Chapter 219 - 177: Masterpiece Pills, Thundering Reputation
Chapter 219: Chapter 177: Masterpiece Pills, Thundering Reputation
A knock sounded at the door.
Yan Mingyi immediately went to open it. Brother Lin had already informed her that someone would be coming today to request a Foundation Establishment Pill.
"And you are, honored senior...?"
Yan Mingyi saw a dashing young gentleman with ruby lips, pearly teeth, and robes whiter than snow standing at the entrance. She immediately knew this must be the female Foundation Establishment Cultivator disguised as a man whom Brother Lin had mentioned, and she offered a polite smile.
"I’ve come by invitation to request a pill. Is this Alchemist Lin’s residence?"
The white-robed Female Cultivator snapped open her folding fan, revealing what she believed to be a gentlemanly smile brimming with charm.
She had expected to be met with the adoring gaze of the young woman before her, but instead, the girl’s eyes were serene; she merely maintained a polite smile.
She couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment.
"This is indeed Alchemist Lin’s residence. Please, come in, Senior."
Yan Mingyi, fully committed to her role, stepped aside and gestured for her to enter.
The white-robed Female Cultivator nodded and followed her inside, though she couldn’t help but grumble to herself. ’The last time I came, I saw Alchemist Lin was a man of great talent, and there was no one else in his residence. I thought he was completely devoted to his craft—no wonder his Alchemy Dao is so formidable! But it turns out he’s just another man hiding a beauty in a gilded cage. Keeping such a delicate little thing around... he’s probably just a lecher too...’
Yan Mingyi, unaware of the woman’s thoughts, simply led the way.
Upon reaching the main hall, she invited her guest to sit and served a cup of Spirit Tea. "My master is currently occupied but will be here shortly. Please wait a moment, Senior."
"Of course."
The white-robed Female Cultivator nodded, picked up her cup, and began to savor the tea, making sporadic small talk with Yan Mingyi.
A short while later, another knock echoed from the entrance of the residence.
"Fairy Yan?"
When Yan Mingyi opened the door again, she was greeted by a surprised voice.
"Chef Zeng."
Three people stood before her. The burly, powerfully built man at the front was none other than her neighbor, whom she had met several times.
Behind Chef Zeng stood two Cultivators. Their auras were profound; both were in the Foundation Establishment Stage, one at the Middle Stage and the other at the Early Stage.
They merely gave her a detached look and said nothing.
"I am here to receive guests on Brother Lin’s orders. Greetings to you, honored seniors."
Yan Mingyi was neither servile nor arrogant. She bowed slightly, her etiquette perfect, for in this moment she represented the face of the master of this residence, Lin Changheng.
Chef Zeng was curious, but he knew this was neither the time nor the place for questions. He simply nodded. "Please lead the way, Fairy Yan."
The two Foundation Establishment Cultivators behind him would normally pay no mind to a mere Qi Cultivation Female Cultivator. At this moment, however, one of them—a friendly-looking, purple-robed elder—gave her a small smile. The other, a cold-faced, middle-aged man, also gave her a nod.
"This way, please." Yan Mingyi did not dally, immediately ushering them inside.
After the group had waited in the main hall for about an hour, none of them showed any sign of impatience or displeasure, a testament to their considerable Qi Cultivation Skill.
Yan Mingyi, meanwhile, stood to the side without uttering a word, only refilling their tea from time to time.
"My apologies for the long wait, everyone."
Finally, a voice drifted out from the inner chambers. Everyone turned to see Lin Changheng emerge with a smile, clasping his hands in a salute to the assembled guests.
"Before Refining the Foundation Establishment Pill, I must first adjust my state to be able to start the furnace. This is a matter of being responsible to all of you, and I hope my Fellow Daoists will forgive the delay."
Everyone immediately rose and returned the gesture.
"Not at all, not at all..."
"Alchemist Lin, you are too kind. The Alchemy Dao has always depended on the perfect alignment of heaven, earth, and man. Caution is not only appropriate, it is necessary," the friendly elder who had been behind Chef Zeng said with a smile, stroking his beard.
"Indeed! Alchemist Lin’s Pill Success Rate for the Foundation Establishment Pill is famous throughout the Floating Immortal City. What’s a few hours’ wait in comparison?" Chef Zeng immediately added.
"Please, inspect the Medicinal Materials and begin, Alchemist Lin."
The white-robed Female Cultivator said this, taking out her Cold Jade Box and presenting it.
At her words, the other two Foundation Establishment Cultivators followed suit, sending two Spirit Locking Long Boxes shooting forward. One of them also tossed out a Storage Bag.
"I will inspect them now. If everything is in order, I can begin at once."
Lin Changheng nodded with a smile. With a light flick of his sleeve, a Pill Furnace, an Upper Grade Spiritual Artifact, landed in the center of the hall.
He then began to meticulously inspect the Medicinal Materials.
After about fifteen minutes, he nodded. "The Medicinal Materials are correct. When the time comes, Mr. Yun will have the second pick of the Pills. Do any of you have any objections?"
Since the white-robed Female Cultivator had provided the Nine-leaf Purple Ginseng, its value certainly surpassed that of the Celestial Crystal Spirit Lotus. However, because she hadn’t provided the supplementary ingredients, and its age was comparable to the Seven-Star Spirit Moon Grass—both being around fifty years old—placing her second in the order of selection was perfectly reasonable.
"No problem."
"We have no objections."
"Very well. Please observe from the side, everyone. I will begin."
FWOOSH!
Instantly, a wisp of Flame slowly rose, drawing the expectant and tense gazes of the onlookers.
Yan Mingyi’s own beautiful eyes glittered as she watched, filled with curiosity.
This was the first time she was seeing Brother Lin perform Alchemy in person, and she was intensely curious.
...
Time flowed on.
The Elixir Refining process was remarkably smooth, free of any turbulence or dangerous phenomena.
To the onlookers, it was like watching a master calligrapher at work—utterly fluid and seamless.
A single thought regarding Lin Changheng’s mastery of the Alchemy Dao rose in unison within everyone’s minds:
His reputation is well-deserved!
He’s the real deal!
Watching this, the person who had the hardest time suppressing a smile was none other than Chef Zeng.
He had played a key role in inviting Lin Changheng to join his clan as a Tributor, and in front of the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, he felt his reputation had soared.
The more powerful Lin Changheng was, the more profound his Skills, and the greater his value, the greater Chef Zeng’s own contribution would be seen to be.
「Seven days later.」
HUMMM!
With a low hum, Lin Changheng opened the furnace and began Extracting the Pill.
Three longan-sized Elixirs, glowing with the luster of Cyan Jade, spun gracefully in mid-air.