Chapter 37 : Alchemist Zhou Qing

Chapter 37: Alchemist Zhou Qing

Inside the secluded chamber.

The Spirit-gathering Formation set at the four corners, driven by spirit stones, made the spiritual energy in the air noticeably denser.

【Qi Refining Stage Sixth Level +1 (23/100)】

Lin Chang’an slowly opened his eyes, a smile appearing on his face.

“As expected of the Spirit-gathering Formation that cost two hundred spirit stones, it really is worth the price.”

Although it consumed three spirit stones per day, he had to admit that the cultivation speed was indeed fast.

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth was chaotic and unorganized; aside from a cultivator’s own absorption, formations could accelerate the process.

Simply put, as the name suggested, it gathered more spiritual energy to improve the cultivation environment.

“However, this small Spirit-gathering Formation has a maximum output of just three spirit stones a day.”

Lin Chang’an was somewhat dissatisfied—ninety spirit stones a month; even cultivators from major clans wouldn't squander like this.

“Qi Refining Stage Sixth Level is still not enough. With the three major sects possibly breaking out in war at any moment, I must at least reach the late stage of Qi Refining to have the power to protect myself.”

Just as Lin Chang’an was deep in thought, a familiar voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

...

“Brother Lin, I’m here to trouble you again today.”

Zhou Qing, in his fifties, was a collateral disciple of the Beast-controlling Zhou Family.

With a cultivation at the Qi Refining Stage Eighth Level, he was an alchemist.

Upon seeing the visitor, Lin Chang’an smiled and stepped forward with a cupped-fist salute.

“Brother Zhou, your visit truly brings light to my humble abode.”

During the five years he spent in the Zhou Family, Zhou Qing had been a decent acquaintance, and they had often exchanged pills and talismans privately.

After all, without middlemen profiting, saving a bit was still saving.

“Brother Lin, don’t flatter me. You’re now a high-grade Talisman Master, living more comfortably than anyone.”

While saying this, Zhou Qing’s eyes drifted to the Spirit-gathering Formation inside the house, revealing a trace of envy.

Lin Chang’an chuckled and shook his head. Once inside, the two sipped tea and chatted familiarly about the situation outside, before proceeding to exchange goods.

“Brother Lin, this is a premium Golden Marrow Pill, a fair trade for your first-rank high-grade talisman.”

“Brother Zhou, this thing could save my life in a critical moment.”

Lin Chang’an said with a smile, though he was also somewhat curious, as Zhou Qing had been coming more frequently to trade for talismans lately.

Facing Lin Chang’an’s suspicion, Zhou Qing sighed helplessly and said:

“What else could it be? Everyone in the marketplace knows about the previous incident. The clan is currently stockpiling resources, preparing for Brother Tieshan’s Foundation Establishment. We're just afraid something might go wrong.”

After hearing this, Lin Chang’an understood.

The Zhou Family was a clear target, and Zhou Qing was simply trying to prevent further unrest by buying more talismans for protection.

It made sense—Lin himself carried dozens of talismans at all times just in case.

...

Half a month later.

Amidst the marketplace turmoil, it was also unusually bustling.

The discovery of the purple-gold mine had brought a flood of magical artifacts to Xuanyin Pavilion’s Treasure Pavilion.

On this day, however, Li Erniu was feeling a bit down and came looking for him to drink away his troubles.

“Brother Lin, the clan has been preparing Foundation Establishment materials lately. While the Zhou Family is on high alert, they’ve assigned me to handle a business matter.”

But Lin Chang’an had already figured it out.

The Zhou Family, just in case, had even arranged for Erniu to be stationed on the periphery—to prevent any oversight.

Even the honest and simple Li Erniu was somewhat disgruntled, openly referring to them as “the Zhou Family.”

“Erniu, this might not be a bad thing. Staying away from the center of trouble while handling a good job—doesn’t that beat taking risks outside the marketplace?”

Lin Chang’an offered comforting words with a smile.

Surely the Zhou Family wouldn’t assign him to something one day only to turn on him the next.

