Registered Guest Official (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Evening fell, and the twilight gathered.

Nestled between mountains and water, bathed in the hazy glow of the sunset, the Xu Family residence possessed a wondrous scenery Lin Changheng had never witnessed in his previous life.

Lin Changheng had no intention of lingering and returned to the small courtyard he had been assigned within the Tide-Listening Dojo.

It was reasonably tidy and free of dust, likely maintained by someone on a regular schedule.

Having expended a fair amount of mana during the recent skirmish, he was eager to regulate his breathing and meditate. Maintaining a constant state of full mana to handle any situation with peak readiness was a fundamental rule of prudence.

As for the Xu Family, they were holding a meeting to discuss the specifics of the ambush, analyze the situation, and formulate countermeasures. It was not appropriate for an outsider to be present, and Lin Changheng had no desire to involve himself, so he had excused himself and returned on his own.

By the dead of night, the mana within Lin Changheng's body had finally replenished. He exhaled a breath of stale air and began to inspect his spoils of war.

He had stowed away that hammer-type magical tool at the very first opportunity; even if the Xu Family later confiscated the rogue cultivator's storage bag, he would not be at a total loss.

As it turned out, Shopkeeper Xu had provided an assist by pointing out his contribution, allowing him to secure a storage bag as well.

Lin Changheng could not deny it, and since it was free for the taking, he accepted it directly.

However, he reasoned that he had not killed an enemy across cultivation ranks, and while he possessed some talent for combat, it was not so shocking as to draw excessive attention.

It would not overshadow his reputation as an alchemist, so he was not worried about being drafted into the land reclamation teams.

He was determined to refine pills!

If the Xu Family insisted on other plans, he would naturally not be so pedantic as to obey them blindly.

Soon, everything from the acquired storage bag was laid out.

Of any value were merely three low-grade pills, a bottle of unknown poison, two low-grade talismans, and eight low-grade spirit stones.

For a cultivator at the early stage of Qi Refining, this was still a decent amount of spare wealth.

In addition, there were two yellowed booklets titled Earth Source Technique and Breath Concealment Art.

The rest consisted of personal effects, which Lin Changheng burned in a fire.

"I certainly won't consume the pills rashly; I'll sell them to the clan when the time comes and see if they accept them."

"The talismans and poison can be kept; when I sell the pills, I can ask someone to identify them. These items have clear, legitimate origins and can be shown to others. As for this earth-type technique, I have no use for it, but the Breath Concealment Art will be useful for hiding my cultivation level after I make a breakthrough."

"As for this storage bag, I'll ask about it too. Even if it's second-hand, it's still worth several dozen spirit stones."

Lin Changheng quickly formed a basic plan: convert everything into liquid assets as much as possible.

He then took out the hammer-type magical tool.

He hadn't had time to examine it closely before, but one look now made him shake his head.

The hammer head was quite worn, with obvious scars and damage.

"In this state, it might shatter directly during a more intense bout of combat."

This was very dangerous.

If a magical tool shattered mid-clash, it would create a fatal opening. If the enemy's tool accelerated, one would be unable to react in time, leading to injury or death.

"It has to be sold."

Lin Changheng made his decision.

"Besides, my two offensive magical tools are useless. I'll trade them later for a defensive one to use in rotation."

He was currently at the third level of Qi Refining and could only drive two low-grade magical tools or one mid-grade magical tool simultaneously once he broke through to the middle stage of Qi Refining.

For now, it could only be considered a backup.

The next day, before he had even stepped out, someone came knocking. "Fellow Daoist Lin, are you in?"

Lin Changheng rose, having already guessed the reason. He opened the door to find a young clansman at the second level of Qi Refining.

"The Elder requests your presence at the alchemy room."

"Please, lead the way."

Thinking to himself that it was as expected, Lin Changheng remained perfectly calm and followed him, walking from the shores of Black Water Lake toward the mountains behind.

Many grand halls were built there, each serving its own function.

Along the way, many clansmen were coming and going, making the area quite bustling.

