Alchemy Sovereign with Divine Soul

C31 – Sneaking Around?

The Celestial Wolf Gang, home to one of the seven esteemed Hall Masters, Que Chunye, possesses a cultivation at Qi Gathering Level One. His Battle Soul takes the form of a blade, and he specializes in blade techniques, mastering the martial skill known as the Tyrant Blade Spell. Once unleashed, it can contend with an expert at the Qi Gathering Level One Peak Stage.

​”How could I not be aware of such a renowned figure?” Jiaang Lin responded with a smile.

​In his previous life, when the Jiaang family faced encirclement by the Qiao family, the Celestial Wolf Gang lent their aid. With their assistance, Jiaang Lin narrowly escaped the Qiao family’s pursuit. It was then that he became acquainted with Que Chunye and many other members of the Celestial Wolf Gang.

Later, after Jiaang Lin had unblocked his meridians, he spent some time within the Celestial Wolf Gang, honing his martial arts. He practiced the blade alongside Que Chunye and learned the Tyrant Blade Spell.

In Jiaang Lin’s past life, Que Chunye was not just a friend but also a mentor-like figure, whom Jiaang Lin deeply respected.

Regrettably, the Celestial Wolf Gang eventually fell under siege by the Qiao family, and Que Chunye perished in the brutal conflict, leaving a profound sorrow in Jiaang Lin’s heart.

Now, reborn and reunited with Que Chunye, who had been like a teacher to him, Jiaang Lin was overwhelmed with emotion.

Thus, when he witnessed Que Chunye in peril at the hands of the Ghost Mastiff King, Jiaang Lin instinctively intervened to save him.

Que Chunye was visibly astonished as Jiaang Lin recounted their connection with such familiarity.

He soon became pensive, struggling to remember where he had encountered this young man before. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t recall ever meeting Jiaang Lin.

​”Hall Master Que, this young man is the so-called waste of the Jiaang family—Jiaang Lin!” a gang member of the Celestial Wolf Gang interjected as Que Chunye pondered.

​”Silence! Do not speak out of turn!” Que Chunye commanded, his voice booming with authority.

​The gang member immediately fell silent, chastened.

“Mr. Jiaang, please accept my apologies. My subordinate was impertinent and has offended you.”

​Que Chunye looked at Jiaang Lin with an apologetic expression. It had just dawned on him that the young man before him was none other than the notorious “trash” of Clear Water Town—the one whose blocked meridians and inability to cultivate martial arts were well-known.

​”It’s fine. I’ve always been called trash by the people of Clear Water Town,” Jiaang Lin said with a smile, seemingly unfazed.

​”The people spreading rumors in Clear Water Town are just fools. Mr. Jiaang, there’s no way you could be trash,” Que Chunye responded.

​​Trash? If Jiaang Lin were truly worthless, how could he have effortlessly slain the Ghost Mastiff King and several other formidable and vicious Ghost Mastiffs?​

“Aren’t you going to apologize to Mr. Jiaang?” Que Chunye then turned and sternly addressed the Celestial Wolf Gang member who had earlier insulted Jiaang Lin.

The gang member nodded, looking earnestly at Jiaang Lin. “I’m sorry, Mr. Jiaang, for the offense I caused earlier!”

“Don’t worry about it; don’t take it to heart,” Jiaang Lin replied with a smile.

​He recognized all of them; they were the same individuals who, in his previous life, had fought to the death against the Qiao family expert to protect him. These Celestial Wolf Gang members were, in essence, his saviors from a past life.

​The gang member had carelessly called Jiaang Lin trash, but how could Jiaang Lin hold a grudge or feel resentment for such an unintentional slight?

​”By the way, Mr. Jiaang, what brings you to Celestial Peak Valley alone at this late hour?” Que Chunye, having taken a recovery potion to heal his wounds, looked at Jiaang Lin with a mix of concern and curiosity.

Celestial Peak Valley was notoriously perilous at night, a time when Demonic Beasts were most active. Most people would leave the valley before nightfall. Only a brave few, like those from the Celestial Wolf Gang, dared to venture into the valley for a nocturnal hunt. Yet here was Jiaang Lin, a sixteen-year-old, boldly hunting in Celestial Peak Valley under the cover of darkness. Que Chunye couldn’t help but be intrigued.

“I came here to take a walk and search for some spiritual herbs. While I’m at it, I can hunt a few Demonic Beasts to make a bit of money.”

Jiaang Lin responded with a smile.

“Stroll… stroll around?”

Que Chunye and the remaining members of the Celestial Wolf Gang were taken aback upon hearing Jiaang Lin’s casual remark, their faces registering shock.

They were familiar with people leisurely walking around Clear Water Town at night, enjoying some snacks and a drink or two.

But they had never heard of anyone brave enough to take a nighttime stroll in Celestial Peak Valley.

The valley was notoriously perilous after dark. For the average person to venture here was akin to courting death, with their life hanging by a thread!

