Three days later, above the main city of Lingtai Prefecture, a cloud boat sped through the sky, attracting the attention of numerous cultivators.
“That cloud boat is flying the banner of the Alchemist Association. President Song and the others are back!”
“Quick, notify the elders of the various factions to welcome President Song!”
“I heard President Song successfully formed his core in Hengze Prefecture! Our Lingtai Prefecture finally has another Golden Core expert!”
“It’s such a pity about Miss Shi Yu, though. Dying inside the Yanyang Spiritual Realm... what a true tragedy...”
“Indeed, with such terrifying talent! Sigh...”
“Hush... Word on the street is that Miss Shi is safe and sound. She’s completely fine.”
“Really? The news of her death in the spiritual realm spread across the entire Changyuan Prefecture back then!”
Instantly, the main city burst into a commotion. Countless cultivators hurried toward the Alchemist Association, eager to catch a glimpse of the Golden Core powerhouse while also hoping to find out if the brilliant champion of the Alchemy Exchange Conference truly remained safe and sound.
The elders and alchemists of the association had long since received news of the trio’s return, gathering at the association's entrance to welcome them back.
Joining them were distinguished figures from the city’s major cultivation families and sects, including the Xie Clan, Yun Clan, and Xiao Clan. Aside from those in secluded cultivation who couldn't step away, the clan patriarchs personally led their delegations, bringing gifts to show their utmost respect.
In addition, the presidents, elders, and available members of the other three allied associations were also present.
The entrance of the Alchemist Association was bustling like a crowded market, with people continuously flocking over until the surrounding area was packed shoulder to shoulder.
Finally, under the eager, watchful eyes of the crowd, the cloud boat came to a halt in the sky above the Alchemist Association.
Sunlight shone down with exceptional clarity today, reflecting off the hull of the boat in a dazzling glare. A bird trailing magnificent seven-colored tail feathers circled around the cloud boat, its crisp, joyful chirps resounding through the clouds.
President Song was the first to fly down, with Master Ji and Shi Yu following close behind. The Seven-Color Luan flapped its wings and alighted lightly on Shi Yu’s shoulder, using its beak to preen its feathers with elegance.
All three possessed steady, composed auras, possessing a calm self-assurance born from surviving countless twists and turns.
Numerous cultivators stepped forward, cupping their hands in greeting. “President Song, congratulations on breaking through to the Golden Core Realm!”
“Our Lingtai Prefecture has been quiet for so long. Now we finally have another Golden Core expert—a truly worthy cause for celebration!”
Lingtai Prefecture was originally a remote and desolate land; its spiritual Qi and secret realm opportunities could not compare to other prefectures. Aside from a few Golden Core experts who remained in secluded cultivation year-round and rarely showed themselves, no cultivator had advanced to the Golden Core Realm in nearly a century. President Song's breakthrough served to boost the morale of the local cultivators, carrying great significance.
President Song chuckled warmly, looking back at Shi Yu with a gentle expression. “It was thanks to this young girl causing my mindset to plunge and soar that I gained enlightenment, dispelling the haze in my heart and taking the momentum to break through.”
At his words, everyone’s eyes naturally drifted to the lithe young woman behind him. Seeing that it was indeed Shi Yu, they couldn't help stealing a few more glances.
“It's wonderful that Miss Shi is unharmed!”
“Indeed... when rumors of her death spread back then, it truly shocked everyone.”
Xie Han, the patriarch of the Xie Clan, stepped forward with a smile, stroking his beard. “After the alchemy competition concluded, the news of little friend Shi claiming first place reached our prefecture, throwing the entire realm into celebration. Yet before the excitement could fade, news arrived that you had disappeared along with the spiritual realm... Fortunately, you had your own fortune to rely on; turning danger into safety is wonderful indeed.”
Holding a half-step Golden Core Realm cultivation, he immediately noticed that Shi Yu was on the verge of Foundation Establishment. He was secretly astonished, surmising she must have encountered some extraordinary opportunity within the Yanyang Spiritual Realm.
He sighed with emotion. “Your rapid progress is truly admirable, little friend.”
Behind him stood Xie Zhixun, who had fully recovered after his poison was cured.
Back when Shi Yu cured his poison, Xie Zhixun was still weak and unconscious. He had stayed indoors to recuperate ever since, so the two had not met again. Now that he had recovered his mind and no longer possessed the mind of a child, seeing Shi Yu brought back memories of how she had saved him multiple times in the Fulong Mountain Range and explained the properties of spiritual plants to him. A subtle blush crept onto his cheeks.
