The Treasure Seed Instantly Forms

Within his sea of consciousness, the Origin Cauldron trembled slightly, wreathed in cyan mist, as a new emerald treasure seed bobbed up and down.

[Wood Puppet Fox Treasure Seed · Spirit Snatching Transformation in progress]

[Spirit Snatching: 99/100]

[Utility: Miscellaneous-grade Demon Race bloodline, naturally endowed with wood-attribute, possesses innate talents: Camouflage, Trapping Cage, Self-Healing. Upon completion of Spirit Snatching, one may choose one to refine.]

"Hah, that feels good!"

Lin Changheng received the feedback from the treasure seed and felt an immediate sense of physical and mental ease.

"Ninety-nine points of spirit snatched in one go; the [Wood Puppet Fox Treasure Seed] is nearly fully formed. Phew, this is just too satisfying."

Lin Changheng's eyes sparkled with an unusual luster. It was the gratification that came from a progress bar instantly stretching to near completion—anyone would find themselves addicted to such a feeling.

This meant that he would be able to complete the Spirit Snatching tonight and gain the treasure seed's blessing.

Such speed was unprecedented, exhilarating, and thoroughly satisfying.

"So, which of the three talents should I choose?"

Lin Changheng began to ponder.

[Camouflage] was likely used by the Wood Puppet Fox to blend into the jungle, changing its body color to hide within the environment and evade natural predators.

Regarding this, Lin Changheng's assessment was that while it might be useful, it was not necessarily a perfect fit.

He had his reservations.

Moreover, he was a steady person who disliked going out, avoided conflict and fighting, and preferred to be on good terms with others; he likely wouldn't need [Camouflage] in the short term.

As for [Trapping Cage], it should be an innate control technique, forming something like a wooden cage to trap predators or prey.

Combined with a wood-attribute [Entanglement Spell], it could have miraculous effects; it was a viable candidate.

"Self-Healing!"

After some deliberation, Lin Changheng's eyes flickered, and he made his decision.

The Wood Puppet Fox belonged to the wood element, and the wood element was synonymous with endurance and vigorous vitality, capable of nourishing the body and healing injuries.

It was an excellent means of self-preservation.

"Once the Spirit Snatching is finished, with [Self-Healing] added to my body, tsk tsk, I'll feel much more secure and have a bit more confidence to survive in the world of immortal cultivation."

Thinking this, Lin Changheng took two bottles of raw essence blood used for alchemy out of his storage bag.

"Absorb for me!"

He could wait no longer.

Whoosh!

[Wood Puppet Fox Treasure Seed · Spirit Snatching Transformation in progress]

[Spirit Snatching: 100/100]

Then, under Lin Changheng's expectant gaze, cyan light flickered at the mouth of the cauldron, and the solid emerald treasure seed instantly split into three phantom images.

[Wood Puppet Fox Treasure Seed · First Layer]

[May refine one innate Demon Race talent: Camouflage, Trapping Cage, Self-Healing]

"Refine [Self-Healing]!"

Lin Changheng decisively touched the third phantom.

Mysterious and profound energy and Dao rhymes flowed out from the two abandoned talents and drilled into the [Self-Healing] treasure seed.

[Refinement complete: Self-Healing Strange Art · Path Glimpse]

The next instant, an incredibly comfortable sensation welled up, as if his entire body were soaking in a hot spring, and he nearly couldn't help but moan aloud.

[Utility: Initial acquisition of self-healing ability, rapid repair of minor wounds.]

"I need to test this and see just how far this initial self-healing ability goes."

Snap!

Lin Changheng couldn't wait; he smashed the teacup in his hand, picked up a sharp shard of porcelain, and drew it directly across his fingertip.

A long, narrow wound appeared, and blood immediately welled up from the slit in his flesh.

"Hiss, that actually stings."

He muttered to himself subconsciously. As he watched the wound, he focused his intent, and a miraculous scene unfolded: his wound actually began to knit together.

The bleeding stopped, the flesh fused, and the cut healed, looking no different than before, save for the skin over the wound appearing even more tender.

