Font Size:
Chapter 98
If they could find a phoenix tree and obtain its sap, the wife-lord would be able to refine an advancement pill.
At that time, not only would the wife-lord rapidly advance to S-rank, but the alchemists of the Pill Sect would also be able to enhance their strength quickly.
Chu Ning’s expression brightened.
“What clue? Where is the phoenix tree?” she asked immediately.
“It was reported by a retired veteran from a mercenary team. After seeing an illustration of the phoenix tree, he found it familiar and reported it.”
“According to him, the phoenix tree grows on a certain planet in the wasteland zone near the frontlines. Since planets in the wasteland zone haven’t been named, he couldn’t determine exactly which planet it was, but he does know the star system.”
“If we search that star system carefully, we’re bound to find the phoenix tree, even if it takes some time.”
“It’s just—” Xia Ye suddenly paused.
“Just what?”
“It’s just that the wasteland zone is dangerous. Even if we find the phoenix tree, bringing it back won’t be easy.”
Chu Ning frowned.
“There are many star beasts and insectoids in that star system?”
The Federation collectively referred to areas beyond its domain as the wasteland zone. Inside the domain, aside from a few underdeveloped wasteland planets, most places were relatively safe.
However, the wasteland zone beyond the domain was riddled with star beasts and insectoids, making it extremely dangerous.
Of course, danger often came with opportunity.
Since those areas had yet to be developed, they contained abundant resources—precious medicinal herbs, energy minerals, and more.
Many rare medicinal herbs that were difficult to cultivate in the Federation actually originated from the wasteland zone.
Xia Ye’s expression was serious.
He let out a low “Mhm.”
“That’s why, wife-lord, I suggest that Brother Zheng personally lead a team to retrieve the phoenix tree.”
“The team shouldn’t be too large, ideally just five or six people.”
“The Pill Sect currently has exactly five S-rank mercenaries. Adding the veteran guide and Brother Zheng, that makes six.”
Since they now had a lead on the phoenix tree, they couldn’t just ignore it.
The wasteland zone was a place they had to go.
Chu Ning considered it for a moment.
“I’m going too,” she said.
The phoenix tree had extremely strict growing conditions, and there were often powerful beasts living nearby.
In this world, star beasts had habits similar to those of demon beasts, which meant retrieving the phoenix tree would be no easy feat.
Though she wasn’t as physically strong as the beastmen, she had poison as protection. Her overall combat ability wasn’t actually weaker than theirs.
More importantly, she just happened to have a treasure capable of dealing with high-level demon beasts—perhaps it would work on star beasts too.
“No way!” Xia Ye rejected her without hesitation.
Chu Ning understood his concern. She reached out and held Xia Ye’s hand.
“I’ve cultivated spells. My combat strength isn’t much weaker than an A-rank peak beastman.”
“I also have a divine weapon that counteracts star beasts. They won’t be able to harm me.”
“But—”
“Do you trust me?” Chu Ning looked directly at Xia Ye.
Xia Ye’s face flushed.
“Of course I trust you, but—”
“That’s enough.” Chu Ning’s lips curled into a smile as she admired the redness on Xia Ye’s face.
Xia Ye felt both embarrassed and a little annoyed.
Wife-lord was doing this on purpose.
“Even if I agree, Brother Zheng won’t.” Xia Ye turned his face away.
“That’s fine, as long as you agree. I’ll talk to Qin Zheng myself,” Chu Ning said cheerfully.
Xia Ye shot her a glare.
“Then go ahead and try.” With that, he wheeled himself away.
Behind him, Chu Ning’s laughter rang out.
—
Before Chu Ning could even reach out to Qin Zheng, he came to find her first.
And the first thing he said was that he wouldn’t allow her to take part in the mission.
“This isn’t just my decision—it’s also Xia Ye’s and Gu Ming’s.”
“You should stay on Emperor Star and help Xia Ye and Gu Ming manage the Pill Sect properly. I’ll bring back the phoenix tree.” Qin Zheng spoke sternly.
“Xia Ye already agreed,” Chu Ning said directly.
Qin Zheng froze, looking unconvinced.
Chu Ning didn’t bother explaining.
Instead, she continued, “How about this? Let’s have a match. If I win, you let me go with you.”
Qin Zheng’s eyes narrowed with wariness.
“What’s wrong, Handsome Lord? Afraid you’ll lose to me?” Chu Ning teased.
“You’re not going to provoke me like that,” Qin Zheng said, unmoved, keeping a straight face.
“I’m not provoking you. Let’s have a fair match. If I lose, I’ll give up on going to the wasteland zone.”
Qin Zheng hesitated.
“…Fine,” he finally agreed.
Chu Ning’s eyes gleamed with joy, making Qin Zheng feel like he’d just fallen into her trap.
—
Meanwhile, on the other side.
After leaving Chu Ning’s office, Gu Ming returned to the alchemy room.
As soon as he stepped inside, Zhao An greeted him eagerly.
Zhao An had originally wanted to ask about the situation, but when he caught Gu Ming’s gaze, he swallowed his words.
Following Gu Ming to a nearby alchemy station, Zhao An finally couldn’t hold back and whispered, “What did the Sect Master say to you? Did she give you special treatment?”
What kind of dumb luck did this guy have? He turned out to be the Sect Master’s biological brother!
“Mhm.” Gu Ming nodded.
The Sect Master had said that from now on, all pills and cultivation techniques of the Pill Sect would be provided to him for free.
This wasn’t just a small favor—it was an outright privilege.
Of course, nothing came for free.
“What kind of special treatment?!” Zhao An got excited.
Gu Ming glanced at him.
Remembering that he hadn’t checked his system permissions yet, he pulled up his light-brain and logged into the Pill Sect’s internal system.
Item Purchase Limits:
Zhao An scanned the list quickly.
Seeing that all of Gu Ming’s pill prices had been set to zero, his eyes widened.
“What kind of divine sister is this?! I’ll recognize her as my god-sister—what do you think?”
“Or maybe you could set me up with her? I don’t even need to be the main husband—I’d be fine as a side consort!” Zhao An exaggerated dramatically.
Gu Ming shot him a speechless look.
“Drop your unrealistic fantasies.”
“The Sect Master isn’t treating me well just because I’m her brother.”
“Not because you’re her brother? Then why?” Zhao An looked unconvinced.
Gu Ming closed his light-brain, not bothering to explain.
“Tch, keeping secrets from me, huh?”
“Fine, I won’t ask anymore.”
“Just tell me about the Demon-Expelling Pill, Demon-Suppressing Pill, and Marrow-Washing Pill. What’s their deal? I’ve never even heard of them before.”
“I haven’t either,” Gu Ming admitted. “They’re probably pills that the Sect Master hasn’t made available to beastman disciples yet.”
Zhao An’s eyes lit up.
“Check the system! There’s bound to be descriptions in there.” The Pill Sect’s secret pills had to be incredible—he was dying of curiosity!
Gu Ming, however, didn’t even look up.
“If the Sect Master hasn’t made them public, she must have her reasons. I can’t leak information.”
“What do you mean, ‘leak information’? I just want to see them, not spread them around.”
“We’re brothers, aren’t we? Don’t you trust me even this much?”
@ apricity[Translator]
Immerse yourself in a captivating tale brought to life through my natural and fluid translation—where every emotion, twist, and character shines as vividly as in the original work! ^_^