Qin Ran and Young Master Yang

It must be said that the teleportation arrays of the Tianlan Sea Region were truly advanced. A long-distance teleportation array had directly transported Qin Ran from Demon Island to the Seven Islands, while a cross-region teleportation array then safely brought him from the Tianlan Sea Region to the Lingnan Region. In just five days, he had returned from the Tianlan Sea Region to the Lingnan Region.

The emphasis on "safely" was because, unlike the near-death state he had experienced when his main body teleported him from the Lingnan Region to the Tianlan Sea Region, this time he only felt slightly dizzy, as if carsick.

As for why it took five days, it wasn’t due to the teleportation itself but rather the series of documentation required to transfer from the Tianlan Sea Region to the Lingnan Region. Five days was the processing speed of the "Destiny" organization’s internal paperwork. Otherwise, he could have been sipping morning tea in a private room at the Yuanlai Teahouse in the Tianlan Sea Region in the morning and lying in bed at the Destiny Inn in the Lingnan Region by night.

Stepping out of the teleportation array, Qin Ran felt a wave of dizziness and nausea, but he suppressed it and descended the altar where the array was set up. Below the altar, representatives from the Land of Immortal Legacy branch were waiting to receive him.

With a practiced, gentle smile, he greeted the man at the forefront, saying, "Are you the manager of the Land of Immortal Legacy branch? I am Li Feiyu, a specially appointed alchemist of the organization, here from the Tianlan Sea Region to provide technical support for water-based alchemy in the Land of Immortal Legacy."

"Greetings, Master Li! Many thanks for your assistance. My surname is Fang, given name Si. I am indeed the manager of the Land of Immortal Legacy branch." The leader returned the greeting with equal warmth.

He wore a black brocade robe with a symmetrical collar, his figure well-proportioned, his appearance suggesting an age past fifty, with streaks of gray in his hair.

"Pleased to meet you, Manager Fang," Qin Ran replied with another smile.

"Master Li has traveled far. I’ve prepared a modest banquet at the teahouse to welcome you. I hope you’ll honor us with your presence," Fang Si said.

"You’re too kind, Manager Fang."

"Not at all, not at all."

Fang Si led the way, guiding Qin Ran through the base’s passageway. They passed through a stone gate and emerged outside the base.

Stepping out, Qin Ran took in his surroundings, his emotions a complex mix of shock and joy.

The stone gate of the base was set into the side of a small hill, and this hill was located at the outer edge of the Hengduan Mountains.

The joy came from the familiar scenery—the lush forests, the mild air, the scent of the woods—all of it evoked a sense of home, bringing him comfort.

The shock, however, stemmed from how eerily familiar everything was. So familiar that he felt as if he had passed through this very spot at some point in the past.

He had once walked over the King of Hell’s head...

"Ah, Master Li, no need to be surprised!" Fang Si, misinterpreting his expression as the astonishment of a Tianlan Sea Region bumpkin, quickly explained, "The Lingnan Region is quite different from the Tianlan Sea Region. The Tianlan Sea Region is mostly ocean with little land, while the Lingnan Region is the opposite—mostly land with little sea."

Qin Ran had no reason to contradict him. Playing along, he smiled and said, "I see. I truly haven’t seen terrain like this before. Also, your base here is on land, while most bases in the Tianlan Sea Region are underwater."

Then he asked, "How do you ensure secrecy and security with a land-based base?"

"In truth, it’s the same principle," Fang Si replied. "The Tianlan Sea Region hides in the water; the Lingnan Region hides in the earth. Since it’s buried in soil and stone, the Lingnan Region’s base is actually safer."

Qin Ran feigned surprise. "The Tianlan Sea Region has water escape techniques, but doesn't the Lingnan Region have earth escape techniques? If someone mastered earth escape techniques, what difference would there be between soil and water?"

"Of course, Earth Escape technique exists," Fang Si quickly amended. "But even if someone with the Earth Escape technique locates the base, the arrays in place would prevent entry. Even if they tried to force their way in, it would require at least the combat power of a Divine Transformation cultivator."

"I see..." Qin Ran nodded in understanding. "In the end, the Tianlan Sea Region also relies on arrays for protection."

The two exchanged pleasantries as they led the group from the base to the Yuanlai Teahouse in Linxian City.

Standing before the teahouse, Qin Ran’s emotions churned once more.

