On what grounds?

Elder Chi Yan's expression shifted, his heart clearly in the midst of a fierce struggle. Shen Wen did not rush him, simply picking up his teacup and sipping slowly.

After a long time, Elder Chi Yan let out a long breath, as if he had finally made up his mind. He stood up and solemnly cupped his fists toward Shen Wen.

"What Grandmaster Shen says... does indeed make sense."

He put away the crimson Jade Slip containing the first two transformations, but left the magic core and medicinal ingredients behind.

"This matter is of great importance and is not something I, Chi Yan, can decide. Please wait a few days, Grandmaster. I will immediately send word back to the valley to inform the Valley Master and the Council of Elders."

"Regardless of the outcome, the Burning Flame Valley will certainly give Grandmaster an answer as soon as possible."

Shen Wen nodded.

"Fair."

Elder Chi Yan did not stay any longer and hurriedly took his leave.

Cao Ying stepped out from behind the screen, watching Elder Chi Yan's receding back, and said softly, "Does Husband think the Burning Flame Valley will agree?"

"They will," Shen Wen said, playing with the flame token, his tone indifferent. "Valley Master Tang Zhen is not a pedantic man. A future wielder of a Heavenly Flame is far more valuable than a secret technique kept locked away."

"Besides..."

He looked up, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes.

"The fact that they came to me instead of the other established Grade 8 Alchemists in the Pill Tower shows they have already weighed the cost.

The conditions I've set are still within their acceptable limits."

Hearing this, Cao Ying smiled radiantly. "Then we shall wait for the good news."

...The next day, Elder Chi Yan indeed returned.

This time, there was a relaxed smile on his face, clearly believing that things were progressing smoothly.

He took a seat in the living room and cupped his hands to Shen Wen, saying, "Grandmaster Shen, I have relayed your intentions back to the valley. After deliberation, the Valley Master and the Council of Elders have agreed in principle."

Shen Wen raised an eyebrow. "In principle?"

"Yes," Elder Chi Yan hurriedly said. "The complete Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations can be given to Grandmaster Shen for study. However... there are two small additional conditions."

"Speak."

"First, for the refinement of the fire bodhi pill, Grandmaster Shen must personally travel to the Burning Flame Valley.

The Young Lord's injuries are unstable and cannot withstand a long journey. Furthermore, there is a pill room in the valley rich in the essence of Earth Flame, which may be beneficial for refining this pill."

Elder Chi Yan observed Shen Wen's expression and continued, "Second, our valley's secret technique has, after all, been part of our Legacy for many years. Sharing it externally requires a formal justification.

The Valley Master's intention is that if Grandmaster Shen wishes to comprehend the complete secret technique, he must first pass a simple assessment set by the Council of Elders. This is also to provide an explanation to the rest of the valley."

Having finished, he waited for Shen Wen's response.

Shen Wen did not speak immediately after listening. His fingers tapped lightly on the tabletop twice, making a rhythmic thudding sound.

Then, he turned his face toward Cao Ying, who was standing to the side, and said calmly, "Ying'er, see the guest out."

The smile on Elder Chi Yan's face froze instantly.

Cao Ying was also slightly startled, but she reacted immediately. With her smile unchanged, she made a gesture of invitation to Elder Chi Yan. "Elder Chi Yan, please."

"Grandmaster Shen, this..." Elder Chi Yan hurriedly stood up, his face changing. "What is the meaning of this? We can discuss the conditions further..."

Shen Wen stood up and waved his hand, cutting him off.

"By the way," he added to Cao Ying, "take that seventh-rank magic core and the three stalks of Thousand-Year Fire Spiritual Plant that Elder Chi Yan left yesterday, pack them as they were, and return them all to him."

His gaze turned toward Elder Chi Yan, whose face had already turned somewhat pale.

"From today onward, if any Disciple of the Burning Flame Valley visits, do not report it; none shall be received. As for this fire bodhi pill, I will not help you refine it."

"Grandmaster Shen!" Elder Chi Yan grew anxious and took a step forward. "Do you find the conditions too harsh? The assessment is merely a formality. With Grandmaster's abilities..."

"Going to the Burning Flame Valley is fine, but an assessment?" Shen Wen shook his head, interrupting his explanation.

He looked at Elder Chi Yan with an emotionless gaze.

"Perhaps you can try to find a couple of Seventh-Rank Alchemists with stronger Soul power and try your luck.

To me, the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations is not indispensable."

"I am interested only because I have a Heavenly Flame and want to see what is so mysterious about this secret technique.

But that does not mean I need to follow your arrangements and deal with some Council of Elders assessment."

Shen Wen paused, his tone growing even colder.

"Don't forget, it is your Burning Flame Valley that came begging to me, wanting to save your Young Lord's life.

It is not I, Shen Wen, begging you for that Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations."

He spoke bluntly.

No matter how good the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations was, it was only a secret technique for explosive power.

With his status as a Grade 8 Alchemist, it would not be difficult to collect similar secret techniques within the Pill Tower or even across the Central Plains.

As for an assessment?

Naturally, he did not fear it. Within the Burning Flame Valley, as long as that secluded Old Ancestor, a Dou Sheng, did not personally appear, with his current strength, it was no exaggeration to say he could suppress the entire Burning Flame Valley alone.

But on what grounds should he?

He wasn't like Xiao Yan, who was determined to obtain the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations because it was even related to the subsequent Fusion of the Buddha's Fury Fire Lotus.

For Shen Wen, this secret technique was merely the icing on the cake if he had it; if not, it didn't matter.

Elder Chi Yan was left speechless by these words, his face flushing between blue and red.

He opened his mouth, but found any defense at this moment to be pale and weak.

Shen Wen was no longer looking at him, saying to Cao Ying, "Escort Elder Chi Yan out."

Cao Ying nodded and smiled at the stunned Elder Chi Yan. "Elder, please."

Elder Chi Yan finally let out a deep sigh, knowing that the matter was beyond repair.

He picked up the jade box Cao Ying handed back, cupped his fists toward Shen Wen's back, and turned to leave dejectedly.

The living room fell silent.

Cao Ying walked back to Shen Wen's side and said softly, "Husband, you just rejected them like that? The Burning Flame Valley's side..."

"They will come back to beg again," Shen Wen said with certainty. "Valley Master Tang Zhen is no fool.

Once his daughter's condition worsens further, or after they have searched for Seventh-Rank Alchemists to no avail, he will naturally understand."

Cao Ying frowned and said, "But the Burning Flame Valley is, after all, a major power in the Central Plains. If we were on good terms with them, it would be beneficial for the development of our own faction!"

Shen Wen raised an eyebrow and said, "Ying'er, you're thinking too simply. Why do you think Chi Yan came to me instead of Aunt Xuan, Tian Leizi, or Xuan Kongzi?"

"Is it not because they think I am easy to talk to and easy to manipulate? Currently, our Foundation is not yet established. If we leave others with that kind of 'good' impression..."

"In the future, when we need to interact with these powers, the effort required will be even greater!"

Cao Ying was also clever; having come from a major power herself, she quickly understood what this represented.

In short, it was about standing.

If one's standing was lowered at the beginning, the energy required later would be even greater. The key point was...

Shen Wen was not some minor character from an unorthodox background or some remote corner.

He was a Prodigy of the Pill Tower itself, and a Grade 8 Alchemist to boot. Shen Wen was right.

They simply felt that his Foundation was not yet established and wanted to take advantage of his youth to manipulate him.