Xu Xuyang froze for a moment, then continued to examine the pills.

He had been trading with Lin Changheng for so long that he’d come to admire the man’s Alchemy Skill. Every elixir was a genuine, Middle Grade Pill of outstanding quality, a testament to his profound foundation.

But he had never produced anything close to a Masterpiece Pill.

BUZZ BUZZ—

A golden light flashed from the Copper Mirror again, and this time, Xu Xuyang saw it clearly.

"Alchemist Lin, congratulations! Your Alchemy Dao has progressed, and you’ve refined a Masterpiece Pill!"

As the congratulations rang out, Lin Changheng simply smiled. "An accumulation of effort that has finally borne fruit."

He was neither arrogant nor impatient, his demeanor as calm as a cloudless sky.

Seeing the man’s composure, Xu Xuyang gave him a deep look and nodded. "With such a mindset, Alchemist Lin, your future achievements will be anything but low."

"Thank you for your kind words, senior."

Xu Xuyang continued to appraise the other elixirs.

Yellow light... yellow light... a golden light!

"Another Masterpiece Pill?"

Xu Xuyang was starting to lose his composure, though it was mostly out of pleasant surprise.

The way he looked at Lin Changheng was like a lecherous fiend laying eyes on a peerless beauty, or a starving ghost discovering a grand feast.

"After accumulating more experience and consolidating my insights over the next three batches, I finally managed to produce another one."

Lin Changheng had already prepared his explanation. This implied he could replicate the feat—it wasn’t just a random fluke or a stroke of luck.

That made it a completely different matter of value!

"Excellent."

After quickly settling the transaction with Lin Changheng and paying him the Spirit Stones, Xu Xuyang saw him out. He then hurriedly clutched the two Masterpiece Pills and departed from the hall.

He entered the Gui Feng Dojo in the core area.

...

Afterward, Lin Changheng made his way to the Ink Master’s small courtyard.

This was another Dao Field, called "Guanxia," built upon the main trunk of a Middle Grade Spiritual Vein.

The Spiritual Qi here was at least three times as dense as it was on the branch veins.

Both cultivators at Middle Stage Qi Cultivation and Honored Guest Elders were permitted to live here.

Neither Lin Changheng nor Tantai Feiyue had moved, both having concealed their breakthroughs to the Middle Stage.

They still resided in the Tingchao Dojo.

After shamelessly mooching a meal and some drinks, Lin Changheng told the Ink Master that he could now refine Masterpiece Pills.

The Ink Master’s face immediately filled with pride, along with the distinct joy of a mentor.

The words "I taught him" were practically written across his face.

The Ink Master immediately brought out his treasured Spirit Wine, and the two of them toasted and drank merrily.

As the flush of wine crept onto his face, the Ink Master began to speak of his friend’s death.

He, too, had been a Middle Grade Alchemist, by the name of Xu Hanli.

Though he belonged to the "Han" generation, the same as Xu Hanji, he wasn’t a young man but an elder.

He had come from a mortal branch of the Xu Family, born in a common town. After being discovered to have a Spirit Root and a talent for alchemy, he was brought into the Xu Clan.

He and the Ink Master had become good friends.

But recently, while gathering materials for alchemy, he was ambushed by the Chen Family, slain on the spot, and beheaded.

To lose a friend in his old age, and for his friend’s body to be desecrated... the Ink Master’s grief was beyond words.

’Ambushed? Could it have been at the Black Dragon Pond Fishery?’

A thought sparked in Lin Changheng’s mind as he kept his master company.

Lin Changheng offered some words of comfort while subtly probing for more information. The Ink Master, half-drunk, spoke evasively, but Lin Changheng was still able to piece together a clear answer.

’It really was the Black Dragon Pond Fishery!’

Everything clicked into place.

That also explained why Bai Fengxian and the others had been dispatched to stand guard there.

’Losing a Middle Grade Alchemist must be a crippling blow even for the Xu Family, wouldn’t it?’

Lin Changheng thought. ’In that case, the Xu Family will have no choice but to go all out on the front lines. They might even be plotting a way to attack the Chen Family from behind.’

They drank for a while longer. Before leaving, Lin Changheng circulated his Magical Power to dispel most of the alcohol’s effects.

