Chapter 412 - 264: Revisiting Cooperation, Magical Treasure and Spiritual Materials (Part 2)
Chapter 412: Chapter 264: Revisiting Cooperation, Magical Treasure and Spiritual Materials (Part 2)
Third, Lin Changheng’s Alchemy Dao was progressing steadily. He was on the cusp of becoming a Tier Two Upper Grade Alchemist, so there was no need to become the disciple of a Tier Three Alchemist.
Upon hearing this, a flicker of amusement, nearly imperceptible, flashed in Bai Hengwan’s eyes. With her vast experience and high station, she was a keen judge of character. She could naturally see that Lin Changheng wasn’t being falsely modest; rather, he possessed a calm and steady Heart Nature, knew how to conceal his true abilities, and had his own plans.
"You’re too modest, Alchemist Lin," she said with a slight smile, not pressing the matter further.
Lin Changheng then took the initiative to bring up the matter of the Cyan Rain Mist Toad Essence Blood.
As if she had been expecting it, Bai Hengwan’s eyes sparkled. She produced over three hundred bottles of Essence Blood.
Lin Changheng only took a little over two hundred, returning the rest. Seeing the slight surprise on Bai Hengwan’s face, he immediately smiled and said, "When I first sought this Essence Blood, my goal was to study it and see if it could be adapted for use in certain Pill Formulas. Now that my research is nearly complete, it wouldn’t be right for me to accept any more."
These two hundred-plus bottles of Essence Blood were already enough for Lin Changheng to complete the Fifth Layer of Spirit Stealing for his Cyan Rain Mist Toad Treasure Seed, as well as its subsequent Metamorphosis.
He even set aside a few extra bottles. If the final Muddy Evil Species Position he encountered happened to possess a water or wood dual attribute, he could complete the Metamorphosis on the spot.
Preparing in advance would save him the trouble of searching for it later.
More critically, a single favor had already earned him a great deal of Essence Blood. Taking any more would make him seem insatiably greedy.
Since his needs were met, putting a stop to it was the right choice.
"Very well."
Bai Hengwan retrieved the remaining Essence Blood and then brought something up herself, by way of a warning.
"Yang Zhenchuan?"
Lin Changheng was taken aback.
He was instantly reminded of that tall, statuesque Female Cultivator in the purple robe who exuded a cold, formidable aura.
He had met her once before when she came seeking a Foundation Establishment Pill.
"That’s right. The last time Elder Kong was before our Master, he went out of his way to praise you, Alchemist Lin. Considering that, and our close relationship, I fear my senior sister will try to win you over..."
Bai Hengwan’s expression was solemn.
’This "Master" must be the Late Stage Core Formation Cultivator, Qing Lan Wanderer... Which means my name has reached the ears of a cultivator of that caliber...’
Lin Changheng grasped the key point and said nonchalantly, "You needn’t worry, Bai Zhenchuan. Our relationship..."
As he spoke, a thought suddenly struck Lin Changheng. He seemed to grasp Bai Hengwan’s underlying meaning.
’If she can’t win me over, what will she do?’
’After all, the rivalry between Bai Hengwan and her fellow disciples is a battle for resources, but it’s also a battle for the very future of their Dao paths!’
’And a battle for one’s Dao is unavoidable!’
’Lin Changheng had no way of predicting what methods his new potential adversary might use.’
’But they certainly wouldn’t be as gentle as a dinner invitation.’
Lin Changheng’s words trailed off, a wry smile appearing on his face.
’But his mind was racing.’
’Lin Changheng was always trying to foster good connections, but it was frustrating that those very connections seemed to attract trouble.’
’The enemy of my enemy can be a friend.’
’But does a friend’s enemy have to be my enemy too?’
’If that were the case, he’d have far too many enemies.’
Lin Changheng had only just been dragged into trouble by the Huang Family, and now here it was again.
And this time, the people involved were on a completely different level.
If not for Lin Changheng’s resolute will, he might have started to waver, even questioning the very principles that had guided him all this time.
...
Fortunately, Bai Hengwan noticed his dilemma. "This rivalry will only grow more intense as we draw closer to the Core Formation realm."
"I am now approaching the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment, and my breakthrough is only a year or two away. If you are willing to give me your full support, Alchemist Lin, it would only be right for me to lend you a hand after I reach the Core Formation realm."
