Inside Elder Zhu's Mansion.
The middle-aged Elder Zhu lay in a bathing tub, enjoying the fragrance of rose petals.
Having washed away the special layer of rouge and powder that adorned her face, her skin was no longer supple and fair. Instead, it was covered in wrinkles like a dried-up apple, with many age spots dotting her features.
She specialized in the study of unique constitutions, and beyond her natural talent in this area...
...Elder Zhu had an even more important reason: to research the secret of agelessness.
"My precious, it's all up to you!"
Elder Zhu's voice was a bit hoarse. An arm erged from the warm water, its wrinkled skin as gaunt and bony as an old woman's. She picked up a delicate jade bottle from the side of the tub. Inside was a single drop of crimson liquid, which she slowly poured into the water.
"HUM!"
A flash of red light turned the clear, warm water a dark crimson.
Streams of dark red energy seeped into Elder Zhu's body. Her wrinkled, withered skin gradually plumped up as if being inflated, the roughness vanishing until it beca as fair and elastic as a young girl's.
"Mmmph!"
Elder Zhu tilted her head back slightly and let out a soft moan.
A red glow appeared on her face as her age spots gradually faded, then disappeared completely.
She slowly stepped out of the tub and stood before a massive, floor-length mirror. Surveying her newly plump and youthful figure, she smiled smugly. "Mirror, mirror, of all the Spiritual Craftsn in the Southern Ten Nations, am I not the most beautiful of them all?"
"Yes, you are the most beautiful of them all!"
Elder Zhu answered herself softly, then let out a cackle.
After changing into a goose-down long dress, Elder Zhu—over seventy years old yet as ostentatiously dressed as a young maiden—swayed her serpentine hips and walked out.
A man was waiting impatiently at the door. The mont she appeared, he rushed forward and wrapped his arms around Elder Zhu's delicate body, greedily inhaling her faint fragrance. "Tsk, tsk, my darling, after all these years, you're still so beautiful. Mmm, you sll so good. Your scent is simply enchanting!"
This man was none other than Elder Luo.
Although Hong Yu had beaten him until his face was swollen like a pig's head, the injuries were only superficial and had healed quickly.
A smug smile played on Elder Zhu's lips as she allowed Elder Luo to caress her nonstop.
She reveled in the look of obsession in a man's eyes.
She let out a soft snort. "Alright, that's enough. It wouldn't do for my disciples to see us."
"Mhm!"
Elder Luo nodded obediently, his eyes fixed on Elder Zhu with a greedy expression.
The two of them had maintained this relationship for over a decade.
Even though he knew Elder Zhu's ageless beauty relied on so unsavory thods, Elder Luo was simply unable to resist the endless allure she exuded. He was especially captivated by the fragrance she gave off right after using that special potion, and by the carnal pleasures they would enjoy for a ti afterward.
One after the other, the two entered another room.
Elder Zhu reclined gracefully in a chair, allowing Elder Luo to attentively massage her shoulders. "One of my Pill Children ca to report earlier," she said lightly. "He said Hong Yu is outside seeking an audience."
"Hong Yu?"
Elder Luo's gaze darkened, a cold killing intent surging within him. "What is that little bastard doing here?"
"Don't you dare do anything reckless. He's White Cloud Peak's precious disciple now. White Cloud Peak is in a special situation at the mont. Even the Sect Leader is unwilling to provoke him..."
Elder Zhu said coolly.
Elder Luo nodded repeatedly. "I know."
The thought of White Cloud Peak brought back the mory of that day—how the man had subdued him with a single casual grab, suppressing his cultivation so Hong Yu could beat him to a pulp and vent his anger.
It was a nightmare that had tornted him for several days and nights.
Elder Zhu was silent for a mont before muttering, "Since you don't want to see him, should I have soone send him away?"
"No!"
But Elder Luo shook his head, a wicked smile spreading across his face. "We won't send him away. On the contrary, we'll invite him in. Let's see what he's co to you for first!"
"Oh?"
Elder Zhu started, looking at Elder Luo in surprise.
Elder Luo chuckled sinisterly. "Think about it, what could he possibly want from you? If it were about cultivation, he has White Cloud Peak to guide him. If it were a Sect matter, he should go to the Task Hall..."
"You an, he needs a favor from ?" Elder Zhu asked.
Elder Luo nodded.
The two exchanged a look and smiled, their expressions exceptionally sinister. "In that case, let him co in!"
......
"Senior Brother Hong, the Elder invites you in!"
the Pill Child said respectfully.
Hong Yu let out a long sigh of relief and cupped his hands. "Thank you both!"
Following the two Pill Children, he made his way to the villa where Elder Zhu resided.
Elder Zhu was seated upright in the main seat, while Elder Luo was hidden behind a screen.
Facing Elder Zhu again, Hong Yu couldn't help but rember that day in the main hall. This was the very person who hadn't even given him a chance to speak before sending him flying with a single slap.
But circumstances forced his hand. With Yun ngyao's safety at stake, Hong Yu spoke with the utmost respect, "Disciple Hong Yu greets Elder Zhu!"
"Mm."
Elder Zhu nodded and said coolly, "I heard you were anxious to see . What is the matter?"
"Elder Zhu, this disciple has heard that you are the leading authority on special constitutions in the Southern Ten Nations. When it cos to understanding and mastering them, if you claim to be second, no one in the entire Southern Ten Nations would dare claim to be first."
'One must know how to be flexible when dealing with people.'
Hong Yu's flattery softened Elder Zhu's expressionless face considerably, and the corners of her lips curled up unconsciously.
