A few days later, Jiang Nannan received an anonymous letter bringing bad news about her mother. Her face changed drastically, and she immediately asked for leave to return to her hometown.
Bai Zhou sensed Jiang Nannan's departure through a spiritual imprint, so he directly asked Mu Jin for leave to follow her.
A day later, Jiang Nannan returned home and happened to see the black-robed physician from the town.
"Physician Liu, how is my mother...?"
Jiang Nannan grabbed the black-robed physician's arm, her face full of pleading.
"The situation is not optimistic..." The black-robed physician shook his head, his meaning clear—grieve and accept the change, there's no saving her.
"What... what? Please, Physician Liu, you are the best physician in town, you must have a way, right...?"
Hearing this, Jiang Nannan's face changed drastically, and she was on the verge of kneeling down.
Jiang Nannan didn't even think about seeking help from Shrek, because she trusted the black-robed physician too much. After all, the black-robed physician was a healing Spirit Master. He had been in the town since she was very young and had a high reputation. Since he said he couldn't treat her, it must be true.
"Alright, actually there's only one way. Only the Xuan Ming Sect's treasure—the xuanwu divine pill—can save your mother. And the xuanwu divine pill is a priceless treasure, useful even for Spirit Saint powerhouses. It's impossible to give it to an ordinary person."
The black-robed physician gave Jiang Nannan a slight glimmer of hope.
"xuanwu divine pill... priceless treasure..."
Jiang Nannan was completely desperate. She naturally knew about the Xuan Ming Sect; it was the largest Sect in Xuan Ming City. Such a behemoth, though not as powerful as Shrek, was still a top-tier Sect. The difficulty of obtaining a Divine Pill from such a Sect was imaginable.
Seeing that the mood was right, the black-robed physician changed the topic and said, "However, I happen to have an opportunity here. If you are willing..."
"I'm willing! As long as it can save Mu Yun'er, I'll do anything!" Before the black-robed physician could finish speaking, Jiang Nannan pleaded repeatedly, as if grasping at a life-saving straw.
"Alright, here's how it is..."
The black-robed physician explained the condition and then added, "The Xuan Ming Sect's young master is coming of age. This concerns the future of the Xuan Ming Sect, which is why they are offering the xuanwu divine pill as a reward, along with a large sum of compensation. If you are willing, after the matter is settled, I will send the xuanwu divine pill over to treat your mother."
"With the Xuan Ming Sect's young master... consummating the marriage..."
Hearing this, Jiang Nannan felt completely muddled.
She naturally knew who the Xuan Ming Sect's young master was; it was the suitor she detested the most—Xu Sanshi.
Just thinking about being with Xu Sanshi...
Jiang Nannan felt like she was about to collapse.
"Think about it carefully. I won't force you. The other party's coming-of-age ceremony is seven days from now, but you need to make a choice quickly. After all, others are scrambling for this opportunity..."
The black-robed physician revealed a strange smile.
"I... I understand..."
Jiang Nannan was completely lost in thought, as if she had lost her soul, battling fiercely within her heart.
The black-robed physician left.
Jiang Nannan first went to visit her Mu Yun'er.
In the evening, Jiang Nannan cooked for Mu Yun'er, chatted with Mu Yun'er, comforted Mu Yun'er, and said there was already a way to treat her.
After dark, Mu Yun'er fell asleep, and only then did Jiang Nannan come to the rooftop.
"Mother, I'm sorry... Forgive my selfishness... I really can't bear to lose you..." Jiang Nannan looked at the starry sky and finally chose to save her mother.
But she absolutely could not let her mother know about this, otherwise, she would truly have no face to see her again.
Just then, Jiang Nannan suddenly discovered something. Looking down, she saw a black-robed figure suddenly appear at her doorstep.
"Who are you!!"
Jiang Nannan's face changed slightly, and she instantly released her Spirit, assuming a fighting stance.
"So beautiful~" Bai Zhou thought to himself. Looking at Jiang Nannan's glowing rabbit ears, he really wanted to go up and tug them.
But now was not the time.
"I can save your mother. You only have one chance."
Bai Zhou didn't waste time and got straight to the point. However, he had disguised himself, and his voice was hoarse.
After all, if he just stepped forward, Jiang Nannan wouldn't believe him even if she died.
But if he put on a little act to increase the sense of mystery, the credibility would be much higher, and things would be easier to handle.
"Why should I believe you?"
Jiang Nannan frowned, feeling there was a conspiracy.
"Believe it or not, it's up to you. You only have this one chance."
Bai Zhou's tone was indifferent. Then, he directly released his Spirit, the Wishing Tree, but did not release his spirit ring.
"This is my Spirit—the Wishing Tree. Every 10 years, there's an opportunity to make a wish, and it can make your heart's desires come true. It can save your mother."
Bai Zhou slightly exaggerated the effect of his Wishing Tree by a billion points.
In reality, he had already obtained the pill to treat Jiang Nannan's mother using the Wishing System, but it wasn't the xuanwu divine pill.
After all, each profession has its specialization. The xuanwu divine pill merely had an effect, while Bai Zhou's Wishing System could prescribe the right medicine for the ailment.
The value of his pill might not be as high as the xuanwu divine pill, but its effect on Jiang Nannan's mother was far beyond what the xuanwu divine pill could achieve.
"Then what do I need to pay?"
Jiang Nannan was still extremely cautious, because she knew there was no free lunch in the world.
If she wanted the xuanwu divine pill, she would have to be with Xu Sanshi...
And for a stranger to suddenly appear and say he could treat her mother, obviously, the price would definitely not be lower than that.
"Just owe me a favor."
"After all, I'm helping you not for anything you have, but simply because I can't stand the Xuan Ming Sect's insidious methods. Your mother is not only curable by the xuanwu divine pill; other medicines can also work, it's just that the price is higher. Yet, the Xuan Ming Sect deliberately concealed this to coerce you into making that kind of choice..."
Bai Zhou shook his head and directly revealed the Xuan Ming Sect's scheme.
"What... what... so that's how it is!"
Only then did Jiang Nannan suddenly realize the truth.
Because everything was too coincidental: just when her mother's illness could only be treated by the xuanwu divine pill, there happened to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her to obtain the xuanwu divine pill.
Before, because she was anxious to save her mother and trusted the black-robed physician, she not only didn't suspect anything but was even grateful to the black-robed physician.
Now, after being reminded by this black-robed figure, she realized that she had almost been tricked into Hell...
"Thank you. I don't want to owe you a favor; I owe you my life. No matter what you ask me to do in the future, as long as it doesn't violate my principles, I will go all out!"
Only now did Jiang Nannan know who the good person was. Her trust in Bai Zhou instantly reached its peak, her eyes full of sincerity.
"Alright, make your wish. You will get what you want."
Bai Zhou slowly held up the Wishing Tree in his hand and said indifferently.
"Okay!"
Jiang Nannan didn't hesitate. She placed her hands on her forehead, extremely sincere, and silently made her wish in her heart...
The next moment, the Wishing Tree instantly emitted a burst of white light.
Immediately after, a light blue pill slowly appeared in mid-air.
This pill was naturally prepared by Bai Zhou in advance. With a little manipulation, he could make the Wishing Tree condense it.