Chapter 417: Chapter 267: Mysterious Neighbor, Two Islands Attacked

’He actually... really did it?!’

Bai Hengwan was well aware of Lin Changheng’s potential, but she never imagined this day would come so soon!

A Tier Two Upper Grade Alchemist... this was a status significant enough to draw the serious attention of the Immortal City, and even many major powers!

After all, even Elder Kong had been immersed in the Alchemy Dao as a Tier Two Upper Grade Alchemist for many years before he finally broke through to Tier Three and achieved his current status and accomplishments.

Her shock gave way to rapid calculations and a trace of irrepressible joy. Lin Changheng’s value had skyrocketed, meaning her previous investment had yielded returns beyond her wildest imagination. At the same time, however, it meant that any future contact and cooperation would require more cautious and far-sighted planning.

She had wanted to meet with Alchemist Lin again for an in-depth conversation, but then she saw the last message on the Jade Talisman.

’He’s already gone?’

A hint of regret appeared on Bai Hengwan’s face.

A Tier Two Upper Grade Alchemy Dao could already be of great help to her Cultivation.

After all, aside from the fixed resources bestowed by her Master and distributed by the core of the Immortal City, Bai Hengwan also had resources she fought for and acquired on her own.

This portion required a Pill Master to help refine them.

She couldn’t possibly ask Elder Kong to act every time. It would be highly inappropriate, regardless of their respective statuses or seniority.

While there were a few other Tier Two Upper Grade Alchemists, most couldn’t compare to Lin Changheng in terms of success rate or the rate of producing Masterpiece pills. After all, Alchemist Lin’s name in the Alchemy Dao was a living, golden signboard in the Immortal City, renowned for his high success and Masterpiece rates!

He was far more trustworthy with precious Medicinal Materials.

***

The nine Shuiyue Pavilions of Fusheng Lake were built upon the turquoise waves, wreathed in white mist, no less beautiful than a celestial paradise.

The one belonging to Bai Hengwan was on the far left edge.

Two pavilions to the right, on the second floor of a crimson-purple pavilion, two figures were currently present.

One stood proudly, the other bowed obsequiously.

A woman stood leaning against the railing. She wore a crimson-purple palace gown, her cloud-like hair piled high. Her features were stunning, yet her brow held an unshakeable air of arrogance and ferocity.

From beneath the hem of her dress, a glimpse of a smooth, slender, ivory-like thigh could be seen. Its skin was so fine it seemed to glow, creating a stark visual contrast with the deep crimson-purple of her gown and exuding an air of casual allure and bold confidence.

She stood barefoot on the cool, smooth jade floor. The crimson polish on her ten toenails was like red plum blossoms dotting a snowy landscape, adding to her bewitching charm.

If Lin Changheng were here, he would have recognized this as the perfect embodiment of a slang phrase from his past life: "legs so long you could play with them for a year."

TAP, TAP, TAP...

Her fingertips tapped lightly on the railing. Her gaze seemed to be admiring the lake and mountains, but it was actually sweeping sharply across Bai Hengwan’s slightly more desolate pavilion to the left, the corner of her mouth holding a faint, cold smirk.

This woman was none other than one of Bai Hengwan’s senior sisters, another True Disciple of the Qing Lan Wanderer—Yang Ziling.

Her strength had already reached the Late Stage Foundation Establishment. She had a domineering personality and was skilled at Disguise, but in reality, her methods were ruthless. The Influence under her command had been developing quietly, its roots deep and tangled. She was one of Bai Hengwan’s main rivals on the path of the Dao.

Lin Changheng had dealt with this woman before, having helped her refine a Foundation Establishment Pill, but he had tactfully deflected her attempts at recruitment and her extended olive branches.

Behind her, a woman dressed as a Maid, but whose eyes were bright and whose aura was at the Early Stage Foundation Establishment, stood with her head bowed respectfully, reporting in a low voice:

"My Lady, we just received news. That Independent Cultivator Alchemist named Lin Changheng secretly left the island today. According to our informant, he sent messages to Elder Kong and Bai Zhenchuan before he departed."

Yang Ziling’s fingers tapping on the railing paused for a moment. A flash of surprise appeared in her eyes, which quickly turned into deeper amusement and calculation.

"Oh? He left so soon? Without even a face-to-face farewell?"

"It seems our dear Junior Sister Bai isn’t very good at recruiting people, is she? Scared him off so quickly? Or perhaps... this man is all flash and no substance, unable to satisfy our Junior Sister Bai’s appetite and ultimately useless?"

The Maid hesitated for a moment before adding, "However... there are scattered rumors from the Inner Lake that he seems to have had a breakthrough in the Alchemy Dao, but the news has yet to be confirmed."

"A breakthrough?" Yang Ziling sneered, dismissing it. "A rootless Loose Cultivator who got lucky with a few pointers from Elder Kong—how far could he possibly break through? He’s probably just spinning his wheels at Tier Two Middle Grade at best."

That was what she said on the surface, but inwardly, she grew serious, a piercing coldness rising within her.

The Maid didn’t say more, only nodding. "My Lady’s judgment is sound."

"Leave."

Yang Ziling waved her hand, dismissing the Maid.

At the same time, she took out a Sound Transmission Jade Talisman with a turn of her hand. She whispered a few words into it, then placed a Sealing Restriction on it. A fine, tight layer of white light immediately enveloped the Talisman, shielding it from any prying eyes. With a flick of her slender hand, she sent the Jade Talisman flying through the air.

The direction it flew was, surprisingly, toward the Outer Lake.

And more specifically... toward the area of the cave mansions.

If Lin Changheng had been there, he would have discovered that the Communication Jade Talisman’s final destination was not his own Cave Mansion. It skimmed low over Cave Mansion No. 98 and fell directly into the one next door: Cave Mansion No. 97!

The cave mansion of his rather mysterious neighbor, who almost never left his dwelling or socialized with anyone.

BUZZ~

It was caught directly in the Array, where it struggled gently, buzzing.

Just then, a black-robed figure, as if sensing something, walked out of the cave mansion and looked up at the Jade Talisman.

His hood fell back slightly, revealing a pale, bloodless face, as if he hadn’t seen the sun in years.

He reached out a hand like an eagle’s talon, snatching the Jade Talisman from the air. Using a special technique to undo the Restriction, he sent his Divine Sense surging into it.

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