Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Fugui’s Thank-You Gift

Lin Changheng, enjoying the banter, instantly understood the Commandery Princess’s meaning.

He couldn’t help but glance at her in surprise. ’She really is sharp as a tack.’

"Brother Lin, you catch on so quickly. You’re truly a genius. I’m deeply impressed."

Tantai Feiyue pursed her red lips and offered a smiling compliment. But Lin Changheng heard a teasing undertone. ’If I’m a "genius" for catching on so quickly, what does that make the person who gave me the hint in the first place?’

’In terms of wits, is she implying... she’s one-upping me?!’

’This girl!’

Lin Changheng feigned anger and was about to do something—a small "punishment"—but Tantai Feiyue gracefully dodged back and was already out the door.

All that remained was the crisp sound of her laughter, like pearls scattering on a jade plate.

"Brother Lin, it was a pleasure speaking with you today. Let us meet again soon..."

The encroaching night obscured his view as he watched her leave. Lin Changheng, meanwhile, began to ponder the female cultivator’s eye-opening words.

’Middle Grade Alchemy Dao, huh?’

’Now... perhaps there really is a way...’

...

Lin Changheng had intended to find a chance to visit the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall and ask about it.

But then he received some news.

Xu Fugui was back in the clan.

’Returning to the clan now? The fighting at the front is relentless. For Fugui to be sent back, he must be either seriously injured or crippled... I hope it’s just an injury, and he’s only here to recover.’

And so, Lin Changheng decided to make time to visit Fugui first.

"How is Fugui?"

Lin Changheng was respectfully led by Xu Fugui’s eldest son, Xu Yongcai, into a room where he saw Xu Fugui lying on a bed, recuperating.

"Brother Lin!"

Xu Fugui was thrilled to see Lin Changheng. He flailed his arms and struggled to sit up.

"Don’t move."

Lin Changheng set down the gift basket of Spirit Fruits he’d brought and gently pushed him back down, keeping him from moving.

Xu Fugui had no choice but to obey and lie back down, though he thanked him profusely.

Lin Changheng was curious about his effusive gratitude. After a bit of questioning, he learned what had happened.

Back then, the fight between the Xu Family and the Chen Family outside the valley had escalated into a life-or-death struggle. Xu Fugui, with his unconventional approach to Magical Combat, had managed to ambush and kill two Chen Family cultivators at the Fourth Layer of Qi Cultivation.

He never expected to be targeted by a furious old man from the Chen Family, a Sixth Layer Qi Cultivation cultivator, who began hunting him down for his sneaky tactics.

Startled, Xu Fugui had no intention of fighting back. He immediately picked a direction and fled.

He remembered that there were supposed to be two Sixth Layer Qi Cultivation cultivators from the Xu Family in this area.

But when he got there, he found only a patch of ground torn up by Magical Artifacts and Magic, with not a soul in sight.

Just then, the old man from the Chen Family caught up, approaching with a sinister grin.

With no other choice, Xu Fugui had to face him head-on. He didn’t realize how outmatched he was until they clashed.

After taking just a few blows, Xu Fugui felt his chest tighten and his breath catch. His Qi and Blood roiled, and he knew he couldn’t last.

’This bastard is too strong!’

There was no escape, but to continue fighting was certain death.

Gritting his teeth, Xu Fugui shoved an Elixir into his mouth and plunged headfirst into the valley’s Poisonous Miasma.

He vanished instantly.

The old man from the Chen Family, caught up in the heat of the moment, swallowed a pill and followed him in.

They chased each other inside for a long time.

...

Now, Xu Fugui’s face showed both lingering fear and the relief of a survivor. "If I hadn’t had that potent Decompression Pill from you, Brother Lin, to keep me going, I’m afraid I would have been trapped in there for good. I’m badly injured now, but at least I managed to keep my life."

"Oh?" Lin Changheng hadn’t expected his casual act of kindness to have such a significant outcome.

