Chapter Thirty-One: Storms Rise at Haicheng University, While I Remain Fishing

“Dad…”

“I’ve already told him—whatever amount he wants, I’ll pay; we can compensate him several times over, even tenfold for his losses. Yet he’s utterly heartless…”

“Lin Qingyun… he’s destroyed my foundation, ruined my path to success. We cannot let him off. That damned fellow has even seized my Cold Medicine Fire-Tai Pill. He relies on that cursed Taoist’s help and has severed my connection.”

“Dad, you must help me get the Cold Medicine Fire-Tai Pill back. Though it’s not as potent as before, if I retrieve it, I can still reap enormous benefits…”

Upon seeing Lin Kunshan, Lin Qingfeng was so aggrieved he nearly burst into tears. He kept cursing Lin Qingyun, pouring out his grievances.

Lin Kunshan’s face was grim, far worse than when Zhang Baole was beaten. Then, he was merely angry; now, his eyes seemed aflame with fury.

This was a matter concerning his son’s future. He was aware Lin Qingyun would inherit property, but had never taken it too seriously. After all, his elder brother and sister-in-law owned many assets and several islands; he didn’t believe Lin Qingyun would come here.

Moreover, in a few days, Lin Qingfeng would quietly leave, and the group’s accounts had already been prepared for closure. Yantian Island’s transformation into a wasteland, unable to grow spiritual medicine, would mark the end. Who could have foreseen things turning out like this?

“Enough, solve the problem if there’s a problem. Do you think acting like this will help? And from now on, don’t speak carelessly in front of outsiders. Family disputes are family disputes. If you say such things outside, what will people think of the Lin family?” After Lin Qingfeng had spoken at length, Lin Kunshan finally snapped at him.

Had Zhang Xueyi been present, she would have hysterically shouted at Lin Kunshan. But Lin Qingfeng, after waiting so long, though aggrieved upon seeing his father, knew well his style—he disliked showing certain emotions.

“Dad…” he pleaded, looking at Lin Kunshan.

Lin Kunshan nodded with concern, indicating he would find a way. In fact, he had just tried to contact Lin Qingyun, but to no avail—the communication was cut off. Yantian Island, now in defense mode, was isolated from all information.

“Chairman, we’ve studied it. Though this is only a third-level formation, it cannot be cracked directly. Forced entry isn’t difficult, but it would trigger the alliance’s regulations…” At that moment, the formation master brought by Lin Kunshan came to report.

“We originally had access, or could the group’s permissions help?” Lin Kunshan’s brow furrowed deeply.

“No, after the other party took over with highest authority, all other permissions were locked. Now they’re in emergency defense mode. Unless we have a master of the Sunlit Realm, able to isolate the area with a grand formation and then quickly crack it, there’s absolutely no way to enter unnoticed.”

“What’s he planning? Does he think he can just hide inside? Does he really think he can escape?” After Lin Kunshan’s words, Lin Qingfeng calmed somewhat, speaking coldly.

“Let’s wait and see…” Lin Kunshan said, then instructed the formation master, “Go set up some formations around, simple isolation ones will suffice. Also, try calling out or display some words the other side can see—find a way to communicate, and say I’ve come.”

Lin Kunshan felt helpless. If Lin Qingyun hid inside and refused communication, there was little he could do.

After all, the formation master had just said that a forced attack would be illegal. China is a place of rules, unlike elsewhere. If this had happened outside China, it would be much simpler to resolve.

They tried contacting Lin Qingyun in every possible way, but he never responded. Nothing worked.

This left Lin Qingfeng extremely irritable. Lin Kunshan had been here a few days before, but with so many responsibilities—he was, after all, Chairman of Lin Pharmaceutical Group—he could not speak openly about this matter.

Moreover, it was a critical moment; he was seeking support from other shareholders. Seeing Lin Qingyun cause trouble again and again, Lin Kunshan’s sense of crisis grew ever stronger.

Finally, with no other choice, he left.

While Lin Qingyun sealed himself away for research on Yantian Island, many new university entrants, just days into their studies, began stepping into the Heart of the Melody realm for their foundation-building. Those who could build their foundation immediately upon entering university were almost all the top students from high school, having made every preparation.

Even so, among the first batch of top scholars at Haicheng University to attempt foundation-building upon entry, several failed; one even suffered a mental breakdown and had to withdraw, while others would require at least half a year to recuperate before attempting again.

Chao-ge and Chu Qing were also quickly adapting to life at Haicheng University, progressing rapidly, though still a step behind the top geniuses, needing more time to accumulate and settle.

Yet Chao-ge, acting as Lin Qingyun’s representative, together with Chu Qing and Professor Qian Shanming, had already succeeded in mass-producing Lin Qingyun’s pills. For a time, their influence spread beyond Haicheng University, gaining fame in universities nationwide.

