Chapter 323 - 223: Three-legged Fire Raccoon, Adding Fuel to the Fire
Chapter 323: Chapter 223: Three-legged Fire Raccoon, Adding Fuel to the Fire
「The next day.」
Deng Changsheng came to pay his respects.
Lin Changheng personally hurried out to greet him, showing him great courtesy.
"Changsheng, it’s been a long time. Are you well?"
Lin Changheng stepped forward, patted his shoulder, and said with a smile.
He made no effort to conceal the aura of his Middle Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, which Deng Changsheng sensed instantly. Deng Changsheng was startled for a moment, then overjoyed. "Master, your cultivation...!"
"I’ve made some small progress in my cultivation."
Lin Changheng nodded with a wide smile.
This was a deliberate act. It was necessary to employ both benevolence and might, to awe his subordinate.
As expected, Deng Changsheng immediately cupped his hands, bowed deeply, and offered his congratulations. "Congratulations on your breakthrough, Master. You are one step closer to forming a Golden Core."
Lin Changheng smiled with satisfaction, waiting for him to finish before reaching out to help him up.
"We’ve known each other for many years, there’s no need for such ceremony. I understand your sentiment."
He then took Old Deng by the hand and led him into the main hall of his cave abode. The entire display was reminiscent of Cao Mengde from his past life, who rushed out barefoot to welcome Xu You.
Master and subordinate took their respective seats. At the perfect moment, Yan Mingyi brought out Tier Two Middle Grade Spirit Tea for the guest.
"Please, try this tea."
Lin Changheng gestured with his hand.
"Yes."
Deng Changsheng took a sip. An expression of surprised delight spread across his face as he savored the flavor. He couldn’t help but praise, "This truly is an excellent tea."
"Take some with you when you leave."
Lin Changheng said with a magnanimous wave of his hand.
"Thank you, Master." Deng Changsheng was perceptive; he knew this was a sign of his Master’s high regard. A gift from one’s master was not something to be refused.
Seeing Lin Changheng lift his cup to sip his tea without saying more, Deng Changsheng took the cue and spoke up. "Master, I have returned, and I am fortunate to have not failed my mission."
"You were gone for many years. You’ve worked hard."
Lin Changheng finally set down his teacup and said with a smile.
"Not at all, not at all. It is my duty to serve you, Master."
Deng Changsheng scratched his head with a smile, not looking at all like a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, just as before.
He then began to explain the situation.
In great detail.
He had been spending this time obtaining Essence Blood from his friend, Qian Fusheng, a junior from the Cyan Mist Temple who was at the Fake Core stage.
This time, his friend had clearly grown more prudent. He was extremely cautious, even deliberately pausing his activities for a time when the situation grew tense and it was best to lie low.
Although this extended the timeframe, it ensured that no mistakes were made.
It prevented a repeat of the last incident with the Eclipse Crow Essence Blood, where the supply was cut off midway through.
"Oh? How many portions are there in total?"
Lin Changheng nodded with satisfaction.
"Just as you requested, Master. Twelve hundred portions, exactly."
Deng Changsheng had handled this matter beautifully, and he was quite confident in his success. He personally rose and presented a batch of carefully sealed Essence Blood to Lin Changheng.
His posture remained utterly respectful.
"What kind of Essence Blood is this?"
With a sweep of his sleeve, Lin Changheng caused the container holding the Essence Blood to click open.
A blazing, dazzling crimson filled his vision, like a chest piled high with maple leaves, or like a fiercely blooming flame.
In an instant, a scorching, violent aura washed over them, so intense it felt as if it could singe one’s eyebrows.
"This is... Fire Demon Beast Essence Blood."
A flicker of satisfaction showed in Lin Changheng’s eyes as he made his assessment. With his vast knowledge, he could naturally identify the substance.
He extended a finger and, with a gentle tug at the air, a vial of the crimson Demon Beast Essence Blood levitated towards him. As it drew near, one could almost hear a faint, sharp, clear cry emanating from within.
Seeing this, Deng Changsheng lowered his head slightly and explained, "Reporting to Master, this is the Essence Blood of the Three-legged Fire Raccoon. It’s not as common or easy to obtain as other Mortal Filth Demon Blood, so it took some effort. That said, it wasn’t too difficult to find during a Beast Tide. It’s just that my friend... well, once bitten, twice shy. He’s become much more timid. Otherwise, acquiring another one or two batches of Blood of Muddy Evil in this quantity wouldn’t have been a major issue."
Upon hearing this, Lin Changheng first nodded, then shook his head. "Securing a stable supply of one type at a time is the best choice. There will be opportunities in the future, Changsheng. You can continue to communicate and conspire with him then."
His expression showed no regret, only calm indifference.
"Yes," Deng Changsheng replied with a chuckle. "I will maintain contact with him."
"By the way, Master, I took the liberty of collecting information on the Three-legged Fire Raccoon. This Demon Beast is not often seen in the Wilderness surrounding the Immortal City. I thought it might be of some help to you."
He then passed a Jade Scroll into Lin Changheng’s hand.
"How thoughtful." Lin Changheng put away the Jade Scroll with a flick of his wrist and turned his attention back to the Essence Blood. He raised an eyebrow. ’Since this is of the Fire Element, it means that regardless of whatever Spirit Stealing talent the Three-legged Fire Raccoon possesses, the Spiritual Charm of my Fire Spirit Root can be enhanced by another five wisps.’
’That will bring it to forty-nine wisps.’
’I’ll be just a hair’s breadth from the fifty-one-wisp threshold for an Upper Grade Spirit Root.’
"Excellent. You’ve handled this matter very well," Lin Changheng nodded, his tone tinged with praise. With another wave of his sleeve, he resealed the container, and the scorching aura was instantly trapped inside.
He looked at Deng Changsheng. "I always reward merit and punish failure. These Elixirs will help advance your cultivation. Take them."
As he spoke, three vials of Elixirs shot toward Deng Changsheng.
They were filled to the brim and included several valuable Masterpiece Pills.
"Thank you, Master."
Excitement flushed Deng Changsheng’s face as he heard this, and he bowed deeply. "Serving you is my duty, Master! I dare not claim any credit for it."
He was overjoyed, clutching the vials tightly. ’No Pill Formula, no searching for Medicinal Materials... he just gifted me these Tier Two Elixirs directly. The Master is truly generous! It saves so much time and effort.’
’He’s always been like this. A master worth following, worth serving.’
"Take this time to rest and cultivate. Absorb these Elixirs. I will give you new orders when I have need of you."