Seeing this, Hong Yu sighed in relief inwardly and got to the point. "This disciple has a younger sister who suffers from a Cold Yin Constitution. For the past five years, she has suffered frequent flare-ups of a cold poison that leaves her body chilled to the bone. I have sought out famous physicians to no avail. Master Xue Butong of Shishui City once tried to diagnose her but was helpless, and now my sister has only a year left to live. I have co today to implore Elder Zhu to save my sister."
Hong Yu held his breath, his eyes filled with hope as he looked at Elder Zhu.
'I've worked for eight whole months for this mont.'
For these past few months, the motivation that kept him going day and night was the thought of finding Elder Zhu and asking her to treat Yun ngyao.
No matter what difficulties he faced, even when hovering on the brink of life and death, Hong Yu's goal had never wavered.
His sole focus was to climb high enough in the Cyan Nether Sword Sect to be able to ask Elder Zhu for help.
Now...
Through his own efforts, paving a road with blood and sweat and clearing every obstacle in his path, he had finally reached the position of First True Disciple.
He could finally stand face-to-face with Elder Zhu.
How could Hong Yu not be excited? How could he not be anxious?
Elder Zhu narrowed her eyes, looking Hong Yu up and down. Her eyes darted about as she smiled. "It wouldn't be difficult for to help. However, you should know the price of hiring a Tier Two Spiritual Craftsman. And my price is far beyond what an ordinary Tier Two Spiritual Craftsman could compare to."
"Are you sure you can afford it?"
Elder Zhu looked at Hong Yu with a half-smile.
Hong Yu sighed to himself and took out the jade box containing the Broken Dream Celestial Blue.
Gently stroking the smooth, warm jade box in his hand, the old and benevolent face of White Cloud Peak repeatedly surfaced in Hong Yu's mind.
Even though White Cloud Peak hadn't said much, Hong Yu knew that obtaining a Tier Four Spirit dicine was certainly not easy. Even a Tier One Spirit dicine like the Restoring Yin Grass was guarded by a powerful Desolate Beast like the Red Yin Poison Scorpion, to say nothing of a Tier Four Spirit Essence like the Broken Dream Celestial Blue.
One could only imagine how precious this Broken Dream Celestial Blue was.
Yet his master had given it to him as paynt to persuade Elder Zhu, asking for nothing in return. Hong Yu would never forget this kindness.
PHEW!
Taking a deep breath, Hong Yu opened the jade box, and a rich dicinal fragrance wafted out.
The special, faint aroma was refreshing to the heart and soul. Just slling it was enough to lift one's spirits and seem to broaden one's mind.
Elder Zhu's eyes suddenly constricted. She stared intently at the Broken Dream Celestial Blue in the jade box, her body leaning forward slightly, a fiery look dancing in her eyes. "Is—is this Broken Dream Celestial Blue?"
"It is!"
Hong Yu nodded. "As long as Elder Zhu is willing to save my sister, this Broken Dream Celestial Blue is your paynt!"
Gazing at Hong Yu's earnest expression,
Elder Zhu's dark brows furrowed slightly, and she glanced toward the screen out of the corner of her eye.
'She really wanted to accept this Broken Dream Celestial Blue.'
One must understand...
A Tier Four Spirit dicine was a Top-Grade Spirit dicine that was hard to find even once a century in the entire Southern Ten Nations. It had been decades since the last one was discovered. As for the Broken Dream Celestial Blue, it was a natural treasure that could increase a person's chances of condensing a Primordial Core by thirty percent.
This thirty percent chance was not to be underestimated. Often, out of a hundred Celestial Soul Realm experts attempting to break through to the Primordial Core Realm, not even one might succeed!
'But Elder Luo had repeatedly warned her not to accept if Hong Yu asked for her help!'
Her eyes darted about, and a cunning smile suddenly appeared on her face. She gave a light cough and said coolly, "Fine. Seeing as you're so sincere, I'll help you this once." With that, Elder Zhu tucked the jade box away and continued, "You may go back now and bring your sister to see . I will naturally treat her!"
"Elder Zhu, I wonder if you could give a token?" Hong Yu asked hesitantly.
Elder Zhu was taken aback, then said with a hint of anger, "What? Are you afraid I'll take the paynt and not do the job?"
Hong Yu shook his head. "That's not it. It's just that this Broken Dream Celestial Blue was a gift from my master..."
He didn't need to say more.
The mont Elder Zhu heard White Cloud Peak's na, she waved her hand and tossed a Jade Order to Hong Yu. "This order is a personal item of mine. When you return with your sister, you can use it to bring her here. Since I've taken your paynt, I will naturally see the job done!"
"Thank you, Elder Zhu! I'll return to Shishui City now and bring my sister here!"
Hong Yu respectfully withdrew.
Only after Hong Yu had left did Elder Luo step out from behind the screen. "What was that all about?" he demanded furiously. "Didn't we agree you wouldn't help him?"
Elder Zhu shot him a sidelong glance and said coolly, "This is Broken Dream Celestial Blue, a Tier Four Spirit dicine. With this Spirit Essence, both you and I might be able to condense a Primordial Core and break through to the Primordial Core Realm in the future."
"So you're really going to help that little bastard?" Elder Luo was still unwilling to accept it.
Elder Zhu gave a cold, sinister smile. "I only said I would *help*. I never said I would cure her!"
"Ah? HAHAHA, so that's how it is..."
Elder Luo burst out laughing.
Elder Zhu shot him a playfully resentful glare. "So how are you going to compensate ?"
Elder Luo gave a wicked smile, rubbing his hands together...
"My darling, here I co!"
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