Because the first batch of low-priced pills from Haicheng University was distributed to students across all major institutions.

Some wealthy students scoffed at this, as they didn’t even use such pills, but for most university students, it was a tremendous boon.

Of course, the impact was still limited to universities, as Haicheng University’s production line could not supply everyone in the short term. Most importantly, even with Haicheng University’s endorsement, entering all regions comprehensively was not easy.

During this period, other events occurred. Chao-ge, as Lin Qingyun’s representative responsible for the project, became a prominent figure at Haicheng University, but faced obstacles upon joining the student council.

Normally, freshmen at Haicheng University are selected within the first three months to become one or two vice presidents of the student council. This ensures orderly succession; by sophomore year, they can be candidates for president.

The alchemy program usually lasts five years, though some can graduate in four, and others stay for deeper study for eight or ten years.

Zheng Haoyue had already stepped into the Heart of the Melody realm in her senior year of high school, making clear progress during the break, though she kept it hidden. Half a month into the semester, during a comprehensive evaluation, Zheng Haoyue not only revealed her skills as a third-grade alchemist but also demonstrated her strength as a fourth level in the Heart of the Melody realm, immediately rivaling Nangong Lingyue and two other pre-admission super geniuses.

However, Nangong Lingyue and the other two, though enrolled, did not attend regular classes; they only followed their mentors for cultivation and guidance.

Under these circumstances, Zheng Haoyue became the undisputed star of Haicheng University.

She was promoted directly to vice president of the student council just ten days into the semester, and took on multiple posts. With Zheng Haoyue’s rise, her followers Li Daoze, Mao Yiqiang, and others recovered from previous setbacks and gained new prestige.

At this time, Chao-ge and Chu Qing were recommended for the student council, though not for prominent positions. Especially Chao-ge, who was recommended as deputy minister of the external liaison department—the main aim was to use the student council’s platform to connect with other university councils.

The influence and power of today’s student council is incomparable to what it was a century ago. This was originally a natural arrangement, recommended by Qian Shanming and the alchemy department, tied to the school’s industrial development.

Yet unexpectedly, Li Daoze and Mao Yiqiang repeatedly blocked the process. Even with Professor Qian Shanming’s intervention, progress was slow.

Chao-ge was enraged, thus leveraging the pills’ influence to engage in a contest with Zheng Haoyue, Li Daoze, and their group. In just a few days, the Haicheng University student council was thrust into the spotlight, successfully casting Li Daoze and his allies as opponents of students enjoying affordable medicine.

Ultimately, the matter, which affected the council’s reputation, was halted by the school and council leadership. Though it lasted only a few days, the struggle—without bloodshed or violence—was intense.

In the end, Chao-ge was successfully elected as the second minister of the external liaison department, a special position dedicated to handling the school’s pill industry’s external relations, marking a victory for him.

Of course, things weren’t entirely smooth for Chao-ge. With Zheng Haoyue in power, Lin Qingyun’s antics had offended Nangong Lingyue’s fans, so troubles abounded.

At Haicheng University, open and covert conflicts raged, while Lin Qingyun, also a freshman, secluded himself on Yantian Island for research.

Nearly twenty days of study and exploration passed. Lin Qingyun tried many methods; though he had not yet extracted the seed from the earth fire, he had mostly unraveled the island’s mysteries.

The unique natural terrain of Yantian Island gave it its special character, used by his parents to plant a unique seed. Using the polarities of the sea and the duality of water and fire, the seed was nurtured.

After his parents disappeared, Lin Kunshan likely brought people to investigate, but only saw the superficial benefits, believing that absorbing the island’s properties would create medicine to refine the Cold Medicine Fire-Tai Pill for his son, unaware of the true origin.

The essence of the earth fire, carrying medicinal properties, was simply the result of the seed planted within, radiating its effects. Lin Qingyun studied carefully; after Lin Kunshan and his son’s interference, the seed could no longer continue to be nurtured here, so he focused on extracting it.

Through nearly twenty days of relentless effort and experimentation, Lin Qingyun finally grasped some clues.

He found that even the medicinal properties contained in the earth fire would actively gravitate toward the thunder fire of the Divine Dawn Tribulation. This showed that the thunder fire’s attraction to the seed far exceeded that of the earth fire essence.

Originally, he wanted to find some materials, but with Lin Kunshan and his son outside, Lin Qingyun had to make do. He melted the Golden Crow Iron from the foundation of Lin Kunshan’s grand formation into threads—not something he could do himself, so he went out to seek help from Daoist Banyu.

Then, using the Golden Crow Iron, Lin Qingyun fashioned a sphere riddled with holes and concentrated some Divine Dawn thunder fire from the Creation Pill Furnace within. He was going fishing—more precisely, fishing for the seed.