Chapter 132 | Rumors

Chapter 132: 132 | Rumors

Within the Crimson Nimbus Sect, a rumor could spread almost as quickly as a breakthrough.

For years, Alchemy Peak had enjoyed a respected position within the Inner Sect. Elder Liu’s name carried weight, and few disciples dared to question the sect’s 4-Star Alchemist.

Near the Contribution Hall, disciples gathered beneath an outer corridor, speaking in lowered voices.

"Have you noticed how many people have been talking about Alchemy Peak lately?"

"I have. Something must be happening there."

"Maybe. I’ve also heard that their disciples have been busy."

"Do you think Elder Liu is facing trouble?"

"No idea," another disciple replied. "But the Inner Sect rarely talks this much about Alchemy Peak without a reason."

The conversation ended there, but the whisper continued moving from one group to another.

By the following day, different versions of the rumor had begun circulating through the Inner Sect.

Some said Alchemy Peak had encountered difficulties.

Others claimed Elder Liu had become unusually cautious.

A few even wondered whether the 4-Star Alchemist was struggling with a problem she could not resolve.

None of them knew where the first rumor had started.

Each disciple had only heard a fragment. One repeated what he had been told, another added an assumption, and soon the details became mixed with speculation.

For the first time in years, Elder Liu’s name had begun appearing in conversations that carried more curiosity than respect.

No one challenged Alchemy Peak.

Not yet.

But a small doubt had already taken root among the Inner Sect disciples.

Once a rumor began to spread, even a reputation could no longer remain untouched.

The rumor was still small.

But it would not remain that way for long.

Inside her private meditation chamber, Elder Liu sat in the lotus position upon a cold jade platform. Her face was pale, sweat glistening on her brow as she circulated her Core Formation Qi to suppress the Phantom Burns.

The stone doors opened, and Deacon Feng entered with a bow.

"Speak."

"Master, the rumors about Alchemy Peak have reached the Inner Sect."

Elder Liu opened her eyes.

"How far?"

"They have spread beyond the lower peaks. Some elders have heard them as well."

Her expression tightened.

"What are they saying?"

"Some believe Alchemy Peak has been facing difficulties. Others question whether something has affected your recent refinements."

Elder Liu’s fingers tightened against her knees.

She had spent decades protecting her reputation. A few careless words should not have been enough to shake it.

"Ridiculous."

A faint surge of Core Formation Qi escaped her control.

The Phantom Burns flared instantly. Pain tore through her meridians, and her breathing faltered.

"Master, steady your Qi!" Feng warned.

Elder Liu closed her eyes and slowly regained control.

"They know nothing," she said coldly. "They hear a few rumors and think they understand Alchemy Peak."

Feng remained silent. He could sense the effort behind her calm, but wisely kept his eyes lowered and offered no further comment.

Elder Liu looked toward the closed doors. For years, idle gossip had never been worth her attention. Now it had reached her own peak.

"We should not react yet."

"Should I clarify the situation to the disciples?"

"No. That would only give them more to discuss."

Feng bowed. "Understood, Master."

"For now, let them talk."

She resumed circulating her Qi, her expression settling as the pain gradually faded.

"Silence is safer than giving the rumors another reason to grow."

Feng withdrew, and the stone doors closed behind him.

Elder Liu remained alone, quietly suppressing the Phantom Burns.

The rumors had crossed the boundaries of Alchemy Peak.

For the first time, she could no longer ignore them.

While rumors quietly spread through the Crimson Nimbus Sect, Lin Tian continued with his routine as an ordinary Inner Sect disciple.

He had left the Cloud-Sea Pavilion at dawn. His true cultivation remained hidden beneath the concealment, leaving only the steady aura of a Peak Qi Gathering cultivator.

He had accepted another routine Inner Sect mission, escorting a convoy carrying freshly harvested low-grade medicinal herbs from the outer agricultural fields to an Inner Sect processing station.

Several Qi Gathering disciples accompanied him, along with two experienced deacons responsible for the spirit-beast carriages.

"Keep the convoy together," Lin Tian said calmly. "The road ahead passes close to the outer forest. Stay alert."

"Yes, Senior Brother Lin."

The convoy continued along the mountain road.

The morning passed without trouble until one of the front carriages suddenly slowed.

"Senior Brother!" one of the disciples called. "The formation plate is showing an unstable flow."

Lin Tian stepped forward and examined the carriage.

