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

Chapter 285 Insight into Demonic Arts, Ancient Remnant

The collected metal-elemental essence blood was completely drained.

【Mysterious Bald Eagle Treasure Seed - Fifth Level】

[Spirit Stealing: 100/100]

[Biochemical Life: 10/10]

……

[With essence and blood fully absorbed, the transformation is complete!]

【Mysterious Eagle True Core - Supreme】

[Can be refined into a primordial demonic technique that incorporates the bloodline of demonic beasts: Insight]

"Refine into".

A bright golden core, the size of an adult's fist, swirling with azure mist and seemingly containing countless tiny pupils opening and closing inside, was formed and nurtured within the Yuan Cauldron.

With a single mental strike from Lin Changheng, it drifted into his soul, then, like mercury spilling onto the ground, seeped into every corner of his body, deeply merging with his bloodline.

"call!"

Lin Changheng couldn't help but take a deep breath.

Suddenly, a cool, sharp sensation, as if it could peel away appearances and see the essence, washed over his entire body like an invisible tide, even cleansing his soul, making Lin Changheng shiver.

Finally, everything converged in those eyes.

If anyone were present at this moment, they would see an astonishing change taking place in Lin Changheng's tightly closed eyes.

Beneath his otherwise ordinary eyelid skin, a golden light seemed to surge through the veins beneath, eventually converging within his eye sockets. A faint, pure, and non-glaring golden halo, like the morning sun, shone through his tightly closed eyelids, tinting his long, slightly upturned eyelashes with a golden glow.

His much-reliant and frequently used [Insightful Techniques] finally absorbed enough bloodline power, undergoing another transformation and advancing to [Insightful Demonic Techniques]!
next moment--

Lin Changheng opened his eyes!
"Shh!"

It was as if two invisible, perfectly condensed golden blades of light slashed out from his eyes, instantly piercing the darkness of the quiet room.

That was not real light, but a kind of extremely sharp "mysterious meaning" that seemed to be able to cut through illusion and see the truth directly.

The moment his pupils opened, they turned into a pure, bright gold, but soon the bright gold slowly subsided, returning to a deep, abyss-like black.

On this pitch-black base, the countless pale gold runes that had been moving before did not disappear. Instead, like stars, they were more stably and orderly embedded and flowed in the depths of the pupils, forming two slowly rotating miniature vortexes that seemed to devour all light and secrets.

Those extra, invisible eyes seemed to truly fit in, transforming into vortexes within the eyes!

When his gaze moves, it trails extremely subtle, fleeting golden streaks, like shooting stars streaking across the night sky.

These eyes are completely different now.

It is calm, dignified, and profound, carrying a superhuman, high-dimensional sense of scrutiny.

"So strong!"

Lin Changheng was taken aback, then delighted.

This represents a significant leap forward compared to [Insight into Otherworldly Laws].

"This is definitely not a demonic technique that an ordinary ancestral beast could possess!"

The more Lin Changheng understood this, the more he realized it.

This [Mysterious Vulture] may not be a descendant of the [True Spirit of Heaven and Earth], but it is very likely that it possesses the bloodline of some kind of [Ancient Remnant].

Therefore, the inherited ancestral demonic arts are so powerful!

【Heaven and Earth True Spirit】 and 【Ancient Remnant】 represent the core characteristics of a type of demon beast: favored by heaven and earth, ancient and powerful.

There are many similar terms, each with its own basis for classification.

The Golden Armored Thunder Ape we encountered last time was referred to as a "Savage Beast" in ancient texts. It was born in the wilderness, grew up in the wilderness, and transformed in the wilderness. It had an astonishing bloodline and was a very powerful type of savage beast.

Previously, Lin Changheng had also come into contact with mountain and marsh spirits such as the [Lantern Grass Spirit] and the [Red-Eyed Fire Demon], which were formed by chance and were impossible to find or replicate.

"I wonder what the actual effects of this [Spell of Insight into Demons] are?"

Lin Changheng was even more concerned about this.

He couldn't wait to start testing his transformed abilities.

He first glanced at the complex array he had set up.

In an instant, the energy nodes, spiritual energy flow, and formation patterns of the array became as clear as the lines on the palm of one's hand.

Combined with his own mastery of array formations, Lin Changheng could quickly find the weak points.

It is much clearer than the previous "different state" and "three arts combined" state, which is beneficial for breaking and dismantling the formation.

This is not simply seeing through things, but rather directly "insight" into its energy structure and internal workings!
Lin Changheng pushed open the window and looked up at the sky.

