fears no scorn. After a moment's deliberation, Chen Guan stood up, opened the door, and walked out.
Although the time and place gave one the distinct impression of a late-night snack arriving at his door,
Chen Guan had always remembered Yafei as a shrewd businesswoman. Despite her limited talent, she had managed to rise to high rank within the Mitel family, a testament to her skill in this area.
Before leaving for Zhongzhou, Chen Guan had met this woman a few times, but their interactions were never profound, and he had gradually forgotten about her.
"Miss Yafei, do you want to talk to me? I remember hearing from Mr. Hai before that you and Tengshan were going to the Black Horn Territory, weren't you?"
Seeing Yafei outside the door, clad in a robe that revealed just the right amount of clothing, Chen Guan wasted no time in asking.
They weren't even friends, so there was nothing else to say.
Upon hearing this, Yafei's face suddenly shifted to an apologetic smile, and she felt a slight sense of relief.
This move was undoubtedly a bold one for her, and Chen Guan's calm demeanor gave her considerable confidence.
"Alliance Leader, you may not know that with the growing strength of the Heavenly Alliance, and with the support of forces like Canaan Academy and the Eight Gates, our development in the Black Horn Region has been very smooth. That's why, every six months or so, Yafei returns to Heavenly Alliance headquarters to report to the Deputy Alliance Leader and bring back some resources she's gathered."
"Yafei's work has concluded, and she plans to return to the Black Horn Region tomorrow. I saw the Alliance Leader conversing with Hai Laoye downstairs earlier. After much deliberation, Yafei decided not to miss this opportunity, so she's taken the liberty of coming up to disturb him. I want to... ask the Alliance Leader a favor."
"I understand. Tell me."
"Yesterday, I was chatting with Elder Ziyan and Princesses Yaoye and Yaoyue. From Elder Ziyan, Yafei learned that the Alliance Leader won first prize at the Zhongzhou Alchemy Conference with a Bu Tian Dan (Bu Tian Dan). And the effects of the Bu Tian Dan…"
Yafei's voice trailed off, her hard-won courage fading under the weight of the Bu Tian Dan (Bu Tian Dan) pill's value.
The value of a pill that approaches the ceiling of the eighth grade is truly incalculable in the northwest.
And she clearly couldn't offer anything comparable in exchange. Her
only path to success, based on confidence, was like child's play before a truly powerful being.
Although she had built a reputation within the Black Horn Territory, Yafei knew it was all thanks to the protection of the Heavenly Alliance.
Those who gave her face weren't truly respectful. Without the Heavenly Alliance, she was nothing, perhaps already devoured by the ruthless Black Horn Territory forces.
Having reached a greater stage, Yafei's thirst for power grew ever stronger. Now that Chen Guan was before her, she had to consider whether this might be her only chance.
Therefore, even if the chance was only one in a thousand, or even one in ten thousand, she still wanted to fight for it. Even if she failed, at least she wouldn't regret it later.
Furthermore, Yafei had met Chen Guan several times and had a good understanding of his character.
Even if her quest failed, he probably wouldn't blame her.
"So that's how it is. The Bu Tian Dan, it's indeed suitable for you, but..."
Chen Guan nodded in sudden realization. In a sense, Ya Fei was probably the only person he knew who could maximize the Bu Tian Dan's effectiveness, even more suitable than Yun Yun.
But just because someone was suitable didn't mean he had to give it to them. He wasn't doing charity. There were so many people stuck at the peak of Dou Huang, with no hope of breaking through. Would he just give everyone a Po Zong Dan?
Furthermore, the Bu Tian Dan was far more valuable than the Po Zong Dan. This was a deal doomed to failure.
Unable to discern Chen Guan's thoughts, Ya Fei gritted her teeth and knelt on one knee, her white expanse dazzling in the moonlight.
"Ya Fei understands the Bu Tian Dan's value is immeasurable. Even after years of operating in the Black Horn Region, I've accumulated the ingredients for almost two Po Zong Dans, and it's still far from enough. But to reverse my aptitude, Ya Fei is willing to give everything!" Her words
resounded, like a vow.
Her delicate face, slightly flushed, proved that this included herself.
For her, her body was also a form of capital.
Unfortunately, her understanding of Chen Guan was limited, and Chen Guan wasn't particularly interested in this kind of fast food. Otherwise, he would have jumped on the bandwagon years ago when the Mittel family showed signs
of making a move. But Chen Guan wouldn't mock Yafei for this. It's the same principle as "one shouldn't advise others to be kind without experiencing their own suffering
." Without experiencing the pain of extreme talent deficiency, any unnecessary persuasion is a waste of time, a rehash of "Why not eat the meat?" There's no need for excessive talk, let alone superiority; just get down to business.
