C20 The Agitated Bai Yuanshan.!

Yet, with the formidable Pill Master absent, the Bai Family faced an unresolved crisis.

"I know what's on your mind. Your Bai Family has been struggling in North Cloud City, haven't they? Since I've invited you here, rest assured I have a solution to your troubles. I can even position the Bai Family to supplant the Su Family in the future!" Du Shaomu declared, his confidence clear. Bai Yuanshan's willingness to wait outside the Du Family's gates all night was a testament to the Bai Family's dire need for assistance.

"Why would you help my Bai Family against the Su Family?" Bai Yuanshan inquired.

"The reason is straightforward. The Su Family has repeatedly crossed me, and now they've gone too far. I intend to annihilate them," Du Shaomu stated plainly, with no intent to conceal his motives.

"So, you wish to obliterate the Su Family and you're seeking my Bai Family's aid in this endeavor?" Bai Yuanshan studied Du Shaomu intently.

"You're overthinking it. To destroy the Su Family, I don't need the Bai Family's help. My assistance to you is simply to ensure the Su Family is eradicated root and branch."

Du Shaomu spoke calmly, "Explaining further is pointless—you wouldn't understand. Let's focus on the matter at hand. You've looked over the pill formula in the letter, correct?"

"Yes, the formula for a soul-strengthening pill, but it's incomplete," Bai Yuanshan acknowledged. Though not a Pill Master himself, he recognized the significance of a soul-strengthening pill formula, even an incomplete one.

"That's the formula for the high-rank 'Seven Stars Soul Strengthening Pill.' It's derived from ancient methods and can significantly enhance the soul. Even a high-rank Pill Master of Hou stature would see remarkable benefits. As the Bai Family patriarch, you must realize the value of such a pill," Du Shaomu explained. The incomplete formulas in the letters he had penned the night before were for this very pill.

Bai Yuanshan's gaze intensified upon hearing this. Soul-strengthening pills were exceedingly rare, and despite the Bai Family's long-standing presence in North Cloud City, they had never possessed such a formula. A complete high-rank soul-strengthening pill formula could attract countless Pill Masters of Marquis level, and perhaps even entice Pill Kings.

"Do you truly possess the complete formula?" Bai Yuanshan's voice quivered with a mix of hope and skepticism.

"Here is the full formula for the Seven Stars Soul Strengthening Pill. With it, the Bai Family can attract numerous Pill Masters. If you play your cards right, toppling the Su Family and taking their place will be effortless," Du Shaomu assured him, handing over a roughly written but complete pill formula.

Accepting the formula with a hint of doubt, Bai Yuanshan scrutinized it closely. Excitement flickered in his eyes, and he couldn't suppress a shiver of anticipation. He may not have been a Pill Master, but he understood enough about the art of pill-making to recognize the opportunity before him.

Given his keen eye and expertise, he was almost certain that this was the complete pill formula—a high-rank pill formula designed to enhance the soul of a Pill Master! With this formula in hand, Hou rank Pill Masters would be clamoring to join him.

With such an asset, the Bai Family could easily avert any crisis. Toppling the Su Family and taking their place wouldn't be a challenge.

"Do you truly intend to give me this pill formula without any strings attached?" Bai Yuanshan asked, his voice quivering with excitement as he fixed his gaze on Du Shaomu. A high-rank pill formula was certainly valuable, and while the Bai Family had their share, this was no ordinary formula. The Bai Family had stood for a century in North Cloud City, amassing considerable resources, but a soul-enhancing high-rank pill formula was in a league of its own, far beyond the reach of typical formulas at that level.

To think that a Pill King would covet such a formula was no exaggeration—it could be deemed as valuable as the entire Bai Family. Du Shaomu's offer to hand over such a treasure without any conditions seemed unbelievable to Bai Yuanshan.

"There are no strings attached. The formula is yours. All I ask is that the Bai Family helps me take down the Su Family," Du Shaomu stated, shaking his head. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Well, there are a few conditions. I'm looking to purchase a courtyard for my mother, and I'll be getting married in nine days, so I'm in need of some funds—the more, the better."

"This is the Heaven and Earth Pavilion's Elemental Crystal Card. It contains most of the Bai Family's liquid assets—ten million Grade One Elemental Crystals," Bai Yuanshan said, producing a silver-white card.

