Godwind Academy, Inner Courtyard Reception Room.
The tea has already been changed twice.
Shui Qinglan sat by the window, holding a teacup in her hand, her gaze fixed on the old locust tree in the courtyard outside the window, her posture as relaxed as if she were drinking tea in her own academy.
Huo Xiao sat opposite her, picking up his teacup and putting it down again, his fingertips tracing the rim of the cup, but he remained silent.
Feng Qingxuan sat in the main seat, not urging anyone on.
The three of them were old acquaintances. They participated in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament together in their youth, and each took charge of their own region in their prime. Their decades-long friendship was evident, so some things didn't need a preamble, but some things were even harder to say precisely because of their friendship.
After a while, Huo Xiao finally put down his teacup and gave a wry smile.
" Qingxuan, I apologize for what happened to my Xiao Wu. Wushuang and I spoiled her rotten since she was little, and she developed a terrible temper. I'll discipline her properly when we get back."
Feng Qingxuan waved his hand. "This is child's business, no need to bring it up here."
Huo Xiao nodded, offering no further explanation, and went straight to the point. "Regarding the pills, Blazing Fire Academy doesn't expect the same treatment as Skywater Academy. Just tell me your conditions."
Feng Qingxuan didn't rush to answer. Instead, he picked up three documents from the table beside him and pushed them in front of the two of them. The paper was thick and the ink was freshly dried, indicating that they had been prepared in advance.
"Since the three academies are one entity, you should be aware of what elixirs Godwind Academy possesses. This list details all the elixirs Godwind Academy currently has and their effects. Take a look first, and then we can discuss further."
Shui Qinglan took the list and slowly scanned it across the paper. Huo Xiao also picked up a copy and looked at it carefully.
The following is listed on the paper:
The Meridian-Warming Pill warms and nourishes the meridians, widens their resilience, and long-term use can improve the speed of Soul Power circulation and assist in daily cultivation.
The Soul-Fortifying Pill consolidates the foundation of Soul Power, prevents Soul Power from becoming unstable due to rapid breakthroughs, and stabilizes the compatibility between the physique and the Martial Soul.
The Vajra Limit-Expansion Pill tempers the body, enhancing physical strength and resilience, and is particularly effective for Defense System and Power Attack System Soul Master.
The Ice Muscle Limit-Expansion Pill is for female Soul Master only. It enhances physical resilience, aids in cultivation, and has a nourishing effect on the physique of female Soul Master.
The Nurturing Grace and Supporting Splendor Pill, made from the essence of the Sun Moon and refined with immortal Immortal Herb, strengthens the body's foundation and repairs hidden injuries to the meridians. It has remarkable effects on gem-type Martial Soul, promoting Martial Soul transformation and rank advancement.
The Origin-Returning Flaw-Mending Pill can compensate for the innate defects of Martial Soul and repair the flaws and deficiencies left over from the awakening or cultivation of the Martial Soul.
The Primordial Martial Awakening Pill - Ice, made primarily with the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, can Martial Soul Evolution into either Ultimate Ice or Ultimate Water.
The Primordial Martial Awakening Pill - Fire, made primarily with the Infernal Delicate Apricot, can evolve Fire Attribute Martial Soul Evolution into Ultimate Fire.
The Mundane-Cleansing Origin-Fortifying Pill removes impurities from the body, strengthens the foundation and cultivates vitality, greatly enhancing the cultivation base and potential limit.
The Clear Pivot Turbidity-Transforming Pill dissolves toxins in the body and turbidity in the Martial Soul, and has the effect of reshaping the Martial Soul for poison-attribute Soul Master.
Shui Qinglan's gaze lingered for a moment on " Nurturing Grace and Supporting Splendor Pill " and " Origin-Returning Flaw-Mending Pill," but she didn't speak immediately. Huo Xiao, on the other hand, stared at the line " Primordial Martial Awakening Pill - Fire," looked at it twice, and then looked up.
" Qingxuan, this Primordial Martial Awakening Pill - Fire..."
"I'll give you one," Feng Qingxuan said.
Huo Xiao's fingers paused.
Feng Qingxuan's tone was calm, as if he were talking about something that had been decided long ago. "For the sake of our long-standing friendship, and for the sincerity of the three-way alliance, Bing'er from the Skywater Academy has already taken the Primordial Martial Awakening Pill - Ice, Blazing Fire Academy's side naturally cannot be left out."
He paused, then added, "However, there's one thing I need to clarify beforehand. The Primordial Martial Awakening Pill doesn't instantly evolve into the Ultimate Attribute upon consumption; it requires a certain level of talent from the user."
One must possess at least level eight Innate Soul Power to withstand the medicinal effects and complete the transformation. Otherwise, it will only strengthen the Martial Soul and make its attributes more flexible, but it will not reach its full potential.
Huo Xiao nodded; he understood.
Feng Qingxuan continued, "Furthermore, the recipient of this gifted pill will be designated by the Godwind Academy."
Huo Xiao paused for a moment, then nodded. "Go on."
" Wushuang," Feng Qingxuan said, " Xiaotian mentioned to me that he would prefer to give this pill to Huo Wushuang. They are brothers, Xiaotian trusts him."
Huo Xiao paused for a moment, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. Feng Xiaotian's initiative in specifying Huo Wushuang showed that he had never held a grudge against Wushuang because of Xiao Wu. This trust was more precious than the pill itself.
Huo Xiao nodded. " Wushuang is indeed very suitable, and he gets along very well with Xiaotian. I have no objections."
