Trade

Lin Qing's blunt, face-saving-none questioning made Yaoye and Yaoyue, who stood obediently to the side, feel deeply distressed. The grandfather they saw as imposing and majestic had to humble himself before a junior like this, unable to offend him. If necessary, even they might have to sacrifice themselves.

"Master Lin, this old man has come today to ask you to refine a Sect-Breaking Pill and a Primordial Bone-Shaping Pill for me. We have already prepared the ingredients and the medicinal pill formula, and the reward will certainly satisfy you!"

Jia Xing Tian said with a smile. In truth, he had wanted to get acquainted with Lin Qing first, hold a welcoming banquet for him, then return to the Imperial Capital to celebrate him properly. After that, he intended to let Yaoye and Yaoyue spend some time with him before finally making his request. That way, he could secure greater benefits. It would be even better if they could establish a connection.

"A Sect-Breaking Pill? A Primordial Bone-Shaping Pill? My success rate in refining those is less than twenty percent. Are you sure you want me to do it?"

Lin Qing smiled at Jia Xing Tian.

To be honest, he had never refined a Tier 6 pill before. That whole Tier 6 claim had only been meant to scare the Amethyst Winged Lion King. He also knew that Black Rock City definitely could not assess a Tier 6 Emblem. Who knew this fellow would directly announce in public that he was a Sixth-Grade Alchemist?

Still, even if his Tier 6 status was somewhat inflated, once he broke through to the Dou Wang realm, becoming one would be certain. His soul had long met the requirements, and he possessed Heavenly Flames. There was even a wisp of Ancient Spirit Cold Flame in his Storage Space.

Though he was not yet a Sixth-Grade Alchemist, the system had rewarded him with some Tier 6 pills. Apart from the Sect-Breaking Pills Ling Qingzhu and the other woman had taken, he still had four Sect-Breaking Pills in hand. He even possessed some seventh- and eighth-grade pills, so there was no need for him to rush.

Hearing Lin Qing's words, Jia Xing Tian fell silent.

Should I take the gamble? Jia Xing Tian asked himself. In the end, he decided against it. He could not afford to gamble.

"However, I still have several Sect-Breaking Pills refined by my master. I can spare you one. I want four sets of ingredients and two Tier 6 Monster Cores. There is no need to give me the medicinal pill formula—I already have it. Also, help me handle one matter, and I can offer you a Supreme Emperor Pill as payment."

Lin Qing picked up his teacup, took a sip, and spoke leisurely. He did not have a Primordial Bone-Shaping Pill, nor was he particularly confident in refining one, so he could only skip it.

"Everything shall be as Master says."

Jia Xing Tian, who had originally planned to leave, felt the disappointment in his heart instantly replaced by hope upon hearing Lin Qing's words. He immediately accepted Lin Qing's terms. They were far better than the black-clothed man's demand that the Imperial Family submit to him. He only did not know what the Supreme Emperor Pill was, or whether that matter would be easy to accomplish.

"Don't think you're taking a loss. The Sect-Breaking Pills refined by my teacher are of much higher quality than ordinary ones, so your chances of breaking through to Dou Zong will be greater. This Supreme Emperor Pill is likewise a Tier 6 pill. It can allow a Peak Dou King to break through to Dou Emperor with one hundred percent certainty."

Lin Qing set down his teacup and explained.

"As for the matter, it's very simple. Completing it will even help your Imperial Family win some public support. Destroy the Mo Clan in Northeast Salt City. They engage in organ transplants, and I don't like it!"

After saying that, Lin Qing took out two Jade Bottles from his Storage Ring.

Destroying the Mo Clan would indeed help the Imperial Family gather public support, but doing so would mean the Imperial Family and the Misty Cloud Sect had completely torn off all pretense.

With the Imperial Family keeping them in check, the Misty Cloud Sect would have far less ability to cause trouble in the future.

"Master Lin, these are the ingredients for the Sect-Breaking Pill and the Monster Cores. In addition, ten days from now, you will hear news of the Mo Clan's destruction."

With that, he took several dozen Jade Boxes from his Storage Ring, then eagerly accepted the two Jade Bottles.

