"Heh heh........"

"Looks like the Dugu Family has some issue with me—probably because of the Wang Family and Jiang Family hiring me as their special alchemist... Whatever, I'm leaving soon anyway, I can't be bothered with this crap."

Lin Chang'sheng watched the gray-robed elder turn and leave, shaking his head.

Celestial Lake City, ruled by four major families.

The Dugu Family is the strongest, boasting a Foundation Establishment early stage ancestor about to pass away; the rest—the Wang Family, Chen Family, and Jiang Family—all just have Peak Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivators sitting in charge.

Now they want me to pay the Dugu Family a visit?

What nerve!

"Alchemist Zhang, you're finally back!"

Just then, an elder approached; it was Jiang Cheng from the Jiang Family, his eyes lighting up with surprise as he gazed at Lin Chang'sheng, giving him a cupped fists salute. "Congratulations on advancing your cultivation, Alchemist Zhang!"

"Yes, I went out for a while, gained some enlightenment, went into closed-door meditation, and broke through by luck. Thank you, Daoist Jiang!"

Lin Chang'sheng returned the courtesy with a cupped-fists salute.

Compared to the Dugu Family, the Jiang Family was much more polite and respectful.

The Jiang Family would bring gifts when they visited, whereas the Dugu Family, just because they had an old ancestor barely holding onto life at Foundation Establishment, dared to be so arrogant. If he came to cause trouble, Lin Chang'sheng wouldn't mind turning him into another Copper Corpse!

"Alchemist Zhang, this... is your pay for these last two months, I brought it here for you."

Jiang Cheng stepped forward, pulling out a storage bag.

"Daoist Jiang, you're too courteous. I've come back to close up the Elixir Shop and head off to Giant Whale City, so I can't take this pay for the past two months. Was planning to drop by yourselves and say so, but since you're here, I don't need to go to the Jiang Family myself."

Lin Chang'sheng pushed the storage bag back toward him, saying.

"Ah... Alchemist Zhang, so you're leaving..."

Regret flashed across Jiang Cheng's face—he couldn't bear to part. "How about I go tell the Patriarch, let us see you off, Alchemist Zhang!"

"No need for all that, Daoist Jiang, you're being too polite."

Lin Chang'sheng waved his hand dismissively.

Just then, a middle-aged cultivator in a gray robe, with a plain face, hurried by; he passed right beside Lin Chang'sheng's Elixir Shop, heading inside. At the same time, up in the sky above Celestial Lake Marketplace, two sword lights descended at high speed, landing not far from Lin Chang'sheng's shop.

They were two stunning women, both dressed in profound robes, the hem embroidered with an outspread cloud and moon insignia.

Both were tall; one with an oval face, the other with two charming dimples.

Upon seeing Foundation Establishment cultivators arriving on flying swords, lots of low tier cultivators in the marketplace glanced over, their eyes brimming with respect and envy.

"Hm?"

"Two female Foundation Establishment cultivators from Yanyue Immortal Sect?"

Following everyone's gaze, Lin Chang'sheng blinked in surprise.

Weren't these the very two Foundation Establishment female cultivators he'd seen atop the cliff at the Celestial Spirit Mountain Range some time ago?

"Junior Sister Fu, that demon cultivator is hiding here in the marketplace. Go over there, don't let him escape!"

The dimpled beauty looked at her oval-faced junior sister and said.

"Sure thing, Senior Sister!"

Fu Qingyu nodded, instantly soaring off on her sword into the market skies, her divine sense spreading out to search every corner.

"Huh? It's you?"

Yu Lingfei was about to sweep her divine sense when she spotted Lin Chang'sheng tidying up the Elixir Shop, her face visibly surprised.

"Zhang Han greets the elder!"

Lin Chang'sheng immediately cupped his hands in salute.

"Mm."

Yu Lingfei nodded at Lin Chang'sheng, then rushed away.

"What? There are demon cultivators hiding in our Celestial Lake Marketplace? The Demon Dao's getting bolder every day!"

"Who cares? With Foundation Establishment seniors from Yanyue Immortal Sect hunting them down, those demon cultivators are doomed!"

"You said it!"

"......."

Seeing the two female Foundation Establishment cultivators from Yanyue Immortal Sect chasing down demon cultivators, the crowd at the marketplace could barely contain their shock, chattering in awe.

"Alchemist Zhang, I'll report back to the Patriarch. Please excuse me!"

Jiang Cheng too was stunned, but quickly snapped back, cupping his fists to Lin Chang'sheng. Once Lin nodded, Jiang Cheng turned and left.

........

At this moment.

The Dugu Family.

Main Hall.

"Steward, Alchemist Zhang didn't come?"

Dugu Feng stood in the courtyard, watching as his steward, Dugu Yu, hurried up; Dugu Feng frowned and asked.

"Young Master, Alchemist Zhang won't come. He said the Patriarch should go talk at his place!"

Dugu Yu bowed respectfully, fists cupped.

"Go to his Elixir Shop to talk?"

Dugu Feng frowned slightly but said nothing more, telling the steward, "Wait here for me—a moment—I'll go discuss with my father."

"Yes, Young Master!"

Dugu Yu respectfully bowed and waited quietly at the side.

"Hmph! A mere alchemist acting this arrogant!"

Dugu Feng snorted inwardly, heading toward the back hall.

"Father!"

Not long after, Dugu Feng reached the back hall, bowing respectfully to the blue-robed old man sitting cross-legged. "The steward just returned and said you should go talk to him!"

"What? He wants me to go speak with him?"

"He's refining pills for the Wang Family and Jiang Family, messing up the elixir market at Celestial Lake Marketplace and seriously hurting my Dugu Family's interests. Has he no self-awareness?"

Dugu City frowned deeply, voice heavy. "Go get your second uncle—come with me. I want to see just how cocky he really is!"

"Yes!"

Dugu Feng bowed.

........

Lin Chang'sheng finished packing up the things in the Elixir Shop, returned to the loft, and closed the door. After tidying up, he planned to head straight for Giant Whale City.

"Hm?"

Just as Lin Chang'sheng shut the door, his body tensed, eyes narrowing. His divine sense just now detected someone hiding in the back room!

It was the same middle-aged man who had just darted past the front of his shop!

"Demon Dao scum! Prepare to die!"

Right then, a crisp shout rang out—a white silhouette flashed outside the window. With a wave of her delicate hand, hundreds of qi swords surged forth to attack the middle-aged man hiding in the back room!

"Yu Lingfei! Don't think I'm scared of you!"

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