Chapter 145 | The Prey’s Initiative

Chapter 145: 145 | The Prey’s Initiative

A spiritual communication talisman rested quietly upon Lin Tian’s desk, its surface carrying the faint aura of Alchemy Peak.

He picked it up and infused it with a thin strand of Qi. Verdant spiritual text unfolded above the jade, revealing a carefully worded message.

"To Junior Disciple Lin Tian. Word of your understanding regarding structural elemental resonance and Qi Stagnation has reached my ears. The Alchemy Peak is currently examining a unique case involving deep-rooted toxicity. As you possess a perspective beyond orthodox alchemy, you are invited to a private consultation regarding this theoretical matter. Discretion is requested."

Lin Tian read the message twice.

So Elder Liu had finally decided to contact him.

She had not mentioned Pill Toxicity or Phantom Burns directly, choosing instead to describe the matter as a theoretical case of elemental toxicity. The wording preserved her dignity while allowing her to withdraw from the discussion if the consultation produced nothing useful.

That caution suited her position.

Elder Liu was an Early Stage Core Formation cultivator and a 4-Star Alchemist. She would not casually admit that the methods she had relied upon were becoming insufficient, especially when the matter concerned a condition that could affect her standing within the sect.

Lin Tian placed the talisman back on the desk.

He did not interpret the invitation as surrender, nor did he assume that Elder Liu had exhausted every path available to her. She still possessed her own knowledge, private reserves, and external contacts.

What had changed was that she now considered his understanding of spiritual circulation worth investigating.

That was enough.

Instead of rushing to answer, Lin Tian studied the invitation once more. Elder Liu had chosen an ordinary Outer Sect courier rather than sending a direct spiritual transmission, which meant that she wanted the matter kept discreet and away from unnecessary attention.

He preferred it that way.

He had expected this possibility, but expectation did not lessen the importance of the moment. A direct invitation from a Core Formation Elder was something an ordinary outer disciple would have treated with extreme caution, and Lin Tian intended to preserve exactly that appearance throughout the exchange.

"Lady Yun."

The shadows near the far pillar shifted, and Lady Yun stepped forward in her dark robe. Her Dark Yin Body kept her presence subdued as she bowed.

"My Master."

"Elder Liu sent this."

Lin Tian activated the talisman again and allowed the message to appear.

Lady Yun read it without speaking. After a moment, she said, "She is being careful. She does not want this matter to become known beyond those she trusts."

"Most likely."

Lin Tian’s gaze remained calm.

"Do not assume more than the message tells us. She is asking for information first. Until we know what she wants from me, there is no reason to interfere with anything around her."

Lady Yun nodded.

"What would you have me do?"

"Bring Madam Shen and Aunt Lin."

A short while later, the pavilion doors opened and Madam Shen entered in her dark-crimson Resource Hall robes, followed by Aunt Lin from the Artifact Pavilion. Both came to the desk and read the invitation in silence.

Madam Shen was the first to speak.

"She contacted you directly, but through an ordinary channel."

"Which means she wants the consultation to remain private," Lin Tian said.

Aunt Lin’s expression became thoughtful.

"Then her interest in you has become serious enough to justify a personal meeting."

Lin Tian gave a slight nod.

"That is the important part."

He turned toward the three women.

"We will accept the consultation, but we will not meet on Alchemy Peak."

Madam Shen immediately understood the reason.

"Her own territory would give her greater control over the surroundings."

"Yes, and there is another concern," Lin Tian replied. "A private meeting there would place me inside her sphere of influence and make the visit more conspicuous than necessary."

His attention shifted to Aunt Lin.

"The meeting will take place in the private VIP reception room of the Outer Sect Artifact Pavilion."

Aunt Lin’s eyes widened slightly before understanding settled across her face.

"My pavilion?"

"Exactly. It provides a respectable setting without forcing us into the Alchemy Peak environment."

Aunt Lin nodded.

"I will prepare the reception room."

"Inspect the existing isolation arrays and make sure they can safely contain ordinary spiritual fluctuations. Do not make unnecessary changes or leave anything that could attract attention."

"I understand, Master. Everything will remain consistent with the pavilion’s normal arrangements."

"Good."

Lin Tian then looked toward Madam Shen.

"Resource Queen, nothing changes in the Resource Hall. Continue processing Elder Liu’s requests according to normal procedure."

Madam Shen bowed.

"Understood."

