SFS Chapter 298 Body Refining Breakthrough
Chapter 298 Body Refining Breakthrough
"I understand. Take Elder Shen to the side hall and treat him with utmost care. Do not neglect him."
Lin Changsheng's calm voice echoed from inside the cave.
"Yes, Master."
Hearing this calm tone, He Dawei breathed a sigh of relief and immediately agreed respectfully.
Inside the cave, Lin Changsheng opened his eyes, and a crystalline, bluish-green aura flashed across his body.
"The Ancient Ape Glazed Technique truly lives up to its reputation as an ancient body-refining technique; even just getting started is so difficult."
Lin Changsheng muttered to himself.
But feeling that his bones, internal organs, and flesh had all been strengthened to varying degrees, he couldn't help but marvel.
Before long, the cave's restrictions were lifted, and Lin Changsheng's figure flew out from within.
On the way, he subconsciously looked towards the direction of Tiangui Peak.
After returning to the Ghost Valley Sect that day, True Monarch Ghost Valley remained stationed on Heavenly Ghost Peak, refusing to come out. At the same time, a fourth-order defensive array was activated, and he appeared to be on high alert.
"It seems that True Monarch Guigu paid a heavy price to escape from a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator."
Lin Changsheng gazed in the direction of Tiangui Peak, his eyes flashing.
……
Mingling Peak, side hall.
"The presence of Fairy Shen is an honor to my humble abode, Mingling Peak."
Lin Changsheng smiled and spoke casually, as if meeting an old friend again.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang Meng, you only have nice words, but it's really not easy for Wen Yao to see you."
Shen Wenyao was already exquisite and stunning, and today, dressed in a light pink palace gown, she looked even more pure, lovely, elegant, and poised.
Such a beautiful woman, yet her warm eyes held a hint of melancholy.
Since the day they escaped from the clutches of the Golden Core cultivator, they had shared hardships together. In particular, after Lin Changsheng revealed some of his trump cards to this woman, their relationship progressed.
This made Shen Wenyao, who already had feelings for Lin Changsheng, even more dependent on him.
At this rate, the two who have returned to their sect should strike while the iron is hot and gain a deeper understanding of the situation.
But when she returned to the sect, Shen Wenyao waited and waited, but there was still no news of Zhang Meng.
"Zhang Meng, you're putting on airs. Do you expect me, this fairy, to take the initiative in something like this?"
After secretly investigating, Shen Wenyao discovered that Zhang Meng had gone into seclusion as soon as he returned to Mingling Peak, which greatly troubled her.
They even planned to ignore him for a while.
As a result, this isolation lasted for more than half a year, and Zhang Meng still showed no signs of emerging from seclusion.
"Your Highness Shen has misunderstood. I had a sudden insight during my cultivation some time ago, so I went into seclusion for a few days to rest. Please forgive any neglect."
Lin Changsheng naturally knew the reason for Shen Wenyao's resentment, but he smiled calmly.
He understood what Shen Wenyao meant, but because of the 'Mysterious Yin Constitution', the two were destined not to have a relationship beforehand.
Lin Changsheng didn't want to confront this woman too soon; it wasn't the right time.
"If Elder Zhang Meng says so, it seems that Wen Yao has been presumptuous and disturbed us."
Seeing Zhang Meng's unhurried and indifferent demeanor, Shen Wenyao gritted her teeth in anger.
Lin Changsheng simply chuckled a few times but didn't reply.
"Wen Yao came here today to ask Fellow Daoist Zhang Meng to help her refine a mid-grade third-tier breakthrough pill."
As she spoke, Shen Wenyao took out several jade boxes of varying lengths from her storage bag and placed them in front of Lin Changsheng.
"A breakthrough pill?"
"Congratulations, Fairy Shen, your Golden Core stage is nearing completion."
Lin Changsheng was taken aback at first, then used his divine sense to carefully sense the situation before offering his congratulations with a smile.
Shen Wenyao had been stuck at the early stage of the Golden Core realm for many years, so it's not surprising that her realm has now reached perfection.
Shen Wenyao did not stay at Mingling Peak for long this time, and took her leave after about half an hour.
Lin Changsheng did not try to stop him, and promised to refine the pill within three months.
"Elder Shen is leaving already?"
Seeing Shen Wenyao leave with a cold expression and indifferent demeanor, a stark contrast to her arrival, I was struck by her demeanor.
He Dawei, who was waiting outside, looked bewildered and confused.
……
In the following days, Lin Changsheng did not continue his seclusion.
He summoned his disciples to examine their progress in cultivation over the past period.
The six disciples who were registered under his name have all basically gotten on the right track in their cultivation, which is not much different from what he expected.
Finally, he kept He Dawei behind alone.
The 'special attention' from their master left the other disciples puzzled and envious, while He Dawei was also flattered.
After formally becoming disciples of the Golden Core Master, Lin Changsheng almost never lacked cultivation resources for them.
Aside from the portions provided by the sect on time, Lin Changsheng often subsidized some rare items out of his own pocket.
However, the disciples increasingly felt that although their master treated them all equally, this feeling of neither closeness nor distance was unsatisfying.
