Chapter 26: Angel Investors

"What is this?"

Yao Ye stared at the minuscule grains of yellowish dust floating before her, feeling as though her extensive knowledge had just met its limit. She had read countless ancient texts, but none had ever mentioned a substance as ethereal as this.

"Spirit Nourishment Dust," Chen Guan explained. "It's incredibly beneficial for improving one's soul and enhancing spiritual awareness. With it, the chances of entering a state of enlightenment during cultivation increase dramatically. It's the main reason my cultivation didn't fall behind this past year, even while I was focused on learning Puppetry."

"It's a treasure," Yao Ye breathed, her eyes wide. "But wouldn't it be wasted on me? Yue'er loves alchemy; this would be far more suitable for her."

She knew that anything related to the soul was no ordinary thing. The old patriarch of the Nalan Clan hoarded his Seven Illusions Green Spirit Saliva—a plant with miraculous spiritual properties—like it was the ultimate treasure, terrified someone would discover it. Of course, his little tricks only fooled ordinary people; the major powers, including the royal family and the Misty Cloud Sect, knew exactly what he was hiding.

"No matter how good something is, it's only valuable if it's used," Chen Guan said gently. "Sister Yao Ye, just use it. I've already prepared a portion for that little girl and another for Jia Lao."

From the moment he was at the bottom of the lake, Chen Guan had already planned the distribution. His fate was tied to the royal family now, and he felt no reluctance in giving back to them. In a way, he was simply strengthening his own side. The talents of Yao Ye and the others weren't world-shaking, but the Spirit Nourishment Dust could improve their soul perception, which was akin to enhancing their innate talent.

When the soul is strong, everything becomes easier.

He understood this deeply. The fact that he had become a Fourth-Rank Puppet Master in just one year was irrefutable proof. The dust wasn't just for alchemists; it was just that alchemists could leverage its benefits to the greatest extent. Yaoyue was already a talented alchemist; giving her a portion was a surefire way to boost her potential. Perhaps she could even compete with that Xiao Yan fellow in the next Grand Alchemist Competition.

After all, the little pufferfish had started learning alchemy years before him. While Xiao Yan was still struggling at the third stage of Dou Disciple, Yaoyue was already working hard to become a Rank 2 Alchemist. With the blessing of the Spirit Nourishment Dust, her future was bright indeed. As for Jia Xingtian, improving his soul strength would only increase his chances of breaking through to the Dou Zong realm.

"In that case, I'll accept," Yao Ye said, no longer refusing. "I would truly feel bad giving up such a treasure."

"How do I use it?"

"It's simple."

Chen Guan touched the dust with his index finger and gently tapped it on Yao Ye's brow. It vanished instantly, melting into her skin like a snowflake. Yao Ye closed her eyes, carefully feeling the sensation, and didn't open them again for a long time.

"How does it feel?" Chen Guan asked with a smile.

"Well... at first it was warm all over, then it was like drinking a bowl of ice water on a hot day. So cool and refreshing. And then... it felt as comfortable as soaking in a hot spring."

Yao Ye's face flushed slightly as she finished her description.

Chen Guan chuckled. He understood the feeling all too well.

"I'll have it delivered to Jia Lao later," he said. "I'll go see Yue'er after this and visit him tomorrow."

He didn't mention the possibility of the dust helping Jia Xingtian break through, fearing that greater hope would only lead to greater disappointment. In his opinion, the old emperor's chances were still slim. He was simply too old, his potential long since exhausted. If he wanted to realize that dream, he would have to wait until Chen Guan could get his hands on a Zong Breaking Pill for him to try.

"I'll pass it on," Yao Ye said. "By the way, do you have a lot of this in stock? Don't misunderstand, I'm not being greedy. I just have a suggestion. Perhaps you could meet with President Fa Ma of the Alchemist Association. He's been stuck at the peak of a Rank 5 Alchemist for many years. If you could lend him a hand, it would be a massive favor. In the future, you would have a personal Rank 6 Alchemist." Her eyes gleamed with strategic light. "Of course, this would benefit our royal family as well. It's just a suggestion. Arrange it as you see fit."

Chen Guan's heart stirred. He hadn't considered this, but he immediately saw the potential. He trusted Fa Ma's character, and the friendship of a Rank 6 Alchemist was a weighty asset in the northwestern region of the continent. The Misty Cloud Sect had risen so quickly in large part due to the influence of the Dan King, Gu He. If Fa Ma was promoted to Rank 6, Gu He's status would undoubtedly be affected. It would weaken the Misty Cloud Sect and strengthen the royal family in one fell swoop.

"A brilliant idea," Chen Guan agreed. "I had other plans for the remaining five grains, but using one for this is no problem."

It was a plan that killed two birds with one stone; there was no reason to refuse.

"Will it have a big impact on your plans?"

"Not at all," Chen Guan said, shaking his head. He had originally planned to use the dust as a bargaining chip, perhaps to trade with Yao Lao for the Burning Art. It was just a transaction; the difference between five grains and four was negligible. He would never give up on obtaining the Burning Art. It was his ultimate fallback plan.

"Good. Now, is this the puppet you used to stop the Ninth Prince's guard?" Yao Ye asked, her curiosity piqued as she examined the new puppet Chen Guan had produced. She clenched her fist and knocked on it a few times. It was as hard as iron.

"Not that one. This is a Rank 5 puppet. Its power is equivalent to a Six-Star Dou Wang. Sister Yao Ye, use your soul perception to penetrate its core and leave a spiritual imprint. It will recognize you as its master. There is no guard more reassuring than this."

"A Six-Star Dou Wang?! But you're only a Fourth-Rank Puppet Master!"

"My master left this behind; I didn't make it," Chen Guan explained. "Just accept it, Sister. I have several others no weaker than this one. I have more than enough."

As he spoke, he took out all the puppets from his ring—except for his number one general, Iron Egg—to prove his point.

Yao Ye's expression grew complicated. Before her stood seven Rank 5 puppets and sixteen Rank 4 puppets. Seven Dou Wangs and sixteen Dou Lings.

With this strength, they could sweep across the entire Jia Ma Empire, discounting the royal family and the Misty Cloud Sect. The power was so immense it left her reeling. In just one day, it felt as though a lifetime had passed. The threats from other empires, even the ever-present pressure from the Misty Cloud Sect, suddenly seemed... manageable.

And it was all because of the young man standing before her.

"Your return has given me a surprise so big it's almost a shock," Yao Ye said, shaking her head with a heartfelt sigh. Then a playful smile touched her lips. "I suddenly realized the Mitel Clan is famous for its skill in investing, but compared to my investment in you, they're nothing. From now on, this princess is the number one investor in the empire!"

The stress of the past year had vanished in a single day. Yao Ye felt lighter than she had in ages, her voice filled with a playfulness she rarely showed.

Unfortunately, the person next to her was determined to spoil the mood.

"I seem to remember it was Jia Lao who brought me back," Chen Guan mused, a teasing glint in his eye. "No way, no way... did I remember that wrong?"

***

(End of Chapter)

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