Bai Shengyi’s mention of the hair ornament referred to the one she had previously asked Bai Xia and Qin Sansi to make.
Due to the luxurious materials used and Bai Xia’s exceptional craftsmanship, the hair ornament’s grade soared, becoming a mid-grade Earth-tier spiritual artifact.
The square-shaped red hair ornament, as transparent and delicate as the finest red chalcedony, was placed on the man, further accentuating his tall, elegant stature and refined demeanor. A casual glance from his phoenix eyes, accompanied by a hint of a smile, made him truly matchless in beauty.
Bai Shengyi had to admit, she was captivated.
“Alas, Xile Sect truly has no sense of timing,” she muttered, tucking away her fleeting thoughts. With a sigh, she said, “Let’s go, we should see what else Sect Leader Rong is willing to sacrifice for his daughter.”
She hadn’t forgotten the hatred in Rong Xuelan’s eyes when she looked at Rong Bugui.
It was clear that this father and daughter did not have a good relationship.
“Madam Rong dotes on Rong Xuelan like her own eyeball, so Rong Bugui cannot afford to offend his wife for now,” Qin Si, understanding Bai Shengyi’s intentions perfectly, reminded her with a slight curl of his lips. “You can boldly declare your poverty.”
With Qin Si’s assurance, Bai Shengyi offered no pleasantries to the Xile Sect group. Her first words were:
“You wish for treatment? My fees are not cheap.”
Rong Bugui had sent someone to invite Master Hongni early in the morning, but to his surprise, while Master Hongni’s words were gracious, his actions were swift and perfunctory once it came to business.
Madam Rong continued to urge him to save Rong Xuelan quickly, leaving him no choice but to approach Bai Shengyi, though in truth, he felt utterly humiliated.
Firstly, he did not want to humble himself and endure such indignities for his disobedient and trouble-making daughter, Rong Xuelan.
Secondly, as the Sect Leader, if he were to be thwarted by Bai Shengyi again, how would others perceive him in the future?
If it were up to him, capturing Bai Shengyi and resorting to force would be the most satisfying, but the people of Yueqingshan had surprisingly intervened on Bai Shengyi’s behalf, issuing a warning. This forced him to abandon his initial idea.
Rong Bugui suspected that Bai Shengyi might have some connection to Yueqingshan, which was why he brought Rong Xuelan along.
His plan was well-calculated: if he could forge a connection with Bai Shengyi and, by extension, with Yueqingshan, Xile Sect would no longer have to rely solely on Wushang Sect. If he couldn’t establish such a connection, saving Rong Xuelan would at least placate the madwoman, Xi Rui!
However, he had not anticipated that upon their first meeting, Bai Shengyi’s single sentence would leave him so speechless that he couldn’t exhale or inhale properly.
“This Sect Leader knows. Three thousand top-grade spirit stones, correct? I’ve already had them prepared,” Rong Bugui said with a dark expression.
Bai Shengyi smiled playfully, “Three thousand top-grade spirit stones are hardly enough to buy your esteemed sect’s eldest young lady’s life.”
“You!” Rong Bugui’s expression changed drastically, and he frowned tightly. “Alchemist Bai, what exactly is the poison affecting my daughter? Heaven knows, I know, and you know. Don’t you think you’ve gone too far?”
Even without concrete evidence, he was certain that the strange conditions afflicting Rong Xuelan and Mani were Bai Shengyi’s doing!
But no matter how sure he was, without proof, it was all just empty talk!
Moreover, they were the ones who had initiated the provocation, placing them at a disadvantage from the start.
Bai Shengyi walked to the center of the room and took the main seat. Qin Si stepped forward and stood behind her, his protective stance evident. Even if Rong Bugui harbored any ill intentions, he had to suppress his schemes.
At that moment, Rong Xuelan, who had been unconscious, awoke.
During this period, Rong Xuelan had been in such agonizing pain that her consciousness was unclear. Even now, she failed to realize she was no longer in her chambers and shouted furiously, “Rong Bugui! If you don’t find a way to save me, believe it or not, Mother will depose you as Sect Leader! You useless wretch, you can’t even save your own daughter… Nnngh…”
Rong Bugui’s face darkened as he promptly rendered Rong Xuelan unconscious again.
“My daughter is delirious from illness; please do not mind her.”
He turned and asked Bai Shengyi in a deep voice, “Alchemist Bai, let’s not beat around the bush. What exactly do you want to save her?”
Bai Shengyi rattled off a list of items.
Rong Bugui’s expression contorted for a moment in pain, and he gritted his teeth, saying, “Fine.”
This time, it was Bai Shengyi’s turn to be surprised.
She was being so agreeable?
Had she perhaps asked for too little spirit stones this time? Or were the grades of the spirit minerals and herbs too low?
Bai Shengyi felt as though she had been shortchanged. However, she kept her word, “Splendid! As long as Sect Leader Rong provides the items, I guarantee to return a lively daughter to you.”
“You’d better not deceive me,” Rong Bugui warned.
Qin Si raised his gaze, “If you don’t trust us, you can leave now. We won’t see you out.”