Although they usually address each other as brothers and sisters, they secretly compare themselves to each other, not only to keep their current positions but also to try to win the master's favor and become true disciples to inherit his mantle.
Seeing that He Dawei had been left behind by his master, everyone felt a little curious.
"...This disciple is dull-witted and only knows this much information for now."
At this moment, He Dawei was respectfully and meticulously recounting the major and minor events concerning the Guigu Sect, occasionally racking his brains to add details, afraid of missing anything.
"Yes, you've worked hard. You can go now."
Lin Changsheng remained calm, offered a few words of encouragement, and casually gifted a bottle of first-grade fine pills.
He Dawei looked excited and thanked Lin Changsheng repeatedly. In front of Lin Changsheng, he carefully put away the pills and took his leave.
Inside the cave, Lin Changsheng looked thoughtful.
During his seclusion, although the Ghost Valley True Lord did not appear, several major events occurred in the Ghost Valley Sect.
When Master Guigu led everyone back to the sect that day, two people were missing.
One of them is an inside agent of the Blood Demon Palace, True Person Ziyou.
The other person is Master Tan, the head of the Ghost Valley Sect.
Not long ago, news came from Tiangui Peak that Master Moguang would temporarily assume the position of sect leader of Guigu Sect.
Master Yu Huai temporarily resides at Ziyou Peak and succeeds as an elder of the sect.
Meanwhile, the Green Snake Immortal remained at Heavenly Ghost Peak, serving the True Lord while also conveying important instructions.
This change was completely unexpected by Lin Changsheng.
Yu Huai and Qing She actually stayed at the Ghost Valley Sect, and it seems they even gained the trust of Ghost Valley True Lord.
But upon closer reflection, it's not surprising.
After all, he was a Golden Core cultivator; even if he was a puppet, we shouldn't be too harsh on him.
Putting yourself in his shoes, if he were Guigu Zhenjun, he would still be a puppet controlled in crucial moments, making him easier to use.
Outside the main peak.
He Dawei swaggered out.
The other disciples were gathered together, seemingly waiting for him. Upon seeing the former figure, they quickly surrounded him.
"Congratulations, Fourth Senior Brother, on gaining Master's favor. If there is any good news, don't forget your junior brother."
The youngest of the six disciples, Wu Gang, was very curious and kept asking around, looking like he was scratching his head.
"Junior brother, why did Master keep you behind alone? Could it be that he's giving you special tutoring?"
The third disciple, Lu Ming, said with a hint of envy and sourness.
"Don't ask any more questions. If Master wants to tell you, he will naturally do so. Otherwise, I can't reveal anything."
He Dawei said mysteriously.
……
Three months later.
Lin Changsheng exhausted his energy and resources to draw two more 'small teleportation talismans' and a slightly inferior 'void-breaking talisman'.
Looking at these life-saving talismans in front of me, I felt much more at ease.
Since True Man Yu Huai and True Man Qing She have been highly valued by the True Lord, it is highly likely that the news that he possesses great treasures will be exposed.
However, Guigu Zhenjun might not care.
After all, the two of them only vaguely knew that he possessed a treasure cauldron, and at most they would think that it was a top-grade magic weapon.
After all, the experience of 'Heavenly Poison True Man' is among the best of the Golden Core cultivators. Even he is not very clear about 'spiritual treasures', so the probability of ordinary Golden Core cultivators knowing about them is not high.
However, Lin Changsheng was prepared for any eventuality and needed to think of ways to deal with potential dangers in advance.
Two more months passed.
Lin Changsheng took the initiative to visit Qingluan Peak.
“Master, if you don’t want to see me, I can just find an excuse to refuse. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to make Elder Zhang Meng wait outside?”
A beautifully sculpted little girl, her innocent eyes filled with confusion.
"What's the rush? Just say I'm in seclusion and need to train, and tell him to wait."
Upon learning that Zhang Meng was waiting outside, Shen Wenyao's face lit up with joy. She leisurely trimmed the beautiful spirit flowers in front of her, her demeanor elegant.
Outside Qingluan Peak.
Lin Changsheng was utterly speechless.
So, you, Fairy Shen, are in seclusion and haven't even offered him a cup of tea, leaving him to wait here outside the peak in vain?
Lin Changsheng didn't tolerate it and directly bypassed the young female disciple, flying into Qingluan Peak.
……
"Fairy Shen seems to have a leisurely and elegant demeanor. It's a pity that we came here to visit, only to be told to wait outside the mountain gate, without even a cup of tea."
Lin Changsheng looked at Shen Wenyao's slender back and said with a carefree laugh.
Perhaps in her own dojo, Shen Wenyao wore a plain silk dress, revealing her fair and delicate shoulders, and her smooth black hair cascaded down like a waterfall.
"Fellow Daoist is too kind. When you come to Wenyao's place, how could I possibly skimp on a cup of tea for you?"
The slender young woman plucked a few petals from among the flowers and brewed them herself.
She then gracefully approached, her eyes sparkling with a hint of charm, and elegantly poured tea for Lin Changsheng: "Try the Hundred Flowers Camellia that Wen Yao planted herself."
