Chapter Nineteen: Cherishing Talent, Yet Also Harboring Self-Interest

That night was destined to be extraordinary.

The series of events triggered by Lin Hao continued to unfold.

The father and son, Li Kaixian, were undoubtedly the first stumbling block in Lin Hao’s path to growth—and they had already been crushed to powder.

The downfall of the Li family was inevitable.

In this world, many things happen suddenly. Just yesterday, Li Kaixian wielded absolute power over the Tai Xuan Sect, acting with impunity. They had climbed the social ladder, basking in a promising future.

But in a single day, they plummeted from the heights to the depths, becoming lost souls, dragging the Li family down with them.

Lin Hao’s ten-zhang Dragon Gate impact had directly reached the imperial capital.

At this moment, inside Mr. Ximen’s residence.

A figure clad in black appeared silently—a venerable elder, about the same age as Mr. Ximen, possessing extremely high cultivation, already beyond the Huayuan realm.

“Mr. Ximen, long time no see,” the black-clad man greeted with a smile.

“I have no desire to see you,” Mr. Ximen replied with a bitter smile. “Ling Yao, I know why you’re here, but I don’t understand one thing. Lin Hao is merely a minor figure at the Kai Mai stage. Is he really worth the Ling family’s trouble, sending a Tianyuan realm expert like you to descend on Tai Xuan Sect in the dead of night?”

“That little bastard shouldn’t even exist in this world. He broke the Dragon Gate record. The better he performs, the more necessary it becomes for him to die,” Ling Yao said coldly. “Mr. Ximen, with your cultivation and conditions, it’s a pity for you to stay in Tai Xuan Sect. Why not join the Ling family? I can arrange for you to have an honorary position. The Ling family’s cultivation resources will be open to you. All you need to do is—”

“Enough,” Mr. Ximen interrupted with a wave of his hand before Ling Yao finished speaking. “I have lived in Tai Xuan Sect for decades and am used to this. The threshold of the Ling family is too high for me to reach. You can leave now.”

Seeing Mr. Ximen’s attitude, Ling Yao’s expression grew even colder. “Lin Hao must die.”

“Oh? You still dare to act within Tai Xuan Sect?” Mr. Ximen sneered. “It’s not that I underestimate you. Even if you had ten times the courage, you wouldn’t dare.”

“You…” Ling Yao was left breathless, his fists clenched tightly.

Because he truly did not dare to make a move inside Tai Xuan Sect.

It was not out of concern for his identity or fear of being branded as a bully. Nor was he afraid of Mr. Ximen.

Tai Xuan Sect was now a setting sun, ranked 108th among all sects in Great Xia.

But there was one person in Tai Xuan Sect no one dared to provoke, even though that person was not currently present in the sect.

No matter if a Ling clan Tianyuan elder came, none would dare to harm a single flower or blade of grass in Tai Xuan Sect.

Tai Xuan Sect indeed faced the threat of expulsion, but for now, it had not yet been removed.

“Stubborn fools. Let’s see how long Tai Xuan Sect can protect him,” Ling Yao snorted coldly. “The Ling clan will never allow that bastard to set foot in the imperial capital.”

“Heh, the Ling clan, the greatest noble house of Great Xia, yet their methods are so despicable. Each generation has its own struggles. Does the Ling clan only bully the weak? Your clan’s prodigy doesn’t even have the courage to face Lin Hao. Or is it that the ten-zhang Dragon Gate record has scared them stiff?” Mr. Ximen’s tone was relaxed but dripping with scorn.

“Our clan is full of prodigies. How could a petty Kai Mai stage brat compare? Tai Xuan Sect shouldn’t think it can rest easy just because it has a spot in the competition. The Hundred Sects Grand Contest will be his death sentence,” Ling Yao said coldly.

“If you have nothing more to say, then leave.” Mr. Ximen flicked his sleeve and turned away.

Ling Yao left, frustrated. Since Mr. Ximen wouldn’t cooperate, they would have to strike at the Hundred Sects Grand Contest.

No sooner had Ling Yao left than Yi Fuyao and Ren Baichuan walked in.

“You heard that, right?” Mr. Ximen asked.

“Damn, the Ling clan is disgusting,” Ren Baichuan cursed hot-temperedly.

“Could it be that the Marquis of the Nation and the Ling clan can’t tolerate a discarded son?” Yi Fuyao was puzzled.

“There are hidden truths we don’t know. The Ling clan cares about their face and wants to erase all traces of the Marquis of the Nation. Now that Lin Hao has broken the Dragon Gate record and displayed top-tier talent, his hatred toward the Marquis and the Ling clan has become a great threat. Regardless of the details, the feud between Lin Hao and the Ling clan is doomed to be irreconcilable,” Mr. Ximen explained.

“I can understand the Ling clan, but what about the Marquis? Lin Han is his son, and Lin Hao is also his son. If they were truly good-for-nothing wastrels, ashamed of disgracing the Marquis, that would be one thing. But now Lin Hao displays extraordinary talent, yet the Marquis remains indifferent, allowing the Ling clan to kill his own son,” Yi Fuyao said, confused and angry.

