Departure

Lu Yueqing's impression of Shi Lan was decent, but whether to honor the engagement still required careful consideration; there was plenty of time.

With Lu Yueqing having said as much, Shi Lan didn't press further. Internally, however, she cursed the transmigration gods with all her might.

If she were a man now, possessing two Systems and such a stunning fiancée, what a dream start that would be.

Alas, life had no "ifs"...

Shi Lan left the hall with Lu Yueqing and they proceeded to where Shi Tianlu had prepared the banquet.

After the feast and socializing, Lu Yueqing requested leave from Shi Tianlu.

"Leaving already? Did you not get along with Shi Lan?" Shi Tianlu thought gleefully, though his brow furrowed.

"There have been recent disturbances in Nine Heavens City, and the Lu Family is short-handed. Yueqing could only spare this time with great difficulty, so please don't take offense, Uncle Shi." Lu Yueqing replied softly.

"Oh? What happened in Nine Heavens City? Do you need assistance?" Shi Tianlu recalled the letter he had received earlier and felt a slight surprise. Had something truly significant occurred in Nine Heavens City? Why hadn't he received any news?

Since Lu Changfeng hadn't personally visited, Shi Tianlu had initially assumed it was because he knew Lu Yueqing might break off the engagement and felt too embarrassed to come himself. Now, it seemed he was genuinely unable to get away.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Uncle Shi. My Lu Family can manage." Lu Yueqing shook her head slightly, then looked meaningfully at Shi Feng, who stood beside Shi Lan, "Shi Manor truly is full of talented individuals. This trip has truly opened my eyes."

Shi Tianlu acted as if he hadn't noticed, smiling and shaking his head, "Yueqing, you flatter us. Tenglong City is but a small place, incomparable to the talented and resourceful Nine Heavens City."

After a round of polite pleasantries, Shi Tianlu escorted Lu Yueqing and her two companions to the entrance of Shi Manor.

"Uncle Shi, please stop here. This is far enough."

Lu Yueqing flicked her sleeve, and a spark of spiritual light shot out, transforming into a green flying sword.

The flying sword grew rapidly in the wind, becoming a giant sword nearly ten feet long in the blink of an eye.

Lu Yueqing stepped onto the flying sword, and Lu Yuan followed closely behind her, leaping onto it.

Beside them, Lu Yueqing's grand-uncle slowly summoned a jade pendant-like artifact and stepped onto it with measured steps.

Shi Lan couldn't help but widen her eyes. Although she had seen images of people flying on artifacts in her past memories, witnessing it firsthand was still a breathtaking experience.

"Uncle Shi, we shall take our leave now." Lu Yueqing cupped her hands in another bow.

"Patriarch Shi, farewell."

"Travel safely. Be careful on your journey."

Watching the two streaks of light disappear into the horizon, Shi Lan finally withdrew her gaze, her eyes full of longing.

Foundation Realm...

"Why are you still standing there? Your confinement isn't over yet. Go back and reflect properly!" Shi Tianlu glared at Shi Lan before turning and walking back into the manor.

Shi Lan pouted and turned towards her residence. Even if Shi Tianlu hadn't said anything, she would have gone back to practice martial arts anyway.

"Sister Yueqing, that Shi Lan is a completely useless good-for-nothing. Don't be fooled by his handsome face. Just because he's good-looking doesn't mean he's a good person."

As Tenglong City disappeared from her view, Lu Yuan, who had held back for a whole day, finally couldn't contain himself.

"You haven't spent time with him, how can you say he's not a good person?" Lu Yueqing retorted.

"I..." Lu Yuan was momentarily speechless, then resorted to a childish tactic, "Rumors don't just appear out of nowhere. Even if they're exaggerated, he's still absolutely unworthy of you, Sister Yueqing."

Lu Yueqing shook her head slightly, "Three men talking make a tiger. The most untrustworthy thing in the world is gossip, yet amusingly, people always insist on believing it."

"Yueqing, Lu Yuan's words are not entirely unreasonable. If you truly dislike this Shi Lan, you can say so directly. I will speak to Changfeng."

"Thank you, Third Uncle. For now, I don't wish to consider this matter. Shi Lan is not a bad person; I can assure you of that. As for whether he is qualified to be my husband, I will personally assess that in the future."

"Very well, as you wish."

Shi Feng followed Shi Lan back to her courtyard.

Shi Lan mysteriously pulled Shi Feng into her room and pointed at the wooden box containing the Blood Ginseng, asking, "Can you find a way to get me more of this Blood Ginseng?"

The remaining Blood Ginseng wouldn't last even a day. Shi Lan had considered asking Su Lanyue for help, but Su Lanyue had already gone to the trouble of providing cultivation techniques and medicinal meals.

To bother her again, Shi Lan felt rather bad. She wasn't the original Shi Lan, and her feelings towards Su Lanyue were already complicated. Asking her for medicinal ingredients again was truly difficult for her to bring herself to do.

Looking at the small half of the Blood Ginseng left, including the roots, and the clear bite marks on the main body, Shi Feng's expression changed slightly.

Then, he said with some disbelief, "Eldest Young Master, I told you about this Blood Ginseng. Given your physical condition, you can only take half a qian at a time. In less than two days, you've already finished most of it?"

Shi Lan's expression was a little embarrassed. "I thought it tasted quite good, so I ate a bit more..."

"Don't you feel any discomfort?" A hint of worry appeared in Shi Feng's eyes.

Blood Ginseng was a powerful tonic. For Shi Lan's original physique, consuming so much in less than two days could easily lead to over-nourishment, causing harm instead.

"Eldest Young Master, let me examine you? To avoid any lingering issues." Shi Feng's worry grew as he thought about it, and he couldn't help but ask.

Shi Lan shook her head repeatedly upon hearing this. An examination? What if something she shouldn't reveal was discovered?

"I don't feel anything unusual. I just feel a bit more energetic. First, tell me, can you help me get more of this Blood Ginseng? How much does one plant of Blood Ginseng cost?"

"Blood Ginseng might not be available, but I can help you find similar medicinal ingredients that replenish blood essence. How much do you need?" Seeing Shi Lan's insistence, Shi Feng didn't press the previous issue any further.

"Twenty or thirty, the more the better," Shi Lan calculated the speed at which the Jade Body Forging Technique refined medicinal power and gave an approximate number.

"Twenty or thirty?! Do you think these are radishes?" Shi Feng gasped, startled. While century-old medicinal herbs weren't exactly treasures, they certainly weren't common commodities lying around everywhere.

Seeing Shi Feng's expression, Shi Lan realized that Blood Ginseng might not be that easy to find. After a moment's hesitation, she tentatively asked, "Fifteen? Or ten would be fine too."

"I'll try my best to find them and bring them to you tomorrow," Shi Feng said with a hint of helplessness.

"Thank you!" Shi Lan expressed her sincere gratitude. Shi Feng was truly the only person she could think of who could help.

"It's my duty to share the burdens of the Eldest Young Master." Shi Feng turned to leave but was called back by Shi Lan.

"Shi Feng, have you already reached the Foundation Realm?"