Chapter 87-88 (Patreon)

87. Yin Ren Mansion

Lin Fei then opened the letter from Ling Yao. In the letter, Ling Yao had indeed obtained the Burst Qi Pill recipe for Lin Fei, which was tucked inside the letter.

Lin Fei took out the recipe and memorized it carefully before putting it into his pocket. Afterward, he burned both letters.

"What a coincidence. Just as I've received the Burst Qi Pill recipe, Lin Miao has broken through to the first level of the Qi Condensation Realm. It seems I have to make a trip back to the Lin family. I need to find out what's going on with Lin Miao's breakthrough. And also have Lin Miao try to see if he can refine the Burst Qi Pills."

Lin Fei had a plan in mind. So, without any delay, he got up, rented a fast horse, and left the mountain once again.

...

Lin family, Zhou Mountain Mansion City

Lin Fei returned to the Lin family, looking tired and dusty. After meeting with his parents, he went directly to Lin Miao's courtyard.

The courtyard was still filled with Yin Qi, making people shiver. As soon as Lin Fei entered Lin Miao's room, a faint smell of decay filled the air.

"Hmm? Bloodstains!"

Lin Fei's senses were sharp, and he immediately noticed some bloodstains on the ground. Although the bloodstains had dried, it was evident that they had appeared recently.

Lin Fei quickly found Lin Miao, who was sitting cross-legged on a cushion, seemingly meditating and condensing Qi. An invisible layer of Yin wind surrounded him.

Lin Miao, now at the first level of Qi Condensation, seemed to have changed significantly from before.

"Lin Miao," Lin Fei called out.

"Whoosh."

Lin Miao suddenly opened his eyes.

"Young Master, you're back."

Lin Miao tried to show a smile, but his expression was somewhat stiff, perhaps due to his cultivation or some other reason.

Lin Fei got straight to the point, "Lin Miao, you wrote to me saying that you've advanced to the first level of Qi Condensation."

"Yes, Young Master. I had a stroke of luck recently, allowing me to reach the first level of Qi Condensation ahead of schedule." Lin Miao revealed a smile.

"Fortune? Is it related to the bloodstains on the ground?"

"You have sharp eyes, Young Master. My fortune is indeed related to the bloodstains on the ground. Ten days ago, a strange old man suddenly broke into my courtyard.

He was a Qi Condensation cultivator, probably at the second or third level, with profound spiritual power. Seeing that I hadn't even reached the first level of Qi Condensation, he ruthlessly attacked me, intending to kill me, seize my residence, and plunder my treasures.

Unfortunately for him, he didn't expect that I had been practicing the Zombie-refining Technique. Over time, I had already taken control of a few zombies.

Then, I caught him off guard and killed him instead. I obtained some good items from him, allowing me to break through to the first level of Qi Condensation ahead of schedule."

Lin Miao recounted the details of the incident.

Although Lin Miao made it sound simple, Lin Fei knew that the process was anything but. The old man was injured but not foolish. How could he have barged into the courtyard without any precautions, trying to kill Lin Miao?

The old man must have been prepared and even felt confident in his success. But even so, he was still killed by Lin Miao. This Lin Miao was not to be underestimated!

Lin Fei carefully recalled Lin Miao's appearance back in the broken temple.

Lin Miao had followed the old Taoist for so long. He seemed frail but had not been killed by the old Taoist. Later, Lin Miao was captured by Lin Fei and fell into his hands. Still, Lin Miao didn't die.

Now, a strange Qi Condensation cultivator came prepared but still died at Lin Miao's hands.

Once was an accident, twice was a coincidence. But three times, it was definitely not an accident or a coincidence. This Lin Miao was cunning and not as simple and innocent as he appeared on the surface.

However, Lin Fei didn't care what trump card or reliance Lin Miao had. Lin Miao was no threat to him. That was enough!

"Lin Miao, where is the old man's body?" Lin Fei asked again.

"I didn't dare to keep it, so I burned it with fire."

"And the things on the old man, you must have kept them, right?"

"I kept them. Young Master, please take a look. This is a piece of jade marrow that I obtained. It was this jade marrow that allowed my Qi Condensation speed to skyrocket, leading to my breakthrough. Unfortunately, it seems that the jade marrow is almost used up. And this token, it has 'Yin Ren Mansion' written on it. This old man must have come from Yin Ren Mansion."

Lin Miao took out many items he had obtained from the old man. He showed them all to Lin Fei without any concealment.

Lin Miao was a smart person. He knew very well what to do and what not to do. In front of Lin Fei, Lin Miao didn't dare to hide anything. After all, his life and death were in Lin Fei's hands.

"Yin Ren Mansion..."

Lin Fei glanced at the jade marrow, which was indeed almost used up.

This jade marrow should be able to increase a Qi cultivator's absorption of Spiritual Qi, thus accelerating its cultivation speed.

However, it was a consumable item. Once used up, it would be useless.

It was the "Yin Ren Mansion" token that made Lin Fei feel a little worried.

