Shi Kang's Lavish Spending

Shi Kang asked Xuan Kongzi about Cao Ying.

In truth, Shi Kang had already looked into her before coming here.

With the Stone Clan's vast intelligence network and formidable capabilities, coupled with Cao Ying's own outstanding reputation, Shi Kang knew practically everything about her.

Cao Ying had just turned eighteen. Three years ago, Pill Tower had taken notice of her extraordinary Soul Power and made an exception to accept her as a core disciple. She had also been fortunate enough to become Xuan Kongzi's personal disciple. There were even rumors that Cao Ying might one day become a candidate for one of Pill Tower's leadership positions.

"That is indeed true. Cao Ying became my final disciple three years ago." The moment Xuan Kongzi heard Shi Kang's question, a hint of wariness flashed through his eyes, and his tone grew somewhat cautious.

Xuan Kongzi could not have been more satisfied with this disciple of his. Under his careful instruction, eighteen-year-old Cao Ying had already become capable of proficiently refining certain Sixth-Grade Pills.

He knew full well that Cao Ying possessed limitless potential and a boundless future, so he had long been grooming her as his successor.

To be honest, Xuan Kongzi felt somewhat uneasy at that moment. He was afraid Shi Kang would try to poach her.

The Stone Clan was powerful and deeply rooted. If they truly intended to take someone away, Pill Tower would likely have little means of stopping them.

Shi Kang was exceptionally shrewd and saw the wariness in Xuan Kongzi's eyes at once. Smiling faintly, he said, "President Xuan Kongzi, rest assured. I have no intention of poaching anyone from Pill Tower. I merely heard that Miss Cao Ying possesses beauty capable of toppling kingdoms, and I have long admired her. I simply wish to make her acquaintance."

If this had been a few years ago, Shi Kang might have brought Cao Ying back to the Stone Clan for training before Pill Tower could claim her.

But since she had already become Xuan Kongzi's disciple and received his devoted guidance, he would let it go.

The Stone Clan did not fear Pill Tower, but there was no need to casually offend a faction that possessed a Six-star Dou Saint.

If Cao Ying had joined Pill Tower, then so be it. Let those Peak Tier 8 Alchemists of Pill Tower properly teach her; that would be a good thing for her as well.

Although the Stone Clan also had Tier 8 Alchemists, they might not necessarily teach as well as Pill Tower's people. After all, Pill Tower's foundation and experience in alchemy were not something ordinary factions could compare with.

There was more than one way to recruit talent.

Marriage alliances would work too.

Shi Kang calculated silently.

Shi Kang had long since chosen someone for the position of principal wife.

Given Cao Ying's status and standing, she certainly could not fill that role, but she was more than qualified to become a concubine.

If Cao Ying married into the clan, it would not hinder her from continuing to study alchemy at Pill Tower and improving her refinement skills. Moreover, if she became one of Pill Tower's higher-ups in the future, she could promote cooperation between Pill Tower and the Stone Clan, creating a win-win situation. It was the best of both worlds.

Pill Tower and Soul Hall stood opposed to each other. The enemy of one's enemy was a friend, and in the future, they could borrow Pill Tower's strength to counter the Soul Clan.

Besides, Pill Tower had quite a few Tier 8 Alchemists. Who would ever complain about having too many pills?

"Of course I believe the Stone Clan would not do something like poaching people." Upon hearing Shi Kang's words, Xuan Kongzi hurriedly added an explanation.

His words were flawless. They expressed his trust while also cutting off the possibility of Shi Kang poaching someone.

He thought, I just said the Stone Clan would not do such a thing. You cannot turn around and snatch her away right after that, can you?

"However, my disciple is currently undergoing closed training in Pill Tower, so I am afraid it may not be convenient..." Xuan Kongzi hesitated before politely declining.

Closed training was not secluded cultivation. It was merely a form of isolated training that allowed one to focus more fully on improving one's alchemy.

But at that moment, he truly did not want Shi Kang to meet Cao Ying. He feared something unexpected might happen and that his disciple would be lured away.

Shi Kang was extremely perceptive and immediately saw through Xuan Kongzi's thoughts.

He did not waste words with Xuan Kongzi and said directly, "I am willing to offer a Ninth-grade Pill Recipe as a meeting gift!"

Xuan Kongzi's heart immediately stirred upon hearing this. If he could obtain a Ninth-grade Pill Recipe merely by allowing Shi Kang to meet her once, that would be an enormous profit.

A Ninth-grade Pill Recipe—such a treasure was the dream of countless alchemists.

But when he considered that his disciple might be lured away, Xuan Kongzi still hesitated. "No, young friend... I am afraid that would not be appropriate."

Seeing that Xuan Kongzi was still wavering, Shi Kang directly raised two fingers. "Two! If that is still not enough, forget it."

Ninth-grade Pill Recipes were truly useless to the Stone Clan. Although the Stone Clan had inherited quite a few Ninth-grade Pill Recipes, they no longer had any Ninth-grade Alchemists. To them, those recipes were nothing more than tasteless burdens.

Moreover, pill recipes could be copied onto jade slips. It was not as if giving one away meant they would have one less.

There was nothing to lose by using them in a trade.

If he could win over Cao Ying and nurture her into a Ninth-grade Alchemist, it would absolutely be a guaranteed profit.

One had to know that the value of a Ninth-grade Alchemist was simply immeasurable.

At that moment, Shi Kang was richer than even those spoiled heirs of great families.

Others would spend fortunes just to make a beauty smile, while Shi Kang was offering two Ninth-grade Pill Recipes merely for a meeting. Calling it extravagant spending would not be an exaggeration.

To alchemists, Ninth-grade Pill Recipes were absolutely priceless treasures of incalculable value.

Upon hearing about two Ninth-grade Pill Recipes, Xuan Kongzi immediately became excited.

"I suddenly feel that prolonged closed training may not be good for Cao Ying's development either. Letting her come out and interact with people her own age might help her improve and broaden her horizons..."

Xuan Kongzi clearly could not resist the temptation of two Ninth-grade Pill Recipes. His previous resolve vanished in an instant.

Those were two Ninth-grade Pill Recipes, enough to drive any alchemist mad.

Shi Kang found it amusing, but he did not expose him. He knew his tactic had worked, and now all he had to do was wait to meet Cao Ying.

As long as he met Cao Ying, Shi Kang was confident he could win her over.

He had looks, status, and pill recipes. Was he really afraid he could not win over a single Cao Ying?

The three left the Star Domain and arrived in Pill Tower's main hall.

Xuan Kongzi gave the other two leaders a few instructions, telling them to treat Shi Kang well and not slight him in any way.

"Young friend, please wait a moment. I will go bring my disciple here right away." After saying this, Xuan Kongzi hurried off to find Cao Ying, looking as though he feared Shi Kang might regret it and leave.

Xuan Yi and Xuan Lei Zi looked utterly bewildered, unable to understand what Xuan Kongzi was doing.

They looked at Shi Kang and Shi Yun, their hearts filled with confusion and curiosity.

Meanwhile, Shi Yun transmitted his voice to Shi Kang. "Young Clan Leader, have you taken a liking to that young woman?"

Using two Ninth-grade Pill Recipes as a meeting gift—his Young Clan Leader was truly far too lavish.

"Elder Shi Yun, you do not know this, but Cao Ying possesses powerful Soul Power and equally astonishing talent in alchemy. She may even become a Ninth-grade Alchemist in the future. If such a genius can be brought under our command, she will undoubtedly be a great asset to the Stone Clan," Shi Kang explained through voice transmission.