An old acquaintance

Fang Yuan, the director of the Star Luo Pill Pavilion, and his Disciple arrived and left just as decisively.

In their view, although Lu Jiu had shown considerable Alchemy Talent in alchemy and acted decisively, even drawing the attention of the Azure Fish Hall, he was ultimately just a young Alchemist in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, with a shallow foundation.

The fact that a council member was sent to mediate in person shows that they have given Su Bai considerable importance, given his potential and the impact of the current incident.

This is both a form of recognition and a form of admonition and discipline, intended to bring this newcomer into the established order of the Alchemy Street.

For Su Bai, who had just established himself on the Alchemy Street, the fact that the Star Luo Pill Pavilion took the initiative to mediate was itself a signal.

This means that, thanks to the Golden Marrow Pill and a series of events, he has successfully entered the upper echelons of this circle, and his overall strength (alchemy skills, style of conduct, and possible "background") has attracted enough attention.

They are no longer nameless individuals who can be easily ignored or manipulated.

Su Bai stood by the second-floor window, watching Fang Yuan and his apprentice disappear into the bustling crowds of the Alchemy Street, his heart feeling little emotion.

This mediation was exactly what he had expected, and it was a result he was happy to see.

Being able to temporarily escape the endless entanglement of Wei Chun and others, and refocus his energy on alchemy and his own development, is exactly what he needs right now.

"Now I should be able to have some peace and quiet for a while, and properly study the Dao of Alchemy."

Su Bai muttered to himself, then turned and returned to the alchemy room.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the Demon Star Sea, a medium-sized cultivation Lineage was holding an important Lineage gathering.

The core members of the village gathered to discuss resource allocation and maritime patrol matters for the coming period.

Among the attendees, one young man appeared quite low-key.

He had an ordinary appearance and a calm demeanor. Dressed in a simple blue cloth robe, he sat quietly in the back, seemingly uninterested in the heated discussions. Only occasionally, when certain specific matters were involved, would he offer a concise and insightful opinion.

He was one of the Guest Elder hired by this cultivation Lineage in recent years, and was known as "Elder Mu" by the people of the manor.

Suddenly, the young man known as Elder Mu frowned almost imperceptibly, feeling a familiar burning sensation from something he kept close to his chest.

His expression remained unchanged, but a thought stirred within him.

He stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to the Family Head who was speaking at the head of the table, and calmly interrupted, "Family Head, gentlemen, I have urgent business to attend to and must leave for a moment. My apologies."

Having said that, he didn't wait for anyone's response, but turned around and left the Council Meeting hall with a calm yet quick gait.

The people in the hall looked at each other, and several of the older clan elders showed displeasure.

The Lineage gathering is an important event in the manor, and to interrupt and leave so casually is extremely rude.

However, considering that Elder Mu was personally hired by the Family Head at great expense, possessed profound cultivation and unpredictable methods, and that his status Guest Elder was inherently free, although the crowd had some complaints, they did not feel comfortable expressing them openly.

After leaving the Conference Hall, Elder Mu's figure flashed a few times and he arrived at a secluded and deserted rocky cave within the manor.

After confirming that no one was around, he took something out of his pocket.

If Su Bai were here, he would recognize it at a glance—this is the identity token of the Azure Fish Hall assassin — the Azure Fish Token!

Elder Mu infused a wisp of Spiritual Power into the Token, Token its surface to glow. A concise message appeared in his mind: Target: Heavenly Star City, Star Luo Market, Number Eighty-Seven Alchemy Street, Number Nine Pill Shop, Alchemist Lu Jiu.

Cultivation level: Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

Mission objective: Take his life.

Time limit: Within three days. Basic reward: 31,500 Low-grade Spirit Stone.

"Heavenly Star City... Alchemy Street... Three-day time limit..."

Elder Mu, or rather, the Assassin who possessed the Azure Fish Token, muttered the message to himself, a thoughtful glint in his eyes. "Time is running out; it seems we must set off now."

Without much hesitation, he quickly put the Token back into his pocket and turned back to the cultivation Lineage.

The Council Meeting was not yet over when the Family Head saw him return, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Elder Mu walked directly into the hall and bowed again, saying, "Family Head, I have urgent business to attend to and must leave the Lineage for three days. I have come to take my leave."

Upon hearing this, the hall immediately fell silent.

The displeasure from earlier resurfaced in some people's minds.

One of the clan Steward, known for his short temper, couldn't help but stand up, his tone clearly showing displeasure. "Elder Mu! You're being far too capricious! The Lineage gathering isn't over yet, and you just left in a hurry, and now you're saying you're going to be gone for three days? Even though Guest Elder aren't direct descendants of the Lineage, they should still have basic manners..."

"Enough!"