The Bai Family, one of the three major families in North Cloud City, had only this much cash available.

"Ten million Grade One Elemental Crystal Stones!" Du Xiaohou, who had been listening, was astounded. The Elemental Crystal Card from the Heaven and Earth Pavilion was recognized continent-wide, its name alone a solid guarantee. Ordinary folks dealt in gold and silver, but for martial cultivators and Pill Masters, Elemental Crystal Stones were the currency of choice. A single Grade One Elemental Crystal Stone could buy hundreds of courtyards like the Du Family's dilapidated one. Even the servants of wealthy households might not earn one in twenty years, yet the Bai Family patriarch was offering ten million.

Du Shaomu gestured to the stunned Du Xiaohou to accept the Elemental Crystal Card. Holding the card, Du Xiaohou was nearly moved to tears—he had never imagined handling such wealth.

"Childe Du mentioned needing a courtyard. It's not easy to find a large one ready for occupancy in North Cloud City. The Bai Family has a spare that was recently refurbished, intended for my two wayward children once they matured. If Childe Du doesn't mind, it's yours," Bai Yuanshan offered after a moment's hesitation.

"Then I'll gladly accept," Du Shaomu replied, considering the difficulty of finding a suitable place on such short notice. The Bai Family's courtyard seemed just right.

Gazing at Bai Yuanshan, Du Shaomu's brow quirked slightly. He instructed Du Xiaohou to wait by the door, then turned to Bai Yuanshan and offered, "Since I've taken a courtyard from you, let me present you with a chance to turn your fortunes. You've been plateauing at the eighth level of Martial General for over two years, haven't you? Despite consuming numerous pills, you've been unable to make any progress..."

"How did you know?!" Bai Yuanshan's eyes widened in shock before Du Shaomu could even finish speaking. These were secrets known only to him.

"If you're willing to trust me, take a seat. I'll grant you an opportunity that I promise will lead to advancement within three days," Du Shaomu said with a reassuring smile.

Bai Yuanshan, visibly shaken, found himself compelled by the young master's gaze and sat down cross-legged right there.

"Don't resist. If I meant you harm, I wouldn't bother with such intricacies," Du Shaomu cautioned Bai Yuanshan, his hands forming intricate seals. Suddenly, a series of seals shot forth, swirling with Origin Energy, and imprinted themselves onto Bai Yuanshan's body one by one.

Initially skeptical, Bai Yuanshan's doubt vanished as the seals struck him, sending a jolt through his body that left him trembling with excitement.

In a mere matter of moments, Du Shaomu completed the seals and stood before Bai Yuanshan, hands clasped behind his back, and declared, "There, within three days, you should break through. Also, I've taken care of some underlying ailments for you. You won't suffer from them any longer, and your future cultivation will yield greater results with less effort."

Feeling the Origin Energy course through him, Bai Yuanshan's body shook with the realization that the young master had spoken the truth. Tears of elation welled in his eyes.

Overcome with gratitude and without uttering another word, Bai Yuanshan knelt on one knee and bowed deeply to Du Shaomu. His voice, thick with emotion, barely managed to convey, "Childe Du, please forgive my earlier ignorance. I will hold this debt of gratitude close to my heart. Should you have any future commands, I will follow without hesitation."

"Off you go, then," Du Shaomu said nonchalantly, dismissing him with a wave of his hand, clearly ready to move on.

Du Xiaohou stood at the door, utterly bewildered. The head of the Bai Family, Bai Yuanshan, had just knelt before his young master after a few simple touches, showing a level of gratitude as if he'd been given a new lease on life. What in the world had just happened?

As Bai Yuanshan emerged from the rundown Du Family courtyard, the butler hurried over and inquired, "Master, how did it go?"

Without acknowledging the butler, Bai Yuanshan straightened his attire and turned to offer a profound bow toward the Du Family's gate. Only then did he address the butler, "We're heading back. From now on, any member of the Bai Family passing within five streets of the Du Family must dismount their horses and carriages. Anyone who disobeys will be cast out of the Bai Family and face strict punishment."

With those final words, Bai Yuanshan strode away, his heart still quivering with the day's unexpected turn.