Shouyi did leave later than me. As we are both in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, it's normal for him to have noticed something, after all, he was also watching me and planning a private deal with me at the time...

The reason for this reminder is simple: I did not raise the price excessively, and he left satisfied.

However, Lin Changheng's original goal was to find the "method for refining the embryo of a magic weapon" from scratch, which inevitably required a lot of effort.

Zhang Shouyi's advice did indeed serve as a wake-up call, reminding him that he needed to be careful, but staying outside the outer lake and Xiancheng was also impossible.

Not to mention the previously agreed-upon [treasure talisman transaction] that needs to be completed, the Jiazi Secret Realm, which opens only once every sixty years, also requires trying one's luck outside the arena. Even if spiritual herbs and medicines are difficult to acquire, the roots and stems are not necessarily so.

"Let's break through to the late stage of the second level of body refinement first. At that time, we will be more confident in dealing with things, and we can deal with enemies lying in ambush."

Having made his decision, Lin Changheng immediately went into seclusion again.

……

A month has passed in the blink of an eye.

The door to the seclusion room remained closed for a long time, and no sound came out.

On the contrary, Yan Mingyi's hard work during this period has yielded results.

In her small cultivation room, the spirit-gathering array was continuously gathering and surging spiritual energy when suddenly an aura three times stronger than before emanated.

If Lin Changheng were here, he would instantly know that it was the aura fluctuation of the ninth level of Qi Refining.

This also means that Yan Mingyi has finally broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refining.

At that time, she was only forty-eight or forty-nine years old.

Sufficient preparations can be made in order to lay a solid foundation.

However, if she couldn't achieve this even with the support of a second-tier mid-grade alchemist husband and the resources of a first-tier high-grade puppeteer, then how bad must her spiritual root talent be?
However, Lin Changheng was worried that this woman's will to pursue the Dao was not firm, far inferior to that of Zhao Li and Fei Yue. She was content with a little wealth and might be able to establish her foundation without any problems, but the road ahead might not be easy.

But that's just her nature. As the saying goes, it's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature. Lin Changheng couldn't change her, and could only hope that one day she would realize her mistake and understand it clearly.

……

At this moment, in the secret room.

Lin Changheng sat cross-legged on the cold jade futon, his aura deep and unfathomable.

The Lightning Strike Grass hovered about a foot in front of him. The originally charred grass leaves now seemed to come alive, touching the very core, like a final burst of light before death.

Silver electric snakes leaped above it, emitting a chilling "buzzing" sound that made the entire secret chamber flicker.

A destructive force of lightning spread out, and the air became scorching.

"The final moment... let's break through in one fell swoop!"

Lin Changheng took a deep breath, a resolute glint in his eyes.

The bottleneck in body refinement has loosened, but it is still not broken and requires a fierce attack.

The techniques of "Evergreen Body of Azure Wood" were rapidly activated, and the surging blood energy and accumulated body refinement roared within the body like a mighty river.

He pointed his fingers like a sword and suddenly pointed at the lightning-struck grass!
"Boom!"

As if it had invoked the might of the heavens, the lightning-struck grass suddenly burst open, transforming into a silver lightning ball the size of an infant's fist, dazzling to the extreme!
(End of this chapter)