“… The envoy from the Core Nation?” Shi Jingxian seemed to ponder for a moment, “Have they been getting close these days?”

The news that Ji Xuanran and Yuan Xiao hadn’t seen each other for over half a month hadn’t spread yet. Even if someone knew, they would only think Ji Xuanran had left specifically to break through to a higher level. That’s why the major general mistakenly thought Shi Jingxian’s inquiry was about checking up on him, and he was very careful in his wording, afraid of offending him.

“Well, it’s not like they’re too close. People from the Core Nation tend to be quite proud. That envoy is pretty hard to approach, and he always has guards with him, so he hasn’t really spent time alone with the Marshal.”

Shi Jingxian frowned. Hard to approach? Could it be that he guessed wrong, and the one who came wasn’t Lan Luohai?

“However, that envoy is quite…,” the major general seemed to find it a bit hard to describe, thought for a moment, and then said, “especially outstanding. Not just the Marshal, but the royal family has been accompanying him these days.”

Hmm? Shi Jingxian asked, “Does he have blonde hair and blue eyes?”

“Yeah,” the major general replied curiously, “How did you know?”

It seemed like it must be Lan Luohai.

Shi Jingxian casually made up a reason: “I happened to run into a very outstanding stranger before.”

“Right, right,” the major general agreed wholeheartedly, “That must be him. You should have seen it; when he came to the palace, almost everyone was stunned. If that envoy hadn’t been so cold, I bet many nobles would have invited him that night.”

… Cold?

Shi Jingxian couldn’t help but feel a bit skeptical. It was hard for him to associate the gentle Lan Luohai with the word cold.

“It’s also because that envoy is so unapproachable that now, the only people who interact with him are His Majesty and the Marshal,” the major general continued to reassure Shi Jingxian, “And the Marshal has been busy with official duties these days, so you don’t need to worry too much…”

Shi Jingxian didn’t refute the major general’s misunderstanding. After asking a few more questions, he hung up the phone.

As expected, this envoy from the Core Nation should be Lan Luohai. Remembering what the other had said about “not needing to worry,” Shi Jingxian couldn’t help but frown.

So far, throughout the entire mission, Shi Jingxian’s understanding and investigation of Lan Luohai had been quite superficial. Compared to others, it was hard for him to grasp Lan Luohai’s information in a timely manner, making it difficult for him to analyze the other’s attitude and intentions.

It seemed he needed to expand his intelligence network regarding the Core Nation sooner rather than later.

Not long after finishing his conversation with the major general, Fendelin returned from outside, and Shi Jingxian went straight to his research room. When he heard the term “ability purification,” Fendelin’s movements noticeably paused.

He rarely fell silent for a moment, and after a while, he asked, “Where did you hear about this?”

“In your notes,” Shi Jingxian replied, “It was given by His Highness from the Core Nation.”

Fendelin pulled out a chair and sat down, his sharp brown eyes fixed on Shi Jingxian’s face.

However, Shi Jingxian vaguely felt that Fendelin seemed to be lost in thought. His gaze fell on Shi Jingxian, but it was as if he wanted to see someone else.

After a long time, Fendelin finally spoke.

“The matter of ability purification sounds quite unfamiliar, but the ultimate goal of the tasks you usually do is to serve this purpose,” he said.

“I came to Country A specifically to research this.”

Once he decided to open up, Fendelin had no more secrets.

Ability users pursue level upgrades; the higher the level, the faster the upgrade, the more respected they are. Given the current situation where intelligent plants are eyeing the human realm, this pursuit is understandable. The stronger the ability, the higher the chance of survival.

But aside from the pressing survival issues, in the long run, an overly fast upgrade speed will inevitably lead to unstable abilities, affecting future development. The best evidence is that in the past three hundred years, no ninth-level ability user has appeared on the continent.

It was precisely based on this that Fendelin began researching the ability purification agent, intending to find a way to help ability users refine their abilities and solidify their foundations.

“In fact, not long ago, the stable experimental product of the ability purification agent has already been completed.” Seeing the surprise on Shi Jingxian’s face, Fendelin snorted lightly, “The last catalyst was made by you.”

Shi Jingxian helplessly replied, “You didn’t tell me this good news.”

“Can’t say,” Fendelin’s voice turned cold, “Before the final product is out, any variable could ruin this research.”

“Moreover, you should also be clear about what this kind of agent means for ability users.”

Shi Jingxian fell silent.

Because of the eighth-level ability, even a civilian like Yuan Xiao, who had no foundation, could sit firmly in the position of Marshal. The entire continent’s pursuit of ability strength was evident. If the news of this agent were to leak out, even Fendelin might not be able to protect himself.

“Besides, I can’t ensure the final effect of the agent right now.”

Fendelin extended his right hand; his palm was smooth and strong, but a few abrupt white spots had appeared in the center.

