Su Yuanshan stared at the table full of delicacies, looking utterly distraught.
He suddenly changed the subject. "Xi’er, do you think you could go to the City Lord’s mansion and ask the Chen Family to step in and mediate between us and the Yang Family?"
He cast a glance at Lin Fan. If he really ended up on the Life-and-Death Stage, how could he possibly be a match for the Yang Family? If they just stood by and watched Lin Fan go to his death, there would be no shortage of people pointing at the Su Family and calling them cold-blooded.
"Little Sister’s business is my business. Don't worry, Father." Su Xi nodded quickly and added, "Since Great Master Pharmacist Ning thinks so highly of Little Sister, why not go and beg the Great Master to intervene tomorrow? The Yang Family wouldn't dare offend a Great Master Pharmacist."
Su Yuanshan nodded repeatedly, praising Su Xi for her quick thinking. "Xi’er, you go to the City Lord’s mansion tomorrow. Xiaoqing, you go find Great Master Pharmacist Ning. I will wait at home for your good news."
After saying this, he left the table first.
In the corridor, Zhao Yingrong chased after Su Xi to give her a piece of advice. "Don't you dare actually go beg the Chen Family. Once Lin Fan is dead, that little harlot will have no choice but to marry that cripple, Old Five Yang."
Su Xi’s arched brows lifted slightly. She had only been humoring Su Yuanshan earlier. "I’m going to the Xuanji Pavilion tomorrow, too. I want to see if she can actually manage to move Great Master Pharmacist Ning." Su Xi was full of anticipation.
In the guest room, Su Xiaoqing’s brows were locked in a deep frown, her face expressionless. "Are you really going to be this foolish until the end? Can’t you think about yourself for once?"
The moonlight flickered. With their time to part ways with Lin Fan approaching, she felt truly angry at him. He had no real ability, yet he insisted on taking everything upon himself—if that wasn’t foolish, what was?
Lin Fan was silent for a moment. "Let’s stall for time first. Who knows? Maybe Great Master Pharmacist Ning will agree to help."
Su Xiaoqing’s heart sank to the bottom. Li Ruoyun had already said that Great Master Pharmacist Ning was incredibly mysterious, coming and going like a ghost, and might never even return to the Xuanji Pavilion.
"Just give it a try," Lin Fan said with a smile.
That night, Lin Fan did not sleep; he spent the entire night cultivating the *Funeral Book*.
***
At the Xuanji Pavilion, Lin Fan disguised his identity and took a shortcut to arrive early.
"Senior Ning, you are... truly early." Li Ruoyun had just been inspecting the pharmacy. She was dressed casually, her dark hair hanging down naturally, possessing an indescribable beauty. Seeing "Great Master Pharmacist Ning" watching her from afar, she hurriedly bowed, feeling flustered. If she had known, she would have dressed up properly. Oh, what to do now? To let the Great Master see her in such a disheveled state!
Lin Fan gave a faint nod. Seeing the girl’s thoughts, he turned his attention to admiring the exotic flowers and herbs in the courtyard.
Li Ruoyun hurried off with her maid to get ready, ordering the servants to prepare fine wine and food.
"Miss Li, I need to refine some top-quality Qi Refining Liquid, and I even want to try my hand at a King-grade. I’ll have to trouble you to prepare the materials." After their meal, Lin Fan stated his intention.
"It’s a small matter. This junior will do her utmost to assist you, Senior." Li Ruoyun nodded like a chick pecking at grain, her smile as bright as a flower. She had been planning to win over Great Master Pharmacist Ning at any cost. Hearing that he wanted to refine a King-grade liquid—heavens! If he could refine a King-grade, it meant he was a veteran, established Great Master Pharmacist.
"Go! Get someone to commission some new clothes immediately!" As she headed toward the vault, a thought occurred to her, and she sent her personal maid to handle it. The maid giggled, making Li Ruoyun want to swat her. "Judging by his build, that Great Master shouldn't be old..." Her cheeks flushed pink, making her look as vibrant and lovely as a rose.
Not long after, Li Ruoyun brought back a large quantity of medicinal herbs, and Lin Fan was very satisfied.
*The Yang Family knows I’m a waste, but they will certainly send a high-level Qi Refining expert,* he thought to himself. In one month, his cultivation had to advance from the 2nd Layer of Qi Refining to a high level if he was to have any chance of defeating the Yang Family. The potency of King-grade Qi Refining Liquid was several times that of the top-quality version and could cause one’s strength to skyrocket in a short period.
