Cao Ying

Elder Shi Yun's words immediately made Shi Kang's intentions clear.

A genius with the potential to become a Ninth-grade Alchemist was indeed worth recruiting for the Stone Clan.

After pondering for a moment, Elder Shi Yun still had some concerns and could not help reminding him, "Young Clan Leader, the choice of the Young Clan Leader's Wife concerns the family's future and reputation. This must not be handled carelessly. The Clan Leader must approve of it as well..."

Shi Kang possessed a powerful Dou God Bloodline and was also the Young Clan Leader of the Stone Clan, making his status incomparably noble.

Given such a position, his principal wife would either need to possess an equally powerful Dou God Bloodline or come from an exceptionally prestigious background, one worthy of matching the Stone Clan.

Marrying within the clan to consolidate its bloodline, or forming a Marriage Alliance with another top-tier great clan to strengthen their influence, were the safest and most common choices.

Clearly, Cao Ying found it difficult to meet either of these crucial conditions. She neither possessed a powerful Dou God Bloodline, nor was the Cao family behind her particularly strong.

Hearing Elder Shi Yun's words, Shi Kang smiled faintly and replied through voice transmission, "Rest assured, Elder Shi Yun. I know what I am doing."

Elder Shi Yun nodded lightly at this and said nothing further.

At the same time, within a quiet pill-refining room, a graceful figure stood before a Pill Refining Cauldron, completely absorbed in her task.

A rich, mellow Pill Fragrance permeated the room, drifting in fine wisps around the nose and intoxicating anyone who caught its scent.

This woman was Cao Ying. She wore a black dress, her skin as fair as snow and glowing softly within the dim pill-refining room. Her exquisite features resembled a painting, every line perfectly placed as though Heaven itself had painstakingly sculpted her. She exuded a cold, glamorous aura, like a snow lotus standing proudly atop a mountain peak, making others wary of approaching her lightly.

Yet her lovely face also carried traces of alluring charm. Her cold beauty and seductive grace blended flawlessly, forming a unique appeal that made one unable to resist falling for her.

She was called the Cao Family Enchantress not merely because her talent for pill refinement was monstrously exceptional, but also because of her seductive appearance and aura.

At that moment, she was intently controlling the flames as she concentrated on refining a rather difficult Sixth-Grade Pill.

With her strength at the Dou Wang realm, challenging a Sixth-Grade Pill was already pushing herself to the absolute limit. She was still quite far from being able to refine a Seventh-Grade Pill.

The refinement had reached its final stage. Cao Ying carefully controlled the heat, each movement incomparably precise, her eyes filled with determination and focus. As her hand seals changed, the medicinal liquid within the cauldron gradually condensed and began to form a pill.

Fine beads of fragrant sweat covered her face and slowly slid down her fair neck, yet they did not affect her in the slightest.

At a certain moment, the pill finally took shape, emitting crisp, clear chimes as though proclaiming the arrival of success.

Cao Ying let out a breath of relief, excitement appearing on her face.

This Sixth-Grade Pill had truly been difficult. She had already failed several times in a row.

Fortunately, she had learned from those previous failures, constantly adjusting and improving her methods until she finally succeeded.

"Looks like I need to spend some time increasing my strength. Refining pills of this grade at the Dou Wang realm is a bit too draining on my Dou Qi..." Cao Ying muttered to herself.

Just then, Xuan Kongzi hurried inside.

Seeing Xuan Kongzi slightly out of breath, Cao Ying asked in confusion, "Teacher, why are you in such a hurry? Did something happen?"

Xuan Kongzi was worried that Shi Kang would grow impatient and leave, so he had rushed over at top speed. He quickly said, "A distinguished guest came to our Pill Tower today. I'm taking you to meet him."

Someone who casually offered two Ninth-grade Pill Recipes was not a distinguished guest—what was he?

Cao Ying grew even more puzzled. "A distinguished guest? Teacher, didn't you say I was to cultivate in seclusion for five years, and that I wasn't allowed out until I became a Tier 7 Alchemist? Why are you asking me to meet some distinguished guest now?"

Xuan Kongzi felt somewhat awkward, but he still forced himself to remain composed. "Ahem. I suddenly feel that cultivation cannot be done in isolation. You still need to interact with those of your generation and learn from one another in order to improve faster."

Cao Ying asked, "Is he an alchemist too?"

"Come with me first. I'll explain on the way."

Although Cao Ying was confused, she obediently followed Xuan Kongzi.

After cultivating in seclusion for three years, she also wanted to go out, get some fresh air, and see the outside world.

At the same time, Cao Ying was very curious about just who this distinguished guest her teacher had mentioned was.

Xuan Yi and Xuan Lei Zi were entertaining Shi Kang and the other person.

Before long, Xuan Kongzi led Cao Ying over.

On the way there, Cao Ying had persistently questioned Xuan Kongzi about the distinguished guest's identity.

Xuan Kongzi was also afraid that his student might be thoughtless and offend Shi Kang, so he did not hide anything and told her truthfully, "This distinguished guest is the Young Clan Leader of the Stone Clan, a Dou God Clan!"

Cao Ying was still young and did not have a deep understanding of how powerful Dou God Clans were, so Xuan Kongzi gave her a simple explanation. "They are called Dou God Clans because their ancestors once broke through to the Dou God realm, allowing Dou God Bloodline to flow through them. This bloodline is extraordinarily powerful, granting them talent and strength far beyond ordinary people. Their foundation is unimaginably deep, their power unfathomable, and they have many Dou Sheng Experts within their clan..."

"The reason I'm taking you to meet him is that he said he would offer two Ninth-grade Pill Recipes as a meeting gift!"

"Two Ninth-grade Pill Recipes?!" Cao Ying's eyes widened in shock upon hearing this.

Even the Cao family did not possess many eighth-grade pill recipes, let alone ninth-grade ones. They had none at all.

Those capable of possessing Ninth-grade Pill Recipes were likely only figures like her teacher, who kept them as treasured collections.

Shi Kang was actually using something so precious as a meeting gift. How lavish was that? Just how many Ninth-grade Pill Recipes did the Stone Clan have in its collection? Cao Ying could not help secretly marveling.

"Teacher, if I accept those two Ninth-grade Pill Recipes, I won't have to marry him, will I?" Cao Ying suddenly asked, a trace of worry flashing through her eyes.

It was no wonder she was overthinking things. Who gave two Ninth-grade Pill Recipes as a meeting gift?

She felt that even if she sold herself, she would not be worth that price.

Forget two Ninth-grade Pill Recipes—even if Shi Kang went to the Cao family and offered a single Ninth-grade Pill Recipe as the condition, the Cao family's Clan Leader would probably marry her off without the slightest hesitation.

Hearing this, Xuan Kongzi hesitated as well. "This... probably not..."

Cao Ying's eyes darted about as she began making calculations in her heart. "Teacher, if he can so easily offer two Ninth-grade Pill Recipes, does that mean the Stone Clan has a lot of Ninth-grade Pill Recipes and medicinal herbs?"

Cao Ying was extremely fond of pill refinement, to the point of obsession. She had absolutely no resistance to high-grade pill recipes and rare medicinal herbs.

Thus, Cao Ying began making her own little calculations.