ér nà jǐ gè rén ， bú shì pí qì gǔ guài ， zhōng rì chén nì yú liàn dān ， bù wèn shì shì ， jiù shì shōu fèi jí qí kě guān 。
而那几个人，不是脾气古怪，终日沉溺于炼丹，不问世事，就是收费极其可观。
While those few individuals were known for their unpredictable temperaments, spending most of their days engrossed in alchemy and indifferent to worldly affairs, or charging exorbitant fees that made them unaffordable even for ordinary cultivators.
liàn zhì yī lú dān yào ， zhì shǎo yào jīng shí shù bǎi ， shèn zhì yǒu shī zi dà kāi kǒu ， yāo qiú shàng qiān 。
炼制一炉丹药，至少要晶石数百，甚至有狮子大开口，要求上千。
Alchemizing a single batch of medicinal pills required at least several hundred crystal stones. Some even demanded thousands, leaving the average Foundation Establishment stage cultivator unable to afford such expenses, let alone someone like Master Ma Tianxiong.
yì bān de zhù jī qī xiū zhēn zhě ， yě fù bù qǐ rú cǐ áng guì de fèi yòng ， gèng bié shuō yí gè xiǎo xiǎo de mǎ tiān xióng 。
一般的筑基期修真者，也付不起如此昂贵的费用，更别说一个小小的马天雄。
If not for encountering him, this trip to Spirit Medicine Mountain would have ended in disappointment.
ruò fēi yù shàng zì jǐ ， zhè cì líng yào shān zhī xíng ， tā zhǐ néng àn rán ér guī 。
若非遇上自己，这次灵药山之行，他只能黯然而归。
Well then, he might as well help once, repaying his old debts.
yě bà ， zì jǐ jiù bāng tā yī cì ， quán dāng shì bào dá yǐ qián de ēn qíng ba ！
也罢，自己就帮他一次，权当是报答以前的恩情吧！
With that thought, Lin Xuan poured the raw materials into the cauldron and began alchemizing them.
niàn jí zhì cǐ ， lín xuān jiāng shǒu lǐ de yuán liào dào jìn dǐng lú zhī zhōng ， kāi shǐ liàn zhì 。
念及至此，林轩将手里的原料倒进鼎炉之中，开始炼制。
Two hours later, a loud explosion echoed.
liǎng gè shí chén yǐ hòu ， yī shēng bào xiǎng chuán lái 。
两个时辰以后，一声爆响传来。
Opening the lid of the cauldron, Lin Xuan looked at the black medicinal pills inside and sighed. It seemed his talent for alchemy was indeed lacking.
dǎ kāi lú gài ， kàn zhe lǐ miàn hēi hū hū de yào wán ， lín xuān tàn le kǒu qì ， kàn lái zì jǐ liàn dān de tiān fù què shí tài chà le xiē 。
打开炉盖，看着里面黑乎乎的药丸，林轩叹了口气，看来自己炼丹的天赋确实太差了些。
However, he quickly regained his composure, clutching the waste pills in his hand as he began to mobilize his Star Sea within.
bù guò hěn kuài ， tā jiù huī fù le zhèng cháng de biǎo qíng ， jiāng fèi dān zuàn jìn shǒu lǐ ， kāi shǐ diào dòng tǐ nèi de xīng hǎi 。
不过很快，他就恢复了正常的表情，将废丹攥进手里，开始调动体内的星海。
Master Ma Tianxiong arrived outside the cave entrance on time, feeling anxious.
mǎ tiān xióng rú yuē lái dào le dòng fǔ wài ， tǎn tè bù ān 。
马天雄如约来到了洞府外，忐忑不安。
Although he knew that Master Lin's senior disciple had excellent alchemical skills, the concern could cloud one’s judgment. For a martial cultivator like him, medicinal pills were too crucial.
suī rán zhī dào duì fāng shì líng yào shān zhǎng mén de gāo tú ， liàn dān jì shù kěn dìng chà bú dào nǎ lǐ ， kě sú huà shuō ， guān xīn zé luàn ， wǔ xiū dān duì tā ér yán ， shí zài tài zhòng yào 。
虽然知道对方是灵药山掌门的高徒，炼丹技术肯定差不到哪里，可俗话说，关心则乱，武修丹对他而言，实在太重要。
Waiting was agonizing, but fortunately, half an hour later, the tightly closed stone door opened with a loud bang. Lin Xuan stepped out.
děng dài shì yī zhǒng jiān áo ， hǎo zài xiǎo bàn gè shí chén hòu ， jǐn bì de shí mén hōng rán dǎ kāi ， lín xuān mài bù zǒu le chū lái 。
等待是一种煎熬，好在小半个时辰后，紧闭的石门轰然打开，林轩迈步走了出来。
"Senior..."
