Chapter 45 Zongwu's Request

Following this, the group proceeded with their routine cultivation while Zong Yan diligently studied and practiced.

In the blink of an eye, a month passed.

Under Qin Tian’s guidance, Zong Yan finally managed to refine a four-pattern Earth-tier pill.

Qin Tian was quite satisfied with this result, though he did not show it, fearing that Zong Yan might become arrogant. He hoped that Zong Yan would maintain this driving momentum.

Two days later, Lin Wan came to deliver the profit share for the Legend of the White Snake.

Just like before, she wore a dejected expression.

This was because the business of the Lin Family Trading Firm was growing increasingly sluggish, and their market share was shrinking day by day. The family was even preparing to shut down several shops to cut costs.

After putting down the money, Lin Wan hurried behind Qin Tian to gently beat his back and massage his shoulders.

A thought suddenly struck her: someone as extraordinary as Qin Tian might be able to pull some strings and introduce an alchemist to rescue the Lin Family Trading Firm from its impending crisis.

After massaging his shoulders for a moment, Lin Wan spoke up. "Master Qin, do you happen to know any master alchemists you could introduce to us?"

"If this succeeds, we will reward you handsomely."

Qin Tian did not reply immediately. He lightly tapped his fingers on the table, and just as Lin Wan was about to ask again, Qin Tian finally spoke:

"I can help you, but I require the Lin Family Trading Firm to pledge allegiance to me."

"Once you follow me, it won't be out of the question to provide you with Emperor-tier pills and Emperor-grade artifacts in the future."

Hearing this, Lin Wan’s body trembled, for the vision Qin Tian painted was simply too vast—far beyond her imagination. There were barely a handful of figures in the Central State qualified to forge Emperor-grade artifacts, yet Qin Tian spoke of such things so casually.

Thus, she found it somewhat hard to believe, but out of respect for Qin Tian as an enigmatic senior, she chose not to expose him.

"I know you cannot make the decision. Have your family head come and speak with me!" Qin Tian said indifferently.

Lin Wan took her leave and hurried back home. While the prospect of Emperor-grade artifacts seemed a stretch, the fact that Qin Tian was a true expert was undeniable; it wouldn't be strange for someone of his stature to know formidable alchemists.

Upon returning home, Lin Wan recounted the entire conversation to her father, Lin Zhou.

Lin Zhou’s initial reaction upon hearing this was also disbelief, but he was currently at his wits' end with worry. Consequently, he decided to visit and assess the situation himself.

Accompanied by Lin Wan, he hurried over to the Artistic Conception Painting Gallery.

Stepping through the doors, he saw Zong Wu standing respectfully to the side while Qin Tian leisurely drank tea, with Qian Xue massaging his shoulders from behind.

Zong Wu glanced at Lin Zhou, and in an instant, Lin Zhou felt as though a towering mountain had crushed down upon him, making it difficult to breathe.

Fortunately, this oppressive state lasted only for a single breath.

He knew this was a deliberate display of dominance, and indeed, the Lin Family Trading Firm was in no position to provoke such a senior figure.

"Greetings, Master Qin!"

"I am the head of the Lin Family Trading Firm. I heard you have intentions of taking the Lin family under your wing?"

Qin Tian nodded. "Your daughter should have already relayed my words to you."

"You need not doubt what I said. Emperor-grade artifacts and Emperor-tier pills will be given to you in due time, just not right now."

"You are not yet qualified to possess such items. You need to further develop and expand the Lin family."

"And I will help you achieve that goal." With those words, Qin Tian tossed the kitchen knife from the table in front of Lin Zhou. "Have a look."

A kitchen knife? Puzzled, Lin Zhou picked it up for inspection.

The moment his spiritual sense probed the blade, he froze completely.

This kitchen knife was actually an Emperor-grade artifact?!

He screamed inwardly in shock, *Good heavens, what kind of person would actually forge something like this?* Anyone else forging an Emperor-grade artifact would naturally try to make it look imposing and magnificent.

Forcing down the shock churning within his chest, Lin Zhou tremblingly placed the kitchen knife back onto the table.

