Chapter 743: Mu Qingyuan’s Surprising Decision

Mu Linyue took her time refining the pill.

The Cui Clan members didn’t find this strange at all.

After all, refining a high-level Grade-5 pill was not easy, even for a Grade-5 Alchemist.

Every step required extreme precision.

A slight mistake could cause the entire refinement to fail.

Therefore, they patiently watched the process.

They were not in a hurry.

In fact, they enjoyed watching a high-level pill slowly come to life.

For an Alchemist, there was a certain satisfaction in witnessing the transformation of spiritual herbs into a powerful pill.

Of course, if they were familiar with Mu Linyue, they would know that she would have already finished refining the pill by now.

She was deliberatingly taking her time.

Several moments later—

A faint medicinal fragrance suddenly spread throughout the alchemy room.

The expressions of the Cui Clan members immediately changed.

"The pill is complete!"

Everyone’s eyes immediately fell upon the pill furnace.

Mu Linyue calmly opened the furnace.

A round pill slowly flew out.

She caught it in her hand.

The pill was smooth and lustrous, with a faint spiritual light surrounding it.

It was obviously a success.

"Perfect!"

One of the Cui Clan members couldn’t help but praise.

"Not only did she successfully refine a high-level Grade-5 pill, but the quality of the pill is also extremely high."

Another Cui Clan member nodded.

"Such talent is truly rare. To think that someone from the Eastern Region could possess such alchemy talent."

Several people looked at Mu Linyue with admiration.

"Young Miss Mu is destined to become a Grandmaster Alchemist."

"With such talent, she is destined to have a place within our Cui Clan."

"That’s right. Someone like her should belong to a clan like ours."

Cui Yudan also nodded in satisfaction.

His gaze toward Mu Linyue had become even more interested.

"Not bad."

He then turned toward Ouyang Jiuding.

"Ouyang Jiuding."

Cui Yudan smiled.

"You didn’t exaggerate her talent. You have indeed brought me an excellent discovery."

Ouyang’s heart immediately filled with excitement.

He quickly bowed.

"It is my honor to be able to help Young Master Cui."

Cui Yudan nodded.

"You have done well. I will naturally reward you later."

Ouyang Jiuding’s smile became even wider.

"Thank you, Young Master Cui!"

He couldn’t have been happier.

Being favored by the Cui Clan was already an enormous opportunity.

However, Ouyang Jiuding didn’t care much about the reward itself.

What mattered was what came next.

His plan was finally moving in the direction he wanted.

The Cui Clan had taken an interest in Mu Linyue.

And once they learned about the relationship between the Mu Clan and the Bai Clan—

Conflict would inevitably arise.

At least, that was what Ouyang had expected.

He secretly glanced at Mu Qingyuan.

Then at Mu Linyue.

His eyes flashed with excitement.

Cui Yudan, however, suddenly turned toward Mu Qingyuan.

"Clan Leader Mu!"

Mu Qingyuan immediately looked toward him.

Cui Yudan smiled.

"I am very satisfied with your daughter’s performance."

He glanced at Mu Linyue.

"You have raised an excellent daughter."

Mu Qingyuan simply smiled.

"Thank you for your compliment, Young Master Cui."

Cui Yudan nodded.

He paused for a moment.

Then—

"I also have some good news for you."

Mu Qingyuan looked at him curiously.

"Good news?"

Cui Yudan smiled.

"That’s right."

He calmly said,

"From today onward, your Mu Clan can serve the Cui Clan."

Silence!

Ouyang Jiuding’s eyes immediately lit up.

(Finally!)

He had been waiting for this.

He knew very well that the Mu Clan was currently rising rapidly.

Even the Emperor of the Desolate Heaven Empire had to give the Mu Clan some face.

Therefore, it was impossible for the Mu Clan to willingly submit to another force.

That was exactly why Ouyang Jiuding had expected conflict.

He had hoped Cui Yudan would force the issue.

Once the Cui Clan and Mu Clan came into conflict—

The Bai Clan would inevitably become involved.

And when that happened, the Cui Clan would naturally come into contact with the Bai Clan.

Everything would proceed according to his plan.

Ouyang Jiuding could barely contain his excitement.

However, Mu Qingyuan’s next words completely stunned him.

"It is our honor."

Ouyang Jiuding froze.

His eyes widened.

"W-What?"

He almost thought he had heard incorrectly.

Mu Qingyuan smiled respectfully.

"To be able to serve the Cui Clan is the honor of our Mu Clan."

Cui Yudan was also slightly surprised.

He had expected some resistance.

After all, no one would willingly submit to another force simply because they were told to do so.

Even if the other party was powerful, there should at least be some reluctance.

Yet Mu Qingyuan had shown none.

"Good!"

Cui Yudan nodded.

"It seems that Clan Leader Mu understands the situation very well."

Ouyang Jiuding stood silently to the side.

His expression had become complicated.

