Reclaiming Two More

Time flew like a shuttle, and three months passed in the blink of an eye.

The Wilderness was filled with blood and carnage, and with the outside world in turmoil, the Xu Family was no longer as stable or peaceful as it had been in the beginning.

Instead, a somber and oppressive atmosphere permeated the air.

This was something that hadn't even occurred after the Xu Family's land reclamation team suffered heavy losses in the marshes last time.

Influenced by this, the people coming and going within the clan all wore hurried expressions and heavy faces, focused solely on their tasks, with little sign of leisure or play.

Lin Changheng, however, had no mind to pay attention to this. After firing up the furnace to refine the additional Miasma-Clearing Pills recently requested by the Xu Family, he hurried to the General Affairs Hall to collect the necessary materials before returning.

He laid out the long wooden box, revealing two types of waste-grade pills. Lin Changheng's eyes were filled with anticipation as he connected his consciousness to the Origin Cauldron and swept his hand over them.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

The residual essence and blood from all the waste-grade pills were sucked away in one go.

Within his sea of consciousness, the mouth of the Origin Cauldron gushed with clouds and mist, reflecting a hint of a fairyland.

When everything settled, two glowing, solid treasures—one crimson and one emerald—appeared within his sight.

[Fire Crow Treasure Seed · Level 4]

[Can continue to refine the Demon Race's innate talent: Fire Control]

"Another half a year, and it's finally done. Refine it into me immediately!"

Lin Changheng had waited too long, but fortunately, his patience was sufficient. He muttered to himself.

The crimson treasure seed swayed and fell, instantly vanishing into his mind.

An unprecedented, scorching molten flow, carrying a terrifyingly high temperature that nonetheless felt incredibly comfortable, began to spread from his soul throughout his entire body.

[Acquired: Fire Control Art · Ascension]

[Effect: Deep control over ordinary flames, massive enhancement to fire-type spells]

He immediately went to the courtyard and cast a Fire Bullet Art. He saw the flame in his hand begin to expand and shrink, as small as a baby's fist or as large as a millstone.

It could even be manipulated into various shapes.

Like a flying bird, a crawling snake, or a soaring eagle—the transformations were extraordinary.

More importantly, the flames of this fireball did not hiss, sputter, or spray outward as they usually did; they were incredibly calm.

They didn't behave like violent flames at all, but rather like a gentle sphere of water.

Yet, only Lin Changheng knew the terror contained within!

Never mind those at the same fourth level of Qi Refining; even those at the fifth or sixth level would be left in a sorry state under this spell, and if they were caught off guard, they could even be injured or killed.

The flames, swaying slightly in the wind, illuminated a face with eyes gleaming with excitement.

There was no greater happiness in this world than such steady progress!

Lin Changheng even had a feeling that he could now refine ten pills in a single furnace!

This was a change brought about by the benefits to his alchemy path!

Moreover, the number of premium-grade pills would also reach two!

Although the rate of premium pills seemed the same, in reality, it was a massive saving of time and energy!

Originally, refining ten portions of medicine would take two days, but now he could finish it in one furnace!

It was a doubling of efficiency and harvest!

"I'll know the truth once I open the furnace again!"

Following this, he continued to refine the successfully Spirit-Snatched Green Wood Snake Treasure Seed into his body.

[Green Wood Snake Treasure Seed · Level 3]

The [Poison Neutralization Art · Agility] also stepped into the [Lucid] realm.

Its utility had transformed once again.

[Body resistance and tolerance to poisons, rapid refinement of low-grade toxins]

"Not bad."

This time, Lin Changheng had no intention of searching for poisons or toxins to test it; if he needed to see the effects, he would likely have to use mid-grade toxins...

Better safe than sorry...

Thus, he dared not test it lightly.

As for the [Origin Treasure Seed], it was just as Lin Changheng had guessed: the speed of Spirit Snatch had indeed increased.

[Spirit Snatch: 62/100]

It had increased by eight points.

The speed was gratifying.

Lin Changheng had thoroughly experienced the benefits of high comprehension; it had a tremendous impact on cultivation methods, techniques, and skills alike.

After all, this was one of the foundations that made humanity the leader of all living things; it was only right that it should be so.

