Young master, why not become a corpse immortal?

Chapter 211 Talented Men
After seeing Duan off, I've had some free time these past few days.

There was no extra work to do, and few people visited.

Lin Jiang took this opportunity to immerse himself in studying the elixir formulas within the inner palace.

Now, the three alchemical formulas are progressing simultaneously: he himself is focusing on the defensive "Pure Dust-Free", Liu Fangyue is researching "Transformation into a Hundred Forms", which can transform into a hundred forms, and Changgui is studying "Returning to Hometown".

Of the three, Lin Jiang is progressing the slowest...

There was no way around it; although the mad ghost and Liu Fangyue possessed independent thoughts, they were ultimately not human and had no need for rest or entertainment. They could bury themselves in books and study them meticulously throughout the day.

Lin Jiang can't do that.

It's definitely not because I'm not good at studying magic techniques.

Even so, Lin Jiang still did not master many alchemy techniques.

The book is too thick and heavy to read in a short time.

Liu Fangyue fared slightly better. "Transforming into Myriad Phenomena" is said to be able to change at will and condense matter with qi. Even though she only had a rudimentary understanding of it, Lin Jiang was still able to create some small things with his own qi, so it was still showing some results.

Returning to one's hometown is quite different.

Although this prescription is simple, its effects are extremely specific. It should not be used casually unless one has fully mastered it.

Either you learn it and can always escape danger with its magic, or you never learn it at all.

Lin Jiang estimated that it would take about another month before the mad ghost could completely and barely master the alchemy and formula.

At that time, Lin Jiang will finally no longer be a barbarian!

Today was the day to learn calligraphy and painting from Master Liang. Lin Jiang tidied himself up and headed straight for the Liang residence.

Liang Huashan had already prepared writing materials in the mansion.

Lin Jiang handed the small ginseng to Liang Huashan, who teased it for a moment before looking at Lin Jiang:

“Young master, it’s time for me to teach Little Ginseng how to transform into human form.”

"Has the little ginseng learned all this?"

“Xiaoshan Shen originally had the foundation for transformation, but he did not know what Qi was or what techniques were, and had no basic path to follow, so he had never touched the threshold of transformation.”

Liang Huashan explained to Lin Jiang:
"Most plant-based demons have similar problems. They have the most difficulty in controlling their Qi and do not understand the laws of heaven and earth. Therefore, even if they cultivate to the inner hall, they find it difficult to transform into human form. Ordinary beasts and birds of prey are better off; they can learn some human mannerisms and live in the human world, but..."

Liang Huashan picked up the small ginseng with one hand.

The little one was initially confused, but after Lin Jiang and Liang Huashan both looked down at her, she used the roots she had drawn to scratch the leaves:
"I feel that the way you two are looking at each other is very impolite."

“No.” Liang Huashan shook his head: “It’s just that you are too small, which makes it inconvenient for you to move around.”

"So what if it's small!" the little ginseng suddenly retorted angrily. "Does being big make you superior?"

Neither Lin Jiang nor Liang Huashan said a word, leaving Xiao Shanshen there sulking.

"I wonder what she will look like after she transforms."

Lin Jiang stroked the little guy's head and sighed.

“When a demon takes human form, it often imitates the deepest impression in its heart. Given her closeness with the young master, she probably has some of his charm.”

"How can someone be as handsome as me?" Lin Jiang flicked his hair.

"shameless!"

Having followed Lin Jiang for so long, how could Xiao Shanshen not understand the meaning behind his words?
He then shouted angrily, which made Lin Jiang laugh loudly:

"Whatever makes you happy."

"Hmph! I'm going to make myself look gorgeous!"

Little Ginseng waved its tiny fists.

After exchanging a few more words about Xiaoshan Shen's recent progress in cultivation, he left the Liang residence first.

With nothing to do during the day, Lin Jiang planned to go back to his house to get some scraps of cloth and then ask Boss Guo about clothes.

I was too busy last time and forgot to ask.

Unexpectedly, as soon as I arrived at my door, I saw a middle-aged man with a gentle expression standing in front of me on the steps.

Lin Jiang examined him for a moment, feeling that the face was familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen it before.

After thinking carefully for a long time, I finally remembered:

This man appears to be Sun Zhong's steward.

The steward, who had been waiting impatiently at the door, heard footsteps behind him, turned around, and saw Lin Jiang. He quickly composed himself and bowed.

"I've met the young master."

"Did you need something from me, Grandpa?"

"Today, Master Sun invites you to a simple meal."

Lin Jiang's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.

Sun Zhong invited me to dinner?
Lin Jiang recalled the strange crimson hostility on Sun Zhong's body.

He had been wanting to find time to investigate Sun Zhong's affairs for a while, and this opportunity came at the perfect time.

"I'll tidy up a bit."

After returning to his room, Lin Jiang thought it over and decided not to bring anyone else with him, but to go to the banquet alone.

As the carriage slowly moved forward, Lin Jiang's gaze remained fixed on the scenery outside the window.

The capital city was still bustling with traffic, but most pedestrians avoided the horse-drawn carriages.

The carriage brought by the steward was an official vehicle, and ordinary people naturally did not want to touch it.

After traveling for a while, Lin Jiang compared his memory with that of others and suddenly said:
"This is not the way to Master Sun's residence."

“Indeed, we’re not going to Master Sun’s residence,” the official said with a smile. “Today is the Osmanthus Banquet, let’s go over there.”

"Where is that?"

"A gathering place for the most talented people in the capital," the steward explained. "It is organized by the Capital Academy, bringing together the most talented men and women in the capital for a grand event. Master said that since the young master is new to the capital, he should meet his peers and learn and progress together."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jiang immediately pictured Tinplate in his mind.

