Longevity: My Talents Are a Bit Abundant-Chapter 497: Forming a Core Team

"They are waiting outside. Initially, they wanted to pay their respects to the Island Master after the banquet. I shall call them in now."

Before long, Xiao Changbing led two Foundation Establishment Cultivators inside.

One was a burly man with scars on his face, a Water Technique cultivator named Chu Duanlang.

The other was a skinny, weathered old man with dark skin, an Earth Technique cultivator named Lin Zhongyue.

"Please have a seat, Fellow Daoists."

Shen Xuan invited the two to the main seats.

"Thank you, Island Master Shen. Chu has prepared a modest gift to celebrate Island Master Shen."

Chu Duanlang presented a spirit flag, offering it with both hands.

Shen Xuan glanced at it — a decent Tier Two Lower Grade Magical Treasure.

Su Xue’Er, by his side, stepped forward to accept it.

Shen Xuan casually rummaged through his Storage Pouch and produced a Tier Two Lower Grade Water Attribute Flying Sword.

"For mutual exchange. This flying sword is a token for Fellow Daoist Chu."

Shen Xuan’s Divine Thought subtly activated.

The flying sword emitted a dazzling light, swift like lightning, and instantly flew to a spot three feet in front of Chu Duanlang, hovering in mid-air.

The fierce Sword Qi surprised Chu Duanlang, sending chills all around.

"Thank you, Island Master, for the treasure."

Chu Duanlang voiced loudly.

He understood well, it was a warning.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, please take the honored seat!"

Compared to Chu Duanlang, Shen Xuan’s attitude towards Lin Zhongyue was warmer.

According to the Intelligence Jade Scroll, Lin Zhongyue was a Tier Two Middle Grade Spirit Plant Cultivator.

A solid talent in cultivation.

And precisely what Feilong Island lacked.

"Lin also prepared a modest gift to celebrate Island Master Shen."

Lin Zhongyue took out a Jade Box containing a small piece of black spirit soil.

"What is this?"

"This is the Qingmu Spirit Soil cultivated by Lin himself. In thirty years, only this small piece was obtained."

"Oh. So, this Qingmu Spirit Soil is extremely precious."

"Not worth much. However, when Qingmu Spirit Soil is mixed into the Spirit Field, Tier Two Spirit Plants can be grown with enhanced life force, higher survival rate, and five times faster growth."

Speaking of cultivation, Lin Zhongyue couldn’t help but twirl his beard with satisfaction.

"Such treasure puts Shen in a difficult position."

Shen Xuan pondered for a moment.

Casually, from his Storage Pouch, he took out a Medicine Bottle, which flew to Lin Zhongyue.

"These are two Life Extension Pills, a token for Fellow Daoist Lin."

Upon hearing this, the banquet fell silent.

Numerous fervent gazes were directed at the Medicine Bottle in front of Lin Zhongyue.

Lin Zhongyue himself was somewhat moved.

His old, wrinkled face slightly twitched.

"Lin expresses gratitude to Island Master Shen!"

Shen Xuan smiled slightly, with a friendly demeanor: "But they’re just two Life Extension Pills, Fellow Daoist Lin, no need for such formalities."

Suddenly standing tall, akin to the oppressive force of the Fake Pill Realm, filling the entire banquet.

"Senior Brother Xiao."

"I am here."

Shen Xuan flew the Cyan Cloud Sect’s Feilong Island Main Order to Xiao Changbing.

"Senior Brother Xiao will act as Deputy Island Master. In the future, all matters concerning Feilong Island will be decided by Senior Brother Xiao."

"This..."

Xiao Changbing looked at Shen Xuan, eyes filled with confusion.

Unsure if Shen Xuan was testing him or had another purpose.

"Senior Brother Xiao, take the Island Master token. Shen is here at Feilong Island solely to focus on cultivation, aiming for Core Formation."

Only then did Xiao Changbing extend his hands.

"Alright? Xiao will reluctantly fill in, relieving the Island Master of worries. Regardless of the size, Xiao will surely report to the Island Master."

Shen Xuan nodded.

Soon, his gaze swept over six stewards.

"You six, each tend to your duties, no changes for now. Apart from sect stipends, I personally will supplement each of you with a hundred Spirit Stones monthly."

All six stewards expressed their gratitude.

"Past issues aren’t my concern; bygones will be bygones. From today onwards, do your tasks sincerely. If anyone is corrupt, don’t blame Shen for turning ruthless."

All six stewards declared, "We wouldn’t dare!"

Shen Xuan spoke sternly: "Senior Brother Xiao, you’re the Deputy Island Master, make sure to manage them well! If anything happens, you bear responsibility too!"

