Master Gu De appeared. He was a short, stout old man with sparse hair and an oily face, his ill-fitting clothes making him look rather comical.
Despite this, no one dared to laugh. And when they saw the cauldron-shaped badge on his chest, their gazes turned respectful.
An alchemist, no matter where or when, was a figure to be revered. Even the most ordinary One-Star Alchemist was a lofty personage, before whom even Xiantian experts had to lower their proud heads.
Upon seeing Vivian, Master Gu De's smile widened, tinged with a hint of ill-intentioned lechery.
Though she clearly felt Master Gu De's improper gaze lingering on her, Vivian's beautiful, peerless face only flashed with a trace of anger. Deep down, she wished she could stomp on this wretched old face, but mindful of his status, she couldn't say anything. Instead, she gracefully curtsied and said, "This humble girl, Yang Weiwei, greets Master Gu De."
"Greetings, Master Gu De."
Hua Shaoyang and the entourage accompanying him all bowed respectfully to the little old man.
"So your name is Yang Weiwei. A well-chosen name, very pleasant. This master likes it," Master Gu De chuckled, though his expression remained utterly repulsive.
Vivian frowned slightly. "Thank you for your favor, Master. It is this humble girl's honor."
"Good. I've seen the pill you requested. Three Huaqing Pills, acceptable. I'll refine them for you now," Master Gu De agreed directly.
Vivian was momentarily stunned, clearly not expecting Master Gu De to agree so readily, but immediately her face lit up with joy. "Really?! Thank you so much, Master Gu De. Our Yang family will never forget your kindness."
Hua Shaoyang and the Yang family members were all delighted. They hadn't expected this trip to go so smoothly. They had prepared even more lavish gifts, but now it seemed unnecessary.
"This is just a trivial matter, nothing significant," Master Gu De said, his old hand casually reaching for Vivian's fair, tender hand. "No need for thanks. However, I have one condition, which I hope your Yang family will also agree to."
Vivian subtly retreated two steps, avoiding Master Gu De's harassment. "What requirement does Master Gu De have? Please state it. If our Yang family can fulfill it, we will certainly do so at the earliest opportunity."
"This requirement isn't actually very difficult," Master Gu De said with a lecherous grin, looking at Vivian. "As long as Miss Vivian accompanies this master for a few days, the Huaqing Pills can naturally be refined anytime."
Upon hearing this, Vivian and the others immediately paled. No wonder Master Gu De had been so agreeable—he harbored such filthy, despicable intentions.
Vivian was furious. She could never agree to such a thing. Wouldn't that be sending a lamb into the tiger's den? Once she agreed, her entire life would likely be ruined.
Hua Shaoyang also didn't want Vivian to agree. He had long considered Vivian his future wife; how could he allow anyone else to lay a finger on her? He quickly stepped forward. "Master Gu De, let's discuss this properly. Could you change the condition? Vivian... she isn't available to accompany you."
"What do you mean 'not available'? As long as there's time, it's fine, isn't it?" Master Gu De waved his hand impatiently.
Hua Shaoyang continued, "Master Gu De, Vivian truly has no time. She still needs to return to the academy to cultivate. As for the price, that's not an issue. How about we increase the payment? What do you think?"
Master Gu De sneered coldly. "Increase the payment? Do you think this master still cares about that little money? Today, this master will tell you plainly: either have her accompany me for a few days, or forget about the pill refinement. Go find someone else."
Vivian and the others' faces changed drastically on the spot. Master Gu De was clearly forcing them to submit.
What a vile person! Could he even be called an alchemist? Truly the dregs among alchemists. Vivian clenched her delicate fists and refused outright. "Impossible."
Master Gu De also shed all pretense, chuckling coldly. "Impossible? In that case, don't blame this master for being heartless. Your deadbeat grandfather is beyond saving. This master will not refine the Huaqing Pills for him. And don't think any other alchemist in the Alchemy Heart Palace will refine them for you either. As soon as this master speaks, no one will refine them for you. You can only watch your dearest grandfather die right before your eyes. Hmph, think carefully about what you want to do."
A threat, a blatant threat!
The group's expressions shifted repeatedly. They hadn't expected Master Gu De to have seen through everything so thoroughly.
Seeing Vivian seemed somewhat swayed, Hua Shaoyang was greatly alarmed and hurriedly said, "Vivian, don't agree. Let's find someone else."
