Two days later.
Lu Changfeng came to the Jia Ma Imperial Family's palace at their invitation.
After he entered the palace's main hall, he saw Jia Xingtian hurry over to welcome him with a smile, showing him exceptional warmth. "Young friend Lu, you're finally here. I've been looking forward to this for days."
Hearing Jia Xingtian's words, Lu Changfeng nodded slightly without saying much.
Jia Xingtian then thanked him repeatedly. "It was only thanks to the Sect Breaking Pill you refined that I could break through to Dou Zong, and the Imperial Family's strength has grown greatly as a result. I'll remember this kindness."
Hearing this, Lu Changfeng waved a hand, not taking it to heart.
"It was no more effort than lifting a hand. There's no need to dwell on it."
Seeing how calm and unruffled Lu Changfeng was, Jia Xingtian was filled with emotion. This twenty-year-old young man was a Ninth-Grade Grandmaster Alchemist and could even refine sixth-grade pills like the Sect Breaking Pill.
With such ability, never mind the Jia Ma Empire-even across the entire Northwest Continent, there probably wasn't another like him.
At that thought, Jia Xingtian turned to Yao Yue and Yao Ye, who stood nearby. "Yao Yue, Yao Ye, come here, you two."
Hearing their great-grandfather call them, the two women immediately walked over.
Jia Xingtian looked at his two great-granddaughters and solemnly instructed them.
"Over the next few days, you must spend more time with young friend Lu. He's unfamiliar with the imperial capital and doesn't know anyone here, so you must do your part as hosts."
"Understood, Great-Grandfather."
Yao Yue and Yao Ye answered in unison. Though nothing had been said explicitly, the two great-granddaughters exchanged a glance. What did their great-grandfather mean by that? Could he want them to develop that sort of relationship with Lu Chuan?
At that thought, both women's cheeks immediately flushed with shyness.
Seeing his two great-granddaughters react this way, Jia Xingtian said nothing more and merely gave a meaningful smile.
Lu Changfeng, meanwhile, did not read much into it and simply chatted with Jia Xingtian a little longer.
After an unknown amount of time, evening had arrived in the blink of an eye.
Lu Changfeng stood and bade Jia Xingtian farewell. "It's getting late. I'll head back."
Hearing that Lu Changfeng was leaving, Jia Xingtian hurriedly rose to see him off. "Take care, young friend Lu. I'll invite you over again another day."
Lu Changfeng nodded, then turned and left the palace's main hall.
Once outside, he saw the married couple, Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran, who had been waiting a long time not far away.
Seeing Lu Changfeng emerge, Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran took the initiative to approach and greet him.
"Young Master Lu."
Hearing the greeting, Lu Changfeng turned his head slightly and looked over. He saw Yun Yun standing in the evening afterglow in a plain dress, her bearing otherworldly and her beauty particularly clear and graceful.
Nalan Yanran stood beside her, also dressed in a gown, looking valiant and spirited. Yet standing beside Yun Yun, she seemed somewhat eclipsed.
Looking at Lu Changfeng, Yun Yun spoke softly.
"Young Master Lu, I haven't had the chance to properly thank you for what happened in the Magical Beast Mountain Range last time. Since we've met today, could I invite you to speak in private?"
"I'd like to express my gratitude, or see whether there's anything you need my help with. After all, I still owe you a favor."
Hearing Yun Yun's words, Lu Changfeng raised his brows slightly, then said mildly, "All right."
Hearing Lu Changfeng agree, the corners of Yun Yun's lips lifted slightly.
Standing to one side, Nalan Yanran looked at Lu Changfeng with some curiosity.
After all, this was the man who had refined the Sect Breaking Pill for Jia Xingtian. To have reached such heights at twenty was truly unheard of. The three of them then went to a nearby teahouse.
Once they were seated, Yun Yun personally poured Lu Changfeng a cup of tea. "Please, Young Master Lu."
Lu Changfeng accepted the cup, took a sip, and set it down. "Go ahead. What did you want with me?"
With Lu Changfeng being so direct, Yun Yun did not beat around the bush either.
"Last time in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, it was only thanks to your intervention that I could undo the seal and recover my strength, Young Master Lu. I've always remembered that kindness."
"So I wanted to ask whether there's anything I can help you with. As long as it's within my ability, I'll do everything I can."
Hearing Yun Yun's words, Lu Changfeng leaned back in his chair, his expression calm. "Do you think I need your help?"
Those simple words left Yun Yun momentarily stunned.
Indeed, with Lu Changfeng's strength and skill in alchemy, there really did not seem to be anything he needed her help with.
At that thought, Yun Yun did not know how to respond for a moment. Sitting beside her, Nalan Yanran felt somewhat awkward as well when she saw her master at a loss for words.
After all, the title of Misty Cloud Sect Master carried resounding prestige in the Jia Ma Empire, yet before this young man, it seemed to count for nothing.
Lu Changfeng looked at Yun Yun and spoke mildly.
"Just leave the favor outstanding for now. Once I think of something, I'll come to you."
Hearing Lu Changfeng's words, Yun Yun fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Very well. If you need anything, Young Master Lu, you can come find me at the Misty Cloud Sect anytime."
Lu Changfeng nodded slightly, then stood. "We've had our tea and said our piece. I'll be leaving."
With that, Lu Changfeng turned and left the teahouse.
Watching Lu Changfeng's retreating figure, Yun Yun sat there without moving for a long while. Nalan Yanran could not help asking.
"Master, just what is this Lu Changfeng's background? He's only twenty, yet his strength is unfathomable, and he's even a Seventh-Grade Grandmaster Alchemist."
"Jia Xingtian also relied on the Sect Breaking Pill he refined to break through to Dou Zong. Someone like him is truly unheard of."
Hearing Nalan Yanran's words, Yun Yun gave a soft sigh.
"Yes, I can't see through him either. But one thing is certain: this man is by no means ordinary. If you encounter him again, you must be courteous."
Nalan Yanran nodded and committed those words to memory.
Meanwhile, Lu Changfeng had already left the teahouse and was heading toward the Xiao Clan residence.
As he walked, he pondered to himself that he would keep Yun Yun's favor outstanding for now. It might come in handy sometime in the future.
As for Nalan Yanran, there was little reason to pay her any mind.
After all, in Lu Changfeng's eyes, Yun Yun was the only person in the entire Misty Cloud Sect worth a second glance.
At that thought, Lu Changfeng quickened his pace. After all, Xiao Xun'er was still waiting for him to return at the residence.