Chapter 64

Xia Yan’s expression froze. If the person in front of her weren’t her own son, she would have cursed out loud.

“Ahem, that’s right, Aunt,” Qin Zheng chimed in. “The Jade Dew Pills in the sect’s online store are selling really well. Even though the military helped supply some stock, it’s still not enough.”

Xia Yan felt a lump in her throat.

Chu Ning, watching from the side, found it somewhat amusing.

But no matter what she thought, she didn’t dare to actually laugh.

“The sect is newly established and is in dire need of people, especially high-level alchemists. If Mother Empress agrees to transfer personnel to help, how about the sect repays with two batches of Jade Dew Pills? Also, when the sect opens up the patent authorization for the Jade Dew Pills in a few days, aside from the Gu family and the Alchemist Association, we’ll also include the royal family.”

In just a few more days, the half-month deadline would be up. Adding the royal family into the mix wouldn’t make much of a difference.

Besides, the royal family was Xia Ye’s maternal family. She should treat them the same as the Gu family—fairly and equally.

Hearing this, Xia Yan’s expression finally improved.

“The high-level alchemists of the royal family all have their own duties. But—since the sect needs help, I’ll discuss it with Lord Wang when I return.”

A daughter-in-law was still the best—far more considerate than her two ungrateful sons.

“Then I’ll have to thank Mother Empress,” Chu Ning said with a smile.

“We’re family, no need to be so formal.”

A while later—

Xia Yan suddenly picked up a piece of food and placed it in Bai Rui’s bowl, giving him a meaningful glance.

Bai Rui understood immediately.

“Oh right, Ye’er, I saw on the news the other day that you passed the alchemist exam?”

Xia Ye glanced at Xia Yan, noticed that she was avoiding eye contact, and then turned to his father.

“Mm,” he responded.

At his confirmation, both Xia Yan and Bai Rui’s expressions changed slightly.

“Beastmen… can refine medicine?” Bai Rui asked nervously.

Xia Ye nodded again.

“H-How do you do it?” Bai Rui’s eyes were filled with curiosity.

Xia Ye’s lips curled into a smile.

“You start by cultivating the spiritual power of female beastmen. Once it reaches C-rank, you can refine medicine according to the standard methods.”

“Cultivating female beastmen’s spiritual power? Beastmen can do that—?” Bai Rui’s face was filled with shock.

“Ye’er, are you saying that you cultivated female-type spiritual power and have already reached C-rank?”

“Mm.”

Xia Yan was getting a headache just listening.

This brat never said more than necessary.

One question, one answer—and he always skipped the important details.

“How did you cultivate it?” Bai Rui finally asked the key question.

This time, Xia Ye didn’t answer immediately.

Xia Yan was getting impatient.

Just as she was about to lose her temper, Xia Ye spoke.

“It’s a technique from the sect.”

“The technique was taught by my wife’s master. It allows beastmen to cultivate female-type spiritual power for alchemy. However, my master left strict instructions that the technique must not be passed on to non-sect disciples.”

“My wife said that I have a talent for alchemy and would make a good alchemist, so she passed the technique to me.”

Xia Yan frowned slightly.

As expected, her son passing the alchemist exam had something to do with her daughter-in-law again.

“Cui Ning, your master is—?” Xia Yan looked at Chu Ning.

Chu Ning averted her gaze.

“My master is a reclusive expert who enjoys researching medicine and cultivation techniques. She keeps a low profile and doesn’t like drawing attention to herself. Mother Empress probably doesn’t know her.”

Seeing that Chu Ning wasn’t willing to say more, Xia Yan held back and didn’t press further.

“So, is your sect’s technique really—”

“It cannot be shared,” Chu Ning cut in directly.

Xia Yan frowned again, looking a little helpless.

“That’s a shame. If this technique could be spread, the Federation might be able to produce more high-level alchemists.”

“There’s nothing to regret,” Xia Ye replied. “Most beastmen are still more suited for combat rather than alchemy. Those with both the inclination and talent for alchemy are rare.”

“People like me are just exceptions.”

Hearing this, Xia Yan’s expression softened immediately.

Her son’s health had always been her greatest regret, a constant source of guilt.

It was because she hadn’t taken care of herself properly during pregnancy that her son was born with a weak body.

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Bai Rui quickly interjected, “Then… do you think I have the talent for it? My combat spiritual power isn’t high, and I’m actually quite interested in alchemy.”

As soon as he said this, everyone turned to look at Bai Rui.

Then, Qin Zheng and Chu Ning both turned to Xia Ye.

Let the Emperor join the sect? That… didn’t seem appropriate, right?

Xia Ye ignored them and looked at his father and mother.

“For the first batch of beastman disciples in the sect, aside from meeting the basic requirements, they also need to pay an entrance fee and sign a lifetime contract with stricter terms than other institutions. Father, are you sure you want to join?”

Although the question was directed at Bai Rui, Xia Ye’s gaze was on Xia Yan.

Bai Rui also turned to look at Xia Yan.

“What are the basic requirements? And how much is the entrance fee?” Xia Yan asked.

Xia Ye smirked.

“The basic requirements are: over 20 years old, spiritual potential at S-rank, and current spiritual power below A-rank.”

Having S-rank spiritual potential meant talent was good, but having a current level below A-rank meant they weren’t suited for combat. And if they weren’t suited for combat, then they might be suited for alchemy.

“As for the entrance fee, the current rate is 1 billion star coins per person.”

Xia Yan and Bai Rui’s eyes widened.

“Paying 1 billion star coins, the sect guarantees that within a year, the disciple will pass the junior alchemist exam.”

Xia Yan and Bai Rui were stunned again.

A guarantee?

Spending 1 billion to ensure someone became an alchemist—this… might not seem like much, but for some people, it was definitely worth it!

“What if… they don’t pass the exam within a year?” Xia Yan asked.

“If they fail, the fee will be refunded.” Xia Ye answered directly.

With S-rank potential, plus the sect’s cultivation techniques and Jade Dew Pills, there was no way they wouldn’t pass in a year.

Xia Yan’s expression shifted slightly.

“There are indeed some eligible candidates among the royal family’s younger generation…”

“I qualify,” Bai Rui suddenly interjected.

Xia Yan looked at him, hesitant.

Seeing the anticipation in Bai Rui’s eyes, she hesitated before turning to Chu Ning and Xia Ye. “Can your father join the sect?”

A glint of light flashed in Xia Ye’s eyes.

“Yes.”

If his father joined, it would be the best advertisement for the sect.

Bai Rui’s face lit up with a smile.

“Then count me in.”

“Who do I pay the entrance fee to? I’ll transfer the money now.”

Xia Yan’s expression changed, and she pulled at Bai Rui’s sleeve.

But Bai Rui brushed her hand away.

“I have my own money. I’ll pay it myself—you don’t need to interfere.”

The others struggled to hold back their laughter.

And so, after dinner, Xia Ye officially signed the second beastman disciple into the sect.

Over the next few days, more and more people used their connections to approach Xia Ye, hoping to join the sect as beastman disciples.

Anyone who met the requirements was accepted.

—

At the Chu family—

“Mom, it’s just 2 billion! Give me 2 billion, and I can join the sect as a disciple! My spiritual potential is S-rank—if I become an alchemist, I might even become an advanced alchemist in the future!”

“I’m your real son! If I become an advanced alchemist, isn’t that more reliable than Chu Yan?”

“Besides, Chu Yan’s spiritual potential is only A-rank—at most, she can become a mid-tier alchemist. But me? I’m S-rank! If I become an advanced alchemist, I can lead the Chu family back into the ranks of the top aristocratic families!”