The moment Zhou Kai finished speaking, Wang Qiaoqiao’s pupils shrank abruptly. She leaned slightly forward, and the urgency radiating from her surged to its peak, almost tangible as it pressed toward him.
“Are you serious?!”
The words “help me reach the Foundation Establishment Realm” carried enormous weight, far beyond anything she had expected.
She had originally regarded Zhou Kai merely as a highly promising alchemist, a risky investment. She was betting that he might one day refine a Foundation Establishment Pill and thus give her a little more hope. She had never imagined that he would make such a shocking promise directly.
This was no longer simple repayment of kindness. It was tying her future completely to Zhou Kai’s achievements.
The corner of Zhou Kai’s lips lifted almost imperceptibly.
“Of course.”
He did not waste words.
He calmly extended his right hand, palm upward.
In an instant, pale-green spiritual energy surged from his palm, flowing smoothly and endlessly. This was clearly not the state of someone with a damaged dantian.
With two sets of materials for the True Condensing Pill, on his first attempt he had produced at least three finished pills.
Such talent, even within the Celestial Spring Sect, would be exceedingly rare.
Wang Qiaoqiao’s chest rose and fell slightly. She stared at Zhou Kai for a long moment, her eyes flickering intensely as she weighed her thoughts and made a decision.
After several breaths, she waved her hand decisively. All her previous probing and restraint vanished as she spoke firmly, “Good! Fellow Daoist Zhou, that single sentence from you is worth more than a thousand words!”
Even her form of address changed.
“Fellow Daoist Zhou, there is no need to trouble yourself refining the Lock Yang Pill anymore,” she said rapidly. “Though it has unique effects, for cultivators like us it is ultimately a minor path. What matters now is improving cultivation and advancing your alchemy!”
She paused, her eyes shining. “Qi Gathering Pills, Clear Spirit Pills, these kinds of cultivation-supporting pills are what we truly need right now! However many you can produce, Treasure Prosper Pavilion… no, I, Wang Qiaoqiao, will purchase them all! The price will absolutely not disadvantage you!”
Her words were no longer just business. They were a declaration of full support. She was clearly shifting resources toward Zhou Kai, helping him advance as quickly as possible so that he could fulfill his promise to help her reach the Foundation Establishment Realm.
Then she asked the most crucial question, her voice carrying urgency even she did not notice. “Fellow Daoist Zhou, when do you expect to attempt refining the Foundation Establishment Pill?”
Zhou Kai’s expression remained calm, but his mind raced.
Wang Qiaoqiao’s eagerness surprised him.
She was only in her early twenties, possessed a middle-grade Spiritual Root, and her aptitude far surpassed his. With abundant lifespan remaining, she still had at least forty prime years to attempt breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm.
With her background and resources, reaching the peak of the Late stage Qi Refining Realm should not be difficult. Why was she so anxious?
These thoughts flashed through Zhou Kai’s mind, but he did not probe deeper.
The internal affairs of the Wang Family were waters he was not yet qualified to wade into.
He pretended to ponder briefly, revealing just the right amount of hesitation before speaking with deliberate sincerity. “To be frank, Miss Qiaoqiao, refining a Foundation Establishment Pill is no small matter. The required spirit herbs are rare, and the conditions are harsh. More importantly, I am still constrained.”
He shifted his tone. “However, it will not be long. My ten-year spiritual contract with the Chen Family has less than half a month remaining. Once it ends, I will regain my freedom. The sea will be vast for fish to leap, and the sky high for birds to soar.”
At these words, brilliant light burst from Wang Qiaoqiao’s eyes.
Freedom.
That meant Zhou Kai’s future actions would no longer be restricted by the Chen Family. It also meant that any pills he refined, especially strategic resources like the Foundation Establishment Pill, would be entirely under his control. Their value would be incomparable.
She reacted almost immediately, leaning closer. The distance between them shortened dramatically.
