Jiang Yan and a few others were just expressing their dissatisfaction on behalf of Gu Yao, but seeing that Gu Yao himself didn't mind, they also let it go. Such magnanimity is not something that anyone can achieve.
If someone from the Longevity Sect really took credit for Gu Yao's achievements, how could the alchemist have a great future in alchemy if they have such shamelessness? When he developed greed, a formidable obstacle had already been erected on his path to progress.
Before setting off, Gu Yao and Hu Guzhu contacted each other through communication, and the two of them reconciled.
Regarding Gu Yao's decision, Chi Changye simply patted his head in support without saying a word.
Xu Chen witnessed the entire process from the spatial realm and finally left with two words, "Idiot." But he didn't express much opinion. Although he and Hu Guzhu had given Gu Yao a lot of advice, the completion of the pill formula was still led by Gu Yao, so he had complete autonomy over its destination.
When he floated back to the pill pavilion and looked at the shelves full of pill manuals, he couldn't help but reflect on the past and the state of cultivation world. He became even more hopeful for Gu Yao's future. In his heart, he vaguely understood why the pill pavilion had chosen Gu Yao as its owner. Perhaps it was precisely because of his precious qualities.
Gu Yao's group and the group from the Cuiyan Valley bumped into each other at the temporary residence gate of the City Lord's Mansion. Hu Guzhu stepped forward from the crowds and looked at Gu Yao gently, saying, "Have you really decided? No regrets?"
Gu Yao smiled faintly, "No regrets. The more I invest, the more I realize how much I have to learn." In other words, his growth is far from over.
Hu Guzhu understood and smiled relievedly. He originally worried that Gu Yao had made this compromise only under pressure from the City Lord's Mansion, fearing that it would leave a shadow in his heart and create obstacles in his path of alchemy. But now he realized he was overthinking. This result only ignited Gu Yao's ambition, turning pressure into motivation.
"Please follow me, Hu Guzhu, and Master Gu, into the City Lord's Mansion." The people from the City Lord's Mansion respectfully invited the two of them and the accompanying cultivators inside, as a large number of cultivators gathered around and speculated on the purpose of this visit. The major powers and businesses present understood the intention of the City Lord's Mansion, especially the businesses who were worried whether Gu Yao could withstand the pressure. Once the Qingchen Pill was intervened by the City Lord's Mansion, it would not be easy for them to obtain the pill. The powerful influence of the Duobao Pavilion on the Tianlin Continent was not something they hadn't encountered before, but they dared not voice their anger. After all, the Duobao Pavilion had the backing of the City Lord's Mansion, a behemoth.
The Bei Xing Sect originally had cultivators responding to the Tian Hai Gate's call for help and participating in the battle against the beast tide. However, when the news of the Qing Chen Pill reached the ears of the Bei Xing Sect, the Sect Master immediately ordered reinforcements to be sent, led by the recently returned eldest senior brother, Yan Yang. Accompanying him was Lu Minzhu. When Gu Yao and Hu Guzhu entered the City Lord's Mansion, they arrived at Tian Shui Fang Market, where their fellow sect member informed them of this news.
Yan Yang waved his hand and said, "This result is not unexpected. We can only strive to gain as much benefit as possible." In the current situation, it is impossible to monopolize the advantages. Others may think that the position of the Tianfu Academy is not high, but if they were to provoke the Golden Core Dean of the Academy and make him run out, it would be very unfortunate.
Yan Yang and his group settled down in the temporary residence of the Bei Xing Sect. Lu Minzhu, who had been in a restless state along the way, made up her mind to find the eldest senior brother.
Two years ago, she thought that the Hong Xuan Pill was already surprising and shocking enough. She didn't expect that two years later, this young man with only four spiritual roots would become even more dazzling. Just with his presence, he shook the entire Tian Lin Continent. Fortunately, Gu Yan left the Tian Lin Continent. Otherwise, his current achievements would stimulate the emergence of an inner demon.
"Senior brother, I'm afraid I won't be able to help this time." Lu Minzhu smiled bitterly.
"What is bothering junior sister?" Yan Yang could tell that Lu Minzhu's expression was always complicated when mentioning Gu Yao. There was regret, shame, and confusion.
At this moment, Lu Minzhu couldn't hide it anymore. She bit her lip and told Yan Yang about her previous engagement with Gu Yao and how the Gu family had used means to make Gu Yao look bad with her silent approval and indifference. It was because of this that she was able to break the engagement, and Gu Yao used the Long Xian Gate Token to leave the Gu family.
"Senior brother, I'm sorry."
After speaking, Lu Minzhu closed her eyes, her face flushed, full of shame. After coming out, her horizons broadened, and she realized how unethical her previous actions were.
Yan Yang poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Lu Minzhu. The scent of the tea on his nose made her open her eyes and see the forgiving smile on Yan Yang's face. Would senior brother not blame her for this matter?
Yang Yan said, "We are not saints. Who hasn't made mistakes? Even I made a mistake in this matter. When we were in Shi Fang City, I misjudged and didn't recruit Master Gu Dan into our sect. Instead, I let him go to Tianfu Academy. Moreover, I didn't even give him a second glance at that time. In his eyes, Gu Yao was just an ordinary person. The past cannot be changed. We just need to face ourselves. And from my judgment, Master Gu Dan is not a narrow-minded and vengeful person, otherwise he wouldn't have come to Tianshui Market early on and wouldn't have made the Qingchen Pill public. Especially considering that the Qingchen Pill is not very expensive, his maturity does not match his age."