A minor crack had appeared along the edge of the formation plate, causing the Qi flowing through it to fluctuate.

"Stop the carriage."

The disciples secured the spirit beast while Lin Tian crouched beside the damaged plate.

He did not reveal anything beyond what a Peak Qi Gathering cultivator should reasonably know. After inspecting the formation, he pointed toward a loosened spiritual seal.

"Reinforce this part first. The plate itself is still usable."

The accompanying deacon followed his instruction and carefully adjusted the seal.

The unstable flow soon settled.

"Good catch, Senior Brother Lin," the deacon said with a relieved smile. "If we had continued like that, the formation might have failed further down the road."

Lin Tian nodded.

"It was only a minor problem. We should still check the other carriages before moving on."

The group quickly inspected the remaining formation plates.

No further problems were found.

Once the convoy resumed its journey, the disciples looked at Lin Tian with renewed respect.

He had not displayed overwhelming strength or tried to draw attention to himself. He had simply noticed a problem, handled it efficiently, and kept the mission moving.

By the time the convoy reached the processing station, Lin Tian’s task was complete.

He handed the mission records to the supervising deacon and gave a polite bow.

"Everything arrived safely. Thank you for your cooperation."

The deacon returned the gesture.

"You handled the convoy well, Senior Brother Lin. The sect is fortunate to have disciples who take even ordinary duties seriously."

Lin Tian smiled modestly.

"We are all part of the sect. Protecting its resources is simply our responsibility."

With that, he left the processing station without lingering.

To the observing disciples, Lin Tian appeared to be nothing more than a disciplined and dependable young cultivator who completed his duties without seeking attention.

While others continued discussing the troubles of Alchemy Peak, he quietly returned to his own routine.

When the moon rose above the Crimson Nimbus Sect, Lin Tian returned to the Cloud-Sea Pavilion.

The Tier-3 isolation arrays hummed softly around the private training hall, sealing it from the outside world. Lin Tian had changed out of his sect robes and now wore a loose dark martial tunic.

The heavy doors to the subterranean forge opened, and Aunt Lin stepped inside wearing a simple forging robe. Her healthy complexion reflected the improvement in her condition.

She approached and knelt before him, lowering her head respectfully. "My Master."

"Rise, my Forge Queen."

Aunt Lin stood, a faint flush touching her cheeks at the private title.

"The public image is secured," Lin Tian said, gesturing toward the meditation mat. "Now let me check your cultivation."

Aunt Lin sat facing him in the lotus position and relaxed her Qi. Lin Tian placed his palm lightly against her chest and activated [Primordial Yin-Yang Synergy]. Warm golden Liquid Qi flowed through her meridians while his [Insight Eye] followed the circulation into her Dantian.

The changes were clear.

Weeks ago, severe Qi Stagnation had obstructed her cultivation. Now, the stagnation was gone. Her Early Stage Foundation Establishment realm remained stable, and the Yin Qi within her Dantian had become purer and denser.

Lin Tian withdrew his awareness and nodded.

"Your foundation is stable."

Aunt Lin’s eyes brightened. "Has it improved?"

"Considerably. Your Qi is circulating smoothly, and the old stagnation is no longer interfering with your cultivation."

A small smile appeared on her face. "Since meeting you, cultivation feels much easier. Even when I work at the forge, my Qi responds more naturally."

"That is because your foundation has recovered properly," Lin Tian replied. "The Yin Qi in your Dantian is becoming denser with each cycle. Continue refining it steadily rather than rushing."

"I understand, Master."

Lin Tian checked her meridians once more before withdrawing his hand.

"Your elemental control has improved as well. Keep working on it during artifact refinement. Your cultivation and forging should advance together."

Aunt Lin nodded. "I have noticed the difference. My Qi feels steadier whenever I guide it through an artifact."

"Good. Do not force your cultivation beyond what your foundation can bear."

Her expression softened. "I will remember that."

Lin Tian looked at her calmly.

"As the Shadow Web develops, the artifacts you create will become more important. When that time comes, your foundation must be strong enough to support more demanding work."

"I will continue improving," Aunt Lin replied. "You can rely on me, Master."

"I know."

A faint warmth returned to her cheeks.

For a moment, the hall fell quiet except for the soft hum of the isolation arrays. Lin Tian looked once more at the steady Qi within her Dantian.

Aunt Lin’s foundation was stable, her old stagnation was gone, and her control continued to improve.

That was exactly what he wanted.