Chapter Thirty-Four: Family Portrait

Most of what Chu Qing reported had to do with how she manipulated Zhang Baole—how she negotiated with him to obtain things, how she described her increasingly ambiguous relationship with Lin Qingyun, and how she gradually gained the ability to influence and control Lin Qingyun. She took full credit for recruiting Lin Qingyun into Haicheng University, painting herself as the mastermind who, after being inspired by Lin Qingyun and experiencing so much with him, had her horizons broadened as a double agent.

Chu Qing was a clever woman; once her horizons were expanded, her potential became limitless. She mastered what Lin Qingyun taught her and even learned much more on her own, coming to completely control Zhang Baole. While Zhang Baole thought he was keeping an eye on Chu Qing, his undercover agent by Lin Qingyun’s side, he was, in fact, unknowingly being lured and controlled by Chu Qing—and, without realizing it, she even gleaned some information from him.

She managed to coax out details like Zhang Xueyi’s anger and her threats to deal with Lin Qingyun, as well as Zhang Xueyi’s orders for her brother Zhang Baole to take over certain businesses—businesses that were clearly draining resources from the Lin Pharmaceutical Group, though Zhang Baole himself was completely unaware of this fact. After extracting this information, Chu Qing investigated these companies and came to her own conclusions.

Though all these were things Lin Qingyun had long since known, he had not yet taken action to clean them up; before getting involved in the affairs of the group, it wasn’t convenient to intervene. But with the information coming from Chu Qing, the situation was now entirely different.

Additionally, Chu Qing gave a detailed account of her activities in the Alchemy Department at Haicheng University—how she extorted benefits from Zhang Baole, received support from Professor Qian at the research institute, and rapidly advanced. She felt hopeful that she could reach the Foundation Establishment stage before the next round of the practical trial.

Originally, it would have taken her at least half a year, maybe even a year, but now that time had been greatly reduced. She also reported what she knew about the university’s collaboration on medicinal pills. However, as Lin Qingyun read through her details about Chao, he tapped the armrest of his chair and smiled. Despite how cautious she was, her reports betrayed a subtle focus on Chao, full of careful wordplay—fulfilling her roles as both a competent subordinate and a spy.

Lin Qingyun didn’t rush to reply to Chao or Chu Qing. As for her little schemes, he saw no need to call her out. He first sent Uncle Banyue back to the research base but didn’t follow along. Instead, he hurried back to the villa his mother had left behind.

This time, Lin Qingyun began a careful study of the artworks made from seeds. He recalled that in his previous life, even though his uncle had disposed of his parents’ assets early on, no one had wanted these things anyway—they were like handicrafts, something no one else would value. He remembered seeing these artworks in a warehouse. After regaining control, he had simply reclaimed everything and rehung the pictures as they were when his parents were alive, but he hadn’t noticed anything unusual about the seeds at that time.

Now, Lin Qingyun took down the family portrait and studied it closely. The frame was ordinary, the seeds affixed with spiritual power, nothing special. The seeds seemed like discarded ones—removing just one would be impossible, and probing them yielded no reaction. Even with his spiritual sense and instruments, there was nothing unusual.

“And this one…” Lin Qingyun thought of the single unique seed from Yantian Island and took it out. If this one was special, perhaps he was overthinking. When he brought this crystal-clear, slightly sprouted seed—charged with the energy of heavenly tribulation lightning and fire—close to the painting, something extraordinary happened.

Lin Qingyun’s heart began to race, for within the painting, at least dozens of seeds began to faintly glow. With his spiritual sense enveloping the scene, he could clearly feel that the sprouted seed’s fiery medicinal aura and the trace of tribulation lightning power were provoking a response in the others.

He tried approaching with just the lightning-fire, but the seeds did not react. Yet, when he forcibly brought the fiery red, crystalline seed closer, some seeds in the painting responded, though much more faintly than before.

Previously, Lin Qingyun had thought he was being paranoid, but now he was certain: the family portrait his parents had left hanging in the house was no ordinary piece made from discarded seeds.

He could only smile wryly—Father, Mother, what on earth did you leave behind? In his previous life, even after achieving so much, he had never realized these seeds were special.

He gazed at the portrait—present in every one of his parents’ homes, this was one of the smaller ones. The colorful seeds were arranged so cleverly that he, his mother, and father were portrayed in vivid, lifelike detail.

These seeds were clearly extraordinary, but for now, he could not decipher their mystery. He considered storing the portrait in his alchemical furnace, but after thinking it through, decided to hang it back up. If he left it undisturbed, as in his previous life, no one would pay attention to it. If he took it down and tried to collect all the portraits, it would only draw suspicion.

Until he understood the truth, it was safest to leave it hanging.

That night, Lin Qingyun did not rest. He sat silently before the family portrait, not to study it further—he already knew he could not solve its mystery yet—but simply to reminisce about all the moments he’d shared with his parents.

