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

Chapter 306 Earth Tortoise Breaks Through, Sword Embryo Displays Its Power

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

The fact that the Ziji Sect's surveillance and enforcement team did not reappear at Jade Belt Lake relieved Lin Changheng, Xu Maoling, and Cheng Suling somewhat.

Xu and Cheng were clearly more worried than Lin Changheng, and they patrolled the formation almost every day to keep an eye on the outside world.

They have been operating on their respective islands for decades, devoting countless efforts to their transformation and cultivation.

Xu Maoling, in particular, felt as if a piece of his heart had been ripped out when he thought of the fertile spiritual fields on the island that he had cultivated with his unique secret methods, as well as the various kinds of spiritual soil that he had carefully laid out and were worth a fortune.

If we are forced to give up, it would be even more heartbreaking than losing a large amount of spirit stones.

Cheng Suling was similar. She had transformed Floating Star Island over the years using feng shui techniques, almost turning it into a feng shui treasure land. How could she bear to give it up before forming her core?
In contrast, Lin Changheng appeared much calmer.

When he chose to settle here, although he planned to live here for several decades, due to the special nature of alchemy, apart from the necessary construction of cave dwellings and medicine gardens, he did not overdevelop [Qiyue Island], nor did he deeply bind his own path to the island.

For him, this place was more like a fully functional cave and experimental field. If things became unworkable, abandoning it would be a pity, but it wouldn't be a major blow.

With his status as a second-tier high-grade alchemist and his cultivation level, he could quickly establish himself, whether he returned to Floating Life Immortal City or accepted the Sun family's invitation to go to Flowing Cloud Immortal City.

This difference in mindset is also reflected in their future plans.

Xu Maoling and Cheng Suling began to strengthen the island's defenses more actively, and even secretly contacted familiar fellow Daoists to find room for maneuver, striving to preserve their hard-earned foundation.

Lin Changheng then devoted more of his energy to deducing ancient formulas for the Sun family, as well as cultivating his own magical power and strengthening his body.

The opportunity for the Black-Armored Earth Turtle to obtain the elixir has arrived, but Lin Changheng did not inform it. He simply instructed it to prepare fully and hone its cultivation to perfection.

The reason is that this turtle is lazy by nature, so you can't expect too much from it.

If we had told it in advance that the pills were ready, given its nature, it would probably have immediately become complacent and refused to work hard to hone its demonic power, just waiting for the pills to enter its mouth.

This black-armored earth tortoise has considerable talent and amazing defense, but it is slow and sluggish. If it weren't for Lin Changheng's constant encouragement and its favorite pills, it would probably have to cut corners in its daily cultivation.

This breakthrough opportunity is rare, and Lin Changheng is determined to let it adjust its state to its peak on its own. When it can no longer make any progress, he will then bestow the elixir upon it so that the elixir can be used to its fullest potential and lay the most solid foundation.

Therefore, Lin Changheng often used his divine sense to check its cultivation progress. Seeing that it was obediently lying on the spiritual vein node after being urged, absorbing earth element spiritual energy, and slowly and firmly refining its demon core, he was quite satisfied.

"After another half month of polishing, the timing should be just right."

Lin Changheng withdrew his divine sense, no longer paying attention to the earth tortoise, and instead focused his mind on his body, guiding the external spiritual energy to flow through his meridians and transform it into magical power, improving his cultivation step by step.

……

On this day, the moon was just rising.

The black-armored tortoise lying on the spiritual vein node suddenly opened its sleepy eyes and irritably scratched at its front paws.

It felt it had been cultivating exceptionally diligently lately, even reducing its favorite activities like hiding in mud puddles and sunbathing, yet its master hadn't offered a single word of praise. It secretly opened one eye and glanced towards the cave, just in time to see Lin Changheng emerge from within.

Just as it was contemplating whether to roll around and act cute, the demonic power within its body suddenly surged uncontrollably. The black-armored earth tortoise was so frightened that it shrank its head, unable to stop the dimming of the earthy-yellow spiritual light around its body, and the patterns on its carapace began to flow.

