Alchemist Zhou Qing

Inside the secret chamber.

With the Spirit Gathering Array set up in the four corners and driven by spirit stones, the spiritual energy in the air grew even denser.

[Qi Refining Sixth Layer +1 (23/100)]

Lin Chang'an slowly opened his eyes, a smile blooming on his face.

As expected of a Spirit Gathering Array that cost two hundred spirit stones, it truly is worth every single piece.

Though it consumed three spirit stones of his every day, he had to admit the cultivation speed was genuinely fast.

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth was chaotic and disordered. Aside from a cultivator absorbing it personally, the process could also be accelerated through formations.

Simply put, it meant exactly what it sounded like: gathering more spiritual energy to alter the cultivation environment.

However, the maximum output for this Small Spirit Gathering Array is three spirit stones a day.

Lin Chang'an felt somewhat unsatisfied. A single month of this consumed ninety spirit stones; even the cultivators of ordinary major clans had never been so extravagant.

Qi Refining Sixth Layer is still not enough. Right now, the Three Great Sects might start a war any day now. At the very least, one needs to reach the Qi Refining Late Stage to have the strength to protect oneself.

Just as Lin Chang'an was quietly deep in thought, a familiar voice suddenly drifted from outside the courtyard.

"Little Brother Lin, I've come to bother you once again today."

Zhou Qing, over fifty years of age, a collateral disciple of the Beast-Taming Zhou Family, possessed the cultivation of the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, and was an alchemist.

Upon seeing the visitor, Lin Chang'an also wore a smile as he stepped forward and cupped his fists.

"Big Brother Zhou, your coming truly brings light to my humble dwelling."

During the five years he previously spent in the Zhou family, Zhou Qing could be considered a fairly decent acquaintance, and the two of them had exchanged no small number of medicinal pills and talismans in private.

After all, with no middlemen to make a profit off the difference, every bit saved was a bit earned.

"Little Brother Lin, you needn't flatter me. Right now, you're an Upper-Grade Talisman Master, and your cozy little life is more comfortable than anyone's."

As he spoke these words, Zhou Qing caught sight of the Spirit Gathering Array inside the room out of the corner of his eye, and a trace of envy leaked out all the more.

Lin Chang'an shook his head with a smile. After entering the house, the two men tasted tea while familiarly chatting about the situation outside, followed by an exchange of supplies.

"Little Brother Lin, these are top-quality Golden Marrow Pills. Trading them for your First-Rank High-Grade Talismans is hardly a loss for you."

"Big Brother Zhou, these are things that can save lives at critical moments on my end."

Lin Chang'an said with a smile, yet at the same time he harbored some doubts, as this fellow had seemed rather more frequent in coming to exchange talismans lately.

Faced with Lin Chang'an's suspicion, Zhou Qing sighed helplessly and said:

"What else could it be? The whole market found out about the incident before. Recently, the clan has been stockpiling supplies, preparing to have Tie Shan brother make his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment. Aren't they just afraid something unexpected might happen?"

Understanding dawned on Lin Chang'an upon hearing this. The Zhou family was a glaringly obvious target, and Zhou Qing was also afraid of further turmoil erupting, so he was buying a few more talismans to use for self-preservation.

This sort of thing was understandable; after all, he himself always carried dozens of talismans on his person precisely to prepare for any eventualities.

Half a month later.

While the market was turbulent, it was also exceptionally bustling.

The emergence of the Purple Gold Mine caused Treasury Pavilion of the Mystic Sound Pavilion to present numerous magical instruments.

On this day, however, Li Erniu was in somewhat low spirits and came to him to drink away his sorrows.

"Big Brother Lin, during this period the clan is preparing Foundation Establishment materials and the Zhou family is on high alert, yet they assigned me to take charge of a business."

Lin Chang'an picked up on it immediately. Just to be safe against any contingencies, the Zhou family had even deployed Er Niu to the outer perimeter, all to prevent any oversight from occurring.

Even the honest and thick-skinned Li Erniu felt a measure of dissatisfaction, referring to them as the Zhou family.

"Er Niu, this might not necessarily be a bad thing. To be far away from places of right and wrong, and still have a decent and comfortable errand—isn't that better than taking risks outside the market?"

Lin Chang'an consoled him with a smile. Surely the Zhou family wouldn't make arrangements one moment only to kick him aside the next.

Therefore, this Er Niu could also be considered blessed by misfortune; being in charge of a business not only earned more, but was also safe.