"Is there any way to find some natural spiritual treasures?" he asked, looking at Li Ruoyun.
She pondered for a moment. "There must be treasures scattered among the people. There is only one way: hold a public auction."
Lin Fan was cautious. "You will handle this. I plan to refine the King-grade Qi Refining Liquid within half a month, and I will set aside a portion for you."
Li Ruoyun was secretly overjoyed. If a King-grade Qi Refining Liquid could really be refined here, she would finally gain the true respect of the Xuanji Pavilion.
In the main hall, a man and a woman appeared amidst countless envious gazes. It was a perfect match: Chen Tiange and Su Xi. "I’ve brought a letter from my father, as well as a thousand-year-old spiritual treasure. This will surely move Great Master Pharmacist Ning," Chen Tiange said confidently.
"The Great Master is indeed extraordinary, but the Chen Family is a hegemon in this region; he will have to give us some face," Su Xi agreed.
"I heard the Lin Family waste is heading to the Life-and-Death Stage with the Yang Family? If you need any help, Xi’er, just say the word," Chen Tiange said dotingly, looking at the woman beside him.
Su Xi shook her head. Help Su Xiaoqing and Lin Fan? Absolutely impossible.
Just as Li Ruoyun was busy organizing the herbs, a servant led Su Xiaoqing inside. Seeing Su Xiaoqing’s worried expression, she could guess what it was about. A short while later, Li Ruoyun set down her teacup, her eyes full of anger.
"Lin Fan is a waste, but he’s a man! Why doesn't he come to ask for help himself? I never expected him to be a man who hides behind a woman’s apron strings!" Learning that Su Xiaoqing had come on Lin Fan’s behalf, she felt compelled to speak up for her. If Lin Fan were here, she might even take action to teach him a lesson. "It’s too bullying. Xiaoqing, and you keep speaking well of him."
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Li Ruoyun didn't plan on helping. But as Su Xiaoqing pleaded, her heart finally softened. However, she had no confidence that Great Master Pharmacist Ning would agree to help.
"Yo." Chen Tiange and Su Xi arrived to seek an audience with the Great Master, happening to run into Su Xiaoqing waiting alone. Su Xi let out a cold, sarcastic hum. "How could a dignified Great Master help you? You’ve lost all sense of shame coming here." Her tone was full of mockery.
"My business has nothing to do with you." This time, Su Xiaoqing didn't act timid; she chose to close her eyes and ignore her.
"You!" Su Xi bit her lip hard. She suddenly felt that her "little sister," who had always been so weak, had become like a stranger.
"Young Master Chen." An old man in white emerged from the inner chamber.
"When will Great Master Pharmacist Ning come to visit the Chen Family?" Chen Tiange stood up, full of confidence.
The old man in white took out a treasure box from behind his back. "The Great Master says he has been busy lately, has no time to go out, and will not see anyone."
"This..." Chen Tiange stood frozen, forgetting even to take back the gift box. Those around them were stunned. Su Xi reacted quickly, though she was incredibly embarrassed as she took the spiritual treasure from the old man’s hands.
"This is an open slap in the face to our Chen Family." A flash of uncontrollable fury crossed Chen Tiange’s eyes.
The old man was no longer cold; he turned to Su Xiaoqing with a smile and nodded. "Miss Su, Great Master Pharmacist Ning says he will take you as a registered disciple."
"Oh!" Everyone gasped in shock, casting envious looks her way. Only Su Xiaoqing looked flustered; she couldn't believe the Great Master would actually take her as a disciple.
*Why? How does she deserve this?* Su Xi’s chest heaved violently.
"The Great Master wants to see you," the old man said, smiling and stepping aside.
Amidst the sighs and whispers of the crowd, Su Xiaoqing walked toward the room, trembling. *Could it be... do I really have some kind of talent? Or is... Great Master Pharmacist Ning just a lecher?* Every step toward the inner hall was difficult for her.
Inside the hall, when she looked up and saw that profile, it felt somewhat familiar. There was also a scent... a scent she recognized.
*Thump!*
Summoning all her courage, Su Xiaoqing knelt down. "Master Pharmacist, this young girl has a favor to ask."