Lin Qinghen was the kind of person who never played by the rules.

Earlier, when everyone was still stunned, he’d suddenly lashed out with his whip. And now, while the entire Yin family was panicking over the Alchemist Association’s plan to join forces with the Lang Clan, he had suddenly mellowed, inviting everyone to take a leisurely tour of the Medicine Garden.

Right at this critical moment, who cares about a Medicine Garden?

Just as Yin Hengxie was about to speak, he caught Lin Qinghen’s intense gaze and instinctively fell silent, sinking back into his seat.

Mu Jiu was also taken aback. After a slight pause, he squinted and asked, “What’s your angle?”

“I’m genuinely interested in cooperation,” Lin Qinghen sighed. “To be honest, getting the Red Round Wheat seeds was just the beginning. I wanted to bring you along so you’d believe me.”

After completing his advancement task, the system had changed in multiple ways.

Lin Qinghen quickly noticed that the four points of natural affinity awarded to him now increased his elixir enhancement rate by 10%. This enhancement level marked a point where a quantitative change led to a qualitative leap.

His original Homeostasis Powder had already reached the four-star peak, just shy of advancing to another star level. At that moment, the system’s boost tipped it over.

From that point forward, the system’s Homeostasis Powder was no longer four-star—it was five-star. Even though it had only just barely reached the five-star threshold, it was five-star nonetheless.

Lin Qinghen hadn’t shared this information yet. Today, he casually tossed a bottle to Mu Jiu.

After examining it, Mu Jiu’s expression grew noticeably more serious.

Five-star Homeostasis Powder… How on earth had Die Meng managed that?

Only then did Lin Qinghen continue speaking.

“So, President Mu, the best items are always in my hands. If you take just these seeds to trade with the Lang Clan, they likely won’t be satisfied. Sooner or later, your cooperation will encounter problems,” Lin Qinghen remarked, his gaze fixed steadily on Mu Jiu. “Now, are you willing to take a trip with me?”

After a moment’s silence, Lin Qinghen saw Mu Jiu nod.

With just the two of them, there wasn’t much risk.

Alchemists had nearly zero combat capability, so even if people from the Alchemist Association were concerned, they were stuck under the Yin family’s watchful eye.

“I’ll be back soon,” Mu Jiu assured. He understood that Lin Qinghen wouldn’t try anything against him now. His reasons for inviting him to the Medicine Garden were likely either to genuinely show him something or to discuss matters away from the Yin family.

Mu Jiu was also curious about Lin Qinghen’s intentions.

Without further delay, Yu Yinyin led them toward the Medicine Garden. Lin Qinghen intended to leave Yin Jiuxiao behind, as there was no need for him to come along, but Yin Jiuxiao stubbornly held on.

“Take me along, Qinghen,” he murmured. “I’ll only feel at ease if I’m with you, and I won’t hold you back.”

Lin Qinghen couldn’t argue against him, and Mu Jiu only glanced at Yin Jiuxiao before dismissing him. In everyone’s eyes, Yin Jiuxiao was merely an ornament hanging onto Lin Qinghen, harmless enough to bring along.

Once the four of them arrived at the Medicine Garden, Yu Yinyin simply activated the formation and allowed Mu Jiu to enter, refraining from following them.

“Master, do one last thing for me,” Lin Qinghen said before entering. “This will take some time, so by evening, please bring Lin Yunsi here. I have some words for him.”

Lin Yunsi had a good heart and, in the Lin family at least, had never bullied Lin Qinghen.

And more importantly, he had real talent in alchemy.

Last time they met, he was already at the high-star Mysterious level, right?

At that level, he was already highly valuable for Die Meng. After all, the materials for Heavenly and Earthly tier elixirs were precious, and not even Die Meng or the Alchemist Association in Lei City had many in stock. Such elixirs weren’t refined routinely.

But to win this person over, fear alone wouldn’t suffice. Lin Yunsi had his own weak points.

For instance, this young man had journeyed from the Lin family all the way to Lei City just for a single Red Round Wheat. If he saw more, he certainly wouldn’t leave.

Yu Yinyin nodded to show she understood.

Meanwhile, Mu Jiu, upon entering Die Meng’s Medicine Garden, instantly grasped what Lin Qinghen wanted him to see.

All of Lin Qinghen’s research results were laid out in plain view. Since nothing here could be taken away, he could be as open as he wanted.

With just one sweeping glance, Mu Jiu’s mind reeled at the sight of Red Round Wheat’s abundance and the five modified Yellow-tier spirit plants before him.

This guy didn’t only have Ruo Rong Grass at his disposal.

What surprised him most was the Gale Powder, a Yellow-tier elixir that could function as a low-grade replacement for Mysterious-tier elixirs and had practical applications in battle.

If Mu Jiu had previously overlooked the Homeostasis Powder, thinking it couldn’t pose a serious threat, then these items here would surely alert any medicine hall.

