Back then, she herself had worked her way up step by step from a Low-class Star. Seeing Ning Xuan before her was like looking at her younger self.
Chen Jingyu admired Ning Xuan so much because she could faintly sense that Ning Xuan’s Companion Spirit’s Level must be quite high—at the very least, higher than her own Elite Level Companion Spirit.
Besides, if Ning Xuan didn’t possess such immense potential, would those two from Five Maples City have allowed their own son to follow her?
Facing Chen Jingyu’s sincere and enthusiastic attitude, Ning Xuan found it impossible to dislike her. However, her purpose in visiting today was to pick up Chen Nan. She had also inquired about the Chen Family’s situation and knew that Chen Jingyu was a self-made woman. To have made a name for herself on an A-level Star and built the family’s current fortune in just a few decades meant that Chen Jingyu’s methods and abilities were quite formidable.
"Mrs. Chen, you flatter me. Your son came to my side when my power was low and my finances were tight. He saved my life and endured hardships with me, and I remember all of this kindness. However, it seems his father had other plans for him; he defied his family’s wishes to join me. I don’t mean anything by bringing this up, I just want to confirm with you, Mrs. Chen... if his father—" Before Ning Xuan could finish, Chen Jingyu walked over and grabbed her hand. "This is my fault. It’s my fault for being too lenient with Wang Mu. I’ve already punished him severely. He absolutely wouldn’t dare hold any prejudice against Miss Ning again. A match by the master brain is a fated connection, and such a contract is of the highest priority under Federation law. As the Chen Family Head, I give it my absolute support."
Ning Xuan awkwardly pulled her hand back. She wasn’t used to being so physically close with someone she had just met.
Still, Wang Mu’s previous attitude had left a knot of resentment in Ning Xuan’s heart. Now, Chen Jingyu’s warmth made her feel a little better.
𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
"Mrs. Chen, this is a formula I developed for an improved Inhibitor. It’s a modification of the Intermediate Compound Medicine for fever periods. Chen Nan has tried this medicine before; it’s effective for the fever periods of someone at his Level. This is the finished medicine—it’s clear and translucent, with extremely high purity. It has already passed inspection at a medicine monitoring station and is confirmed to be safe. Furthermore, its active ingredients are dozens of times more potent than the original formula. A patent has been filed, and it has passed the clinical trial phase. I am giving this formula to the Chen Family to produce and sell. The profits will be split 50/50 between the Chen Family and Chen Nan. Consider it my betrothal gift to the Chen Family." This offering was, in fact, Ning Xuan’s other objective for visiting today, contingent on their receptive attitude.
Though it was framed as handing the formula over to the Chen Family for production and sale, it was actually a win-win partnership. The Chen Family had the manpower, the industrial capacity, and the sales channels. Plus, with their son in Ning Xuan’s hands, she felt very secure entrusting the formula to them.
"A b-betrothal gift?" Only a few great families, when arranging a marriage for their heir and welcoming a main husband, would negotiate such a thing.
When Chen Jingyu took the formula, she was still somewhat unconvinced. But when she saw the ingredients listed on it, she froze completely. ’Just these ingredients can create an Inhibitor effective for S-levels?’
The formula not only had detailed records of ingredient quantities but also instructions on controlling the heat and various other precautions. It was, one could say, a perfectly precise replication of the alchemy process.
By the time Chen Nan had changed his clothes and come to the main hall to see Ning Xuan, Chen Jingyu had already rushed off, unable to resist testing the formula. Chen Nan hadn’t seen Ning Xuan in a whole month. Although he had seen her on Star Network livestreams recently, that wasn’t the same as seeing her in person. Now that Ning Xuan was standing right before him, Chen Nan forcibly suppressed his inner joy, straightened his clothes, and knelt on one knee before her. Placing his right fist over his chest, he bowed his head and declared, "Chen Nan pays his respects, Lord Contract Master!"
Looking at the impeccably postured Chen Nan kneeling at her feet, she felt as if she were suddenly back in the moment they first met on campus.
Ning Xuan stood up and extended a hand to him. Chen Nan took it, placing his own hand on hers and looking up at her. Ning Xuan smiled faintly. "Rise."
"Yes." Chen Nan stood up.
As Chen Nan rose and looked at him, Lin Mo gave a slight nod and lowered his eyes, a sign of respect for a senior. Although both were Ning Xuan’s Contractors and there was no official hierarchy, Chen Nan was considered the senior based on who had arrived by Ning Xuan’s side first.
To avoid making Ning Xuan uncomfortable, Wang Mu did not appear at the banquet. After the meal, Ning Xuan left the Chen Mansion with Chen Nan and Lin Mo.
Three days later, the three of them entered the Lingxiao Secret Realm together.
The Lingxiao Secret Realm was similar to Extreme Cold City in that it was also an independent space. The Lingxiao Secret Realm had its own rules as well: regardless of one’s Spiritual Power Level, upon entering, everyone’s power would be suppressed to B-level or below.
The Lingxiao Secret Realm contained countless rare and Exotic Plants, including the exceptionally scarce sentient ones. Encountering such a plant could either be a heaven-sent opportunity or a fatal crisis.
Many colossal Exotic Beasts also roamed the Lingxiao Secret Realm. Some of these beasts were extremely aggressive, and an encounter meant a life-or-death chase. Others were docile; as long as you didn’t provoke them, you would not be in danger.
In addition, the Lingxiao Secret Realm was rich in mineral resources, including the Star Sand required for a Starship’s power systems.
Holding the unlimited division’s ranking match of the Alchemy competition in this Secret Realm was considered a special privilege for the Alchemists.
After all, in the past, the only ones who could enter this Secret Realm were warriors who had rendered distinguished service to the Federation on the battlefield.
The rules for this ranking match were simple. It was an Alchemy Potion challenge: using the abundant resources of the Lingxiao Secret Realm, contestants had to see who could create medicine of the highest grade and in the greatest quantity. Medicine of different quality would earn different scores. In the end, whoever had the highest total score would be the champion.
Deep in Fog Hidden Gorge, in the southeastern corner of the Secret Realm, Leng Yue pressed a broken sword against a stone wall. A sharp pain from his palm reminded him that the giant, seemingly harmless flowers were slowly devouring his energy. Three days ago, Leng Yue had watched with his own eyes as an Exotic Beast was enveloped by the flowers and turned into translucent amber.
CRACK
The sound of cracking stone suddenly came from beneath his feet. Leng Yue swung his broken sword fiercely at the large flower. Three vines, glowing with a faint blue light, grazed past Leng Yue’s nose and carved three-inch-deep gashes into the rock wall.
The attacks of these Spirit-devouring Flower Vines were swift and agile, making them impossible to defend against.
Just as the giant, blue-glowing flower lunged at Leng Yue, a wisp of flame suddenly flew over with a WHOOSH. The Devouring Spirit Flower, fearing the fire, let out a SHRIEK, abandoned Leng Yue, and scurried to the side.
When Leng Yue saw the tall, beautiful woman walking toward him, he instantly relaxed. ’Marshal, I have not failed your trust. My wait is over; she has finally come.’