He needed to ensure he was clear-headed while walking back. It was the only way to be safe.

Yet his mind was churning. ’Since the Xu Family is now short one Middle Grade Alchemist, does that mean they’ll need to cultivate another one to fill the vacancy?’

’Otherwise, their external supply of elixirs will surely suffer.’

Then he suddenly recalled the cryptic advice from his "brother" of convenience, Xu Xuzhong, the Vice Hall Master of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall: "When you return, be sure to reflect deeply on the Alchemy Dao and diligently refine your Alchemy Skill..."

Lin Changheng drew a sharp breath.

His eyes widened, a thrill of excitement coursing through him.

’I finally understand the hidden meaning behind his words... This might be a real opportunity!’

Just then, a gentle night breeze whispered by, rustling the leaves and parting the clouds overhead, allowing moonlight to spill down.

The path before him was bathed in silver, a road of light to walk upon.

...

「Less than half a month later.」

Someone came looking for him.

WHOOSH...

Lin Changheng ceased circulating the Night Illuminating Fire technique, which he had already cultivated to the Skilled realm. He then deactivated the Tier One Lower Grade Spirit Gathering Array.

The Spirit Gathering Array consumed a considerable amount of power. It used a Spirit Stone to gather Spirit Vein Qi, and the stone had to be replaced every three days. He only activated it when needed to avoid waste.

Now that his Night Illuminating Fire had reached the Skilled level, his cultivation speed had increased by twenty percent. He could feel the tangible progress after each session, a truly satisfying feeling.

This steady progress was addictive.

"Coming."

Lin Changheng opened the door to find not one of his fellow cultivators, but an unfamiliar Female Cultivator from the Xu Family. "May I help you?"

"The Young Miss requests your presence."

The Female Cultivator said, offering a polite bow.

’The Young Miss?’ 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Lin Changheng was surprised.

In the entire Xu Family, only Xu Hanji was addressed as the Young Miss.

An image of a young woman in a purple dress, coolly radiant, surfaced in his mind.

’She wants to see me?’

’We have no daily contact, we’ve never even spoken. Why would she be looking for me?’

’Could it be... related to the Alchemy Dao? That’s the only possible reason. After all, I just revealed I can make Masterpiece Pills.’

"Please, lead the way."

He locked his door and followed the Female Cultivator.

...

Within the Gui Feng Dojo.

An elegant little courtyard beside a small waterfall.

Lin Changheng followed the Female Cultivator into the courtyard.

This Dao Field was truly different. No Spiritual Qi leaked out from the residences; it was all contained within each building.

Each was equipped with an extraordinary Spirit Gathering Array. He couldn’t determine their exact grade, but they were definitely not Lower Grade.

Moreover, every courtyard was protected by a Defense Array, maximizing its security.

Lin Changheng clicked his tongue in amazement, his eyes burning with envy. ’Only a residence protected by such powerful arrays is worthy of being called a true cultivator’s abode, right?’

"Hurry and serve Mr. Lin some tea."

As Lin Changheng entered the main hall and took a seat, a clear, cool voice rang out.

It was cool, but not cold; a reflection of her nature, not of arrogance.

Lin Changheng turned to look. This time, Xu Hanji was dressed in a pale yellow gown, her hair tied with a purple ribbon. Her skin, fairer than snow, seemed to make her glow.

Compared to her usual purple dress, this outfit softened her aloof aura, adding a touch of youthful charm.

"Greetings, Young Miss."

Lin Changheng rose to greet her, his bearing neither servile nor overbearing, his etiquette impeccable.

"Mr. Lin, please sit."

After exchanging some unspoken pleasantries, Xu Hanji got to the point. "I’ve heard that you, Mr. Lin, tended the furnaces for ten years without a single day of rest. Now, having finally achieved your breakthrough, you can already refine Masterpiece Pills. I am truly full of admiration."

’So, she’s finally getting to it.’

Lin Changheng relaxed internally, though his expression remained perfectly composed. "You praise me too much, Young Miss. It is merely the Celestial Dao rewarding the diligent."

Xu Hanji was surprised by his words, but a faint smile touched her lips as she thought, ’The Celestial Dao rewarding the diligent? How interesting. I usually only hear people curse the Celestial Dao as unjust or blind. This is the first time I’ve ever heard someone put it that way.’