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

Chapter 233 Tensions Rise, Gains from the Secret Realm

Lin Changheng wasn't too worried about reaching a cooperation agreement with the fat cultivator who had approached him.

This is the confidence that comes from strength.

Although this fat cultivator should be a senior mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, around the fifth or sixth level of Foundation Establishment, to Lin Changheng, that was all.

With his late-stage second-tier body refinement cultivation, mid-stage Foundation Establishment mana cultivation, several supernatural abilities and demonic arts, as well as external aids such as spirit beasts and puppets, mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators could hardly pose a substantial threat to him.

Even if the opponent is careless and Lin Changheng gets close enough to kill them as easily as squeezing a chicken, it would only take a moment to raise his hand.

Even if the other party really has some bad intentions, they are just showing off their treasure to themselves.

Lin Changheng was even anticipating the other party's next move.

Of course, if there was any sign of someone in the late Foundation Establishment stage appearing, he would naturally slip away as soon as possible.

Lin Changheng was perfectly aware of this.

However, even if he happens to come across a large quantity of items that the other party needs during the acquisition process, he will limit himself to acquiring and holding only two or three items.

Not too many, to avoid any unexpected situations where we end up with unsold stock.

"Perhaps the other party also has the same plans as me."

Lin Changheng's gaze was deep.

Cultivators who reach the Foundation Establishment stage are rarely fools; they make all sorts of decisions based on self-interest and personality traits.

Even if a few people are lucky enough to break through, as long as their minds don't change and mature quickly, their cultivation will eventually dissipate into the world in various ways, and you won't be able to encounter them.

In short, one should not underestimate any cultivator in the world!

……

For some time afterward, people came up to talk to him, but Lin Changheng refused them before they could even speak.

no need.

One such collaboration is enough; he doesn't have the spare resources or financial capacity to help others make acquisitions.

In addition, Lin Changheng also secretly glanced at the four Core Formation cultivators present.

They noticed that their expressions and demeanor remained unchanged.

Logically speaking, these families and sects should have something like a soul lamp or soul tablet that connects them to life, allowing them to know the life or death status of the bound person at any time.

Once the light goes out and the cards break, it signifies that the person has died.

"Is the situation in exploring the secret realm going very well, extremely smoothly, with not too many deaths?"

"It's because their composure is so remarkable; they don't reveal a thing, remaining calm even if Mount Tai collapses before them?"

"Or perhaps... the secret realm is not in the same plane of space as where they are now, isolating them from this connection and making it impossible for them to perceive it?"

Originally, Lin Changheng intended to make a preliminary judgment on the situation within the secret realm by observing their expressions, but he miscalculated.

We had no choice but to wait patiently.

During this time, Lingfeng Zhenren of the South Palace also tried many times to approach Xuanji Zhenren and talk to her, but he was always met with a cold shoulder.

Although his expression remained unchanged, his eyes were somewhat gloomy, clearly feeling that he had been humiliated.

Then he turned around, his narrowed gaze sweeping over the other cultivators waiting outside, seemingly wanting to find a fool to vent his anger on. But he found that everyone was either looking down at their noses, lost in thought, or simply cultivating with their eyes closed, and no one paid any attention to where he was.

Without a reason to flare up, we had no choice but to give up.

Lin Changheng sensed the other person's gaze and guessed their motives. He sneered inwardly but remained seated, showing no emotion.

But the feeling of being "on the side of a tiger" is real, and even more so.

"From now on, I still need to stay away from Core Formation cultivators like this. The difference in strength is too great, and I don't feel safe. Fortunately, the other party belongs to a prestigious sect, the [Southern Palace], which governs the Song region. They have some reservations and are bound by moral constraints, so they can't easily act without a pretext. If it were a demonic Core Formation cultivator, killing would really be entirely based on personal whim, which is far too dangerous..."

"A wise man should not linger under a crumbling wall..."

……

In the eyes of Foundation Establishment and Core Formation cultivators, half a month is not a long time; it passes in the blink of an eye.

Suddenly, Xuanji Zhenren, who had been meditating, rose gracefully. Her figure flashed like a ghost once more, and she stood silently above the still turbulent whirlpool on the river.

Her robes fluttered slightly amidst the chaotic flow of spiritual energy; her expression remained aloof, yet exuded a sense of solemnity.

This action, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly attracted the attention of all the cultivators.

"The secret realm is about to open!"

This was a clear signal, exactly the same as when the secret realm opened half a month ago, which excited everyone.

The sudden movement startled all the cultivators on the shore who were either meditating, talking, or resting with their eyes closed, causing them to abruptly stand up.

