9: A person from Baicaotang, of the Yi Wood element, arrived.

The visitor was none other than the Young Lord of Qingyang City's largest pharmacy, "Hundred Herbs Hall," Lin Waner.

Her coming today was indeed a gamble.

This morning, above the Chu Family's backyard, purple energy rose from the east, and the roars of dragons echoed.

To ordinary people, such a phenomenon of heaven and earth was just a wondrous sight, but in the eyes of a professional like her, who was proficient in pharmacology and the Dao of Alchemy, it held extraordinary significance.

—A Heaven And Earth Treasure or an Innate Spiritual Body had been born!

Combined with the rumors in the city that the Chu Family's lady had given birth.

Lin Waner immediately concluded that the infant born to the Chu Family definitely possessed a one-in-a-million special Physique!

To her, this was a massive opportunity.

The Hundred Herbs Hall managed by her Lin Family had been suppressed for the past few years by the "Pill Treasure Pavilion," which was backed by the Li Family; business had plummeted, and they were struggling to survive.

Her father's hair had turned white from worry, and she herself possessed great talent for Alchemy but lacked rare Spirit Medicines and a powerful backer to make use of it.

Now, Chu He had risen powerfully, becoming a Foundation Establishment Stage Master, and had even formed a blood feud with the Li Family.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend!

If she could use the excuse of "nurturing the Chu Family Young Master's body" to establish a connection with the Chu Family and gain the protection of a Foundation Establishment Stage Master, then the crisis of the Hundred Herbs Hall would be easily resolved!

More importantly, being able to personally nurture an Innate Spiritual Body and observe its growth process would also bring immeasurable benefits to her own cultivation in the Dao of Alchemy.

So, she came.

She brought several of the Hundred Herbs Hall's most precious Spirit Medicines as a stepping stone to pay her visit.

As Lin Waner stepped off the carriage, she happened to see a despondent and tearful Zhao Yanran walking out of the Chu Family's main gate.

She was slightly taken aback but quickly guessed what had happened.

Word had spread throughout the city about how this Eldest Young Miss of the Zhao Family had once humiliated Chu He.

Seeing that Chu He had now prospered, she had come running back to reconcile, only to be shut out and rejected.

Lin Waner secretly warned herself that this newly risen Senior Chu seemed to be a man who clearly distinguished between love and hate and possessed quite a forceful manner.

She had to be extremely careful with her words later.

Ignoring Zhao Yanran as they passed each other, she walked straight to the Chu Family's main gate.

Seeing another visitor, especially a veiled woman, the two guards immediately became alert.

"Who goes there?"

Lin Waner stopped and bowed slightly, her voice clear and pleasant: "This humble girl is Lin Waner of the Hundred Herbs Hall. I have urgent matters to discuss with Senior Chu. I hope you two brothers can do me a favor and pass word along."

Her attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, possessing both the politeness of a lady from a great Family and not a hint of flattery.

The two guards glanced at each other; they also knew of the Hundred Herbs Hall.

In Qingyang City, the Hundred Herbs Hall's reputation had always been good, being honest with everyone, unlike the overbearing Pill Treasure Pavilion.

Moreover, since she had asked for him by name, it wasn't right for them to just drive her away.

"Wait a moment."

One of the guards turned and ran into the courtyard.

Soon, the guard ran back out and made a "please" gesture to Lin Waner.

"Young Miss Lin, our Family Head invites you in."

Lin Waner felt a surge of joy; it seemed she had gambled correctly on the first step.

She stepped into the courtyard and immediately saw Chu He standing there.

She hurried forward a few steps and bowed again: "Lin Waner of the Hundred Herbs Hall greets Senior Chu. Please forgive my unannounced visit, Senior."

Chu He was also sizing her up.

Although this woman was veiled, one could tell she was definitely a beauty just by looking at her figure and temperament.

More importantly, the faint fragrance of medicine on her and her composed attitude made Chu He think highly of her.

"Young Miss Lin is too polite," Chu He said flatly. "I wonder what urgent matter brings you to my Chu Family?"

In his mind, he had already activated the "Eye of Investigation."

【Name: Lin Waner】

【Beauty Score: 92 (Peerless Grace)】

【Physique: Yimu Body (Born Alchemist, possesses extremely strong affinity for the Spiritual Qi of plants and trees)】

【Cultivation: Seventh Layer of Body Tempering】

【Favorability: 20 (Seeking cooperation, with investment intentions)】

【Offspring Potential: S-rank】

【Suggestion: This woman possesses great Luck and is a natural Alchemy genius. Her interests are highly aligned with the Host's, and she can provide a steady stream of Medicinal Pill support for the Host and the Family, as well as nurture descendants. She is an excellent partner candidate for the Host to spread his branches and develop the Family. Win her over, and the Host's Family will take flight!】

Holy crap!

