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

Chapter 245 Master Kong's Gift, Two Secret Matters
Master Kong's laughter boomed out, and one could clearly sense...a feeling of unbridled joy and exhilaration.

This shows that Confucius achieved one of his goals and expectations.

Moreover, this was with the help or assistance of Master Lin Dan.

A thoughtful expression appeared on Bai Hengwan's extremely beautiful face.

Although Master Kong communicated with Master Lin through her, the specifics were not disclosed. However, she had a guess that the only thing Master Lin could help Master Kong with was alchemy.

What can two alchemists do together? Isn't it obvious?
……

Bai Hengwan did not rush to leave, but waited quietly outside.

After waiting for a while...

"Heng girl, come in."

Confucius's greeting came from inside the hall, and at the same time, the hall door opened with a loud bang.

Two figures, one in green and one in black, were revealed.

Both men stood before the table. The old man in black was tidying something up, while the green-robed cultivator beside him simply watched with his hands clasped, his figure as straight as a pine tree.

Upon hearing the soft footsteps, Lin Changheng immediately turned around, smiled at Bai Hengwan, and cupped his hands in greeting.

"I, Lin, have met Master Bai. It has been a long time since we last met."

Bai Hengwan bowed slightly in return and said with a faint smile, "Friendship is not judged by how often or for how long we meet."

"Indeed."

Lin Changheng immediately nodded. He naturally wouldn't refute or question such words that were meant to build a closer relationship.

At this moment, Master Kong put away the old and new deductions on the table, then turned to look at the two who were chatting enthusiastically, a smile appearing on his face.

"Heng girl, asking you to help contact Master Lin this time has been a great help to me."

"I am now one step closer to breaking through that level."

"Of course, I should thank Master Lin Dan the most. He has inspired me greatly, hahaha."

Bai Hengwan did not agree with this, instead saying, "The credit belongs entirely to Master Lin Dan. I was just a mouthpiece."

Upon hearing this, Lin Changheng was somewhat surprised and couldn't help but glance at Bai Zhenchuan a few more times.

The woman's expression was serious, not feigned, and she clearly believed it to be true.

For this woman, the position of true disciple is not the end goal, especially since it also involves resource allocation. The help of Elder Kong, who can speak with Qinglan Sanren, is still very important.

Master Kong smiled and shook his head, clearly understanding Bai Hengwan's personality very well and not surprised.

"I have no merit to speak of. I have benefited greatly from my exchanges with Master Kong. I have gained a lot of insights into the concepts and methods of alchemy. I have been able to absorb and internalize them, which will save me at least three to five years of exploration time in alchemy."

Lin Changheng also spoke truthfully, saying that the exchange over the past fifteen days would become the foundation for his advancement to a second-tier high-grade alchemist.

"Hahaha, you two are both so funny. Since you both deny it, does that mean all the credit belongs to me?"

Master Kong immediately laughed, his eyes scanning back and forth between the two men with great interest.

"Cough cough."

Lin Changheng coughed lightly.

Bai Hengwan then smiled openly and generously.

"I am not a petty person. I distinguish between gratitude and vengeance and will repay what is due. Moreover, I am quite wealthy. If young friend Lin needs anything, just tell me, and I may be able to help you fulfill it."

Kong Laoda waved his hand and, without further ado, offered Lin Changheng a gift of thanks.

Then, the expression she gave Lin Changheng was mischievous, and Lin Changheng immediately understood that it seemed to be saying... this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Lin Changheng immediately changed his mind and solemnly cupped his hands, saying, "This junior does indeed have a request, but I don't know if I should mention it."

"speak."

Master Kong immediately showed a "That's more like it" expression and said with a smile.

Bai Hengwan, standing to the side, simply watched the two of them quietly, like a snow lotus rooted in the snow-capped peak, standing alone in the world.

“I have participated in many auctions in the Immortal City before. Whether it was a big auction or a small auction, there was always a special spiritual fruit up for auction.”

"It's called the 'Dragon Blood Fruit,' and it's quite beneficial to the cultivation of juniors..."

After a moment's consideration, Lin Changheng mentioned the [Dragon Blood Fruit].

Before he could finish speaking, Elder Kong interrupted him with a smile and asked, "How can you be so sure that I have the [Dragon Blood Fruit], or rather, that this [Floating Life Lake] contains the Dragon Blood Fruit?"

Lin Changheng smiled. Since the other party had spoken up, it was highly likely that it was true. He immediately stated his deduction, "This 'Dragon Blood Fruit,' with its frequent auction frequency and the 'dragon' character in its name, makes it hard not to think of the 'Azure Glazed Dragon,' a third-tier spirit beast unique to the Immortal City..."

"The speculation is correct, and the observation is quite meticulous."

Confucius nodded.

