Eternal Life: I Can Harvest Demon Beast Talents

The old steward couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief, knowing the punishment he’d been expecting wouldn’t fall. At the same time, he offered his praise, "Alchemist Lin’s fame throughout the Immortal City is well-deserved. It is clearly supported by your extremely high attainments in the Alchemy Dao. This old one is truly impressed."

Then, he sent a quiet voice transmission, "Of the three Pill Masters invited by the Immortal City, Alchemist Lin’s progress is the fastest."

"Oh?"

Lin Changheng’s gaze narrowed slightly. He understood the situation, but still replied via voice transmission, "The other two senior Alchemy Dao experts possess far deeper Skills. I wouldn’t dare to compare myself to them. It’s likely that they are preoccupied with other alchemy matters and simply don’t have the leisure to devote their full effort to this task as I do."

’Clearly, there’s no benefit in competing over who’s better or worse. It’s not like there’s some super-sized bonus for winning. Just for a bit of praise from this old man? Absolutely not.’

Hearing this, the old steward was taken aback. He glanced at Alchemist Lin with his old eyes and chuckled, "Indeed, indeed. This old man misspoke."

Lin Changheng shook his head, not holding it against him, and changed the subject to his purpose for being there. "I’ve come to pick up some new medicinal materials."

As he spoke, a Jade Scroll he had prepared earlier shot into the old steward’s hand.

"Of course, of course."

The old steward, seemingly invigorated by Lin Changheng, was now clearly much more motivated. He took the Jade Scroll with a smile and began to inspect it.

Soon, the smile on his face froze once more.

A moment later, he lowered the Jade Scroll from his forehead and faced Lin Changheng with a wry smile.

"Alchemist Lin, this... this..."

Lin Changheng feigned confusion. "Is there some difficulty?"

"Alchemist Lin, some of the medicinal materials on this list are simply too precious. For example, the Cyan Flower Moon Lotus... we don’t have any in the hall..."

This time, it didn’t sound like an excuse.

Lin Changheng studied the old steward for a moment before suddenly smiling. "What about the other items? Surely you’re not out of those as well?"

It was obvious that Lin Changheng had added the two remaining medicinal materials he lacked for the Youthful Appearance Pill.

One was the main ingredient, the Cyan Flower Moon Lotus. The other was a supplementary ingredient, not a Spirit Plant, but rather a type of Demon Beast Material—a Demon Core.

There were no restrictions on the type of Demon Beast, only that the core must be Tier Two and of the Wood-Water dual element.

Furthermore, the Demon Beast’s own bloodline had to be of the Profound Spirit Level or higher. Demon Cores condensed from such bloodlines were purer and had a better medicinal effect, making them suitable for the Youthful Appearance Pill.

It was well-known that the Wood Element had restorative properties, while the Water Element was nourishing; both possessed repairing and healing effects.

However, Lin Changheng had never once encountered a Tier Two Wood-Water Demon Beast resource of the Profound Spirit Level, so he naturally had no way of obtaining one.

That was why he had included it on the list.

"We have it!"

Seeing that Lin Changheng wasn’t fixated on the Cyan Flower Moon Lotus, the old steward immediately nodded decisively.

"Thank you for your trouble."

Lin Changheng was overjoyed inwardly but remained perfectly calm on the surface. He gave a slight cupped-fist salute and watched the old steward get up and leave.

Before long, Lin Changheng received the final supplementary ingredient he lacked: a Tier Two Wood-Water Dual-Attribute Demon Core produced by a Demon Beast called the Cyan Rain Mist Toad.

This Demon Beast resembled an oversized toad. The mossy-looking warts on its back would breathe out Spiritual Mist with every breath, and it lived year-round in caves deep within the Wilderness River Marsh.

Even Cultivators dared not enter lightly!

The Demon Core in Lin Changheng’s hand was about the size of a pigeon’s egg. Its surface was covered in spiraling water-like patterns and tree-ring-like wood patterns. Blue and green intermingled, shimmering under the light as if a pool of spring water and a fresh spring leaf had been sealed together within the Crystal Core.

The moment his fingertip touched the Demon Core’s surface, he felt two completely different energies intertwined within—the gentle, nourishing power of the Water Element and the vibrant life force of the Wood Element, forming a subtle and delicate balance.

’Truly marvelous,’ Lin Changheng couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

Although he hadn’t obtained the main ingredient, the Cyan Flower Moon Lotus, Lin Changheng wasn’t discouraged. After all, his request had been a bit of a long shot to begin with.

Besides, it had created the perfect setup to use the "Demolition Effect." Otherwise, he never would have obtained this Tier Two Wood-Water Dual-Attribute Demon Core so easily.

The old steward saw Lin Changheng accept the Demon Beast Materials, but he showed no intention of getting up to leave. The steward couldn’t help but be taken aback.

He began to wonder to himself.

Soon, he heard Lin Changheng ask, "I was wondering, does your esteemed hall have any of the Cyan Rain Mist Toad’s Demon Blood?"

Before the old steward could give it much thought, he quickly added, "I have a use for it and can purchase it with Spirit Stones."

Upon hearing this, the old steward gave his answer without hesitation.

"We don’t."

After a moment’s thought, he added, "The Spiritual Materials Hall doesn’t have it."

"Oh?"

Lin Changheng caught the underlying meaning. ’By specifically pointing out that the Spiritual Materials Hall doesn’t have it, does that mean somewhere else does?’

"I would ask for the steward’s guidance."

"Heh heh, this old man has no guidance to offer. However, the next time Alchemist Lin runs into Bai Zhenchuan, perhaps you could ask her."

In the end, the old steward didn’t say anything more, suggesting there was some kind of taboo surrounding the topic.

But he had still smilingly pointed him in the right direction.

"Thank you." Lin Changheng, now with a new understanding, finally took his leave.

As his Dharma Ship departed, Lin Changheng stood at the prow with his hands clasped behind his back, his decision already made. ’Once I’ve successfully verified the new formula, I’ll turn in the modified recipe to complete the mission. By then, the Immortal City’s attitude toward me will have naturally changed. I can then probe them indirectly and see if I can get any information.’

’If I can get ten portions of Essence Blood, the Metamorphosis of the Jade Horned Snake Treasure Species will be all but guaranteed.’

...

Half a year flew by in the blink of an eye.

「In the courtyard of Outer Lake No. 98 Cave Mansion.」

A small Array was active, suffusing the area with a green haze. Lin Changheng was beside the pond, healing the Deep Lake Spirit Clam.

After regular treatments once every seven days, the aura of Withered Silence within the Deep Lake Spirit Clam had been greatly diminished.