Eternal Life: I Can Harvest Demon Beast Talents

Lin Changheng didn’t need to fully comprehend the entire intricate structure of this Tier Two Lower Grade Array!

He only needed to find the most fragile “load-bearing beam,” or the most critical “gear” that would trigger a chain reaction if disturbed. Then, with a focused attack, he could use far less power than required for a brute-force breach to cause a localized collapse, or even a total paralysis, of the entire array system!

It was like an expert carpenter crafting a complex puzzle box. A brute with immense strength might have to smash the box to get what was inside, but someone with X-ray Vision could easily find the hidden tenon. With a gentle nudge, the box would open naturally.

As long as the difference in Power Level and Array Foundation wasn’t absolutely overwhelming, he would have a significant advantage when dealing with arrays of the same tier, or even a small tier higher.

Satisfied, he turned his gaze to the bustling crowd on the Marketplace street.

With a single glance, the scene was vastly different!

To his eyes, the auras of most Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators were as faint as fireflies. The occasional Foundation Establishment Cultivator who passed by was like a torch of varying brightness, allowing him to roughly gauge the depth of their Cultivation.

As his gaze happened to sweep over a seemingly ordinary old man with a stall at a street corner, who was arguing heatedly with a customer over a “discount,” his [Insight Demon Technique] made a subtle discovery!

The old man’s method of concealing his aura was extremely masterful. On the surface, he only showed the fluctuations of a Late Stage Qi Cultivation cultivator. But under Lin Changheng’s “Insight,” he vaguely glimpsed a dormant power within the man’s body—an Earth Element Magical Power as condensed and heavy as an abyss. Its strength… was likely no less than that of a Fake Core Cultivator!

‘What a brilliant Concealing Breath Skill. If not for my [Insight Demon Technique], I almost would have been fooled,’ Lin Changheng thought, inwardly alarmed.

‘Is it just like the stories say? A High Tier Cultivator wandering the mortal world? Entering Dust and Becoming Mortal?’

The next moment, the haggling old man suddenly raised his eyes and looked in his direction. His wizened face was a crosshatch of wrinkles, and he then broke into a wide grin.

Their eyes met.

Lin Changheng couldn’t discern the man’s meaning, so he simply clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.

The old man raised the object in his hand in acknowledgment, then turned back to his customer, spewing spittle as he spun a sob story to refuse any further haggling.

He looked every bit a common merchant, without the slightest hint of a master’s demeanor.

‘This person’s perception is incredibly sharp!’

Lin Changheng didn’t focus on the superficial appearance, but immediately made a judgment.

Although he hadn’t used the Divine Light of the Three Techniques Combined this time, the very nature of [Insight] didn’t carry much of a prying sensation. This was true for the Abnormal Technique, and even more so for the upgraded Demon Technique.

Yet the man had still noticed him. This meant that the person either had an astonishingly prominent Divine Sense, or his Cultivation far surpassed the True Core Realm, making his perception even sharper than the Golden Armored Thunder Ape’s.

‘Forget it.’

Many plans and ideas for communicating with the old man flashed through Lin Changheng’s mind, but in the end, he chose to give them up.

He didn’t know the man’s temperament or whether his actions were righteous or evil. If he happened to displease him, there was no telling what might happen.

Right now, stable development was his priority. It was best not to get involved in such troublesome matters. If he had the bad luck to get himself killed, it would be a terrible loss.

「Time passed.」

News of the Beast Tide finally spread, but it didn’t have too great of an impact.

The Beast Tide lacked focus and momentum, causing it to dissipate midway.

Only a few scattered Demon Beasts continued to charge out of the Wilderness, but they were surrounded and annihilated by Demon Hunting cultivators. It was considered a windfall and didn’t cause any major stir.

However, the scattered cultivators of the Purple Extreme Sect slowly began to gather at the Golden Sand Marketplace, the sole stronghold of the Human Race cultivators in the area.

When everyone had finally regrouped, only six of the original ten remained!

One person was lost in the Quasi-Tier Three Spiritual Land.

Later, while fleeing the Beast Tide, another three were lost.

The losses included two Late Stage Foundation Establishment and two Middle Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. The casualties from the Beast Tide were clearly much higher!