“ qián bèi ……”
“前辈……”
Seeing his eager expression, Lin Xuan smiled faintly and understood. When a cultivator is on the brink of breakthrough, their desperation for medicinal pills is palpable. He waved his sleeves, and a small jade bottle flashed white light before flying to Master Ma Tianxiong's face.
kàn jiàn duì fāng xīn jí de biǎo qíng ， lín xuān dàn rán yī xiào ， tā néng gòu lǐ jiě ， dāng xiū zhēn zhě chǔ yú tū pò biān yuán shí ， nà zhǒng duì dān yào de jí qiè ， xiù páo yī fú 。 bái guāng shǎn guò ， yí gè xiǎo xiǎo dì yù píng fēi dào duì fāng miàn qián le 。
看见对方心急的表情，林轩淡然一笑，他能够理解，当修真者处于突破边缘时，那种对丹药的急切，袖袍一拂。白光闪过，一个小小地玉瓶飞到对方面前了。
Despite the importance of medicinal pills, Master Ma Tianxiong was still somewhat flustered as he opened the bottle. Inside lay tiny yellowish-brown pills, their appearance and scent matching the description given by Elder. It was indeed a martial cultivator pill.
líng yào dāng qián ， mǎ tiān xióng yě yǒu xiē shī tài ， jí máng dǎ kāi píng zi ， lǐ miàn tǎng zhe yī kē kē huáng dòu dà xiǎo de yào wán ， sè zé ， xiāng wèi ér dōu yǔ zhǎng lǎo miáo shù de yī mú yī yàng ， guǒ rán shì wǔ xiū dān 。
灵药当前，马天雄也有些失态，急忙打开瓶子，里面躺着一颗颗黄豆大小的药丸，色泽，香味儿都与长老描述的一模一样，果然是武修丹。
With it, his隐患 could be eliminated. The hope of Foundation Establishment was once again within reach.
yǒu le tā ， zì jǐ jiù néng xiāo chú yǐn huàn 。 zhù jī de xī wàng yòu lái dào le miàn qián 。
有了它，自己就能消除隐患。筑基的希望又来到了面前。
Overjoyed, Master Ma Tianxiong respectfully bowed to Lin Xuan with an expression of utmost sincerity: "A great debt cannot be repaid in words. In return for your kindness, I offer these crystal stones as a token of appreciation."
xǐ bù zì shèng ， mǎ tiān xióng xiǎo xīn yì yì de chōng zhe lín xuān shī le yī lǐ ， biǎo qíng chéng kěn wú bǐ ：“ dà ēn bù yán xiè ， qián bèi de ēn qíng ， zài xià wú yǐ huí bào ， zhè diǎn jīng shí ， liáo biǎo xīn yì ， jiù suàn shì qián bèi de liàn dān zhī zī 。”
喜不自胜，马天雄小心翼翼的冲着林轩施了一礼，表情诚恳无比：“大恩不言谢，前辈的恩情，在下无以回报，这点晶石，聊表心意，就算是前辈的炼丹之资。”
As he spoke, he produced a storage pouch and poured out a heap of crystal stones.
yī biān shuō 。 yī biān tāo chū yí gè chǔ wù dài ， huā lā lā de dào le yī dà duī jīng shí chū lái 。
一边说。一边掏出一个储物袋，哗啦啦的倒了一大堆晶石出来。
Lin Xuan's spiritual sense scanned them; there were over two hundred.
lín xuān yòng shén shí sǎo le yī xià 。 jū rán yǒu liǎng bǎi kē zhī duō 。
林轩用神识扫了一下。居然有两百颗之多。
Surprised but not surprised, Lin Xuan looked away from the crystal stones: "We are both from Yanzhou. This time, I will help you for free."
yǒu xiē yì wài ， méi xiǎng dào zhè wèi piāo yún gǔ de mǎ shī xiōng ， shēn jiā rú cǐ fēng hòu 。
有些意外，没想到这位飘云谷的马师兄，身家如此丰厚。
"How can that be?" Master Ma Tianxiong shook his head like a rattle drum: "I am already deeply grateful to Senior for alchemizing for me. How could I let you work in vain?"
bù guò lín xuān bìng méi yǒu shōu 。
不过林轩并没有收。
"Do not worry about it," Lin Xuan said as he pulled out a pink talisman from his pocket, "A dear friend of mine has a close relationship with Fairy Qinyan of your sect. After returning to the Spirit Cloud Valley, deliver this sound transmission talisman to Miss Qin. That will be my repayment."