In that case, Erniu could be considered lucky—entrusted with a business venture that not only paid well but was also safe.

After a few cups of wine, Erniu thought it over carefully and realized Lin Chang’an might have a point.

He nodded earnestly and said, “Brother Lin, you’re right. This way I can also seize the time to cultivate and catch up to you sooner.”

Back then, Li Erniu had broken through to the Qi Refining Stage Fourth Level ahead of him.

Yet now, Lin Chang’an had surpassed him.

Lin Chang’an was already at the Qi Refining Stage Sixth Level, while he remained stuck at the Fifth Level.

At their current age, once they passed sixty, their blood and energy would begin to decline, so Li Erniu was holding back a fire within him, striving to see if he could break through to the late stage of Qi Refining before that decline set in.

Lin Chang’an usually didn’t enjoy drinking, but today he still drank a few cups with Erniu to comfort him.

In the end, as Lin Chang’an watched Erniu leave, his eyelids twitched slightly, giving him a bad feeling.

“Could it be that the Zhou Family is going to be in trouble again this time?”

Even Erniu, a son-in-law of over twenty years, had been assigned to the periphery—one could imagine the situation within the Zhou Family.

“Let’s hope these peaceful days aren’t shattered.”

Lin Chang’an sighed inwardly and could only pray that it wouldn’t involve him.

News of the Zhou Family preparing to attempt Foundation Establishment again spread, drawing the attention of many cultivators toward the second-rank alchemist under Xuanyin Pavilion.

After all, the Zhou Family Patriarch had already entered the residence of that second-rank alchemist for several days, clearly refining the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Among the drifting cultivators outside, few would dare to rob them outright, but if the cultivator robbers made a move, others might also seize the chaos to take a risk.

The past few days in the marketplace had clearly grown quieter.

...

“Brother Lin.”

That day, a familiar voice came again from outside the courtyard, and Alchemist Zhou Qing once more came to visit, rubbing his hands with an embarrassed look.

“Brother Lin, you know how big the incident was last time. I’m still worried this time and want to trade for two more high-grade Golden Light Talismans. Of course, I won’t take advantage of you—I’ve brought top-quality pills.”

Seeing Zhou Qing with a worried look, seemingly fearing another outbreak of chaos and wanting to buy two more talismans for his family’s protection, Lin Chang’an smiled and invited him in at once.

“Brother Zhou, no problem at all.”

After all, the two had traded privately more than once, and both understood the arrangement clearly.

Zhou Qing, just a first-rank mid-grade alchemist, could regularly offer fine pills—he had clearly pocketed a bit for himself.

But this had nothing to do with Lin.

“Brother Lin, it’s always you I can count on. Don’t worry, I’ll never shortchange you.”

Zhou Qing smiled broadly as he followed Lin Chang’an into the house, but behind his smile, a flash of cold light flickered in his eyes.

However, once inside the house, Lin Chang’an’s nose twitched slightly, and a wave of irritation inexplicably rose from within his mana.

No! Something’s wrong!

In that instant, a strange gleam passed through Lin Chang’an’s eyes, and he glanced discreetly at his old friend and alchemist Zhou Qing.

“Brother Zhou, have a seat first. I’ll get you some tea.”

Lin Chang’an still wore a familiar smile, but a layer of cold sweat had already formed on his palms.

【Evergreen Art (Perfect: 1/10000)】

If it hadn’t been for the two books he’d recently bought from Yun Yao, both containing insights into cultivating the wood-element Evergreen Art,

he wouldn’t have achieved a breakthrough in comprehension and reached the Perfect Realm in the technique.

Aside from its life-extending and long-lasting meridian characteristics, the Evergreen Art also granted heightened sensitivity and resistance to toxins due to its wood attribute nature.

At the Perfect Realm, Lin Chang’an’s understanding of the art matched that of the cultivator who had originally created it.

Thus, he was able to detect the subtle toxins entering his body.

And beneath Zhou Qing’s friendly smile, the sachet hanging from his waist subtly released a faint scent.