Longevity Strange Immortal
Chapter 117 - 118: Lay Low for a While

Chapter 117: Chapter 118: Lay Low for a While

The Calligraphy and Painting Hall stopped outside the Medical Hall.

Li Mo peered through the window of the Medical Hall, and could see shadows darting about inside. Every now and then, Zhou Fawei’s irate roars erupted, accompanied by the chilling sound of iron saws slicing through bones.

He observed for a brief moment and discovered that the Medical Hall was mostly filled with Puppet Cultivators.

It was evident that Tian Changwen had chosen to leverage the Slaughterhouse’s rules without holding back, treating Deceit Beasts entirely as sacrificial pawns.

Under such circumstances, Tian Changwen letting him leave made sense.

Li Mo sighed. Tian Changwen’s moves were all perilous gambles. Hundreds of cultivators had been trapped in the Slaughterhouse, and even though the Qingfang Taoist was overseeing the situation, it didn’t guarantee absolute security.

If something went wrong, Tian Changwen would lose everything.

However, Li Mo could understand Tian Changwen. In the struggle for Daoist inheritance, victory or defeat didn’t matter. Judging by the current circumstances, even if Beast Cultivators gained the upper hand and crushed Puppet Cultivators, it would only be a pyrrhic victory.

The Multi-limb Techniques had already spread, coupled with Sub-Device Sect’s secret interference. Puppet Cultivation’s inheritance could not be completely eliminated.

Li Mo cast his gaze toward the next millennia.

Puppet Cultivators had more refined Cultivation Techniques and resources from Duozhi Mountain. It was only a matter of time before they reversed their roles as subordinates and became dominant.

The Hundred Beasts Blood Body alone was insufficient to sway the tide for Beast Cultivators.

Only by seeking life from death, preserving the foundation of Beast Cultivators in the Daoist inheritance struggle, and occupying Rong Town with an absolute advantage could they contend with Puppet Cultivators.

Li Mo couldn’t help but fall into deep thought. Just then, a figure crawled out of the backyard of the Medical Hall, agilely climbing into the Calligraphy and Painting Hall.

"Hehehe..."

Li Mo couldn’t help showing surprise, for he noticed Han Cai’s arms had been reduced to just two pairs, with the other limbs detached and tied to his back.

It seemed Han Cai had also realized the drawbacks of Multi-limb Techniques.

Li Mo invited Han Cai into the Calligraphy and Painting Hall and curiously asked, "Master Han, without you overlooking things, can the Medical Hall handle the workload?"

Han Cai glanced at Li Mo, "Zhou Fawei has already begun cultivating Multi-limb Techniques. A dozen arms are more than sufficient, and besides, the number of injured is continuously decreasing."

Li Mo furrowed his brows. Seems Shi Ji had already perceived the situation and would certainly not let Puppet Cultivators perish until the key to breaking the deadlock was found.

It was foreseeable how perilous the ensuing clash between the two sides would be.

Han Cai sized up Li Mo and chuckled oddly, "Kid, I heard you’re now the top figure in the Weak Crown period?"

"Hardly..."

"Not at all? Hah, I’ve even seen the Puppet Cultivators’ bounty notice. Tsk tsk tsk, two thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones—wonder how many surgeries that would cover, already nearing the same level as the Fake Core Stage."

"It’s just me trying to earn you some face, Master."

Li Mo showed a helpless expression. He couldn’t have both the fish and the bear paw.

If he didn’t display his worth, he would undoubtedly be one of the many in the Slaughterhouse.

Han Cai burst into laughter, finding Li Mo’s defeated demeanor amusing, especially when comparing it to the notorious reputation he had outside. Even Hu Wen couldn’t help but cover her mouth and chuckle softly.

"You little brat, why not head to Black Wind Ridge to lay low for a while."

The two began discussing the Mountain Lord Strange Beast right in front of Li Mo.

The Mountain Lord Strange Beast’s beast calamity was concentrated in Black Wind Ridge. Its strength ranked mid-to-upper among thirteen Deceit Beasts.

Han Cai had long gathered information about Black Wind Ridge from both factions of cultivators. It was said to resemble a town where wild beasts commingled, home to thousands of beast-shaped Chang Ghosts.

