Eternal Life: I Can Harvest Demon Beast Talents

Chapter 408: Chapter 262: Mutated Bloodline, the Huang Family’s Goodwill

Several clan disciples stood behind him, all looking the same, which showed just how much pressure the Huang Family had been under.

Lin Changheng put away his Dharma Ship. His expression was calm as he stated his purpose directly, "My name is Lin Changheng. I wonder if you young friends have heard of me? I heard your esteemed family has been facing some turmoil recently, so I came to pay a visit. I’d trouble you to announce me."

Hearing the name "Lin Changheng," the disciple froze. He and the others exchanged a look, and their attitudes became exceptionally respectful. It was clear they knew Lin Changheng’s identity. He quickly bowed and said, "So it is Elder Lin! Please wait a moment, this junior will inform Uncle Zeng right away."

With that, he took out a Communication Talisman, muttered a few words into it, and activated it.

But they couldn’t just take his word for it and let him into the clan’s territory. A little verification was still necessary.

These clan disciples were quite meticulous and experienced. Lin Changheng observed them, nodded with a smile, and didn’t make things difficult for them.

While waiting, Lin Changheng’s gaze swept over his surroundings, seemingly at random.

The Array Light Curtain of the Defense Array at the Mountain Gate was clearly much thicker than before. As his Divine Light scanned the area, he could faintly tell that the number of clan disciples patrolling within the Array had also increased. A tense, oppressive atmosphere still lingered in the air.

On some of the nearby mountain peaks, he could still see the charred marks and rubble left behind by Magic attacks.

Before long, a somewhat hurried Escape Light flew out from within the mountains and landed before the Mountain Gate, revealing Chef Zeng’s burly figure.

"Brother Lin!"

Chef Zeng cupped his hands in greeting, a smile on his face as he walked out quickly. "I was not aware of your arrival, Brother Lin. Forgive us for not welcoming you from afar. It is our oversight."

"You’re being too kind, Mr. Zeng."

Lin Changheng immediately smiled and shook his head. "It was I who came unannounced. I apologize for the intrusion."

"Not at all, not at all."

The two of them chatted and laughed as they walked, entering the Mountain Gate together without pause. Their Escape Lights streaked through the air, leading them directly into a reception hall.

The hall was not empty; a graceful figure was seated inside.

Hearing the sound of something cutting through the air, the graceful figure immediately came out to greet them. It was none other than Chef Zeng’s wife, Huang Linglin.

The woman still looked to be in her early thirties. She wore a light-red Immortal Skirt that perfectly outlined her curvaceous, full figure.

She was like a perfectly ripe honey peach.

"Brother Lin."

"Ms. Huang."

The two greeted each other.

"It’s been many years since we last parted, Brother Lin."

A smile played on Huang Linglin’s lips. Her gaze flowed with a natural, mature charm, and her voice was soft and sweet. "I never expected we would meet again today. It’s a truly pleasant surprise. When I received Old Zeng’s message, I dropped everything I was doing to come see you."

Her eyes fell upon Lin Changheng, sizing him up with a perfect mix of appraisal and admiration. "Observing your aura, Brother Lin, it’s become even more unfathomable than before. Your Cultivation must have improved tremendously. Congratulations."

"Just some minor progress."

Lin Changheng changed the subject, not wanting to dwell on himself. He turned the conversation to a new topic: the Huang Family’s current situation.

The answer he received wasn’t much different from what Zhang Cuicui had told him.

It was at least eighty to ninety percent similar.

The only difference was that they had already reached a truce.

A series of terms acceptable to both sides had been laid out, with no clauses that would forfeit their rights or bring shame to the family.

They had also reported it to the [Purple Extreme Sect] for supervision, which would bring a strong binding force.

Of course, the [Purple Extreme Sect] wasn’t doing this out of boredom. They required a hefty fee in Spirit Stones and resources.

At the same time, they held the power to strike down violators and confiscate their resources as punishment.

...

To this, Lin Changheng expressed that it was "excellent."

Chef Zeng laughed. "If not for your intervention, Brother Lin, our family would have struggled to escape the war so quickly. We would still be trapped in the mire and likely would have sunk completely."

Lin Changheng remained noncommittal. "The post-war reconstruction and recovery of your influence will also require a great deal of effort."

"Indeed. You see, most of the family’s Foundation Establishment Cultivators have been sent out. It’s just a coincidence that I returned a few days ago for my guard rotation. Otherwise, I would have missed you, Brother Lin."

