Brilliant Talent Is Only Natural

Qingluan was stunned, her heart filled with warmth.

"Also, it's enough that you know Xifu is my disciple. Don't tell anyone else. When you're in the alliance, keep your distance from him."

"I understand, Master." Qingluan frowned. "Ye Xiong is already starting to suspect him. He's out in the open, so we need to stay in the shadows."

Tu Shan Jun nodded, "Are you going to take the qualification exam this time?"

"I'm planning to test for level ten," Qingluan replied.

"With your abilities, shouldn't you aim for a higher rank?"

"Actually, I can already refine level thirteen pills now."

"Then go for level thirteen! A level thirteen alchemist can be a Department Head."

"I'm worried it'll draw too much attention. People might suspect I have the Divine Apothecary's Legacy..."

Tu Shan Jun smiled and shook his head, telling her, "As Elder Tu Shan's disciple, you're supposed to be dazzling!"

"Haha! With Master's words, I feel confident! I'll go register and test for level thirteen alchemist!"

"I'll be staying at Apricot Hill outside the city. Come find me tomorrow, and I'll tell you the barrier password to enter the mountain."

"Thank you, Master!" Qingluan looked at him with deep gratitude and admiration.

Tu Shan Jun reached out and ruffled her hair. "I'll head off now."

"Take care, Master!" Qingluan respectfully saw him off.

Longyuan.

This year marks the Celestial Empress's centennial birthday.

People of status from all realms have come to attend.

On the second-floor terrace of the Celestial Palace, the Celestial Emperor and Empress appeared with the Crown Prince.

Instantly, the crowd was filled with excited cries from the women.

Those who had seen the Crown Prince before thought he was even more charming now.

Those who hadn't seen him were utterly stunned, their hearts racing uncontrollably, barely able to keep from screaming.

"Yan'er," the Empress said softly to Xiao Yan, smiling. "Today, Mother wants to choose a Crown Princess for you. What do you think?"

Xiao Yan was silent for a moment before asking, "Who does Mother have in mind?"

"In Longyuan, it's tradition for the Empress to choose the High Priestess's daughter. She's the one who can help you the most," said the Empress. "Mother herself was once the High Priestess's daughter. Why not choose Shang Zhi?"

"I don't like her," Xiao Yan replied bluntly.

"Then... Princess Lingguang?" The Empress asked. "She's the Phoenix Clan Empress's favorite daughter."

"I'm afraid her ambitions lie elsewhere," Xiao Yan said. "All her hopes are pinned on the Phoenix Clan."

The Empress frowned. "If that's not possible, then how about Ran'er (Li Zan's younger sister, Li Ran'er)? She's a bit spoiled, but she'll settle down after marriage."

"She's my junior sister. I've always seen her as a real sister."

"None of these work. So who do you want to choose?"

"There's no suitable candidate for now," Xiao Yan said.

The Empress paused, then compromised: "If you can't choose a Crown Princess, then pick a Consort! The Bai family's girl, Yun Shu—your grandmother mentioned her when you were young, and their family still remembers it. It wouldn't be a bad match!"

"Bai Yunshu is vicious and jealous. If you want chaos in our household, just marry her."

"Huh?" The Empress glanced at Bai Yunshu from afar. "She looks like a nice child!"

"That's because you haven't seen her bad side."

"So, in the end, you just don't want to get married, do you?"

"Mother, Longyuan's position is precarious right now. The clans are restless, and I have no mind for marriage. Let's talk about it later!" Xiao Yan said.

The Empress's face grew heavy with worry, and she didn't say anything more.