In the End, He Bore It All Alone

After leaving Little Fairy Doctor and Xiao Yan, I headed straight for Tang Zhen. When I entered the hall again, there were only a few people left inside. Most of the Burning Flame Valley Elders had dispersed, leaving only Tang Zhen, Red Fire Elder, Tang Huo'er, and a few others.

"Senior, Huo'er, Red Fire Elder," I said with a smile.

Tang Huo'er stood behind Tang Zhen, blinking at me and giggling secretly like a mischievous little sister. Tang Zhen, however, remained stern. "Nalan Ye, why have you come to see me?"

"Hehe, it's a small matter. I just want to borrow something from you, Senior."

There was hardly anyone here, so there was no need for excessive formalities. I took out a sheet of paper from my Ring of Holding and handed it directly to Tang Zhen. He accepted it and examined it carefully. After a moment, he looked up at me with some puzzlement.

"These are all medicinal ingredients, and quite precious ones at that. You couldn't possibly need so many ingredients for alchemy on your own. What are you borrowing them for?"

I drew in a sharp breath and looked at Tang Zhen with a face full of admiration. "Senior can infer so much from a mere list of medicinal ingredients. Your insight is truly astounding, your discerning eye as sharp as a torch! You are correct, Senior. These ingredients are not for me. Xiao Yan and the group of Alchemists invited by Senior had a conflict... ah, no, they became interested and wish to have a Pill Battle. These ingredients are for their Pill Battle. I hope Senior can lend them to us."

There was such a thing?

Tang Zhen frowned slightly, though he was not particularly surprised. He knew all too well how foul-tempered those Alchemists