He recalled that during their last contact, Tiepizi had mentioned being busy contacting many talented people in the capital. He never expected that he would end up bumping into them. Moreover, there was actually another problem with this matter.

That means Sun Zhong knew his true identity.

This matter is not big or small.

Sun Zhong might publicly reveal his true identity at this gathering, thus clearly telling everyone in the capital that he is Lin Shengfeng's grandson, which would definitely cause some changes in the capital.

Unfortunately, Lin Jiang couldn't stop it. Even if he didn't participate, he couldn't make Sun Zhong keep his words to himself.

We can't just go ahead and beat Sun Zhong so badly he can't speak.

What if, what if Sun Zhong really is not sick, and the red hostility on his head is just a special effect? ​​Wouldn't I have given my grandfather a good beating?
Of course, this is thinking the worst. Sun Zhong might not even reveal his identity, and even if he did, Lin Jiang is already prepared.

Zhu Da's false identity is unadorned, so it's not a big loss to discard it.

The carriage stopped outside a large courtyard, where two dark-faced guards stood guard with stern expressions.

Lin Jiang glanced at them briefly and immediately sensed that the two possessed extraordinary auras, likely at the fourth or fifth level of cultivation.

Such guards are truly rare; it must be a place where talented people gather, and they were specially dispatched to guard against unforeseen events.

The butler took out the invitation from his waist and handed it to the two men at the door. After they verified it, they opened the door and let the man in.

The butler handed over the invitation, and the guards checked it and nodded to let them through.

Upon entering the hospital, a noisy atmosphere immediately filled the air, with many young people gathered inside, all of whom were quite young.

Lin Jiang looked around but didn't see anyone he knew.

Listening closely, all I heard were words of mutual flattery:

"Brother Guo! It's been a long time. How have you been?"

"Brother Li! Of course you are well. I wonder how your cultivation has been these days?"

"My father kept a close eye on me, and I was forced to study for a long time. I finally managed to get to the threshold of the inner hall and am almost at the fourth level."

"Then congratulations, Brother Li! Unlike me, I was stuck in the Third Heaven for a long time before finally succeeding in entering the inner hall last month."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jiang's lips twitched slightly.

Listening to the words of these talented young people, a conversation inexplicably surfaced in his mind:
Did you do well on your exam?

"I didn't do well on the test; I barely got 98 points this time."

Lin Jiang glanced at the man in the inner hall. He was about thirty years old, but to be able to enter the inner hall at this age and to look so proud, he must be quite good.

No wonder Han Wangzhi is so arrogant. He is not even thirty years old. Apart from those top geniuses, he truly deserves this title.

After all, the transition from the outer hall to the inner hall is a hurdle on the path of cultivation, and many people never manage to enter it in their lifetime. Even with the support of resources, most of those who manage to enter are close to forty years old.

Chen Dajiang is like that; without a great opportunity, he may never be able to advance further in this lifetime.

The butler led Lin Jiang into the main hall, where he saw even more talented and younger men, each one full of vigor and radiant with youthful energy.

Lin Jiang looked up and saw several kind-looking old men chatting and laughing in the main seat, with Sun Zhong among them.

Sun Zhongzheng was chatting and laughing with the old man next to him when he turned around and saw Lin Jiang come in. His face immediately lit up with joy.

Lin Jiang also looked at Sun Zhong.

As before, the red light above Sun Zhong's head pointed directly at Lin Jiang.

Sun Zhong pointed happily to his old friends:
"Look, guys, that's my old friend's grandson, his name is..."

He had just finished speaking when he suddenly heard an excited shout from the side:

"Lord Zhu! You're here too?"

Lin Jiang subconsciously turned his head to look.

They discovered that Han Wangzhi was running excitedly towards them.

Lin Jiang blinked, then suddenly realized what he meant.

Since it's a gathering of young talents, Han Wangzhi, who is the most talented among the younger generation, will naturally be here as well.

"Lord Zhu, I didn't expect you to come too!"

Han Wangzhi rushed to Lin Jiang, grasped his hand eagerly, and his face was filled with genuine excitement.

Lin Jiang's attention was also drawn to Han Wangzhi, and he said with a smile:
"How is your health?"

"Thanks to you, I'm out of danger."

Han Wangzhi touched his neck, then pulled down his collar to show Lin Jiang.

Lin Jiang noticed a very faint mark on the neck, almost imperceptible unless one looked closely.

“My master invited a royal physician from the capital to perform acupuncture to clear my meridians. Now my depression has been mostly cured.”

At this point, Han Wangzhi couldn't help but sigh:
"However, the imperial physician also said that given my current condition, it would be difficult for me to practice martial arts."

Although one may survive a great calamity, one is not necessarily free from danger, and will ultimately be left with lingering health problems.

Han Wangzhi immediately realized that it was inappropriate to say these things in front of Lin Jiang, so he quickly changed his expression and smiled:

"Come, come, Lord Zhu, let me introduce you to some friends from the capital..."

He pulled Lin Jiang aside.

Lin Jiang subconsciously looked at Sun Zhong, who had seemed hesitant to speak earlier.

Sun Zhong looked embarrassed, while the elderly men beside him stroked their beards and laughed:

"Young Master Zhu? I've heard of him. Is he a new recruit from the Dali Temple? Recruits are all capable people; he's truly a young hero."

“I’ve heard that’s not all,” another old man said in a low voice. “A few young men from the Ministry of Justice said that this young master Zhu has the ability to point stars.”

"Dianxing? At his age? Isn't he the grandson of Brother Sun's old friend?"

The two old men looked at Sun Zhong.

Sun Zhong looked bewildered.

A point of interest?

what?
(End of this chapter)