After hearing Mu Tie's narration, Jia Xingtian, who had been calm at first, suddenly became sharp in his eyes. He asked Mu Tie, "Is what you said true?"
Nodding, Mu Tie said solemnly, "It's absolutely true. I saw him fly with his Dou Qi wings. He also took out the badge of a sixth-grade alchemist and used strange fire."
Jia Xingtian narrowed his eyes and fell into deep thought. He knew a little about Xiao Ling.
When the news came from Wutan City, Xiao Ling had already left the Jia Ma Empire and went to study at the Canaan Academy in the Black Horn Region.
Later, after Xiao Yan's talent rose, because he had an engagement with the Nalan family, and the eldest daughter of the Nalan family, Nalan Yanran, joined the Yunlan Sect and became Yun Yun's direct disciple, Jia Xingtian became wary.
A detailed investigation was conducted into Xiao Ling's past, and several members of the Xiao family were questioned. Unfortunately, apart from cultivation, Xiao Ling spent time with a young woman from the clan. Both of them had attended Canaan Academy at a young age. Aside from their appearance, nothing useful could be found, leaving them with a regret for not discovering this genius sooner.
It must be said that the Xiao family's deliberate concealment of Xiao Ling's talent did indeed save him from considerable trouble when he was still weak. While they couldn't completely block information about Xiao Ling, those who heard the rumors believed it was exaggerated. After all, the Jia Ma Empire had never seen such a genius in all its years.
Stroking his graying beard, Jia Xingtian muttered to himself, "Now that Xiao Ling has risen to prominence, I don't know if this is a blessing or a curse."
Mu Tie, standing beside him, recalled Xiao Ling's earlier remarks and quickly spoke up, "Xiao Ling also said he wanted the royal family to do something for him. He could refine elixirs for them."
"Then please elaborate on what kind of help he needs from the royal family, and what's the reward?" Jia Xingtian asked curiously. Xiao Ling hadn't expressed any preference for either faction, so even if he couldn't win over the royal family, it wouldn't hurt to have a good relationship with
him. Reflecting on Xiao Ling's explanation, Mu Tie said, "Xiao Ling seems to want to bring his family back to the imperial capital and hopes someone from the royal family can escort them there. His reward is that if we can gather the ingredients for three Po Zong Dan pills, he'll help refine one."
After hearing Mu Tie's words, especially at the mention of "Po Zong Dan," Jia Xingtian's cloudy eyes seemed to light up.
The courtyard fell silent again, as Jia Xingtian seemed to digest this incredible information.
After a long silence, he took a sip of his tea and muttered to himself, "The Sect Breaking Pill! This is a sixth-grade, pinnacle elixir capable of helping a peak Dou Huang achieve a breakthrough to the Dou Zong stage. I never thought this boy could already refine it at such a young age. His talent is truly terrifying, truly worthy of being called 'the greatest demon in the Jia Ma Empire's millennia.' It seems he's unable to spend much time with his family and wants the royal family to take care of his clan more. But with the engagement between Xiao Yan, the third young master of the Xiao family, and Nalan Yanran, the eldest daughter of the Nalan family, why hasn't he sought help from the Nalan family and the Yunlan Sect? It seems there must be some hidden secret we're unaware of. Now that Xiao Yan's talent has faded, Nalan Yanran might even look down on him. Could it be..."
Jia Xingtian, a seasoned veteran, could already guess from the few words Xiao Ling had revealed that he held a prejudice against the Yunlan Sect.
After figuring things out, Jia Xingtian suddenly felt enlightened. The most urgent task was to communicate with Xiao Ling and establish a good relationship.
Furthermore, escorting the Xiao family members to the imperial capital was a trivial matter; it merely involved dispatching a few personnel.
As for security, no one in the Jiama Empire dared to openly challenge the imperial family.
He also coveted the Pozong Pill. If he could take one, perhaps he could achieve a Douzong breakthrough in his lifetime, extending his lifespan by a hundred years.
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With this in mind, Jia Xingtian decided to spring into action.
He addressed Mu Tie, "You've accomplished great service this time. You can claim the highest-level reward from the Meritorious Service. I need to attend to some matters first. Don't forget to return to your post at Zhengui Pass after claiming your reward. A sudden enemy attack without the Grand Commander would be disastrous."
With these words, Jia Xingtian unfurled his khaki wings and soared towards the Imperial Palace.
Gazing at Jia Xingtian's departure, Mu Tie breathed a sigh of relief, muttering to himself, "This task is finally accomplished. My days of travel have paid off. The letter to the Xiao family is arriving soon. I need to communicate with the head of the family. When the Xiao family relocates to the Imperial Capital, I must immediately establish good relations with them."
...
After a while of flight, Jia Xingtian arrived deep within the Imperial Palace, next to a quaint martial arts arena.
His gaze shifted to a woman on the stage, wielding a spear with a dashing demeanor.
This woman was none other than the eldest princess of the Jiama Empire, Yao Ye.
Seeing Jia Xingtian appear at the edge of the martial arts field, Yao Ye paused in her combat training, walked over, and curiously asked, "Grandpa, why did you have time to come to see Ye'er today? Is there something going on?"
Jia Xingtian didn't speak directly, but instead took Yao Ye to sit in a nearby pavilion.
After brewing two cups of tea, he handed one to Yao Ye, then picked up the other cup of fragrant tea, took a sip, and said, "The genius who was famous in the Gama Empire back then, Xiao Ling from the Xiao family in Wutan City, has returned from Canaan Academy after further studies. Now he is a Dou Wang powerhouse and a sixth-grade alchemist, and according to my calculations, his alchemy skills have surpassed Gu He. I came to you this time because I have something to arrange for you to do."
Yao Ye on the opposite side found it a little unbelievable after listening to Jia Xingtian's narration. How old was Xiao Ling now, but his cultivation was several realms higher than hers, and he was also a sixth-grade alchemist. According to what her great-grandfather said, his attainments in alchemy were even stronger than Gu He, the guest elder of Yunlan Sect.
After all, Yao Ye had received a good education since childhood, so he quickly accepted this fact. Since his great-grandfather had confirmed it, the news must be true. Curious, he asked, "Could it be that what Great-grandfather wants Ye Er to do is related to Xiao Ling?"
With a slight nod, Jia Xingtian told Yao Ye everything Mu Tie had previously described.
After Yao Ye digested this information, Jia Xingtian said, "Go and prepare three batches of medicinal materials for refining the Po Zong Dan. If there are any materials missing, go and exchange them with the major forces in the imperial capital. Make sure they are ready before Xiao Ling arrives!"
(End of this chapter)