Headmaster Li Qinghe came out of seclusion yesterday because an old friend of his, Jiang Hong, the master of Divine Dragon Island, had sent someone to visit him upon learning that he was approaching the Deity Transformation stage Great Perfection, bringing him various precious medicinal pills such as Qi Repair Pills, Soul Clearing Pills, Sect Breaking Pills, and Beast Power Pills.
Jiang Hong of Divine Dragon Island was not only a man of widespread renown and formidable power, but also a Grade 5 Alchemist whose cultivation was on par with Li Qinghe's.
Since Jiang Hong had dispatched Zhao Changsheng, the head of Luojia Mountain Academy, this time, the pills had undoubtedly been handed over to Zhao Changsheng. Of course, Zhao Changsheng would never dare to misappropriate them for himself. Given that Zhao Changsheng's cultivation was only around the Nascent Soul stage, keeping the pills would yield little personal advancement while costing him the friendship of his closest ally, Jiang Hong. Such a foolish move was out of the question.
A few days ago, rogue cultivators from the Zixiao Sect near Cangxuan Mountain spotted a Spirit Soul Boat docking at the shore. This Spirit Soul Boat was a maritime flying vessel exclusive to Luojia Mountain. Moreover, the Academy had recently set up mission outposts to hunt Tier 3 and above spirit beasts across various mountain ranges and collect their inner cores, using such tasks to test the cultivation and strength of the Academy disciples.
Yesterday, Elder Shen mentioned having urgent business to attend to, which was presumably because Zhao Changsheng had come to visit. After all, Elder Shen's beloved daughter, Shen Wan'er, had also returned.
It turned out to be true. Shen Wan'er was seen outside the main hall of the Enforcement Pavilion, chatting and laughing with an elderly man who had long, delicate eyebrows, deep and bright eyes, a profound cultivation base, and flowing white hair.
"Uncle Zhao, now that you've finally made it to the Zixiao Sect, you simply must stay for a few more days! I'm begging you!" Shen Wan'er pleaded coquettishly.
With an earnest and profound tone, Zhao Changsheng replied, "My little girl, you are naturally gifted, modest, and eager to learn; your teacher will listen to you."
The news spread quickly among the inner sect disciples, yet the outer sect disciples hadn't even caught a glimpse of Zhao Changsheng. "Do you really think great figures are someone you lot can just look at whenever you please?" scoffed Feng Qing, the senior disciple.
Last night, Han Lin made remarkable progress within his private inner sect chamber. His cultivation had surged from the Qi Condensation 1st Layer to the 3rd Layer, and he had grown thoroughly adept at practicing the cultivation technique given to him by his father. Because the spiritual qi inside the mountaintop chamber was exceptionally dense, his cultivation proceeded as smoothly as a fish taking to water. After all, every single one of the top inner sect disciples far surpassed him in strength. Furthermore, they occasionally undertook missions and could visit the Scripture Pavilion to read advanced cultivation techniques, leaving him with no choice but to strive forward in silence.
At that moment, his father, Han Longsheng, entered his room and was delighted to witness his son's recent progress.
He spoke up, "How are you coming along with the cultivation technique I taught you? If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me."
Han Lin hurriedly replied, "I don't have any questions."
Then, looking solemnly at Han Lin, his father added, "I hope that one day you can inherit my talent for alchemy. Should I ever pass away and leave this world, at least my alchemy skills can be passed down." In truth, despite having lived in the Zixiao Sect for so long, his father still yearned for the carefree life back in that medicinal field on the mountain. Life in the Zixiao Sect came with far too many rules.
Hearing his father's words, Han Lin said with a mixture of emotional distress and devotion, "Father, you mustn't say such things. I will stay by your side and take care of you. With me here, you will be fine."
After paying a visit to Elder Shen, Zhao Changsheng headed straight for the headmaster's palace.
"It has been a long time, Headmaster Li. How has your health been recently? Jiang Hong entrusted me to bring you some middle-grade medicinal pills and leave them here on your table. They will be of great help in advancing your cultivation," Zhao Changsheng said modestly.
Three large bottles of medicinal pills sat neatly on the table, radiating spiritual qi, their interiors filled with potent and transparent spiritual power.
"I am deeply grateful to my old friend. Both you and Jiang Hong are my dearest friends," the headmaster said.
Zhao Changsheng took pleasure in associating with those stronger than himself, and Li Qinghe had strongly supported Zhao Changsheng's endeavors from the very beginning by sending numerous disciples to study at Luojia Mountain Academy.
In the time since, Luojia Mountain Academy had gradually grown and prospered.
After conversing for a long time, Li Qinghe arranged fine wine and dishes to entertain Zhao Changsheng, and then instructed his servants to prepare a high-end, independent room for him to rest in.
Gazing at the spiritual pills on the table—surrounded by swirling spiritual power, consisting of one large bottle of Qi Repair Pills, one large bottle of Soul Clearing Pills, and one large bottle of Sect Breaking Pills—Li Qinghe marveled at the immense restorative power of pills refined by a Grade 5 Alchemist. He tucked the bottles away into his Storage Ring, feeling completely refreshed and beaming from ear to ear.