Rejecting Yun Yun's Olive Branch

Jia Xing Tian and Yun Yun represented the Gama Royal Family and the Misty Cloud Sect, respectively.

Now, they had come to recruit Ning Su as well.

The others watched in utter envy.

To be recruited by several of the Jia Ma Empire's most powerful factions at once was something countless people could only dream of.

But Ning Su had the ability.

As the Alchemist Competition's Champion, he was naturally worth recruiting.

Before Ning Su could speak, the three of them had begun competing with one another.

"Ning Su, an alchemist needs a good platform to develop better. Our Alchemist Guild is the strongest platform for alchemists in the entire Jia Ma Empire. It suits you very well."

"Ning Su, come to the Gama Royal Family. We can provide you with plenty of resources too. And if you are not yet married, we have two princesses, Yao Ye and Yao Yue, whom we can introduce to you." Jia Xing Tian began employing a beauty trap.

"Ning Su, our Misty Cloud Sect has Pill King Gu He, currently the number one alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire, who can guide you in alchemy. Besides, our Misty Cloud Sect has many female disciples. I believe there should be someone you like." Yun Yun refused to be outdone.

All three laid out their respective advantages.

And every one of them was enticing.

The Alchemist Guild was the largest platform. By joining them, he would never need to worry about alchemy resources in the future.

The Gama Royal Family ruled the Jia Ma Empire. Joining them was equivalent to gaining the greatest trump card in the Jia Ma Empire.

The Misty Cloud Sect was the number one sect in the Jia Ma Empire, and Pill King Gu He was there as well. If one wanted to pursue greater heights in alchemy, Gu He was the only choice.

For an ordinary person, any one of the three would have been a fine choice.

But for Ning Su, he could not choose any of them.

"Thank you for your kind offers, but I have no plans to join any faction for the time being. I'm sorry."

With that, Ning Su turned and left.

He had rejected them?

The olive branches extended by the Alchemist Guild, the Gama Royal Family, and the Misty Cloud Sect—the three most powerful factions in the Jia Ma Empire—had all been rejected?

Yun Yun and the others were stunned.

Even the onlookers had not expected Ning Su to refuse so directly.

He could have at least said that he could not make a decision for the moment and strung them along, couldn't he?

As long as he built a good relationship with any one faction, it would greatly benefit his future development and cultivation.

Yet Ning Su wanted none of them.

On the other hand.

The alchemists who had not won the Champion title in the competition but had still performed outstandingly were recruited by other factions as well.

The major clans would never complain about having too many alchemists.

As long as one truly had talent, even if one's current alchemy level was not particularly high, some faction would be willing to nurture them.

"This little fellow has character."

"Young Master, congratulations on becoming the Champion!"

Qing Lin excitedly welcomed Ning Su.

"How did you know I won?"

"Hehe, the news spread through every street and alley the moment you won. Everyone downstairs is talking about it."

"I knew it. You're so amazing, Young Master, you were sure to become the Champion!" The girl was so excited that she seemed even happier than if she had won herself.

Ning Su could not help reaching out and patting her head.

"I'm a little tired. Prepare some hot water for me. I'm going to take a bath and sleep."

During the third round of assessment, he had not closed his eyes for several days.

He was exhausted in both body and mind.

"Alright!"

Upon hearing that, Qing Lin hurriedly went to prepare the hot water.

Then she personally attended to Ning Su's bath, allowing him to get a good, comfortable sleep.

"I'm going to sleep. Call me if anything comes up."

Ning Su could not help collapsing onto the soft bed and falling asleep.

He was far too tired and had no energy left at all.

Qing Lin stayed in the room, moving as quietly as possible. She did not dare make the slightest sound, afraid of disturbing Ning Su's rest.

The Alchemist Competition officially came to an end.

There were quite a few topics of discussion regarding this competition.

The most talked-about matter, naturally, was that Ning Su, the Champion, had rejected the olive branches extended by the Alchemist Guild, the Gama Royal Family, and the Misty Cloud Sect all at once.

He had turned down such incredible terms. What a waste!

How many people would break their heads trying to get in?

Yet someone had actively refused them.

Wasteful!

Far too wasteful!

Perhaps that was simply the eccentricity of a genius alchemist.

Though no one understood it, they could only choose to respect it.

Ning Su slept for two days and two nights.

When he woke up, he felt thoroughly refreshed.

Comfortable!

It happened to be early morning.

The rising sun shone in through the window, illuminating the room.

On the other bed.

Qing Lin was still asleep, lying on her side. Her peaceful sleeping face carried a touch of innocent charm, delicate and lovely.

Ning Su yawned. Rather than waking her, he went to wash up by himself first.

By the time he came back out, Qing Lin had awakened too. Still bleary-eyed, she greeted him.

"Young Master, you're awake."

Her loose sleepwear hung off to one side, revealing her left shoulder, fair and smooth.

Below that fragrant shoulder, the faint outline of her budding breasts could be seen, like unripe apples with a subtle allure.

Qing Lin, freshly awake, was adorable.

"Yes, we're leaving today. Get up and wash up so we can prepare." Ning Su said.

"Alright."

Ning Su did not want to linger here for too long.

Delays could lead to complications.

Now that he had obtained the Spirit Fusion Pill formula, the most important thing was to return and refine the Spirit Fusion Pill.

The two packed their things and were about to leave.

But when Ning Su reached the ground floor of the inn, he saw a beautiful woman in a moon-white robe standing at the entrance.

The moment she saw Ning Su coming down, the woman looked over. She had clearly been waiting for him.

"Young Master Ning Su, hello."

"My name is Nalan Yanran. I'm from the Nalan Family, and my teacher is the Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect." Nalan Yanran introduced herself.

If she had been facing anyone else, her tone would have been far more arrogant.

But when facing Ning Su, her attitude was somewhat less prideful.

Ning Su naturally recognized her.

"Is there something you need, Miss Nalan?"

"I came here this time because there is something very important I would like to ask Young Master Ning Su to help with."

"My grandfather has been afflicted by Scorching Poison and is now on the brink of death. Only Heavenly Flames can save him."

"Young Master Ning Su displayed Heavenly Flames during the Alchemist Competition, so I came to ask you to save my grandfather."

"I am willing to use anything to repay Young Master Ning Su!"

Nalan Yanran pleaded with a devout expression.

"I remember that the other person had Heavenly Flames that day as well. Why don't you ask him?" Ning Su asked.

Nalan Yanran looked troubled. "I did, but he refused..."

She had also sought out Xiao Yan—though she still did not know that Yan Xiao was Xiao Yan.

But Xiao Yan knew the Nalan Family's identity, so naturally, he would never agree to help.

That was why Nalan Yanran had come to Ning Su.

"I don't know how to save people either, and I have matters to attend to. Sorry."

Ning Su mercilessly rejected Nalan Yanran's request, then left with Qing Lin without looking back...