Chapter 135: The Joy of a Return Gift
Chapter 135: Chapter 135: The Joy of a Return Gift
’Who knows if someone in this sect is a love-struck fool?’
Lin Changheng was well aware of this point.
’The world is just a giant, amateurish troupe; you can’t guarantee that everyone has their wits about them.’
’Why get into pointless fights born of jealousy? It’s best to avoid them at all costs.’
At that moment, Lin Changheng opportunely presented a gift basket. "This is a gift to congratulate Li’Er on reaching Foundation Establishment."
"Thank you, Brother Lin."
Mo Zhaoli accepted it with a smile. At the same time, she took out a rather heavy wooden box, about a foot square, and held it in her delicate hands.
Lin Changheng’s eyes widened in surprise. "Zhao Li, this is..."
His own gift basket was small and delicate, but this wooden box was several times larger.
’He had come to give a gift, so how had it turned into him being the one receiving one?’
But Mo Zhaoli just pursed her lips into a smile and said, "Brother Lin, this is Li’Er’s return gift, of course."
Seeing Lin Changheng’s hesitation, she couldn’t help but feign a curious look. "Didn’t Brother Lin ask me to collect Demon Beast Essence Blood last time? What, you don’t need it anymore?"
"Hm?"
Hearing this and seeing the teasing glint in Mo Zhaoli’s eyes, Lin Changheng smiled and took the wooden box. "Of course I need it. In that case, it would be rude of me to refuse."
"I truly do have a long-term need for this. If you come across more in the future, please help me keep an eye out and collect it, Li’Er. As for Spirit Stones, as an Upper Grade Alchemist who can refine Masterpiece Pills, I do have some savings."
"Li’Er understands, of course."
Mo Zhaoli’s eyes curved slightly as she gave a gentle, smiling nod.
’Still, she was astonished. Brother Lin had emerged as a new force in the Alchemy Dao. In just twenty years, he had advanced to Upper Grade Alchemy and could even refine Masterpiece Upper Grade Pills. His level of skill had already surpassed her grandfather’s lifetime of achievements in the Alchemy Dao...’
’In the future, it wasn’t impossible that he might even touch upon Tier Two Alchemy.’
’When that time came, it would be a great help to her as well. After all, for a Cultivator, besides Cultivation, consuming pills and elixirs was unavoidable.’
...
Wrapped in the Escape Light as they soared high through the sky, Lin Changheng got a glimpse of the magnificent scenery of the Purple Extreme Sect’s Immortal Dao.
Waves of clouds churned below, and occasionally, a Spiritual Crane would soar past, its clear cry parting the mists. Many other Cultivators were also traveling on their Magical Artifacts; upon seeing the high-speed Escape Light flash by, they all stopped to bow respectfully.
Lin Changheng gazed out at the horizon.
In the distance, mountain peaks like swords pierced the Sea of Clouds. Waterfalls cascaded down steep cliffs, green pines clung to sheer precipices, and strange flowers adorned secluded paths.
White Jade bridges spanned thousand-zhang gorges, connecting the Immortal Pavilions and Jade Towers scattered across the various peaks.
This was the supernatural craftsmanship of the Cultivation Realm, as well as a display of the Mighty Power of Cultivators.
Compared to the scenery of a Qi Cultivation Clan, even the phrase "as different as clouds and mud" was not enough to describe the disparity.
Even traveling by Escape Light, it took almost half an hour of flying before they arrived at one of the peaks and slowly descended.
This showed just how vast the territory of the Purple Extreme Sect was.
"This is my Dao Field. It’s called Bilan Peak."
Mo Zhaoli explained with a smile to Lin Changheng.
Lin Changheng’s gaze swept over the peak’s scenery. It wasn’t treacherous; besides the pavilions, terraces, lake, and peculiar rock formations, there was also a grove of Purple Bamboo Forest. The view was delightful.
But what surprised him even more was the incredibly dense concentration of Spiritual Qi here. If he could cultivate here long-term, even if it wasn’t a case of getting twice the results with half the effort, his efficiency would still increase by twenty or thirty percent.