Besides Lin Changheng and Mo Zhaoli, the survivors included Master Linghu, the Gold Array Master, Ye Qingwu, and Senior Brother Zhang, who had reached a cooperation agreement with Mo Zhaoli.

When they met, no one looked happy. A somber mood hung over them. Only Master Linghu remained composed. His calm gaze swept over the group as he pointed out in a slightly deep voice, “This is the deeper cruelty of the Cultivation Realm!”

“Don’t think that just because you’ve reached Late Stage Foundation Establishment, possess formidable strength, and have numerous techniques, you’re safe. A single unexpected disaster can still easily destroy you all!”

His tone carried the world-weariness of someone who had seen it all. “Even I, a Fake Core cultivator, who may seem lofty and respected within the Sect, am constantly walking on thin ice. I live in fear that one wrong step or a bout of bad luck will lead to my utter demise, wiping out a hundred years of arduous Cultivation in an instant!”

He paused, his gaze lingering on the faces of the Foundation Establishment cultivators, his tone growing heavier.

“Foundation Establishment is merely the first step away from the very bottom of the Cultivation Realm, granting you the initial qualification to explore this vast world. Core Formation is far from a life of carefree freedom. Above, Nascent Soul Ancestors look down upon all living things. Beyond, powerful enemies from Alien Races watch like hungry tigers. And there are countless deadly Secret Realms and perilous Ancient Ruins. One step can mean life, the next can mean death. This is the norm.”

“You must take today’s experience as a warning. Do not become complacent over small achievements, nor let a temporary setback cloud your Dao Heart. Only by maintaining the caution of one walking on thin ice, while acting with brave and diligent progress—by being meticulous, yet daring to fight for that sliver of life at critical moments—can you possibly walk further on this path that defies the heavens.”

His words were like a solemn wake-up call, ringing in everyone’s hearts. The excitement from their gains and their escape gradually subsided, replaced by a much clearer understanding of their reality.

Lin Changheng also fell silent.

He had always thought this way and had consistently practiced a philosophy of caution. He just never expected Master Linghu’s words to align so perfectly with his own beliefs.

As he looked up, he was surprised to find Master Linghu’s gaze fixed on him.

“Thank you for your teachings, Master!”

Unsure if he was just overthinking it, Lin Changheng joined the others as they bowed in acknowledgment, clasping his fists in thanks.

But a doubt began to stir in his heart.

‘That man’s gaze… it’s hard to read his intentions.’

“However, despite the unexpected incidents, we have still successfully completed our mission. We can return to the Sect and report.”

After his announcement, Master Linghu summoned his Spiritual Ship, preparing to depart.

Everyone flew onto the Spiritual Ship one by one. Mo Zhaoli and Ye Qingwu boarded together, only to realize with surprise that Lin Changheng was still standing on the ground, unmoving.

“Lin…”

Mo Zhaoli had just started to send a telepathic message to ask Lin Changheng what he was thinking.

But Master Linghu’s voice suddenly cut in, with a rare warmth, “Mr. Lin, are you not returning with us? It should be on your way.”

“Thank you for your kind offer, Master, but this junior has other matters to attend to. For now, I cannot travel with you all. I hope you will understand.”

Lin Changheng showed no intention of moving. His figure was like a longsword planted in the ground, perfectly still.

“Very well! Then feel free, Mr. Lin.”

Master Linghu didn’t press the matter. He directly piloted the Spiritual Ship, which cast a heavy shadow as it whistled away.

Only Mo Zhaoli stood at the edge of the ship, her gaze full of concern and a hint of reluctance, like the clear waters of autumn.

Lin Changheng offered a slight, reassuring smile, then turned to watch the Spiritual Ship fly away.

Once the Spiritual Ship had completely vanished from the horizon, Lin Changheng’s expression suddenly darkened. He had discovered a mark on his body, placed there at some unknown time. It was very subtle, but it still hadn’t escaped his perception.

‘I was noticed!’

‘Who did it?’

Lin Changheng racked his brain but had no idea. He had no memory of when it could have happened. He guessed that it was unlikely the few Late Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators could have done it. The probability was much higher that it was Master Linghu, who was in the Fake Core Realm.

Lin Changheng couldn’t figure out the motive, but he could only deduce the culprit based on who had the ability to do it!