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

Chapter 248 The Situation is Ever-Changing, and the Grand Duke of Jupiter is Moving the Earth

The next day.

Early in the morning, Chef Zeng took his leave, and Lin Changheng, who was not in seclusion at the time, personally saw him off.

But instead of coming in the same direction, they exited from a different point.

A small opening was made in the formation at the edge of the mudflats on the west side, allowing one to quietly slip into the water, remain submerged for a distance, and then reappear and escape.

In fact, Chef Zeng is quite thoughtful.

He was probably aware of his exposure problem, so he changed his description and made slight adjustments to his posture. Of course, under Lin Changheng's gaze, this technique was a bit immature and rudimentary, and could not be hidden.

However, it is not a big problem to use it to conceal the perception and gaze of cultivators who are not proficient in this art.

"Brother Lin, the matter of the new [Mysterious Spirit Essence Blood] that I mentioned earlier needs to be postponed for a while. We can continue after this matter is resolved."

Chef Zeng had successfully achieved his goal of obtaining the medicine, but upon recalling the other party's needs... he couldn't help but sigh and explain apologetically.

Let's get through this difficult time for now.

Lin Changheng appeared very open-minded, knowing what was important and what was urgent, and instead offered words of comfort.

Thank you for your understanding.

In fact, his statement stemmed from his concern that his family's unfulfilled promise might displease Lin Changheng. Furthermore, the demand for elixirs during wartime was substantial, requiring reliance on Lin Changheng, which created a significant conflict.

Therefore, relevant explanations are necessary.

……

Lin Changheng stood there, watching the formation slowly close, his expression not good.

The Huang family did indeed put a lot of thought and effort into the new blood essence they promised, and they didn't stop even as Huang Jiuyuan's life was drawing to a close.

The progress of this matter has been reported by the cultivators from the Huang family who come to collect medicine every year.

But just when it was about to be implemented in the next few years, allowing Lin Changheng to acquire them in bulk, this incident happened.

"Damn it..."

Furthermore, the Huang family's enemies might turn against him, forcing him to sever ties with the Huang family.

After all, his reputation in the Immortal City and the area near the Huang family was quite considerable, partly due to the deliberate efforts of the Huang family. If he were to cut ties, many people who were watching would run away.

Furthermore, his cultivation level is only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, which has not yet been widely known and may attract trouble.

They thought it was a soft persimmon that could be easily kneaded.

However, there are both advantages and disadvantages. If you want to kill someone in the early stage of Foundation Establishment, the other side will at most send one or two mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, which is already quite impressive, and they will still take it seriously.

if so.

Lin Changheng didn't mind killing these fools who came to his door.

Only death can put his mind at ease towards those who harbor ill will towards him.

This also conveniently alleviates some of the positive pressure facing the Huang family.

If asked to help the Huang family fight against their enemies, Lin Changheng would absolutely refuse; he wouldn't even mention it.

But if it's someone you already wanted to kill, there's nothing wrong with giving the Huang family a head as a gift.

It's just that they set their sights on themselves.

……

Two more years passed in this way.

Lin Changheng was ninety-three years old that year.

Nothing happened.

Of course, even during this turbulent time, Lin Changheng did not leave his cave.

Just when Lin Changheng thought the other party was quite sensible, he also began to diminish his murderous intent.

The situation in the Huang family has now reached a stalemate.

A stalemate that is detrimental to them.

The three families that attacked the Huang family were no match for the Huang family at its peak, and even two of them could barely hold their own. The three of them together did not have much of an advantage.

However, the Huang family has now lost its oldest and most powerful late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Huang Jiuyuan is extremely powerful, capable of fighting two opponents of the same level without fear.

Even when facing a fake Core Formation cultivator, he was able to withstand two attacks and eventually escape.

Now that Huang Jiuyuan is gone, the Huang family's strength has been significantly weakened. They can't even withstand two enemy clans working together, let alone three.

The supporting role of top-level combat power is obvious.

Similarly, if the Nascent Soul cultivator of the [Southern Palace] in Song territory were to encounter an accident and lose its pillar, the entire Song territory would inevitably become a coveted prize, attracting the covetous eyes of several neighboring countries, and even potentially triggering wars.

The wild and desolate borderlands of the Song Dynasty stretched for an extremely long time, posing both a crisis and an inexhaustible source of resources.

Blessed by nature, it is coveted by many.

The Huang family has now been forced to abandon most of its resource points and is only holding onto a small area near their base.

The situation is difficult, but we remain resilient.