"Heh heh, but that old bastard wasn’t as lucky as me," Xu Fugui said. "He made it out of the Poisonous Miasma too, didn’t die in there, but the miasma invaded his body. He’s in for a world of hurt."

"Who knows, his cultivation might stall, or even regress because of the poison! That’s not impossible! It was so satisfying to get some payback."

A smug look appeared on Xu Fugui’s face, but it quickly turned solemn. "And that’s why I must thank you, Brother Lin, for saving my life."

Lin Changheng smiled at Fugui. "Alright then. Once you’re fully recovered, I’ll be curious to see how you plan on thanking me."

But then, Xu Fugui suddenly called out, "Hanling!"

A moment later, a smiling, gentle-looking young woman came in. "Did you call for me, husband?"

"Go get the item I told you about earlier."

"Alright." Xu Hanling turned and left the room.

Lin Changheng watched the couple’s exchange, a bit puzzled. A moment later, Xu Hanling returned carrying an exquisite little Wooden Box, which she placed on the table.

"Brother Lin, open it and have a look."

Xu Fugui grinned broadly, wiggling his eyebrows at Lin Changheng.

"Alright, let’s see what treasure you’ve got."

Lin Changheng was never one to hesitate. He stood, gave a nod to the departing Xu Hanling, and reached for the box. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

The moment he lifted the lid a crack, a faint, metallic scent of blood hit his nose.

The ever-perceptive Lin Changheng noticed it immediately.

And based on the unique scent, it seemed like the Essence Blood of a Pan Mountain Turtle.

’Could it be...’

He immediately threw the lid open.

Inside, the box was nearly full of sealed vials of Essence Blood.

A quick scan revealed nearly thirty vials!

"Well, Brother Lin? What do you think?"

Xu Fugui’s cheerful voice came from his side.

"Excellent. In that case, I’ll accept them."

Lin Changheng smiled. This was something he genuinely needed, so there was no reason to be polite or refuse the offer.

There were only the two of them in the room. Xu Fugui lowered his voice. "I haven’t mentioned this to anyone. Not my wife, not my children."

"You’re very thoughtful, Fugui. But how did you get these? Did you just happen to find a nest, or do you have a special source?"

Lin Changheng pressed.

He was hoping for the latter; it would mean a new source, not just this one-time windfall of Essence Blood.

"No, during a venture into the Wilderness, my clansmen discovered and killed a nest of Pan Mountain Turtles. The harvest was supposed to go to the stationed forces of the Sects, Noble Families, and some of the powerful Foundation Establishment Clans at the Mutual Market Point, but I used an excuse and some Spirit Stones to intercept it."

Xu Fugui explained honestly.

Lin Changheng nodded slightly. "You’ve mentioned the Mutual Market Point to me before."

A gathering place on the Wilderness Border for cultivators to rest and trade.

Xu Fugui said, "There’s something you don’t know, Brother Lin. The Mutual Market Point is incredibly popular now. Ninety percent of everything gained from the Wilderness goes through there. It’s not that they force you with their influence, but all those major powers have teamed up to form a complete supply chain. From Alchemy to Artifact Refining, from Talisman Making to Arrays, from Spiritual Food to Magic Robes—they’ve got it all covered."

"And here’s the brilliant part: as long as the cultivators and families who venture into the Wilderness provide the main materials, not only do they receive Spirit Stones, but they also get to buy back a corresponding quantity of finished products—Magical Artifacts, Elixirs, Talismans, and so on, made from those very materials—at a ten percent discount."

"Hsss... That’s a clever strategy."

Lin Changheng was stunned by the strategy. ’That way, not only do they use the gains from the Wilderness to fund more expeditions, but it also ensures that almost none of the Spiritual Materials and Spirit Medicines ever leave their sphere of influence. Everything ends up in the hands of the major powers!’

’On top of that, the cultivators themselves profit, earning a double reward on top of any merit they gain from the expeditions. Their motivation must be through the roof.’