The Disciple Had Disappeared

"A big deal?"

Seeing Lin Cheng act so mysteriously, the elders immediately grew interested.

After a brief discussion.

A moment later, the elders' eyes widened and lit up. They nodded eagerly.

Meng Tangtang, standing off to the side, was full of curiosity. She had no idea what they had talked about.

"Young brother, don't worry. Leave this to us, brothers. You can count on me! We'll have everything you need prepared within three days."

At the end, the Alchemist who had initially treated Lin Cheng coldly was now beaming.

Even the way he addressed him had changed.

If the situation had been different, he might have tried to become sworn brothers with Lin Cheng on the spot.

And, just as expected, Lin Cheng successfully obtained a token confirming his Alchemist rank.

But what surprised him was—

"An upper-grade Alchemist?"

He had only just taken the lower-grade examination.

"Ah, it's only a matter of time! In a few days, you'll probably have surpassed us old fossils completely. This way, you won't have to make another trip later."

As he spoke, the elder looked regretful.

If Yellow Grade Alchemists hadn't been required to go to the Alchemist Guild to obtain their official rank, he would have wanted to register Lin Cheng as a Yellow Grade Alchemist right away.

A genius capable of refining Pill Pattern-grade pills was certain to become a Yellow Grade Alchemist.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Lin Cheng didn't care about such things. If he hadn't needed something, he wouldn't have bothered coming to the Alchemy Hall.

As for the upper-grade Alchemist rank, it was no big deal either. Judging by his cultivation alone, he could easily accept being given the title of a Heaven Grade Alchemist.

The medicinal ingredients problem was finally resolved.

Lin Cheng returned to the Library Pavilion and resumed his dull routine of checking in every day and improving his strength.

More than a month passed. In that time, Lin Cheng checked in and received quite a few good things.

He even got a number of high-grade pills, which made him delighted.

The system's products were always top-notch.

The rank of the treasures he received from checking in generally rose with his strength, so no matter when, the rewards were always what Lin Cheng needed most.

But as time passed, Lin Cheng began to feel that something had gone wrong.

"It's been a whole month. Why haven't those old men delivered the medicinal ingredients they promised? Could they have gone back on their word?"

They had promised to get him a large supply of medicinal ingredients within three days.

Lin Cheng hadn't expected a whole month to pass without even a sign of them.

"Did they get lost, or do they not know I'm in the Library Pavilion? That can't be right. It shouldn't be hard for dignified elders to find that out."

Lin Cheng couldn't make head nor tail of it.

Besides, he had no idea where Meng Tangtang had gone this past month. Why hadn't she come to the Library Pavilion?

After all, the little girl was only in the Seventh Grade Realm.

Even with her innate constitution, she still had a long way to go before reaching the Eighth Grade Realm.

Normally, he didn't even need to ask; she would come to the Library Pavilion every few days to ask her master questions.

She also helped keep Lin Cheng from getting bored.

But now, she had suddenly been gone for a whole month without a word. What was going on?

Even if she had gone into seclusion or something, she should at least have come to let him know.

After spending so much time with Meng Tangtang and taking her in as his disciple, Lin Cheng cared a great deal about the little girl.

For the past month, a faint cloud of worry had hung over his heart.

It felt as if something was about to happen.

"Maybe something really has happened."

At the thought, Lin Cheng sprang to his feet. An ancient bamboo tube suddenly appeared on the table before him.

It was a treasure Lin Cheng had received from a check-in.

The bamboo tube was mottled and worn with age. Inside were bamboo lots that could predict good or ill fortune.

He picked up the tube, intending to use it to divine Meng Tangtang's current situation.

Swipe!

A bamboo lot fell out.

Great misfortune!

Lin Cheng jolted, his face changing instantly.

Meng Tangtang was in a bad situation. That made no sense—he had left her with protective measures.

Even if she ran into an Innate expert, she should have been able to escape unharmed.

Could she have encountered a Foundation Establishment monster?

What kind of Foundation Establishment expert could harm Meng Tangtang right under his nose?

This was the Jingyun Sect, his territory. Normally, he could sweep his divine sense across the sect and take almost all of it in at a glance.

"Hm? She's not in the Jingyun Sect."

Lin Cheng's divine sense abruptly burst forth and swept the area. He found no trace of Meng Tangtang. Even the Alchemist elders from that day were nowhere to be seen.

Now Lin Cheng was truly worried.

You little rascal, where have you gone? You didn't even tell me.

This is bad!

Just then, Lin Cheng suddenly made out a faint voice.

"Xiao Jin, stay here and keep watch. I'm going out!"

At the same time.

The great hall atop the mountain.

The Jingyun Sect's senior leaders had gathered there. Everyone remained silent, and the entire hall was oppressively tense, as if a storm were about to break.

A careful observer would have noticed that many of the Jingyun Sect's senior leaders were missing.

Some were with the sect master on the front lines, resisting the invasion of foreign races. Many others had recently led numerous disciples down the mountain to quell the beast unrest.

The Jingyun Sect's remaining defensive forces were now less than half their full strength.

"We have news."

The one presiding over the proceedings was none other than the chubby Hao Renming, Elder Hao.

"The Young Sect Master did indeed go to Beast Taming Mountain."

"And Beast Taming Mountain... has a serious problem!"

Elder Hao spoke gravely.

The people below began murmuring among themselves.

"What exactly happened? Beast Taming Mountain has some nerve, detaining our Young Sect Master without cause!"

"This is provocation—blatant provocation! They're openly challenging our Jingyun Sect!"

"Could Beast Taming Mountain be trying to start a war between our sects? Have they gone mad? What would they gain from that?"

"I'll gather my forces and storm Beast Taming Mountain to rescue the Young Sect Master!"

"Absolutely not! This matter isn't simple. Beast Taming Mountain is plotting something big. Acting recklessly could lead to a terrible mistake we'd regret forever."

"This isn't allowed, that isn't allowed!"

"Then tell us, what are we supposed to do?!"

Several hot-tempered elders smashed their chairs to the ground, stood up bristling with killing intent, and roared.

Elder Hao didn't object.

Beast Taming Mountain had clearly come with hostile intentions, but no one could figure out why.

If they were planning to annex the Jingyun Sect...

Then they were underestimating the sect's strength.

"No matter what, we have to find a way to keep the Young Sect Master and the others alive!" Elder Hao said firmly.

The others looked just as grave and nodded slightly.

Indeed, this time was different.

Beast Taming Mountain had detained the Young Sect Master and several accompanying elders without warning, and had shown no intention of negotiating. It was a vicious move.

Seeing the argument in the hall grow more and more heated, with some on the verge of drawing their blades, Elder Hao hurriedly spoke up to stop them.

"Everyone, stay calm! There's no point in shouting ourselves hoarse here."

"Just now, the Supreme Elders and the others already set out for Beast Taming Mountain. We should hear the result soon."

"She is an Innate expert. With her taking action, no matter how bold Beast Taming Mountain is, they won't dare disregard her!"

"All we need to do is await good news!"