Something was wrong.

This was completely different from what he had expected.

The Mu Clan had actually agreed?

Where was the conflict?

Where was the resistance?

For a moment, Ouyang Jiuding couldn’t understand what was happening.

Cui Yudan was in an excellent mood.

Since Mu Qingyuan had agreed so readily, there was naturally no need for him to waste any more time.

He began explaining what the Mu Clan would have to do after joining the Cui Clan.

"Since you have agreed to serve the Cui Clan, there are naturally some rules you must follow."

Mu Qingyuan nodded respectfully.

"Young Master Cui, please speak."

Cui Yudan smiled.

"It’s very simple. From now on, the Mu Clan will follow the orders of the Cui Clan. Whenever the Cui Clan needs something, the Mu Clan must do its best to provide it. Whether it is spiritual herbs, pills, or other resources, you must prioritize the Cui Clan."

He spoke casually.

It was as though the Mu Clan had already become a subordinate force.

Mu Qingyuan continued smiling.

"Of course!"

The Cui Clan members nodded in satisfaction.

They were quite pleased with Mu Qingyuan’s attitude.

Cui Yudan then continued.

"Naturally, the Cui Clan will not treat you unfairly. There will also be great benefits."

Mu Qingyuan’s eyes flashed with curiosity.

Cui Yudan smiled proudly.

"The Cui Clan can provide the Mu Clan with some Grade-6 and Grade-7 Alchemy Recipes."

Mu Qingyuan’s expression remained unchanged.

Grade-6 and Grade-7 Alchemy Recipes?

To the current Mu Clan, they were not particularly precious.

After all, Bai Zihan had already given the Mu Clan numerous high-grade Alchemy Recipes.

They had enough recipes to support the development of the Mu Clan’s Alchemists for a long time.

If it had been another Alchemy Clan offering them Grade-6 and Grade-7 recipes—

Perhaps they would have been tempted.

But for the current Mu Clan, having more Alchemy Recipes was not very tempting.

Of course, Mu Qingyuan still pretended to be excited and grateful.

Mu Qingyuan immediately smiled.

"Young Master Cui is truly magnanimous. We are blessed to be favored by Young Master Cui!"

Cui Yudan’s smile became even wider after hearing this.

He clearly enjoyed the praise.

"Of course! The Cui Clan has always treated those who serve us generously."

Mu Qingyuan nodded repeatedly.

"Since the Mu Clan has now become a force under the Cui Clan, this is naturally an occasion worth celebrating. Why don’t we hold a celebration banquet?"

"A celebration banquet?"

Cui Yudan’s eyes immediately lit up.

"That sounds good!"

He nodded without hesitation.

"Then let’s do that."

The other Cui Clan members also agreed.

"Since we have come all the way to the Eastern Region, it would be good to celebrate properly."

"Indeed! The Mu Clan joining our Cui Clan is certainly worth celebrating."

Ouyang Jiuding stood to the side.

He watched everything unfold with a strange expression.

How come he didn’t know the Mu Clan was this good at flattering?

When they sent people to join them previously, they weren’t even allowed inside the Mu Clan.

But now they agreed so easily, as if they didn’t care about what the Bai Clan thought.

The Mu Clan agreeing to the Cui Clan was unexpected but still, his plan to create conflict between the Cui Clan and the Bai Clan wasn’t affected.

After all, the Mu Clan was under the Bai Clan’s protection, and the Bai Clan certainly wouldn’t agree to the Mu Clan serving another clan.

Ouyang Jiuding thought that once the Bai Clan got this news, the conflict between the Bai Clan and the Cui Clan would be inevitable.

As for the Mu Clan acting oddly, it was understandable.

Even the Vermillion Pill Empire was serving the Cui Clan.

If the Mu Clan also knew who the Cui Clan was, perhaps this odd behavior was completely understandable.

Meanwhile, Cui Yudan’s thoughts had already shifted elsewhere.

He glanced toward Mu Linyue.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

The celebration banquet would be the perfect opportunity.

At that time, he could bring up the matter of taking Mu Linyue as his concubine.

Thinking about Mu Qingyuan’s attitude—

Cui Yudan was almost certain that the matter would be settled easily.

After all, Mu Qingyuan had agreed to let the entire Mu Clan serve the Cui Clan without hesitation.

Now he was offering to make that connection even stronger.

Would he really refuse such a tempting offer?

Obviously not!

Cui Yudan became increasingly confident.

As for Mu Linyue herself, he didn’t think there would be any problem either.

After all, what woman wouldn’t want to become the concubine of someone like him?

He was handsome.

He possessed extraordinary talent.

He came from the ancient and powerful Cui Clan of the Central Glorious Continent.

And he was destined to become one of the pillars of the Cui Clan.

In Cui Yudan’s eyes, Mu Linyue should consider it a blessing that he had taken a liking to her.

Everything was going exactly as he wanted.

At least, that was what he believed!