It immediately sensed that its own demon core had reached the pinnacle of this realm and could not advance any further, and an irresistible urge to break through a barrier arose.

Just then, a voice transmission entered his mind: "Swallow it."

A brown pill, emitting an enticing medicinal aroma, was precisely dropped into its gaping maw.

The black-shelled tortoise chewed twice instinctively, then its eyes widened in surprise—this taste! It was a completely new taste, and the aroma was incredibly strong! So fragrant!
Before you can even savor it, the powerful medicinal effects have already taken hold!

In that instant, it was so excited that its four short paws dug shallow holes in the ground. It turned out that its master had been prepared all along! While trying to circulate its demonic power, it rubbed its wet nose against Lin Changheng and made a fawning whimper.

Then, a powerful yet gentle medicinal force erupted continuously, like a flood bursting its banks. The Black-Armored Earth Turtle dared not be negligent and used all its demonic power to guide the medicinal force.

Its body was enveloped in a frenzy of spiritual energy, forming an earthy-yellow vortex of spiritual power that caused the island's ground to tremble slightly. The patterns on its carapace shone brightly, faintly forming a mysterious array of runes.

"boom!"

The demonic power, wrapped in medicinal energy, surged towards its incredibly sturdy bottleneck barrier. The barrier, which had been as immovable as a rock, began to tremble violently in the face of this barrier-breaking force specifically designed for turtle-type demonic beasts.

Lin Changheng stood at a distance with his hands behind his back, watching quietly. He could sense that Xiao Hei's aura was steadily rising, making solid progress towards the mid-stage of the second tier.

……

As the night passed, the sun rose.

"chatter--!"

The black-armored earth tortoise raised its head and let out a deep yet powerful roar. The sound was so powerful that it made the pebbles on the ground around it tremble slightly. Its power was far greater than before.

Its already enormous body, as large as a small hill, seemed to have expanded even further, exceeding one zhang in length, nearly one zhang and three zhang. However, it was not a flimsy, bloated mass, but rather a more solid and substantial one, as if it were more closely connected to the earth beneath its feet.

This breakthrough is a success!
Lin Changheng flashed forward, a look of joy appearing on his face, and approached directly to observe carefully.

Besides the improved aura, the most significant change is in its carapace.

The original black back armor now had an even deeper color, and under the sunlight it gleamed with a cold, metallic sheen, similar to that of black iron.

The golden patterns that were originally on the carapace became more numerous and denser, like naturally formed mysterious array patterns, faintly connected, flowing with a calm earth elemental spiritual light.

In the center of the carapace, the three protrusions that were originally there, resembling miniature mountain peaks, are now much thicker and taller, with more distinct edges and corners, like three miniature, precipitous mountains, exuding an indestructible and majestic aura, as if one could carry the mountains on one's back!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!..."

Xiao Hei's four thick, short limbs stomped on the ground, leaving deep imprints with each step. The demonic energy emanating from its body not only reached the mid-stage of the second tier, but also carried a sense of stability and oppression originating from the earth.

Clearly, this breakthrough not only improved its cultivation level, but also enhanced the defensive and strength traits in its talent.

It shook its now enormous head, its turtle eyes gleaming with excitement and satisfaction. Then, yellow clouds rose from beneath its feet, carrying it quickly to Lin Changheng's side, where it nuzzled affectionately, seemingly displaying its newfound power.

It has a kind of silly, goofy feel to it.

"Good, keep up the good work, and you'll be on track to reach the third rank."

Lin Changheng was generous with his praise and didn't stop making empty promises. He patted Xiao Hei's huge head.

By this point, two of the three spirit beasts he had raised had broken through to the mid-stage of the second tier, and the third, Little Green, was not far from reaching the second tier either.

Lin Changheng was not in a hurry to prepare resources; he could purchase [Spirit Communication Pills] again through the Immortal City channels.

