Shen Xiang hurried back to the Pill King Pavilion and rushed to the secret room to cultivate. Su Meiyao was going to teach him some techniques to defend against poisonous gas; otherwise, he wouldn't be so lucky next time he encountered it.
"Little brat, you should have provoked that old guy today and made him attack you, so you could take him down with you. You're still too inexperienced," Bai Youyou said, dressed in a black dress, arms crossed against the wall, her clear eyes filled with murderous intent.
Su Meiyao giggled, "Senior sister, I remember you said you were very satisfied with how this kid handled things. What's changed now?"
Bai Youyou snorted, "He doesn't have enough hatred. He's not decisive enough in killing!"
"Senior sister, are you tired of wearing those clothes? Should I buy you some new and prettier ones?" Shen Xiang joked, eager to please the two beauties. He knew women loved pretty clothes, so he made an effort in that area, and it had paid off.
Bai Youyou's cold beauty flushed slightly, her tone softening a bit, "Not for now."
Su Meiyao covered her mouth with her delicate hand, giggling as she pouted, "You little guy, what kind of magic did my senior sister cast on you? She has more clothes than I do, and I treat you so well. You give me so little; you're so biased!"
Shen Xiang stuck out his tongue and inhaled the faint fragrance emanating from Su Meiyao. He pretended to look distressed and said, "If it weren't for that, how could I make Youyou feel superior?"
"Hum, you just know how to be clever!" Bai Youyou retorted.
"Senior sister, why don't you just give me those clothes?" Su Meiyao playfully suggested.
"Do I even need to? We usually wear each other's clothes," Bai Youyou rolled her eyes at her.
Shen Xiang knew the two beauties would be bored staying all day in that little house in the ring. So, he not only ordered many beautiful clothes for them but also often brought them little trinkets to keep them entertained. His efforts made the two beauties very happy; although they had once been powerful, they had lost their strength and were just ordinary women now.
Bai Youyou and Su Meiyao quickly taught Shen Xiang how to deal with tasteless poison gas, demonstrating a technique to protect his meridians using true energy.
Leaving the secret room, Shen Xiang headed to the pavilion in the backyard, where Meng Bo and Shen Luzong were discussing alchemy. Shen Xiang joined them, sharing experiences that greatly benefited all three.
"You kid, you've caused quite a stir again today. It's hard to believe how you manage to stir up trouble at such a young age," Shen Luzong chuckled, shaking his head.
Meng Bo laughed heartily, "This kid is no ordinary brat; otherwise, I wouldn't have lost to him. It seems an inevitable conflict is brewing between your Shen family and the Yao family."
Shen Xiang shrugged and replied, "This is all the Yao family's doing; I'm just doing what I think is right."
"Shen Gongzi, Pavilion Master, and Pill King senior, didn't expect to see you all here!" A sweet, soft voice interrupted. Shen Xiang's heart skipped a beat; it was Hua Yueyun's voice.
Meng Bo and Shen Luzong were aware of Shen Xiang and Hua Yueyun's previous encounters; otherwise, the Danxiang Pharmacy wouldn't have sold those spirit medicines to the Pill King Pavilion at such a low price.
The two old men tactfully left, and Shen Xiang inwardly groaned.
Hua Yueyun was dressed quite modestly this time, her exquisite figure wrapped in a white long dress that made her look like a fairy, elegant yet alluring. Shen Xiang admired her beauty, but he felt somewhat troubled.
Noticing Shen Xiang's gloomy expression, Hua Yueyun pouted playfully, "I knew you disliked me."
Shen Xiang hurriedly explained, "No, it's just that every time you come, you're too… too alluring, it makes one want to commit a crime!"
Hua Yueyun instantly brightened, laughing, "Are you worried you can't have me? Don't worry, as long as you enter the Danxiang Peach Garden and become an excellent alchemist, I will be yours."
Shen Xiang shook his head, saying, "I won't go; I've already said I want to join the Taiwu Sect."
Hua Yueyun huffed playfully, "Little troublemaker, are you already thinking of wanting me?"
Shen Xiang quickly replied, "Not at all! Sister Yueyun, you're really beautiful, but you know I have a betrothal with Xue Xianxian. So if I want a concubine, I still need her consent."
Hua Yueyun sighed slightly and then teased Shen Xiang by sticking out her tongue, "I don't want to be your concubine; I want to be your maid."
"By the way, I'm returning to the Danxiang Peach Garden today. Are you coming with me?" Hua Yueyun asked expectantly.
Shen Xiang was taken aback and replied, "What about the Danxiang Pharmacy? I've decided to join the Taiwu Sect; I appreciate your kindness, but…"
"Don't be surprised. Each owner of the pharmacy is called Hua Yueyun. After managing the Danxiang Pharmacy for two years, I need to go back. My real name isn't Hua Yueyun!" she said, her expression tinged with disappointment as Shen Xiang ultimately decided not to go with her.
"I'm really sorry. If I have the chance, I will definitely visit you at the Danxiang Peach Garden," Shen Xiang sighed.
Hua Yueyun smiled brightly, saying, "Don't worry; I promise the Danxiang Pharmacy will continue to cooperate with your Pill King Pavilion, and the prices won't increase."
Shen Xiang couldn't understand why such a woman wanted to be his maid, but he was indeed grateful, "Thank you, Yueyun. You don't need to be my maid; let's just be friends! I will come to the Danxiang Peach Garden to see you in the future."
Hua Yueyun giggled, "You don't want me to be your maid now, but you'll definitely regret it later! Remember to come find me in the Danxiang Peach Garden. I won't tell you my real name for now; I won't make it that easy for you to find me!"
As she spoke, she quickly leaned in and kissed Shen Xiang on the lips before giggling and running away, leaving Shen Xiang frozen like a statue.
"What… what's up with this woman?" Shen Xiang licked his lips, still tasting the lingering fragrance, feeling an indescribable wonderful sensation.
Su Meiyao giggled, "This little enchantress seems to have you wrapped around her finger. I really can't figure out what's so great about you; both Xue Xianxian and this enchantress are interested in you."
Shen Xiang snorted and said proudly, "That's my charm; you'll understand in the future!"
These past few days, even though Shen Xiang hadn't been refining pills, he had been accumulating dragon saliva to promote the growth of spirit medicines. He was preparing to start learning how to refine ordinary high-grade pills and low-grade spirit pills, which was his new challenge. Moreover, he had reached the eighth level of the Martial Realm.
The next morning, Shen Xiang arrived at the square in front of the Yao family. This morning was the martial arts competition between Leng Youlan and Song Nanming. One was the prince, and the other was the general's daughter; both had the strength of level seven fighters, making it a highly anticipated match.