Chapter 102: Not to Be Underestimated

Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Not to Be Underestimated

Thirty breaths!

It was a massive leap forward.

This meant that once underground, he could escape a distance of three li.

Plus, since his direction was unpredictable, the actual range of his escape would be even greater.

Unless it was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator using their Divine Sense, a Qi Cultivation Cultivator without a specific Secret Treasure would have absolutely no way of tracking Lin Changheng.

Lin Changheng shook his head and smiled. "How could a mere Qi Cultivation Cultivator possibly possess such a Secret Treasure?"

’Maybe I’m being a little too cautious sometimes...’

But he had no intention of changing. After all, hadn’t he read stories where a legendary Immortal Emperor died just from stepping on a dead bug?

Though the stories exaggerated, their core message was sound: you can never be too careful, and caution is the key to a long voyage.

Lin Changheng took this lesson to heart.

’Time to continue.’

The Essence Blood from Tantai Feiyue—no, the "Talismanic Ink"—wasn’t used up yet.

He continued to extract the Essence Blood of the Pan Mountain Turtle.

As Lin Changheng watched, a True Core slowly materialized in the Primordial Cauldron.

’A Demon Technique!’

Lin Changheng knew that a True Core represented a Demon Technique.

Since no strange transformations had occurred, he had already suspected as much.

[Pan Mountain Treasure Seed·Fifth Layer]

[Spirit Stealing: 100/100]

[Metamorphosis: 0/10]

[Utility: Mixed Grade Demon Beast Bloodline, innately possesses the Earth Attribute. With Perfect Spirit Stealing and Life Nurturing Dao, it can be refined into the bloodline to unlock the Ancestor Demon Technique: Earth Escape.]

’Acceptable.’

’Once this seed’s Metamorphosis is finished, all five of my Treasure Seeds at the Mortal Filth Essence Blood tier will have completed their evolution. That will free up five species positions.’

’I’ll also have gained one Divine Power True Intent, [Fire Manipulation]; three Demon Techniques: [Poison Transformation], [Fire Extinguishing], and [Earth Escape]; and one Third Layer Strange Skill, [Self-Healing]!’

The Third Layer Strange Skill was a bit weak, but the rest were great!

’After this, I’ll focus all my efforts on finding Muddy Evil Essence Blood and Profound Spirit Essence Blood. I need to raise my limits again, internalizing more Demon Beast talents—more powerful talents—for my own use!’

Lin Changheng’s goal was clear.

...

While waiting for Mo Zhaoli’s arrival, Lin Changheng kept himself busy.

He continued to study and practice the principles of the *Record of the Two Principles Profound Furnace*.

During his breaks, he would also pull out the *Dragon Essence Secret Skill*—the one he had found for Xu Fugui—and give it a brief read.

It was partly to clear his head, but also because he’d gotten a taste for it and found it rather addicting. For two nights in a row, either someone was knocking on Lin Changheng’s door, or he was paying a visit to Tantai Feiyue’s courtyard.

No one knew what they discussed, but their "chats" would last until the first light of dawn.

They would only part then, still feeling that the night was too short.

Losing Essence Qi once or twice was of little consequence. After all, the Primordial Cauldron had been mysteriously drawing his Essence Blood since he was a child, so he was quite experienced with the sensation.

But too many such occurrences could damage his very foundation and hinder his cultivation path.

This fact, in particular, kept Lin Changheng on guard.

The *Dragon Essence Secret Skill* he had given Fugui had two primary functions.

First, it strengthened the body.

That was the main function Fugui had needed. He had been young and reckless, with no sense of his own limits, and found himself completely unable to keep up with his three wives. After just one month, he had come begging for help.

Second, Dragon Lock.

As its name suggested, this function locked one’s Essence Qi to prevent its loss, without affecting physical experience or pleasure. In other words, it let you have your cake and eat it too.

It could also prevent a Pearl Embryo from forming.

Tantai Feiyue was far from slow; she was exceptionally sharp and had noticed something was different.

She felt a pang of disappointment. She had hoped to bear a child for Lin Changheng. She didn’t care for empty titles, nor did she mind the stares or gossip of others.

