"Hmph!"
Xiao Ling pursed her lips and squeezed out a deep voice from her throat, trying to sound as majestic as her father. To everyone else, however, it came out as soft and adorable as a kitten's purr.
"Fourth-grade low-tier Jade Restoration Pill—finished product with pill patterns!!!"
She announced with a serious face, holding the freshly formed pill high in her small hand. Her large, bright eyes sparkled with undisguised pride and excitement, and pure joy radiated from every corner of her face.
"Amazing! My little Xiao Ling is truly a genius! The pill even came out with pill patterns—the highest quality!" Xuan Yi appeared in front of her and praised without holding back.
"Hehe~"
Hearing the praise, Xiao Ling couldn't help but giggle. Her carefully maintained "domineering" demeanor instantly collapsed, turning her into a little elf with crescent-moon eyes and shallow dimples.
"Hahahaha, little Xiao Ling is so cute!" Xuan Yi laughed as she looked at her.
"Hmph! No laughing!" Xiao Ling puffed out her cheeks and stomped her little foot, trying to regain some authority. Instead, she only looked even more adorable.
The other elders quickly gathered around, staring intently at the pill in her hand before erupting in shocked gasps.
"Heavens! It really is a fourth-grade Jade Restoration Pill with pill patterns!"
"How… how is this possible? Refined by a four-year-old girl?!"
Several elders who had been watching casually earlier were now completely dumbfounded. They didn't even notice that they had pulled out several strands of their own beards while stroking them.
Among fourth-grade low-tier pills, the Jade Restoration Pill was considered medium-to-high in difficulty. For her to refine it with pill patterns proved that Xiao Ling's control over both flame temperature and soul power was flawless.
Even most sixth-grade alchemists might not be able to produce pill patterns when refining this particular pill.
"Alas, I've lived all these years for nothing."
"Sigh, my grandson is already over ten years old and still just a small second-grade alchemist. I'll have to give him a good beating when I get back."
Many elders shook their heads as they looked at the pill, their gazes toward Xiao Ling burning with fervent intensity. This was an exceptionally promising talent. If they could be her teacher, they would be remembered for generations.
Of course, they only thought about it. With several great figures standing right there, they weren't even qualified to carry their shoes.
...
In a quiet study, three figures sat before a desk.
"Xuan Yi, do you know who Xiao Jietian's teacher is?" Xuan Kongzi asked, looking at Xuan Yi who sat gracefully like a lotus on a carved wooden chair. "Could it be the Little Ancestor?"
Xuan Yi gently rubbed the ring on her finger and shook her head. "No. He told me he has no teacher. He figured everything out on his own."
"Really?" A flash of surprise crossed Xuan Kongzi's eyes. If the young man had truly reached this level without a teacher, then he had underestimated his talent.
For an alchemist, learning under a teacher and carving out one's own path were two entirely different matters. The latter was easily ten times more difficult.
Seeing that Xuan Kongzi still wanted to speak, Xuan Yi interrupted directly.
"Alright, you two old fellows don't need to beat around the bush or try to sound me out. Don't think I don't know what you're planning."
"You've already investigated his identity in private. You called me here simply to ask whether Xiao Jietian wants to become an elder or something similar."
"Forget about trying to keep him in the Pill Tower. Not to mention his identity—even if that weren't an issue, I wouldn't agree to it."
Xuan Kongzi and the other person coughed lightly, looking a little awkward. "She really doesn't give us old fellows any face."
At that moment, Xuan Yi spoke again. "However, he said he could serve as a nominal guest elder of the Pill Tower."
"Of course, it's only nominal. He won't accept any commands or tasks from the Pill Tower. Otherwise, it's out of the question."
Hearing her words, the initially disappointed expressions on Xuan Kongzi and the other person's faces instantly brightened with smiles.
"No problem. Of course that's fine."
They had both thoroughly analyzed Xiao Jietian's information and roughly understood his personality. He was a hands-off leader. Even for the entire establishment of Boundless Heaven Hall, Xiao Jietian had merely given it a name—everything else was handled by others.
But that didn't matter. As long as Xiao Jietian was nominally associated with the Pill Tower, then when he became a top figure in the future, the Pill Tower would also share in some of that glory and its prestige would rise slightly.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, I'm leaving." Xuan Yi glanced at the two of them, then stood up and slowly walked out of the study.
Xuan Kongzi watched her departing figure and inexplicably felt that Xiao Jietian and Xuan Yi were quite similar in some ways. Both had no real interest in power.
Xiao Jietian, as Hall Master of Boundless Heaven Hall, managed nothing and simply idled his days away.
Xuan Yi, as President of the Pill Tower, also managed nothing and spent most of her time in secluded cultivation…
...
Inside Xuan Yi's private office.
Xuan Yi held a stack of documents, flipping through them casually as she asked, "Have all the items been sent out?"
"Reporting to President Xuan Yi, everything has been prepared and dispatched. They should arrive very soon," an elder wearing a golden badge replied with his head bowed.
"Mm. Keep a close eye on it. If any problem arises, all of you will be held accountable." Xuan Yi's calm voice carried the natural authority of a superior.
"I will arrange it immediately. There will be absolutely no problems," the elder said. Feeling the powerful aura emanating from Xuan Yi, he kept his head lowered, his voice trembling slightly but every word firm.
"Mm, you may go."
The elder quickly retreated to carry out her instructions.
Xuan Yi continued flipping through the documents and suddenly spoke into the empty room, "What? You've been watching the show for so long—is it still not enough?"
Space rippled, and Xiao Jietian stepped out, walking straight toward her. "It's rare to see you looking so imposing. I had to take a few extra glances. Besides, I can never get enough of looking at you. The more I look, the more I like you."
Xuan Yi's hand paused briefly while turning a page. She glanced at him, but the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved upward. Her eyes sparkled with softness and joy as her fingertips gently rubbed the edge of the paper, as if trying to hide her feelings.
"Smooth talker."
Xiao Jietian's eyes flashed with amusement. A brilliant smile curved his lips as he walked to her side, took the documents from her hands, and placed them on the desk.
He picked her up, sat down in her chair, and settled her on his lap.
Xuan Yi struggled lightly but didn't push him away. She only chided softly, "What are you doing? This is a place of business."
A wisp of Dou Qi shot from her fingertip, instantly locking the office door.