Evening fell, and dusk settled over the land.
Nestled by mountains and water, bathed in a hazy, rosy glow, the Xu Family's residence was a wondrous sight, the likes of which he had never seen in his past life.
Lin Changheng had no intention of lingering and had already returned to the small courtyard assigned to him in the Tingchao Dojo.
It was tidy enough and free of dust. 'Someone must clean it regularly,' he thought.
His Magical Power was greatly depleted after the Magical Combat, and he urgently needed to meditate and regulate his breathing. Keeping his Magical Power at its peak to face any situation in optimal condition was a fundamental rule of being prudent.
The Xu Family was holding a meeting to discuss and analyze the details of the attack, formulate speculations, and decide on countermeasures. It was not a place for an outsider, and Lin Changheng had no desire to get involved, so he had excused himself and returned on his own.
By the time night fell, Lin Changheng's Magical Power was once again full. He exhaled a breath of turbid air and began to inspect his spoils of war.
He had put away the Hammerhead Spiritual Artifact at the first opportunity. That way, even if the Xu Family later confiscated the Tribulation Cultivator's Storage Bag, he wouldn't be at too much of a loss.
Who would have thought that Shopkeeper Xu would provide an assist, pointing out his contribution and landing him a Storage Bag as well.
Lin Changheng couldn't deny it, and it would be foolish to refuse a freebie, so he accepted it directly.
'It's not like I defeated an opponent of a higher realm,' he reasoned. 'I have some talent for Magical Combat, but it's not so heaven-defying as to draw excessive attention.'
'My reputation for Alchemy should overshadow this, so I'm not worried about being drafted into a reclamation team.'
He was determined to make those Pills!
If the Xu Family insisted on other plans for him, he naturally wouldn't be so foolish as to just meekly obey.
Soon, he had emptied out the contents of the Storage Bag he'd acquired.
The only things of value were three Lower Grade Elixirs, a vial of unknown Poison, two Lower Grade Talismans, and eight Lower Grade Spirit Stones.
For a Cultivator in the Early Stage of Qi Cultivation, this was a considerable sum.
In addition, there were two small, yellowed booklets titled *Earth Source Technique* and *Qi Concealing Skill*.
The rest were just some personal effects, which Lin Changheng promptly burned to a crisp.
'Of course I won't ingest these Elixirs rashly. I'll sell them directly to the clan later and see if they'll take them.'
'I can keep the Talismans and the Poison for now. When I sell the Elixirs, I'll have someone appraise them at the same time. The origins of these items are clear and legitimate, so I can show them to people. As for this Earth Element Technique, I have no use for it. But the *Qi Concealing Skill* could be useful for hiding my Cultivation level after I break through.'
'As for this Storage Bag, I'll ask about it too. Even though it's secondhand, it should still be worth a good few dozen Spirit Stones.'
Soon, Lin Changheng had a basic plan: liquidate as much as possible.
He then took out the Hammerhead Spiritual Artifact.
He hadn't had time to examine it closely before, but now, a single glance made him shake his head.
The hammer's head was quite old, with obvious nicks and damage.
'In this condition, it would probably shatter in a more intense Magical Combat.'
That was very dangerous.
If a Magical Artifact shattered mid-collision, it would create an opening. The enemy's weapon could accelerate, leaving no time to react. A direct hit would mean death or serious injury.
'I have to sell it.'
Lin Changheng made his decision.
'Besides, having two Attacking Spiritual Artifacts is useless for me right now. I'll trade for a Defensive Spiritual Artifact later and alternate between them.'
He was currently at the Third Layer of Qi Cultivation. Only after breaking through to the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation could he wield two Lower Grade Spiritual Artifacts or one Middle Grade Spiritual Artifact simultaneously.
For now, it could only be a spare.
...
But the next day, before he could even leave, someone came knocking on his door. "Mr. Lin, are you there?"
Lin Changheng rose, having already guessed what this was about. He opened the door to find a young clan member at the Second Layer of Qi Cultivation.
"An Elder has summoned you. He wishes to see you in the Alchemy Room."
"Please lead the way."
'Just as I thought,' Lin Changheng noted inwardly, his expression perfectly calm. He followed the young man from the Black Water Lakefront toward the mountains behind it.
