What Did You Think, Young Master Tang?

Hearing the City Lord call out, Tang Yan's lips curved upward. He quickly hid his smile, however, and turned around with feigned curiosity. "City Lord, did you call me?"

"Haha, yes. Come, Young Master Tang, let's chat a little longer," Lin Xiao said, his face wreathed in smiles.

"You must be very busy, City Lord. I won't disturb you any further. Farewell." Tang Yan cupped his hands.

Lin Xiao could not help blaming himself for being too hasty earlier. Disregarding his status, he hurried over and caught Tang Yan by the arm. "There's no rush. Come inside and sit a while longer."

Tang Yan asked a question whose answer he already knew. "City Lord, why did you call me back?"

"You said you came to offer a gift. As the saying goes, one shouldn't accept a reward without earning it. How could I accept such a generous gift from your family for nothing? I happen to need this Scarless Pill. Name your price."

"I've admired Miss Dongxue for a long time. The last time we met, I lost my head for a moment, which led to a misunderstanding between us. Yet Miss Dongxue chose not to pursue the matter, and I've always been grateful. When I happened to hear that Madam Lin needed this pill, I brought it here at once, simply to repay Miss Dongxue's kindness. I seek nothing else." Smiling, Tang Yan took the porcelain bottle from inside his robe and set it on the table.

Lin Xiao studied Tang Yan. This young man had been a wastrel in Cloud City for over a decade, yet his words and conduct today had completely defied Lin Xiao's expectations.

He knew when to retreat and when to advance, and had both courage and strategy! He was no less impressive than the outstanding youths of the other great lineages!

Lin Xiao knew that accepting this pill would mean owing the Tang Family a favor.

If the pill truly worked, that favor would be as immense as the heavens.

Every great lineage in Cloud City wanted him in their debt, but he had always maintained a neutral stance and rarely owed anyone favors.

Yet for his wife's sake, he had no choice but to incur this debt. Sighing inwardly, Lin Xiao said with a soft chuckle, "In that case, refusing would be discourteous. I'll accept it."

Tang Yan did not dwell on it. Ensuring that the City Lord's Residence would not strike at the Tang Family in the near future was enough. He cupped his hands and said, "Just swallow the pill. If Madam Lin has any cultivation, she can hasten its effects herself. Once its medicinal potency has been fully activated, the initial effects should appear within six hours. I won't disturb you any longer. Farewell."

Lin Xiao did not press him to stay. With his wife on his mind, he took the pill straight back to his quarters.

"The City Lord certainly doesn't stand on ceremony. Even a low-grade second-tier elixir could sell for ten thousand taels of silver. Was he really not going to offer anything in return?" After leaving the City Lord's Residence, Tang Yan gave a wry chuckle. It seemed he would still have to ask his grandfather for the money to refine the First Spirit Pill.

Just as Tang Yan was lamenting this, a carriage stopped outside the City Lord's Residence.

"Tang Yan!" A clear, lilting voice rang out. Tang Yan turned to see two graceful figures jump down from the carriage.

"Ah, Sister Dongxue and Miss Wu Xuan."

"What are you doing at my City Lord's Residence?" Lin Dongxue asked with a frown.

"The City Lord toils day and night for our Cloud City. I was so deeply moved that I came especially to visit him," Tang Yan said solemnly.

His words struck both Lin Dongxue and Wu Xuan as absurd. You came to visit the City Lord?

"I just went out to fetch Sister Wu Xuan. The whole trip took less than an hour, and you've already finished your visit?" Lin Dongxue demanded, her eyes wide.

"The City Lord attends to countless affairs each day. How could I dare disturb him for too long?" Unwilling to get entangled with them, Tang Yan hastily changed the subject. "Haha, I won't disturb you ladies either. Farewell."

With that, he turned and hurried off.

"Dongxue, didn't you invite me here to guide you through your moves? I heard today that the Tang Family's eldest young master has already reached origin tier eighth grade. He'd make a perfect sparring partner for you," Wu Xuan suddenly said, breaking her silence.

Lin Dongxue's eyes lit up. With laughter in her gaze, she said, "Please wait, Young Master Tang. Come inside for a chat. There's something I'd like to trouble you with."

Wu Xuan had made no effort to lower her voice, so Tang Yan had heard every word. Helplessness washed over him. Why does this woman keep making trouble for me?