Naturally handsome and refined, this shy demeanor gave him an extra touch of youthful innocence, drawing frequent glances from many female cultivators nearby.
Shi Yu cupped her hands to Patriarch Xie Han and smiled humbly. “Thank you for your concern, Patriarch Xie. I was merely fortunate this time.”
With that, her gaze drifted to Xie Zhixun behind him, lingering briefly as she nodded to acknowledge him in greeting.
Over by the Yun Clan, an elder poked Yun Feng hard, throwing him a sharp glare and whispering for him to step forward and build rapport. “You share some acquaintance with Miss Shi. Why haven't you gone up to offer your greetings?”
Yun Feng let out a bitter laugh, keeping his feet planted firmly on the ground, unwilling to go over.
As the third son of the direct Yun Clan line, he possessed remarkable talent and had reached the eighth layer of the Qi Refining Realm at a young age. He had always been groomed as the clan's next patriarch.
The clan had repeatedly urged him to get close to Miss Shi Yu, suggesting it would be ideal if he could win her heart and become Dao companions with her. Initially, he had harbored a slight reluctance; although Miss Shi possessed exceptional alchemy talent, her appearance was hardly striking.
As the future patriarch of a prestigious family, Yun Feng felt his status was slightly superior to Shi Yu’s, so he saw no reason to settle.
But later... when word spread that Shi Yu had concocted a high-grade Tier-4 pill at the Alchemy Exchange Conference, Yun Feng realized how drastically mistaken he had been. The gap between them was like night and day.
A Tier-4 pill, and a high-grade one at that—with such alchemy attainments alone, handing her the seat of the president of the Lingtai Prefecture Alchemist Association wouldn't raise a single voice of protest.
Moreover, it wasn't just alchemy. Word was that during the final trial of the tournament, she had actually employed weapon refinement techniques to re-refine her Tier-3 pill furnace, upgrading it to Tier-4... That was nothing short of monstrous. Cultivating both the Dao of Artifacts and the Dao of Alchemy while excelling at both—what else could she be if not a monster?
Not to mention... how old had she been back then? Seventeen. Even now, she was only nineteen.
Besides alchemy and artifact refining, Miss Shi had never slacked in her personal cultivation either. Though Yun Feng couldn't discern her exact cultivation level, judging from her aura—which was far stronger than his own—and the subtle pressure radiating from her, her realm was undoubtedly higher than his.
All these factors left Yun Feng feeling utterly inadequate and ashamed. How could he possibly dare to step forward and play up acquaintances, let alone harbor thoughts of becoming Dao companions? Facing his elder's nagging prompts, Yun Feng wanted nothing more than to grab the elder by the shoulders and shake him out of his delusional daydreams.
The back-and-forth between the Yun Clan elder and Yun Feng failed to catch Shi Yu’s attention. As her gaze casually swept past the Yun Clan, she bypassed Yun Feng completely, only smiling when she saw Yun Ran, giving her a subtle wave.
Yun Ran hadn't expected Shi Yu to remember her, so seeing Shi Yu greet her left her flattered and momentarily stunned. It was only after a long moment that she pursed her lips and smiled sweet-naturedly back.
After exchanging pleasantries with all the prominent figures of the main city, President Song smiled and said, “Everyone, we have only just returned and still have many matters to discuss and settle. Why don't we end today here? When this old man holds my Golden Core Ceremony, we can drink and chat to our hearts' content. How about it?”
“Hahaha, then we shall await President Song’s Golden Core Ceremony!”
“From now on, we must address you as 'True Lord.'”
“President Song, you have traveled far on your return. You should take a proper rest.”
The crowd tactfully cupped their hands in farewell. They had mainly come to show their faces, maintain goodwill, and check the truth behind the rumors. With their goals achieved, there was naturally no reason to linger.
As the bustling crowd gradually dispersed, only the members of the four associations—Artifact, Alchemy, Array, and Talisman—remained.
Within Lingtai Prefecture, the four associations shared close ties and supported one another, bound by the tightest of bonds.
They had refrained from stepping forward earlier, only gathering around now that everyone else had departed. Looking at one another, emotions welled up, leaving them speechless for a moment.
After a long silence, President Song let out a light laugh. “Let’s head inside to talk. Indeed, quite a lot has happened over these past two years.”
Surrounded by the crowd, they walked together into the association in grand fashion.
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