Nanli’s lips twitched slightly, an involuntary reaction to the familiar voice ringing out behind her. She didn’t even need to turn around to know who it was—Qing Feng, that goofy kid, no doubt about it.
Sure enough, he sauntered over, gnawing on a chicken leg with casual abandon. Grease glistened on his fingers as he pointed the drumstick at Bai Hao. "Old Man Bai, watch your mouth next ti," he said, his tone half-teasing, half-chiding.
Bai Hao chuckled, brushing it off with a wave of his hand. "Yes, yes, my mistake." But his eyes betrayed him, locked onto the chicken leg with an almost predatory gleam. The savory aroma wafted through the air, rich and tantalizing. He smacked his lips audibly, unable to hide his longing.
Qing Feng, oblivious—or perhaps deliberately ignoring the old man’s hunger—finished off the drumstick in a few quick bites, stripping it clean to the bone. He tossed the remains aside and turned to Nanli, his deanor softening.
She wasn’t just anyone to him; she was the princess, soone he felt compelled to show his loyalty to. "Princess, there’s more in the kitchen. Want so? I’ll grab it for you," he offered with a bright, eager grin.
Nanli’s gaze flicked to the chicken bone, then back to Qing Feng. She could tell at a glance that this wasn’t so ordinary fowl—it was likely a rare catch, sothing he’d hunted with effort. The thought of it ending up in her stomach instead of his felt wrong. "No thanks," she said kindly. "You eat up and take care of that injury of yours."
Qing Feng bead, nodding happily. "Alright!"
anwhile, Shi Miaomiao and her team of alchemists were hard at work, tirelessly practicing their craft. Nanli observed for a mont, offering a couple of pointers before retreating into the house to rest.
It wasn’t long before Shi Miaomiao burst in with good news—she’d succeeded! Far from resting on her laurels, she’d analyzed her first attempt, refined her technique, and produced a batch of Beast Food Pills with impressive quality. Exhaling in relief, she hurried to show Nanli.
Stepping outside, Nanli inspected the pills and nodded approvingly. "Not bad. You’ve made huge strides since last ti."
For an alchemist, such praise from a master like Nanli was worth more than stumbling across a pile of spirit stones.
Shi Miaomiao’s face lit up, her eyes crinkling into crescents. "It’s all thanks to your teaching! During this session, I’ve gained new insights—I can tweak so recipes when I get back." She practically glowed with satisfaction. This trip had been worth every second.
Bai Hao, however, couldn’t resist rolling his eyes so hard they nearly disappeared into his skull. "Oh, keep boasting, why don’t you?" he muttered, dripping with sarcasm.
Shi Miaomiao shot him a cold smirk. "Old man, I’ll admit I can’t beat you in a fight. But when it cos to alchemy? You’d better watch yourself."
"Watch myself? I’m just telling you to stay humble," Bai Hao retorted, though his bravado masked a gnawing unease. At his age and rank, he hated admitting it, but Shi Miaomiao’s talent unnerved him. Alchemy demanded natural aptitude, and his own was middling at best—he’d never whip up a Beast Food Pill in a morning like she had. His pride clung to him like a stubborn burr, forcing him to double down.
Shi Miaomiao saw right through him. With a sly grin, she said, "I’m humble enough already. Tell you what, old man—you watched earlier, right? If you can refine even one pill today, I’ll kneel right here and call you ’Grandpa.’"
Bai Hao’s face darkened, his jaw tightening. This brat wasn’t giving him an inch of dignity! She knew full well he couldn’t do it, yet she’d thrown down the gauntlet in front of everyone. His fists clenched, fury simring just beneath the surface.
Nanli, sensing the escalating tension, kept a close eye on them. This wasn’t just a personal spat—it was a clash of family pride, a microcosm of the rivalry between the Bai and Shi clans.
Alliances might hold for now, but in the Immortal World, there were no eternal friends or foes, only shifting tides of power. She braced herself, half-expecting Bai Hao to lash out in a fit of temper.
