Chapter 144: The Path Up the Mountain

Standing at the entrance, Lin Xiaobao discovered that Lin Tian, Si Mengling, Yun Keke, Wang Dashua, and Qin Feng were already waiting there.

"Master, you..." Lin Xiaobao looked at Lin Tian in disbelief.

"The medicinal potency of the pill you gave me was immense. In just five days, my injuries were fully healed, and my cultivation has even advanced to the Dao Heart realm!" Lin Tian’s eyes were filled with unmistakable gratitude.

"That is a testament to your own exceptional talent, Master!" Lin Xiaobao immediately offered flattery, though it was as much truth as it was praise. Had he not possessed such extraordinary aptitude, he would have been fortunate just to recover, let alone advance his cultivation. Naturally, Lin Tian was rightfully regarded as a genius; after all, before Lin Xiaobao’s arrival, Lin Tian had always been hailed as the foremost prodigy of the Wind and Snow Pavilion.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!" After a few more exchanges, an elated Lin Xiaobao waved his fist and shouted, "Our destination: the Profound Sun Palace’s Treasure Exchange Assembly!"

The Blood Wind Mountains, a vast, undulating range spanning tens of thousands of miles, stood at the edge of Blood Wind City. Strictly speaking, the city had been built against the mountains. Standing at the foot of the range, one could only see as far as the mountainside; beyond that, everything was shrouded in dense, swirling mist. Without venturing into it, one could never glimpse its true form.

Lin Xiaobao gazed upward, sensing the subtle fluctuations of formations. His admiration for the Profound Sun Palace’s mastery of formations deepened; such grand, atmospheric arrays were well beyond his own current capabilities.

"The Profound Sun Palace is hidden at the peak of this mountain. Let us ascend," Qin Feng said, standing at the head of the group after sighing at the towering peaks.

"As you command!" Lin Xiaobao replied with a smile.

Before departing, Lin Xiaobao had told Qin Feng that for the sake of his reputation, the younger generation would act as his entourage, and the matter of their wager would not be mentioned until the assembly concluded. Qin Feng had initially found the request strange, but assuming it was Lin Tian’s wish, he had agreed. Although he respected Lin Xiaobao’s alchemy, the prospect of being called a "medicine boy" in front of the world was a blow to his pride.

Would Lin Xiaobao have a change of heart? Certainly not. He simply felt that maintaining a low-profile identity would be advantageous if he discovered any rare treasures at the assembly.

Led by Qin Feng, the group of six made their way toward the summit. Since everyone except Qin Feng and Lin Tian was only at the Spirit Dao realm, and Lin Xiaobao had to use his spiritual energy to support Yun Keke, who was not a cultivator, their progress was slow, and they were frequently overtaken by others. Occasionally, those who recognized Qin Feng would stop to chat. Though Qin Feng lived in the Blood Victory Empire, his reputation as an alchemist was renowned throughout the Longxiang Continent. While he fell slightly short of the Alchemist King, Long Xinghe, not everyone had the privilege of hiring someone of Long Xinghe’s stature. Still, onlookers eyed the large, motley group with confusion.

"It seems this Treasure Exchange Assembly isn't very lively," Lin Xiaobao remarked with a hint of disappointment.

"What makes you say that?" Qin Feng asked, equally perplexed, as this was his first time attending as well.

"Don't you see? Every group passing by only has two or three people. Surely there can't be many attendees," Lin Xiaobao explained.

"You think everyone has a connection to Chen Zhong like you do?" Qin Feng shook his head. "If not for you, I might not have even qualified to attend this assembly."

"Really? The threshold for the assembly is that high?" For Lin Xiaobao, the invitations had been so easy to come by—ten at once—that he had begun to view them as little more than common cabbage.

"You'll see soon enough." As they spoke, the group reached the mountainside. Qin Feng stopped and said, "Let’s proceed on foot from here to show respect to the Profound Sun Palace."

As they halted, Lin Xiaobao looked up and spotted a few small, slow-moving black dots near the peak; clearly, others were also continuing on foot. Of course, this "slowness" was only relative to flight; as cultivators qualified to attend the assembly, their walking speed was still astonishing. Lin Xiaobao continued to support Yun Keke with his spiritual energy, keeping their pace steady.

As the group chatted while walking, a cold snort suddenly echoed from behind. Lin Xiaobao frowned and turned to see two middle-aged Taoists, whose gazes toward Qin Feng seemed rather peculiar. Lin Xiaobao had sensed their approach for some time, but given the number of people on the path, he hadn't expected the hostility directed specifically at them.

"Qin Feng greets Uncle Wei and Uncle Han," Qin Feng said, cupping his hands in respect.

"So you still remember that you belong to the Alchemy Hall?" The man who had snorted, Wei Zhiye, stared at Qin Feng with visible anger. The other, Han Deyi, stood beside him. Both were elders of the Alchemy Hall.

"I am dull-witted and unaware of how I have displeased you, Uncle Wei," Qin Feng replied, genuinely confused. Despite his long absence from the hall, he had always returned for the holidays and contributed superior medicinal herbs to honor his sect.

"Since when did a disciple of the Alchemy Hall sink so low as to become a medicine boy for others?" Wei Zhiye’s displeased gaze shifted to Lin Xiaobao. "You must be Lin Xiaobao?"

Damn it! Was this what it felt like to be a bystander hit by a stray bullet? Upon learning of their affiliation, Lin Xiaobao cupped his hands. "Lin Xiaobao greets the two seniors."

"I want you to annul the wager with Qin Feng!" Wei Zhiye stared at Lin Xiaobao, his tone commanding.

"Since the seniors acknowledge it is a wager, then you must understand what that implies," Lin Xiaobao said, meeting Wei Zhiye’s gaze. "One must accept the consequences of a lost bet."

Wei Zhiye did not expect Lin Xiaobao to speak to him in such a manner. "Don't think that just because Chen Zhong is backing you, you can disregard the world. The Alchemy Hall is not something the trash of the Long family can compare to!"

"I don't need anyone to back me. I only know that reason prevails above all! Is the Alchemy Hall planning to abandon logic and use force to oppress others?" Lin Xiaobao retorted, placing a heavy accusation upon them.

Wei Zhiye laughed dismissively. "Reason? That is only necessary when both sides are evenly matched. Otherwise, I find that fists are far more effective!"

As Wei Zhiye spoke, Lin Tian, Wang Dashua, and Si Mengling instinctively stepped toward Lin Xiaobao. Despite knowing the immense power of their opponents, they showed no trace of fear.

"Does strength in numbers matter?" Wei Zhiye swept his gaze over them with disdain.