"I don't know what kind of power this Yin Ren Mansion has. You killed him recklessly, and although you burned the body, you still left some things behind. It's hard to guarantee that it won't be traced.

Now, burn all the things from the old man's body. Include this token, burn everything. Even if you can't burn it, destroy it completely. Don't leave any traces!"

Lin Fei said decisively. He had a feeling that this old man could be a problem.

"Yes, Young Master. I will deal with all the things from the old man's body immediately."

Lin Miao didn't hesitate. He took out all the things from the old man's body. Then, in front of Lin Fei, he burned everything.

Lin Fei even saw a Qi cultivation method and some secret manuals. Lin Miao might have read these methods and secret manuals.

This was Lin Miao's opportunity. Lin Fei didn't point it out. After all, if Lin Miao's strength and realm were higher, it would actually be a good thing for Lin Fei.

"Lin Miao, my purpose for coming back this time is to let you try refining the Burst Qi Pill. Here is the pill recipe, study it for one night. Tomorrow, I'll bring you the materials listed in the recipe and let you try to refine the Burst Qi Pill."

Lin Fei handed the Burst Qi Pill recipe directly to Lin Miao.

Lin Miao glanced at it and said with a smile, "Young Master, I am now at the first level of Qi Condensation. And with the Yin Gathering Formation, I can quickly recover my spiritual power. There should be no problem with this Burst Qi Pill."

"Good, start refining the pills tomorrow."

After giving instructions, Lin Fei turned and left the courtyard.

...

Outside Zhou Mountain Mansion City, a Taoist in a robe was about to enter the city.

Suddenly, the Taoist raised his head and looked towards the city.

"The connection has been severed... I placed a Thousand-Mile Tracking Technique on the identity token of that Yin Ren Mansion remnant. He didn't notice it before, but just now the connection was severed. Was it discovered?"

The Taoist frowned, with many thoughts flashing through his mind.

"Hmph, what if it was discovered? You're already injured, and you can't escape far even if you try. You should still be in Zhou Mountain Mansion City. If the city gates are closed, where will you run?"

The Taoist sneered. He asked the city guard soldiers and learned the direction of the Prefecture Yamen. Then, the Taoist headed straight to the Prefecture Yamen.

88. Something Terrible Has Happened

Lin Mansion, the side courtyard.

Lin Fei brought the materials for the Burst Qi Pill recipe to Lin Miao.

"Lin Miao, these medicinal ingredients are not cheap. You must refine them with care," Lin Fei said, looking at Lin Miao.

"Young Master, I studied the Burst Qi Pill recipe last night. There should be no problem," Lin Miao said with confidence.

Lin Fei nodded and stepped back, watching Lin Miao refine the pill carefully.

It was no wonder Lin Fei reminded Lin Miao. These medicinal ingredients were indeed not cheap. Just buying the materials for one furnace cost about 10,000 taels of silver. Lin Fei bought almost enough materials for ten furnaces, spending 100,000 taels of silver.

This was only the price of the raw materials for the Burst Qi Pill. If it also factored in the cost of hiring an innate expert to refine the pill... Nine Profound Sect's treasure pavilion sold Burst Qi Pills for 10,000 taels of silver each was not expensive!

Lin Miao was already familiar with refining pills. After throwing the materials into the pill furnace. he started a fire and turned the materials into a sticky liquid.

This was the pill liquid.

Then, Lin Miao controlled the heat with his spiritual power, slowly refining the pill.

"Young Master, refining the Burst Qi Pill is not easy and takes a long time. You can go down and rest first, and I will notify you when it's ready." Lin Miao said to Lin Fei.

"No problem, I have nothing else to do anyway. Watching you refine the pill will also expand my knowledge."

Lin Fei didn't mind. He wanted to watch the refining of the Burst Qi Pill personally.

When Lin Fei watched Lin Miao refining the Burst Qi Pill, at the Zhou Mountain Prefecture Yamen, Prefect Wang was now standing in front of a Taoist, bowing slightly, said with a flattering smile, "Immortal Master, the city gates have been closed.

Moreover, according to the portrait and the information provided by Immortal Master, we have sent people to inquire about every household. Please rest assured, Immortal Master, there should be news soon."

The Prefect looked at the Immortal Master with a hint of desire in his eyes.

An Immortal Master!

The Prefect had some understanding of Immortal Masters. According to rumors, these Immortal Masters were capable of living forever. Moreover, the Taoist in front of him was an Immortal Master from He Mountain Dao.

He Mountain Dao was a sect recognized by the imperial court. It belonged to the orthodox Daoist school. The Immortal Masters of He Mountain Dao had the imperial court's credentials.

As a prefect, he dared not offend the Immortal Masters of He Mountain Dao. Besides, encountering an Immortal Master was a great opportunity.

"You've done well. After the matter is accomplished, I will reward you with a pill. It won't make you live for hundreds of years, but at least you won't suffer from illnesses and can enjoy your twilight years."

