Chapter 132: A Time for Gatherings and Partings
Chapter 132: Chapter 132: A Time for Gatherings and Partings
When the time comes, if I toss out a handful of them all at once, I’ll be lucky if one manages to graze a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and injure them.
’Wait, I’ve been thinking about this so much... but why would I even be fighting a Foundation Establishment Cultivator?’
Lin Changheng had almost been led astray by the old man, but he quickly came to his senses. This item was a last-resort self-defense tool, not something for offensive attacks.
’The path of caution must not be abandoned!’
"Then I’ll call you... Celestial Thunder Pearl."
As if guided by some unseen force, Lin Changheng gave the item this name.
After receiving the item, Lin Changheng didn’t stay long. He did, however, see several more people arriving, presumably also to request artifacts.
’It’s a good thing I came early, or I might have had to wait in line,’ Lin Changheng mused. ’If things are like this for me, a mere Tier One Upper Grade alchemist, it must be even more intense for a Tier Two Refiner.’
...
In the time that followed, Lin Changheng dedicated himself to alchemy. He not only finished refining the elixirs promised to the Jin Family but also crafted a variety of Marvelous Pills, enough to be sold piecemeal at the Cyan Spirit District’s auction for the next ten years.
Just as he had nearly exhausted his supply of Spirit Wood and Spirit Liquid for Body Refining, he went to Xu Hanji and requested a new batch.
He also handed over the newly refined elixirs.
At the same time, he subtly brought up the matter of his departure.
Xu Hanji was taken aback, clearly never having considered this possibility.
"Mr. Lin, has the family wronged you in some way?" she asked, her beautiful, unblinking eyes filled with confusion as she stared into his.
Lin Changheng shook his head. "You’re overthinking things, Young Miss. The family and I have always had a pleasant partnership; that’s not the issue. It’s just that I’m already fifty-two. If I continue to languish in the clan, I fear my Immortal Path will be severed, and any hope of Foundation Establishment will be lost..."
Xu Hanji clearly hadn’t expected this answer either and stood frozen for a moment.
’If I remember correctly, Mr. Lin has a Mixed Spirit Root, doesn’t he?’ she thought. ’And he still has such aspirations?’
In the Cultivation Realm, those with a Mixed Spirit Root were essentially hopeless cases for Foundation Establishment. While one couldn’t say there were zero precedents in the entire Song Territory, such a thing was certainly unheard of under the Purple Extreme Sect’s domain.
But she couldn’t bring herself to voice such a vicious, discouraging thought.
Not only would it be a blow to Lin Changheng’s Dao Heart, but it could also cause him to turn against them for "cursing his path," accelerating his departure from the Xu Family.
"Your unwavering Dao Heart is truly admirable, Mr. Lin. If every cultivator in our family possessed such resolve, what could stop the Xu Family from rising?"
Finally, Xu Hanji offered a faint smile.
"The family is already the envy of many a Qi Cultivation Clan. The first layer of a nine-story pagoda has been built; the future is bright!"
Lin Changheng spoke from the heart.
In the rigidly stratified Cultivation Realm, there were few chances for change. Pioneering new lands was one, and the Xu Family had managed to seize the rare opportunity to acquire a Foundation Establishment Pill that came with it.
It was a confluence of luck, strength, and daring that brought them this far.
They exchanged a few more words, but Xu Hanji seemed distracted. Just as he was about to leave, she suddenly asked, "Is there any chance you might stay, Mr. Lin?"
She didn’t want Lin Changheng to leave. She couldn’t tell if it was for the good of the family or for her own selfish reasons, but she knew she couldn’t use the debt he owed the Xu Family to force him to stay.
She was well aware that the Xu Family’s nurturing of "immortal seedlings" and sons-in-law was a matter of mutual benefit. To be blunt... it was a transaction.
Indeed, the "immortal seedlings" who joined the Xu Family didn’t receive support for free; they were expected to contribute.
Sons-in-law would expend their potential to produce heirs.
