Chapter Twenty-One: Partnership Established with Haicheng University

“Damn... So spiritual energy can be this dense? There are even magical instruments serving as the foundation for the formation. And all these things here... I’ve heard stories, but today I finally see it for myself. Ironman, we're so close—why didn’t you ever bring me to a place like this before? The wealthy really know how to enjoy life.”
Chao was utterly astonished. Just one night here cost what an ordinary person earns in a year; even lower-ranked alchemists wouldn't dare enter such a high-class establishment lightly—it was beyond words.
Never mind the other pleasures; just the spiritual energy here was intoxicating.
Lin Qingyun smiled and said, “I hadn't reached the Heart of the Zither stage or built my foundation before, so even the normal spiritual energy here would have harmed me. Now that you’re both close to the Heart of the Zither stage, it’s fine to be outside, but not in the cultivation chamber. Besides, my family has even better cultivation rooms at home, ones suited for the Cloud Ascension stage—you know that. Why would I bring you here if there’s nothing special? To get a room?”
Chao sighed, “Knowing about it is one thing; experiencing it is another. I used to think just hanging out at your place and soaking up the spiritual energy was good enough, but these places dedicated to cultivation are even better. I have no objections if you want to get a room here.”
Chu Qing gazed around. Even though her father used to have a decent income, this was still a place she wouldn’t dare approach. It was like asking an ordinary office worker to stay in the most luxurious presidential suite—a single day would cost several months, maybe even a year's salary. Without special circumstances, it was unattainable.
That was just outside—what about the cultivation chamber?
Her father had struggled for decades, yet had never spent a day in a place like this. Even if she became an alchemist, unless she reached a high ranking, she’d probably never have the chance to cultivate here.
If her father could have recovered in a cultivation chamber like this after his injury, perhaps his wounds wouldn’t have deteriorated so badly; if he’d had such an environment routinely, maybe he would have broken through long ago...
At this moment, she recalled what Lin Qingyun had said to her before, and suddenly gained some clarity.
The lives of the truly wealthy and powerful were beyond her imagination.
“We’ll stay here for two days, then head to Haicheng University when term begins. Chu Qing, you can talk to Zhang Baole these few days if you wish. I’m heading to the cultivation chamber to cultivate.”
The place was vast, but there was only one cultivation chamber; Chu Qing and Chao had their own rooms, which were perfectly adequate for cultivation.
Inside the chamber, Lin Qingyun calmed his mind and began to practice. The previous pill refining had been a form of cultivation for him, but after his battle with Nangong Lingyue and the fresh plans and ideas it inspired, he was even more focused.
In his past life, he advanced by helping powerful figures cross tribulations and relying on pills to continually improve, so he seldom had the patience for slow, deliberate cultivation. It was like a financier, a trader, who had leveraged himself so heavily that he’d grown used to wild swings—trying to earn money slowly again would be exceedingly difficult.
Yet, looking back, even though he seemed to advance rapidly in his previous life and reached considerable heights, if he had continued that way, his mindset and method would have made it hard to reach true peaks or break through his own limits.
Again and again, he activated the Eight-Nine Profound Sun Technique, pushing it to its limit, then used the Eight-Nine Profound Sun Body-Refining Method to temper his body.
Gradually, Lin Qingyun once more reached the threshold of the seventh level of the Heart of the Zither stage. Last time, with the help of the Thunder Tribulation’s power from the Heaven-Scorching Tyrant Blade and his unique constitution, he had nearly broken through—just a step away.
This time, as he approached slowly, he realized that even this tiny barrier was incredibly difficult to break.