The entire family was holding their breath, a deep-seated hatred that wouldn't dissipate.

Moreover, the pills he brought back to Huang Qingshan last time were quite effective and saved him. However, not long ago, he was killed because his cultivation foundation was insufficient. His head was cut off by the enemy, put in a brocade box, and sent back to Lingqiong Mountain.

This was the first Foundation Establishment cultivator to die in this protracted battle.

Generally speaking, Foundation Establishment cultivators are more cautious. Unless they are overwhelmingly powerful, or accidentally enter a dangerous situation, they are difficult to stop and kill.

Therefore, some members of the Huang family speculated that it was an old ghost in the late Foundation Establishment stage from the Yang family of Tunjin Mountain who made the move.

But there was no way to retaliate, so he could only remember this grudge.

After all, the Grand Elder of the Yang Family of Tunjin Mountain was also a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator who had been immersed in the field for many years and possessed terrifying methods.

Although he couldn't defeat Huang Jiuyuan, Huang Chenshan, the second elder of the Huang family, was also in the late Foundation Establishment stage, but had advanced for over twenty years, making him no match for him.

Chef Zeng came twice more later.

The information was pieced together from parts he brought and information he obtained from two fellow Daoists next door.

According to him, the reason why the incident happened last time was that there was indeed a traitor within the family.

The one who secretly defected was a senior high-ranking official. It took several difficult attempts to find him and expose him. He was very well hidden and was eventually killed in public.

Deter similar acts of treason!
Especially at this critical juncture of life and death, the entire nation must be of one mind and one heart.

What surprised Chef Zeng was that the enemy did indeed have a plan to attack Lin Changheng.

But for some reason, it was shelved or canceled.

Chef Zeng and Lin Changheng discussed this point for a long time, but they still couldn't find a clear answer.

Had to give up.

Lin Changheng also gave the newly refined pills to the other party.

He hoped that the Huang family could persevere and get through this crisis. At least for now, the two sides were cooperating quite well, and it was a mutually beneficial relationship for both sides.

But the final outcome is not up to his will.

We can only let nature take its course.

……

Another half year passed.

A Dharma boat flew in from the horizon.

This is Chef Zeng's fourth visit to Jade Belt Lake.

They were still seeking medicine.

But this time it was completely different.

As Lin Changheng welcomed Chef Zeng inside, his vast and expansive divine sense sensed something and inadvertently glanced at a certain spot behind him before pretending not to notice and leaving.

Clearly, Chef Zeng had no idea that he had a tail following him.

As for why they didn't act immediately, there must be another reason.

...This time, significantly more pills are needed; Lin Changheng will need to refine them for at least a month.

Moreover, three or four batches contained targeted healing and detoxifying pills.

This reflects the current anxious and dire situation.

The battle intensified.

After briefly inquiring about the situation, Chef Zeng hurriedly left again.

This time, Lin Changheng did not allow him to leave quietly at another point on the edge of the island, as he had done the first time.

Instead, it was delivered directly to the spot where they had just entered.

To leave openly and honestly.

Although Chef Zeng was surprised, he didn't pay too much attention to it. Perhaps Lin Changheng felt that there had been no risk for so long that there was no need to hide it anymore.

"call!"

Chef Zeng soared into the sky like a rainbow and disappeared in no time.

The gap in the formation slowly closed and was covered again, but Lin Changheng stood motionless inside the formation, seemingly standing in mid-air, frozen like a wooden stake.

But his divine sense had already spread out to the heavens and the earth.

"Why is it missing?"

Lin Changheng was surprised.

One possibility is that he has already left.

But the possibility is not high.

Moreover, Lin Changheng did not notice the slightest movement when Chef Zeng flew away, since he had sensed Chef Zeng's arrival.

They were completely unaware of the time of their departure.

This doesn't make sense.

That leaves only one explanation.

This person either didn't leave with Chef Zeng, or his destination wasn't Chef Zeng at all...

"open."

Lin Changheng murmured a sentence, his eyes narrowed slightly, then suddenly opened them.

Instantly, pale gold, clear, and gray light intertwined and swirled in his eyes, like divine light projected onto the distant mountains.

The head slowly turned, and divine light began to sweep across.

Half an hour later.

Lin Changheng narrowed his eyes and looked in a certain direction.

There, a well-hidden figure lurked in the woods.

Like a silent, stubborn rock, or a formless shadow.

It's amazing.

There was no sound or any sign of life.

If it weren't for Lin Changheng's three methods combined to see through spiritual energy, he wouldn't have been able to detect anything.

