Supreme Emperor of Mist

"What brings you here? Shall we enjoy a pot of tea while we get to know each other?" Peng Yan waved her hand over to the resting pavilion nearby and invited the two to join her for a tea.

Luckily, her servant was thoughtful enough to understand the meaning behind his young lady's action. Leaving and returning in an instant, he appeared before them with a tray of specialty tea from Country of Wei, some sweet treats, and also gifts.

"I've heard about Envoy Peng's a long time ago from my husband. And since my sister, Zhou Mei mentioned that you're here on behalf of your country for a peace and trade talk, I was thinking that if we can show our guest a friendly gesture on our own." Hu Jia answered.

She clapped her hand thrice, and six female servants came in with bamboo sticks where three sets of beautiful female clothing are displayed on the female mannequins. They were all sewn by tailoring experts that were hired by Hu Jia after searching around the Yunshan Province.

"What - What is this?" Peng Yan lost control of herself as she stands up without asking for Hu Jia's permission. Her complete attention was captured by the three sets of dresses brought over by Hu Jia.

But her attention stays on the one in red, which was her favorite color. They were made by having the workers slowly weaving the silk from the young Foul Essence Crimson Ant larvae. The textile was then dyed inside a unique solution made from the Yao Beast's saliva, where the striking red color comes from.

As for Zhou Mei, her attention is on the verdant-colored dress. Although this was her second time looking at the dress, she still finds her eyes unable to leave the dress alone. She was like getting bewitched by the collection that seems as serene as a quiet, lush forest.

By the time their mind returned to their body, the two noticed that the dress Hu Jia brought here was a test for both of them. She was looking forward to seeing what kind of reaction from them when they're presented with this one-of-a-kind gift.

"Sister Hu, let's not beat around the bush. I hope you can speak what's in your mind. In respect to your position as Qin Darling's legitimate wife, I'll let you be the one to speak first." Peng Yan changed her tone. She knew that based on position alone, she's incomparable to Hu Jia.

"What bushes are there for me to beat around? If my beloved husband is interested, even the queen of heaven is willing to become his woman. All I am is a faithful wife to him." she said.

"Just think less about whatever in your mind right now. To a man, what he needs is not a war in his own harem but tranquility. If you are still unable to understand my words, it means you're yet to reach the state to become Qin Lan's woman."

"You should get changed. If I'm not mistaken, Qin Lan is finishing what he's doing soon. We'll only have a short moment to talk before he's taken away by the ninth prince." Hu Jia said while ordering a female servant to bring the red dress into Peng Yan's room.

"I'm sure you'll look stunning with the red dress. This will make Qin Lan unable to take his eyes off you. Let's meet each other outside the Pill Hall later." Hu Jia gives Peng Yan another smile as she left with Zhou Mei.

'She... Did she come to declare war with me?' Peng Yan was confused by the meaning behind Hu Jia's visit. Is there a motive behind her visit and bringing over such a precious gift? Furthermore, how do Hu Jia knew that she'll be enthralled by the red dress?

'Heh... Now, this is interesting...' Peng Yan smiled. Seeing the real deal is indeed more exciting than just listening to rumors.

'To think that Qin Darling's wife is someone of this caliber... Darn, I felt so challenged and threatened. Furthermore, she's someone without a hint of Spiritual Energy in her!'

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"BAM!!!" at last, the pillar of Spiritual Energy appeared for the tenth time. This means that all fifty golden sycee holders have advanced into the Bone Reconstruction Layer successfully. It only took him less than five days to accomplish what other factions usually took months to achieve.

While the Bronze and silver Sycee holders are still worried about getting on Qin Lan's bitter side, the golden sycee holders are outside waiting to meet him again. The moment the five last golden sycee holders came out with Qin Lan, they joined everyone and kowtow to Qin Lan regardless of age and seniority.

"Chief Alchemist Qin, please accept our gratitude once more." everyone said as the prostate in front of so many alchemists, medicine boys, and visitors inside the Pill Hall.

Without Qin Lan, advancing into the Bone Reconstruction Layer was just a dream to them.

"Everyone, please rise," he said as his Formation Qi pulled everyone up from their prostrating stance.

"And since everyone was here right now, I might as well distributes half of the allocated quota to each one of you first. This is your first five bottles of Blood Genesis Pill and a hundred Spiritual Accumulating Pills."

"The remaining will be distributed half a month later. As for the promised Earth Grade (Full) Armament, you can discuss amongst yourself who will come forward first. Make sure you describe them as detail as you could so they can be made to your standard."

"If there's nothing else, everyone can leave." Qin Lan finished what he has in mind and prepared to retreat back to his Private Refining Hall.

"One moment, beloved husband." 

But as he was going to shut the door, the voice of someone he's been yearning for day and night stopped him from doing so. Her soothing voice is like a typhoon that stirred the calmness in his heart.

Even without turning his head around, Qin Lan knew who she was. And right in front of everyone else, Qin Lan smiled.

Still, that was not the only shock. Turning around to keep the door open for Hu Jia, he was surprised by the audience cursed with the "petrification" spell.