But if it was thought that Mrs. Jenkins was taking advantage of those who had returned to the clan, others might become suspicious about her real motives.

Mrs. Jenkins narrowed her eyes.

In all her years of experience, she had never come across a youngster who wasn't scared of her and even tried to argue with her.

But she wasn't one to give up so easily. She said slowly, “You are right, Maria. The Jenkins family doesn't have a right to any of your personal belongings. But to gain a foothold in the ancient martial world, you can't rely only on yourself.

Remember, a big tree will always provide shade. For you, the Jenkins family can be the tree which will protect you from any obstacles you will face in the ancient martial world.

We all enjoy the protection of the family. But in return, we should work together with one mind toward the prosperity of the Jenkins family."

After a short pause, Mrs, Jenkins asked with an unfathomable smile, if you had offered the formula of the Peony Pill to our clan, have certainly given you a good price for it. Why did you have to sell it to outsiders?"

With these words, Mrs. Jenkins turned the tables on Maria and framed her as a selfish person. Mrs. Jenkins was seasoned in fighting verbal battles like these.

Both Mrs. Jenkins and Barbara stared at Maria expectantly, waiting for her answer.

“Okay, I understand. Next time I have a formula, I'll show it to you first. Don't forget to give me a good price," Maria replied casually, shrugging.

Hearing that, Mrs. Jenkins was dumbfounded,

That was it? How could Maria deal with the problem in such a perfunctory way? Did she really think she would be let off so easily?

Hrs. Jenkins shook her head and continued, “But Maria, about the formula of the Peony Pill..."

Maria clucked her tongue impatiently and interrupted, “Are you done, Mrs. Jenkins? Am I the pill alchemist that you invested in cultivating since I was young? To be honest, I don't owe you anything, do I7"

“What? How dare you!"

Hrs. Jenkins had been the head of the Jenkins family for many years, and she was well-versed in roundabout tactics.

Her scheming tactics granted her to have Canaan and other elders of the Jenkins family in the palm of her hands. However, Maria was more like a wild card.

Even she did not know how to deal with Maria at the moment, which came as a rather rude surprise, She didn't know if what Maria was doing now could be called thinking outside the box, or going rogue.

Meanwhile, Canaan couldn't help inwardly applauding Maria.

The way Maria dealt with the situation really opened up his mind and taught him something new.

It turned out that it was more efficient to fight with Mrs. Jenkins in a straightforward way.

“Well, I think Maria is right." Canaan took this opportunity to speak up for Maria.

“Maria was called back to the family fairly recently. Until then, she lived a hard life. It is only because of her own talent and discipline that she has so much knowledge. She is undoubtedly the best among the young generation of the Jenkins family.

But like she says, she doesn't owe the family anything, After all, she trained herself to be a pill alchemist without relying on anyone else. The formula of the Peony Pill which she created is part of her personal belongings.