Master Gu De added another sentence. "If you want to find someone else, I suggest you hurry. This master isn't unaware of Elder Yang's situation. The poison has basically permeated his body; he can't hold on much longer. If Elder Yang falls... heh, I'm afraid the entire Yang family will follow suit."
His words struck right at the Yang family's vital point.
The Yang family Vivian belonged to was by no means an ordinary minor force, even within the vast royal capital. It could even be considered a major power.
Because Vivian's grandfather was a true heavyweight in the court, one of only three Great Generals in the military, a key figure in the military world, holding a high position and wielding great authority. Usually, anyone would show him respect.
Precisely because of this, the entire Yang family was absolutely extraordinary. Under Elder Yang's leadership, it had become very powerful.
But the court was deep water, a mix of fish and snakes, a dragon's pool and tiger's den. As one of the few great generals in the military, Elder Yang had a fiery temper and had offended many people. Naturally, he had rivals in the court who had always wanted to bring him down.
Normally, with Elder Yang present, they feared nothing. But now that Elder Yang had finally fallen, their rivals naturally pursued relentlessly. The entire Yang mansion had plummeted, suffering overt and covert attacks from all sides. It was already in turmoil, severely battered, struggling to hold on.
If Elder Yang truly fell completely, the consequences would be unimaginable.
While it might not lead to the complete annihilation of the family, they would likely be demoted from a general's mansion to a commoner's residence—a dire prospect.
More importantly, although Elder Yang appeared stern and righteous towards others, he was exceptionally doting and affectionate towards his little granddaughter Vivian, his love undisguised, treating her as the apple of his eye, something everyone knew.
Though she clearly knew Master Gu De harbored ill intentions, at this moment, she had no other choice. Whether for the sake of her dearest grandfather or the entire family, she had to step forward.
"Vivian—" Hua Shaoyang and the other clansmen were shocked and wanted to stop her, but Vivian shook her head. A pained expression flashed across her beautiful face. Under Master Gu De's triumphant gaze, she spoke her final words: "I, I am willing—"
"Don't agree to him."
At this moment, a voice suddenly interrupted Vivian's following words, drawing everyone's attention. It was Ye Chen.
Just as he was about to succeed, someone interrupted. Master Gu De's face immediately darkened. "Kid, who are you?"
Ye Chen didn't even glance at him. "Miss Vivian, don't agree. It will only harm you."
Faced with Ye Chen's concern, Vivian felt grateful, but at this point, what other choice did she have besides agreeing? Could she really just watch her grandfather and family perish?
Her lovely red lips now held a pitiful paleness. "Young master, please don't stop me. This is the only way."
"Is there really no other way?" Ye Chen asked.
Vivian shook her head, her beautiful face terribly pale. "Young master, if we could find another alchemist, why would I have come to the Alchemy Heart Palace? I appreciate your kindness, young master, but please don't interfere in this matter. Although Master Gu De is only a One-Star Alchemist, he is a disciple of the Two-Star Alchemist Master Li Yun. Master Li Yun is also one of the masters of the Alchemy Heart Palace. Our Yang family dare not offend Master Gu De."
Ye Chen was slightly surprised. So that little old man Li Yun had reached the level of a Two-Star Alchemist. That was somewhat beyond his expectations.
Then he smiled, comforting Vivian. "Don't worry. Leave it to me. It's just Huaqing Pills, right? We'll have them."
Hearing Ye Chen's somewhat arrogant tone, Vivian, for some reason, felt her heart pounding uncontrollably. For a moment, her gaze towards Ye Chen became somewhat entranced.
"Arrogant!" Master Gu De snorted coldly. He had never seen such an arrogant youth. Did he really think Huaqing Pills were cabbages sold on the street, that they could be refined just because he wanted them?
Even he, with years of alchemy experience, couldn't guarantee success in a single attempt. It took many tries to have even a sliver of success.
He said coldly, "I don't know where this arrogant youngster came from. Though young, his brain is useless, daring to disrupt this master's affairs. He must be tired of living. Men, seize this kid and beat him to death."
Immediately, several elite guards at the eighth or ninth level of Houtian rushed over, directly attacking Ye Chen.
But Ye Chen merely shook with force, easily sending all these guards flying. His gaze was as cold as snow, sweeping over everyone, sending chills down their spines.
Master Gu De hadn't expected a mere youth like Ye Chen to be so powerful. Just as he was about to take action again, a commotion arose—
"It's Master Li Yun! He's come out!"