Lin Ya was completely thrown off by what had just happened. With a stiff smile on his face, he could only usher everyone inside and invite them to sit.
Qing Yun chuckled. "No need for those two to come in. I'll go in with you. Your body still needs my help to recover."
Shen Yanye and Cang Li looked reluctant, but they didn't want to cause trouble at this moment either. They obediently stayed outside and didn't press forward.
Lin Ya grew even more confused.
"Master, let's talk inside," Yue Zhao whispered.
Lin Ya nodded quickly.
Inside the cave residence, Lin Ya was just about to bring out his best tea and wine to entertain the guest.
Qing Yun waved a hand. "No need to be so formal, Brother Lin. Xiao Yue, come now, take it out."
Yue Zhao gave a quiet response and hurriedly brought out the small box containing the Bu Tian Dan.
"Brother Lin, go ahead and open it," Qing Yun said with a mysterious smile.
Lin Ya didn't dare delay. He carefully lifted the lid.
Inside, a translucent pill hovered gently, suspended in place.
A rich medicinal fragrance wafted out immediately. Lin Ya took a slight whiff and instantly felt clear-headed and refreshed.
His eyes lit up.
This was a perfect-grade pill.
And not a low-tier one either.
Otherwise, a mere sniff would not have had such an effect.
"Brother Qing Yun, this is…?" Lin Ya asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Qing Yun smiled faintly. "Naturally, it is the pill you need most right now."
The pill he needed most?
Lin Ya's expression shifted subtly.
He looked at the pill again.
What he needed most… surely that was the Bu Tian Dan. Could it be—this was it?
Strangely enough, his first reaction wasn't joy. It was fear.
He spoke in a rush. "Brother Qing Yun, this gift is far too valuable. I can't accept it."
All gifts come with a price.
Lin Ya understood that well.
And right now, he had nothing to offer in return. If he could not repay the Bu Tian Dan, then he had no right to accept it.
Qing Yun paused, then let out a helpless laugh. "Brother Lin, you misunderstand. This pill isn't from me. You've got some truly remarkable disciples."
What?
Remarkable disciples?
Lin Ya looked at Yue Zhao, still confused.
Yue Zhao said softly, "Master, we gathered the materials for the Bu Tian Dan together. The pill was refined personally by Junior Sister. You can take it without worry."
So much weight in just a few words.
Lin Ya felt dazed.
Bu Tian Dan!
It was really the Bu Tian Dan!
His disciples had actually gathered the ingredients?
And Yun Jin… she had actually managed to refine it?
Lin Ya's lips trembled, his hands trembled too. For a long while, he was at a complete loss for words.
Eventually, his hoarse voice came out: "Where is Xiao Jin?"
Yue Zhao replied, "Junior Sister is still in seclusion, preparing for the Grand Sect Assembly."
Lin Ya's eyes turned slightly red. "She's only at the Golden Core stage, yet she managed to refine a seventh-tier pill. She must have paid a heavy price for it. Yue Zhao, you all were reckless! With Xiao Jin's unparalleled talent, how could you let her risk damaging her foundation for a cripple like me?"
Yue Zhao's face shifted. "Will it really harm her foundation?"
"To defy the heavens invites heaven's backlash," Lin Ya said, growing more and more anxious. "She says she's in seclusion, but she might be secretly healing herself right now."
Yue Zhao was immediately overcome with guilt. "Junior Sister always seems so capable... I didn't consider that."
"You…" Lin Ya began, but Qing Yun interjected with a bright smile.
"There's no need to worry about that. I may only barely count as a ninth-grade apothecary, but no matter what price she paid, as long as I'm here, I'll make sure her foundation remains intact."
Lin Ya stared blankly.
Barely?
A ninth-grade apothecary?
Were those two words even allowed in the same sentence?
Qing Yun followed up without pause. "In fact, my achievements in alchemy are even greater. I came here precisely because I was impressed by Yun Jin's talent. Brother Lin, her aptitude for alchemy is truly rare in the world. I would like to take her as my final disciple and pass down my legacy. Would it be appropriate for me to become her master?"
He looked incredibly humble.
Lin Ya felt like he'd been hit over the head again.
If Qing Yun's alchemy surpassed his apothecary skill, then he was a full-fledged ninth-grade alchemist. That was the peak of the continent.
And such a figure had come all this way just to take Yun Jin as his disciple?
Of course Lin Ya was overjoyed. A thousand times over. Still, he spoke cautiously. "If Xiao Jin is willing, then of course it would be appropriate."
Both Lin Ya and Yue Zhao agreed. This had to be Yun Jin's decision.
Qing Yun smiled again, not in any rush. He simply added, "Brother Lin, Yun girl is still young. She might be tempted by sweet words and empty promises. You must tell her that we alchemists follow the true path. With a single pill, thousands of cultivators will come knocking. Isn't that the ideal? Sword cultivators only know how to fight. They have no wisdom. And those beastmasters—always rolling around with spirit beasts. Honestly, they smell like animals. She should steer clear of both types."
Lin Ya fell silent.
It suddenly felt like an arrow had struck his knee.
He was a sword cultivator, after all.
Qing Yun quickly realized his mistake and tried to smooth it over. "Of course, Brother Lin, you're different from ordinary sword cultivators. But let's be honest. Sword cultivation relies on battle. It's far more dangerous than alchemy. As elders, we all want our juniors to live peaceful, safe lives, don't we?"
Those words hit Lin Ya straight in the heart. He nodded repeatedly.
Yes, indeed.
Becoming an alchemist would offer far more protection and stability.
Qing Yun finally let a small, satisfied smile show. "Then it's settled. When Yun girl finishes her seclusion, you must help me persuade her."
Lin Ya, still dazed, nodded without thinking.
Qing Yun grew even more enthusiastic. "This Bu Tian Dan has potent medicinal power. Go ahead and take it. I'll guard you while you absorb it."
Lin Ya had no choice but to nod again.
Yue Zhao quietly stepped back to give them space.
Lin Ya, his expression solemn, swallowed the Bu Tian Dan.
The name "Bu Tian" was not used lightly.
And this Bu Tian Dan was indeed extraordinary.
As soon as the pill entered his stomach, a powerful reaction came from his dantian. A burning heat radiated from deep inside, a blend of pain and itchiness—signs that his dantian was beginning to repair itself.
Under normal circumstances, the process would gradually become more painful, and the itching would grow unbearable.
Lin Ya had already prepared himself for that.
But then—
A sudden, cool sensation spread through him.
He opened his eyes slightly, startled.
Qing Yun met his gaze with a calm smile and gave a small nod.
Lin Ya understood immediately. This was Qing Yun's doing.
He quickly closed his eyes and focused on absorbing the medicine.
Qing Yun stroked his beard and nodded in satisfaction.
With him present, Lin Ya would absorb the Bu Tian Dan without a hint of pain.
And those two outside?
What right did they have to compete?
They were nothing but losers.