C7 Nangong Linger

With only a month remaining until the Tang family's clan competition, Tang Yuan's pace of cultivation had noticeably slowed. His mastery of magical techniques had stalled, but his martial arts cultivation had impressively reached the Level Six Heaven of the Spirit Containing Stage.

During this time, Tang Yuan devoted most of his efforts to crafting Spirit Sea Pills. Within a month, he had processed all the materials Menng Ya had provided. Ten exquisite Spirit Sea Pills lay before him, a quality so high that they would undoubtedly incite a frenzy among collectors in the outside world.

Tang Yuan carefully placed the Spirit Sea Pills into a jade bottle and departed from the Tang family estate, setting his sights on the Treasure Pavilion.

"Last time, you were allowed entry because of Miss Menng Ya. What brings you back now? Do you think this is a charity?" the two guards at the pavilion entrance challenged Tang Yuan with disdain.

"Out of my way!" Tang Yuan had no patience for those who underestimated him and proceeded towards the entrance.

The Treasure Pavilion was no ordinary place, and the guards, accustomed to their own hubris, could hardly see the discarded son of the Tang family as a threat.

As Tang Yuan made to enter, the guards' faces twisted into smug grins.

With a swift motion, they drew their swords and lunged at him with a shout.

Tang Yuan regarded them with an icy gaze. Did these two cultivators, merely at the Level Three Heaven of the Spirit Containing Stage, truly believe they could challenge him?

With a deft sidestep, Tang Yuan launched a kick that sent one guard tumbling to the ground. Without missing a beat, he parried the other guard's sword with his right hand and delivered a firm slap with his left.

In the blink of an eye, both guards were sprawled on the ground, bleeding from the corners of their mouths and staring up at Tang Yuan in terror.

"May I enter now?" Tang Yuan's voice was cold as he stepped past them into the pavilion.

"Miss Menng Ya and Master Ding are currently with an esteemed guest. With Tang Yuan inside, what do we do now?" one guard asked his companion.

"Hehe, if he's seeking his own demise, then it's his own misfortune," the other guard replied with a sneer.

Struggling to their feet, the two guards made their way into the Treasure Pavilion through a back entrance.

"Miss Menng Ya, we need to inform you of something," the head guard whispered as he approached the reception room door.

Inside the room, four individuals were present: Menng Ya, Wang Bao, an elderly man, and a woman. The woman, in stark contrast to Menng Ya's mature charm, exuded the grace of a secluded orchid. Before her lay two sets of medicinal ingredients, clearly indicating her status as a Pill Refining Master.

"My apologies, Sister Linger," Menng Ya said with a regretful smile. "What's the matter?"

"It's Tang Yuan. He's forced his way in. We couldn't stop him. Please forgive us, Miss!" the guards murmured.

Menng Ya's frown deepened as she regarded the two wounded guards, her annoyance with Tang Yuan's overbearing behavior growing.

"He thinks he can run wild in the Treasure Pavilion? I'd like to see that," the old man muttered. "Let's all go have a look."

"Master, you may not be aware, but Tang Yuan is notoriously arrogant. Just over a month ago, he had a dispute with Young Master Zhou that ended up involving the Treasure Pavilion," Wang Bao said, seizing the opportunity to stir the pot.

His master, Ding Qishui, was the chief Pill Refining Master at the Treasure Pavilion, commanding respect from even Menng Ya. With Ding Qishui's stature as a formidable cultivator at the Level Nine Heaven of the Spirit Sea Stage, Tang Yuan was insignificant in comparison.

"I've heard about the incident," Ding Qishui acknowledged with a nod. "Apparently, both the Zhou and Tang families failed in their quest for retribution. It seems both the Tang family and Tang Yuan have a tendency to be domineering."

Ding Qishui spoke with a dismissive tone, clearly unimpressed by Tang Yuan.

As the group exited the reception room, they happened upon Tang Yuan, who was heading their way.

"Miss Menng Ya, about last time—"

"How dare you, Tang Yuan! With Miss Linger present, your uninvited intrusion is highly inappropriate. What are you plotting?" Wang Bao cut him off with a thunderous rebuke, denying Tang Yuan any chance to explain himself.

Tang Yuan only then noticed Nangong Linger standing beside Menng Ya. He hesitated briefly before bowing and apologizing, "My apologies for the intrusion. I have urgent business with Miss Menng Ya."

"Who do you think you are? With Nangong Linger and Miss Menng Ya present, your concerns are trivial!" Wang Bao interjected once more.

Tang Yuan frowned, not even knowing Wang Bao's name, only that he found him exceedingly bothersome.

"Well then, I shall take my leave. Here is the Spirit Sea Pill I promised to Miss Menng Ya." Tang Yuan gently set the jade bottle on the table and departed.

"Is this the Spirit Sea Pill? Is he a Pill Refining Master?" Nangong Linger, who had been quiet until now, suddenly picked up the jade bottle and opened it with ease.

Instantly, a misty glow flashed, and the entire reception room was filled with an exotic pill fragrance!

"This is a top-grade Spirit Sea Pill!" Shock registered on Nangong Linger's usually composed face.

She could refine pills of this caliber herself, being a Grade Four Pill Refining Master, but Tang Yuan did not seem to be on the same level.

"Truly a top-grade Spirit Sea Pill?" Menng Ya exclaimed, astounded that the quality surpassed that of the previous batch.

"Humph, with ten sets of ingredients, you might produce one pill at best. What's so astonishing? I could also..." Wang Bao began contemptuously but stopped short as Nangong Linger emptied the contents of the bottle.

One, two... nine, ten!

Ten Spirit Sea Pills lay in Nangong Linger's palm like a string of jade beads, leaving Wang Bao's face crimson as if he'd been soundly slapped.

"He must have secretly prepared an abundance of ingredients! Yes, that has to be it..." Wang Bao's voice trailed off until he fell silent.

"Miss Linger, shall we proceed with our pill refining?" Ding Qishui finally spoke up, casting a disapproving glance at Wang Bao.

He had hoped Wang Bao would impress Nangong Linger, but instead, he had only managed to make a fool of himself.

"I need to go and bring him back," Nangong Linger stated calmly before she hurried toward the main entrance in pursuit.

Menng Ya, momentarily taken aback, quickly followed suit. Wang Bao and his disciple, Ding Qishui, were left behind. Ding Qishui shot a stern glance at Wang Bao before he too joined the chase.

Tang Yuan strolled leisurely, a subtle smile gracing his features as he murmured to himself, "Three, two, one!"

"Young Master Tang, please hold on a moment!"

The word 'one' had barely left his lips when a melodious voice called out from behind. Nangong Linger had caught up to him, her face lighting up with a smile upon seeing Tang Yuan.

"What can I do for you?" Tang Yuan asked, turning to face her with an impassive expression that bordered on detachment.

"Hello, my name is Nangong Linger. I have some questions I'd like to discuss with you, and I hope you'll oblige," she said. Nangong Linger certainly left a positive impression.

A demure girl timidly seeking guidance is something few men could deny, wouldn't you agree?