Chapter 223 - 103: There’s No Such Thing as a Free Elixir Pill, a Timely Relief for a Pressing Need?

After leaving those words and the elixir pill, Jiang Lan departed from the Observatory.

He wasn’t worried that Xie Jianjia would refuse it; this was also a chance to get under Xiao Teng’s skin.

Unfortunately, for someone blessed with such immense luck, Xiao Teng’s mental fortitude was surprisingly firm. Even in that situation, Jiang Lan hadn’t managed to leech any of his fortune.

Jiang Lan found this a little disappointing.

As for what would happen after Xie Jianjia took the elixir pill, that part would be easy. Jiang Lan would teach her a lesson: there’s no such thing as a free elixir pill in this world. And another... never eat anything a stranger gives you.

"The Rejuvenating Turtle Breath Pill..."

Xie Jianjia stared at the small white jade bottle outside the Profound Iron Fence, her heart twisting with conflict.

However, since Xiao Teng was still there, she merely glanced at it before pulling her gaze away.

"Jian Jia..."

Xiao Teng noticed Xie Jianjia’s expression. His lips parted as if to speak, but he couldn’t find the words.

A knot of frustration and helplessness tightened in his chest.

It wasn’t just because of Jiang Lan’s "frank" words moments ago, but also because he had absolutely no way to deal with Xie Jianjia’s current situation.

He had never heard of the Rejuvenating Turtle Breath Pill, and he couldn’t be sure if Jiang Lan’s words were true. More importantly, he had no idea if Jiang Lan had tampered with the pill.

But he understood one thing: if they could fool the Immortal Suppression Bureau and allow Xie Jianjia to keep her cultivation and strength, that would be the best possible outcome.

Surely, Xie Jianjia wouldn’t want to fall from being a dazzling, heaven-favored prodigy to a mere commoner.

He wouldn’t be able to accept such a drastic fall from grace himself...

In the cell opposite them, Xie Qing and Xie Yunshuang were also silent.

Although Jiang Lan’s true intention in leaving the pill was to prevent Xie Jianjia’s Immortal Phoenix True Blood from going to waste, his words had struck a chord. They, too, couldn’t bear to watch the future hope of the Xie Family fall from grace and be reduced to a mortal.

When Xie Jianjia was born, the phantom of an Immortal Phoenix descended from the heavens, transforming into a wisp of immortal light that entered the spot between her brows.

She was exceptionally gifted; from a young age, her cultivation speed far surpassed that of ordinary people.

At the age of seven, she was carried away by a Bai He to wander the world. Upon her return, she had obtained a drop of Immortal Phoenix True Blood, causing her power to advance by leaps and bounds. Among the younger generation of the Xie Family, no one was her match—not even her brother, who was many years her senior.

"Jian Jia..." The two men looked at the white porcelain Pill Bottle, their lips moving, but they too were at a loss for words.

"Father, Brother, Jian Jia understands what you’re thinking. But this elixir pill was left by that villain. I will not take it, no matter what."

"Besides, I’ve never even heard of a Rejuvenating Turtle Breath Pill. There’s no guarantee that scoundrel isn’t just using the name as a cover while he’s tampered with it."

"And if my cultivation is destroyed and I become a mere mortal, I’ll no longer have the Immortal Phoenix True Blood, so I won’t have to worry about that villain lusting after it."

Xie Jianjia gently shook her head, her tone uncharacteristically firm.

She knew Xiao Teng held a grudge, and this posture—feigning retreat to advance—was meant to put his mind at ease.

’But she *had* heard of the Rejuvenating Turtle Breath Pill before, even if she’d never actually seen one.’

’There was no way to know if the pill before her was genuine.’

’Jiang Lan could have easily just used the name while tampering with the contents. For safety’s sake, she had to be vigilant.’

"Jian Jia, you..."

Seeing her attitude, Xiao Teng relaxed slightly. A comforting smile touched his lips as he said, "Actually, that villain Jiang Lan wasn’t wrong. If you can preserve your cultivation and strength, you’ll have a chance to turn things around in the future, a chance to clear the Xie Family’s name..."

"I know you’re unwilling to accept an elixir pill from that villain, but look at it another way. Isn’t this tantamount to him arming his own enemy?"

"Don’t just act on emotion. That villain was certainly arrogant with his words, but are you really willing to let so many years of arduous cultivation be wiped away?"

"Only by becoming stronger in the future will you have a chance to bring down the Prime Minister’s Mansion. Only then will the perseverance of Uncle Xie Qing and Brother Yunshuang not be in vain."

His tone was gentle and persuasive. Worried that she wouldn’t see reason, he deliberately mentioned Xie Qing and Xie Yunshuang.

Hearing this, Xie Qing and Xie Yunshuang understood his logic and nodded. Though their hearts were filled with bitter reluctance, they could only accept the reality of the situation.

"Brother Xiao Teng, you... you want me to accept that villain Jiang Lan’s elixir pill?"

"Is it because... if I lose my cultivation and become a commoner, you won’t want me anymore...?"

Xie Jianjia’s full, crimson lips trembled, and the color began to drain from her face.

She looked at Xiao Teng with an expression of utter disbelief.

"No, of course not! Jian Jia, what are you thinking?"

"How could I ever not want you? I’m the one who’s worried you won’t want me!"

Xiao Teng rushed to explain, terrified she had misunderstood. "I know you hate that villain, but we really don’t have any other choice right now."

"Don’t pay any mind to his threats. I’m here. I’ll protect you. I won’t let him touch a single hair on your head."

Xie Jianjia fell silent. Her long eyelashes fluttered, and her pale, delicate hands clenched into tight fists.

「After a long while.」

She finally spoke in a low voice, "I understand. But, Brother Xiao Teng, I must ask you to take the elixir pill from the bottle to some Alchemy Dao masters for appraisal. I’m worried that villain Jiang Lan has tampered with it in some way..."

Xiao Teng let out a long sigh of relief and thumped his chest in assurance. "Don’t you worry, Jian Jia. Leave it to me. Even if you hadn’t asked, I was going to get it appraised."