“We don’t know the Marquis well and won’t comment. Since Lin Hao has joined Tai Xuan Sect, he is a member of Tai Xuan Sect. He fights to protect our homeland, so we must spare no effort to protect him,” Mr. Ximen said. “You two came here late at night. Is there something you need?”

“Mr. Ximen, look,” Ren Baichuan said, opening his palm to reveal three translucent pills shimmering with light, each clearly marked with eight pill striations.

Mr. Ximen and Yi Fuyao’s eyes brightened simultaneously as they exclaimed, “You refined eight-striation pills?”

“Congratulations, Elder Ren. Eight-striation pills — in all of Great Xia, fewer than a hundred alchemists can refine those. The Pill Pavilion can directly award you the title of Eight-Striation Alchemist,” Yi Fuyao said excitedly, sincerely happy for Ren Baichuan.

Although neither Yi Fuyao nor Mr. Ximen were alchemists, they understood the basics. The number of pill striations represented the grade of the pill—the more striations, the higher the grade. The highest was nine striations. To refine an eight-striation pill was already a rare feat.

The status of an eight-striation alchemist in the entire alchemy world was supreme.

Seeing their reactions, Ren Baichuan smiled bitterly. “Don’t mock an old man. I currently lack the ability to refine eight-striation pills. Moreover, these aren’t eight-striation; they’re half-step nine-striation.”

Yi Fuyao and Mr. Ximen, not being alchemists, naturally weren’t as sensitive to pill grades. Now, hearing Ren Baichuan speak, they barely made out a faint ninth striation.

“Half-step nine-striation. As far as I know, fewer than ten people in the entire Pill Pavilion can refine half-step nine-striation pills. Wait, you said these pills weren’t refined by you?” Yi Fuyao’s face was full of questions. There were only a few alchemists in Tai Xuan Sect, and as the chief alchemist, Ren Baichuan was naturally the most skilled. If not him, then who?

“These pills were refined by Lin Hao,” Ren Baichuan said through gritted teeth.

“What?” Yi Fuyao and Mr. Ximen exclaimed in unison. They looked at the pills in Ren Baichuan’s hand, then thought of Lin Hao, before shaking their heads with a smile.

“Baichuan, coming to me in the dead of night, are you joking?” Mr. Ximen said kindly.

“I’m not joking. These three pills were truly made by Lin Hao, and this was his first time refining pills,” Ren Baichuan said.

The room fell silent. Yi Fuyao and Mr. Ximen said nothing; they realized Ren Baichuan was serious.

So it was true.

But was there really anyone in this world who could refine half-step nine-striation pills on their first attempt?

“Lin Hao is definitely the most top-tier alchemy prodigy I’ve ever seen. He has an almost perfect perception of various medicinal materials. I only taught him the steps and gave him the formula for the Foundation Solidifying Pill. He gave me such a surprise,” Ren Baichuan said. “In the Great Xia alchemy world, only Dan Qing, the Pill Pavilion’s chief, can refine nine-striation pills. The world calls him the Pill King. And Lin Hao, on his first try, reached half-step nine-striation. If he refines a few more times, he might directly produce genuine nine-striation pills.”

“A prodigy born of heaven,” Mr. Ximen said, astonished.

“There will be an alchemy exchange meeting at the Pill Pavilion in a few days. I want to take him there,” Ren Baichuan said.

“But the Pill Pavilion is in the imperial capital. If Lin Hao goes, his life will be in constant danger. You saw how determined the Ling family is to eliminate him,” Yi Fuyao said with concern.

“I’ve thought of that too. I’ll give him a new identity—as my true disciple—to go see the world at the Pill Pavilion. If he can shine there, his identity as an alchemist will be a great asset for the future. After all, Tai Xuan Sect cannot protect him forever. This kid’s ambitions are beyond that. He and the Ling clan will eventually clash,” Ren Baichuan said. “Of course, I have selfish reasons for taking him to the alchemy exchange meeting. I’ve studied alchemy for many years. My potential is nearly exhausted, and I won’t achieve much more in life. If the alchemy world can produce a prodigy because of me, it will satisfy my lifelong vanity.”

Ren Baichuan was sincere; he cherished talent but also had personal motives. His path was nearing its end, and he hoped someone would continue it for him.

“The eagle must spread its wings and soar. The fledgling eagle must endure countless falls before it can laugh proudly in the skies. Tai Xuan Sect can’t protect him forever. He must go out and experience the world. I agree,” Mr. Ximen said.

“Mr. Ximen is right. Lin Hao just left Tianbao City. Although he left his name at the Dragon Gate, no one in the imperial capital has seen his true face. We can let him go to the Pill Pavilion as Elder Ren’s true disciple and gain experience at the alchemy exchange meeting,” Yi Fuyao added. “His cultivation is too weak. Even though he has broken through to the first level of the Qi Sea, it would be useless for him to participate in the Hundred Sects Grand Contest at this stage. If he has opportunities at the Pill Pavilion, it might also enhance his strength.”

“Good. Since you agree, I’m at ease. In three days, I will take him to the imperial capital. Saintess and sir, rest assured; I, Ren Baichuan, swear on my old life to ensure his safety,” Ren Baichuan said solemnly.

“I’ll go with you,” Yi Fuyao said.