Even though Shi Jingxian knew that Yuan Xiao’s mother had always been displeased with Ji Xuanran, he didn’t expect her to say something like this right off the bat.

…Looking for a lover?

He finally found a positive trait in Yuan Xiao’s mother—an imaginative mind.

While cursing, Yuan Xiao’s mother had already walked over from a short distance away. She glared at Shi Jingxian with a fierce look, as if forcing him to give an explanation.

Shi Jingxian remained calm, “Madam, the research institute is a restricted area, and loud noises are prohibited nearby.”

He didn’t expect this to scare the always arrogant Yuan Xiao’s mother, but surprisingly, she actually stopped talking.

Did the sun rise from the west today? Even Yuan Xiao’s mother could change her ways. Shi Jingxian looked over curiously, only to see that she seemed not to have heard him at all, her face looking quite unpleasant, with a hint of green.

Following Yuan Xiao’s mother’s gaze, Shi Jingxian looked at Lan Luohai beside him. This prince showed no unusual behavior, his expression appearing gentle.

So why did Yuan Xiao’s mother look like she had seen a ghost?

Shi Jingxian lowered his voice and asked, “Mr. Lan, do you know her?”

“No,” Lan Luohai asked, “Who is she?”

“This is the Marshal’s mother.” Seeing that he didn’t know, Shi Jingxian didn’t ask further.

He turned to Yuan Xiao’s mother and said, “Madam, I’ve already reported my visit to the research institute to the Marshal, otherwise, you probably wouldn’t have been able to find this place. I have things to do, if you plan to continue wandering around here, you’d better watch your step, after all, the plants near the research institute don’t recognize people.”

Hearing Shi Jingxian’s words, Yuan Xiao’s mother’s previously pale face turned colorful again. Despite her anger, she seemed to have some apprehension, speaking more restrained than usual.

“Enough nonsense, give me this month’s medicine.”

Shi Jingxian raised an eyebrow, “What medicine?”

“Stop pretending, the recuperation medicine! And the one for stuttering…”

Shi Jingxian feigned realization, “Oh, that one.”

Yuan Xiao’s mother extended her hand, her plump palm facing up, “Hurry up and give it to me!”

Shi Jingxian bluntly said, “I didn’t make it.”

“You?!”

“The work at the research institute is too busy, I was focused on analyzing the components of the Split Tooth Fruit for the Marshal, so I temporarily postponed other potion work.”

Shi Jingxian knew exactly what Yuan Xiao’s mother wanted. The full name of that medicine was the Strengthening Recuperation Potion, a rare potion that even non-ability users could use directly. Not to mention the complex and time-consuming production process, the raw materials alone were outrageously expensive, each one a rare supplement.

And Yuan Xiao’s mother? Not only did she not pay Ji Xuanran, but she also privately withheld the mountain of supplements from Yuan Xiao, not letting Ji Xuanran touch any of it.

Shi Jingxian wasn’t even making potions for Yuan Xiao, so why would he do such a thankless task?

Yuan Xiao’s mother glared, her anger reaching its peak, and her arrogance flared up again.

“Ji Xuanran! Don’t be ungrateful, I’m telling you, I’ll go back and tell Yuan… Ah!!”

With a loud “bang,” Yuan Xiao’s mother seemed to be struck by a heavy blow, her whole body falling straight backward. Her heavy body hit the ground with a thunderous sound, sending dust flying everywhere.

Shi Jingxian looked at Lan Luohai in shock.

Although he had plans to deal with Yuan Xiao’s mother, it was definitely not in such an efficient and brutal way.

Lan Luohai’s expression was also somewhat surprised.

Shi Jingxian couldn’t help but doubt his surprise.

There were only the two of them present, if it wasn’t Lan Luohai, who else could have taught Yuan Xiao’s mother a lesson?

Lan Luohai shook his head, “I didn’t expect the Marshal’s mother to be so weak.”

Shi Jingxian: “…”

So that’s what he was surprised about.

“She’s an ordinary person, hasn’t awakened any abilities,” Shi Jingxian explained.

Lan Luohai didn’t comment, instead asking, “Does she usually talk to you like this?”

“No,” Shi Jingxian shook his head, “She’s much more polite today than usual.”

