"Responding to senior, the prescription for this Qingxin Pill was something I stumbled upon at an antique stall."
Hearing Zhou Jiang's inquiry, Lin Chen replied calmly. He absolutely couldn't let anyone know about the Nine Dragon Ring he possessed. This was the only way to leave no trace.
"Oh? An antique stall? Which antique stall was it?"
Hearing Lin Chen's explanation, Zhou Jiang narrowed his eyes. He didn't doubt it. He knew that many ancient pill prescriptions had been lost, and it was not unheard of to find them among antiques. Therefore, Lin Chen's explanation was not entirely unbelievable.
"It was a small antique stall in Hangcheng. If senior is interested, I can accompany you there sometime."
Lin Chen offered a sincere smile, showing no flaws. Even Long Yuling, who knew him best, believed him to some extent. Everyone knew the value of the Qingxin Pill and its prescription. Many cultivators spent their lives searching for the prescription, only for this young man to obtain it.
Zhou Jiang suspected that the items Lin Chen obtained from that antique stall were more than just the Qingxin Pill prescription. On the way to the Long family, he had already sent people to investigate Lin Chen's background. A nobody with no connections who, after being released from prison, suddenly rose to become one of the top cultivators in Hangcheng. There had to be a hidden secret. Could it be the prison? Even if Lin Chen found the prescription, he wouldn't be able to refine pills without guidance. The only information he couldn't obtain was about Lin Chen's time in prison. This led him to believe that Lin Chen must have had some fortuitous encounter in prison.
"Young friend Lin, may I ask where you learned alchemy?"
Having figured out the crucial point, Zhou Jiang looked at Lin Chen and asked again. This question was not only out of curiosity but also a test. He believed Lin Chen had gained something extraordinary in prison. If Lin Chen lied, then his story about the antique stall would also be false, and Zhou Jiang could use his methods to make Lin Chen tell the truth. The Ghost Spirit Sect had never failed to obtain any information it sought. No matter how strong someone was, they would eventually break under the Ghost Spirit Sect's methods, even a Nascent Soul stage expert.
"Heh heh, don't laugh at me, senior. My alchemy and cultivation methods were taught to me by a mysterious old man when I was in prison!"
Seeing Zhou Jiang's intense gaze, Lin Chen smiled and spoke openly. He knew that the Ghost Spirit Sect's strength was immense, capable of making even powerful families like the Long and Xiao families avoid them. Their information network must be vast. They would surely investigate the contrast between Lin Chen's life before and after prison. Lying to Zhou Jiang now would be counterproductive. Since they couldn't investigate his master's background, telling the truth was not a big deal.
"Oh? Then, why did this mysterious old man teach you alchemy and lead you on the path of cultivation?"
Upon hearing about the mysterious old man, Zhou Jiang seemed deflated. Lin Chen's explanation was too vague. Although he sensed Lin Chen wasn't lying, he couldn't find any special person in that prison.
"This... to be honest, I don't know. I was serving my sentence, and that old man suddenly appeared in my cell, saying I was a rare alchemy genius and took me on as a registered disciple. I haven't seen my master since I was released from prison, except for the time I was at the He family!"
Lin Chen sighed deeply, his expression full of helplessness. He was confident that the information he provided was true. No matter how Zhou Jiang investigated, he would only get the same answer.
"I see!"
After hearing Lin Chen's flawless explanation, Zhou Jiang became more convinced. The information he had obtained from his subordinates matched Lin Chen's account perfectly. It held up to scrutiny.
"Young friend Lin, our Ghost Spirit Sect is a hidden sect with immense power, far superior to the Long family. Since you possess such talent, would you be willing to join the Ghost Spirit Sect?"
Understanding the situation, Zhou Jiang looked at Lin Chen again and posed his question. If Lin Chen's background was indeed clean, the Ghost Spirit Sect couldn't afford to miss a young fourth-grade alchemist, especially one who knew the method to refine the Qingxin Pill. The Ghost Spirit Sect, despite its power, had many cultivators who needed the Qingxin Pill to regulate their meridians.
"This... reporting to senior, I would certainly be honored to join the Ghost Spirit Sect. However, as you know, I have a master. How about I wait until I next see him and persuade him to join the Ghost Spirit Sect with me?"
Hearing Zhou Jiang's offer, Lin Chen deliberately showed a troubled expression. The Ghost Spirit Sect and his master had a deep enmity. If he joined the Ghost Spirit Sect behind his master's back, he would be expelled. Despite his current success, he could never forget his master's kindness.
"Oh? Besides being a half-step Nascent Soul expert, what grade alchemist is your master?"
Hearing Lin Chen mention his mysterious master, Zhou Jiang became curious again. The intelligence report only stated that Lin Chen had a master who was a half-step Nascent Soul expert, but it didn't specify his alchemy grade.