"Fellow Daoist Han has arrived. I'll go bring him in."
Xu Ruolin rose and walked out.
Fairy Yuexi seemed not to hear her and continued playing.
Before long, Han Changming followed Xu Ruolin inside.
The zither's melody drifted softly, mournful and plaintive.
Han Changming stood to one side and listened quietly.
Fairy Yuexi's hands left the strings, and the music came to an end.
"I am Han Changming. Greetings, Fairy Mu."
Han Changming cupped his fists in salute and spoke politely.
Fairy Yuexi had reached the late Body Integration stage at such a young age and could even refine top-grade pills. No wonder she was a leading candidate to become the next Palace Master of the Heavenly Pill Palace.
"Fellow Daoist Han, the Heavenly Pill Convention has been held so many times, and every first-place winner has joined the Heavenly Pill Palace. You alone are the exception."
Fairy Yuexi spoke meaningfully. It was a good thing for her that Han Changming had not joined the Heavenly Pill Palace.
Competition within the Heavenly Pill Palace was fierce. Given the alchemy skills Han Changming had displayed, if he joined, he would surely form a new faction and become her competitor.
There were three candidates for the next Palace Master of the Heavenly Pill Palace. All three could refine top-grade pills and possessed excellent aptitude; Fairy Yuexi was merely one of them.
"If I joined the Heavenly Pill Palace, it would go against my Dao heart. Otherwise, I would have joined."
Han Changming explained.
"Don't misunderstand, Fellow Daoist Han. To be honest, I don't want you to join the Heavenly Pill Palace. I have no desire for another competitor."
Fairy Yuexi smiled faintly and spoke courteously.
Han Changming inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. He had thought Fairy Yuexi intended to make things