Chapter 39: Chapter 39: The Tip of the Iceberg

What a brilliant, open scheme.

An open scheme that cultivators found both irresistible and delightful.

Lin Changheng’s understanding of the upper echelons of the Cultivation Realm deepened once more.

They were far from mediocre.

After chatting a while longer, Lin Changheng left Xu Fugui to his rest. They made plans to go out for a celebratory drink once he had fully recovered, and then Lin Changheng departed.

Lin Changheng did try to bring up the Spirit Stones for the Essence Blood, but Xu Fugui’s reaction was explosive. He vehemently refused the payment, his words full of righteous indignation. He even went so far as to frame it as a matter of "sacrificing for a just cause," leaving Lin Changheng utterly speechless and with no choice but to drop the matter.

As he was leaving, Xu Fugui leaned in conspiratorially. "If that old Chen Family coot at the Sixth Layer of Qi Cultivation is confirmed to be crippled for good," he whispered, "the family will issue another set of contributions and rewards."

He promised that when the time came, a share of that reward would be for Brother Lin!

He’d said his piece, making it impossible for Lin Changheng to refuse.

Hurrying back to his courtyard, Lin Changheng looked at the numerous empty bottles in the box before him with considerable satisfaction.

Within his sea of consciousness, the earthy-yellow Treasure Seed at the Tripod Mouth trembled lightly.

[Pan Mountain Turtle Treasure Species: Spirit Stealing Metamorphosis]

[Spirit Stealing: 54/100]

...

「Barely two days later.」

Lin Changheng received a letter.

It was from the Upper Sect Purple Extreme Sect, signed by none other than Mo Zhaoli.

Ink Master’s beloved granddaughter.

For the past few years, Lin Changheng had received several letters from her annually. In them, she would describe her current situation and share news and what she had seen and heard.

Lin Changheng always made sure to reply promptly, diligently maintaining their connection.

This time, as Lin Changheng opened the letter, he was met with Mo Zhaoli’s joyful news—she had finally broken through to the Sixth Layer of Qi Cultivation!

’Finally?!’

Lin Changheng was left somewhat speechless.

’Has it only been three years? It feels like even less than that, and she’s already broken through to the Sixth Layer of Qi Cultivation? A Middle Grade Spirit Root with fifty wisps of Spiritual Charm is terrifyingly fast!’

But then he reconsidered. Mo Zhaoli had the full support of her grandfather, Ink Master, a Middle Grade Alchemist. Plus, she had the resources she’d fought for herself within the Purple Extreme Sect...

Considering all that, breaking through to the Sixth Layer of Qi Cultivation in less than three years seemed quite reasonable after all.

’I think Mo Zhaoli is only around twenty-three, right? Tsk, tsk. Already at the Sixth Layer of Qi Cultivation. Her future is truly bright.’

In the Cultivation Realm, the general consensus was that if a cultivator could reach the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation before forty, their chances of reaching Foundation Establishment were considered quite good.

If they managed it by thirty, their chances of reaching Foundation Establishment were considered exceptionally high.

This was because they would have ample time to leisurely polish their bottleneck, accumulate the power needed for a breakthrough, and even seek out a Foundation Establishment Pill.

With such thorough preparations, the probability of success was naturally higher.

Conversely, if someone still hadn’t even touched the Foundation Establishment bottleneck by their fifties, it was basically a lost cause.

Never mind the lack of preparation time for Foundation Establishment; the decline of one’s Qi and Blood and the decay of the physical body were themselves immense, insurmountable hurdles on the path.

...

Further on in the letter, Mo Zhaoli made a request.

She asked Lin Changheng to visit Ink Master on her behalf from time to time.

She explained that her grandfather had been feeling down lately after the recent death of a close friend from the family, a fact she’d gleaned from the tone of his replies to her own letters.

She believed he must have been hit hard by the news.

Out of concern, and since she couldn’t be there to keep her grandfather company, Mo Zhaoli was making this special request.

’A close friend from the family recently passed away?’

Lin Changheng would not refuse, of course. Whether out of personal feeling, logic, or obligation, it was the right thing to do.

He hadn’t noticed anything, however. He and Ink Master had crossed paths a few times outside the Alchemy Room, and on the surface, the older man had seemed perfectly normal.

There had been no sign of distress.

...

At the end of the letter, Mo Zhaoli mentioned an important piece of information closely related to the Xu Family.

