The main hall was deathly silent.
Lin Qingyi's pretty face was filled with shock, her chest rising and falling, showing the intense turmoil in her heart at this moment.
A fifth-grade alchemist?
Generally speaking, the strength of one's divine soul is an important factor in verifying an alchemist's grade. Possessing the divine soul power of a fifth-grade alchemist doesn't necessarily mean one is a fifth-grade alchemist, as it also requires comprehensive elements like an understanding of the alchemical path. However, a fifth-grade alchemist will definitely possess fifth-grade divine soul power.
Therefore, when Ling Xian activated the divine soul power borrowed from Lian Cangqiong, he was misunderstood by these people.
However, the misunderstanding was good. At least no one present dared to show him the slightest disrespect, let alone harbor thoughts about the Fen Xie Divine Flame.
Ling Xian scanned his surroundings, finally fixing his gaze on Ye Xiaotian, and said calmly, "City Lord Ye, no one is questioning me now. Can I go save her?"
"Yes, yes, Master, please." Ye Xiaotian nodded repeatedly, his old face flushing involuntarily. If he hadn't hesitated at the time but had pushed aside all objections, he would definitely have left a good impression on this Master's heart. But now, avoiding ill will was already a blessing.
Sighing inwardly, Ye Xiaotian understood that he had missed a great opportunity. Alchemists already held a high status in the cultivation world, and a fifth-grade alchemist was someone even Core Formation stage experts would curry favour with. Yet, he had just watched himself miss the chance to befriend a fifth-grade alchemist. How could he not feel regret?
"This is reality," he thought.
Ling Xian also sighed inwardly with mixed feelings. In this cultivation world where strength was paramount, only when you displayed powerful strength would others respect and revere you. Look at these Foundation Establishment stage experts, usually so imposing, how respectful and even a little cautious they were after he revealed the fifth-grade divine soul power.
Following Ye Xiaotian, he slowly walked out of the main hall and arrived at a courtyard that was clearly a lady's boudoir.
"Master, this is my daughter, Ye Youlan." Ye Xiaotian waved his hand, and the two maids attending by the bed quietly withdrew. He looked at the young girl with her eyes closed on the bed, a hint of love and heartache appearing on his face.
Ling Xian stepped forward, looked at the beautiful but paper-pale woman, and said softly, "City Lord Ye, I remember you said earlier that besides the San Miao Treasure Lotus, you were also willing to offer all your family's wealth, right?"
"Yes, as long as Master can expel the poison for my daughter, I, Ye Xiaotian, keep my word." Ye Xiaotian's words were firm and resounding.
"I don't want all your family's wealth. I only want one Qingcheng Secret Realm Token. Is that possible?" Ling Xian smiled faintly.
Qingcheng Secret Realm Token?
Ye Xiaotian was startled, then couldn't help but be overjoyed. The Qingcheng Secret Realm was originally under his and the three major families' control. Although the Secret Realm Token was precious, what was it compared to all his family's wealth?
"Master, no problem. As long as my daughter recovers, I will present the San Miao Treasure Lotus and the Secret Realm Token with both hands." Ye Xiaotian said in a deep voice.
Ling Xian nodded slightly. The San Miao Treasure Lotus plus the Secret Realm Token were clearly not enough to equal the life of the City Lord's daughter. The reason he didn't ask for all of Ye Xiaotian's family wealth was that he didn't want to sever this life-saving connection. After all, he was still in Qingcheng, and it was hard to guarantee he wouldn't need Ye Xiaotian, the most powerful man in Qingcheng, in the future. As for the Secret Realm Token, it was something he currently needed most to quickly increase his strength.
He looked at the woman lying on the bed. Her features were delicate and beautiful, her skin like frost and snow, but at this moment, her breathing was weak, and there was a mass of black energy between her brows, clearly indicating that the poison had spread throughout her body and she was in critical condition.
Ling Xian pondered for a moment and decided to directly borrow the Alchemist Immortal's divine soul, enveloping the Fen Xie Divine Flame, and directly enter her body to perform a complete detoxification. Although this was relatively dangerous, after all, the Fen Xie Divine Flame was scorching and domineering, only obedient to him, its master; its destructive power towards everything and everyone else was considerable.
