If Chen Miaomiao could think of the sinister intentions of the Fancheng Chenjia, Chen Wen naturally could as well. In his heart, he cursed the main family’s shamelessness—how could they stoop so low as to offer their own disciples? They truly brought shame upon their ancestors.
But the Baipao Laozu did indeed have a “fondness for handsome men.” Hadn’t he “favored” Ma Jingyu before leaving?
If someone as mediocre-looking as Ma Jingyu could catch the Laozu’s eye, how much more so these many handsome men?
This was bad, very bad!
To protect his alliance with Chen Miaomiao, Chen Wen had no choice but to take a risky move.
He cleared his throat and said, “Laozu, I was in such a hurry on this journey that I forgot something very important.”
Chen Miaomiao smiled. “What is it?”
“What I promised you earlier, I have accomplished.”
As he spoke, Chen Wen cheerfully took out a jade box from his Qiankun Dai. The box was engraved with Fuwen to prevent the loss of Lingqi, clearly indicating it was no ordinary item. He respectfully presented it to Chen Miaomiao with both hands.
Even with her toes, Chen Miaomiao could guess what it was.
—A Grade 4 Pill!
To elevate his own value and firmly tie the “Baipao Laozu” to his side, the only thing Chen Wen could rely on was his identity as a Liandanshi.
Chen Miaomiao beamed with joy and slowly took the jade box from Chen Wen’s hands. “So, Fellow Daoist Chen has already made a breakthrough. Congratulations.”
Chen Wen: “Thanks to your blessings.”
Chen Wen expected Chen Miaomiao to put the jade box away, completely missing the cold glint in her eyes. The next moment, Chen Miaomiao actually opened the jade box in front of everyone.
Chen Wen was horrified. What was the Laozu doing?!
Weren’t they on the “same side”? Why open the jade box publicly?!
The moment the jade box opened, a rich medicinal fragrance wafted out, refreshing and invigorating. Inside lay a pill, pure white and radiant, as dazzling as stardust.
But that wasn’t all. Chen Miaomiao actually picked up the pill with her fingers, “proudly” displaying it to everyone. As she showed it off, she said, “Chen Wen of the Yunluo Chenjia is truly a prodigy! Not only did he break through the shackles of Grade 1, 2, and 3 Liandanshi within three years to become a Grade 4 Liandanshi, but he also successfully refined a Grade-4 Mid-grade Pill in one go! Look at this pill—it’s so beautiful it’s almost blinding. Chen Wen, oh no, dear brother, Benzun truly admires you to the utmost.”
As soon as Chen Miaomiao finished speaking, Chen Qi quickly rushed forward. His eyes fixed intently on the pill, he breathed heavily and spoke with difficulty.
“A… Jieying Pill?!”
Chen Miaomiao had no idea about the types and characteristics of high-grade pills. She simply wanted to trip Chen Wen up—after all, the higher he was praised now, the harder he would fall later. Hehehe.
However, Chen Qi, as an elder of the Hundred Herbs Hall, clearly knew his stuff. With one word, he identified the pill’s name—the famous Jieying Pill!
The Jieying Pill could greatly increase the chances of a Jindan-perfected Xiushi achieving Jieying. It was the most top-tier pill among Grade 4 Pills and a divine pill with an abysmally low success rate!
In the cultivation journey of a Xiushi, there were three great chasms.
First, Jieying.
Second, Dujie.
Third, Feisheng.
Among these, the Jieying Tribulation was the foundation and origin of all Xiushi. How many talented Xiushi had perished on the path to Jieying?
Thus, even though the Jieying Pill is merely a Grade 4 Pill, its rarity surpasses even that of Grade 5 Pills—no, even Grade 6 or Grade 7 Pills. Moreover, this mid-grade Jieying Pill is a treasure among treasures, a gem among gems!
Chen Wen… Chen Wen actually refined a mid-grade Jieying Pill!!
