Chapter 818: Flower Mountain's Letter, The Holy Palace's Home

Xu Xiaoshou nodded with a smile, finally understanding Dong Ling's true intentions.

So, she intended to use him?

Fine!

If she dared to use him, then he wouldn't shy away from deepening his ties with the Alchemist Association. He'd give her a taste of success now and see how she managed to extricate herself later!

"Of course," Xu Xiaoshou replied, turning to face the tens of thousands of spectators and announcing loudly, "I accept President Dong Ling's invitation to join the headquarters of the Alchemist Association in Dongtian Royal City."

He paused, a smile gracing his lips. "In return, starting today, I will grant the exclusive supply rights of 'Crimson Gold Liquid' to the Royal City Alchemist Association Headquarters. This will allow us to produce more and better healing elixirs for everyone's benefit!"

A hush fell over the entire audience.

Just moments before, people had been questioning Young Master Xu's appointment as Honorary Vice President, deeming it unrealistic. This was because they had witnessed a contemporary, or even a junior, suddenly ascend to a position far beyond their own, which naturally caused some envy.

However, once they got over their initial resentment and realized that Young Master Xu's new role as Honorary Vice President of the Royal City Alchemist Association could benefit them, all the spirit refiners in the audience immediately changed their tune.

"Excellent!"

"Young Master Xu is mighty! I'm the first to support you as Honorary Vice President, go for it!"

"A new official bringing benefits to the people! I've tried Crimson Gold Liquid; it's incredibly effective. Now the people of the Royal City are truly blessed, hahaha!"

Even Dong Ling was stunned.

Just as Shi Ti had suspected, she had risked public outrage to give Young Master Xu the honorary vice president position because she had discerned something, harboring intentions of testing and protection. But she had never imagined that Young Master Xu would offer such a significant benefit even before officially taking office.

"Are you serious?" Dong Ling asked, looking at the young man beside her with suppressed excitement after her initial shock wore off.

"My word is as heavy as Mount Tai," Xu Xiaoshou said, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

Dong Ling's beautiful eyes instantly lit up. She instinctively raised her hand, intending to pat Young Master Xu's shoulder to express her excitement and offer a few subtle words of gratitude. However, before her hand could land, Young Master Xu subtly dodged, leaving her hand dangling awkwardly for a moment.

"Don't worry, if you grant the exclusive supply rights of 'Crimson Gold Liquid' to the Royal City Headquarters, your share of the future profits will not be diminished," Dong Ling quickly recovered from her embarrassment and promised solemnly.

"Saying that makes us sound like strangers..." Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow, glancing around repeatedly before whispering, "Actually, it's not just 'Crimson Gold Liquid.' I've also developed 'Spirit Refinement Fluid.' I just don't know if your association can handle it."

"Spirit Refinement Fluid?"

"Yes, just as Crimson Gold Pills relate to Crimson Gold Liquid, Spirit Refinement Pills relate to Spirit Refinement Fluid."

At this explanation, Dong Ling instantly understood and was ecstatic. However, her keenly developed intuition from years of experience made her realize that such a windfall couldn't possibly just fall into her lap out of nowhere.

"What do you want in return?" Dong Ling asked, frowning.

"Want?" Xu Xiaoshou feigned surprise, then chuckled. "Aren't I already the Honorary Vice President of the Royal City Alchemist Association? Aren't we on the same side now? What could I possibly want? All I want is to benefit all of humanity and the people of the Five Domains!"

Dong Ling was speechless.

If anyone else had said that, she might have believed them. But standing before her was Young Master Xu; how could Dong Ling possibly believe him? Had the guy lost his mind?

Dong Ling remained suspicious. She had her reasons for protecting Young Master Xu; he shouldn't have known about her connection to the Saint Palace's Burning Radiance lineage. So, why was this guy being so generous to her? Was he trying to exploit her beauty? Dong Ling startled herself with the thought.

