154: Would you like to join the pharmacy?

Bai Xiaofeng and Qin Wuye walked down the stairs one after another, both looking quite displeased.

Miss Hong Ling, who had been leaning against a display cabinet on the first floor, boredly toying with a low-grade spirit herb, immediately straightened up and hurried to meet them when she saw them descend.

"Oh? Why are there only two of you? Where is Donghua?"

Her brows furrowed slightly as her gaze swept behind them. Not seeing Jiang Donghua, her tone instantly grew a little anxious.

Bai Xiaofeng spread his hands helplessly and sighed.

"Your junior brother is currently discussing the Way of Alchemy with the Grand Elder of Myriad Medicine City. We'd best not disturb him."

Red Silk froze, then her eyes widened.

"Grand Elder? Yao Jidao?! Why would he suddenly want to discuss with Donghua?"

Qin Wuye stood to the side, arms crossed, and interjected coldly.

"That old fellow clearly has ulterior motives."

Hearing this, a hint of worry flashed in Red Silk's eyes, and she instinctively moved to go upstairs.

Bai Xiaofeng quickly reached out to stop her, smiling wryly.

"Miss Hong Ling, that's an exchange between Peak Fifth-Grade Alchemists. Even if we went up, we wouldn't understand what they're saying!"

Red Silk paused, biting her lip. She clearly understood this point.

Although she was Jiang Donghua's senior sister, her attainments in alchemy were such that she wouldn't understand anything. If she went up, she would probably just stare blankly.

"Then we can't just wait here, can we?"

She said, somewhat unwillingly.

Qin Wuye glanced at her and said indifferently.

"Your junior brother isn't a three-year-old child; he knows what he's doing."

Bai Xiaofeng also nodded in agreement.

"That's right. Besides, Yao Jidao is the Grand Elder of Myriad Medicine City, after all. He wouldn't possibly do anything unfavorable to your junior brother in broad daylight, would he?"

Red Silk was silent for a moment, then finally sighed and walked sullenly to a nearby chair, sitting down with her arms crossed, looking displeased.

"Alright, then we'll wait and see."

Bai Xiaofeng and Qin Wuye exchanged a look, then each found a place to sit.

The atmosphere on the first floor became somewhat dull. Only the occasional conversations of the passing guests made their corner seem exceptionally quiet.

The atmosphere upstairs was as heavy as water.

Jiang Donghua stood before Yao Jidao, his expression seemingly calm, but his fingers in his sleeves were slightly clenched.

He knew very well that the Grand Elder of Myriad Medicine City suddenly keeping him alone was not merely for discussing the Way of Elixirs.

Yao Jidao's withered fingers gently tapped the edge of the display stand, making dull thudding sounds. Each tap seemed to strike Jiang Donghua's heart.

His deep-set eyes stared at him with a half-smile, and after a long moment, he slowly spoke.

"Young Friend Jiang, you should know that Yao Long tampered with that fire spirit pill, right?"

Jiang Donghua's pupils suddenly constricted, and his back instantly tensed. A chill ran from his spine up to the back of his neck.

How did he know?!

During his earlier competition with Yao Long, he had indeed detected a faint, hidden yin-cold aura within that fire spirit pill. If not for his perception being far beyond ordinary people, he probably wouldn't have discovered it at all.

He had quietly neutralized that hidden trick at the time and hadn't said anything about it.

Yao Jidao took in his reaction, and let out a hoarse, low chuckle.

"Your perception is indeed excellent. You even managed to see through the Cold Marrow Lure that fellow Yao Long meticulously set up. No wonder he lost unwillingly."

Jiang Donghua took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and said in a deep voice.

"Senior, did you invite me to stay today to seek justice for Yao Long?"

Yao Jidao shook his head, a meaningful expression appearing on his withered face.

"If this old fellow truly wanted to make things difficult for you, he wouldn't have waited until now."

The Grand Elder pulled out several milky-white Pill Formulas from his storage ring.

Jiang Donghua's breathing hitched slightly, his gaze fixed on the several fifth-grade elixir formulas glowing with spiritual light in Yao Jidao's hand.

Even with his composure, his Adam's apple couldn't help but bob, and he instinctively swallowed.

He suppressed the shock in his heart, slowly cupped his hands, and kept his voice as steady as possible.

"Grand Elder, what is the meaning of this?"

