Chapter 108: Promotion to Upper Grade
Chapter 108: Chapter 108: Promotion to Upper Grade
The Beast Taming Sun Family had already established their shop. It was currently being renovated and had yet to open.
But their reputation preceded them, attracting a great deal of attention without any need for advertising.
The Liu Family was already feeling the pressure. They had specially dispatched an astute and capable elder in linen robes to oversee their operations and brace for the impact.
This was why Lin Changheng had not yet seen anyone from the Sun Family come to his door, and he had missed the opportunity to engage with them.
However, it was of no consequence. When the Sun Family held their grand opening, Lin Changheng would have to pay them a congratulatory visit for both professional and personal reasons.
...
Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.
His days as Chief were surprisingly leisurely.
Lin Changheng felt not the slightest bit of pressure.
Firstly, he held the highest authority in the Xu Family’s Alchemy Shop. As the one in charge, no one dared to question his decisions. While the Xu Family also had a presence in the heart of the Marketplace, overseen by an Elder, that person had no jurisdiction over him.
The two systems operated independently of each other.
Secondly, the Xu Family’s Alchemy Shop already had a well-established operational model. Furthermore, with the old Shopkeeper, Xu Qianyou, who followed his orders to the letter, managing things, there was virtually no room for error.
There was no need for Lin Changheng to dream up new schemes or shake things up just to prove his authority, as a new leader is often expected to do.
At a time like this, Lin Changheng knew well that the best policy was to do nothing. Ambitious changes were unnecessary, and it was even more inadvisable for a layman to be giving instructions to an expert.
The only thing he needed to personally manage was the alchemy itself. However, the three Pill Masters were all experienced Lower Grade Alchemists who had no issues with their work. He simply had to assign them tasks, just like back in the clan.
The only task that truly required his personal involvement was refining some Middle Grade Elixirs to be sold to the public.
The rest of his time was spent on Cultivation and researching Upper Grade Alchemy.
He made considerable progress in this area. A few days ago, he had sent a message to the clan, stating his intention to attempt refining an Upper Grade Pill.
This was a carefully considered decision, made for two main reasons.
First, Lin Changheng was now at the Eighth Layer of Qi Cultivation and had many profound techniques at his disposal. This naturally gave him a strong sense of confidence, one born from his own power.
Second, unlike their Middle Grade counterparts, Upper Grade Pill Formulas and their medicinal materials were incredibly hard to find, hoarded and hidden by the major powers. It was also exceedingly difficult and time-consuming for a single person to gather all the necessary medicinal materials. He had once tried to collect the ingredients for the Red Sky Magical Pill he had acquired at the auction, but he still came up short by two types.
Since the pill formulas were rare and the medicinal materials were hard to find, Lin Changheng figured he might as well just pass the problem on to the Xu Family.
As a result, it wasn’t long before he received a reply from the clan offering their full support.
They even dispatched Xu Qianzhan on a Dharma Ship to deliver the pill formula, the medicinal materials, and a journal of personal notes from the Upper Grade Alchemist Xu Qianyan, which was sealed with a Restriction.
This reaction showed just how much of a shock his message had sent through the Xu Family’s upper echelons.
’A second Upper Grade Alchemist?’
In truth, the moment the news arrived, the Xu Family’s leadership was ecstatic, as if they were hearing celestial music or glimpsing a paradise. Beaming with joy, they immediately gave their approval.
When Xu Qianzhan arrived, he also brought along Xu Fugui’s seventh son, Xu Qi’an, to become an apprentice.
Lin Changheng saw that the boy was well-behaved, so after giving him a few instructions, he assigned him to study under one of the Lower Grade Alchemists. That Pill Master immediately puffed out his chest and promised to teach the boy well.
This was not only because the boy’s father was a high-ranking member of the clan, but more importantly, because Lin Changheng’s guidance had been a great favor to them, showing them a possible path to advance to Middle Grade Alchemy.
For a Pill Master, this was the greatest possible motivation and temptation.
As for Lin Changheng, after making meticulous preparations, he quietly gave Xu Qianyou a few instructions before entering the Alchemy Room. The heavy doors boomed shut under Xu Qianyou’s stunned and disbelieving gaze.
’The Chief is going to refine an Upper Grade Pill?’
HISS!