Back at the Lin family estate, Lin Qingfeng had returned.

“Feng’er, I told your father I wanted to come, but he wouldn’t let me. There’s so much going on at the company these days. Let me take a look—did that little rascal bully you?” Zhang Xueyi, upon hearing Lin Qingfeng had come back, had hurried home early to greet him and immediately checked on him with concern.

“I’m fine, Mom. Where’s Dad?” Lin Qingfeng, though anxious, had calmed himself after so many days had passed.

“There’s a major acquisition today—integrating smaller forces in the medicinal market and buying out a minor medical alliance. Your father’s been working on this for over half a year. Today is the signing… What’s wrong, did something happen again?” Zhang Xueyi only knew a little about her son’s recent troubles. She knew he had been in seclusion, trying to refine a pill for his breakthrough, and that Lin Qingyun had gotten in the way, but little beyond that.

Seeing Lin Qingfeng anxious to see his father, she immediately sensed something was wrong. Though calmer than before, his anxiety, fear, and worry were still evident, which made her all the more concerned.

“Dad said he and Lin Qingyun had come to an agreement, but he won’t say what or when he’ll deliver. That damned guy…” Lin Qingfeng complained, barely containing his anger.

Some of what he said was unclear to Zhang Xueyi, but with more questions, she soon understood the whole story.

“How dare he? He’s blocked your path as a cultivator. Is this what family means? Why couldn’t he just talk it out? You said you’d compensate him—it’s just an island! How could he be so heartless…” Realizing the seriousness of the matter, Zhang Xueyi couldn’t stop her tears as she held Lin Qingfeng’s hand, aching for her son.

“I told your father long ago he’s no good and shouldn’t be indulged. Now look—he’s ruined your cultivation, and for what? Just an island, and he still won’t return the pill. Unbelievable…” She grew angrier, pacing back and forth. “We have to put him in his place, knock down his arrogance. First he targeted your uncle, now he’s going after you—his intentions are obvious. Isn’t all this just to prepare for taking over the group? And now he’s still withholding your pill.”

“He’s offended Nangong Lingyue, angered many at Haicheng University, and not just there—at other universities too. Soon, the annual university practical training for new students will begin. I hear there are changes for the Foundation Establishment stage this year—this is a great opportunity…” The more she spoke, the more her thoughts flowed—clearly, she already had a plan.

Lin Qingfeng looked at his mother in surprise. After more than a year apart, she had changed so much. Her analysis was incisive, and her understanding of Lin Qingyun’s situation was astonishing.

“Mom, Dad said he’s already made a deal with Lin Qingyun…” As his mother continued outlining her plans, Lin Qingfeng suddenly remembered what his father had said during their last call.

Much as he resented Lin Qingyun and wanted to teach him a lesson, his greatest desire was to get back the Coldfire Elixir. Even if it wasn’t in perfect condition, it was still the most suitable pill for him. Once he advanced to the Cloud Soaring Realm and achieved greater heights, dealing with Lin Qingyun would be his own choice.

Hearing his mother’s plan for action, he quickly reminded her.

“A deal?” Zhang Xueyi snapped, “He’s just a junior—how can he treat his cousin this way? What is there to negotiate? That’s your father’s fault for indulging him. Don’t worry, son, I’ve already planted informants at his side. We know his every move.”

“Your father always shielded him, which is why he’s become so reckless. This time, I’ll see that he gets what he deserves. Don’t concern yourself, I’ll get justice for you.”

At Haicheng University, a month into the new student term, was the first period of rapid development and breakthroughs.

The foundation laid in high school, combined with the university’s resources and heritage, allowed many students who had reached the Fengchu stage after years of cultivation—calm in spirit, emotions subdued, heart and mind at peace—to break through quickly.

During the first ten days of intensive training, a number of students advanced to the Qinxin stage and began establishing their foundation. Over the following days, more broke through. Everyone worked hard, as the university’s first practical trial was divided into two zones: the Fengchu stage and the Qinxin Foundation Establishment stage.

Those accepted into Haicheng University—except for a few in special programs—were the top students who had already reached Foundation Establishment in high school, while the rest were only a step away. After more than a month, only a handful had not yet reached Foundation Establishment.

Originally, Chu Qing and Chao were among those unlikely to reach Foundation Establishment within a month; they would have to rely on alchemy in the future, placing them in the lower-mid tier of students. However, before enrollment, they had spent several days cultivating with Lin Qingyun.

Those days impacted their state of mind greatly. With Chao acting as Lin Qingyun’s representative and Professor Qian using university resources to support them, both received full backing. Chu Qing, as a double agent, also obtained ample resources from Zhang Baole. Thus, three days before the final registration for the practical trial, both finally broke through.

They had both been in seclusion at Professor Qian’s laboratory. After their breakthroughs, without taking much time to stabilize their foundation, they hurried off to register for the trial.