Feng Qingxuan didn't reply, but simply picked up his teacup and took a sip.
"Now that you've settled your matters," Shui Qinglan said calmly, placing the list on her lap, "Shouldn't we discuss the distribution of the pills next?"
Feng Qingxuan put down his teacup, nodded, and began to explain point by point.
"Of the monthly production of Meridian-Warming Pill and Soul-Fortifying Pill Godwind Academy, Shenfeng Academy retains 20%, Skywater Academy 20%, and Blazing Fire Academy 10%, all purchased at internal prices. The remaining 50% is sold publicly, and the proceeds are used to maintain the operation of the Godwind Academy."
Shui Qinglan nodded. Huo Xiao also had no objections. He knew why the Blazing Fire Academy was one-tenth less than the Skywater Academy, and he was already very satisfied with the result.
" The Vajra Limit-Expansion Pill and the Ice Muscle Limit-Expansion Pill are only available for sale once, to the highest bidder."
They later announced that the required herbs were still being cultivated and could not be processed in the furnace for the time being. In reality, all subsequent production was supplied to the Third Academy internally and was not sold to the outside world, nor was any notification given to the public.
Of course, not everyone within the Three Academies can have access to them; it's not open to anyone outside the core team. The same applies to other elixirs provided to the Three Academies.
Shui Qinglan and Huo Xiao both nodded without asking further questions. With the rules clearly defined, everyone involved in their implementation would understand.
" The Nurturing Grace and Supporting Splendor Pill and the Origin-Returning Flaw-Mending Pill are produced in extremely limited quantities and are not sold to the public; they are for internal use only within the Third Academy."
Shui Qinglan suddenly spoke up, "On the closing day of the exchange competition, the papers distributed to each college listed two effects: 'compensation for Martial Soul defects' and 'enhancement of Support System cultivation.'"
Although the names of the pills are not listed, the Origin-Returning Flaw-Mending Pill corresponds to the former, Nurturing Grace and Supporting Splendor Pill corresponds to the latter. Anyone who is interested can easily find out the difference with a little inquiry.
"We need to make them identify each other." Feng Qingxuan put down his teacup and continued, " Yu Xiaogang, the son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's leader, has a malignant mutation in his Martial Soul, which is known throughout the continent. The meaning of the ' Martial Soul defect compensation' of the Origin-Returning Flaw-Mending Pill for them is self-evident."
The same goes for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. The Nurturing Grace and Supporting Splendor Pill has miraculous effects on gemstone-type Martial Soul, so Ning Fengzhi couldn't possibly be unmoved. Once those two sects see that note, they'll come looking for us sooner or later.
Huo Xiao frowned. "Then how do we deal with it?"
"It depends. If they're friends worth making, we can talk. But no matter who we sell to, it's only once, in limited quantities. After that, we'll give a unified explanation: we don't have enough medicinal herbs to refine any more. Everything else will fall under the purview of the Third Academy."
Shui Qinglan nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
Feng Qingxuan continued, " The Mundane-Cleansing Origin-Fortifying Pill and Clear Pivot Turbidity-Transforming Pill are currently in limited supply and will not be offered to the public for the time being, prioritizing the needs of the core members of the Three Academies. The Fire element will be given one Blazing Fire Academy this time, specifically designated for Wushuang. As for Huo Wu— "
Feng Qingxuan glanced at Huo Xiao.
" Xiaotian means we should observe Huo Wu's subsequent performance before making a decision."
Huo Xiao nodded without hesitation. "Of course. Let that girl prove herself; that's better than anything else."
Feng Qingxuan nodded. "Since there are no problems, let's stamp it."
Feng Qingxuan took one copy of each of the three documents and pushed them in front of the two men. The three seals were already marked at the end of the documents.
Shui Qinglan took out her seal and stamped it without hesitation. Huo Xiao also took out the dean's seal, breathed on it, and pressed it down hard. Feng Qingxuan stamped the seal last, keeping one copy of each of the three agreements.
He closed his own scroll and looked up at his two old friends.
"From this day forward, Godwind Academy, Skywater Academy, and Blazing Fire Academy are officially allied."
Shui Qinglan picked up her teacup and raised it to Feng Qingxuan. Huo Xiao also picked up his teacup. The three teacups gently clinked together in the air, producing a crisp sound.
Meanwhile, a thousand miles away, in Spirit City.
Deep within a magnificent hall, someone opened a secret letter bearing the emblem of the Elephant Armor Sect. The hall was unlit, save for a few luminous pearls casting a cold, eerie glow on the walls. The person reading the letter sat in a high-backed chair, the letter slowly unfolding between her fingers; her face was hidden in shadow, her expression obscured.
The letter contained only a few lines, concise in wording, yet each word carried weight.
Godwind Academy is openly selling elixirs. Feng Qingxuan has broken through to the Titled Douluo. A one-year agreement has been made. Godwind Academy and Skywater Academy have a close relationship, while Blazing Fire Academy's attitude remains to be seen.
The person reading the letter remained silent for a long time. Then she folded the letter again and placed it on the candlestick beside her. The candlelight licked at the corner of the paper, and the flame leaped up, swallowing the words inch by inch into ashes.
"Pills." Her voice was low, as if she were talking to herself, or perhaps to someone she couldn't see. "Interesting."
Outside the hall, a figure dressed in black robes knelt silently at the foot of the steps, seemingly awaiting her next instruction.