Yang Yan had guessed before that Lu Minzhu had something she hadn't said, but he didn't force her. However, he didn't expect the situation to be like this behind his back. It has to be said that both the Gu family and the Lu family have greatly offended Gu Yao. Now, Gu Yao doesn't need to seek revenge deliberately, these two families will regret it on their own. Clearly, an opportunity to reach the top in one step was once in front of them, but they abandoned it themselves. Even if they don't regret it and go crazy, it would be considered mild.
Lu Minzhu mumbled, "It seems like I have never understood him." In the past, she thought of him as gloomy and weak, a useless person. But after leaving the Gu family and Yuanyang Town, he completely transformed himself.
Yang Yan speculated, "It should be that the environment of the Gu family was not good, forcing him to hide himself." He wouldn't want such a selfish family to target him even if it was him.
Temporary residence of the City Lord's Mansion.
Gu Yao and Hu Guzhu were invited by Elder He to take a seat. As they sat down together, Gu Yao was about to pick up a spiritual fruit to eat when he felt a vicious gaze on him. He looked up to see where the gaze was coming from and indeed saw a female cultivator standing behind the other cultivators in the City Lord's Mansion. Her eyes seemed poisoned.
It turned out to be Ruan Xinhui, Miss Ruan. Gu Yao didn't know her before, but now he certainly knew her identity. If it weren't for the sake of the overall situation, he would not agree to cooperate with Duobao Pavilion and refuse any interactions with them.
Before Gu Yao could react, Lu Qiusheng sneered without reservation. Although he didn't say anything, this sneer was enough to draw the attention of others. It made the cultivators in the City Lord's Mansion angrily look towards Lu Qiusheng. Such an impolite guy!
Elder He noticed and understood what was going on, his face turned serious. He had said not to let Ruan Xinhui appear, so who let her in? He immediately gestured, and someone dragged Miss Ruan away. She wanted to protest, but as soon as she saw Elder He's cold gaze, she immediately quieted down.
Having witnessed the whole process, Gu Yao didn't know whether to say this Miss Ruan was stupid or foolish. She wore everything on her face so blatantly. Perhaps being of high status, she was used to being in the spotlight, so she never concealed her actions and was always flamboyant. Once things didn't go her way, her expression would be very unsightly.
"Hu Guzhu, about the Qingchen Pill..."
Hu Guzhu waved his hand, interrupting Elder He's words, knowing what he wanted to say, "The Qingchen Pill was completely researched by Master Gu Dan. Hu is just expressing some opinions on certain aspects. Master Gu Dan allowed us, Cuiyan Valley, to share the pill formula of the Qingchen Pill. Hu is already very ashamed. So if Elder He wants to inquire about the Qingchen Pill, it's better to discuss directly with Master Gu Dan."
Hu Guzhu does not claim credit and makes his position clear.
Elder He muttered to himself, "This Hu Ting is still the same, with such a bad temper. He didn't even feel a hint of jealousy or suppression towards a younger generation? But he had to praise Gu Yao, saying that he is a rising star among the alchemists in Tianlin Continent. With a genius alchemist like him in Tianlin Continent, it is a blessing for the continent. How can alchemy not prosper?" Gu Yao wanted to rub his ears when he heard this, urging him to get to the point.
"...The City Lord hopes that Gu Dan Shi and Hu Guzhu can let more cultivators enjoy the benefits of the Qingchen Pill. In my opinion, Gu Dan Shi's efforts in promoting the power of the Qingchen Pill are still somewhat insufficient. I wonder if we can entrust it to the City Lord's Mansion? The City Lord's Mansion will definitely not mistreat Gu Dan Shi. If you have any requests, feel free to speak up." Elder He put on an appearance of generosity, as if saying that even at your young age, you can ask for some accomodation.
Chi Changye opened his eyes and glanced at Elder He, making He's body shiver. But when he looked up to find the source, he didn't find anything unusual.
Lu Qiusheng gritted his teeth. This old guy's shamelessness knows no bounds. He's flattering the City Lord's Mansion and acting like an elder. He's shameless!
Jiang Yan glanced at Gu Yao, wondering if he needed him to intervene. Gu Yao smiled faintly, gesturing for Jiang senior brother not to bother and said, "Elder He, let's speak frankly. I can provide the pill formula, but I have conditions."
"Alright, Gu Dan Shi, feel free to speak up. The City Lord's Mansion can satisfy any request." Elder He said, satisfied. He thought to himself, this kid is still young after all, he's not afraid of the City Lord's Mansion's title?
"First, the price of the Qingchen Pill should be according to the pricing set by me and Hu Guzhu. It should not be raised."
"Second, for every Qingchen Pill sold under the City Lord's Mansion, I only need half of the profits. The other half should go to the Tianfu Academy."
"These are the two conditions. If Elder He agrees, we can make a contract right now and I can immediately hand over the pill formula to Elder He."
Hu Guzhu smiled with squinted eyes. Gu Yao was indeed not easily fooled. Not only was he firm in his nature, but he was also extremely clever. If these spirit stones were handed over to the Tianfu Academy, would the City Lord's Mansion and Duobao Pavilion dare to swallow them without any scruples? If they dared to swallow, then President Yu would probably go to their door for a good talk.