Luo Cheng shook his head, pushing aside thoughts of Jin Min.
The most pressing matters right now were healing his grandfather and preparing for the Hunting Festival.
It wasn't until midday that Luo Cheng finally emerged from the Black Cloud Mountain Range.
"If only I could fly, I'd have already been back in Qishan City by now."
Thinking of the exhilarating moments flying with Yun Mengli, Luo Cheng felt a deep longing in his heart.
However, the Third Stage of Tongxuan Realm was still far beyond his current reach.
"Let me refine the spiritual medicine first before heading back…"
Luo Cheng found a secluded cave and sat cross-legged.
"This Jiao Scale Fruit is a top-tier Four-star Spiritual Medicine—it should be able to heal grandfather completely…"
Taking out the Jiao Scale Fruit, Luo Cheng murmured to himself.
The effects of every spiritual medicine were distinct.
The Vermilion Crystal Fruit could help martial artists refine their bodies, while Iron Magnolia served as an antidote. To achieve specific medicinal effects, heavenly materials and earthly treasures must first be refined into elixir pills.
Luo Cheng wasn't entirely certain about the primary effect of the Jiao Scale Fruit.
"I'll refine it first and see."
Taking a deep breath, Luo Cheng placed the Jiao Scale Fruit in the tattoo on the palm of his left hand.
Buzz!
Suddenly, an intense suction force erupted from the tattoo, unleashing waves of nine-colored mysterious light that completely engulfed the Jiao Scale Fruit.
In that instant, Luo Cheng felt as though his mind had been struck fiercely, his vision darkened, and he blacked out.
It was only after two full hours that Luo Cheng slowly regained consciousness, feeling groggy and disoriented.
"The Jiao Scale Fruit!"
Startled, Luo Cheng quickly looked at his left hand.
In his palm lay a small, dark golden elixir pill.
The pill was the size of a broad bean, its surface covered in countless fine, dark golden scales, giving it a distinct and peculiar appearance.
Holding the pill in his hand, there was a faint, icy sensation. Luo Cheng could vaguely sense the unfiltered and surging energy within it, far surpassing the Vermilion Crystal Fruit Pill he had refined earlier.
"It worked!"
Luo Cheng let out a long sigh of relief, rubbing his aching temples while musing to himself:
"It seems refining spiritual medicine and devouring Beast Souls both rely heavily on my spirit. With my current realm, refining Four-star Spiritual Medicine is still too challenging…"
Thinking of this, Luo Cheng felt grateful he hadn't failed in the refinement.
Otherwise, finding another Four-star Spiritual Medicine would be no small feat.
"Now, how should I deliver this pill to grandfather…"
Luo Cheng thought about another headache-inducing dilemma.
This was, after all, a Four-star Spiritual Medicine—not something ordinary. If he handed it over directly, it would undoubtedly spark countless complications, at the very least triggering an avalanche of questions.
He couldn't very well claim it fell out of the sky!
"I'll worry about it later."
Not dwelling on the matter for long, Luo Cheng immediately set off, heading toward Qishan City.
Upon returning to Qishan City, Luo Cheng quickly sensed that something was amiss—the city was livelier than usual.
After asking around, he discovered that the City Lord's cherished daughter had returned, accompanied by the Eighth Prince of the Great Yue Dynasty!
"So, it's them."
Suddenly, Luo Cheng thought of Yun Mengli and Jin Min!
The ruler of the Great Yue Dynasty bore the Jin surname.
Luo Cheng had also heard rumors regarding the City Lord Mansion's prized daughter.
It was said that Yun Daojiang's daughter was extraordinarily gifted and had been chosen by a powerful sect elder at a young age to train within their sect.
Paying little mind to the news, Luo Cheng headed toward Lingyun Pavilion.
Lingyun Pavilion was noticeably busier than usual, with the first floor crowded with numerous young talents.
What puzzled Luo Cheng was that these individuals didn't seem to be here to trade; rather, they appeared to be waiting for something.
At that moment, the green-robed maid who had previously served Luo Cheng descended from upstairs and called out loudly:
"Everyone, our Pavilion Master is no longer receiving guests. If you need anything, you can let me know."
