This chapter is mostly setup, but that's fine. It's nice to see what Suyin's been up to, and I like the characterization of Bao Qian via dramatic irony: we, the audience, know things that he does and Ling Qi does not. As a neurodivergent person myself, it's endearing to see him close ranks around his kinswoman's difference, rather than treating her as a source of shame or scandalous gossip. It's also nice, as Grigori pointed out, that he misstepped with regard to Zhengui, noticed, and apologized: he is paying attention to Ling Qi and treating her attitudes with respect without dropping the things he himself cares about.
Anyway, I ain't saying I'm a pill digger, but I ain't messing with no broke broke. Cultivation aids are hugely powerful and we need to stay flush with green stones to keep on track for the tournament. While formations are neat (I'm a sucker for magical theory and more freeform/creative ways of doing magic), we've got a deadline: Shenhua's set us a task that is just barely possible and we're going to need to bust our ass to get there. This is an opportunity to do more with our little buddy Zhengui, learn more about our most serious suitor to date, and possibly establish a very nice source of passive income.
EDIT: Also, I love this badger already. She's got a no-nonsense attitude and a very dry sense of humor.