Chapter 259 - 194: Transformed Profound Root? Nether Void Demon Blood
Chapter 259: Chapter 194: Transformed Profound Root? Nether Void Demon Blood
Tantai Feiyue’s long, cyan silk hair cascaded down, spreading across the water’s surface like a bolt of the finest satin, rippling gently with the waves.
A sensation from beneath the water made Lin Changheng’s breath catch in his throat.
The steam grew thicker, blurring their vision, yet heightening their sense of touch.
At the same time, the rippling water pushed them together and pulled them apart, their bodies brushing close one moment and drifting away the next.
Outside the window, under the veil of an Array, a Night Primrose quietly bloomed. Its subtle fragrance drifted in, mingling with the increasingly ragged breaths inside.
Moonlight filtered through the gauze curtains, casting fragmented spots of light upon the water. They shimmered and danced with every movement, like a shattered galaxy spilled across the pool.
...
That evening, someone from the Xu Family arrived with an invitation.
Although Tantai Feiyue was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, she had faced an even stronger Foundation Establishment Cultivator whose physique was at the Tier Two Middle Stage. Naturally, she was no match, and now she lay sprawled on the bed like a puddle of spring water.
In truth, that puddle of spring water had flowed from the hot spring room, across the dressing table, the desk, the windowsill... to every corner of her boudoir.
Lin Changheng didn’t disturb her. He dressed in his robes, laid down several more Arrays, and only then did he depart to accept the invitation.
He met with the same people as before: Patriarch Xu Xuhe, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator Xu Xujun, and the head of the Alchemy Dao, Xu Qianyan.
Patriarch Xu Xuhe appeared even older than before. His back was slightly hunched and he was clearly exhausted, likely from the blow of his daughter’s "accident."
Lin Changheng could even faintly sense an aura of Withered Silence about him.
This was an aura that only manifested when one’s Lifespan was nearing its end, an aura he was able to perceive.
He couldn’t help but take a second look at the man. When he had been returning to the Xu Family back then, they had encountered Tribulation Cultivators. It was Xu Xuhe who had piloted a Dharma Ship alone to support them, scaring off the attackers and saving them from a situation that was about to collapse into ruin.
Back then, he had been in the prime of his life, standing as straight as a pine tree and radiating a natural authority.
’Right,’ Lin Changheng thought. ’Over forty years have passed since then...’
Who in this world can escape aging? Who can escape death?
’But... isn’t Cultivation meant to shatter this very fate?!’
Noticing Lin Changheng’s gaze, Xu Xuhe gave a chuckle. "Have I changed so much? So much that Alchemist Lin barely recognizes me?"
"Unlike you, Alchemist Lin. Not only has your Cultivation broken through to a new realm, but your Skills are masterful, and you are an expert in the arts of rejuvenation. You are the man our generation dreams of being."
Lin Changheng shook his head and smiled. "Patriarch, you praise me too highly."
Then he looked at the other two men. "May I ask why you’ve invited me here today?"
The three exchanged a glance, and in the end, decided that Xu Qianyan should be the one to speak. He took a few steps forward, bowed deeply to Lin Changheng, and then said, "Master Lin, it’s like this..."
’This old man is really stubborn,’ Lin Changheng thought. He didn’t stop him from bowing. ’It’s been ten years, and he still hasn’t forgotten the guidance I gave him, still treating me with the respect due to a teacher.’
But as Lin Changheng listened to what Xu Qianyan said next, his gaze sharpened. A thick wave of delight flared in his eyes, which he immediately forced himself to suppress. "Is what you say true?"
"It is!"
Xu Qianyan nodded and took out the familiar Jade Box Spiritual Artifact. Inside, without a doubt, was the Demon Beast Essence Blood the Xu Family had collected over the years.
But that wasn’t the main point.
The main point was the crystal-clear Jade Bottle that Xu Qianyan took out next.
A chilling aura emanated from its surface. It was clearly custom-made from some kind of Cold Jade.
Inside, five Blood Pearls were clearly visible.
They were azure-blue in color, each forming a distinct sphere, like beads of mercury. Their weight and extraordinary nature were apparent at a single glance.
Lin Changheng had seen Essence Blood of this quality and form once before!
He had even obtained some!
It was the drop of Essence Blood and the Feather from the Wind-Split Demon Falcon he had won at the Auction in the Ruins District!
If he wasn’t mistaken, that had been a Muddy Core Demon Bird with a Nether Void Bloodline!
It was in the same Realm as a Fake Core Cultivator of the Human Race—the Tier Three Realm!
’Could it be? Are these five drops also the Essence Blood of a Demon Beast with a Nether Void Bloodline?’
The more Lin Changheng looked, the more he felt it was true; the possibility seemed extremely high.
Just a moment ago, Xu Qianyan had explained that after a period of employing a more withdrawn strategy, their clan had begun to implement a plan of symmetrical retaliation.
They, too, were assassinating the core younger members of the Qiu Family out in the world!
Xu Xujun had even acted personally.
Over the past year, they had caught two people by surprise and killed them.
Both were key figures in the Qiu Family, and one was even a Foundation Establishment Seed.
This was a huge blow and provocation to the old devil of the Qiu Family. But while loved ones grieve, enemies rejoice; the upper echelons of the Xu Family who carried this out were overjoyed!
And it was from that Foundation Establishment Seed’s Storage Bag that they had discovered these five drops of Essence Blood.
They didn’t know where the Qiu Family had obtained it, or what they had planned to do with it.
But the item was useless in the Xu Family’s hands. All they knew was that it was the Essence Blood of a Muddy Core Demon Beast. Rather than let it gather dust, they figured it would be better to gift it to Lin Changheng.
And that led to the current scene.
Faced with such a gift, Lin Changheng did not refuse. He simply nodded and accepted the Essence Blood.
At the same time, he promised he would do his utmost to help Xu Hanji tomorrow.
Lin Changheng’s credibility within the Xu Clan was extremely high. He was not one for lies or empty boasts. As soon as he said this, the three members of the Xu Family visibly relaxed, their goal accomplished.
His promise was all they wanted.
If even Lin Changheng couldn’t help, then Xu Hanji would truly have no choice but to gamble with their own life.
This was their last straw.
Whether it worked or not, they had to grasp it with all their might.
...
After sitting for a moment longer, Lin Changheng took his leave. As he flew off with a whistle, his mind was already churning, focused on one key point... the Qiu Family!
’Since that clan possessed one batch of such high-quality Essence Blood, could they possibly have a second?’
’The question was crucial, and very tempting...’
SWOOSH!
An Escape Light landed directly in Tantai Feiyue’s pavilion.