A storm of shock surged in Chu He's heart.

A beauty score of 92! Even higher than Qing'er's!

Most importantly, the Yimu Body! A natural Alchemist!

Her offspring potential is also S-rank!

Isn't this just the professional talent the System sent right to my door?

He was just worrying that while his cultivation had increased, the Family's Foundation was too thin.

His son Chu Tian was an Innate Spiritual Body, and his future growth would surely require a massive amount of Medicinal Pill resources.

Relying solely on buying would eventually empty the Family coffers.

If he could have a dedicated Alchemist, that problem would be solved!

Chu He instantly made a plan, but his expression remained calm.

"Oh? Let's hear it."

Seeing that he didn't immediately drive her away, Lin Waner felt a bit more at ease. She organized her thoughts and spoke: "This humble girl dares to guess that Senior's powerful return today is greatly related to the newborn Young Master of your manor, isn't it?"

She didn't mention the phenomenon directly but used a more tactful approach.

Chu He's eyes narrowed slightly.

This woman was very smart.

He neither admitted nor denied it, simply looking at her calmly, waiting for her to continue.

Seeing this, Lin Waner knew she had guessed correctly and continued: "This humble girl is untalented but has some knowledge of the Dao of Alchemy and pharmacology. I observed Luck rising above Senior's manor, with signs of Spiritual Qi gathering; this is precisely the phenomenon that occurs when an Innate Spiritual Body is born and interacts with the heavens and earth."

"Such a Physique is one in a million, a supreme treasure bestowed by the heavens. But at the same time, Acquired nurturing is also crucial. If nurtured properly, future achievements will be limitless. If delayed, one will fade into mediocrity or even... suffer damage to their Foundation."

She stopped there, but her meaning was already very clear.

You have a precious son, but I have the instruction manual for nurturing him.

Chu He chuckled inwardly; this woman was showing him her value.

Interesting.

"And so?" Chu He asked cooperatively. "What brilliant ideas does Young Miss Lin have?"

"I wouldn't dare call them brilliant ideas." Lin Waner took an exquisite jade box from her Storage Pouch and presented it with both hands.

"Inside is a three-hundred-year-old 'spirit nurturing grass' and the matching Pill Formula for the 'Foundation-Consolidating Vitality-Nurturing Pill.' The spirit nurturing grass can nourish an infant's Divine Soul, while the Foundation-Consolidating Vitality-Nurturing Pill can lay the most solid Foundation for an Innate Spiritual Body. This formula is a secret of my Hundred Herbs Hall, and today, I am willing to offer it to Senior, solely to form a good connection with Senior and the Chu Family."

Her generosity was truly significant.

A three-hundred-year-old Spirit Medicine was definitely a priceless treasure in a place like Qingyang City.

Not to mention that Pill Formula.

She was investing heavily.

Chu He looked at her and suddenly smiled.

"Young Miss Lin, let's not beat around the bush. What do you want?"

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

Since she was giving so much, what she sought must not be small.

Seeing that he had spoken plainly, Lin Waner actually felt a sense of relief.

Dealing with smart people was indeed less effort.

She raised her head, her clear eyes looking directly at Chu He without the slightest evasion.

"This humble girl seeks three things."

"First, I hope the Hundred Herbs Hall can become the Chu Family's sole Medicinal Pill supplier. All the Medicinal Pills needed for the Young Master's future growth will be refined and provided by my Hundred Herbs Hall at cost price."

"Second, I hope to receive Senior's protection. Currently, the Pill Treasure Pavilion, with the support of the Li Family, is pressing my Hundred Herbs Hall at every step. If there is no outside intervention, I fear my Hundred Herbs Hall won't last half a year."

"Third..." Lin Waner paused here, appearing somewhat hesitant.

"Speak."

"Third, I hope... to be able to visit the Young Master frequently to observe and record his growth and changes. This would have immeasurable benefits for my research into the Dao of Alchemy. I promise I will never do anything to harm him!"

After speaking, she looked at Chu He nervously, waiting for his verdict.

Each of these three conditions was bolder than the last.

Especially the third one, which involved Chu He's offspring and could easily arouse the other party's suspicion and resentment.

After hearing her out, Chu He smiled.

He smiled very happily.

"Young Miss Lin, your conditions are very sincere."

"But I feel they are not enough."

Lin Waner's heart sank: "What does Senior mean?"

Chu He looked at her and spoke startling words:

"I'll give you a better choice."

"You, marry me. The Hundred Herbs Hall will merge into my Chu Family and become the Chu Family's Pill Hall, managed by you."

"From now on, you will be my, Chu He's, woman, and the Hundred Herbs Hall will be a property of my Chu Family. If anyone dares to touch you, I will exterminate their entire clan."

"The protection you want, the research into the Dao of Alchemy you desire—I will give them all to you."

"What do you say?"