Chapter 29: Is This a Meeting with the Parents? [Seeking Recommendations]

"Impossible! Elder Zhao, are you sure you're not just making this up?"

"I, Qian Qixian, have studied pharmacology diligently since I was six, spent five years as an apprentice in the Apothecary Pavilion, then studied alchemy for two more years under Master Yuan Qing, a second-grade alchemist. After investing enormous effort and resources, I only recently succeeded in refining a first-grade pill. And you say Lin An, who has never had any contact with alchemy, merely read a few books and managed to refine a pill? That’s not even a funny joke."

Before Zhao Haisheng could finish, Qian Qixian interrupted him, unable to contain himself. He simply could not accept this outcome.

How long had Lin An been in the Yunlan Sect? Not only had he already earned the favor of Ancestor Yunshan, but he also trained daily with Nalan Yanran. As for himself, ever since Lin An’s arrival, he had already fallen behind in the martial path. Yet he hadn’t minded much—after all, he was an alchemist, a status destined to place him above Lin An. But now, he was being told that Lin An was also an alchemist—and not just any alchemist, but one whose talent far outstripped his own.

Why?

“I saw it with my own eyes. What’s so impossible about it?” Zhao Haisheng replied, his expression somewhat unpleasant.

Only then did Qian Qixian realize his own rudeness, and hurriedly apologized to Zhao Haisheng.

“It seems our Yunlan Sect is truly blessed with exceptional talent these days. Even if Lin An’s talent for alchemy is as extraordinary as you say, it still depends on his own wishes. If he is dedicated to the martial path and you force him into alchemy, it may only backfire,” Yun Yun remarked.

“The status of an alchemist is far more esteemed than that of a warrior. I believe Lin An will understand,” Zhao Haisheng replied.

...

Lin An retrieved the alchemy notes from the Apothecary Pavilion, and coupled with Yao Chen’s pharmacological knowledge, progressed at an astonishing rate. In less than ten days, he could easily refine second-grade pills, and was even beginning to attempt third-grade ones.

In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.

During this time, Qian Qixian had tried several times to seek out Lin An, only to be turned away each time by Yao Chen. Meanwhile, Lin An’s reputation within the Yunlan Sect grew ever more illustrious—especially after word spread that he was already a first-grade alchemist. Countless people envied and resented his status.

As for his cultivation, Lin An had reached the level of a three-star Dou Practitioner. Xiao Xun’er, who had been looking after his daily needs, witnessed everything with her own eyes.

Lin An made no effort to conceal anything. Xiao Xun’er could hardly believe that Lin An’s talent had reached such a monstrous level—in less than a month, he was already able to refine third-grade pills. For most people, the higher their cultivation, the slower their progress, but with Lin An, it was as if all the usual hardships were meaningless. He had broken through two minor realms in succession, and that without any deliberate cultivation.

Even with her broad experience, Xiao Xun’er had never seen such a terrifying level of talent.

One day, Nalan Yanran arrived early at Lin An’s courtyard, seeking his help.

“Junior brother, there’s something I’d like your help with,” Nalan Yanran said after hesitating for a long time.

“What is it, senior sister? Please speak. If it’s within my power, I’ll do all I can to help,” Lin An replied directly.

Only after Nalan Yanran’s lengthy explanation did Lin An finally understand why she was so troubled.

It turned out that not long after leaving Wu Tan City, news had reached Nalan Su and Nalan Jie that Nalan Yanran had broken off the engagement in Wu Tan City, bringing along her chosen partner. Nalan Jie, whose health was already poor, was so enraged he coughed up a mouthful of blood. He declared that Nalan Yanran was never to return to the Nalan clan, such was the depth of his anger.

Nalan Su also wrote, advising her not to come back for a while, and to wait until Nalan Jie had calmed down before returning to apologize so the matter could be put to rest.

However, just yesterday, Nalan Yanran’s father Nalan Su suddenly sent word that her grandfather Nalan Jie’s internal poison had abruptly flared up. Even the Pill King Gu He had been called to their side to try and help suppress the branded poison.

After examining him, Gu He could only shake his head in resignation, saying that Nalan Jie’s rage had caused his blood to surge and the branded poison could no longer be suppressed—he might not have many days left.

This completely dashed Nalan Su’s hopes. He quickly sent word to Nalan Yanran, urging her to return at once, lest she miss her grandfather’s final moments.

Hearing this, Lin An also found it strange. By rights, with Nalan Jie’s strength as a Dou King, even if he could not completely suppress the poison, he should have been able to hold it at bay for two or three years. According to the original storyline, the branded poison in Nalan Jie’s body was later expelled by Xiao Yan using a Heavenly Flame. There was still a long time before the three-year agreement; the sudden onset of the poison and his critical state seemed impossible.

“Could it be that my presence has altered all the subsequent events?” Lin An murmured quietly.

The three-year agreement with Xiao Yan had now become his own. He had taken the all-important Yao Chen from Xiao Yan, so Xiao Yan’s fate had already changed, and what followed might also differ from what was meant to be.

“So, my father wishes for you to come back with me to see my grandfather,” Nalan Yanran said.

“Don’t worry, your grandfather will be all right.”

“And… does this count as meeting the family?” Lin An suddenly asked with a smile.

“Junior brother, you…” Nalan Yanran’s face instantly flushed crimson. To tell the truth, she did have feelings for Lin An. Besides, a girl wouldn’t so casually ask a man to pose as her partner.

“I was only joking, senior sister. We should hurry and take our leave of Master,” Lin An said.

“Mm,” Nalan Yanran replied, a little disappointed.

“Only joking?” she murmured.

“What did you say, senior sister?” Lin An hadn’t caught her words.

“It’s nothing. Let’s be on our way,” she said.

After saying their farewells to Yun Yun, they set off with Xiao Xun’er and Yao Chen, the four of them leaving the Yunlan Sect together. Secretly, Yun Shan was also instructed to follow and head to the Nalan clan.

...

“Grandfather, Lin An has left the Yunlan Sect—this is our chance. I want to tear him to pieces!”

The moment Lin An’s departure with Nalan Yanran was discovered, Qian Qixian was the first to hear of it.

“Heaven offers a path and you refuse to take it. Once Lin An is gone, no one among the younger generation will be your equal. Don’t worry, I will see to it that Lin An never returns to the Yunlan Sect,” the Seventh Elder replied coldly, his murderous intent undisguised.