"Yang Ji, go and find out if the Cao Clan has any outstanding talent. Preferably female, and young."
Although Lei Qi already had a target in mind, he still went through the proper formalities.
"Yes, sir."
His guard, Yang Ji, left immediately.
Mang Tianchi remained silent this time.
After all, they were only requesting someone from a family affiliated with the Pill Tower.
Even if the Pill Tower's ancient monster were present, the family would still have to give face.
With Yang Ji sent to gather information, Lei Qi, Mang Tianchi, and Zhang Yi entered the city.
In this Pill Region, alchemists were not lacking.
However, most of their levels were unimpressive.
It made sense—this was not a major alchemy contest, no grand event. Naturally, there wouldn't be seventh- or sixth-grade alchemists everywhere.
After looking around, they saw the city bustling with people.
As the center of the Central Plains and even the Dou Qi Continent, everything here was rich and plentiful.
If one had enough money—or something money couldn't buy—they could easily obtain anything they desired.
Money was something Lei Qi definitely had plenty of.
He even carried a purple-gold card with seven silver waves on its surface.
On the Dou Qi Continent, such cards were only held by Dou Wangs—or Dou Emperors and above.
The balance? Tens of millions, easily.
Yet, what caught Lei Qi's eye were the things money couldn't buy.
Unless a sect was short of funds, everything here was exchanged object-for-object.
After about the time it took to burn an incense stick, Yang Ji returned to them.
"Young Master Lei Qi, I've inquired. The Cao Clan's younger generation indeed has a highly talented alchemist. It's a female, and she's very young."
Yang Ji reported what he had learned.
The Enchantress Cao Ying—only thirteen years old, already a fourth-grade alchemist.
Her cultivation was no worse: already a three-star Great Dou Master.
A thirteen-year-old girl, three-star Great Dou Master, fourth-grade alchemist—
the term "Enchantress" was entirely justified.
"Let's go to the Cao Clan. My retinue could use a personal attendant—she'll do."
Lei Qi said calmly.
"Hasn't the clan already assigned personal attendants?" Mang Tianchi interjected.
Lei Qi's forehead twitched.
Seeing this, Mang Tianchi chuckled, clearly understanding his thoughts.
Following Yang Ji's lead, the four of them made their way straight to the Cao Clan.
As the city's ruling family, the Cao Clan occupied the central district, with estates stretching for thousands of meters.
Ordinary people were forbidden entry, and the defenses were exceptionally strict.
The gate was guarded by Great Dou Masters and one Dou Spirit-level expert.
Arriving at the gate, Yang Ji spoke:
"Summon someone who can make decisions for your family."
Although Yang Ji was Lei Qi's guard, his status in the Thunder Clan was not low.
He was a commander in the Thunder Army.
While he could not compare to Lei Qi, in front of a Central Plains family, he carried his own authority.
The gatekeeper wanted to ask about their background, but sensing Yang Ji's terrifying pressure, he hurriedly agreed and dashed inside.
Soon, several figures appeared at the gate.
The leader had a mid-stage three-star Dou Saint cultivation.
Beside him, two were late two-star Dou Saints, and three were early one-star Dou Saints.
Beyond these five, over twenty more Dou Ancestor- and Dou Emperor-level experts followed.
Though affiliated with the Pill Tower, the Cao Clan's strength rivaled that of the Central Plains' Four Directions Pavilion.
In fact, the so-called "One Hall, One Tower; Two Sects, Three Valleys; Four Directions Pavilion" represented the top forces in a given region.
For example, within the territories of the Soul Hall or the Pill Tower, there were Dou Saint and Half-Saint ancestors.
But the Soul Hall and Pill Tower were so powerful that these smaller forces were completely suppressed.
The Dou Qi Continent was vast, with countless clans.
Even top-tier sects like Yunlan Sect were merely regional powers. The Four Directions Pavilion and the Three Valleys were similar—they dominated a single area, not the entire continent.
Seeing Yang Ji, the Cao Clan's figures looked at him warily.
Yang Ji's lips curved slightly, and a domineering aura burst forth.
Eight-star Dou Saint!
Instantly, everyone present was shocked.
Numbers? Who cared about numbers?
Eight-star Dou Saint!!
Behind him were two more unknown presences. Even Lei Qi, young as he was, counted as a Dou Emperor-level expert.
How could the Cao Clan dare to act recklessly?
"Greetings, seniors."
The Cao Clan head immediately cupped his fists and bowed.
"Hmph."
Yang Ji snorted disdainfully, then withdrew his aura.
Some Dou Ancestors and Dou Emperors from the Cao Clan finally felt relieved.
"Have we, the Cao Clan, offended you?"
The Cao Clan head's heart raced.
Even if there were some reckless brats in the family, it didn't matter.
He was not about to stop whoever it was.
If they dared show up at the family gate, they must have confidence. Everyone knew the Cao Clan was Pill Tower-affiliated.
"No."
Yang Ji said calmly.
"Then what business does our Cao Clan have with you?"
"None."
Hearing this, the Cao Clan head froze.
No grudge, no new feud, yet such an aggressive approach?
"My Young Master specifically wants one female from your family as his personal attendant."
Yang Ji looked at the Cao Clan head without any hint of emotion.
"One female from the family? Personal attendant??"
The Cao Clan head froze, a bad premonition rising.
"Yes, the one known as the 'Enchantress'—Cao Ying."
Yang Ji continued.
"This…"
At this moment, not just the Cao Clan head, but several elders' faces darkened.
Cao Ying was a rare genius in the family, one in hundreds of years.
They had hoped Cao Ying would rise in the Pill Tower, further elevating the Cao Clan's status.
"You find this troublesome?"
Yang Ji's face remained calm as he looked at them.