Longevity: My Talents Are a Bit Abundant-Chapter 363: Sword of Damocles

Ten days later.

Shen Xuan, with Patriarch Wei, traveled on a Wei Family warship to White Crane Island.

As its name suggests, the island is shaped like a white crane, approximately one hundred miles long and thirty miles wide, located about two thousand miles from Weihai Immortal City.

In this sea domain, there are over a hundred Tier Two islands collectively known as the East Mountain Islands.

White Crane Island is among the best in grade.

The island’s Spirit Vein was originally a Tier Two Top Grade.

Under a millennium of diligent cultivation by the Wei Family, it advanced to the Top Grade a hundred years ago.

Additionally, the island has two Tier Two Middle Grade Spirit Veins and seven Low Tier Spirit Veins.

The main income of White Crane Island comes from hunting Sea Demons, supplemented by operating a market, cultivating Spirit Fields, and mining Spiritual Ores.

The Wei Family has over a thousand cultivators, with more than a dozen in the Foundation Establishment Realm.

The Wei Family’s old ancestor is a renowned veteran Fake Pill Master.

Three thousand outsider cultivators reside in White Crane Market, working for the Wei Family to sail ships, farm, and mine.

In the East Mountain Sea Domain, White Crane Island’s Wei Family, Azure Dragon Island’s Lu Family, and Cloud Dream Island’s Zhang Family are known as the three major families of the East Mountain Sea Domain.

Over a hundred Tier Two islands interlaced like teeth, all occupied by cultivation clans of the Foundation Establishment Realm, serving as vassal forces for the Divine Sword Sect, Beast Emperor Pavilion, and Thousand Mechanism Sect.

White Crane Island’s Wei Family, Azure Dragon Island’s Lu Family, and Cloud Dream Island’s Zhang Family are the pillars of the sea domain cultivation clans under the jurisdiction of the three major sects, each guarded by a Fake Pill Master.

Cloud Dream Island’s Zhang Family is better off, focusing on Artifact Refining to earn Spirit Stones, remaining neutral, and rarely initiating conflicts.

However, White Crane Island’s Wei Family and Azure Dragon Island’s Lu Family are age-old deadly rivals.

The kind of enmity that cannot be resolved.

Originally, White Crane Island was Lu Family’s Spiritual Land Dao Field.

A thousand years ago, the Wei Family ancestor achieved True Pill Mastery, expelling Lu Family cultivators with the help of the Divine Sword Sect, taking over White Crane Island.

Three hundred years ago, the Lu Family’s old ancestor condensed a Fake Pill, purchased Azure Dragon Island from the Beast Emperor Pavilion, and revived the lineage.

The two families, with the support of their respective sects, engage in overt and covert struggles.

Constant small maneuvers.

Sparring and fighting are commonplace.

Compared to a family war, it’s only short of an open declaration of war.

After arriving at White Crane Island.

Patriarch Wei arranged for External Affairs Elder Wei Anping to be in charge of contacting Shen Xuan, assisting him with various errands.

Accompanied by Wei Anping, Shen Xuan specifically chose the Tier Two Middle Grade cave mansion at the island’s peak as his new dwelling.

It’s close to the sea, allowing for immediate departure anytime.

The cave mansion has a Spirit Pool, with some Low Tier Spirit Plants planted beside it, suitable for the Silver-Horned Celestial Horse’s living conditions.

"I, Shen, enjoy tranquility. In recent years, I must cultivate the Alchemy Dao in seclusion. Please do not disturb without cause."

"If there is Tier Two Top Grade Water Demon Essence Blood, please sell it to me at market price first, Elder Wei."

Wei Anping, being a diplomatic person, nodded in agreement.

That evening, he delivered a portion of Illusionary Octopus Essence Blood.

Tier Two Top Grade, priced at fifty thousand Spirit Stones, surprisingly not too expensive.

"The only portion of Tier Two Top Grade Water Demon Essence Blood the Wei Family has. In the future, if we acquire more, we’ll surely sell it to Master Shen first, as agreed."

"Agreed."

Upon seeing the Illusionary Octopus, Shen Xuan was quite pleased.

This type of octopus is a top-tier disguise Water Demon in the deep sea, its body incredibly flexible, capable of altering color and shape at will, able to transform into various environments and Water Demon forms, mimicking them with verisimilitude.

"By the way, Wei Yaqian wishes to meet Alchemist Shen."

"Wei Yaqian? Let’s meet tomorrow then."

"Alchemist Shen, there’s one more thing. When you have time, could you look at the Wei Family’s Immortal Seeds to see which have Talent in the Alchemy Dao?"

Seeing Shen Xuan’s agreeable expression, Wei Anping hurriedly mentioned.

"Let the Wei Family’s Immortal Seeds prepare. I will personally set the test three days from now."