yī lái ， tā bù quē jīng shí 。 zhè xiē duì qí tā xiū shì lái shuō 。 yǐ jīng shì hěn dà yī bǐ cái fù ， dàn lín xuān shàng cì zài hǎi lóng gé mài xǐ suǐ dān ， dà zhuàn tè zhuàn ， zhè xiē bù guò shì máo máo yǔ ， zì jǐ běn lái jiù shì yào bào dá duì fāng yǐ qián dì ēn qíng ， zhè wǔ xiū dān zì rán shì miǎn fèi wèi tā liàn zhì 。
一来，他不缺晶石。这些对其他修士来说。已经是很大一笔财富，但林轩上次在海龙阁卖洗髓丹，大赚特赚，这些不过是毛毛雨，自己本来就是要报答对方以前地恩情，这武修丹自然是免费为他炼制。
Master Ma Tianxiong was not foolish; seeing Lin Xuan's expression, he guessed some details and did not ask further. He carefully stored the sound transmission talisman and said: "Senior can rest assured. I will fulfill your mission without fail."
qí èr ， lín xuān hái yǒu shì yào bài tuō ， zì rán jiù gèng bù yuàn shōu xià tā de bào chóu 。
其二，林轩还有事要拜托，自然就更不愿收下他的报酬。
"Very well," Lin Xuan nodded. He trusted Master Ma Tianxiong’s character, unlike other cultivators who were cunning and self-interested. As for whether anyone would eavesdrop on the sound transmission talisman, Lin Xuan was not worried. His caution and cleverness ensured that it required either "Nine Heaven Mystical Art" or a practitioner two levels higher to open.
“ dào yǒu bù bì duō lǐ 。” lín xuān cóng jīng shí shàng shōu huí mù guāng ：“ wǒ men tóng chū shēn yǎn zhōu 。 zhè cì jiù suàn zài xià miǎn fèi wèi nǐ bāng máng 。”“ zhè zěn me kě yǐ ？” mǎ tiān xióng de tóu yáo dé xiàng bō làng gǔ yī yàng ：“ qián bèi wèi wǒ liàn dān 。 zài xià yǐ jīng shì gǎn jī tì líng ， zěn me néng ràng nín bái bái láo zuò ？”
“道友不必多礼。”林轩从晶石上收回目光：“我们同出身兖州。这次就算在下免费为你帮忙。”“这怎么可以？”马天雄的头摇得像拨浪鼓一样：“前辈为我炼丹。在下已经是感激涕零，怎么能让您白白劳作？”
Even if Master Ma Tianxiong knew such experts, he doubted they would be so bored as to do this.
“ bù yòng zài yì 。” lín xuān yī biān shuō 。 yī biān cóng huái lǐ mō chū yī zhāng fěn hóng sè de fú ：“ zài xià de yī wèi gù rén ， yǔ guì pài de yún zhōng xiān zi guān xì fěi qiǎn ， nǐ huí dào piāo yún gǔ yǐ hòu ， jiāng zhè zhāng chuán yīn fú ， dài gěi qín gū niáng ， jiù suàn zuò shì duì wǒ de bào dá le 。”
“不用在意。”林轩一边说。一边从怀里摸出一张粉红色的符：“在下的一位故人，与贵派的云中仙子关系匪浅，你回到飘云谷以后，将这张传音符，带给秦姑娘，就算做是对我的报答了。”
After seeing off Master Ma Tianxong, Lin Xuan returned to his cave. Sitting cross-legged on the ground, he intended to practice but found himself agitated with a slender figure constantly appearing in his mind.
mǎ tiān xióng yě bù yú bèn ， jiàn le lín xuān de biǎo qíng ， duō shǎo cāi dào jǐ fēn ， bìng méi yǒu duō wèn ， jiāng chuán yīn fú shōu hǎo ， kǎi rán dào ：“ qián bèi fàng xīn ， nín suǒ tuō zhī shì ， wǎn bèi yí dìng bù rǔ shǐ mìng 。”
马天雄也不愚笨，见了林轩的表情，多少猜到几分，并没有多问，将传音符收好，慨然道：“前辈放心，您所托之事，晚辈一定不辱使命。”
Lin Xuan stood up. Cultivation was most detrimental when one had杂念. A moment’s distraction could lead to going astray. His willpower seemed too weak; since hearing about Miss Qin Yan from Master Ma Tianxiong, he kept thinking of the beautiful Fairy Qinyan.
