This middle-aged man was the sect master of the Taiyi Gate, Ji Tianzheng.
The Daoist priest was Master Mu.
In addition, seated on either side of Ji Tianzheng in the hall were a group of senior members of the Taiyi Gate.
"Father, I've returned!"
Soon, Ji Xue led Ye Yunfei into the hall.
"Xue'er, you're finally back! What about the Bodhi Samsara Fruit?"
Ji Tianzheng was overjoyed.
"Young master…"
Ji Xue looked towards Ye Yunfei.
"I said I would give it to you, and naturally I will," Ye Yunfei said indifferently. With a wave of his hand, a white fruit appeared before Ji Xue.
Immediately, the entire hall was filled with a rich, refreshing fragrance.
"It really is a second-grade treasure herb!"
Everyone's eyes lit up, and they couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"Quick! Bring it here for me to see!"
Master Mu's eyes shone with eagerness as he hurriedly spoke to Ji Tianzheng.
"Xue'er, quickly hand the Bodhi Samsara Fruit over to Master Mu!" Ji Tianzheng said.
"Thank you for your great kindness, young master!"
Ji Xue held the Bodhi Samsara Fruit in both hands, bowed gracefully towards Ye Yunfei, and then walked up to Master Mu.
"Hahaha… It really is the Bodhi Samsara Fruit!"
Master Mu took the fruit in his hand, examined it repeatedly, and laughed heartily.
"Master Mu, with the Bodhi Samsara Fruit, will my father's injury be curable?" Ji Xue asked.
"With me here, don't you worry. Tonight, I will start the furnace to refine the pill. Once I refine the Grand Origin-Stabilizing Pill and your father takes it, his injuries will be healed immediately! What, do you not trust the name of the Central Continent Alchemy Tower either?" Master Mu looked at Ji Xue as he spoke.
His gaze swept over Ji Xue's body intentionally or unintentionally, carrying a hint of primitive desire.
"That's wonderful! Master Mu, please don't misunderstand. I believe you!" Ji Xue was ecstatic and immediately replied.
"Alright. I'll return to my room first to study the pill formula. Don't disturb me unless it's necessary," Master Mu said as he stood up.
"Also, Miss Ji, come to my room tonight to help me," Master Mu added.
What?!
Everyone was taken aback.
"Master Mu, Xue'er doesn't understand alchemy, and her strength is lacking. What help could she possibly offer? Wouldn't it be better if you selected someone else to assist?" Ji Tianzheng said.
Ji Xue was his cherished daughter, greatly adored. How could he be willing to let her go to a man's room in the middle of the night? Even if it was for pill refining, rumors would inevitably harm her reputation.
"Sect Master Ji, what are you thinking so wildly! All the medicinal herbs used to refine the Grand Origin-Stabilizing Pill possess yang attributes. Too much yang energy can break the balance, so during the refinement process, it would be best to have a martial artist who cultivates cold-attribute techniques transmit spiritual power to help control the flames. This way, with the harmonization of yin and yang, the efficacy of the refined pill will be at its best. Miss Ji cultivates the Heaven's Chill Art; she is, one could say, the most suitable candidate. What, don't you trust me? Very well, Sect Master Ji, you may seek someone else. I will refrain from refining this pill." Master Mu flicked his sleeve as if angry and turned to leave.
"So that's how it is." The others present understood upon hearing this.
"Master Mu, please wait! I will come to your room tonight to assist in refining the pill!" Seeing Master Mu walking away, Ji Xue paled in fright, hurriedly chased after him, and spoke out.
"Hmph!" Master Mu snorted coldly.
"Master Mu, please calm your anger. It was my indiscretion," Ji Tianzheng said with a sigh in his heart, seeing that Ji Xue had already agreed, and had no choice but to apologize to Master Mu.
The senior members of the Taiyi Gate also hurriedly stepped forward, offering various apologies and trying to please Master Mu.
"Forget it. Do not let it happen again." Master Mu finally relented.
