Chapter 366 - 243: Deeper into the Immortal Lake, the Alchemy Dao Advances Again (2)

Chapter 366: Chapter 243: Deeper into the Immortal Lake, the Alchemy Dao Advances Again (2)

Its claws and fangs had clearly developed and grown, and they glinted with a cold light.

He then closed the Array and brought out his Dharma Ship, taking the Messenger with him into the lake.

Soon, Lin Changheng raised an eyebrow. He was surprised to find they weren’t heading toward the Shuiyue Pavilion in the middle of the lake as they had before.

Instead, they turned toward a deeper part of the lake.

’Don’t tell me... we’re heading to Feather Immortal Island?’

Information about the Inner Lake was rarely disclosed. The Cultivators of the Immortal City only knew that at the center of Fusheng Lake lay Feather Immortal Island.

They knew nothing else about it.

Lin Changheng was just as baffled, for the place was shrouded in too much mystery.

"Excuse me, where are we heading?"

Lin Changheng asked directly, not wanting to waste time overthinking it.

By now, under the Messenger’s guidance, the Dharma Ship had already skimmed into the deeper reaches of the lake. The density and quality of the Spiritual Qi here were on a completely different level—it was incomparably pure. ’Is this... a Tier Three Spiritual Vein?’

Meanwhile, the Messenger held a special Token in his hand, which broke through the various Arrays along their path, allowing them to proceed unimpeded.

"Furnace Spirit Island."

The Messenger was only at the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation, yet he showed no fear toward Lin Changheng, only a sliver of respect.

Moreover, Lin Changheng had a feeling this respect didn’t stem from his Foundation Establishment status or his rank as a Tier Two Alchemist. Instead, it came from...

Elder Kong’s invitation!

’Tsk, tsk. Are the Qi Cultivation Envoys of the Immortal Lake all this arrogant?’

Lin Changheng couldn’t help but think of the doormen and stable hands of secular prime ministers in his past life. They too were haughty and arrogant, throwing their weight around because of their masters’ power. What was the difference?

It was exactly the same!

But he wasn’t about to do anything. After all, one had to consider the master before beating their dog.

The two continued deeper into Fusheng Lake.

The deeper they went, the purer and denser the surrounding Spiritual Qi became, gradually coalescing into a faint Spiritual Mist. A single breath made his body feel light and refreshed.

At the same time, massive shadows would occasionally glide through the water below, emitting a heart-pounding aura. They were clearly powerful Water Element Spirit Beasts that had been tamed or raised here, at least Tier Two.

He judged them to be Spirit Beasts because Demon Beasts would not be able to survive here.

Along the way, small, scattered islands and aquatic platforms began to appear. Exquisite pavilions and verandas were built upon them, each occupied by Cultivators who were either standing guard or engaged in Cultivation.

Upon seeing the Messenger’s Token and the Dharma Ship, these Cultivators merely watched from a distance without any attempt to stop them. Their gazes, tinged with curiosity and scrutiny, swept over Lin Changheng.

The Messenger maintained his detached and formal demeanor, which verged on a programmed sort of arrogance. He spoke only occasionally to point out the direction, his tone flat.

After flying for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

A medium-sized island appeared directly ahead, but Lin Changheng barely spared it a glance. Instead, his gaze was fixed on a colossal island at the very edge of his vision.

The island was immense.

It was like a colossal, ancient beast lying prone on the water’s surface, bearing the weight of all existence.

Moreover, the island was not entirely natural. Its edges showed clear signs of artificial construction, fortified with massive, dark-green rocks that gave it a sturdy and ancient appearance.

Above the island hovered a gigantic, transparent dome of light, visible to the naked eye. Spiritual Light flickered across its surface, where Runes would faintly appear and disappear. It emitted astonishing fluctuations of Spiritual Power, far surpassing any of the Arrays they had seen on their journey.

But within the dome, there was only a thick fog, obscuring all view.

’Feather Immortal Island!’

Three words flashed through Lin Changheng’s mind!

’That’s definitely Feather Immortal Island!’

It was pure intuition.

The Dao Field of the Late Stage Core Formation expert, the Qing Lan Wanderer!

"We’re almost there."

The Messenger’s reminder came at just the right moment.

Only then did Lin Changheng pull his gaze away and turn to look at the medium-sized island closer to them.

Upon the island, he could faintly make out not a lush forest, but dozens of towering, strangely shaped buildings of varying heights, all built in the shape of giant Furnace Cauldrons!

"This is Furnace Spirit Island, the heart of alchemy for our Fusheng Lake. Elder Kong is waiting for Alchemist Lin in the Purple Sun Pill Hall."

The Messenger finally spoke again, his tone involuntarily laced with a hint of solemnity and yearning.

