System Treasure's Clever Dragon-and-Phoenix Scheme · The Black Tortoise Mistakes Him for a Beauty

On the scroll, there were no densely packed illustrations of medicinal herbs, energy pathways, or complicated Soul Power formulas as he had expected.

There were only four simple yet impossibly ancient and profound characters, rendered in bold strokes—

Dragon and Phoenix Prosperity!!!

Below them, even more ancient lines sketched an abstract totem of a dragon and a phoenix intertwined, their auras blending together, radiating an indescribable harmony and... ambiguous intimacy?

Long Jinyu: "???"

He rubbed his eyes hard, wondering if he was seeing things.

"Wait... System? What the hell are you doing?!"

He roared inwardly.

"Where's the treatment plan you promised? What the hell is 'Dragon and Phoenix Prosperity' supposed to be?! The drawing's pretty, sure, but what's that got to do with treating an illness?!"

He counted off on his fingers. "Where's the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower? The Blazing Glue? The Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent Core?! You didn't include a single one of the things mentioned in the original that might actually work! You just gave me this?!"

[Host, you're thinking too small. Your horizons are too narrow.]

The system put on an air of mystery (begging to be beaten ✓).

[After running an overclocked analysis and taking the Nine-Colored Dragon God Martial Soul's traits into account, this system has arrived at the optimal solution.]

[The root of Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire is the impurity in her Phoenix Flame. It is mixed with an extremely evil force, which has thrown her yin and yang out of balance and made her origin restless. Ordinary extreme-yang Immortal Herbs might strengthen the flames, but they cannot purify the source.]

[And you, host, carry the bloodline of the Nine-Colored Dragon God and command the ultimate elements. You are yourself the embodiment of the most primal balance in heaven and earth! Your dragon aura is unyielding and extremely yang, yet centered and harmonious, capable of stirring a resonance with her phoenix origin!]

The system prattled on, praising Long Jinyu as if he were the greatest being in heaven and earth.

[In conclusion, no external materials are needed! You, host, are the best—and only—"medicine" to cure her!]

[You need only use your own dragon power and ultimate elements to regulate and harmonize her regularly, with... mm... a suitable amount of close-range aura blending. Through gradual influence, it should take at most a year to eliminate the Evil Fire at its root. You might even bring about a beneficial evolution in her Phoenix Martial Soul! They say the first-generation Phoenix God was a being comparable to the Dragon God!]

A dying man sat bolt upright in bed—could the cure really be me?

Long Jinyu listened in a daze. Actually... after hearing Mu En yesterday, he had considered this method too. He just couldn't shake the feeling that skipping the Immortal Herbs was a little unreliable.

Now that the little system brat had laid out its whole analysis, it somehow sounded... kind of reasonable (not)!

But... "close-range aura blending"? Why did that sound so weird? And that "Dragon and Phoenix Prosperity" picture...

Before he could think it through, the system abruptly changed tack, its tone turning utterly mercenary:

[Additionally, a friendly tip. This system's shop does carry the three things you just mentioned.]

[As for the price, it's not much. Since you're currently a VIP 1 user, they start at one hundred million points apiece! I'll just charge you three hundred million points! No haggling!]

Long Jinyu: "!!!"

He felt a surge of hot blood rush to his head and nearly passed out!

"T-three hundred million points?! Why don't you just rob me?!" He was so furious he nearly jumped up. "You swindler! A complete swindler!"

"The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, Aromatic Silk Beauty, Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew... You quoted me only one million points per Immortal Herb for those! Why are you jacking up the price a hundredfold for these three?! You're doing it on purpose!!!"

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

The system was utterly unreasonable, yet still brazen.

[Scarcity determines value, value determines price, and supply and demand affect the market~! Those three things you mentioned just happen to be the "right medicine" for Ma Xiaotao, and you happen to "need them urgently," so the price is naturally... a tiny bit higher.]

[Besides, this system's "Dragon and Phoenix Prosperity" plan is free! It has no side effects! It can even raise her affection for you! The value for money is unbeatable! What more could you want?]

Long Jinyu was so choked by the shameless argument that he couldn't speak. He pointed at the system. "You... you..."

He finally understood. This damned system had dug a pit and waited for him to fall in! First, it threw out an astronomical price to make him despair, then made its own "Dragon and Phoenix Prosperity" plan seem like an unbeatable bargain!

And it could raise her affection for him?! What exactly was this damned system plotting?

[So, host.]

The system's voice turned coaxing.

[Will you choose to work hard and earn three hundred million points to exchange for external materials, or choose... the "Dragon and Phoenix Prosperity" plan, where you personally step in, save points, and deepen your "fellow disciples' bond"?]

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

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

"Is this system treating me like a complete idiot?"

"Besides, there's the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Blazing Glue, and Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. When the time comes, I can go there and 'ask' Youyou and the others for them. Why would I let this damned system fleece me?"