Seeing the woman's disbelief, Xu Xiaoshou pondered for a moment, then spoke earnestly, "A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring. President Dong Ling can bear criticism for granting me an honorary vice president position, so why can't I transform that criticism into praise for you?"

His words were so sincere that Dong Ling was moved. She suddenly felt that her previous opinion of Young Master Xu might have been mistaken. Perhaps, the person before her wasn't just a profligate; he also possessed a clear sense of right and wrong. He remembered kindness shown to him.

"In that case, on behalf of the Royal City's spirit refiners, I thank Young Master Xu," Dong Ling said, her expression becoming serious.

Xu Xiaoshou's face straightened, and he flicked his sleeve. "It's President Xu!"

Dong Ling blinked, then smiled. "Yes, I should indeed adjust my address. President Xu."

At this point, the information panel had changed from "Suspected" to "Grateful."

Xu Xiaoshou knew his sincere words had touched President Dong Ling. He also knew the woman had fallen into his trap. From then on, the exclusive supply rights of Crimson Gold Liquid would no longer belong solely to the greedy cat, but to all the powerful figures of the Alchemist Association.

As for the exclusive resale rights, he had previously signed a contract with the Multigold Merchant Guild, and the future market was vast. This transfer meant that Xu Xiaoshou was essentially just selling the formulas for Crimson Gold Liquid and Spirit Refinement Fluid. But it wasn't a cheap overall package deal; he merely sold the method. He had transformed from a laborer into a shareholder, starting to draw dividends from the Alchemist Association.

From now on, Xu Xiaoshou and Greedy God wouldn't have to work. The spiritual medicines from the Multigold Merchant Guild would still be transported to him as usual. He could choose to distribute some or hoard them all. The association, under the guise of providing training for their alchemists, would use the association's spiritual medicines to refine Crimson Gold Liquid and other elixirs, then have the Multigold Merchant Guild sell the finished products.

The proceeds from sales would be divided, with a share for the association, a share for the Multigold Merchant Guild, and the rest... Xu Xiaoshou, without any initial capital input, would receive the largest share of the profits.

In short: "If you can't lead a team, you'll work yourself to death alone."

The cooperation was established. Xu Xiaoshou knew he had achieved financial liberation, becoming a free man from that moment on. As long as the Royal City Alchemist Association Headquarters remained standing and the Multigold Merchant Guild stayed in business, spiritual crystals would continuously flow into his account.

Not only that...

"Grateful, Passive Points, 1."

The information panel continuously displayed Dong Ling's fluctuating emotions. The woman would occasionally glance back at Xu Xiaoshou, unable to fathom how such a good person could exist in the world.

Xu Xiaoshou smiled. He had not only achieved financial and professional freedom but had also gained the friendship of the Royal City Alchemist Association. In the future, if he ever got into trouble, Dong Ling would undoubtedly be the first to fight desperately to help him. After all, with every batch of Crimson Gold Liquid produced, Dong Ling, as a powerful figure in the Alchemist Association, was sure to profit.

"Such mutual benefit, everyone happy... how dirty it all is," Xu Xiaoshou mused with a sigh.

On the judges' platform.

A dozen or so old presidents could no longer restrain themselves and were attempting to attack the defensive spiritual formation. In the blink of an eye, not only was the honorary vice-president position gone, but the supply rights for Crimson Gold Liquid had vanished, and Young Master Xu had even brought up Spirit Refinement Fluid...

"Shameless, Dong Ling, you are utterly shameless!"

"Do you have no shame, trapping a dozen old men like us with a spiritual formation?"

"After today, I will definitely report this to the Central Domain Alchemist Association Headquarters and list all your transgressions."

"Crimson Gold Liquid, Crimson Gold Pills – those are the interests of my Tianyuan City! This brat snatching food from a tiger's mouth will surely suffer divine retribution!"

"Dreadful!"

From the audience's perspective.

The old judges calmly returned to their seats, each with a faint smile, looking unconcerned.

"The Alchemist Association is truly harmonious, unlike our factions, where open and covert struggles for power, even deadly ones, occur between different peaks."

