Chapter 411 - 264: Revisiting Cooperation, Magical Treasures and Spiritual Materials
Chapter 411: Chapter 264: Revisiting Cooperation, Magical Treasures and Spiritual Materials
Time flowed on, and several days passed in the blink of an eye.
The grand ceremony celebrating the promotion to Tier Three Pill Master was also about to be held.
The ceremony wasn’t to be held on Feather Immortal Island.
Instead, a new island had been raised in the middle of the lake, specifically for this purpose.
This island had clearly been constructed in a short period, using Great Magical Power to transport earth and stone, fuse them together, and shape the Earth Veins.
The island was of a considerable size with gentle terrain, forming a stately, grand circle. In its center stood a White Jade High Platform with a majestic hall behind it. The other three sides were encircled by ascending tiers of spectator seats, enough to accommodate a large number of Cultivators.
The periphery was filled with all sorts of special arrangements.
At the island’s edge, Array Flags fluttered and a faint Spiritual Light shimmered. A powerful Array had clearly been deployed, both to stabilize the island and to maintain order.
Lin Changheng first sent a message to Bai Hengwan to arrange a meeting.
But the moment he saw her in the great hall, his pupils shrank.
Bai Hengwan was dressed in robes as white as snow. Her figure was graceful, and as she stood there quietly, she resembled a lone orchid in a secluded valley—cool, refined, and otherworldly.
Her features seemed even more exquisite than they had years ago. Her brows were like distant mountains, her eyes like autumn pools, and her skin glowed with a moist sheen. Her every expression, be it a frown or a smile, held a soul-stirring elegance.
However, what shocked Lin Changheng even more was her Cultivation.
Although she had clearly used some advanced Concealing Breath Technique, Lin Changheng’s Divine Sense—which far surpassed that of his peers—combined with his Smell the Wind and Distinguish Spirits Secret Technique, allowed him to faintly perceive what lay beneath her seemingly calm aura: a vast and heavy Magical Power, like a deep-sea undercurrent!
Her Realm had already reached the Peak of Middle Stage Foundation Establishment, just one step away from the Late Stage!
’How many years has it been? Her cultivation speed is simply too astonishing.’
’Even with the full backing of a power like Floating Immortal City, this was beyond what an ordinary Cultivator could imagine.’
Compared to Lin Changheng, who had just entered the Fifth Layer Foundation Establishment, she was ahead by two small tiers. Furthermore, she was incredibly young; according to rumors, she wasn’t even sixty years old!
’With such cultivation and such progress, the Core Formation Realm was truly within her grasp.’
’An Earth Grade Wind Anomalous Spirit Root... How terrifying.’
...
"Alchemist Lin, it has been a long time."
Bai Hengwan smiled faintly, quickly sizing Lin Changheng up before looking away.
"Greetings, Bai Zhenchuan."
Lin Changheng cupped his hands, offering Bai Hengwan a small smile.
"Alchemist Lin, you truly are skilled at preserving your appearance. I haven’t seen you in years, yet you haven’t changed a bit. According to the rumors, you must be over ninety by now, aren’t you?"
Bai Hengwan was deliberately trying to close the distance between them, asking questions that were personal, but not overly intrusive.
Lin Changheng shook his head. "I have actually wasted ninety-eight years of my life... It’s just that I am adept at life-preserving arts, I avoid conflict, and I frequently take Elixirs like the Solid Face Pill."
Bai Hengwan went on to ask for some advice on the art of preserving one’s appearance, and with that, the slight awkwardness from their years apart vanished, their conversation becoming as warm as it had been before.
"After much hardship, Elder Kong has finally broken through to Tier Three Alchemy, an achievement I deeply admire. For him to invite me to witness the ceremony... I am both humbled and honored."
Lin Changheng deliberately shifted the topic, attempting to probe for some inside information.
"Elder Kong holds you in very high regard, Alchemist Lin. He personally requested that you be added to the invitation list."
A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Bai Hengwan’s lips as she revealed the crucial point.
"I see." Lin Changheng’s expression remained neutral as he spoke humbly, "I am unworthy of Elder Kong’s favor. I was just wondering, aside from observing, is there anything else I should be aware of for the ceremony? I wouldn’t want to make a misstep."
He had phrased the question skillfully. It expressed his gratitude while steering the conversation back to the ceremony, and it also projected a suitable hint of uncertainty.
Being as sharp as she was, Bai Hengwan naturally understood his unspoken question.
She lifted her teacup and took a delicate sip, a meaningful glint in her eyes. "Fellow Daoist Lin, you needn’t be so humble. As for what you should be aware of..."
She paused, seeming to choose her words carefully before she continued slowly, "At the ceremony, in addition to celebrating the promotion, Elder Kong will also formally accept a disciple."
"Accepting a disciple?"
Lin Changheng was taken aback.
He clearly hadn’t expected this, but that was precisely the point of sounding out Bai Zhenchuan.
"That’s right."
Bai Hengwan nodded. "At that time, most of the major powers in the Song Territory overseen by Core Formation Cultivators, along with some top-tier Foundation Establishment Powers, will attend. They’ll bring their juniors, clan members, and heirs to try their luck and see if they can be accepted as Elder Kong’s disciple to study Alchemy."
Lin Changheng’s mind raced, and he instantly understood.
’Clearly, Floating Immortal City wants to use this to strengthen its ties with the other major powers in the Song Territory. After all, no matter how strong Qing Lan Wanderer is or how prosperous the city has become, it’s ultimately just a power built around Loose Cultivators.’
’Their foundation is still insufficient.’
’They’re using this opportunity to form a different kind of "marriage alliance" to secure their allegiances.’
But whether a deeper reason was driving this move... Lin Changheng had no way of knowing.
...
Lin Changheng nodded in acknowledgement, only for Bai Hengwan to ask with a light laugh, "Does Alchemist Lin wish to try his luck?"
"The Song Territory is home to countless individuals with extraordinary talent in the Alchemy Dao. How could I possibly compare? It’s best I don’t make a fool of myself."
Lin Changheng shook his head with a faint smile, his tone carrying the perfect amount of humility and polite refusal.
’For one, he had too many secrets. It wouldn’t be good to hang around under the noses of Core Formation Cultivators; it was too risky.’
’For another, he was well aware of the saying that the tree that stands tallest is the first to be broken by the wind. There was no need to stand out and get drawn into unnecessary conflicts.’