The two arrived directly at a large hall; the left side was the alchemy room, while the right housed the talisman and artifact rooms.

At this moment, five or six people were already waiting, and in the center sat a venerable elder of the Xu Family.

His white hair was sparse, his face as withered as pine bark, and his eyes were cloudy yet occasionally flashed with a sharp light, much like the embers of a dying furnace.

Lin Changheng recognized this man: Xu Qianyan, a high-grade alchemist of the Xu Family.

He held a lofty status, ignored mundane affairs, focused solely on the path of alchemy, and oversaw all the alchemists.

Master Mo was present at his side, and upon seeing Lin Changheng arrive, he smiled and beckoned him over.

"Greetings, Chief. Greetings, Master Mo."

Lin Changheng stepped forward to offer his salutations, neither servile nor overbearing.

Xu Qianyan glanced at Lin Changheng, his expression unmoved as he merely nodded, then said, "Then let us begin."

"Very well."

Lin Changheng did not drag his feet, nodding in immediate agreement.

An alchemist promptly led him into the corridor on the left that connected to the alchemy rooms, while at that moment, a clamor erupted from the other side of the main hall.

Vague shouts of "It's done!" and "Congratulations!" could be heard amidst the chaotic noise.

Lin Changheng turned his head along with the crowd, only to see a woman emerging from the opposite corridor, immediately surrounded by a throng of Xu Family disciples.

Cloud-like hair and a flower-like face, tall and graceful, elegant and noble.

These three phrases were the first reaction of most people upon seeing her.

Dantai Feiyue.

Her name surfaced directly in Lin Changheng's mind; she was a princess from a mortal dynasty.

Ten years had passed, yet this "bright pearl" had not gathered a speck of dust; instead, she had grown even more brilliant and radiant.

So much so that she attracted a swarm of buzzing butterflies.

Has she become a ranked talisman master? It seems she passed the assessment and gained the recognition of the Xu Family...

Lin Changheng made an instant deduction.

The next moment, Dantai Feiyue, surrounded by the crowd, seemed to sense something. She lifted her gaze, her bright eyes piercing through the heavy obstructions to lock onto his.

They stared at each other for several seconds.

Lin Changheng smiled faintly and offered a cupped-hand salute.

Dantai Feiyue looked thoughtful; she gave a slight nod and returned the gesture with a shallow curtsy.

Instantly, the gazes of many Xu Family disciples around her followed, filled with extreme vigilance, some even looking at him as if he were a mortal enemy.

Lunatics! They're getting jealous over this?! A bunch of horny fools!

Lin Changheng's face twitched slightly, and he immediately turned toward the alchemy room with an expressionless face, though he thought to himself, This woman is too dazzling.

And that means trouble!

What I need is steady cultivation and stable development.

The top priority is to avoid these people who might bring trouble.

Whether man or woman, the further away, the better!

"Boom!"

The heavy door of Pillar-5 Alchemy Room rumbled shut, and Lin Changheng's figure vanished inside.

At dusk.

Lin Changheng returned to the main hall once more, the alchemist who had led him carrying a pill box to report forward.

"Not bad. Congratulations, Alchemist Lin, on becoming a 'Registered Guest' of our clan. You shall enjoy the corresponding benefits, and of course, you shall also bear the corresponding duties! Our clan will not mistreat anyone, provided you have value!"

Xu Qianyan merely glanced at the medicinal pill before making his announcement.

Lin Changheng remained calm as an ancient well upon hearing the first half.

But upon hearing the second half, his eyes brightened slightly. "This junior is all ears!"

"From now on, our clan's mid-grade cultivation techniques, mid-grade magical artifacts, mid-grade medicinal pills, access to the main trunk areas of mid-grade spirit veins, and so on—with the exception of family secrets that have other requirements—all mid-grade resources are open for you to exchange!"

"At the same time, during the 'Great Reclamation,' you will not need to go to the front lines of the Wilderness to reclaim land; you may rest easy and refine pills in the rear!"