Xu Xuyang paused, then continued shining the mirror over the pills.
After trading with Lin Changheng for so long, he had developed considerable admiration for his alchemy. Every pill was a standard-grade pill of notably fine quality, showing how solid his foundations were.
But none had ever reached the level of a Premium Pill.
Buzz~
Golden light flashed across the bronze mirror again. This time, Xu Xuyang saw it clearly.
"Pill Master Lin, congratulations! You've advanced in the Pill Dao and refined a Premium Pill!"
As the congratulations reached him, Lin Changheng smiled. "My accumulated efforts have finally borne fruit."
Neither arrogant nor impatient, he remained as calm as drifting clouds and a gentle breeze.
Seeing his composure, Xu Xuyang gave him a long look and nodded. "With such a disposition, Pill Master Lin, your future achievements will certainly be considerable."
"Thank you for your kind words, Senior."
Xu Xuyang continued appraising the other pills.
Yellow light, yellow light, golden light...
"Another Premium Pill?"
Xu Xuyang could no longer quite keep his composure, though pleasant surprise dominated his reaction.
He looked at Lin Changheng like a lust-crazed fiend gazing upon a beauty, like a starving ghost faced with a table laden with delicacies.
"After accumulating experience and bringing my insights together, I finally produced another one in the next three batches."
Lin Changheng had already prepared his explanation. This meant he could reproduce the result, rather than having stumbled blindly into success through sheer chance.
The difference in value was enormous!
"Excellent."
Xu Xuyang quickly settled the transaction with Lin Changheng. After paying him the Spirit Stones and seeing him out, he hurried away from the hall with the two Premium Pills tucked close.
He entered the Returning Peak Dojo at the heart of the grounds.
Afterward, Lin Changheng visited Master Mo's little courtyard.
It lay in another dojo, called Cloud Gazing, built over the main trunk of the mid-grade spirit vein.
The spiritual energy there was at least three times as dense as that along the branches.
Those at mid-Qi Refining and guest retainers were both eligible to live there.
Neither Lin Changheng nor Tantai Feiyue had moved in. Both had concealed their breakthroughs to the middle stage.
They still lived in the Tide Listening Dojo.
After shamelessly helping himself to food and drink, Lin Changheng also told Master Mo that he could now refine Premium Pills.
Master Mo immediately looked proud, with the joy of a teacher pleased by his pupil.
The words "I taught him" were practically written across his face.
He promptly brought out his treasured Spirit Wine and shared several rounds with Lin Changheng.
Once the wine had brought a flush to his face, Master Mo also spoke of his friend's death.
His friend had also been a mid-grade Pill Master, named Xu Hanli.
Although he belonged to the "Han" generation, the same as Xu Hanji, he was no youngster, but an old man.
He came from a mortal branch of the Xu Family and had been born in a mortal town. When his spiritual root and talent for alchemy were discovered, he had been brought into the Xu Family.
He and Master Mo had become close friends.
Recently, however, while gathering materials for alchemy away from home, he had been attacked by the Chen Family and killed on the spot, his head severed from his body.
Losing a friend in his old age-and having that friend die dismembered-left Master Mo in unspeakable pain.
Attacked? Could it have been at the Black Dragon Pond Fishery?
As Lin Changheng kept him company over wine, a thought stirred in his mind.
He offered some comfort, then sounded Master Mo out with indirect questions. Half drunk, Master Mo spoke in half-veiled hints, but they gave him a definite answer.
It really was the Black Dragon Pond Fishery!
Everything fell into place.
That was also why Bai Fengxian and the others had been reassigned to guard it.
Losing a mid-grade Pill Master must have hurt the Xu Family right down to its bones, surely?
Lin Changheng reflected that, in that case, the Xu Family would have no choice but to go wild on the main battlefield. They were probably even considering how to launch a sneak attack on the Chen Family's rear.
After drinking a while longer, Lin Changheng circulated his magical power to dispel most of his intoxication before taking his leave.
He still needed to keep a clear head while traveling.
Only then would he be safe enough.