“ ń 。” lín xuān diǎn le diǎn tóu ， duì yú zhè wèi mǎ shī xiōng dì wéi rén ， tā hái shì xiāng xìn de ， yǔ yì bān dì xiū zhēn zhě jiǎo zhà shì lì bù tóng ， zhè shì yí gè hěn háo shuǎng de jiā huo 。
“嗯。”林轩点了点头，对于这位马师兄地为人，他还是相信的，与一般地修真者狡诈势利不同，这是一个很豪爽的家伙。
After several deep breaths, Lin Xuan managed to calm his thoughts.
zhì yú duì fāng huì bú huì tōu tīng chuán yīn fú ， lín xuān yì diǎn yě bù dān xīn ， yǐ tā de jǐn shèn cōng míng ， fán shì dōu liú yǒu hòu shǒu ， zhè zhāng chuán yīn fú nǎi shì yòng tè shū de gōng fǎ zhì zuò 。
至于对方会不会偷听传音符，林轩一点也不担心，以他的谨慎聪明，凡事都留有后手，这张传音符乃是用特殊的功法制作。
This was unacceptable. While a graceful maiden might attract a gentleman's affection, his current priority was enhancing his strength and not allowing any distractions in his cultivation.
xiǎng yào dǎ kāi ， bì xū mǎn zú liǎng gè tiáo jiàn zhī yī 。
想要打开，必须满足两个条件之一。
Lin Xuan’s eyes flashed with determination as he resumed his practice.
yào me liàn yǒu “ jiǔ tiān xuán gōng ”， zhè shì shàng yě jiù zhǐ yǒu qín yán hé zì jǐ ， yào me bǐ fú zhì zuò rén dì jìng jiè gāo shàng liǎng gè děng jí 。
要么练有“九天玄功”，这世上也就只有秦妍和自己，要么比符制作人地境界高上两个等级。
The news of Lin Xuan being appointed the next Grandmaster caused a stir within Spirit Medicine Mountain. After all, he had only been an apprentice for less than a year, making it too extraordinary.
zì jǐ yǐ shì zhù jī chú qī ， yě jiù shì shuō ， duì fāng zhì shǎo yào shì yuán yīng qī dì lǎo guài ， cái néng yòng mán lì yìng kāi cǐ fú 。
自己已是筑基除期，也就是说，对方至少要是元婴期地老怪，才能用蛮力硬开此符。
However, True Immortal Tongyu was resolute and forcefully overcame objections to have Lin Xuan demonstrate his alchemical skills on the spot, proving he wasn’t favoring anyone but acting in the best interest of the sect.
bù shuō mǎ tiān xióng kě bù kě néng rèn shí nà yàng de gāo shǒu ， jiù suàn yǒu ， xiāng xìn yuán yīng qī de xiū zhēn zhě yě bú huì wú liáo dào zhè ge chéng dù 。 sòng zǒu le mǎ tiān xióng ， lín xuān huí dào le dòng fǔ ， pán xī zuò zài dì shàng ， xiǎng yào liàn gōng ， rán ér què xīn cháo qǐ fú ， zǒng yǒu yí gè miáo tiáo de shēn yǐng fú xiàn zài nǎo hǎi zhōng 。
不说马天雄可不可能认识那样的高手，就算有，相信元婴期的修真者也不会无聊到这个程度。送走了马天雄，林轩回到了洞府，盘膝坐在地上，想要练功，然而却心潮起伏，总有一个苗条的身影浮现在脑海中。
While claiming it was a public demonstration, it was similar to an initiation test. A single person entered the waste pill room with no one watching, as alchemy required concentration and could not be disturbed.
lín xuān zhǐ hǎo zhàn le qǐ lái 。
林轩只好站了起来。
With no interruptions, Lin Xuan confidently used his Star Sea for purification.
xiū xíng zuì jì huì de jiù shì xīn yǒu zá niàn 。
修行最忌讳的就是心有杂念。
Recently, he had decided that becoming the successor would give him greater leverage in obtaining waste pills, so he no longer hesitated.
yí bù xiǎo xīn ， jiù yǒu kě néng zǒu huǒ rù mó ， kàn lái zì jǐ de xīn zhì hái shì bù gòu jiān rèn a ， zì cóng zài mǎ tiān xióng nà lǐ tīng shuō le qín yán de xiāo xī ， jiù zǒng shì xiǎng dào nà měi lì de yún zhōng xiān zi 。
一不小心，就有可能走火入魔，看来自己的心智还是不够坚韧啊，自从在马天雄那里听说了秦妍的消息，就总是想到那美丽的云中仙子。
Of the five raw materials needed for washout pills, Lin Xuan only purified one. Although the success rate was just twenty percent, it was an upper-grade pill.