But then—unexpectedly—Bai Hao’s scowl morphed into a grin. "Fine, I could use a granddaughter. Shi Miaomiao, hand over the herbs. I’ll show you sothing today!" he declared, his voice brimming with defiance.
Nanli raised an eyebrow. He’s actually going for it?
Even Yun Yubai, usually a bystander, looked uneasy. "Old Man Bai, are you serious about this? You’re really going to refine it?" To an outsider like him, the Beast Food Pill seed far from simple.
Bai Hao flicked his sleeve dramatically. "Dead serious! Just wait—I’ll dazzle you all!"
Shi Miaomiao, grinning, gathered the leftover herbs and thrust them at him. "Hurry up then! I’m waiting!"
Snatching the materials, Bai Hao stord off in a huff, leaving the group staring after him, dumbfounded. Shan Yang fidgeted nervously. "Lord Shi, maybe... maybe we should let it go? Old Man Bai’s got thin skin. Push him too far, and he might do sothing drastic."
Shi Miaomiao waved it off. "He’s too attached to life to let this kill him. Don’t worry about it." Her focus shifted back to her alchemists. Though they hadn’t mastered the pill yet, her precise guidance had pushed them forward significantly. By midday, several of them succeeded, producing their own batches.
Around the sa ti, Chu Yang returned, his voice booming from the mountain’s base. "Sixth Sister!"
With a whoosh, he leaped halfway up the slope, sweat dripping from his brow after a long morning of errands. The crisp autumn air did little to mask the damp scent clinging to his clothes, but his energy was infectious, his eyes sparkling with vigor.
Dropping a pile of Qiankun Bags at Nanli’s feet with a flourish, he announced, "Herbs. Spirit Tree leaves. And most importantly—spirit stones! Second Brother said they found two new Spirit Mines. Told you to use them freely—look, he packed them in nested bags. Should last you half a month. Oh, and Mother made red date cakes for you!"
He carefully produced a food box, lifting the lid to reveal the fresh, steaming cakes inside—clearly made that very morning. Nanli’s heart stirred, a lump rising in her throat as her eyes prickled. "You went back on a whim," she said softly. "How’d you just happen to catch Mom making these? Red date cakes take a day to prep."
Chu Yang grinned, scratching his head. "Not a coincidence. Mom prepares the ingredients every day and makes a batch, just in case you drop by."
The words hit Nanli like a warm wave, her nose tingling with unshed tears. She dipped her head slightly. "I see..."
Noticing her lancholy, Chu Yang hurried to reassure her. "I told Grandma and Mother about you. They’re thrilled—said not to worry. They’re doing fine." He handed out items for Yun Yubai and Shandu too, puffing up with a touch of pride. Who else could pull off so much in half a day?
"Alright," Nanli replied, her voice thick. Pregnancy had sharpened her emotions, and thoughts of family flooded her with longing. She hoped things here would settle soon so she could visit Mu Nation, even briefly. The Honorary Emperor would be overjoyed to see Siheng in his lifeti. No ti to waste—she instructed Shan Yang and the others to unpack the Qiankun Bags.
Shi Miaomiao, eyeing Chu Yang curiously and scheming internally, jolted at the sheer volu of materials. "This much? How many pills are we making?" she asked, snapping back to focus.
"A al? A day?" Nanli shrugged. "Do your best today. Tomorrow, you’ll get the hang of it. Oh, and when you’re done, put the pills in this big bowl. A spirit beast might co eat them—don’t freak out." She set the bowl down squarely.
Shi Miaomiao, though puzzled, took the task seriously.
Underestimated? Not on her watch. She dove into refining imdiately.
Nanli slipped inside to nibble a red date cake, savoring its sweet warmth, when her Spirit Pet Bag quivered. Wiping her hands, she released little babe.
The mont its paws hit the ground, its stomach growled loudly.
The door stood wide open.
With a flick of its tail and a burst of fiery clouds beneath its feet, little babe—barely taller than the bowl—zood outside and leaped straight into the pile of pills, ready to feast.
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