This was the promise given by the He Mountain Dao Taoist to the Prefect.

Pills! These were things that many ordinary people dreamed of having.

"Report." At this moment, a voice came from outside.

"Come in." The Prefect said calmly.

Soon, a yamen runner entered with a quick step, and reported to the Prefect, "My lord, we have investigated and confirmed that the wanted person in the portrait did appear in Zhou Mountain Mansion City. The last time he was seen was near Dan Gui Street."

The Prefect nodded and then asked the Taoist, "Immortal Master, shall we go to Dan Gui Street and take a look?"

"Of course, lead the way."

So, the Prefect led the He Mountain Dao Taoist, along with a group of yamen runners, they left the yamen and arrived at Dan Gui Street.

There were already many yamen runners and constables here. Almost the entire Dan Gui Street was blocked.

"Who saw the wanted person?" The Prefect asked the yamen runners.

Then, a yamen runner brought an old man. He was about fifty years old, with slightly dark skin and short stature. His eyes were constantly moving, appearing quite shrewd.

However, seeing the grand entourage of the Prefect and the others, the old man was somewhat frightened and stammered, "It was me who saw the person in the portrait. He was wearing a cloak and a black robe, just hanging around this area. It seemed like he was looking for something. He disappeared in the evening."

The He Mountain Dao Taoist's gaze swept across the nearby Dan Gui Street.

"Hmm? The fluctuation of Yin Qi?"

The Taoist's eyes narrowed slightly, looking towards the other end of Dan Gui Street. He saw a huge mansion.

"What place is that?"

The Taoist asked.

Following the direction pointed out by the Taoist, the Prefect took a closer look. Immediately, the Prefect was somewhat surprised and carefully answered, "Immortal Master, that is the mansion of a wealthy merchant named Lin in our city."

"Lin family?"

The Taoist said coldly, "Search the Lin Mansion. The remnants of the Yin Ren Mansion are in the Lin Mansion!"

"Ah? Immortal Master, that must not be done."

"Hmm? Why not?"

The Prefect said with a bitter smile, "Immortal Master, you may not know. Although the Lin family is just a wealthy merchant, they have a son named Lin Fei. Lin Fei is an inner disciple of the famous martial arts sect, the Nine Profound Sect and his martial arts skills are unfathomable.

It is precise because of this that the Lin family has become the top wealthy family in Zhou Mountain Mansion City. Searching the Lin Mansion would be very difficult..."

The Prefect was unwilling to offend the Lin family. After all, the influence of the Lin family in Zhou Mountain Mansion City was growing day by day.

Even he, as the Prefect, had to cater to the Lin family. If he offended the Lin family. The Prefect would hardly be able to accomplish anything in Zhou Mountain Mansion City.

"You're afraid of offending the Lin family, but not afraid of offending me?"

The Taoist's words made the Prefect even more embarrassed.

"Let people search the Lin Mansion! As for Lin Fei, what does a mere disciple from a martial arts sect amount to? Among the servants and subordinates of my He Mountain Dao, all are acquired martial artists. If Lin Fei dares to obstruct, this Daoist will kill him!"

The Taoist's words made the yamen runners and constables look at each other in dismay.

The Prefect glanced at the He Mountain Dao Taoist. He then looked at the Lin Mansion. Thinking about the status of the Taoist, even martial artists wouldn't amount to much in front of him.

With this thought, the Prefect gritted his teeth and said, "What are you all waiting for? Obey the Taoist's orders!"

"Yes, my lord!"

Thus, many yamen runners and constables quickly rushed toward the Lin Mansion.

......

In the side courtyard of the Lin Mansion.

Lin Fei watched Lin Miao, who had been refining Burst Qi Pills for almost two hours.

How much spiritual power must this consume?

Yet even so, the pills still hadn't been successfully made.

Compared to the previous time when he refined Blood-Increasing Pills, this time, it was obviously much more difficult to refine Burst Qi Pills.

Fortunately, Lin Miao's cultivation had reached the first level of Qi Condensation. His spiritual power was much deeper. Furthermore, he had the support of the Yin Gathering Formation. Otherwise, Lin Miao wouldn't have been able to endure continuously refining Burst Qi Pills for two hours.

Just as Lin Fei was about to close his eyes and rest. Suddenly, his ears twitched. He heard a chaotic noise.

The housekeeper, panting, had a trace of panic in his eyes, and hurriedly ran to the side courtyard.

Upon seeing Lin Fei, he shouted, "Young Master, something terrible has happened. The Prefect has led the yamen runners and constables into the Lin Mansion. They said they were looking for some wanted person."

"The Prefect led people to break into the Lin Mansion?" Lin Fei frowned.

The housekeeper couldn't explain exactly what was going on. He only saw that the yamen officials were aggressively entering and immediately ran to inform Lin Fei.

"Lin Miao, continue refining Burst Qi Pills. I'll take care of the situation outside."

Lin Fei instructed Lin Miao.

Then he left the side courtyard quickly with the housekeeper.