He stepped forward and handed the jade box to Xiao Tian. "This is a Seven-Star Ganoderma that my father obtained by chance. Our family has never had a use for it, so today I would like to present it to you as a small token of our gratitude."
At the words "Seven-Star Ganoderma," even Xuan Yi, who usually took no interest in such matters, raised her head and looked at the jade box.
Xiao Tian was mildly surprised as well. He had not expected the other party to produce something so precious. He reached out and took the box.
Inside lay a ganoderma, its surface marked with seven star-like patterns arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper. It was clearly no ordinary treasure.
The Seven-Star Ganoderma could hardly be called a medicinal ingredient in the usual sense. It was not refined into a pill alongside other herbs. It served only as an auxiliary material, and it had a single effect: it raised the success rate of pill refinement. Even for a Grade 8 Nine-Color Pill, it could add one to two tenths to the chance of success, an enormous margin.
Among Alchemists, it was one of the most coveted treasures in the world, and even Xuan Yi could not look past it.
Everyone knew that a Grade 8 Alchemist had to go to extraordinary lengths just to gather the ingredients for a single pill, and that failure was still all too likely. Once a refinement failed, all the time and effort spent beforehand was lost.
If news of this treasure ever left the Liu Family, Alchemists might rush to buy it the very next day, and some might harbor darker intentions.
Liu Shan knew that Xiao Tian was an Alchemist. That was why he had chosen to cater to his interests and had brought out the Seven-Star Ganoderma from the family's collection.
Liu Qing stood up as well. "Keeping this is never safe for us, Xiao Tian. Only you have the ability to bring out its full worth. Please, don't refuse."
Although it was the most valuable possession the Liu Family owned, they had no use for it. There was not a single Alchemist among their direct bloodline, and to waste such a heavenly treasure on low-grade pills would be a terrible shame.
Holding on to it was like gripping a burning coal. If it were ever exposed, the Liu Family would be wiped out in no time. As for selling it, Liu Shan did not even dare consider it. A treasure like this could drive many people to take desperate risks.
"In that case, I'll accept your gift without shame." Xiao Tian did not refuse. The treasure held real appeal for him, and no Alchemist could easily turn away from such a thing.
When Liu Shan saw Xiao Tian accept it so calmly, a flicker of satisfaction crossed his eyes, though it was hard to notice. He had brought out the gift precisely to win Xiao Tian's friendship. "Haha, I'm glad Young Master Xiao likes it. As the saying goes, a fine sword belongs in a hero's hand. This herb can only truly fulfill its purpose in yours."
After the group had chatted a while longer, the welcome banquet that the Liu Family had arranged was soon ready. Cups clinked and laughter rose, and the feast carried on until the end of the Xu hour. Afterward, Liu Fei led Xiao Tian to the guest room that had been prepared for him in advance.
In the guest hall, Liu Shan watched the figures of Xiao Tian and the others fade into the distance, awe flickering in his eyes.
"Father, what did you think? I wasn't wrong about him, was I? You still didn't believe me." Liu Qing came to his father's side, speaking with barely hidden excitement. When he had first described Xiao Tian, his father had assumed he was exaggerating.
"Unfathomable." It was the only word Liu Shan could find. No other word could capture how he understood Xiao Tian.
"That's it exactly. Back then, he overshadowed all of Jia Nan Academy. No one could even hope to catch up with him," Liu Qing said with a sigh.
"A man like that cannot be taken as a goal, for even a lifetime of effort would not let you glimpse his shadow. He cannot be compared with ordinary people. Just take one step at a time and do your best." Liu Shan patted his son's shoulder. As a father, he understood his child's feelings very well.
"I understand, Father." Liu Qing took a deep breath and nodded. There was no trace of discouragement in his eyes.
Liu Shan nodded with satisfaction at his son's expression. Then he turned his gaze to the night sky outside and spoke in a low voice. "There is another point we must not overlook. The woman beside him is also extraordinary. I sensed that her strength is no less than Xiao Tian's. She says little, but from her words and bearing, her background is certainly not small. She may even come from a power on the level of Burning Flame Valley. So during these days, treat them well, and do not slight them."
"Qing'er understands!" Liu Qing nodded firmly.
Then he suddenly remembered something. When the Black-Corner Region had invaded Jia Nan Academy, the most powerful leader who had brought the Heaven Punishing Divine Palace to the Academy's aid was rumored to be one of Xiao Tian's women.
Still, considering Xiao Tian's strength and looks, it was only natural that outstanding women would be drawn to him. If Liu Qing were a woman, he thought, her standard for a partner would be someone just like Xiao Tian.
Xiao Tian: Brother, there's no need for that comparison!!
After first settling Xiao Tian in his guest room, Liu Fei led Xuan Yi and the little girls to the room next door.
Xiao Ling and Xiao Meng usually slept with Xuan Yi, so both of them had wanted to share her room this time too.
"Is this room all right?" Liu Fei asked, pushing open the door.
She looked at Xuan Yi's peerless beauty and her mature, intelligent air, and for a moment she simply stared, her eyes full of envy.
"This will do." Xuan Yi looked around. The room was clean and tidy, and she nodded in satisfaction.
"I'm glad you like it." Liu Fei turned her hand over, and a jade card appeared in her palm. "This is the Liu Family's own jade card. With it, you can take anything for free from any store that carries the Liu Family's emblem."
Xuan Yi did not refuse the kind gesture and took the card. She had no intention of using it. Her own wealth was more than enough to buy every item in every shop in Tianhuang City.
"Then I won't disturb you any longer." Seeing her accept the card, Liu Fei smiled, bowed with graceful courtesy, and withdrew.
In the guest room, Xuan Yi could not help smiling as she watched the two little girls rolling and playing on the bed.
Knock, knock.
Someone was at the door.
Xiao Ling and Xiao Meng stopped playing and looked toward it. Xuan Yi paused for a moment and realized it was Xiao Tian. She rose, went to the door, and opened it. She looked at him standing there and asked, "Why are you here?"