Angel Investor

"What is this?"

Looking at the faintly visible speck of pale yellow dust in front of her, Yao Ye felt her knowledge was insufficient.

She had read many ancient books, but none had ever mentioned this fairy-like dust.

"This is 'Spirit-Bearing Dust,' which is very beneficial for enhancing the soul and increasing spirituality. With this, the chances of entering an enlightened state during cultivation increase. I've been busy learning puppet techniques for the past year, yet my cultivation hasn't fallen behind. This dust is the main reason."

"It's good stuff, but wouldn't it be a bit wasted on me? Yue'er loves alchemy; it might be more suitable for her." Yao Ye praised.

Anything related to the soul was no ordinary item.

Little did she know, Old Master Nalan had been poisoned by a venomous curse because of a rare treasure called the 'Seven-Phantom Azure Spirit Dew,' which had extraordinary effects on the soul. He had hidden it away like a prized possession, afraid it would be discovered.

But his little secret could only fool ordinary people. The noble families of the Imperial Capital, including the royal family and Yunlan Sect, were all well aware.

"No matter how good it is, its value only comes from being used. You should take it, Sister Yao Ye. I've already prepared some for that girl and for Elder Jia as well."

Chen Guan had already planned the distribution when they were at the bottom of the lake.

He was now closely tied to the royal family and wouldn't hesitate to give back to them. In fact, this was also a way to strengthen his own power.

Yao Ye and the others didn't have particularly outstanding talents. The Spirit-Bearing Dust could enhance their souls, which in turn could slightly improve their talent.

After all, with a stronger soul, everything becomes easier.

He knew this well—reaching the fourth rank as a puppet master within a year was solid proof.

So, this dust wasn't just useful for alchemists.

It's just that alchemists could maximize the benefits of a strengthened soul.

Yao Yue was now a budding alchemy genius. Giving her a portion of the dust would clearly be beneficial. Perhaps in the next Alchemy Conference, she could even compete with Xiao Yan.

After all, the girl had started alchemy a few years earlier than him. Xiao Yan was still at the third stage of Dou Practitioner, sparring with fate every day, while Yao Yue was already striving to become a second-rank alchemist.

With the help of the Spirit-Bearing Dust, her future was limitless.

As for Jia XingYao, the reasoning was similar to Yao Ye's: strengthening his soul would give him a better chance at reaching the Dou Ancestor level.

"That's good to hear. Giving up such a valuable item, I was really reluctant."

Yao Ye didn't refuse further. Everyone around her had received theirs, and Chen Guan had used it too, so there was no need for false modesty.

A certain emperor who felt invisible: "?"

"How do you use it?"

"It's very simple."

Chen Guan held the Spirit-Bearing Dust with his index finger and gently tapped Yao Ye's forehead. Like snowflakes melting, it immediately absorbed into her body.

Yao Ye hadn't expected it to be so effortless. She quickly closed her eyes to carefully sense it, only opening them after a long while.

"How do you feel?"

"Hmm, at first it was like drinking a bowl of ice-cold water when your whole body feels overheated, cooling your heart. Then it quickly turned to feeling like soaking in a warm spring, very comfortable."

Yao Ye gave her response, her face slightly flushed from almost saying the wrong thing.

Chen Guan laughed mischievously. He understood the feeling well—after all, he had used more than one portion.

"You can deliver Elder Jia's portion, Sister. I'll check on Yue'er later, and tomorrow I'll visit Elder Jia."

Chen Guan didn't mention that the Spirit-Bearing Dust might increase Jia XingYao's chances of breaking through to Dou Ancestor to avoid raising hopes too high.

In his view, even with the dust, Jia XingYao's breakthrough was unlikely.

After all, he was too old, with limited talent. If he could have broken through, he would have done so already, instead of waiting until now.

To achieve his dream, he'd have to rely on alchemical aid in the future—perhaps try using some 'Breakthrough Dou Ancestor Pills.'