Rong Bugui gave a dry chuckle, “Dean Qin, are you making decisions on behalf of Alchemist Bai? Are you not afraid Alchemist Bai will be displeased by you making decisions for her in this manner?”
“Sect Leader Rong need not sow discord,” Bai Shengyi said, glancing at Rong Bugui with a half-smile.
Rong Bugui felt as if his every intention was completely seen through.
At this opportune moment, Bai Shengyi softly and melodiously uttered, “Qin Si is my husband; you are an outsider. Your words hold less weight than Qin Si’s.”
Rong Bugui:… He was truly so angered that he could only let out a dry chuckle.
The Xile Sect members quickly brought the payment Bai Shengyi had requested. Bai Shengyi did not deliberately delay and immediately began the detoxification process for Rong Xuelan.
The afflictions on Rong Xuelan were not true poisons. Even if Rong Bugui hadn’t sought her help, Rong Xuelan would not have died, merely endured a life worse than death due to the pain.
As for Master Mani, who suffered the same ailment as Rong Xuelan, Xile Sect did not mention him, and Bai Shengyi naturally did not inquire.
“Alright, when she wakes up, she’ll be able to jump around,” Bai Shengyi stated, refining a pill on the spot for Rong Xuelan to consume. She then clapped her hands and rose to escort them out, “You may leave now.”
She acted as casually as if she had merely eaten a spirit fruit or drunk a cup of spirit tea.
Rong Bugui strongly suspected he had been swindled.
Rong Bugui instructed his disciple to escort Rong Xuelan away, and they turned to leave.
Outside the courtyard, a considerable number of cultivators had gathered. Some were there to submit visiting cards on behalf of their sects, while others were there to gather information. In essence, it was a bustling throng.
As soon as Rong Bugui stepped out, he felt as if everyone was watching him. This immediately brought to mind the envious gazes he had received upon entering, as if they were saying, “How fortunate you are that Alchemist Bai agreed to see you!” He felt utterly uncomfortable.
Rong Bugui left a parting instruction: “Take the eldest young lady back.”
With a flash, he prepared to depart but was called to a halt.
“Sect Leader Rong?” Master Hongni approached kindly, greeting him familiarly. “You’ve come to find Alchemist Bai too? By the way, you’re more familiar with Alchemist Bai than I am. Could you introduce us? My junior sister and Young Pavilion Master Qi wish to meet Alchemist Bai.”
Hongni felt his luck was truly exceptional. He had been contemplating how to approach Bai Shengyi directly, and unexpectedly, he ran into Rong Bugui.
He believed that given his status, Rong Bugui would be more than willing to facilitate such an introduction.
He had not the slightest inkling that he had just offended Rong Bugui that very morning.
Rong Bugui offered a forced smile, “I apologize, this Sect Leader has other matters.”
With that, he left.
Hongni was taken aback by this, and his expression subsequently turned extremely unpleasant.
“Senior Brother, it’s alright, we can submit a visiting card,” Yue Liujin said understandingly, comforting him. Qi Xingchen echoed her sentiment, and Hongni’s expression improved slightly as he handed over the card.
As fate would have it, Bai Shengyi and Qin Si had just emerged.
“Captain, someone else wants to see you.”
Upon hearing Qin Sansi’s words, Bai Shengyi smiled and said, “Please refuse them all on my behalf. I have some matters to attend to today and need to go out. You all shouldn’t be idle either, as the competition is just a few days away. If you have any issues, you can contact me or Qin Si.”
Qin Sansi: “Understood!”
Hongni watched in disbelief as Bai Shengyi disregarded his visiting card, clenching his fist.
However, Yue Liujin, standing beside him, did not perceive his displeasure and said kindly, “In that case, we shall visit another time.”
Qi Xingchen had no objections.
Hongni was extremely displeased, but seeing Yue Liujin’s expectant gaze, he added, “Alright, I’ll listen to you. Junior Sister, since that’s the case, perhaps you could lend me the Haoyue Pill for research these few days?”
“Senior Brother…” Yue Liujin frowned slightly. “That might not be appropriate, would it?”
Wouldn’t that be equivalent to Senior Brother maliciously stealing their master’s pill formula?
Though Yue Liujin’s voice was soft, she remained firm. “Senior Brother, if your toxin is not removed or if something happens and you require the Haoyue Pill, I will certainly administer it to you immediately. This pill itself was something I begged from Master for you. However, researching the pill formula is not allowed. You know, it goes against the rules.”
Before speaking, Hongni was very confident, so confident that he didn’t think his request was problematic at all.
Therefore, upon clearly hearing Yue Liujin’s refusal, the corners of his mouth immediately turned down, and his eyes darkened.
“If you’re unwilling, then fine. Why make so many excuses?” He flicked his sleeve and left directly, his cold snort echoing from a distance: “Forget it, I knew you couldn’t be relied upon. Our brother-sister bond is all a pretense!”
Yue Liujin, caught off guard and abandoned, was stunned.
She had clearly not said anything wrong. Why was Senior Brother Hongni angry?
Qi Xingchen, who had witnessed all of this, felt extremely awkward and also hastily followed, leaving Yue Liujin standing alone, murmuring to herself.
…
The matter Bai Shengyi mentioned was to meet with people from Yueqingshan.