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

Chapter 264 Blood of Spirits, End of Worldly Ties

Lin Changheng felt that this essence blood looked somewhat familiar, but was also different.

He picked up a bottle of essence blood and examined it closely.

A sudden realization dawned on him, and he was astonished to discover that the essence blood was actually the blood of the Crimson-Eyed Fire Demon.

A spirit from the mountains and marshes, the Crimson-Eyed Fire Demon!
Lin Changheng had obtained over a hundred portions of first-tier monster blood from a senior member of the [Purple Extreme Sect] through Mo Zhaoli.

However, due to the slow collection process, they were unable to successfully seize the spirit for a time.

Then, due to the other party's repeated changes of mind, this cunning acquisition also encountered many unexpected problems and was once put on hold.

Lin Changheng was furious at this person's inconsistency and decided that if he ever met him, he would demand an explanation.

However, the [Crimson-Eyed Fire Demon] essence blood in his possession was of a high level and had been used to assist in the creation of other fire-type essence blood, so it was not a waste.

It's just that there's no hope of seizing the spirit.

But unexpectedly, they encountered the essence blood of the Crimson-Eyed Fire Demon at the Huang family's residence.

Moreover, it's at a higher level.

It has reached the second order.

Combined with the remaining essence and blood from before, it is only a little short of completing a soul-stealing operation.

However, Lin Changheng was quite curious about the Huang family's possession of this essence blood, and he tried to find out more about it indirectly.

The answer was vague, as confidentiality was one of the conditions for the acquisition. However, some information that did not involve key details made Lin Changheng realize that this [Crimson-Eyed Fire Demon] should be the one in the hands of the [Purple Extreme Sect] senior.

After two or three decades of ups and downs and uncertainties, the essence of this monster still ended up in his hands.

The Huang family also took the initiative to express their willingness to continue to provide Lin Changheng with this kind of essence and blood.

This is as a way of thanking Lin Changheng for his unwavering support and continuous assistance during the family's time of crisis.

Because Lin Changheng truly needed this essence blood, he didn't stand on ceremony.

And it is only natural.

After all, the fact that the Huang family was able to escape unscathed, and that Lin Changheng killed three mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators, truly deserves the greatest credit.

……

Upon receiving this gift, Lin Changheng left the clan early the next morning, accompanied by Zeng and Huang Daolu.

"By the way, I wonder how your younger sister is doing these days? Has her old ailment of the [Dragon's Roar Body] recurred?"

Lin Changheng suddenly thought of something and looked at Huang Linglin, asking a question.

Huang Linglin shook her head, then thought of her younger sister, and her face instantly darkened.

After a moment, he said, "The Dragon Roar Body is too special. After cultivating it, the Yin and Yang energies that were originally in conflict within the body turned into a fierce battle. Previously, thanks to Brother Lin's pills, the situation was still good, and I was able to preserve my late-stage Qi Refining cultivation. However, before I finished taking all the pills Brother Lin gave me, my Yang energy became excessively strong..."

"Even with subsequent use of elixirs, it is impossible to overcome or suppress the condition."

"After that, my sister had no choice but to disperse her cultivation in order to resist the yang energy. Over the years, her cultivation level has plummeted and she is now only at the third level of Qi Refining... But fortunately, Su'er has accepted it quite calmly."

Upon hearing this, Lin Changheng shook his head.

Faced with such an innate constitution, especially one with inherent negative aspects, it is truly incurable by medicine. At the very least, second-tier alchemists and pharmacists cannot do it, and third- or fourth-tier alchemists would probably struggle as well.

His younger sister, Huang Lingsu, possessed a superior spiritual root and was considered a favored daughter of heaven. It was truly remarkable that she could remain calm in the face of such a setback.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Changheng took out a white porcelain bottle and handed it to Huang Linglin.

"Please give this Youth Preservation Pill to your younger sister. Her cultivation is declining and her appearance is aging easily. This pill may be able to delay the aging process for a while."

Lin Changheng had no other intentions in giving this pill. This woman was the key link that led him to Chef Zeng, who was a second-level spirit chef at the time, and then to the Huang family. Later, he also received some resources from the Huang family in a mutually beneficial way. Giving this pill in return was a way of settling a karmic debt.

"I wonder if Brother Lin would like to go and meet him, so that my sister can express her gratitude in person..."

Huang Linglin took the white porcelain bottle.

In fact, she had been providing her younger sister with the "Youth Enhancement Pill" all along, since it was the only thing she, as the older sister, could do.

But she naturally wouldn't refuse Lin Changheng's kindness.

As for proposing to meet, it was because Huang Lingsu would occasionally sit by the window in a daze, and as her older sister, she naturally had to ask her with a smile.

Huang Lingsu would usually ask many questions, among which she would often include a sentence or two about Lin Danshi's current situation.

Huang Linglin has been through this before and has a keen sense of this matter, so how could she not understand?
Naturally, he answered each question in detail, especially when it came to Master Lin Dan, he would say a few more words.