"I'll deliver it. By the way, do you have much of this dust left? Don't get me wrong, I'm not being greedy. I just have a suggestion. You might want to meet President Fa Ma. He's been stuck at the peak of a fifth-rank alchemist for many years. If you could help him break through, the favor he'd owe you would be tremendous. You'd gain a personal sixth-rank alchemist."

"Of course, this would benefit not only you but also the royal family. It's just a suggestion. Do as you see fit, and don't worry about what I said."

Chen Guan's heart stirred. He hadn't considered this before, but now that Yao Ye mentioned it, it seemed very possible.

With what he knew, he trusted Fa Ma's character. The friendship of a sixth-rank alchemist would be significant in the northwestern region.

Yunlan Sect's rapid development was largely due to the Pill King, Gu He.

If Fa Ma advanced to the sixth rank, Gu He's status would certainly be affected. He might even feel embarrassed to continue calling himself the Pill King. This would indirectly weaken Yunlan Sect and strengthen the royal family.

"Great idea! I had originally planned to use the remaining five portions of the Spirit-Bearing Dust for something else, but I can spare one."

Chen Guan agreed to Yao Ye's proposal—it was a win-win situation.

"Will it disrupt your plans?"

"Not much." Chen Guan smiled and shook his head.

His original plan was to use the dust as a bargaining chip to possibly trade for Yao Lao's 'Flame Mantra.' Maybe he'd even throw in Han Feng's soul for good measure. Surely the old man wouldn't refuse.

After all, whether it was five portions or four, it was just a trade.

The 'Flame Mantra' was something he absolutely wouldn't give up on!

It was his fallback plan.

Now, compared to when he had first arrived on the Dou Qi continent, Chen Guan was much more confident. His obsession with the 'Flame Mantra' had lessened.

As his foundation grew, he was confident that he could rise. When the time came, refining that Emperor-grade pill would no longer be impossible.

"As long as it doesn't interfere, that's good. Is this puppet the one you used earlier to block the Ninth Prince's guards?"

Yao Ye curiously looked at the puppet Chen Guan had taken out, tapping it with a fist. It was hard, like iron.

"No, this one is a fifth-rank puppet. When it acts, it's extraordinary. It can unleash the strength of a six-star Dou King. You just need to infuse your soul perception into its central core and leave a soul imprint to make it recognize you as its master. There's no better guard than this."

"Six-star Dou King?! Aren't you just a fourth-rank puppet master?"

"Uh, this one was left by my teacher, not made by me. Sister Yao Ye, just take it. I have several more puppets just as good, more than enough for me to use."

As he spoke, Chen Guan took out all his puppets except for his top one, Iron Egg, to prove he didn't lack for them.

Yao Ye's expression grew complex. What did she see? Seven fifth-rank puppets and sixteen fourth-rank ones, which meant seven Dou Kings and sixteen Dou Spirits!

This power could sweep across the Jia Ma Empire, leaving only the royal family and Yunlan Sect standing.

It was overwhelming—the shock was too much.

In just one day, it felt like the world had changed.

No longer would they worry about other empires, not even Yunlan Sect, their greatest nearby threat. Suddenly, they didn't seem so intimidating anymore.

And all of this was because of the young man before her.

"Your return has given me such a big surprise, it's almost frightening."

Yao Ye shook her head, marveling. Then she smiled and said, "I just thought of something: the Mitel Family is said to be the best at investing and making money, but compared to me investing in you, they're weak. From now on, I, this princess, am the empire's number one angel investor!"

With most of her pressure gone in just one day, Yao Ye felt relaxed all over. Even her words had a playful tone that was new to her.

Unfortunately, someone nearby wasn't so considerate, and their words almost made her lose her cool.

"I remember it was Elder Jia who brought me back, right? No way, no way, am I remembering wrong?"

"..."

(End of Chapter)