After Ling Luoyi had been in seclusion for over a month, the teleportation network that Ling Luoyi had spoken of was successfully established.
In the initial stages of establishing the teleportation network, the emperors of various countries disagreed, fearing that other countries might use the teleportation arrays to their disadvantage. However, Wen Zonglin explained that the teleportation arrays connecting to other countries were built outside the border cities, while those within the country were for domestic use. He also suggested that they set up outposts nearby. Only then did the emperors of various countries agree.
Although the teleportation network was established, people from the lower regions were still unable to enter the upper regions freely. Those who wished to enter still had to undergo inspection at the guard posts. However, Wen Zonglin had people build several teleportation arrays three li away from each guard post, which could save a considerable amount of time.
After Ling Luoyi had been in seclusion for nearly two months, it was approaching the end of the year. The number of people coming from various countries had not decreased, but the Ling family was now handling things with ease, able to entertain guests while preparing for the New Year festivities.
One day, an old man suddenly appeared at the entrance of the Ling mansion. The old man's hair was white, and his face was haggard, but his eyes held the composure of someone in a position of authority.
Over the past few months, the young gatekeepers of the Ling mansion had seen many people from noble and influential families, and they had become accustomed to it. However, they did not become arrogant due to the Ling family's elevated status. They still stepped forward and respectfully inquired about his purpose.
Over several months, the gatekeepers had received considerable training and had mastered the appropriate demeanor, neither appearing obsequious nor rude.
The old man did not look down on the young man speaking to him, saying, "I have an important matter to discuss with your young lady. May I trouble you to pass on a message?"
"That's quite unfortunate. Our young lady has been in seclusion for many days and has not yet emerged."
"In seclusion?!" Hearing the gatekeeper's words, the old man was somewhat surprised. Given the large number of guests visiting the Ling family, their purposes were surely the same. To be in seclusion at such a time, when such a large quantity of pills was needed! Could it be for refining pills? With an answer in mind, the old man asked, "May I know when your young lady will emerge from seclusion?"
"This, I do not know. Our young lady has not told anyone when she will emerge."
Upon hearing this, the old man's eyes narrowed. The Ling family readily accepted all visitors. If his guess was correct, those people were all here to purchase top-grade pills, and each of them required a significant amount. Ling Luoyi alone should not be able to handle it, and she was in seclusion. The Ling family's reserves should also not be able to support such a large-scale consumption. This meant that the Ling family still had a top-grade alchemist!
With this thought, the old man tentatively asked, "Does your young lady have any friends visiting the mansion?"
"Yes." This was not a careless disclosure by the gatekeeper. Many people knew that Ling Luoyi had a very powerful friend, and some had even seen her. Therefore, there was no need to conceal it.
Upon hearing the gatekeeper's admission, the old man's breathing hitched. He could not hide his excitement and said, "Then I trouble you to pass on a message to your young lady's friend. Tell her that the President of the Alchemist Guild Headquarters wishes to seek her guidance on a matter."
Indeed, this old man was the only ninth-grade alchemist on the Ancient Spirit Continent before Ling Luoyi, and he was also the President of the Alchemist Guild Headquarters—Liu Cunzhi.
If the rumors were true, Ling Luoyi had personally admitted that the more than 400,000 top-grade fourth-grade pills she sold to the Flowing Cloud Pavilion were not all refined by her. Then, her friend must have been involved in refining that batch of pills! This meant that Ling Luoyi's friend was also a top-grade alchemist!
In the earliest rumors, Ling Luoyi was a fourth-grade alchemist. Even as a top-grade alchemist, she did not arouse much of his curiosity because she was too young, and he thought she was deliberately saying that to add luster to herself. However, later, Ling Luoyi suddenly became a seventh-grade alchemist, which piqued his interest. After he had handled his affairs, he heard that Ling Luoyi had become a ninth-grade alchemist, which compelled him to make this trip.
He received the news rather late, which was why he had only arrived now.