’Ten years of diligent accumulation, followed by unstoppable progress... It’s only been sixteen years, and he’s already on the verge of breaking through to Upper Grade Alchemy?’
’What am I witnessing?!’
’I was the one who witnessed him reach the Entry Tier, and now I’m here to see him break through to the Upper Grade?’
’Perhaps I really am a good luck charm.’
Xu Qianyou’s heart surged with emotion. Shaking his head giddily, he walked away.
...
「Seven days later.」
Lin Changheng emerged from his seclusion, his expression serene.
The moment the doors opened, a shop assistant saw him and immediately ran to inform Xu Qianyou.
"Chief, you were in there for quite a while. How did it go?"
Xu Qianyou hurried over to greet him.
"I ran into a few minor issues and had to make a couple of adjustments, hence the delay."
Lin Changheng explained to Old Xu, who looked even more nervous than he was, then smiled. "But, I have no doubt that the pill is genuine."
As he spoke, he took out a sealed wooden Pill Box.
"Haha, I knew it! I was certain you would succeed."
Xu Qianyou’s eyes lit up. He carefully took the box with both hands and was just about to open it.
But Lin Changheng suddenly added with a smile, "This time, I remembered to seal the pill properly so its medicinal properties wouldn’t leak out."
Xu Qianyou’s hand, which was in the middle of opening the box, froze. He clearly remembered the scene in front of the Alchemy Room in the Purple River District. Looking up at Lin Changheng, he broke into a wide grin and opened the Pill Box.
Inside lay a single pill.
It was as perfectly round as a pearl and about the size of a longan fruit. Its entire body was a lustrous, jade-like white, and faint, cyan patterns swirled across its surface, resembling coiling clouds of mist.
A Tier One Upper Grade elixir, the Jade Marrow Pill!
Although Xu Qianyou couldn’t perform alchemy himself, after decades in the Pill Shop business, he had learned a great deal just from observation, such as how to appraise and identify pills.
He made an instant assessment.
Still, he cast a special technique upon it and found that the pill’s fragrance was contained, not dispersing in the slightest. It was truly a genuine Upper Grade Elixir!
"Congratulations, Chief!"
Xu Qianyou offered his immediate congratulations, but Lin Changheng simply smiled. "This benefits the Pill Shop as well, so the congratulations are mutual."
The two of them were already entering the front hall as they spoke.
A few shop assistants nearby saw the serene Chief and the overjoyed Shopkeeper. Overhearing their baffling conversation, they had no idea what had just happened and could only scratch their heads in confusion.
With a nod of approval from Lin Changheng, the news was sent back to the clan.
Lin Changheng paid no mind to the shockwaves his news would undoubtedly cause. He simply strolled out the door and headed toward the Sun Family’s newly opened "Xuanlin Residence."
The building that appeared before him was much larger than the Xu Family’s Alchemy Shop.
A three-story, vermilion-lacquered building stood imposingly before him, its upturned eaves making it resemble a small palace.
Lifelike totems of Spirit Beasts were carved into every pillar and beam: a Cyan Flood Dragon Coiling a Pillar, a White Tiger Perched on a Beam, a Crimson Crane Spreading its Wings, and a Profound Turtle Securing the Foundation.
Above the main entrance hung a plaque with golden characters on a black background. The three large characters for "Xuanlin Residence" were written with powerful and elegant strokes, from which a faint Spiritual Light seemed to flow. It was clearly the handiwork of a High Tier Cultivator.
Staring at it for even a moment too long sent a piercing sensation to the eyes.
’Could it have been written by the Sun Family’s Fake Core Ancestor, who secretly imbued it with his aura?’ Lin Changheng mused.
It was common knowledge that to be considered a Noble Family, a clan had to have at least one Fake Core expert in its ranks.
Before he even got close, he could hear the low calls of Spirit Beasts from within. Two Sun Family disciples in dark green martial attire stood at the entrance. Identical Beast Taming Tokens hung from their waists. Upon seeing Lin Changheng, they clasped their hands in a salute. "Fellow Daoist, are you here to select a Spirit Beast?"
"I am."
Lin Changheng gave a slight nod and stepped inside.
The moment he entered, a laugh rang out from ahead. "This is Chief Lin of the Xu Family’s Pill Shop. I will personally attend to him. You two may step aside."