Xun Er's Generosity

Doubt and disbelief were everyone's first reactions.

Yet Xiao Zhan's body trembled slightly.

Unlike the elders, who were doubtful, it was as though a bolt of lightning had torn through the darkness in his heart, stirring up a wild surge of hope!

Yan'er!

Perhaps my Yan'er could be saved!

For three years, his son's dejection and despair had cut into his heart like knives.

He had tried countless methods and sought out countless physicians. He had even spared no expense in traveling all the way to Heiyan City to consult a Second Grade Alchemist, only to receive the same answer: there was nothing they could do.

Now, a mysterious master who claimed he could refine Sixth-Grade Pills was in Wutan City!

"Whether it's real or not, I have to give it a try!"

Xiao Zhan slammed his hand on the table and stood up, his voice somewhat hoarse with excitement.

"That's right, Clan Leader! What if it's true?" An elder who supported Xiao Zhan came to his senses as well.

"But what if it's false? Given the Xiao Family's current circumstances, we can't afford to be tossed around like this."

Another elder poured cold water on the idea.

"Maybe it's some scheme by the Jia Lie Family or the Ao Ba Family!"

"A scheme?" Xiao Zhan sneered.

"The Miter Auction House released the news itself, and Manager Ya Fei personally guaranteed it! Do you think the Jia Lie Family and the Ao Ba Family have that kind of standing?"

That one sentence silenced everyone.

Indeed, the Mite'er Family was a colossal force that even the Royal Family had to show some respect.

Xiao Zhan ignored them and strode outside.

Exotic flowers, rare herbs, and unusual objects... and the only thing the Xiao Family could call an unusual object seemed to be the jade passed down through generations of Clan Leaders.

He took a deep breath and made his decision.

If it could truly convince a Sixth Grade Alchemist to treat Yan'er, then taking out that jade would be no great loss.

What worried Xiao Zhan, however, was that he did not know what use the jade in his possession had.

Xiao Zhan had vaguely learned that the Xiao Family had once been prosperous, but when it came to this jade, he knew absolutely nothing.

That jade was naturally the—

Tou She Ancient God Jade.

But even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, he had to fight for it once for his son!

This was a father's responsibility.

Xiao Family Back Mountain, a quiet little courtyard amid a bamboo grove.

A young girl dressed in a pale green gown sat quietly on a bluestone, her hands supporting her fragrant cheeks as she stared blankly at the distant sky.

Her temperament was as elegant as a lotus, untouched by worldly dust, utterly out of place amid Wutan City's clamor.

A breeze passed through, making the bamboo leaves rustle.

A black shadow appeared behind the girl without warning and dropped to one knee.

"Miss." The voice was aged, yet full of reverence.

The girl did not turn around, merely responding with a soft, "Mm."

"Something has happened in the city." The black shadow, Ling Ying, reported in a low voice.

"The Miter Auction House has released news that a mysterious alchemist claims to be able to refine Sixth-Grade Pills."

"Oh?" The girl, Xiao Xun'er, finally reacted.

She turned, revealing an incomparably beautiful face. A flicker of emotion passed through her clear eyes.

"A Sixth Grade Alchemist? In Wutan City?"

Her voice was cool and pleasant, yet carried a composure unfitting for her age.

"Yes, Miss. According to our investigation, this person's name is Xuan Jin. He arrived in Wutan City today and displayed his abilities at the Miter Auction House, refining several Fourth-Grade Pills and a Fifth-Grade Pill on the spot. Ya Fei and Gu Ni both treated him as an honored guest."

Ling Ying relayed every detail he had uncovered.

"Not only that, he declared that if someone could present a rare object that interested him, he could personally refine a Sixth-Grade Pill."

Xiao Xun'er's willow brows knit slightly.

There was something strange about this matter from every angle.

Why would an alchemist with such terrifying skill come to a remote backwater like Wutan City?

And why was he acting so conspicuously, as if afraid no one would learn of his existence?

What was he after?

An alchemist capable of refining Sixth-Grade Pills might be nothing noteworthy in the heart of Zhongzhou, but in remote regions, such a person would still be an honored guest of many great clans.

Someone like that had actually come to a small city in a minor empire on the Northwest Continent... Was he here for sightseeing?

"Have you investigated his origins?" Xun Er asked.

Ling Ying shook his head.

"We found nothing. It is as though he appeared out of thin air. But since he bears that name, Miss, could he be connected to the Pill Tower..."

"The disciple of Xuan Yi from the Pill Tower?" Xun Er immediately thought of someone.

A genius of the Pill Tower, the disciple of Xuan Yi, one of the Three Great Heads—Xuan Jin.

Naturally, information about him was no secret to major powers.

But hadn't it been said that he suffered from a hidden ailment and could hardly advance any further?

"Miss, most importantly, Clan Leader Xiao Zhan has already gone to Tianxiang Tower to request an audience with him."

Ling Ying continued, "He wants that alchemist to examine Xiao Yan's body."

At the mention of "Brother Xiao Yan," a trace of nervousness and concern finally appeared on Xun Er's face.

How could she not want to find a high-grade alchemist to treat Xiao Yan?

But she could not.

Her identity was far too sensitive. She had spent years in the Xiao Family without uncovering any information about the Tou She Ancient God Jade, and there was already considerable criticism within her family. If she used family resources on Xiao Yan, she would certainly be attacked by the family elders.

She could only watch helplessly as Xiao Yan endured countless disdainful looks, powerless to do anything.

And now, a powerful alchemist of unknown origin had abruptly appeared before her.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

"Elder Ling, do you think this man can be trusted?" Xun Er asked.

Ling Ying fell silent for a moment before answering.

"Miss, this man's strength is unfathomable. His purpose is unclear, but... he may be the only one who can help Young Master Xiao Yan without alerting anyone."

How could Xun Er fail to understand that?

Her thoughts raced.

Should she gamble, or not?

"If he can cure Brother Xiao Yan..."

Xun Er murmured, determination flashing through her clear eyes.

"Resources have never been a problem."

So long as Brother Xiao Yan could recover completely, she was willing to pay any price.

"Elder Ling."

"This old servant is here."

"Go to Tianxiang Tower and keep watch personally." Xun Er's voice returned to its usual coolness.

"Do not let anyone discover you. I want to know every person he meets and every word he says."

"Also, keep a close watch on the Xiao Family Clan Leader's movements.

"If... if that Young Master Xuan can truly cure Brother Xiao Yan, we must be the first to offer him a gift of thanks he cannot refuse."

"This old servant understands." Ling Ying's figure melted back into the shadows and vanished.

Xun Er returned to the bluestone, but her heart could no longer settle.

She looked in Tianxiang Tower's direction and murmured, "Xuan Jin... You'd better truly possess that ability."

Meanwhile, outside Tianxiang Tower.

As the Clan Leader of one of Wutan City's three great families, Xiao Zhan now looked like a junior about to meet some great figure. He adjusted his robes, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

For Yan'er, it was worth it!

He hesitated no longer, stepped forward, and climbed the stairs of Tianxiang Tower.