Although Yao Ke'er's strength was far from that of the grandmasters, her expertise lay in medicinal pills, making her renowned throughout the capital, hence her title "Medicine Immortal."
Seeing her speak with such conviction, Bai Zihe accepted the pill and swallowed it.
"Heh heh..."
Yao Ke'er, seeing his decisiveness, revealed a hint of pride on her face. "Little junior brother, you might not know, but this pill, even for a high-level grandmaster, would..."
But before she could finish, Bai Zihe interrupted her.
"This pill..."
"The medicinal properties are too potent. During the neutralization process, something was lacking, to the extent that... it suppressed a considerable amount of its inherent toxicity."
"If a few more mild medicinal ingredients were added for调和, I believe it could unleash even greater toxicity!"
Bai Zihe savored the taste and spoke with great insight.
Initially, Yao Ke'er was somewhat displeased by his interruption.
However, upon hearing what Bai Zihe said next, she was utterly stunned.
Then, she carefully considered the content of his words, pondered them seriously, and compared them to her own experience in refining the medicine...
In an instant, Yao Ke'er froze.
The light in her beautiful eyes flickered constantly, her mind completely focused.
She had been so struck by Bai Zihe's words that she gained a brand new understanding in the art of pills, entering a state of enlightenment that ordinary people could only dream of.
Bai Zihe was happy for her and also guarded her while she was in this state.
Enlightenment...
For ordinary martial artists, they might not even experience it once in their lifetime.
After a long while.
The light in Yao Ke'er's eyes suddenly blazed, and a smile appeared on her face.
Bai Zihe knew.
She had entered a new realm!
Indeed, not long after, Yao Ke'er emerged from her enlightenment and looked at Bai Zihe with a face full of both relief and astonishment.
She looked at him as if he were a peerless treasure.
And as if he were a marvel of the world.
"Little junior brother..."
"Fifth senior sister and second senior sister both said you were an extraordinary person, unlike any other. And now, I truly understand their words are not exaggerated."
Yao Ke'er's tone was filled with deep emotion.
It was only now that she realized.
Bai Zihe's strength had long surpassed her imagination.
Bai Zihe grinned, "Regardless of whether I'm an extraordinary person or not, I'm still the good junior brother to my good senior sisters!"
"Naughty!"
Yao Ke'er playfully chided him, then said with a serious expression, "Little junior brother, with your strength... I doubt even the elders of the War Department could do much to you."
"I agree to you challenging them."
Bai Zihe immediately smiled.
Although he would have gone even if Yao Ke'er disagreed, an action that received support felt more meaningful.
"However..."
Yao Ke'er's expression suddenly turned extremely solemn. "Before you go to the War Department, I need to take you somewhere."
Seeing her say this with such gravity, Bai Zihe asked, "Where?"
"My home!"
Bai Zihe was instantly bewildered.
He had known his senior sisters for a long time.
Second senior sister and fifth senior sister had visited his home many times and gotten along very well with his father and younger sister.
But going to a senior sister's home...
This was the first time.
Yao Ke'er noticed his strange expression and huffed, "What, you don't want to?"
"No, not at all!"
Bai Zihe quickly denied it. "I'm very willing, extremely willing!"
Yao Ke'er's expression softened a bit.
The two of them tidied up briefly and then set off for Yao Ke'er's home.
The Yao family...
Few people in the capital had heard of them.
Even, far from the bustling city center, they were located in a very secluded place.
But when it came to the Yao family's power and history...
It was extraordinary.
The Yao family was also an ancient martial arts family, but far more powerful than the Tang family and other four great ancient martial arts families; they were on a completely different level.
Because they...
Were a Guardian family!
The surname "Yao" was enough to hint at their origins.
It was one of the eight ancient surnames, from the same era as Emperor Huangdi Xuanyuan's surname "Ji."
Though they had not reached the same glory as in ancient times, their foundation was enough to shock the world.
However.
Yao Ke'er had always had a strained relationship with her family.
This was because her father, Yao Cunxiao, always wanted to dictate her future.
And Yao Ke'er, unwilling to be manipulated, resisted.
On the way.
Yao Ke'er specifically briefed Bai Zihe on some precautions.
Bai Zihe, for once, listened attentively for a while.
When she had finished explaining most things.
They arrived at the Yao family residence.
"Miss, you've returned!"
Unlike many ancient martial arts families, there were no guards at the main gate of the Yao family. However, upon entering, a maid came to greet them.
What surprised Bai Zihe greatly was.
This maid...
Appeared ordinary, but in reality, she was a half-step grandmaster!
This.
Truly surprised Bai Zihe.
Even for an ancient martial arts family, having a half-step grandmaster as a maid was unexpected.
His curiosity about his seventh senior sister's family grew even more.
Clearly, when his seventh senior sister had introduced the forces in the capital, she hadn't included her own family.
However, since his seventh senior sister hadn't mentioned it, he didn't pry.
Yao Ke'er and Bai Zihe waited in the living room for a while before someone came to receive Bai Zihe.
It was Yao Ke'er's father, Yao Cunxiao.
"Ke'er, this is..."
Yao Cunxiao's gaze fell upon Bai Zihe, his expression unreadable.
Yao Ke'er replied, "Father, this is my little junior brother, Bai Zihe."
Bai Zihe stepped forward, neither humble nor arrogant, "Greetings, Uncle."
Yao Cunxiao nodded, showing no particular reaction.
He didn't ask many questions, nor did he say much.
It was as if...
He didn't acknowledge Bai Zihe's presence.
Yao Ke'er had mentioned this possibility to Bai Zihe before they came, so he wasn't bothered by it.
"Little junior brother, stay here for a while."
Yao Ke'er said to Bai Zihe, then turned to Yao Cunxiao and said, "Father, I have something I'd like to discuss with you."
A moment later.
The two entered Yao Cunxiao's study.
Yao Cunxiao's face was expressionless, making it impossible to tell if he was pleased or displeased. "Speak."
Yao Ke'er was accustomed to this atmosphere.
She took out a jade pendant. "Father, I've never asked you for anything before."
"But this time..."
"I hope, for the sake of this jade pendant, you will grant me one request."
Yao Cunxiao's expression changed slightly.
As Yao Ke'er had said,
Their relationship was not good, and she had never asked him for anything.
But this time, not only did she ask, but she also brought out her mother's遗物...
It was clear that the matter was extraordinary.
At least.
In Yao Ke'er's heart, it was extremely important.
Yao Cunxiao replied noncommittally, "Speak."
Yao Ke'er directly stated, "I hope... you can protect Bai Zihe and ensure his safety while he is in the capital."
"Alright, I agree."
To Yao Ke'er's surprise, Yao Cunxiao actually agreed.
Yao Ke'er looked at him with surprise, then quietly said, "Thank you."
She then turned to leave.
"Shadow."
Yao Cunxiao called out, and a black figure appeared in the study.
"Go investigate the background of this Bai Zihe."
"Find an opportunity..."