"The Sect’s rules state that after reaching Foundation Establishment, one can choose any peak on the main branch of a Tier Two Middle Grade Spiritual Vein to serve as a Dao Field."
Mo Zhaoli noticed Lin Changheng’s surprise and offered an explanation.
"I see."
The place the Purple Extreme Sect had promised to open for the Xu Family’s breakthrough was merely a Dao Field on a Tier Two Lower Grade Spiritual Vein.
This information was no longer a secret after the Xu Family’s promotion.
Entering Mo Zhaoli’s abode, he found it to be a Grotto Heaven in its own right. It wasn’t narrow or cramped at all; on the contrary, it was incredibly spacious. No one would doubt you if you called it a great hall.
After passing through a bright and magnificent hall, Mo Zhaoli led Lin Changheng directly to the rear of the abode, where they saw Ink Master tending to a newly cleared Medicinal Field.
"Grandfather, look who’s here!"
Mo Zhaoli’s cheerful voice rang out.
"Who is it?"
Ink Master turned his head and saw a male cultivator in a green robe standing next to his granddaughter. They truly looked like a perfectly matched couple. Only then did he get a clear look at the man’s face and see him grinning at him.
"Ink Master."
"Changheng! You’re right on time."
Ink Master immediately put down his work and came forward with a laugh. "Was business at the Cyan Spirit District Pill Shop too busy?"
Before Lin Changheng could speak, a Jade Talisman suddenly flew in from outside, hovering in front of Mo Zhaoli and buzzing incessantly.
"Grandfather, Brother Lin, you two chat for a bit. It seems a guest has arrived. I’ll go entertain them."
Mo Zhaoli reached out and grabbed the Jade Talisman. After sending her Divine Sense into it, she smiled at the two of them.
"Go, take care of it."
"Please, go ahead."
After Mo Zhaoli left, Lin Changheng and Ink Master found a spot and began to chat.
"What? You’ve left the Xu Family?"
A look of surprise flashed across Ink Master’s face.
"That’s right. To be honest, I still harbor ambitions of reaching Foundation Establishment. But staying with the Xu Family offered absolutely no chance of that, so I could only leave to try my luck."
Lin Changheng explained with a wry smile.
"You have great courage, Changheng." Ink Master fell silent for a moment before nodding in agreement. "If I hadn’t suffered such a severe injury back then, I’m afraid I would have made the same choice as you."
"Now that Zhao Li has reached Foundation Establishment, that should somewhat make up for your own regrets about Foundation Establishment, shouldn’t it, Ink Master?"
Lin Changheng said with a smile.
"Indeed." Ink Master stroked his beard, a pleased expression on his face. Ever since his own path was cut short, his only hope had been to nurture his granddaughter. Now that his wish for her to become a great success had come true, how could he not be happy?
"But, Changheng, where do you plan to go?"
Ink Master asked curiously after a moment.
"Probably to an Immortal City, but I’m still considering the specifics."
Lin Changheng wasn’t sure.
"Why not go to Floating Immortal City in the south? It’s near the Eastern Wilderness and has unique terrain. You don’t have to go deep into the Wilderness to find Tier Two Demon Beasts, which attracts many Cultivators to hunt them. Precious Medicinal Materials and Demon Beast Materials often flow into the Immortal City, and even Foundation Establishment Main Medicine can occasionally be seen on the market..."
Hearing this, Ink Master frowned in thought for a moment before offering his suggestion.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Lin Changheng had seen this Immortal City in geographical atlases and knew the brief description, but he wasn’t aware of the specific details.
"Indeed. I have an old friend who settled in Floating Immortal City. He’s been there for over twenty years and is a fairly well-known Pill Master. He told me all this in his letters, so it should be true."
Ink Master explained.
After hearing this, a glint flashed in Lin Changheng’s eyes. It was likely true; if anyone would be the most sensitive to and knowledgeable about a place’s Medicinal Materials and Demon Beast Materials, a Pill Master would certainly be among them.
