Chapter 442 - 274: Divine Blood Curse Seal, Upper Grade Spirit Root
Chapter 442: Chapter 274: Divine Blood Curse Seal, Upper Grade Spirit Root
Lin Changheng, meanwhile, kept glancing toward the Huang Family’s group, a sense of uncertainty churning within him.
’I wonder if Chef Zeng brought the Red-eyed Fire Demon Essence Blood I need.’
’Without their earlier gift, the Red-eyed Fire Demon Essence Blood would have been a sure thing. But since the Huang Family had already presented him with the grand and valuable gift of the Centennial Spirit Grass, Dragon and Snake Vine, Lin Changheng was now finding the situation hard to read.’
’And it wouldn’t be right to ask.’
’It was precisely because this wasn’t a transaction involving Spirit Stones; asking rashly would make him seem insatiably greedy.’
That was why Lin Changheng usually preferred to use Spirit Stones for his purchases rather than becoming indebted to others.
Chef Zeng, however, seemed to have no such concerns. He interpreted Lin Changheng’s frequent glances as a gesture for them to eat and drink to their hearts’ content—an apology for being too busy to entertain them personally.
In response, he would repeatedly raise his cup to Lin Changheng with a smile, signaling that the hospitality was excellent and he shouldn’t worry.
...
「Half a month passed in a flash.」
The centennial birthday banquet had long since ended, with the guests who came to offer their congratulations having all departed that same day.
Only his closest acquaintances—his two island neighbors, the four women, and Chef Zeng’s party—remained, staying for another dinner banquet.
After a lively feast that left the tables in a state of happy disarray, both host and guests were thoroughly satisfied.
The two neighbors naturally returned to their own islands to rest. Chef Zeng and the Huang Family Cultivators, who had dined at a separate table, also departed that very night, returning to their clan. This left only the four women on Moonrest Island.
Fortunately, there were plenty of guest rooms; even with triple the number of people, there would have been enough space.
Tantai Feiyue sought out Lin Changheng in secret twice more, devoting herself to his pleasure. A few days ago, she and Xu Hanji finally, and reluctantly, departed.
...
Mo Zhaoli, however, had left even earlier.
For some unknown reason, the Purple Extreme Sect had recently been issuing a massive number of missions, and even Foundation Establishment Cultivators were not exempt.
But Mo Zhaoli was in dire need of resources, so in a way, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
As he saw her off...
"If you need anything, just let me know. And on your missions, make your own safety the top priority."
Lin Changheng looked at the gentle Female Cultivator before him, handing her a Storage Bag as he spoke in a soft voice.
It wasn’t his place to comment on Mo Zhaoli’s cultivation methods or her means of accumulating resources; he could only offer his support.
Everyone has their own path to Cultivation. His steady, even borderline reclusive, approach worked for him, allowing him to advance at a stable pace, but it certainly wasn’t a universal truth.
Lin Changheng understood this well, so he wouldn’t interfere.
A soft spot in Mo Zhaoli’s heart stirred. She wanted to refuse, but his firm gaze made her relent. She nodded and accepted the bag. "Thank you, Brother Lin. Li’Er... will remember this."
A gust of wind swept past, lifting a few stray strands of hair at her temples.
Mo Zhaoli was about to brush them away, but a hand, quicker than hers, gently tucked the strands back into place for her.
When she looked up again, she saw the concern in Lin Changheng’s eyes, the unspoken words that swirled within them like a deep, heart-stirring pool. A rare smile bloomed on her usually gentle face.
"Go on."
"Alright," she answered softly. She turned, summoned her Escape Light, and flew away, her figure gradually vanishing into the sky.
Lin Changheng stood alone on the island, watching until the last speck of light disappeared from the horizon before he slowly turned around.
...
After this gathering, Yan Mingyi had now met the other two "sisters." Previously, she had only crossed paths with Mo Zhaoli.
From a woman’s perspective, it would have been easy to feel a sense of insecurity.
But in reality...
She knew her place perfectly well. After all, she was merely a concubine, and Brother Lin would one day have a proper Dao companion.
On this matter, she couldn’t afford to be jealous or fight for his affection, nor could she entertain any thoughts of having him all to herself.
But she also knew it wasn’t in Brother Lin’s nature to treat any of them differently. That was why she didn’t reject her status; in fact, she gladly accepted it.
After helping Lin Changheng with his Medicated Bath Body Refining, he went into his Secluded Meditation Chamber. Not one to waste time, she also went to her own Cultivation.
She had learned from Xu Hanji about the typical cultivation progress for someone with a Middle Grade Spirit Root after reaching Foundation Establishment. This gave her a renewed sense of urgency, and she felt she had to be even more diligent.
Otherwise, how could she keep up with her husband’s Cultivation speed? If she slacked even a little, she would surely be left in the dust.
...
「Meanwhile, in the meditation chamber.」
Jade Bottles filled with crimson Essence Blood were strewn haphazardly across the cultivation platform.
Lin Changheng sat cross-legged amidst them, his mind sinking into his sea of consciousness.
He was contemplating a piece of information.
