After entering the mine with Zhou Tianguo, Lin Chen became completely vigilant due to several traps along the way.
If he had entered alone today, he might not have been able to get out alive.
"Elder, who set up these traps? Why do they feel so murderous?" Lin Chen asked proactively, feigning innocence.
These traps were clearly the work of a Core Formation expert, but with the Ghost God Sect's vice-sect leader in seclusion and Elder Zhou Tianguo only at the late Foundation Establishment stage, who could have set them?
"Heh heh, speaking of which, this was set up by an old enemy of our Ghost God Sect, but he has since disappeared."
"This mine is now a natural formation. No one can trespass without the sect's permission."
"Anyone below the Core Formation stage who triggers a trap in the mine is certain to die!" Zhou Tianguo said with a self-deprecating smile, explaining to Lin Chen.
"Oh? An enemy? Who was it?" Hearing Zhou Tianguo's words, Lin Chen felt a jolt.
For the Ghost God Sect, anyone they considered an enemy with cultivation above Core Formation could only be his master!
When he was in prison, although he didn't know his master's true cultivation level, he knew it was at least Core Formation, right? He just wondered if his master's cultivation had improved or declined over the years.
"Heh heh, I'll explain it to you slowly later. Let's go," Zhou Tianguo said without much further explanation, leading Lin Chen deeper into the mine.
Soon, they reached a spacious hall where many disciples, dressed in various ancient costumes, were meditating and cultivating, appearing to be thriving.
"Elder!"
"Greetings, Elder."
"Long live the Elder!"
As Zhou Tianguo appeared, many disciples actively got up to greet him, and Zhou Tianguo nodded in acknowledgement.
"Go and inform all the elders of the sect to convene here in the time it takes for one incense stick to burn. I have a major announcement to make!" The Grand Elder smiled slightly and instructed a Qi Refining disciple.
"Yes, Elder!" The disciple, upon receiving Zhou Tianguo's order, did not dare to delay and quickly spread the message.
Not long after, the elders who were in seclusion also arrived at the hall.
"Everyone, today, I will announce a historic moment for all of you."
"From today onwards, our Ghost God Sect finally has an alchemist!"
Saying this, Zhou Tianguo pushed Lin Chen forward. "This is Lin Chen, who will henceforth be our Ghost God Sect's alchemist and our Seventh Elder. Everyone, pay your respects!"
"What? An alchemist? Is it true?"
"Even if it is, alchemy isn't that simple, is it? It's not just about mixing medicinal ingredients haphazardly!"
"He's so young, and looking at his aura, he hasn't even reached Qi Condensation yet. How can he be an alchemist?" The disciples looked at Lin Chen's cultivation with disbelief.
They had some understanding of the profession of an alchemist. To become a true alchemist, one must have a deep understanding of medicinal ingredients. For an ordinary person to learn about so many medicinal ingredients, it would take at least decades! But this Lin Chen in front of them looked only in his early twenties, and his cultivation seemed to be just beginning. How could he be an alchemist?
"Lin Chen, since the elders and disciples are unwilling to believe you, why don't you demonstrate for them?" Seeing the reaction of the crowd, Zhou Tianguo looked troubled and turned to Lin Chen.
"Of course. But Elder, I don't have any medicinal ingredients. Does the sect have any ingredients and an alchemy furnace?" Lin Chen then asked Zhou Tianguo.
"Yes, we do. Fifth Elder, please prepare an alchemy furnace and the refining materials for five Blood Qi Pills," Zhou Tianguo immediately made arrangements.
Soon, the Fifth Elder arrived with an alchemy furnace and several bags of medicinal ingredients. He had deliberately prepared a few extra portions of ingredients due to the high loss rate during alchemy.
"Seventh Elder, there's a quiet room over there with restrictions. You can cultivate with peace of mind," the Fifth Elder said, handing the ingredients and furnace to Lin Chen and pointing to a mine entrance in the distance.
"Understood, thank you," Lin Chen took the ingredients and furnace and entered the mine without delay.
As soon as he entered, Lin Chen discovered that the mine was a world of its own. From the outside, it looked like a mine, but upon entering the restricted area, he found himself in a vast plaza.
"Tsk tsk tsk, is this the art of formations?" Seeing the enormous plaza, Lin Chen found it hard to believe that the exterior was only a few square meters while the interior was so vast!
"Never mind, I should focus on alchemy. Gaining the recognition of these disciples is the priority."
"Master must have had a deep connection with the Ghost God Sect back then!" Lin Chen sat down cross-legged, and couldn't help but recall the traps he had passed earlier. They felt familiar, definitely his master's work! But according to his master and Zhou Tianguo, their relationship was one of enmity. Why would his master help his mortal enemy set up traps to protect the sect? All these answers were like a mystery, waiting for Lin Chen to unravel them.
He immediately sat down, took out the alchemy furnace and ingredients, and began refining. This was Lin Chen's first time using a proper alchemy furnace. In less than half an hour, a batch of Grade 1 Blood Qi Pills appeared before him. He counted them slightly; there were over ten pills!
"As expected, using an alchemy furnace increases the success rate of refining pills. I wonder what grade this furnace is." Seeing that he had successfully refined so many Grade 1 Blood Qi Pills, Lin Chen felt a touch of emotion. Before, he had either used his hands or a pressure cooker to refine pills, never imagining that an alchemy furnace would play such an important role!
After storing ten pills in the Nine Dragon Ring, Lin Chen walked out with the remaining seven pills.
"How was it, Lin Chen? How many pills did you refine?" Seeing Lin Chen emerge, Zhou Tianguo couldn't wait and stepped forward to ask.
"Elder, this alchemy furnace is simply miraculous, much better than a pressure cooker. Look, I refined seven pills at once!" Lin Chen said excitedly, handing all the Blood Qi Pills in his hand to Zhou Tianguo.