Chapter 17

• "Um..."
• "As an esteemed guest, there's no need for you to undertake any obligations. I'll only seek your assistance when specific situations require it."
• "However, if you're not willing, we can simply set aside my request as if it were never mentioned."
• Elder Bowen smiled faintly. He had expected that Tim might not agree, and he held no expectations.
• His repeated gestures of goodwill toward Tim were primarily to display his generosity and kindness in front of Valerie. Strengthening Valerie's favorable impression was his strategy in dealing with Tim!
• "Young Master Bowen."
• "I still have some questions about my cultivation that I need to discuss with my master, so I won't engage in further conversation with you."
• With these words, Tim picked up his tea and stood up to leave.
• This action
• Immediately drew subtle frowns from Valerie and Piko.
• After all, Elder Bowen had just helped the Vast Spirit Residence resolve issues with the Lim Clan; sending him away now seemed somewhat impolite.
• However, before either of them could speak up,
• Elder Bowen stood up gracefully and adapted to the situation.
• He took out a communication jade token from his storage bracelet and placed it on the table, saying with a smile:
• "In that case, I'll take my leave."
• "If you ever encounter any difficulties you can't handle, feel free to use this communication jade token to contact me."
• Having said this,
• He gave a slight bow with clasped hands and left the Vast Spirit Residence.
• "This..."
• Valerie opened her mouth and let out a soft sigh, feeling somewhat rude.
• Luckily, Elder Bowen was magnanimous and didn't appear to be bothered.
• "Very well."
• "With the Lim Clan crisis resolved, our Vast Spirit Residence can now reopen the pharmacy."
• "Before that, Tim, I'll share some alchemy manuals and cultivation techniques with you..."
• Piko turned her gaze to Tim, a smile lighting up her aging face.
• Although Tim had been somewhat impolite, she was forgiving and pleased that he hadn't chosen to return to the Starry Abyss Sect.
• "Understood, Master!"
• Tim replied with enthusiasm, "By the way, Master, this disciple still needs some spiritual herbs to nourish my dantian..."
• "At this time,"
• "Let's focus on studying the alchemy manuals first."
• Piko responded with a faint, wry smile, "As for spiritual herbs, we'll have to wait for our supply channels to be reestablished."
• "Alright."
• Tim's enthusiasm dampened slightly, but he nodded in agreement.
• Meanwhile,
• In a courtyard not far away,
• Elder Bowen reclined comfortably, extending his divine sense to observe Valerie and the others.
• To facilitate surveillance of Vast Spirit Residence.
• He had purchased this courtyard, and the seller had been sworn to secrecy, ensuring no information would be leaked.
• "Does Valerie still require spiritual herbs?"
• "His Dantian must have mended by now, so the spiritual herbs should serve another purpose, such as... self-enhancement!"
• "Could it be that he's the type of protagonist who grows stronger by consuming spiritual herbs? And he doesn't need to refine finished pills!?"
• "Hmm, the fact that Vast Spirit Residence currently lacks spiritual herbs works in my favor."
• "However, this also implies that Lin Feng may venture out in search of spiritual herbs, inadvertently activating other plotlines and reaping substantial benefits. I must remain vigilant."
• "..."
• Elder Bowen's eyes shimmered with contemplative light as he murmured to himself.
• At that moment.
• He observed Piko turning and entering a room, evidently prepared to bestow alchemy manuals upon Tim.
• Tim trailed closely behind her.
• Meanwhile, Valerie glanced at the transmission jade token left by Elder Bowen on the table and lifted it.
• 'Master and I find ourselves in dire straits.'
• 'The Bowen Clan's assistance is a valuable resource in times of crisis; I truly must express my gratitude to Elder Bowen...'
• Valerie contemplated, a trace of joy gracing her lovely visage.
• Elder Bowen, too, was pleased with this development.
• His rapport with Valerie had just advanced a step further.
• Just then.
• "Valerie, come over here. What are you up to?"
• Tim's voice abruptly resounded.