Those learning skills would start as apprentices. Later, those who failed to reach Entry Tier would be sent to the front lines to pioneer new lands, while those who succeeded would continue their work in the Hundred Arts.
Take Lin Changheng, for example. He spent twelve years as an apprentice and the next twenty-two years completing family assignments without fail, with a cut taken from his alchemy profits. If they were to have a falling out, they could be considered even.
But Lin Changheng wouldn’t do such a thing. He still remembered the kindness the Xu Family had shown him.
...
Lin Changheng knew that by asking this, Xu Hanji was not just trying to retain him but was also inviting him to name his price.
Anything, as long as he stayed.
But Lin Changheng didn’t consider the possibility of romance at all. If there was anything between them, it was that she had taken advantage of him once when she wasn’t in her right mind after he’d saved her.
But for that to blossom into genuine affection...
Even Lin Changheng himself would find that ridiculous.
Regardless, Lin Changheng’s Dao Heart was resolute. To continue walking the Immortal Dao, staying was not an option.
He knew that if the Xu Family ever obtained a Foundation Establishment Pill or a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object, he wouldn’t be among the first ten people in line to receive it.
So he shook his head. "I’ll have to trouble you to report this to the family, Young Miss. If my pursuit of the Dao fails, perhaps there might be a chance to renew our ties in the future."
A shadow passed over Xu Hanji’s eyes, but she quickly recovered. "Very well. I’ll take care of it shortly. Please await the family’s decision, Mr. Lin."
"Of course. I still have some matters at the Alchemy Shop to hand over. I like to see things through to the end."
Lin Changheng nodded with a smile.
Suddenly, Xu Hanji remembered something, and her expression flickered. "Is Fellow Daoist Tantai... leaving with you?"
If Lin Changheng left, the family still had Xu Qianyan, another Upper Grade Alchemist, to fall back on. The Xu Family’s Alchemy Dao wouldn’t collapse.
But if Tantai Feiyue—the lead Talisman Master they had invested so much in—were to leave, it would shatter their entire plan for the rise of their Talisman Dao. The blow would be devastating.
Moreover, as a Righteous Clan, the Xu Family couldn’t resort to forcing her to stay. They would be trapped in a difficult position.
This time, it was Lin Changheng’s turn to be stunned. He looked at Xu Hanji’s pretty face, his gaze flickering. He instantly realized their connection was known. He shook his head. "This has nothing to do with Feiyue."
Xu Hanji’s expression instantly relaxed.
...
After leaving the Xu Family Mansion, Lin Changheng went straight to the Golden Light Array Shop.
"Where is your clan’s elder? The elixirs you requested have been refined."
After a brief greeting, Lin Changheng lowered his voice and stated his purpose to Jin Geng.
"The elder has returned to the family. This matter has been fully entrusted to me,"
Jin Geng said with a chuckle.
"Oh? That’s fine. Is there a private room in your shop?"
Lin Changheng glanced at the customers coming and going. It was clearly not a convenient place to talk.
"Yes, please follow me to the VIP room in the back."
Jin Geng slapped his forehead and led the way.
After closing the door, Lin Changheng wasted no time. He took out a small wooden box and opened the lid, revealing neat rows of porcelain elixir vials.
"Please inspect them."
Jin Geng immediately pulled a special magical artifact from his storage bag and began the inspection. A short while later, panting from the effort, he said, "There are no issues."
Clearly, all that flesh was a major hindrance.
After a brief rest, Jin Geng took out a pile of the agreed-upon Spirit Stones and a scroll, handing them over.
He then pointed to the scroll. "This is the Ancient Mountain Four Symbols Array Manual. It’s a fairly standard Middle Grade Array Dao Inheritance. It’s not exceptionally profound, but it’s more than sufficient for general use."
’I finally got it!’
Hearing Jin Geng’s typically blunt assessment, Lin Changheng, who had grown quite used to it, simply smiled, accepted the scroll, and gave it a brief look.
