65: Third level alchemist

Arriving at the Earth Fire Hall again, the Pill Pavilion and Artifact Pavilion were far livelier than before, and the surrounding temperature was also much higher.

Moreover, it was much more bustling here, with many Cultivators at Qi Refining first and second layers also coming to the Pill Pavilion and Artifact Pavilion to try their luck.

The most successful among them turned out to be Lin Shizhong, the Three Spiritual Roots Cultivator who entered the Sect with Lin Shitao.

Although he had just broken through to the second layer of Qi Refining, his Artifact Refining techniques and talent earned the admiration of Lin Yutie, a Peak second-tier Artifact Refiner.

Of course, Lin Yutie also couldn't help but praise Lin Shiming, as it was that Ascension to Immortality Assembly that brought the Family two excellent immortal sprouts.

The Lin Family has now even changed the Ascension to Immortality Assembly from once every five years to once every three years because of this.

The effect was naturally significant; the Shi Generation now already has over fifty people.

Inside the Pill Pavilion, several more people were practicing furnace control, but Lin Shitao was surprisingly not in the main hall, nor was Lin Yuqi. There was no response to their transmission talismans.

Seeing Lin Shiming arrive, several youths of the Shi Generation gathered around him, respectfully and adoringly calling him Seventh Brother.

Especially the younger ones, their eyes filled with admiration, as if Lin Shiming's face was inscribed with thrilling stories.

"Where is Second Grandfather?" Lin Shiming nodded in response to each of them, then asked.

"Second Grandfather and the others are refining Medicinal Pills in the innermost room. They've been at it for half a month, and Thirty-first Sister is also inside!"

At this, the faces of the several Shi Generation Alchemy apprentices all looked rather poor, clearly having practiced furnace control for over ten days and finding it somewhat monotonous.

The Thirty-first Sister they spoke of was naturally Lin Shitao; the little girl from four years ago could now be called Sister.

Lin Shiming sighed slightly, and as their Seventh Brother, he also advised the several Shi Generation younger siblings to avoid impetuousness and impatience.

But thinking of his own actions, it reminded him of his Second Uncle from before, who had given him the same warning.

Lin Houshou was still in charge of the Treasure Pavilion, but his words were noticeably fewer than before.

Suddenly, the Earth Fire in front of them surged wildly, instantly rising to over three meters high.

Several apprentices, who were already prepared, instantly retreated outside the Formation, and Lin Shiming was also startled by this.

It was his first time seeing such a powerful eruption of flames, and he also retreated several meters away.

The flames continued to surge, and the runes on the Pill Pavilion's walls flickered wildly. Streaks of spiritual patterns, through the Spirit Gathering Formation, frantically absorbed the surrounding Spiritual Qi.

Lin Shiming frowned, releasing his Divine Sense, and discovered that the source of this Earth Fire tremor was in Lin Yuqi's secluded cultivation room.

"This is...?" Lin Shiming suddenly thought of a possibility.

Then, before he could think further, a faint Pill fragrance wafted out.

The Pill fragrance was extremely subtle, but taking a deep breath, he felt his entire body's spiritual power surge.

It was important to know that the Pill Refining Room had an isolating Formation, yet the Pill fragrance still seeped out.

That could only mean one thing: the Medicinal Pill Lin Yuqi was refining was a third-tier Medicinal Pill!

The Pill fragrance lingered for almost a full hour before finally fading.

The Formation opened, and a haggard but bright-eyed Lin Yuqi walked out, laughing heartily. In his hand, he held a Pill bottle, and the hand holding it was trembling slightly.

"Shiming, you've come at just the right time! Just the right time!" Lin Yuqi's two exclamations of "just the right time" were filled with joy.

Behind him, Lin Shitao also walked out, utterly exhausted, but her eyes were equally excited.

"Congratulations, Second Grandfather!" Lin Shiming quickly clasped his hands.

The latter waved his hand and spoke to the remaining Alchemy apprentices:

"Today, you may take a day to adjust. Alchemy, like Cultivation, still requires a balance of tension and relaxation!"

As Lin Yuqi spoke, the several Alchemy apprentices felt that Lin Yuqi was unusually happy today.