At this moment, Lin Changheng's fire and wood spiritual roots had undergone another transformation, reaching thirteen strands and nine strands respectively!

Half a month later, whispers began to circulate among the upper echelons of the Xu Family.

They vaguely pointed toward the source of the sudden shift in the clan's atmosphere.

Once the news emerged, it immediately piqued Lin Changheng's curiosity.

He needed to get to the bottom of it; only by knowing where he stood could he set his mind at ease.

This was not just about the Xu Family, but also about the stability of his long-term residence. After all, when the nest is overturned, are there any intact eggs left?

Whether the Xu Family could continue to stand tall would determine whether he needed to take to his heels and run.

It was of great importance.

Almost immediately, Lin Changheng learned a vague version of the events from Xu Fugui, yet he was able to piece together the general outline.

His heart settled at once.

The Xu Family expedition team, having suffered losses last time, had adopted a strategy of contraction for their subsequent land reclamation.

They were advancing steadily, refusing to be rash.

They were minimizing risks as much as possible to preserve their vital strength.

As it turned out, half a month ago, while clearing out demonic beasts, some Xu clansmen had inadvertently discovered a cluster of [Green Spirit Mugwort] seedlings near a beast den.

After the observant clansmen reported back, elders skilled in surveying were dispatched to the site. They discovered that while the surface soil appeared normal, the deeper layers were a blackish-red color. Further excavation revealed that this discoloration spread from elsewhere, leading to the preliminary conclusion that a spiritual plot of at least middle grade must exist nearby!

When the news reached them, the Xu Family leadership was instantly invigorated.

Green Spirit Mugwort was a first-tier low-grade spiritual herb of limited value, but if a spiritual plot existed, the value would be worlds apart. Even the spiritual herbs that had grown there for years without being harvested represented a significant sum of spirit stones.

If they could occupy it and fully develop it, it would greatly enhance the family's foundation.

If they were lucky, there was even a certain probability that this spiritual plot could produce high-grade spiritual herbs!

The value would more than double, and then double again!

Subsequent exploration went quite smoothly, confirming that this spiritual plot was located within a mountain valley!

However, this valley was filled with toxic miasma year-round, making it impossible for cultivators to enter lightly.

The head of the Xu Family immediately made a decisive call, firmly declaring, "Even if we must pay a price, we are determined to take this spiritual plot!"

At the same time, he issued a strict gag order.

He also distributed the pill formula, demanding that the clan's alchemists refine the [Miasma-Clearing Pill] in large quantities!

Lin Changheng had his suspicions, though he could not confirm them; he simply focused on refining pills.

He had also gone early to reserve the task of processing the waste and inferior pills of this new concoction.

Fortunately, Lin Changheng had upheld the principle of building good relationships over the years, acting with kindness toward others, which had left an excellent impression on Xu Xuzhong, the steward of the General Affairs Hall—

Not only did he have a strong sense of belonging and loyalty to the clan, but he was also meticulous in handling his tasks, always finishing on time without causing any trouble.

Another alchemist had several times missed his deadlines due to the busyness of refining, causing the steward quite a headache. Each time, Lin Changheng had stepped in without asking for anything in return, helping him resolve his difficulties and easing his worries regarding the clan's assessments.

Although Xu Xuzhong could not strip that alchemist of his duties over such a small matter, he had hinted multiple times that if there were future tasks Lin Changheng wanted, he would certainly be given priority to choose whatever he pleased!

Lin Changheng had also timely presented him with a few pills nearing "fine" quality for his son's cultivation, which had completely solidified the relationship between the two.

Therefore, the task of handling the waste and inferior pills of this new concoction belonged to none other than Lin Changheng!

Lin Changheng was filled with anticipation.

One had to know that since this pill was being refined for the first time, many alchemists in the clan did not possess Lin Changheng's level of comprehension or Fire Control techniques. Being unfamiliar with the process and needing to grope their way through, combined with the massive quantity required and the fatigue of constant refining, it was inevitable that a large number of waste and inferior pills would be produced!

When that time came, he would make a fortune!

Furthermore, one of the raw materials for this pill used the essence blood of the [Wood Puppet Fox].

It was a new type of miscellaneous demonic beast.

He wondered what characteristics it might have?