"I’ve already inspected that Array Dao Inheritance for you, Brother Lin. There are no alterations or missing parts. I can guarantee it."
Jin Geng didn’t interrupt Lin Changheng, waiting until he had rolled the scroll back up before offering his assurance.
"I trust you, of course, Brother Jin. Besides, your family has a fine reputation; you wouldn’t stoop to such treacherous deeds."
Lin Changheng smiled faintly. After counting the Spirit Stones and confirming the amount was correct, he took his leave.
This was business, after all. Neither of them made any pretense of trust by forgoing the inspection.
Discovering and resolving issues on the spot was better for maintaining their relationship in the long run.
...
「Three days later.」
A Xu Family Dharma Ship descended from a distance, landing just outside the district.
Having received the news, Patriarch Xu had come personally to the Xu Family’s Alchemy Shop.
Beside him stood a male cultivator in white robes, his hands clasped behind his back. He had sharp, "phoenix eyes" and stared intently at Lin Changheng.
Although he intentionally suppressed his aura, it was still immense and startling.
Xu Xujun!
The Xu Family’s newly ascended Foundation Establishment Cultivator—and their only one.
Two other high-ranking family members stood behind them, their gazes also fixed on him.
"Greetings, everyone."
Faced with such a display, Lin Changheng was not intimidated. On the contrary, he stood even straighter, his posture like a pine tree, as his gaze swept over each of them. He was exceptionally calm.
But no one knew that the magical power within him was already surging, ready to unleash the Earth Escape Demon Technique and tunnel five li away at the first sign of trouble.
He had even chosen the direction in advance.
One hand was clasped behind his back, ready to whip out the Celestial Thunder Pearl in an instant, blast it forward to suppress the cultivators, and create an opening.
Of course, this was just Lin Changheng’s worst-case scenario.
But it was a necessary one. He would not entrust his life to others, leaving his fate to be decided by their whims or mercy.
’I must hold my fate in my own hands!’
After a silent standoff.
Xu Xuhe suddenly broke the stalemate with a shake of his head and a smile, though it was tinged with bitterness. "Are you really leaving, Changheng?"
"The Young Miss should have relayed my message. My heart for the immortal path has not faded. I want to take this chance before the sixty-year age limit for Foundation Establishment to risk it all. Otherwise, I fear I’ll never be at peace in this life."
A look of regret, clear for all to see, flashed across Lin Changheng’s face before it hardened once more into firm resolve.
"I know," Xu Xuhe acknowledged, recalling the past. "Otherwise, more than thirty years ago, you wouldn’t have so resolutely chosen the Alchemy Dao instead of becoming a Son-in-Law like the other ’immortal seedlings’ who arrived with you."
"Thank you for your understanding, Patriarch."
Lin Changheng said, his expression nostalgic as he cupped his hands.
"Then... I won’t say any more. I wish you an everlasting Immortal Dao, Changheng. May you successfully establish your foundation!"
Though filled with regret, Xu Xuhe was magnanimous.
Lin Changheng was slightly surprised. ’The Patriarch is being this agreeable?’ He immediately expressed his thanks. Just then, Xu Xujun, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator who had until now only been exuding his aura, spoke in a cool, detached tone, "Alchemist Lin, are you aware that Elder Mo left the family a few days ago?"
Lin Changheng’s gaze sharpened. His mind raced, and he quickly deduced this was a test. He immediately smiled. "Sister Zhao Li achieved Foundation Establishment, so Ink Master was arranged to head to the Upper Sect ahead of time to meet her. I was also invited and will be heading to the Upper Sect soon for the ceremony."
He then glanced at the others. "I wonder if anyone else from the family was invited? We could travel together and look out for one another."
The moment he said this, the serious atmosphere vanished, replaced by a much lighter mood.
"Alchemist Lin, you may proceed on your own. Please be safe on your journey. The family will extend a separate invitation to Elder Mo to return for a visit and celebrate..."