Yet he kept turning something over in his mind. Since the Xu Family had lost a mid-grade Pill Master, would they need to train another to fill the vacancy?
Otherwise, their supply of pills to outsiders would likely fall short.
Then he suddenly remembered the veiled advice his nominal elder brother, Xu Xuzhong, the steward of the General Affairs Hall, had given him: "When you return this time, be sure to devote more thought to the Pill Dao and improve your alchemy..."
"Hiss!"
Lin Changheng's eyes widened, then excitement rose within him.
Only now do I understand what he meant... perhaps there really is a substantial opportunity here!
At that moment, a night breeze quietly swept through. Leaves rustled, and the dark clouds overhead scattered, letting moonlight spill down.
The path ahead shone silvery white, inviting him to walk upon the light.
Within half a month.
Someone came looking for him.
"Whew~"
Lin Changheng stopped circulating the Lihuo Night-Illuminating Art, which he had already trained to the "proficient" level, then shut down the first-tier, low-grade [Spirit Gathering Array].
The Spirit Gathering Array was certainly costly to run. Using Spirit Stones as its catalyst, it gathered energy from the spirit vein, consuming one stone every three days. It was ready to use as soon as it was activated, so he could not afford to waste it.
Now that his Lihuo Night-Illuminating Art had reached proficiency, his cultivation had become a little faster. He could feel his progress after every session, which was immensely satisfying.
Steady progress was addictive.
"Coming."
Lin Changheng opened the door. Rather than one of his fellow promising young cultivators, he found an unfamiliar female cultivator of the Xu Family. "What brings you here?"
"The eldest young lady would like to see you."
The female cultivator bowed.
The eldest young lady?
Lin Changheng was somewhat surprised.
In the entire Xu Family, only Xu Hanji could be addressed that way.
The image of a girl in a purple dress immediately surfaced in his mind, her cool beauty dazzling.
She wants to see me?
They had no dealings with each other in daily life and had never even spoken. What could she want from him?
Could it be... related to the Pill Dao? That must be the only reason. After all, I've only just revealed my Premium Pills.
"Please lead the way."
He locked his door and followed the female cultivator.
Within the Returning Peak Dojo.
An elegant little courtyard stood beside a small waterfall.
Lin Changheng followed the female cultivator inside.
This dojo was truly different. No spiritual energy could be seen leaking outside the buildings; instead, it was drawn into each residence.
Every residence had an extraordinary Spirit Gathering Array. He could not discern their exact grades, but they were certainly not low-grade.
Moreover, every courtyard was protected by a defensive formation, offering the utmost security.
Lin Changheng clicked his tongue in wonder, feeling a touch of envy. Only a residence protected by powerful formations truly deserved to be called a cultivation abode, did it not?
"Why haven't you served Fellow Daoist Lin his tea yet?"
Lin Changheng had only just entered the reception room and taken a seat when a cool voice rang out.
Cool, but not icy.
It was her natural disposition, not contempt for others.
Lin Changheng turned to look. This time, Xu Hanji wore pale yellow robes, with a purple ribbon binding her hair. Her skin, fairer than snow, made her whole figure seem radiant.
Compared with her purple dress, this outfit softened her unapproachable chill while lending her more of a young girl's delicate beauty.
"Greetings, Eldest Young Lady."
Lin Changheng rose to greet her, neither servile nor arrogant, observing every courtesy.
"Please sit, Fellow Daoist Lin."
After exchanging some pleasantries, both tacitly aware of their purpose, Xu Hanji finally broached the subject. "I hear you tended a furnace for ten years without once slacking off, Fellow Daoist Lin. Now, having entered the ranks of Pill Masters, you've already refined Premium Pills. I truly cannot help admiring you."
Has she finally brought it up?
Lin Changheng relaxed inwardly, though his expression remained utterly composed. "You flatter me, Eldest Young Lady. Heaven merely rewards diligence."
At his words, Xu Hanji looked surprised, then smiled faintly, thinking, Heaven rewards diligence? How interesting. Usually, I only hear people curse Heaven for being heartless or blind. This is the first time I've heard anyone put it that way.