"Yafei, get up."
Shaking his head slightly, Chen Guan reached out and lifted her up through the air. Powered by his fighting spirit, Yafei couldn't refuse.
A flicker of sadness passed through Yafei's eyes; she understood Chen Guan's meaning.
However, to her surprise, after seemingly reaching a dead end, there was always a way out.
"As you said, what you prepared is not enough to exchange for the Bu Tian Dan, and I don't have any extra on me at the moment. However, Sister Yao Ye also needs it, so I will definitely refine some in the future. If I have time, I don't mind refining an extra one for you."
Chen Guan specifically designed the Bu Tian Dan (Bu Tian Dan) to enhance the talents of those around him. Working with Xuan Kongzi, he refined the Yin Gu Tian Yuan Dan based on it, and naturally, it wasn't just for Yun Yun.
Yao Ye, whose talent wasn't top-tier, was also in Chen Guan's plans.
Furthermore, Chen Guan envisioned that, when he had enough time and resources, he could give one to a few veterans, and even the young prodigy Yao Yue.
Refining one is refining, refining ten is refining.
Practice makes perfect, and with increasing strength, handling will only become easier.
Therefore, refining one for Ya Fei wouldn't be out of the question.
"Alliance leader, thank you! I... thank you!"
The surprise came so suddenly that Ya Fei was a bit incoherent, her excitement overflowing, and she couldn't even care less about maintaining her composure.
Chen Guan nodded slightly. "It's not too late to thank you once you get the elixir. But from now on, you should work hard to gather resources and utilize your strengths. You know the rules of alchemy. Since you're a member of the Heavenly Alliance, and because of Hai Lao and Sister Yao Ye, I might give you a discount, but it won't be a small amount."
Ya Fei nodded in response, her gratitude undiminished.
After another round of thanks, she bowed and departed.
Before leaving, she left the ring on her hand, claiming it as a deposit, but in reality, it was a hidden motive: to prevent Chen Guan from regretting it later.
Little did he know, this action almost made Chen Guan take back his words.
Shaking his head slightly, Chen Guan took the still-warm ring back into the house.
He had no expectations for the resources within, but was rather curious about how much Ya Fei had accumulated.
His mental power penetrated the ring, and when he saw the scattered objects and herbs within, a hint of surprise crossed his face.
Then, with a flip of his hand, a washbasin-sized piece of flawless, crystal-clear jade fell out. It was the Soul Heart Jade Chen Guan had so painstakingly sought! It
was the key ingredient for refining a growable puppet!
He'd been wanting it for years, but it was only at the Black Emperor Sect auction that he stumbled upon it. Now, it had arrived so unexpectedly, Chen Guan couldn't help but laugh.
He wondered if Yafei had stumbled upon it by chance or had deliberately sought it out.
If it was the former, it was fine. If it was the latter, her insight was truly astonishing.
While his past with the Black Emperor Sect was no secret, and he had acquired numerous items, he hadn't revealed his desire for the "crystal" box containing the Bodhi Transformation Saliva. It was difficult for others to understand the true value of this jade.
A slight surprise, however, was all he felt.
However, this Soul Heart Jade, in Chen Guan's hands, was indeed valuable, estimated to be enough to power a dozen puppets.
In other words, he could use it to add a dozen Dou Zun-level warriors to the Heavenly Alliance!
This alone made tonight's deal a win.
Putting away the Soul Heart Jade, Chen Guan scanned the precious medicinal herbs contained in the jade boxes.
"Huh?"
"Nourishing Heart Essence?!"
A jade box fell into his hand. Looking at the label on it, Chen Guan's expression was once again filled with surprise.
Nourishing Heart Essence, a rare medicinal herb of the eighth grade, has the miraculous power of cooling the bones and restoring the soul. Years ago, it was a favorite of soul forms like Yao Chen and Skyfire Venerable.
Unfortunately, it's extremely rare, found only deep underground, and without any sign of it on the surface. The method for finding it has been lost. Therefore, only those who can obtain it are incredibly lucky. After all, no one
would be idle digging deep underground. If one is unlucky, even if they dig for a lifetime, they won't come across this item, which would be a completely thankless task.
Nourishing Heart Essence is a treasure in the hands of any high-level alchemist, and no one can guarantee that their soul will not be damaged one day.
But for Chen Guan, it has far more benefits than just that.
In his youth, Chen Guan received a special recipe from his teacher, one that would make all alchemists envious.
It was the now-lost method for refining Soul-Pregnant Dust!
This item was ranked eighth grade, and Chen Guan had only recently reached the required conditions.
But that didn't stop him from memorizing the required ingredients.
And surprisingly, the Underground Heart-Nourishing Essence was the most elusive of these ingredients!
(End of Chapter)