Chapter 189 - 163: The Puppet Master Withers, Essence Blood at the Door
Chapter 189: Chapter 163: The Puppet Master Withers, Essence Blood at the Door
"Besides... isn’t this how neighbors should be, helping each other out?"
Hearing Lin Changheng’s words, both the grandfather and granddaughter of the Yan Family were moved. Puppet Master Yan glanced affectionately at his granddaughter before his gaze on Lin Changheng took on a complex, unspoken meaning.
Afterward, Yan Mingyi went to the kitchen and prepared a spread of her best Spiritual Food. She even brought out her grandfather’s treasured Spirit Wine and poured a full cup for Lin Changheng.
The meal was a lively affair, and a wonderful time was had by all.
During the meal, Yan Mingyi joined them for a couple of cups. A rosy blush crept up her lovely cheeks, and her gaze, softened by the wine, seemed to flow like water, often settling on Lin Changheng.
She was twenty-three years old now, elegant, graceful, and utterly charming—the very picture of the girl next door, now a beautiful young woman.
Suddenly, Yan Mingyi pressed her lips together and began, "Brother Lin..."
Both Lin Changheng’s and Puppet Master Yan’s gazes turned to her at once.
"What is it, Miss Yan? Please, feel free to say whatever is on your mind." Seeing the Female Cultivator’s hesitant expression, Lin Changheng offered an encouraging smile.
"Alright." Encouraged, Yan Mingyi spoke up. "Brother Lin, you just mentioned you were going to refine the Tier Two Spiritual Essence Rejuvenation Pill. It’s just... my grandfather only has a Tier One Cultivation. Will he be able to withstand such immense Medicinal Power?"
Her words were tinged with worry.
It was this very concern that had compelled her to ask.
"Oh, is that all?"
Lin Changheng reached out and patted Yan Mingyi on the shoulder. He then glanced at Puppet Master Yan, who clearly harbored the same doubt but was too hesitant to ask, and explained with a smile, "You both know that the Foundation Establishment Pill is also a Tier Two Elixir, correct?"
They both nodded.
"Puppet Master Yan can take this pill in the same way a Qi Cultivation Cultivator can take a Foundation Establishment Pill."
Lin Changheng continued with a smile, his voice brimming with confidence.
This explanation avoided any advanced theories of the Alchemy Dao; had he spoken in technical terms, the two laymen would not have understood.
By using a simple analogy, Lin Changheng made them understand instantly, and all their doubts were dispelled.
"I must apologize, Alchemist Lin. To think I harbored such doubts about you... It’s my fault. I’ll drink this cup as a penalty."
Without hesitation, Puppet Master Yan apologized and downed a cup of Spirit Wine as a self-imposed penalty.
"Please, it’s nothing." Lin Changheng believed in seeing things through to the end. He was a magnanimous person; how could he possibly get upset over something like this?
「An hour later.」
Lin Changheng finally took his leave, strolling leisurely toward his home, pleasantly tipsy from the wine.
"Younger Brother Lin!"
Suddenly, a somewhat familiar voice called out from his left.
In almost the same instant, the Red Sky Profound Flame within him flared, and the lingering effects of the alcohol vanished completely. Lin Changheng then saw his neighbor, the burly Chef Zeng, waving at him.
He then hurried over, a gift basket in hand.
"Brother Zeng, it’s been a while."
Lin Changheng smiled and clasped his hands in greeting.
Lately, Lin Changheng had been busy with matters concerning his Foundation Establishment and hadn’t gone to Huangliang Residence to collect the Profound Spirit Essence Blood from the Jade Wave Spirit Turtle.
However, he had already spoken with the Steward at Huangliang Residence, asking them to hold onto it for a while. He had even proactively paid a storage fee.
The Steward with a Mustache had thumped his chest in assurance.
In any case, the scheduled monthly pickup day was approaching, so Lin Changheng had planned to collect everything at once. It would save him an extra trip during his busy schedule.
...
"Younger Brother Lin, congratulations! Congratulations on reaching Tier Two! Your skill in refining the Foundation Establishment Pill has made you famous throughout the Immortal City. I was occupied before and didn’t get a chance to congratulate you, so allow me to make up for it now."
Chef Zeng gave an apologetic smile as he handed over the gift basket.
"There’s no need for such formalities between us."
Lin Changheng accepted the heavy gift basket, invited Chef Zeng into his home, and served him Tier Two Spirit Tea.
"You were busy and couldn’t come get the Essence Blood for a while, so it was kept at the Spirit Wine Tower. That part was fine. But then I heard from the Steward that he actually charged Alchemist Lin a ’storage fee’! How could I let that stand? I immediately gave him a piece of my mind, ordered him to refund the fee, and told him to apologize to you in person next time he sees you!"
Chef Zeng’s expression grew stern as he brought the matter up himself.
"It’s no problem. I offered to pay it myself. It was an inconvenience for them, so it was only right to offer a small token of appreciation."
Lin Changheng gestured for Chef Zeng to drink his tea and said with a nonchalant smile.
"Absolutely not." Chef Zeng’s stance was firm; he insisted on refunding the Spirit Stones and having the Steward apologize.
Lin Changheng just smiled faintly and didn’t argue, letting the matter drop. Then, he heard Chef Zeng’s tone shift. "However, regarding the Essence Blood you had in storage, I took the liberty of collecting it for you, Alchemist Lin."
"Oh?"
With a sweep of his hand over the table, Chef Zeng produced a Sinking Wooden Box designed for Spirit Locking. Several Spirit-Sealing Talismans were affixed to its surface.
"Why don’t you open it and take a look, Younger Brother Lin?"
A glint appeared in Lin Changheng’s eyes. He nodded, then immediately peeled off the Talismans and lifted the lid of the Wooden Box.
Inside were a full 121 vials. The Essence Blood within was a deep azure, resembling blue jade from a distance, and its glow was mesmerizing.
"Excellent. Thank you for going to the trouble of bringing these, Brother Zeng."
Lin Changheng didn’t bother hiding his delight. After all, a Tier Two Alchemist’s need for Tier Two Demon Beast Essence Blood was perfectly legitimate. ’So what if I’m happy about it?’
As he spoke, he took out a Wooden Box containing over four thousand eight hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones and handed it over.
Tier Two Profound Spirit Essence Blood usually sold on the market for about fifty Spirit Stones per portion. Chef Zeng was charging him a flat rate of forty per portion—a considerable discount.
Lin Changheng took this generosity to heart, which was why he always put his full effort into performing Alchemy for Chef Zeng’s sister-in-law.
However, after advancing to a Tier Two Skill, he realized that a few thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones wasn’t such a large sum anymore. It was no wonder that Chef Zeng, who often needed his help, didn’t even bat an eye when giving him such a generous discount.