At this moment, Chen Qi truly wished he could travel back in time, to before Chen Wei had set off for Yunluo Chenjia, and slap him hard across the face!
That good-for-nothing, bungling fool!
The onlooking citizens of Fancheng erupted in excitement: “Incredible! It’s actually a Jieying Pill! And a mid-grade Jieying Pill at that!”
“Could there really be such an extraordinary figure within the Chen family branch?!”
“This is truly astonishing!”
“Truly a prodigious talent! A prodigious talent indeed!”
While some were excitedly discussing the matter, others hurriedly left to deliver the news.
Now that the Chen family had produced a Liandanshi capable of refining a mid-grade Jieying Pill, the entire alchemy landscape of Fancheng was likely to be rewritten…
However, no one noticed that this revered Grade 4 mid-grade Liandanshi was currently sweating profusely at his temples.
Yet, he quickly composed himself, straightened his back once more, and resumed his aloof, cold, and arrogant demeanor.
Seeing this, Chen Miaomiao was amused. Sometimes, when lies are told often enough, even the liar begins to believe them, don’t you think?
She was quite satisfied with the commotion she had stirred up. First, she calmly stored away the pill, then turned her gaze to Chen Qi and smiled, saying, “Ah, how forgetful of Benzun. There’s no need to trouble you to guide the way. Benzun can travel with the people from Yunluo Chenjia. If you have the time, why not find a better Liandanshi for your family’s Chen Wei? Ah, come to think of it, it’s Benzun’s fault. He was disrespectful to my virtuous younger brother and even injured someone from my branch family, so Benzun casually taught him a lesson. Who would have thought his constitution was so fragile? Benzun merely gave him a light tap, yet he still hasn’t woken up. What a pity. Chen Hong.”
“Your junior is here.”
“Hurry and return Lord Chen Wei to this elder.”
“Yes!”
With everyone’s help, a person was carried down from the Moshou Carriage—none other than the unconscious Chen Wei.
As soon as Chen Wei was seen, the surrounding citizens of Fancheng were once again stunned.
“Heavens, isn’t… isn’t Hall Master Chen Wei a Jindan Xiushi?!”
“She… she… this esteemed person just said she gave him a light tap…”
“Wait, is the gap between Yuanying and Jindan really that vast?!” A light tap was enough to incapacitate someone?!
“This… could she be…” a Chuqiao Stage ancestor?!
“Impossible…”
Could such a beautiful woman really be a Chuqiao Stage Xiushi?!
No wonder the Chen family wasn’t angered by her injuring Chen Wei—instead, they sent people here to welcome her!
Chuqiao Stage!!
What kind of monsters are these people? First, a mid-grade Jieying Pill, and now a Chuqiao Stage powerhouse… This is truly terrifying!
As the saying goes, when striking someone, avoid hitting their face, but Chen Miaomiao’s words trampled the dignity of the Fancheng Chen family into the mud.
Yet, Chen Qi, being an experienced individual who had weathered many storms, knew that Chen Wen had already been thoroughly offended. The most important thing now was to win over this ancestor first.
Whether she was at the Yuanying or Chuqiao Stage, her strength was undoubtedly formidable.
Fortunately, they had prepared in advance!
Chen Qi took a deep breath and bowed once more to Chen Miaomiao, saying, “Ancestor, I have now understood the reasons behind this matter. It was Chen Wei who acted rudely first, so it was only natural for you, Ancestor, to discipline a junior. If there is any fault, it lies with Chen Wei and with our Fancheng Chen family. To apologize on behalf of Chen Wei, the family head specifically ordered me to prepare some modest gifts. Please take a look, Senior.”
With a clap of his hands, the handsome men each retrieved brocade boxes from their Qiankun Dai, opening them one by one before Chen Miaomiao.
Under the bright daylight, the dazzling brilliance nearly blinded Chen Miaomiao’s eyes!