However, with Lian Cangqiong's powerful divine soul energy, he had some confidence.
A wisp of Fen Xie Divine Flame flickered at his fingertip.
Ling Xian wrapped it with his divine soul, then pointed a finger at Ye Youlan's brow.
The process was smooth. The Fen Xie Divine Flame, as if seeing a great tonic, entered Ye Youlan's body under his control, slowly surging towards her internal organs, limbs, and bones.
"Mmmph."
Ye Youlan let out a muffled groan. Her pale complexion gradually turned rosy, and wisps of visible black energy surged out from her body, then all flowed into Ling Xian's body.
Sweat appeared on his forehead. Ling Xian held his breath and concentrated fully, using the characteristic of the Fen Xie Divine Flame that repelled all evil to expel the strange poison from Ye Youlan's body little by little. It was just that his cultivation was still too low; otherwise, it wouldn't be so strenuous. The Fen Xie Divine Flame was known as the nemesis of all poisons in the world, and this was no exaggeration.
"Father, who is he?"
As the poison in her body was burned and absorbed by the Fen Xie Divine Flame little by little, Ye Youlan's condition improved greatly, and she woke up.
"Youlan, this Master is the one Father invited to expel the poison for you." Ye Xiaotian's expression was excited, tears welling up in his tiger-like eyes.
Hearing this, Ye Youlan sized up the strange person in front of her, dressed in a black robe with a black veil covering his face, and forced a smile, "Thank you, Master, for taking action to expel the poison for Youlan."
"Don't talk, bear the pain." Ling Xian didn't raise his head, abruptly increasing the power of the Fen Xie Divine Flame. Wisps of hot air rose, and scorching high temperature instantly permeated the entire room.
"Ah!"
Ye Youlan cried out in pain, feeling as if she were in magma. Her beautiful little face instantly turned completely red, and her fair skin also showed signs of cracking.
Just as she was about to reach her limit, Ling Xian's mind moved. The Fen Xie Divine Flame withdrew, taking the last bit of poison from her body, and then dissipated into space.
"Phew... It's done."
Letting out a long breath, Ling Xian wiped the sweat from his forehead, cupped his fists, and said, "City Lord Ye, Miss Lin, I have not failed your expectations. The poison in her body has been completely removed. She only needs a few days of recuperation to fully recover."
"Thank you. I won't say any unnecessary words. If Master ever needs my help in the future, I, Ye Xiaotian, will absolutely not refuse." Ye Xiaotian cupped his fists, excitement and joy flashing in his eyes. He looked at his daughter and said, "Why aren't you getting down quickly to greet the Master?"
Ye Youlan nodded gently, forced herself to get out of bed, bowed gracefully, and said sincerely, "Youlan thanks Master for saving her life."
"No need for formalities." Ling Xian waved his hand, and a gentle force lifted Ye Youlan up.
Ye Youlan looked at Ling Xian curiously. Since being poisoned yesterday, more than a dozen self-proclaimed alchemy masters had come to see her, but none could resolve the strange poison in her body. However, this person in front of her had solved it so easily. Who exactly was he?
"Master, this is the San Miao Treasure Lotus, and the Secret Realm Token. Please accept them." Ye Xiaotian waved his hand, and a treasure lotus with three petals, red, white, and blue, along with a transparent crystal token, appeared in mid-air.
"San Miao Treasure Lotus, its medicinal properties are gentle, it is a hundred years old, and it is a top-grade eighth-grade spiritual medicine. The red lotus petal can enhance cultivation after consumption, the white lotus petal can enhance the divine soul after consumption, and the blue lotus petal can heal injuries after consumption. It is a rare heavenly material and earthly treasure. If planted on Soul Nourishing Mountain and Soul Gathering Lake, it can evolve into a third-grade spiritual medicine, the Three Wonders Soul Release Lotus."
The information given by Dan Xin flashed through his mind. Ling Xian suddenly understood. No wonder his master had reminded him to make sure he got the San Miao Treasure Lotus when he heard Lin Qingyi mention it as the reward. So it had three effects and even a chance to evolve into a third-grade spiritual medicine. What a good item!