After all, the fact that she had given up her incomparably prominent and wealthy status as a Commandery Princess to become a mere cultivation prospect living at the mercy of others proved it.

Unfortunately, her dear Lin Lang’s heart was ultimately set on the Great Dao. He was unwilling to compromise his progress further and had no intention of siring a child that would become a tie that binds...

And so, she fell silent.

The adult world was, as always, brutally realistic. Silence meant acceptance, and acceptance meant support.

’"Foundation Establishment... Do I really have a chance?"’

Sometimes, Princess Tantai, diligently studying the Talisman Dao, would put down her talisman pen. She’d gaze at the Middle Grade Talismans on her desk, their Spiritual Light deeply concealed, each a Masterpiece Quality work. Lost in thought, she would mutter to herself, filled with doubt.

...

「Time continued to pass.」

Mo Zhaoli finally arrived, two days later than expected.

The Xu Family had planned a grand welcoming banquet, but then decided it would be better to ask Ink Alchemist about his granddaughter’s preferences. That way, their efforts would be properly targeted, and they wouldn’t risk their flattery backfiring.

So, when the Patriarch and a group of senior family members came to seek his opinion, Ink Master chuckled. He pointed to Lin Changheng, who was admiring the scenery at a distance to deliberately give them space. Stroking his beard, he said slowly, "Regarding this matter, you’re better off asking him than me."

"Alchemist Lin?"

The senior members, Patriarch Xu included, were stunned. They looked at one another in bewilderment.

They knew, of course, that Lin Changheng was Ink Master’s disciple and that the two held each other in high regard. When the Xu delegation had arrived, the two men had been sharing wine and conversation, the atmosphere warm and convivial.

When he heard they had important business, he had even deliberately excused himself to give them privacy.

This courteous way of handling things, a humility that belied his immense talent, moved the Xu Family seniors deeply. ’The clan is destined to prosper!’ they thought. ’What kind of aces did we manage to draw from that batch of Lower Grade and Mixed Spirit Roots all those years ago?!’

But they had never imagined that Alchemist Lin also shared such a close bond with Mo Zhaoli.

From Ink Master’s underlying meaning, it seemed Alchemist Lin might have more sway with Mo Zhaoli than even her own grandfather.

They drew in a sharp breath.

’This man!’

As their gazes snapped toward him, Lin Changheng took notice. Though puzzled by their intensity, he simply offered a friendly smile and a nod.

"That’s right."

Ink Master was intentionally playing alliance-broker. He was old and had no further ambitions for himself, but he knew his granddaughter and Lin Changheng were on good terms. Delving deeper, they shared the bond of being fellow disciples, a connection more reliable and trustworthy than any other.

Even a hero needs three helping hands. He worried about his granddaughter being all alone after he was gone. Having a reliable friend and ally like Lin Changheng—someone who had passed the scrutiny of his own sharp, discerning eyes—would be a good thing.

Thus, he decided to give him a bit of a boost whenever possible. The better Lin Changheng’s prospects, the better it would be for both this "disciple of convenience" and for young Zhao Li.

Ignoring the senior members’ surprised and questioning looks, he rose and walked away.

"Now that I’ve pointed you in the right direction, I won’t keep you any longer. A-sigh... They say you’re no good when you’re old. Body gets tired, old ailments act up... How true that is..."

Afterward, Lin Changheng was even more confused as he watched the senior members change their target and walk toward him. He only understood what was happening when one of the Xu Family seniors began to speak.

He guessed Ink Master’s intentions as well.

He felt a flicker of emotion but answered their questions truthfully.

At the same time, in the minds of the Xu Family’s senior members, their image of Lin Changheng as a reclusive alchemist who never left his workshop began to quietly shift...

He was already a person of considerable importance to them, but now a new, not-to-be-underestimated factor had been added to the equation.

...

Mo Zhaoli’s welcoming banquet was changed to a smaller, more private affair.

"Grandfather! Brother Lin!"

A Dharma Ship flew in from the horizon. A Female Cultivator in a Moon White Flowing Cloud Skirt descended from it.

She had a gentle face, with slender, arched brows and almond-shaped eyes. A Cinnabar Seal adorned the spot between her brows, and she was looking their way with a faint smile.