"As Alchemist Shen commands! I’ll have the Immortal Seeds ready."

...

The next day.

In the new cave mansion.

Wei Anping brought Wei Yaqian, holding a six-month-old baby boy, to personally thank Shen Xuan.

Shen Xuan chatted with her for a while.

Returned Wu Wenping’s token jade pendant to her.

Explicitly informed her that Wu Junjie went exploring, his Soul Token shattered, perishing in body and spirit.

Wei Yaqian’s complexion was pale, appearing as if she had just recovered from a severe illness.

Sitting opposite Shen Xuan, her brows were filled with worry.

The demise of her lover had been expected in her heart.

Yet, upon hearing the news, her expression turned even more sorrowful.

"Shen and Wu were old acquaintances, and I was entrusted by him. If this child has a Spirit Root, I can offer some guidance."

Hearing this, Wei Yaqian’s face regained a hint of color, slightly excited and exhilarated.

"Yaqian thanks Alchemist Shen greatly!"

"You take good care of your health. Bring this child to see me once he’s seven years old!"

"Yes, when Nian’er turns seven, Yaqian will bring him to see Alchemist Shen."

Wei Yaqian, holding the baby boy, bowed deeply to the ground, repeatedly kowtowing.

Shen Xuan sidestepped, merely accepting half of the courtesy.

"Go back! If he has a Spirit Root, lay a good foundation first."

Wei Yaqian’s eyes welled with tears, she turned back every few steps, repeatedly paying her respects, leaving the cave mansion.

A woman is naturally weak, but becomes strong as a mother.

She knows there’s a high probability her child possesses a Spirit Root, and of good quality.

Alchemist Shen gave her hope for living on well.

After Wei Yaqian left, Wei Anping said to Shen Xuan with a smile: "Alchemist Shen’s faithfulness and righteousness are admirable, We, Wei, admire greatly."

"Fulfilling the entrusted task faithfully."

Shen Xuan replied indifferently: "It’s a small matter, not worth mentioning."

Whether he would still be on White Crane Island when the baby grows up, remained uncertain.

If convenient, he would provide some guidance.

If inconvenient, he could not be blamed.

At least, his intention was good.

"Alchemist Shen, about the Immortal Seed evaluation?"

"The day after tomorrow, at the hour of Chen, gather them at the Clan Affairs Hall, I will personally assess."

"Understood!"

Two days later.

Shen Xuan selected two youths aged twelve or thirteen from over thirty Wei Family Immortal Seeds.

He let the two of them choose a Daoist name for themselves.

They were named "Qing Feng" and "Ming Yue," respectively.

Although the two did not understand the meaning, they still agreed obediently.

In fact, these two Immortal Seeds of the Wei Family did not have the best talent in the Alchemy Dao.

However, they had stable dispositions, worked steadily, and there was a certain mature air about them.

This met Shen Xuan’s standards for selecting and employing people.

What he needed was merely obedient medicine boys.

There was a female Immortal Seed whose talent in the Alchemy Dao was quite good, but her speech and behavior were frivolous, and she was a young girl, so Shen Xuan decisively abandoned the idea.

Wei Anping proposed that the Wei Family was willing to offer up a maid.

Shen Xuan politely refused.

White Crane Island’s Wei Family was different from the Su Family of Feiyun Mountain at that time.

Back then, it was open and aboveboard, supporting the Su Family under the orders of his master.

Accepting a young and beautiful concubine from the Su Family to help him handle daily matters and simultaneously solve physiological needs was perfectly justified.

Now, coming to White Crane Island’s Wei Family with a hidden identity and impure motives,

he naturally didn’t want to accept a female cultivator from the Wei Family, lest he expose himself and affect his cultivation.

Subsequently, Shen Xuan began setting up his new cave mansion.

Being originally a Tier Two Middle Grade Dao Field, Shen Xuan didn’t plan to make major alterations.

Instead, he installed three additional arrays inside and outside the new cave mansion.

An Illusion Array outside the mansion, a Wind and Thunder Killing Array in the outer region, and a Flying Talisman Thunder Array in the core area.

The Illusion Array served as a warning.

The Wind and Thunder Killing Array acted as a deterrence.

While the Flying Talisman Thunder Array contained over a hundred "Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Talismans."

Even someone at Foundation Establishment Perfection would find it hard to defend against for a while.

With these three arrays, even the Patriarch of the Wei Family would find it difficult to spy on or intrude into the new cave mansion. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Shen Xuan named the new cave mansion "Longevity Residence."

By the Spirit Pool in the mansion, he introduced an Earth Fire Sprayer to build an Alchemy Room.

Usually, the Silver-Horned Celestial Horse stood guard outside the Alchemy Room,

strictly forbidding anyone from entering without permission.

Shen Xuan, newly arrived, planned to proceed gradually.

