Set a goal, and the system takes over the body.

My thoughts flashed by.

Li Yan smiled slightly, her eyes sparkling, and said, "Young Master is indeed straightforward. Then I will not beat around the bush. I have come here today to ask Young Master for help in refining a high-grade Qi and Blood Pill."

Qi Xiuyuan suddenly realized something.

It seems that the news of Qingshan Pharmacy's stable sale of top-grade Qi and Blood Pills has spread.

After all, the fixed supply of five top-grade Qi and Blood Pills every five days is something that other pharmacies wouldn't dare to promise.

Qi Xiuyuan was the only alchemist in the entire Qingshan Pharmacy.

It's easy to find out who made those top-grade pills with a little inquiry.

"Miss Li Yan, the Tianfu Martial Arts Tournament is in a few days, and I'm afraid I won't be able to find time to refine pills recently."

Qi Xiuyuan politely declined in a calm tone.

Li Yan seemed to have anticipated this scene, her expression remained unchanged and calm.

"If the young master agrees to refine pills for me, I can plead on his behalf and persuade the people from various martial arts schools to stop making things difficult for him on the arena. Of course, I will not shortchange you on the reward for refining the pills."

Qi Xiuyuan smiled but didn't respond to her words: "If Miss Li Yan needs them urgently, she can go to Qingshan Pharmacy first. I just had five high-grade Qi and Blood Pills sent there not long ago, and they should still be sold."

Li Yan gently raised her hand.

Her maidservant understood and immediately took out a porcelain bottle from her sleeve and placed it on the table.

"Young Master, I have already sent someone to buy those five high-grade pills, but this amount is far from enough. I beg you to make me a few more."

Qi Xiuyuan was a little surprised; he hadn't expected her to act so quickly.

"How many does Miss Li Yan want?"

Li Yan extended a slender finger.

Qi Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow and tried to guess, "One hundred?"

Li Yan shook her head.

Qi Xiuyuan frowned slightly: "A thousand?"

Li Yan shook her head again.

Qi Xiuyuan leaned back in his chair and shook his head: "Miss Li Yan, you'd better find someone else. I don't have that much time to refine tens of thousands of Qi and Blood Pills, and besides, you probably don't need that many high-grade Qi and Blood Pills, do you?"

Despite being rejected, Li Yan maintained a calm, gentle smile.

"Young Master, you misunderstand. What I mean is that I would like to hire you as a full-time alchemist for Qingyu Pavilion, to continuously refine high-grade Qi and Blood Pills for Qingyu Pavilion."

Keep practicing?

Qi Xiuyuan was genuinely surprised this time.

What kind of place is Qingyuge?

Brothels!

That's a place of misty willows and smoke, why would it need so many high-grade Qi and Blood Pills, and even hire a full-time alchemist?

I'm afraid she has some powerful backer!

After all, Li Yan was a martial artist of considerable strength, yet she hid in a place like Qingyu Pavilion under an assumed name, making her identity suspicious.

The thought flashed through my mind.

Qi Xiuyuan remained expressionless, chuckled, and said, "Miss Li Yan, Qingyu Pavilion shouldn't need so many high-grade Qi and Blood Pills, right? I don't quite understand what you mean."

Li Yan didn't explain, but just gave a look, and the maid walked towards Qi Xiuyuan and handed him a rolled-up piece of paper, which carried a faint scent of cosmetics.

"If the young master agrees, I will give him a monthly allowance of one hundred taels of silver for a maximum of three years. I will also provide him with a Golden Yang Marrow Cleansing Pill. With the help of this pill, it will not be difficult for the young master to rebuild his martial arts foundation and sense his qi and blood."

"What is your opinion, Young Master?"

Her tone was calm, and her eyes showed a certainty, clearly indicating that she felt the offer was generous enough that no one could refuse it.

Qi Xiuyuan simply gave a soft "oh".

"It seems Miss Li Yan came prepared. I am truly flattered to receive such high regard from you. However, I am afraid I will have to disappoint you."

Li Yan was slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

Even a Golden Sun Cleansing Pill, which money can't buy, couldn't move Qi Xiuyuan.

Are they fearless and complacent, or have they already given up on the path of martial arts?

This was something she never expected.

"Hmph! My young lady's favor is not something that just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can refuse!"

Mei'er, the maid standing beside Li Yan, immediately frowned.

Li Yan frowned slightly and scolded, "Mei'er, don't be rude! Apologize to the young master."

The maid Mei'er pursed her lips, her face full of reluctance, but she dared not disobey her mistress's words. She could only lower her head, grit her teeth, and bow to Qi Xiuyuan.

"Young Master, I'm sorry."

Qi Xiuyuan chuckled: "It's alright. If a dog bites me, I can't bite it back, can I?"

Upon hearing this, Mei'er's face turned green with anger.

But she could only clench her fists, shut her mouth, and endure it without uttering a sound.

Li Yan was also surprised, but she was not angry. Instead, she looked at Qi Xiuyuan with higher regard and then said slowly, "Young Master, the servant was ignorant and offended you. It was my fault for not disciplining him properly. Please forgive me."

"As for what I mentioned, young master, there is no need to rush to refuse. You can take your time to consider it. When you have figured it out, you can come to Qingyu Pavilion to find me. I will be waiting for you at any time."

After exchanging a few more polite words, Li Yan and her maidservant rose to take their leave.

Qi Xiuyuan stood at the entrance of the hall, watching the two departing figures, and a thought flashed through his mind.

"Set a goal: to find out the real reason why Li Yan hired me as a full-time alchemist."

[Target detected: Investigate the root cause]

[Method 1: Accept Li Yan's invitation to become a full-time alchemist at Qingyu Pavilion, and diligently refine high-grade Qi and Blood Pills. After three years, you will gain Li Yan's trust and attention, and learn the truth.]

[Method 2: Refine three top-grade Qi and Blood Pills and sell them at the pharmacy. Li Yan will visit again. If you agree to hire her, you will learn the truth a year later; if you disagree, Li Yan will send someone to secretly kidnap you, and you will also learn the truth afterward.]

Please select a method to complete the objective.

"What the hell?"

Qi Xiuyuan frowned.

Method one is too tedious; it takes a full three years to find the answer.

Method two will also take a year.

Moreover, if you don't agree to be hired, you'll be kidnapped. What kind of solution is that?

These are not the results he wanted.

"Set a goal: to become friends with Li Yan."

[Target detected: Become friends with Li Yan]

[Method 1: Accept Li Yan's invitation to become a full-time alchemist at Qingyu Pavilion. Dedicate yourself to refining high-grade Qi and Blood Pills and demonstrate remarkable alchemy talent. Occasionally, you will refine top-grade Qi and Blood Pills, which will earn Li Yan's special attention. After six months, you can become friends with Li Yan.]

[Method 2: Place three top-grade Qi and Blood Pills for sale at the pharmacy. Li Yan will visit again. Use the Divine Finger to subdue her, demonstrating your own prowess. Then treat her politely and let her leave. This will pique her curiosity. Later, after winning the Tianfu Martial Arts Tournament, Li Yan will visit again, and you can become friends.]

Please select a method to complete the objective.

Qi Xiuyuan secretly curled his lip.

"So you have to demonstrate enough value to earn even a shred of friendship?"

He decided to change his approach and try the worst-case scenario.

"Reset your goals, become Li Yan's enemy, and successfully protect yourself."

[Target detected: Become the enemy and protect yourself]