Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Seeing Longevit Again

This technique was just too useful. If he had to handle another Wasted Pills mission, it would be instantaneous—no need for all those complicated steps.

Lin Changheng marveled.

’I just don’t know if this Demon Technique can neutralize higher-tier poisons?’

Lin Changheng didn’t have any higher-tier poisons, but even if he did, he wouldn’t dare test it lightly.

He was truly far too cautious...

...

’They say poisonous creatures don’t poison themselves. By mastering this [Poison Transformation Demon Technique], I naturally gain resistance. First, I’ll purge the lingering toxic effects in my body.’

’But compared to the previous [Poison Transformation Technique], which was limited to myself, this ’Demon Technique’ adds the ability to affect things externally. Not only can I save myself, but I can also save others, and even cast it on the source to disperse it!’

If he were to go back to the poison ambush at the ruined temple, he would have had the ability to save others. Of course, the key word was *ability*. Whether he would actually save them or not would depend on the specific circumstances.

Lin Changheng would naturally avoid revealing himself by acting rashly.

The Metamorphosis ended. Seeing the still-potent Essence Blood in the basin, he reached his hand in again.

’Essence Blood of the [Lantern Grass Essence], continue the Spirit Stealing!’

The Primordial Cauldron, linked to his mind, trembled, and all the Essence Blood was instantly drained.

The chaotic veil covering a region deeper inside the Tripod Mouth immediately scattered in one corner.

The phantom of a Treasure Seed slowly appeared.

Lin Changheng focused his gaze and saw that the Treasure Seed’s phantom was a mottled green, not as pure as the Cyan Wood Snake Treasure Species.

Then, the newly formed Treasure Seed phantom flickered and floated directly to a vacant position on the outermost ring, a spot where other Treasure Seeds had previously resided.

Looking now, of the five Species Positions on the outermost layer, only four were occupied, leaving one still vacant.

The Mortal Filth Bloodline’s [Earth Fire Lizard Treasure Species] and [Pan Mountain Turtle Treasure Species], along with the Muddy Evil Bloodline’s [Flame-tailed Spirit Fox Treasure Seed] and [Lantern Grass Treasure Seed].

...

[Lantern Grass Essence Treasure Species - Spirit Stealing Metamorphosis]

[Spirit Stealing: 6/100]

[Utility: A type of Mountain and Marsh Spirit. Transforms into a Muddy Evil Bloodline. Innately Wood Attribute. Possesses the Lifebound Talents: Longevity, Immortal, Gathering Spirit. Upon successful Spirit Stealing, one can be chosen and Refined into the user.]

Lin Changheng, knowing the routine, got straight to the point and looked at the Utility.

This was the most fundamental part.

’This [Lantern Grass Essence] really did come from a transformation. The description for an ordinary Demon Beast Treasure Seed, ’possesses Wood Attribute,’ has now become ’is Wood Attribute.’ But that makes sense. This is a plant to begin with...’

Then, he was stunned once again.

Because he had spotted the word "Longevity"!

Longevity, he was seeing Longevity again!

Last time, with the [Pan Mountain Turtle Treasure Species], he had chosen [Earth Escape] to bolster his life-saving methods.

But he had still felt uneasy about it. What if he never encountered it again?

Longevity... so tempting!

But his will was firm. Once he made a decision, he never regretted it. After all, sunk costs aren’t true costs and shouldn’t influence future decisions!

And the facts proved his point—

If he had chosen Longevity back then, according to his philosophy of caution, without a life-saving Abnormal Technique like Earth Escape, he would have inevitably continued to lay low. He wouldn’t have left the clan, which would have delayed obtaining the [Flame-tailed Spirit Fox], prevented the Metamorphosis of the "Fire Manipulation" Divine Power True Intent, stalled his progress to becoming a Middle Grade Alchemist, and made it impossible to meet with the Liu Family...

And now, [Longevity] had once again fallen into Lin Changheng’s grasp.

It was his for the taking!

Turtles can live long, and so can plants!

As for the [Immortal] talent that followed, while it was tempting—granting an ageless appearance and everlasting youth—it was still a tier below [Longevity].

