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

Chapter 14 Self-defense methods
"Fire Crow?"

Su Shuangjiang was taken aback, then nodded. "This kind of monster is often seen in the borderlands of the wilderness. Its bloodline is mixed. Its juvenile form does not reach the first rank, and its mature form is only at the early stage of the first rank. Its offensive power is limited. It only has wings, so it is quite difficult to catch."

Upon hearing this, Lin Changheng nodded, his understanding of the Fire Crow deepened.

Then, Su Shuangjiang continued, "It is said that the flesh of the fire crow is tender and edible, and its essence and blood can be used to refine pills. Brother Lin is an alchemist. Could it be that Brother Lin wants to obtain the essence and blood of the fire crow to refine some kind of pill?"

Lin Changheng looked at Su Shuangjiang in surprise. This woman was so intelligent that she had guessed his purpose.

Although the process was wrong, the result was right.

However, dealing with intelligent people is simpler and more convenient, and saves him from having to waste words to cover up his thoughts. So he immediately praised her, saying, "Fairy Su is indeed wise. This is exactly what I was thinking."

"The essence blood of the fire crow is one of the main ingredients for refining the Crimson Flame Pill."

This also reveals some details, establishes legitimacy, and gains trust, while concealing his true purpose.

A knowing glint flashed in Su Shuangjiang's eyes as she carefully inquired, "Brother Lin, how much do you need? When do you need it?"

"We need it for the next four or five months, the more the better."

"Hehe, I'm afraid I'll have to start refining other pills from now on, and my blood essence requirements will change. I might have to trouble Fairy Su again then."

Lin Changheng covered up some things, mixing truth and falsehood together, trying to completely conceal the truth.

"Brother Lin, there's no need for thanks. Just as you said, we've been neighbors for a long time, so we should help each other and lend a helping hand to one another."

Su Shuangjiang smiled as well.

"As it should be."

Lin Changheng nodded in agreement with this relationship.

After chatting for a few more minutes, seeing that it was getting late, Su Shuangjiang took her leave, and Lin Changheng saw her off with a smile.

Watching his figure disappear,
Lin Changheng couldn't help but smile. "Alchemists truly have a different status and reputation. However, this woman's arrival was just in time, solving two major problems for me."

Firstly, there is the issue of finding alternative channels to sell the elixirs.

Lin Changheng could no longer sell more pills at the Xu family's alchemy shop, as it would be too conspicuous and attract unwanted attention.

It's unrealistic to sell in large quantities at the market myself; it would be exposed sooner or later.

Selling goods on the black market outside the neighborhood was too dangerous, so Lin Changheng ruled it out immediately.

As a mid-stage cultivator at the sixth level of Qi Refining, Su Shuangjiang has her own connections and channels to handle things perfectly. So what if she makes some money while I stay behind the scenes?
Secondly, there is the acquisition of essence and blood.

It is difficult for individuals to directly purchase large quantities of demon beast essence blood; it is usually done through connections between different factions.

Even if I bought it, it would be too strange and would arouse suspicion.

This is not a safe bet.

Therefore, it would be much better to divert attention by having Su Shuangjiang speak through her and then by having the loose cultivators speak.

At that time, his [Fire Crow Treasure Seed] would have two channels supporting its spirit-stealing simultaneously, ensuring extremely rapid growth.

……

Lin Changheng was in a great mood. He returned to the room and looked at the two spirit stones and two talismans in the gift basket on the table.

With a thought, he took it out and examined it several times with his naked eye, then used the [Spirit Observation Technique] to examine it closely.

After confirming that nothing had been done, he put the spirit stones away, planning to spend them soon.

As for talismans.

One of them is a low-grade [Swiftness Talisman]. After being activated with magic power, it can be slapped on the leg to unleash a burst of speed, allowing one to run more than ten miles without feeling tired.

The other one is a low-grade [Golden Shield Talisman]. Once activated, it will create a shield in front of you that can withstand a full-force attack from a low-grade magic weapon.

These are all talismans for self-preservation, so they're perfect for use.

"However, this also reminded me that the market is about to fall into chaos. While I still have spirit stones on hand, I should buy a few more talismans for self-defense, which will give me more peace of mind."

