Clever Treasure Schemes Dragon-Phoenix Match · Mystical Turtle Mistakenly Knows Beauty's Fate

On the scroll, there were no dense herb diagrams, energy execution routes, or complex soul power formulas as expected.

There were only four simple, yet ancient and profound characters—

Dragon and Phoenix Prosperity!!!

Below the characters was an even more ancient abstract totem, depicting a dragon and a phoenix intertwined, their auras merging. It radiated an indescribable harmony and... an ambiguous aura?

Long Jinyu: "???"

He rubbed his eyes vigorously, suspecting he was hallucinating.

No way... System? What kind of stunt are you pulling?!

He roared in his heart.

Where is the promised treatment plan? What the hell is this 'Dragon and Phoenix Prosperity'?! The drawing is nice, but what does this have to do with curing an illness?!

He counted on his fingers: "What about the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower? The Blazing Glue? The Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent Core?! You didn't write down a single thing mentioned in the original work that might be effective! You're just showing me this?!"

[Host, you're thinking too small. Your perspective is too narrow.]

The system feigned profoundness (and was begging to be punched).

[After the system's overclocked calculations, combined with the characteristics of the Nine-Colored Dragon God martial soul, the optimal solution has been derived.]

[The root of Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire lies in the impurity of her Phoenix Flame, which is tainted by the power of extreme evil, leading to an imbalance of Yin and Yang and a restless origin. Ordinary extreme-yang immortal herbs might enhance the fire, but they cannot cleanse its source.]

[And you, Host, bear the bloodline of the Nine-Colored Dragon God and are a master of ultimate elements; you are the very symbol of balance in heaven and earth! Your dragon aura is extremely rigid and yang, yet upright and peaceful, capable of inducing resonance with her phoenix origin!]

The system went on and on, praising Long Jinyu as if he were "unrivaled in heaven and earth."

[In summary, no external objects are needed! You, Host, are the best and only 'medicine' to cure her!]

[You only need to use your dragon power and ultimate elements to regulate and harmonize her periodically, supplemented by... well... appropriate close-range aura merging. Through subtle influence, it is estimated that within a year at most, the Evil Fire can be eradicated, and it may even cause her Phoenix martial soul to undergo a benign evolution! Legend has it that the first Phoenix God was a being comparable to the Nine-Colored Dragon God!]

Waking up from a deathbed illness, only to find that the medicine is actually me?

Long Jinyu was stunned. Actually... after listening to Mu En yesterday, he hadn't ruled this out, but he felt that relying solely on himself without immortal herbs was unreliable.

Now, looking at the system's analysis, it seemed... somewhat reasonable (or did it)?

But... "close-range aura merging"? Why did that phrase sound so awkward? And that "Dragon and Phoenix Prosperity" diagram...

Before he could think further, the system changed its tone, becoming extremely mercenary:

[Additionally, a friendly reminder. The three items you mentioned earlier... are indeed available in the system shop.]

[As for the price, it's not expensive. Given that you are currently a VIP1 user, it starts at 100 million points each! I'll just charge you 300 million points! A fair price for all!]

Long Jinyu: "!!!"

He felt blood rush to his head and nearly choked!

"Three... 300 million points?! Why don't you just go rob someone?!" He was so angry he nearly jumped up. "Profiteer! An absolute profiteer!"

"The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, the Aromatic Silk Beauty, the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew... when you quoted me for these immortal herbs before, they were only one million points each! Why, when it comes to these three, are you price-gouging and increasing it by a hundredfold?! You did this on purpose!!!"

[Host, you can't say it like that.]

The system was unreasonable but acted righteous.

[Scarcity determines value, and supply and demand affect price~! The three you mentioned happen to be the most 'symptomatic' 'medicine' for Ma Xiaotao, and since you are in 'urgent need,' the price naturally... goes up by just a little bit.]

[Furthermore, the 'Dragon and Phoenix Prosperity' plan provided by this system is free! No side effects! It even increases favorability! The cost-effectiveness is invincible! What else could you possibly be dissatisfied with?]

Long Jinyu was choked speechless by this shameless logic, pointing at the system: "You... you..."

He finally understood that this lousy system had dug a hole for him to jump into! It first threw out an astronomical price to make him despair, then made its "Dragon and Phoenix Prosperity" plan look like a bargain!

And it increases favorability?! What exactly is this lousy system plotting?!

[So, Host.]

The system's voice became coaxing, [Will you choose to work hard to earn 300 million points to exchange for external items? Or will you choose... the 'Dragon and Phoenix Prosperity' plan, where you take the lead yourself, saving points while deepening your 'fellow disciple bond'?]

Long Jinyu felt his intelligence had been insulted. He suppressed the urge to curse...

"Choose? I'll choose your head! Choose, choose, choose!"

Is this system treating me like an idiot?

The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well isn't devoid of Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower and Blazing Glue. I can just go there later and 'beg' them from Youyou and the others. Why would I need to be fleeced by this dog system?

But after a moment of thought, he suppressed this idea: No, at least not now. Mu En just took me as his disciple; he almost certainly sent Xuan Zi or some elder to secretly protect (watch) me. Running to the Sunset Forest now would be like driving a truck into a bomb. Anyway, Ma Xiaotao's condition is stable... no need to rush.