This is a Foundation Building Pill usable by demonic beasts and spirit beasts, which helps them break through to higher realms.

Lin Changheng helped the Immortal City modify and adjust this ancient elixir formula, which led to this lucrative business. Even without following the paths of Bai Hengwan and Master Kong, obtaining it would not be difficult.

That's how it is with alchemists. The stronger your skills and the greater your reputation, the more people will seek your help. Their kindness, respect, and even flattery will quietly become part of your network!
……

Two months later.

Lin Changheng had just gotten out of the medicinal bath when the flames inside his body spun, evaporating the water stains on his skin.

He then took the Qi and Blood Pills as usual to repair the injuries caused by the body refinement, and they began to scab over.

But Lin Changheng's eyes, on the other hand, became increasingly bright and sparkling.

Because the peak of the second-stage body refinement is just around the corner.

As the body strengthens, the harm and pain from the medicinal bath gradually decrease.

The next moment, a loud "boom" suddenly rang out outside, no less than a bolt from the blue.

And at this time, it was the dead of night!
The entire Jade Belt Lake area was incredibly tranquil, but the silence was suddenly broken.

"Chirp! Chirp!"

Then, another sharp, identical blast rang out, and judging from the location of the sound, it was clear that they were rapidly ascending into the air.

It must be a signal symbol!

"My lord, both islands have sent out signal talismans; something must have happened!"

Yan Mingyi flashed over and rushed over.

"Let's go take a look!"

Lin Changheng was not too impatient. With a thought, a strange power spread out, drawing in the magic power within his body and pulling at the free fire spirit power outside his body.

They converged directly on the body and exploded with a roar.

【The Unorthodox Method of Rebirth: A Glimpse into the Path】!
With a "sizzling" sound, a terrifying ball of fire elemental energy landed precisely on the wound. Surprisingly, the wound began to regenerate at a visible speed in the next instant, recovering at an extremely rapid pace.

"Ouch! That hurts!"

The whole process was very quick. After the flames dissipated, the wounds on Lin Changheng's body had basically disappeared, leaving his skin smooth and new, and he had recovered.

"But it works great!"

Lin Changheng bared his teeth and flew directly off the island.

……

"Fellow Daoist Lin!"

"Brother Lin Dao!"

Outside the three islands, inside the joint defense formation, Cheng and Xu had been waiting for some time, their faces grim as they stared at the outside of the formation.

Lin Changheng flashed to the two men's side. Hearing their greeting, he nodded and looked at them, asking, "What's the situation right now?"

"Fellow Daoist Lin, look over there!" Xu Maoling pointed to the west side of Jade Belt Lake.

Under the cover of night, three long, narrow flying boats, all black in color and strangely shaped, appeared on the surface of Jade Belt Lake. Their prows were carved with ferocious dragon heads, and they were flying low overhead.

The airflow it generated silently broke through the lake waves, rushing towards the three islands in a triangular pattern.

On the boat, dozens of figures stood indistinctly, each exuding a murderous aura and making no attempt to conceal their Foundation Establishment stage spiritual pressure. Among them, three or four had particularly powerful auras, clearly reaching the late Foundation Establishment stage!

"Those band of thieves who slaughtered the mines and destroyed the workshops before?"

Lin Changheng frowned.

"It should be."

Cheng Suling spoke rapidly, her voice carrying a hint of coldness, "I don't know what those jackals from the Purple Extreme Sect are good for. They talk a good game, but apart from extorting and bullying us good cultivators, they haven't achieved anything in suppressing the bandits. Instead, they've allowed these calamity cultivators to run rampant outside with impunity!" As soon as she finished speaking, the three dragon beast spirit boats approached and suddenly dispersed, each occupying a place.

Then, the cultivators on the boat attacked in unison. In an instant, all sorts of magical lights and spiritual artifacts bombarded the light screen of the joint defense formation from all angles, like a storm!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!..."

