Chapter 64

"This is the agreed-upon payment; please accept it Seventh Elder."

The Seventh Elder took the Brocade Box, opened it, and found a Spirit Condensation Pill of 90% superior quality, emitting a rich medicinal fragrance, lying quietly inside the Brocade Box.

Upon seeing this pill, a look of shock flashed in the Seventh Elder's eyes. He never expected that the Ninth Princess would give him the most precious of the ten pills.

His original expectation was only 70% medium quality; as for 90% super quality, he didn't even dare to dream of it.

Seeing the Seventh Elder's surprised expression, Xiao Minghuang smiled and said:

"Seventh Elder, there's no need to be so polite. This is what you deserve. Ruoshui will often come to visit Seventh Elder in the future, so please don't take offense."

Hearing this, the Seventh Elder's mind calmed down slightly. No wonder he gave away the most precious pill; it turned out he wanted to borrow his alchemy furnace...

"Your Highness, you flatter me. This alchemy furnace of mine was also made using Spirit Gold and materials from the royal treasury. It is not my personal property. Your Highness and the Princess are welcome to use it at any time!"

"Thank you very much, Seventh Elder."

Xiao Minghuang cupped his hands in greeting and said:

"We have troubled you for a long time today, so Ruoshui and I will take our leave now."

The Seventh Elder quickly waved his hand and said:

"I dare not accept such praise. Your Highness and the Princess are escorted here."

Xiao Minghuang chuckled:

"Seventh Elder, there's no need for such formalities."

The Seventh Elder respectfully said:

"Yes, yes, it would be an honor for this old minister to be able to deliver it to His Highness and the Princess!"

Xiao Minghuang smiled, took Ye Ruoshui's hand, and walked out of the pavilion.

Just as they reached the winding corridor, the Seventh Elder suddenly spoke up:

"Your Highness, I have a gift to present to the Princess. May I wait a moment?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang stopped and turned around, saying:

"Seventh Elder, please go and fetch it. We will wait here."

"Your Highness and the Princess, please wait a moment. This old minister will be right back."

After saying that, the Seventh Elder took a step and rushed into the pavilion in the blink of an eye.

Seeing the Seventh Elder's hurried steps, Ye Ruoshui asked curiously:

"Your Highness, what gift does the Seventh Elder want to give me? Why is he in such a hurry?"

Xiao Minghuang thought for a moment and said:

"Although the Seventh Elder's alchemy skills are mediocre, he is, after all, Divine Sea Fifth Level martial artist. The things he can produce are probably not too bad."

Having said that, she added:

"Ruoshui, you probably can't handle something that Divine Sea Fifth Level expert has brought out. I'll keep it for you and give it to you when the time comes."

"Yes, thank you, Your Highness!"

Ye Ruoshui nodded obediently.

Xiao Minghuang patted Ye Ruoshui's head, feeling a surge of emotion. Anyone else would never have believed what he said.

The items that Divine Sea Fifth Level expert would present are undoubtedly extremely valuable. Giving them to a Qi Refining First Level martial artist would be an immense opportunity, and no one would easily let it slip by.

But for Ye Ruoshui, it doesn't matter if it's a gift from a Divine Sea Realm expert.

Even if an immortal's inheritance were right in front of her, she could give it up without hesitation with just one word from Xiao Minghuang!

Ye Ruoshui's love for Xiao Minghuang was so deep that nothing could erase it.

A short while later, the Seventh Elder came out, carrying a thick stack of golden books.

He presented the thick golden book with both hands, his tone slightly excited, and said:

"Your Highness, Princess, this is all that this old minister has learned in his life, and I have recorded it all. Although it is not even a fraction of the Princess's skill in alchemy, this old minister really has nothing else to offer..."

The Seventh Elder became more and more excited as he spoke. After he finished, he took a few deep breaths to calm himself down.

Xiao Minghuang accepted the golden book and said gently:

"Seventh Elder, why belittle yourself? You have been immersed in alchemy for over a hundred years; you must have unique skills. Although Ruoshui has some talent, she will still need your guidance in the future!"

The Seventh Elder's face flushed red, and he shook his head repeatedly, saying:

"I dare not accept such praise, I am unworthy to be compared with the princess!"

88. Pill Pavilion, are you shy?

The Seventh Elder knew that Princess Yaoguang was only twelve years old, yet she could refine Mysterious-grade Low-rank pills. Such talent was probably unmatched in the entire Southern Border.

Even looking across the vast Eastern Pole, perhaps only the chosen ones at the Eastern Pole Pill Pavilion headquarters can compare to them.

Thinking of this, the Seventh Elder couldn't help but say:

"Your Highness, the Princess is a prodigy in alchemy. Without a renowned teacher to guide her, her talent may go to waste. It would be better for her to study at the Pill Pavilion, where her talent can be nurtured to its fullest potential."

"Pill Pavilion?"

Xiao Minghuang looked puzzled; it was the first time she had ever heard this name.

The Seventh Elder's expression froze for a moment, and he asked:

"Your Highness is unaware of the Pill Pavilion?"

Xiao Minghuang shook her head slightly.

The Seventh Elder explained:

"The Pill Pavilion is a transcendent force within the Southern Border, its status is in no way inferior to the Three Great Sects, and it even subtly surpasses them!"

