"Great-grandfather, I wasn't wrong, he clearly…"
Yaoyue's voice trembled as she tried to argue back, her confidence shaken by Jia Xing Tian's sudden stern attitude.
"Apologize! Or I'll have your father send you to the royal tombs, where you'll be confined to guard the ancestors' graves for the rest of your life, forbidden from ever returning to the capital!" Jia Xing Tian's face grew colder, his tone uncompromising.
"I… I'm… sorry!"
Princess Yaoyue held back tears, swallowing her pride as she reluctantly apologized to Gu Changqing under Jia Xing Tian's severe gaze.
"My apologies, Young Master Gu. This is my fault for not disciplining Yaoyue strictly enough." Jia Xing Tian's apology was genuine; he knew the power of Gu Changqing wasn't something the Jia Ma Empire's royal family could oppose lightly. Given Gu Changqing's ambitions, he had no choice but to tread carefully around him.
"Think nothing of it. I'm not so petty that I'd hold a grudge against a young girl. But if I'm not mistaken, you seem to doubt my age and abilities. Do you think that just because I'm young, I can't possibly be a sixth-grade alchemist?" Gu Changqing smiled as he glanced at the little princess.
Although Princess Yaoyue had technically reached adulthood, her unique constitution made her appear like a young teenager. Gu Changqing's words touched on a sensitive issue, striking a nerve.
"Who are you calling a kid? You're the one who's immature!" Yaoyue snapped, unable to contain her anger.
"Yaoyue!" Jia Xing Tian interrupted with a stern tone.
"No, let her speak." Gu Changqing raised his hand lightly, signaling for Jia Xing Tian to let Yaoyue continue.
He had called her a kid on purpose. After all, Yaoyue's unique constitution, linked to her White Tiger fate, indeed prevented certain aspects of her growth.
"Isn't it obvious? You're around my age, and I'm already a third-grade alchemist myself! If you truly are a sixth-grade alchemist, would you dare to compete against me?" Princess Yaoyue challenged with indignation.
Yaoyue had always been a prodigy, displaying exceptional talent for alchemy from a young age. She had even studied under the Vice-President of the Alchemist Association and a fifth-grade alchemist. She had never slacked in her alchemy practice, seeking to bring glory to the royal family. It was hard for her to believe that someone of similar age could surpass her, let alone reach the esteemed level of a sixth-grade alchemist—something even the famed Alchemist King, Gu He, had only just achieved.
"A competition? That's unnecessary," Gu Changqing replied calmly.
"What? Are you scared?" Princess Yaoyue sneered defiantly.
"Yaoyue!" Jia Xing Tian's warning tone cut through once more.
"I'm not interested in competing against a third-grade novice. In three days, I'll be performing an alchemy demonstration at the Alchemist Association. How about we place a bet? Let's wager on whether I can refine a seventh-grade pill." Gu Changqing's smile was laced with amusement.
"You're claiming you can refine a seventh-grade pill?!"
"Ridiculous! You're nothing but a braggart. I'd love to see how you'll talk your way out of this one!" Princess Yaoyue sneered, full of disbelief.
"If I succeed in refining a seventh-grade pill, will you agree to fulfill one request of mine?" Gu Changqing's eyes held a playful glint.
"And what request is that?"
Startled, Yaoyue took a step back, holding her chest protectively. She was all too aware of Gu Changqing's notorious reputation, known for charming both Lin Fei and Xue Mei back in Black Rock City.
"Just tell me if you dare," Gu Changqing responded with a mocking smile, not disclosing his exact intentions.
"Of course, I—"
"Yaoyue!" Jia Xing Tian quickly intervened, stopping her mid-sentence. His face darkened as he turned to Gu Changqing.
"Young Master Gu, Yaoyue is young and unrestrained. I ask that you show leniency and not hold her to her words."
Jia Xing Tian was keenly aware of Gu Changqing's cunning and had no desire to see his descendant fall into a trap, fearing she might eventually end up just another of his many admirers.
"Haha, no need for concern, Elder Jia. In fact, I have here a seventh-grade Soul Seed Pill, crafted from a lotus leaf of the Heavenly Flame. It can significantly enhance an alchemist's talent when consumed. I think Princess Yaoyue has potential, so if she accepts my bet, I'm willing to offer her this Soul Seed Pill as a gift."
Gu Changqing chuckled, producing a jade bottle containing a sealed, seventh-grade Soul Seed Pill.
"A seventh-grade pill?"
Jia Xing Tian's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the jade bottle in Gu Changqing's hand, his breathing quickening with excitement.
Yaoyue was similarly astonished. She gulped, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief. She quickly composed herself, though, masking her surprise with outrage.
"Liar! I've never heard of a seventh-grade pill called the Soul Seed Pill, much less one that could greatly enhance an alchemist's talent. You probably concocted some fake pill to deceive my great-grandfather!" Yaoyue accused, still skeptical.
"You can examine it yourself, Elder Jia," Gu Changqing said with a calm smile, tossing the bottle toward Jia Xing Tian.
Jia Xing Tian was startled but quickly caught it, stunned by Gu Changqing's boldness. A genuine seventh-grade pill was a priceless treasure in the Jia Ma Empire, and yet, Gu Changqing had nonchalantly thrown it his way. Did he not fear that Jia Xing Tian might flee with the pill?
However, Jia Xing Tian had no intention of fleeing. Even if the pill were real, he wouldn't abandon his duties or his family for mere gain.
"Hah, if you'd so carelessly toss it over, there's no way it's a genuine seventh-grade pill!" Yaoyue scoffed, a mix of hope and skepticism in her gaze as she looked at the jade bottle.
"And if it is real? What then?" Gu Changqing's smile grew as he watched Yaoyue struggle to mask her uncertainty.
Training Princess Yaoyue to become his representative in the alchemical world of the Jia Ma Empire had been part of Gu Changqing's plans from the start. Her talent in alchemy was indeed exceptional across the northwestern continent.
In two years, during the upcoming Alchemist Tournament of the Jia Ma Empire, she would have likely taken first place—if not for Xiao Yan's unique advantage and Liu Mei's age advantage. Without these obstacles, Yaoyue would have undoubtedly emerged as the champion.
Should he succeed in winning Yaoyue over, she would save him considerable trouble in the future.