At this moment, Bai Hengwan also spoke up, and there was no need to hide anything: "What Fellow Daoist Lin said is indeed correct. The Flood Dragon Blood Fruit is indeed a specialty of Immortal Lake, and it comes from the 'Azure Glass Flood Dragon'. However, it is naturally not the blood of a flood dragon, but rather it was formed by being exposed to the aura and demonic power of the flood dragon day and night next to the cave of 'Azure Glass Lord'."

"I see."

This truth was almost exactly what Lin Changheng had guessed, so he immediately cupped his hands and said, "I wonder if Elder Kong could help provide some, I can buy them at market price."

This sentence, however, did not mention Bai Zhenchuan. It was a matter between him and Master Kong. Otherwise, he would have incurred Bai Hengwan's favor for no reason, which was unnecessary.

After all, favors have to be repaid.

Master Kong didn't seem to mind, clearly he naturally possessed these permissions, and laughed, "No problem."

With the matter settled, Lin Changheng was secretly delighted.

Auctioning one or two [Dragon Blood Fruits] every five years is far too slow.

The difficulty of body tempering increases with the level, but it can be accelerated by replenishing resources.

……

Half an hour later.

Lin Changheng and Bai Hengwan left together, boarding the magic boat she released and flying away from [Furnace Spirit Island].

On the one hand, the inner lake is heavily fortified and its defenses are very strict. It is indeed inconvenient for Lin Changheng to wander around aimlessly, so he needs to be escorted.

On the other hand, the two had other things to discuss.

Before Kong Lao's matter, Lin Changheng had already sent out a communication jade talisman, which Bai Hengwan had received.

The journey was uneventful. The two stood quietly at the bow and stern of the boat, exchanging only brief words and not engaging in any deeper conversations.

Until the two returned to the "Water Moon Pavilion".

Before Lin Changheng could speak, Bai Hengwan raised her hand, and bottles of green and blue essence blood flew out one after another.

It was none other than the essence blood of the Azure Mist Toad.

There were over a hundred bottles.

"Thank you."

Lin Changheng spread his sleeves, using his magic to absorb the essence and bloodline into his storage bag, and then cupped his hands in greeting to Bai Zhenchuan.

This woman is indeed efficient in her work, to a degree that he hadn't even expected.

He had prepared some arguments, but now they were all useless.

"When I first heard that Fellow Daoist Lin was going to move, I was quite taken aback..."

Bai Hengwan then spoke.

"The immortal city is nice, but the cave is a bit cramped, and I have raised many spirit beasts, so it's really difficult to use my skills."

Lin Changheng smiled and said, "But the location isn't far, only three thousand miles away. It can be a round trip in a few days."

Bai Hengwan remained noncommittal, then asked Lin Changheng about the location of his new cave dwelling. After noting it down, the two said their goodbyes.

During this time, Bai Hengwan revealed some more information, but only touched on it briefly.

After Lin Changheng reasoned and synthesized the information, he obtained the truth.

Even the essence blood of the Azure Mist Toad that Lin Changheng needed could only be obtained because of the Azure Glazed Dragon.

The reason is that the Azure Dragon loves to eat the internal organs of the Azure Mist Toad, and it also benefits the cultivation of the toad. The Azure Hermit deliberately sent people to risk their lives and go deep into the wilderness to hunt this toad for the sake of his own spirit beast, year after year.

"I see." This is also why the essence blood of the second-tier [Azure Mist Toad] is constantly flowing.

In this way, there is no need to worry about insufficient essence and blood.

……

"The [Dragon Blood Fruit] should arrive in a few days. Fellow Daoist Lin may wish to wait a little longer."

Suddenly, Bai Hengwan spoke up, offering a reminder.

"I understand."

Lin Changheng walked to the door, heard these words, and smiled as he turned around and cupped his hands in greeting.

Then he rose up from the ground, transforming into a streak of blue light and disappearing into the sky.

……

The rest of the time was spent waiting.

We must wait for the [Dragon Blood Fruit] promised by Master Kong, and also for news from the Bixiao Sect deacon regarding the [Eastern Wheel Willow Wood].

There's no rush for this.

With this in mind, Lin Changheng patiently waited.

The first thing to do upon returning was to extract the spirit from the hundred portions of [Azure Mist Toad] essence blood I had just obtained.

Having prepared his essence and blood, he immediately communicated with the Yuan Ding (Primordial Cauldron) through his mind and brushed his hand over the essence and blood.

As the essence blood of the Azure Mist Toad was extracted, the progress of the spirit-stealing process accelerated rapidly.

[Qinglin Mist Toad Treasure Species·Third Level]

[Spirit Stealing: 100/100]

……

The twin treasures, blue and green, trembled and took shape. When Lin Changheng touched them, he received feedback.

