Chen Qing could tell he had something difficult to say, so he spoke directly. "Elder Zhang, we've known each other for a long time. Please, speak freely if there's something on your mind. I'm not an unreasonable person."
Hearing this, Zhang Yi glanced up at Chen Qing, finally letting out a sigh. He lowered his voice. "Chen Zhenchuan, since you've asked, I'll be direct. It's true that True Essence Pills are precious, and it's also true they aren't easy to refine. But to say that the other Elders don't have any to spare... that's not necessarily the case."
He paused, then continued, "Their reluctance to spare any for you, their unwillingness to even discuss the matter—the reason, I'm afraid, has little to do with the Pills themselves."
"What do you mean, Elder?" Chen Qing already understood, but he wanted to hear Zhang Yi say it out loud.
"The Nine Heavens Lineage."