These were the very foundations of the elixir market, and any spirit master with half a brain would know which ones to buy if these spread widely.

Mu Jiu took a few deep breaths and asked, “What are you trying to achieve by showing me all this, Young Master Lin?”

“I’ve always said I’m very sincere about cooperation,” Lin Qinghen replied. “Ruo Rong Grass was just a starting point. If the Alchemist Association genuinely cooperates, I wouldn’t mind providing even more.”

Then he lowered his voice, speaking more frankly, “Die Meng has just begun. I do need allies, which is why I sought you out, President Mu. We can’t afford to let pride get in the way, right?”

The Alchemist Association had been rooted in Lei City for years. Even though Lin Qinghen possessed exclusive techniques, going head-to-head with such an entrenched local power would be challenging.

So, confrontation wasn’t as wise as cooperation.

Besides, Die Meng indeed had its limitations.

Even with Lin Yunsi onboard, they would only have two alchemists in total. While new elixirs could be produced faster over time, the production speed couldn’t keep up with demand, unlike with Homeostasis Powder.

In short, even with two production lines, Lin Qinghen’s solo output was still quite limited.

Additionally, there were other things on Lin Qinghen’s mind.

After completing his advancement task, Lin Qinghen examined the three new elixir recipes provided by the system. These were far more advanced than the Homeostasis Powder. He couldn’t approach this slowly or play around—he needed to carefully strategize and make a big move.

Dealing with the Yin family was his first step. Facing a family of spirit masters who respected strength above all, he’d had to wield his whip first, make them submit through blood, then offer them a taste of hope.

The Alchemist Association was his second target. For such fragile alchemists, brute force wouldn’t work. Instead, he’d had to lure them with profit and tighten his grip bit by bit. Once they were on his ship, escape would be impossible.

Only when Lei City’s forces formed a stable triangle under his influence would Lin Qinghen be satisfied.

In such a triangular alliance, Lin Qinghen would subtly remain at the center, benefiting from the stability of the structure while still maintaining control without endless friction between the three parties.

On one hand, he could bind the Alchemist Association with his exclusive formulas and the Yin family’s intimidating strength, keeping them willingly in line;

On the other, he could restrict the Yin family with his elixir supply and the Gathering Origin Spirit Stones obtained from the Alchemist Association—of which he naturally wouldn’t hand over both at once.

And then, there was sentiment.

Yin Hengxie’s weakness was Yin Jiuxiao, and Mu Jiu held a sentimental connection to Lei City. Otherwise, he would’ve left for a more prosperous city long ago, where his talents would be far more welcome.

Emotions and interests intertwined, making it hard for either side to back out.

Lin Qinghen’s own weakness was also cleverly leveraged. His low spirit power and poor talent served as a contrast, reducing any sense of threat, allowing the term “cooperation” to hold its ground.

Mu Jiu was a sharp man, able to see the bigger picture without Lin Qinghen spelling it all out.

“Aren’t you all tired of the fighting?” Lin Qinghen coaxed further. “I simply want Lei City to prosper again. It used to be the largest city in Bei Zhou, even in the Spirit World, yet now it’s nearly desolate. Don’t you want to see it restored? You’ve stayed here all these years for that, haven’t you?”

Mu Jiu stood there, silent, but Lin Qinghen knew how to press him into a decision.

“Lei City’s revival is now in your hands.”

“President Mu, I’m sure you know my character by now. If I don’t get the result I want, I won’t settle. I’m willing to leave Lei City with Die Meng if necessary. I’ll find partners who meet my standards,” Lin Qinghen continued. “To be blunt, I want the Alchemist Association’s Gathering Origin Spirit Stones—not as a trade for Ruo Rong Grass, but as a demonstration of your sincerity. President Mu, I won’t wait too long.”

Lin Qinghen said all he needed to, and he didn’t wait for long.

He hadn’t misjudged. Mu Jiu was a practical man, and he would always choose the option that best aligned with his interests.

At this moment, there was no way for the Alchemist Association to side with the Lang Clan. But there was a big difference between being coerced and acting willingly.

So, less than half a cup of tea later, Mu Jiu untied a small pouch from his waist and handed it over to Lin Qinghen with both hands.

There was no need to ask what lay inside.

Gathering Origin Spirit Stones weren’t large, about the size of a walnut, emitting a faint blue glow, dazzling and beautiful. When Lin Qinghen opened the bag, the two stones inside clinked together with a ringing sound.

Mu Jiu’s actions spoke volumes, but he still had one last question for Lin Qinghen.

This unexpected question surprised Lin Qinghen just slightly.

“I still haven’t seen Die Meng’s alchemist,” Mu Jiu said. “At first, I couldn’t understand why they were kept so hidden. Young Master Lin, is your alchemist from the Shen family?”