The Dharma Ship came to a halt before the dome of light surrounding the island. The Messenger took out the special Token and brandished it at the barrier.

The dome of light silently split open, forming an entrance just large enough for the Dharma Ship to pass through.

A torrential wave of Spiritual Qi—even purer, hotter, and mixed with the dense, rich aroma of countless Spirit Medicines—rushed out to meet them!

Lin Changheng took a deep breath, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes as he piloted the Dharma Ship slowly through the opening.

’This might be my opportunity.’

...

He stepped into the hall.

A hale and hearty, dark-complexioned old man with black hair stood with his back to the entrance. With hands clasped behind him, he was positioned before a large desk, seemingly engrossed in some sort of calculation.

Hearing footsteps, the old man remained perfectly still.

Lin Changheng halted in his tracks and waited.

After a long while, Elder Kong shook his head and finally turned around.

His eyes, however, were as bright as if they held the stars themselves. They landed on Lin Changheng with a gentle scrutiny and a warm, amused smile.

"Greetings, Elder Kong."

Lin Changheng said, cupping his hands in a formal salute.

"Mr. Lin, come over here, quickly."

The welcoming voice rang out at once as Elder Kong laughed. "Why bother with such tedious formalities? I don’t care how you act with others, but there’s no need for it with me."

"Alright."

Lin Changheng had just agreed when he heard the elder urge, "Quickly now, come help me with this." Only then did he quicken his pace and approach the desk.

Elder Kong then pointed to the densely filled notes of a deduction process on the desk, gesturing for Lin Changheng to take a closer look.

Lin Changheng took one look and gave a wry, helpless smile. "Elder Kong, my skill in the Alchemy Dao is only at the Tier Two Middle Grade. This is the Tier Three Alchemy Dao... it’s far beyond my level. I’m afraid..."

Elder Kong just smiled and pointed to another spot. "Then take a look right here."

This section was clearly more detailed and less cryptic than the rest; he could actually understand parts of it.

"There are still some things I don’t understand. They’re a bit beyond my current knowledge, so I can’t make the connection."

Lin Changheng studied it for a long time, his mind racing as he began his own deductions. He could work through some of the minor problems, but he came to an abrupt halt whenever he hit a major sticking point.

"What part don’t you understand?" Elder Kong asked.

Lin Changheng held nothing back, explaining everything, including his deductions and solutions for the easier problems.

At first, Elder Kong nodded slightly, but soon his brow furrowed. A look of disbelief appeared in his eyes as he gazed at Lin Changheng. Clearly, even he had never considered these solutions.

Of course, he had his own solutions, but they were completely different from Lin Changheng’s.

But deep within his eyes, a hidden joy began to surface.

After Lin Changheng finished speaking, Elder Kong pondered for a moment before beginning to resolve his points of confusion, using a line of reasoning in the Alchemy Dao that followed naturally from Lin Changheng’s own deductions.

Elder Kong’s famous fiery temper was nowhere to be seen. He explained everything meticulously and earnestly, occasionally checking Lin Changheng’s expression to see if he needed to clarify anything further.

Over an hour passed, and Lin Changheng didn’t interrupt once.

Just as Elder Kong was beginning to wonder if Lin Changheng was completely lost, or simply pretending to understand—

Lin Changheng picked up a brush and began to write out his deductions.

What appeared was a peculiar, hybrid solution.

It contained elements of Elder Kong’s methods as well as his own, all cleverly fused together.

Moreover, his own approach formed the core of the solution.

It felt as if one breakthrough had led to a hundred others.

The more Elder Kong watched, the more astounded he became. He began to ponder, understand, and even learn from and absorb the new approach.

"Marvelous! And what about this part..."

Elder Kong continued, pointing to the next section of the deduction.

...

An unknown amount of time passed.

Another Dharma Ship flew in from the sky.

This time, a single person traveled alone; there was no Messenger present.

HUMMM.

Without any visible action from the pilot, the Array opened on its own, allowing the vessel to enter.

A figure in a white Immortal Skirt drifted down from the Dharma Ship.

"Where is Elder Kong?"

"Reporting to the True Inheritance Disciple, he is in the Purple Sun Pill Hall."

"And Alchemist Lin?"

"He is also in the Purple Sun Pill Hall."

"How many days has it been?"

"It’s been half a month."

"Understood."

A look of surprise crossed her exquisitely beautiful face. Clearly not expecting this answer, she headed directly for the Purple Sun Pill Hall.

She arrived to find the great doors still tightly shut.

However, the two auras within were undeniably present.

This woman was none other than Bai Hengwan.

Just as she was puzzling over the situation, a deafening burst of laughter suddenly erupted from inside. It was Elder Kong’s voice, which only served to heighten her astonishment!