But they didn't think much of it, and one by one, they instantly felt relieved, waving their hands in high spirits as they excused themselves.

Only Lin Yuqi remained, handing the Pill bottle to Lin Shiming.

"Shiming, this is a third-tier Solidifying Origin Pill, perfectly suited for your father!" Lin Yuqi explained happily, his gaze at the Medicinal Pill exceptionally gentle.

Lin Shiming also solemnly took the Pill bottle. This was the first third-tier Medicinal Pill refined by the Lin Family.

For the Lin Family, its significance was immense!

This matter, of course, had to be shared with Seventh Grand Uncle immediately.

Lin Shiming took out a spiritual talisman and sent a message to the Green Lotus Pond.

Then he looked at the Second Elder. At this moment, Lin Yuqi was so excited, yet also so exhausted.

His eyes were bloodshot, and his hair had begun to turn white.

The Cultivator's ability to maintain his body's functions with Spiritual Qi had also clearly become disordered.

"Second Grandfather, as our Family's third-tier Alchemist, you must take care of your health!" Lin Shiming said with some concern. Although Lin Yuqi had always maintained a middle-aged appearance before, this old man was already 92 years old, and in his youth, he had suffered internal injuries, so his lifespan might not even reach 120 years.

"You can rest assured about that, Shiming. This old man hasn't cultivated a third-tier Alchemist yet!" Lin Yuqi replied nonchalantly, then told Lin Shitao to rest.

The latter had also undergone high-intensity learning and assisted during the Alchemy process, and was already utterly exhausted.

"Second Grandfather, this is the Foundation Establishment Pill Formula that Seventh Uncle wants to give you!" After much hesitation, Lin Shiming still took out the Foundation Establishment Pill Formula.

"Obtained from the Huang Family?" As the Pill Formula appeared, the brilliance in Lin Yuqi's eyes, which had dimmed considerably, flared up again. He took the Pill Formula, chatted briefly with Lin Shiming, and then re-entered his room.

Lin Shiming wanted to say something, but the latter had already spoken:

"That was a gift for your father's Foundation Establishment. Congratulate your father on his successful Foundation Establishment for me!"

After speaking, he closed the Formation again, and Lin Shiming could only leave helplessly... Returning to the Green Lotus Pond, because Lin Houyuan was in secluded cultivation, most of the Family affairs were handled by the Grand Elder and the Fifth Elder. At this moment, the two of them had sought out Lin Xianzhi.

Both of them looked troubled, especially Lin Yuzheng, who, as the Elder in charge of the Family's caravan, bore the entire Family's financial pressure.

"Shiming, you've come at just the right time. You should listen too!" Lin Xianzhi beckoned to Lin Shiming.

Lin Shiming agreed and walked over.

During their conversation, Lin Shiming also understood why the Family was facing a crisis this time.

The Huang Family was gone, but the Li Family, a Foundation Establishment Family, had unexpectedly split into the Qingyun Li Family and the Huangyun Li Family.

The former was a Purple Mansion Family, and the latter was a Foundation Establishment Family.

The Qingyun Li Family, as a Purple Mansion Li Family, naturally wouldn't target the Lin Family, which was still a Foundation Establishment Family. But the current Huangyun Li Family was different; they directly began to target the Lin Family on the trade routes.

In Qingyun Market, the largest market in Yunzhou, they directly targeted the Lin Family's Pill Refining Room and Artifact Refining building, causing the Lin Family's business to plummet.

If it weren't for the monkey wine business and the presence of Lin Xianzhi's Senior Brother Xie An, who maintained several shops, the profits would likely have been even more dismal.

It was important to know that the lion's share of the profits from the shops managed for Zi Xuan Sanren and Senior Brother Xie went to the latter.

Under these circumstances, the Lin Family had also increased the Family's stipend, and last year they spent over a hundred thousand to buy Foundation Establishment Pills, so their finances had already started to go into the red.

This was fine for a short time, but in the long run, it would definitely affect the Family's development.

Moreover, if the Family's stipend were reduced at this time, it would also affect the enthusiasm of the Family members.