However, with Ning Rongrong standing nearby, looking wary and gripping an SOS Firework, he ultimately didn't dare make a rash move.
Flender let out a heavy breath, his chest heaving violently as he forcibly tamped down the fury churning inside him.
Then he abruptly pulled a huge pile of glittering Gold Soul Coins from the Storage Soul Tool at his waist.
The coins clattered onto the polished floor, their dazzling light so bright it was hard to keep one's eyes open.
Flender stared fixedly at Ye Lingling, his tone so urgent it was almost pleading:
"You won't treat my students just because you think I haven't offered you enough money, right?"
"I'll give you all of it. I'm only asking you to save them!"
"With this paltry sum, you think you can buy my conscience?"
Ye Lingling's expression was cold as frost, her eyes full of undisguised disdain.
"I'd gladly treat the injured ordinary people outside for free."
"But these two beasts? Even if you gave me a mountain of gold and silver, I still wouldn't lift a finger!"
"See him out!"
Ye Lingling's voice rang out with force, carrying an unquestionable authority. Then she softly called to the two clan members beside her.
The two clan members looked troubled and exchanged glances, their eyes full of helplessness.
But they knew that only someone whose Martial Soul was the Nine Hearts Begonia could inherit the Nine Hearts Begonia Clan.
Ye Lingling was destined to take charge of the entire Nine Hearts Begonia Clan one day. How could they dare disobey her in the slightest?
The two hurriedly steeled themselves and stepped forward, gesturing for Flender to leave. Their tone was respectful but firm, leaving no room for refusal.
They half escorted, half drove out Flender, a Soul Saint at level seventy.
Flender was so furious his lungs nearly burst. His chest heaved violently, and he almost let loose a string of curses right there.
But this was the heart of Heaven Dou City, a place where the strong gathered and the various factions were deeply entrenched.
No matter how powerful he was as a Soul Saint, he didn't dare act recklessly here. Otherwise, disaster would surely befall him.
Besides, Ning Rongrong was still glaring at him like a hawk, the firework in her hand ready to be lit at any moment.
He was even less willing to make a move.
Flender looked down at Tang San and Dai Mubai, their shoulders charred black, their breaths faint. They were as weak as candles guttering in the wind. He clenched his teeth hard.
A pair of broad wings suddenly unfurled from his back. As Soul Power surged, he shot away in a streak of light.
The Nine Hearts Begonia Clan wasn't the only place with Soul Masters who could heal!
There were plenty of other healing-type Soul Masters to choose from in Heaven Dou City.
But compared with the Nine Hearts Begonia's heaven-defying healing ability, other healing Soul Masters were generally far weaker. The difference was like heaven and earth.
Even if they could save Tang San and Dai Mubai, they would surely be left with stubborn aftereffects that might even affect their future cultivation.
But if he didn't save them, that murderous devil Tang Hao would never let him off!
At the thought of Tang Hao's terrifying pressure, Flender couldn't help shuddering.
Flender gripped the Storage Soul Tool in his hand. The Gold Soul Coins inside still weighed heavily against his palm, pressing into it until it hurt.
At that moment, he couldn't agree more with what Ye Lingling had said.
Tang San and Dai Mubai really were a pair of pests!
Tang San had already been beaten badly by Liu Erlong last time and had barely managed to cling to life.
How much time had passed since then? Now he'd gone and provoked Xiao Yexuan without knowing his place. He was practically tired of living!
If Flender hadn't arrived in time, Tang San would likely have been beaten to death by Liu Erlong right there, without even leaving behind a corpse.
Tang San really was his father's son. Just like his old man Tang Hao, he was a complete idiot!
After Flender left, the tense atmosphere in the Nine Hearts Begonia Clan's hall instantly eased.
Xiao Yexuan sincerely thanked Ye Lingling, his voice full of genuine gratitude.
Then he put the interruption out of his mind, lowered his head again, and continued studying the pills he wanted to refine, his expression utterly focused.
Seeing this, Ye Lingling's heart began pounding. Her cheeks flushed faintly, and she gazed at Xiao Yexuan with undisguised admiration.
She felt that in Xiao Yexuan's eyes, there was room for nothing but pills and medicinal herbs.
All he wanted was to refine powerful pills and benefit every Soul Master in the world.
He was practically the role model of her life!
"Sir, you're about the same age as us. May I ask if you're still in school?"
Watching Xiao Yexuan's focused profile, Ye Lingling's curiosity grew stronger and stronger. She couldn't help asking, her voice several degrees softer than usual.
"Which school do you attend?"
When Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing heard Ye Lingling's question, their hearts lurched. They immediately realized what she was up to.
The three hurriedly signaled to Xiao Yexuan, blinking frantically in an attempt to stop him from telling the truth.
But Xiao Yexuan didn't notice at all. Without even looking up, he replied casually, "I'm studying at Blue Tyrant Academy. The current dean is my master."
"If you have time, you can come to our school and we can discuss pill-making."
"Just give them my name, and they'll let you in."
Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu instantly looked disappointed, their heads drooping in dismay.
They regretted not stopping Xiao Yexuan in time and letting him reveal such important information.
Now they could almost be certain that Ye Lingling would come looking for their young master every few days.
One more person meant one more rival competing for their young master's affection!
That was the last thing they wanted to see.
Every one of them wished they could have Xiao Yexuan all to herself!
Xiao Yexuan glanced at the three women's disappointed faces, the corner of his mouth lifting in an almost imperceptible curve. He couldn't help feeling disdainful.
Did they really think he didn't know what was going through their minds or what they were trying to do?
They were nothing but childish tricks.
"Blue Tyrant Academy? I know it!"
Ye Lingling's eyes lit up instantly, as though stars were twinkling in them. Her voice was full of excitement.
"Blue Tyrant Academy is right in Heaven Dou City, not far from my pharmacy. That's wonderful!"
"Sir, I'll definitely visit you when I have time!"
Ye Lingling said happily, her hands even clenching the hem of her skirt.
Of course, she was still keeping a little secret to herself.
She was already planning to transfer from Heaven Dou Royal Academy to Blue Tyrant Academy so she could see Xiao Yexuan every day.
But for now, she didn't say anything about it and decided to keep the idea to herself.
Ye Lingling stood at the doorway, watching Xiao Yexuan and the others gradually disappear into the distance. Only when they were gone from the end of the street did she reluctantly look away.
Thinking back to the time she had spent studying pills with Xiao Yexuan, she felt she had gained a great deal and finally seen the light.
It was as if simply being with Xiao Yexuan made inspiration well up without end.
Many difficult problems she had pondered over and over without finding an answer suddenly became clear.
She couldn't wait to get back to the laboratory and test the inspiration she had just found.
Ye Lingling secretly resolved to work hard to improve her pill-making skills.
She hoped she could become worthy of Xiao Yexuan, truly help him in the future, and become his right-hand woman.
Otherwise, she didn't want to be like a decorative vase, only able to watch Xiao Yexuan from afar without being able to help him at all.
Before you continue