At this moment, excitement surged through him. He could sense that the Lin Family Trading Firm was about to rise to prominence under his leadership. With an Emperor-grade artifact in their possession, they would become a force capable of shaking the entire empire.

At this thought, he dropped to his knees and declared, "The Lin family is willing to pledge loyalty to Master Qin!"

He immediately swore an oath to the Heavenly Dao, and Lin Wan quickly followed suit, kneeling to swear the oath as well.

After Lin Zhou and his daughter rose to their feet, Qin Tian summoned Zong Yan over and said,

"He is the alchemist."

"I have provided him to you. If you still fail to completely crush the Qingmu Trading Firm, it will prove that you are unworthy of becoming my subordinates."

Lin Zhou looked at Zong Yan with some apprehension.

He thought to himself, *Can an alchemist this young really overshadow the one from the Qingmu Trading Firm?*

"May I ask what tier and grade of pills you are capable of refining?"

Since the main consumption in青山城 (Qingshan City) still consisted of Earth-tier pills, which were relatively common, Heaven-tier pills did not have many buyers; after all, the cultivators' realms in Qingshan City were not very high.

Zong Yan replied, "I can refine four-pattern Earth-tier pills, and as for Heaven-tier, I can only manage two-pattern ones."

Earth-tier four-pattern? Heaven-tier two-pattern? Lin Zhou found it somewhat hard to believe, but with Qin Tian present, he chose to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"With Master Zong's assistance, this subordinate will surely defeat the Qingmu Trading Firm."

Subsequently, Qin Tian instructed Zong Yan to accompany them.

After Lin Zhou and the others departed, Zong Wu stepped forward, bowed deeply to Qin Tian, and said, "Thank you, Master, for teaching my grandson the art of alchemy."

Even as an Emperor-realm cultivator, he found Zong Yan's massive improvement over a single month unbelievable, and could only attribute it to Qin Tian's exceptional instruction.

In truth, Qin Tian's teaching was indeed peerless, as the True Explanation of Alchemy he imparted had been taught to him by the system. The knowledge contained within it was far more advanced than the standard level of alchemy in the Nine Provinces.

Qin Tian glanced at Zong Wu and remarked, "The curse on you has been lifted, and your cultivation realm has recovered as well, hasn't it?"

Zong Wu nodded and replied, "Master's discernment is piercing. I have indeed recovered to the second heaven of the Emperor Realm."

Then, fixing his gaze on the kitchen knife left on the table, he asked, "Master, would you be willing to lend me this Emperor-grade artifact?"

"With this Emperor-grade artifact to aid me, taking my revenge will be an absolute certainty."

Without refusing, Qin Tian simply said, "Take it and use it!"

Overjoyed, the old man picked up the kitchen knife, expressed his gratitude to Qin Tian, and flew toward the Rakshasa Sect, the sect of his enemy.

The Rakshasa Sect was located within Rakshasa City, situated three cities away from Qingyun City—not particularly far.

Back at the Rakshasa Sect, a young woman was currently snuggled in a man's embrace.

This woman was none other than Qian Wei. "From now on, I am yours."

The man nodded. "Later, I will speak with my father and make you my cultivation partner."

Overjoyed upon hearing this, Qian Wei knew that the man was the son of the Great Elder of the Rakshasa Sect. If she became his cultivation partner, her status would undergo a dramatic transformation.

Once that happened, she could simply whisper sweet nothings in his ear and easily get her man to punish Qin Tian!

The more she thought about it, the happier she became, for she was not only snobbish and petty, but also vengeful to a fault.

Just as her elation reached its peak, a voice echoed throughout the entire sect:

"Luo Hou, you old scoundrel, this old man has come for his revenge! If you have any guts, come out and face me!"

Hearing this, Qian Wei asked, "Who is Luo Hou?"

The man replied, "He is our Sect Master. It must be some blind fool seeking his own death."

"Oh."

Qian Wei acknowledged the response, though for reasons unknown, a heavy sense of foreboding settled in her heart.