CHAPTER 443: ABNORMAL DEVELOPMENT

Chapter 443: Abnormal Development

"Senior, I know this is happy news, but you didn't have to jump off the couch!" Wang Shouyi couldn't help feeling gratified seeing Chen Huaian's 'excitement.'

Having followed his senior for so long and always causing trouble, he finally felt he'd done something useful for him.

"Becoming an alchemist at Kunlun Immortal Palace... this doesn't seem appropriate, does it?" Chen Huaian forced an awkward smile.

He couldn't afford to slip up now. To humor Wang Shouyi before, he'd always pretended to admire Kunlun Immortal Palace. Showing strong resistance now would raise obvious suspicions.

"Nothing inappropriate about it!" Wang Shouyi said earnestly, nodding. "Under heaven, besides you senior, I can't think of anyone more suitable. Who else could refine such miraculous pills? Senior shouldn't underestimate yourself - Her Eminence has extremely high standards. If she's appointing you as Honorary Elder, that means she fully recognizes your abilities! You're absolutely qualified... Moreover, combining your alchemy skills with Kunlun Immortal Palace's resources would be a powerful alliance. Her Eminence values loyalty highly - the entire palace will treat you well!"

Wang Shouyi spoke with utter sincerity.

Chen Huaian wanted to cry but had no tears.

He'd always thought Wang Shouyi was a bit simple but genuinely good-hearted.

Now the kid had dug him a massive pit and was gently pushing him in with a velvet dagger.

"Senior, what's making you hesitate?" Wang Shouyi frowned in confusion. "Is there some difficulty you can't mention?"

"Ah..." Chen Huaian gave a dry laugh, scratching his cheek. "It's just... I feel joining Kunlun Immortal Palace would limit my freedom. Compared to such a massive organization, I value independence more. Becoming a caged bird might destroy my path."

"Senior, Honorary Elders don't need to stay at the palace constantly. You'd only need to visit when receiving the title." Wang Shouyi relaxed upon hearing it was just about freedom. "Look at me - I'm a core disciple but still free! You'd only need to appear for important occasions while enjoying all the privileges as Cangyun Realm's Exorcist Division Governor AND Kunlun Immortal Palace's Honorary Elder!"

Chen Huaian fell silent.

He was somewhat tempted.

Since resisting would raise suspicions, why not brace for impact?

Kunlun Immortal Palace was the top Ascender organization - the closest to uncovering secrets.

As the saying goes: If I don't enter hell, who will?

Only by understanding the enemy could he defeat them!

And what better way than going undercover?

With this realization, Chen Huaian's bitter smile turned cheerful, his expression softening as he grasped Wang Shouyi's hand and patted his shoulder. "Good! Excellent! You've done me a real favor, kid! If there's no freedom restriction, I'll gladly accept this Honorary Elder position... By the way, what exactly are these 'privileges' you mentioned?"

Wang Shouyi shook his head. "I'm not high-ranking enough to know details. Her Eminence will explain when you receive your token." He returned the handshake with a sincere smile: "Welcome to Kunlun Immortal Palace... I'll have to start calling you Elder now, haha!"

Chen Huaian waved dismissively. "No need for formalities between us... When do I get this token?"

"Her Eminence said the sooner the better - preferably now." Wang Shouyi raised a jade slip.

Chen Huaian: "..."

Damn close call!

This bastard had been on call with Her Eminence the whole time?

He needed to cultivate urgently - his weak Golden Core stage spiritual sense offered zero security.

...

...

Chen Huaian told Wang Shouyi he wanted to prepare gifts for Her Eminence first.

Delighted that his revered senior also respected Her Eminence, Wang Shouyi said not to rush, praising her reasonableness.

Gifts were out of the question - some random pills would suffice.

Any decent item from Cangyun Realm would probably shock that so-called Eminence.

Mainly, he wanted to reconstruct Zhang Yibai's body first to avoid complications.

...

Returning to Zero Containment Site, Chen Huaian froze at the golden radiance filling the hall.

The Rebirth Lotus had fully bloomed, with Muscle Tyrant, Strawberry Bear, Shrimp King, and Little Green gathered around it drooling.

The previously vibrant Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid instantly wilted upon hearing the door, its lush leaves shriveling yellow as if sun-scorched for weeks.

"What the hell? Some kind of abnormal development?"

"Didn't we agree this lotus only grows one seedpod?"

Chen Huaian stared dumbfounded at three large golden seedpods at the flower's center.

Though three pods were better than one.

Legend said such lotuses only fruited once before dying - harvesting meant killing it.

With three, taking one would let it survive.

But...

His gaze fell on the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid, his heart tightening.

"What happened?"

The orchid lifted a withered leaf, scratching dehydrated words on the table:

"Master... I'm... dying..."

Chen Huaian: "..."

Unlikely.

As a spiritual plant with strong vitality, it shouldn't be this fragile - it wasn't a fish out of water.

Despite doubts, he immediately uprooted the Rebirth Lotus and replanted the orchid.

Rebirth Lotus: "..."

And this bitch called ME a green tea whore?

Who's the real fake here?

Visibly, the orchid's withered leaves unfurled back to health.

The uprooted lotus remained unchanged, still glowing.

"Disposable spiritual plants sure are resilient," Chen Huaian mused, plucking one seedpod before placing the lotus in a half-filled bathtub.

Remarkably, the lotus stood stable even without water, looking quite content.

"Now how to use this thing..."

Scratching his head, he opened his Electronic Girlfriend game.

An immediate notification nearly blinded him:

[Your sect leader is summoning you for a spa massage.]

"...That little minx is abusing her new authority!"

Such behavior must be stopped.

Such habits must not form.

So he decided to ignore it temporarily, instead using the app's scan function on the seedpod.

[Rebirth Lotus Seedpod (Treasure): Grind into powder mixed with spiritual spring water to create Nuwa's Primordial Clay - supreme material for body reconstruction.]

Chen Huaian silently contemplated the fist-sized pod.

Could powder from something this small really rebuild an entire cultivator's body?

...