There was a faint arc of light, which was also the second-tier low-grade array protecting this place.

But the next moment, every detail was revealed in Lin Changheng's eyes.

They directly saw the essence of how the formation worked.

"I see. Perhaps I can dismantle it all. I just need to bombard that point with my magic power to block the transmission of spiritual energy, then disperse my magic power and attack the other two support points again. Everything will collide, disrupt its foundation, and even cause the formation to self-destruct..."

If Lin Changheng's mastery of array formations is at the first-tier high level, then with the blessing of [Insight into Demonic Arts], his ability to break arrays is comparable to, and even surpasses, ordinary second-tier low-level array masters in some aspects!

After all, setting up an array requires systematic knowledge, a great deal of practice, and a deep understanding of materials and ley lines. It is a creative process "from nothing to something" that requires profound accumulation.

Breaking through the formation, to some extent, is more like a deconstruction process of "finding vulnerabilities".

After the [Insight into Demonic Arts] is applied, many array nodes, energy circuits, and even the most subtle discordant points and weak points caused by the skill level of the array setter or the limitations of materials, which are shrouded in mystery to ordinary array masters and require repeated deduction and calculation to find, become as clear as a lighthouse in the darkness!

Lin Changheng doesn't need to fully understand the intricate structure of this second-tier low-grade formation!
He only needs to find the weakest "load-bearing beam," or the most crucial "gear" that, if disturbed, will trigger a chain reaction. Then, by breaking through the surface with a point, using far less force than required to forcibly break the formation, he can cause a partial collapse or even a complete paralysis of the entire formation system!
This is like a skilled carpenter who has crafted a complex puzzle box. A strong but reckless man might need to smash the box to get what's inside, while someone with X-ray vision can easily find the hidden latch, and with a gentle push, the box opens naturally.

As long as the level of power and the foundation of the formation do not create an absolute crushing advantage, he will have a great advantage when dealing with formations of the same level or even slightly higher.

...Satisfied, he turned his gaze to the bustling crowds on the streets of the market.

At first glance, the scene is completely different!

In his eyes, most Qi Refining stage cultivators had a faint aura, like fireflies; the occasional Foundation Establishment cultivators who passed by were like torches of varying brightness, from which he could roughly judge the depth of their cultivation.

When his gaze casually swept over a seemingly ordinary old man setting up a stall on the street corner, who was arguing heatedly with a customer over a "discount," his [Insightful Magic] subtly sensed something amiss!
The old man's ability to conceal his aura was extremely skillful. On the surface, he only showed fluctuations of the late stage of Qi Refining, but under Lin Changheng's "insight," he could vaguely see that a condensed and heavy earth-type magic power, as deep as an abyss, was lurking within him. Its strength... was probably no less than that of a pseudo-core cultivator!
"Such a brilliant concealment technique! If it weren't for [Insight into Demonic Arts], I would have almost misjudged it." Lin Changheng was secretly shocked.

"Is it really as the stories say, that high-level cultivators can roam the mortal world and become ordinary mortals?"

The next moment, the old man who was bargaining suddenly looked up and looked in his direction. His withered face was full of wrinkles, and then he grinned.

Eyes facing each other.

Lin Changheng couldn't figure out what the other party meant, so he could only cup his hands in greeting.

The old man waved what he was holding, then turned back to continue his spittle-flecked rant to the customer, politely declining any bargaining.

He looked like a complete commoner, not at all like a wise man.

"This person has very keen senses!"

Lin Changheng did not pay attention to appearances, but immediately made a judgment.

Although he did not use the divine light that combined the three arts this time, the essence of [Insight] did not carry much of a sense of prying. This was true of heterodox arts, and even more so of the upgraded demonic arts.

However, the fact that the other party still noticed it indicates that this person either has an exceptionally outstanding spiritual sense or a cultivation level far exceeding that of a True Core cultivator, making their perception even more acute than that of the Golden Armored Thunder Ape.

"That's all."

Lin Changheng had many plans and intentions to communicate and interact with the old man, but in the end he chose to give up.

We don't know what kind of person they are, or whether their actions are righteous or evil. If we offend them, it's hard to say what might happen in the end.

For now, it's best to focus on developing steadily and avoid getting involved in trouble. It would be a huge loss if I were to get into trouble and ruin myself.

……

time flies.

The commotion of the beast tide finally reached the ears, but it didn't have too much of an impact.

Because the beast tide was not contained and lacked follow-up strength, it disintegrated halfway through.