lín xuān zuò le jǐ cì shēn hū xī ， hǎo bù róng yì cái jiāng qǐ niàn píng xī le xià qù 。
林轩做了几次深呼吸，好不容易才将绮念平息了下去。
Upper-grade pills were legendary in the cultivation world; even True Immortal Tongyu had doubts about them. Yet, Lin Xuan had created one.
zhè yàng kě bù xíng ， suī shuō yǎo tiǎo shū nǚ ， jūn zǐ hǎo qiú ， dàn xiàn zài dì dāng wù zhī jí ， hái shì tí gāo shí lì ， jué bù néng yīn wèi rèn hé shì ， ér ràng zì jǐ zài xiū xíng shàng fēn
这样可不行，虽说窈窕淑女，君子好逑，但现在地当务之急，还是提高实力，决不能因为任何事，而让自己在修行上分
While luck played a role, no one could deny that luck was part of his strength!
lín xuān dì yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī yì sè ， biǎo qíng yòu biàn dé jiān dìng qǐ lái ， chóng xīn dǎ zuò ， kāi shǐ le xiū xíng 。 lì lín xuān wèi xià dài zhǎng mén de xiāo xī 。
林轩地眼中闪过一丝异色，表情又变得坚定起来，重新打坐，开始了修行。立林轩为下代掌门的消息。
Those who opposed him fell silent and dared not speak further. Besides True Immortal Tongyu, several elders also supported Lin Xuan.
líng yào shān nèi ， yī piàn huá rán ， bì jìng lín xuān rù mén dì shí jiān hái tài duǎn ， bú dào yī nián ， zhè yě tài lí pǔ le diǎn 。
灵药山内，一片哗然，毕竟林轩入门地时间还太短，不到一年，这也太离谱了点。
Such a prodigy becoming the Grandmaster would surely spread alchemy techniques far and wide!
rán ér tōng yǔ zhēn rén xīn yì yǐ jué 。
然而通羽真人心意已绝。
Despite some minor dissenters, the senior cultivators unanimously agreed, so they no longer complained.
lì pái zhòng yì ， wèi le píng xī bù mǎn ， hái ràng lín xuān biǎo yǎn le yī cì liàn dān shù ， yǐ zhèng míng zì jǐ bú shì xùn sī ， ér shì wèi le běn mén de qián tú 。
力排众议，为了平息不满，还让林轩表演了一次炼丹术，以证明自己不是徇私，而是为了本门的前途。
With his growing influence as the future Grandmaster, Lin Xuan's reputation within Spirit Medicine Mountain grew stronger.
shuō shì dāng chǎng biǎo yǎn ， qí shí yě gēn rù mén cè shì chà bu duō ， yí gè rén jìn rù dào liàn dān fáng zhōng ， bìng méi yǒu rén guān mó ， yuán yīn wú tā ， liàn dān nǎi shì yī xiàng jīng qiǎo xì wēi de gōng zuò ， zuì jì huì bèi rén dǎ rǎo 。
说是当场表演，其实也跟入门测试差不多，一个人进入到炼丹房中，并没有人观摩，原因无他，炼丹乃是一项精巧细微的工作，最忌讳被人打扰。
While only a few elders remained indifferent, others treated him differently.
jì rán méi yǒu rén zài yī páng ， lín xuān zì rán kě yǐ fàng xīn dà dǎn de shǐ yòng xīng hǎi tí chún le 。
既然没有人在一旁，林轩自然可以放心大胆的使用星海提纯了。
Although Spirit Medicine Mountain’s cultivators were enthusiastic about alchemy, their Grandmaster’s power was somewhat less than other sects, but he was still the supreme leader of the sect, and no one could truly underestimate his position.
zhè jǐ tiān tā yǐ jīng xiǎng tōng ， chéng wéi zhǎng mén jì chéng rén cái yǒu gèng dà de bǎ wò móu qǔ fèi dān ， suǒ yǐ zì rán bú huì zài tuī tuō 。
这几天他已经想通，成为掌门继承人才有更大的把握谋取废丹，所以自然不会再推脱。
The time had come. One day, Lin Xuan arrived at the waste pill room.
dāng rán ， zěn yàng tōng guò zhè cì kǎo hé ， lín xuān yě sī liáng hǎo le 。
当然，怎样通过这次考核，林轩也思量好了。
Unlike Spirit Cloud Valley, the waste pills here were managed with some order.
yī gòng wǔ lì xǐ suǐ dān de yuán liào ， lín xuān zhǐ tí chún le yī kē ， suī rán zhǐ yǒu bǎi fēn zhī èr shí de chéng gōng lǜ ， dàn nà yī kē què shì shàng pǐn 。
一共五粒洗髓丹的原料，林轩只提纯了一颗，虽然只有百分之二十的成功率，但那一颗却是上品。
Lin Xuan surveyed the building, a three-story wooden pavilion enhanced by spells to resist water and fire.
shàng pǐn dān ， zài xiū zhēn jiè yǐ jīng shǔ yú chuán shuō yī jí de cún zài ， jí biàn shì tōng yǔ zhēn rén ， yě bìng méi yǒu bǎ wò 。
上品丹，在修真界已经属于传说一级的存在，即便是通羽真人，也并没有把握。
Around the pavilion, there were powerful restrictions. For instance, from a visual distance of ten meters, one could never enter the pavilion due to an advanced illusionary array that trapped them in circles.
