Chapter 231 - 182: Trouble for the Xu Family, Bearing 2 Gifts
Chapter 231: Chapter 182: Trouble for the Xu Family, Bearing 2 Gifts
Yan Mingyi had already put the finishing touches on this Tier Two Puppet, making it fully operational.
Because it was enormous and took up too much space, Lin Changheng didn’t carry it with him unless he was traveling far.
But its power was not to be underestimated. It could hold off an Early Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator or withstand two or three blows from a Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator without issue.
As for the two previous Masterpiece-quality, Upper-Grade Tier One Puppet Beasts, the Tiger-shaped Puppet Beast had been damaged. However, after some simple repairs by Yan Mingyi, its basic movements were stabilized, though she couldn’t fix the deeper damage.
Although it could still be used, it would be completely destroyed if it took another powerful hit.
The other one, the Eagle-shaped Puppet Beast, was still in perfect condition and could be used to briefly harass and tie down enemies of the same tier.
...
Just as he stepped out of the Seclusion Room, he heard a woman’s voice:
"Brother Lin, someone came to visit just now, claiming to be an old friend of yours..."
"Oh? Did he give a name?"
Many people claimed to be his old friend these days, but few of them actually were. Most were just using it as an excuse to ask for Pills, so Lin Changheng asked with a smile.
"He said he was from the Black Water River Xu Family, and his name is Xu Xujun."
Yan Mingyi said with a gentle smile.
"It’s him? The Black Water River is so far from the Immortal City. Why would he come here?"
Lin Changheng was slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting this. He nodded and said, "He is indeed an old friend. Where is he now?"
’On second thought, he must have gotten the location of my residence from Feiyue or Fugui.’
"So it’s actually true?"
Yan Mingyi was also a little surprised, and she immediately said, somewhat embarrassed, "I told him Brother Lin was in seclusion and asked him to go back and wait for now."
"It’s fine. It’s better to be cautious."
Lin Changheng understood her reasoning; indeed, she couldn’t just let someone into the residence based on their word alone.
He stepped forward and patted her shoulder, signaling that she shouldn’t worry about it.
"Mm."
Yan Mingyi immediately brightened up, her bright eyes narrowing in a smile, clearly happy to have earned his approval.
"However, he left a Communication Jade Scroll, saying you could contact him after coming out of seclusion, and he would visit again then."
"Also, from the look on his face, although he tried to act calm, I could see a hint of anxiety in his eyes. He might need your help with something."
Yan Mingyi was very observant. At the same time, she took out a Jade Scroll and handed it over.
"Oh?"
Nodding, Lin Changheng didn’t doubt her perceptiveness. He immediately activated the Communication Jade Talisman, left a message, and sent it flying through the air.
He couldn’t guess why Xu Xujun had come, so he decided not to bother trying. He would find out when the man arrived.
In the time that followed, he didn’t light his furnace or do anything else. Instead, he amused himself by teasing the Black Armored Earth Turtle in the courtyard.
"CHIRP CHIRP—"
The turtle’s demeanor had clearly changed. It was a bit more lively and no longer spent all day feigning sleep in the mud pit.
’Is it too boring being with me?!’
Lin Changheng couldn’t help but scratch his head.
He gave a wry smile.
’The turtle was like this with Tantai Feiyue, and now it’s the same with Yan Mingyi. I’m the only exception. I don’t even need a controlled experiment to prove it; the conclusion is obvious: I’m the problem.’
’Ungrateful little turtle,’ he cursed inwardly, flicking a finger against its Armor Shell.
DONG! The shell vibrated, and the frightened Black Armored Earth Turtle retracted its head and fled, diving into the mud pit and refusing to peek out again.
Of course, Lin Changheng had held back his strength. Otherwise, with his physique, a single flick could have killed the turtle.
...
A moment ago, Lin Changheng had also paid special attention to the degree of crystallization on the turtle’s Armor Shell.
It seemed to cover about one-sixth of the surface.
Once the entire Armor Shell finished crystallizing, it would mean the turtle had reached Tier Two.
Clearly, its progress was still very slow.
Turtle-type Demon Beasts have long lifespans and typically build their strength over time.
Although Lin Changheng didn’t intend for the turtle to protect him or fight for him in Magical Combat—its main purpose was as a companion so his path to immortality wouldn’t be too lonely—faster was still better.
He fell into deep thought, a glint in his eyes.
...
Six months ago, a Triple Foundation Establishment clan, the Luofeng Forest Fan Family, had their Patriarch come forward and specially request his help in pooling resources to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill.
He had contributed a stalk of Seven-Star Spirit Moon Grass, about thirty years old.
Through indirect inquiries, Lin Changheng learned that this family specialized in Beast Taming Skills and was somewhat stronger than the Spirit Fox Mountain Liu Family of the past.
Originally, he had planned to obtain some more Muddy Evil Essence Blood from this family.
But now he had a new idea: to see if he could trade for a method of accelerating a beast’s development.
Lin Changheng was fully confident that the other party would compromise.
After all, he had a precedent of successfully refining a Masterpiece-quality Foundation Establishment Pill.
While there might be other Pill Masters to choose from for refining a Foundation Establishment Pill—it would just mean accepting a lower success rate—very few could refine a Masterpiece-quality one. And those who could charged exorbitant prices.
For them, Lin Changheng’s offer was more than fair. Moreover, he was only asking for a "trade," so he wasn’t afraid the Fan Family would refuse.
...
In less than an hour, a visitor arrived at the door.
"My master is in. This way, please, Senior."
Soon, Yan Mingyi led a Cultivator inside. He had the appearance of a middle-aged man with slanted, phoenix-like eyes. It was none other than Xu Xujun.
"Ah, Mr. Xu, what brings you to the Immortal City?"
Lin Changheng quickly went to greet him with a smile.
"Mr. Lin, I made this trip specifically to find you."
Xu Xujun shook his head, then glanced around his surroundings and remarked with emotion, "This Spirit Vein is truly extraordinary. The Spiritual Qi is dense, and the environment is excellent. It’s indeed a suitable place for Foundation Establishment Cultivators to live and practice their Cultivation."
"Then why don’t you move out here to live and cultivate, Mr. Xu?"
Lin Changheng asked with a meaningful smile as he invited Xu Xujun to take a seat.