"Spirit stones don't reproduce, so they're useless if you just keep them. It's better to turn them into strength and means, that's the way to go."

Although the market is currently relatively safe, it is not the main city of the game from the previous life. Once the safety rules are set, it cannot be selected. If there is a heartless person who risks their life to violate the rules, what use is it to carve "the other party is fully responsible" on your tombstone after you die?
Lin Changheng understood the situation very clearly.

The next day.

Lin Changheng refined pills again, prepared the pill-making formula, and then had his apprentice tend the fire before leaving the shop.

He changed into a long robe and put on a bamboo hat at a street corner, and walked to the "Xuanfu Hall" in the center of the neighborhood.

This "Xuanfu Hall" was established by the Song family, one of the families specializing in talisman making, which are renowned for cultivating immortality.

Reputation, credibility, and quality are all guaranteed.

In this region, besides the dominant Ziji Sect, the aristocratic families are close behind.

It has a long history, with the False Dan Ancestor presiding over it and several Foundation Establishment experts providing support.

"Fellow Daoist, you are a rare guest! What kind of talisman do you want? Or materials for making talismans? Our hall has everything you need, and we guarantee that you will leave satisfied."

Immediately, a young woman came out, fanning herself with a round fan. Her eyebrows were like willow leaves in early spring, her waist swayed, and her plump figure was like a ripe peach, so tender that it seemed as if it would burst with moisture at the slightest touch.

The young woman showed no surprise at Lin Changheng's disguise; she was used to it.

"Take a look at the low-grade and mid-grade talismans, mainly those for defense and control."

A rough voice came from under the straw hat.

"Alright. This way, fellow Daoist."

Before long, more than a dozen talismans were displayed on the counter. With Lin Changheng's tacit approval, the young woman introduced them one by one in a soft, sweet voice.

She would occasionally raise her peach blossom eyes to observe Lin Changheng's reaction. If he reacted to a certain talisman, she would emphasize it and speak eloquently.

To her disappointment, the person standing opposite her was like a wooden figure, showing no reaction whatsoever.

"Give me one low-grade [Ice Talisman], one low-grade [Wood Vine Talisman], and one mid-grade [Wind Control Talisman] and [Golden Light Talisman]... Hmm, just these four!"

Both the low-grade [Frost Talisman] and [Wood Vine Talisman] are used for control; the former uses water to freeze, while the latter uses wood to entangle.

As for the mid-grade [Wind Control Talisman], as the name suggests, it allows you to lighten your body by borrowing the wind. When attached to your body, it can lift you off the ground by one foot, allowing you to move quickly, far surpassing the low-grade [Swiftness Talisman]. It is suitable for making quick, easy trips.

The same applies to the mid-grade [Golden Light Talisman]. Compared to the low-grade [Golden Shield Talisman], it can protect the entire body without any gaps.

A moment later, a voice spoke again from under the bamboo hat, causing the young woman to smile broadly. Before her stood a pair of large, wicked hands that trembled violently.

She was clearly very satisfied with the deal.

"Would you like to upgrade it to a premium talisman?"

The young woman asked again with a smile.

"I'd like to, but high-quality talismans cost almost twice as much, and I don't have that many spirit stones!"

Lin Changheng's voice was cold, and he said with a forced smile, "How about this fairy gives me a discount?"

"This...hehe, it's a small business, a small business, I can't even ask for a price."

The young woman stopped talking, took out four talismans from the counter, and handed them over. "One low-grade talisman costs one spirit stone, and three mid-grade talismans cost a total of eight spirit stones."

Lin Changheng glanced at them briefly. These talismans shimmered with spiritual light, and the strokes were vigorous, far superior to those given by Su Shuangjiang. They must have been made by a seasoned talisman master.

"The Song family, the masters of talismans, truly live up to their reputation."

He muttered something to himself, handed the spirit stones to the young woman to count, and then put away the talisman without saying a word and left.

Behind the counter, the young woman looked at the man's cautious demeanor and couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

……

After returning to his original clothes and going back to the Xu family's alchemy shop, a shop assistant greeted him with a smile.

"Master Lin, I have received your letter."

(End of this chapter)