ér lín xuān què liàn chū lái le 。
而林轩却炼出来了。
Lin Xuan flipped his hand, revealing a token. With spiritual energy flowing through it, he easily broke the array. As the future Grandmaster, he naturally had access to all sect locations.
suī rán kěn dìng yǒu yùn qì ， dàn shuí yě wú fǎ fǒu rèn ， yùn qì yě shì shí lì de yī bù fèn ！
虽然肯定有运气，但谁也无法否认，运气也是实力的一部分！
Inside the pavilion, though few people were present, each was busy with their tasks. A middle-aged cultivator in his thirties was directing several outer sect disciples.
fǎn duì de rén yǎ kǒu wú yán ， bù gǎn zài duō shuō shén me ， yīn wèi chú le tōng yǔ zhēn rén ， líng yào shān de jǐ wèi zhǎng lǎo yě dōu lì tǐng lín xuān 。
反对的人哑口无言，不敢再多说什么，因为除了通羽真人，灵药山的几位长老也都力挺林轩。
Seeing Lin Xuan enter, the cultivator first froze then greeted him warmly: "Haha, it's Lin Brother. What good wind brought you here?"
zhè yàng de tiān cái ， chéng wéi zhǎng mén ， bì néng jiāng liàn dān zhī shù fā yáng guāng dà ！
这样的天才，成为掌门，必能将炼丹之术发扬光大！
Although he called him brother due to seniority, his respectful demeanor mirrored that of a junior addressing an elder.
suī rán yī rán yǒu yī xiǎo bù fèn xiū shì bù fú ， dàn gè wèi dà lǎo yǐ jīng yí zhì tōng guò ， tā men zì rán bù gǎn zài jī jī wāi wāi le 。
虽然依然有一小部分修士不服，但各位大佬已经一致通过，他们自然不敢再唧唧歪歪了。
One, Lin Xuan had already reached Foundation Establishment stage, a full level higher than the灵动期 cultivator; how could he consider them peers?
shuǐ zhǎng chuán gāo ， chéng wéi wèi lái zhǎng mén yǐ hòu ， lín xuān zài líng yào shān wēi xìn rì nóng 。
水涨船高，成为未来掌门以后，林轩在灵药山威信日浓。
Two, Lin Xuan was confirmed as the next Grandmaster, while he was just an ordinary disciple. Their statuses were incomparable.
chú le shǎo shù jǐ wèi zhǎng lǎo ， qí tā de rén duì tā de tài dù dōu biàn dé yǒu xiē bù tóng 。
除了少数几位长老，其他的人对他的态度都变得有些不同。
Lin Xuan glanced at him and replied coolly: "Brother's courtesy is excessive. May I ask your name?"
jiù suàn líng yào shān de xiū shì rè zhōng yú liàn dān ， zhǎng mén de quán lì yǔ qí tā mén pài xiāng bǐ ， yào xiǎo yì diǎn ， dàn bì jìng shì yī pài zhì zūn ， xiū shì men yòu qǐ huì zhēn de xiǎo kàn 。
就算灵药山的修士热衷于炼丹，掌门的权利与其他门派相比，要小一点，但毕竟是一派至尊，修士们又岂会真的小看。
"I am Jin Tao, a disciple of Elder Zhao. Currently assigned to this waste pill room. Is there anything I can assist you with?"
shí jī yǐ jīng chéng shú 。 zhè rì ， lín xuān lái dào le fèi dān fáng 。
时机已经成熟。这日，林轩来到了废丹房。
"Actually, I need some Foundation Establishment stage waste pills," Lin Xuan said.
yǔ piāo yún gǔ bù tóng ， líng yào shān de fèi dān bìng fēi háo wú guǎn lǐ de luàn fàng 。
与飘云谷不同，灵药山的废丹并非毫无管理的乱放。
"Waste pills from the Foundation Establishment stage?"
