Prince Yong fell silent at Su Min's words. The truth was, he had no other choice. She was the only alchemist capable of refining such potent pills, and their effects were unquestionable.
"We haven't confirmed those two pieces of information yet," Prince Yong admitted, "but we do have some Grade 3 medicinal ingredients. However, these materials are extremely rare. Even for us, gathering them takes time, and we still have to hand over a portion to the imperial court."
He clapped his hands, and several attendants entered, carrying a collection of boxes that they placed before Su Min. The mention of handing over a portion to the court was expected. After all, the Fuding Merchant Guild was, at least on paper, under Prince Fu's jurisdiction, so a share had to be given as tribute.
"Seems you came prepared," Su Min remarked, eyeing the materials. "Though the quantity isn't exactly impressive."
With a flick of her wrist, she stored all the ingredients into her spatial ring, leaving only the empty boxes behind. Her ring served as the perfect preservation chamber, so there was no need for external containers.
"There's no helping it. Grade 3 ingredients are scarce." Prince Yong sighed. "But about the Qi-Inducing Pill…"
"Take it."
Su Min didn't refuse. True, the two pieces of intelligence she wanted weren't ready yet, but the Grade 3 ingredients were a decent trade, and she could always use more. However, just as she was about to hand the pill over, she paused. The sudden hesitation made Prince Yong tense.
"These ingredients are worth a fortune," Su Min said slowly. "Call someone over and have them take the pill in front of me. I can at least supervise the process."
"Agreed."
Prince Yong nodded. The pill was far too valuable, and his two guards behind him were already breathing heavily, barely restraining their greed. Though he had promised them future pills, this first one couldn't go to them. They understood, but the temptation was almost unbearable.
"Summon Mu'er," Prince Yong commanded. "This is his opportunity."
A trace of regret flickered in his eyes. He himself had no hope of advancing past Body Refining, so the pill was useless to him. But his son—his son still had potential. Soon, a young man in his early twenties entered the room.
"He isn't one of the ten people," Su Min noted silently. "But his talent is exceptional. He must have entered Body Refining directly through a Heavenly Revelation. His cultivation is at Body Refining Perfection. Not bad at all."
The young man was clearly superior to the two guards behind Prince Yong, far more suited to consume the pill.
"Greetings, Father. And this…"
The youth bowed to Prince Yong, then turned—only to freeze when he saw Su Min sitting across from him, leisurely sipping tea and nibbling on pastries. Her ethereal beauty, enhanced by her formidable cultivation, made her impossible to ignore.
Most people who interacted with her were either steadfast cultivators, seasoned nobles, or those she had traumatized in battle. They always kept their composure. But this young man was still in his hormonal prime. His breath hitched, his eyes widened, and for a moment, he forgot how to speak.
"Mu'er!" Prince Yong barked, noticing Su Min's slightly twitching eyebrow. "Pay your respects to your elder!"
The sharp reprimand snapped the youth back to reality.
"T-This junior greets Senior!" he stammered, bowing deeply.
"Take it."
Su Min flicked the Qi-Inducing Pill toward him. Infused with her spiritual energy, the pill hovered in midair before the young man. The moment its fragrance reached him, he felt the barrier within him tremble.
"Consume it now, Mu'er," Prince Yong urged. "This pill cost me dearly to obtain from Senior Su."
"Yes!"
Without hesitation, the youth swallowed the pill and immediately sat cross-legged, his aura surging violently. He was breaking through.
Gulp.
The two guards behind Prince Yong swallowed hard, their eyes burning with envy. All three were at Body Tempering Perfection, and watching someone else advance right before them was almost painful.
"Don't worry," Prince Yong reassured them. "I'll secure a pill for each of you."
But his attention quickly returned to his son. The world had changed. Those without cultivation would accomplish nothing. Among his children, this son was the most talented, blessed with the strongest Heavenly Revelation. He was being groomed as the next heir, since Prince Yong himself was just an ordinary old man with a fixed path. But his son—his son had stepped onto the immortal path. Greater strength, a longer lifespan, and the power to shoulder the future.
"His talent really is impressive," Su Min mused, watching with interest.
In truth, it even surpassed hers. Not that Su Min was weak, but player physiology was unique. No spiritual roots, no fixed attributes, and most importantly, no clear bottlenecks. Still, her cultivation speed wasn't exceptional. Even now, she was only at mid-stage Qi Refining, though she could probably reach late-stage with a few more opportunities.
"Didn't the game lore mention that players have a 'Chaos Constitution'?" she wondered aloud. "Is it like the 'Chaos Body' from those novels?"
She dismissed the thought. Whatever her constitution was, she would forge her own path. After all, she lacked nothing, least of all time.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion of energy erupted in the hall, sending everyone except Su Min staggering back. Then, a new and overwhelming presence filled the room—a realm beyond Body Refining, one that even Su Min had to acknowledge.
Qi Refining.
The true threshold of immortality, and the beginning of extended longevity.