Chapter 60: Nie Huixiang Arrives with Vengeance

The fact that the Sun family sent someone to deliver a gift took Wu Tian by surprise. He had never had any dealings with them, yet they had specially dispatched a family steward to offer congratulations. Wu Tian truly could not fathom their intentions.

“Master Wu, I’ve long heard of your illustrious name—the number one prodigy of the Qitian Sect in Pingyang City. Now, having secured first place in the sect’s grand competition and earning your entry into the Imperial Capital’s headquarters, you are indeed well-deserving of your reputation!” Upon entering the room, Sun Siqing greeted him with a beaming smile.

Wu Tian made a point to pour him a cup of tea, responding with a laugh, “Steward Sun, your praise is far too generous. How could I be the number one prodigy? If anything, I’d call myself the number one good-for-nothing.”

“If you’re the number one good-for-nothing, there aren’t many left who wouldn’t be called the same.” Sun Siqing gave Wu Tian a penetrating look, then drew an exquisite box from his robe. “Master Wu, I have come at the family head’s behest to present you with a humble gift: a mid-grade earth-tier Spirit Enhancement Pill. Taking this at the peak of the Martial Spirit realm will enable a breakthrough to the first level of Martial King. On behalf of the Sun family, I present this gift to you—please accept our token of respect.”

Wu Tian stared in astonishment at the pill in Sun Siqing’s hand. How could he not know its value? Even in the entire Wild Martial Empire, mid-grade earth-tier pills were exceedingly rare—let alone one capable of helping a peak Martial Spirit directly break through to Martial King. Such a treasure, if auctioned, would fetch no less than five million taels of silver.

That the Sun family would gift him such a pill so readily showed they were willing to spare no expense. Yet Wu Tian understood that accepting this gift would mean owing them a favor. He disliked being indebted to others. Besides, given his own skill in alchemy, he was confident he could craft such a pill himself in the future.

“Steward Sun, your family’s kindness is truly overwhelming. I am grateful for your thoughtfulness, but this gift is far too precious, and I must decline,” Wu Tian said, clasping his hands in polite refusal.

Sun Siqing looked at Wu Tian in mild surprise. Many coveted this pill, for it allowed a direct breakthrough to Martial King—a threshold many would never cross in their entire lives. Yet Wu Tian was unmoved. Sun Siqing could clearly see that Wu Tian’s eyes held only surprise, not the slightest trace of greed.

“Master Wu, this is merely a gesture of goodwill from our family. The Sun family and the Qitian Sect have always enjoyed a close relationship, and you are now a disciple of Qitian Sect. Perhaps, in days to come, we may have to rely on you. So I sincerely hope you will accept this small token,” Sun Siqing urged him with a smile.

But Wu Tian only shook his head. “Steward Sun, I understand your meaning, but I truly cannot accept this gift. However, I will remember the Sun family’s goodwill. Should you ever need my assistance in the future, I promise to help as much as I am able. Though I am no great figure, my word is my bond.”

Seeing that Wu Tian could not be persuaded, Sun Siqing could only shake his head with a wry smile. “Master Wu, you truly are an extraordinary man. Since you insist, I will not press you further. On behalf of the Sun family, let me once again congratulate you and wish you ever-greater achievements in your cultivation!”

“Thank you, Steward Sun, and thank the Sun family as well,” Wu Tian replied with a respectful bow.

“Master Wu, I have other matters to attend to and must take my leave,” Sun Siqing said, rising to his feet.

“Take care, Steward Sun,” Wu Tian replied.

With that, Sun Siqing clasped his hands in farewell and departed. He had come solely to convey the Sun family’s goodwill. Since Wu Tian would not accept the gift, there was nothing more he could do; at least the sentiment had been expressed.

Wu Tian understood the Sun family’s intent: to widen their network of connections. By winning first place in the sect’s competition, he was destined to become a member of Qitian Sect’s headquarters in the Imperial Capital. Showing goodwill toward him could only benefit the Sun family. If Wu Tian ever rose to prominence, they could always claim to have once sent him a congratulatory gift.

Wu Tian was a straightforward man—he responded to kindness with kindness. He knew the Sun family’s gesture was motivated by social interests, but at least it was more sincere than the City Lord’s Mansion. If the Sun family ever needed help, he would consider it.

After the Sun family’s people left, Wu Tian finally enjoyed some peace. After eating with Xiaohui, he began to refine pills. He had already struck a deal with Ning Yujiao, who had promised him many benefits in exchange for earth-tier or higher pills in two months. Wu Tian needed to prepare.

Since Sun Siqing had just brought out a Spirit Enhancement Pill, Wu Tian decided to craft one himself. He opened the system’s marketplace and brought up the pill recipe.

“Damn! This is ridiculously expensive—highway robbery! It costs 800 exchange points! Good thing I sold goods worth eight million taels of silver at Jiming Pharmacy this morning; that got me 800 points. Now, just buying this recipe has wiped out my exchange points—only the system’s reward remains. It feels like I’m back to square one!”

The creators of this system marketplace were real profiteers. When he’d bought a profound-tier recipe, it had cost less than ten exchange points; yet an earth-tier recipe was dozens of times more expensive. Nonetheless, Wu Tian chose to redeem it—if he could make a Spirit Enhancement Pill, he could easily earn back eight million taels of silver.

After redeeming the recipe, Wu Tian instantly absorbed its contents into his mind, the ingredient ratios forming automatically.

“Ten taels of Gathering Spirit Grass, eight taels of Shy Flower, twelve taels of Gold Thread Leaf... and this earth-tier herb Crimsonblood Grass—looks like I’m missing that one.” Wu Tian checked both his spatial ring and system inventory, discovering he lacked only Crimsonblood Grass. “Looks like I’ll have to make another trip to Jiming Pharmacy. Damn, if only I’d redeemed the recipe earlier—I could have saved myself a trip!”

With a resigned sigh, Wu Tian set out once again for Jiming Pharmacy to acquire the Crimsonblood Grass.

Not long after Wu Tian left home, Nie Huixiang arrived at his door, seething with anger, accompanied by Song Qianqian and ten shadow guards.

“Wu Tian, get your ass out here!” Nie Huixiang roared at the entrance.

Xiaohui, hearing the commotion, opened the door and confronted the murderous-looking Nie Huixiang. “Who are you?” she demanded.

“So you’re the maid in Wu Tian’s household? Damn, you’re quite a pretty one. Let me ask you—where’s that bastard Wu Tian?” Nie Huixiang’s eyes lit up at the sight of Xiaohui, then he questioned her.

“Our young master is not at home. Please leave,” Xiaohui replied firmly, sensing trouble and ordering them to go.

“Damn it! That bastard isn’t home?” Nie Huixiang frowned, then turned to Song Qianqian. “Qianqian, he’s not here—what should we do?”

“That bastard humiliated me so grievously—I will not let this go. Since his maid is here, let’s teach her a lesson first, then wait for him to return!” Song Qianqian said, her tone venomous.

“Well said! I’ll start by dealing with his maid, then!”