These words struck Xia Zihan like a thunderbolt. Her eyes instantly reddened, and a surge of emotion welled up within her. It took her a while to regain her composure before she hurriedly asked, her voice trembling:
"Fourth Brother, is what you're saying true? Is Father really still alive?"
The tightly clenched hands in her palms revealed her inner tension.
Xia Qi nodded solemnly.
"It's absolutely true. My brother, the Emperor, explained it very clearly: Father is still alive, though his current condition is unclear. But as long as Father is alive, we still have hope, and Zhongzhou will have a pillar of support!"
Upon hearing the definite answer, Xia Zihan couldn't hold back her tears, her hands trembled slightly, and her heart was filled with joy.
“That’s great, that’s great… I knew Father wouldn’t get into trouble so easily.”
Seeing her like this, Qin Luo quickly patted her slender back gently, offering silent comfort.
"Therefore, we must do our utmost to secure the assistance of Lin Yu's father, who is at the late stage of the Soul Contract Realm."
Xia Qi's expression turned serious, and then his voice deepened.
"You know, after we were sent away by our father, everyone thought that one day we could return to Zhongzhou and avenge that blood feud."
"Your Majesty, Xiao Jiu's elder brother, the current Crown Prince, has gone through countless hardships and dangers in the Northern Region. After surviving many near-death experiences, he finally broke through and successfully entered the late stage of the Soul Contract Realm."
"My second sister is far away in the Eastern Region. In order to obtain a late-stage Soul Contract Realm warrior, she resolutely married the biological son of the leader of the Nine Luminaries Sect, the largest power in the region."
"Therefore, we must do everything in our power to secure the assistance of the Lin family. This is a crucial step in achieving our revenge plan!"
Hearing this, Qin Luo finally understood why Xia Qi had shown that expression; there was another layer of relationship behind it.
With that in mind, a bold idea began to take shape in Qin Luo's mind. He was still worrying about how to introduce Yi Ting to Xia Zihan, and now, the opportunity had arrived.
Judging from the quality of the Huiling Pill that Yiting refined, this second-grade pill was no challenge for her. Moreover, he only had the insights of a second-grade alchemist, and he couldn't teach the pharmacology and techniques of third-grade pills.
The Lin family has a third-grade alchemist, which would be a good opportunity for Yiting to learn about higher levels of alchemy.
That's killing two birds with one stone.
As he pondered these thoughts, Qin Luo's eyes gradually brightened, as if he had seen a path full of hope.
"Ahem, um."
Qin Luo coughed lightly, his expression somewhat unnatural.
"Actually, I know a very talented alchemist. She has great potential in alchemy and can now easily refine second-grade pills."
"If she could have the opportunity to learn about the pharmacology and alchemy techniques of third-grade pills, I believe she would have absolutely no problem becoming a third-grade alchemist."
Upon hearing this, Xia Qi's eyes lit up, and he nodded slightly, seemingly lost in thought.
"Are you sure she can really refine a grade three elixir?"
There was a hint of doubt in his tone, after all, becoming a third-grade alchemist was not an easy feat.
Qin Luo noticed Xia Qi's doubts and said solemnly:
"Fourth Brother, although I can't be 100% sure that she can refine a third-grade pill, I know that she has a very strong comprehension of pill refining and is extremely serious every time she refines a pill. I believe that as long as she is given a chance to come into contact with a third-grade pill formula, she will definitely not let us down."
At this point, Qin Luo changed the subject.
"Moreover, instead of searching for a third-grade alchemist like looking for a needle in a haystack, it would be better to train one directly."
"I believe in her talent and ability; all she lacks is an opportunity."
"If we can give her this opportunity to come into contact with the third-grade alchemists of the Lin Yu family and learn the methods of refining third-grade pills, then we may be able to train a third-grade alchemist in a short period of time."
Xia Qi frowned slightly, lost in thought, and after a long while, he said cautiously:
“In that case, I will believe your explanation. I will go and discuss this with Lin Yu now and see what his response is.”
After saying that, Xia Qi couldn't wait to leave the room.
Only Qin Luo and Xia Zihan remained in the room, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
Qin Luo didn't dare to breathe loudly, as he could clearly feel a sharp gaze fixed on him from behind.
"Qin Luo, the alchemist you're talking about wouldn't happen to be the female alchemist you saved before, would it?"
Xia Zihan's tone was clearly suspicious, her eyes fixed on Qin Luo, as if trying to discern a clue from his face.
Qin Luo's heart tightened. How did this girl suddenly become so smart? Isn't it said that a woman in love has zero IQ?
He quickly composed himself, trying to make his expression look more natural. Then he took Xia Zihan's small hand and gently pulled her into his arms.
"Zihan, don't misunderstand. This is indeed the female alchemist I saved before, but I recommended her not because of personal feelings. It's just that she is really talented in alchemy, which is why I introduced her to Fourth Brother."
Xia Zihan was flustered by Qin Luo's sudden action and struggled slightly, but feeling the warmth in Qin Luo's arms, she stopped resisting.
With her cheek pressed against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, she felt a little calmer.
But I still said it with a hint of sourness:
"Hmph~ Who knows if you're telling the truth or not."
It sounded like the jealousy in her words was about to overflow.
Qin Luo tried his best to steady his heartbeat, gently stroked Xia Zihan's hair, and whispered:
"Zihan, don't you understand my feelings for you? I would never lie to you. I recommended her because I wanted to contribute to your revenge. You have to believe me, you're the only one in my heart."
Hearing his sweet words, Xia Zihan gently bit her lip. Although the jealousy in her heart had not completely dissipated, she knew that Qin Luo said these words entirely so that they could gain the support of the Lin family.
"Qin Luo, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have been suspicious."
"Just thinking about how much you care about other women makes my heart ache. And then I can't control my emotions. I'm afraid... I'm afraid you'll be taken away by someone else."
Xia Zihan's voice grew softer and softer, and a hint of unease appeared in her eyes.
How insecure is she, or is she just too controlling? Qin Luo thought helplessly, tightening his grip on Xia Zihan even more.
"Don't worry, Zihan, you will always be the most important woman in my life," Qin Luo silently added in his heart.
The doubt in Xia Zihan's eyes slowly dissipated after he said that. She nestled against Qin Luo's chest, feeling his warmth, and the unease in her heart gradually subsided.
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