"You, you're like a gambler. If I took your body and then went back on my word, what would you do?" Xuan Jin said in a low voice.
"Young Master wouldn't," Ya Fei's voice was calm.
Xuan Jin sighed, then said in a low voice:
"Then, offer your loyalty."
As he spoke, Xuan Jin took out a piece of parchment from his storage ring.
Ya Fei quickly picked up the parchment, her gaze falling upon it.
"A sixth-tier high-grade Medicinal Pill, the Spirit Rhino Meridian-Opening Pill."
Just the first line of text made her breath catch.
Sixth-tier high-grade!
A Medicinal Pill of this Rank, even if one looked across the entire Jia Ma Empire, would be enough to drive countless powerhouses mad!
Her gaze continued downwards, only to see a series of rare medicinal ingredients listed on the parchment that made her scalp tingle.
"Heart of Earth Marrow, Seven-Leaf Profound Meridian Flower, a sixth-tier water-attribute demonic core, Thousand-Year Blood Spirit Milk..."
"This Medicinal Pill can reshape your Meridians, cleanse your bone marrow, and elevate your Cultivation talent to an entirely new level."
Xuan Jin's voice drifted over, "After consuming it, as long as you don't die, Cultivating to the Peak of a Dou King won't be a problem."
Peak of a Dou King!
Ya Fei's body trembled violently, not from fear, but from extreme excitement.
Dou King! That was a Realm she hadn't even dared to dream of before!
In the Jia Ma Empire, a Dou King was already enough to become a powerful figure!
"If you wish to Breakthrough to Dou Emperor, you'll still need to rely on your own Opportunity," Xuan Jin added, "However, a Dou King is already a considerable force in this Jia Ma Empire."
Ya Fei took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the ecstasy and excitement in her heart.
She carefully put away the parchment, which felt as heavy as a thousand jun, and bowed deeply to Xuan Jin.
"Thank you, Young Master, for your benevolence!"
"Ya Fei is willing to serve Young Master with all her might!"
She was very intelligent; her address had already changed from "Young Master Xuan" to "Young Master," a single word difference marking the distinction between master and servant.
Xuan Jin was very pleased with her reaction. This woman truly understood things with a single hint.
"These medicinal ingredients, with the Mittel Auction House's capabilities, shouldn't be difficult to collect, right?"
Ya Fei straightened up, her face once again adorned with that confident and composed smile, though this smile now held a genuine, heartfelt respect.
"Young Master, rest assured. Most of the medicinal ingredients should be in the Family's treasure vault. Even if they're not, Ya Fei will use all her channels to find them for Young Master."
"Very good." Xuan Jin nodded, and his address also changed accordingly, "Ya Fei, you are very capable."
"It is Ya Fei's duty to share Young Master's worries."
Ya Fei's smile grew even more enchanting. She refilled Xuan Jin's tea, her movements gentle.
"It's getting late. If Young Master doesn't mind, Ya Fei can prepare a simple meal to welcome you."
Xuan Jin did not refuse... When Xuan Jin left Ya Fei's small courtyard and returned to Tianxiang Tower, the night was already deep.
Ya Fei personally saw him downstairs, her watery eyes full of affection, until Xuan Jin's figure disappeared around the corner of the stairs before she turned to leave.
From now on, she, Ya Fei, was no longer the Ya Fei of the Mittel Family, but Young Master Xuan Jin's Ya Fei.
Xuan Jin returned to his room and had just sat down when...
A black shadow appeared without warning in the shadows of the room, then slowly condensed into an old figure completely shrouded in a black robe.
"Your Excellency visits late at night, may I ask your purpose?"
Xuan Jin didn't turn his head, merely poured himself a cup of tea, his movements pausing.
Ling Ying's heart tightened.
He had already tried his best to conceal all his Qi, yet he hadn't expected to be detected by the other party the moment he appeared. This person's Soul Power was indeed terrifying.
"This old man Ling Ying, greets Master Xuan."
Ling Ying stepped out from the shadows, cupping his fists towards Xuan Jin, his attitude neither servile nor overbearing.
He knew that in front of such a powerhouse, any concealment was meaningless; it was better to be direct.
Xuan Jin picked up the teacup, gently blew on it, "May I ask your purpose?"
"This old man has come this time to make a deal with Master Xuan."
Ling Ying immediately took out a scroll from his In my arms that glowed faintly.
"This is an Earth Rank low-grade Dou Technique, the 'Thousand Illusions Phoenix Flame Finger'."
"This old man wishes to use it to ask Master Xuan for some Medicinal Pills that can aid Cultivation, to solidify the Foundation for my Young Master..."
He didn't mention Xiao Yan's name, but Xuan Jin naturally knew who he was referring to.
Earth Rank Dou Technique? Xuan Jin was a little surprised.
This Xiao Xun'er truly had nothing but good things to say about Xiao Yan; she was even willing to take out an Earth Rank Dou Technique.
However, this was a good thing for him.
Although his own Dou Techniques were of a higher Rank, they were all from the Pill Tower, too conspicuous, and easily exposed his identity.
Having an additional Earth Rank Dou Technique would also mean an additional trump card.
"The Medicinal Pills are not a problem." Xuan Jin did not reach for the scroll, "However, I need time."
He looked at Ling Ying, "The day after tomorrow, at the same time, you can come find me again."
"Thank you, Master Xuan!" Ling Ying's heart filled with joy. He quickly placed the scroll on the table, cupped his fists towards Xuan Jin again, "In that case, I won't disturb Great Master's rest."
After speaking, his figure once again merged into the shadows and disappeared.
Xuan Jin picked up the scroll on the table, his Soul Power probing into it. After confirming it was correct, he put it into his storage ring.
He walked to the window, looking in the direction of the Xiao Family.
Everything was proceeding smoothly according to the script he had planned... Meanwhile, in Xiao Xun'er's courtyard.
Ling Ying's figure quietly appeared.
"Young Miss, the matter is settled."
"He agreed?" A hint of joy appeared on Xiao Xun'er's delicate face.
"Yes. Master Xuan told this old servant to come back the day after tomorrow to retrieve the Medicinal Pills." Ling Ying paused, then recounted the conversation in Xuan Jin's room earlier, word for word.
"That's good then."
...Jia Ma Empire, Imperial Capital.
Beside the Imperial Capital, a majestic mountain Peak, perpetually shrouded in mist, stood like a sharp sword piercing the clouds.
This place was the Holy Land in the hearts of countless Cultivators in the Jia Ma Empire, and also the Jia Ma Empire's number one Sect — the Yunlan Sect!
Yunlan Sect, back mountain, within a secluded courtyard.
A young woman, dressed in a moon-white robe with purple trim and flowing pink hair, stood quietly in the center of the courtyard.
She was tall, beautiful, and had a cold demeanor, like a pristine snow lotus untouched by dust.
It was Nalan Yanran.
In the courtyard, a gentle breeze blew, rustling a few fallen leaves.
Nalan Yanran still stood, her moon-white robe swaying gently with the wind.
Her pink hair was particularly striking in the Yunlan Sect.
At fifteen, she was already a three-star Fighter, a talent sufficient to allow her to look down on her peers in the Jia Ma Empire.
Furthermore, Nalan Yanran had been designated as the Young Sect Master.
But whenever she thought of the engagement that had been set since childhood, she felt a surge of irritation.
I, Nalan Yanran, will not be bound by this mere marriage contract!
My fate is my own!