You looked at Guo Lan and smiled. "Do you think I lack money?"

Guo Lan lowered his head awkwardly, pursing his lips. After some thought, his eyes regained their determination as he spoke earnestly. "Young Master He, one can never have too much money. Just name a price for letting me copy that pill scripture, and I'll do my utmost to meet your demand!"

Your tone remained calm. "This ancestral pill scripture has no price—or rather, the wealth you'd earn in a lifetime couldn't cover its value. I'm not belittling you, just stating facts."

The resolve in Guo Lan's eyes wavered before he nodded silently. "I understand. Thank you for tolerating my presumption, Young Master He."

You waved dismissively.

"My apologies for disturbing you, Young Master. I'll take my leave." Guo Lan picked up the large cloth bag at his feet and stood to depart.

Casually, you asked, "What's in that bag?"

Guo Lan's face flushed with embarrassment as he hesitated. "Just some... my..." His words trailed off.

You chuckled. "Your most valuable possessions, meant to demonstrate your sincerity?"

"Yes..." Guo Lan's voice was barely audible.

Having recently advanced to a first-grade pill refiner and become an official Danxia Sect disciple, Guo Lan had felt his year-long frustrations melt away. But the sudden release after such prolonged suppression had made him overconfident about his future prospects.

In his excitement, he'd gathered everything he considered valuable to showcase his sincerity. Only upon meeting you did he gradually realize—someone who casually invested in improving fifth-grade pill recipes wasn't ordinary, nor would they particularly value a first-grade pill refiner.

Guo Lan understood now that your politeness stemmed merely from your cultured manners, not from his own importance. This realization made the contents of his bag seem laughable—so much so that he couldn't even bring himself to answer.

Yet you tilted your chin. "Let's have a look?"

"Ah, Young Master, there's no need—"

"Be good and show me."

With resignation, Guo Lan opened the bag. Inside were some silver taels, Blood Qi Pills, assorted lesser pills, and—most absurdly—preserved fish and cured meats.

Picking up a piece of salted fish, you remarked with mock surprise, "How fortunate I've become, to receive disaster relief rations from you!"

Guo Lan gave a pained smile. "Young Master, these were provisions from my family before I joined Danxia Sect. My mother said they'd keep well on the journey." His use of "my mother said" reminded you of an old acquaintance.

Your expression softened as you held up the fish. "Mind if I keep this piece?"

"Of course, Young Master!" Guo Lan answered hastily.

You had Old Wang take the fish away and offered Guo Lan two taels of silver. "Not taking it for free."

Guo Lan refused repeatedly and ultimately left without accepting the silver, bag in hand. Watching his retreating figure, you shook your head.

Guo Lan's peculiar pill refining talent was indeed unusual, but his overall progression only placed him slightly above average. His lengthy dormant periods—where he couldn't refine a single pill of corresponding grade—made his ability rather impractical. You soon dismissed him from your thoughts and returned to cultivation.

One month later, you completed your second refinement of Source Power. Your exceptional martial talent had accelerated the process. After a day's rest, you inspected your zoo domain.

Tired of commuting between manor and zoo, you'd hired two Skin Refining siblings—He Shan and He Yingchun—to tend the animals at a generous wage. Their diligence showed: every creature was robust and well-groomed.

He Yingchun was trimming an Eclipse Wolf's claws while He Shan polished a Mist Elephant's tusks. When the recently egg-laying Emberhawk went hunting, He Shan had even taken turns incubating the egg. Their dedication was evident.

"Young Master, you're here!" He Shan approached, pausing his work. He Yingchun set down her shears and followed.

You observed them. "You've cared for my treasures meticulously."

"It's our duty!" He Shan scratched his head.

Their motivation was understandable—your payments were extraordinarily lavish.

"My treasures have been on Blood Essence Pills for a month now. Any effects?"

He Shan promptly presented detailed records of the animals' measurements and capabilities. The pills had already produced marked improvements.

You nodded inwardly. Old Xie knew his craft.

Seeing the siblings' earnest smiles, you patted He Shan's shoulder. "Keep it up, and next year I might upgrade to a bigger estate!"

He Shan beamed. "I won't let you down, Young Master!"

Another month passed. At dusk, having completed your daily cultivation, Old Wang announced a Danxia Sect elder's visit—a hairy-faced, thunder-mouthed elder named Xie Huide.

"Young Master, will you receive him?" Old Wang inquired.

You countered, "Old Wang, do you wish to live?"

Old Wang recoiled. "Young Master, I very much do."

"Then prepare our finest banquet—I'll have proper words with this master refiner!"

"At once, Young Master!"

Though tempted to greet Xie Huide personally, you reconsidered—an eighth-grade pill refiner like yourself welcoming some insignificant seventh-grade peer? Preposterous!

"Old Wang, bring this minor refiner up!" you commanded.

Old Wang's eyes twinkled. "As you wish, Young Master. I'll invite Elder Xie in."

As Old Wang turned, you amended, "Actually, I'll condescend to greet him myself."

You hastened to the gate with Old Wang. There stood Xie Huide, his pale gray robes immaculate, his piercing eyes bright beneath sharp brows. He appeared younger than when you'd first met him, fresher than on his death day.

You strode forward and seized his hand. "Elder Xie, long time no see!"

Unaccustomed to modern etiquette, Xie Huide wrested his hand free and stepped back. "Young Master He, we've never met before."

You smiled. "I've long admired you!"