22: Chapter 22 A Second-Tier Alchemist Wins the Heart of a Beauty

Chu Sheng looked at the options on the simulator.

"Choose 1, but I can't just go knock on Lin Bufan's door and say I know you have a thing with your aunt."

His mind raced.

That would be no different from seeking death.

A Qi Induction Fourth Grade cultivator killing a Qi Induction First Grade is extremely easy.

I have to make him come to me, and I have to make him think I'm a smart person.

[After some time, Chu Sheng began to frequent the library, specifically borrowing ancient books on alchemy and pharmacology.]

[At the same time, Xiao Huan received a strange errand: every few days, go to the cliff in the back mountain to pick some common herbs, and pass by the Quiet Heart Garden on the way back.]

[Although Xiao Huan was puzzled, she did as instructed.]

Chu Sheng looked at the simulation screen, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

This is called 'beating the grass to scare the snake without actually hitting it.'

Let him know I might know something, but keep him unsure of how much I know.

People like this, on the contrary, dare not act rashly.

[Sure enough, a few days later, on the way back from the library to Listening to Bamboo Pavilion, Chu Sheng found an extra wordless jade slip in his storage bag.]

[Inside the jade slip was only one sentence: 'Quiet Heart Pavilion, midnight, come alone.']

[Midnight, Quiet Heart Pavilion.]

[Lin Bufan was dressed in a green shirt, standing with his hands behind his back, his Qi Induction Fourth Grade aura condensed like an abyss.]

[He was waiting to see if Chu Sheng's legs would go weak, if he would feel guilty.]

[Chu Sheng's heart did beat faster, but his steps did not stop, 'Young Master.']

[Lin Bufan turned around, his gaze like lightning: 'Alchemist Chu, good courage.']

['Since the Young Master summoned me, how could I not come?' Chu Sheng lowered his head, neither humble nor pushy.]

[The silence lasted for a full ten breaths.]

['In the back mountain, what did you hear?' Lin Bufan finally spoke.]

[Chu Sheng looked up, met his gaze for a moment, then looked away.]

['This humble one was picking herbs late at night, my hearing is not good, I only vaguely heard the wind passing through the treetops, other than that... I didn't hear anything.']

[Lin Bufan stared at him for a long time.]

[Then that pressure suddenly retracted.]

['You are a smart person.' His tone could not be discerned for joy or anger, 'Smart people often live longer.']

['This humble one only seeks to focus on alchemy and live in peace.' Chu Sheng saluted again, 'If the Young Master has any use for This humble one, just give the order.']

[Lin Bufan didn't respond, turned and disappeared into the night.]

Chu Sheng breathed a sigh of relief: 'That's enough. Dealing with people like this, you can't be greedy.'

[Just as this relationship was established, a piece of news that shook the entire Lin family came from the upper echelons.]

[The Family Head, Lin Tiannan, suffered a spiritual backlash while in closed-door cultivation to break through to the True Condensation Realm, his origin was damaged, and his lifespan was greatly reduced!]

[The news exploded like a thunderclap.]

[The reason the Lin family could firmly sit as the head of the three great families in Qingshi Town was because of this True Condensation Realm expert, Lin Tiannan, holding the fort.]

[Once he falls, the Lin family's strength will plummet, and the covetous Wang and Li families will definitely attack in groups!]

[The entire Lin family was shrouded in gloom.]

[The First Branch Family, Second Branch Family, and Third Branch Family were outwardly worried, but secretly had already begun to move frequently, gathering manpower and accumulating strength.]

[As the eldest son of the First Branch Family, Lin Bufan should have been the most active contender for power, but he remained reclusive.]

[One day, Chief Steward Lin Yuanshan summoned Chu Sheng with a serious expression.]

['Alchemist Chu, you know the current situation.']

[Lin Yuanshan's eyes were bloodshot, 'The Family Head's injuries are extremely serious, ordinary healing pills are of no use. Except for the longevity and spirit prolonging pill.']

[He looked at Chu Sheng with burning eyes, 'Alchemist Chu's speed of improvement in alchemy is far beyond ordinary people. This pill formula... do you dare to try?']

Chu Sheng gasped.

'Second-rank low-grade? I haven't even refined first-rank high-grade many times, and I'm jumping straight to fighting the boss?'

[Key event triggered: Refine the longevity and spirit prolonging pill, save the Family Head Lin Tiannan!]

[Risk: Failure may lead to being blamed, or even becoming a scapegoat; Success means a meteoric rise!]

[Chu Sheng's heart shook violently. A second-rank pill formula! This was far beyond his current level, where he could barely handle first-rank high-grade!]

Alchemist grades are linked to a cultivator's realm.

First and second ranks correspond to Qi Induction, third and fourth ranks correspond to True Condensation.

Those who can refine second-rank pills are theoretically already top-tier figures in the Qi Induction Realm.

And there is an unwritten rule in the cultivation world:

The status of a second-rank alchemist is equivalent to a Qi Induction Seventh Grade cultivator!

[Chu Sheng gritted his teeth and agreed: 'This humble one... is willing to try with all his might!']

[The news spread, and the Lin residence was in an uproar.]

['A low-level attendant who started as a servant, having luckily refined a few first-rank pills, dares to touch ancient second-rank pills? Simply ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth!']

['The Chief Steward is also grabbing at straws! I think this kid wants to take the opportunity to swindle precious medicinal materials!']

[The people of the Second Branch Family were sarcastic, Lin Hao of the Third Branch Family also looked worried, and Han Li was secretly sneering.]

[Chu Sheng locked himself in the exclusive alchemy room provided by the Lin residence.]

[He opened the 'Hundred Herbs Spectrum' he had exchanged from the old cultivator and found the records about second-rank pills.]

