The Deal Is Struck—Since You're an Old Bachelor, Stop Sneaking Peeks

Yao Chen nodded. "That's right. I wonder if you would be willing to make this deal with me, young friend?"

Su Zhao did not answer immediately. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest as though deep in thought. After a moment, he slowly said, "Naturally, I can lend you a hand with what you mentioned, Senior. However... what do you intend to offer in exchange?"

"Heh heh."

Yao Chen chuckled, his tone carrying a trace of pride.

"Since you know my name, you should know that I was once the number one alchemist in the Central Plains. How about I teach you alchemy and pass down my high-level alchemist inheritance to you?"

Su Zhao grumbled inwardly, I have the Alchemy Emperor's inheritance, which goes all the way to Emperor-grade. Why would I need your alchemy inheritance?

Yet his expression remained unchanged as he directly refused. "My apologies, Senior Yao Lao, but I already have an alchemy inheritance. And... it is no worse than yours."

Yao Chen froze, then frowned.

He had originally believed that his alchemy inheritance was the most valuable thing he had to offer. He had not expected this brat to reject it outright. What else could he bring out, then? The Bone Spirit Cold Flame?

Compared to resurrection, the Bone Spirit Cold Flame was indeed not that important. But the reason his soul was currently able to remain so stable was partly due to the Bone Spirit Cold Flame secretly nourishing it.

Seeing through his thoughts, Su Zhao smiled faintly and said, "Heh heh, Senior Yao Lao, there is no need to make a decision right away. How about this? I promise to resurrect you and refine a body for you. In exchange, once you are revived, you will give the Bone Spirit Cold Flame to me. You can wait until your resurrection succeeds before fulfilling the agreement. What do you think?"

Yao Chen narrowed his eyes, a vaguely amused curve appearing at the corner of his lips. "You brat... you really are a shrewd one. You saw my weakness at a glance. Aren't you afraid that I won't give you the Bone Spirit Cold Flame after I'm resurrected?"

Su Zhao spread his hands. "Heh heh, I trust Senior Yao Lao's character. After all, you were once the number one alchemist in the Central Plains. If you fail to keep your word, I can always spread the tale around. I'm afraid your reputation in your later years would be ruined."

Yao Chen was left speechless by Su Zhao's words. He glared at him before snorting irritably. "Fine, fine! I'm not so untrustworthy that I would do such a thing. The agreement is made! Help me resurrect, and I will definitely give you the Bone Spirit Cold Flame afterward."

Su Zhao smiled and raised his teacup. "Senior Yao Lao is indeed decisive. Then... let us use tea in place of wine and wish us a pleasant partnership."

Seeing his calm and easygoing manner, Yao Chen could not help but smile as well. His illusory figure swayed slightly, and he extended a phantom finger to point at him. "You brat, you are quite an interesting fellow. Fine, I'll follow you from now on. Before you help me resurrect, if you need anything, I can lend you a hand."

Once the two had made their agreement, Su Zhao had Yao Lao return to the Bone Flame Ring to rest before getting up and heading outside.

As he pushed open the door to the alchemy room, a refreshing evening breeze met him head-on. He took a deep breath, feeling completely invigorated, and even his steps grew lighter.

He had just rounded the corridor corner when he saw Little Doctor walking past ahead of him with a medicine basket in her arms. Her light purple hair fluttered gently in the evening breeze, her figure graceful and light.

Su Zhao strode over and gently wrapped his arms around her slender waist from behind.

Little Doctor jumped in fright and nearly threw away the medicine basket in her hands. Only when she turned around and saw that it was Su Zhao did she let out a sigh of relief, pouting sweetly. "What are you doing? You scared me!"

Su Zhao rested his chin on her shoulder, his voice tinged with laughter. "Didn't I just see my little Xian'er? Xian'er, didn't you say before that you wanted to go out for a stroll? Come on, I'll take you around the Imperial City properly."

Little Doctor's face flushed slightly. Feeling the mischievous hands at her waist, she lightly slapped the back of his hand. "You're awful. Always getting handsy."

Su Zhao chuckled shamelessly. Not only did he refuse to let go, he took the opportunity to grasp her small hand, interlacing their fingers as he pulled her outside.

Little Doctor muttered under her breath, but her feet honestly followed his pace.

The two left the Mittel Family's gates and began strolling along the Imperial City's most bustling main street.

Night had just fallen, and the streets on both sides were brightly lit. Crowds flowed endlessly, while cries of vendors and laughter mingled into a lively scene.

Little Doctor looked around curiously. One moment, she stopped by a jewelry stall to browse; the next, the aroma of roadside snacks drew her over. Su Zhao did not rush her, simply letting her wander. Sometimes he paid for her things, sometimes he carried them for her. The atmosphere between them was relaxed and natural.

Yao Lao's voice suddenly drifted through Su Zhao's mind. "Hey, could that friend you mentioned be this little girlfriend of yours? Tsk, tsk, tsk. Two Calamity Poison Bodies appearing at once and becoming lovers... the potential you two will have in the future will likely defy the heavens."

Clearly, Yao Lao also knew just what an enormous effect it would have when two Calamity Poison Bodies cultivated together. The effects of exchanging their origin poison and improving together were far beyond ordinary dual cultivation methods.

Su Zhao replied inwardly, his tone carrying a hint of pride. Of course. Xian'er and I are the best couple in the world. Since you're an old bachelor, stop sneaking peeks.

Yao Lao's face darkened. "You little brat! Do you have no respect for your elders?"

Old bachelor.

"You brat! It's not that I can't find someone, understand?"

Yes, yes, yes.

"I'm furious!"

Su Zhao laughed so hard inwardly that he nearly doubled over, though his expression remained perfectly composed. He merely tightened his hold on Little Doctor's hand.

Little Doctor was choosing designs at a stall selling sugar figurines when she glanced back at him. "What are you laughing about?"

"Nothing. I just think you're beautiful."

The tips of Little Doctor's ears reddened again. She turned away and ignored him, but the fingers that had been selecting a sugar figurine unconsciously stopped moving.

As the sky darkened, the night in Jia Ma Imperial City only grew livelier.

The two wandered the streets for most of the night. Little Doctor had several little trinkets in her hands, while Su Zhao carried quite a few snacks she had bought.

Only when the moon had climbed high into the sky did they finally return to the Mittel Family, still reluctant to leave.

Over the following days, Su Zhao became busy.

He first sought out Hai Bo Dong and had him arrange for the Mittel Family to gather a batch of medicinal ingredients for him.

The list contained quite a variety of ingredients, even including materials needed to refine sixth-grade pills.

Su Zhao was not asking the Mittel Family to work for nothing. He promised to refine one sixth-grade pill and three fifth-grade pills for the Mittel Family free of charge as payment.

When Mittel Tengshan learned of this, he was overjoyed. They only needed to collect some materials, yet they could receive one sixth-grade pill and three fifth-grade pills in return. No matter how he calculated it, this deal was guaranteed profit.

He immediately made the decision, ordering the family to fully cooperate in gathering Su Zhao's medicinal ingredients.

Tengshan had his own plans as well. He had long wanted a sixth-grade Dou Ling Pill, which could raise a Dou King expert's cultivation by one star. His strength had been stuck at the Dou King realm for many years. If he could take this chance to advance further, it would be an enormous opportunity.