【Azure Mist Toad Treasure Seed - Fourth Layer】

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

Instantly, his soul was cleansed, and the precious seed merged into his body.

[Already mastered: Hallucinogenic Technique - Ascension]

Lin Changheng's mastery of this extraordinary technique has taken another step forward.

Lin Changheng went directly into the courtyard and caused the [Deep Lake Spirit Clam] to stir up water vapor, instantly filling the courtyard with mist.

It was like a light rain starting to fall.

Unorthodox methods were thus able to be employed.

Moreover, according to his own experience, this improvement represents a significant leap compared to the previous [Hallucination Technique - Clarity] stage.

In the realm of "ascending to truth," the hallucination no longer relies on forcibly distorting the other person's five senses, but rather on arousing and amplifying the target's existing emotions, memories, and desires, weaving an illusion with almost extremely high realism.

Everything in the illusion is logically consistent and perfectly detailed, like an extension of the real world or a projection of the most desired or feared scenes in one's heart, making it extremely difficult to detect and dispel.

However, the effects of hallucinations are still limited to a single target and do not extend to multiple people.

Lin Changheng slowly opened his eyes. Amidst the surging of the strange magic, countless hazy and dreamlike lights seemed to flow endlessly before disappearing again.

With a slight thought, a wisp of almost invisible mist swirled around his fingertips, causing the surrounding light to appear to subtly distort.

"【Hallucination Technique - Ascension to Truth】...truly profound."

He was secretly pleased. Once this technique was used, even late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators with weak willpower or insufficiently refined souls would likely fall victim to it.

Therefore, we look forward to the fifth level of this method, or even its transformation.

The only pity is that the rain curtain created by Xiaobai has a limited range. If a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator notices it, he can rush out with a single acceleration. Otherwise, he could create the water vapor conditions required for his special technique.

……

Time flies.

Half a month later, an envoy came from the Immortal Lake, bringing the [Dragon Blood Fruit] that Lin Changheng had long desired.

It was placed in a cold jade box.

It's about the size of a fist, with red and white stripes on a white background and nine red dots all over it!

"That's enough."

After a brief inspection and confirming that everything was correct, Lin Changheng smiled.

These dragon blood fruits are enough to support his cultivation to the peak of the second-stage body refinement. Even if he takes them continuously, the effect may be somewhat reduced, but it is still enough.

They began asking about the quantity of spirit stones.

However, the response was only 60% of the original price.

"40% off?" Lin Changheng was taken aback.

"It was a discount that Master Kong specifically instructed us to give."

This time, the envoy was different from the last one; he was clearly more respectful.

"When you return, please convey my thanks to Master Kong."

Lin Changheng paid with spirit stones, and smiled as he did so.

Master Kong's instruction saved at least twelve thousand low-grade spirit stones.

Now is a crucial time for him to use spirit stones, so he should save them whenever possible.

It has to be said that Elder Kong is much wealthier than him. He is a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, a near-third-tier alchemist, and has joined the core of the Immortal City. After years of management, the difference in wealth between Lin Changheng and Elder Kong is obvious.

"I will certainly convey Master Lin's words."

The messenger smiled and agreed, then took his leave.

Lin Changheng immediately took one and began to slowly refine it.

This is a process that takes time and patience; it cannot be rushed, but it also cannot be neglected.

……

More than ten days passed after that.

Lin Changheng also received a communication jade talisman from Master Chu.

Immediately dropping what he was doing, Lin Changheng flew away.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, what's your opinion?"

Master Chu greeted Lin Changheng at the door immediately, his face showing embarrassment.

"This matter has nothing to do with Fellow Daoist Chu."

Lin Changheng accepted the spiritual tea offered by the other party and shook his head. "However, do you think what the other party said is true or false?"

"It's hard to say. The Bixiao Sect may indeed be cracking down on the unauthorized acquisition and sale of spirit wood, but it's also possible that the other party is using this as an excuse to raise prices."

Chu Fushi pondered for a moment, then turned back and added, "Moreover, I have indeed not heard any related rumors from the [Bixiao Sect]."

"Raising the price isn't out of the question, but asking for such an exorbitant price is going too far, as if they've got me cornered. There's no point in continuing the negotiation then."

Where in the world can you find prices that double so easily? Whatever the reason, this business has reached its end.

Lin Changheng clearly didn't want to be manipulated by this person. Did he really think he was a sucker?
A soft voice came out, and after Lin Changheng expressed his attitude, he got up and left.

"What a pity... Fellow Daoist Lin, please take care."

Master Chu escorted Lin Changheng out.

"By the way, you can speed up the collection of Foundation Establishment Pill materials a little, fellow Daoist."

Lin Changheng gave a reminder and then whistled away.

(End of this chapter)