Before the Steward could finish speaking, he was sternly interrupted by the Family Head sitting in the main seat.

The Family Head, a dignified middle-aged Cultivator, stood up. He first gave the Steward who had spoken a stern look, then turned to Elder Mu, his face instantly transforming into a warm smile, his tone even carrying a hint of politeness. "Elder Mu, you flatter me."

"I have always respected your freedom when hiring Guest Elder, and there is no principle of imposing any restrictions."

"If the Elder has urgent business to attend to, please go and handle it. We will take care of the affairs within the manor."

The Steward fell silent after being glared at by the Family Head, and sat down sullenly. Although he was resentful, he dared not say anything more.

Elder Mu seemed unsurprised by the Family Head's statement, merely nodding slightly. "Thank you for your understanding, Family Head. Farewell."

Having said that, he didn't linger. With a flick of his body, he transformed into a pale blue streak of light and sped off towards Heavenly Star City.

Watching his figure disappear into the horizon, the Family Head slowly sat down, his expression complex.

The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat oppressive.

The Family Head surveyed the crowd and said in a deep voice, "You must all remember, you must not show any disrespect to Elder Mu! Elder Mu possesses great supernatural Divine Ability, especially skilled in Wood Attribute Law Technique, and his Combat Power far surpasses that of ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator."

"If it weren't for Elder Mu's intervention, I would have already perished at the hands of my enemies, and our Lineage would not be where we are today."

"To have Elder Mu appointed Guest Elder is a great honor for our Lineage! How can a few mundane formalities restrain such a esteemed person?"

As the Family Head who brought the young man into the Lineage, he was well aware of the young man's terrifying strength.

Elder Mu, formerly known as Wood Daoist.

When the Family Head was in trouble, the Wood Daoist came to his aid and killed three Foundation Establishment Cultivator single-handedly.

The Family Head was amazed by his Celestial Person and hired him as Guest Elder of the Lineage at a high price, a position he holds to this day.

After flying a distance, Elder Mu stopped concealing himself and focused all his Sky-Flying.

The next morning, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, his figure appeared near the outer city of Heavenly Star City.

He activated his Escape Light and landed on a secluded hillside, gazing at the magnificent silhouette of the city in the distance.

Instead of rushing into the city, he first took out several Heavenly Star City identity Token of different styles, representing different identities, from his Storage Bag.

These Token vary in material, pattern, and condition, clearly corresponding to different "identities".

His gaze swept over them, he hesitated for a moment, and finally picked out one and hung it on his waist.

Then, he formed hand seals, chanted profound Method Formula, and the Spiritual Power around his body began to fluctuate in a unique rhythm.

A faint bluish-green light emanated from his body, and his body, bones, and face seemed to transform into supple Plants, beginning to undergo strange twists and changes.

The skin texture became rough, wrinkles crept up the corners of the eyes and forehead, and the hair quickly turned snow-white...

The whole process was silent and swift. In the blink of an eye, the person standing in the same spot was no longer the ordinary-looking young man, but a white-haired old Daoist Daoist Robe with a youthful face, vigorous spirit, and wearing a simple Daoist robe!

Even the aura emanating from his body has changed drastically, and his Cultivation Realm has risen from the Foundation Establishment Early Stage to the Peak Foundation Establishment!

"[Endless Vitality]..." Elder Mu, now an old Daoist with white hair, uttered a few words in a low voice, completing the final adjustment of his breathing.

He moved his hands and feet, feeling the coordination of his "new body," and nodded in satisfaction.

This High Antiquity Wood Element- based Spirit Transformation can not only change appearance,

It can even simulate the aura and some Spiritual Power characteristics of the corresponding level, making it an excellent means of changing one's appearance and stealth.

After changing his identity, he straightened his Daoist Robe and then walked unhurriedly toward the inner city gate of Heavenly Star City.

With the legitimate identity Token at his waist, he easily passed the city gate guards' check and entered the most prosperous megacity in the Demon Star Sea.

After entering the city, he did not delay at all and headed straight towards Star Luo Market.

Half an hour later, he was standing at the entrance of the Alchemy Street.

"Number Eighty-Seven, Alchemy Street, Number Nine Pill Shop..."

His gaze swept over the shop signs lining both sides of the street, and he walked forward steadily.

The flow of people on Alchemy Street was already quite large in the early morning, but his temperament and Peak Foundation Establishment cultivation still made the surrounding pedestrians Consciousness give him some space.

Before long, he arrived at the relatively quiet area at the end of the street and saw the plaque hanging above the door with the calligraphy written in a vigorous and elegant style— Number Nine Pill Shop.

The shop door was open, and you could vaguely see the busy figures of the shop assistants inside.

This is it.

A glint flashed in the eyes of the white-haired old Daoist (Elder Mu), and then he strode into the shop.

