4: Chapter 4 A Glimmer of Hope, Two Beauties in My Arms

After settling Lin Qingxue, Li Yifei immediately began his conquest plan for "Investment Target No. 2," Liu Rumei.

However, the first step of the plan encountered an obstacle.

For three consecutive days, Li Yifei went several times to the Dharma Hall and the Martial Arts Field, where Outer Sect Disciples usually gathered, and each time he could easily find that graceful figure in the crowd.

Liu Rumei truly lived up to her reputation as the popular queen among the male Outer Sect Disciples; she was always surrounded by groups of followers, whether they were Senior Brothers currying favor or shy Junior Brothers, crowding around her like stars around the moon.

She seemed to enjoy this feeling, handling everyone with ease; every frown and smile radiated incredible charm, yet she maintained just the right distance from everyone, making her hard to read.

Li Yifei observed from the shadows twice and then decisively abandoned the idea of approaching her in public.

"The cost is too high, and the risk is uncontrollable."

He quickly made a judgment in his heart.

Squeezing in to strike up a conversation in public would, at best, result in becoming just one of her many followers and then falling into endless "competition." This did not align with his steady, efficient, and low-profile principles.

Since the "medium return" project was temporarily untouchable, he would start with the "low risk" projects first.

Li Yifei changed direction and headed straight for the Pill Fire Hall.

...

Inside the Pill Fire Hall, the smell of burnt herbs permeated the air as usual.

Li Yifei found his target for this trip, Xiao Waner, in a remote corner with almost no effort.

The young girl was squatting in front of an extinguished Pill Furnace, her fair face soot-stained like a little tabby cat, her eyes filled with frustration and unwillingness.

At her feet lay a pile of medicinal dregs that had already turned to charcoal.

"Sigh, failed again... this month's Spirit Stones are gone again." She muttered dejectedly, her voice carrying a hint of a sob.

"The heat was a minute too early, and the Pill Condensing Seal was half a beat too slow."

A gentle voice suddenly sounded behind her.

Xiao Waner was startled and quickly turned around; when she saw who it was, her eyes widened instantly.

"Senior Brother... Senior Brother Li?"

The newcomer was none other than Li Yifei, who currently held the greatest reputation in the field of Alchemy within the outer sect.

"I see you're refining a qi gathering pill?"

"Yes... yes, but I can never seem to succeed." Xiao Waner lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly, like a child who had done something wrong.

"I saw that your technique for purifying medicinal liquids was very skillful just now, which shows your basic skills are very solid; you just lack experience and guidance." Every word Li Yifei spoke struck a chord in Xiao Waner's heart.

He took a High Grade qi gathering pill from his Storage Pouch and handed it over.

"Take this Medicinal Pill; consider it a greeting gift from me, your Senior Brother. Additionally, I have a summary of my insights on refining the qi gathering pill here that might be useful to you."

Saying that, he took out another Jade Slip.

Xiao Waner was completely stunned.

A High Grade qi gathering pill! And insights personally summarized by an Alchemy Genius!

To her, these two things were simply priceless treasures!

"No, no, no, Senior Brother Li, this is too precious, I can't take it!" She waved her hands in a panic, her face turning red with anxiety.

"Take it." Li Yifei's tone brooked no argument, but his eyes were full of encouragement. "I have always admired those who work hard for their dreams. And you remind me of my former self."

This sincere sentence instantly broke down all of Xiao Waner's psychological defenses.

Looking at this Senior Brother who was as warm as sunshine, her eyes grew hot, and tears almost welled up.

She carefully took the Medicinal Pill and Jade Slip, too excited to speak.

Striking while the iron was hot, Li Yifei extended his olive branch.

"Junior Sister Waner, I see you have a great passion for the Dao of Alchemy. I have a Dual Cultivation Cultivation Technique that can not only increase your cultivation but also temper your Divine Soul and enhance your perception of spiritual energy. This is a huge benefit for an Alchemist."

He gazed into her eyes and said slowly, "I hope you can become my Dao Companion. In return, I will not only be responsible for your future Cultivation Medicinal Pills but will also personally guide you in Alchemy until you can refine High Grade pills with your own hands."

Personally guide her in Alchemy?

This... this was something she hadn't even dared to dream of!

Becoming an Alchemist was her greatest dream upon entering the Qingyun Sect!

This promise moved her more than a hundred or even a thousand qi gathering pills!

Looking at Li Yifei's sincere face, she nodded vigorously without the slightest hesitation, tears mixing with the black soot to draw two comical tear streaks on her face.

"I'm willing! Senior Brother Li, I'm willing!"

...

Li Yifei brought the laughing and crying Xiao Waner back to his Immortal Cave.

"From now on, this is also your home," Li Yifei said gently.

Looking at this Immortal Cave, which was several times larger than her own and much richer in Spiritual Qi, Xiao Waner felt a sense of unreality and nodded shyly.

However, just as Li Yifei was about to close the door of the Immortal Cave, a voice charming to the bone came from outside.

"Senior Brother Li, you certainly are in high spirits. Having just sent away one Sister Lin, you've brought back another pretty Junior Sister. When will it be my turn?"

Li Yifei paused and looked back.

He saw Liu Rumei leaning against the doorframe, her seductive peach-blossom eyes looking at him with a half-smile, her gaze sweeping over Xiao Waner beside him with a playful scrutiny.

Today, she was actually alone.

Xiao Waner felt uneasy under her gaze and instinctively shrank behind Li Yifei.

"Junior Sister Liu must be joking."

"Junior Sister Xiao and I are discussing the Dao of Alchemy. I wonder what brings you here alone, Junior Sister?"

"Discussing the Dao of Alchemy?" Liu Rumei chuckled and walked in with graceful steps, a seductive fragrance wafting in with her.

"Don't pretend, Senior Brother Li."

She walked up to Li Yifei, boldly staring into his eyes, her red lips slightly parted as she exhaled like an orchid.

"Who in the outer sect doesn't know about you and Lin Qingxue? Now that she's pregnant, I imagine your Dual Cultivation Secret Tome needs a new partner, doesn't it?"

Her words were direct and explicit.

Li Yifei's pupils constricted slightly; this woman was even smarter and more direct than he had imagined.

As for the matter of the Dual Cultivation Secret Tome? Naturally, Li Yifei had deliberately spread it.

Of course, the information he spread had its name and effects slightly tweaked.

"I've been stuck at the peak of the fourth level of Qi Refining for half a year." Liu Rumei extended a slender finger and lightly tapped Li Yifei's chest, her eyes enchanting. "I need your Medicinal Pills—perfect quality pills."

"My condition is simple: become your Dao Companion in exchange for an unlimited supply of your Medicinal Pills. I have a True Spirit Root; surely this 'deal' is more cost-effective than Junior Sister Waner?"

Her words caused Xiao Waner's face to turn pale instantly.

Indeed, one had a True Spirit Root while the other had a Pseudo Spirit Root. How to choose was obvious, wasn't it? Would Senior Brother Li... give up on her?

Just as Xiao Waner's mind was in a turmoil, Li Yifei suddenly smiled.

He reached out and gently held Xiao Waner's cold little hand, giving her a reassuring look.

Then, he looked at Liu Rumei with a hint of playfulness and an unquestionable dominance in his gaze.

"I am very interested in Junior Sister Liu's proposal."

"However, I have already promised Junior Sister Waner that I would guide her in Alchemy, so naturally, I cannot go back on my word."

He paused, the corners of his mouth curling up into a smile that even made Liu Rumei's heart skip a beat.

"My Family has few members; naturally, the more the merrier."

"Therefore, I want both of you."