[Even for many seventh or eighth-grade Qi Induction alchemists, refining second-rank pills is very strenuous, let alone for him, a Qi Induction First Grade.]

Chu Sheng looked at himself sweating in the simulation screen and couldn't help but complain.

'This isn't alchemy, this is gambling with my life.'

[Chu Sheng discarded distracting thoughts and pushed his 'Pill Dao Physique' to the limit.]

[The first batch of materials turned into charcoal when fusing the main ingredients.]

[The second batch of materials failed again because of energy imbalance in the pill furnace at the final moment of condensing the pill.]

[Only the last batch left!]

[The hope of the entire Lin family, and Chu Sheng's own future, were tied to this!]

[Chu Sheng closed his eyes and adjusted his breath for a long time.]

[Opening the furnace, adding medicine, controlling the fire, fusing spirits, condensing the pill... every step only had a 10-20% chance, but with 'Strong Luck,' he barely made it through.]

['Hum —!']

[With a low, muffled sound, the furnace lid was blown open.]

[At the bottom of the furnace lay three pills with blood-colored pill patterns — it succeeded!]

[Although the quality was only barely qualified as second-rank low-grade, it was indeed a longevity and spirit prolonging pill!]

Chu Sheng breathed a sigh of relief.

'Strong Luck is awesome! Pill Dao Physique is awesome! Even this can succeed, from now on call me Half-Immortal Chu.'

['Quick! Send the pills to the Family Head! Alchemist Chu... quickly help Alchemist Chu to the quiet room to rest, and use the best pills to recuperate!' Lin Yuanshan's voice was trembling.]

[The Family Head took the pill, although his injuries were not fully healed, the worsening trend had been curbed!]

[The entire Lin family, and even the upper echelons of Qingshi Town, were shaken!]

[After Lin Tiannan recovered slightly, he personally ordered:]

['Alchemist Chu Sheng, in the time of the family's crisis, turned the tide, and has made a great contribution!']

['Promoted to the Chief Alchemy Attendant of the Lin family, with a status equivalent to an Elder! Rewarded with one hundred low-grade spirit stones, granted the private residence Danxia Pavilion, and all cultivation resources will be provided with priority!']

Chu Sheng counted on his fingers.

'Status equivalent to an Elder, that means, now in this Lin mansion, except for the Family Head and a few core direct descendants, everyone else has to call me Elder Chu!'

[However, when Chu Sheng accepted the reward, Lin Tiannan looked at his pale face and added.]

['Attendant Chu has consumed a lot, and needs to rest well. My Lin family has always rewarded merit and punished faults. Attendant Chu is still young, and has a bright future in both cultivation and alchemy, so he cannot be without someone to take care of him.']

['I have a daughter, named Wan Qing, who has a gentle temperament and is of similar age to Attendant Chu...']

[As soon as these words were spoken, the whole hall was shocked!]

[The Family Head is going to marry the Second Miss, Lin Wan Qing, to Chu Sheng?!]

[The Second Madam, Wang, stood up instantly, her face pale: 'Master! Wan Qing she...']

[She never expected that the 'poor boy' she had looked down upon before would suddenly transform into a hero who saved the family, and was even promised in marriage by the Family Head himself!]

[Lin Tiannan's gaze swept over, carrying the dignity of a cultivator: 'Hmm? Do you have an objection?']

[He was not fully healed, but his remaining prestige was still there.]

[Wang immediately silenced and fell back into her chair.]

[Lin Wan Qing herself was standing behind her mother. Upon hearing this, she was stunned at first, and a blush quietly flew onto her cheeks.]

Chu Sheng looked at Lin Wan Qing's young girl demeanor and felt happy inside.

'Is this the legendary counterattack, winning the beauty, all-in-one service? The first piece of the 'Many Children, Many Blessings' puzzle is secure!'

[Chu Sheng hurriedly struggled to salute, 'Chu Sheng... thanks the Family Head for his great kindness! I will definitely do my best to serve the Lin family, and... and the Lin Wanqing!']

[He cleverly changed his address and implied his acceptance of this marriage.]

[Lin Tiannan nodded with satisfaction. His move was both to reward merit and to completely bind Chu Sheng, this potential-filled alchemist, to the Lin family.]

[Congratulations on completing the achievement!]

[Second-Rank Alchemist (Blue)]

[However, the crisis has not been resolved.]

[The other two major families in Qingshi Town, Wang and Li, after confirming that Lin Tiannan was seriously injured and not yet healed, became more frequent in their probing and provocations.]

[More troublesome is that Chu Sheng's reputation as a genius alchemist spread rapidly with this incident.]

[A few months later, several streams of light landed in front of the Lin residence.]

[The visitors were uniformly dressed in green Taoist robes, and the leader was a young man in his early twenties, already at Qi Induction Third Grade.]

['The Lin family of Qingshi Town? I am Zhao Mingyang, an outer sect deacon disciple of the Qinglan Sect. I heard that your Lin family has produced a young alchemist who can refine second-rank pills?']

['Call him out to follow me back to the Qinglan Sect to await orders. If he can pass the assessment, maybe he will be rewarded with a position as an outer sect menial alchemist.']

Chu Sheng's pupils shrank.

'Qinglan Sect! The third-rate sect that killed Chu Qiming in the second simulation! They really came!'

[The people of the Lin residence looked ugly, Lin Tiannan forced himself to come out to receive them despite his illness, but he couldn't hide his humiliation.]

[Chu Sheng stood in the crowd, looking at those young and arrogant faces, his heart cold.]

Chu Sheng looked at the screen, the corners of his mouth slowly curling up.

'Second-rank alchemist, status equivalent to Qi Induction Seventh Grade. The Qinglan Sect wants me to be a menial alchemist?'

He smiled, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes.