The days pass slowly in peace.
Qianling Pavilion developed rapidly. It only took one month to unify the entire Jia Ma Empire.
All forces including the Jia Ma imperial family and the Alchemist Association also submitted to Qianling Pavilion.
At the beginning, Yun Shan and Yun Yun went to negotiate with them, and in the end, they resolved the issue peacefully without a fight.
Although Jiang Ping is not afraid if a real fight breaks out, these forces have been deeply rooted in the Jia Ma Empire for so many years.
If they were all uprooted, the Jia Ma Empire would fall into a period of weakness in a short period of time.
So, if it can be resolved peacefully, then they should resolve it peacefully.
All subsequent matters were handled by Yun Yun and her followers.
These include the handover with the Jia Ma imperial family, the transformation of the Miteer Auction, the merging of the Alchemist Association, etc. These are all very complex and important issues that require time to handle properly.
During this busy time, Jiang Ping basically stayed in Dou Technique Pavilion as a hands-off manager. He usually just gave guidance to Qing Lin and didn't care about other things.
Qing Lin made rapid progress under his careful training.
In less than two months, she has transformed from a fragile little girl into a 5-Star Dou Practitioner!
The potential of Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils made Jiang Ping envious.
One day, he was dozing on a tree in the yard, and Qing Lin woke him up.
"Big brother Jiang Ping, wake up~ wake up~"
Jiang Ping opened his hazy eyes when Qing Lin climbed up and shook him awake.
"What's wrong?"
"Elder Gu He wants to see you."
"Gu He?"
This name made Jiang Ping sit up immediately, and he jumped down the tree holding Qing Lin who was sitting on him.
There was a polite knock on the door outside the courtyard, followed by Gu He's humble and polite voice: "Pavillion Master, I'm Gu He, I need to see you for something."
"Come in."
After getting permission, Gu He, dressed in an elegant alchemist's robe, walked in.
"What's the matter, Elder Gu He?"
Jiang Ping was somewhat curious about his arrival.
Because he and Gu He had basically no contact in normal times, except for the communication when Yun Yun hoped that Gu He would accept him as a disciple.
But now, if Gu He asks Jiang Ping to accept him disciple, that would be a joke.
"I have something I want to discuss with the Pavilion Master." Gu He said.
Qing Lin sensibly left the yard and didn't eavesdrop on their conversation.
"Oh? Elder Gu He, if you have anything to say, please tell me."
"Then I'll be straight to the point. Actually, I'm here to resign from the Pavilion." Gu He said.
"Resign?" Jiang Ping was stunned, "You want to leave?"
Gu He nodded and said, "That's right. I have been in Jia Ma Empire for so many years and have rarely been to places outside Jia Ma Empire. So, this time I want to take this opportunity to go outside and experience it, which can be regarded as a test for myself."
"Are you leaving temporarily, or will you never come back?"
Gu He pondered for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said, "I was thinking that maybe I won't come back in the future, but I'm afraid that the Pavilion Master and the Deputy Pavilion Master won't agree."
No matter which faction it is, no one will let a Tier-6 alchemist go easily.
What's more, Gu He had received the full support of Yunlan Sect to successfully reach the Tier-6 alchemist.
It can be said that it is basically impossible for Gu He to get rid of Yunlan Sect, and now Qianling Pavilion.
Unless Qianling Pavilion is willing to let him go.
"Can I know the reason?"
Jiang Ping also didn't want to let go of a Tier-6 alchemist like this, as it would be such a waste.
But he also didn't want to force Gu He to stay, as that would be meaningless.
So, he wanted to know why Gu He wanted to leave.
Hearing this, Gu He suddenly fell silent.
His expression was somewhat complicated, as if he was struggling internally.
After a while, he raised his head again, with a bitter smile on his face, and said, "You may not know, but I also... like Yun Yun."
"Mm, I know."
Jiang Ping knew this early on.
His words made Gu He stunned for a moment, and he didn't know how to respond.
Almost no one knew that he liked Yun Yun because Gu He kept it a secret.
Now Jiang Ping actually said he knew, which surprised him a little.
But soon Gu He continued:
"Of course, I know that Yun Yun and you are a perfect match, so I have already given up this unrealistic one-side love. I left Jia Ma Empire because I wanted to go out and be quiet, see the scenery outside, and find more meaning in life."
Now Yun Yun is Jiang Ping's woman, and Gu He knew he couldn't win her over, so he simply gave up.
But this kind of giving up also takes some time to heal the wounds.
He did not hate Jiang Ping and Yun Yun, but he felt very regretful in his heart.
After hearing what he said, Jiang Ping probably understood Gu He's mood.
It is very painful to see that the goddess whom you have secretly loved for many years finally gets taken.
It is remarkable that Gu He could say it so calmly, he is worthy of being the Pill King.
Jiang Ping patted his shoulder and said earnestly: "Old Gu He, this is indeed a sad thing. But for men, there are always beautiful women in the world. Since there are no other women in Jia Ma Empire that catch your eye, you might as well look for one somewhere other than Jia Ma Empire."
"So, Pavilion Master, you agree?"
"I can let you go out and relax, but Qianling Pavilion will always be your home." Jiang Ping said.
"Thank you, Master."
Gu He clasped his fists and bowed deeply.
"By the way, before you leave, I have something to give you." Jiang Ping suddenly said.
Then, Jiang Ping took out a ball of blood-red flame from the system space - it was the Heavenly Flame 'Ten Thousand Beast Flame' that he had found in the ruins of the Ancient Heavenly Snake!
"This is...Heavenly Flame?!"
Alchemists are very sensitive to flames. Gu He recognized that this was a type of Heavenly Flame almost instantly, and a hint of shock rose in his eyes.
"Yes, this is the Ten Thousand Beast Flame, ranked 22nd in the Heavenly Flame Rankings. I got it by chance last time I went out. Since I already have a Heavenly Flame in my body, this Heavenly Flame is of little use to me, but I believe that is useful to Elder Gu He."
Jiang Ping's words immediately caused an undisguised heat to rise in Gu He's eyes.
Even the Pill King couldn't hide his excitement in front of a Heavenly Flame.
"Pavillion Master, are you sure? To give me this Heavenly Flame, isn't a little bit too rush?"
Nodding, Jiang Ping directly gave the Ten Thousand Beast Flame, which had been preserved using special means, to Gu He.
This Heavenly Flame is really useless to him, being even weaker than the Green Lotus Core Flame.
Originally, he hadn't intended to give it to Gu He.
But Gu He's words just now, touched Jiang Ping.
So, he'll consider this Heavenly Flame as compensation.
After receiving the Ten Thousand Beast Flame, Gu He could not hide his excitement and could only express his gratitude:
"Thank you, Pavillion Master!"
"I've already given you the Heavenly Flame. As for how to absorb it, I don't think I need to teach you, right?"
"No, thank you very much, Pavillion Master!"
Gu He was very excited.