"It's actually a Void Heavenly Horse Beast. Who is this? Their display is so grand."
"Those who can control a Void Heavenly Horse Beast are no ordinary people."
Exclamations rang out among the crowd as they watched the Heavenly Horse Beast carriage fly past.
Xiao Li also glanced over and saw a golden-yellow circular badge, like a pill, hanging on the carriage.
"Look at that badge, they are from the Dan Family," Ye Zhong proactively explained to Xiao Li.
"The Dan Family, one of the Five Great Families? Their pomp is indeed impressive," Xiao Li praised.
In comparison, the Ye Family's display was far too small, not on the same level at all.
Ye Zhong clearly noticed this too, a bitter smile appearing on his face: "When my Ye Family was at its peak, we also had such presence. Unfortunately, times have changed, and we have declined."
This huge disparity was felt most deeply by those directly involved.
"Let's go."
Xiao Li proactively changed the subject.
Whether the Dan Family was strong or weak had little to do with him.
The group soon arrived at the Ye Family's manor in Holy Pill City.
"Elder, you've arrived."
There were people guarding the manor, and upon seeing Ye Zhong and the others, they quickly stepped forward to greet them.
"Hmm, have all the rooms been cleaned?"
"They've all been cleaned."
"Alright. Elder Xiao, please come in." Ye Zhong invited Xiao Li inside.
The manor was a bit desolate, far less grand than the Ye Family's manor in Ye City.
After all, the Ye Family rarely came here; with no one to attend to it, it was already quite good that a manor was still maintained.
"Elder Xiao, we'll rest here tonight. When the time comes, we'll go participate in the assessment," Ye Zhong said.
Xiao Li nodded and casually entered a room.
However, Medusa found Xiao Li: "Xiao Li, you stay here and participate in the assessment with them. I'm going out for a walk."
This had been agreed upon earlier; once they reached Holy Pill City, Medusa wanted some free time.
Xiao Li had no objections and nodded: "Be careful."
"Don't worry. Although this is Holy Pill City, there aren't many people who are my match."
Medusa snorted softly and flew off.
With her current Two-Star Dou Zun cultivation, although not considered extremely strong, few could harm her.
And Xiao Li settled down in the manor… Holy Pill City grew increasingly crowded, with the clamor audible even several streets away.
Xiao Li had originally wanted to rest, but listening to the noise outside, he was helpless.
"Elder Xiao?"
A knock sounded at the door, along with Ye Xinlan's voice.
"What is it?"
Xiao Li went to open the door and saw Ye Xinlan standing there with a basin of water.
"What is this?"
"The Elder said that now that we've arrived in Holy Pill City, who knows how many people are watching us, both openly and secretly."
"So, from now on, we need to act… which means, I am now Elder Xiao's fiancée…"
The girl's cheeks were slightly flushed.
"I am now going to do some things a fiancée should do, like bringing hot water for Elder Xiao to wash his feet."
"Come in first."
Xiao Li let Ye Xinlan in, then closed the door.
"Elder Xiao, let me serve you by washing your feet."
Ye Xinlan put down the basin of hot water and said.
"Don't worry, I've already set up a barrier around the manor. Ordinary people can't spy on us. Just put the water down," Xiao Li said.
Upon arriving at the manor, he had immediately set up a barrier.
Unless it was a Dou Saint powerhouse, no one would be able to spy on the situation here.
And in the entire Holy Pill City, apart from those reclusive old monsters of the Pill Tower, there wasn't a single Dou Saint.
"It's not entirely for acting. Elder Xiao is willing to help, and Xinlan is deeply grateful."
"So, I hope Elder Xiao will allow Xinlan to do some insignificant things, as a small token of my appreciation."
Ye Xinlan said, her head slightly bowed.
Xiao Li's willingness to help the Ye Family was a great favor to them, and the Ye Family had not promised Xiao Li any reward.
Therefore, Ye Xinlan felt very apologetic and wanted to serve Xiao Li a little.
Xiao Li understood her inner thoughts, so he didn't refuse. He sat on the bed and let Ye Xinlan wash his feet.
Ye Xinlan half-knelt on the ground, her head slightly bowed, meticulously performing the task at hand.
As Xiao Li sat on the bed, looking down from above, his gaze happened to fall upon the opening at Ye Xinlan's collar, revealing a deep cleavage and delicate, snow-white skin.
He hadn't expected Ye Xinlan to be quite well-endowed.
"Xinlan, if I help your Ye Family pass the assessment, what reward do you plan to give me?" Xiao Li suddenly asked.
Ye Xinlan paused, her head slightly bowed, and said: "I know our Ye Family can't offer Elder Xiao much in terms of reward, so… Elder Xiao can make any request, and we will do our utmost to fulfill it."
She had already discussed this with Ye Zhong earlier.
Even if Xiao Li didn't ask, they would eventually say the same thing.
After all, they needed to be sensible.
"Indeed, your Ye Family doesn't have anything that catches my eye. Whether it's cultivation techniques, Dou Skills, or medicinal ingredients, mine are all better than yours."
"So, I don't need those things. I only want you."
Xiao Li reached out and gently lifted Ye Xinlan's snow-white chin.
The girl froze for a moment, a blush quickly rising to her face: "Elder Xiao means…"
"I don't want to just pretend to be your fiancé. I want to truly become your man." Xiao Li looked into her eyes, his tone full of dominance.
"Xinlan, I want you to be my woman. Are you willing?"
Ye Xinlan's heart pounded faster, her thin lips pursed, her eyes misting slightly with tears, and she said:
"If Elder Xiao doesn't mind Xinlan, Xinlan is willing to be Elder Xiao's woman…"
She didn't reject Xiao Li.
Although she hadn't reached the point of explicitly liking Xiao Li, if this was the only way for Xiao Li to help the Ye Family, she was willing.
At the very least, compared to marrying Cao Dan, Xiao Li made her feel more at ease and without repulsion.
"Then Xinlan, serve Elder Xiao tonight…"
Ye Xinlan bit her thin lip, her hand about to untie her sash.
"No rush." Xiao Li pressed her hand down.
"After I help your Ye Family pass the assessment, it won't be too late for you to serve me. You can also think it over carefully these next few days, so you don't regret it later."
Ye Xinlan's eyes immediately reddened, and she nodded: "Mm… Thank you, Elder Xiao."
"Alright, don't be so upset."
Xiao Li raised his hand to wipe away the tear about to fall from her eye.
"Go back and rest."
"Mm…" Ye Xinlan nodded and turned to leave the room… The next day, Ye Zhong found Xiao Li.
"Elder Xiao, before participating in the assessment, one needs to obtain an Alchemist rank badge recognized by the Pill Tower. So today, we still need to go and test our rank first."
"Is it that troublesome?"
Ye Zhong expressed a slight apology and said: "This is the Pill Tower's rule, mainly to facilitate standardized criteria."
"Alright, lead the way."
...