"The Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill formula is just an extra. Han Feng was a direct disciple of Yao Chen, so his Storage Ring is filled with various pill formulas, including many at the eighth-grade level, as well as alchemy notes and similar items."
"Furthermore, there's a Ten Thousand Beasts Cauldron, ranked thirteenth on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking!"
"I have no use for any of these things."
Listening to Chen Xiao's words, Cao Ying's heart pounded faster as she sat on the Green Bamboo.
She had to admit, these items were incredibly tempting to her, given her passion for alchemy.
If she could acquire all of them, it would be equivalent to inheriting a portion of the Medicine Venerable's legacy.
Coupled with the Cao Family's full support in nurturing her, her future path in alchemy would be a smooth and prosperous one!
This would make it even easier for her to reach the eighth grade.
Moreover, if she had the opportunity to increase her strength, there was even a chance she could attempt to reach the ninth grade!
"I am very tempted, but it's too much. The Cao Family might not be able to offer enough to satisfy you, and although I can represent the Cao Family in offering some conditions, if it involves too much, I cannot make a decision rashly."
Cao Ying took a deep breath, her pretty face turning serious.
She was just a highly valued genius, not yet the head of the Cao Family.
Chen Xiao seemed not to have heard her reply and continued, "Additionally, there is a Sea Heart Flame, and the peculiar cultivation technique I mentioned to you that Han Feng practiced. Although this technique is only a fragmented scroll, if you can cultivate it and refine a Sea Heart Flame, reaching the Dou Zong level in the future won't be too difficult."
"Furthermore, when the time is right in the future, I can even help you obtain the complete technique and completely resolve any hidden dangers!"
Whoosh~
Cao Ying stood up, and the bent Green Bamboo sprang back.
The benefits Chen Xiao mentioned were getting bigger and bigger, and at the same time, their weight was increasing.
With so many good things, let alone her, even if the Cao Family head himself were present, he would be moved by them.
"Aside from what was promised for the Green Lotus Core Flame transaction, I'm afraid the Cao Family cannot offer a price that will satisfy you. Chen Xiao, what exactly do you want?"
No longer joking, Cao Ying's face was full of seriousness.
Chen Xiao met her gaze, no longer beating around the bush, and spoke directly.
"I want you!"
"I want you to truly work for me!"
Cao Ying's heart trembled. With her intelligence, she naturally understood Chen Xiao's meaning.
This was an investment!
Chen Xiao would use numerous benefits to help her raise her ceiling and accelerate her growth, and when she grew up, it would be time for her to repay him.
Moreover, this time, there was no time limit!
Cao Ying was very confident in her talent; she never thought that being an eighth-grade Alchemist was an unattainable goal.
But the higher ninth grade was not something that could be achieved with just alchemy talent.
Because refining ninth-grade pills required very high demands on both soul power and Dou Qi strength.
Originally, Cao Ying and the Cao Family had placed this hope on the Pill Tower.
They had already heard that one of the Pill Tower's three giants, Xuan Kongzi, thought highly of Cao Ying and the Dan Family's genius, seemingly intending to choose one of them as a disciple.
Cao Ying was also confident that she could compete with that Dan Family genius.
Now, the benefits Chen Xiao offered undoubtedly gave Cao Ying another option.
The most enticing part was that these two paths did not conflict.
She could have both!
However, if she truly agreed, she would genuinely become Chen Xiao's exclusive Alchemist in the future...
Just as Cao Ying hesitated, finding it difficult to make a decision for a long time, the Fourth Elder Cao Xi, who had been missing for a while, appeared again.
"I just returned and heard you talking late at night. Young friend, I also heard what you just said. How about we try a different approach?"
Chen Xiao and Cao Ying looked over simultaneously, neither speaking, waiting for him to continue.
Cao Xi chuckled and said, "With the cooperation on the Green Lotus Core Flame, my Cao Family and the young friend are bound to be inseparable. Since that's the case, why don't we make this relationship even closer? I just heard Cao Ying call the young friend her fiancé, and the young friend didn't object. Although you were just joking, I think it's a good idea!"
"You are close in age and admire each other. If you can take it a step further, I think everyone would be happy to see it happen. I can guarantee that the Patriarch and the others will definitely not object. Of course, everything still depends on the wishes of the two of you."
Chen Xiao glanced at the Fourth Elder, admiring his boldness.
