All four of them turned their eyes to the jade platter, especially Ye Lingling, who stared intently at the Ice-Skin Snow-Jade Ginseng upon it, almost unwilling to look away.
Ning Fengzhi smiled and spoke:
"At the auction earlier, I noticed that this young lady was just as interested in it. I imagine you know what it does."
Ye Lingling's gaze lingered on the Ice-Skin Snow-Jade Ginseng. She paused, then nodded lightly.
"I need it to treat the flaw in my Martial Soul."
"A flaw in your Martial Soul?"
Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly. "Could it be..."
After Ye Lingling explained, Ning Fengzhi's expression turned grave, and his gaze toward her grew complicated.
He had never expected that this young girl before him was the current heir to the Nine Heart Begonia.
The Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul's support abilities were every bit as impressive as those of their Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda. Yet both Martial Souls had shortcomings that left much to be desired. In a way, they were fellow sufferers.
Unable to bear seeing Ye Lingling so upset, Dugu Yan turned to Ning Fengzhi and ventured, "Sect Master Ning, could you sell this Ice-Skin Snow-Jade Ginseng to Lingling? We can pay you back later."
"Yan Yan..."
Ye Lingling caught Dugu Yan's hand. With her keen mind, she knew that if Dugu Yan asked, even if Ning Fengzhi agreed to give her the Ice-Skin Snow-Jade Ginseng, it would be because of Dugu Bo.
But Dugu Yan clearly hadn't thought that far ahead. She simply couldn't stand seeing Ye Lingling so sad.
At Dugu Yan's words, Ning Fengzhi didn't answer right away. He merely let his gaze drift slightly, putting on a troubled expression.
Across from him, Mo Li noticed Ning Fengzhi repeatedly glancing his way and could only laugh wryly to himself.
"What an old fox."
Ning Fengzhi's show of reluctance was clearly meant for him. It was obvious he was waiting for Mo Li to speak up too.
Seeing how Ye Lingling couldn't take her eyes off the ginseng, how hope shone in them, Mo Li sighed inwardly. After a moment, he finally said, "Sect Master Ning, if you're willing to part with it, I'm sure Sister Lingling would be very grateful."
At last, Ning Fengzhi had gotten Mo Li to speak. He didn't care what the boy had said; now that he'd achieved his aim, he smiled and replied, "Ah, you young ones really are loyal and true-hearted. This medicinal herb isn't of much use to me. In that case, I'll do you a favor and give it to you."
When Mo Li spoke, a genuine flicker of hope had appeared in Ye Lingling's eyes. But she hadn't wanted to take advantage of Ning Fengzhi. She'd meant to owe him the money and pay him back later.
She hadn't expected the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to be so generous as to give her the Ice-Skin Snow-Jade Ginseng outright.
Faced with such kindness, she didn't know what to do. She lowered her head slightly, neither accepting nor refusing, looking quite at a loss.
Dugu Yan took her hand and prompted her. Only then did Ye Lingling softly say, "Thank you, Sect Master Ning."
Ning Fengzhi waved a hand and smiled.
"If you want to thank anyone, thank your friends. For me, getting to know you young ones is worth far more than anything I'd gain from this herb."
Ye Lingling was taken aback. She turned to Mo Li and Jiang Zhu behind her and said, "Thank you."
Dugu Yan held her hand. "Lingling, why are you being so formal with me?"
Mo Li only smiled faintly, then looked toward Ning Fengzhi, who remained calm.
Ning Fengzhi was seated in his chair, smiling as he watched them. He had achieved his aim: with a medicinal herb that wasn't particularly valuable, he had earned three favors.
No matter how much those favors were worth, at least he had made the most of the opportunity.
Mo Li understood this perfectly, but he didn't mind.
He had no ties to anyone and no connection to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. And though he had no intention of joining the continent's leading support sect, he was still quite interested in it.
Seeing that he had accomplished what he'd set out to do, Ning Fengzhi stood, clasped his hands behind his back, and gave them a warm smile.
