"Fellow Daoist Xu, you promised to introduce Fellow Lin An to us," Zheng Guangyuan as he approached Xu Ming, drawing the attention of the others.
They were very curious about Lin An, and were interested in befriending him, or even seeking his advice.
After all, the other party had very likely passed the Seventy-Two Heavenly Steles and was far superior to them in the art of alchemy.
Xu Ming looked helpless. "Brother Lin doesn't seem to have come out yet."
The group paused, then looked around, and sure enough, they couldn't find any trace of Lin An.
"It seems that the Pill Forest Heavenly Stele truly possesses an Immortal Dao of Alchemy lineage, and Lin An may currently be in the Pill Dao Origin Sea," Ning Shanhai said after a moment's thought.
His tone was full of envy as he spoke; Lin An had accomplished in one go what he had longed for his entire life but could never achieve.
"But now that the Pill Forest Heavenly Stele Ruins are closed, if Brother Lin comes out of the Sea of Origin, won't he be trapped in the ruins and only be able to come out after a hundred years?" Xu Ming frowned.
"Probably not. Fellow Lin An will likely be teleported out directly after emerging from the Sea of Origin."
Ning Shanhai shook his head, "Besides, even if we were trapped inside, it would only be a mere hundred years, nothing to worry about."
Xu Ming thought about it and realized that a hundred years was just a blink of an eye for someone at the Sovereign Realm, and a serious period of seclusion could easily take more than a hundred years.
Just then, Xu Ming suddenly paused, only to see him take out a jade pendant, from which a message was sent.
Upon seeing this information, Xu Ming's expression changed drastically.
"Everyone, I must return to the Northern Cold Region. If there is another opportunity in the future, let us gather together again to discuss the Dao," Xu Ming said.
The group looked puzzled. They had been wondering if they should wait here for a few days to see if Lin An would come out.
Xu Ming's words now clearly indicate that something major has happened.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, has something happened? May I ask you?" Ning Shanhai asked.
Xu Ming pondered for a few seconds, "Alright, given your positions, you'll all find out about this soon enough, so there's no need for me to hide it."
"My father just sent word that the Sin Banquet will be held within three months, though the exact date is still uncertain. He wants me to go back as soon as possible to make preparations."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed drastically.
They were naturally aware of the Sin Banquet.
It opens once every thousand years, but there is no specific time each time.
Although everyone knew the Sin Banquet would begin soon, they thought it would be another year or two, but they never expected it to begin in three months.
No one doubted this news, after all, Xu Ming's father was the domain lord of the Northern Cold Region, an Immortal Realm expert.
Since they said so, the information must be correct.
Moreover, given their background and status, they were indeed able to receive the news very quickly.
"In that case, let us hurry back and make preparations," Ning Shanhai said.
Apart from Zheng Guangyuan, who was originally from Central Heaven Region, everyone else present came from the other four domains, and the journey back would take them a month or so.
In addition, there were still some preparations to be made after returning, which meant that it was just in time for the start of the Sin Banquet.
After nodding and saying their goodbyes, everyone left.
Xu Ming, however, found the three elders of the Li Clan before leaving, told them about Lin An's situation, and also explained the matter of the Sin Banquet.
"Thank you for informing me, Fellow Daoist Xu. If you ever need anything in the future, my Li Clan will certainly lend a hand."
Li Tan and the other two spoke earnestly.
"If the three of you could put in a good word for me with Brother Lin, that would be a great help," Xu Ming said with a smile.
The Xu Clan is the most powerful family in the Northern Cold Region, and his father is an Immortal Realm expert. Even if the Li Clan wanted to help, they wouldn't be qualified to do so, to put it bluntly.
Compared to that, Xu Ming valued his relationship with Lin An more; otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered to specifically inform the Li Clan of the news.
After Xu Ming left, Li Tan and the other two thought about it for a while and then made a decision.
"The three of us will wait here for the young master to come out."
"Immediately relay the news of the Sin Banquet back to the clan. Although we are not here, letting those old fellows take charge is just as effective."
Li Tan thought for a moment and said, "Also, let Meng'er know about the young master's situation. Although we don't know why the domain lord suddenly summoned the young master, we can have Meng'er mention it to the domain lord."
The other two nodded and then began passing on the message.
Two more days passed quickly.
News of the impending Sin Banquet spread among the top powers in the Domain.
Immediately, all the top forces began to make preparations, and many old monsters who had been in seclusion for cultivation also emerged to prepare for the upcoming battle.
The atmosphere in the entire Domain seemed to become tense.
Meanwhile, within the Pill Dao Origin Sea, Lin An had reached a crucial moment.
[You consumed 1 billion attribute points to comprehend the Origin of the Dao of Alchemy, and gained a wealth of insights into Dao of Alchemy.]
[You have grasped the Immortal Pill Intent; your secondary profession, alchemist, has been upgraded to the Immortal Rank.]
As the system's voice faded, the entire Pill Dao Origin Sea began to boil.
Countless primordial crimson patterns flew in, causing the Pill Pattern Lotus Platform beneath Lin An to fully take shape.
At the same time, under the impact of the Immortal Alchemist's power, Lin An also felt another crack appear on the Lifespan Shackles.
"Perhaps even without breaking through to the Immortal Realm, just reaching the Immortal Rank through a secondary profession can break the Lifespan Shackles," Lin An thought to himself.
[You have become the first Immortal Rank Alchemist in the entire server. Congratulations on receiving the special reward: Foundation of the Dao of Alchemy.]
[ Foundation of the Dao of Alchemy ]: A unique item that can be fused with the Heart of Auxiliary Cultivation of Heart of Auxiliary Cultivation to enhance its effects.
Hearing the system's voice, Lin An slowly opened his eyes, a smile on his face.
Immortal alchemist has been achieved!
He then looked at the Foundation of the Dao of Alchemy. Unlike the bluestone tablet of the Foundation of the Dao of Formations, the Foundation of the Dao of Alchemy was a perfectly round golden pill.
Lin An used it directly.
[ Your Foundation of the Dao of Alchemy has successfully merged with your Heart of Auxiliary Cultivation, enhancing the effectiveness of your Auxiliary Heart of Auxiliary Cultivation.]
[ Heart of Auxiliary Cultivation ]: Awakened One Talent. The effects of all auxiliary cultivation items you create (cultivate) are increased by 1365%, the time required for creation (cultivation) is reduced by 95%, the success rate of creation (cultivation) is increased to 100%, and the chance of benign mutation is increased by 95%. You can continue to fuse new Heart of Auxiliary Cultivation to enhance the effects.
The effect increased by another 500%, reaching 1365%. Now, any pill he refines is more than ten times more effective than those of others.
Moreover, this applies not only to elixirs, but also to formations, weapons, and so on.
"Now that alchemists and formation masters have reached the Immortal Rank, there are still eleven of the thirteen secondary professions that haven't reached the Immortal Rank yet. The task ahead is arduous and the road is long."
Then another server-wide announcement rang out, but Lin An was too lazy to listen to it, as he was already used to it.
It's time to leave.
Lin An glanced at the Pill Dao Origin Sea, and with a thought, his figure disappeared.