"Island Master’s words are true. Xiao will certainly ensure they are disciplined."

Later, Shen Xuan looked towards Ding Yijin.

"Fellow Daoist Ding, you and these clan members are responsible for managing Feilong Island’s Market."

"Rest assured, Island Master. Ding will wholeheartedly manage affairs and run Feilong Island’s Market."

Shen Xuan laughed: "Then I’ll rely on Fellow Daoist Ding. Consult Senior Brother Xiao when issues arise. He’s experienced here."

"Island Master speaks the truth. When Ding encounters issues, he will surely consult Elder Xiao."

As for stipends, Shen Xuan didn’t mention.

Ding Yijin and Ding Clan Members were not official personnel of Cyan Cloud Sect.

Shen Xuan intended to pay out of his own pocket.

After all, he’s not lacking those few Spirit Stones.

From Feilong Island Market’s yield, he benefits the most.

"Fellow Daoist Chu?"

"What does the Island Master command?"

Shen Xuan pondered and spoke: "I have a Tier Two Upper Grade Warship here. Will Fellow Daoist Chu accept the position of Honored Guest at Feilong Island? Annual pay of twenty thousand Spirit Stones."

This offer was quite generous for a Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Water Technique Wanderer.

Chu Duanlang laughed: "Island Master Shen offers a meal, Chu wouldn’t dare refuse!"

"However, Chu has a small request."

"Speak."

"Chu doesn’t want Spirit Stones, but to exchange for Life Extension Pills."

Shen Xuan chuckled lightly: "Alright. One pill every five years."

"Good!"

Xiao Changbing drafted the Spirit Contract.

Chu Duanlang examined with Divine Sense and signed with Spiritual Power.

Finally, it was Lin Zhongyue.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, Shen wishes to offer an annual pay of twenty thousand Spirit Stones and hire Fellow Daoist Lin as Feilong Island’s Honored Guest, specializing in cultivation. Would you accept?"

Lin Zhongyue clasped his hands in salute: "Island Master’s invitation, Lin is willing to serve."

"Great! Enthusiastic!"

Shen Xuan raised his wine cup.

"Today, let’s drink together. From now on, we’re partners in the same alliance. I, Shen Xuan, swear to the Heavenly Dao, if you do not let me down, I shall not let you down!"

Everyone drank their Spirit Wine whole-heartedly, the atmosphere vibrant.

After three rounds of drinks.

Shen Xuan shifted the venue.

Everyone together went to the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion in the Market.

That night, the red sleeves beckoned within the building, and intoxicated eyes gazed at the falling snow.

A piece of half-hidden snow danced gracefully.

Shen Xuan left ten thousand Spirit Stones behind, asking Xiao Changbing to negotiate with the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion while he quietly returned to his mansion.

...

Within the Cave Mansion, Ding Qingfeng and Shangguan Mingyue were arranging the Alchemy Room.

The two of them, as Shen Xuan’s Alchemy Apprentices, were strictly forbidden from indulging in wine and women.

In the days to come, they would spend as much time in the Alchemy Room as possible, minimizing contact with outsiders.

To Shen Xuan.

Flying Dragon Island was merely a temporary resting place.

Short as twenty years, long as thirty.

Once he condenses the Inner Core, he will choose another place for cultivation.

Not even willing to spend Spirit Stones to repair the Island Protection Array.

During the handover, Shen Xuan glanced at the population on Flying Dragon Island.

Mundane mortals, more than thirty thousand, mostly engaged in farming and fishing.

Life was difficult, barely sustaining themselves.

"In a few days, I will post a notice to exempt these mortals from harsh taxes and miscellaneous levies!"

Shen Xuan went to the Practice Room, feeling the rich Spiritual Qi from the Spirit Vein connected inside, and shook his head.

Called Tier Two Top Grade, yet it possessed the unique damp mist of sea Spiritual Qi.

Its quality wasn’t even comparable to the Tier Two Upper Grade Spiritual Qi on land.

Luckily, Shen Xuan’s flesh body was strong and unaffected.

Next, Shen Xuan set up a large Spirit Locking Array outside the Cave Mansion.

Locking half of the Spiritual Qi on Flying Dragon Island at the Cave Mansion.

Thus, the Spiritual Qi in Shen Xuan’s Practice Room closely resembled a Tier Three location.

"The remainder of the Spiritual Qi should suffice for them."

Besides him, Flying Dragon Island only had Xiao Changbing, Ding Yijin, Chu Duanlang, and Lin Zhongyue, the four Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Three at Middle Stage Foundation Establishment, one at Early Stage Foundation Establishment.