All eyes were fixed on the now dimmed portal in the river, their gazes filled with anticipation. The two-week wait had not dampened their enthusiasm; on the contrary, it had intensified their longing.

Even the Song and Sun family patriarchs, who had been sitting cross-legged with their eyes closed, stood up, slightly nervously awaiting the outcome of the secret realm's opening.

After all, those who enter are Foundation Establishment clan members, connected by blood, and what they gain will affect the future development of the clan.

Lingfeng Zhenren of the South Palace remained smiling, seemingly indifferent to his disciples, as if he were merely a leader.

Their gazes also fell upon Xuanji Zhenren's actions.

"Hoohoo!"

Xuanji Zhenren's jade fingers flew once more, sending purple spells into the spinning vortex.

The portal, which had been stabilizing, began to fluctuate violently again. The purple patterns on its surface lit up once more, emitting a low hum. The light and shadow within the portal began to spin faster, and the ancient, primal aura became clearly perceptible once more.

"It's about to open."

Lin Changheng watched intently, his heart filled with anticipation.

Once the door was opened again and the passage was secured, a series of whooshing sounds rang out.

One after another, figures flew out of the passage and rushed out of the river.

Lin Changheng, with his eyesight fully extended at the late stage of the second level of body refinement, could see clearly from a distance of a hundred feet, as if examining the lines on his palm.

It was soon discovered that most of the cultivators who came out of the secret realm were either pale-faced and looked like they had exhausted themselves, or covered in blood with obvious wounds, and many of them looked terrified, as if they had been scared out of their wits.

Clearly, the secret realm is fraught with risks and dangers, and these cultivators are risking their lives.

Moreover, these are all survivors... The dead are permanently buried in the secret realm, their remains gone and nowhere to be seen.

Seeing this scene only strengthened Lin Changheng's resolve to avoid entering the secret realm unless absolutely necessary.

Before long, no more figures appeared in the secret realm. Lin Changheng roughly counted and found that less than half of the people had come out!
The chances of it being damaged are actually that high?

Clearly, the other cultivators waiting outside also noticed this, and they were all astonished and chilled to the bone. This could truly be called a death trap. Even if the death rate in the sect's "Endless Wilderness" large-scale exploration were doubled, it still wouldn't compare to this.

The danger was evident.

In reality, the inherent risks within the secret realm are one issue, while human-caused risks are another.

……

"Chen Dongming! You insidious and despicable scoundrel!"

At this moment, a cultivator from the Purple Extreme Sect who had lost a hand suddenly roared angrily into the distance, his eyes bloodshot.

In the distance, almost the last white-robed cultivator to fly out of the secret realm was a moon-white-robed figure.

He was tall and slender with a beautiful face, giving off a feminine vibe.

However, the aura of cultivation on his body was quite powerful, clearly indicating that he was in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

From the Southern Palace!
With his robes billowing, Chen Dongming glanced at the cultivator with the severed hand and grinned, "What business do you have with me, fellow Daoist?"

The Purple Extreme Sect cultivator with the severed hand trembled with rage, his remaining hand clenched into a fist so tightly that his nails almost dug into his flesh, his voice hoarse with extreme fury:
"What is this?! You attacked me while I was weakened by the battle with the guardian beast, stealing my spirit herb and severing my hand! And you dare ask me what I want?!"

His shout immediately drew the attention of the remaining cultivators, whose gazes darted back and forth between the Purple Extreme Sect cultivator and Chen Dongming, the disciple of the Southern Palace. The atmosphere instantly became delicate.

The other disciples of the Ziji Sect immediately gathered around, glaring angrily at Chen Dongming. They were naturally united in their hatred for their fellow disciples who had been humiliated.

However, facing the accusations and countless gazes, Chen Dongming's smile grew even brighter, even carrying a hint of mockery.

He slowly and deliberately straightened the cuffs of his moon-white robe, as if they were dusty, his tone flippant:

"Oh? So that's what it is. Well then, I have something to say." He raised his eyes, but there was no smile in those peach blossom eyes, only cold mockery. "In treasure hunting in secret realms, everyone relies on their own abilities. When did it become a rule that you can't 'profit from others'? As for your trick..."

He scoffed, his gaze sweeping over the other's severed wrist, his tone filled with undisguised contempt: "It's clearly your own lack of skill that made you unable to withstand the demon beast's counterattack, how can you blame me? If we really want to discuss right and wrong, we can only blame you for... bad luck and insufficient strength."

His words were extremely arrogant and domineering. He not only readily admitted to the robbery but also completely shifted the blame to the other party, doing everything he could to humiliate them.

"You! Shameless!" The cultivator with the severed hand was so angry that he spat out a mouthful of blood and almost fainted.

