Empress Rona Snow suddenly smiled and looked at Marlon Jace, saying, "I used to think the Starlight Tea from Cauldron Haven was refined by Brother Jace, and then sold in Cauldron Haven by Aaron Jace of Star Demon Palace. Only now do I realize Brother Jace isn't aware of this matter either."
Marlon Jace looked a bit embarrassed. "That good-for-nothing of mine does run an immortal tea business in Cauldron Haven, but I suspect he's just reselling it from someone else. Compared to Niece Qingbing, my disappointing son is only fit to play the merchant."
Marlon Jace misunderstood Empress Rona Snow's meaning. He thought she was saying Aaron Jace was just one of the many resellers of Starlight Tea in Cauldron Haven, trading under his name.
Nevertheless, this Starlight Tea is truly remarkable. Whoever can refine such tea must be a master among masters.
Empress Rona Snow giggled, "It seems you don't know Aaron Jace very well at all, Brother Jace."
Marlon Jace was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Sister Louxue, why do you say that?"
How could he not know Aaron Jace? In this universe, who could possibly know his own son better than he did? Admittedly, he had been a bit indulgent in the past, which led Aaron's mother to spoil him too much, resulting in Aaron's current situation. Aaron's predicament was partly his fault, but he did understand his son very well.
In fact, Marlon Jace had thought about it later— even if Aaron Jace hadn't been schemed against, he wouldn't have much of a future at the upcoming Magic Garment Summit.
Aaron Jace is rather timid, lacks decisiveness, and is too naïve, easily trusting others. His aptitude is decent, but unfortunately, he shuns hardship and will inevitably fall behind the other heirs.
Empress Rona Snow replied, "There's only one place selling Starlight Tea in Cauldron Haven— the Starlight Teahouse. It's an exclusive business. And even then, it's not easy to buy; the little Starlight Tea I have was purchased secondhand at a high price. One hundred leaves cost me over two hundred thousand Liberty Points, and that was only because I'm Empress Rona Snow of Yaohua Snow Mountain. So, I was hoping to ask a favor from you, Brother Jace, and buy some Starlight Tea privately from you."
Over two hundred thousand Liberty Points for a hundred leaves of Starlight Tea?
Marlon Jace drew a sharp breath— this was daylight robbery. And it wasn't just Marlon Jace from Star Demon Palace; Eugene Xiling of Unending Immortal Sect, Emperor Leon Yue of Skycloud Dao Sect, and Master Bowie Zhou of Swordshift Immortal Sect all reacted the same way.
One leaf was two thousand Liberty Points. Even for the sect masters of the Five Grand Sects, this was an enormous business.
"Sister Louxue, are you serious? Is Aaron Jace really running this exclusive business in Cauldron Haven?" Marlon Jace finally couldn't help but ask.
Empress Rona Snow saw Marlon Jace's expression and understood he truly didn't know about this. She nodded, "That's right, even my disciple bought this tea. The Starlight Teahouse sells very little Starlight Tea each day, so it's extremely hard to get."
"That brat," Marlon Jace muttered subconsciously. Ever since Aaron was born, he'd never felt proud of his son— but now, for the first time, he felt a flicker of pride.
"Heh, Nephew Aaron Jace is certainly capable, but to refine this kind of Starlight Tea, I'm afraid he's not quite qualified yet. Brother Jace, I'm a straightforward person, so forgive me if I speak bluntly. I think the owner of the Starlight Teahouse is the one who created this tea. Aaron Jace must have seen it, and the owner offered the tea to him, so it became Aaron Jace's business." Eugene Xiling chuckled, his tone tinged with sarcasm.
Marlon Jace could easily hear the sarcasm— Eugene Xiling was insinuating that his son bullied the original tea shop owner into making tea for him and taking over the business.
Marlon Jace was furious. Back when Eugene Xiling's son, Paul Xiling, schemed against Aaron Jace, he never believed Eugene Xiling wasn't involved.
