Chapter 162 - 150: Puppet Obtained, Seeking a Pill for Foundation Establishment

Chapter 162: Chapter 150: Puppet Obtained, Seeking a Pill for Foundation Establishment

In Qingxi Villa.

"It was a stroke of inspiration, a moment of luck, that’s all."

Looking at Yan Mingyi’s pretty face, Lin Changheng’s gaze was calm as he chuckled.

’So the rumors are true?’

Yan Mingyi got her answer. A look of deep surprise appeared on her face, which then melted into a charming smile. "My congratulations, Brother Lin."

"Thank you."

Lin Changheng nodded to himself. ’The news even reached the reclusive Yan grandfather and granddaughter. It seems Deng Changsheng did his job well; the results are immediate.’

He believed that it wouldn’t be long before many people came seeking his services for pill refining. However, what Lin Changheng wanted were Foundation Establishment Cultivators looking to have Tier Two Pills refined.

Only after his success rate and the quality of his Tier Two Pills were proven would he be able to attract Cultivators who possessed the materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

After all, no one was a fool. People would be cautious with something as precious as the materials for a Foundation Establishment Pill. They wouldn’t just hand them over for a newly promoted Tier Two Alchemist to practice with.

There would be a process to this.

It would require a demonstration of skill, the test of time, and the proof of a good reputation...

Lin Changheng had the patience and enough time to wait.

He was in no hurry.

...

Yan Mingyi was clearly very happy for Lin Changheng. Then, she suddenly asked, "Brother Lin, are you moving to the Outer Lake?"

"Hm?"

Lin Changheng was caught off guard. He hadn’t considered this question yet.

After a moment of thought, he said, "I don’t have any plans for that at the moment. I’m quite comfortable living here at Yunjian Que, and I’m in no hurry to move out."

This was true. Lin Changheng wouldn’t change his residence just for a better environment or more comfort. After all, the network of connections he had built here was still very useful.

If he were to move, there would be only one reason: a greater benefit driving him to do so.

"Is that so?" Yan Mingyi’s expression relaxed, and a smile suddenly blossomed on her face.

This made Lin Changheng pause in surprise.

’Such a girlish demeanor...’

’It couldn’t be...’

An outrageous thought popped into his head.

He quickly found a reason for it. ’Our families are close and have known each other for a long time. If it were me, I wouldn’t want to lose a good neighbor I’m familiar with either.’

"Alchemist Lin, I’ve kept you waiting."

Just then, Puppet Master Yan walked out from the house, still dressed in his black cloth robes, his figure even more stooped than before.

"Haha, I was just hoping to freeload a meal. After all, Miss Yan’s cooking is superb and truly unforgettable."

Lin Changheng laughed heartily and also rose from his seat to greet him.

Hearing the praise, Yan Mingyi, who was beside them, accepted it graciously, the corners of her lips curling up slightly.

Puppet Master Yan came closer, looked at his granddaughter with loving affection, and gently stroked her Cyan Silk with his old hand. He then turned to Lin Changheng and smiled, saying:

"If you like her cooking, just come by more often. It’s just a matter of adding another set of bowl and chopsticks. And you don’t have to worry about eating this old man into poverty. Hehe, after being a Puppet Master for so many years, I still have some savings."

Lin Changheng just smiled and nodded.

"Then I’ll go make some food. Grandpa, Brother Lin, you two take your time and chat."

With her grandfather there to entertain the guest, Yan Mingyi excused herself, rolled up her sleeves, and went into the kitchen.

The two men watched the Female Cultivator go off to get busy. Puppet Master Yan picked up a piece of candied fruit, tossed it into his mouth, and said with a smile, "Alchemist Lin, you’ve come at the perfect time. The thing you wanted, this old one has just finished it."

"Oh?"

A look of pleasant surprise appeared on Lin Changheng’s face.

Puppet Master Yan nodded, swiped his hand over his Storage Bag, and in a flash, two black shadows appeared.

Two dark, heavy Puppets, chest-high, materialized before him.

"If Alchemist Lin wants help in Magical Combat or for his Guardian Dao, Puppet Beasts are an excellent choice." The explanation came at just the right moment.

Lin Changheng’s gaze was already sizing up the two Puppet Beasts:

Their bodies were pitch-black like ink. The material seemed to be a mix of Gold and wood, yet it gave off an extremely hard impression.

Both were chest-high, casting a shadow, their forms as solid as iron towers.

One had a slightly hunched back, identical to a fierce tiger ready to pounce, with sharp fangs and Sharp Claws, and two rows of sharp barbs protruding from its shoulder blades.

The other stood upright with its wings folded, possessing a sharp beak—it was clearly a giant eagle Puppet.

"What fine craftsmanship!"

Lin Changheng couldn’t help but exclaim in praise as he reached out to touch them.

They felt cold and hard. Moreover, they were fearless in the face of death and felt no pain—excellent aids for Magical Combat.

"I’m glad you like them."

Puppet Master Yan stroked his beard, looking a bit smug, and tossed over a Jade Scroll. "This is the corresponding Puppet Control Skill."

Holding the Jade Scroll, Lin Changheng waved his hand and stored away the two Tier One Upper Grade Masterpiece Puppet Beasts.

At the same time, he paid a considerable sum of Spirit Stones.

The price of an Upper Grade Spiritual Artifact was around six hundred Spirit Stones. An Upper Grade Masterpiece Magical Artifact could sell for nine hundred, something even an Early Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator could use for a time.

The price of an Upper Grade Masterpiece Puppet was several tenths more expensive than a Masterpiece Spiritual Artifact of the same grade, but there were also big differences in price between Puppets of different types and sizes.

Puppet Master Yan had only charged him the cost of materials, essentially doing the labor for free. Lin Changheng would naturally remember this favor.

Now, seeing how the Puppet Master’s injuries were worsening, Lin Changheng was beginning to faintly understand his intentions.

...

「During the meal.」

Puppet Master Yan suddenly asked, "Alchemist Lin, you must be almost sixty, right?"

"That’s right, not many years off," Lin Changheng nodded.

Puppet Master Yan was suddenly filled with emotion. There was less than a ten-year age difference between them, yet he himself looked old and decrepit, like a candle flickering in the wind, while Alchemist Lin was in his prime. To anyone who didn’t know better, he looked like he hadn’t even reached thirty...

’Is the effect of a Wood Element Technique combined with a Solid Face Pill really that good?’

"I wonder, what are Alchemist Lin’s thoughts on Foundation Establishment? Are you going to risk it?"

"I’d like to give it a try, but it will depend on fate."

Lin Changheng didn’t want to lie, so he could only answer vaguely.

"True. Forcibly attempting Foundation Establishment without a Foundation Establishment Pill is too dangerous. The potential loss outweighs the gain; it’s not worth it."