"Chen Dongming! Is this how the South Pole Palace teaches its disciples? Such despicable behavior!" A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Purple Extreme Sect stepped forward and shouted sternly.

Upon hearing this, Chen Dongming's smile vanished, his eyes suddenly sharpening, and a chilling aura emanated from his otherwise effeminate demeanor: "Despicable? Senior brother, you flatter me. In the secret realm, the law of the jungle prevails; it's only natural. Does that mean that only your Ziji Sect obtaining treasures is righteous, while my Ji Nan Palace taking them is despicable? What kind of logic is that?"

He paused, then raised his voice slightly, tinged with provocation: "If you are not convinced, let's settle this. I, Chen, am ready to oblige at any time. However... magic has no eyes. If one or two more of you are lost, don't come crying and accusing me of being treacherous."

These words instantly ignited a tense atmosphere! The disciples on both sides drew their swords, their magical energy subtly emanating from them, creating an atmosphere where they were ready to fight at the slightest provocation.

Lingfeng Zhenren, still waving his folding fan in the distance, smiled as if he hadn't seen the conflict happening here.

Xuanji Zhenren frowned slightly, but did not speak to stop him. She simply swept her cold gaze over Chen Dongming, carrying a hint of chill that was not easily detected.

Chen Dongming suddenly laughed again: "What a coincidence, I was also in the secret realm and saw you few cultivators in Purple Extreme Sect robes join forces to kill several family cultivators. What, you are allowed to kill, but we are not allowed to rob?

Upon hearing this, the family cultivators watching from the sidelines immediately erupted in uproar.

Their gazes toward the Ziji Sect cultivators flickered with wariness.

Such things can happen in secret, but cannot be said in the open. Now that Chen Dongming has exposed this matter, it has caused great damage to the prestige of the Ziji Sect and will cause unrest among the people.

Master Lingfeng watched with great interest but did not stop them, seemingly indulging them intentionally.

Suddenly, his expression shifted slightly as he heard the female cultivator's voice. He immediately replied with a smile, "Junior Sister Luo is right."

He then coughed lightly, startling everyone. All eyes turned to him as he leisurely issued his judgment: "Dongming was in a fit of anger and spoke out of spite, fabricating facts. There was no need for him to do so. He should apologize to the fellow practitioners of the Ziji Sect."

Chen Dongming was stunned, never expecting such a change. He looked at Ling Feng Zhenren, trying to discern something, but only saw the smile on the other's lips, slightly cold. He was immediately struck dumb, and sweat broke out on his back.

He immediately turned around and respectfully apologized, stating that it was a fabrication and begging for forgiveness.

On the other side, the cultivator with the severed hand also seemed to have received some kind of instruction, his lips trembling slightly as he said, "I also exaggerated just now, I apologize to Brother Chen."

"That's good. It's just a misunderstanding, and I hope everyone will refrain from spreading rumors or misinformation."

Master Lingfeng then glanced at the other cultivators present and calmly set the tone.

"Yes……"

Wherever his gaze fell, everyone respectfully clasped their hands in response.

The tense situation just moments ago has been resolved in such a bizarre way.

Lin Changheng, who was watching this scene from the crowd, was also caught off guard, but he knew that the matter would definitely develop in accordance with the will and desired direction of the Core Formation cultivator.

……

The crowd dispersed, but most did not leave immediately. Instead, they stayed in place to recuperate and recover.

Lin Changheng also found the two members of the Liu family who were resting nearby.

Neither the old man nor the woman perished in it.

However, this elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator had clearly suffered a serious injury.

Liu Yuhan was much better, but her breathing was a little disordered and she seemed somewhat restless.

"Master Lin..."

Upon seeing Lin Changheng arrive, the elderly cultivator mustered his spirits and chuckled.

"Old Liu, are you alright?"

Lin Changheng asked with concern.

"Fortunately, Master Lin provided high-quality healing pills, otherwise we would have been in grave danger."

The eldest member of the Liu family remarked with emotion as he laid the foundation.

Is this secret realm truly perilous?

Lin Changheng couldn't help but ask.

The old man, who had just reached the Foundation Establishment stage, hesitated before finally shaking his head.

Lin Changheng basically understood what he meant and didn't press further. He glanced at Liu Yuhan again and said, "If you two still need more pills, I can provide some."

"Thank you very much."

The old man, who had just reached the Foundation Establishment stage, readily agreed. After completing the transaction, he held the bottle of pills in his hand and then gave Liu Yuhan a meaningful look.

"Master Lin, we actually found two items listed on the inventory within the secret realm..."

Liu Yuhan began to mention the key point, which delighted Lin Changheng.

(End of this chapter)