Xiao Yi Xian blinked at his words, her curiosity mingling with a hint of caution as she gently lifted the jade box's clasp.
As the lid slowly opened, a warm, emerald-green radiance surged from within. The fresh, rich fragrance of herbs and spiritual medicines instantly filled the air.
When the radiance faded, Xiao Chen could finally see what was inside: a perfectly round, jade-green bead, resting quietly in the center of the box.
Fama stared at the bead, his heart giving a violent jolt. He marveled inwardly at Yaoye's astounding generosity. To win someone over, she had actually given away such a treasure.
Xiao Yi Xian didn't know what the bead in the jade box was, but judging from the radiance and everyone's reactions, she could tell it was an exceedingly rare treasure.
"I'll accept this. If the Jia Ma Imperial Family ever finds itself in trouble, I'll lend a hand once!"
Xiao Chen raised his hand and closed the jade box. Then he flipped his palm, and a jade bottle appeared in it. "This is the Fifth-grade Pill I just refined, a Dou Ling Pill. Once I reach the Sixth Grade, I can refine a pill for the princess once!"
A Dou Ling Pill, a chance to have a Sixth-Grade Pill refined, and a promise—this was the price Xiao Chen offered in exchange for the gift.
At his words, Yaoye pressed her lips together. She knew Xiao Chen wasn't willing to accept the Imperial Family's recruitment, so he had chosen to make an exchange instead.
But from the very beginning, she hadn't expected to win him over. Building a closer relationship had already achieved her goal. With that in mind, Yaoye smiled charmingly and said, "Young Master, you jest. I simply thought little sister Xian'er was adorable and wanted to give her a small gift. There's no need for all this!"
"As the saying goes, courtesy calls for reciprocity. I really like this gift, so I've prepared one for the princess as well. Surely you won't refuse?"
If it really had been a small gift, Xiao Chen wouldn't have gone to such lengths. But it was a Bodhi Seed. If he simply accepted it, he would owe her a huge favor.
Seeing how determined Xiao Chen was, Yaoye could only nod and accept. In truth, she didn't know what the thing was either; she only knew it had been passed down by her ancestors.
But even if she had known, it wouldn't have made much difference. The Bodhi Seed could only be used to refine an Eighth-Tier Pill, the Bodhi Pill.
There wasn't a single Eighth-Tier Alchemist anywhere in the entire Jia Ma Empire. The thing was little more than a decoration in the Imperial Family's treasury.
Although Fama had recognized it, he wouldn't say so. He couldn't use the thing himself, and revealing its identity would only offend Xiao Chen. It would do him no good at all.
And so, all three sides felt they had come out ahead. Yaoye had gotten what she wanted, and Xiao Chen had gotten what he wanted.
Fama hadn't gained anything, but at least he hadn't lost Xiao Chen's goodwill or let the Imperial Family snatch him away. For Fama, that was the best possible outcome.
"Hahaha, Princess, young friend, please! This old man is treating today. Let's get together at the Moon-Gazing Pavilion!"
As they spoke, the Moon-Gazing Pavilion's carriage had arrived to pick them up. Fama's attitude had completely changed from before as he invited everyone aboard.
Yaoye didn't know why Fama's attitude had made a complete turnaround, but she still followed them onto the carriage.
At the Moon-Gazing Pavilion, in a private room on the top floor...
They drank and toasted one another, with Fama and Yaoye offering words of praise now and then. The banquet lasted until nightfall.
"Brother Fama, I'll be staying in the Imperial Capital for a while. There may be some things I'll need your help with!"
Although Xiao Chen had drunk quite a bit, he hadn't forgotten what mattered. Refining a Poison Pill to raise Xiao Yi Xian's strength was urgent.
That would require a large quantity of highly poisonous spiritual medicines. When it came to spiritual medicines, no one had more influence than Fama. If Xiao Chen wanted to gather them quickly, he would need Fama's help.
At his words, Fama thumped his chest and promised, "Don't worry, little brother. There's no problem in the Imperial Capital I can't handle!"
Though he didn't know what Xiao Chen wanted him to do, he would try anything if it meant getting Xiao Chen to owe him a favor.
Yaoye quickly chimed in as well. "Brother Xiao Chen, you have me, too. If you need anything, just say the word. As long as the Imperial Family has it, I'll do my best to get it for you!"
Yaoye didn't dare promise she could definitely provide it. She hadn't taken charge of the Imperial Family yet, and the old ancestor, Jia Xingtian, was still above her.
But if Jia Xingtian knew about Xiao Chen, he would probably approve of her actions too. So she wasn't worried, and dared to make the promise.
"Then thank you both. I'd like to buy some highly poisonous spiritual medicines. The more toxic, the better!"
Xiao Chen went ahead and told them what he needed. With these two helping him, wouldn't it be much faster than trudging around and buying everything himself?
As for owing them favors, he could always refine two more Dou Ling Pills. What he needed was a trivial matter to them, and giving them a Dou Ling Pill would more than repay the favor.
Fama paused in surprise. Only after a moment did he react. "Ha! I thought it was something serious. That's all? Just wait, little brother. I'll send people to deliver them tomorrow. I guarantee they'll be poisonous enough!"
"There are some highly poisonous spiritual medicines in the Imperial Family's treasury, too. If you need them, Brother Xiao Chen, I'll have someone deliver them first thing tomorrow!"
Yaoye hadn't expected Xiao Chen's request to be so simple. It wasn't even something she needed to ask Jia Xingtian about; she could decide it herself.
With both of them promising to help, Xiao Chen was reassured. After bidding them farewell, he took Xiao Yi Xian into the Moon-Gazing Pavilion.
When the two arrived in the Imperial Capital, they had gone straight to the Alchemist Guild and hadn't left for three days. When they came out, they had headed to the Moon-Gazing Pavilion, without having chosen a place to stay. Yaoye had thoughtfully arranged their lodging for them, and naturally, it was the Moon-Gazing Pavilion.
The night passed peacefully. Early the next morning, someone knocked on their door. Xiao Chen climbed out of bed and glanced at Xiao Yi Xian, who had been woken by the noise. He reached out and rubbed her head. "It should be the people bringing the spiritual medicines. If you're sleepy, Xian'er, go back to sleep for a while."
"Mm! We stayed up too late last night. I'm so sleepy!"
Xiao Yi Xian yawned, rubbed her eyes, and burrowed back beneath the covers. Xiao Chen had kept her up late the previous night, leaving her utterly worn out. She still felt weak all over.
Seeing this, Xiao Chen didn't bother her further. He lifted the covers, got out of bed, and opened the door. The scene outside startled him. The entire corridor was packed with all kinds of exotic flowers and herbs, blooming in a riot of colors. A cloying scent filled the air.
But that sweetness didn't come from the spiritual energy within the medicines. It came from the various poisons mingling together.
"You just leave this stuff sitting out here? Aren't you afraid someone passing by will be poisoned to death?"
Xiao Chen regretted saying this as soon as the words left his mouth. He'd forgotten that only important figures could come to the Moon-Gazing Pavilion's top floor. The weakest of them were at least Dou Wangs. How could they possibly be brought down by a bit of poisonous air?
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