Looking at the system's smugness, Long Jinyu sighed helplessly: "Sigh, forget it. It's my own system; I have to spoil it even if it's not very bright."

He forced a "troubled" expression and perfunctorily praised it in his heart: "Fine, fine, you're great! As expected of my system, you're still somewhat useful at critical moments!"

[That goes without saying! Anything produced by this system is a boutique!]

The system's voice was filled with triumph.

[Wishing you and Ma Xiaotao a successful 'Dragon and Phoenix Prosperity'! Happy cooperation!]

Long Jinyu felt his headache worsen: "..."

"Somehow, this blessing feels a bit strange...?"

After dealing with the system, Long Jinyu shook his head and continued strolling along the academy's path, calculating his next steps.

He hadn't gone far when the light and shadow beside him dimmed. A figure moved in with effortless naturalness, perfectly adjusting to his pace and walking side-by-side, mimicking his stride without a single flaw.

Long Jinyu turned his head to look.

The newcomer wore a Shrek uniform, had short dark red hair, a tall and well-proportioned build, and handsome features. He was waving a folding fan, looking every bit the dashing young master.

Yet, those eyes were currently scanning him from head to toe with undisguised, full-blown appreciation.

Long Jinyu: "..."

Great, here we go again. I really miss Sister Xiaotao...

He could almost guess what the other party would say next.

The admiration in the young master's eyes was genuine, but when he caught sight of Long Jinyu's flat chest, a flicker of extremely subtle confusion crossed his face. How is this junior sister... so remarkably flat?

However, that sliver of doubt was quickly replaced by even deeper interest.

"This classmate looks unfamiliar. You must be a freshman who just enrolled at Shrek, right?"

He snapped his folding fan shut and took the initiative to speak, his voice carrying a lazy, magnetic quality as he tried to make his approach sound natural.

"Hey, I was wondering why I've never seen such... eye-catching scenery before."

Long Jinyu looked at the man, and his identity immediately clicked—Xu Sanshi.

He remembered that although this guy was nicknamed "the scoundrel" and could be a bit of a peacock and a nuisance, his nature wasn't bad. He was loyal and valued relationships, a talent worth molding. If he provided a little guidance, he could help him avoid quite a few detours.

Thus, he nodded, his tone flat yet not cold: "Mm, a freshman."

Seeing that the other party wasn't repulsed and had actually responded, Xu Sanshi immediately climbed the pole, his tone becoming even more enthusiastic as he laughed: "I'm Xu Sanshi, fifth grade, Soul Elder cultivation, martial soul Black Tortoise of Profound Mystery. I'm fairly well-known in the Outer Court."

He continued with practiced familiarity:

"Looks like you're touring the academy? It's almost lunchtime, and I know a classic shop on North Street where the 'Basalt Soul-Shocking Soup' is absolutely top-tier! They use ten-year-old black turtle shells simmered with several types of warming soul herbs; it's incredibly nourishing for soul power and tastes fresh as well!"

"Let me treat you? Consider it making a friend! If you run into any trouble in the academy later, you can just drop my name. It's still got some pull!"

He patted his chest, trying hard to display his "value" and "generosity."

Long Jinyu felt a bit amused. Is he really taking me for a junior sister? But he sounds a bit more polite than the reckless guy in the original story? At least he's not that kind of repulsive playboy?

A perfectly timed look of realization appeared on his face. Deciding to play along, he smiled: "So you are Senior Xu Sanshi. The title of 'Strongest Defense of the Outer Court' is like thunder to the ears. Though, the senior himself is... much more refined than the rumors suggest."

His words carried a faint hint of teasing, but to Xu Sanshi, it was music to his ears—this beautiful "junior sister" had actually heard of him! And she even praised his manners!

"Haha, you flatter me! That's just the other students messing around!" Xu Sanshi said with feigned modesty, while his fan waved even more vigorously. "So... junior sister, would you do me the honor?"

Long Jinyu nodded: "Since the senior is so generous, I shall respectfully accept. My name is Long Jinyu."

"Long Jinyu? What a great name! The person matches the name, marvelous!" Xu Sanshi immediately chimed in, thinking to himself how unique the name was, then enthusiastically led the way. "Come, come, Junior Sister Long, this way please! The shop is a bit out of the way, but the taste will absolutely satisfy you!"

The two walked side-by-side toward North Street. Along the way, Xu Sanshi kept up a stream of witty remarks, introducing various interesting tidbits about the academy and the surrounding delicacies, striving to show off his "knowledge" and "demeanor."

Long Jinyu nodded occasionally, offering simple responses, but for the most part, he just listened quietly with a smile on his lips.

Soon, they arrived at the small shop Xu Sanshi had mentioned.

The storefront was small, bearing a wooden plaque that read "Xu's Old Shop." The decor was rustic and clearly had some years on it. Since it was peak mealtime, waves of enticing food aromas drifted out from within.

As soon as they stepped through the door, the old shopkeeper behind the counter brightened and immediately hurried over, bowing respectfully: "Young Master, you've arrived."