Yun Yun fell silent. (-_-) (-_-)
Pill King Gu He's feelings for her were no secret among the powerful circles of the Jia Ma Empire. Otherwise, why would a dignified Sixth-Rank Alchemist with the potential to become a Rank 7 Alchemist maintain such close ties with the Misty Cloud Sect when he could become an honored guest even in some second-rate factions on the continent?
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No one had ever discussed this subject in front of her before. She had not expected Zhang Yuan to know about it, much less ask her about it to her face.
For her disciple's sake, she did not mind answering. It was not exactly a secret.
"My response was to tell him not to set his heart on me." After pondering for a long while, Yun Yun said, "For the rest of my life, I will strive for the rise of the Misty Cloud Sect. Unless someone can take over my position, I will not consider romantic relationships before then."
Pill King Gu He was very good, but precisely because of that, Yun Yun had rejected him decisively. She knew what she wanted.
She had also never taken advantage of Gu He's feelings to do anything. Even when she asked him to refine pills, she paid the corresponding price according to the rules.
If Gu He wanted to be with her, he would have to marry into the Misty Cloud Sect. But given his status as a Sixth-Rank Alchemist, that was impossible. He would be ridiculed if he did so. Besides, if he truly did that, Yun Yun would probably look down on him even more.
Before Yun Yun no longer had to concern herself with the Misty Cloud Sect, this was an unsolvable dilemma.
"I see." Zhang Yuan smiled faintly and said, "Logically speaking, the person who can inherit your position, Sister Yun Yun, should be Yan Ran, whom you have taken as your disciple. If I accept her feelings, wouldn't that mean you would remain alone in the sect leader's position for the rest of your life?"
Yun Yun froze for a moment, then smiled. "That will be Yan Ran's own decision. If she chooses you over the position of Misty Cloud Sect leader, I will have no objections. Besides, it is not as if I can only take one disciple."
Zhang Yuan nodded slightly. "Then once Yan Ran makes her decision, I'll tell Sister Yun Yun my answer."
Yun Yun's smile stiffened. After a long while, she shook her head. "I didn't expect you to be so sly. Not only did you avoid answering my question, you even asked me one instead. But never mind."
Illusory wings spread from Yun Yun's back. With a light flap, she flew high into the sky.
"If Yan Ran chooses you, I hope you won't let her down. Otherwise, as her master, I will definitely stand up for her." Hearing her voice echo beside his ears, Zhang Yuan curled his lip.
I hope that when Nalan Yanran asks you for help, you'll truly be able to stand up for her.
"A single meal of roasted meat for a Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill and a Fourth-tier Magical Core. Not bad at all."
Zhang Yuan slowly rose to his feet. Rather than using Exotic Fire Wings, he used his movement technique to descend the mountain and head toward Qingyun Town.
Half an hour later, he returned to the Xuan Character Camp. Meng Xu, his subordinate vice commandant, was leading the men in training.
"Commandant!"
The moment Meng Xu saw Zhang Yuan return, he immediately gave a military salute. The respect on his face could not have been more obvious.
After their spar that day, Zhang Yuan had thoroughly frightened him. The agony caused by the power of lightning had seeped into his soul, and Zhang Yuan's monstrous talent had killed any thought of catching up to him. Since they had not become mortal enemies, why not become a loyal dog?
If he could establish ties with a prodigy like Zhang Yuan, perhaps once Zhang Yuan rose to prominence, he too could rise with him.
"Has the royal reward arrived?" Zhang Yuan asked calmly.
Military merit could be exchanged for many things: cultivation techniques, Dou Skills, pill formulas, medicinal pills, and heavenly treasures. Everything was available.
Of course, given the overall strength of the Jia Ma Empire, even with the Misty Cloud Sect included, it was only a top-tier third-rate force. There were already very few items on the exchange list that could move him.
He planned to exchange all his military merit for the materials he needed, then forge himself a suitable Dou Artifact.
A True Dragon could not be nurtured in shallow waters. It was about time for him to leave the army and proceed with the next stage of his plans.