A meaningful smile appeared on Yao Jidao's withered face. He didn't answer directly, but instead pushed the Pill Formulas forward, his hoarse voice carrying an undeniable pressure.

"Young Friend Jiang, this old fellow wants to ask you, are you willing to join the Yao Family?"

Jiang Donghua's pupils suddenly contracted. For a moment, he even suspected he had misheard.

Join the Yao Family?!

The Yao Family of Myriad Medicine City, that was a sacred place that every Alchemist in the entire Black-Corner Region dreamed of!

It had deep foundations, endless resources, and countless high-grade Alchemists presiding over it.

If an ordinary Alchemist heard this invitation, he would probably be so excited he'd kneel and kowtow in gratitude on the spot.

But Jiang Donghua was not a fool.

There's no such thing as a free lunch. Yao Jidao suddenly throwing out such tempting conditions must have an ulterior motive!

He took a deep breath, about to politely refuse, but then heard Yao Jidao continue.

"Don't be so quick to refuse."

Before his words finished.

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh!"

The originally quiet space on the second floor suddenly gained several figures, each exuding a terrifying, suffocating aura!

Jiang Donghua's hairs stood on end. He sharply turned his head, only to see four old men in dark red robes had appeared around the display cabinets at some point, forming a encirclement that subtly trapped him in the center.

What shocked him even more was that the pressure emanating from these old men was none lower than that of Qin Wuye, a Two-Star Dou Huang!

One of the red-browed old men, in particular, had an aura as deep as an abyss. Simply standing there made the Dou Qi circulation in his body become sluggish—a Peak Dou Huang!

Yao Jidao's voice sounded at the opportune moment, still hoarse and calm, but carrying an undeniable tone.

"Young Friend Jiang, can you now give serious consideration to this old fellow's proposal?"

Jiang Donghua's internal alarm bells rang loudly, but his face remained impassive. He lowered his head slightly, revealing a humble smile, and cupped his hands.

"Grand Elder, you are too kind. This junior is merely a Fourth-Grade Alchemist; how can I enter the Yao Family's esteemed sight?"

"As far as I know, within the Yao Family of Myriad Medicine City, Fifth-Grade Alchemists already number more than one hand, and there are even Sixth-Rank Alchemists presiding over it. A small fry like me probably isn't even qualified to assist the seniors."

His tone was sincere, and his posture was extremely low, as if he truly was just intimidated by his own inadequacy.

However, Yao Jidao suddenly laughed, his laughter hoarse and low, like the sound of dry branches rubbing together.

He shook his head, his gaze deep as he stared at Jiang Donghua, and slowly said.

"Young Friend Jiang, if you are worried that Heavenly Serpent City will not let you go, you can just say so."

Jiang Donghua's heart suddenly leaped!

He lowered his head slightly, his eyes flickering, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

A satisfied smile appeared on Yao Jidao's withered face, and he continued.

"As long as you stay in Myriad Medicine City, this old fellow guarantees that within ten years, you will definitely reach the realm of a Sixth-Rank Alchemist!"

As his words fell, the several powerful auras around them subtly fluctuated, seemingly exerting silent pressure.

Jiang Donghua knew very well that if he dared to refuse now, he would probably be suppressed on the spot by these Dou Huang experts in the next second!

He took a deep breath, slowly raised his head, revealing a flattered smile, and cupped his hands.

"Grand Elder, with such profound favor, how could this junior be so ungrateful?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the tense atmosphere on the second floor immediately eased a bit.

The auras of those several Yao Family elders also slightly receded, clearly quite satisfied with his understanding.

However, Jiang Donghua's tone shifted, and he asked with feigned hesitation.

"It's just that this junior has one thing I don't understand."

Yao Jidao raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Oh? Speak freely."

Jiang Donghua's eyes flickered slightly, and he said in a low voice.

"Heavenly Serpent City has always been protective of its own. If they refuse to let me go, does the Yao Family truly have the confidence to make them hand me over?"

As this question was posed, the atmosphere on the second floor immediately became subtle.

The several Yao Family elders exchanged glances. The red-browed Peak Dou Huang among them snorted coldly, seemingly displeased by his questioning, but Yao Jidao waved his hand, signaling everyone to calm down.

He gave a hoarse laugh, his withered fingers gently tapping the table, and slowly said.

"Young Friend Jiang, you can rest assured about this."

"I'll tell you what you should do next..."