But its focus wasn’t on the Xu Family—it was on the Chen Family!

According to the letter, the Chen Family had been busy currying favor within the Purple Extreme Sect, presenting lavish gifts in search of backing.

They were most likely preparing to move against the Xu Family and gain an advantage in the Wilderness Valley.

However, no one within the Purple Extreme Sect was taking the bait.

It wasn’t for lack of desire. The Sect had issued stern and repeated decrees: its disciples were to act as coordinators and managers of the pioneering efforts, not to meddle and become entangled in the web of interests, shackled by greed and swept away by profit.

One’s fundamental stance had to be correct from the outset to prevent such abuses!

"The Chen Family, unwilling to give up, has apparently turned to the Noble Families instead. I don’t know how that’s progressing. The Xu Family should start preparing."

"I’ve told Grandfather about this as well."

Lin Changheng gazed at the elegant script, knowing full well that the young woman felt no true sense of belonging to the Xu Family. Her concern was merely an extension of the love she had for her grandfather.

This also meant it wouldn’t be easy for the Xu Family to ask any favors of her.

Besides, Mo Zhaoli was still developing her own standing and likely didn’t have much say within the Sect yet.

...

He picked up a brush to write a reply.

He agreed to look in on Ink Master and also updated her on his own situation.

He mentioned that he could now occasionally refine Masterpiece Pills, that his Alchemy Dao was progressing, and that his own cultivation had broken through to the Fourth Layer of Qi Cultivation.

He stated frankly that the Xu Family was currently bogged down in a war, and since he wasn’t skilled in Magical Combat, it was best for him to focus on his Alchemy.

The implication was a request for Mo Zhaoli to keep his breakthrough confidential.

This calculated disclosure of information was the result of Lin Changheng’s careful deliberation.

He did it to increase his own perceived value.

The ability to refine Masterpiece Pills meant he had the potential to become a Tier One Middle Grade Alchemist.

And since it had been nearly four years since he became an Entry Tier Alchemist, it was appropriate to reveal a glimpse of his progress.

It wasn’t world-shatteringly shocking, but it did show a fair bit of talent.

Soon, he would also sell a few Masterpiece Pills to the Hundred Treasures Hall for the first time, further increasing his standing within the Xu Family.

Only then would he have a chance to get his hands on the Xu Family’s Middle Grade Alchemy Secret Transmission.

All that was left was to wait for the situation to develop.

It was beyond his control.

...

Lin Changheng’s dual advancement in both the Alchemy Dao and his Cultivation also served to keep the gap between his and Mo Zhaoli’s level from widening any further.

A connection couldn’t be sustained on past sentiment alone.

Adding the "interest" of future potential could help bridge that gap for now.

When the gap between two people’s stations widens, it is an inevitable consequence of complex human nature that the one in the lower position loses their voice and is taken less seriously.

And even though Mo Zhaoli had just reached the Sixth Layer of Qi Cultivation, the overall gap between them was, in fact, shrinking.

Lin Changheng didn’t want to be treated as a relic of the past, someone remembered out of nostalgia. To be seen as an equal, to have a mutual exchange of information, it was necessary to flex his muscles a little.

Only by doing so could he ensure a continuous flow of information from the Purple Extreme Sect. After all, it was a Core Formation Sect, the hegemon of its region. This connection allowed him a glimpse into the grander scheme of things, letting him make his own plans well in advance.

...

「That afternoon.」

After finishing his alchemy for the day, Lin Changheng headed straight for the Hundred Treasures Hall.

"Alchemist Lin! Here to sell some elixirs?"

The steward, Xu Xuyang, immediately brightened. His handlebar mustache twitched as he hurried out to greet him. This was a major client.

Whether he was selling elixirs or buying Magical Artifacts and Arrays, it was always the same.

He never batted an eye at the cost.

"Sir, take a look at these elixirs."

Lin Changheng gave a noncommittal grunt and pushed a box of elixirs forward.

"One moment, please."

Xu Xuyang produced a copper mirror-like Authentication Spiritual Artifact and scanned the elixirs one by one.

It identified them by the variations in their medicinal aura.

Lin Changheng watched with a faint smile.

The surface of the Copper Mirror consistently flashed with a yellow light, confirming they were all Genuine Pills.

Then, just as he was about to finish, the Copper Mirror suddenly shuddered and flashed with a glint of golden light.

"Huh? What’s this?"