Conditions

Xiao Jie shook his head after hearing Lv Man out. Knowing she could not provide what he needed, he stated his own objective.

This trip to the Black-Corner Region was somewhat dangerous; it was home to several Dou Ancestors, numerous Dou Emperors, and a Soul Hall Protector lurking in the shadows.

Xiao Jie did not fear other low-level Dou Ancestors or Dou Emperors, but he did not want to cross paths with that Soul Hall Protector. If Han Feng were to suddenly collude with the Soul Hall Protector to kill him, as in a previous simulation, his current four-star Dou Emperor cultivation would be no match for a high-level Dou Ancestor. Therefore, having a Dou Ancestor as his bodyguard was the best course of action.

After all, this was not a simulation; death here was permanent. He was well aware of how much this world loathed him due to the existence of his Simulator, and he did not want to end up like his simulated self, killed for no apparent reason.

"This... I am afraid I do not have the authority to agree to Master Xiao's condition. However, I can ask our Sect Leader on your behalf. How does that sound?"

Upon hearing Xiao Jie's terms, Lv Man hesitated before speaking again.

"Hmm, that is understandable. How about this: I will set off for the Black-Corner Region tomorrow. You can return first to inform your Sect Leader, and perhaps let that great snake outside the city follow me? Once your Sect Leader arrives, I will have that snake take Qing Lin to the Heavenly Serpent Mansion."

Xiao Jie could not hand over Qing Lin before the people arrived, but he did not want to make things difficult for Lv Man either. Letting the snake follow him would at least give her something to report back.

"This... very well. I will have Bai Ya follow you to the Black-Corner Region. I only hope that Master Xiao will keep his word and not make things difficult for me later."

Seeing that Xiao Jie had considered her position, Lv Man found it hard to say anything else. After all, Xiao Jie had not refused, and this deal held great benefits for the Heavenly Serpent Mansion.

If things went smoothly, they would not only obtain the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils but also gain the friendship of Xiao Jie, a young seventh-tier alchemist. Any way one looked at it, this was a massive profit.

Not to mention that Xiao Jie was also offering an Ancestor-Breaking Pill. If used well, this pill would very likely provide the Heavenly Serpent Mansion with another Dou Ancestor-level foundation. One had to remember that the Heavenly Serpent Mansion currently only had the Sect Leader and two Deputy Sect Leaders at the Dou Ancestor level.

Taking a step back, by acting as the intermediary to facilitate this deal, she would become a familiar face to Xiao Jie, which would make it much easier to request pills from him in the future.

"Hehe, you can rest assured. I, Xiao, always keep my word."

Seeing that Lv Man had agreed, Xiao Jie replied with a smile.

"Haha, good! Since Brother Xiao has reached an agreement with the Heavenly Serpent Mansion, let us take our seats. To celebrate your successful seclusion, I have already had a banquet prepared, just waiting for your arrival."

Seeing that the two had reached an agreement, Shi Jian spoke with a cheerful smile. As the host, he invited everyone to be seated and begin the banquet; perhaps building a connection with the Heavenly Serpent Mansion, a behemoth of the Northwest Continent, would be a good thing.

"Very well. Brother Shi, Brother Hai, Lady Lv Man, please."

Xiao Jie did not refuse. After speaking to them, he called a guard to bring Qing Lin over.

Before long, Qing Lin was brought over. Shi Jian and Hai Bodong had not known why the Heavenly Serpent Mansion wanted to take Qing Lin, but since she was a maid personally taken in by Xiao Jie, they had stepped in to protect her, hiding her away to ensure she wouldn't be snatched up while they were distracted.

A moment later, a guard brought over a Qing Lin who looked completely different from the girl of over a month ago. Although she was still somewhat thin and frail, her spirit was far better than before, and the timid look was gone. Xiao Jie had a maid add a seat for her beside him.

Upon seeing Qing Lin arrive, Lv Man stared at her intently. Only after clearly seeing the jade-like, swirling Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils in her eyes did she let out a sigh of relief and mutter.

"It really is the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. After searching for so long, I have finally found them."

"Young Master! That's wonderful, you're finally awake? You slept for two whole days and nights; you had Qing Lin so worried." Seeing Xiao Jie, Qing Lin spoke to him with joy.

"Hehe, it's nothing serious. I was just exhausted from alchemy, so I slept quite soundly. I'm sorry to have worried you." Xiao Jie smiled as he ruffled Qing Lin's hair.

"Mm-hmm, that's good. I heard from Grandpa Hai Bodong that Young Master is a very powerful alchemist. He said he has never seen an alchemist as young and talented as you."

"Haha, I'll admit to that, little one. In this Northwest Continent, you truly won't find a high-level alchemist younger than me." Hearing Qing Lin's innocent and adorable flattery, Xiao Jie couldn't help but laugh happily.

"Mm-hmm, Young Master is the best."

"Qing Lin, this is Lv Man, a Dou Emperor expert from the Heavenly Serpent Mansion. You will need to go with her to the Heavenly Serpent Mansion to cultivate in the future, so why don't you get to know her?" After laughing, he introduced Lv Man to Qing Lin and explained a portion of the situation.

"Young Master, are you getting rid of me?"

Qing Lin's face turned deathly pale in an instant. She had not expected that, only a month after escaping the slums, she would be abandoned. Her heart sank into despair.

"Hehe, of course not. It is just for your cultivation. Think of it as finding a place to study. You cannot grow to your full potential by staying by my side, and the Heavenly Serpent Mansion is the most suitable place for you in the entire Northwest Continent. Once you have achieved success in your cultivation, you can come find me."

Seeing Qing Lin's nervous expression, Xiao Jie ruffled her hair and spoke these words.

"Is that true, Young Master? Can I still come find you?" Qing Lin looked at Xiao Jie happily as she asked.

"Of course. You are very sensible and well-behaved; Young Master is very fond of you."