Two months passed in the blink of an eye, and the alchemy chamber and laboratory had been established on Ning Beichen's private island, without anyone's knowledge.
The Dan Pavilion remained incredibly mysterious, periodically selling a limited number of elixirs online. Despite the scarcity, demand was fierce, leading to frantic competition among buyers.
What surprised Ning Beichen the most was Liu Yilin's rapid cultivation progress. He estimated she would break through to the Grandmaster realm before long.
A Grandmaster who had been cultivating for less than two years!
His heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys ached at the thought.
If the outside world, especially orthodox practitioners, were to discover this, they would likely capture her for dissection and research.
Compared to Liu Yilin, Chen Mingyue and the like were mere pretenders to the title of prodigy. Liu Yilin was the true prodigy, and Chen Mingyue and her peers weren't even fit to carry her shoes.
If not for Liu Yilin's 'friendly' relationship with Ning Beichen, even he would have been tempted to eliminate her, for she was truly terrifying.
To put it simply, Ning Beichen became a Grandmaster after twenty years of arduous cultivation, yet Liu Yilin achieved it in less than two.
Compared to her, Ning Beichen felt his life up to this point had been utterly wasted.
While Liu Yilin benefited from Ning Beichen's invaluable experience, his assistance, and a vast supply of elixirs, her progress was still alarmingly swift.
At times, Ning Beichen even suspected Liu Yilin was Heaven's illegitimate daughter.
Despite his envy, Ning Beichen was genuinely happy for her rapid advancement.
Approximately three more months passed.
A surge of powerful aura erupted from the island. Liu Yilin emerged from her training room, her face alight with excitement as she rushed to share the news with Ning Beichen.
"Beichen, I've become a Grandmaster."
Ning Beichen's eyelids twitched, and the chicken leg in his hand suddenly lost its appeal.
"Congratulations, congratulations."
Recovering his senses, Ning Beichen tossed aside the chicken leg, his voice laced with a sense of resignation.
Liu Yilin approached and playfully pinched his waist. "Why the long face? Don't you want to see me become a Grandmaster?"
"My heart is just a little overwhelmed."
Ning Beichen's face contorted, unsure whether it was heartache or physical pain.
Jokes aside, Ning Beichen was genuinely delighted by Liu Yilin's promotion to Grandmaster.
"Yilin, it's important to balance cultivation with relaxation. You're a Grandmaster now, so don't go into seclusion again for a while. I'll take you out for a celebratory feast."
Ning Beichen suggested.
"Now that's more like it."
Liu Yilin finally released him, satisfied.
Their relationship had been steadily warming over time, largely due to the increased time they spent together. Previously, Liu Yilin would often lock herself away in the laboratory, making it difficult to even get a glimpse of her.
Ning Beichen took Liu Yilin away from the island via private jet.
Shortly thereafter, they found themselves in a restaurant in a bustling overseas city.
Cultivation was important, but it shouldn't turn one into an ascetic. One still needed to enjoy life's pleasures.
Foie gras, steak, black truffles, caviar, and fine wine, all accompanied by elegant music.
Liu Yilin wore a black backless long dress, her long hair cascading down, elegantly curled but not disheveled, enhancing her charm. She sat with the grace of a queen, her hair falling towards her chest, like an ethereal fairy untouched by the world.
Ning Beichen sat opposite her. Though not in a suit and tie, his casual white attire, when paired with Liu Yilin, didn't seem out of place; rather, it created an image of a perfect couple.
"Beichen, I'm planning to hand over Tianmei Technology Group to someone trustworthy to manage. I want to focus my energy on cultivation from now on. What do you think?"
Liu Yilin asked Ning Beichen.
"Yilin, are you sure about this? This path we're taking, we might not have a peaceful end."
Ning Beichen pondered for a moment before asking.
"I've made up my mind. Before I saw what lay beyond, perhaps I could have settled. But now, do you think I'm still suited to be a CEO?"
Liu Yilin retorted.
"Indeed, you're not. If the CEO position isn't for you, then so be it. Many will regret it, though."
Ning Beichen nodded in agreement.
"There's nothing to regret. Everyone has their pursuits at different stages. I don't want to live a monotonous and uneventful life day after day. Besides, there are so many scientists in the world; my presence or absence makes little difference."
Liu Yilin stated.
"That's true. Since you've decided, I support you. But if one day, you and I have to leave this world, will your family agree to this choice?"
Ning Beichen asked.
"I am responsible for my own life. For them, my brother is their hope. I will leave them an account; the group's profits are more than enough for them to live comfortably for the rest of their lives."
Liu Yilin replied with a hint of weariness.
"Since you've thought it through, I won't say more. However, this path is too dangerous. To be honest, sometimes, I truly dread seeing you take such risks."
Ning Beichen took a sip of red wine.
"Birth, growth, school, work, marriage, children, then the grave—that's life. Wouldn't life be too boring if it were too smooth?"
"I'm walking this path not to prove how far I can go, nor to pursue some illusory gods and immortals. It's merely to enrich my life. Of course, it's also because I want to walk further with someone..."
Liu Yilin said, her gaze subtly drifting towards Ning Beichen.
Just as Ning Beichen was contemplating who this 'someone' might be, a loud crash echoed through the restaurant. He saw over a dozen masked individuals armed with firearms storming in.
Upon entering, they fired shots towards the ceiling before declaring everyone in the restaurant their captives.
Not long after, police sirens wailed outside, and a large contingent of police surrounded the restaurant.
Chaos erupted inside the restaurant, with patrons trembling in fear.
Some individuals lost their composure and attempted to escape, only to be riddled with bullets by the masked assailants, serving as a grim warning to others to comply.
Ning Beichen and Liu Yilin, who were dining in the restaurant, exchanged a glance, both frowning.
Who would have thought their celebratory dinner would be interrupted by such an event?
However, at that moment, neither Ning Beichen nor Liu Yilin made a move. They decided to observe the situation.
These criminals posed no threat to them. Leaving aside Ning Beichen, even Liu Yilin could easily handle them now.