Deafening explosions rang out one after another, and colorful spiritual light exploded wildly under the night sky. The powerful shockwave caused the entire array's light screen to sway slightly, with ripples constantly spreading, and even the lake water inside trembled slightly!
"I'll activate the second layer of defensive runes! Maintain the formation with all your might!" Cheng Suling shouted, her hand forming hand seals as she sent out beams of spiritual light that entered the formation's base.

At the same time, he took out an ancient compass with his other hand, which hovered in front of him. He used it to control the earth's energy and water vapor, and channeled it into the formation, making the formation even more solid!

It was none other than the art of geomancy! Combined with formations, it provided stability and enhanced the formations.

Xu Maoling had already summoned his spiritual weapon—the scythe—and held it in his hand, its energy surging, ready to strike at any moment.

Lin Changheng raised an eyebrow at the scene before him and glanced at Cheng Suling again. “This geomancy technique is quite amazing and its practicality is really high.”

Lin Changheng stood in the formation, his robes fluttering in the turbulent spiritual energy wind. Then he turned his gaze and coldly swept over the frenzied cultivators outside, his three-colored light faintly flowing, paying particular attention to the leaders who were in the late Foundation Establishment stage.

"Mingyi, go and assist Fairy Cheng in stabilizing the array foundation. Fellow Daoist Xu, follow me to prepare. If any flaws appear, prioritize eliminating the late-stage Foundation Establishment leader on the ship to the west."

Lin Changheng's voice was calm and undisturbed, as if the earth-shattering attack outside had nothing to do with him, and he directly issued orders.

"Yes, my husband!"

"Yes! I will follow Fellow Daoist Lin's orders!"

It was normal for Yan Mingyi to be obedient, but who knew that Xu Maoling, who was in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, would obey and respond to Lin Changheng's arrangements without any hesitation.

Keep in mind that the latter is only in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

Even Yan Mingyi paused in her flight upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashing in her beautiful eyes, but it quickly turned into understanding and pride—her husband truly possessed such convincing charm and strength!
Cheng Suling remained silent and unresponsive, her compass gleaming even brighter, clearly indicating that she had already acquiesced to the fact that the command authority belonged to Lin Changheng.

Xu Maoling had no reservations at this moment. He had already seen through Lin Dao, who seemed to be only at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, and whose strength, methods, and background were far from simple.

The fact that he could command Elder Kong of the Immortal City to send his true disciple to offer birthday greetings, that he could befriend the Sun family patriarch as an equal, and that he could lift two previous sieges—his hidden abilities were beyond his reach. In this critical moment of life and death, entrusting command to the strongest was the wisest choice.

Lin Changheng was not surprised by this. His divine sense had already covered the entire area, and he was calmly analyzing the battle situation.

He noticed that on the flying boat on the west side, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator with a hideous scar on his face was attacking the most violently. He was wielding a giant spiritual sword the size of a door, constantly unleashing heavy sword energy, which was consuming the most energy from the array's light barrier. Moreover, his position was relatively forward.

"It's now!"

Just as the array's light barrier dimmed slightly and rippled violently due to the concentrated attack, a cold glint flashed in Lin Changheng's eyes!
"Fellow Daoist Xu!" a low shout rang out.

Xu Maoling, who was already prepared, immediately activated his scythe spirit weapon. The scythe transformed into an arc of light, heading straight for Scarface Jie's face.

"Little tricks!"

Scarface Jie Xiu chuckled, not even bothering to sheathe his greatsword, but simply raising his left arm. A black bracelet on his wrist glowed with a gray light, forming a small black shield—a spiritual weapon that he was confident he could easily withstand against a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Just as the black shield was about to collide with the scythe—

"call out!"

Lin Changheng made his move.

The azure sword embryo in his hand emitted a shrill whistle that tore through the night, transforming into a faint light that was difficult to see with the naked eye. It did not shoot straight ahead, but instead bypassed the torrent of spells in front of him in a strange arc, like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, and went straight for the scarred cultivator's brow!

This sword strike was fast, accurate, and ruthless!
It was completely unexpected!

