195: Seeking help from the Alchemist Association

Lin Jingyu's words were like ice shards condensed in the dead of winter—crisp, cold, and carrying an undeniable resolve.

They echoed clearly in the oppressive air before the ancestral hall, piercing the ears of every Lin Family Clansmen who were silent from humiliation and trembling from anger.

His gaze first slowly swept over the dazzling, charred palm print on Clan Chief Lin Lingshan's chest—which was not just a mark, but a symbol of the entire Lin Family's dignity being trampled underfoot.

Then it passed over Lin Lingkuang's swollen, bruised cheek and unnaturally drooping arm, as well as the dust and bloodstains on the robes of several other clansmen.

Finally, those eyes, as profound as a ten-thousand-year-old cold pool, seemed to penetrate the distance of space, locking onto the direction of the Zhong Family in Qingzhong Town.

His expression was calm and unruffled, but all who knew him could sense the erupting, lava-like fury and bone-chilling Killing Intent beneath that extreme calm.

"I will handle this matter."

There was no impassioned shout, no soaring Killing Intent, only a brief, almost indifferent declaration.

However, these simple five words seemed to contain the power to stabilize the universe. The flames of humiliation burning in the clansmen's eyes did not extinguish but strangely settled.

They transformed into an almost blind, unwavering trust, all invested in that seemingly slender young figure who had, countless times, shouldered the Family's fate in times of crisis.

He was the Lin Family's backbone at this moment, the only guiding light in the darkness.

After speaking, Lin Jingyu did not look at the crowd much longer. He turned resolutely, his steps steady, and walked towards the protective Family formation's light barrier at the village entrance, which shimmered with faint blue ripples.

As he passed Uncle Lingshan, his lips moved slightly, transmitting a secret message: "Uncle Lingshan, appease the clansmen, guard the village strictly, and wait for my return."

Uncle Lingshan's powerful body trembled slightly, his tightly clenched fists turning white from excessive force. He watched Lin Jingyu's retreating figure.

He opened his mouth, but in the end, merely nodded heavily, squeezing out a weighty syllable from deep in his throat: "...Be careful!"

Now that the Lin Family was forced into this situation, they could only pin their hopes on Lin Jingyu, this Junior who had repeatedly created miracles.

For the Lin Family to rise and establish itself in this land, they had to genuinely demonstrate their strength.

Show their fists!

The light barrier, as if sentient, silently parted to form an opening just wide enough for one person to pass as he approached.

Lin Jingyu stepped out, his figure instantly swallowed by the broader, yet more dangerous, mountain forest outside the formation.

His expression remained calm, but his eyes were now as sharp as a peerless cold blade about to be fully unsheathed. His target was clear; he moved swiftly towards the Southeast Market Town, executing his movement technique.

The mountain wind rustled his grey robes, making them flap loudly, as if seeing him off or foretelling the coming turmoil.

Southeast Market Town, Alchemist Association.

Even though it was already afternoon, and the sunlight, filtered through the faint Spiritual Qi mist above the market town, cast lazy patches of light, the association's interior was still bustling.

The peculiar medicinal fragrance formed by the Fusion and sublimation of various Spiritual Plants and mineral powders through hundreds of refinements was so thick it almost solidified, permeating every inch of the air, invigorating one's spirit with a single breath.

Although the flow of people was not as bustling as at noon, there were still many Cultivators in various Alchemist robes, either hurrying along, pausing to gaze at the mission board, or quietly exchanging Alchemy insights.

Lin Jingyu was already very familiar with this place.

The Disciples guarding the association's entrance, seeing him approach from a distance, immediately showed genuine awe on their faces, bowing respectfully without any hesitation or attempt to stop him.

This seemingly young boy was a Genius who had publicly refined a Supreme-grade Pure Heart Pill and was personally invited by Vice President Gu Yue to join the association.

His status was far beyond what ordinary Disciples like them could compare to.

He nodded slightly in response, his steps unwavering, and walked directly through the front hall corridor towards the depths of the association, to Vice President Gu Yue's exclusive top-tier Alchemy quiet rooms.

The closer he got, the more active the Spiritual Qi fluctuations in the air became, sometimes gentle like a stream, other times violent like thunder and fire.

Before he even reached the innermost quiet room door, which was inscribed with complex flame runes, he heard a muffled "bang" from inside.

This was followed by a violent cough from being choked by smoke and a frustrated, low curse.

"Cough, cough, cough... bah, bah, bah! Just three parts off again! The auxiliary ingredients for this 'Blazing Sun Pill' are truly tricky! The medicinal properties of the Fire Floss Grass are too violent, always impacting the balance of the main medicine at the last moment..."

Lin Jingyu pushed open the heavy quiet room door, which could block most sounds and Spiritual Qi fluctuations, and saw that the room was currently filled with smoke, looking somewhat messy.

Vice President Gu Yue was standing up from beside a half-human-tall red copper Pill Furnace, his face covered in ash. His normally immortal-like, meticulously groomed white beard was now scorched black in a small patch, looking quite comical.

His face and sleeves were stained with black ash, and his usually sharp eyes were now red from the smoke, clearly having just experienced an unpleasant furnace explosion.

"Jingyu? Why are you here!"

Upon seeing Lin Jingyu push open the door, Gu Yue first wiped the ash from his face in surprise, then his eyes suddenly lit up. He disregarded his disheveled appearance and took a few steps forward.

He grabbed Lin Jingyu's arm, his tone urgent and excited.

"You've come at just the right time! Quickly, help me analyze the pill-condensing technique for this 'Blazing Sun Pill'! I always feel a bit stuck at the last node of Spiritual Power transformation.

Each forced Fusion causes a small-scale Spiritual explosion. Is the refinement of the Earth Core Lotus Seed still lacking in heat? Or is it..."

At this moment, Gu Yue had no airs of an elder or a vice president; he was more like an obsessed researcher who had encountered a thorny problem and was eager to discuss or even seek help from a fellow enthusiast.

Lin Jingyu's previous display of almost Prodigy-like understanding and control over the Alchemy Dao, demonstrated when he refined the Supreme-grade Pure Heart Pill, had completely won over this old man.

Lin Jingyu slightly turned his body, avoiding the still-floating fine smoke and dust, cupped his hands in a salute, and interrupted his endless chatter with a calm tone:

"Vice President Gu Yue, to be frank, my uninvited visit this time is not to discuss the Alchemy Dao, but because this Junior has encountered some trouble and has come specifically to seek help.

The situation is extremely urgent."

His tone remained steady, but deep within his eyes, as he looked at Gu Yue, there was a hint of imperceptible solemnity and resolve.

Upon hearing this, the excitement on Gu Yue's face quickly receded. He then carefully scrutinized Lin Jingyu.

He saw that although Lin Jingyu's expression was as calm as water, there was an unyielding chill in his brows, and his eyes were profound, as if ice layers were shattering and cold stars flickering beneath them. Though his aura was restrained, it subtly exuded a sharpness eager to erupt.