Chapter 258 - 194: Transformed Profound Root? Nether Void Demon Blood
Chapter 258: Chapter 194: Transformed Profound Root? Nether Void Demon Blood
Now, with this new hint from their Foundation Establishment patriarch, the Xu Clan Members couldn’t hold back their cheers any longer. A jubilant, overwhelming roar went up, as festive as any holiday.
Lin Changheng hadn’t expected this to happen, and he looked at the two of them with an inquiring gaze.
Tantai Feiyue simply covered her mouth with her hand and chuckled softly, looking utterly enchanting. Her beautiful eyes, fixed on Lin Changheng, were filled with warmth and joy.
As for Xu Xujun, he just shrugged and threw up his hands, signaling that this wasn’t something he had arranged or rehearsed beforehand.
It was a spontaneous reaction.
Shaking his head with a peculiar expression, Lin Changheng accepted Xu Xujun’s invitation. The three of them transformed into three streaks of Escape Light and entered the heart of the clan’s territory together.
"Alchemist Lin, would you like to rest first? You can join the welcome banquet later."
Xu Xujun asked with a smile.
"There’s no need for that trouble. I came back to the clan this time for two reasons. First, to see Feiyue; after all, we haven’t seen each other for years, and I’ve missed her dearly. Second, I heard from Feiyue that Mr. Xu has found a way to repair the Young Miss’s Dantian, and that she will soon be attempting Foundation Establishment. I came specifically to see if there’s any way I can help."
Lin Changheng declined, not wishing to cause a great stir or engage in unnecessary socializing, and thus explained his intentions.
Hearing this, Tantai Feiyue, who was beside him, broke into a radiant smile, obviously delighted.
"Very well. We’ll be troubling you then, Alchemist Lin."
Xu Xujun naturally agreed, while also thanking Lin Changheng for his trouble.
"Do you know when the Young Miss will be attempting her Foundation Establishment? And what preparations have been made?"
Lin Changheng asked again.
Xu Xujun didn’t hide anything. "In two months, I will take Ji’Er to [Sun Valley] to break through to Foundation Establishment."
"As for preparations... we have one [Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object] and one [Substandard Foundation Establishment Pill]."
"Oh?"
Lin Changheng was slightly surprised to hear this, but then he gave a small nod.
’That’s reasonable. The [Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object] was something Xu Hanji had obtained by chance during her travels, while the [Substandard Foundation Establishment Pill] must have been acquired through the Xu Family’s years of effort.’
’The Xu Family has had a Foundation Establishment cultivator for over thirty years and has co-operated [Cyan Spirit District] for over twenty. Their foundation must be quite deep. If they were determined to find one, they should have been able to obtain a Substandard Foundation Establishment Pill by now.’
’This meant the bonus to the Foundation Establishment Probability from external aids was twenty-five percent.’
’Not bad at all.’
’I just don’t know if the recent injuries and interruptions have affected Xu Hanji’s preparations for Foundation Establishment.’
’How refined was her Magical Power? What stage had she reached in her Cultivation of the Evergreen Body of the Ancient Wood? And what was the state of her Divine Soul?’
’These were all critical factors that determined one’s own Foundation Establishment Probability.’
But he was certain of one thing: the young woman’s Heart Nature was sound, which would provide a definite advantage for her Foundation Establishment.
...
"It’s just..."
Xu Xujun wore a troubled expression, hesitating to speak.
"Just what?" Lin Changheng asked.
"The Physician I consulted back then said that while Ji’Er’s Cultivation could be saved, he advised against her attempting to break through to Foundation Establishment."
Xu Xujun let out a soft sigh.
"Why is that?"
"He concluded that if she succeeded with Foundation Establishment, it would be fine. But if she failed, the impact would inevitably cause her Dantian to rupture again. At that point, not even the gods could save her."
"Is it that serious?"
Lin Changheng frowned.
"Indeed." Xu Xujun’s expression was grim.
Lin Changheng fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Please arrange a meeting for me with the Young Miss tomorrow. I want to see her condition for myself."
"Of course."
Xu Xujun, of course, would not refuse. He even harbored a secret hope that Lin Changheng might have a way to at least save Xu Hanji’s life.
...
After parting ways with Xu Xujun, Lin Changheng and Tantai Feiyue proceeded together to her pavilion.
It was a pavilion with a courtyard, nestled against a mountain and beside a deep pool, with a waterfall cascading overhead.
Furthermore, an Array was in place to keep out the mist and noise, making it not only scenic but also exceptionally comfortable.
The two sat facing each other in Tantai Feiyue’s private chambers.
Tantai Feiyue brought out her treasured Tier Two Middle Grade Spirit Wine to entertain Lin Changheng.
Over the fine wine, they poured out their hearts to one another, talking for a long time.
Suddenly, Tantai Feiyue stood up and settled into Lin Changheng’s lap. Pressing her lips together, she looked at him and said, "Rumor has it that a beautiful young lady is hiding away in Brother Lin’s cave-manor?"
"That would be the granddaughter of Puppet Master Yan, whom I’ve mentioned to you before. She’s quite gifted in the Puppet Dao. According to Puppet Master Yan’s last wish, he asked me to look after her for a time, for which he offered a generous gift."
Lin Changheng gave a light cough and answered truthfully.
"It’s hard to say who’s taking care of whom," Tantai Feiyue said with a laugh.
"True. At most, I’m just providing some measure of safety," Lin Changheng agreed with a nod.
Hearing this, Tantai Feiyue didn’t press the matter. Instead, she sighed softly, "Since I can’t be by Brother Lin’s side, it’s actually not so bad to have another woman there to take care of you and manage the cave-manor in my stead."
Lin Changheng was about to say something more, but Tantai Feiyue pulled him to his feet. "I’ve let others do the work for so long. Today, let me serve my husband myself."
"Otherwise, it would really seem as though I’m not fulfilling my duties..."
Lin Changheng tried to speak again, but Tantai Feiyue pressed a delicate finger to his lips and shook her head. Then, like a mortal wife, she led Lin Changheng into an adjacent room.
Hot steam billowed out, and a warm mist washed over his face. It was an indoor, natural hot spring pool.
Tantai Feiyue’s slender, delicate hands caressed Lin Changheng’s shoulders and back, her movements slow and gentle.
She slowly slipped off Lin Changheng’s outer robe, her fingertips inadvertently grazing his skin. They felt cool to the touch, yet in that instant of contact, she could feel the toughness and power of his skin, and indeed, his entire body!
The steam from the hot spring swirled around them, making her features as beautiful as a painting, her eyes shimmering as if with flowing starlight.
A surge of desire washed over Lin Changheng. He wrapped his arms around Feiyue, and together they tumbled into the hot spring.
The candlelight flickered in the humid air, casting their two shadows on the stone wall, where they tangled and merged like an ink-wash landscape painting.