The risks weren’t high, but the town faced the same problems as Cai Market.

The true body of the Mountain Lord Strange Beast could not be located.

In Black Wind Ridge full of Chang Ghosts, the options were either to kill all the ghosts and force the Mountain Lord Strange Beast to reveal itself or to find its true body hidden within the massive town.

Slaughtering all the ghosts was clearly unrealistic; only Li Mo’s Mountain King Map could be relied upon.

The Mountain King Map carried an aura of majesty, which could be temporarily guided using specific Magic Techniques to birth a phantom image of the Mountain Lord Strange Beast.

Two tigers cannot coexist on one mountain. No matter how strong or weak the phantom’s power, the actual Deceit Beast would never sit idly by.

However, cultivators entering Black Wind Ridge would randomly appear in various corners of the town, making it impractical to dispatch large numbers of cultivators to clear the beast calamity.

Li Mo didn’t mind heading to Black Wind Ridge.

Dealing with the Mountain Lord Strange Beast would be a task for Han Cai and Hu Wen; he would only need to assist from the sidelines, and could even consider cultivating within the Ridge.

Hu Wen remarked suggestively, "Back when I decided to stir up trouble with the Mountain Lord Strange Beast, it was because those Chang Ghosts all contain Heart Blood, used to nurture Deceit Beasts..."

Li Mo arched his brow; wasn’t this a chance to carve another Beast Head Tattoo? His right shoulder tattoo slot had been vacant for a long time.

He didn’t necessarily have to pick from the Inner Sect Beasts; with the Nourishing Yuan Fruit available, the potential of Tattooed Beasts was not a concern.

The most important factor was compatibility with himself.

Furthermore, Corpse Mountain had an insatiable demand for Deceit Beasts. Only their corpses could serve to nurture Mid-grade spiritual materials to maturity.

Han Cai feared Li Mo might act recklessly, "Kid, remember Deceit Beasts are living creatures, and beast calamities can change endlessly. The information we’ve gathered may very well be inaccurate."

"Li Mo, prioritize safety above all else in Black Wind Ridge. Wait for us to come find you."

With that, he retrieved a Low Grade Magical Artifact robe from his Storage Bag. Its appearance resembled bear skin, emitting a stench most foul.

"As long as the Chang Ghosts don’t recognize you, it’s even feasible to cultivate covertly in secluded spots."

Li Mo took the bear skin robe, and after a brief refinement, the Magic Artifact adhered to his form. His appearance transformed into a ferocious and wild beast.

However, the artifact still showed flaws, such as clouded eyes, stiff limb joints, and fur that lacked luster.

"Interesting..."

Li Mo withdrew the bear skin robe and promptly requested the Magic Artifact Catalog from Han Cai.

The artifact, named Beast Heart, lacked additional functionalities beyond mimicking wild beasts, offering no enhancements to physical constitution.

Li Mo suddenly grew intrigued.

He unfolded the Eight-Armed Spine Nerve, took out the spiritual materials he had in his Storage Bag, and began tinkering, intending to re-refine a Beast Heart artifact.

Han Cai noticed this and reminded, "Kid, we’re almost at Black Wind Ridge. There’s no time to waste—don’t..."

Before he could finish, Li Mo had already crafted the preliminary outline of the Beast Heart artifact within mere seconds, moving with practiced fluency, as though he had mastered the item.

Han Cai’s eye twitched, while Hu Wen paid it no mind, her gaze fixed on the thick mist outside, her expression undergoing subtle changes.

A moment later, Li Mo presented the finished product to Han Cai.

Han Cai couldn’t bring himself to compare it with his own rendition of the Beast Heart artifact. The disparity was like heaven and earth. He awkwardly withdrew his bear skin Magic Artifact.

"Alright. Kid, why don’t you craft one beast heart each for us—a spider and a fox? Though I doubt it’ll reach the Five Refinements level..."

"Five Refinements? No problem."

Li Mo fell fully into the Artifact Refining process, simultaneously crafting three artifacts. Even the subsequent five refinement stages were proceeding rapidly and methodically.

