"If this truly contains a Tier Seven Pill, I'll… I'll…"
Princess Yao Yue clenched her teeth, struggling to finish her sentence.
"How about this?" Gu Changqing teased, smirking at the frustrated little princess. "If it really is a Tier Seven Pill, you could serve as my personal attendant for a few days. How does that sound?"
"No way! A princess like me would never lower herself to be anyone's servant!" Yao Yue instantly refused, her tone filled with indignation.
"Is that so?" Gu Changqing shook his head, pretending to be regretful. "Seems this Tier Seven Pill isn't meant for you, then."
Just then, the bottle in Jia Ma Empire's Elder Jia Xingtian's hand emitted a burst of violet-blue light, shooting skyward.
"What?!"
Startled, Jia Xingtian hastily pursued the violet-blue glow that was escaping into the sky. Gu Changqing, however, didn't interfere and simply observed. Despite Jia Xingtian being no match for him, Gu Changqing knew he could handle catching a Tier Seven Pill.
Yet, just as Jia Xingtian was about to seize it, the pill transformed, taking the shape of a formidable figure who stepped through the air with menacing intent, aiming directly at him. Jia Xingtian's shock was evident, and in his momentary distraction, the pill seized the opportunity and shot off into the distance.
"Damn it!"
Anger and embarrassment colored Jia Xingtian's face. The trickery of a Tier Seven Pill, transforming into a person to fool him, was not something he'd anticipated. His aura flared up as he gave chase to the runaway pill.
In the capital of Jia Ma, many of the empire's powerful figures witnessed Jia Xingtian—their nation's revered elder and pillar of strength—furiously pursuing a small violet-blue light across the sky. Fortunately, after an intense chase, Jia Xingtian finally secured the pill in his hand.
Feeling the restless energy within it, Jia Xingtian's excitement was palpable. This was indeed a Tier Seven Pill!
"Legends say that Tier Seven Pills have a faint sense of intelligence. If left unchecked, they'll try to escape the moment they form. Today, I witnessed this with my own eyes," Jia Xingtian mused, both shocked and thrilled. If his empire could claim such a pill, it could catapult them into a new era.
He turned to Gu Changqing, awe evident in his gaze. "Young Master Gu, is it true you intend to give this pill to Princess Yao Yue?"
Gu Changqing gave a light chuckle, casting an amused glance at the bewildered Yao Yue. "My words were sincere, though it seems the princess herself doesn't want it very much."
"Yao Yue, you foolish girl!" Jia Xingtian was furious, glaring at the princess in frustration.
"Grandfather, is this really a Tier Seven Pill?" Yao Yue asked, still in disbelief. To her, such an item was as valuable as a sacred relic. How could it appear here so easily?
"Yao Yue, Tier Seven Pills are known to display sentient behavior, capable of taking human form to deceive even the strongest of cultivators. You just witnessed it firsthand," Jia Xingtian lectured, his tone stern. "And with Young Master Gu's status, he wouldn't need to deceive us with something as precious as a Tier Seven Pill!"
For Jia Xingtian, the matter was clear. Given Gu Changqing's prowess and reputation as a Six-Tier Alchemist, there was no reason for him to lie. If the Jia Ma Empire missed this chance, they might never rise again.
"But… he wants me to be his personal attendant. I'm a princess! How can I serve someone my own age, especially when we don't even know his character…" Yao Yue, desperate, blurted out everything Gu Changqing had suggested.
Jia Xingtian was momentarily stunned before glancing at Gu Changqing thoughtfully. Considering his strength and reputation, having Yao Yue as his attendant didn't seem unthinkable. However, he quickly dismissed the notion. It would be beneath the Jia Ma Empire for their princess to serve anyone.
"Master Gu," Jia Xingtian proposed diplomatically. "Our empire is willing to offer half our lands, grant you the title of Grand Guardian, and even the hand of our eldest princess, Yao Ye, in marriage. Would these be acceptable terms in exchange for the pill?"
"Grandfather… are you serious?" Yao Yue was stunned, unable to believe Jia Xingtian would offer such immense concessions.
"Hahaha, Elder Jia, forgive my bluntness, but not even the entire Jia Ma Empire is worth this pill," Gu Changqing replied, amused. "As for Princess Yao Ye, she and I already share a bond. Elder Jia, do you think I would trade something of such value for something I already possess?"
Yao Yue's jaw dropped as she looked at Gu Changqing in shock. "You and my sister…"
Seeing Gu Changqing's impressive power, effortlessly summoning the pill from his hand, Jia Xingtian was both in awe and slightly relieved he hadn't tried to take the pill by force.
Still, he wasn't ready to give up. "Master Gu, since you and Yao Ye are close, and Yao Yue is her sister, perhaps—"
"Elder Jia," Gu Changqing cut in smoothly, "it would be wise for you to consider my earlier proposition. Whether this pill belongs to Princess Yao Yue depends on her. It's not something you can secure, even if you were to offer your entire empire."
With that, Gu Changqing stored the Soul-Sea Spirit Pill safely away, leaving Jia Xingtian clear-headed, realizing that playing on sentimentality would not work on Gu Changqing.
"Yao Yue…"
Jia Xingtian looked at the young princess. It was up to her to secure the pill's favor now.