Chapter 1818: Sworn Never to Be a Concubine

Chapter 1818: Chapter 1818: Sworn Never to Be a Concubine

Although at her age she doesn’t need elixirs to extend her lifespan, she had heard of such elixirs.

"No, it’s not as simple as a Life-extending Pill; it can make a person young for a hundred years, like the legendary Phoenix Nirvana," Lin Xiu corrected.

Han Yan’s eyes lit up. Elixirs like the Life-extending Pill are present in both the Holy Court Continent and the Divine Continent. They extend life by stimulating life’s potential, like the Seven Treasures Life Extending Pill Ye Yi’an prepared for himself.

These elixirs can prolong life but can’t prevent the natural aging of the body. The more life’s potential is stimulated, the more aged one becomes, like Ye Yi’an, whose body continually weakens. Even with a Ninth Rank Divine Priest’s cultivation level, he struggles to perform. Continuing to enhance cultivation is almost impossible, and once life’s potential is exhausted, death is inevitable.

According to Lin Xiu, the Phoenix Nirvana Pill doesn’t rely on stimulating life’s potential to extend life but rejuvenates a person for a hundred years, like the Phoenix Nirvana, implying enhanced physical condition and easier cultivation. If cultivation can continually improve, life extension becomes nearly limitless.

Of course, due to natural talent limits, there’s a bottleneck that can’t be surpassed, but it’s much better than the gradual aging and waiting for death with Life-extending Pills.

Immediately, Han Yan thought of Ye Yi’an, feeling excited. Last time, to save the Little Auspicious Beast, Ye Yi’an used his life-saving Seven Treasures Life Extending Pill, and Han Yan had been feeling guilty, wanting to help extend his lifespan but unable to find a suitable way. If they have this Phoenix Nirvana Pill, it can extend his life by a hundred years and restore his body’s functions, perhaps enabling him to break through cultivation bottlenecks and further extend his life.

Shen Yuhe and others also showed surprise; evidently, they understood the difference between the Phoenix Nirvana Pill and normal Life-extending Pills and realized what this meant.

"Now you see, our Gu family has its current status and reputation thanks to the Phoenix Nirvana Pill. Unfortunately, since your uncle passed away, your grandfather fell ill. Although he recovered, he became mentally unfocused, made mistakes while refining Phoenix Nirvana Pills several times, exhausting the family’s savings. It’s said that even the petitioners suffered heavy losses.

Once or twice would have been fine, but it happened often enough that no one petitioned your grandfather for alchemy anymore. The Gu family estates seem prosperous but are actually supported by others’ respect for your grandfather; otherwise, merely with Gu family’s strength, it wouldn’t compete with other Priest Families for business. Now without your grandfather, naturally, there’s no longer respect, and those businesses can’t make money. After years of losses, they couldn’t keep going and had to sell." Lin Xiu continued.

"I understand now. But if grandfather’s alchemy failed, we would pay; what did they lose?" Shen Yuhe started to understand but asked with some doubts.

"I’m not very clear on that; it’s hearsay. You know, I don’t really manage household affairs, so I’m not well-informed." Lin Xiu said.

"It’s quite simple; such miracle medicines require rare and precious herbs. The Gu family likely couldn’t prepare them all, so those petitioning your grandfather for alchemy must provide some themselves. If the alchemy fails, they, of course, suffer heavy losses too. They might say nothing but certainly bear resentment in their hearts. After many times, no one dared to ask your grandfather anymore." Han Yan explained.

She had also helped others refine elixirs at Long Yan Academy before and knew some of the rules. If the alchemist provides all the herbs himself, the elixir’s price is highest; if both parties contribute herbs, the price is about a third lower; if the other party provides all herbs, the price is just the alchemy fee, but if it fails, unless an agreement is made in advance, compensation is due.

Master of the Gu Family chose the second option, earning less, not bothering to gather herbs, with lower risk; however, failing multiple times means no one would request him anymore.

"Indeed, I think that’s the case. Those herbs are indeed hard to find and expensive." Lin Xiu nodded.

"How is grandfather now?" Shen Yuhe asked worriedly.

"Your grandfather is accumulating frustration from repeated setbacks; his health deteriorates day by day. If this continues, he might not hold on much longer." Lin Xiu hesitated, wiping her eyes.

"What?" Shen Yuhe was startled. From a young age, her grandfather loved her dearly. Even though she stayed in Huayu City over the years, he frequently entrusted others with gifts for her, knowing that life in Huayu Temple was tough and worried about her suffering.

Previously, she was unaware of the Gu family’s plight, but now she knows even the family itself struggles to survive. Yet, her grandfather never forgot her and worried for her like before.

"I want to see grandfather." Shen Yuhe, holding back tears, headed towards her grandfather’s courtyard.

"Your grandfather is discussing something with some old friends; eat first and visit later." Lin Xiu advised.

"No, I need to see grandfather immediately." Shen Yuhe was unwilling to wait a moment longer, hastening her steps.

Han Yan and the others were curious about the Phoenix Nirvana Pill and followed her.

Seeing Shen Yuhe couldn’t be persuaded, Lin Xiu could only follow, avoiding another confrontation with Zhu Yulan.

Soon, they reached the old courtyard deep in Gu Mansion, but two guards stopped them at the entrance.

Knowing her grandfather had important things to discuss, Shen Yuhe didn’t force her way in, obediently standing outside. She faintly heard arguing inside, and as she caught the content, her expression gradually changed.

"Housekeeper Wan, don’t insult us. Although our Gu family is no longer as it was, we won’t be humiliated." A haggard old man angrily said—it was Gu Family Head, Gu Qingyang.

"Family Head Gu, you’re speaking too harshly. Our Long Family is Tianyang City’s First Priest Family. Wu Cuo’s son is the Main Priest’s son and now a Prayer Priest at Heavenly Sun Temple. Doesn’t he match your granddaughter? Truly speaking, your granddaughter is the one reaching higher." The lean and somewhat sinister old man laughed.

"Housekeeper Wan, if your Long Family sincerely wishes to propose, I accept even if our Gu family reaches higher. But to want Yu He as a concubine, what do you take our Gu family for?" Gu Qingyang stared at him, eyes almost aflame.