Yin Jiuxiao was curious about how Lin Qinghen planned to protect him—this was an experience he’d never had before.

Earlier, Lin Qinghen hadn’t planned on revealing his connection to Die Meng Medicine Hall. Back then, he only had the Red Round Wheat as his bargaining chip. But since it was low-star and basic, it could only help Die Meng get started. Consequently, Yu Yinyin had been handling most of the troubles that arose from it. If Lin Qinghen stepped into the spotlight, he might not be able to handle the role of the Young Master.

But things were different now. He had more bargaining chips in his hand.

What surprised Yin Jiuxiao even more was that Lin Qinghen no longer planned to hide his connection to Die Meng Medicine Hall. Previously, Lin Qinghen’s actions had been a form of testing. He’d set up his research in the Inner Room, and Yin Jiuxiao, hearing the commotion, likely knew something but never questioned him or exposed anything. He even helped cover for him against Yin Hengxie.

Lin Qinghen knew Yin Jiuxiao was smart, able to keep secrets, and when Yin Ye and the others came searching, Yin Jiuxiao had calmly sat there, saying that if he were hiding Lin Qinghen, there was no way Lin Qinghen could escape.

These little details gave Lin Qinghen confidence to trust him and made him willing to give it a shot.

When Yu Yinyin arrived this time, it was the first time she saw Yin Jiuxiao awake. She was visibly startled for a moment, but knowing that Yin Jiuxiao was blind, she stopped at the doorway and shot Lin Qinghen a look.

“Come in, Master,” Lin Qinghen said calmly. “I know he’s awake. I want to tell him.”

After all, Yin Jiuxiao was his partner; it was about time.

Yu Yinyin walked in slowly. Observing Lin Qinghen’s expression, she asked tentatively, “So, did you succeed? Made something new?”

Lin Qinghen nodded, then turned to her and said, “Not here. Let’s go to the garden at the Medicine Hall. Jiuxiao will come with us.”

Bringing him along?

Yu Yinyin glanced at Yin Jiuxiao, her expression hard to describe. She hadn’t been around Lin Qinghen much lately and had no idea how these two had grown close.

Lin Qinghen was usually so cautious, so seeing him trust Yin Jiuxiao this much in such a short time was truly unusual.

Yin Jiuxiao was actually aware of everything—Lin Qinghen’s connection to Die Meng and all that. He even knew more than Yu Yinyin. But Lin Qinghen willingly sharing these things with him made it all the more significant.

Acting as the obedient one, he simply held Lin Qinghen’s hand and walked along with him. Lin Qinghen explained things briefly on the way, and Yin Jiuxiao listened carefully. When Lin Qinghen asked if he had any questions, Yin Jiuxiao seemed to think for a moment before shaking his head.

Then, Lin Qinghen saw him smile.

“You’re really incredible, Qinghen,” he said, a hint of pride in his voice. “I knew from the start you were something special, and I wasn’t wrong.”

Yu Yinyin turned her head and saw his expression, then looked back at Lin Qinghen.

She couldn’t help feeling a pang of envy.

Alright, these newlyweds are really something else.

She began to understand why Lin Qinghen had gotten attached to Yin Jiuxiao so quickly. He was genuinely likable, and Lin Qinghen, who had endured so much hardship over the years, had finally found a bit of sweetness. Naturally, he couldn’t let it go and cared for him a bit more. It was only normal, especially when he had someone who understood him.

Still, Lin Qinghen was himself, and any emotional outbursts were only brief.

Once they reached the garden, he showed Yu Yinyin what he’d been working on.

These spirit plants had much longer growth cycles than the Red Round Wheat, with the shortest taking around four months. Using ripening agents extensively would be unprofitable. But, for demonstration purposes, Lin Qinghen showed her a bit of its effectiveness.

At first, Yu Yinyin didn’t understand why he was tinkering with the soil and then took out a bottle to drip something on it. She had no idea what was in that bottle until the five spirit plants suddenly began to change.

Lin Qinghen had finished a batch of pills at his workstation and took one of each, handing them to Yu Yinyin.

“I don’t know how to evaluate it; could I trouble you to take a look, Master?”

Yu Yinyin stood there, stunned for quite a while before finally reaching out to take it.

She still hadn’t fully recovered from the shock of the changes in the spirit plants. Each and every pill Lin Qinghen handed her was at a level that could keep her in awe for three whole days.

The main ingredient for the Spirit Soul Pill, the Board Amaranth, which was originally a Yellow Tier Four-Star spirit plant, had now reached Five Stars. The Fat Summer plant jumped straight from Five Stars to Seven Stars, forcefully crossing two entire tiers. The Spirit Soul Pill is typically used during cultivation to aid in absorbing spirit power, though there are different varieties within it, and the finished products can vary significantly in appearance.

A Bian Xian-based Spirit Soul Pill was suitable for daily use, helping Spirit Masters enter a state of deeper connection, speeding up spiritual absorption; Fei Xia-based pills were best used after battles, aiding in breakthroughs.

