"The Pill Pavilion insisted that Hong Yue was raised by them, yet had colluded with outsiders and secretly leaked their pill recipes. They demanded compensation for raising her to Grandmaster, along with additional damages, before they would release her." Hong Lin spoke indignantly. "They actually asked for five thousand low-grade spirit crystals."
He had wanted to ask Lu Xiaotian for help, but the amount involved was simply too large. It was so large that Hong Lin couldn't bring himself to ask.
"Five thousand low-grade spirit crystals?" Lu Xiaotian asked in surprise, looking at the middle-aged man blocking the entrance.
"Five thousand low-grade spirit crystals? Aren't they trying to drive her to her death?" Jin Yan exclaimed. The people passing nearby were also murmuring among themselves.
"That's right. If you can produce the spirit crystals, our Pill Pavilion will release her immediately. If you can't, then go back where you came from. The Huayang Pill Pavilion is not a place where just anyone can throw their weight around," the middle-aged man said arrogantly.
"When you say she colluded with outsiders, you must mean me. I do know Hong Yue. I saw that she had real potential, so I took the time to guide her a little. In the end, she grew to where she is today at your Huayang Pill Pavilion. Her improving skills should be a good thing for you, too. The Huayang Pill Pavilion must have reached its current standing without being so narrow-minded. It seems someone simply can't stand me, though I can't recall ever offending anyone from your pavilion."
Lu Xiaotian smiled. "But if a problem can be solved with spirit crystals, then it's no problem at all. I'll pay the five thousand low-grade spirit crystals."
Lu Xiaotian tossed a Sumeru ring to Hong Lin. "Have the