"Keep everything clean and routine. Her contact with me does not require any new pressure from our side."

Madam Shen’s expression remained composed.

"I will leave the existing arrangements untouched."

Lin Tian nodded before turning toward Lady Yun.

"Shadow Queen, continue observing Elder Liu until the meeting. Watch for any new contacts, changes in her search for Yang-attribute herbs, or unusual movements among the disciples assisting her."

Lady Yun listened carefully.

"And if something changes?"

"Report it. Do not interfere."

"Understood, Master."

The assignments were simple because there was no need to complicate the situation. Elder Liu had already taken the step Lin Tian had been waiting for, and the smartest response was to let her reveal the rest herself.

The next question was timing.

Aunt Lin glanced toward him.

"When should the consultation be held?"

"Tomorrow, at high noon."

Madam Shen considered the choice for a moment.

"Why noon?"

"Because I want her ..."

Lin Tian folded his hands.

"Her Phantom Burns can become troublesome, and there is no value in meeting while severe discomfort is distracting her judgment. A consultation will be more useful if she can think clearly and control her reactions."

Lady Yun nodded.

"That also gives us time to prepare the reception room properly."

"Yes."

High noon also offered a practical advantage. The natural Yang Qi of daylight would provide an ordinary background for the stronger Yang presence surrounding Lin Tian, making it less obvious that the unusual warmth came from his Primordial Yang-Tyrant Body.

He would not depend on that effect.

The purpose of the meeting was to understand Elder Liu’s condition and intentions, not to overwhelm her with pressure.

Lin Tian reached for a blank jade slip.

"I will send the reply now."

He infused the slip with Qi and carefully inscribed his response.

"To Elder Liu. I am honored by your invitation. However, my present duties prevent me from ascending to the inner peaks. If the esteemed Elder wishes to discuss this theoretical case, I am available tomorrow at high noon in the private reception room of the Outer Sect Artifact Pavilion. I look forward to discussing the matter."

The tone was respectful without becoming submissive, and formal without sounding eager. Most importantly, it revealed nothing beyond what Elder Liu had already learned.

Lin Tian sealed the jade slip and handed it to Lady Yun.

"Send it through the same ordinary courier channel. Do not draw unnecessary attention."

Lady Yun accepted it with both hands.

"It shall be done, my Master."

She departed quietly, leaving the pavilion as silently as she had entered.

Madam Shen and Aunt Lin remained for another moment.

Aunt Lin said, "The meeting location should keep the discussion controlled."

"It should," Lin Tian replied. "But do not mistake preparation for certainty. Elder Liu still has to decide whether she accepts the conditions."

Madam Shen understood.

"And if she changes the arrangement?"

"Then we consider the reason before deciding our next step."

Neither woman needed further explanation.

Elder Liu’s invitation had already shown that her curiosity had moved beyond rumor. She wanted to examine the cultivator who had helped Aunt Lin reorganize her Qi circulation and whose understanding of spiritual flow now appeared relevant to a problem conventional alchemy had not fully resolved.

But curiosity was not trust.

Nor was a request for consultation a promise of cooperation.

Lin Tian intended to keep that distinction clear.

He had no intention of revealing that he understood the nature of her problem in greater detail than she suspected. The more she explained herself, the more accurately he could judge what she knew, what she had tried, and what she still believed possible.

That would be far more valuable than forcing the conversation in advance.

Madam Shen bowed.

"We will return to our duties."

Aunt Lin followed with a small nod.

"I will have the reception room ready."

"Good. Keep everything ordinary."

The two women left the pavilion.

Lin Tian remained beside the desk, looking at the empty space where the communication talisman had rested. The entire exchange had been brief, but its significance was clear.

Elder Liu had made the first move.

Now the responsibility of choosing whether to accept his proposed arrangement belonged to her.

Lin Tian walked to the balcony and looked across the distant peaks of Crimson Nimbus Sect. Alchemy Peak remained unchanged beneath the morning light, its formations operating normally while faint smoke rose from the alchemical chambers.

Nothing outside suggested that anything important had happened.

That was exactly how he preferred it.

He would not force Elder Liu’s hand, and he would not allow his own curiosity to make him careless. The consultation could reveal what she truly wanted, but only if he entered it without revealing more than necessary.

For now, the proposal had been sent.

The next move belonged to Elder Liu.

Lin Tian leaned against the stone railing and waited in silence.