Chapter 125: Chapter 125: Seeking Pills at the Door

The Liu Family was, after all, an old Foundation Establishment Clan with a dual Foundation Establishment in their family. Their words carried weight.

It is said that ruining someone’s livelihood is like murdering their parents.

No one thought the Liu Family was bluffing. After all, in the Cultivation Realm, strength was the ultimate arbiter.

One empty threat would lead to being perpetually underestimated. The Liu Family would not tarnish their own reputation.

The Cultivators and merchant caravans that frequented the Cyan Spirit District were invigorated, supporting the Liu Family’s move to track down the Tribulation Cultivators and eradicate them root and stem.

The effect was immediate: the Tribulation Cultivators outside the district vanished without a trace.

Disappearing for a day or two could mean they were plotting something else; being gone for ten or twenty days could mean they were simply regrouping.

But when they failed to reappear for half a year, everyone finally understood. It wasn’t necessarily that the Tribulation Cultivators themselves were scared, but the power behind them must have been intimidated by the Liu Family and withdrawn them, fearing they would draw fire.

They could no longer target the Cyan Spirit District, but the Xu Family was still plagued by trouble.

...

"We’ve had many small-scale skirmishes."

"The results have been mixed."

A cold, hard glint flared in Xu Hanji’s beautiful eyes, her entire being turning as frigid as ancient, unmelting ice.

Her disgust for the Qiu Family was palpable.

"Hmm..."

Lin Changheng nodded. "As long as we continue to develop for another ten years, twenty at most, the Qiu Family will reap what they have sown."

"My father came to the same conclusion. That’s why he’s been exercising restraint, avoiding any major or decisive battles."

Xu Hanji looked at Lin Changheng, slightly surprised.

"I can only say that great minds think alike."

Lin Changheng laughed heartily.

The two chatted for a while longer. Seeing that the time was right, Lin Changheng rose to take his leave, needing to head back to preside over the Alchemy Shop.

Ever since his status as an Upper Grade Alchemist was announced, and with the added rumor that the Marvelous Pills from the Auction were his handiwork, Late Stage Qi Cultivation Cultivators would occasionally come to his door, asking him to refine Upper Grade Pills.

"See you later."

Watching his tall, straight back recede into the distance, she thought about how dedicated and responsible he was, how he wasn’t arrogant despite his skills, and how he possessed considerable intelligence. Xu Hanji’s opinion of him was exceedingly high.

In a daze, strange images flashed vividly through her mind: the hot breath of a male cultivator, a strong arm pinning hers behind her back, lips and a tongue she was forced to meet... A shameful blush instantly crossed her cool face, throwing her heart into turmoil.

’Sigh... It’s a pity. He and Fellow Daoist Tantai...’

’I... was one step too late...’

Her shoulders trembled slightly as the blush faded. With a storm of emotions, Xu Hanji turned and disappeared into the misty autumn rain.

She possessed the innate pride of a great clan’s young miss, a pride born in her very bones. Whether it was being the third party in a relationship or becoming a concubine, neither was a possibility for her.

...

Lin Changheng didn’t know that the Xu Family was already aware of his relationship with Tantai Feiyue.

Not that he intended to hide it; he just kept it somewhat discreet.

There was nothing wrong with love between a man and a woman.

"Greetings, Alchemist Lin."

"Good afternoon, Chief Lin."

Walking back to the Xu Family’s Alchemy Shop, Cultivators would occasionally greet Lin Changheng.

"Good day to you, too."

Lin Changheng would reply with a smile and a nod.

After he passed, an out-of-town Cultivator asked someone nearby about him. Upon learning that this was an Upper Grade Alchemist and the highly sought-after Chief of the Xu Family’s Alchemy Shop, a look of surprise flashed in their eyes.

’Aren’t all Upper Grade Alchemists supposed to be stern-faced and act all superior? He can be this approachable?’

"Alchemist Lin isn’t like the others, let me tell you..."

A Cultivator immediately began to explain, leaving the out-of-towner stunned.

He arrived at the Xu Family’s Alchemy Shop and had just stepped over the threshold,

when he heard a surprised and joyful cry.

"Alchemist Lin! You’re finally back!"

