Chapter 400 - 259: Spirit Clam’s Breakthrough, Crystal Scorpion’s Demon Blood
Chapter 400: Chapter 259: Spirit Clam’s Breakthrough, Crystal Scorpion’s Demon Blood
He didn’t rise. Instead, with a mere thought, a Mutton Fat Jade Bottle flew from his Storage Bag. It transformed into a streak of light, silently piercing the lake water and slipping precisely into the slightly open gap of the Spirit Clam’s shell.
CRACK!
The Deep Lake Spirit Clam, mentally linked to Lin Changheng, immediately snapped its shell shut. The Mutton Fat Jade Bottle shattered instantly, and all the Medicinal Powder was drawn inside.
The moment it entered its body, the powder transformed into a gentle yet immense Medicinal Power. Like welcome rain after a long drought, it quickly replenished the energy the Spirit Clam had consumed breaking through its bottleneck and nourished its Demon Soul.
The light around the Spirit Clam’s body flared slightly. The once-steady rhythm of its breakthrough attempt suddenly grew more forceful, and the flow of its Demonic Power became smoother and more vigorous.
The entire breakthrough process became quiet, not triggering any major celestial phenomena. Only the surrounding Water Spirit Qi gathered more rapidly, forming a slowly spinning Spiritual Qi Vortex above the Spirit Clam.
After about a day and a half, the Spiritual Qi Vortex suddenly contracted inward, disappearing completely into the clam’s shell.
The next moment, a more condensed and vast Demon Qi, characteristic of a Tier Two Middle Stage Spirit Beast, slowly emanated from it. Although it was still unstable from the recent breakthrough, a solid foundation had already been laid.
On the Spirit Clam’s shell, the arcane patterns seemed to have grown clearer and deeper, faintly shimmering with a precious light.
Evidently, the Deep Lake Spirit Clam had successfully broken through.
Seeing this, Yan Mingyi also breathed a sigh of relief.
Lin Changheng stepped forward and patted Yan Mingyi’s head. "You’re next. Are you confident?"
"My husband has prepared everything for me. How could I not be confident?"
Yan Mingyi snuggled into his arms, tilted her head up, and, with a smile, initiated a sweet kiss.
"That’s good."
After savoring the moment, just as her breathing grew heavy, Lin Changheng whispered something in her ear. The woman’s cheeks flushed crimson, and she hastily fled.
"Hahaha..."
Lin Changheng couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
It was especially satisfying.
’I have to admit, Xiaobai’s breakthrough to Tier Two Middle Stage is another huge boost to my strength, and truly a cause for celebration. A little celebration with my concubine tonight is perfectly acceptable.’
’For now, I can postpone the Deep Lake Spirit Clam’s blood offerings. I’ll wait for its Cultivation to stabilize. There’s no rush.’
’But the Black Armored Earth Turtle’s sessions can’t be delayed in the slightest and must be scheduled as usual.’
It was obvious that the Black Armored Earth Turtle had realized its own gluttony had gotten it into trouble. That so-called Blood Replenishing Elixir wasn’t so tasty after all...
But it had chosen this path, so it could only bite the bullet and offer up its blood. There was no other choice.
"Whimper... Whimper..."
As the long needle Magical Artifact entered its body, Xiaohai put on an expression of heroic sacrifice and allowed a full portion of its Essence Blood to be drawn.
...
「One month later.」
Lin Changheng suddenly saw a Communication Jade Talisman fly over from the neighboring island. It plunged into his Array and came to a stop.
"It’s finally here!"
Lin Changheng’s spirits lifted.
’It’s been so long. My neighbor finally finished her business and remembered me.’
’It was late, but she did remember in the end.’
’That’s enough.’
’It meant my request for Cold Jade Crystal Scorpion Essence Blood was finally showing some promise.’
Drawing the Jade Talisman to himself, Lin Changheng swept it with his Divine Sense. It was just as he’d expected.
After making some brief preparations, he flew directly toward the neighboring Floating Star Island.
...
"Mr. Lin, it has been a long time."
After being led into the main hall by a Maid, he saw a beautiful woman sitting with a smile in the host’s seat.
She wore an aqua-green, cloud-patterned dress that did little to hide her ample assets. Her black hair was tied up simply, and her light makeup highlighted a pure, otherworldly beauty.
Other than her, there was no one else present.
Brother Xu from Rising Sun Island was not present.
Lin Changheng cupped his fists. "Fairy Cheng, it has been a long time. Your grace surpasses what I remember. I trust you have been well."
After they exchanged some pleasantries, Lin Changheng felt it wouldn’t be right to bring up his purpose directly. Cheng Suling seemed to know this and initiated the topic herself. "Brother Lin, it was a good thing you didn’t go last time. You showed great foresight."
Lin Changheng feigned a surprised look. "What do you mean?"
