Chapter 128: Chapter 128: The Arrival of Temptation

A Residual Root?

The term struck a chord with Lin Changheng, and his heart stirred slightly.

He then heard Elder Fang’s request, "Alchemist Lin, you have been immersed in the Alchemy Dao for a long time and are naturally a master of pharmacology. Could you please help me take a look?"

"Very well."

Lin Changheng did not refuse. He raised an eyebrow slightly, gesturing for Elder Fang to open the wooden box. Only after confirming there were no hidden traps like weapons inside did he take it to examine.

Inside were indeed roots, and they were relatively well-preserved.

They were grayish-brown, about half a foot long and two fingers thick. Their surface was still coated with semi-damp Spirit Soil, looking as if they had been freshly dug up not long ago.

Even though only the roots remained, Lin Changheng could still keenly sense a trace of lingering Spiritual Qi from them.

’This thickness... a Tier Two Spirit Plant.’

Lin Changheng made an immediate judgment.

Lin Changheng hadn’t been idle these past two months. In order to determine the state indicated by the leaves of his Nine-leaf Purple Ginseng, he had acquired several scrolls about medicinal materials and Treasure Plants from the Xu Family and two shops in the Cyan Spirit District that sold such knowledge.

He had also confirmed that "nine complete leaves" signified the maturation period of the Nine-leaf Purple Ginseng, meaning it was ready to be used.

"These are the roots of an Earth Vein Yellow Ginseng."

He searched his mind and quickly found the information, stating lightly, "Based on the length and entanglement of its roots, this plant is likely fifty years old."

"Fifty years?"

Elder Fang immediately let out a breath, his expression relaxing. "Then the difference isn’t too great. It seems I didn’t get the short end of the stick."

"Indeed."

Lin Changheng pushed the wooden box containing the roots back, but then suddenly asked, "Mr. Fang, what do you plan to do with these roots?"

"Thank you, Alchemist Lin, for your appraisal... Hmm?"

Elder Fang had just expressed his thanks and was about to put the box away. Hearing Lin Changheng’s words, his hand froze in mid-air, and his expression shifted slightly. "What else could I do? Just toss it in my Storage Bag and look for another buyer. However, if Alchemist Lin is interested, I can give you priority."

He then placed the wooden box back on the table and slid it decisively across to the other side.

"Oh? Then I thank you for parting with it, Mr. Fang. I am indeed somewhat interested in these roots."

Lin Changheng didn’t stand on ceremony. With a flick of his sleeve, he swept the wooden box directly in front of him.

"Heh heh..."

Elder Fang chuckled. He and Lin Changheng discussed a price, and the two quickly reached an agreement.

The reason it went so smoothly was that Elder Fang had taken the initiative to make a concession.

In his own words, he owed this gain largely to Alchemist Lin. Besides, they had a bit of a friendship, so there was no need to haggle over small details.

With goods and payment exchanged, the deal was done. Lin Changheng put the wooden box away, satisfied.

But then, Elder Fang fell into thought. He suddenly clenched his jaw, as if he had made some great resolve.

At the same time, a voice transmitted via sound technique quietly entered Lin Changheng’s ear.

"Alchemist Lin, are you interested in more Treasure Plants like this?"

"What do you mean? Could it be that you have more of these Treasure Plant roots, Mr. Fang? Or perhaps an entire Treasure Plant?"

A glint in his eyes, Lin Changheng also replied with interest via sound transmission.

Elder Fang shook his head. "I don’t have any more, but that secret cave I mentioned to you last time, Alchemist Lin, does."

Lin Changheng froze at his words and fell into thought, not responding. Elder Fang glanced at him and continued via sound transmission: "Back then, after I took the Detoxification Pill and went deep into the secret cave in the mountain stream, I knew nothing about the growth characteristics of Treasure Plants. I was like a headless fly, wandering aimlessly. I nearly ran out of elixirs before I finally obtained this fifty-year-old Earth Vein Yellow Ginseng."

"As I was excitedly harvesting the plant, I could still smell a faint medicinal fragrance in the cave, intoxicating like a celestial brew. But it wasn’t coming from the Earth Vein Yellow Ginseng before me—of that, I am certain."

"There must be other Treasure Plants growing inside! Even more precious than this one!"

Hearing this, Lin Changheng looked surprised. "Mr. Fang, why didn’t you harvest them all?"

"A pity..." This question made Elder Fang shake his head and sigh. "If I’d had enough elixirs on me at the time, or if I knew more about the growth habits of Treasure Plants, perhaps I could have..."

He rubbed the teacup he was holding, his face full of regret.

"That is a pity indeed."

Lin Changheng couldn’t help but shake his head as well.

Seeing Lin Changheng only express sympathy but not engage with the topic, Elder Fang had no choice but to speak up himself. "I have an idea, Alchemist Lin. I wonder if you’d be interested?"

"Oh? Please, go on."

"You and I have gotten to know each other quite well, Alchemist Lin. We’ve established a basic level of trust."

Seeing Lin Changheng nod slightly, Elder Fang’s face lit up. "That secret cave in the mountain stream is indeed filled with many Treasure Plants, but the cave system is a complex maze. And since I don’t understand the growth characteristics or preferences of Treasure Plants, I just blunder around inside like a headless fly. Even with more elixirs, it would just be a waste of resources, making it difficult to harvest much."

"But you’re different, Alchemist Lin. Not only do you have Mastery in the Alchemy Dao, but you’re also familiar with the growth characteristics of Treasure Plants. You could quickly rule out unsuitable locations and improve our search efficiency. Plus, you have an excellent reputation in the Cyan Spirit District, so I’m not worried you’d try to harm me..."

"So, I would like to invite you to go with me, to share the secret cave, seek fortune together, and split everything fifty-fifty!"

"What do you think?"

As he spoke, Elder Fang looked at Lin Changheng with a sincere and earnest expression.

At that moment, Lin Changheng, who had glanced at Elder Fang, lowered his eyes. His fingertips tapped a rhythm on the armrest of his chair as he sank into thought.

Elder Fang didn’t disturb him, simply waiting for his decision.

But he never imagined that no matter how reasonable, perfect, sincere, and impeccable his proposal was, for Lin Changheng, there was only one answer.

And that was—

’Impossible!’

But Lin Changheng had clearly fallen into deep thought. What he was contemplating, however, was not the question that already had an answer, but whether this Elder Fang was harboring ill intentions.

’Therefore, anyone who tries to lure me out of the district will face this scrutiny.’

’I can plan to go out on my own, in disguise and without a sound, but I cannot be pushed into it by others.’

’Especially when traveling with someone else. I must be particularly careful then.’

But Elder Fang’s words showed no sign of contrivance or obvious logical flaws, so Lin Changheng couldn’t make a rash judgment.

After some thought, he finally sighed and refused, "Mr. Fang, I appreciate your intention to lead me to fortune, but I am swamped with miscellaneous matters. Many fellow Daoists are seeking my pills, and I am also bound by my agreement and tasks for the Xu Family. I truly cannot get away."

"Alas, I am fated to a life of toil by the furnace fire. I’m not destined for windfalls; I can only live my life one step at a time."

Elder Fang was taken aback. ’Rejected? Isn’t he tempted at all?’

He then quickly spoke up, trying to press his case: "It won’t take too long, it’s only a distance of fifty li. If we’re fast, one day is all it will take..."

"Say no more. I have urgent alchemy matters to attend to. Mr. Fang, you should find someone else to cooperate with."

As if afraid his own resolve might waver, Lin Changheng waved his hand dismissively and strode quickly toward the Alchemy Room in the backyard.

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