lín xuān dǎ liàng zhuó yǎn qián ， zhè shì yī dòng pǒ wèi jīng měi de jiàn zhù ， yī dòng sān céng gāo de gé lóu ， suī rán shì mù zhì jié gòu ， què yòng fǎ shù jiā qiáng le ， kě yǐ fáng shuǐ fáng huǒ 。
林轩打量着眼前，这是一栋颇为精美的建筑，一栋三层高的阁楼，虽然是木制结构，却用法术加强了，可以防水防火。
"Yes, I'm researching alchemy and need these for experiments."
zài gé lóu de sì zhōu ， hái bù zhì yǒu yī xiē lì hài de jìn zhǐ ， bǐ rú shuō yǎn qián ， cóng shì jué shàng pàn duàn ， jù lí gé lóu sì hū zhǐ yǒu shí mǐ yuǎn ， dàn nǐ zhēn de yòng zǒu ， què yǒng yuǎn yě jìn bù liǎo gé lóu ， yīn wèi yī zuò gāo jí huàn zhèn yǐ jīng jiāng kōng jiān diān dǎo ， kě yǐ ràng nǐ yǒng yuǎn zài yuán dì zhuàn quān 。
在阁楼的四周，还布置有一些厉害的禁止，比如说眼前，从视觉上判断，距离阁楼似乎只有十米远，但你真的用走，却永远也进不了阁楼，因为一座高级幻阵已经将空间颠倒，可以让你永远在原地转圈。
"This is... Jin Tao hesitated; if it were washout pills, he could decide. But Foundation Establishment stage waste pills still had some value, each recorded in a ledger. Even as the manager of this room, he couldn't risk personal gain by secretly consuming them.
While those few individuals were known for their unpredictable temperaments, spending most of their days engrossed in alchemy and indifferent to worldly affairs, or charging exorbitant fees that made them unaffordable even for ordinary cultivators.
Alchemizing a single batch of medicinal pills required at least several hundred crystal stones. Some even demanded thousands, leaving the average Foundation Establishment stage cultivator unable to afford such expenses, let alone someone like Master Ma Tianxiong.
If not for encountering him, this trip to Spirit Medicine Mountain would have ended in disappointment.
Well then, he might as well help once, repaying his old debts.
With that thought, Lin Xuan poured the raw materials into the cauldron and began alchemizing them.
Two hours later, a loud explosion echoed.
Opening the lid of the cauldron, Lin Xuan looked at the black medicinal pills inside and sighed. It seemed his talent for alchemy was indeed lacking.
However, he quickly regained his composure, clutching the waste pills in his hand as he began to mobilize his Star Sea within.
Master Ma Tianxiong arrived outside the cave entrance on time, feeling anxious.
Although he knew that Master Lin's senior disciple had excellent alchemical skills, the concern could cloud one’s judgment. For a martial cultivator like him, medicinal pills were too crucial.
Waiting was agonizing, but fortunately, half an hour later, the tightly closed stone door opened with a loud bang. Lin Xuan stepped out.
"Senior..."
Seeing his eager expression, Lin Xuan smiled faintly and understood. When a cultivator is on the brink of breakthrough, their desperation for medicinal pills is palpable. He waved his sleeves, and a small jade bottle flashed white light before flying to Master Ma Tianxiong's face.
Despite the importance of medicinal pills, Master Ma Tianxiong was still somewhat flustered as he opened the bottle. Inside lay tiny yellowish-brown pills, their appearance and scent matching the description given by Elder. It was indeed a martial cultivator pill.
With it, his隐患 could be eliminated. The hope of Foundation Establishment was once again within reach.
Overjoyed, Master Ma Tianxiong respectfully bowed to Lin Xuan with an expression of utmost sincerity: "A great debt cannot be repaid in words. In return for your kindness, I offer these crystal stones as a token of appreciation."
As he spoke, he produced a storage pouch and poured out a heap of crystal stones.
Lin Xuan's spiritual sense scanned them; there were over two hundred.
Surprised but not surprised, Lin Xuan looked away from the crystal stones: "We are both from Yanzhou. This time, I will help you for free."
"How can that be?" Master Ma Tianxiong shook his head like a rattle drum: "I am already deeply grateful to Senior for alchemizing for me. How could I let you work in vain?"
"Do not worry about it," Lin Xuan said as he pulled out a pink talisman from his pocket, "A dear friend of mine has a close relationship with Fairy Qinyan of your sect. After returning to the Spirit Cloud Valley, deliver this sound transmission talisman to Miss Qin. That will be my repayment."
Master Ma Tianxiong was not foolish; seeing Lin Xuan's expression, he guessed some details and did not ask further. He carefully stored the sound transmission talisman and said: "Senior can rest assured. I will fulfill your mission without fail."