Only a few scattered demonic beasts continued to break out of the wilderness, but they were surrounded and annihilated by the demon-hunting cultivators. It was a stroke of luck, and they did not cause much of a stir.

However, the scattered cultivators of the Purple Extreme Sect slowly gathered at the only stronghold of human cultivators, [Golden Sand Market].

In the end, the cultivators reunited, and of the original group of ten, only six remained!
One person was lost in the near-third-tier spiritual land.

Later, while fleeing from the beast tide, they lost three more people.

Among them, the losses from the beast tide were significantly higher for the two late-stage Foundation Establishment and two mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators!
Besides Lin Changheng and Mo Zhaoli, the remaining people include Master Linghu, the Golden Array Master, Ye Qingwu, and Senior Brother Zhang, who reached a cooperation agreement with Mo Zhaoli.

When everyone met, their faces were clearly grim, and they all felt a sense of unease. Only Master Linghu remained calm, his gaze sweeping over the crowd with a composed expression. In a slightly somber voice, he offered a word of advice: "This is the deeper cruelty of the cultivation world!"

"Don't think that just because you've reached the late Foundation Establishment stage, you're powerful and have many tricks up your sleeve. A single unexpected event could easily destroy you!"

His tone carried a sense of world-weariness, "Even my fake core, though seemingly high and mighty and revered within the sect, is actually constantly walking on thin ice, fearing that one wrong step or bad luck will lead to my death and the loss of my cultivation, with all my hundred years of hard work going to waste!"

He paused, his gaze lingering on the faces of the Foundation Establishment cultivators for a moment, his tone growing increasingly solemn:
"Foundation Establishment is merely the beginning of escaping the lowest level of the cultivation world and gaining the initial qualification to explore this vast world. Core Formation is far from carefree. Above, there are Nascent Soul Ancestors looking down on all living beings; outside, there are powerful alien enemies eyeing us covetously; and there are various perilous secret realms and ancient ruins. One step leads to life, one step leads to death; this is the norm."

"You should take today's experience as a warning. Do not be complacent because of some achievements, nor let your hearts be clouded by temporary setbacks. Only by walking on thin ice, acting bravely and diligently, being cautious and careful, yet daring to seize that glimmer of hope at critical moments, can you possibly go further on this path that defies the heavens."

These words, like a morning bell and evening drum, resonated in everyone's hearts. The hearts that had been somewhat agitated by gains and escapes gradually calmed down, replaced by a clearer understanding.

Lin Changheng also fell silent.

That was his belief, and he had always practiced this prudent approach, but he never expected that what Master Linghu said would be so consistent with his own philosophy.

When he looked up, he saw that Master Linghu was also looking at him, and he was taken aback.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master!"

Lin Changheng was unsure if he was overthinking things, but as everyone bowed and accepted his instruction, he also clasped his hands in thanks.

But a question arose in my mind.

The look in this person's eyes... is hard to decipher.

"However, despite the unexpected events, we have still completed our mission solidly and can now return to the sect to report back."

After making the announcement, Master Linghu released the spirit boat and prepared to leave.

Everyone flew onto the spirit boat, including Mo Zhaoli and Ye Qingwu. They were surprised to find Lin Changheng standing still after boarding.

"Forest……"

Mo Zhaoli was about to use telepathy to ask Lin Changheng for his thoughts.

But then Master Linghu's voice suddenly rang out, carrying a rare warmth, "Young friend Lin, why don't you come back with us? It should be on the way."

"Thank you for your kindness, Master. I have other matters to attend to and cannot accompany you all for the time being. Please forgive me."

Lin Changheng showed no intention of moving, his figure as still as a long sword planted in the ground.

"Very well! Then please make yourself at home, young friend Lin."

Without saying much, Master Linghu directly steered the spirit boat, creating a thick shadow as it sped away.

Only Mo Zhaoli stood at the edge of the boat, casting a concerned and slightly reluctant gaze, as clear as autumn water.

Lin Changheng smiled slightly as a gesture of comfort, then turned to watch the spirit boat fly away.

Once the spirit boat had completely disappeared from the horizon, Lin Changheng's expression suddenly darkened, because he discovered that he had a mark on his body that he didn't know when it appeared. It was very subtle, but it still didn't escape his senses.

We've been noticed!
Who did this?
Lin Changheng racked his brains but had no idea. He had no recollection of it at the time, but he guessed that the probability of someone who could do this was low, while the probability of someone who was a pseudo-core cultivator, Master Linghu, was much higher.

Lin Changheng couldn't figure out the motive, but he could only deduce it by considering who could do it!
(End of this chapter)