"Now that you've found what you came for, I won't keep you any longer. I hope you'll visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect again sometime."
"Come to think of it, someone in my family is about your age. Perhaps you'll get a chance to meet."
Thinking of the little troublemaker at home, Ning Fengzhi suddenly felt a headache coming on.
"I'm sure we will," Mo Li said with a smile.
Ning Fengzhi took it as a polite remark. His smile never wavered, and he gave Mo Li another long look.
As if he hadn't noticed, Mo Li smiled too and said, "Sect Master Ning, we'll take our leave now."
Jiang Zhu, standing beside Mo Li, quietly echoed him.
Under normal circumstances, she would never have had the chance to meet the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Unlike Mo Li, she had no memories of two lifetimes, and unlike Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan, she had no powerful background. She felt a little out of her depth.
But with Mo Li in front of her, and seeing how composed he always was, she couldn't help feeling at ease.
Ye Lingling hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took the Ice-Skin Snow-Jade Ginseng from the jade platter. Under Ning Fengzhi and the others' watchful eyes, she placed a golden card on the platter in its place.
Mo Li and Dugu Yan watched without comment. After saying goodbye to Ning Fengzhi, they left the room.
Once they had gone, the door opened again, and a voice tinged with praise rang out.
"That boy's impressive. His talent is exceptional, but what's even rarer is his character. This young friend, Mo Li, is even more talented than I am!"
The door had opened without a sound, and Ning Fengzhi showed no surprise.
"Uncle Sword, the person just now..."
An old man stood at the doorway, clad in a snow-white robe. His long silver hair was neatly combed back, like a sheathed sword. Every gesture he made seemed to carry a razor-sharp edge.
"He was the dean of Blue Tyrant Academy. He's already left," Sword Douluo replied coolly.
Ning Fengzhi nodded and rose, going to the window. He watched Mo Li and the others disappear into the crowd, then sighed softly.
"I never expected Blue Tyrant Academy to have a genius with Innate Full Soul Power. What a stroke of fortune..."
If Sword Douluo, whose Innate Soul Power was level nine, had said that, then Mo Li's talent spoke for itself.
Only Innate Full Soul Power could explain it!
Heaven Dou City's streets.
Mo Li and Jiang Zhu stood together. Across from them stood Dugu Yan, her short purple hair catching the eye as she glanced around with a casual air, and Ye Lingling, her face veiled in black gauze, her eyes betraying a hint of excitement.
"Sister Lingling, it's about time. We have to head back to the academy too, so let's part ways here," Mo Li said with a smile.
Ye Lingling nodded lightly. Then, as if remembering something, she darted a glance aside and reached out to grab Mo Li's arm, wanting to pull him over to the side.
"Little Brother Mo Li..."
"Lingling, what are you doing?"
The two voices rang out almost simultaneously at Ye Lingling's gesture.
"Lingling, you're being way too bold! We're right here on the street, surrounded by people—and I'm here too!"
Dugu Yan sounded annoyed, with a trace of wounded indignation in her voice. Jiang Zhu, beside her, was also looking at Ye Lingling strangely.
Ye Lingling's cheeks turned red beneath her veil. Embarrassed and exasperated, she said, "Don't make things up. I... I have something to discuss with Mo Li!"
Dugu Yan put on a wounded expression, clearly not entirely convinced. Ye Lingling glared at her, then pulled Mo Li around the corner.
Mo Li stood aside, smiling as he watched the show. It was his first time seeing the usually cool and distant Ye Lingling display such a flash of annoyance. The contrast was rather charming.
He more or less knew what she wanted to ask him.
Before Ye Lingling could speak, he asked, "Sister Lingling, you want to ask about what I said at the auction—the news about the Immortal Herbs, right?"
At first, Ye Lingling's eyes darted away. But when she thought of her family's curse, her gaze gradually hardened. She looked at Mo Li and nodded firmly.