"Master Yan, I came to Qingxuan Residence today because I need something from you," Jiang Chen said, ignoring Yan Qingxuan's lingering shock.
Yan Qingxuan waved his hand dismissively.
"Master? Don't call me that. Just call me Brother Yan," he said with a warm smile. "If you need anything, little brother, just say the word."
In Yan Qingxuan's eyes, Jiang Chen was a once-in-a-lifetime genius in the alchemy world. He already considered Jiang Chen his equal—if not his superior. He even had the feeling that his long-sought breakthrough to the seventh rank might lie in this young man's knowledge.
"Thank you, Brother Yan," Jiang Chen replied, smiling. "I heard that you once hunted down a Scarlet Flame Phoenix. I need some of its blood essence."
Yan Qingxuan looked at him in astonishment.
"What do you need the blood of a Scarlet Flame Phoenix for?"
The blood essence of a sixth-rank beast like the Scarlet Flame Phoenix was a rare and powerful ingredient, typically used in refining fifth-rank or higher pills. Was this young man already capable of refining such high-level pills?
"My maid has a rare condition," Jiang Chen explained, gesturing toward Meng Qingxue. "I need the Scarlet Flame Phoenix's blood to refine a special pill for her."
Maid?
Yan Qingxuan and Su Lingxiang exchanged shocked glances. Did he just refer to Meng Qingxue as his maid?
Meng Qingxue, the pride of Lingyun Martial Academy, stood silently beside Jiang Chen, offering no objection. They were stunned speechless. They knew exactly who Meng Qingxue was—a genius and an untouchable beauty in the academy.
And now, she was his maid? This defied all logic!
"Brother Jiang Chen, are you saying you can cure Qingxue's condition?" Yan Qingxuan's voice trembled slightly, a mix of disbelief and hope.
As a sixth-rank alchemy master, he had tried to diagnose and treat Meng Qingxue's mysterious ailment without success. If Jiang Chen could solve it, his knowledge must be far beyond anything Yan Qingxuan had encountered.
Jiang Chen nodded. "She has the Supreme Yin Destiny Body. Only the Ancient Profound Yang Pill can cure it. For that, I need the blood of a sixth-rank fire-attributed beast."
"Supreme Yin Destiny Body? Ancient Profound Yang Pill?" Yan Qingxuan repeated, stunned. He had never heard of such things. Despite being a sixth-rank alchemist, he felt like a student learning from a master.
In all his years, nothing had shocked him as much as this. Was Jiang Chen some ancient alchemist reborn? His knowledge seemed limitless.
For nearly two hours, they discussed alchemy. Yan Qingxuan was captivated by Jiang Chen's insights, feeling like he was on the brink of a new breakthrough. Finally, Jiang Chen left Qingxuan Residence with the Scarlet Flame Phoenix blood essence that Yan Qingxuan had given him.
---
Back at his residence, Jiang Chen noticed Tang Sheng waiting anxiously at the gate.
"Brother Jiang Chen, you're finally back!" Tang Sheng called out, hurrying toward him.
"What's the matter?" Jiang Chen asked, sensing the urgency. "Did something happen at Baodan Pavilion?"
"This morning, a man named Jiang Kui came to Baodan Pavilion looking for you. He was badly injured," Tang Sheng explained solemnly. "From what I gathered, it seems something has happened to your Jiang family."
"Uncle Kui?" Jiang Chen's expression darkened, his heart sinking. If Jiang Kui had been injured so severely, the situation at the Jiang family must be dire.