An old person at home is like a treasure.

Weird!

Damn weird!

Bai Xuanling stared with a heavy expression at Chu Xingchen, who wore an innocent, harmless look while cautiously sizing her up.

Her alchemy cauldron, crafted by a master, indeed refined the medicinal effects with greater precision.

But the side effects of this kid’s pills were also far more intense.

And that sense of rejection—it was downright bizarre.

It felt as if it were trying to force her soul right out of her body.

And this was without fully experiencing the pill’s potency. The rejection would only grow stronger as the effects took full hold.

Worse than being stabbed clean through in a life-or-death fight.

Bai Xuanling asked skeptically, "Kid… was it always like this when you first started refining pills?"

"Pretty much. Do you see anything wrong, Senior?" Chu Xingchen replied, his gaze earnest.

Bai Xuanling ignored the question and voiced her own doubt instead:

"And people actually buy these pills of yours?"

Chu Xingchen coughed lightly. "For now, they’re only supplied within the sect. Demand still outstrips supply, since the effects are decent."

"Well, that makes sense…" Bai Xuanling nodded faintly.

It took real courage to swallow these things. If outsiders tried them, the side effects alone would make them suspect some kind of foul play.

Her eyes lingered on Chu Xingchen.

His technique was orthodox—solid fundamentals, no mistakes in handling spiritual herbs, and seasoned experience.

If it wasn’t the cauldron’s fault, then it had to be the person.

But what could possibly be wrong with him?

After a brief contemplation, Bai Xuanling spoke. "Hard to say right now. Leave a few pills with me—I’ll study them further."

Without hesitation, Chu Xingchen handed over every pill he had just refined.

After all, he didn’t dare take them himself.

His disciples weren’t fond of them either, so no loss giving them away.

The spiritual herbs for Qi-Nourishing Pills weren’t worth much anyway.

If this Tribulation Transcension expert could figure out what was off, his sect might just strike it rich with these enhanced effects.

Bai Xuanling collected the pills with a wave of her hand. The kid’s concoctions were truly strange—she’d dissect them properly later.

With a calm expression, she said, "I’ll let you know the issue in a couple of days."

With that, she retrieved her cauldron.

Better give it a thorough cleaning later—wouldn’t want any lingering traces of his pill’s essence.

Otherwise, her own refined pills might inherit his side effects, and then even her own products would become unsellable.

Chu Xingchen quickly cupped his hands in gratitude. "Thank you, Elder Sister."

Bai Xuanling waved dismissively. Whatever effort she spent on this kid, she could always claim reimbursement from Little Ling'er later.

Come to think of it…

It had been a long time since she last slept beside Little Ling'er.

Back when she was little, she’d pout and beg for bedtime stories.

Maybe after this, she could cash in this favor…

As Bai Xuanling strolled away leisurely, Chu Xingchen watched her go.

So far, she seemed like a genuinely good person.

At the very least, she wasn’t here to pick a fight.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so accommodating. That bottle of pills she gave Lin Luoyu—Chu Xingchen had inspected them afterward.

They were high-grade [Soul-Expansion Pills], meticulously refined from rare ingredients.

Not only did they aid cultivation, but they also expanded early-stage meridians, amplifying gains with every cycle.

It wasn’t that Chu Xingchen couldn’t refine them himself.

But the materials were exorbitantly expensive, and many could only be found in spiritually rich regions like the Central Continent.

And yet, she’d downed two of his pills without batting an eye, didn’t utter a single harsh word afterward, and seemed genuinely intent on helping him improve.

This woman radiated nothing but goodwill.

Satisfied, Chu Xingchen left the alchemy chamber.

Having a Tribulation Transcension expert troubleshoot his pill issues—what a luxury.

No wonder protagonists with old mentors dominated the world.

With that kind of wisdom and confidence, who wouldn’t adore it?

Next time, he’d ask for her input on his fifth disciple’s cultivation technique—ahem, the [Blazing Heaven’s Golden Dao Heart Sutra].

With her guidance, his disciple’s foundation should at least hold steady until the Nascent Soul stage.

And since the expert was here, he might as well milk the opportunity.

The sect’s protective formation felt a little rough around the edges.

Would Bai Xuanling have thoughts on the system-bestowed Spirit-Gathering Array? Maybe she could tweak it for better efficiency.

Come to think of it, the sect’s feng shui probably needed adjustments too. Surely a Tribulation expert would know a thing or two.

Chu Xingchen shook his head lightly.

Truly, an elder in the house was like a treasure.

Before Bai Xuanling’s arrival, he’d never noticed any flaws in the sect.

Now? Everything seemed inadequate, problematic—and in desperate need of her expertise.

Two days later.

By the pond, on a stone bench.

Bai Xuanling’s eyes widened as she glared at the shameless Chu Xingchen and snapped:

"Kid… are you pushing your luck?!"

Chu Xingchen blinked innocently. "Elder Sister, I’m truly ignorant. Won’t you enlighten me?"

Bai Xuanling nearly laughed in exasperation.

What was this? She’d come here to relax, not to be someone’s unpaid laborer!

No wonder Little Ling'er couldn’t stop talking about him. With audacity like this, even she was starting to remember him a little too well after just two days!