So what if the Mo Clan was an affiliated force of the Misty Cloud Sect? No one could stop him from advancing to Dou Zong. Besides, it would also give the Imperial Family another Dou Emperor. He was more than willing.

With half the matter in his heart settled, Jia Xing Tian smiled and said, "Master Lin, may I ask whether you have any plans to accept disciples?"

Accept disciples?

The Dao was not lightly imparted, methods were not cheaply sold, masters did not seek disciples, and physicians did not make house calls.

"Accept disciples? I have no such plans at present. Besides, I will be leaving the Jia Ma Empire in a few days. Even if I accepted a disciple, it would be inconvenient to teach them. Could it be that your Imperial Family cannot cultivate a genius?"

Lin Qing understood Jia Xing Tian's intention. Jia Xing Tian wanted Yaoyue to study alchemy under him.

Yaoyue's talent was actually decent within the Jia Ma Empire. She later even became a Fifth-Grade Alchemist. But was it really necessary? Her talent was ordinary, and her background was not particularly remarkable. She would not be of much help to him in the future.

Moreover, they had met only by chance. He had no obligation to teach her. Perhaps if fate brought them together again, or if he became interested, he would not hesitate to offer her some guidance. But he would never agree to take her as a disciple after just a few words.

Taking on a disciple was a responsibility to him. Though he was a responsible person, he did not like others forcibly placing responsibilities upon him. Back when the Xiao Clan had him take Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei, he had chosen to accept the two women, but the Xiao Clan had been wearing away at the bond between him and them.

Was Jia Xing Tian's probing now not another attempt to make him shoulder one more responsibility?

Upon hearing this, Jia Xing Tian pondered for a while before rising with a smile. "Hehe, since Master Lin has no intention of accepting disciples, then that girl Yaoyue simply lacks the fortune! Jia has failed to fulfill his duties as host, so please forgive any shortcomings in the reception! Should Master come to the Holy City, Jia will host a banquet for you. I hope Master will not refuse then!"

"Mm."

Lin Qing nodded.

Jia Xing Tian left with his two granddaughters. Lin Qing did not bring Lin Qi and the other two back into the Pocket World. Xiao Yi Xian, Lin Qi, and the others had advised him against it.

He also felt it was better to keep high-level combat power close at hand.

Night arrived amid the anticipation of many people. The Alchemist Guild and several other major clans appeared at the entrance to Lin Qing's courtyard as though they had arranged it beforehand.

The prominent figures who were rarely seen in Black Rock City on ordinary days all carried gifts, each scrambling to offer ingratiating smiles to the guards.

None of them dared show the slightest disrespect toward the purple-haired burly man and Little Lion at the entrance. Not only was their master a Sixth-Grade Alchemist, but one of them was a Dou Emperor senior while the other was a Tier 3 Magical Beast. Neither was someone they could afford to provoke.

An old man in luxurious black robes held a Jade Box in both hands and called out, "I am Hao Gan of the Hao Clan. Having heard that Master Lin has come to Black Rock City, I have specially come to pay a visit. This is a five-thousand-year-old Dragonblood Lingzhi, a small token of my respect. Please accept it!"

Hao Gan's words immediately startled the people around him. A five-thousand-year-old Dragonblood Lingzhi, a Tier 6 medicinal herb—was that not equivalent to one or two years of the Hao Clan's profits? The Hao Clan was truly willing to spend lavishly!

Lion expressionlessly accepted the Jade Box and allowed the Hao Clan members inside. Soon afterward, another elderly man in yellow robes with a head full of white hair stepped before Lion holding a Jade Box and called out:

"The Xue Clan's Xue Tian has come with his granddaughter Xue Mei to pay a visit. We offer one Tier 6 Fire Attribute Scarlet Flame Demon Wolf Monster Core. We hope it will not be found lacking!"

This statement caused another commotion among the crowd behind them. A Tier 6 Monster Core? Had the Xue Clan brought out its entire fortune?

Could the Xue Clan have some other motive for offering such a valuable gift? The people from the Alchemist Guild and City Lord's Manor exchanged glances, then looked toward the silver-haired girl beside Xue Tian. She was tall and slender, with clear eyes like icy springs atop snowy mountains, a delicate face, and long elegant brows. Understanding dawned upon them.

"The City Lord's Manor..."