He had heard that a type of Elixir called the [Fixed Face Pill] had a similar effect, so Lin Changheng wouldn’t choose it now, no matter what.

As for the last one, [Gathering Spirit], Lin Changheng was a little puzzled by the literal meaning, but he guessed it was probably an ability used by Spirit Plants and the like to gather Spiritual Qi and essence.

’Now that I have a stable channel to obtain this Essence Blood, I can achieve Spirit Stealing Success by next year. I wonder how many years of life it will extend?’

Lin Changheng had already made his decision. He would choose [Longevity], and he began to look forward to it.

Theoretically, if Longevity were taken to its extreme, wouldn’t that be the same as eternal life?

...

As the saying goes, in the mountains there are no years, but in the world a thousand have already passed.

A thousand years was a long time, but a year and a half flew by in the blink of an eye.

This year, Lin Changheng had turned forty-one.

He had been on the Immortal Path for twenty-three years!

In the outside world, the situation had shifted, and three more major events had occurred.

First, the rewards from the Purple Extreme Sect’s great reclamation were finally announced and distributed.

The Xu Family’s contribution was less than that of the various Foundation Establishment Clans, so they were not among the recipients of the five promised Foundation Establishment Pills.

However, to specially commend the Xu Family for their firm support and loyalty to the Upper Sect, and to recognize their overall contribution to the reclamation, the Sect decided to bestow an additional Foundation Establishment Pill upon them.

For a time, the entire region was in an uproar.

But any discerning person could see that the Tier Two Spiritual Land had played the fundamental role.

The Purple Extreme Sect was practically sending a clear message: if you have good things, feel free to offer them up. The Upper Sect will absolutely not treat you unfairly!

They were being used as a prime example!

Many Qi Cultivation Clans were red-eyed with envy. The Xu Family had some incredible dumb luck, finding two Spiritual Lands during a single reclamation.

But in the end, they could only sigh and admit that luck was indeed a part of strength...

And they hoped such luck would befall their own clans.

...

Second, the Xu and Liu Families confirmed they would build a new Marketplace around Juechen Valley. Construction was already underway at a relentless pace.

The harvesting of Spirit Medicines and the development of the Spiritual Land within the valley were also nearing completion.

Once development was complete, it would serve as the Marketplace’s core area. The two clans would establish their garrisons and various grades of residences, which would be available for rent.

They also put out the word that Cultivators with Skills of Tier One Upper Grade or higher would enjoy a seventy percent discount on rent for twenty years.

Cultivators with Skills at Tier One Middle Grade could enjoy a fifty percent discount on rent for ten years.

At the same time, the two clans also sold the property rights to some shops to various Foundation Establishment Clans and allied Qi Cultivation Clans at a heavily discounted price.

This was to ensure there would be enough different merchants and a rich variety of goods for sale.

This series of promotional measures was quite thorough. Lin Changheng didn’t even have to think about it to know that when the Marketplace officially opened, the Xu and Liu Families would definitely sell a large batch of supplies and resources at significant discounts to attract a crowd.

However, not a single piece of information was leaked regarding the specific profit-sharing agreement between the two clans.

Lin Changheng didn’t know, and even Xu Fugui hadn’t heard any rumors.

...

If the first two events were joyous occasions that spurred the Xu Family’s fiery development, the third was the exact opposite.

For the past six months, a group of Tribulation Cultivators had been active within a hundred-li radius of the Xu Family’s territory.

They were extremely insidious, their methods cruel, and their purpose clear: they robbed and murdered, left no survivors, and vanished after a single strike.

The biggest victim was the Xu Family, and a sense of panic spread among its members.

The Xu Family was furious. They took action multiple times and tried various methods, including disguising themselves as traveling merchants, but they failed to completely eradicate the group.

They clearly had a well-organized structure and meticulous reconnaissance capabilities.

On one occasion, a Xu Family caravan was ambushed. They sent out a signal, and clan reinforcements arrived immediately, only to find the ground littered with corpses. Only one clan member was still breathing.

This clan member had been through the great battle at Juechen Valley and revealed a shocking piece of news.

One of the Tribulation Cultivators had a distinctive Magical Artifact, a Giant Scythe. His memory of it was deep, and he recognized it—

It was a remnant of the Chen Family!