Chapter 2368: Infiltrate (2)
Chapter 2368: Infiltrate (2)
The next morning, Yun Lintian reported to the Alchemy Hall, a vast and cavernous chamber filled with the sounds of bubbling cauldrons and the pungent aroma of exotic herbs. Alchemists of various ranks were busy at work, their faces etched with concentration as they meticulously crafted their elixirs. ƒrēewebnovel.com
Yun Lintian was assigned to a junior alchemist, a middle-aged man with a perpetually furrowed brow. The alchemist, whose name was Elder Li, handed him a list of ingredients and instructions for refining a basic healing potion.
“This is a simple task,” Elder Li said gruffly. “But it will test your understanding of the fundamentals. Pay close attention to the proportions and the sequence of steps. Any mistakes could ruin the entire batch.”
Yun Lintian nodded obediently, his expression carefully masking his true thoughts. He took the ingredients and began the refining process, his movements practiced and efficient.
As he worked, his spiritual sense continued to probe the surroundings, searching for any clues about the secret dungeon.
While refining the potion, Yun Lintian noticed a group of young men and women being led into a separate chamber. They were dressed in plain robes, their faces pale and gaunt. Their eyes were filled with fear and resignation.
Yun Lintian’s heart sank. He recognized them as “medicine boys,” individuals who were forced to consume experimental pills and elixirs, their bodies serving as testing grounds for the alchemists’ creations.
He watched in horror as the medicine boys were lined up and given vials of brightly colored liquids. They swallowed the liquids obediently, their bodies convulsing as the potent concoctions took effect. Some of them screamed in agony, their faces contorted in pain. Others collapsed to the ground, their bodies wracked with tremors.
Yun Lintian felt a surge of anger and disgust. These alchemists were playing with human lives, treating them as nothing more than expendable tools.
He continued refining the potion, his focus divided between his task and his growing sense of outrage. He completed the potion successfully, earning a grunt of approval from Elder Li.
“Not bad for a beginner,” the alchemist said. “But don’t get complacent. There’s much more to learn.”
Yun Lintian nodded, his mind already racing with plans. He had to find a way to access the secret dungeon.
As the day wore on, Yun Lintian continued his work in the Alchemy Hall, refining potions and elixirs with practiced ease. He carefully observed the alchemists around him, noting their habits, their routines, and the security measures in place. He paid particular attention to the secluded wing of the palace, where he knew the secret dungeon was located.
Under the cover of night, Yun Lintian slipped out of his quarters, leaving Gong Yuxiao and Zhu Jinxiu behind. He activated his Shadow Step technique, his figure melting into the darkness like a phantom. He moved swiftly and silently through the palace complex, his presence undetectable to the guards and patrolling alchemists.
His destination was the secluded wing, where his spiritual sense had encountered the powerful ward. He approached the wing cautiously, his senses alert for any traps or alarms. The guards stationed outside were vigilant, their eyes scanning the surroundings, but they were no match for Yun Lintian’s stealth.
He slipped past them effortlessly, his shadow blending seamlessly with the night. He reached the entrance to the wing, a massive iron door reinforced with intricate formations. Yun Lintian studied the formations, his mind deciphering their complex patterns.
Yun Lintian had to be cautious because he didn’t know if Master Bai and Yang Chen were imprisoned here. If not, he might alert the enemy unnecessarily, leading them to move Master Bai, Yang Chen, and Ouyang Feng to an even more secretive location.
With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a shimmering blade of spiritual energy. He traced the blade along the contours of the formations, his movements precise and deliberate. The formations flickered and pulsed, their energy fluctuating under his expert touch.
One by one, Yun Lintian dismantled the formations, his mastery of inscription allowing him to bypass their defenses. Finally, with a soft click, the iron door swung open, revealing a dimly lit corridor beyond.
Yun Lintian stepped into the corridor, his footsteps echoing in the silence. The air was heavy with the scent of blood and despair, a stark contrast to the opulence of the palace above. He moved deeper into the wing, his senses guiding him towards the source of the ward.
He reached a large chamber, its walls lined with rows of iron cages. Each cage held a prisoner, their bodies emaciated and their spirits broken. Yun Lintian sighed at the sight of their suffering. These were innocent people, victims of True God Xuanming’s twisted experiments. He moved from cage to cage, his eyes searching for familiar faces. He saw men, women, and even children, all bearing the marks of torture and abuse. Some were delirious, their minds shattered by the alchemists’ cruel practices. Others clung to a flicker of hope, their eyes pleading for salvation.
Yun Lintian’s heart grew colder with each step he took. He had already given True God Xuanming a death sentence.
Finally, he reached the deepest part of the dungeon. There, in two adjacent cages, he found Master Bai and Yang Chen. They were barely recognizable, their bodies covered in wounds and their eyes filled with despair.
“Master Bai! Brother Yang.” Yun Lintian whispered.
The two men looked up, their eyes widening in surprise.
“I knew you would come,” Master Bai smiled wryly, feeling relieved.
“Brother Yun…” Yang Chen felt guilty when he saw Yun Lintian. He had troubled Yun Lintian again and again.
Yun Lintian approached their cages, his eyes scanning the intricate locks and formations that held them captive. With a surge of divine energy, he shattered the locks, the iron bars bending and twisting under his immense power.
Master Bai and Yang Chen stumbled out of their cages, their legs weak and unsteady. Yun Lintian supported them and quickly removed the seals on their Divine Cores.
At the same time, he gently replenished their vitality with the power of the Tree of Life. The warm current ruthlessly dispelled all the toxins that had accumulated from their long-term
pill-taking.
“I owe you again, Yun Boy.” Master Bai’s complexion improved visibly. “Did you tell Huian
about this?”
“No,” Yun Lintian shook his head.
Master Bai breathed a sigh of relief.
“Where’s Ouyang Feng?” Yun Lintian asked.
“He was taken away by True God Xuanming. I don’t know where they are right now.” Master
Bai replied with a hint of concern.
“Well, let’s leave first.” Yun Lintian nodded slightly.
“What about these people, Brother Yun?” Yang Chen asked.
“Let me handle it.” Yun Lintian’s eyes flickered with murderous intent.