52: Chapter 52 Assisting in Alchemy?

The plaza at the summit of Hundred Herbs Peak was already bustling with noise and activity, exceptionally lively.

Gu Changsheng carried the jade box, weaving through the crowd of people clinking glasses. His pace was not fast, and he had restrained his aura to the extreme, blending in inconspicuously among the many Outer Sect and Inner Sect Disciples who had come to offer their congratulations.

He did not attempt to approach the group of great Foundation Establishment Cultivators who were surrounded like stars around the moon in the center, nor did he strike up conversations with those flushed, loud-talking Inner Sect Prodigies.

His goal was very clear.

He soon found that small figure in a corner of the plaza.

Li Yan was currently holding a spirit fruit larger than her face, nibbling on it in small bites, her large, dark eyes scanning the surroundings with curiosity.

She wore a light green dress that only True Disciples of Hundred Herbs Peak could possess. After a few years, she had grown from a frail child into a graceful young girl, and her cultivation had even reached the Qi Refining Third Layer with a solid Foundation.

“Junior Sister Li Yan.”

Gu Changsheng walked up behind her and spoke softly.

The young girl was startled by the sudden voice, and the spirit fruit in her hand almost fell to the ground.

She whipped her head around, and only after seeing that the newcomer was Gu Changsheng did her tense little face instantly relax, revealing a sweet smile.

“Senior Brother Gu! You've come out of seclusion!”

On this Hundred Herbs Peak, aside from her Revered Master Wen Yuechan and Grandmaster Si Yuanzhi, Gu Changsheng was the only person she felt close to.

“Yes.” Gu Changsheng nodded and handed over the long white jade box. “Senior Sister Wen is now a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. My status is humble, so it is inconvenient for me to go forward and disturb her. Please pass this congratulatory gift on for me, Junior Sister.”

Li Yan hurriedly put down the spirit fruit and solemnly took the jade box with both hands. She looked at the lifelike 'Colorful Butterfly Loving a Flower Illustration' on the jade box, her small face full of wonder.

“So pretty... Senior Brother Gu, did you carve this picture?”

“Just a minor trick, nothing impressive.” Gu Changsheng did not explain further, only instructing, “This item must be handed to Senior Sister Wen personally; do not let it pass through anyone else’s hands.”

“Mhm! I will definitely hand it to Revered Master personally!” Li Yan nodded vigorously, hugging the jade box tightly to her chest.

Gu Changsheng chatted with her for a few more moments, confirming that she had been doing well on Hundred Herbs Peak these past few years and had not been bullied, before finally feeling at ease.

Having achieved his goal, he did not linger in the slightest, quietly turning away to blend into the crowd and leave the noisy summit plaza.

To him, staying even one breath longer in such a place meant one more degree of risk of exposure. Only the layers of Restrictions in his Immortal Cave could provide him with a true sense of security.

Returning to Cave Dwelling No. Ding 97, the stone door slammed shut, isolating him from all the clamor and vanity of the outside world.

Gu Changsheng sat down cross-legged and began to review today's actions.

The gift was delivered, and the social obligation was fulfilled. When Wen Yuechan saw that jade box, she would naturally understand his intentions and where he stood.

And by passing it through Li Yan, he perfectly avoided the trouble of direct contact with a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, adhering to his consistent principle of keeping a low profile.

Everything was linked perfectly; nothing could go wrong.

For the next few days, Gu Changsheng once again entered a state of living in seclusion.

The waves caused by Wen Yuechan's successful Foundation Establishment continued to ferment within the Sect. The status of Hundred Herbs Peak rose accordingly, with Disciples from various peaks visiting every day.

Meanwhile, Gu Changsheng was completely forgotten in his corner.

He was happy to have the peace and quiet. Every day, besides Cultivating the Withered Wood Meets Spring Scripture and the Azure Origin Sword Art, he would check the daily intelligence refreshed in his mind, silently observing the shifting winds and clouds of the entire Taiqing Sect.

Until the morning of the fifth day, at the mao hour.

That familiar pale gold text appeared in his mind with an unprecedented gravity.

[daily intelligence has been refreshed]

[Intelligence 1: Peak Master of Hundred Herbs Peak Si Yuanzhi and the newly promoted Foundation Establishment Cultivator Wen Yuechan have reached an agreement and have applied for a special quota for you from the Sect. Tomorrow at the 7-9 am, a Sect Transfer Order will be officially issued, commanding you to go to Danyang Peak as a medicine apprentice to assist the Peak Master of Danyang Peak in refining the 'foundation establishment pill'.]

[Supplementary Note: This is a move by Si Yuanzhi to pave the way for you, intended to let you come into contact with the core of foundation establishment pill refining to accumulate resources for your future Foundation Establishment.]

[Risk Assessment: High (The Alchemy Room is a vital area of the Sect, with many eyes and ears and filled with experts. The refining process of the foundation establishment pill is incredibly complex; any slight mistake could result in you becoming a scapegoat for the failure of the Alchemy. This matter has already drawn the jealousy and hostility of several True Disciples).]

[Intelligence 2: Ten Thousand Beasts Peak True Disciple Wu Yang, having failed to obtain a quota to assist in refining the foundation establishment pill this time, harbors resentment and has secretly contacted Danyang Peak Inner Sect Disciple Wang Hao, intending to find an Opportunity to cause trouble for you during the Alchemy process.]

[Intelligence 3...]

The calm on Gu Changsheng's face vanished instantly.

His body didn't even move, but a bone-chilling cold rose from the deepest part of his heart, instantly spreading through his entire body.

foundation establishment pill!

Assisting in refining the foundation establishment pill!

These words each weighed a thousand jin, smashing heavily into his heart.

He had calculated many things, thinking that Si Yuanzhi's nurturing would at most be tacitly allowing him to sell spirit-calming incense or providing some convenience in Sect missions.

He never imagined that once this Peak Revered Master made a move, it would be such an earth-shattering masterstroke!

This was a massive Opportunity!

It was also a death warrant that could smash him to pieces!

Risk assessment: High!

And this was the assessment the System gave even with his intelligence Golden Finger! If it were anyone else, it would probably be 'Extremely High' or even 'Certain Death'!

Scapegoat!

Jealousy and hostility!

Wu Yang's secret revenge!

Lines of cold text swirled in his mind, forming a great web of death.

Gu Changsheng's first reaction was to refuse!

Was this a joke? Go into the center of such a whirlpool? He wished he could shrink back into this Cave Dwelling No. Ding 97 for the rest of his life and Cultivate peacefully until the end of time.

However, could he refuse?

This was an Opportunity that Si Yuanzhi and Wen Yuechan, two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, had fought for on his behalf!

Once this order was issued, it represented the will of Hundred Herbs Peak. If he refused, he would be publicly slapping the faces of these two backers, and the consequences would be unimaginable.

By then, he would lose not just their protection, but would instantly become an outcast of Hundred Herbs Peak, perhaps even a sinner.

“F*ck!”

Gu Changsheng couldn't help but curse in his heart.

This f*cking isn't a multiple-choice question at all; it's a mandatory one!

He was being roasted over a fire!

Go, and it's a slim chance of survival.

Don't go, and it's certain death!

A massive sense of crisis made his scalp tingle. He paced back and forth, his mind in a mess.

No, I must calm down.

Gu Changsheng forced himself to sit back down, closed his eyes, and began to circulate the Withered Wood Meets Spring Scripture over and over, calming his agitated emotions.

He knew deeply that when danger could not be avoided, he had to think of every possible way to minimize the risk and maximize his chances of survival!