He had risked his life traveling from the Dao Sword Sect to Penglai Island, then fought tooth and nail to return from the Tianlan Sea Region to the Lingnan Region—all to arrive here.

In the past, he had visited the Yuanlai Teahouse many times for transactions, only to later be hunted down by its people, living in constant fear. But now, standing before this familiar teahouse again, he would enter not as a fugitive but as one of its masters.

It could be said that the seas had turned to mulberry fields, and things were no longer as they once were—yet upon closer reflection, it seemed only he had changed. Linxian City, the Yuanlai Teahouse, and the "Destiny" organization remained the same.

But...

He could truly declare: "I’m back."

He had returned in disguise, ready for revenge—to dismantle this "Destiny" organization... or at least its branch.

"Please!" Fang Si ushered Qin Ran into the teahouse, leading him upstairs to a private room.

Qin Ran took his seat as a guest, while Fang Si and the other receptionists settled into their places. Soon, servers brought out the dishes.

It was then that Qin Ran noticed Fang Si had not taken the seat of honor at the head of the table. Instead, he left it vacant and sat opposite Qin Ran.

Pointing to the empty seat, Qin Ran asked, "Is there another esteemed guest yet to arrive?"

Fang Si glanced at him and chuckled. "Indeed, a distinguished guest from the headquarters has yet to join us!"

Qin Ran was inwardly surprised.

Generally, the power structure of the "Destiny" organization’s branches was complex and decentralized. There were chief alchemists, chief artificers, chief talisman masters, and captains of the enforcement teams. The manager oversaw the sale of pills, artifacts, and talismans, as well as the procurement of materials—but overall, the manager held the highest authority.

Why, then, was there someone in the Land of Immortal Legacy branch whose status surpassed even the manager’s?

And...

The headquarters?

To be honest, Qin Ran had no idea where the true headquarters of the "Destiny" organization was. Though the branch in the Seven Islands was referred to as the headquarters, that was merely the Tianlan Sea Region’s headquarters, not the real one.

The Lingnan Region also had its own headquarters!

It seemed each major region had its own "headquarters," but these were merely larger branches, not the true core.

"The real headquarters?" he asked Fang Si in a hushed, conspiratorial tone.

Fang Si gave him a knowing look.

This instantly put Qin Ran on high alert. Someone from the "Destiny" organization’s true headquarters—just how formidable would they be?

At that moment, the doors of the private room were abruptly pushed open from both sides. Qin Ran’s gaze snapped toward the entrance, first catching sight of four maidservants of exceptional beauty and grace entering from either side. Then, a noble-looking young master in lavish brocade robes strode in through the open doors.

Before he even spoke, everyone at the table rose to their feet in unison. Not wanting to stand out, Qin Ran followed suit.

"I heard..." The young master’s voice was languid, his expression one of playful arrogance. His eyes locked onto Qin Ran’s, two inscrutable gazes meeting, neither yielding any hint of the other’s thoughts. He continued, "...that a specially appointed alchemist has arrived from the Tianlan Sea Region?"

Fang Si introduced softly, "Young Master Yang."

Qin Ran lowered his head nonchalantly and greeted, "Greetings, Young Master Yang. I am Li Feiyu, hailing from the Tianlan Sea Region."

"Good!" Young Master Yang gave Qin Ran another glance before striding to the head seat and sitting down, not bothering to invite the others to sit. He asked with a smile, "May I ask, what rank of alchemist are you, Fellow Daoist Li, to dare seek a special appointment here?"

"Sixth rank," Qin Ran replied without arrogance or humility.

"Sixth rank? Not bad." Young Master Yang nodded, then added, "Show me your skills. Prove you’re truly sixth rank—don’t try to deceive me."

This was outright provocation, but Qin Ran agreed crisply, "As you wish."

He extended his right hand, summoning a swirling mass of multicolored water in his palm. With his left hand, he retrieved medicinal herbs from his storage ring and tossed them into the water, beginning the alchemical process.

Young Master Yang immediately stood up and grabbed his hand, saying, "Why so serious, Master Li? I was only joking. You’re a specially assigned alchemist from headquarters—how could I doubt you? Please, take a seat."

A classic case of erratic behavior. Seeing Qin Ran’s genuine skill, he instantly changed his tone and even addressed him as "Master."

Qin Ran showed no impatience. Obediently, he withdrew the Divine Essence Condensation and the herbs, then took his seat.