“After all, even I have been affected.”

Shi Jingxian was taken aback, “You…”

This was clearly a sign of poisoning!

“Don’t worry, I won’t die anytime soon.” Fendelin’s tone was surprisingly calm, “I made a relief agent myself, and I’ll be fine if I take it when it flares up.”

“Once the final product of the agent is made, I should be able to find a complete cure…”

Fendelin’s words were left unfinished, and the only listener had already furrowed his brows.

Shi Jingxian could hardly suppress the sudden frantic beating of his heart, a truth exploded in his mind—

Back then, when Ji Xuanran lost his ability to produce medicine in Country A, only Fendelin stood up to speak for him. As a result, Fendelin’s actions attracted Yuan Xiao’s attention, and Yuan Xiao, under the pretext of seeking medicine, ransacked Fendelin’s research institute. Although he didn’t harm Fendelin, Fendelin ultimately died in the ruins of the destroyed research institute due to a sudden illness without any relief agent!

“What’s wrong with you?” Fendelin’s voice came from a distant place.

Shi Jingxian clenched his left wrist and slowly took a breath.

He whispered, “It’s nothing, I’m just worried about your health.”

“I told you I’m fine.” Fendelin said impatiently, “If you’re really free, just make me another batch of catalysts.”

“What about the ability purification agent?”

“The research data and experimental records are in the insurance room, cabinet three, row seven. If you want to see them, go get them yourself.” Fendelin waved his hand, “Don’t worry about the specifics; just focus on making your high-level agents.”

The white spots in his palm were like glaring light spots, burned into Shi Jingxian’s retina.

Fendelin had been poisoned during the drug-making process, so he had never allowed anyone else to participate in the production of the ability purification agent.

Even if Fendelin’s tone was harsh and impatient, it was easy to understand this matter.

Shi Jingxian took a single-use pass for the insurance room and silently left the top-level laboratory.

Healing ability awakening, ability purification agent, drug poisoning…

His task was progressing smoothly, but in this world, the time left for Ji Xuanran was getting shorter and shorter.

After spending half a day in the cold, ice-like insurance room, Shi Jingxian finished reviewing all the data in cabinet three, row seven. As soon as he came out, he dove into his own laboratory, even replacing meals with nutritional agents.

After a few days of hectic work, Shi Jingxian was finally pulled out of the laboratory by someone.

“What? You want me to go to the palace?” Shi Jingxian, still holding two crystal vials, took a while to react, “Oh, is this an order from the Marshal?”

“No, it’s an order from His Majesty, asking you to go with the Marshal.” The messenger said, “So the Marshal wants you to go home first to prepare your outfit, then come find him.”

Shi Jingxian pondered, “Okay.”

Calculating the time, it was almost the day when the Core Nation invited Yuan Xiao to go.

When Shi Jingxian returned to the Yuan family’s main residence, he already knew about Yuan Mu’s trip for recuperation. Plus, with Yuan Xiao frequently visiting the palace lately, this originally lavish and cold mansion seemed much more pleasant.

However, the good times didn’t last long. After Shi Jingxian changed into formal attire, he still heard the news of the mansion’s owner returning.

Yuan Xiao arrived quickly; he seemed to have just come back from the palace, dressed in formal attire. So he didn’t go to the changing room and headed straight for the room where Shi Jingxian was.

When the door opened, Shi Jingxian had just folded a handkerchief. As he turned around, he saw Yuan Xiao staring at him with a strange expression.

“… Marshal?”

Shi Jingxian asked gently, though confused.

Hearing Shi Jingxian’s voice, Yuan Xiao finally came back to his senses.

He coldly replied with an “Mm,” and took a few steps closer.

Shi Jingxian looked up at him, his expression full of concern, “What’s wrong?”

Was he looking for medicine for himself or for his mother?

Yuan Xiao didn’t respond. He stood in front of Shi Jingxian, looking down at him from his height, bringing an indescribable sense of pressure.

In the quiet room, this close interaction was not pleasant.

Shi Jingxian still wore an unguarded, bewildered expression, but his heart was growing more and more alert.

He had just returned from the research institute, and he had plenty of agents. If something unexpected happened, with Ji Xuanran’s current strength, it wouldn’t be considered breaking character; he could just use the agents to knock the person out.

The light from the crystal stone fell from above, casting a shadow on Yuan Xiao’s sharply defined face.

Yuan Xiao’s gaze was dark and inscrutable. After a long time, he suddenly spoke.

“Put that on.”

Shi Jingxian: ?

Following Yuan Xiao’s指示, he turned around and saw two respectful servants standing at the door, one of whom was holding a golden wig.

The wig was long, with soft strands and a delicate sheen, cascading down from the servant’s hands like a brilliant golden stream.