"very good."

A cold glint flashed in Lin Changheng's eyes, confirming his suspicions.

I just don't know what the other party's cultivation level is, otherwise I could take action.

Now, we can only wait a little longer.

……

late at night.

A day had passed, and Lin Changheng had been watching this person all day.

It remained motionless, like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows.

"They do have patience."

But Lin Changheng didn't want to wait any longer.

He had now figured it out: late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators needed to strategize, govern their clans, or fight on the battlefield; they didn't have time to waste here.

Even if there is only a slight possibility that this person is a true late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, he could withstand such a short distance and escape back into the formation.

In case the other party is careless, there is a possibility that they could be torn apart by me at close range.

Therefore, from any perspective, the risks are controllable, and the results are enormous.

……

Having made his decision, Lin Changheng checked his storage bag, prepared himself, and then used the hidden exit of the second cave in the back mountain to dive into the water. He emerged from the water at a distance, circled around for a long time, and then slowly approached using the [Concealing Breath Demon Technique].

Without warning, Lin Changheng had already become one with the environment.

He was like a gentle breeze sweeping across a lake, or a fallen leaf drifting down from the forest. His aura, body temperature, and even the faint fluctuations of spiritual energy around him were perfectly concealed, completely merging with the surrounding moisture and the vitality of the trees.

Even if a cultivator scans it with their divine sense, they will most likely ignore it, thinking it is just a slightly thicker cloud of mist.

Instead of rushing directly to the lurking cultivator's location, he used the [Insightful Technique] to observe from afar the extremely weak spiritual energy flowing around the other party, which was almost indistinguishable from the natural environment, searching for the perfect angle and timing to enter.

Lin Changheng has tested this technique multiple times and found that the combined divine light gaze does not produce the feeling of being watched or spied on.

It was as if it were not the gaze of a person, but the projection of natural light.

He had been "staring" at this person for half a day, and the other party had not reacted at all, which further confirmed this point.

However, his divine sense was being restrained and not spreading, in order to avoid being discovered.

At the same time, his magical power surged within him, one hand loosely holding a black seal, the other concealing a chilling cyan-gold flying sword within his sleeve.

He was like the most patient hunter, silently closing the distance between himself and his prey.

Five hundred zhang, four hundred zhang, three hundred zhang...

The lurking cultivator remained as still as a rock, showing no sign of movement. He was clearly very confident in his concealment skills and had no idea that a deadly danger was quietly approaching.

Two hundred zhang, one hundred and fifty zhang, one hundred zhang...

This distance is already within the attack range that a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator can confidently and quickly reach!

A cold glint suddenly flashed in Lin Changheng's eyes!
It's now!

With a thought, he unleashed the [Illusory Art - Ascension], his hand wreathed in wood energy.

At the same time, he stopped concealing himself, activated his magic power, and instantly withdrew the [Concealing Breath Demon Technique]. His spiritual pressure as a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator suddenly erupted, like a lurking tiger suddenly pouncing out!

Suddenly, his left hand pressed down.

"Om-!"

With a clear cry, the seal surged forward, growing larger and larger until it resembled a giant black millstone, crashing down upon the front!

With a flick of his right hand, the azure-gold flying sword emitted a sword cry, transforming into a bolt of lightning that tore through the sky, piercing straight into the opponent's back!
Several second-tier low-grade talismans were activated simultaneously, unleashing ice spears, fire snakes, vines... raining down and blocking all possible evasion routes!

Hallucinations, black marks, flying swords, talismans!
A four-pronged attack, delivered in quick succession, leaving no stone unturned!

Still a sneak attack, aiming for a fatal blow!

Only then did the shadowy figure, which had been like a dead object, suddenly jolt, as if it had been forcibly awakened from its illusion.

A surge of spiritual pressure, a mixture of shock and rage, suddenly erupted from a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, who appeared to be at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment, attempting to resist this sudden and deadly attack.

However, Lin Changheng's meticulously planned trap had seized too much of an advantage!

First, there was the [hallucinogenic] power that silently invaded his mind. Although it failed to drag him into the illusion for long, it successfully caused him to lose his mind at the most critical moment, interrupting his instinctive counterattack and defense rhythm.

Immediately afterwards, the black inkstone, now the size of a millstone, crashed down with tremendous force!

"Who dares to launch a sneak attack!"

The bone shield that the shadowy figure hastily erected had barely begun to glow when it was crushed down by the black platform with absolute power!

"Crack!"

(End of this chapter)