An old Loose Cultivator in a gray Daoist Robe, who had been sitting anxiously and looking around, immediately shot up and hurried over when he saw Lin Changheng.

"Mr. Fang, you seem to be in a hurry. Is something important?"

Lin Changheng chuckled and invited him to sit. A sharp-eyed shop assistant brought over some tea.

"Indeed," the Loose Cultivator said, deliberately lowering his voice. "I was hoping to ask Alchemist Lin to help me refine a batch of Upper Grade [Detoxification Pills]."

"Upper Grade [Detoxification Pills]? What kind of poison is so potent?"

Lin Changheng asked casually, slightly surprised.

He didn’t really expect an answer.

"Well... Alchemist Lin and I are well-acquainted, so I won’t hide it from you. Fifty li out, in a mountain stream, I stumbled into a deep cave. I discovered it shimmering with spiritual light and filled with a potent medicinal fragrance. It seemed like a Treasure Plant was growing inside."

To his surprise, after a brief silence, the old Loose Cultivator had actually revealed the truth via voice transmission.

"Hiss... Such a fortunate encounter?"

Lin Changheng showed a look of surprise and clicked his tongue in wonder, as if he truly believed him.

The old Loose Cultivator nodded in solemn agreement. "It’s the first time I’ve ever encountered such a good thing. I was just about to go deeper when I felt unbearably dizzy and knew I was in trouble. Thankfully, I hadn’t gone too far and hadn’t inhaled too much of the Poisonous Miasma. I managed to get out with my life."

As he finished speaking, the lingering fear on his face was plain to see.

"In that case, you were very fortunate to escape with your life, Fellow Daoist."

Lin Changheng nodded in agreement, then asked, "Have you prepared the Pill Formula and Medicinal Materials, Fellow Daoist?"

"I have."

The old Loose Cultivator deftly took out a small Wooden Box, pushed it in front of Lin Changheng, and opened it on the spot.

Lin Changheng, as was his custom, took out the Jade Scroll Pill Formula to review it, then checked that the Medicinal Materials were correct before accepting the job.

"Thank you, Alchemist Lin!"

The old Loose Cultivator’s face lit up. "Then I’ll come back in seven days to pick up the pills?"

"That will be fine."

Lin Changheng nodded slightly and rose to see his guest out.

He then waved his hand, stowing the Wooden Box into a separate, spare Storage Bag he carried. This was a small trick to avoid attracting unwanted attention; he certainly wouldn’t take it with him when leaving the Marketplace.

He was extremely cautious, making him a difficult target.

He then found Shopkeeper Xu to ask about the Pill Shop’s situation over the past few days. After hearing that everything was normal, he leisurely headed upstairs.

This kind of commission-based Alchemy was more profitable than refining a fixed type of Elixir.

For instance, the Materials and Pill Formula for the Alchemy were all provided by the Pill Seeker.

The only costs were the Pill Master’s physical and mental Energy, the use of the Earth Fire, and the wear and tear on the Pill Furnace.

And regardless of the yield from refining the Elixirs, the Pill Master always took a certain share.

This share varied from one Pill Master to another, but it was generally between twenty and fifty percent.

It was calculated based on the total number of sets of Medicinal Materials provided.

Any failed or inferior pills were counted as part of the Pill Master’s share.

Additionally, the Pill Seeker had to pay a Furnace Opening Fee.

Some of the more clever Pill Seekers who knew how to handle things would also prepare a small gift, hoping to get on good terms with the Alchemist.

For the Pill Master, they also got to keep the Pill Formula.

It was a triple win!

Lin Changheng was relatively kind-hearted, taking only a forty-percent share.

Even so, many Cultivators still sought out an Upper Grade Alchemist like Lin Changheng for alchemy services.

Therefore, he used the excuse that he needed time for his own Cultivation to limit the number of commissions he took.

This Elder Fang had come to him for alchemy several times, and the two had become familiar faces.

A pill like the Upper Grade [Detoxification Pill] was an easy task for Lin Changheng at his current level in the Alchemy Dao, posing no burden at all.

...

After closing his door, Lin Changheng did a quick check and confirmed no one had entered.

Only then did he confidently disable the Maze and turn to look at his precious [Nine-leaf Purple Ginseng].

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