"If Pavilion Master Luo Yao agrees to meet me, I'll purchase three Body Tempering Pills!" a young Lin Family member said, unwilling to give up.
"I'll buy two Body Tempering Pills!"
Other young talents began chiming in one after another.
Recently, news of the new Pavilion Master of Lingyun Pavilion—Luo Yao, a stunning beauty—had spread across Qishan City, drawing many to seek a glimpse of her.
Unfortunately, half a month ago, Luo Yao had announced that she would no longer receive guests.
This only fueled the curiosity of these young talents further, prompting them to spend lavishly in hopes of catching a glimpse of the exquisite maiden.
After listening to the background of the situation, Luo Cheng shook his head, intending to sell his demon beast materials and leave.
Just then, the green-robed maid noticed Luo Cheng and quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully:
"Mr. Luo, our Pavilion Master requests your presence!"
"Hmm? Me?"
Luo Cheng was taken aback.
The surrounding young talents all turned their gazes toward him simultaneously.
With a faint smile, the green-robed maid added, "The Pavilion Master has specifically requested that you honor her invitation."
Luo Cheng was puzzled. He'd only crossed paths with Luo Yao once and couldn't help but wonder what she was planning.
"Lead the way, then."
Under the envious gazes of the young talents, Luo Cheng followed the maid upstairs.
It was the same private room as last time.
Luo Yao lay lazily on a chaise lounge, adorned in a Phoenix Wing Long Dress. Her alluring curves were partially concealed, partially revealed.
Though she appeared merely seventeen or eighteen, there was an undeniable charm exuding from her every move.
If Yun Mengyao was an azure lotus in the snow, then Luo Yao was a blazing fire. It was no wonder so many young talents yearned to catch a glimpse of her.
Beside the table stood another familiar figure—a steward Luo Cheng had once seen at the Green Jade Game Hall.
When Luo Yao saw Luo Cheng enter, her almond eyes curved slightly as she sat up and said with a smile:
"Mr. Luo, we meet again…"
Luo Cheng got straight to the point, "What does Pavilion Master Luo want with me?"
With shining eyes and a toothy smile, Luo Yao replied, "Can't I seek out Mr. Luo for no reason at all?"
She rested her chin on her intertwined fingers, causing the peaks on her chest to press together provocatively, creating a sensual display that was hard to ignore.
Even Luo Cheng felt his throat dry up slightly, prompting him to cough lightly: "If you have no business, I'll take my leave."
"Hold on."
Luo Yao pouted slightly, a touch of dissatisfaction evident, "Mr. Luo is so heartless—it's hard enough finding you, after all."
Luo Cheng was even more perplexed, "Finding me?"
With a knowing smile, her eyes showed hints of cunning as she said, "I've heard that the spirit pill left with you by the Ji Family was a Three-star Body Tempering Spiritual Medicine—Jade Body Tempering Pill."
Luo Cheng's heart sank, his gaze shifting toward the steward.
The steward had once helped him evaluate the Vermilion Crystal Fruit Pill—it had certainly not been a Jade Body Tempering Pill!
"What are you trying to do?"
Luo Cheng's tone became colder instinctively, thoughts racing through his mind as he guessed at various possibilities.
Did they uncover his ability to refine spiritual medicine?
Or had the Nine-colored Scale been exposed?
The steward hurriedly clarified, "Mr. Luo, please don't misunderstand. We mean no harm. We just need a small favor."
"A favor?"
Luo Yao no longer hid her intentions, stating directly: "To be precise, we'd like assistance from the senior expert behind you for a tiny matter."
The senior expert behind me?
Upon hearing Luo Yao's words, Luo Cheng's thoughts rapidly pieced things together, finally catching on.
It seemed they believed someone was aiding him in refining spiritual medicine!
Luo Yao continued, "To be honest, one of our Lingyun Pavilion elders has been working on refining a certain pill. However, due to inadequate spiritual medicine refinement, the process has repeatedly failed. I'd like to ask the senior expert behind you for help refining several spiritual medicines."