The Deal Was Sealed, and Xun'er Went All In!

"An inheritance for an Earth-tier sonic Dou Technique?"

At his words, Xun'er's willow-leaf brows knitted slightly, and surprise flashed through her beautiful eyes. She truly had not expected Lin Chen to make such a request.

After all, sonic Dou Techniques were rare to begin with. Many Dou Zun experts might never encounter an Earth-tier sonic Dou Technique in their entire lives.

In the original course of events, when Xiao Yan entered the library, he had preferred to forgo the mid-grade Earth-tier cultivation method, the Ninefold Phoenix Flame Art, in favor of the high-grade Xuan-tier sonic Dou Technique—the Lion-Tiger Shattering Gold Chant. That alone showed how valuable sonic Dou Techniques were.

One could say that a low-grade Earth-tier sonic Dou Technique absolutely rivaled a High-grade Earth-tier Dou Technique in value, because it involved attacks on the soul.

On the Dou Qi Continent, soul-related inheritances had long since died out. Any cultivation methods and combat skills involving the soul were beyond valuation. Even a top Central Plains power like the Pill Tower offered nothing more than a scroll of the Ancient Soul Cultivation Method as one of the prizes for the champion of its Pill Gathering.

"Your request certainly surprised me, Senior. The Sect Breaking Pill is one thing—it's merely a peak sixth-grade pill, and I can readily give you one. But an Earth-tier sonic Dou Technique..."

Hesitation showed on Xun'er's face. As the young lady of the Gu Clan who spent years away from home, even she had limits on the resources she could draw upon.

Even within the Gu Clan, Earth-tier sonic Dou Techniques counted as precious resources. As for Heaven-tier ones, the entire clan had only a few scrolls. Although the Gu Clan had many powerful experts, they did not specialize in souls or sonic techniques, unlike the Hun Clan, whose members were all "cackling freaks" with formidable soul power.

Lin Chen's request seemed simple, but in truth, it put her in a difficult position.

If he had joined the Gu Clan, requesting this sonic Dou Technique would have been easy enough. But he had not...

Noticing Xun'er's hesitation, Lin Chen slapped the table, turned to Zi Yan beside him, and barked, "What are you standing around for? Hurry up and change Junior Xun'er's tea! Can't you see it's nearly cold?"

Zi Yan clenched her teeth at his words, her large black eyes fixed on Lin Chen. Inwardly, she wanted nothing more than to tie him up on the spot and make him refine pills for her day and night, but all she said was a timid, "Yes."

Then, however, displeasure crossed Lin Chen's face. He waved a hand and said, "Forget it. With hands and feet that slow, what could you possibly get done? Stand aside."

"Junior Xun'er, let me change your tea."

With that, Lin Chen swept his sleeve, replaced the old tea leaves, and poured in fresh, clear mountain spring water. A flick of his finger sent a deep blue flame rising beneath the teapot.

In mere moments, bubbling sounds came from the teapot as the water boiled.

"Is that... the Sea Heart Flame?"

Surprise flashed through Xun'er's eyes. With her knowledge, she naturally recognized this legendary heavenly flame. Each of the twenty-three heavenly flames on the Heavenly Flame Ranking had its own distinctive traits. Aside from a handful that looked alike, they were almost impossible to mistake.

Moreover, an almost imperceptible golden light flashed through her eyes, and a mysterious aura within her body was quietly suppressed, settling back into stillness.

"You really do keep surprising me, Senior..."

"The first time I met you, you were only a Da Dou Shi, just like me..."

"The second time, you had already broken through to Dou Ling..."

"And now, on our third meeting, only a few months have passed, yet you've already subdued a heavenly flame. With fortune like that, you're practically the protagonist of one of those novels~"

Xun'er sighed in admiration. The scales weighing something in her heart abruptly tipped, and she made her decision in an instant. She was not like a certain indecisive elder. Since Lin Chen possessed such potential, she ought to increase her investment.

Even if she could not draw him into the Gu Clan, forging a favorable bond with him would still be worthwhile.