After drinking a few cups, Er Niu pondered it carefully, and it indeed seemed to be the exact same logic. He couldn't help nodding and muttered in a muffled voice:

"What Big Brother Lin says is right. At the same time, I can also seize the time to cultivate and strive to catch up with Big Brother Lin's footsteps as early as possible."

Back when the two of them started, Li Erniu had broken through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer first, but in the end he had been overtaken by Lin Chang'an.

Now Lin Chang'an had already reached the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, whereas he remained stuck at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.

At their current age, once they passed sixty, their vital blood would begin to decline. Thus Li Erniu was also holding back a burst of drive, striving to see if there was any chance to break through to the Qi Refining Late Stage before his vital blood waned.

Lin Chang'an ordinarily did not enjoy drinking alcohol, but today he still kept Er Niu company for a few cups of wine and offered some comfort.

When Lin Chang'an finally watched Er Niu depart, his eyelids twitched slightly, leaving him with an ill omen in his heart.

Could it be that something is going to go wrong with the Zhou family this time?

Even Er Niu, a resident son-in-law of over twenty years, had been assigned to the outer perimeter—one could easily imagine the internal situation within the Zhou family.

I only hope this peaceful life isn't shattered.

Lin Chang'an sighed inwardly, able only to pray that it wouldn't spread to affect him.

Word leaked out that the Zhou family was plotting a Foundation Establishment breakthrough once more, causing quite a few cultivators to secretly keep their eyes fixed on the direction of the Second-Rank Alchemist from the Mystic Sound Pavilion.

After all, the Head of the Family of the Zhou family had already entered this Second-Rank Alchemist's mansion for several days running; it was obvious that Foundation Establishment Pills were being refined.

Among the rogue cultivators outside, perhaps none possessed the guts to dare snatch them, but if any cultivator bandits made a move, they might well dare to take the risk and gamble amidst the chaos.

These past few days, the market had grown conspicuously quiet.

"Little Brother Lin."

On this day, a familiar voice drifted from outside the courtyard once more. Alchemist Zhou Qing came calling again, at this moment rubbing his hands together with an expression of utter awkwardness.

"Little Brother Lin, you also know that such a massive incident happened last time. This time I'm still rather worried, and I want to find you again to exchange for two Upper-Grade Golden Light Talismans. Of course, I won't take advantage of you either; I've brought out top-tier medicinal pills."

Upon seeing Zhou Qing looking full of apprehension, as if terrified that turmoil might erupt once more and wishing to buy a couple more talismans to protect his family, Lin Chang'an broke into a smile and immediately invited the other man inside.

"Big Brother Zhou, easy enough."

After all, the two of them conducting private transactions was not a once-or-twice occurrence, and everyone understood each other well.

Zhou Qing, mere First-Rank Mid-grade Alchemist though he was, could pull out fine medicinal pills every few days—it was obvious he was skimming a little bit for himself.

Yet this matter had nothing to do with him.

"Little Brother Lin, it always has to be you. Rest assured, Big Brother absolutely won't take advantage of you."

Amidst his beaming smiles, Zhou Qing followed Lin Chang'an toward the interior of the house, yet behind his back, a chilling glint flashed through the depths of his eyes.

Yet upon entering the house, as Lin Chang'an's nose twitched slightly, the vital Qi within his body inexplicably gave rise to a wave of agitation.

No! That's not right!

In an instant, a strange look flashed across Lin Chang'an's pupils, and without leaving a trace, he cast a glance at his old friend, Alchemist Zhou Qing, who walked behind him.

"Big Brother Zhou, go ahead and sit. I'll go pour you some tea."

An expression of familiar warmth still hung on Lin Chang'an's face, yet the palms of his hands had already broken out in a layer of cold sweat.

[Evergreen Art (Perfect Realm: 1/10000)]

If not for the fact that a short time ago he had purchased two copies from Yun Yao—both being insights into practicing the Wood-Attribute Evergreen Art cultivation method—

allowing his comprehension of the cultivation method to break through into the Perfect Realm, he would fundamentally not have perceived the slightest trace of this.

Aside from the traits of prolonging life and possessing enduring energy channels, the Evergreen Art possessed yet another point: as a Wood-Attribute cultivation method, it possessed a certain natural sensitivity and immunity toward the perception of toxins.

The Evergreen Art at the Perfect Realm meant that in terms of comprehending the cultivation method, Lin Chang'an had already reached the realm of the cultivator who created this very art.

Only because of this was he able to detect this faint poison entering his body.

Meanwhile, beneath Zhou Qing's easygoing smile, a sachet hanging at his waist was intentionally or unintentionally exuding a trace of scent.