"Indeed. I previously thought President Lu would be collaborating with Young Master Xu on the Crimson Gold Liquid. I never expected President Dong Ling to secure the partnership rights. His composure suggests they had already discussed it beforehand."

"They are masters, truly masters."

"We cannot even compare; it's simply breathtaking."

The alchemy competition concluded.

With the event over, Xu Xiaoshou, bearing the champion's title, a fourth-grade badge, the Flat Lake Azure Blossom, and the coveted Royal City Trial Jade Pendant, returned to his old haunt, the First Tower in the Sky. On his way back, various major factions, previously uncontacted, emerged like mushrooms after rain, all eager to connect. Their discussions invariably revolved around cooperation and mutual benefit.

Xu Xiaoshou rejected them one by one.

What a joke! Collaborating with these local factions of Dongtian Royal City would at best only radiate across the city's territory, allowing him to harvest a small portion of 'leeks' (a metaphor for easily exploitable people/resources). However, cooperating with continent-wide organizations like the Multigold Merchant Guild and the Alchemist Association would impact all five domains. It was obvious which held more weight. Therefore, no matter how tempting or appealing the conditions offered by the various factions, Xu Xiaoshou didn't even meet them, simply instructing Xiao Wanfeng to turn them away.

But he kept one person. The reason was simple: that violent girl, carrying a large bathtub, almost tore down the signboard of the First Tower in the Sky. Not to mention Xiao Wanfeng, even Xin Gugu was struggling to handle her.

"Miss Hua, what exactly do you want?"

After dismissing everyone as requested, leaving only Xu Xiaoshou and Hua Ying in the main hall of the First Tower in the Sky, Xu Xiaoshou asked directly. Hua Ying carried the large bathtub, showing no intention of putting it away, looking as if she'd start a fight if he didn't meet her. She bounced the large bathtub on her back. "Do you recognize this?"

"Yes, I do!" Xu Xiaoshou nodded. "It's an alchemy cauldron, a rather large one. It's certainly not a bathtub, is it?"

*Keep pretending, you...* Hua Ying chuckled coldly. "During the alchemy competition, why didn't you dare to showcase your alchemy techniques? Why did you use those black chickens to distract everyone?"

"Black chickens?" Xu Xiaoshou listened to the echo in the empty hall, then smiled and spread his hands. "What black chickens? That's my Xu Clan alchemy! Miss Hua, aren't you insulting my Xu Clan alchemy by saying that?"

"Xu Clan?" Hua Ying was furious. "So, your final pill-congealing technique was also a Xu Clan pill-congealing technique?"

Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow, then directly opened the Eight Trigrams Pilgrimage Diagram, blocking the view of several people on the second floor, including Xiao Wanfeng. His expression became serious.

"Miss Hua..."

"Don't call me Miss Hua!" Hua Ying interrupted. She always felt that Young Master Xu's address was somewhat disrespectful. But she couldn't pinpoint why; she just felt as if he was teasing her.

"Alright, little Miss Hua..."

"Call me Hua Ying!"

"We aren't that familiar with each other..." Xu Xiaoshou's words trailed off as the violent girl's glare cut him short. He chuckled wryly, "Alright, Miss Hua Ying, what exactly do you want?"

While Hua Ying wasn't skilled in alchemy, her cultivation wasn't weak, so she could sense the spiritual array fluctuations around them. Knowing they were no longer being watched, she grew bolder.

"Xu Xiaoshou!"

"Hmm?" Xu Xiaoshou flinched, seemingly startled. "Miss Hua, you shouldn't use such an address! I am the legitimate heir of the Xu family from Taixiang in the Northern Domain..."

"Senior Martial Uncle Xu!" Hua Ying interrupted.

Xu Xiaoshou was speechless.

Senior Martial Uncle...

That address...

"Why won't you acknowledge me?" Hua Ying asked sadly, unable to understand.

