Chapter 307: Hold Steady Development

In the alchemy refining room.

Jiang Cheng had just finished cleaning the medicinal herbs and was about to officially start alchemy when his phone rang.

Seeing that the caller was Yang Chun, he hurriedly answered.

After all, his eventual level as an Alchemist couldn't be achieved without Yang Chun's strong support.

As soon as the line connected, before he could speak, Yang Chun's voice sounded first, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness.

"Brother Jiang, I have some bad news: members of the Dawn Society have still discovered that you're here."

"What?"

Jiang Cheng's tone turned panicked, "How did they find out?"

In fact, days earlier when he made this choice, he had already anticipated such a thing.

So over the past few days he kept constantly improving his alchemy skill, letting Yang Chun see his worth.

It's realistic, but there's no choice; society is just that realistic.

And at this point, Yang Chun's purpose in calling has already been achieved.

Because if the other side intended to betray him, they wouldn't have gone through this extra step.

"I'm not clear on the details either; perhaps they found some clues and concluded you'd joined our Black Market. Just now, Bing Li called me and asked me to hand you over to him."

Yang Chun paused after speaking.

Jiang Cheng understood his meaning, cooperated fully, and asked cautiously, "So, Brother Yang, what are you thinking? Are you going to hand me over?"

"Hahaha."

Hearing that, Yang Chun laughed twice.

"What are you joking about? The Black Market values reputation above all; once you join us, you're one of us. How could I do such a thing? Think about it—if this got out, what would others think?"

Jiang Cheng curled his lip.

Sounds good in theory.

What if he hadn't demonstrated his remarkable alchemy skill?

"But if we do that, won't they put pressure on us?"

Jiang Cheng wore a troubled expression.

"So what? The Black Market isn't a soft persimmon; anyone who wants to squeeze us can't just do it."

Yang Chun let out a cold snort.

"Brother Jiang, just stay here calmly and keep alchemy; I'll handle the Dawn Society side of things."

"Thanks, Brother Yang."

Jiang Cheng quickly replied.

"No problem; the Black Market never shortchanges its own."

Yang Chun smiled.

He called Jiang Cheng to tell him, "Look, the Black Market is willing to offend the Dawn Society to protect you—touching, right?" Jiang Cheng's reaction also pleased him.

"Understood, Brother Yang, rest assured—I'll diligently study the Alchemy Technique and produce high‑quality pills, but…"

Jiang Cheng stammered.

"But what?"

"I'm worried the Dawn Society won't give up easily; after learning you won't hand anyone over, they might secretly send someone to infiltrate here."

"Hmm, that's quite possible."

Yang Chun nodded.

"So, Brother Yang, could you do me a favor and let my family live somewhere safer?"

Jiang Cheng said. The place he currently lives in is spacious, but its security forces are weak.

Grandma, Chen Sao and the others are ordinary people; if Dawn Society members infiltrated the complex while he's away and found them, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"A safer place? Then only the Central Area qualifies. It's warded with a formation that detects outsiders instantly; within three seconds a master arrives. However, the Central Area has limited space, and only those who have made major contributions to the Black Market can reside there."

Yang Chun paused at that point, but instead of waiting for Jiang Cheng to bring it up as before, continued:

"But given your special circumstances, Brother Jiang, we can make an exception this once."

"Really? Thank you, Brother Yang!"

Jiang Cheng's gratitude this time was sincere.

"Hahaha, no problem. These days, people like Brother Jiang who value feelings are rare, and since we're all one family, it's only natural."

Yang Chun laughed heartily.

"Brother Yang, we shouldn't delay; shall we move in right now?"

"Alright, I'm outside now—come over. By the way, for your safety I plan to assign you a guard to protect you fully."

"Huh?"

Jiang Cheng was startled.

"Alchemists are also Spiritual Thought Masters, but because they devote most of their energy to alchemy, they're not as combat‑oriented as other Spiritual Thought Masters. Therefore, when they go out they usually have personal guards, often more than one."

Here it would be much safer and generally unnecessary, but given the special circumstances we'll assign you one to prevent ambushes on the way here or back to your residence.

Jiang Cheng felt the same.

"Brother Yang, what level is the guard you're assigning me?"

"The highest vacant rank right now is Seven-level. Let's assign you a Seven-level guard. That guy Bing Li is only Seven-level; he couldn't possibly come after you himself, could he?"

"Alright, then thank you, Brother Yang."

Jiang Cheng was both amused and exasperated.

But a Seven-level guard alone seems a bit insufficient.

These past few days, he spent the daytime refining alchemy and at night returned to practice cultivation; now that the Cloud‑Piercing Technique is complete, although he is still a Level 7 Original Force Warrior, he is definitely among the upper tier.

So from today onward, he will begin cultivating the Shadowless Heart Sutra.

As long as he reaches Entry of the Shadowless Heart Sutra, he can become a Grandmaster; then, even without the Black Market's protection, he won't have to worry about being hunted by the Dawn Society, or rather, the Dawn Society will have to worry, being retaliated against by him.

Of course, this will take some time.

Because of refining alchemy, the chance for active absorption each day is gone; he can only rely on the opened Acupoints to self‑absorb Force for cultivation.

Fortunately, with the Cloud‑Piercing Technique complete, the Force Light Points absorbed through the Acupoints each day have increased considerably, from about one hundred thousand to one hundred sixty thousand.

In roughly two months, he can successfully reach Entry and become a Grandmaster.

If he stops using Spiritual Power on refining alchemy and actively absorbs Force Light Points twice, he can refine an extra 120,000 per day, meaning a little over a month would suffice to reach Entry.

Of course, doing that now is not very realistic; Yang Chun has great expectations for him, and even he himself wants to raise his Alchemy Technique level soon, to be able to craft Second‑grade Material Calming Pills and raise Spiritual Power to Second Level, Level Three, Level Four…

In short, during this period he doesn't plan to go out causing trouble; he will develop steadily within the Black Market.

When he becomes a Grandmaster, he'll go outside to deal with some people.

The first target will be the Gym Master of Kuangfeng Martial Arts School.

He remembers clearly the matter of the bounty.

Maiken Club is also involved.

Moreover, if the Dawn Society refuses to let him go, they will keep harassing him during this period.

He doesn't mind; he'll first wipe out the Dawn Society.

(End of Chapter)