"What?!" Scarface Jie Xiu's expression changed drastically, and he tried to defend himself, but it was too late.

boom!
Unfortunately, the black shield was grazed by the force of the explosion. Scarface Jie Xiu screamed as the black shield was ripped open, and he staggered backward as if struck by a heavy blow.

then,

The sword light caught up and disappeared in a flash.

Scarface Jie Xiu's movements froze instantly. He looked up in disbelief and saw that his protective shield had been pierced through like paper. In a place he couldn't see, blood was gushing out of a bloody hole.

"you"

He had barely uttered a single word when his aura rapidly dissipated, and his massive body crashed off the airship.

A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator is dead!

"Is this the feeling of a magical artifact embryo connected to my mind? It really works!"

Lin Changheng was satisfied, but the other cultivators on the same flying boat were filled with boundless horror and chill!
A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was instantly killed in one strike?! He couldn't even put up a decent resistance! Just how terrifying must the strength of the person controlling that flying sword be?
Peak Foundation Establishment? Or... Pseudo-Core Formation?!
This thought gnawed at their hearts like a venomous snake, causing the remaining cultivators to lose their minds and freeze in their attacks, instinctively wanting to fly backward and retreat away from the scene.

However, Lin Changheng did not give them time to react.

He remained standing with his hands behind his back within the formation, his expression indifferent, as if he had merely brushed away a speck of dust. But the Azure Sword Embryo, which had just killed without shedding blood, emitted a clear, resonant hum once more.

"go."

A single word was uttered with a casual flourish.

The sword embryo transformed into a deadly ghostly light once more. This time, its target was the mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator on the flying boat, whose movements had slowed slightly due to fear and who was about to activate some kind of defensive talisman.

The cultivator only saw a flash of ghostly light before his eyes, and his protective spiritual light shattered like paper. He felt a chill between his brows, and his consciousness was completely plunged into darkness.

The sword light didn't stop, drawing a strange zigzag line in the air, like a living fish, accurately finding its next target—a cultivator holding a blue banner and muttering incantations.

Before the cultivator could finish his incantation, he was pierced through the throat by a sword, the green banner slipped from his hand, and the magical power he had gathered around him collapsed with a bang.

Under Lin Changheng's powerful divine sense, the Azure Sword Embryo moved freely through the enemy ranks, and with each flash, a Tribulation Cultivator perished.

It was faster than most cultivators could react, ruthless enough to easily tear through their defenses, and accurate as the fingertip of death, extinguishing the life force of whoever it touched.

In just a few breaths, on the flying boat on the west side, in addition to the scarred leader who was killed first, four more cultivators at the early to mid-Foundation Establishment stage died one after another, leaving the flying boat completely empty!
The bodies were either lying on the boat or had fallen to the bottom of the water.

Lin Changheng did not move an inch from beginning to end; his clothes fluttered and his expression remained calm.

Killing Foundation Establishment cultivators is as easy as cutting grass!
This devastating scene plunged the entire battlefield into deathly silence.

Those present were all Foundation Establishment cultivators, their divine senses were pervasive and they were not slow to notice, so they quickly discovered the battle situation to the west.

They're all dead!
……

Within the formation.

Xu Maoling gasped, finally understanding why Lin Changheng remained so composed. With such strength, there was indeed no need to panic. Cheng Suling covered her lips, her beautiful eyes filled with shock and curiosity—how had he done it?
Even Yan Mingyi, who had been maintaining the formation, couldn't help but look back. She knew her husband's strength was unfathomable, but she hadn't expected him to be this powerful.

They say "surprise" and "disappointment" go hand in hand! They were "joyed," but the cultivators were only "surprised."

The tall, thin Jie Xiu on the airship in the middle of the ship had his pupils constricted, and his hand controlling the magical artifact trembled slightly for the first time.

They came out in full force, thinking they would crush the three fat sheep, but they didn't expect to bite into the toughest bone! The strength of the cultivators inside the formation was unfathomable, far beyond their ability to contend with.