Besides, Ink Master had no motive to deceive him.
"Thank you, Ink Master. I will consider it carefully."
"Good."
The two of them didn’t chat for much longer before Mo Zhaoli reappeared. Seeing them deep in conversation, she gave a knowing smile but still interrupted, saying the guests had arrived and it was time to take their seats.
Lin Changheng and Ink Master chuckled, stood up, and cast a few Cleaning Skills on themselves, washing away all the dust and dirt. Then they followed Mo Zhaoli.
Before long, they arrived back in the original vast hall.
Over twenty people were already seated there in two rows, left and right, with two people to a table. They were drinking and chatting merrily.
Most of them had powerful auras and were Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Hearing the footsteps of the three, everyone stopped their cups and looked over, their gazes landing on them in an instant.
Most people glanced at the old man being supported by Mo Zhaoli and knew it was her grandfather. Their eyes then naturally fell upon the Green Robe Cultivator accompanying them.
He looked to be in his early twenties, and his Cultivation aura was that of the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer. They immediately grew curious about his identity.
If this person hadn’t taken a Solid Face Pill or some other kind of Youthful Appearance Elixir, then having a Late Stage Cultivation in his early twenties would be considered exceptionally outstanding even in the Purple Extreme Sect. He would be worthy of a second look, perhaps even befriending.
Of course, this was what most of them were thinking, but some also cast wary glances at Lin Changheng.
"Zhao Li, aren’t you going to introduce them to us?"
After Mo Zhaoli led the two to their seats, a middle-aged beauty in a palace-style dress, her ample peaks still visible, spoke from her seat at the head of the tables. She smiled, her red lips slightly pursed.
"Yes, Master."
Mo Zhaoli returned the smile and introduced to the crowd, "This is my grandfather. He raised me, and without him, I, Mo Zhaoli, would not be where I am today."
At these words, everyone turned to greet Ink Master and pay their respects.
Ink Master hastily returned the courtesy. He knew very well that these people were being so polite to him, a mere Middle Stage Qi Cultivation cultivator, out of respect for his granddaughter. He couldn’t afford to be arrogant, lest he negatively affect her.
"And this is Lin Changheng, my senior brother. He is my grandfather’s disciple and has taken great care of me and helped me immensely."
Most of the people present were shrewd. As soon as she spoke, they astutely latched onto the two words "senior brother," which was enough to dispel all their previous speculations about him being a "genius."
The words "senior brother" implied that he was older than Mo Zhaoli, yet he was only at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer. Forget being a genius; at best, you could say he wasn’t a complete waste.
Instantly, most of them lost interest in Lin Changheng.
Needless to say, the Foundation Establishment Cultivators felt this way, but even the Sect Cultivators had always looked down on Loose Cultivators like him. Why would they condescend to associate with him?
Even the few Sect Cultivators who had been worried about Lin Changheng’s good looks and his relationship with Mo Zhaoli now canceled their internal alarms, no longer viewing him as a threat.
Faced with the awkward silence, Lin Changheng’s expression remained unchanged. He maintained his composure and poured wine for himself and for Ink Master, who was seated at the same table.
Ink Master took in the scene and thought Lin Changheng might lose his composure. After all, he had held a respected position in the Xu Family; the difference in treatment was immense. Ink Master was just pondering how to console him.
But as it turned out, Lin Changheng acted as if nothing was wrong, not taking it to heart at all. Ink Master couldn’t help but silently praise the strength of his will.
Mo Zhaoli’s expression also soured, but she couldn’t force others to act differently. Seeing that Lin Changheng didn’t mind, she felt a little more at ease; otherwise, she would have felt truly sorry toward her Brother Lin.
However, what happened next was that a few of Mo Zhaoli’s martial brothers saw the lull in the conversation and started going around making toasts, quickly livening up the atmosphere again.
At this time, nobody noticed that the beauty in the palace-style dress at the head table, while touching her red lips to her wine, was discreetly sizing up the unfazed Lin Changheng as he ate and drank. A look of keen interest appeared on her face.