"I agree to your request, Senior. Here is the Sect Breaking Pill. As for an Earth-tier sonic Dou Technique, I don't currently have one on hand. Please wait a few days. I'll need to discuss it with my clan's elders."

Xun'er swept her delicate hand, and a pale blue pill bottle appeared on the stone table. Then she rose and gave Lin Chen a faint smile as she spoke calmly.

"Of course, of course. There's no rush at all. I'll be staying in the Outer Academy for the next few days, awaiting your good news, Junior."

Lin Chen rose as well, a satisfied smile spreading across his face while his heart blossomed with joy. An Earth-tier sonic Dou Technique—its power had already been proven in the simulation.

A Dou Wang using it could affect a Dou Emperor, and a Dou Emperor using it could disrupt a Dou Zong. It was nothing short of a miraculous skill for fighting above one's level. To him, its value far exceeded that of a seventh-grade alchemist inheritance.

Xun'er nodded slightly, said nothing more, and prepared to take her leave.

"Wait a moment..."

Just then, Lin Chen called out to stop her. Hesitation crossed his face, but he asked anyway. "Junior Xun'er, does your clan buy heavenly flames?"

"If I sold you a heavenly flame, what price could you offer?"

"A heavenly flame? Are you planning to sell your Sea Heart Flame, Senior?"

Xun'er turned back, her willow-leaf brows knitting slightly, her eyes full of astonishment. She seemed unable to understand how anyone could be so wasteful. An alchemist actually wanted to sell his own heavenly flame?

"Ahem, naturally, I don't mean the one I have now..."

"Junior Xun'er, to tell you the truth, I've always been lucky. I keep coming across all sorts of strange and unusual things. What I mean is, if—just if—I happen to find a heavenly flame I have no use for in the future, could I contact you and sell it to you?"

Lin Chen gave a light cough and asked cautiously, his tone carrying a hint of probing.

At his words, a thoughtful look entered Xun'er's eyes. Then she nodded slightly and said, "You can. This is a specially made Communication Jade Slip. It can record voices and transmit messages across space, but it's a single-use item. If you really do find another heavenly flame in the future, you can send me a message. I'll offer you a price you'll be satisfied with."

"But remember, Senior, this jade slip is very precious and difficult to make. Please don't use it to say anything trivial just to tease me."

With that, Xun'er winked at Lin Chen. Her earlier composure gave way to a young girl's playfulness, setting his heart fluttering fiercely.

"Of course, of course. I certainly wouldn't deceive you, Junior. Just think of our friendship—we're fellow students. How could I possibly cheat you?"

Lin Chen laughed and reached out to take the specially made Communication Jade Slip. Its surface was smooth as jade, and it faintly emitted almost imperceptible spatial fluctuations. He understood then that this was perhaps something the Gu Clan had given Xun'er to send messages.

Yet Xun'er gave it to me...

Round things up, and I'm practically half a member of the Gu Clan now!

"Well, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Xun'er smiled faintly and nodded, then dipped in a polite bow and headed out of the courtyard.

"Let me see you out, Junior..."

Hearing this, Lin Chen stepped forward with a smile and went ahead of her to open the courtyard gate.

Only after Xun'er had left did Lin Chen return to the courtyard. Zi Yan was sitting where he had been, sipping a cup of hot tea and happily popping a pill into her mouth. Her short little legs swung back and forth, and she looked utterly delighted.

Lin Chen grabbed her by the scruff of her neck and asked with a smile, "Tasty?"

"Mhm, tasty."

"If it's tasty, then get to work. Go deliver this Sect Breaking Pill to old man Hu Gan. I'm going to prepare the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk for you. If you want pills, you have to work. I'm not feeding you for nothing."

Lin Chen pinched Zi Yan's smooth, round little cheek, provoking a burst of irritation from her. She snatched the jade bottle containing the Sect Breaking Pill and dashed out of the courtyard.

She left only one fierce threat behind: "Lin Chen, just you wait! Sooner or later, I'll make you refine pills for me for free!"

At that, Lin Chen burst into laughter. Then he returned to the quiet chamber, took out the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk, and began preparing the medicinal liquid.