[Red-eyed Fire Demon Treasure Seed: Spirit Stealing Metamorphosis]
[Spirit Stealing: 2/100]
[Utility: A creature of the Mountain and Marsh Spirits. Can be metamorphosed into a Profound Spirit Bloodline. Inherently of the Fire Attribute, possessing the Lifebound Talents: Burning Spirit Enhancement Technique, Firelight Shadow Splitting, and Divine Blood Curse Seal. Upon successful Spirit Stealing, one may be chosen to be refined into the body.]
...
In truth, when Lin Changheng had first obtained the Red-eyed Fire Demon Essence Blood, he had immediately started searching for any related records.
Records were scarce, but he had found some. The real problem had been acquiring more of the Red-eyed Fire Demon’s Essence Blood, a situation that had left him helpless.
Now, the Huang Family had somehow managed to capture that same Red-eyed Fire Demon and was supplying him with its Essence Blood, allowing him to resume the process.
So, when he saw the three Talents—Burning Spirit Enhancement Technique, Firelight Shadow Splitting, and Divine Blood Curse Seal—memories of his research flashed through his mind, and they matched what he had learned.
The Burning Spirit Enhancement Technique was no ordinary buff. In an instant, a Red-eyed Fire Demon could use this special Magic Technique to ignite a portion of its own Qi and Blood, or even its life force, converting it into a burst of savage, unparalleled temporary power.
The next Magic cast would have its power amplified several times over, allowing it to shatter defenses and overcome obstacles.
In a way, it was a Life-or-Death Technique, a secret art to break a stalemate or reverse a fatal situation at a critical moment.
’The technique is powerful, yes, but the backlash from burning one’s Spiritual Essence must be incredibly severe. After a single strike, the user would be left completely vulnerable. It should never be used unless absolutely necessary.’
Besides, this wasn’t the first time he had encountered a similar Talent.
For the cautious Lin Changheng, its Utility was limited.
Then there was Firelight Shadow Splitting.
It was essentially a technique for confusing enemies by mixing illusion with reality.
By activating this Talent, a Red-eyed Fire Demon could conjure several fiery phantoms that were indistinguishable from its true self in both aura and form.
These phantoms moved according to the user’s will, controlled as easily as one’s own limbs. Not only could they deceive the enemy’s senses and disrupt their attacks, but they could also launch assaults of their own, making the technique incredibly Mysterious and versatile.
’This Talent is quite ingenious,’ Lin Changheng assessed. ’It combines the leaping nature of ’fire’ with the trickery of ’shadow.’ Offensively, it can be used to sow confusion in a group battle. Defensively, it allows for a deceptive retreat. It’s a highly practical Abnormal Technique.’
If the Water Shadow Stealth he had acquired from the Cold Jade Crystal Scorpion’s Essence Blood specialized in stealth and escape...
...then Firelight Shadow Splitting specialized in confusion and attack.
...
The final Talent was the Divine Blood Curse Seal.
Unlike the straightforward power and effects of the previous two, this Talent was far more esoteric and sinister.
It allowed a Red-eyed Fire Demon to use its Divine Thought to fuse its Fire Element Power—including its Fire Element Bloodline Power—into a Curse Mark that was intangible and formless, yet clung to its target like a shadow.
This mark could be planted during the clash of energies in combat or secretly when an enemy let their guard down. Once inside the body, it would lie dormant like a cancer festering in the bone. It could either be detonated remotely at a critical moment to inflict significant damage or be used as a tracking beacon, leaving the enemy with no place to hide.
But Lin Changheng immediately thought of another application: using this Abnormal Technique to control his enemies and subordinates.
It was somewhat similar to the classic Life and Death Talisman from the wuxia novels of his past life.
He had always been envious of such a technique when reading those stories, and he never expected to encounter a similar one in the Cultivation Realm.
Lin Changheng was tempted.
It wasn’t as though he needed it now. He had only one sworn subordinate, Deng Changsheng, whom he rarely called upon. Besides, the man was utterly loyal, so there was no need for such measures.
But... it could be used on his enemies!
In the vast Cultivation Realm, where everyone fought for their own advancement, the saying "the tree desires stillness, but the wind will not cease" was an undeniable truth.
The next time an enemy delivered themselves to his doorstep, killing them would be a waste. It would be far better to control them, to drive them, to use them as a conscious Puppet.
’It’s feasible!’
A glint in his eyes, Lin Changheng made his decision.
He immediately began the Spirit Stealing.
[Red-eyed Fire Demon Treasure Seed: Spirit Stealing Metamorphosis]
[Spirit Stealing: 100/100]
[Red-eyed Fire Demon Treasure Seed·First Layer]
...
[Spirit Stealing: 100/100]
[Red-eyed Fire Demon Treasure Seed·Second Layer]
...
HUMMM—
Two Treasure Seeds were plucked in succession, falling into his body.
Instead of immediately comprehending the wondrous uses of the Treasure Seeds, Lin Changheng impatiently turned his senses inward, using Introspection to examine his Fire Spirit Root.
[Fire Spirit Root, Fifty-one Threads of Spiritual Charm]!
Fifty-one threads of Spiritual Charm was the minimum threshold for an Upper Grade Spirit Root.
Seventy-one threads was the minimum for an Earth Spirit Root.
And ninety-one threads was the minimum for a Celestial Spirit Root.
This meant that just after his one-hundredth birthday, Lin Changheng’s Spirit Root had finally metamorphosed into an Upper Grade Spirit Root!