"In that case, obedience is better than empty courtesy." Tang Yan sighed inwardly. Neither the City Lord's Residence nor the Wonderful Elixir Workshop was something he could afford to offend right now.

Following the two women back into the City Lord's Residence, Tang Yan distinctly sensed Wu Xuan's curious gaze landing on him again and again.

"Miss Wu Xuan, why do you keep staring at me? Have flowers sprouted on my face?" Tang Yan asked with a smile.

"I'm just curious. When you said your dantian had been crippled, how did you fool everyone? And how did you come to possess the strength of origin tier eighth grade?" Wu Xuan brushed aside a lock of hair at her temple, affecting a casual air.

"My dantian really was destroyed. I didn't deceive either of you that day. I merely happened to meet my esteemed master and was fortunate enough to have my dantian repaired, allowing me to cultivate the martial path again." Tang Yan once again trotted out his master as a cover.

As the daughter of a City Lord, Lin Dongxue far surpassed ordinary people in both knowledge and shrewdness. Wu Xuan, as the Wonderful Elixir Workshop's chief alchemist, was likewise meticulous in her thinking, befitting her lofty position. At the words "esteemed master," both women's pupils contracted. There's an expert backing this fellow?

Although they were only half convinced by his words, Tang Yan's explanation was perfectly reasonable.

"Oh? May I ask who your esteemed master is? Could you introduce us?" Wu Xuan asked with a faint smile.

"He has no fixed abode. We can only meet when fate allows."

"What a pity. If the opportunity arises, please introduce us, young master. Our Wonderful Elixir Workshop would certainly offer him the warmest welcome." Wu Xuan's lovely eyes shifted, stirring the heart.

"I'll be sure to pass that along the next time I see my master."

After walking for roughly fifteen minutes, the three reached an elegant little residence bearing the words "Dongxue Pavilion." Presumably, this was where Lin Dongxue lived.

"Sister Wu Xuan, I've nearly mastered the Graceful Sword Technique you taught me last time. With a few more pointers from you today, I think I'll be able to perfect it," Lin Dongxue said as soon as they entered the courtyard.

"All right. Show me the sequence once, and I'll point out anything that needs work." Wu Xuan nodded with a smile.

Hearing their exchange, Tang Yan grew inwardly wary. Martial arts were generally closely guarded secrets, yet Wu Xuan had actually taught Lin Dongxue a sword technique. The City Lord's Residence and the Wonderful Elixir Workshop were more closely connected than he had imagined.

"Should I step aside?" Tang Yan made as if to leave.

"No need. Just watch, Young Master Tang. Dongxue, demonstrate it once," Wu Xuan said.

"All right!" Lin Dongxue answered and drew a sword. Its blade was slender and as thin as a cicada's wing. Even with Tang Yan's exacting eye, he had to admire it as a fine sword.

"Watch closely!"

Lin Dongxue gave a spirited cry, gathered a breath of true qi, and began practicing her swordsmanship in the center of the courtyard.

This sword art was called the Graceful Sword Technique, and its movements lived up to its name. In Lin Dongxue's hands, they were nimble and flowing. As she unfolded the sequence move by move, Tang Yan nodded slightly.

Although this girl had not completely mastered the cultivation method, she was already thoroughly familiar with it. It was only a matter of time before she crossed the threshold and entered its inner halls.

Moreover, Lin Dongxue already had an excellent figure. Paired with this cultivation method, her supple movements were a delight to behold. Watching her, Tang Yan's mind scampered like a monkey and his thoughts galloped like a horse. He nodded repeatedly, inwardly exclaiming over how lovely she looked.

Then Tang Yan sank into contemplation. He had yet to properly practice a complete martial art. If he truly encountered a powerful enemy, he would have little chance of saving his life.

Although he had experienced many battles in his previous life, he had devoted most of that lifetime's efforts to alchemy and had never studied combat techniques in depth. From now on, he would have to put more effort into cultivation methods.

Only after completing the entire sword sequence did Lin Dongxue let out a long breath. She looked proudly at Wu Xuan and asked, "Sister, how did I do?"

Wu Xuan was in no hurry to answer. Her lovely eyes swept over Tang Yan, and a smile played at her lips. "Young Master Tang kept nodding just now. I imagine he noticed a thing or two. What did you think, Young Master Tang?"

Tang Yan's head began to ache at her words. I'm only a spectator. How did this get dragged back onto me again?