Chapter 196 - 166: Ninth Layer of Origin, Special Physique (Part 2)
Chapter 196: Chapter 166: Ninth Layer of Origin, Special Physique (Part 2)
Except for one day each month, when he would wait in the Quiet Chamber late at night, without fail.
HUMMM~
A mysterious feeling descended upon him.
It was followed by a sense of weakness.
Even though he was far stronger than before, he still felt incredibly weak!
He hated this feeling of weakness, hated how it was beyond his control—a weakness that he could only wait passively for. Yet, he also looked forward to the changes that followed. It was the height of contradiction.
At that moment, in the center of his sea of consciousness, within the Primordial Cauldron, a golden Treasure Seed once again took shape and solidified.
[Origin Treasure Seed·Eighth Layer]
[Spirit Stealing: 100/100]
...
[Essence Blood Full. Spirit Stealing Success!]
[Origin Treasure Seed·Ninth Layer]
...
[Utility: Can now Refine into the Human Race Lifebound Talent: Desire Control]
[Currently Refined: Clear Heart Celestial Gift: Seeing Nature (Third Layer); Enhanced Enlightenment Heavenly Gift·Cave Source (Fifth Layer)]
...
"The Ninth Layer."
Lin Changheng let out a soft breath.
He chose to Refine it immediately.
Instantly,
[Obtained: Clear Heart Celestial Gift: Desire Control]
The [Clear Heart Celestial Gift: Seeing Nature] from the Eighth Layer had once again transformed, becoming the [Clear Heart Celestial Gift: Desire Control] at the Ninth Layer!
[Utility: When the heart’s fire is stilled, all desires turn to frost. When the spirit’s light shines clear, all delusions vanquish themselves.]
If [Still Water] was like having a mind as calm as a clear pool, allowing him to quickly enter a state of focus where outside noises were heard clearly but as if through an invisible barrier, unable to disturb him in the slightest...
...then the current [Desire Control] allowed him to control his own cravings and delusions, to remain calm in the face of temptation or threats.
He could face his deepest fears or desires without succumbing to them.
It added another layer of security to his state of mind.
’Does this mean that if I face a situation that challenges my weaknesses in the future, I’ll be able to remain completely unmoved?’
The thought immediately occurred to Lin Changheng.
But he was more curious about something else. ’The [Origin Treasure Seed] is about to reach the Tenth Layer. I wonder if it will continue with Spirit Stealing, or will it undergo Metamorphosis on the spot? And if it does, what will it transform into?’
’It won’t be long now, though.’
The last Spirit Stealing for the Origin Treasure Seed had occurred during his secluded cultivation after breaking through to Foundation Establishment. Though he hadn’t kept detailed records, based on this timing, he figured he could perform the Spirit Stealing for the Tenth Layer in less than two years. The process was getting faster and faster.
Taking the opportunity, Lin Changheng used his [Spirit Detecting Skill] to inspect his Spirit Root.
[Fire Spirit Root, 38 wisps of Spiritual Charm!]
...
It was worth mentioning that in the past two years, as the Huang Family’s Honored Guest Elder, Lin Changheng had done almost nothing for the family, aside from helping refine a few difficult Tier Two Lower Grade Elixirs.
This showed that the Huang Family Branch Ancestor, Huang Jiuyuan, was truly a man of his word.
Furthermore, his annual stipend as an Honored Guest Elder arrived on schedule, which had somewhat improved Lin Changheng’s opinion of both him and the Huang Family.
In addition, Lin Changheng had learned two pieces of information.
First, the Skill of being a Spirit Chef was highly valued in the Huang Family. While not a core pillar of their strength, it was an area they were actively developing.
This sparked an idea in Lin Changheng’s mind: ’Could he obtain more Demon Beast Essence Blood through the Huang Family’s Spirit Wine Towers in other locations?’
However, in his current detached state—an honored guest in name but not in practice—it wasn’t a good time to ask. He needed to build up more influence first.
This would require an opportunity that satisfied both parties.
Second, Huang Linglin’s younger sister, Huang Lingsu, was still requesting that Lin Changheng refine a special Elixir for her.
And now that Lin Changheng’s status was different, their interactions had become closer. Chef Zeng and Huang Linglin no longer hid the truth and told him the real situation.
Huang Lingsu had been a Foundation Establishment Seed for the branch family. She possessed an Upper Grade Spirit Root, and her Cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds, earning her great esteem. But after breaking through to the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation, she had suddenly fainted. From then on, her situation took a drastic turn. Whenever she tried to cultivate, she would grow weaker, even showing signs of vomiting blood.
Later, a Spirit Doctor from the family diagnosed her with an imbalance of Yin and Yang Qi. The two forces were in opposition within her body, irreconcilable.
Continuing to cultivate would only worsen the condition, turning the already confrontational Yin and Yang Qi into forces as incompatible as fire and water.
If it deteriorated further, her life would surely be in danger!
But even he didn’t understand why this situation had suddenly appeared.
The plight of a Foundation Establishment Seed and her strange symptoms immediately attracted the attention of the family’s Foundation Establishment Cultivators. At first, they even suspected rival powers of using poison or Gu.