"Master Li practices water-based alchemy?" Young Master Yang also sat down while the others remained standing. He continued, "Ah, of course—you’re from the Tianlan Sea Region, so naturally, you’d be a water-based alchemist. What kind of alchemical water do you wield? It looks quite impressive."

"It’s called Divine Essence Condensation, Young Master Yang," Qin Ran replied.

"Divine Essence Condensation?" Young Master Yang frowned. "Never heard of it. What’s its origin?"

"Have you heard of the Divine Essence Old Demon, Young Master Yang?"

"No. Was he powerful?" Young Master Yang said, "And address me properly—Young Master Yang."

"Yes, Young Master Yang," Qin Ran responded. "The Divine Essence Old Demon was a renowned alchemist in the Tianlan Sea Region. Seventy thousand years ago, he was hailed as the foremost below the immortal rank, with a formidable reputation even in the Seven Islands."

"Oh! I see." Young Master Yang nodded dismissively. "Since you’re from the Tianlan Sea Region, what path do you follow?"

"Soul Refinement."

"What rank?"

"Fourth rank."

"Fourth rank?" Young Master Yang’s eyes widened abruptly as he stared at Qin Ran. "Master Li, you’re not deceiving me, are you? How can a fourth-rank Soul Refiner concoct sixth-rank pills?"

Though Young Master Yang’s cultivation wasn’t high, his gaze carried pressure. Qin Ran met it calmly and replied, "Young Master Yang, that’s the unique property of Divine Essence Condensation. With its enhancement, I can refine sixth-rank pills."

"That potent?" Young Master Yang still seemed skeptical.

"Indeed," Qin Ran affirmed. "Would you like me to demonstrate for you, Young Master Yang?"

"Ah, no need for such formality, Master Li! I was merely curious." Young Master Yang withdrew his gaze and laughed. "A fourth-rank Soul Refiner is still at the Nascent Soul stage—impressive, impressive."

He turned and noticed the others still standing, as if only just realizing. "Huh? Why are you all standing? Sit, sit! Make yourselves at home—no need for formalities."

Only then did the others take their seats, and the servers resumed bringing dishes.

Young Master Yang picked up a wine bottle and poured a drink for Qin Ran, saying, "I once visited the Seven Islands, though only briefly. Could you enlighten me about the wonders of the Tianlan Sea Region?"

From the moment Young Master Yang appeared, the entire banquet revolved around him. Everyone naturally gravitated toward him, hanging on his every word and action.

It was as if the world existed solely for him.

He steered the banquet masterfully, probing Qin Ran’s background, identity, strength, and alchemical prowess from every angle. By the end of the meal, he had even extracted details like where Qin Ran had played with mud as a three-year-old.

After the banquet, someone escorted Qin Ran back to the base.

Inside the private room, Young Master Yang watched from the window as Qin Ran disappeared into the crowd. Narrowing his eyes, he muttered slowly, "A formidable adversary. He’s up to no good."

"Up to no good?" Fang Si was puzzled. "Didn’t he remain entirely under your control the whole time?"

"If he had no ulterior motives, why would he endure my provocations so meekly?" Young Master Yang retorted. "Alchemists are prideful by nature, yet he acted like a docile lamb, bending to my every whim. The more submissive he appears, the greater his ambitions!"

"Then what does he want?" Fang Si remained confused. "The Land of Immortal Legacy isn’t exactly a land of plenty—what’s there to covet?"

Young Master Yang shook his head. "Resources are only part of it. There’s also techniques, authority, and..."

He pointed at Fang Si, then himself. "Our lives."

Fang Si gasped. "He’s targeting you, Young Master?"

"Not necessarily..." Young Master Yang sighed. "Very few know I’ve been exiled to the Land of Immortal Legacy.

"But regardless, we must keep a close eye on him!"

Deep beneath Linxian City, in a lavish room within the underground base, Qin Ran sat in an armchair, quietly blowing on his tea.

After a sip, he closed his eyes, savoring the tea’s fragrance.

He recalled Young Master Yang’s mercurial expressions.

"Impressive. As expected of someone sent by headquarters."

He had always kept a low profile, but this time, he felt exposed from the very beginning. That so-called Young Master Yang was undoubtedly wary of him.

Yet, given the other’s erratic and unpredictable behavior, staying composed and observing had been the best course of action.

"What a madman," he murmured.

But suddenly, he swallowed the tea, opened his eyes, and smirked.

"Then again, without a little madness, where’s the challenge?"