Had it not been out of sheer necessity to hunt the Ghost Mastiff and obtain its Crystal Core to heal the Vice Sect Master’s injuries, Que Chunye and his companions would never have dared to hunt in Celestial Peak Valley at night, let alone come for a leisurely walk like Jiaang Lin, seeking herbs and hunting Demonic Beasts for some extra cash.

“Hmm!”

Jiaang Lin nodded earnestly.

“Mr. Jiaang, your ease and elegance are truly exceptional. You are far from ordinary!”

Que Chunye was the first to snap out of his astonishment, expressing his admiration with a respectful fist salute.

He had encountered his fair share of oddities, but never someone like Jiaang Lin who would wander into Celestial Peak Valley at night.

“Mr. Que, what brings you here for a night hunt in Celestial Peak Valley?”

Jiaang Lin inquired.

“Oh! We’re here to hunt these Ghost Mastiffs and take their Crystal Cores to heal my Vice Sect Master’s wounds. That’s why we ventured into Celestial Peak Valley for a night hunt.

Otherwise, we wouldn’t dare come here at night, not even if we had ten times the courage!”

Que Chunye replied, his last comment eliciting a chuckle from Jiaang Lin.

“Well then, I’ll give all the Crystal Cores from the Ghost Mastiff King and the others to you.”

Jiaang Lin offered with a smile.

“How could we accept that? Mr. Jiaang, you single-handedly defeated the Ghost Mastiff King and the rest. We couldn’t possibly take credit for your achievements.”

Que Chunye responded promptly.

​”Mr. Que, there’s no need for formalities between us. Let’s just say I’m making a new friend, okay? Besides, the Ghost Mastiff’s Crystal Core is quite important to you, isn’t it?” Jiaang Lin said with a smile.

​Unable to repay the kindness from his past life, he seized this opportunity to show his gratitude to Que Chunye and his associates.

“In that case, I’m deeply thankful. Mr. Jiaang, should you ever need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Celestial Wolf Gang. I, Que Chunye, am ready to face any challenge for you,” Que Chunye expressed his thanks.

​The Crystal Core of the Ghost Mastiff was indeed crucial for his Celestial Wolf Gang.

Jiaang Lin’s generosity deeply touched him.

Que Chunye also felt a strong affinity towards Jiaang Lin, sensing that their fates were significantly intertwined.

Meeting Jiaang Lin today was a great honor for him.

“Alright, I’ll be on my way then,” Jiaang Lin said, nodding with a smile.

​”Mr. Jiaang, won’t you be leaving Celestial Peak Valley with us?” Que Chunye asked, surprised.

​”I’ve mentioned that I still want to wander around, searching for spiritual herbs and hunting Demonic Beasts. Mr. Que, you all go on ahead!” Jiaang Lin responded.

Que Chunye was momentarily at a loss for words, realizing Jiaang Lin was serious about exploring Celestial Peak Valley.

“What spiritual herbs are you looking for? Maybe we can offer some help,” Que Chunye inquired after a pause.

​”I’m searching for the Celestial Ice Flower, Ink Heart Lotus, and Unforgotten Fruit,” Jiaang Lin answered.

​”The Celestial Ice Flower? You mean this one?” Que Chunye suddenly pulled a spirit herb from his pocket.

The herb was pure white, resembling a sculpture of ice crystals, with five petals exuding a cool fragrance. It was indeed the Celestial Ice Flower.

“This… Mr. Que, where did you find it?” Jiaang Lin’s curiosity piqued upon seeing the Celestial Ice Flower in Que Chunye’s hand.

​”I found it in an extremely cold area of the Celestial Peak Valley today. If you need it, it’s yours,” Que Chunye said with a laugh. He then passed the Celestial Ice Flower to Jiaang Lin.

“Then I’ll accept it without reservation,” Jiaang Lin replied, taking the flower with a smile. He had no intention of being polite; the Celestial Ice Flower was indeed something he needed.

​”You’ve given me a Ghost Mastiff Crystal Core and saved my life. A Celestial Ice Flower in return is the least I can do,” Que Chunye declared generously. “However, I’m afraid I won’t be of much help with the Unforgotten Fruit and Ink Heart Lotus,” he added with a sigh.

“Mr. Que, to receive a Celestial Ice Flower from you is already a stroke of great fortune for me!” Jiaang Lin said cheerfully. There’s truth in the saying that good deeds bring good karma, and evil begets evil. To give is to receive; the fragrance remains on the hand that gives the rose. For Jiaang Lin, acquiring the Celestial Ice Flower so swiftly was indeed fortunate.

“Haha! Well then, we should get ready to head out. Be careful on your own in the Celestial Peak Valley,” Que Chunye advised.

“Understood,” Jiaang Lin acknowledged with a nod.

“In the future, should you visit the Celestial Wolf Gang, I’ll have a drink waiting for you.”

“I look forward to it!” Jiaang Lin responded. He watched as Que Chunye and his companions departed, then gathered the Ghost Mastiff’s Crystal Core and set off. Jiaang Lin continued his journey through the night, hunting Demonic Beasts for their Crystal Cores to enhance his strength, all the while tirelessly searching for the Ink Heart Lotus and the Unforgotten Fruit.