Despite having experience and knowledge from a higher realm in his previous life, and an understanding of the Eight-Nine Profound Sun Technique far beyond the norm, it was still tough.
Advancing slowly and carefully, Lin Qingyun began to notice subtle differences. Though using the tribulation and the enlightenment it brought had allowed him to reach new realms rapidly, it lacked the subtle secrets gained through painstaking tempering.
In his previous life, with his tribulation physique and Creation Pill Furnace, Lin Qingyun didn’t pursue cultivation and strength as fervently in the later stages. This was also why, despite having guardians and helpers, he was eventually killed.
Now, slowly pushing against this small barrier, he felt something unique—even though it was nearly a natural progression, it still felt extraordinary.
Two days and nights passed in a flash.
During those two days, Chu Qing and Chao seized the opportunity to cultivate furiously, but the Phoenix Origin stage was still only Qi training; their bodies could only absorb so much spiritual energy, and at their limit, their bodies, meridians, acupoints, and even spirits needed rest.
So they wandered around, enjoying the food and services, but each time, they checked on Lin Qingyun, who remained secluded as before.
Chao was used to hanging around with Lin Qingyun. Initially, Chu Qing thought with two women and one man sharing a courtyard—even a large one—she might have some idle thoughts.
But she soon realized there was no need for those thoughts; Lin Qingyun didn’t show himself at all during this time.
On the opening day at Haicheng University, a luxurious flying car landed atop the main building of the Department of Alchemy.
On the rooftop landing pad, several flying cars were parked, along with a sleek, futuristic aircraft. Qian Shansheng stood there with another refined, middle-aged man, whose attire was immaculate and whose demeanor was cultured and capable.
From their positioning, Qian Shansheng stood beside him, but half a step behind.
“Vice Dean Qian, you need to be clear—this matter is extraordinary, and it concerns the reputation of our Haicheng University,” the middle-aged man said, glancing anxiously at the descending flying car and sending a message to Qian Shansheng.
Besides being a professor in the Department of Alchemy, Qian Shansheng was also its vice dean.
“President Hong, the pill formulas we’re collaborating on with Lin Qingyun have all been verified. With our school's production lines, we’ll soon be able to produce them in bulk. That alone will let our students benefit first, not to mention the profits from wider promotion.”
“If it were just a single collaboration, fine—but analyzing the materials he’s provided, his research definitely isn't confined to this one area. There could be even bigger revelations—it’s likely all left behind by Lin Kunlun’s research back in the day. These don’t conflict with Lin Pharmaceutical Group’s patents, so there are plenty of opportunities ahead. That’s what I meant by ‘big business.’”
“As for special admission for Lin Qingyun, don’t worry—I’m using a special quota under the department’s industry-academic cooperation. For now, he’s listed under collaboration; if anything goes wrong, it won’t affect the university. If all goes well, he’s a student of Haicheng University—if not, I’ll just end the partnership and training. It’ll count as my personal failure to recruit a protégé. But if it works out, it’ll be just like your name, benefiting the people.”
Hong Weimin was impressed, “Your eloquence is as remarkable as ever. Honestly, if you weren’t so focused on alchemy, you’d be better suited for running the university than I am.”
“Ha...” Qian Shansheng laughed, waving his hand, “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare—unlike you, I don’t have the heart to serve the public. I just want to finish my tasks, earn more money, refine more pills, and take care of my own little patch.”

As they spoke, Lin Qingyun, Chao, and Chu Qing descended from the flying car.
“Welcome, welcome! From now on, you’re all part of Haicheng University. Qingyun, come here—let me introduce you. This is our university’s Executive Vice President. The old president is currently focused on breaking through his limits, so Vice President Hong Weimin is managing everything for now.”
This was Lin Qingyun’s first real meeting with Qian Weimin—last time had been a video call—but Qian Shansheng greeted him like an old friend, introducing him before Lin Qingyun could even speak.
“Hmm...” Actually, at the moment he saw Hong Weimin, Lin Qingyun felt a jolt, mistaking him for an old acquaintance from his previous life.
But as Qian Shansheng introduced him, Lin Qingyun couldn’t help but smile inwardly—he was overthinking. Even as a major shareholder in Lin Pharmaceutical Group, a so-called super-rich second generation, unless he revealed his secrets, he’d rarely get to meet this old acquaintance.
Hong Weiguo, Hong Weimin—‘Defend the Country, Defend the People.’ In his previous life, when he interacted with Hong Weiguo, the Profound Sun War God, he vaguely remembered he did have a twin brother—who turned out to be Haicheng University’s Executive Vice President.
In his previous life, when Earth faced crisis—a host of self-styled gods, beasts, and so-called immortals attacked. Modern Earthlings didn’t worship deities; they revered strong human defenders. Those who fought to the death for humanity became true gods in people’s hearts—war gods.
Eventually, the top-ranked fighters were listed in the War God Rankings. The Heaven-Scorching Tyrant Blade was among them, and the Profound Sun War God was top five. Now, with no ‘war god’ title, he should still be Profound Sun Daoist.
“President Hong, Professor Qian, thank you both for coming to meet us. I’m truly undeserving,” Lin Qingyun said, shaking hands after a brief moment of drifting thoughts.
“To disregard self-interest and promote advancement for grassroots cultivators—that’s a spirit not many students possess. Haicheng University welcomes you, and hopes you’ll make the university proud. I’m here at Professor Qian’s invitation to finalize our collaboration.” Hong Weimin didn’t treat Lin Qingyun as an ordinary student; in fact, he wouldn’t have come to greet any regular student.
“We’re all family now—let’s not chat here. Let’s go inside,” Qian Shansheng said, smiling as he ushered Hong Weimin and Lin Qingyun in. He wasn’t one to fuss over minor details, so long as there was benefit.
Hong Weimin briefly mentioned the partnership between Haicheng University and Lin Pharmaceutical Group, carefully avoiding any internal matters, and didn’t bring up the recent buzz over the Little Wave Foundation Pill auction.
He didn’t linger long; after entering the Department of Alchemy, he privately signed the cooperation agreement with Lin Qingyun and then departed.
Throughout the process, even the usually loud-mouthed Chao held his breath, not daring to utter a word.
After all, this was the Executive Vice President of Haicheng University. Ordinary students would never meet him, except maybe seeing him speak at major events. Today, he’d come personally to greet them.
Though it was only a few minutes, just to sign an agreement with Lin Qingyun, it was still astonishing.
Chu Qing was even more nervous, barely daring to breathe until Hong Weimin left. Qian Shansheng was also vice dean, but ever since she first saw him negotiating with Lin Qingyun, she hadn’t felt any pressure facing him.