There was no apology, just an explanation for his previous probing questions.
Luo Chen tugged at the corner of his mouth, "I apologize, I’m not very clear about the grudge between you."
Despite being at a lower level, and being the ’friend’ of his sister, Luo Chen gave the other side a lot of face.
Tao Wen nodded her head, about to say something, but her open mouth closed again.
A figure quickly rushed across the increasingly lively banquet hall, heading straight for them.
"Friend Luo Chen, the Elder of my Ice Castle requests your presence!"
The one speaking was Shi Boying, her tone was not high nor low, audible to a normal person.
As her words fell.
In the hall, the various gazes all subtly landed on Luo Chen.
Luo Chen’s face was unchanged, "Please lead the way."
Under the lead of Shi Boying, the two of them moved through the hall, indifferent to the gazes that followed them.
Back at their original corner.
Tao Yisheng had a discontented look on his face.
"Sister, he is a rare friend I made after leaving the sect, and he’s an excellent Pill Refiner."
"How could you treat him with that attitude?"
Tao Wen did not respond, but her eyes subtly narrowed as she watched Luo Chen’s departing silhouette.
Her long eyelashes veiled the emotions in her eyes.
...
It was late at night.
In the long and narrow hallway, the lights were still shining brightly.
Under the reflection of the blocks of Profound Ice, Luo Chen’s face behind Shi Boying constantly changed.
In the end, it became calm.
"Jueqing Fairy is Dan Taijun’s master. There’s no other reason for her to see me other than the Jade Dew Pill!"
When his worries subsided, Luo Chen’s heart felt more assured.
Soon, Shi Boying led Luo Chen to the exterior of a particularly cold hall.
"Please go in, the Elder is inside."
Luo Chen straightened his collar, smoothed out the wrinkles at the corner of his robe, and confidently stepped in.
Upon entering, he didn’t even had the chance to look at the person at the top.
A familiar voice reached his ears.
"Did you refine the Jade Dew Pill?"
Compared to the auction, the voice was colder, resembling Dan Taijun’s more.
No!
Or perhaps, Dan Taijun’s voice resembled this Golden Core Ascendant Master more.
Luo Chen took a deep breath, lowered his head and replied, "Yes, I did indeed refine it."
"Is it possible to increase the quantity of the pill?"
"I can’t in the short term."
The conversation paused for a moment.
The silence in the deeply chilly hall was inexplicable.
Traces of the momentum of the Golden Core Period radiated from the inside out.
Luo Chen, who was already mentally exhausted, felt as if his soul was being frozen under this momentum. Even his thoughts were slower.
Until Jueqing Fairy spoke again.
"You can’t in the short term, which means, you are confident that you can increase the success rate of the pill."
It was not a question, but an affirmation.
Suddenly, a thick book fell in front of Luo Chen, floating quietly.
"This is a book on pill refinement written by a guest elder of my Ice Castle before his death. It includes techniques from First to Third Order. Study it, and improve the success rate of the Jade Dew Pill as soon as possible."
Luo Chen was stunned for a moment, he was somewhat unable to respond.
"Also, your Divine Soul is too weak, it can’t even withstand a bit of my aura."
"This is the Ice Divine Jade. Wear it long term. It can help you enhance your Divine Soul Endowment."
Luo Chen was astonished.
Have I encountered my long-lost mother?
So kind to me.
No!
Giving and receiving!
The other party was merely engaging in a normal exchange of interests.
As expected, the following words confirmed Luo Chen’s judgement.
"After ten years, I want you to provide a steady supply of Jade Dew Pills to my Jueqing’s Clan, not less than a thousand a year!"
"The more the quantity and the higher the quality, the better. Can you manage that?"
Looking at the book and jade in front of him.
Luo Chen took a deep breath.
He slowly but firmly raised his head.
His clear gaze met the icy eyes, staring at each other.
"I need a top grade tripod, and the assistance of Second Order Earth Fire!"
"Granted!"
...
When Luo Chen walked out of the palace, his expression was still somewhat dazed.
The bounty of the whole day was really a bit too extraordinary.
So much so, he was still somewhat unable to recover.
And when Shi Lan arrived at his side, he barely managed to keep his composure.
"Senior Luo Chen, I have already reserved the Second Order Ascendant Grade Immortal Mansion you requested!"