"In over a hundred years of cultivation, I have never seen tea with such a beautiful appearance. Just its dazzling luster is beyond compare, far surpassing ordinary spiritual tea."
Upon receiving the spiritual tea, a herbal aroma infused with the fragrance of a young girl wafted out, and just a slight whiff made one feel their blood rush through their veins.
"This is fine tea, not something most people can afford. But if Fellow Daoist Zhang Meng is willing, it's not difficult for him to taste it."
Shen Wenyao's eyes were gentle and warm, and she let out a soft moan, as if she were referring to something.
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Changsheng gulped down the spiritual tea in his cup, chewing the flower petals with a smacking sound.
"The tea is indeed good. Although I don't know much about tea ceremony, I do enjoy tea occasionally. But while Fairy's Hundred Flowers Mountain Tea is very fragrant, it lacks a bit of aftertaste. If it were to settle for a while, it might become even more fragrant and mellow."
Lin Changsheng looked at it with an air of serious appreciation, like an ox chewing on a peony.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang Meng, what is the meaning of this?"
Shen Wenyao was slightly taken aback, and asked with a hint of embarrassment.
That damned Zhang Meng! She had already hinted so obviously, yet he acted like a barbarian, completely oblivious to her feelings.
Do I really have to make her say it herself?
At that moment, Shen Wenyao almost wanted to unleash her magical artifact and smash it hard against Zhang Meng.
"Naturally, it was to discuss tea ceremony with Fairy Shen. It seems I've offended Fairy Shen with my bluntness."
Lin Changsheng, with a simple and honest look, continued:
"To make amends, in addition to the breakthrough pills we promised beforehand, we will give you an extra meridian-protecting pill as a gift, wishing Fairy Shen a breakthrough to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm as soon as possible."
After a short while, Lin Changsheng left Qingluan Peak.
Shen Wenyao didn't rush to collect the pills; instead, she stared blankly at the empty teacup, lost in thought.
"Did this simpleton even understand what I was saying?"
……
Upon returning to Mingling Peak, Lin Changsheng planned to continue his seclusion.
But before that, he checked the Snow Demon Wolf's cultivation progress.
After years of arduous training, the Snow Demon Wolf that had followed him for many years finally reached the second-stage perfection.
"Don't be playful lately, focus on your cultivation and strive to break through to the third-tier Great Demon realm as soon as possible."
Lin Changsheng gently stroked the Snow Demon Wolf's soft fur and offered some words of encouragement.
The Snow Demon Wolf had been with him since it was a cub, and due to the characteristics of the canine race, even though it was lost for a period of time, it was still very dependent on its master, Lin Changsheng.
However, he was too playful and had ruined many spiritual plants. Back in Changchun Peak, he was the biggest headache for Qingzhi and Lanhua.
Sometimes when I'm in a bad mood, I might even chase after Tian Fuman throughout the dojo.
Fortunately, Tian Fu had a good relationship with the Crimson Centipede and would occasionally help to deter the Snow Demon Wolf, which could be considered a case of one thing subduing another.
See things and miss people.
Lin Changsheng felt nostalgic for his old friends in the cultivation world of Yue Kingdom.
If you calculate the time, Tian Fu is now over 120 years old.
If one cannot break through the Foundation Establishment stage, their lifespan will essentially reach the limit of the Qi Condensation stage.
Fortunately, he had previously refined longevity pills for Tian Fu, which could slightly extend his lifespan.
……
In addition, there were those acquaintances I met in the cultivation world of Yue Kingdom back then.
"Now that True Monarch Guigu is suspected of being injured, even if Yu Huai and Qing She are given important positions, they pose little threat to me for the time being. It would be better to take this opportunity to return to the cultivation world of Yue Kingdom to visit old friends, which would also be a legitimate reason to avoid the limelight."
Lin Changsheng pondered to himself.
They left in a hurry back then, disappearing almost suddenly.
Now, as a Golden Core cultivator, he is a figure of the same caliber as True Person Nangong and True Person Qingyun in the cultivation world of Yue Kingdom.
As long as you keep a low profile and don't provoke that True Monarch, there are almost no other threats.
Upon returning this time, he will settle his old ties with his former acquaintances and have no more worries. He can then freely travel throughout the vast world of cultivation.
You can also observe secretly for a period of time to make sure that Guigu Zhenjun has no other ideas, continue to serve as an elder of Guigu Sect, and occasionally follow the path of the former 'Tiandu Zhenren' to seek some opportunities and make plans for future promotion.
Before that, the solution needed to be found is how to repair the teleportation array.
Lin Changsheng originally planned to find an opportunity to ask Guigu Zhenjun for a share of his knowledge about teleportation arrays.
However, not long ago, in the Azure Wood Spirit Cauldron, in addition to some cultivation techniques and secret arts, there were also fourth-order array inheritances and fourth-order alchemy inheritances left by the old master of the Azure Wood King Butterfly.
To receive the legacy left by the original owner of the formation would naturally be excellent.
This solved Lin Changsheng's immediate problem.