"Hehe… Putting on an act. How laughable."
Right at this moment, a voice suddenly rang out in the hall.
Immediately, all eyes turned towards Ye Yunfei.
"Kid, what did you say!" Master Mu glared furiously at Ye Yunfei.
"Are you truly certain the Grand Origin-Stabilizing Pill can cure Sect Master Ji's injuries?" Ye Yunfei asked indifferently.
"Kid, who are you? What right do you have to speak to me in such a tone! Are you doubting the strength of my Central Continent Alchemy Tower?" Master Mu's face changed drastically as he roared fiercely at Ye Yunfei.
"I do not doubt the Alchemy Tower. I doubt you," Ye Yunfei said.
"Kid, what do you mean! You doubt my identity? This is the Alchemical Flame Token! Open your dog eyes and take a good look! Only high-ranking members of the Alchemy Tower are qualified to carry the Alchemical Flame Token!" Master Mu flew into a rage, took out a token that was as deep red as fire, and held it aloft.
Immediately, rolling waves of heat swept out from the token, and even clusters of alchemical flames spontaneously manifested and ignited.
The temperature in the entire hall instantly rose a significant degree!
"That truly is the Alchemical Flame Token!"
Everyone in the hall looked at the red token with respectful gazes, and their doubts about Master Mu's identity vanished completely.
Because only high-ranking members of the Alchemy Tower were qualified to carry the Alchemical Flame Token. The appearance of the Alchemical Flame Token represented the Alchemy Tower itself!
"Sect Master Ji, what relationship does this kid have with your Taiyi Gate? Him doubting my identity is equivalent to blaspheming the Alchemy Tower—a grave crime! Once pursued, I'm afraid your Taiyi Gate won't be able to escape responsibility." Master Mu stared sharply at Ye Yunfei.
"Master Mu, this kid has no relationship with our Taiyi Gate whatsoever. His words and actions are unrelated to us!"
"Kid, how dare you doubt Master Mu's identity? Apologize to Master Mu immediately!"
"Sect Master, I suggest we apprehend this kid immediately and hand him over to Master Mu for punishment!"
…
The senior members of the Taiyi Gate, hearing Master Mu's words, turned pale with fright and began berating Ye Yunfei one after another.
"Young master, perhaps… you should apologize to Master Mu," Ji Xue said very uncomfortably, looking at Ye Yunfei.
"Young man, you gave me the Bodhi Samsara Fruit. I will remember this kindness. However, Master Mu's status is noble; he represents the Alchemy Tower and truly must not be blasphemed. Therefore, you should properly apologize to Master Mu. If Master Mu truly decides to pursue this matter, I'm afraid even your family, sect, and friends will be implicated." Ji Tianzheng also looked at Ye Yunfei and spoke.
"I will not apologize to you now. After you refine the Grand Origin-Stabilizing Pill and cure Sect Master Ji's injuries, I will naturally apologize to you," Ye Yunfei said calmly.
"Fine! Kid, you wait!" Master Mu seemed unwilling to tangle further with Ye Yunfei. Flicking his sleeve, he left the hall and returned to his room.
"Young man, Master Mu is a high-ranking member of the Alchemy Tower. You'd do well to avoid provoking him. Someone, arrange a room for this young man to stay." Ji Tianzheng took a deep look at Ye Yunfei, left these words, and then turned to walk out of the hall.
As for the other senior members of the Taiyi Gate, they didn't even glance at Ye Yunfei before directly leaving.
"Young master, I am truly sorry. Our Taiyi Gate has requests of Master Mu, so we have no choice but to follow his will. Young master, please forgive my father's rudeness." Ji Xue came before Ye Yunfei, her face full of apology.
She knew perfectly well that Ye Yunfei surely had significant backing. It was likely that the Taiyi Gate could not afford to offend him. Moreover, Ye Yunfei had given her the Bodhi Samsara Fruit free of charge. Therefore, her attitude towards him remained extremely respectful.