Chapter 439 - 273: Essence Blood as a Gift, a Fearsome Reputation
Chapter 439: Chapter 273: Essence Blood as a Gift, a Fearsome Reputation
Streaks of multicolored Escape Light cut across the sky, landing one after another on the reception plaza specially prepared on Moonrest Island.
Xu Maoling and Cheng Suling, being close neighbors and allies, had already arrived early. They brought along some subordinates and Female Attendants to help greet the incoming guests.
Tantai Feiyue, Xu Hanji, and Yan Mingyi were all dressed in their finest for the occasion. One was dazzling and aristocratic, one was as cold as frost, and one was the very picture of gentle beauty. They drew numerous gazes, both overt and subtle.
They too were bustling about.
As for Tantai Feiyue and Yan Mingyi, it went without saying; they were Lin Changheng’s women, so their involvement was only natural.
And as the Xu Family was the first clan Lin Changheng had joined—the place where his rise began—Xu Hanji was naturally considered one of his own. Even if there were no romantic feelings between them, it was perfectly normal for her to help.
Lin Changheng, meanwhile, stood before the entrance of the main hall, exchanging pleasantries with the guests who had come to offer their congratulations and accepting their well-wishes.
He was not dressed in extravagant attire today, wearing his usual simple, cyan Daoist Robe. His expression was serene, his gaze gentle, and his aura was perfectly contained. If not for his reputation, one might have mistaken him for an ordinary, elegant Scholar.
"Brother Lin, why are there so many more guests than we expected...?"
Yan Mingyi approached Lin Changheng’s side and sent a quiet voice transmission.
Her gaze swept over the plaza, which was teeming with people. Faint, treasured light shimmered as Spiritual Pressures intermingled. The scene was exceptionally lively as more Escape Lights and Dharma Ships continued to descend.
She had personally drafted the invitation list, which her husband had then reviewed, and she had carefully checked every invitation that was sent out.
But the number of Cultivators who had arrived so far was already several times more than were on the list.
And still, more Escape Lights would periodically streak in from the horizon to land on Moonrest Island.
"I vaguely recognize many of them. Most have likely sought Elixirs from me in the past. They must have heard the news and decided to come uninvited."
Lin Changheng replied via voice transmission.
In fact, he had experienced a similar situation back in Floating Immortal City. At that time, he hadn’t joined any faction, yet countless representatives had come to recruit or congratulate him. He had received so many gifts his arms had grown tired, so this was no surprise.
In addition, the factions that had dealings in Elixirs with Lin Changheng, and even some Independent Practitioner Experts who had only heard of his fame and came hoping to procure Elixirs, all arrived bearing gifts.
Almost all of them were Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
Moreover, a rumor was spreading like wildfire through the Outer World that Alchemist Lin had supposedly broken through to become a Tier Two Upper Grade Alchemist.
This was the main reason for the endless stream of guests, and the crucial factor behind why so many factions had shown up uninvited.
The value and influence of a Pill Master whose reputation was soaring, who was known for refining high-quality Elixirs, and who had just advanced to Tier Two Upper Grade, was enough to make any Foundation Establishment Power—or even a Fake Core one—eager to curry favor with him.
"The Huang Family of Spirit Dome Mountain has arrived."
Suddenly, an announcer’s voice rang out from the front of the plaza. A group of Cultivators in yellow brocade robes, led by a tall and formidable middle-aged man, then walked calmly into the center of the square.
It was none other than Chef Zeng.
Chef Zeng cupped his fists and announced loudly,
"On this momentous occasion of Elder Lin’s hundredth birthday, the Huang Family presents a Centennial Spirit Grass, the Dragon and Snake Vine, as our congratulatory gift! May your Immortal Dao flourish, and may your skills reach the divine!"
As soon as he spoke, the noisy plaza fell silent for a moment, followed immediately by a wave of hushed murmurs.
A Centennial Spirit Grass—the Dragon and Snake Vine!
This was a primary ingredient for refining many types of Tier Two Upper Grade Elixirs, and could even be used as a supplementary ingredient for certain Tier Three Elixirs. The herbal essence it contained, along with its unique trace of dragon and snake qi, had a miraculous effect on tempering the Spiritual nature of an Elixir.
A centennial specimen was exceptionally precious and incredibly valuable, something that would typically only appear at a major Auction.
A flicker of surprise passed through Lin Changheng’s eyes.
He had helped the Huang Family in the past, and they had gifted him the Essence Blood of a Mountain and Marsh Spirit in return, but he never expected them to be so generous. To use a Centennial Spirit Grass with such deep symbolic meaning for his hundredth birthday—the gift was both incredibly valuable and cleverly chosen.
He immediately descended from the hall, a perfectly measured smile on his face. Stepping forward to greet them, he said with a laugh, "Your family is too courteous! This is too generous a gift; I feel I am unworthy. Please, come in and take your seats!"
"Haha, not at all! Our friendship runs deep. This is but a small token of our respect."
Chef Zeng replied with a laugh, then led his fellow clansmen, who had come to offer their congratulations, into the hall.
The guests continued to pour in, and the announcements of their arrivals were ceaseless.
"Loose Cultivator Zhu Tong presents a Tier Two Upper Grade Spiritual Jade! May Alchemist Lin’s Dao Heart remain as clear and brilliant as this jade!"
"The Shen Family of Cyan Dragon Bay presents three pieces of Water Spirit Xuan Crystal! We wish Isle Master Lin a long and prosperous life!"
"A gift from the Beast Taming Sun Family! A pair of Golden Crown Crane chicks, a type of Muddy Evil Spirit Beast, to bring good fortune! May Alchemist Lin’s Alchemy Dao thrive!"
Lin Changheng maintained his smile, greeting each guest in turn.
’He just hadn’t expected the Sun Family to show up uninvited as well.’ This was a Noble Family that had once been far beyond his reach, yet now they had come in person to offer their congratulations.
Many of the Cultivators present drew in a quiet breath.
The Beast Taming Sun Family! They were a major clan, one of the most prominent in the entire Song Territory. Famous for taming and raising all manner of Spirit Beasts, their heritage was profound and far beyond that of any ordinary Cultivation Clan.
A middle-aged Cultivator dressed in a brocade robe embroidered with a hundred-beast motif approached with a powerful, confident stride. He led two disciples, each carrying a Spirit Beast Cage.
Inside the cages was a pair of young cranes. Though not yet fully grown, they already looked extraordinary. The patches of golden down on their heads shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight.
Lin Changheng, his smile unchanging, rose to greet them. He cupped his fists and said, "Mr. Sun, you honor us with your presence. Forgive me for not welcoming you from further out."
At the same time, he extended his Divine Sense and overheard the identity of this man from the whispers of the more knowledgeable Cultivators in the crowd.