He planned to use this identity to observe the target up close first, and if the opportunity arose, he might be able to make his move directly.

In the midst of a bustling city, a sudden, unexpected attack can sometimes be more effective.

But the moment he stepped into the threshold of the Number Nine Pill Shop, the Azure Fish Token in his arms suddenly emitted a much stronger and clearer burning sensation than before!

This isn't a mission prompt, but rather... a unique reaction from sensing Token of the same origin at close range!

"Huh? This is...!"

Elder Mu (the white-haired Daoist priest) was shocked and his steps faltered.

Could the target also be...?

The thought had barely formed in his mind when a figure calmly descended the inner staircase and came into view.

The newcomer wore a moon-white robe, had a handsome face, and a peaceful expression. He was Lu Jiu, the Master of the Number Nine Pill Shop and Alchemist, or rather, Su Bai of the Jade Mist Sect in Qingzhou.

"Huh? Lu Jiu, it's actually you?" Wood Daoist exclaimed in surprise.

Su Bai naturally didn't recognize the person in front of him, but with the help of the Azure Fish Talisman, he at least knew that this person was Azure Fish Hall assassin.

They sensed something unusual about the white-haired old Daoist priest at the door.

He was taken aback at first, then understood, and couldn't help but find it both amusing and helpless. "This Wei Chun is really Yazi and relentless."

"Even with the help of the Star Luo Pill Pavilion, he still placed the order... It seems this feud can't be easily resolved."

"Very well, since he insists on this, we'll find a suitable opportunity to eliminate him as well, to prevent future troubles."

As thoughts raced through his mind, Su Bai remained outwardly calm, as if he were merely receiving an ordinary guest.

He stepped forward, smiled slightly at the white-haired old Daoist who was clearly in a daze, and said politely, "Fellow Daoist, do you need alchemy? There is a quiet tea room upstairs. If you are interested, please come in and we can discuss it further."

Upon hearing this, the Azure Fish Hall assassin nodded slightly. "I happen to have some excellent Spirit Medicine Ingredients here. Let's see if you, Alchemist Lu Jiu, can successfully refine them."

Su Bai instructed Zhang Ying not to let anyone disturb them, and the two of them went up to the tea room on the second floor under the watchful eyes of everyone.

In the tea room, Su Bai began to brew the Spirit Tea.

This Spirit Tea has been used up quite a bit lately. Fortunately, my main job now is as Alchemist, which earns me a lot, otherwise I really couldn't afford to keep using it.

However, Su Bai was always frugal, and he was already considering downgrading the quality of the Spirit Tea he would buy next time.

Su Bai skillfully brewed the Spirit Tea and poured a cup for the old Assassin.

"You've come all this way only to find it's all for nothing. You must be exhausted. Have some Silver Guanyin; this Spirit Tea is very beneficial for cultivation," Su Bai said.

"This is truly excellent Spirit Tea... Academy Master Su, it's been a long time. I never expected you to have become Alchemist." The white-haired old Daoist's words startled Su Bai slightly.

He never mentioned the name Su Bai once in the Demon Star Sea.

Furthermore, he had never met the white-haired old Daoist priest at the Peak Foundation Establishment in Qingzhou.

How did this person know their own name?

On the other side, the Wood Daoist released his Wood Attribute Divine Ability as he spoke.

An ordinary face, yet one that left a deep impression on Su Bai, came into Su Bai's view.

"It was you all along." Su Bai sighed slightly.

The person before me had an ordinary face, but extremely bright eyes. He was none other than Qin Lin, the genius of the Wood Court, who had participated in the same Inner Sect Grand Competition as Su Bai and won second place!

Unexpectedly, this guy has also advanced to the Foundation Establishment and has chosen to come to the Demon Star Sea to become Azure Fish Hall assassin.

"Academy Master Su still remembers me?" Qin Lin asked with a slight smile.

Su Bai shrugged. "If you had challenged me back then, I might have had to give you my title of first place in the competition. How could I not remember you?"

"Academy Master Academy Master, you jest. With your Sword Dao Talent, I wouldn't last much longer than Zhao Hanshuang," Qin Lin said seriously.

Su Bai waved his hand, ending the pointless conversation. "Speaking of which, your disguise is truly impressive. I almost mistook you for another Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivator just now. There wasn't a single flaw. It's perfect for us Assassin. What kind of Divine Ability is it? Could you teach me?"

Qin Lin smiled faintly, "We're fellow disciples, so it's no trouble for me to teach you."

"However, this supernatural Divine Ability requires a high level of Wood Attribute Spell Divine Ability. In all the years of the Wood Court, I am the only one who has cultivated it to such a perfect state."

"Academy Master Su, you can try. If it doesn't work, don't waste any more time on this." Qin Lin said seriously.