But after thinking it over, he temporarily pushed the idea aside. "No. At least not now. Mu En just took me on as his disciple, so he's ninety-nine percent likely to have sent Xuan Zi or one of the elders to guard me in secret (keep an eye on me ✓). If I head to Sunset Forest now, I'd be driving straight into a trap. Besides, Ma Xiaotao's condition is stable for now... there's no rush."

Seeing how smug the system looked, Long Jinyu sighed helplessly. "Sigh, fine. It's my own system. Even if it's stupid, I can only spoil it."

He did his best to put on a "reluctantly thinking it over" expression and praised it halfheartedly in his mind. "All right, all right, you're great! You really are my system. You're actually useful when it counts!"

[Naturally! Everything this system produces is top quality!]

The system's voice brimmed with triumphant smugness.

[May you and Ma Xiaotao achieve "Dragon and Phoenix Prosperity"! May your partnership be a success!]

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

"Why does that blessing sound so weird...?"

After dealing with the system, Long Jinyu shook his head and continued strolling along the academy paths, planning his next steps.

He hadn't gone far when the light beside him dimmed. A figure naturally drew close, precisely matched his pace, and fell into step beside him, mimicking every stride without the slightest mistake.

Long Jinyu turned his head to look.

The newcomer wore the Shrek uniform and had short, dark red hair. He was tall and well-built, with handsome features, and held a folding fan that he idly waved, looking every bit the elegant young gentleman.

His eyes, however, were openly sizing Long Jinyu up from head to toe, filled with unconcealed admiration.

Long Jinyu: "..."

"Here we go again. I miss Big Sis Xiaotao so much..."

He could practically guess what the other was about to say.

The young gentleman's amazement was genuine, but when he saw Long Jinyu's flat chest, the faintest flicker of confusion crossed his face. How could this junior sister be so... plain and flat?

But that brief confusion was quickly replaced by even greater interest.

"You look unfamiliar. Are you a new student who just enrolled at Shrek?"

He snapped his fan shut and spoke first, his voice lazily magnetic as he tried to make his approach sound casual.

"Hey, I was wondering why I'd never seen such an... eye-catching sight before."

The moment Long Jinyu saw him, he recognized him as Xu Sanshi.

He remembered that although this guy was nicknamed "the scoundrel" and was a bit flashy and annoying, he wasn't bad at heart. He was loyal and devoted, with plenty of potential. With a little guidance, Long Jinyu could help him avoid a lot of wrong turns.

So he nodded, his tone calm but not unfriendly. "Mm. I'm a new student."

Seeing that the other person hadn't shunned him and had even answered, Xu Sanshi immediately took the opening and grew warmer, smiling as he said, "I'm Xu Sanshi, a fifth-year student and a Soul Elder. My Martial Soul is the Black Tortoise of Profound Mystery. I'm fairly well-known in the outer court."

He continued as if they were already old friends:

"Looks like you're touring the academy? It's almost mealtime. There's an old shop on North Street that makes a fantastic Basalt Soul-Shocking Soup! They stew a ten-year-old Black Tortoise shell with a few nourishing Soul Herbs. It's great for Soul Power, and the flavor's delicious!"

"Let me treat you. We can be friends! If you run into any trouble at the academy later, just give them my name. It should help a bit!"

He thumped his chest, doing his best to show off his "usefulness" and "generosity."

Long Jinyu found it a little funny. "Does he really think I'm a junior sister? But he seems more polite than the kind of lout he was in the original... At least he's not one of those obnoxious spoiled brats."

A suitably surprised expression appeared on his face. He decided to tease Xu Sanshi a little and smiled. "So you're Senior Xu Sanshi. I've heard all about your reputation as the outer court's strongest defense. But you're much more... refined than the rumors suggest."

His words carried a hint of teasing, but Xu Sanshi was over the moon. This pretty "junior sister" had heard of him! And she'd even praised his manners!

"Haha, you're too kind! That's just our classmates messing around!" Xu Sanshi was modest with his words, but he waved his fan even more enthusiastically. "So... junior sister, will you do me the honor?"

Long Jinyu nodded. "Since you're being so kind, I'd be rude to refuse. My name is Long Jinyu."

"Long Jinyu? What a fine name! A perfect fit!" Xu Sanshi immediately played along, privately delighted by how distinctive the name was. He enthusiastically led the way. "Come on, Junior Sister Long, this way! The place is a little out of the way, but I promise you'll love the food!"

The two walked side by side toward North Street. Xu Sanshi kept the conversation flowing with witty remarks, introducing all sorts of academy gossip and nearby delicacies in an effort to show off his "knowledge" and "refinement."

Long Jinyu merely nodded now and then, replying with a word or two. Most of the time, he listened quietly, a smile on his lips.

Before long, they arrived at the little shop Xu Sanshi had mentioned.

It wasn't large, and an old wooden sign reading "Xu's Old Shop" hung above the entrance. The decor was rustic and the place looked as if it had been there for years. It was dinnertime, and tempting aromas drifted out from within.

As soon as they stepped inside, the old shopkeeper behind the counter's eyes lit up. He hurried over and greeted Xu Sanshi respectfully. "Young Master, you're here."