Cheng Xiaofan berated Lu Shengming viciously, calling him an idiot and questioning how he became the head of the Bureau of Jianghu Affairs.
He wondered why such a simple question, one a three-year-old could answer, had to be posed to him.
But!
As soon as the words left his mouth, Cheng Xiaofan was startled.
Lu Shengming was a cunning old schemer; every word he spoke had a hidden purpose.
How could he feel like the idiot, having fallen right into a trap?
"Alright, Xiaofan, your righteous words earlier truly moved me!"
Lu Shengming exclaimed loudly over the phone, "Well done! Old Lu hasn't befriended a righteous person like you in vain!"
"..." Cheng Xiaofan was taken aback.
When did he become this old man's righteous hero?
Was he trying to build a heroic persona for him?
"Old Lu, if you have something to say, just say it directly. Don't beat around the bush!" Cheng Xiaofan's tone shifted, sounding impatient.
Lu Shengming chuckled twice and said, "A group of foreign cultivators have infiltrated our borders and are causing trouble. We've trained some ancient martial artists to confront them. To effectively combat these foreign cultivators, the Jianghu Affairs Headquarters has commissioned me to ask for your help in refining a batch of potent pills to enhance internal potential."
"I know you're a genius and capable of developing such elixirs. As for the price, you will absolutely not be at a disadvantage."
So, this surname Lu finally revealed his true intentions.
He knew the government allocated a large sum of money to the Jianghu Affairs Headquarters annually, but the old folks in charge were all stingy.
Proximity breeds influence.
With Lu Shengming's superiors like that, could he be any better?
Thinking of the Dragon Candle Grass in his spatial realm, Cheng Xiaofan felt a pang, like a toothache, and let out a long sigh. "Old Lu, I can refine some power-enhancing pills for you, but the price cannot be too low!"
When had he ever spoken so submissively to someone surnamed Lu?
It was all his fault for being too boastful, only knowing how to talk big without realizing others were digging pits, waiting for him to jump in impulsively.
Hearing this, Lu Shengming burst into laughter, "Don't worry, I said the price won't disadvantage you. Once you've refined the pills, I'll have your beautiful disciple come to collect them!"
Seriously!
Was this guy trying the honey trap again?
*Slap!* Cheng Xiaofan no longer paid Lu Shengming any mind and hung up the phone.
He feared that if he continued talking to him, he might be tempted to climb through the phone and slap the man to the ground.
A moment later, Tang Guoxing returned from town.
Tang Guoxing greeted Cheng Xiaofan with a bow and said in a martial arts manner, "Xiaofan, my apologies. It's my first day here, and I wanted to ask for leave!"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled and replied, "Elder Tang, you are too polite. What leave are you talking about? Since you are here, we are family."
"Go ahead, what is it?"
Tang Guoxing smiled, "On my way to town, I called some relatives in the northwest and told them about my arrangements here."
"My relatives are very happy for me. And now that you've dealt with Yin Tiejiu and the others from the Black Lion Gang, I want to return to pay respects at my parents' graves!"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Xiaofan immediately said, "That is only right and proper. Elder Tang, when do you plan to leave?"
Tang Guoxing replied, "I believe there's no better time than the present. I'd like to leave tomorrow!"
Cheng Xiaofan completely understood his words. Back then, to escape the pursuit of the Black Lion Gang and protect his granddaughter, he was forced to wander abroad.
After so many years, it was rare for him to return to China.
Paying respects at ancestral graves was a filial tradition that had been practiced by Chinese people for thousands of years.
"Elder Tang, alright. You and Xiuwan can go back tomorrow. Shall I arrange for someone to escort you both in a private car?" Cheng Xiaofan asked.
Tang Guoxing said, "Xiuwan doesn't need to go back. I'm afraid if she goes, seeing the familiar surroundings will remind her of her parents' deaths, and she'll fall back into despair."
"There's no need for a car to take me either. I can go back alone!"
Cheng Xiaofan pondered for a moment and said, "Elder Tang, as you wish. You'll be seeing relatives you haven't met in many years. You can't go empty-handed. Tomorrow, I'll have Goddess Bai make arrangements to bring some specialty products from Zhuxi Village."
"Also, I'll have Luo Cheng drive you back. It's good to have company on the road so you don't feel lonely!"
Tang Guoxing smiled and said, "Alright, it shall be so!"
The next day, Luo Cheng drove Tang Guoxing towards the great Northwest.
For several consecutive days, Cheng Xiaofan was busy using the mysterious power within his spatial realm to accelerate the growth of the Dragon Candle Grass.
Although Cheng Xiaofan disliked Lu Shengming, when it concerned fundamental matters of China, he would do so without hesitation.
Under the catalysis of the spatial power, the Dragon Candle Grass spread out over a large area, adorned with vibrant red Dragon Candle Fruits.
Early one morning, Cheng Xiaofan arrived at the bamboo pavilion on the back mountain and immediately entered his spatial realm to begin refining the Dragon Candle Pills.
Every part of the Dragon Candle Grass was precious. To refine true Dragon Candle Pills, one needed the entire plant, root and leaf, along with Dragon Candle Fruits.
Cheng Xiaofan utilized the power of his spatial realm to harvest more than half of the Dragon Candle Grass and began the refining process.
He sat cross-legged on the ground in a state of Yuan Shen maintaining oneness, placing his hands on his knees and closing his eyes.
Instantly, the spatial power transformed into a vortex, drawing all the Dragon Candle Grass piled nearby into its center.
Within Cheng Xiaofan's spiritual sea, the Dragon Candle Grass and its fruits, within the constantly swirling vortex, gradually vanished and reappeared in the form of red beads.
The entire refining process took nearly five hours.
*Ding ding ding...*
In a blink of an eye, the Dragon Candle Pills sprayed out from the rotating vortex behind Cheng Xiaofan, landing on the ground before him.
Cheng Xiaofan opened his eyes and gazed at the bright red pills, his heart filled with joy. The Dragon Candle Pills had finally been successfully refined.
He immediately found several bottles and collected the Dragon Candle Pills into them.
"Woof woof!"
As soon as he emerged from the spatial realm, Tao Qibao suddenly appeared, barking at Cheng Xiaofan.
Master, it smells so good! What delicious food did you put in those bottles? Give this noble dog a few to taste!
This noble dog doesn't need much, just give me a whole bottle!
"..." Cheng Xiaofan was truly speechless at this gluttonous dog.
Didn't you just say you wanted a few?
Now you want a whole bottle?
Do you know how many pills are in one bottle?
That's a hundred Dragon Candle Pills!
You gluttonous dog, aren't you afraid of exploding if you eat a whole bottle at once?
Just as Cheng Xiaofan was about to kick it down from the pavilion, he retracted his foot. He thought, just how potent are these Dragon Candle Pills? Why not test them on Tao Qibao!