Both types of pills were essential for Spirit Masters. Yu Yinyin’s examination showed that, besides the star level advancement, the ingredients had noticeably improved the effect of spiritual absorption.

Lin Qinghen’s Nurturing Origin Pill had also advanced in star level. This pill, designed for children, had an even gentler effect.

He had already tested his Gale Powder. Its star level had increased from six to seven, a significant upgrade that could be considered a complete transformation.

Each of these items was groundbreaking for an alchemist.

Even basic medicine like Homeostasis Powder, along with these mid- to high-quality Yellow Tier pills, would dominate the market. No Spirit Master or warrior would want anything else after trying them.

Yu Yinyin needed a moment to regain her composure after examining everything. Her mind buzzed for a while before she asked, her voice raspy, “Qinghen…what are you planning?”

“If it weren’t for the spiritual device you gifted me, Jiuxiao and I might not have survived last time. The Yin family is in chaos, and Yin Hengxie is soft-hearted but clueless,” Lin Qinghen replied. “I need to do something. Master, can you connect me with the Alchemist Association in Lei City? I have some business with them.”

“Why do you need to contact them?” Yu Yinyin asked.

“Didn’t you say before that other medicine halls have been eyeing the Red Round Wheat? The Alchemist Association has been trying to get the seeds from us,” Lin Qinghen said. “Tell them I’m willing to sell, but with one small condition.”

Yu Yinyin frowned, cautioning him, “The Alchemist Association in Lei City isn’t the easiest to deal with.”

Because of the rat plague, Die Meng and the association had a bit of a history. But Lin Qinghen’s improved Red Round Wheat was too impressive, and with the recent palace rebellion attempt by Xu Yaoyang failing, the association’s allegiances had naturally shifted toward Die Meng.

“I know, it’s just mutual use,” Lin Qinghen said. “It’s only business. They’re useful now; with a carrot dangling, I can keep them on my side.”

There are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.

The Alchemist Association might be opportunistic, but they held significant influence in Lei City. Xu Yaoyang had tried to exploit the association’s unity for his power grab, hoping to take advantage of the rat plague and the resulting medicine shortage to unseat Yin Hengxie, but Lin Qinghen and Yu Yinyin’s arrival had foiled that plan.

Yu Yinyin remembered Lin Qinghen’s words about returning the favor. This man didn’t make a move easily, but when he did, it was bound to be spectacular.

After completing this task, Lin Qinghen had even more bargaining chips.

Yu Yinyin didn’t ask further, understanding that Lin Qinghen had his secrets. She simply said, “Fine. You make the decisions, and I’ll handle the arrangements.”

Once things were settled, Lin Qinghen brought Yin Jiuxiao to Die Meng Medicine Hall to wait for the Alchemist Association to visit. Yin Jiuxiao stayed quiet, noticing that Yu Yinyin was curious about Lin Qinghen’s alchemy methods but more amazed by the improved ingredients than the process itself. Being a wise person, she stopped herself from asking too many questions.

Lin Qinghen still had his own secrets.

Yin Jiuxiao thought about what he knew of Lin Qinghen and the mysteries he still kept hidden. It made Lin Qinghen seem like an anomaly in his life. It was as if this person had extended a paw, scratching gently at his heart and leaving him feeling…itchy.

Lin Qinghen found Yin Jiuxiao unexpectedly obedient and not surprised by much today, nor did he ask too many questions. Just as Lin Qinghen was about to ask him something, he heard a commotion downstairs.

Though Die Meng was growing stable, the place hadn’t changed. Lin Qinghen, sitting in the small second-floor guest room, could see downstairs.

To his surprise, he recognized someone he hadn’t expected to see.

That person’s clothes were dusty, and he looked weather-beaten, pointing at the Homeostasis Powder on display, demanding, “Where did you get your materials?”

“Who’s in charge here?”

“Answer me.”

“Is Lin Qinghen here? I want to see him.”

It was Lin Yunsi.

After a moment of surprise, Lin Qinghen’s eyes twinkled as if he’d figured something out, a strange smile spreading across his face.

The face behind the mask looked like a scheming little fox.

If he remembered correctly, Lin Yunsi had been the one who discovered the formation in the tree hole. Had he tracked him down, uncovering more along the way?

And he came here all alone.

Lin Qinghen had never considered himself a full-fledged alchemist—his main trade was farming. The system was powerful but limited, with only four types of pill recipes. At the Yellow Tier, he could just meet the major demands, but once he reached the Mysterious Tier, things got complicated. His system had strengths but also weaknesses.

Die Meng would need to rely on high-quality materials to attract stable alchemist partners to grow, and Lin Qinghen, even with his system, couldn’t manage all the alchemy alone.

And here came one from the heavens.

Author’s Note:

Yu Yinyin: Disciple, the tea aroma radiating from Yin Jiuxiao is choking me. Don’t you feel it?

The ever-sharp and perceptive Lin Qinghen: Nope, must be your imagination.