• "Ah, nothing."
• Valerie spun around, shook her head, and approached.
• "This is the transmission jade token left by Elder Bowen!"
• "Why did you accept this transmission jade token? Don't you realize that Elder Bowen isn't as benevolent as you believe? He must have an ulterior motive!"
• Tim was immediately displeased upon seeing the transmission jade token in Valerie's hand!
• He had long been resolute in winning over Valerie.
• Yet now.
• Valerie had actually accepted that guy Elder Bowen's transmission jade token!
• "Tim!"
• "I truly cannot comprehend why you harbor such animosity towards Elder Bowen."
• "He extended an invitation for you to become an honorary guest of the Bowen Clan, which is undoubtedly a favorable opportunity, but you declined."
• "Furthermore, Elder Bowen assisted us, but you were discourteous and drove him away."
• "And now, I merely accepted his transmission jade token, so we can utilize it when we require aid."
• "Do you understand that my master and I are currently in a precarious situation, and every bit of assistance is invaluable!"
• Valerie gazed at Tim with furrowed brows, evidently quite upset.
• "Valerie!"
• "I, too, can protect you; we don't need Elder Bowen's protection!"
• "He harbors ill intentions; don't be deceived by him!"
• "He's aware of your exceptional background, and all of today's events are undoubtedly orchestrated to get close to you and achieve his own objectives."
• "Consider this: the Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill is exceedingly rare. How could he just happen to possess one and coincidentally have a cousin afflicted with Purple Extreme Yin Devouring Syndrome!?"
• Tim was agitated and somewhat anxious, "This isn't mere coincidence; it's a meticulously designed snare!"
• Upon hearing this.
• Valerie was taken aback.
• Not far away, Elder Bowen subtly raised his eyebrows.
• "Drat, the protagonist truly is difficult to contend with. Merely connecting a few dots, and he can identify every minute inconsistency."
• "The Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill is extraordinarily valuable, and even Piko only has a fragment of the formula. It's genuinely hard to believe that I just happen to have one in my collection when, in reality, I had to rely on the System Mall to acquire it."
• "Additionally, the Purple Extreme Yin Devouring Syndrome is exceptionally rare. The two occurrences coinciding, both originating from my end, do indeed arouse suspicion."
• "Thankfully, I've managed to cover my tracks. Don't let me down, astute Valerie."
• Elder Bowen stroked his chin, a faint smile materializing at the corner of his mouth.
• As anticipated.
• After being momentarily stunned.
• Valerie shook her head at Tim.
• "Tim."
• "Have you forgotten that Elder Bowen confessed to having a secret?"
• "It's probable that he encountered some sort of fortuity and acquired various precious pills."
• "The Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill is merely one of them, not an item he deliberately sought because he knew about Rina's ailment."
• "Moreover, the Purple Extreme Yin Devouring Syndrome is exceedingly rare, and most alchemists cannot diagnose it, as it isn't documented in the majority of alchemical texts."
• "Only Master can accurately identify this disease in Autumn Glory City."
• "Thus, this isn't a trap; it's simply a coincidence."
• Having said this, Valerie pivoted and walked towards the room where Piko awaited.
• "Valerie..."
• Tim opened his mouth but couldn't find words to counter her, and he also caught a fleeting glimpse of disappointment in Valerie's eyes as she turned away.
• On the other side.
• [Ding! You have successfully diminished Valerie's favorable impression of Tim, and you have gained 300 points of Villain Value!]
• "Hehe."
• "Another 300 Villain Value points earned; regrettably, I couldn't reduce Tim's Heavenly Fate Value."
• "It seems I must persist in driving a wedge between Valerie and Tim!"
• Bowen's lips curled slightly, and his current Villain Value had exceeded 1200, reaching 1500 points!
• At that moment.
• Within the Vast Spirit Residence, the door to the room closed, and a formation that obstructed divine senses was promptly activated.
• Instantly.
• Elder Bowen's divine sense was barred from entry, leaving him unable to perceive anything.