[Ding—Task repair progress, 13%]

The two stood aside chatting until the heavy breathing of Yuan Xiao’s mother, who had fallen to the ground, drew Shi Jingxian’s attention again.

Seeing Yuan Xiao’s mother clutching her throat, unable to utter a word, her face flushed and nearly suffocating, Shi Jingxian asked, “What did you do to her?”

“Taught her how to speak properly,” Lan Luohai said, gesturing to the guards who came over to check the commotion, “Notify Yuan Xiao’s butler to come and pick her up.”

The guards showed no impatience at being ordered around, responding respectfully, “Yes!”

After the guards took Yuan Xiao’s mother away, Lan Luohai said, “I might have some potions to order in the coming days. If you’re busy, why not stay at the research institute for now?”

Shi Jingxian knew he was worried about him being retaliated against by Yuan Xiao’s mother if he went home. He hadn’t planned on going back anyway. After all, it wouldn’t be long before the invitation from the Core Country arrived.

“Alright.”

Lan Luohai hesitated for a moment, “Actually, there’s something I’ve never told you.”

Shi Jingxian: “What?”

He had a vague premonition and was already prepared to act.

“My full name is Lan Luohai, I’m from the Core Country.”

Shi Jingxian was surprised, “You and that prince from the Core Country…”

Lan Luohai was about to nod when Shi Jingxian continued, “…have the same name?”

“…”

Lan Luohai chuckled, “I’ve never met anyone with the same name as me.”

Shi Jingxian began to act, “Your Highness…?!”

He widened his eyes, hurriedly trying to bow to Lan Luohai, “Please forgive my previous lack of manners and ignorant offense…”

Lan Luohai reached out and grasped his forearm, his fingers not exerting much force, but Shi Jingxian found he couldn’t break free.

In an instant, the faint fragrance around the man spread and surged, invading like an unstoppable force.

“Xuanran.”

Seeing genuine surprise on Shi Jingxian’s face, Lan Luohai changed his address, “Pharmacist Ji.”

“I mentioned this not for any other reason. Today’s incident with Madam Yuan was because of me. After this, just focus on your work, no one will come to bother you without reason.”

He smiled, once again showing his usual gentleness.

“Take care.”

The two parted ways at the entrance of the Pharmacist Association, but even after Lan Luohai left and Shi Jingxian had the materials from the association in hand, he still felt something was off.

Did he miss something?

Returning to the Eastern City Research Institute, Shi Jingxian walked in through the main entrance and noticed two guards sneaking glances at him. However, when he looked over, they stood straight, diligently guarding the door.

Shi Jingxian finally remembered the question he had overlooked.

After throwing Yuan Xiao’s mother out, Lan Luohai had said, “I didn’t expect the Marshal’s mother to be so weak.” At the time, Shi Jingxian explained that Yuan Xiao’s mother was an ordinary person, but now he realized that with Lan Luohai’s ability level, he couldn’t possibly not see through Yuan Xiao’s mother’s strength.

However, even though Yuan Xiao’s mother had no abilities, as the Marshal’s mother, she couldn’t possibly go out alone without any protection. According to Ji Xuanran’s knowledge, Yuan Xiao’s mother always carried two energy storage crystals with her. The crystal polished into a bracelet contained Yuan Xiao’s ability pressure, and the one made into a necklace held Yuan Xiao’s full-force attack.

With these two crystals, she could walk unchallenged within Country A.

At the previous celebration banquet in the palace, attendees were not allowed to carry offensive weapons or crystal energy, and Yuan Xiao’s mother was only subdued by the guards because she handed over the two crystals. But this time, when she came to find him, Yuan Xiao’s mother clearly had the bracelet and necklace with her. Even if she couldn’t release Yuan Xiao’s attack, the bracelet with ability pressure should have been automatically activated to protect her from external harm.

Yet Yuan Xiao’s mother was directly thrown out by Lan Luohai, and the latter was completely unscathed.

If the crystals didn’t fail, then there’s only one explanation—Lan Luohai’s ability level crushed Yuan Xiao’s, allowing him to easily break through the other’s power.