"Alchemists from the Pill Pavilion hold extremely high status, and each one possesses exceptional talent—truly one in ten thousand!"

"The Pavilion Master of the Southern Border Pill Pavilion is a super strong expert at the peak of the Spirit Seed Realm, whose strength is no less than that of our Old Ancestor!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang bowed slightly, glanced at the Seventh Elder, and asked:

"It seems that the Pill Pavilion is a power dominated by alchemists. Why doesn't the Seventh Elder, who is so devoted to the art of alchemy, go to the Pill Pavilion to become an apprentice and learn from him?"

Upon hearing this, the Seventh Elder blushed, awkwardly averted his gaze, and stammered:

"When I was young, I went to the Pill Pavilion to become an apprentice, but I was turned away..."

Having said that, the Seventh Elder suddenly shut his mouth and stopped talking.

Xiao Minghuang frowned slightly and continued to ask:

"Isn't the Pill Pavilion a power dominated by alchemists? Why would it refuse Seventh Elder? Could there be something fishy going on here?"

"No... no..."

The Seventh Elder sighed softly and said with a wry smile:

"The masters of the Pill Pavilion disliked my talent, saying it was too poor and I didn't meet the Pill Pavilion standards, so they kicked me out."

Upon uttering these words, the Seventh Elder felt utterly ashamed and wished he could dig a hole and bury himself.

In the past, he would tell others that he had given up the opportunity to study at the Pill Pavilion because he wanted to return to the Great Xia to build up his motherland.

But for him to say such things in front of Ye Ruoshui seemed rather insincere.

"Oh."

Xiao Minghuang responded with a smile:

"The Pill Pavilion will definitely regret missing out on a genius alchemist like the Seventh Elder."

Hearing this, the Seventh Elder said bitterly:

"Your Highness, please stop making fun of this old minister. Don't you know my abilities?"

Today's competition has exposed all his secrets, and he will never have the right to swagger again.

Xiao Minghuang suppressed her smile and said seriously:

"I have remembered what the Seventh Elder said. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will take Ruoshui to the Pill Pavilion so as not to hinder her talent."

Furthermore, he genuinely hoped that Princess Yaoguang could receive better training at the Pill Pavilion. Since the Great Xia lacked a lineage of alchemy, keeping her here would only hinder Princess Yaoguang's talent.

That's why he said those things.

That's about enough.

Xiao Minghuang bid farewell to the Seventh Elder and led Ye Ruoshui away from the Enshrinement Courtyard, heading towards the Princess Mansion.

By the time they returned to the Princess Mansion, it was already late at night.

The moon shines brightly in the sky.

Ye Ruoshui was exhausted, but she kept going until she finally drifted off to sleep, leaning on Xiao Minghuang's shoulder.

Xiao Minghuang carried Ye Ruoshui and walked lightly towards their bedroom.

As soon as Ye Ruoshui returned to her bedroom, she immediately lay down on the bed and fell fast asleep.

"Just like a child!"

Xiao Minghuang knew that refining pills consumed just as much energy as fighting. Today, Ye Ruoshui had almost exhausted her spiritual energy by refining Mysterious-grade Low-rank pill, which was why she was so tired.

Xiao Minghuang took out some spirit stones from his pocket, placed them in Ye Ruoshui's room, and then left.

At this time.

The night was deep and quiet, and all was still.

Xiao Minghuang looked up at the moon, which hung in the sky like a round disc, with stars dotting the sky, adding much beauty to the heavens.

"Your Highness, you're back?"

As Xiao Minghuang was gazing at the moon in a daze, a gentle female voice suddenly came from beside him.

She turned her head and saw a pretty face.

"Wanqiu..."

Lin Wanqiu, dressed in a snow-white undergarment, emerged from the path with a joyful expression on her face.

She took Ye Ruoshui to the Imperial Palace early this morning without even telling Lin Wanqiu.

Unexpectedly, Lin Wanqiu waited for her until late at night.

Xiao Minghuang's expression froze for a moment, but she felt a warm glow in her heart.

A hint of apology appeared on her face as she took out a Brocade Box from her sleeve and handed it to Lin Wanqiu.

"Wanqiu, Ruoshui and I went to the Imperial Palace to refine pills today. Here are a few Spirit Condensation Pill; please accept them."

Lin Wanqiu nodded slightly and took the pill.

Their hands crossed and accidentally touched each other.

Their fingers, one icy cold and the other gentle, touched together, as if they could feel the flutter in each other's hearts.

Xiao Minghuang was slightly taken aback, then quickly withdrew her hand.

A faint blush rose to her cheeks, her heart skipped a beat, and an indescribable, strange feeling welled up inside her.

A flame seemed to be burning in her heart, a feeling she had never experienced before in all her interactions with Lin Wanqiu.

Xiao Minghuang frowned slightly, shifted her gaze to the lotus pond beside her, and calmly said:

"It's getting late, I'm going to rest now, you should rest early too."

Before Lin Wanqiu could respond, Xiao Minghuang turned around and disappeared into the night in the blink of an eye.

Lin Wanqiu watched Xiao Minghuang's actions, a hint of doubt flashing in her beautiful eyes.

"His Highness's appearance..."

Something seems a little strange.