Finally, an old Spirit Doctor found the true reason after poring over ancient texts:
Besides her Upper Grade Spirit Root, she also possessed a special and rare constitution.
It was called the [Dragon Roar Body]!
To put it simply, it was a male constitution, brimming with Yang Qi, but mistakenly born into a female body.
People with this constitution grow extremely fast, but as their Cultivation Realm rises, the Yin and Yang Qi in their bodies gradually fall out of balance. The problem fully manifests at higher levels of cultivation, and upon attempting Foundation Establishment, they are certain to perish.
The Elixir Lin Changheng refined for her was a medicine to suppress the excess Yang Qi, allowing her to maintain her Late Stage Qi Cultivation.
Once the Elixir became ineffective, she would have to resort to Dissipating her Energy to save herself.
Otherwise, the excess Yang would injure her and shorten her Lifespan all the same.
...
Hearing about her situation, Lin Changheng couldn’t help but sigh with sorrow.
This was also the first time he had heard of special constitutions in this world.
’A man’s constitution in a woman’s body... isn’t that just a cruel trick of creation?’
Besides, even without the [Dragon Roar Body], she had an Upper Grade Spirit Root, enough to be called a genius.
In her current state, not only was her path to the Dao hopeless, but she could easily lose her life with a single misstep.
...
Now that Lin Changheng was an Honored Guest Elder of the Huang Family, he no longer needed to personally go to [Huangliang Residence] every month to pick up Demon Beast Essence Blood.
It was delivered directly to him.
It was much more convenient—a small privilege of his position.
Over the past two years, he had acquired enough [Jade Wave Spirit Turtle] Essence Blood, which, combined with what he had left over, amounted to two hundred portions.
He used it for two consecutive layers of Spirit Stealing.
[Spirit Stealing: 100/100]
[Jade Wave Spirit Turtle Treasure Seed·Third Layer]
...
[Spirit Stealing: 100/100]
[Jade Wave Spirit Turtle Treasure Seed·Fourth Layer]
After refining the two blue Treasure Seeds one after another,
[Obtained: Longevity Celestial Gift: Tongming]
[Obtained: Longevity Celestial Gift: Ascension]
Lin Changheng’s Lifespan greatly increased once again as a result.
It increased by sixteen years!
His total Lifespan reached two hundred and ninety-four years!
Almost three hundred years!
However, as the Treasure Seeds entered his body, Lin Changheng channeled the True Intent of his [Rongsheng Divine Abilities], attempting to control the life force pouring into him.
He focused on containing it, not letting it show externally.
And it actually worked.
His physical appearance didn’t change at all.
He maintained the appearance of a twenty-four or twenty-five-year-old.
...
「Not long after.」
Lin Changheng received a letter.
It was from the Xu Family.
The sender was "Tantai Feiyue."
She already knew that Lin Changheng had broken through to Foundation Establishment and had sent a letter two years prior to congratulate him.
She was truly happy for him.
But Lin Changheng knew she also felt a sense of loss and unwillingness to accept the situation.
If one reached Foundation Establishment while the other languished in Qi Cultivation, the two would be destined to drift apart, their paths diverging.
Therefore, after receiving the [Foundation Establishment Points] that Lin Changheng had sent her, she had been preparing ever since.
Now, with her sixtieth birthday approaching, she had resolutely decided to make one last attempt before the deadline.
Her reason for abandoning worldly splendor, wealth, and high status was to seek immortality.
Either she would succeed in her Foundation Establishment, fulfill her greatest wish, satisfy her heart’s desire for the Dao, and keep pace with Lin Lang, perhaps allowing them to be together for a century...
...or she would fail, and she could finally put all her hopes to rest.
So she wrote to him, frankly expressing her hope that Lin Changheng could make a trip back.
But Lin Changheng could mostly guess her true thoughts:
If she failed, without the protection of a Foundation Establishment Pill, the chance of death was not small. In that event, she wanted to see the man she loved one last time, so she could leave this life with no regrets.
It was just that her personality wouldn’t allow her to say such things aloud.
"Feiyue..."
A look of reminiscence filled Lin Changheng’s eyes. They hadn’t seen each other in nearly ten years, yet the memories of their time together were still as vivid as ever.
Lin Changheng knew, of course, that Tantai Feiyue had always been one to love and hate fiercely, a woman who could stand on her own. It was only with him that she had ever shown the gentle side of a young woman in love...
’I should go back and see her.’
Lin Changheng made his decision instantly.
Now that he was at Foundation Establishment, traveling was much faster than when he was in Qi Cultivation. He quickly finished refining the Elixirs he had on hand and delivered them.
He also made a special trip to [Huangliang Residence] to make arrangements for his Essence Blood to be saved. This concerned his [Longevity], so he had to be cautious.
In response, the Steward with a Mustache immediately puffed out his chest and made a solemn promise, swearing a "military pledge" that he wouldn’t dare to be neglectful in the slightest.
This was the effect of his status as a Huang Family’s Honored Guest Elder.
Once his affairs were in order, Lin Changheng quietly left his immortal’s cave one morning. Finding a deserted spot, he summoned his Dharma Ship and soared into the sky.