Even though Su Yuan activated One Heart Dustless, he almost made a mistake.
Luckily, in the end, nothing went wrong.
Su Yuan took out the Chongyang Sun Spirit Pill and put it aside. Suddenly, a cracking sound was heard, and three massive cracks appeared on the interior of the Azure Dragon Elixir Furnace, causing it to collapse.
Seeing this, Su Yuan sighed, "The Super Blue Grade Pill Furnace ultimately couldn’t hold on."
After all, it was the alchemy furnace that accomplished his Alchemy Dao, so Su Yuan decided to give the remains of the Azure Dragon Elixir Furnace a proper burial.
Walking to the table, Su Yuan’s hand flashed, pulling out four alchemy boxes from the ring.
Inside each box, there was a Sun Spirit Pill.
One was the first successful one Su Yuan refined after becoming a Grandmaster;
Another was the one Dou Lun paid in advance to Yu Feng, which naturally fell into Su Yuan’s hands after Yu Feng died.
The remaining two were made using the two Burning Sun Star Cores obtained as spoils from the Fierce Battle Gang.
Adding this Chongyang Sun Spirit Pill, there are five in total!
"Five Sun Spirit Pills, not bad."
Su Yuan’s eyes lit up; he had never been so wealthy!
Although refining several Sun Spirit Pills consecutively was quite exhausting, a sense of satisfaction welled up in Su Yuan’s heart.
Putting away the elixirs, Su Yuan’s figure flickered and he left the Qingming Realm, appearing in Zhao Yue City.
Ashley was drawing something not far away, and when she saw Su Yuan, she immediately stood up.
"Boss, the people from the Thunder Fire Pavilion have arrived. As per your instructions, I’ve let them wait; it’s the third day now."
Su Yuan glanced at the table where Ashley seemed to be drawing clothing.
From the sketches, it looked like the clothing had patterns of a black Abyss, and at the center of the back, there was a cold pupil.
Seeing Su Yuan’s gaze, Ashley slightly turned to block his view, her face showing a rare hint of redness.
"Boss... the envoy from Thunder Fire Pavilion is still in the side hall," Ashley said.
Su Yuan withdrew his gaze and chuckled, "Alright, let’s go."
In the side hall, a composed and serious-looking middle-aged man was already waiting.
Having waited for a few days, the man showed signs of impatience, but lacking task completion meant he couldn’t leave yet.
At this moment, as Su Yuan entered, the middle-aged man looked over immediately.
Upon seeing Su Yuan’s face, the man couldn’t help being greatly surprised.
"Elder Shi, our boss has arrived," Ashley announced.
The middle-aged man bowed and said, "Thunder Fire Pavilion, Shi Qingyuan, greets Lord Su."
Su Yuan nodded and took his seat at the head of the table.
Ashley poured tea for both Su Yuan and Shi Qingyuan, then stood at Su Yuan’s left.
Su Yuan asked, "What brings you here, Elder Shi?"
Shi Qingyuan inwardly cursed at the feigned ignorance, but forced a polite response, "Lord Su, our Thunder Fire Pavilion’s Vice Pavilion Master Dou Lun went to the Fierce Battle Gang and is now missing, rumored to be with you?"
"Friend Dou..." Su Yuan smiled, "Indeed he is here, well-fed and content, perhaps he doesn’t want to leave yet."
Shi Qingyuan asked, "Can Lord Su allow me to see Vice Pavilion Master Dou’s condition?"
Su Yuan tapped lightly with his right hand, a layer of silver light spiraled, projecting Dou Lun’s situation.
In a narrow space, Dou Lun was surrounded by a stone table laden with fine food and drink.
Despite appearing somewhat disheveled, he indeed seemed "well-fed and content," and even the sword wound on his chest inflicted by Su Yuan had been healed by Antonios.
Shi Qingyuan sighed in relief silently; as long as he’s alive.
With a wave, Su Yuan dispersed the silver light projection.
"Friend Dou is safe, but how long he plays here depends on his mood."
Su Yuan’s implication was clear. Shi Qingyuan clicked his tongue but had no recourse.
Detaining Dou Lun without reason meant the Thunder Fire Pavilion would certainly not stand down.
However, they were unsure if it was due to Dou Lun getting involved on the day the Fierce Battle Gang was wiped out, offending Qingming in the process.
After a slight hesitation, Shi Qingyuan cupped his hands, "Congratulations Lord Su for unifying the coastal regions. I brought no gift on this hurried trip; what might Lord desire?"
Su Yuan chuckled, "The Thunder Fire Pavilion has dominated the central Western Desert for many years, with a deep foundation;
Lin Yong Pavilion Master is but a step away from the Three Suns Realm—a formidable might.
Then, let’s say, seven or eight Burning Sun Level Star Cores will do."
"Pft... cough!" Shi Qingyuan spat out a mouthful of tea, coughing twice and widening his eyes, "Seven or eight Burning Sun Star Cores?"
While understanding that Su Yuan was raising the stakes, it seemed excessively high.
Seven or eight Burning Sun Star Cores, it’s as if you’re robbing us!
"What, Vice Pavilion Master Dou isn’t worth that?"
Shi Qingyuan clicked his tongue, "It’s not that... Lord Su, although our Thunder Fire Pavilion has a solid foundation, Burning Sun Star Cores aren’t cabbages.
We’ve accumulated some over the centuries, but we also use them extensively in-house, at most... at most we can offer two!"
In truth, Shi Qingyuan wasn’t lying.
Burning Sun Star Cores are indeed precious, otherwise the Fierce Battle Gang under Yu Feng would not have had only two in reserve.
However, given the Thunder Fire Pavilion’s deeper roots and a resident Alchemy Grandmaster routinely refining on behalf of other sects, they could likely produce at least five Burning Sun Star Cores.
Shi Qingyuan, intent on gauging Su Yuan’s reaction after offering two, was cautiously assessing his mood, wary of Su Yuan cutting off negotiations.
Anyone who could rapidly consolidate the coast wouldn’t be as young and straightforward as they seemed.
Su Yuan took a sip of tea and said expressionlessly, "Five."
Shi Qingyuan: "Three."
"Four," Su Yuan looked at Shi Qingyuan, "Any less and Vice Pavilion Master Dou might never want to return."
Meeting those captivating silver eyes, Shi Qingyuan had a faint feeling that less would mean no further chances from the other party.
After a series of complex expressions, Shi Qingyuan gritted his teeth, "Fine, four it is!"
Su Yuan laughed softly, "Then I thank the Thunder Fire Pavilion for the generous gift; next time you bring something, we’ll let Vice Pavilion Master Dou out... Also, please convey my regards to Lin Yong Pavilion Master."
Shi Qingyuan, despite realizing the dismissive undertone in Su Yuan’s parting words, found his mission satisfactorily accomplished.
Shi Qingyuan stood and bowed, "I’ll pass on the message; Lord Su, until our next meeting, I hope to see Vice Pavilion Master Dou in perfect condition."
"Of course." Su Yuan waved his hand, "Ashley, see our guest off."
Ashley escorted Shi Qingyuan out, then returned to the side hall.
Su Yuan inquired of Ashley, "Ashley, what were you drawing just now?"
"Um... the uniforms you mentioned last time," Ashley turned her head slightly, "They aren’t finished yet. The theme is Abyss Eye, and I planned to show you once the design is complete."
Su Yuan smiled, "They already look great, thank you for your effort. Once the design is finalized, proceed to production."
Ashley smiled softly, "Okay~"