But Yuan Xiao was already an eighth-level ability user, just one step away from the legendary ninth level. If the gap between them was truly that significant, Lan Luohai’s true capabilities must be unfathomable.

Then why was he later killed by Yuan Xiao?

Shi Jingxian frowned.

Perhaps because of the S-level task, he encountered so many variables. Although Lan Luohai currently bore no ill will towards Ji Xuanran, where there’s one change, there could be another. Who can guarantee that no one else in this task has changed?

What if Yuan Xiao has changed too?

With these concerns, Shi Jingxian, who already valued diligence and efficiency, used up the materials from the Pharmacist Association in less than two days.

Although his work never stopped, Shi Jingxian’s mind wasn’t fully focused. He also spared some thought for Lan Luohai’s matter, so much so that when the light yellow potion in front of him emitted a strong, pleasant medicinal fragrance, Shi Jingxian didn’t rush to check the potion’s grade.

It wasn’t until Fendelin was drawn over by the spreading potion scent that Shi Jingxian suddenly realized—

He had successfully made a high-level recovery potion.

The materials Shi Jingxian had specifically gone to the Pharmacist Association to retrieve were for making high-level potions. Under strict conditions, he successfully created a high-level recovery potion, stepping into the threshold of a high-level alchemist.

“What are you dazing out for?” Fendelin snorted, but the smile on his lips couldn’t be hidden in his light orange beard, “Hurry up and finish the quality assessment!”

Just by visual inspection, the quality of this recovery potion was perfect. Shi Jingxian used equipment to complete the assessment, and the results were as expected.

There are only about ten high-level alchemists on the continent, and not many people can apply for high-level potion materials. Since retrieving the materials, the Pharmacist Association had been checking in every few hours, clearly very concerned about the production results. As soon as Shi Jingxian completed the assessment, they immediately took a copy.

When Shi Jingxian came out of the lab, he was almost immediately surrounded by congratulating colleagues, and this was just within the research institute. Once the news of him becoming a high-level alchemist spread, he would likely receive this treatment wherever he went.

Fendelin’s eccentric and difficult-to-approach nature had its reasons. If he indulged in flowers and applause every day, he wouldn’t have achieved what he has today.

However, before Shi Jingxian could finish receiving congratulations, he received another message from the guards.

Yuan Xiao had arrived.

Shi Jingxian initially thought his advancement news had already spread, but when he heard the guards say Yuan Xiao’s mother had also come, he changed his mind.

In two days, Yuan Xiao’s mother had just regained consciousness. As soon as she woke up, she complained to Yuan Xiao, insisting he come to vent her anger.

Fendelin, who hadn’t gone far, heard this and his expression immediately turned sour.

“Do they think this is a place where they can just come and cause trouble whenever they want?” He directly told the guards, “Drive them all away, and if they cause trouble, let the plants bite them.”

“No need to trouble the teacher,” Shi Jingxian stopped him. After all, this was Ji Xuanran’s family matter, and he didn’t want Fendelin to clash with Yuan Xiao, “I’ll handle it, you don’t need to worry.”

Politely declining other colleagues’ offers of help, Shi Jingxian went out with the guards. Before he even reached the main entrance, he heard the commotion coming from the entrance.

Why did it sound like so many people had come?

Shi Jingxian took a few steps forward and saw a middle-aged man in uniform, with meticulously groomed hair, negotiating with Yuan Xiao’s subordinates.

“What right do you have to stop us? We’re from the Pharmacist Association here to see the Divine Alchemist. If you delay important matters, can you bear the responsibility?”

Yuan Xiao’s subordinates were impatient.

The middle-aged man’s brow furrowed into a small knot, his tone authoritative without anger, “We’re here to see Divine Alchemist Ji Xuanran!”

Yuan Xiao’s subordinates were stunned for a moment, then turned to look at the tall man not far away.

The man finally spoke, “What did you say?”

“Divine Alchemist Ji Xuanran has successfully made a high-level potion. We came specifically to replace his identity card with that of a Divine Alchemist.”

The middle-aged man said coldly.

“Marshal, you’re an ability user too, you know the value of high-level potions. Please, don’t obstruct our work any longer.”

[Ding—]

Not far away, Shi Jingxian received a system notification.

[Task repair progress, 20%]