Fortunately, Lin Changheng was afraid of pain and had no tendency toward self-harm, otherwise, he would have surely tested the limits of this [Self-Healing Strange Art]...

By this time, Lin Changheng's wood spiritual root had also unknowingly reached ten strands; one more step, and it would break through into the category of low-grade spiritual roots.

A few days later.

After seeing Dantai Feiyue off, Lin Changheng turned his head and spotted a gift basket on the stone table.

It was a gift from Dantai Feiyue, but it was not a contribution for any joyous occasion of his.

Rather, it was because, with the help of the premium pills provided by Lin Changheng, she had finally broken through to the fourth level of Qi Refining.

She had become a mid-stage cultivator.

Mindful of the source of her success, she had come specifically to express her gratitude.

Lin Changheng had originally intended to refuse.

Firstly, as fellow immortal seedlings, they shared the bond of being in the same "cohort," and later became close friends and mutually beneficial allies; such a small matter was hardly worth mentioning.

Secondly, although he had helped Dantai Feiyue, he had also benefited from the female cultivator, as her monthly supply of Rock Mountain Turtle essence blood had never once been interrupted, making it a case of each taking what they needed.

Therefore, Lin Changheng had declined, telling the female cultivator that there was no need for this.

"Is that so?"

Every gesture of Dantai Feiyue carried a royal air, graceful and luxurious. As she sat in her chair, her starry eyes narrowed slightly at Lin Changheng, and she teased with feigned indifference, "Then this little woman shall respectfully decline to refuse, and take the basket back. I only hope Brother Lin will not..."

At the same time, her fair, slender hand made a gesture as if to reach for the basket.

Hearing the first half of her sentence, Lin Changheng remained unmoved by her provocation. He reached out, gently brushed Dantai Feiyue's slender hand away from the basket, and took the opportunity to lift the silk cloth covering it.

"Eh?"

Dantai Feiyue's red lips were still moving, her teasing words cut short, and seeing Lin Changheng play completely outside the rules, her starry eyes widened in astonishment, her high, peak-like chest heaving sharply in response.

Having repeatedly "hit a wall" in front of Lin Changheng, she—who had been praised by the secular emperor in multiple edicts as "naturally gifted, intelligent and ingenious, truly brilliant; open-minded and unconventional, a person of heroic spirit; and furthermore, outstanding and poised, a true heroine among women"—now found herself completely helpless.

Dantai Feiyue had seen many extraordinary men, but Lin Changheng was one of a kind.

Even she could not fathom him; her previous experience in managing people and the methods of the imperial family were completely ineffective.

A sense of frustration began to grow slowly in her heart.

Is this... the world of immortal cultivation? Or is he just too unique?

However, Lin Changheng was not paying any attention to the fluctuations and changes in the female cultivator's expression at that moment; his gaze was fixed squarely on the contents of the basket.

Inside, it was filled with twelve bottles of talisman ink.

Usually, there were only four.

"This quantity..."

Only then did Lin Changheng shift his eyes to look at Dantai Feiyue. With a thought, he cupped his hands and asked with a smile, "Fairy, why are there so many? Please enlighten me."

Seeing him act so courteously, Dantai Feiyue muttered "generous" to herself, pursed her red lips, and said, "This little woman helped two talisman masters resolve some minor issues last month. Well, this is their token of gratitude."

"Help me purchase their share of this talisman ink. Yes, it will be like this from now on."

"I have troubled you, Fairy."

Lin Changheng's expression turned solemn as he thanked her sincerely.

"Does Brother Lin wish to hear this little woman repeat what you said earlier? To test how good my memory is?"

Dantai Feiyue blinked her starry eyes and smiled.

She was clearly referring to Lin Changheng's earlier words when he refused her gift.

Lin Changheng naturally understood, and he laughed as he accepted the gift.

After the female cultivator left, Lin Changheng immediately began the Spirit Snatching Transformation on the Rock Mountain Turtle essence blood.

Swish!

Rock Mountain Turtle Treasure Seed: Spirit Snatching Transformation in progress
Spirit Snatching: 27/100

"It really is slow."

Even Lin Changheng couldn't help but complain, though he found some small comfort in the fact that he would be able to speed it up a little from now on.