"Right this way, Mr. Chen!"
Upon receiving a positive affirmation from Lin Xianfeng, Long Feihu turned to Lin Chen and proactively extended an invitation.
"Alright, please."
Lin Chen nodded, rose from his seat, and followed Long Feihu. Before long, the two arrived in an inner bedroom.
The bedroom was already crowded with people, and Lin Chen even spotted Long Yuling within, her face etched with grief.
"Uncle."
Seeing Long Feihu enter, many of the younger Long family disciples quickly greeted him.
"Mm, all of you, please leave for now and wait in the living room. I have something to discuss with the Old Master."
Long Feihu felt a pang of helplessness at the sight of these young disciples.
Previously, everyone had concluded that the Old Master's time was drawing near. The Old Master's final wish was to see the descendants of the Nong family scattered across the lands.
It was precisely for this reason that all the Nong family disciples from the surrounding families had been summoned here.
They had intended for them to see the Old Master one last time. Who would have thought that the whereabouts of the Qingxin Pill would now be known?
However, Long Feihu was acutely aware that the Qingxin Pill was of paramount importance, and it could not be easily disclosed without a hundred percent certainty.
For the Nong family members present, their greatest hope was, undoubtedly, for the Old Master's condition to improve.
If he were to immediately boast that he could definitely cure the Old Master now, these people likely wouldn't believe him.
Furthermore, if any unforeseen circumstances were to arise, the consequences would be dire!
Not only would the Old Master's life be beyond saving, but it could also implicate the entire Lin family!
Such an outcome was something Long Feihu absolutely did not wish to see.
"Yes, Uncle."
Upon hearing Long Feihu's words, the young people sensibly filed out in an orderly fashion.
Only Long Yuling cast a lingering glance at Lin Chen beside Long Feihu, her expression filled with earnest pleading.
Long Yuling understood Lin Chen; she knew he was an alchemist of immense skill.
Since Lin Chen had followed her uncle into the bedroom, it was proof enough that Lin Chen was confident in his ability to cure her Old Master!
If this were indeed the case, then the Long family would truly be saved!
"Uh, Mr. Long, let her stay."
Just as Long Yuling was about to leave the sickroom, Lin Chen, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.
He could see that Long Yuling was genuinely worried about the Old Master, so allowing her to stay would not be a significant issue.
He couldn't trust the other junior members of the Nong family, but Long Yuling was now his woman, so how could he not trust her?
"Oh? Very well, Yuling, you may stay!"
Hearing Lin Chen's words, Long Feihu, though unsure of the reason, nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Uncle."
Upon hearing Lin Chen's request to let Long Yuling stay, she immediately displayed a look of deep gratitude.
Although the Old Master was not her biological grandfather, he had treated her exceptionally well since childhood.
Therefore, Long Yuling certainly did not wish to see any harm befall the Old Master.
Once everyone else had departed, Long Feihu approached the Old Master on the sickbed.
"Father, this is Mr. Chen Lin. He is an alchemist vouched for by the acting patriarch of the Lin family, who staked his life on it."
Upon reaching his father's side, Long Feihu made the introduction.
"Mm, what is it?"
The Old Master on the bed spoke in a weak voice, his words barely comprehensible.
If not for the fact that the few people present were cultivators with extraordinary hearing, they would have been unable to understand the Old Master's words at all.
"Father, Mr. Chen can refine the Qingxin Pill, but he requires the power of our family's spiritual artifact alchemy furnace."
Knowing that the Old Master was anxious, Long Feihu directly revealed Lin Chen's capabilities.
"Heh, another braggart."
However, upon hearing Long Feihu's words, the Old Master's initial reaction was one of utter disdain.
For days, ever since news of his qi deviation had leaked, alchemists had been flocking to his doorstep incessantly.
Among them were many Grade Three alchemists, and even two or three Grade Four alchemists.
This Mr. Chen before him appeared to be in his early thirties.
Judging by his cultivation base, he was merely in the Foundation Establishment stage.
With such cultivation, let alone refining the Qingxin Pill, he likely didn't even have the qualifications to become a Grade Three alchemist!
Now, he dared to brazenly appear here, attempting to trick him out of his spiritual artifact alchemy furnace?
He was simply courting death!
Did he truly believe that just because he was currently afflicted with qi deviation, he wouldn't dare to kill anyone?
"Father, the acting patriarch of the Lin family, Lin Xianfeng, staked his life on it. I assure you, Mr. Chen can indeed refine the Qingxin Pill!"
Seeing the Old Master's disbelief, Long Feihu quickly brought up Lin Xianfeng.
Truth be told, when Lin Xianfeng had first mentioned that this Mr. Chen could refine the Qingxin Pill, even he himself hadn't believed it.
If not for Lin Xianfeng staking his own life as a guarantee, he certainly wouldn't have brought Lin Chen to see his father.
The Old Master's condition was now considered terminal, and at such a time, seeing these extraneous individuals would undoubtedly disturb his rest.
"Hmph, Mr. Chen, as far as I know, refining the Qingxin Pill requires at least a Grade Four alchemist, doesn't it?"
The Old Master snorted coldly and directly addressed Lin Chen.
"That is correct."
Upon hearing the Old Master mention Lin Chen, he immediately nodded and replied.
"Yet, your cultivation is only at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, indicating you are, at best, a Grade Two alchemist. With what means do you propose to refine a Grade Four Qingxin Pill?"
The Old Master sneered, completely disbelieving the young man before him.
"Leave quickly. If you leave now, you can still save your life. But if you refuse to depart, don't blame this old man for being impolite!"
At this moment, the Old Master's voice was sharp and cold, carrying a hint of murderous intent.
"Grandfather!"
However, as soon as the Old Master finished speaking, before Long Feihu and Lin Chen could even utter a word, Long Yuling suddenly stepped forward and knelt directly before the sickbed.
"Hm? Yuling, what are you doing?"
Seeing Long Yuling's peculiar actions, let alone the Old Master, even Long Feihu looked utterly astonished.
He couldn't comprehend why his grandfather's most beloved granddaughter would suddenly kneel at this moment.
"Grandfather, Yuling is also willing to stake her life to guarantee that he can refine the Qingxin Pill!"
However, Long Yuling's expression was resolute as she made her solemn promise to the Old Master.