Hearing the visitor's identity, the gatekeeper was also surprised. If he remembered correctly, the President of the Alchemist Guild Headquarters was also a ninth-grade alchemist. Could it be that he had come to cause trouble upon hearing that his young lady was also a ninth-grade alchemist?
Seeing the suspicion on the gatekeeper's face, Liu Cunzhi knew that his appearance might easily cause misunderstandings. He explained, "Young man, you misunderstand. I truly have an urgent matter that requires me to see your young lady. Since your young lady is in seclusion, her friend can also enlighten me. I beg you to pass on the message."
Upon hearing this, the gatekeeper could not refuse. However, Qiu Yuanxi had told him not to disturb her unless it was important, so the gatekeeper needed to make the situation clear to Liu Cunzhi.
After listening to the gatekeeper, Liu Cunzhi smiled and said, "It's nothing. Young man, you just need to pass on the message."
Although Ling Luoyi was in seclusion, if his guess was correct, it did not matter who he met; his purpose for coming here could be achieved. However, he had to see the person; it was a matter of urgency.
Seeing that Liu Cunzhi had said so, the gatekeeper went to pass on the message without hesitation.
When the servant delivered the message, Qiu Yuanxi was refining pills in Ling Luoyi's room. The pills she refined were not of high grade, and Ling Luoyi's room was protected by a barrier that shielded it from external detection. Furthermore, she did not need to refine pills for extended periods, so she did not need to enter the Starry Night World.
After hearing the servant's words, Qiu Yuanxi frowned. She did not remember knowing the President of the Alchemist Guild here, nor had Ling Luoyi mentioned knowing this president. Why would the president come to find her?
However, considering that he was also an alchemist, Qiu Yuanxi said, "Please invite him in."
"Yes."
Qiu Yuanxi packed away the current batch of pills before going downstairs.
It was already mid to late December, and the ground was covered in a layer of snow, as was the Ling mansion.
Qiu Yuanxi sat in the hall, gazing at the white world, suppressing her longing. She had not seen such natural snow for a long time. The Azure Continent had spring all year round, and it did not snow even in winter. The snow scenes she had seen were all transformed by spiritual energy. She had never seen snow falling naturally like this on the Azure Continent.
The hall was heated by charcoal, making it very warm. The young maids, like Zhu Shuang, had lit the charcoal fire for fear that Qiu Yuanxi would catch a chill if she came down suddenly. In reality, they were worrying unnecessarily. Qiu Yuanxi was a fire-attribute spiritual cultivator, and her cultivation was high, so she naturally did not fear the natural cold. However, she appreciated their thoughtfulness.
The paths had been cleared of snow, so Liu Cunzhi had no trouble making his way.
A young maid led him into the hall. Liu Cunzhi was stunned when he saw Qiu Yuanxi. It was now deep winter, yet Qiu Yuanxi was still wearing summer clothes. Liu Cunzhi sensed residual fire-attribute spiritual energy and a faint scent of medicine from Qiu Yuanxi. It seemed that this young woman, who looked no older than twenty, was Ling Luoyi's friend, and indeed, an alchemist as well.
Although Liu Cunzhi had guessed that Qiu Yuanxi was an alchemist, he was still somewhat surprised by her attire. While alchemists were also fire-attribute spiritual cultivators, and fire-attribute spiritual cultivators were more resistant to the cold than those of other attributes, it was not to the extent of treating winter as summer. It seemed that this young woman's cultivation was also extraordinary. What about Ling Luoyi, who was her friend?
Seeing that the old man had been staring at her without speaking since he entered, Qiu Yuanxi felt displeased and said unceremoniously, "You must be the President of the Alchemist Guild, correct? If you have something to say, please sit down. Standing must be tiring."
Liu Cunzhi then sat down. After Zhu Shuang served him tea, she returned to stand beside Qiu Yuanxi.
"I heard from the servant who passed on the message that the President has come to seek my advice on a matter. I wonder what I could possibly teach the President?"