“Fellow Daoist Zhou regaining his freedom is truly cause for celebration,” she said softly. “In that case, would you be willing to join Treasure Prosper Pavilion as a guest alchemist? Rest assured, your treatment will not disappoint. And…”
Her voice lowered further, almost whispering near his ear. A faint orchid-like fragrance accompanied her warm breath, brushing against his ear and sending a subtle tickle through him.
“This would be my personal appointment,” she emphasized the word “personal,” enunciating each syllable. “Primarily to refine pills for me alone. It would have little to do with the Pavilion’s public affairs. Whatever resources you require, whether spirit stones, spirit herbs, or other conveniences, as long as I, Wang Qiaoqiao, can provide them, I will support you wholeheartedly.”
The implication in her words was unmistakable.
This was no longer merely Treasure Prosper Pavilion recruiting a promising alchemist. This was Wang Qiaoqiao herself extending an olive branch, seeking to bring Zhou Kai fully into her camp as the key support for her path to the Foundation Establishment Realm.
Zhou Kai could sense her slightly quickened breathing and the burning determination in her eyes.
This seemingly lively and enthusiastic daughter of the Wang Family was, at her core, a bold speculator willing to stake everything.
For the path of the Foundation Establishment Realm, she was clearly prepared to pay a high price, even to bind herself deeply to an alchemist whose future remained uncertain.
Zhou Kai neither agreed nor refused immediately. Instead, he displayed just the right amount of flattered surprise.
“For Miss Qiaoqiao to hold me in such regard, I am truly overwhelmed,” he said as he leaned back slightly, creating a bit of distance and avoiding the ambiguous closeness. “I am grateful for your generous offer. Once I have fully resolved my affairs with the Chen Family and regained my freedom, if the opportunity arises, I will certainly give your invitation priority consideration.”
Wang Qiaoqiao was far too astute not to understand his meaning.
A man easily dazzled by promises would not be worth such a heavy investment.
She straightened, her face returning to the shrewd enthusiasm of a merchant. It was as if the woman who had leaned close and whispered with fragrant breath had never existed.
“Very well. I shall await good news from Fellow Daoist Zhou,” she said with a radiant smile, her eyes shimmering with charm.
“You are still recovering and require rest. Take these healing pills and supplementary materials for now. As for spirit stones, we can settle that later.”
She gently pushed the Storage Pouch containing the healing pills forward, her gesture natural, as though completing an ordinary transaction.
They both understood that a preliminary tacit agreement had been reached.
Wang Qiaoqiao knew Zhou Kai needed time to deal with the Chen Family and consider her proposal, so she did not press further.
Zhou Kai also understood that once he nodded, abundant resources and support would follow. Of course, so would obligations and risks.
“Thank you for your generosity, Miss Qiaoqiao,” Zhou Kai said without hesitation as he stored the pouch and cupped his hands. “I shall not disturb you further. Farewell.”
“Take care, Fellow Daoist Zhou. I remain in this quiet chamber. You may come find me at any time,” Wang Qiaoqiao replied, personally escorting him to the door.
After leaving Treasure Prosper Pavilion, the bustling noise of the outside world rushed back into his ears.
Zhou Kai glanced back at the grand pavilion, his gaze deep.
Walking along the road, he fell into thought.
Wang Qiaoqiao’s proposal was undeniably tempting.
She possessed a middle-grade Spiritual Root, was at the 4th stage Qi Refining Realm, young and beautiful, and from a distinguished family. He would certainly need to exchange with her.
But…
Zhou Kai frowned slightly. There was no such thing as a free meal.
Why was Wang Qiaoqiao so anxious?
Treasure Prosper Pavilion belonged to the Wang Family, yet the Wang Family was far from unified.
Factional struggles and conflicts of interest within it were likely far more complicated than they appeared.
As an outsider and rootless independent cultivator, if he were drawn into such internal turbulence, a single misstep could shatter him completely.
Moreover, though he had not known Wang Qiaoqiao long, he could sense the cold calculation, pragmatism, and ruthlessness hidden beneath her warm exterior.
“Ha. If it were me ten years ago when I was a rogue cultivator, I would have charged straight in without thinking…” Zhou Kai rubbed his chin and gave a self-mocking smile.