"Very well," Lin Xuan nodded. He trusted Master Ma Tianxiong’s character, unlike other cultivators who were cunning and self-interested. As for whether anyone would eavesdrop on the sound transmission talisman, Lin Xuan was not worried. His caution and cleverness ensured that it required either "Nine Heaven Mystical Art" or a practitioner two levels higher to open.
Even if Master Ma Tianxiong knew such experts, he doubted they would be so bored as to do this.
After seeing off Master Ma Tianxong, Lin Xuan returned to his cave. Sitting cross-legged on the ground, he intended to practice but found himself agitated with a slender figure constantly appearing in his mind.
Lin Xuan stood up. Cultivation was most detrimental when one had杂念. A moment’s distraction could lead to going astray. His willpower seemed too weak; since hearing about Miss Qin Yan from Master Ma Tianxiong, he kept thinking of the beautiful Fairy Qinyan.
After several deep breaths, Lin Xuan managed to calm his thoughts.
This was unacceptable. While a graceful maiden might attract a gentleman's affection, his current priority was enhancing his strength and not allowing any distractions in his cultivation.
Lin Xuan’s eyes flashed with determination as he resumed his practice.
The news of Lin Xuan being appointed the next Grandmaster caused a stir within Spirit Medicine Mountain. After all, he had only been an apprentice for less than a year, making it too extraordinary.
However, True Immortal Tongyu was resolute and forcefully overcame objections to have Lin Xuan demonstrate his alchemical skills on the spot, proving he wasn’t favoring anyone but acting in the best interest of the sect.
While claiming it was a public demonstration, it was similar to an initiation test. A single person entered the waste pill room with no one watching, as alchemy required concentration and could not be disturbed.
With no interruptions, Lin Xuan confidently used his Star Sea for purification.
Recently, he had decided that becoming the successor would give him greater leverage in obtaining waste pills, so he no longer hesitated.
Of the five raw materials needed for washout pills, Lin Xuan only purified one. Although the success rate was just twenty percent, it was an upper-grade pill.
Upper-grade pills were legendary in the cultivation world; even True Immortal Tongyu had doubts about them. Yet, Lin Xuan had created one.
While luck played a role, no one could deny that luck was part of his strength!
Those who opposed him fell silent and dared not speak further. Besides True Immortal Tongyu, several elders also supported Lin Xuan.
Such a prodigy becoming the Grandmaster would surely spread alchemy techniques far and wide!
Despite some minor dissenters, the senior cultivators unanimously agreed, so they no longer complained.
With his growing influence as the future Grandmaster, Lin Xuan's reputation within Spirit Medicine Mountain grew stronger.
While only a few elders remained indifferent, others treated him differently.
Although Spirit Medicine Mountain’s cultivators were enthusiastic about alchemy, their Grandmaster’s power was somewhat less than other sects, but he was still the supreme leader of the sect, and no one could truly underestimate his position.
The time had come. One day, Lin Xuan arrived at the waste pill room.
Unlike Spirit Cloud Valley, the waste pills here were managed with some order.
Lin Xuan surveyed the building, a three-story wooden pavilion enhanced by spells to resist water and fire.
Around the pavilion, there were powerful restrictions. For instance, from a visual distance of ten meters, one could never enter the pavilion due to an advanced illusionary array that trapped them in circles.
Lin Xuan flipped his hand, revealing a token. With spiritual energy flowing through it, he easily broke the array. As the future Grandmaster, he naturally had access to all sect locations.
Inside the pavilion, though few people were present, each was busy with their tasks. A middle-aged cultivator in his thirties was directing several outer sect disciples.
Seeing Lin Xuan enter, the cultivator first froze then greeted him warmly: "Haha, it's Lin Brother. What good wind brought you here?"
Although he called him brother due to seniority, his respectful demeanor mirrored that of a junior addressing an elder.
One, Lin Xuan had already reached Foundation Establishment stage, a full level higher than the灵动期 cultivator; how could he consider them peers?
Two, Lin Xuan was confirmed as the next Grandmaster, while he was just an ordinary disciple. Their statuses were incomparable.
Lin Xuan glanced at him and replied coolly: "Brother's courtesy is excessive. May I ask your name?"
"I am Jin Tao, a disciple of Elder Zhao. Currently assigned to this waste pill room. Is there anything I can assist you with?"
"Actually, I need some Foundation Establishment stage waste pills," Lin Xuan said.
"Waste pills from the Foundation Establishment stage?"
"Yes, I'm researching alchemy and need these for experiments."
"This is... Jin Tao hesitated; if it were washout pills, he could decide. But Foundation Establishment stage waste pills still had some value, each recorded in a ledger. Even as the manager of this room, he couldn't risk personal gain by secretly consuming them.