Free Web NovelChapter 97: Chapter 97: Resident Chief
’The Fifth Layer Treasure Seed is almost ready...’
Lin Changheng once again looked at the phantom Treasure Seed at the center of the Primordial Cauldron:
[Spirit Stealing: 72/100]
Lin Changheng was feeling the wondrous uses of the Origin Treasure Seed more and more, which manifested in all aspects, including his Cultivation and Skills.
To a certain extent, it was even more crucial than the one Divine Power True Intent and two Demon Techniques he had successfully created through Metamorphosis.
...
By the time Lin Changheng stopped and concluded his practice, it was the morning of the second day.
After suppressing his Cultivation to the Fifth Layer of Qi Cultivation, Lin Changheng glanced at the Black-armored Young Turtle lying motionless in a man-made mud pit, about half a zhang wide, in a corner of the courtyard, and then left.
This turtle’s egg had first been purged of its toxins by Lin Changheng using the Poison Transformation Demon Technique, then fortified with ground-up Wood Element Middle Grade Elixirs. After two long years of meticulous care, it had finally hatched.
Initially, based on his experience, Lin Changheng had assumed all turtles liked water. He had specifically dug a pond and planted a few stalks of Spirit Grass for it to rest in.
However, the turtle showed no appreciation. Instead, it dug wildly at the bottom and sides of the pond, muddying the water completely before it would grudgingly accept its new home.
After this happened a few times, Lin Changheng finally realized that this turtle preferred mud.
Specifically, the thick, pasty kind with more mud than water.
Looking at the turtle, now covered head to toe in muddy water and looking no different from a filthy domestic pig that had rolled in a sty, the frown of disgust he once wore had gradually faded into acceptance.
After leaving his courtyard, he didn’t head straight for the Alchemy Room. Instead, he first made a trip to the Hidden Peak Dojo.
According to the previous rules, even though Lin Changheng was a Middle Grade Alchemist, he was not allowed to enter uninvited.
This was a security requirement for the core Dao Field.
But ever since he had intervened and resolved Xu Hanji’s crisis, Lin Changheng could enter whenever he pleased. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
He had been granted special permission!
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!
The sound of knocking echoed outside a pavilion beside a waterfall.
"Alchemist Lin."
A pretty, baby-faced maid—Xu Hanji’s personal attendant—opened the door, her voice filled with surprise.
Clearly, she was not used to seeing him visit.
At the same time, she did not forget to curtsy in greeting.
"Is the Young Miss in?"
Lin Changheng smiled faintly, appearing approachable.
"She is. Please, come in, Alchemist Lin. The Young Miss has instructed that no matter when you visit or for what reason, you are to be respectfully invited in for a cup of tea before anything else is discussed."
The pretty maid chuckled softly and quickly ushered him in.
"Oh? To be held in such high regard by the Young Miss is my honor."
Lin Changheng offered his thanks and followed the maid.
"My apologies for keeping you waiting, Mr. Lin."
Xu Hanji did not keep him waiting long. She appeared dressed in white, a simple gold band holding back her waterfall of black hair. It was a different look from her usual purple attire. "Mr. Lin, you never visit without a purpose. I imagine you’ve come today to discuss something important?"
"Miss, I will take my leave to attend to my duties," the maid said tactfully, excusing herself.
"As expected, nothing escapes the Young Miss’s sharp eyes."
Lin Changheng glanced at the maid’s departing figure, smiled faintly, and nodded. He then laid out his request for an external posting in full. freёwebnovel.com
After hearing him out, Xu Hanji couldn’t help but stare, her gaze toward Lin Changheng filled with bewilderment.
Evidently, anyone who had dealt with Alchemist Lin knew his disposition.
Cautious and steady, he rarely left his home unless absolutely necessary—not just the Xu Family estate, but even his own small courtyard...
Had he had a change of heart? To actively request an external posting.
"Where are you planning to go?"
Xu Hanji asked.
"The Cyan Spirit District."
