Hearing her take the initiative to invite him to visit the Imperial Family, Lu Changfeng nodded and did not refuse.
He had nothing to do anyway, so there was no harm in visiting the Imperial Family. Besides, since that old fellow Jia Xingtian had sent someone to invite him, refusing would make him seem too full of himself.
So Lu Changfeng stood up, walked over to Xiao Xun'er, and said a few words.
"I'm going to the imperial palace. Rest properly at home, and don't go running around."
Hearing this, Xiao Xun'er nodded. "Mm, Brother Changfeng, come back soon."
After answering her, Lu Changfeng turned and followed Yao Ye out through the courtyard gate. The two left the Xiao Clan residence one behind the other.
As they walked, Yao Ye kept stealing glances at Lu Changfeng beside her, all sorts of thoughts churning in her mind. Who would have thought that this seemingly ordinary young man could refine seventh-tier pills? Was that true or not?
Still, she found it somewhat unlikely. After all, seventh-tier alchemists were as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns across the entire Northwest Continent, and the young man before her really looked far too young.
He was only in his early twenties. Even if he had started learning alchemy in his mother's womb, surely he could not have reached the seventh tier so quickly?
But Yao Ye was not someone who lacked discretion. Though she had doubts, she did not say much about them.
After all, before she came, her great-grandfather had repeatedly instructed her to treat this Lord Lu courteously and not slight him in the least. If he really was a seventh-tier alchemist, offending him would spell trouble.
Thus, Yao Ye politely exchanged a few pleasantries with Lu Changfeng along the way. There was nothing amiss with her attitude.
Before long, the two arrived at the palace gates.
Seeing the eldest princess personally bringing someone over, the guards hurriedly cleared the way. Following Yao Ye, Lu Changfeng entered the palace without any obstruction.
After passing through several palace gates, they arrived outside a grand hall. Yao Ye stopped and turned toward Lu Changfeng. "Please wait a moment, Lord Lu. I'll go inside and announce your arrival."
Lu Changfeng nodded at her words, and Yao Ye quickly entered the hall.
Soon, Jia Xingtian's voice came from inside. "Please invite Lord Lu in."
She soon came back out and gestured for Lu Changfeng to enter. "Please come in, Lord Lu."
Lu Changfeng stepped into the hall. The moment he entered, he saw Jia Xingtian standing in its center, his face wreathed in smiles.
Seeing Lu Changfeng enter, Jia Xingtian took the initiative to wave at him in greeting.
"You must be Lord Lu? Truly young and accomplished, with a striking appearance! I am Jia Xingtian, guardian of the Jia Ma Imperial Family. I have long admired your great name, Lord Lu."
Glancing at him, Lu Changfeng replied mildly, "You're too kind, Elder Jia."
Jia Xingtian did not mind his lukewarm attitude. After all, it was only natural for a seventh-tier alchemist to have some pride.
He warmly invited Lu Changfeng to sit and had someone hurry to bring their finest tea. Once they were both seated, Jia Xingtian asked with a smile.
"I heard that old fellow Fa Ma say that you can refine seventh-tier pills, Lord Lu? That is an extraordinary ability. There isn't a second person in the entire Jia Ma Empire who can do that."
Hearing this, Lu Changfeng raised his teacup and took a sip, nodding without denying it.
"Yes, I can."
Seeing him admit it himself, Jia Xingtian's smile grew even brighter.
He hurriedly continued, "You truly are an outstanding young talent, Lord Lu. In all my years, this is the first time I have seen such a young seventh-tier alchemist."
"Since you have settled in the Jia Ma Empire, Lord Lu, you're one of our people now. If you ever need help, just say the word. The Imperial Family will give you its full support. I sincerely hope that you can build a good relationship with the Imperial Family in the days ahead."
As Jia Xingtian spoke, he began to reveal his true intentions. He rubbed his hands together and looked at Lu Changfeng with a smile.
"If the Jia Ma Empire encounters any trouble in the future, I hope you can lend a helping hand, Lord Lu. Of course, the Imperial Family won't ask you to help for nothing. We will certainly provide ample compensation."
"Whether it is pill ingredients or cultivation resources, just say the word, Lord Lu, and the Imperial Family will do its utmost to satisfy your needs."
Jia Xingtian's face was full of anticipation as he spoke, clearly eager to recruit Lu Changfeng into the Imperial Family's service.
Yet after hearing all this, Lu Changfeng's expression did not change at all. He merely gave Jia Xingtian an indifferent glance.
"There's no need. I don't want to join any faction, nor do I want to get involved in conflicts between factions."
"I only came today because the eldest princess personally visited to invite me. If this is what you called me here to discuss, then forget it."
After saying this, Lu Changfeng set his teacup on the table, stood straight up, and prepared to leave.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly froze. The smile stiffened on Jia Xingtian's face, and he stood rooted to the spot, momentarily at a loss for words.
After all, he had lived for hundreds of years and been the Jia Ma Empire's retired emperor for decades, yet no one had ever rejected him so bluntly.
Moreover, the other party was leaving as soon as he finished speaking, sparing him no face whatsoever. The sisters Yao Yue and Yao Ye, standing nearby, were both stunned, their eyes widening as they stared at Lu Changfeng's retreating figure.
The two had grown up in the palace. Everyone they had ever seen since childhood had treated Jia Xingtian with the utmost reverence. Who would dare utter so much as a word of refusal before their great-grandfather?
Yet this young man would not even give their great-grandfather face. He was a peak nine-star Dou Emperor, a supreme existence in the Jia Ma Empire. When had anyone ever disregarded him like this?
This was the very first time!
Yao Yue instinctively tugged at Yao Ye's sleeve and whispered, "Sister, how can he act like that?"
Hearing this, Yao Ye also frowned, equally shocked inwardly. But she was steadier than Yao Yue and did not immediately speak.
Jia Xingtian finally came back to his senses. He hurriedly stood up and called after Lu Changfeng.
"Please wait, Lord Lu! That wasn't what I meant. I only wanted to be friends with you. I absolutely had no intention of forcing you to join the Imperial Family!"
"If you are unwilling, then so be it. I won't say another word!"
Lu Changfeng stopped and glanced back at him, his expression remaining unchanged.
"If it's only friendship, that's fine. But don't bring up recruiting me into a faction again."
Hearing this, Jia Xingtian hurriedly nodded. "Yes, yes, I understand. I will never bring it up again."
"As long as you are willing to be friends with the Imperial Family, Lord Lu, that is enough. If you need anything in the future, just say the word. The Imperial Family will spare no effort to help!"
Lu Changfeng said nothing more. He merely nodded in acknowledgment, then turned and continued toward the exit.
This time, Jia Xingtian did not stop him. He simply stood there and watched him leave.
Only after Lu Changfeng's figure had completely disappeared from the hall entrance did Jia Xingtian let out a long breath and wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.
Seeing this, Yao Yue could not help asking, "Great-grandfather, why are you being so polite to him?"
"Isn't he just a seventh-tier alchemist? You're a peak nine-star Dou Emperor. Surely you don't need to be so deferential?"
Jia Xingtian glanced at her and shook his head. "What do you know? A seventh-tier alchemist has far more influence than you imagine. Do you think he's merely an alchemist?"
"A twenty-year-old seventh-tier alchemist might have some even more terrifying existence backing him. Someone like him must be befriended, never offended."
"The fact that he was willing to be friends with the Imperial Family today was already the best possible outcome."
Yao Ye listened silently at the side, growing even more curious about the young man named Lu Changfeng.
Just what was his background?