Chapter 19 0019: Intermediate Body-Tempering Elixir Rivaling the Advanced Formula

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Chu Yun felt it necessary to keep a certain distance from Hou Yaodong. The more aloof he appeared, the more unfathomable that mysterious “senior” would seem to the Hou family.

Hou Yaodong showed no displeasure at Chu Yun’s refusal to dine with him. The strength Chu Yun had displayed today was enough to command his respect. Leaving aside the mysterious “senior,” Chu Yun’s power, no less than that of a level-eight warrior at his age, was reason enough for the Hou family to seek him as an ally.

It was a pity that Hou Yaodong couldn’t share a meal with Chu Yun and learn more about the “senior,” but he was not in a hurry. After taking his leave, he returned to Jiang City, thinking it might be worth paying the Yi family a visit as well.

Once Hou Yaodong departed, Chu Yun didn’t linger at the Ye residence either, heading home straight away.

During the Ye family’s afternoon meal, Ye Linglong was silent, and her uncles and relatives kept glancing at her. Were it not for the fear of rousing her anger, they would have already spoken up.

It was all about Chu Yun. His display of talent today had startled them. With such strength, the Ye family found themselves at a disadvantage.

“Girl,” Ye Zhenhuan set down his chopsticks and looked at Ye Linglong. “Do you have any feelings for Chu Yun?”

Ye Linglong lifted her gaze, her long lashes quivering. “Dad, what are you trying to say?”

Ye Zhenhuan gave a wry smile. There was no need to explain; his clever daughter surely understood his meaning.

“I don’t have feelings for him, and he doesn’t for me either,” Ye Linglong replied.

“With things as they are, I suppose Chu Yun won’t be marrying into our family, will he?” Ye Zhenrong said. “No wonder Second Master Hou wanted to offer his granddaughter to him. He’s been hiding his strength all this time. If Yi Tianxing hadn’t forced his hand today, we might have let him slip by unnoticed.”

“Linglong, perhaps…” Ye Zhenrong hesitated, looking at Ye Linglong. “Perhaps you should confirm whether the engagement with Chu Yun still stands. We didn’t abandon him when he was struggling…”

“It probably doesn’t count anymore,” Ye Linglong said, her head lowered as she picked at her food. Her lips moved listlessly, as if chewing tasteless wax. “He’s already repaid all the money we gave his family, with interest. That means the engagement no longer stands.”

Then, forcing a smile, she added, “It’s normal, really. Even someone like Yi Tianxing refused to marry in; with Chu Yun’s current strength, he’s certainly no weaker than I am. Let’s not dwell on it. We’ll just find another honest man to marry in when the time comes.”

Ye Zhenrong said awkwardly, “But Linglong, Yi Tianxing made a threat. If we have no connection to Chu Yun, what will we do about the Yi family?”

Ye Linglong smiled weakly. “I know plenty of people at the academy. I’ll pay some visits and smooth things over; it should be enough to quell the Yi family’s anger. Don’t worry about the family’s affairs.”

Meanwhile, back at home, Hou Yaodong called for his third brother and eldest brother, Hou Yaomin, and summoned an appraiser.

“You really got the Intermediate Body-Refining Elixir?” Hou Yaomin hurried over, excitement in his voice.

Hou Yaodong nodded, handing the elixir to the appraiser. “Take a look. Is the purity up to intermediate standard?”

The appraiser nodded, took the elixir, and drew a drop for analysis.

He stared at the data on the computer, momentarily stunned.

“What’s wrong?” Hou Yaodong noticed his expression and leaned in, forgetting his brothers for a moment. “Is the purity insufficient?”

“Did someone trick us with ordinary body-refining elixir?” Hou Yaomin asked.

“No!” The appraiser double-checked, then exclaimed with excitement, “This intermediate body-refining elixir has an astonishing purity of seventy percent!”

“What!” The three brothers exclaimed almost in unison, “Are you sure?”

After printing the comprehensive evaluation report, the appraiser handed it to them, barely containing his excitement. “You’ve struck gold, gentlemen! Only five percent short of the highest grade—it’s almost as pure as an advanced elixir. Seventy percent purity, no mistake. I ran the tests three times!”

The three brothers glanced at the report, Hou Yaomin and the youngest both turning to Hou Yaodong, who was still dazed.

“Gentlemen, where did you procure this intermediate elixir? There’s no way any alchemist on our planet could have produced it. No one here is skilled enough to refine such a near-perfect elixir. Only those at the rank of grandmaster alchemist from an advanced civilization could achieve such consistent purity and success rates! Judging by this elixir’s quality, the refiner must be a figure of immense power from a highly advanced world!”

Had Chu Yun been present, he would have explained that the five percent discrepancy was due to the old, worn-out refining equipment. With his abilities, achieving one hundred percent success and purity would have posed no problem at all.

“Yaodong!” Hou Yaomin called out, his breath quickening, snapping Hou Yaodong out of his stupor. “Did you meet that senior?”

Hou Yaodong shook his head. “No, he said he’d be away for a while. But I did meet his junior. In fact, because of this junior, there was some unpleasantness with the Yi family today. In hindsight, offending the Yi family for this young man was absolutely worth it. Come, let’s tell Father about this.”

In the main hall of the Hou household, the family patriarch held the body-refining elixir and report, his eyes ablaze. “This is the intermediate elixir that senior gave you?”

Hou Yaodong nodded. “Yes, Father. Though I didn’t meet the senior this time, I did meet his junior, and it was quite a fruitful encounter.”

“Tell me about it,” the patriarch said.

“That junior is only seventeen, but his talent and strength rival those of the top prodigies from the great families of the Hope Continent!” Hou Yaodong declared.

The patriarch narrowed his eyes. “Did you test his abilities?”

“No,” Hou Yaodong replied, smiling. “But someone else did. There was a bit of unpleasantness with the Yi family today, as I mentioned.”

Hou Yaodong recounted the events at Watchtower City in detail.

When the patriarch heard that Chu Yun had defeated Yi Tianxing in just two moves, he blurted out, “That Yi Tianxing kid is already a level-seven warrior, isn’t he? So this Chu Yun’s strength must be at least two levels above!”

Hou Yaodong nodded. “Exactly. At the very least, he’s at level nine now, and it’s entirely possible that he’ll break into the first rank of true warriors before turning eighteen!”

“A true monster,” the patriarch commented, then looked at Hou Yaodong. “You did well this time. I’ll speak to the Yi family patriarch myself. As for the senior, you’d do best not to draw attention from other families.”

“Yes, Father.” Hou Yaodong nodded, then hesitated before adding, “It’s just a pity about Chu Yun. Such a promising talent, with a senior backing him, yet he’s supposed to marry into the Ye family.”

“The engagement hasn’t been finalized, has it?” The patriarch smiled slightly. “Let Manman transfer to Watchtower City Martial Academy. Ye Linglong is outstanding, but our Manman is no less accomplished.”

“Father, you mean…” Hou Yaodong understood and grinned. “I see.”