Seeing the light in her younger sister's eyes, Huang Linglin felt an overwhelming pang of heartache, and she could only lament that fate had been unfair to her sister.

They clearly gave him a top-grade spiritual root, yet they also bestowed upon him the Dragon Roar Physique. Isn't that a huge mockery and torment?!

Or you could simply give nothing at all, live a peaceful and ordinary life as a mortal, never witnessing the turbulent world of cultivation, and there's nothing wrong with that!

……

Lin Changheng, of course, knew nothing of the matter between the two sisters. He glanced into the distance and shook his head: "No need."

"it is good."

Huang Linglin nodded without saying anything more.

Chef Zeng, who had remained silent to the side, glanced at his wife and couldn't help but sigh quietly.

"You two, please stay."

Then Lin Changheng bowed and said goodbye before stepping onto the magic boat and soaring into the sky.

"Lin'er..."

Chef Zeng opened his mouth, only able to awkwardly try to comfort her.

"It's all fate. They're ultimately from different worlds..."

Huang Linglin's gaze was distant and she had seen through everything. Only then did she reveal a deep weariness. "Husband, help me back."

"it is good."

As the light of their escape spells illuminated, the two flew into their clan's territory.

Unseen by anyone, a white porcelain bottle quietly slipped through someone's fingers and fell into the mountains, where it was forever buried in a mountain stream.

Silently, without a trace, and never to be seen again.

……

Standing atop the clouds, the celestial city is in sight.

Lin Changheng noticed that there were many more escape lights, magic boats, and people coming and going to Floating Life Immortal City.

Master Kong's breakthrough to the third-tier alchemist level shouldn't have been so immediately effective, but it actually happened.

He was quite surprised that upon entering the immortal city, he didn't even need to ask around; he simply used his divine sense to hear everyone's conversation.

"I see."

Lin Changheng quickly grasped the key words.

Special auction.

It will be held in the Immortal City as a supplementary event to the celebration of the Third-Rank Alchemist.

But the information that followed caused Lin Changheng's expression to change slightly.

"The auction will be held on the same day as the celebration, with the aim of bringing joy to all."

Unable to be in two places at once, Lin Changheng gave up his plan to participate.

This also indicates that this special auction is not specifically for them, and there are likely not many items that they need to be auctioned.

He deduced this immediately, so there was nothing to regret.

……

Lin Changheng did not go directly to the reception area set up in Fusheng Lake, where anyone with an invitation could enter. However, for him, there were still a few days left, and there was no point in just sitting there idly.

He decided to go and meet up with some old friends to catch up and relax. However, he received some news from Master Chu.

That was the same steward from the Bixiao Sect. His past acts of stealing sect resources for personal gain were exposed and, after investigation, he was punished by the sect.

When Lin Changheng sought the Eastern Wheel Willow Wood, this steward was in contact with several cultivators, believing he could sell it at a higher price.

So they deliberately raised the price, wanting to make as much profit as possible, since there were many buyers and they didn't care if the transaction failed.

"How were the sanctions imposed?"

Lin Changheng asked.

"Recover the embezzled funds, reflect on your actions in seclusion, and remove yourself from your post."

Master Chu's words were concise and to the point.

"That's it?"

Lin Changheng was taken aback; this was considered extremely lenient treatment.

"What else could it be?" Master Chu took a sip of wine, his face flushed, and glanced at Lin Changheng, shaking his head. "After all, the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the sect don't just appear out of thin air. They've invested a lot of resources in their training, and it's said that his elder brother is in the late Foundation Establishment stage and holds an important position within the sect. If it weren't for his brother's enemies intervening, he probably wouldn't even have made a ripple."

"Forget it, they're all people with powerful backgrounds. How can we rogue cultivators compare to them?"

Lin Changheng took a sip of wine, appearing quite indifferent.

"Fellow Daoist Lin is mistaken..."

"What do you mean?" Lin Changheng asked.

Master Chu chuckled: "Who doesn't know that Fellow Daoist Lin and Elder Kong of Immortal City have a close relationship? Now that the other party has broken through to the third-level alchemy master, and Fellow Daoist Lin has even received an invitation to attend the ceremony, it proves that you two have a close relationship. Isn't this definitely a great backer?"

A strong sense of envy permeated their words.

Lin Changheng smiled and shook his head, offering neither explanation nor response.

"Drink, drink."

Lin Changheng raised his glass directly.

Master Chu originally wanted to hear some truths and details to satisfy his curiosity, but Lin Changheng extinguished his curiosity, leaving him with no choice but to raise his glass.

……

In the following days, in addition to visiting some old friends, such as Lü Tong and Guo Qishi, Lin Changheng also went to the Baicao Shop in the inner city.

This business was opened by Master Mo's friend, Master Cheng Dan. It grew bigger and bigger because Lin Changheng endorsed it with his reputation.

They acquired three shops in succession and incorporated them into [Herbal Shop].

The next ten years were a period of unparalleled success.

Now, more than 30 years later, I found that Baicaopu has shrunk again.

There was only enough space left for two shops.