Chef Zeng spoke as if Lin Changheng was one of his own, frankly revealing these confidential matters.

"Walls have ears."

Lin Changheng wasn’t interested in this and offered a reminder instead.

"Hahaha, of course, of course."

Chef Zeng scratched his head. "When it comes to outsiders, my lips are sealed tight."

At this moment, Huang Linglin spoke up at the perfect time, a strange smile on her face. "I wonder if you still have any [Solid Face Pills] on hand, Brother Lin? Now that the Huang Family’s crisis is over, all those ’best friends’ and ’dear sisters’ of mine have gotten back in touch, hoping to acquire some of those Pills."

"Oh?"

Lin Changheng’s eyelid twitched slightly as he understood immediately. "Of course I do. Ms. Huang, you can even quote them a higher price to vent some frustration."

Evidently, when the Huang Family ran into trouble, those "good friends" had either been strictly ordered by their own families or had intentionally kept their distance, afraid of getting drawn into the mess. They had automatically cut off contact with the Huang Family. Now that they saw the Huang Family was fine and its foundation remained intact, they were flocking back again.

"There’s no need for that. I can’t vent my anger at the cost of your reputation, Brother Lin."

Huang Linglin glanced at Lin Changheng, her eyes sparkling. She felt quite pleased and pursed her lips into a smile.

They chatted for a while longer.

"Since the family is fine, my mind is at ease. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now."

Lin Changheng stood up to leave.

"Wait!"

Huang Linglin quickly stood up and urged him to stay, her eyes glinting. "Why the rush, Brother Lin? Since you’re here, why not stay with our family for a couple of days? It would allow my husband and I to show you our hospitality and properly thank you for your help."

"Exactly," Chef Zeng also nodded, urging him to stay.

Seeing Lin Changheng pause, Huang Linglin smiled and added, "Besides, the family has been planning something that will be quite useful to you, Brother Lin. It just needs another two days to be ready. If you don’t mind, why not wait for two days? Allow me to present this token of our gratitude on behalf of the family. It won’t be too late to leave then."

Her words were quite clever. She expressed her desire for him to stay while also giving him a "token of gratitude" as a reason, making it difficult to refuse.

Hearing this, Lin Changheng turned to look at Huang Linglin. Seeing the sincerity in her eyes, which didn’t seem feigned, he was slightly moved.

He had no pressing matters to attend to anyway. This place wasn’t far from the Immortal City, so staying for two days wouldn’t cause any major delays. He could also take the opportunity to see just what this "token of gratitude" from his old acquaintance was.

After a moment of thought, he nodded. "Since Ms. Huang and Mr. Zeng have so graciously invited me, I shall impose for two days."

Huang Linglin’s face bloomed into a smile, and she looked overjoyed. "Wonderful! I’ll have someone arrange the best guest courtyard for you right away, Brother Lin!"

She then personally led Lin Changheng to a guest courtyard to rest. They chatted and laughed pleasantly along the way, the atmosphere harmonious. Meanwhile, Chef Zeng went to arrange for that evening’s dinner.

As for what the "token of gratitude" two days later would be, she kept him in suspense and didn’t specify, only saying that he would know when the time came.

After settling in, Lin Changheng couldn’t help but feel a bit curious. ’This Huang Linglin... she seems even more astute and sophisticated than she was back then.’

...

「Three days later.」

After seeing the three members of the Huang Family off, Lin Changheng stared at the small box on the table, lost in thought.

Besides Chef Zeng and his wife, another person had also come.

Lin Changheng had met him before. It was the cold-faced middle-aged man who had now reached Middle Stage Foundation Establishment. His name was Huang Tianlin, and in terms of seniority, he was a clan uncle to Huang Linglin and the others.

He had once come to Lin Changheng’s Outer Lake No. 98 Cave Mansion with another purple-robed Foundation Establishment elder from the clan to ask for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

According to him, he had specially rushed back from outside the family lands to personally express the Huang Family’s gratitude to Lin Changheng.

Lin Changheng told him there was no need and made a point of mentioning the deep cooperative relationship between him and the Huang Family, intending to strengthen it.

Everyone was quite happy during this meeting.

Lin Changheng also finally saw the "token of gratitude" that Huang Linglin had spoken of.

’Demon Beast Essence Blood!’

Lin Changheng guessed what it was the moment he saw it.

He reached out and opened it. It was just as he’d expected.

There were just over fifty portions.

They were crimson red like flames, and even through the barrier of the vials, an astonishing amount of heat washed over him.

This was definitely not Muddy Evil Level!