When Yang Kai walked into the Alchemist Association, Mina was overjoyed to see him — a face she hadn't seen in years.
But the moment she remembered how much Elder Du had worried about the guy, her teeth itched with frustration. For his sake, she'd made God-knows-how-many trips to Tianxiao Sect, practically worn the mountain paths flat.
"That's exactly why I came in person," Yang Kai said with a chuckle.
"At least you've got some sense!" Mina snorted lightly, looking him up and down. A suspicious look crept onto her face. "Wait — the person who just asked Wu'er to refine pills… that wasn't you, was it?"
"Guilty as charged." Yang Kai nodded.
Mina patted her heaving chest and let out a breath. "So it was you. Then it's fine. I thought some clueless idiot was trying to take advantage of Wu'er. I was about to come teach him a lesson."
Yang Kai smiled. "She looked like she could really use some materials to practice with, so I figured I'd help her out. When did the Association pick up a little girl like this? I don't remember seeing her before."
At this, Mina's expression dimmed. She glanced over her shoulder, and once she'd confirmed Wu'er was well out of earshot, she lowered her voice. "Elder Du and I picked her up… poor thing."
"Picked her up?" Yang Kai blinked in surprise.
"Mm. A few years back, on our way back from Fuyun City, we passed through a village. The whole place had been attacked by a beast horde — everyone was dead. She was the only one left, crying her eyes out among the ruins. Elder Du couldn't bear to leave her there, so he brought her back to Giant Stone City. She was under ten at the time, bone-thin, wouldn't even speak — seemed like the fright had broken her. After a few years of care, she turned into what you see now. Full of energy, running around like a maniac all day. I can't even keep up with her."
Yang Kai couldn't help but laugh and nodded. "You've picked up a promising seedling."
"Right?" Mina's eyes lit up. "Elder Du said even he didn't expect Wu'er to be so well-suited for alchemy. When they brought her back, she hadn't even started cultivating. Now look at her — Zhenyuan Realm, ninth layer. Her pill-refining skills are already around Mysterious grade. Even I, as her senior sister, feel the pressure. If I don't step up my game, this little brat's going to surpass me."
Yang Kai burst out laughing. "That'll take a few more years yet."
"I'm not so sure…" Mina's face fell. "I'm only a low-tier Spirit grade alchemist — just one major tier above Wu'er. At the rate she's growing, she'll overtake me within ten years."
She paused, then suddenly looked at Yang Kai with curiosity. "What about you? Any progress at the high-tier Spirit grade level?"
"A little," Yang Kai said, rubbing his nose. He didn't dare tell her the truth, afraid it would crush her.
"Fine, fine. One look at you and I can tell you're already capable of refining Saint pills. I'm just a commoner — I'm not going to compete with you two freaks!" Mina slumped in mock despair, then suddenly perked up with a smile. "Enough standing around out here. Come on in. If Elder Du knows you've come, he'll be thrilled."
Yang Kai nodded and followed her inside the Association.
Before they'd made it deep into the building, Yang Kai's expression shifted. "Elder Du has guests?"
He'd sensed several auras inside Elder Du's room. Faint bursts of laughter drifted through the door. Among the presences, one was unmistakably Du Wan himself. The others weren't weak either — all of them at the Transcendent Realm or above.
"Yeah," Mina confirmed. "Some visitors happened to drop by today."
"Then I'll wait."
"No need…" A mysterious smile played on Mina's lips. "I have a feeling those guests will very much want to see you."
Yang Kai was taken aback, then suddenly realized. "Don't tell me — the ones we ran into in Fuyun City?"
"Smart!" Mina giggled, hand over her mouth. By now they'd reached Du Wan's door, and she called out cheerfully, "Elder Du, you've got another visitor!"
The laughter and conversation inside cut off for a moment. Then Du Wan's voice came through: "Tell them to come back another day. I'm not seeing any more guests today."
"Are you sure, Elder Du? If that's how it is, I'll send him packing." Mina raised an eyebrow at Yang Kai while she asked.
"You little rascal…" Du Wan's helpless laugh drifted out. "Who is it? From the way you're talking, it sounds like someone important."
Before Mina could answer, Yang Kai spoke up respectfully. "Elder Du, it's me — Yang Kai!"
"Yang Kai?!" Du Wan's voice shot up an octave. There was a rapid clatter of footsteps, and moments later the door flew open. Du Wan's face was alight with surprise and delight as he peered out. The moment he saw Yang Kai, his cloudy eyes blazed with sudden brilliance. "It really is you!"
Yang Kai smiled and nodded.
"Come in, come in!" Du Wan was all warmth as he ushered Yang Kai inside. "It's about time you came back."
"I've been wandering around for a while and only recently returned to the sect. I heard that Elder Du sent Mina to Tianxiao Sect multiple times to check on me. I'm deeply grateful for your concern, Elder Du," Yang Kai said earnestly.