Lin Changheng uttered the three words calmly. "I have heard that although the family co-manages this Marketplace with the Liu Family, we will still be opening an alchemy shop in the New District. I hear it is currently in the planning stages, and the position of Chief Alchemist for the external post has not yet been decided. I believe my Alchemy Dao is not lacking and my loyalty to the family is proven, so I have come to recommend myself for the position."
This statement, especially the last sentence, threw the full weight of Lin Changheng’s standing behind his request.
His Alchemy Dao and his loyalty—these were both beyond reproach.
As for the debt he was owed by her and her father, he did not mention it. That was something to be understood implicitly. Bringing it up openly would carry the suspicion of demanding repayment for a favor, which would be unseemly.
Naturally, Lin Changheng wasn’t foolish enough to do such a thing.
Xu Hanji fell silent for a moment before replying, "Mr. Lin, I will bring this matter up with my father and the family. We will have to wait for it to be reviewed and approved."
Then she added, "Right now, many of the family’s Pill Masters have their eyes on this promising New District. They’ve all submitted requests, so the competition is stiff. However, with your abilities and track record, Alchemist Lin, very few can surpass you."
This was indeed true. The female cultivator was just being discreet; some Pill Masters really were in it for the extra income. Whether it was taking on outside orders under the shop’s name or skimming profits off the top, such practices were not uncommon.
And it was impossible to completely prevent.
Moreover, the more prosperous the Marketplace, the more prevalent these practices became.
It was considered a lucrative post, and everyone was watching it.
"Understood. Thank you for your trouble, Young Miss."
Lin Changheng didn’t ask the female cultivator for an immediate promise. For a father and daughter who adhered strictly to rules and principles, making empty promises was unlikely.
If this response had come from someone accustomed to using their public office for private gain, it would have been a clear attempt to brush him off.
Seeing Xu Hanji shake her head, signaling that it was no trouble, Lin Changheng brought up another matter.
"What? You’re applying for the Upper Grade Alchemy Inheritance?"
This time, a look of shock appeared on Xu Hanji’s face, and her voice was laced with disbelief. "Mr. Lin, has your Alchemy Dao progressed again?"
"By a stroke of luck, yes. It’s been about a year now. I’d like to ask the Young Miss to submit this request to the family on my behalf as well."
Lin Changheng said seriously.
"Alright."
Xu Hanji sat down thoughtfully, then suddenly stood up again. "Yes, I’ll go right now!"
Lin Changheng took this as his cue to leave.
...
Having finished his important business, Lin Changheng ambled directly toward the Alchemy Room.
On the way, he ran into an old man with a rosacea nose, an Elder Alchemist of the family whose Alchemy Dao was also at the Middle Grade.
"Alchemist Lin."
The man greeted Lin Changheng enthusiastically the moment he saw him.
"Alchemist Xu."
Lin Changheng replied coolly.
But the old man, acting as if he hadn’t noticed Lin Changheng’s indifference, just chuckled and fell into step beside him, chattering nonstop.
The corner of Lin Changheng’s mouth twitched. He could only pretend not to hear and walk on in silence.
This man was one of the few people who could get a rise out of the usually composed Lin Changheng.
This was the same Pill Master who had previously "contracted" the task of dealing with Middle Grade Wasted Pills.
For the sake of the Fire-tailed Golden Rat’s Essence Blood, Lin Changheng had once approached this man and asked him to transfer the task.
As a result, the man had played him; although he got the task, he was also thoroughly ripped off.
Lin Changheng had been prepared to pay a certain price, so he didn’t take it to heart. He considered the transaction finished and intended to have no further dealings with him.
But as it turned out, the old man was now extremely enthusiastic toward Lin Changheng, acting as if they were long-lost best friends. He would call out greetings from a great distance and insist on walking together whenever they met.
He paid no mind to Lin Changheng’s expression, doing as he pleased, as if the two of them were the closest of friends.
Lin Changheng was speechless. He was no match for this man’s thick skin.
