-How did you reach the next stage so quickly?
Cai Mei asked once she remembered how to speak.
She knew how monstrous this young man's talent was, but this was getting ridiculous.
-It's a long story, and also the reason I visited the palace today, but we are getting sidetracked.
Paul said, not getting into details.
-Your cultivation level won't be a problem, since there are people from all the realms entering the ruins, each time they are opened, and for some reason, their cultivation is always forcefully suppressed to the peak of the beginning stage.
The princess explained, getting back to the main topic.
-As for the other information.
The ruins will stay open for a week, but time passes differently inside, so we will be staying for a month.
We also don't need to worry about getting stuck inside, since the moment the ruins are closed, everyone inside will be transported to the realm they came from.
Ling Li continued.
-A week should not be a problem, but why do you need a healer in there, and what do you intend to get out of visiting the Misty Ruins?
-The healer is needed because there were too many deaths in the past, thanks to all the beasts and traps inside that place.
As for what we will get out of it, it depends on our luck, since there are a lot of treasures all around that place.
But if nothing else, we all should be able to gain a few levels of cultivation out of it at the very least, since the qi and mana inside are extremely dense.
Cai Xuan answered.
-How many people will be entering the ruins?
Paul asked.
-We know that there will be at least two thousand from this realm alone, as for the other realms, we have no clue.
But many people go there just to cultivate, and don't dare to explore beyond the entrance.
Especially people who enter alone or in groups of two or three.
-And how many of these two thousand do you expect to return?
Paul asked.
-It's impossible to say, as there were times that almost everyone returned, and sometimes barely a hundred or two got back.
We also know that each time we have access to a different part of the ruins, so that's also a factor.
The princess said.
-Alright, then, how big will our team be?
-With you, six people, but we don't plan on entering the inner parts of the ruins, so the danger should be minimised by that alone.
-Then what's in it for me?
Paul asked the last question, which was also of the greatest importance to him.
He didn't mind helping his friends and the other ladies, but he also wanted to gain something from it.
-It's not guaranteed that we can gain anything from the ruins, and in case we come back empty-handed, I'll pay you ten million gold coins for your time, and anything you find inside is yours to keep.
As for the treasures that we gain through the team effort, they will be shared according to our contributions.
Ling Li explained.
-That sounds reasonable.
I'll accompany you to the ruins.
He agreed.
Truth be told, it was better than just staying in the capital and waiting for the ladies to arrive.
Additionally, his own ladies would not mind if he had some fun, as long as he came back in one piece.
-Are all of you going to be on our team?
He asked, looking at the five ladies.
-Yes, this is the whole team.
Cai Xuan confirmed.
-Then I'll need to check you all before we enter the ruins.
I don't want there to be any surprises during our stay there.
-Wait, you want to do a check-up on all of us?
The princess asked, blushing.
-Yes, and if you don't mind, then right now is as good a time as ever to do so.
Paul confirmed with amusement.
-Your highness, you seem to misunderstand something.
Cai Mei said with an amused smile.
-I'll go first, to clarify everything.
She volunteered.
The check-up lasted only about a minute, after which Paul cast a few minor healing spells targeted at the few contusions he had found.
-You need to take better care of yourself.
Paul commented before asking for the next patient, which was Cai Xuan.
In her case, he didn't find anything to heal and moved to the next lady.
Seeing how it worked and the speed at which their new healer dealt with any health problems, the next two ladies, who were also the princess's bodyguards, calmed down.
-You two should really stop overdoing it.
Paul said to them after the checkup and treatment of all the problems they had, which were many.
The two young ladies had an impressive collection of scars, which he removed, but also many older injuries that were not healed properly, and were compounded by the contusions from their training sessions.
All in all, it took him almost an hour to treat everything. making the two of them feel like they were reborn.
-Well, your highness, you are the last one.
Paul said, inviting her to sit across from him.
He used the diagnostic technique on her as he did on the other ladies, but as soon as he saw her state, he frowned.
-What is it?
Cai Mei asked, seeing the change in his expression.
-Nothing much, just some slow-acting poison.
Paul answered and moved his mana through the princess's body, gathering every trace of the poison he could find.
-Please hold still, your highness.
He said and took out a silver needle.
-This might sting a little.
He said pricking the skin on her forearm, which resulted in a small fountain of black blood being ejected.
-There, done.
Paul smiled, casting a mid-level healing spell, which repaired all the damage caused by the poison.
-Your highness should be more mindful about what you eat and drink, as well as who prepares and serves it.
He said, after using the diagnostic technique once again, just to be sure that he got all the poison out.
The ladies were shocked at this display of medical skills, as well as the revelation of an attempted poisoning of the princess.
But none of them were as shocked as the princess herself, and she also suspected when and by whom she was poisoned.