After all, the Tier Two Middle Grade Cave Mansion was sufficient for his daily cultivation.

Qing Feng and Ming Yue were both assigned to the outer perimeter of the cave mansion,

and were not allowed to enter the core of the mansion without Shen Xuan’s summons.

"The patriarch of the Wei Family is a Fake Pill Master. Though I am not his match, with the Divine Thunder Treasure Talisman and my Body Refining Great Success, it wouldn’t be hard to escape."

"The Divine Turtle Essence Blood of the Wei Family and I are fated. As long as there’s an opportunity, even if it means falling out with the Wei Family, I must obtain it."

"Exploring the deeper sea domain here, families like the Wei, Lu, and Zhang, who can hunt Top Grade Sea Demons, can probably acquire Top Grade Water Demon Essence Blood more easily."

"Although the Cyan Cloud Sect’s upper echelons have True Masters colluding with Demon Cultivators, everything seems calm, but actually isn’t. My prominence is too strong, and I need to guard against possible ill intentions. It might be better to live in seclusion here for a few years and focus on advancing my realm cultivation."

"The Thunder Talismans are sufficient, so I can set them aside for now. This is a great chance to delve into the Alchemy Dao and prepare to self-refine High Tier Spirit Pills."

Shen Xuan made all sorts of plans and arrangements.

...

At this time, in the Wei Family’s forbidden land, within the Patriarch’s cave mansion,

Patriarch Wei, the Patriarch Wei, and Wei Anping sat facing each other.

Wei Anping provided a detailed report on Shen Xuan’s situation.

"A friend of Wu Junjie? What kind of friends could the Saint Child of the White Bone Sect have? This man’s identity must be suspicious!"

Having listened, the Patriarch Wei could not help but comment.

The Saint Child of the White Bone Sect disguised as a sect disciple, seducing Wei Yaqian—this they were long aware of, going along with the scheme.

"Anping, you are best at seeing the subtle. Have you discerned anything?"

Wei Anping shook his head.

"Patriarch, Shen Changsheng is deeply concealed. Anping is ashamed to say that I cannot gauge his depth."

"However, Shen Changsheng is undeniably a Tier Two Water Technique Alchemist. Yafei has relayed information that he sold over three hundred Spirit Gathering Pills to the Divine Sword Pavilion, refined recently at Weihai Immortal City’s Alchemy Hall."

The Patriarch Wei nodded: "This person indeed is a newly emerged Tier Two Water Technique Alchemist. I conversed with him, and his alchemy skills are quite exquisite."

"Yet, I don’t know what he relies on to dare come alone to our Wei Family on White Crane Island, and what intentions he harbors!"

Wei Anping contemplated, then spoke: "Shen Changsheng mentioned that he needed some High Tier Water Demon Essence Blood for Alchemy."

"Recently, I sold the clan’s Illusionary Octopus Essence Blood to him, and he appeared genuinely delighted, not pretending."

"Could it be..."

The Wei Family’s old patriarch, who had been resting with eyes closed, opened his eyes, as clear and bright as a child’s, without a trace of impurity.

"Hehe, a Tier Two Water Technique Alchemist! Quite the grand gesture!"

"This person must be a disciple of some Major Sect, hiding his name and altering his appearance."

"In the Wei Family, only the Divine Turtle Remains and Essence Blood are worth such a person’s coveting!"

Upon hearing this, the Patriarch Wei and Wei Anping both nodded in agreement.

Patriarch Wei inquired: "Ancestor, I and Anping cannot see through this person’s realm cultivation. Should the ancestor take a look personally?"

The Wei Family’s old patriarch pondered briefly and gently shook his head.

"No need!"

"No matter what his intentions are, with me here, he cannot stir up any trouble."

"Since this person has decided to stay in our Wei Family and is willing to serve as a tributor, it is a beneficial arrangement."

"If we were to reveal each other’s cards and turn against one another, it would not be pleasant."

"The urgent task remains to collect Core Formation Spiritual Objects to assist Anxin in her breakthrough to Core Formation!"

The Patriarch Wei and Wei Anping exchanged a glance, both paying their respects.

"The ancestor is right."

They both understood.

The old patriarch was advanced in age, with his lifespan nearing its end.

The Lu Family from Azure Dragon Island was aggressive and overbearing.

The Wei Family should not provoke a disciple of a Major Sect and make another formidable enemy.

The clan’s utmost priority was to combine their resources and assist the Wei Family’s Core Formation Seed, Wei Anxin, in condensing her Inner Core.

As for Shen Changsheng,

he was, at most, in the Middle Stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

No matter how special his background or origins might be, as a Tier Two Water Technique Alchemist, how formidable could his combat power be?

At present, cooperation brought mutual benefits.

As for what the future held, they would deal with it when the time came.

There was no rush for now.