Chapter 237 - 185: Spirit-Feeding Pill Formula, Allegiance and Service
Chapter 237: Chapter 185: Spirit-Feeding Pill Formula, Allegiance and Service
Outer Lake, Cave Mansion No. 98.
In the main hall.
Lin Changheng’s words, though harsh, reached the ears of the Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Luofeng Forest Fan Family. Yet, not only did the cultivator show no anger, he even offered an apologetic smile and said:
"Alchemist Lin must be joking. How could our family possibly have such an idea?"
"Setting aside our promises and principles, just based on Alchemist Lin’s skill in the Alchemy Dao for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill, how many Pill Masters of the same level in the entire Immortal City can even compare? Why would we abandon a bright future for a dim one?"
His words, both on the surface and between the lines, not only clarified the situation but also subtly flattered Lin Changheng.
Lin Changheng’s expression flickered. He deliberately put on a pleased look, his demeanor softening considerably.
Seeing this, the Fan Family’s Foundation Establishment Cultivator felt a wave of relief and continued his explanation:
"As for why I am a few days late in responding to Alchemist Lin’s message—it’s not that I was unwilling to come. I was not in the Immortal City at the time, having returned to my family to handle other matters. But the moment I received the message relayed by my clansmen, I dropped everything and flew here through the night, without a moment’s delay."
"If that’s the case, then I have misunderstood Mr. Fan."
Lin Changheng took the opportunity to de-escalate, deciding to quit while he was ahead.
Given Lin Changheng’s personality, he didn’t actually care that the other man was a few days late.
However, he had chosen to make a show of it to serve the upcoming negotiation—to suppress the other party’s momentum, plant the seed that they were the ones initially at fault, and seize the initiative.
"It is good that the misunderstanding is cleared up. And it is true that we made Alchemist Lin wait."
The Fan Family’s Foundation Establishment Cultivator was also a smooth character, knowing when to take a step back.
There was no need to squabble over who won the verbal exchange; getting the job done properly was what truly mattered.
Acting on impulse was a mistake.
The two then discussed the matter of refining the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Lin Changheng stated directly that a good friend of his happened to have a twenty-year-old Nine-leaf Purple Ginseng and intended to put it forward for a group refining session.
Normally, a Pill Master would need to avoid any suspicion of impropriety in such a situation, as it was very possible for them to sacrifice the third Success Pill to guarantee the first two, or even to push for a single Masterpiece Pill.
Such incidents had occurred in the past, causing the reputations of those Pill Masters to plummet.
But Lin Changheng was not one of them. When he refined Foundation Establishment Pills, all three would succeed, naturally avoiding this issue and making him trustworthy.
"Excellent!"
The Fan Family’s Foundation Establishment Cultivator was also delighted. Both the Seven-Star Spirit Moon Grass and the Nine-leaf Purple Ginseng were regulated, strategic resources for Sects and Daoist Schools, making them extremely difficult to obtain.
With the two most difficult main ingredients gathered, the third, the Celestial Crystal Spirit Lotus, would be much easier to find.
After finishing their discussion on this topic, Lin Changheng took advantage of the man’s good mood to suddenly ask, "I have heard that your esteemed family is known for its Beast Taming Skill?"
"That is correct."
A thought flashed through the Fan Family cultivator’s mind. ’Alchemist Lin certainly wouldn’t ask for no reason. He must have some related need.’
But he wasn’t opposed to the other party having needs—in fact, he welcomed it. After all, a bond forged through mutual benefit was the most stable.
"Does Alchemist Lin have some beast-taming need? I saw that you are raising a turtle Spirit Beast in your front courtyard, but it was hidden in the mud, so I could not get a clear look."
"Indeed. I do have a matter where I need the help of your family. There are two things, actually, and I was wondering if you could assist."
Lin Changheng nodded and laid all his cards on the table, holding nothing back.
"Alchemist Lin, please tell me. If it is within my ability and authority, I can directly promise to handle it for you."
"If it is not, I will still report it to my family and do my utmost to make it happen."
Regardless, the Fan Family cultivator’s attitude was impeccable, leaving Lin Changheng with nothing to criticize.
In reality, however, this wording gave him room for plausible deniability. If he felt it wasn’t feasible, he could simply claim it was beyond his authority or ability, then pass it on to the family to deliberate and stall.
It was a clear sign of a meticulous and cunning mind.
Lin Changheng paid it no mind and continued, laying out his two points:
"First, I would like to purchase a batch of Muddy Evil Essence Blood from your family. A higher level would also be acceptable. A large quantity would be best."
"Second, I was wondering if you know of any elixirs or medicinal materials suitable for accelerating the growth of a turtle Spirit Beast? Since your family is founded on beast taming, I was hoping you could enlighten me. I would like to learn from your methods."
"So, I wonder, do these two matters fall within Mr. Fan’s range of ability and authority?"
After speaking, Lin Changheng looked at the Fan Family cultivator with an expectant expression.
Hearing this, the Fan Family’s Foundation Establishment Cultivator fell silent.
Lin Changheng didn’t press him, simply watching him ponder.
Then, he added a sentence to dispel the other’s doubts: "Regarding these requests, I’m not looking for a handout. I can pay the market price in Spirit Stones for the purchase. As for the magic technique related to accelerating a Spirit Beast’s growth, I can guarantee that I will not leak a single detail to outsiders and will only use it for my own Spirit Beast."
At these words, a relaxed smile appeared on the Fan Family cultivator’s face. He deliberated for another moment before saying:
"The first matter is easy enough to handle. My family raises a type of Muddy Evil Level Demon Beast called the Fire-tailed Golden Rat. We have them in large numbers. If Alchemist Lin needs them, I can help procure some."
Hearing this, Lin Changheng was first pleased, then vexed. He had already completed the Spirit Stealing Metamorphosis for this beast’s Treasure Seed and had purchased a sufficient amount of its Essence Blood from a place in the Immortal City called the Jiang Family Material Shop. He hadn’t expected the Fan Family to have the very same species.
What a coincidence...
"As for the latter, my family could be considered to have something."
Lin Changheng’s brow furrowed slightly. "What do you mean, ’could be considered to have’?"
The Fan Family cultivator immediately explained, "The magic technique my family has is specific to an Earth Element Earth Dragon Beast; we use it to refine elixirs that can accelerate its growth. I observed that Alchemist Lin’s Turtle Beast is fond of mud, which most likely makes it an Earth Element Spirit Beast as well. Therefore, this elixir should also be effective for it."