Immortality begins with Becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster

Chapter 651: Chapter 270: Friend Luo Chen, Save me _1

On the bank of Qin Flower River.

The originally rushing river suddenly turned calm at a point, part of it forming a huge bay.

The bay was huge, with a width of dozens of feet.

No ripples stirred on the surface of the river as a refreshing breeze passed by.

Two figures sat side by side by the river, a pot of herbal tea between them. In their hands, they each held a fishing rod shimmering in the brilliance of Spirit Qi.

“Our Li family has earned some reputation in the Tian Lan Immortal City mainly for Pill Refinement and cultivation of seven kinds of herbs,” said Li Jinhuang, stroking his grizzled beard.

“In addition to these herbs and elixirs, we also have three Spirit Fish ponds as additional income,” he revealed casually, seemingly unfazed by the man next to him.

“The Hui Long Bay beneath our feet is one of these Spirit Fish Ponds, where we breed the Wash Flower Fish, a species that thrive in running water.”

Luo Chen chuckled, glancing at his still fishing rod, he said casually, “If fishing is the goal, it would have been better to try a real river rather than a breeding pond, it certainly lacks a bit of excitement.” The implication was clear. Fishing in a pond didn’t show one’s true skill.

But to Luo Chen’s surprise, Li Jinhuang protested. “Friend, you misunderstand. What you’re fishing for isn’t the Wash Flower Fish that we raise.”

“Oh? Please explain.”

“The Wash Flower Fish need running water, hence the ponds had to be built here. But in the river, there are Green Scale Dragon fish, who have a taste for Wash Flower Fish. Now that they’re all living in close quarters, those Dragon fish often slip through our barriers and cause great damage to our property.”

Li Jinhuang paused, nudging his chin in the direction of the fishing rod.

“The bait that we use is specially made from the bones of the Wash Flower Fish, which is especially attractive to the Green Scale Dragon Fish.”

Luo Chen’s eyes lit up with understanding.

“Oh, so I’m working as an unpaid laborer to catch fish for the Li family.”

Li Jinhuang replied with a resigned note in his voice, “And you intended to use my channels to sell your elixirs, aren’t you also making me work for nothing?”

Luo Chen frowned, “You won’t be left without your fair share.”

“What use is some Spirit Qi Stones for a man like me? I’m at death’s door!” Li Jinhuang stared at Luo Chen unblinkingly.

At this, Luo Chen fell silent. Li Jinhuang’s life was almost at its end. He would only live a few more years at best. Collecting Spirit Qi Stones, in reality, had no benefit for him.

Unlike Duan Qiankun, who had spent money wildly before his death to provide for his family. And Li Jinhuang was no different.

After a while, Luo Chen raised his head to look into the calm, but the experienced eyes of Li Jinhuang. He asked, “What do you want?”

Li Jinhuang nodded, and instead of mentioning his demands, he first stated what he is capable of doing.

“Your elixirs will be dealt with by my hands, the price will definitely satisfy you, and I can guarantee that nobody will know they were refined by you. Not even a hint will lead back to me. It will be a seamless operation with no risks.”

“Are you sure?”

Luo Chen was somewhat skeptical.

Not having traces leading back to him was plausible.

But even Li Jinhuang, who would be handling everything firsthand, could hide away completely? That would be quite something.

Li Jinhuang replied with a touch of a smile, “Being a native of Tianlan Immortal City, I am familiar with every nook and cranny, every small and large sect within our borders down to my fingertips. A little bit of under-the-table trading is nothing, to say the least.”

“In fact, I won’t even sell these elixirs within Tianlan Immortal City.”

“This should put your mind at rest, right?”

After hearing his assurance, Luo Chen indeed found his trust in Li Jinhuang grew by a fraction.

The other party himself was a Pill Refiner too. Even though he wasn’t very powerful and could only refine First Order elixirs, he certainly knew more about the underground channels for selling elixirs compared to Luo Chen, who had only been in Tianlan Immortal City for a few years.

Therefore, the issue revolved around the final point.

“What do you want? Tell me, and I’ll do my best to fulfill it.”

“What I want is rather simple!”

Li Jinhuang drew a deep breath. His weather-beaten gaze turned piercing as he stared at Luo Chen.

“If Li Family Qi Lin’Er successfully achieves Foundation Establishment, let him join the Luo Tian Creed and give him an honorary position as an Elder.”

Huh?

Luo Chen was taken aback.

Li Family’s prospective True Cultivator wanted to join Luo Tian Creed and only asked for a nominal Elder position?

“What if he fails?” he asked quickly as his mind spun.

Li Jinhuang sighed, “If he fails, I hope that you could have Yuan Dongsheng promoted to the position of Hall Master.”

Yuan Dongsheng, the grandson of Granny Yuan, was also the liaison between Luo Tian Creed and the Qin Flower River Li family. They had already confirmed their engagement. They would be getting married after a year.

Luo Chen was more puzzled.”Isn’t it that in any case, our Luo Tian Creed benefits?”

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Li Jinhuang asked, smiling.

Shaking his head, Luo Chen responded, “All I know is there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Gain must be balanced by loss.”

Li Jinhuang nodded, “Of course, all I hope for is that you could look out for the Qin Flower River Li family when the time comes.”

So it was!

Whether it was the newly Foundation-Established cultivator from the Li family joining the Luo Tian Creed or Li family’s son-in-law Yuan Dongsheng being promoted to the Hall Master position, both options pointed towards increasing the Qin Flower River Li family’s standing in Luo Tian Creed.

Should hardship fall, the Li family could, in turn, rely on the Luo Tian Creed to get by.

Luo Chen remarked, “You truly are heartbroken over your family’s well-being. However…”

He abruptly changed his tone.

“Aren’t you afraid that after you’re gone, I might encroach upon the Li family’s property under the name of Yuan Dongsheng?”

Li Jinhuang smiled, stroking his beard. “Once I’m gone, if the Li Family doesn’t have anyone to bring it back to glory, then even if you don’t, someone else will definitely covet the family fortune.”