If he had known earlier that such a killing god was hiding on this island, he would never have been tempted!
He didn't regret it; he was just worried that he might really die!

He was the second-in-command of the Jiexiu gang, at the peak of Foundation Establishment; Scarface Jiexiu was the third-in-command, with the strength of late Foundation Establishment, but still surpassing ordinary late Foundation Establishment cultivators of the same level; the leader of the flying boat on the east side was the fourth-in-command, whose strength was not much different from that of the third-in-command.

But under such circumstances, the third brother's trusted elite troops were slaughtered in just a few breaths!
This is not a battle, it's a massacre!

They've really messed up!
"Retreat! Retreat now!" He valued his life above all else, no longer caring about face, plans, or making a fortune. He roared hoarsely at the other flying boat, while frantically urging the flying boat beneath his feet, leading his trembling subordinates in an attempt to escape this deadly lake as quickly as possible.

The fourth leader on the east side of the flying boat was already terrified. Upon hearing this, he poured his magic power into the flying boat without regard for the cost, causing the boat's spiritual light to surge, and he was about to turn around and escape.

"Want to leave now?"

Lin Changheng's indifferent voice, like a death knell, clearly reached the ears of every cultivator. The dark blue sword embryo emitted a soft hum once more, transforming into a deadly streak of light, arriving first despite being behind, and instantly catching up with the fleeing flying boat on the east side.

"No—!" The fourth leader was horrified and summoned an iron umbrella to shield himself.

Still feeling it wasn't enough, several more thick, spiritually powerful defensive shields and magical shields were added to enhance the effect.

Only then did I feel slightly relieved.

However, the sword light that followed only trembled slightly before piercing through all the defenses, revealing its sharp and sinister nature, and precisely entered his back.

The fourth leader froze, his eyes quickly dimmed, and he collapsed onto the flying boat.

The sword light didn't stop for a moment, like a butterfly flitting among flowers, flashing a few times on the flying boat on the east side, and several more Foundation Establishment cultivators fell like harvested wheat.

The tall, thin cultivator, his soul trembling with fear, slapped a blood-red talisman onto the flying boat, increasing his speed by three points. Without looking back, he fled into the distance, wishing his parents had given him two more legs.

Lin Changheng couldn't catch up, but he could only gaze at the fleeing light and gently wave his hand.

The Azure Sword Embryo flew back in an instant, like an obedient fish, circled around him once, and obediently hovered beside him. The sword was as clean as new, without a drop of blood.

The power of the magical artifact embryo, which was refined from the Primordial Jianmu and had undergone more than 40% transformation, has indeed proven to be extraordinary!
"what!"

Suddenly, a look of surprise flashed across Lin Changheng's brow, because he saw that the flying boat on the east side, which was clearly dead and unmanned, was now being driven again and suddenly roared away. Even if Lin Changheng made a move at this moment, it would be useless.

Surprised, he immediately used his divine light to pierce through the night and saw that the fallen corpse of the fourth leader was slowly getting up.

Not dead?!
This was something he had not expected.

I don't know if the blow missed a vital spot, or... if the opponent had something to protect themselves from? Or perhaps they were resurrected?

There is no answer at the moment.

……

The night wind blew, carrying a strong smell of blood, and stirred his spotless robes. A boat, now without its owner, drifted slowly on the lake, and the corpses floating on the surface silently recounted the brief but brutal massacre that had just taken place.

Lin Changheng raised his hand to retract the sword embryo, turned around and smiled slightly at everyone: "The trouble is resolved."

That smile was as gentle as ever, yet it made all three people present involuntarily hold their breath.

Ignoring their reactions, Lin Changheng flashed out of the formation and looted all the spoils from the corpses.

Extremely familiar.

Especially this spirit boat, it's a rare item, rarely seen except by large forces, making Lin Changheng's eyes burn with desire.

It can still be used after the appearance and color are changed, without any impact.

It's much faster than a first-order magic boat.

(End of this chapter)