"It has arrived. Princess Yaoye personally came to grant the reward." Envy appeared in Meng Xu's eyes as he said, "One hundred thousand military merit points, along with an Imperial Black Gold Card."
One hundred thousand military merit points could allow the royal family to request that Gu He refine Fifth-Rank Pills once. For example, a Spirit Nurturing Pill, which could raise a Dou Ling's strength by one or two stars. Each Dou Ling could only take one, but the materials for the pill had to be provided by the requester.
The royal family was not being stingy. Asking an Alchemist to refine pills required not only connections, but also payment equal to the value of the pill. It was equivalent to giving him a Fifth-Rank Pill.
As for the Imperial Black Gold Card, it granted discounts ranging from ten to thirty percent at many places throughout the Jia Ma Empire, as well as benefits such as free rides on flying mounts. Taken together over time, it represented a considerable fortune.
"One hundred thousand military merit points? That's acceptable." Zhang Yuan took out an exchange list he had prepared long ago from his Storage Ring, then handed it and his token to Meng Xu. "Go to the quartermaster's office and apply to exchange for the items on this list."
What others considered the most valuable thing, the opportunity to have pills refined, was the least valuable thing to him. He could ask Old Yao to act, and in the future, he could have Little Yan refine pills for him as well.
If he used the one hundred thousand merit points to exchange for medicinal ingredients, he could gather nearly two sets of materials for Spirit Nurturing Pills.
He only wanted refining materials for artifacts.
"Yes!" Meng Xu accepted the token and list, then said, "Commandant, the commander said that once you returned, you should visit the commander's residence. Princess Yaoye wishes to see you."
The princess wanted to see him?
She was probably planning to recruit him. He wondered whether she would give him a gift like Yun Yun had.
Thinking this, Zhang Yuan nodded slightly. "I understand. In that case, go fetch the horses. We'll enter the town together."
Meng Xu naturally had no objection. He immediately had someone bring both his and Zhang Yuan's horses. The two returned to Qingyun Town together, then went their separate ways before the commander's residence.
Everyone under Qin Zhendong knew Zhang Yuan. More accurately, no one in the entire Black Armored Guard failed to recognize him now. Someone immediately led him into the inner hall.
Qin Zhendong was chatting with a woman. She wore luxurious brocade robes, and her tall figure carried an air of authority cultivated by the royal family. Yet her entire body also exuded a mature charm.
The moment Zhang Yuan entered the inner hall, he noticed her. However, his expression did not change in the slightest.
She was a beauty, but she could not compare to Yun Yun, whom he had just met, or Xun Er.
Princess Yaoye also examined Zhang Yuan at once, a trace of astonishment flashing through her eyes.
The portrait had not captured even half of Zhang Yuan's bearing or looks.
"Greetings, Commander. Greetings, Princess Yaoye." Zhang Yuan cupped his fists toward them in salute.
"Zhang Yuan, you came at just the right time. I was just speaking with the princess about you, so why not tell her yourself?" Qin Zhendong had Zhang Yuan sit down, then brought up a subject.
It was mainly about the details of how he had dealt with the Illusionary Mist Nine Bandits, as well as some matters of military strategy.
Zhang Yuan did not know whether Princess Yaoye truly liked the topic or was merely being polite, but she listened attentively throughout.
"Commandant Zhang, I heard from Commander Qin that you offered Commander Qin Zhenming a plan to deal with the Beast Tide in the nearby Magical Beast Mountain Range. Yaoye would like to observe and learn from the scene. What do you think?" Princess Yaoye suddenly asked.
Zhang Yuan smiled faintly. "For this matter, Your Highness may consult the commander and the commanding officer directly. There is no need to obtain my consent."
Princess Yaoye shook her head. "I wish to train under Commandant Zhang for a period of time, so I still need your consent."
Train under his command?
What the hell? Not only was there no gift, she even wanted him to serve as her nanny.
Zhang Yuan pondered for a moment, then asked, "I can take the assignment, but what do I get out of it?"
Princess Yaoye:?
Qin Zhendong: ""
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