Means of Self-Preservation

"Fire Crows?"

Su Shuangjiang paused, then nodded. "These demonic beasts are often seen on the borders of the Wilderness. Their bloodlines are chaotic; juveniles are unranked, and they only reach the early first stage upon maturity. Their aggression is limited, but they possess wings, making them somewhat difficult to capture."

Hearing this, Lin Changheng couldn't help but nod, his understanding of Fire Crows deepening.

Su Shuangjiang continued, "It is said that Fire Crow meat is tender and edible, and their essence blood can be used for alchemy. Since Brother Lin is an alchemist, could it be that you are seeking Fire Crow essence blood to refine a certain pill?"

Lin Changheng looked at Su Shuangjiang in surprise. This woman was so sharp that she had deduced his intentions.

Although her reasoning was slightly off, the conclusion was correct.

However, dealing with intelligent people was simpler and more convenient; it saved him the trouble of weaving elaborate excuses. He immediately praised her, "Fairy Su is truly insightful. That is indeed my intention."

"Fire Crow essence blood is one of the primary ingredients for refining the [Crimson Flame Pill]."

He revealed a sliver of the truth to establish credibility and gain trust, while simultaneously masking his true objective.

A flash of realization crossed Su Shuangjiang's eyes as she deliberated, "How much does Brother Lin need? And when do you need it?"

"I will need it for the next four or five months, and the more, the better."

"Heh, I suspect I will be moving on to refine other pills later, so my demand for essence blood will shift. I may have to trouble Fairy Su again when that time comes."

Lin Changheng offered another layer of misdirection, mixing truth with falsehood to thoroughly obscure his real purpose.

"Why thank me, Brother Lin? As you just said, we are long-term neighbors; we should naturally help and support one another."

Su Shuangjiang smiled in return.

"That is only right."

Lin Changheng nodded, accepting this relationship.

The two chatted for a few more moments. Seeing that the day was growing late, Su Shuangjiang took her leave, and Lin Changheng saw her out of his home with a smile.

Watching her figure disappear, Lin Changheng couldn't help but chuckle. "The status and prestige of an alchemist are truly different. But this woman came at just the right time; she has solved two major headaches for me."

First, the issue of finding other channels to sell his pills.

Lin Changheng could not sell more pills at the Xu Family's alchemy shop; it would be too conspicuous and invite unwanted scrutiny.

Selling large quantities in the marketplace himself was also unrealistic; he would be exposed sooner or later.

Selling in the black market outside the marketplace was an option, but it was far too dangerous, so Lin Changheng ruled it out immediately.

As a mid-stage cultivator at the sixth level of Qi Refining, Su Shuangjiang had her own connections and channels. She could perfectly digest his supply, and he could remain behind the scenes. Even if she made a profit, what did it matter?

Second, the acquisition of essence blood.

Through individual channels, it was difficult to purchase large quantities of demonic beast essence blood, as such trade was usually handled between factions.

Even if he did buy it, it would appear suspicious and invite curiosity.

That was not secure.

Therefore, by using Su Shuangjiang as a proxy and having the blood pass through the hands of rogue cultivators, he could disperse the attention, which was much better.

By then, the Spirit Snatch of his [Fire Crow Treasure Seed] would be supported by two channels simultaneously, and its growth would surely be rapid.

Lin Changheng was in an excellent mood. He returned to his room and looked at the two spirit stones and two talismans in the gift basket on the table.

With a thought, he took them out, inspected them with the naked eye several times, and then used the [Spirit Inspection Technique] to examine them closely.

Only after confirming that nothing had been tampered with did he put them away. He planned to spend the spirit stones soon.

As for the talismans.

One was a low-grade [Godly Travel Talisman]. Once activated with mana and slapped onto one's legs, it could trigger a burst of speed, allowing one to sprint for over ten miles without feeling fatigue.

The other was a low-grade [Golden Shield Talisman]. Once activated, it would manifest a shield in front of him, capable of blocking one full-force attack from a low-grade magical tool.

Both were life-saving talismans, which suited him perfectly.

"But this serves as a reminder. The marketplace is about to become chaotic. While I still have spirit stones on hand, I should buy a few more talismans for self-defense to be more at ease."

