"Where did you get these Gold Pattern Pills?" Ling Yan asked, looking at Long Chen with considerable surprise after confirming their authenticity. She knew very few Pill Masters in the world could concoct them.
"I refined them myself," Long Chen replied seriously.
Ling Yan was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter. "You're telling me you can perform alchemy? I've only been in Dragon City for a little over two years, but I feel I know you quite well. You can't even recognize more than a handful of Spiritual Medicines. Earlier this year, when you were injured during martial arts practice, I was the one who prepared your medicinal compresses. How can you claim to know alchemy with a straight face? And so seriously, too?"
Seeing Ling Yan doubled over in laughter, Long Chen couldn't help but feel his face flush red.
"Believe what you want," Long Chen said, not bothering to explain further. It's actually a good thing she doesn't believe me. Gold Pattern Pills are far too rare and could easily attract trouble. If not for this desperate situation, I never would have refined all fourteen portions of Spiritual Medicine into Gold Pattern Pills, let alone risked bringing them to the Commerce Association to sell.
"Fine. If you don't want to talk about it, I won't press you. After all, everyone has secrets they don't wish to share. But if you get any more Gold Pattern Pills in the future, you had better bring them to me to sell." Ling Yan's tone grew profound. "A frog at the bottom of a well like you couldn't possibly know… Ah, never mind. These fourteen Gold Pattern Pills are all Second Stage High-Quality. I'll offer you 20,000 Lower Grade Spirit Stones per pill. The three Spiritual Medicines you need are worth a total of 80,000 Lower Grade Spirit Stones. So, I'll give you another 200,000 Lower Grade Spirit Stones, and we'll be even."
Long Chen was pleasantly surprised, his heart pounding with excitement. Not only had he obtained the Spiritual Medicine needed to heal his father, but he had also earned an extra 200,000 Lower Grade Spirit Stones. That was equivalent to more than half of the Long Family's total assets!
"Thank you, Executive Ling!" Long Chen placed the Elixir Pills on the table. He knew Ling Yan wouldn't cheat him; after all, an ordinary Second Stage High-Quality pill was worth 1,000 Lower Grade Spirit Stones at most.
Ling Yan took out her Storage Bag, and Long Chen did the same.
"Thank yourself. I've always admired your devotion, and now, because of these Gold Pattern Pills, you have proven your value once again." Ling Yan transferred the Spirit Stones into Long Chen's Storage Bag.
Just then, an Association executive walked to the door of the private room.
"Executive Ling," the executive said, knocking lightly, "Su Miaoyu is here with the Su family head and elders, as well as an executive from the Martial Ancestor Ground Institute. They've come to demand someone."
Su Miaoyu! A cold light flashed in Long Chen's eyes as his murderous intent surged.
"I know. Go tell them to wait," Ling Yan instructed.
"Brother Chen, since I kept you here and promised to protect you, I won't let the Su family harm you. Moreover, now that you've proven valuable again, I will protect you with all my strength. However, I have some personal issues, and I can't easily inform the Commerce Association elders that you possess Gold Pattern Pills. Because of this, I can't get the Association to offer you its full protection.
"The Su Family on its own is simple enough to handle, but Su Miaoyu is already engaged to Shangguan Pojun. With the Martial Ancestor Ground Institute backing her, I'm afraid I can't protect you here. Therefore, I plan to send you out of Dragon City."
Ling Yan rose and walked over to Long Chen. She raised a delicate hand to gently stroke his chest, reminding him earnestly, "Don't think that fleeing is shameful. You must understand that since Su Miaoyu stole your Emperor Meridians, you are no match for her. You are even less of a match for the older generation of the Su Family. Leaving Dragon City is your only option. A true man knows when to yield and when to stand firm. Isn't it foolish to fight a battle you know you cannot win?"
Long Chen's breathing grew heavy, and he was nearly overcome by the urge to rush down and fight Su Miaoyu to the death.
However, the Su family head, the Su Family elders, and even an executive from the Martial Ancestor Ground Institute are all present. Even if I now have the power to kill Su Miaoyu or even confront the Su Family elders, it would be futile! My only option now is to heal Father and help his Martial Arts Realm advance. With the power of the War King Realm, he would be formidable enough to make the executive from the Martial Ancestor Ground Institute think twice before acting recklessly.
"Thank you for your kindness, Executive Ling, but I will not leave Dragon City! I have a way to keep the executive from the Martial Ancestor Ground Institute in check, and I have the strength to kill Su Miaoyu!" Long Chen declared in a low, firm voice.
Ling Yan looked at Long Chen, who radiated killing intent, his breathing ragged with fury. "It seems hatred has clouded your mind to the point that you've lost all self-awareness," she said with disappointment. "Fine. If you're going to be so irrational and are so determined to die, then I won't stop you. Come with me."
With that, Ling Yan turned and walked ahead, her graceful figure swaying. I'm utterly disappointed in him. Stubbornly charging toward certain death is foolish to the extreme! If he wants to die, so be it! Not even gods or demons can save someone so intent on their own demise!