Looking at Ye Lingling's dazed expression, Gu Xuan was actually quite surprised. He had only intended to tease her a little, but he hadn't expected such a reaction. 'Is there a chance here?' he wondered. Ye Lingling was fifteen, and her figure and looks were beyond reproach. Though she wasn't particularly tall, that "cool-beauty-turned-loli" vibe was incredibly lethal.
Shaking the stray thoughts from his head for a moment, Gu Xuan spoke again. "Tell me, why do you want to know about this?"
Ye Lingling snapped out of it, trying her best to calm her racing heart. "Because... this is very important to me."
"Oh?"
Seeing Gu Xuan's confusion, Ye Lingling thought for a while before saying, "The Mixed Yuan Pill contains at least two ten-thousand-year herbs. Such herbs are nearly as precious as soul bones. Even though my family has inherited medicine for generations, we only possess five ten-thousand-year-old herbs in total."
"Think about it. You can produce at least three ten-thousand-year herbs and countless thousand-year spiritual grasses just to refine pills. What kind of resource support do you have behind you?"
As she spoke, her shyness faded, replaced by a sharp, intelligent gaze fixed on Gu Xuan.
"I don't believe you'd foolishly give us pills of this caliber just for the sake of it. I don't doubt your feelings for the team, but if your reserves weren't massive, I don't believe Clan Leader Ning would ever have agreed to it."
Gu Xuan realized then that he had underestimated this girl. Perhaps she was the most perceptive member of the entire Emperor Team, piecing together the whole picture from just a few clues. Or perhaps she simply understood the true value of those herbs better than anyone else.
Ye Lingling grew more confident as she spoke, certain her theory was correct. Suddenly, Gu Xuan reached out and lightly flicked her forehead.
"I didn't see that coming. Our 'Ice Beauty' actually thought that far ahead," he said. "I won't hide it from you. You're right. We've secured a treasure land where ten-thousand-year herbs are countless."
"There are even higher-level Immortal Herbs, but those aren't things I can just hand out. My teacher and the elders are managing that land now. Even if I want something, I have to ask for permission and state the purpose."
As he spoke, Gu Xuan's heterochromatic eyes locked onto hers. His red and blue pupils gave him a magnetic, almost hypnotic charm when he stared someone down. Ye Lingling held his gaze for less than ten seconds before she was defeated, turning her head away to avoid his eyes.
A wise man once said that if two people of the opposite sex lock eyes for more than ten seconds, a spark of romance is inevitable. Ye Lingling's Martial Soul was the Nine-Hearted Begonia, a classic plant type, so she didn't dare play with fire, lest she be consumed by it.
Seeing her shy away, Gu Xuan continued. "Since you asked, I can guess your intention. You suspect I have a massive pharmacy behind me and want to shear some wool for yourself. Unfortunately, I can't make that decision."
"I'm telling you this so you can weigh the pros and cons. You can send this news back to your family and have them contact Uncle Ning to negotiate."
Ye Lingling's eyes flickered. After a long pause, she asked, "Since you can refine the Mixed Yuan Pill, you must have studied herbology. I have one question." She held up a single finger.
Gu Xuan nodded.
"Do you know of the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid? Or rather... does your treasure land have one?" When she asked this, her entire body tensed up, as if his answer would decide her very future.
Gu Xuan was stunned. The Eight Petal Immortal Orchid? He had never heard of any connection between the Ye Family and that specific orchid. He knew what it was, of course; he just didn't know why she cared so much. But seeing her so high-strung, he guessed it held significant meaning for her family.
He decided to test the waters first.
"The Eight Petal Immortal Orchid?" Gu Xuan asked curiously. "That is an Immortal Grade herb. It must be picked with gold and stored in jade; as long as it's kept in a jade vessel, it won't wilt for a thousand years. Among all Immortal Herbs, it has the mildest yet most profound medicinal nature. It's easy to absorb but takes a long time to fully digest. Its main function is to solidify the foundation and expel impurities."
"If you were to consume it, it would solve the slow cultivation speed inherent to Support Type Soul Masters. Its effects would last until you reach Rank 70."
As he spoke, Ye Lingling became certain of his medical knowledge. He didn't just know the orchid; he knew exactly how it would affect her.
"You're right. So... do you really have it?" She became uncharacteristically excited, stepping forward to grab Gu Xuan's hand, her tone urgent.
But her heart sank when she saw him shake his head.
"I'm sorry. I know its effects, but we don't have that Immortal Herb at our location." Gu Xuan's eyes narrowed. He didn't believe she'd be this desperate just for a cultivation boost. He was digging for the real reason.
"No... There isn't one?!" Hearing this, Ye Lingling seemed to have the life sucked out of her. The light in her eyes dimmed instantly.
Gu Xuan reached out and clasped the small hand that was still clutching his. "Lingling, even without the orchid, is it really worth this reaction?"
Her expression turned sorrowful, a feeling that was palpable even through her veil.
"What do you know? The Nine-Hearted Begonia has always carried a curse. There can only ever be two heirs alive in the world at the same time. Because of this curse, I lost my closest relative, and I will lose another in the future." She began to cry, seemingly crushed by the despair of her world.
'So, this is the result of hope being followed by immediate despair,' Gu Xuan thought.
"To ordinary Soul Masters, the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid does exactly what you described," she sobbed, venting years of suppressed grief. "But if a Nine-Hearted Begonia owner consumes it, the curse can be broken! But my family has searched for generations and never found it."
"Sigh." Gu Xuan sighed and lightly patted her back. "I see."
"If that's the case, wouldn't you be willing to trade your very lives for this orchid?" he asked softly.
Ye Lingling shot him a tearful look. "If we could, any member of my family would."
"Can you imagine the Nine-Hearted Begonia multiplying like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda? If that happened, the Pagoda's status as the number one support soul would be shaken."
She let go of his hand, realizing she had lost her composure and crossed the professional boundary between them. A blush crept up her neck.
"I'm done teasing you." Gu Xuan reached out and grabbed her hand again, squeezing it gently.
Ye Lingling was so startled by his words that she forgot to pull away. "What... what do you mean?"
"Literally. The Eight Petal Immortal Orchid still exists; it hasn't been used. If everything you told me is true, then giving it to a Nine-Hearted Begonia owner is indeed the optimal choice." Gu Xuan held her hand with one of his while his other arm found its way around her waist. They looked exactly like a young couple.
Ye Lingling didn't even notice he was taking liberties with her. Her mind only had one thought: 'He has it? He actually has it?'
"You're not joking?" Her eyes regained their brilliance as she stared at him.
Gu Xuan smiled. "I have no reason to lie to you, even if you are beautiful enough to strike a chord in my heart."
He continued to flirt, and it was only then that Ye Lingling realized he was hugging her slender waist and playing with her hand.
"!" Her brow arched as a thought popped into her head.
'You pervert! Aren't you already with Sister Yan? You're actually trying to hook up with me, too?'
(End of Chapter)
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