Xun Er and Qing Lin had both been to the Cao Family, and the Cao Family also knew that Xun Er was from the Ancient Clan.
Given this premise, he still dared to propose such a plan. Was he really not afraid of being targeted by Xun Er?
What he didn't know was that when Xun Er and Qing Lin went to the Cao Family that day, they didn't explain their relationship with Chen Xiao in detail to the Cao Family.
Judging solely from the titles, one called him 'brother' and the other called him 'Young Master'. Aside from confirming that their relationship was very close, who would think of a romantic relationship?
It was precisely because of this that Cao Xi was now using a somewhat joking tone to test the waters.
After all, if this matter could truly succeed, wouldn't Chen Xiao's request for Cao Ying to be at his service be fulfilled even more completely?
And the Cao Family could also gain immense benefits from it. Whether it was Chen Xiao's potential or his network of connections, their weight was extremely significant.
"Making a joke into reality? I don't mind, but Cao Ying..."
"I don't have any objections either."
Before Chen Xiao could finish speaking, Cao Ying gave a sly smile and directly agreed.
She only liked alchemy and wasn't enthusiastic about cultivation, let alone considering a future partner.
Therefore, for her, even if she genuinely had an engagement, it wouldn't have much impact.
In fact, with an engagement, after she returned to the Central State, she could also make many people who were trying to curry favor retreat, reducing a lot of trouble.
Furthermore, now that Cao Xi had mentioned it, Cao Ying fantasized a little. If she were to choose a partner in the future, she would definitely choose a man with sufficient talent and strength, who was pleasing to the eye, and whose temperament wasn't bad.
And Chen Xiao, aside from not being an Alchemist, fit the bill in all aspects. After spending time together these past few days, she didn't dislike him either.
Therefore, agreeing to the engagement first wouldn't be difficult for Cao Ying to accept.
Anyway, it was just a verbal engagement; she wasn't being asked to fulfill it immediately.
If things can truly develop to that point in the future, what's wrong with making the fake real?
Chen Xiao met Cao Ying's teasing gaze and also felt Cao Xi's anticipation. After a slight hesitation, he stopped being coy.
"Alright! Then it's settled."
Cao Ying's talent goes without saying; she can help him a great deal.
Chen Xiao had originally planned to 'kidnap' a talented Alchemist to keep by his side as a backup. Now, it was just a different method.
This move was entirely beneficial to him with no harm. The only thing he needed to consider was explaining things a bit when he saw Xun Er again in the future.
But Xun Er's personality wasn't as overbearing as the Medusa Queen's, so it shouldn't be a big problem.
"Hahaha, good! Chen Xiao, I'll call you by your name from now on."
Cao Xi laughed heartily, his laughter echoing through the bamboo forest, reaching the ears of several people in the nearby Bamboo Building. They all looked over curiously.
"Fourth Elder, please keep this matter confidential for now, especially from the Medusa Queen, to avoid awkwardness when we meet."
"Haha, easy, easy."
Cao Xi was in a great mood and readily agreed.
Chen Xiao nodded slightly, then turned to look at Cao Ying, taking out the half-volume of Burning Art from his Storage Ring.
"You have to walk step by step. First, take a look at this cultivation technique and then decide if you're willing to switch. Do not leak it out. We can talk about pill formulas and other things later."
Although the playful engagement had become real, both of them knew exactly what the other was thinking.
Before any concrete progress was made, Chen Xiao still couldn't reveal too much.
Cao Ying also understood this and didn't find it inappropriate. Being able to see this miraculous cultivation technique before contributing anything had already made her very satisfied.
Nodding slightly, she took the cultivation technique and began reading it under the moonlight.
Cao Xi walked closer. "Right, there's a small matter I need to tell you. I did leave Maple City for a trip earlier because I sensed that there were many powerful auras appearing in the place where we dealt with Han Feng. I went to take a look, and they were all the leaders of the forces from the Black-Corner Region. They reacted strongly to Han Feng's death. Maple City might not be peaceful in the next few days."
Chen Xiao nodded gently. From the few pills on Han Feng, he could guess some things.
That guy had probably refined pills for certain people and hadn't had time to hand them over yet.
Furthermore, with Medicine Emperor Han Feng dead, how could this group of ambitious people from the Black-Corner Region let go of such a large piece of cake?
"It's fine, let them come!"
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