Before Marlon Jace could speak, Empress Rona Snow— Louxue— chuckled again, "Brother Xiling, you're mistaken this time. The owner of the Starlight Teahouse is no ordinary person. When he first arrived in Cauldron Haven, he went alone to seek out Quentin Pooler..."
Quentin Pooler— isn't he the son of Shane Pooler, the one with a daughter who needs the Soulbind Elixir? Did the shop owner seek out Quentin Pooler to refine the Soulbind Elixir? Master Bowie Zhou of Swordshift Immortal Sect asked in surprise; the answer was obvious.
Although Shane Pooler's cultivation was far inferior to theirs, he was still a powerhouse from their era.
Empress Rona Snow nodded, "Brother Zhou, your guess is correct. That person's name is Joe Di, and he's an immortal alchemist. He sought out Quentin Pooler precisely to refine the Soulbind Elixir."
"Was he courting death?" Emperor Leon Yue frowned.
Clearly, the matter of Quentin Pooler seeking an alchemist in Cauldron Haven had reached even the emperors of Magic Garment Immortal Continent.
Empress Rona Snow said calmly, "He wasn't courting death. Not only did he survive, he even walked out of Quentin Pooler's house alive. I heard Quentin Pooler's daughter recovered, and can even cultivate now."
"He can even refine the Soulbind Elixir?" Master Bowie Zhou asked excitedly.
Empress Rona Snow continued, "I don't know if he can actually refine the Soulbind Elixir, but I do know that after Quentin Pooler's second meeting with this alchemist, he left Cauldron Haven. Word is, he went to help the alchemist search for something."
At this, Empress Rona Snow glanced at Eugene Xiling. "The Starspire Apothecary must have known about Joe Di's prowess in alchemy and tried to capture him. In Cauldron Haven, Joe Di killed a shop owner and staff in broad daylight, and also killed Quinn Huang, daughter of Ethan Huang, the sect master of Thousand Maple Guild, who was colluding with Starspire Apothecary. Not only that, he also managed to have Steward Lewis of Cauldron Haven imprisoned by trickery."
Marlon Jace naturally understood Empress Rona Snow's meaning. He said calmly, "I know my son's limits well; against someone like that, he wouldn't be able to make him a servant. If anything, if Nephew Paul Xiling were in Cauldron Haven and met this alchemist, his specialty would be subduing such people."
Empress Rona Snow smiled, "Brother Jace does know Aaron Jace well. Aaron has recognized Joe Di as his elder brother. Fortune Resthaven tried to steal the Starspire Tea business in Cauldron Haven, but those two brothers taught them a lesson."
Marlon Jace's face darkened. Even if his son Aaron was useless and had little time left, he still wasn't someone Fortune Resthaven's ants could bully.
Master Bowie Zhou seemed to recall something and didn't want to discuss Joe Di further. He took out a jade box and said, "Niece Qingbing was the first to reach the Immortal King stage. I don't have anything special, but this eighth-grade Immortal Sword Talisman is something I came across by chance. I'll give it to her as a gift."
Master Bowie Zhou was the first to present a gift, and the other sect leaders followed suit.
Everyone present was an Immortal Emperor, and all were sect masters of the Five Grand Sects. Naturally, no one would offer anything shabby.
.......
Outside the Starlight Teahouse in Cauldron Haven, Sprout respectfully bowed to a refined-looking man. "Steward, my big brother has been in closed-door cultivation for a month. He said not to disturb him until he comes out."
The refined man, upon hearing that Joe Di was in seclusion, said, "If that's the case, I'll leave for now. When Alchemist Di comes out, be sure to let me know so I can visit personally."
"Yes, I'll be sure to tell him," Sprout replied quickly.
This man was Lynn King, a steward of the Alchemist Guild and an Immortal King. Sprout's cultivation was worlds apart from his, so he didn't dare show any disrespect.