Flying Dragon Island was a Tier Two Top Grade Spirit Vein, half of the Spiritual Qi was more than enough for them four.

Some branch veins reached Tier Two Middle Grade, used for the market, planting Spirit Medicine, farming, and fish raising.

Shen Xuan drew a tunnel along the earth vein in the Practice Room, leading directly to the East Sea.

This way, he could enter and exit the deep sea from the Practice Room whenever necessary.

Inside and outside the Practice Room, Shen Xuan set up multiple Killing Arrays and Illusion Arrays.

No one, not even Su Xue’Er, was allowed to enter.

In the center of the Cave Mansion, Shen Xuan dug out a ten-acre Spirit Lake and released the Azure Sea Spirit Clams within.

The Silver-Horned Celestial Horse was also released, residing near the Spirit Lake.

It conveniently guarded the Alchemy Room and secret chamber.

...

Inside the Practice Room.

Shen Xuan took out the Demon Eye from a restricted Jade Box.

"I’m suffocating here!"

The Demon Eye shouted loudly upon emerging.

"Shen Xuan, what about my three Core Formation demons?"

"In the Storage Pouch. When will you come to take them?"

The Demon Eye looked around: "Where is this?"

"Countless miles east of Immortal City, on Flying Dragon Island."

The Demon Eye fell silent.

After a while, it cautiously asked: "Shen Xuan, I don’t want the Core Formation demons anymore. Can you let me go back?"

Shen Xuan laughed: "It’s not me refusing, but you don’t want them, correct?"

The Demon Eye nodded repeatedly: "Indeed, I don’t want them. Satisfied now? It’s not easy to refine one Demon Eye, I’m losing out on this!"

"How will you return?"

"You can put me in a Jade Bottle and throw it into the sea, I will drift back myself."

Shen Xuan pondered.

"Alright."

"But what about the ransom fee?"

The Demon Eye froze: "What ransom fee?"

"You’re my spoils of war. To let you go back naturally requires a ransom fee."

Shen Xuan angrily said: "You demons, lost and won’t admit it? Or do you think I’m easy to bully?"

Without waiting for the Demon Eye’s response.

Shen Xuan extended a Spiritual Hand and grabbed the Demon Eye, stuffing it back into the restricted Jade Box.

The Thousand-Eyed Demon Lord once secretly schemed against him.

Shen Xuan would definitely seek revenge sooner or later.

Considering the Thousand-Eyed Demon Lord was adept at gathering intelligence, possibly useful later, he didn’t destroy this Demon Eye.

And still wanted the Core Formation demons from him.

How could that be!

Shen Xuan exited the Cave Mansion, going to the peak of Flying Dragon Island.

From there, he could overlook the entire island, resembling a giant dragon coiled over the East Sea, winding and undulating.

Most parts of Flying Dragon Island were uninhabitable, forming a no-man’s land.

Only in the central plains lived over thirty thousand mortals, and a thousand cultivators sparsely scattered.

"This is my domain!"

Shen Xuan gazed at Flying Dragon Island, feeling a surge of pride as though a deity overlooking all living beings.

These mortals and Qi Cultivators would rely on him to endure hardships in life.

And Shen Xuan had absolute confidence that he would let them live better lives.

Currently, he was still nominally the direct disciple of Cyan Cloud Sect’s Cold Jade Peak True Master.

But in reality, he had become the lord of a region.

Aside from completing Alchemy tasks, everything on Flying Dragon Island was decided by his word.

Making him no different than the ancestor of a Cultivation Clan on Spirit Island.

"Still, I need to diligently cultivate, quickly enhance my strength, and strive for Golden Core as soon as possible."

"Who knows how the sect war between Yan and Song countries will develop!"

Shen Xuan felt a bit worried.

Once a sect war begins, escalates, and expands, it won’t end so easily.

Very likely, Golden Core True Masters would get involved.

By then, his current combat power would struggle for survival.

Facing Golden Core, Shen Xuan had no chance of victory.

Unless the Body Refining Technique reached Divine Power Realm.

Using True Spirit Divine Powers to crush Golden Core Divine Powers in a Great Realm advantage would ensure victory.

However, breaking through to Body Refining Divine Realm is not easy.

Requires vast amounts of True Spirit offspring Demon Core Essence Blood, countless years of diligent practice, and some degree of luck.

Throughout Song Country, there is no Body Refining Master in Divine Power Realm.

Comparatively, condensing Golden Core is the fastest way to enhance combat power in the short term.

"I have only one short-term goal, Supreme Golden Core!"