Many great halls were built there.
Each served its own function.
Along the way, they saw many clan members coming and going, creating a lively atmosphere.
The two of them went straight to a large hall. On the left were only Pill Rooms; on the right were the Talisman and Artifact Rooms.
At this time, five or six people were already waiting inside. In the center stood an aged senior of the Xu Family.
His white hair was sparse, his face withered like pine bark, and his eyes, though cloudy, would occasionally flash with a keen light, like the embers of an unextinguished furnace.
Lin Changheng recognized this man. His name was Xu Qianyan, and he was an Upper Grade Alchemist of the Xu Family.
He held a lofty position, did not concern himself with mundane affairs, and was dedicated to the Alchemy Dao, leading all the other Pill Masters.
Ink Master was standing beside him. Upon seeing Lin Changheng arrive, he smiled and beckoned him over.
"Greetings, Chief. Greetings, Ink Master."
Lin Changheng stepped forward and paid his respects, neither servile nor overbearing.
Xu Qianyan glanced at Lin Changheng, his expression unchanging. He simply nodded and said, "Then let's begin."
"Alright."
Lin Changheng didn't dawdle, nodding in agreement at once.
A Pill Master immediately led him into the corridor on the left that led to the Alchemy Room. Just then, a commotion erupted from the other side of the hall.
Faint, jumbled voices could be heard shouting things like "Success!" and "Congratulations!"
Lin Changheng followed the gazes of the others and saw a woman emerge from the opposite corridor, immediately swarmed by a group of young Xu Family disciples.
Cloud-like hair and a flower-like face, a tall figure, and a graceful, noble bearing.
These were the first impressions most people had upon seeing her.
Tantai Feiyue.
Her name surfaced in Lin Changheng's mind: the Commandery Princess of a mortal dynasty.
He hadn't seen her in ten years. This "Bright Pearl" had not been tarnished by dust; instead, she had grown even more brilliant and dazzling.
So much so that she had attracted a swarm of buzzing bees and butterflies.
'Has she become an Entry Tier Talisman Master? It seems she passed the assessment and earned the Xu Family's recognition…'
Lin Changheng instantly surmised.
In the next instant, as if sensing something, Tantai Feiyue, who was surrounded by the crowd, lifted her gaze. Her bright eyes passed through all obstructions to meet his.
Their eyes met for several breaths.
Lin Changheng gave a faint smile and offered a respectful salute with clasped hands.
Tantai Feiyue seemed lost in thought for a moment before giving a gentle nod and a slight curtsy in return.
Instantly, the gazes of many young Xu Family disciples around her followed hers, becoming extremely vigilant. Some even looked at him as if he were a bitter enemy.
'Lunatics! They get jealous over something like this?! A bunch of guys who think with their dicks!'
Lin Changheng's face twitched slightly. He immediately turned toward the Alchemy Room with a deadpan expression, thinking to himself, 'This woman is too dazzling.'
'And that means trouble!'
What he needed was to cultivate prudently and develop steadily.
His first priority was to avoid people who could bring him trouble.
'Men or women, the farther away, the better!'
RUMBLE!
The great door to Room C-5 of the Alchemy Room rumbled shut, and Lin Changheng's figure disappeared inside.
「At dusk.」
Lin Changheng returned to the main hall once more. The Pill Master guiding him held a Pill Box and reported to the front.
"Not bad. Congratulations, Alchemist Lin, on becoming a 'Named Honored Guest' of our clan. You will enjoy the corresponding benefits and, of course, bear the corresponding responsibilities! Our clan will not mistreat anyone, as long as you have value!"
Xu Qianyan announced after only a single glance at the Elixir.
When Lin Changheng heard the first half of the announcement, his expression remained as placid as an old well.
But when he heard the second half, his eyes lit up slightly. "This junior is all ears!"
"From now on, our clan's Middle Grade Techniques, Middle Grade Spiritual Artifacts, Middle Grade Elixirs, the Middle Grade Spirit Vein Main Trunk Region, and so on—anything of the Middle Grade, aside from secret family techniques with other requirements—will all be available for you to exchange for!"
"Furthermore, during the 'Great Reclamation,' you will not need to go to the Wilderness Frontline. You can remain in the rear and focus on Alchemy in peace!"