Han Cai was momentarily lost for words. He suddenly realized Li Mo’s growth far exceeded his expectations—he had become someone one couldn’t overlook anymore.

Especially in Artifact Refining, post-Fake Core Stage, he might even attempt crafting top-grade Magic Artifacts.

The Five Refinements of the Beast Heart artifacts focused primarily on concealment of aura, supplemented by enhanced artifact resilience, maximizing the chance of avoiding exposure.

When Li Mo donned the bear skin Beast Heart artifact, even while remaining motionless, Han Cai felt his instinctual alarm flare for a split second—a primal warning.

The artifact’s simulated beastly nature was simply too authentic, leaving no discernible flaws.

Han Cai overheard Li Mo muttering to himself as if dissatisfied with the artifact’s minor imperfections, his face shifting to resemble someone holding back from speaking.

The Black Wind Ridge Chang Ghosts had spiritual wisdom far inferior to ordinary mortals—they wouldn’t be able to distinguish truth from illusion.

"We’ve arrived."

Hu Wen’s breathing grew heavy, veins bulging briefly on her forehead before she retracted them and skillfully refined her fox skin Beast Heart artifact.

She raised an eyebrow and turned to Han Cai with surprise, saying, "Not bad craftsmanship for an Artifact Refinement."

"..."

The Calligraphy and Painting Hall stopped next to a large mansion in Rong Town. Walls surrounded it, shielding withered bamboo groves and towering artificial hills from view.

Li Mo was puzzled; why was Black Wind Ridge located within this residential estate?

The trio, cloaked in beast-skin garments, slowly entered the mansion, while the Calligraphy and Painting Hall disappeared into the dense fog amidst persistent tremors.

Evidently, Tian Changwen did not wish their presence to be exposed to Shi Ji.

Li Mo surveyed the area—the courtyard had long been neglected. Yet its original elegance remained discernible.

"Mortals?"

Hu Wen casually explained, "Indeed, this was a mortal residence. The wealthy merchant handled part of the Mixed Grain Shop’s business. His children were cultivators, living fairly comfortably."

After the outbreak of the Death Disease, mortals whose brains remained intact could replace their organs at the Medical Hall, leading to better lives than most cultivators.

Han Cai secretly glanced at Li Mo. The latter’s expression remained utterly neutral.

Li Mo held an unwavering resolve to achieve immortality. With the Creation Book in his possession, he had no reason to be a frog at the bottom of the well—Heart Beast Sect was merely a waystation on his journey.

Chao Wen Dao, to hear the Tao in the morning, and die content in the evening.

More so, he felt that if given the choice, the wealthy merchant would likely trade away his fortune for a chance at entering Dao cultivation.

Mortal wealth carries no roots; once the descendants become strangers, it might vanish overnight.

Arriving at the mansion’s reception hall, the interior decor remained understated, with a portrait of Heart Beast Sect Ancestor Tian Chenzi hanging on the wall.

Facing Tian Chenzi’s portrait was a Hundred Beasts Map.

The map depicted over a thousand monstrously misshapen Deceit Beasts, their forms grotesquely distorted as though stitched together from beasts and humans alike.

Gazing at the map for too long caused the depicted beasts to begin savagely tearing at one another.

"I’ll go first."

Hu Wen crawled on all fours, imitating a fox’s movements as she approached the Hundred Beasts Map.

As she neared the beast calamity, her form gradually shrank and soon merged into the portrayal.

"Be cautious."

Han Cai issued a reminder as he followed suit. Compared to the malicious spirits depicted in the painting, the image of his massive Eight-Armed Spider appeared almost normal.

Lastly, there was Li Mo. Even knowing the beast calamity within the map wasn’t influenced by external forces, he still laid down layers of Breath Fog before stepping inside.

Li Mo entered Black Wind Ridge, and to his surprise, the bustling voices of a lively town resounded in his ears, as though he had returned to the once-thriving Rong Town.

What greeted his eyes was a town teeming with traffic and commotion.

The residents passing by were all half-human, half-beast. There was a pig-headed butcher selling meats, a hunched-over rat hawking candied fruits, and even a brothel for pleasure-seekers.

Most peculiar of all.

Their faces—expressing a genuine benevolence rarely seen even among mortals.