But Lin Changheng wasn’t one to act without a tangible reward. He was usually the one dangling carrots in front of others; he never expected to have one dangled in front of him. "I understand your promise, Bai Zhenchuan, and I am willing to offer my full support. The problem is, I have little confidence in my ability to withstand pressure from a True Inheritance disciple of the Immortal City. After all, at the end of the day, I am just a Pill Master who spends his days facing a furnace."
Bai Hengwan thought his words made sense. After all, she knew perfectly well how powerful her senior sister was.
What she didn’t know, however, was that the seemingly harmless Pill Master standing before her was, in fact, a terrifying and ferocious beast of immense power!
Instead, his words made her fall into deep thought.
"What do you need, Alchemist Lin? That way, I can provide more targeted assistance."
Finally, Bai Hengwan posed the question.
She clearly felt a little guilty for dragging Lin Changheng into this potential quagmire and intended to offer whatever help was within her power.
Lin Changheng just smiled, not saying anything.
’From the moment I started cooperating with Bai Hengwan, everyone in the Immortal City must have branded me as a member of her faction.’
’That wasn’t a label I could shake with just a few careless words.’
’And he had no intention of abandoning his connection to the Immortal City; it was the biggest ship he’d managed to board so far.’
’He could gain not just resources, but information.’
’But since things had already come to this, the only thing Lin Changheng could do was try to extract more benefits for himself.’
’Besides, Yang Zhenchuan was only at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment. He wasn’t overly concerned.’
’If worst came to worst, I could always put on a disguise and eliminate her. They’d probably never trace it back to me.’
As for why Lin Changheng didn’t speak, it was because he knew Bai Hengwan was even more generous than he had imagined. During their very first collaboration, she had gifted him a Talisman Treasure outright.
Though it was a single-use item, it was still a Talisman Treasure. Used correctly, it could be the deciding factor in Magical Combat.
Later, she had given him six hundred portions of Tier Two Essence Blood just for the asking.
The woman was clearly skilled at handling people—or, more accurately, at managing her subordinates.
’So, I’ll wait for her to make the first offer. Whatever she offers will surely be more satisfying than what I could ask for myself.’
"Perhaps you’re also looking to refine a Magical Treasure Embryo?"
Sure enough, Bai Hengwan spoke, though with a hint of uncertainty.
Lin Changheng’s heart skipped a beat. "I do have such plans... Why don’t you be more specific, Bai Zhenchuan."
"I have some leftover materials in my possession..."
Bai Hengwan waved her hand, and an array that blocked both sound and prying eyes instantly enveloped them, ensuring their conversation would remain private.
With a flip of her wrist, three items appeared in her palm, each emitting a heart-pounding Spiritual Pressure and a unique brilliance.
The first item was a strange piece of metal, about the size of two fingers, crimson red like blood, with what looked like flowing magma inside. The moment it appeared, the room’s temperature rose sharply.
"This is Earth Core Fire Marrow Iron," Bai Hengwan said, her tone flat, yet her words astonishing. "It is a supreme primary material for refining Fire Attribute Flying Swords or the embryos of attack-type Magical Treasures. It’s more than enough to serve as the core or even a key component of a Magical Treasure Embryo."
The second item was a small pinch of exceptionally heavy sand that shimmered with a seven-colored starlight.
"This is Nine Heavens Star Sand. There isn’t much, but if integrated into an embryo, it can grant the Magical Treasure a trace of Star-Breaking Aura Power, greatly enhancing its piercing capabilities."
The third item was a Jade Bottle, its mouth sealed with complex runes. The faint sound of wind and thunder could be heard from within.
"Inside is a drop of Zephyr Thunder Liquid, which contains the True Intent of Wind and Thunder. It can be integrated while shaping the embryo to make the Magical Treasure more agile and swift."
Every one of these three materials was a priceless treasure, nearly impossible to find in the outside world, yet Bai Hengwan had produced them as if they were nothing!
Even with Lin Changheng’s resolute will, his breathing couldn’t help but grow heavy.
’Is this the kind of backing that comes from a powerful supporter?!’
’Is this the benefit of having a powerful faction behind you?!’
’Compared to this, a Loose Cultivator like Lin Changheng, who had to struggle for everything on his own, was simply left in the dust.’
Bai Hengwan saw the undisguised shock in Lin Changheng’s eyes and spoke slowly, "These are surplus materials for me. If you are interested, Mr. Lin, I can transfer them to you. Of course, not for free..."
She paused before stating her true conditions. "I need your promise, Fellow Daoist. I want you to unequivocally declare your support for me. Also, should I ever need it, you must agree to help me one time. And finally, you must keep the origin of these materials a complete secret."