"Still no leads? Just an ordinary farmer, and it's taking you this long?"
"Everyone in that village knows about this couple, but to you, it's as if they never existed."
The old woman's expression showed a hint of dissatisfaction.
Seeing the old woman's anger, the old man could only back down.
"Fine. Jinsha Village is such an out-of-the-way place, and our intelligence network doesn't extend there. However..." The old woman paused. "This Lin Xiao Tian is so peculiar, there must be a reason. As a small farmer, he couldn't possibly possess so many skills out of nowhere. It's highly likely connected to his parents. The collection of information on him must not stop for a moment."
"I refuse to believe it. If it has nothing to do with his parents, is it possible that an immortal is helping him from behind the scenes?"
A few more days passed. Jinsha Village, deep within Black Mountain.
This time, Lin Xiao Tian had learned from his mistakes and chosen a good weather day to enter the mountains.
Black Mountain harbored many precious herbs, but the mountain was vast, and medicinal herbs weren't found everywhere. To obtain materials for refining elixirs as quickly as possible, Lin Xiao Tian ventured deeper into Black Mountain this time.
Upon reaching the depths of Black Mountain, the concentration of miasma instantly increased severalfold. The wild beasts inhabiting this area were also more dangerous.
The White Vipers encountered before were somewhat wary of humans, but the creatures here not only didn't flee upon seeing people but actively attacked. Fortunately, Lin Xiao Tian was well-prepared, having sprinkled himself with a considerable amount of irritating medicinal powder. Otherwise, without firearms, venturing here would be no different than seeking death.
Lin Xiao Tian did not linger here for too long. After collecting the medicinal ingredients, he quickly descended the mountain.
Although the wild beasts on Black Mountain were ferocious, they always remained within the mountain's confines and rarely ventured out. Tianwang offered no explanation for this, but Lin Xiao Tian speculated it was related to the miasma. The miasma not only prevented human intrusion but also greatly benefited these beasts. By absorbing the miasma, their bodies underwent qualitative changes, becoming more powerful.
At nine in the morning, Lin Xiao Tian returned to the village.
As soon as he reached his doorstep, Qin Yu Xiang greeted him. Ever since Lin Xiao Tian had left, Qin Yu Xiang had been filled with worry and had been waiting there.
Upon his return, Lin Xiao Tian once again retreated into the alchemy room, beginning his work on the Longevity Elixir.
Learning from his previous failures, Lin Xiao Tian was much more cautious this time. The alchemy process lasted the entire morning. Seeing that Lin Xiao Tian had not emerged, Qin Yu Xiang was worried but dared not disturb him.
Fortunately, by noon, Lin Xiao Tian finally emerged.
"It's successful."
Lin Xiao Tian's face was weary, but the joy on his face was unmistakable.
It was only when he was engaged in such activities that Lin Xiao Tian could show his emotions without any restraint.
"It's good that it's successful, go eat now!" Qin Yu Xiang was more concerned about Lin Xiao Tian's stomach.
"Okay!" Lin Xiao Tian happily put his arm around her.
Lin Xiao Tian then shared the good news with Fang Wen Hua. Fang Wen Hua on the other end of the phone was also very excited.
"That's great!"
"The old lady's seventieth birthday is coming up in a while. We'll give the Longevity Elixir to her then."
"Xiao Tian, you should come along too!"
"Should I really go?" Lin Xiao Tian thought of the old lady's demeanor, and a hundred reasons arose for his reluctance.
"You should go! Xiao Tian, I really advise you to go. This will be of great benefit to you, after all, it's time for certain people in the Lin family to know about your existence."
Fang Wen Hua's words surprised Lin Xiao Tian.
Why should the Lin family know about his existence?
To Fang Wen Hua, he was like a treasure to be hidden. Wouldn't it be better to keep him secret than to have everyone know?
"I won't meddle in your family affairs, right?"
"Xiao Tian, don't you think this is an opportunity?"
Lin Xiao Tian blinked. "Opportunity?"
"Xiao Tian, have you ever thought about establishing your own family, like the Dong and Xia families you've encountered?"
Fang Wen Hua's words left Lin Xiao Tian completely stunned.
Since learning that this world was controlled by various families, Lin Xiao Tian had entertained this idea.
Seeing that Lin Xiao Tian remained silent, Fang Wen Hua continued, "To gain a foothold in this world, skill alone is not enough; you also need a background."
"Xiao Tian, now is the best opportunity. I have already secured the support of many collateral branches of the Lin family. I believe that in the near future, I will be able to control the Lin family. With our combined efforts, the Lin family will certainly not remain in its current state, ranking at the bottom among the major families!"
Fang Wen Hua's ambition filled the conversation, as he discussed his aspirations with Lin Xiao Tian. Lin Xiao Tian listened and was quite moved.
"Xiao Tian, what do you think of my suggestion? You have shown me great kindness, Fang Wen Hua, and I guarantee that in the future Lin family, you will have a place."
Lin Xiao Tian considered.
Fang Wen Hua's proposal was tempting, but high returns often came with great risks.
He had indeed shown Fang Wen Hua great kindness, but establishing a family was an extremely costly undertaking. Wasn't Fang Wen Hua being a bit too generous?
Lin Xiao Tian was unsure of Fang Wen Hua's true intentions, but out of caution, he still did not agree.
"How about this? I'll accompany you to the old lady's birthday banquet, but establishing a family is too significant a matter, it needs careful consideration."
"Of course, if Mr. Fang eventually controls the Lin family, I will naturally cooperate with all my might."
"Heh heh, establishing a family is indeed no small matter, but as I said, I will do my best to meet your requirements," Fang Wen Hua said with a chuckle.
"Thank you, Mr. Fang."
"Ah! Between us, why the thanks? The birthday banquet is scheduled for the seventh of next month. Bring Yu Xiang along, and I'll have Xu Xiao pick you up."
They chatted for a while longer before ending the call.
Afterward, Lin Xiao Tian returned to his room to rest, unaware that at that very moment, in his office, Fang Wen Hua's expression was fluctuating between pleased and displeased.
"He refused?"
"Do you truly have some hidden influence that made you refuse without hesitation?"
"Xiao Tian, oh Xiao Tian! Who exactly are you?"
Fang Wen Hua looked down at the documents in his hand, lost in thought.
In the evening, Lin Xiao Tian idly browsed his phone and stumbled upon an interesting news item.
"Country R and Country H signed a ceasefire agreement today. Both sides will no longer confront each other from this day forward."
Lin Xiao Tian blinked. Wasn't this the free news he had seen on Tianwang a few days ago?
Originally, this war was expected to last for more than a decade, but it ended so quickly.
He wondered if those who knew the news in advance would seize this opportunity to make a fortune from war.
It seemed that at any time, intelligence was the most valuable commodity.