"Spirit stones don't breed; keeping them idle is useless. Converting them into strength and means is the true path."

Although the marketplace was currently safe, it was not the main city of a game from his past life where safety rules made one untouchable. If some maniac decided to risk their life to break the rules, what good would it do to have "The other party is at fault" carved onto his tombstone?

Lin Changheng understood this clearly.

The next day.

Lin Changheng refined pills again. After setting the pill formula, he left his apprentice to watch the fire and stepped out of the shop.

He changed into a long robe and donned a bamboo hat in a street corner before walking to the "Mystic Talisman Hall" in the central district of the marketplace.

This "Mystic Talisman Hall" was established by the Song Family Talisman Makers, one of the cultivation clans.

Their reputation, credibility, and quality were all guaranteed.

In this region, aside from the Purple Extreme Sect holding the reins, the aristocratic families followed closely behind.

They possessed long-standing legacies, with False Core ancestors presiding over them and several Foundation Establishment cultivators providing support.

"This fellow Daoist is a rare guest! I wonder what kind of talismans you are looking for? Or perhaps talisman-making materials? This hall has everything one could desire, guaranteed to ensure you arrive with high spirits and return with satisfaction."

A young woman immediately walked out, fanning herself with a round fan. Her brows were like willow leaves in early spring, and her waist swayed with a voluptuous figure as ripe as a peach, as if a single touch would make it brim with juice.

Regarding Lin Changheng's concealed attire, the young woman did not show the slightest abnormality; she was long accustomed to such things.

"I'll look at low-grade and mid-grade talismans, primarily those for defense and control."

A rough voice emerged from beneath the bamboo hat.

"Very well. This way, please, Daoist."

Before long, over a dozen types of talismans were laid out on the counter. With Lin Changheng's silent acquiescence, the young woman began to introduce them one by one in a soft, honeyed voice.

From time to time, she would lift her peach-blossom eyes to observe Lin Changheng's reactions. If he showed any interest in a particular talisman, she would emphasize it, her tongue blooming like a lotus.

The result left her disappointed; the person standing opposite her was like a wooden statue, showing no reaction at all.

"Give me one low-grade Ice Talisman, one low-grade Wood Vine Talisman, as well as one mid-grade Wind Control Talisman and one Golden Light Talisman... Yes, just these four!"

The low-grade Ice Talisman and Wood Vine Talisman were both for control; the former was water-element freezing, and the latter was wood-element entanglement.

As for the mid-grade Wind Control Talisman, as the name implied, it borrowed the wind to lighten the body. Once attached to the body, one could hover a foot off the ground and glide rapidly, far surpassing the low-grade Godly Travel Talisman, making it perfect for slipping away.

The mid-grade Golden Light Talisman was the same; compared to the low-grade Golden Shield Talisman, it could protect the entire body without a single gap.

A moment later, the voice spoke again from beneath the bamboo hat, causing the young woman to beam with a flower-like smile, her ample bosom trembling incessantly.

Clearly, she was very satisfied with this transaction.

"Would you like to upgrade to fine-quality talismans?"

The young woman asked with another smile.

"I would like that, but the price of fine-quality talismans is often nearly double, and I don't have that many spirit stones!"

Lin Changheng's voice was cold, and he said with a mirthless smile, "How about this fairy gives me a discount?"

"This... hehe, it's a small business, a small business, so the price is firm."

The young woman stopped speaking and took the four talismans from the counter, handing them over. "Low-grade talismans are one spirit stone each, mid-grade are three; that will be eight spirit stones in total."

Lin Changheng swept a glance over them. These talismans shimmered with spiritual light, and the brushwork was vigorous and forceful, far better than those gifted by Su Shuangjiang. They must have come from the hands of a seasoned talisman master.

The Song Family Talisman Makers truly live up to their reputation.

He thought to himself, handed the spirit stones to the young woman to count, and then, without another word, tucked the talismans away and left.

Behind the counter, the young woman watched his cautious demeanor and couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

After restoring his original attire and returning to the Xu Family alchemy shop, a clerk came forward with a smile.

"Alchemist Lin, there is a letter for you."