Xu Xiaoshou's heart rippled, but his face remained impassive. "Miss Hua Ying, I'm genuinely curious. Why do you always insist I'm your Senior Martial Uncle Xu? Is it just because of the surname? Are you sure you haven't made a mistake?"

"I haven't made a mistake..." Hua Ying shook her head decisively, explaining, "Others might not recognize the Burning Radiance Pill-Congealing Technique, but as a Burning Radiance successor, how could I not? You are clearly my master Bai Lian's senior brother, and the disciple of my grand-master Mu Lin's senior brother, Sang Qiye. Do you really think I'm so stupid I can't figure anything out?" Hua Ying felt her intelligence was being insulted. She might be bad at alchemy, but that didn't mean she had a problem with her intellect.

Hearing this, Xu Xiaoshou also realized something was amiss. This girl had tried to acknowledge their kinship last time. After witnessing the Burning Radiance Pill-Congealing Technique this time, she had become even more insistent. But she didn't seem to be here to blame him... Nor did she seem to be an enemy... At least after a few interactions, this girl hadn't displayed the cunning and manipulative abilities that Xu Xiaoshou had encountered in truly intelligent people before. Clearly, she wasn't pretending to be foolish; she was genuinely foolish.

In that case, perhaps some things could be directly addressed.

"Let me put it this way: even though I'm not the Senior Martial Uncle Xu you're talking about, I wouldn't mind hearing why you're so convinced that I am your Senior Martial Uncle Xu," Xu Xiaoshou said, using a tactic of retreating to advance.

The young girl's mind was clearly not very sharp, and she immediately fell for his probing. She pulled out a letter from her robes.

"This letter was given to me by my master, Bai Lian. His mission for me was to descend the mountain and find the successor of Grand-master Sang's lineage, which is you, Xu Xiaoshou!"

"As for the letter's true intent, I've clarified it during my time down the mountain: the Saint Slave Sang Qiye, who is Grand-master Sang, has been apprehended by the Holy Divine Palace, leaving you, a solitary individual, still wandering outside."

"I'm not stupid. How could I not realize that this letter isn't truly from my master but from my grand-master Mu Lin, or even my great-grand-master, the Half-Saint Burning Radiance?"

"His disciple, Sang Qiye, rebelled against the Saint Palace a long time ago. But you're not. On the surface, there's no clue indicating you're Sang Qiye's disciple. You're merely a Burning Radiance successor who has been wandering outside and simply hasn't returned to the Saint Palace."

"Great-grand-master wants you to come home. Once you're home, you'll be safe. But why won't you acknowledge me and come home?"

Hua Ying grew anxious as she spoke. What she couldn't understand was why Senior Martial Uncle Xu simply wouldn't agree. If he did, the Saint Palace could fully protect him; there were too many excuses available to them. But he continuously refused. What exactly was his intention?

Xu Xiaoshou fell silent after hearing her explanation. He finally understood Hua Ying's true purpose in coming. So, the old man Sang's words in the Eight Palaces, "Your next backer, Long Rongzhi," just before he took the arrow, had meant *this*?

"May I see this letter?" Xu Xiaoshou asked, looking gravely at the envelope.

Hua Ying instantly withdrew her hand, her face etched with suspicion. "No. You can only see it once you confirm that you are my Senior Martial Uncle Xu."

*Oh, you foolish girl, how can you still think you're not stupid even now?* Xu Xiaoshou was exasperated. This was a successor of the Burning Radiance lineage? Had her brain been burned out by the Burning Radiance White Flames?! If she had truly found the wrong person, wouldn't she be playing a game of truth with a complete stranger? And if that stranger merely nodded, she would hand over the greatest evidence of the Saint Palace harboring a dark force right then and there?

*It's a good thing you actually found the right person...* Xu Xiaoshou muttered inwardly. He genuinely didn't know if Hua Ying was just a fool blessed with good fortune, or something else entirely. So naive, yet she somehow managed to stumble upon the true individual.

However...

Should he accept this letter? Should he read it?