"The situation inside was far more complex than I anticipated. The strength and number of the Cold Jade Crystal Scorpions, as well as the bizarre environment—it was all completely unexpected. We almost perished after going in..."
"We made some gains, but only a third of what we’d hoped... and it took several times longer than projected."
Cheng Suling shook her head, clearly dissatisfied with the outcome.
"What fortunate encounter ever goes exactly as planned? If they did, everyone would be fighting to the death over them."
Lin Changheng had long been aware of this reality.
"Still, Brother Lin sees things with such clarity."
Cheng Suling’s face broke into a smile.
"I was wondering, Fairy Cheng, did you summon me because you’ve acquired the Cold Jade Crystal Scorpion Essence Blood?"
"Indeed."
Cheng Suling raised a hand, and a vial of Essence Blood flew out, landing gently in Lin Changheng’s grasp.
The moment the vial landed in his hand, a bone-chilling cold radiated through the jade. It felt as if he were holding not a liquid, but a piece of ten-thousand-year-old ice. A layer of white frost instantly condensed on the vial’s surface, and even the surrounding air temperature seemed to drop a few degrees.
Lin Changheng probed it lightly with his Divine Sense. Inside the vial was a little less than half a fill of viscous, mercury-like blood, dark blue in color. Within it, countless tiny ice crystals seemed to float and collide. It appeared to be an incredibly pure, ice-cold bloodline, emitting a wild and ferocious aura.
"This is the Essence Blood of a Tier Two Cold Jade Crystal Scorpion. The quality is excellent; the Power of Origin from its bloodline has been preserved with exceptional integrity."
Cheng Suling explained at just the right moment.
A flash of satisfaction crossed Lin Changheng’s eyes. He looked up at Cheng Suling. "The Fairy is a woman of her word, indeed. What do you require from me in exchange?"
"Also, do you have any more of this type of Essence Blood, Fairy? Tier One would be fine too."
Hearing this, Cheng Suling smiled faintly, her beautiful face looking even more otherworldly. "Brother Lin, you are too polite. Though the Essence Blood is rare, it is not something I urgently need. In fact, I have a good amount of the Tier One variety. The real reason I invited you here, Fellow Daoist, is to discuss another matter."
"Oh?"
"Please, Fairy, speak your mind."
’I’m secretly disappointed. If I could just trade with Spirit Stones, it would be much safer and simpler. But if she needs my help with some important matter, things could get much more troublesome.’
Despite his thoughts, he spoke directly, a smile on his lips.
"I have long heard of Brother Lin’s fame in the Immortal City. Your Alchemy Dao is praised by all, having reached a level of perfection. The stream of fellow Cultivators seeking Pills at Jade Belt Lake is endless, and it has even improved this humble lady’s business. In light of this, I was hoping to ask Brother Lin to help me refine two batches of Pills."
Cheng Suling stated her purpose directly.
’That’s it?’
Lin Changheng breathed a sigh of relief. His tone became calm and filled with confidence. "When it comes to Magical Combat or exploring Secret Realms, I admit I’m not the most skilled. But when it comes to Alchemy, that is my true expertise. As long as you have the Pill Formula and Medicinal Materials, Fairy Cheng, you need only ask."
Cheng Suling smiled. "Excellent! Then it’s settled."
The two reached an agreement.
Cheng Suling then waved her sleeve, producing a large collection of Essence Blood—over four hundred vials in total.
They were almost all Tier One Essence Blood.
Their individual value was limited, but to Lin Changheng, they were extremely useful.
Lin Changheng accepted them without hesitation.
"Oh, by the way, if Brother Lin needs more, you can also go see Brother Xu. He has quite a lot on hand as well."
Lin Changheng suddenly heard Cheng Suling’s reminder as he held the Pill Formula Jade Scroll she’d provided.
"Thank you."
Lin Changheng departed.
At this point, his Storage Bag now contained the many vials of Essence Blood and the Pill Formula Jade Scroll, but no Medicinal Materials.
She had explained that she still needed time to gather the materials, suggesting that Lin Changheng could use the interval to study the Pill Formula.
Lin Changheng naturally had no objections to this.
After leaving Floating Star Island, Lin Changheng did not return directly home, but instead flew toward Rising Sun Island.
Not long after sending a Communication Jade Talisman, he was welcomed inside.
About an hour later.
He was seen out by a broadly smiling Xu Maoling.
The two were talking and laughing, clearly having reached a successful deal.
...
Upon returning to Moonrest Island once more.
Only after having dinner with Yan Mingyi did Lin Changheng return to his secret chamber.
Looking at the more than six hundred vials of Essence Blood before him, Lin Changheng prepared to begin the Spirit Stealing process.
Of these, Xu Maoling had provided over two hundred vials, which Lin Changheng had purchased at a price slightly above market value.
Lin Changheng was very satisfied; spending money saved him a great deal of trouble.