Putting away the San Miao Treasure Lotus and the Secret Realm Token, Ling Xian was satisfied. He cupped his hands and said, "The matter here is concluded. I should take my leave now."
"This... Master, it's getting late. How about staying at my residence for now?" Ye Xiaotian tried to persuade him to stay. One must know that in a small city like Qingcheng, ordinary seventh-grade alchemists wouldn't even bother to come here. Now, a fifth-grade alchemist had appeared unprecedentedly. How could he bear to let this great opportunity slip away so easily?
Even if he couldn't get any benefits from Ling Xian, befriending a fifth-grade alchemist was enough for him to use as bragging rights when talking to friends.
"No, I still have matters to attend to. I won't trouble City Lord Ye." Ling Xian politely refused. He was quite satisfied with his performance pretending to be an expert today and didn't want to reveal any flaws. After all, it was only by relying on the concealment of Lian Cangqiong's divine soul that these people couldn't see his true cultivation. Otherwise, how could a cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Condensation be a fifth-grade alchemist?
"In that case, I won't try to keep you. Master, if you ever need anything, just come here to find me. My words still carry weight in the Qingcheng area." Ye Xiaotian laughed heartily, thinking to himself that since the Master wanted the Qingcheng Secret Realm Token, he would definitely have to wait until the secret realm ended before leaving. At that time, he would have Youlan enter the secret realm to befriend him. There was no need to rush.
Ling Xian smiled and nodded, then turned and walked out of Ye Youlan's boudoir.
"Master, I also need to return to the Lin Clan's Alchemy Workshop. Let Qingyi and Xiaobai see you off." Lin Qingyi walked gracefully with small steps, swaying elegantly.
"No need. Miss Lin should return to the Lin Clan's Alchemy Workshop quickly." Ling Xian chuckled softly, refusing her kind offer of a walk under the moon, and walked towards the direction of the Ling Residence.
Leaving Lin Qingyi behind, she sighed wistfully, looking at that figure that was neither unrestrained nor lonely. A complicated look flashed in her autumn-water-like eyes.
...
Walking to a place where Lin Qingyi's gaze could no longer reach, Ling Xian's mind moved, and he entered the world of the Nine Immortals Painting.
"How was it? Using your master's divine soul power to pretend to be an expert felt pretty good, didn't it?"
Lian Cangqiong's teasing and playful voice rang out.
Ling Xian rubbed his nose and smiled awkwardly, "Master, weren't those people being too overbearing? They were afraid of losing face, so they stopped your disciple from saving someone. Their character was too poor."
Lian Cangqiong stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Your master isn't blaming you. You did the right thing. The cultivation world is like this. If someone bullies you, you hit them back with your fist. If you can't, I'm here. Don't be afraid. My disciple, Lian Cangqiong, is not someone anyone can bully."
"Master is mighty." Ling Xian offered a small compliment.
Dan Xian smiled and said, "Take out the San Miao Treasure Lotus. You had a good time showing off this time, but your master's divine soul power isn't much to begin with. Thankfully, there's the San Miao Treasure Lotus; otherwise, it would have been a huge loss."
Ling Xian took out the San Miao Treasure Lotus from his storage pouch and asked doubtfully, "Master, we have Soul Nourishing Mountain here, but what about Soul Gathering Lake? Without it, the San Miao Treasure Lotus can't evolve."
"Of course, the task of finding the Soul Gathering Lake falls to you." Dan Xian waved his sleeve, and the San Miao Treasure Lotus took root on that majestic Soul Nourishing Mountain. Red, white, and blue light shone, emitting a dazzling halo.
"Me?" Ling Xian was stunned. Although he didn't know what the Soul Gathering Lake was, since it could be mentioned alongside the Soul Nourishing Mountain, it must be an extraordinary treasure. How could he, a small cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Condensation, possibly find it?
Lian Cangqiong nodded with a smile, then said something that made it impossible for Ling Xian to refuse.
"Do you want to awaken the second sleeping immortal?"