In fact, Lin Changheng had only moved away from the Immortal City for more than ten years. He had always been there before, so why didn't he come?

The main reason is that Mr. Cheng passed away at an advanced age.

His connection with the [Hundred Herbs Shop] was primarily through Master Mo, which then extended to Elder Cheng.

Once the other party passes away, there is no need for Lin Changheng to come.

But even after Master Mo left, he would occasionally think of him and want to come and take a look.

No one went inside; they simply scanned the area with their divine sense and discovered that their former junior brother, Cheng, was nowhere to be found.

Where is the Cheng family owner here?

Lin Changheng slowly stepped in, his soft voice echoing through the herbal shop.

A middle-aged cultivator was tending to medicinal herbs when he heard this. He turned around and looked up, where a dignified figure in a green robe stood silently.

He didn't even know when the other person came in, and had no recollection of it at all.

So he quickly put down what he was doing and jogged over to meet her.

The closer he got, the less he could sense Lin Changheng's presence. His attitude was extremely respectful, yet tinged with a hint of fear.

"Replying to your question, senior, are you asking about my grandfather or my great-grandfather?"

"Grandfather, great-grandfather?"

Lin Changheng was surprised, and then he carefully examined the man's face and found that he did indeed look somewhat similar.

"Are you Junior Brother Cheng's grandson?"

"Junior Brother Cheng?" The middle-aged cultivator was taken aback, then seemed to remember something and looked at Lin Changheng incredulously, "You...you are Senior Lin?"

The surprise in his voice was hard to hide, after all, the senior Lin in front of him was too young, even looking more than ten years younger than himself.

Is this the benefit of achieving success in cultivation...?

“Indeed, it seems your grandfather told you about me.”

Lin Changheng nodded, and then asked, "Where is your grandfather?"

"he……"

The middle-aged cultivator's face immediately showed grief, and his voice became low, "My grandfather... passed away five years ago."

He looked up at Lin Changheng, his eyes filled with a complex and indescribable emotion, a mixture of sadness and reminiscence: "When my grandfather was alive, he often mentioned you, senior. He said you were a genius, and your alchemy skills were extraordinary. You gave him a lot of guidance, which benefited him throughout his life. He... always remembered your kindness."

Upon hearing this, Lin Changheng remained silent for a moment.

Things are wrong.

He knew his junior brother Cheng's talent; reaching the late stage of Qi Refining was already quite an achievement. He was also slightly older than him, so it was expected that his lifespan would come to an end. However, hearing the news of his old friend's passing still left him with a sense of melancholy.

"He has passed away peacefully... It's good that he's freed from worldly troubles."

Lin Changheng sighed softly, his tone calm and revealing little emotion, "What's your name? Are you managing this shop now?"

Seeing the legendary senior's gentle attitude, the middle-aged cultivator relaxed a little and respectfully replied, "This junior is Cheng Zhiyuan. This herb shop... has been barely kept going since my grandfather passed away. My father also met with misfortune while working away from home."

There was a hint of difficulty in his words.

Lin Changheng's gaze swept over Cheng Zhiyuan's slightly rough hands and clothes stained with medicine, and then he looked at the shop, which was clean but obviously had few customers. He understood what was going on.

Cheng Zhiyuan's cultivation level is only at the sixth level of Qi Refining. Running a shop in this immortal city must be quite difficult.

Actively reducing the number of shops is also a viable strategy.

After a moment's thought, he took out two jade bottles from his storage bag and handed them to Cheng Zhiyuan: "This is a 'Breakthrough Pill' and a bottle of 'Cultivation Pill.' If you feel hopeless about breaking through, you can take them. They should be of some use to help you break through to the later stage and improve your cultivation. Since you are the descendant of an old friend, keep them."

Cheng Zhiyuan was taken aback at first, but when he felt the pure medicinal power emanating from the jade bottle, he was so excited that he was at a loss for words, waving his hands repeatedly: "This...this is too precious! This junior dares not accept such a generous gift from senior!"

"Take it." Lin Changheng placed the jade bottle in his hand, his tone brooking no refusal. "Manage it well, and don't tarnish the reputation of your great-grandfather and grandfather. If you encounter any difficulties..."

He paused, glanced around, and said, "Just focus on securing the foundation laid by your great-grandfather."

"I understand, and I will not be overly ambitious."

Cheng Zhiyuan's expression was resolute as he bowed respectfully.

Lin Changheng felt little emotion about this, only a slight sense of melancholy.

The path to immortality is long and winding, filled with gatherings and separations, which is the natural course of things.

My gaze swept over the familiar yet unfamiliar shop once more, but I felt no lingering attachment.

It also conveniently ended a worldly entanglement.

He turned around, took a step, and his figure disappeared at the entrance of the herbal shop, as if he had never appeared at all.

Holding the two bottles of pills that were now incredibly precious to him, Cheng Zhiyuan watched Lin Changheng's disappearing figure, his eyes slightly red, and bowed deeply to the ground: "Junior Cheng Zhiyuan thanks Senior Lin for his great kindness!"

……

(End of this chapter)